Lady O Shoes has been featured in Fashion Times, New York! Check out the exclusive interview with our founder, Lesley Zheng today!
The Latest News, Features and Trends from the Fashion World
Lady O Shoes Takes Floral Prints To The Next Level [Exclusive Interview]
Nov 03, 2014 02:07 PM EST
Floral prints for spring are nothing new, but Lesley Zheng, the woman behind Lady O Shoes, has found a way to make the pretty pattern fresh again.
Lady O Shoes recently made its debut for the spring 2015 season with a collection of footwear made from real flowers. Using a patent-pending design process, Lady O Shoes products are crafted using pressed flowers that are picked at their peak and infused in vinyl.
Ranging in price from $158 to $338, the shoes in this debut collection come in a variety of styles, including platform peep-toe slingbacks, wedges and flat sandals - all of which are available in patent leather and braided raffia.
We recently chatted with Zheng about her debut collection for Lady O Shoes, her decision to use real flowers in her designs and much more. Keep reading to learn more about this emerging and innovative footwear brand.
1. What was the inspiration for your debut collection?
"The inspiration comes from nature. Growing up, I really loved the vibrant colors of flowers and butterflies. I really wanted to include those vibrant colors into my own designs."
2. Describe Lady O Shoes in a few words.
"We like to refer to Lady O Shoes as the four F's: Floral, Fun, Fresh and Fabulous. Other words that describe us include artistic, unique and comfortable."
3. Why use real flowers in your designs?
"I have been in the shoe industry for over 16 years, I have seen countless styles try to mimic natural flowers and preserve that spring and summer feeling. However, the results are predictable; designers use flower print or artificial flowers made of fabric or plastic. These are pale imitations of the real thing. I wanted to make something original and authentic that could preserve the beauty of nature. The pressed flowers incorporated into our designs allow people to have a piece of nature in their shoes."
4. Lady O Shoes are made with NASA's Poron® memory foam, which sounds amazing. Can you describe the feel of your shoes and why it was important to make them so comfortable?
"You will feel the excellent support from the Poron® memory foam and the arch support design immediately. Even after hours of wearing our high heels, your feet still feel great! The experience of wearing shoes that left my feet blistered was the real catalyst for me to make a comfortable shoe line. I looked at my shoe closet and wondered 'Why can't I have beautifully designed shoes that I can walk in for more than a half hour?' I decided to fuse high-end designer style with comfort. It is important to me to have a pair of shoes that are not only one-of-a-kind but also wearable."
5. Other than the fact that you use real flowers, what makes Lady O Shoes different from other footwear brands?
"Lady O Shoes are a combination of unique style and comfort. Lady O Shoes are made in the same factories with some of the same materials as luxury brands like Stuart Weitzman, Sigerson Morrison and Michael Kors."
6. Do you have plans to eventually create shoes without pressed flowers? If so, can you explain the ideas you have or other areas you want to explore?
"Yes, the pressed flower shoes are part of our debut collection. We will keep some pressed flower pieces in our upcoming fall collection. However, our next collection will also include some classic and timeless styles without pressed flowers. We are currently researching and creating some vintage-inspired styles as well as wedding-worthy bridal styles."
7. Who would you love to see wear one of your designs?
"I would love to see some A-list celebrities wearing our designs. I'm a big fan of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Carrie Underwood, Blake Lively and Olivia Palermo and would love to see them in Lady O Shoes."
8. Excluding a pair of Lady O Shoes, what's one type of shoe you think every woman should own?
"I think a pair of knee-high leather boots would be an excellent addition to any woman's wardrobe. I think the Stuart Weitzman signature 50/50 boot is great because it can easily be worn day to night. The boots are also comfy, timeless and have style just like Lady O Shoes."
9. What's your favorite fall 2014 footwear trend?
"Shoes with sparking elements like jewelry and beads are some of my favorite trends for fall. I love embellishments."
10. What's one fall 2014 footwear trend you can't stand?
"Crisscross-strap flats like those from Proenza Schouler. I won't say I can't stand them, but I think they are funny-looking."


Welcome to the Hummingbird Photographics Special Effects Collections. Currently there are two galleries.
One deals with all monochromatic images. These images are primarily created using various software packages, although some are scans of black & white photographs or negatives.
The other gallery uses a variety of computer-generated special or creative effects, from applying artistic treatments to photographic images to using techniques and tools to create entirely new images.
Some sample images are displayed to the right. For the full galleries, click on Galleries above.


Official Memorabilia NZ, in conjunction with the owners of Winx, are proud to release ‘The King & Queen’, commemorating the wonderful racing achievements of both Winx and Kingston Town, the only race horses in history to win the Cox Plate three times - a feat each of these legends achieved over consecutive years. Personally signed by their respective jockeys Hugh Bowman and Malcolm Johnston, this magnificent piece also features the verified, authentic signatures on photographs of Chris Waller and Tommy Smith, the latter sourced with thanks from private collectors. This spectacular piece is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t delay – history has proven that the legends of the track sell out quickly, so act now to secure your newest piece of Australian racing history!
- Pays the ultimate tribute to the only two triple Cox Plate champions in history, Winx and Kingston Town
- The Winx replica silk comes personally signed by three-time Cox Plate winning jockey Hugh Bowman and is accompanied by a signed photograph of trainer, Chris Waller
- The Kingston Town replica silk comes personally signed by champion jockey ‘Miracle’ Malcolm Johnston, along with a signed photograph of trainer TJ Smith
- Strictly limited to just 123 editions globally, with each edition accompanied by an individually numbered Certificate of Authenticity
- Approximate framed dimensions of the dual pieces are an impressive 1000 x 1200 mm
- Officially licensed and endorsed by Racing Victoria and the owners of Winx
- Independently authenticated by a-Tag


While I enjoy using DSLR cameras for my personal photography, I've recently come to love using Polaroid cameras a little bit more. I strongly believe that restrictions can help to strengthen an artist. By having a limited amount of film, only a couple of controls and only allowed to take pictures within a square ratio, Polaroids may sound like a nightmare to some. However, I believe that these restrictions can help photographers to take works of art that are both personal and beautiful.
There is also a certain vulnerability with Polaroid film. The grain, color tone, chemical marks, light leaks and blur may come off as undesirable to some. You most likely will not get the image that imagined in your mind when shooting with this kind of film. These "mistakes", though, come across as really honest to me. While I love antiques, I continue to use an old Polaroid camera not because it's "vintage" or "retro", but because it produces a look that is very raw, unique and stunning.
When it comes to the camera models that I use, I originally used my Onestep SX-70. While I am happy with the colors it produces with Impossible film, I found that the lighten/darken control was a little too finicky. As of now, I mostly use my Autofocus 660 model with Impossible Project film, which gives tends to work better with light.


I’ve been working on music for 20+ years; refining my sound, improving my production technique, and exploring the progressive aspects of the electronic genre. My work is characterized by emphasis on intricate sonic detail, complex “glitchy” composition, ambiophonic sound stage, and cinematic sound design. I enjoy using aberrant time signatures and chord progressions that nudge the listener past their comfort zone, and inspire critical listening.
My music is available on SoundCloud. For the most productive playback experience, I recommend a set of high quality headphones or a time-coherent set of speakers with a flat response spanning a minimum of 28Hz to 19kHz.
These tracks are also available for purchase in high quality lossless format at bandcamp.com
For the older stuff, check out The Archive


Ian Keable – The Century Of Deception
The 1700s was a period when the people of England seemed to be especially gullible. They believed a woman could give birth to rabbits; a man could climb inside a two pint bottle and sing inside it; and where a blond-haired European could write a book claiming that he was born in Taiwan.
Based on his recently published book, The Century of Deception: The Birth of the Hoax in Eighteenth-Century England, Ian Keable demonstrates how 18th century hoaxes are memorable not only for their imaginative nature but also because of the differing motives of the tricksters.
Ian obtained a first-class degree from the University of Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, qualified as a chartered accountant and then became a professional magician. A member of The Magic Circle with gold star, he has won several awards for his unique brand of comedy magic.
He has also performed on television and has written and presented programmes for BBC Radio.
An accredited lecturer for The Arts Society, he gives talks on magic history, cartoons and eighteenth-century hoaxes.
Keable’s other publications include Stand-Up: A Professional Guide to Comedy Magic and Charles Dickens Magician: Conjuring in Life, Letters and Literature.
He lives in London.
When and Where?
Livestreaming on twitch.tv/sitp at 7:00 pm UK time on 16th September.
A collaborative enterprise as part of Skeptics In The Pub – Online.
Skeptics of the Round Table returns to the Pub!
Wednesday 8th September is a momentous day. It is on that day that the Skeptics of the Round Table returns to an actual pub.
Yes, after 18 months confined to Zoom, the Bishop On The Bridge is once again where we return to. At 7:00 pm BST.
We have a table booked. Be there if you can – you will be most welcome!


Elevate Your Game with Wooden Handmade Chess Board Table – Where Grandeur and Strategy Converge!
• Materials: Crafted from high-quality wood, ensuring durability and a classic aesthetic.
• Design: Unique tri-legged design for stability and visual appeal, enhancing the overall chess-playing experience.
• Size: Dimensions carefully chosen for comfortable gameplay and easy placement in various settings.
• Finish: Smooth and polished surface for seamless piece movement and an elegant look.
• Chessboard: Checkered board pattern with clear, contrasting squares for easy distinction between pieces.
• Legs: Three sturdy legs designed for balance, featuring intricate details that complement the table’s design.
• Assembly: Easy-to-follow assembly instructions included for hassle-free setup.
• Usage: Suitable for casual games, as well as decorative purposes, making it a conversation piece in any room.


“Depression, You Are The Great Liar” by Julie Farmer
in team THRIVE - OUR STORIES by Robin Mohilner September 6, 2011 0 comments
Depression, you are the great liar.
Backing me into a dark corner where only I can hear you.
Your accusatory voice like curling smoke from your vile mouth
Away from the safety of the ones who love me.
You beat me with a cudgel of intimidation
Telling me I am no good; do not belong here.
You throw all of my failures into my face like hot searing acid; burning me alive with shame.
Cold and alone in a corner, I cower, curled up with my back to dank rough stone.
The room is dark. I can’t find my way out.
You taunt me
I am too weak both physically and mentally.
I know you are waiting to take the final prize
You want me to give up
Who are you to try and take it all away from me?
You will not be there to help pick up the pieces for those left behind if I go
You will not provide for my children, cheer their triumphs or soothe them in my absence
Don’t you reach out your cruel hand for mine
I will not meet you in this dark place
I’d slaughter you, as you would me.
Written By Julie Farmer,
member of team THRIVE


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Hemp & Cotton Handmade Hemp Hat–Off-white
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A Classic Round Hat handmade from Hemp and cotton threads woven together to create an intricate design. This hat is a perfect accessory for a sunny day out or a shopping trip!
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Deep in the Heart will be the first blue-chip wildlife documentary ever produced about our beloved Texas. The film will celebrate our many conservation success stories while showcasing some of our most important ecological issues through the eyes of wildlife and wild places. Imagine Planet Earth...but in Texas! Through witty narration, humor, and state-of-the-art cinematography, the film will showcase approximately twenty wildlife species ranging from the iconic bison to the mysterious ocelot. The feature-length film will begin in the high plains and peaks of West Texas, flow through diverse ecoregions along our many river systems, and conclude along the bays, estuaries, and the Gulf of Mexico. Deep in the Heart aims to inspire Texans to conserve our remaining wild places, to show the connectivity of water and wildlife, and to recognize Texas’ conservation importance on a continental scale.


April 3, 1986
Thousand Oaks, California, United States
Actress, comedian, singer, fashion designer
Amanda Laura Bynes
Amanda was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California as the youngest of three children to Lynn and Rick Bynes. Bynes has two older siblings, Tommy and Jillian. Amanda started acting at the age of 7, doing small parts in advertisements. Amanda had a very religious upbringing, with her Jewish mother and Catholic dad. Amanda made her film debut in the 2002 movie, Big Fat Liar. In June 2010, Amanda said that she planned to retire from acting, announcing on her Twitter page, "I don’t love acting anymore, so I’ve stopped doing it." A month later, Amanda had an apparent change of heart and "unretired". At the 2011 MTV Movie Awards, Amanda told People Magazine that she's taking "time off" from acting.
|2003||Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Big Adventure||Nellie (voice)|
|2003||What a Girl Wants||Daphne Reynolds|
|2006||She's the Man||Viola Hastings/Fake Sebastian|
|2007||Sydney White||Sydney White|
|2010||Easy A||Marianne Bryant|
|1997–99||Figure it Out||Panelist|
|1999–2002||The Amanda Show||Host/Various characters/Penelope Taynt|
|2001||The Drew Carey Show||Sketch player|
|2001||The Nightmare Room||Danielle Warner|
|2002–06||What I Like About You||Holly Tyler|
- 2007: Hairspray: Soundtrack to the Motion Picture
- Singles or Songs
- 2007: "Without Love" (Hairspray)
- 2007: "You Can't Stop the Beat" (Hairspray)
In her childhood she performed on stage, Annie, The Secret Garden, The Music Man and The Sound of Music.
In 2007, Amada signed a five-year deal with Steve and Barry's create her own fashion line, Dear, consisting of apparel and accessories. The clothing line launched in stores August 16, 2007.
- Although the casting crew knew right away that Amanda was perfect for the role of Penny in the film version of Hairspray, there were some initial issues with her singing voice. At first, she seemed to be holding back and lacking the confidence to belt out her musical numbers, and it took a while to help her grow more comfortable with that. Fortunately, over time, Amanda improved, and those involved in the production were pleased with her performance.
- The light blue dress that Amanda wore at the end of Hairspray ended up being so small, she essentially had to be sewn into it, according to film director Adam Shankman. Ironically, the exact same thing had to be done with actress Olivia Newton-John's final outfit in fellow film/musical classic Grease.
- In 2007, Amanda said that she was known as "Auntie Chickie" to her niece Jay Lynn and nephew Matthew.
- In What A Girl Wants, the photo album that Amanda's character gives to her father is filled with real pictures of Amanda as a little girl (although not all the pictures are actually her).
- Amanda lives in the same neighborhood as Christy Carlson Romano, Raven, and Ricky Ullman.
- Amanda has 6 pets. She has 2 dogs: Tootsie Roll (Golden Lab) and Betty Boop (Australian Shepard), 3 cats: Subbie, D.C, and Tiger, and a fish named Bella.


My students never cease to amaze me!
On Friday afternoon while we were packing up the classroom, I was chatting with a group of my Year 1/2 students about our day. They were saying things like “We had fun” and “We were busy” but one of my quieter students said “Tina, we need to shine a light”. I stopped for a minute to try and figure out where he was coming from but I guessed that it was related to our morning singing. I asked him what he meant and he explained that one of our class members was having a lot of difficulty with school and that we needed to help her and ‘shine a light’. I asked if this came from our song, ‘Try a little kindness’ and he replied “Yes. It says ‘don’t walk around the down and out’ and to ‘shine a light’. So we need to shine a light and then we will help her be better at school.”
I was so touched by his degree of caring and that he really took in the words of the song that we have sung many times this year. It was also affirming that he was able to share his thoughts in such an insightful way – he thought very deeply about the situation and came up with a meaningful solution – all from the words of a song!
I have always believed in the power of music and the important role that the Arts have in our curriculum. We are all unique learners and this student showed me that he was thinking outside the box and on a deep level.
I acknowledged his positive approach to someone in need and for being such a caring class member. I am now thinking through how to indeed ‘shine a light for everyone to see’. It was one of those moments that makes you stop and think, “Yes, I am making a difference and together, with my students, we can achieve amazing things!”
I love my job!


Classic Session $250
This session is great for families with small children who may tire quickly. It is also an option for seniors or couples on a budget.
This is a 1 hour session.
The Classic Session includes 25 edited images and a print release delivered via digital gallery to your email.
Lifestyle Session $400
The adventure session is ideal for seniors and couples (also families) who want to capture a wide variety of exceptional images.
We will take our time, explore, and maybe have a little adventure. We can hike to a waterfall or stroll around your favorite town.
This session is not timed but can be up to 2.5-3 hours long and will include every edited image (50+) with full printing rights.


La Maddalena is the largest island of an archipelago of 7 islands (La Maddalena, Caprera, Santo Stefano, Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria and Razzoli).
The town, which dates back to the eighteenth century, is situated south of the main island facing Palau.
One of the most renowned beaches of the archipelago includes the famous pink sand beach along the coast of the Bubelli island, also known for being the location of the movie by Michelangelo Antonioni "Red Desert".
Connected to La Maddalena by bridge, is the island of Caprera, famous for being the place where Giuseppe Gairbaldi spent the last years of his life.
Today, his house is a museum; the original clock and calendars hanging on a wall still show the time and date of his death: June 2, 1882.


Welcome to Beltman's collection of meticulously crafted belts, all handmade in the U.S.A. Thanks to our never-ending pursuit of perfection in leathercraft, Beltman has been widely recognized for two decades as the Gold Standard in leather gun belts. Our skilled American artisans understand the needs of both open and concealed carriers, and we pour our expertise and passion into every step of our gun belt creation process. The result is a top-quality leather gun belt that gives your holster unwavering support, never succumbing to the weight of your pistol or revolver. And even if you don’t carry a weapon, you’ll find that a Beltman gun belt makes an exceptionally durable and attractive casual belt or dress belt.
Beltman premium leather belts come in three widths – 1.25-inch, 1.5-inch, and 1.75-inch, and are available in a variety of materials, from our most popular Bullhide and Shrunken American Bison, to Elephant, Shark, Horse, and even Alligator. We start with the finest leathers, vegetable-tanned and dyed to the strictest standards, and our craftsmen cut the leather and glue the layers together with the highest quality adhesive. Then we finish the edges using our own in-house developed proprietary processes that yield some of the best edges you’ll ever see on a leather belt. Finally, we carefully stitch the belt for beauty and durability before installing the buckle and Chicago screws, resulting in a finely crafted piece of art that you will be proud to wear around your waist whether you’re on the range, in the office, at church, or at a special event with formalwear.
Our customers rave about the quality of Beltman belts as well as our personalized customer service experience. From helping with sizing to offering advice on materials and usage, Beltman's dedication and commitment to ensuring a perfect fit shines through. Give us a chance and you will see why so many loyal customers rely on Beltman for a superior belt that withstands the test of time and delivers exceptional performance.


It started with a conversation. It felt good to be in the company of other Asian photographers after two years of interacting with this community through screens. We drifted onto the topic of our names — not only their meanings and origins but also how our identities are often shaped by our cultural and familial traditions.
In the journey to feel at home in our Asian American or Pacific Islander identities, we may encounter different versions of ourselves. We asked nine Asian American and Pacific Islander photographers, "What is the story of your name? What does it mean to you?" In considering photographers for this project, we did not factor in who has American citizenship or permanent residency status, but rather who calls the U.S. home at this moment.
My name was chosen by my mother in an act of agency in the shadow of my family's disappointment that she had not given birth to a boy during China's one-child policy initiative. Arin Yoon's name was found in a forest in a dream. Ian Morton discovered his Korean name, Lim Hae-dong, on a manila folder that contained his adoption files. To Amir Hamja, "This name bears everything I create and it carries the weight of all my existence."
Co-producer: Arin Yoon Photo Editor: Ben De La Cruz
Shuran Huang's Story
"She is a girl, not a boy," my paternal grandfather said, expressing his disappointment. Like most families in China, he believed that his bloodline passes down through the male side. Because of China's one-child policy, my mother wouldn't have a second chance to have a boy.
In keeping with the traditional household hierarchy, my grandfather had the honor of naming me. He chose Xiăoxiá, which means "early morning light" — the time of my birth. "Xiá" also shares the same character as 丹霞山 / Dānxiá Mountain, referring to the place where I was born.
But my parents didn't like the name. They thought it sounded dull and it didn't resonate with their expectations for me. As the eldest son, my dad exercised his right to name me next, dubbing me 晨詩 / Chénshī. The two characters together mean "an early morning poem." It reflects a saying in China: 生活不僅眼前的苟且,還有詩和遠方 / There is bread and butter in life, but also poems and dreams. But in the Hakka dialect spoken by my family, the name sounded like the phrase for "a floating dead body."
On the third day after my birth, my mom decided on 舒然 / Shūrán. It stuck. My name means nature, comfort, and harmony. It means 'to go with the flow'. She knew that I, as the only child, would carry the expectations of both sides of our families on my tiny shoulders and it would be difficult not to feel crushed by the weight of those expectations. Like my dad, she hoped that I would be able to freely chase my dreams. She wanted me to become an independent and strong woman just like her. A month after I was born, she wrote an acrostic poem about my name and her wishes for me:
黃帝子孫龍之後 舒服自然目神眸 然貌天成如西施 長大載物才德厚
A STORY ABOUT MY DAUGHTER'S NAME
As a descendant of the Yellow Emperor (a legendary leader in ancient China) Shuran follows the flow with a clear mind and bright eyes She will be beautiful and look just like 西施 / Xī Shī (one of the Four Renowned Beauties) When she grows up, she will be a great success and do great things


Singer-impressionist Danny Gans is being called one of the best in the business and his show is one of the hottest tickets in town. He entertains crowds in the gorgeous 1,260-seat theater that was custom designed, built and named for the headliner at the Mirage. In addition to possessing the ability to delivery accurate impressions, he also has a Broadway-quality singing voice and a remarkable knack for comedy. His show is filled with lyrics that poke good-natured fun at some of teh world's biggest celebrities set to musical arrangements. Gans plays a variety of musical instruments and is quite a dancer, as well.
Gans impersonates anywhere from 60 and 100 celebrity personalities in any one performance, allowing the taste of the audience to guide his choice of characters. The cast could include Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Foxworthy, Frank Sinatra, and Bono of U2. It's a non-stop parade of stars, delivered solely by Gans.
Gans' show was beyond entertaining. He was a very talented entertainer. Those who were fortunate enough to have seen one of his shows prior to his death on 5/1/2009 should consider themselves lucky to have had the experience. (Contributed by Bryan-CIT198, 3-30-2011)


A Whole New Mind
by Daniel H. Pink
An insightful book that explores the concept of how the world is shifting from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, where right-brain thinking skills are becoming increasingly vital for success. Pink argues that in this new era, it is no longer enough to rely solely on logical and analytical abilities. Instead, individuals need to develop and embrace their creative, empathetic, and holistic thinking capabilities.
Throughout the book, Pink delves into six essential aptitudes that are crucial for thriving in the Conceptual Age: design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. He provides compelling examples and practical advice on how to cultivate these skills and integrate them into various aspects of life, including education, business, and personal development.
By emphasizing the importance of nurturing both the analytical and artistic sides of our brains, “A Whole New Mind” offers a fresh perspective on how to thrive in an ever-changing world. It encourages readers to embrace their creativity, develop their emotional intelligence, and find deeper meaning in their work and lives. Whether you are an artist, entrepreneur, educator, or simply someone seeking personal growth, this thought-provoking book will inspire you to tap into your whole mind and unlock your true potential.


Powered by WeatherBug, Weather Doodle is weather as beautiful, animated art. Suns rise. Clouds glide into view. Raindrops, snowflakes and hail fall from the sky. The wind blows. All in a gorgeous, whimsical art style. And when you're ready to see something different? Just download new art from within the app and experience an entirely new look with new animations. It's simple, beautiful, intuitive, and more fun than a weather app has a right to be.
Name: Weather Doodle| Download from: App Store | Price: Free
[Read the original blog post]


On the Saturday morning of the 27th, The Pacifica Resource Center (PRC) revealed a new mural. Nearly fifty community members arrived to see the unveiling of the mural and dedication plaques. The gorgeous mural is a sort of bird’s eye view of the coastal edge of Pacifica spanning from the pier all the way to Pedro Point. This breathtaking landscape is sprinkled with California Poppies, this state’s official flower.
“The main goal of this project was to bring a sense of calmness to the space and a sense of transparency to the services that are being provided here.”
- Robert Louthan
The mural was painted by local artist, Robert Louthan. The artist told us, “I am honored for the opportunity to contribute to our community this way. The main goal of this project was to bring a sense of calmness to the space and a sense of transparency to the services that are being provided here.”
Anita Rees, Executive Director at the PRC, said that the mural was painted, “To give a sense of calm and welcomeness.” Ms. Rees told the Tribune that some people have already said that the mural helped them in one way or another.
To experience more of Robert Louthan’s amazing artwork, visit www.robertlouthan.com.
For those who don’t already know, the PRC does a lot of amazing work for those in need. The mission of the PRC is to, “...support the economic security of Pacifica families and individuals by providing a safety net of food, housing assistance, and other critical services, including coaching, advocacy, information, and referral.”
Last year the PRC was able to help 1 in 10 Pacificans. They help to keep food on the table at local homes and they have showers on site for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them. The PRC can also dispense diapers, baby formula, toothbrushes, tampons, and just about any other household staple one could need.
Free tax appointments are now available for all eligible households. According to their website, last year the PRC was able to generate over $200,000 in tax refunds.
If you want to help PRC keep doing their amazing work, there are so many things you can do; you can donate money or non-perishable food and gift cards. If you have the time, the PRC also accepts volunteers. Oceana High School Students are able to complete the volunteer hours necessary to graduate at the resource center.
For more information on the Pacifica Resource Center, what they can do for you or you for them, look them up online at www.pacresourcecenter.org.
by Dahlia Grabowski (Pacifica Tribune)


She is, quite simply, a rising star. 19 year old Singer/Songwriter Naomi (formerly known as 'Caleidra') first appeared on TV after a song she wrote for her GCSE music exam led to her being featured on ITV Daybreak and Granada Reports, and in UK National newspapers who described her as: 'Musically gifted' (The Independent) 'A grade A hit' (The Metro) 'A bright future ahead' (The Times) 'Something special' (The Guardian) 'Gifted Teenager' (Indie Music Mag) 'She looks like a pop star, she sounds like a pop star' (ITV) 'Brilliant! Absolutely Brilliant!' (BBC Radio) 'Teen Star' (Mizz Magazine) 'Talented Songwriter' (Music Week) as well as Huffington Post, Manchester Evening News and Oldham Chronicle.
She was spotted on TV by one of the world's most successful producers, John McLaughlin (Busted, 911, Westlife), who together with Dave Thomas and Jud Mahoney (Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown) went on to produce her first 4 track EP 'Another Day' written by Naomi.
In 2014, Naomi signed a publishing deal with A&G Songs and the song 'Start Again' which Naomi wrote and performed was selected by the UK company 'Talk Talk' for their UK Home & Broadband marketing campaign across television, radio and online media.
She has performed live on BBC Radio Manchester & BBC Radio Sheffield and played over 52 concerts to over 15,000 youngsters, twice playing The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, to over 7000 people at the Oldham festival and at 'G in the Park' and the West End Festival in Scotland. On top of all that, Naomi currently hosts her own radio show every Saturday on North Manchester 106.6 FM.


The Bay Area Composer's Big Band with special guests Elena Pinderhughes adn Zoe Pressley played the Whale and Jazz Festival
up in lovely Gualala, CA. There was a great crowd and the show went very well. To hear the concert, visit the Bay Area Composer's
Big Band website here:
Bay Area Composer's Big Band at Gualala
My quartet played at the Red Poppy Art House and Baytaper was on hand to capture the moment. Check out his video of an excerpt
of "The Silver Fox" here:
I participated in the Switchboard Music Festival last March and they've put a video up on youtube of one of my pieces, for
solo trumpet with sampler. To listen to this piece, please visit the link below, and try to check out the upcoming Switchboard
Music Festival, held in SF at the end of March, it's a great place to hear new music.
I've been fortunate enough to begin teaching at many different schools here in the Bay Area; Berkeley City College, Los Medanos
Junior College, Chabot College, Cal State East Bay, Diablo Valley College, The Jazzschool, and the Waldorf School of San Francisco.
Perhaps because of all this teaching, I've been inspired to come up with a duet book, featuring 32 jazz duets written for
trumpet. This book was conceived of as a teaching tool, to get students of all levels to get a good feeling of jazz and reading
jazz rhythms. The duets progress from easy to difficult, and include a CD with both trumpet parts recorded in different channels
so that you can study each individual part and play along if you like. I'll be selling the book of off this website, where
you can also find examples of the music in audio clips and pdfs on the sounds/projects page.
I got the opportunity to perform a concert at the DeYoung Museum with a new group, "Erik Jekabson's West Coast Quartet
and Strings" thanks to the DeYoung Museum and the Intersection for the Arts. They put together a jazz series and commissioned
new compositions for a number of Bay
Area jazz musicians, all based on art in the museum. I composed a piece inspired by Cornelia Parker's installation "Anti-Mass"
and wrote a piece for jazz quartet (Dayna Stephens, tenor sax; Michael Zisman, bass; Vince Lateano, drums) augmented by violin
and viola (Alisa Rose and Charith Premawardhana)
I had the opportunity to travel back to New Orleans for the first time since 2004 (pre-Katrina) and play music with the my
old friends Todd Duke, Jason Stewart and Andrew Adair. We played a night at Dos Jefes Cigar Bar, and then along with drummer
extraordinaire Troy Davis, we played a night at Snug Harbor, the best jazz club in the city and our old stomping ground.
I'll be teaching at Berkeley's Jazzschool this summer, teaching courses in Jazz Theory and coaching three ensembles, as well
as coaching a weeklong session of a high school allstar combo. Check the Jazzschool catalogue for details!
The Erik Jekabson Quintet performed at Bruno's on Dec. 19th, opening up for the Brass Mafia. Baytaper was there and recorded
the entire show, which is available for listening and downloading at this site:
Gigs, gigs and more gigs! I've been running around doing all types of gigs around the bay area the last couple of months,
from straight ahead jazz to salsa, from classical to country, and have also had the opportunity to do some arranging and orchestrating
for people. I've finally gotten my myspace music page hooked up, you can listen to some more of my music here:
I'm finishing up graduate school and getting ready to get back into the swing of things on the SF scene. I had my graduate
recital on April 16th, featuring the fantastic duo of cellist Hannah Adario-Berry and violinist Elizabeth Choi, who played
my piece "Seven Movements for Violin and Cello" (written for them). The recital also featured music for brass quintet,
jazz octet, solo trumpet w/delay and loop pedal, and 2 pieces for small chamber orchestra. Anyone who wants a CD, send
me an email! (I'm very happy with how it turned out)
I've had the good fortune of working with San Francisco's renowned comedy troupe "Killing My Lobster", composing
the music and leading the band for their most recent production "Killing My Lobster Takes a Cruise". Working with
percussionist Stan Muncy and bassist Ian Dickenson, we donned our Hawaiian shirts four nights a week for a two week run at
the Brava theater in the mission district of SF. The cast and crew were fantastic and there were great crowds throughout.
I've had the good fortune to have a regular gig at Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor Club. Located
at the historic Condor Club (sight of the first topless club in the U.S.) in North Beach, the club features New Orleans Jazz,
and I've been playing there regularly since September with my own bands. To listen to one of our live shows, check out www.baytaper.com,
and hear our version of "Tiger Rag".
I'm pleased to announce the formation of a new project: "Johnny Bones' Palace of Jazz featuring Erik Jekabson".
My good friend Bones, whom I've know since High School, is a wizard at ticklin' the ivories, and we've started a group that
plays "hot" 20's and 30's jazz. We've got a new website up, www.johnnybones1.tripod.com, so keep your eyes peeled
for news of our upcoming shows!
Well, the school year is over, and I made it though allright. I was able to write a lot of new music, and some of the recordings
are now up here on the projects/sounds section, where you can listen to them. Featured right now are "Hotter than What?
What? What?" for Woodwind Quintet, "Patience" for the SF Conservatory's New Music Ensemble, and "Reassurance",
the setting of and Alice Walker poem, sung marvelously by Elena Krell. I'll be in San Francisco for the summer, and am looking
forward to staying busy playing and composing. I'm already working on the music for a documentary by Michael Seely, "Radio
Grito", and will be writing a piece for SF's own Realistic Orchestra. Stay tuned!
My first full semester at the SF Conservatory of Music is completed, and I had the opportunity to hear a couple of new pieces:
"Speedway Meadow" for the SF Conservatory's New Music Ensemble, and "Hotter Than What? What? What?" for
Woodwind Quintet. My piece "Games" for String Quartet and Piano won the Kris Getz Competition, which requests a
chamber piece to be written for 11-13-year old students. The performance will be on May 21st. I've been fortunate to continue
performing with John Mayer, including his "Blues" show in New York City on December 28th, but for right now, school
is the focus.
Back in school- after a great 2 month summer tour playing with John Mayer, I'm back in school at the SF Conservatory of Music,
ready to dive back into studying composition. The John Mayer tour, which hit all the major cities in the US, was a great
experience. The band was smokin', the crew was great, and we were touring with Maroon5 and DJ Logic, great musicians and
nice guys to hang out with.
from left to right- David LaBruyere, bass; DJ Logic, turntables; Erik Jekabson, trumpet; Chris Karlic, soprano sax; Jesse
Carmichael, keys and guitar; John Mayer, guitar. Photo by Scotty Crowe.
On the Road- I completed a two month U.S. tour with John Mayer at the end of March and after playing on the "Tonight
Show" with David Letterman, had a week off. We headed over to New Zealand and Australia with Mr. Mayer and snapped a
few photos. The trip has been great- beautiful scenery, good people and great shows. Next up is 6 concerts in Europe opening
up for Sting.
|At the Black Sand Beach in NZ
My CD "Intersection" receives a positive review in Jazztimes, calling me "a cutting edge jazz player and writer"
whose compositions keep "the listener guessing until the last note." (See the full review in the press/reviews
section.) I also reunited with old musical comrades in January, traveling to New Orleans to play a CD Release party with
old friends Todd Duke, Bryce Winston and Scott Bougious. While there, I had the chance to play at the governer's inaugural
ball with John Mahoney's Big Band and do some recording at old friend Tim Stambaugh's Word of Mouth Studio with drummer Simon
Lott's group. A few days later I got to sit in with the Howard Fishman Quartet in Los Angeles, which (in addition to Howard)
included old friends Kevin Louis, Mark McLean and Jim Whitney.
I'll host my San Francisco CD release party this month at Bruno's on December 17th. After completing a successful fall tour
with John Mayer, I'm headed back out with John and the band for a spring tour in February and March. I also performed with
John Mayer on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno on December 8th.
A couple of months into my studies at the SF Conservatory of Music, I recieved a call to go on a 4 week US tour with singer/songwriter
John Mayer. School will have to wait, for an opportunity as good as this! The band will be performing in New York, my old
stomping ground, except instead of playing for tips at Detour in the East Village, we'll be playing at Madison Square Garden.
My new CD "Intersection", featuring original compositions and a band of some of New York's finest young players,
is released on the Fresh Sound/New Talent Label! The album, recorded in December of 2002, features eight of my original
compositions and cover art by my brother Mark Jekabson. Check your local record store or order your copy today...
After 5 years in New York, I've has decided to move to San Francisco to attend the San Francisco Conservatory of
Music, where I'll pursue a master's degree in composition. Leaving New York is a hard thing to do, especially leaving
all the great bands and musicians that I've had the chance to play with, but having the opportunity to work on composition
full-time is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I'm leaving on July 1st, so if you want to see the Erik Jekabson
Quintet perform, you've got two more chances- May 27th at Cornelia St. Cafe and June 17th at Detour.
With trumpeter Chuck MacKinnon and a bunch of other NY horn players and percussionists, I participated in a couple of
anti-war rallies in New York City this past February and March. The protest on February 15th, in which an estimated
500,000 people participated, was intense for horn players because the temperatures were below freezing and it was extremely
windy. Nonetheless, the band played bravely on, feeding off the energy of it's fellow marchers, grooving on funk, traditional
jazz numbers, and in one extended jam, "A Love Supreme". Some noteworthy items: it was so cold that Chuck's valves froze at
one point, and saliva that trickled out of the bells of the horns froze. The picture above, printed in the April issue
of Local 802's Allegro magazine, caught the vibe.
The protest on March 15th had a different vibe. The weather was beautiful, it was more like a big block party,
but the band was just as rocking. With 4 trumpets, an alto sax, J. Walter Hawkes on trombone, John Ellis playing
dixieland clarinet, Roland Shneider playing the snare drum and a myriad of other percussion players, we grooved with other
horn players, drum lines, singers, and anybody else who wanted to promote non-violence. It was great walking
down the middle of Broadway playing Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" with 4 trumpets! We got some pretty quizzical looks
when we played that, but mostly we stuck to old traditional tunes. I think the biggest hit was "Down By The Riverside",
which we played right by Washington Square Park. It felt like we were back down in New Orleans, marching with
a second line who were dancing their butts off. There was even a Grand Marshall, some random guy in a blue sweatsuit
who kept urging us to keep going.


It may be wintry and grey outside, but the good news is that the planning for next year’s biennial Barnaby Festival is about to begin!
Barnaby is all about Macclesfield’s amazing people: your energy, ideas, creativity and generosity of spirit have underpinned successive Festivals since 2010. So once again we’re asking for your help to co-create the events and content responding to our 2020 theme of VISION.
2020 marks ten years since this incarnation of the Festival hit Macclesfield’s streets, so we want to make sure it’s a fantastic celebration of all things creative, artistic, moving, cultural, collaborative, spectacular, fun and memorable. We’re inviting ideas, suggestions, discussion and thoughts on how we can develop a programme that marks this special anniversary in the best way possible.
Join us at our first Open Programming Session on Sunday 24th Marchbetween 12.30 – 3.30 at The Old Sunday School. We’re looking forward to a creative and energetic discussion about what the theme might mean for you, for Macclesfield more widely, and for potential exhibitions, performances and events.
For full details, and to let us know you’re coming, please register at our Eventbrite page.
If you want to be involved but can’t make 24th March, don’t worry – there’ll be plenty more opportunities to contribute. And if there’s someone you think would be interested who doesn’t get these emails, please invite them to sign up for our newsletter here.


Beat Root Tongue Drum Videos
The Beat Root videos are the best way to immerse yourself in the sound world of our tongue drums. Whether you want to learn how to play the Beat Root or discover different music featuring our Beat Root tongue drums, you will easily find a video to your liking.
Don't hesitate to send us your videos so that we can put them forward on our youtube channel. And if we have a crush on your musical project, we will be happy to welcome you in the Beat Root Family.
We add new videos regularly so don't hesitate to subscribe to our YouTube channel!


Today I am interviewing Dyane Forde, another friend from the Authonomy website where she recently reached the Editor’s Desk with The Purple Morrow, an outstanding fantasy that I was pleased to support for the last couple of years. Lela
Tell the readers something about yourself, Dyane.
I’m from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Our country is officially bilingual (English and French) but Quebec is decidedly a French-speaking province. I can speak and write in both English and French—most of my professional work is done in French. I also know some Spanish and I’m learning Japanese on my own, which is a lot of fun. J
I am married and have two children who keep me busy and feeling young—when my knees and back don’t hurt, lol—and a dog named Sparky and a cat named Jack Jack. I picked the cat’s name after watching Cinderella. Those mice were too cute!
When did you start to write?
I started writing when I was in the first grade. We were instructed to write a story which I later brought home to show my mother. She looked at it, said it was good and then added, “You know, there are other words you can use to say ‘walk’.” I then discovered how much fun it was to look up new words to replace mundane ones, which led to realizing how powerful that could be—totally adding new life and, sometimes, new meaning to a sentence or idea. I was hooked.
I wrote stories throughout elementary school, poems during the high school to university years, and then stopped writing for a long time. I had a very difficult job and was married with kids, all of which left little time to do anything creative. About 4-5 years ago, things settled a little, and once I got back to writing, I decided to take hold of my lifelong dream to write a book. I haven’t looked back since.
The Purple Morrow series deals with loss and grief as well as love and healing set against a backdrop of human cruelty. What was the inspiration for the series?
I’ve always been interested in people’s inner workings and how we deal with the challenges we face. The idea for The Purple Morrow started a few years back when I wanted to explore themes related to loss, redemption, and moving forward. The story of a man unable to deal with the past while being thrown into a crisis demanding that he settle things to move on seemed a good place to start.
The Purple Morrow started very simply; I’d intended it to be a solo book. But as the story developed and the characters matured, I knew the full tale had to be explored. The world of Marathana blossomed, becoming multi-cultural, each people group following their own cultural or religious beliefs. Magic and spirituality are also firmly rooted in this world and play essential roles in determining which side–good or evil–will prevail. I had a full-fledged trilogy on my hands.
Are there any parallels between Jeru, Nyssa, Kellen and folks in your real life?
At first, not really. When the idea of the story came to me, I had a strong sense of the type of man Jeru needed to be (strong, earnest, human, flawed, committed—an Everyman) as well as the kind of woman he would fall in love with (determined, smart, vulnerable but courageous)—both came to life rooted in the themes underlying the story. As the story developed, I did base parts of Jeru’s character on myself. Some of fun, lighter side of his personality was gleaned from certain people in my entourage, especially the way he speaks. I’d get stuck on a phrase and would actually stop and go, “Okay, what would so-and-so say in this situation?” and then write what came to mind. Worked every time!
Kelen came to life when I was walking home from the bus one day and I felt strongly that a good villain was needed, someone who could embody the Rovers’ viciousness while still having a heart and soul people could relate to. A few metres from the house, his introductory scene and backstory dropped into my head—it was one of the closest things to a vision I’ve ever had lol–and that was it. I went home and wrote it out. I’m thrilled that he’s become a very popular character.
Does your career as a social worker influence your writing at all?
Yes. I’m preoccupied and deeply moved by human emotions, hurt, pain and the struggle to overcome. My hope is that through my stories people can relate to the characters and their challenges and failures while being encouraged by their successes. It’s important to me that readers feel like each story was written with them in mind and, hopefully, they can take something positive from the reading experience.
How does your faith influence the stories you tell? What role does the “High Spirit” play in your own life?
I mentioned that I hadn’t written for years. I couldn’t. Any creative person who needs an outlet to stay sane can understand how painful that was. But one day, the story for my first book, The Eagle’s Gift, dropped into my head. That night I went home and started the first serious writing I’d done in ten years. And I haven’t stopped. This is important because I honestly feel that it was God who ‘uncorked’ me and who has been leading me along this very convoluted and difficult path of writing/publishing. Everything that has happened has been beyond my expectations: I’m nobody, just a person who loves to write and decided to grab hold of her crazy dream, yet I have met some fantastic people, have found support and encouragement in so many places…I don’t know what the future holds but already I feel as though I have come a long way and am eager to see what’s to come.
You’re self-published. Did you attempt to find a traditional publisher or did you always know that you wanted to go this route?
I originally started by going the traditional route but abandoned it after a few ‘almosts’ and many more rejections. I almost signed with one small publisher but didn’t in the end for a few reasons, one being that I feared losing control of my story. So I turned to self-publishing to make sure that the story I wanted to tell remained intact. I also wanted to learn the process of bringing a manuscript to print. That experience alone was invaluable.
Do you have any advice for writers who want to publish their works?
Where do I start?! I’ve shared many thoughts in other interviews and on my blog but I think the things that stick out most to me now are these:
- Be patient. Success might come quickly but chances are it won’t. And that’s okay. Paying your dues and doing the hard work to improve at the craft; learning from failure; learning the business side of writing; and figuring out what you want to achieve and what you’re willing to put in to get it, are all essential parts of the process. Expecting long term results is one way to avoid burning out and the constant threat of discouragement—your expectations are key in how you weather the storms that will
- Write as much as you can, whatever you can. I believe it’s important to not stick to only the same style or genres. There’s so much to explore and to try! Poetry, flash fiction, long short stories, novellas, essays, blogging…Everything you learn along the way can be used in one way or another, and finding interesting ways to combine styles, for example, can create something fresh. Not to mention, surprising yourself when you succeed at something new can build confidence.
- Try, try, try! Submit articles as a guest blogger, try interviewing another author, try a writing competition, and practice your pitches on friends. You never know what you can do until you give it a go. Don’t let fear stand in the way of your growth.
What are your future plans for the series?
I’m working on getting Wolf’s Bane, the sequel to The Purple Morrow, edited, and the draft of third book, Berserker, is in progress. I also have three other WIPs on backburners, The Dragon’s Egg, The Eagle’s Gift, and Big Boy, as well as a YA novella I just completed called The Cloud-Gatherer’s Tears which is sitting for a bit until I get to revisions. Information about these stories (with excerpts) as well as my other short fiction are found on my blog www.droppedpebbles.wordpress.com. I like to keep busy. J
“I love to hear from Readers and I always write back.”
Amazon: The Purple Morrow


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Issue #1 (June 2019)
A4 - 210 x 297 mm
(8.3 x 11.7 inches)
18-22 per issue
Project Magus is an ongoing modern military/fantasy comic book series for readers aging from 16 - 40. You will follow the story of Corporal Victoria Lopez, a U.N. Marine who is lacking in height but won't back down from a fight.
In a dystopian world filled with anger and grief, Victoria is thrown into a war that is unfamiliar to what she was grown up believing. She must face a deadly adversary that is on the rise while seeking vengeance for those she's lost.
Project Magus was originally a Game Modification I directed 10 years ago while in college called Lytus. Though the game itself is shelved, the story was always something I wanted to explore. Over the past year, I began to dive deep into what makes this adventure intriguing to me. It has been heavily rewritten from what it was originally, but the core of the story exists: What happens when you bring mystical fantasy elements into modern military tactics.
I was always a bit of a nerd growing up. I grew up reading fantasy like Harry Potter and Superman but also had a soft spot for military life due to my father. My father served in the Marines and I would spend hours listening to his stories of living "in the bush".
As I got older, I began to notice a lack of Latin representation in the media I had come to love so dearly. Why weren't there as many Latino super-heroes in the movies? With the success of Wonder Woman, I was incredibly shocked at my realization of how little representation Latinas have.
Built from the bones of a game pitch in college, I set out to write a story that not only combined my love of fantasy and military but also to give Latinas the representation that they deserve.


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See what Meldrim’s Paint Center can do for you. Come by our Cortland Store today.
If you need painting supplies, you need to make a trip to Meldrim’s Paint Center in Cortland, New York. We carry all kinds of materials that will help you achieve the look you want. Come to us for:


It was pouring when we went to the studio to tutor this week, so most of us thought that very few kids would show up. Fortunately, this was not the case, and pretty soon the studio was filled with kids. Our planned activity was to make drums out of cups and plastic wrap, but that only kept the kids busy for a couple minutes. For the rest of the time, half of the group colored and made fortune tellers at the table and the other half made paper airplanes and threw them across the studio. I spent most of my time making paper planes for the kids to throw because apparently my planes flew pretty far and the demand for them was really high! On a day that started out dark and gloomy, we were really glad to see the kids enjoying themselves and flashing their bright smiles!
Aahil Merchant, Tutor


SONGS OF LOVE AND HAIGHT
You may have heard it said that if you can remember the Sixties, you werent there. As it happens, I actually was there, and in 1967, during the famous Summer of Love I was living in what was then the world center of the Hippie counterculture -- San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury district.
In that atmosphere of unusual freedom and creativity, I published the first Pot-Shots postcards, which, as you may know, eventually grew into a series numbering 10,000. But another production, of which Im equally proud, but which is much less well-known, was a set of satirical songs about the Hippie scene, which I wrote and sang in Golden Gate Park to an informal daily gathering sometimes numbering in the hundreds, and published as the "HAIGHT-ASHBURY SONGBOOK -- Songs of Love and Haight.
These songs consist of new lyrics for tunes you probably know. They're parodies which echo the originals, but put a completely different slant on them. For example, My Grandfathers Clock becomes My Grandfathers Pot and the Whiffenpoof Song morphs into The Hippenpoof Song. Tidings of Comfort and Joy becomes a song about sexual freedom. And in my version of Clementine, the miner forty-niner is now a runaway minor named Regina.
Different songs reflect various aspects of the Hippie era, such as public nudity, conflicts with the police, pan-handling, the Diggers, and of course the two mind-altering drugs, known familiarly as pot and acid, which were an essential part of the whole scene.
We all knew at the time that that scene was too beautiful to last, and this anticipatory nostalgia was indeed a theme of several of my songs. But my musical contribution to the Sixties has until now been available only in the form of the original tabloid Haight-Ashbury Songbook (first editions currently selling at various sites on the Internet for prices up to $140) and a now very rare LP record called Ashleigh Brilliant In the Haight-Ashbury, which actually contained only a few of the songs in the Songbook, and was never widely marketed.
Just recently, however, I had an opportunity to make a new recording, singing all of the immortal creations from that unique publication. And Im happy to announce that I can now offer this collection to you on a CD.
With a new wave of permissiveness sweeping away old taboos, this seems a good time for a new release of my outrageous songs, whose stated purpose, as proclaimed in the Songbook itself, has always been to spread joy and consternation throughout society.
But wait! Theres more! Besides all 33 songs which were in the original Haight-Ashbury Songbook (and one which wasnt, but should have been), this CD also gives you two equally startling, but totally different, masterpieces. One is my hectic recounting (in 4 minutes) of the entire history of America from Columbus to the Space Age (with all the important names, dates, and facts) to the rousing beat of John Philip Sousas Stars and Stripes Forever. The other is my incredible version of Offenbachs Can-Can (absolutely not to be missed by any cat-lover.)
For a list of all the songs on the CD, please see below.
The price of this whole exhilarating concoction is just $30.
To ORDER (Just write Songs CD in the Item line.)
SONGS OF LOVE AND HAIGHT
By Ashleigh Brilliant
As First Sung by the Author in Golden Gate Park,
And First Published in his Haight-Ashbury Songbook
San Francisco, 1967
[Recorded by Dan Fiebiger, Portland, Oregon, April 2010]
(Total time: 55:31)
1. There Is a Digger in the Town (1:32) ["There
Is A Tavern In the Town"]
2. The Intercourse Song (1:44) ["God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"]
3. Haight-Ashbury The Beautiful (1:05) ["America The Beautiful"]
4. Father Fallon (1:36) ["Sweet Betsy From Pike"]
5. So Jolly (0:41) ["Hello Dolly"]
6. Hateful Powers (0:49) ["April Showers"]
7. The Hippenpoof Song (1:27) ["The Whiffenpoof Song"]
8. Hippie Get Stoned (2:15) ["Jimmy Crack Corn"]
9. Marry-Wanna (0:58) ["Celito Lindo"]
10. It's a Nark (0:53) ["Lone Ranger" theme from "William Tell" Overture]
11. Digger Lullaby (1:13) ["Hush Little Baby, Don't Say a Word"]
12. Home in the Trees (1:17) ["Home On the Range"]
13. Hippie Hill (1:10) ["Bless 'Em All"]
14. Chiquita Banana Song (0:54) ["Chiquita Banana Song"]
15. San Francisco - Full of Marihuana (3:59) ["Alouette"]
16. Seventy Chicks (1:21) ["Seventy-Six Trombones"]
17. The Girl I Left in Berkeley (1:43) ["The Girl I Left Behind Me"]
18. How Delinquent Can You Be (2:33) ["My Darling Clementine"]
19. Don't You Lie To Me (1:30) ["Oh Susanna"]
20. The Panhandler's Song (1:23) ["Mockingbird Hill"]
21. The Hitching Hippie (1:17) ["Lili Marlene"]
22. Hey Run Me Over (0:46) ["Hey Look Me Over"]
23. Take Acid and You'll See (1:08) "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear"]
24. The Singing Hippie (1:16) ["Dominique," from "The Singing Nun"]
25. I Love Haight Street (0:41) ["I Love Paris"]
26. The Bridge (2:28) ["The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night"]
27. On the Street Where I Live (1:24) ["On the Street Where You Live"]
28. Don't Be Square (0:38) ["Over There"]
29. My Grandfather's Pot (1:02) ["My Grandfather's Clock"]
30. Took a Little Trip (1:07) ["Jamaica Farewell" -- "Left a Little Girl in Kingston Town"]
31. "Cockels" and "Mussels" (2:13) ["Molly Malone"]
32. My Teenie Bopper With the Light Blue Jeans (0:57) ["I Dream of Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair"]
33. Around The Bay (0:43) ["Around The World"]
34. Haight-Ashbury Farewell (2:14) ["Red River Valley"]
35. American History Song (4:02) ["The Stars and Stripes Forever"]
36. The Pussy-Cat Can-Can (2:54) [Offenbach's "Can-Can"]
37. About the Author (1:17)
I just spent a delightful 55:46 listening to your songs I laughed, I cried, I sang along. Your spoken intros to the songs added greatly to the experience Every track is my favorite of all, as I listen to it. Then the next track is You are a national treasure."
-- Fred Brown, North Carolina. firstname.lastname@example.org
[A complete set of lyrics will be made available
to all purchasers of the
Price of CD: $30
To Order (type "Songs CD" in "Item" line)
CD: "SONGS OF LOVE AND HAIGHT"
by Ashleigh Brilliant.
by Dan Fiebiger
I live on Haight Avenue in Portland
Oregon. For years, even decades, when I was spelling the street
I lived on for people seeking my address, I always said, "It's
pronounced and spelled just like "Haight-Ashbury", without
the "Ashbury", and everyone I talked to instantly understood
what I meant.
Then suddenly a few years ago, I started
running across people who had never heard of "Haight Ashbury",
or the whole San Francisco Hippie counter-culture movement of
the 60s that revolutionized my entire generation's social and
cultural outlook on life, and I realized that part of the history
that I had grown up with was slowly being eroded and erased from
the public consciousness. I even met some people who had no idea
who The Beatles or Neil Armstrong were.
This was (and still is) pretty alarming,
kind of like the beginning of forgetting that World War II or
the American Revolution had happened, and I then knew how the
Jews felt when they ran across people who had never heard that
the Holocaust had happened, and didn't believe it could happen,
and why the Jews were so adamant about keeping that memory alive.
Finally I understood, even though
my topic, the Haight-Ashbury era, was far less dramatic or horrific
than the Jewish Holocaust.
Now comes to the rescue Ashleigh Brilliant's
wonderful collection of songs on CD written at and during the
Haight-Ashbury experience in San Francisco, a still-living piece
of real significant history first created in 1967, the "summer
of love", the actual peak of the movement.
For everything significant that came
out of that era, and that summer, the great music groups like
the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, (etc.),
the cultural events like the Monterey Pop Music Festival which
introduced Jimi Hendrix and The Who to large-scale American audiences,
and gave rise to the invention of the large-scale rock festival,
the wonderful "underground" artistry of Robert Crumb
and his contemporaries, and those far-seeing writers like Hunter
S. Thompson and those other writers and editors who would soon
bring us Rolling Stone magazine, etc., Ashleigh Brilliant was
right in the middle of it all, writing his songs and poems, standing
on a milk box and singing them to gathering crowds almost daily
in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, doing his bit to encourage
this amazing cultural revolution that affected and influenced
an entire boomer generation.
When he came to visit me in Portland
early in 2010, and mentioned his songs, I just had to volunteer
my modest basement recording studio to record these songs anew
(they had been recorded once for an LP which is now out of print)
so that Ashleigh could send them out on his web site, to preserve
a significant part of our generation's cultural history that brought
on all the social and artistic movements that are still quietly
intertwined with the fabric of our current society.
Current generations have their forms
of music, artistic styles, writing styles, and alternative concepts
that are available today, and taken for granted, because the Hippies
in the 60s (evolving from the "Beat Generation" of the
50s) created them, gave birth to many of them, nurtured them,
and fought to keep them alive, and kept those concepts, philosophies,
and movements thriving, evolving, and merging with the additional
conceptual and artistic contributions of the 70s, 80s, 90s, into
the 21st century, with aging factions still keeping those original
ideas (and the atmosphere of openness to allow for the invention
of even newer ideas) alive to this day.
So what artist-historian Ashleigh
Brilliant has done in his "SONGS OF LOVE AND HAIGHT"
CD is demonstrate a significant origin of those concepts, those
ideas, those alternate ways of thinking in their raw, pure, original
solo-vocal form, and so everyone should seek out a copy of his
CD, to see where we were, and forever measure it against where
we are now. Even re-discovering the original songs that Ashleigh
parodies with his verses is a worthwhile exercise, just cuz that's
part of our world musical history also.
Otherwise, a giant gift to current
world society will be forever lost.
And that would be truly tragic.
And so Ashleigh Brilliant's "SONGS
OF LOVE AND HAIGHT" CD is highly recommended as the endlessly
fascinating cultural-artistic document of cutting-edge ideas that
And by the way, his songs are a just
a lot of FUN to hear also, just like his "Pot Shots".
Even without all the historical-cultural
trappings, that alone is worth your while, and worth his price
Try it, you'll like it.
North Haight Ave


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The Built for the Bold brand campaign was always part of a system. Before our strategists had Googled “Yellow Boot” for the first time, we planned — hand-in-hand with Timberland’s top-tier in-house marketing team — a multi-phased approach that would sustain excitement and engagement with their consumers, old and potential. The brand campaign would come first, to introduce our bold voice and visual center. The product campaign next, as a proof of concept for the new brand direction.
With a massive social and OOH push for the brand campaign in full swing, how and when do we refocus the narrative around the products, not the brand? How do we maintain the momentum built in the lofty, Platonic world of the brand, while making the (direct-injected) rubber meet the road by sharpening our ask in a product campaign? Now, how do we do all that in our own studio? The apparent answer: capably. The “Make a Bold Move” product campaign reestablished Timberland’s pithy voice and brought new life and meaning to our iconic tone.
We connected product and brand by isolating moments from our anthem film — the creative focal point of the Built for the Bold campaign — and zooming in to tell product-centric stories. In the film, we see a young man swinging in a hammock hung in a park. How’d he get there? Which boot enabled the moment? We told these product stories through stills, 6- and 15-second films, and product heroes produced in our third-floor studio in downtown Portland, Oregon. We paired these moments with headlines worthy of Timberland’s heritage voice, clarifying while adding character and depth to the story.
We set the standard for how Timberland will execute product campaigns for years to come. Together, we’re furthering their reputation for giving products context, meaning and utility with a bold voice and unforgettable visual storytelling.
As the name implies, industrial design is a part of our DNA. We take pride in rolling up our sleeves and figuring it out. That’s what our clients have come to expect from us — unexpected solutions that maximize intrigue and take their brands to a deeper level of storytelling. DIY, but make it premium.
Here’s an example of how we created each product story — including 15 second films and product superiority stills — by isolating moments from the Built for the Bold anthem film. In the film, we see London-based musician Arlo Parks spill cereal all over her GreenStride™ Cortina Valley boots, interrupting her songwriting. From that scene, we created a 15 second film that adds greater context to the moment, detailing Arlo’s fit, studio, work habits and ultimately, the spill itself. Clicking down even further, we created a set and art direction that captured the same product story on a white background without a model and paired it with a killer line.
A behind-the-scenes look at our third-floor studio and the process that brought to life our product shot for Timberland’s GreenStride™ Tree Vault 6-inch Waterproof Boot.
Never satisfied with a simple product laydown, we got clever with how to show off the benefits of the Mountain Town Insulated Jacket. We expressed its added warmth and durability with an out-of-season garden scene, transforming the jacket into a scarecrow and paying the whole thing off with a quippy line.
And here’s how we expressed its waterproof capabilities — through a deluge and good copy.
We kept things a little more grounded to express the same waterproof benefit for the GreenStride™ TBL® Originals Ultra Waterproof Boot.
As a nod to Timberland’s long history of bold copy, we revived the line “For Those Who Can’t Yet Walk on Water” from an old Timberland product campaign and recontextualized it to work with the new Built for the Bold Brand Voice.


Dity Ayalon AIA, SARA (Founder & CEO, ArkDesign.AI)
Published on December 07, 2023
Thank you ArchDaily for featuring the ArkDesign.AI story in the article titled “From Renaissance Masters to AI-Driven Design.” The project in the article was designed by Fariba Makooi, AIA, the principal of Fischer + Makooi Architects. Recognized as one of the premier architects in multifamily development in New York City, her firm consistently designs millions of square feet of housing each year and holds a prominent position in the The Real Deal ranking of leading architects in NYC.
The world of architecture is a captivating fusion of artistic expression and scientific precision. My journey in the realm of architecture started with a profound exploration of its rich history. It was the awe-inspiring works of Renaissance masters that propelled me onto a transformative trajectory, guiding me toward harnessing the immense potential of artificial intelligence and algorithms in architectural design.
A Young Architect in Florence
At the tender age of 22, I embarked on a journey that would forever shape my perspective. Leaving my homeland behind, I pursued my architectural studies at The University of Florence in Italy. It was in this ancient institute and city that my fascination with architectural history took root and blossomed. Within the hallowed halls of the university, surrounded by the enduring architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, I felt as though I had been transported back in time. The works of luminaries such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and Leon Battista Alberti became my guiding stars in navigating the labyrinthine world of architecture.
Alberti’s Pursuit of Harmony
My research delved deeply into the pioneering theories of Leon Battista Alberti, a true Renaissance polymath. Alberti’s quest to uncover the fundamental harmony that underpins both visual perception and music was nothing short of revelatory. He explored the intricate relationships between what the human eye perceives as harmonious and what the human ear discerns as harmonious. The result was a profound connection between the mathematical regularities inherent in visual forms and compositions and those found in the realm of music.
Palazzo Rucellai in Florence is the manifestation of Alberti’s theories. Alberti studied carefully the combinations between the elements of the elevations so that the relationship between them would recall the harmonic musical ratios that he set forth in De re aedificatoria, in which he outlines the correspondence between architectural proportions and harmonic musical ratios. In spite of the myriad difficulties of establishing whether these speculations had indeed any concrete effect on architecture, it is clear that Alberti’s theory is not the result of individual reflection, based solely on the classical sources that Alberti himself explicitly cites in his treatise, but rather is the culmination of an age-old tradition of thought that, during the whole era of the Middle Ages, had deepened the study of the symbolic and expressive value of harmonic ratios.
Alberti’s multidisciplinary approach to investigation mirrored the essence of the Renaissance itself. He seamlessly melded disciplines such as art, human physiology, science, architecture, and mathematics, applying insights from one field to enrich another. This multifaceted perspective resonated deeply within me and would later serve as a cornerstone of my architectural journey.
The Squinting Technique, or, Bridging Art and Architecture In NYC
Years after my time in Florence, I ventured to the bustling metropolis of New York City to further nurture my artistic inclinations. At the National Academy of Design, I had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of accomplished artists such as Nicky Orbach, Henry Finkelstein, and Sharon Sprung. It was during these intensive painting sessions that I stumbled upon profound insights that would prove transformative.
Sharon Sprung, a renowned realistic painter in the heart of NYC, imparted to me a simple yet invaluable technique: squinting. Squinting at the life model we were painting revealed an entirely new world of compositions, shapes, colors, and interrelationships between surfaces. As a result of squinting at life models, we were able to simplify the complexity of real life into shapes, compositions, and relationships that could be applied to a canvas or a 2D surface. This technique, deceptively straightforward, would later become instrumental in my journey to develop algorithms and planning methodologies for architectural design.
Architecture Meets Math, Al and Art
As I delved deeper into my architectural career, the stark contrast between the creative freedom of art and the manual, non-standardized practices still prevalent in architecture and construction became increasingly evident. The repetitive nature and inefficiencies inherent in the process were impossible to ignore. The limitations of manual labor, coupled with the adverse effects on profitability for my real estate developer clients and the comfort of future occupants, prompted me to embark on extensive research.
Returning to the wisdom of the Renaissance masters, particularly Leon Battista Alberti and his theories on harmonic principles, I sought patterns and rhythms that could be translated into mathematical equations. These equations held the potential to dissect the essence of the design process into its constituent stages and components. I started by analyzing hundreds of floor plans. Applying the squinting method I learned from the masters of NYC painting, I uncovered and defined the shapes, compositions, and relationships between these elements. Then, inspired by Alberti’s interdisciplinary theories, I and my team developed an Al-based system for the schematic design process, rendering it dramatically more efficient and profitable for real estate clients, architects, inhabitants, and the environment. This approach has the potential to substantially optimize the utilization of air rights in our cities, making our cities more efficiently designed and assisting in providing more housing per square foot in our urban areas for our exponentially growing urban population and, hopefully, preserving more untouched green areas for a more sustainable future.
The Renaissance Reimagined in the Age of Al
The spirit of the Renaissance masters continues to inspire. Their relentless pursuit of knowledge across diverse disciplines, now prominently including Al, coupled with their ability to blend these disciplines into new forms of expression, serves as a beacon for those of us determined to push the boundaries of architectural design.
By marrying the wisdom of the past with the boundless possibilities of the future, we are poised to usher in a new era of architecture. In this era, art, science, and technology will coexist harmoniously, promising a brighter future for our industry and the world it shapes. As we bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, we honor the legacy of the Renaissance masters and embark on a journey of creative exploration and transformation.


Anush Ter-Khachatryan (BAEC ‘17): Paving Her Path in the Creative Realm
Anush Ter-Khachatryan (BAEC ‘17) is a graduate of the BA in English and Communications (BAEC) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA). In spite of having graduated rather recently, Anush was successful in paving an impressive career path in the creative realm. She published the comic book Mashtots: A Not-So-True True Story, gave a talk at TEDxAUA in 2021, and is currently director of programs at Creative Armenia, an innovative arts foundation that discovers, develops, and champions creative Armenian visionaries. Anush is passionate about art and creative practices, and she credits her education at AUA for shaping her worldview and for developing her talents. During our interview, Anush talked to us about her career path, her passion for art, the projects she is currently engaged in, and the goals she strives to achieve.
This year marks the fifth year since your graduation from AUA. Given that the humanities and liberal arts are facing a dramatic decline in higher education worldwide, what brought you to the AUA BAEC program five years ago?
Since a very young age, I had two passions in life that I wanted to pursue: one was becoming a writer and the other was to be a pilot. So, when I was in high school and had to decide which path to choose, I was actually leaning toward applying for admission to an aviation school in the UK. However, in the summer of 2012, when I found out that AUA had launched an undergraduate program, it was kind of a sign that I needed to follow my dream of becoming a writer. I also realized that becoming a pilot was more like a poetic vision. Though I really loved the poetry of being a pilot, I thought that becoming a writer I would be able to tell many stories of many characters, including one of a pilot. I was more reassured in my decision when I came to an AUA Open House. Back then, the provost was Dr. Dennis Leavens. At some point in his speech, he started reciting this poem by William Carlos Williams: “I have eaten/ the plums/ that were in/ the icebox/ and which/ you were probably/ saving/ for breakfast/ Forgive me/ they were delicious/ so sweet/ and so cold.” Dr. Leavens had an enchanting voice. In that very instance, two things crossed my mind: “Who eats plums for breakfast?” and “This is the university I should attend, the university where the provost recites a poem in his speech to potential applicants.” That was very much aligned with my own idea of what a university should give me. Then, during the four years at AUA, my decision was constantly reaffirmed.
How was your experience at AUA? What role did your program play in your career development? Did you have a professor(s) who influenced you?
AUA has played a significant role in my life, in shaping my worldview, and in showing that one should always aspire upwards. It also taught me that one should take responsibility for being a leader and giving back to society in some way, besides securing a good livelihood for oneself.
I was fortunate to have great professors at AUA who have played a major role in my life, and I’m so grateful to them for forging my path. I already mentioned Dr. Dennis Leavens, who influenced and inspired me in many ways. I was really fortunate to have him as my Freshman English teacher. He showed us the power of the American liberal arts education and introduced us to a whole world of poetry and literature. Another person I would love to mention is Shushan Avagyan, who taught a class in literary translation and helped me a lot with my capstone project on Toni Morrison’s Beloved. I’m also grateful to Zareh Tjeknavorian, who taught me courses in filmmaking and the language of cinema, and who ultimately changed my vision of life. We would watch and analyze classics such as Rear Window; All About Eve; The Elephant Man; and would learn how to see with our ears, how to tell a story through montage, and so much more. Zareh would always start and end the class quoting William Butler Yeats: “Beauty is truth, truth beauty — that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” I carry those words with me always.
My love for literature and poetry inspired me to start a student club at AUA. Although I knew that poetry was not so popular among students, I was looking for people that would share my love for literature and would join in that kind of a poetic congregation. And once I found people that shared my passion for poetry and literature in general, I decided that was the right time to start a poetry club. We participated in an exhibition, where we presented poetry that we had written. We had film screenings about art. We also translated into Armenian poems by Alan Ginsburg, John Berryman, and others.
In spite of being a recent graduate, you have had quite an impressive career trajectory thus far. Let me ask you, what has been the most memorable moment of success in your career path?
Shortly after I graduated, I started working at Creative Armenia, an arts foundation that I had heard about and whose work had greatly impressed me. I am one of those people that are very strict about the kind of path they’re paving for themselves. And I think that work and life are not two separate things — they’re just parts of one whole organism — and if one’s respectful to oneself, one should do work that is truly fulfilling oneself, which talks to one’s values and also, which would allow one to grow and to do something good for society. I’m lucky that I found fulfillment in my work early in life.
As to my most memorable moment of success, it’s still in the making, but so far, I have had several accomplishments that I’m humbly proud of. I’ve published a comic book, which will be in print soon. As a writer, completing a creative project is such a rewarding feeling; and I do hope people will read it. Another thing that I am proud of is a project we did at Creative Armenia. We have recently published a book called “44 Days: Diary from an Invisible War,” written by Lika Zakaryan, a journalist that took cover in a bunker during the 2020 Artsakh war and began to write a diary. Her book, which is available in English, Armenian, and Russian has become a definitive and comprehensive chronicle of the war. I am the editor of the book, and I am very proud that we can bring it to readers worldwide.
What do you like most about your current position as the director of programs at Creative Armenia?
In Creative Armenia, we discover, develop, and produce creative talents and help Armenian artists worldwide through our signature programs. We believe that apart from grants or other financial assistance, artists primarily need strategic support to bring their works to life and take them out to the international art scene and marketplace. In Armenia, many people are in the mindset that art cannot be successful commercially; this is what we want to change. We want to show that it is possible for art to be both sustainable and commercially successful, and that one attribute does not contradict or devalue the other. We have many projects designed to promote Armenian artists through funding, industry connections, mentorship opportunities, and so on. Artbox, our most recent creative incubator provides comprehensive support to creative projects and businesses with potential for commercial success. This is our pilot year of the program, and we’re really excited about the definitive change it will bring to the creative economy in Armenia. We do think that our artists should also be creative leaders and ambassadors for Armenia. It resonates with what AUA has taught us: not to be just members of the local workforce, but to represent Armenia as its ambassadors wherever we go.
How do you manage to overcome challenges? What has been the biggest challenge that you have faced?
I think what has always helped me is my persistence. I’m a very stubborn person by nature, which is not always rewarding, but it helps when it comes to facing challenges. Perhaps the most difficult challenges for me were the inner ones, such as becoming more confident in my own beliefs and abilities. I’ve spent much time shaping and carving out the person I want to be. I think that one should always try to be or at least get closer to the person one aspires to be. It’s an ongoing challenge — I think we all face that.
What are your plans for the next couple of years? Do you have specific goals that you want to achieve in the near future?
I’m working on my debut novels, one of which is based on my grandfather’s story. I consider it one of my biggest missions in life to bring his story to life. I have also written a short picture book for children that I would like to see published soon. Other than my personal goals, I would love to see our programs at Creative Armenia evolve — we have a lot of work ahead and it’s all very exciting. I think that in the near future we are going to witness considerable changes in the creative economy of Armenia, and I look forward to that.
Nowadays, many careers in the humanities are changing, settling into new roles in a new reality. What is your perception of the role of the humanities in general?
The role of the humanities is significant in any society. It gives us the chance to analyze our society, to test its boundaries, to predict and also create what’s coming. All great ideas and anything new first spark from words, stories, and great narratives. Perhaps if we look at statistics, we’ll see that the number of people involved in the humanities is significantly low compared to those engaged in other spheres. But I think we shouldn’t approach the issue in this way. I don’t think that the humanities and sciences are very different from each other, but rather, they are interconnected. One of the most iconic physicists, Nobel Prize winning Richard Feynman was also a great artist, and he is only one example of those scientists who think and envision as artists would do. So, cooperation between the humanities and sciences is possible and constructive, they can complement each other, and this is what we should strive for. In this regard, creative entrepreneurship is one of the spheres that could be considered by people engaged in the creative field.
What would be your advice to current AUA students, especially those majoring in the humanities, particularly EC?
I would advise them to follow their passion — that is their greatest asset. Everything else, all challenges and complications of the field are just circumstances that can be overcome. Where there is an obstacle, there is an opportunity yet to be found — a road not taken.


What better way to decorate your home than with what nature gave you? While flashy decorations with loads of lights, foil paper and other flashy decorations look good, organic decorations can bring a refreshing change in greenery and fresh scents in the home. The good thing about organic decorations is that you will find most of what you need on your lawn, grocery store or at the nearby park. Here are some organic decoration ideas you can try.
Garland on the front door
Why not give your guests a simple, beautiful and colorful welcome to your home with a garland of flowers on the front door? You can make a wreath from pine cones or raffia leaves and add a bit of color with roses.
Greenery on the front porch
Give your home a rustic rural feel by placing a few garden items on the front porch. Place a few pumpkins on a bale of hay like they are fresh off the farm. These are complimented with potted plants featuring earthy colors like brown, orange and green.
There are hundreds of types of leaves out there with a rich variety in shape, color and texture that you can make into very interesting decorations. Make the decorating a whole family affair by inviting the kids to make exciting crafts which they can detail with marker pens, and colorful beads.
Make your stairway more colorful with a garland. You can make a simple and colorful garland from grapevines or flexible tree branches. If you need to make a longer garland, use a thin but stiff wire to connect several branches.
Lots of flowers
A bouquet of fresh colorful flowers is suitable for any party. Popular colors for a holiday feel are red, orange and yellow. A vase of flowers can be placed as a centerpiece on the table. You can place free hanging flowers on the wall to brighten up the place.
Use fruits as decorations and your guests will be delighted to see something beautiful that they can also eat. Colorful fruits like oranges, bananas, and apples can be put in a bowl and placed on the table to add a bit of color and serve as appetizers.
You can make sweet scented candles using beeswax and a few drops of an essential oil like lavender. Make luminaries using paper bags and place your candles in them for soft holiday lighting. You can place these candles even outdoors as the sweet scent will keep the bugs away.
These are great natural ideas that will invite the outside in. Happy Holidays!


This year’s spring production was an original play based on Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 dystopian political novel, It Can’t Happen Here.
Principia College students and community members performed a resurrection of the original script, which has been seen infrequently since its publication and performances around the United States in 1936. Those involved with production wanted the performance to educate, challenge, and inspire important conversations about democracy in preparation for the upcoming election year.
The rehearsal process began with the entire cast’s participation in an acting intensive led by Chicago theatre artist Dawn Arnold. Over the course of 3 days, Arnold led the actors through creative explorations and acting exercises based on the acting technique of Michael Chekhov. “This work shaped the rehearsal process and helped to create complex and imaginative characters that brought Lewis’ story to life in a compelling and visceral way,” says director Chrissy Calkins Steele.
After each performance, Professor John Williams (C’72) engaged the audience in a discussion about the issues raised by the play and provided historical context that influenced Lewis’ original work. “We hoped that this play would prompt conversations about democracy today, not only in the US but around the world,” says Steele. “While the arts can entertain or inspire, we also hope that what we create will shine a light on issues, educate, challenge, or even be a call to action.”
One audience member shared they felt called to act after seeing the show and plan to commit to an hour of prayer each day about the issues discussed in the play. Steele was particularly inspired by this response. “I believe this is the most important action we can take in response to the challenges that this play illuminated,” she shares.


Personalized Gifts for the Ones You Love
Here at The Creative Touch, we focus on two qualities: producing exceptional embroidery design and providing memorable and personable items to those wanting to give an irreplaceable and personalized gift.
We enjoy helping our customers find the perfect gift for a certain someone’s special occasion or celebration. Knowing that a plain item from the same store is not always enough for every event, we make it our mission to help you design a wonderful gift that is unique and personal.
With a personalized gift, we believe you can truly express how much someone means to you. We’ll help you customize an item with precise and beautiful embroidery that your loved one will cherish for years to come.
Trust us to lend you a hand in finding the perfect gift. You’ll love watching as your friend, daughter, nephew, grandmother, father or other loved one’s face light up when they open your gift and know how much they mean to you.