Arts

Children and Teens needed to perform in Best Christmas Pageant Ever

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:05:43 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Kidz Take the Stage (KTS) Performing Arts Studio is in need of children and teens to fill parts in their upcoming production "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."

A few boy character roles are still available for boys between the ages of 5 and 18. Cost for these character parts is $90.

Also needed are boys and girls ages 5 to 12 to be in the angel choir. Angel choir members will practice on Thursdays (except Thanksgiving) from 6-8pm from now until the performance on December 18th and 19th. Cost to be in the angel choir is $30.

Interested children/teens can email kidzstage@aol.com by Monday, November 17th or go to the KTS Performing Arts Studio at 1125 Main St. in Anderson (behind Paramount Theatre) on Monday through Thursday nights between 6-8pm.

Martha's Big Adventure: Sound Waves

kpaul.mallasch — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:59:18 -0700

By Martha Randolph Carr

The sounds around us, and these days there’s even more, can be either beneficial or whittle away at our sense of well-being. Volume, quantity and quality play a part in how we take in the auditory wallpaper that envelopes each of us every day. Spend any amount of time in a big metropolitan area like New York City and you will start to feel saturated by noises of every kind. Voices, traffic, construction, the subway all start to amass in our heads. Add to that the drama of arguments or ambulance sirens and you can see how our emotions and blood pressure start to get entangled in what is really none of our business. No wonder iPods are so popular. Even people who live in what used to be referred to as the quiet suburbs now have to contend with the inventory of cell phones and increased traffic along with the old standards of droning lawn mowers, leaf blowers and TV’s running in the background.

For anyone, like myself, who walks to most of their destinations along city streets the large variety and the volume of the sounds around us can sometimes feel not only overwhelming but as if it is chipping away at our inner sense of peace.

It can become necessary to find ways to calm the senses once we have gotten behind closed doors. Simple meditation may not be enough. The solution to the onslaught becomes how we use the sounds that are under our control, which then makes it easier to accept the other portions.

Don Campbell, who is famous for The Mozart Effect has been translating music for over thirty years, showing us how we can use music to improve learning, health and generate a sense of overall well-being. His newest book and CD called Sound Spirit is meant to address an even deeper element within each person, the spiritual connection. He leads the listener through new ways to “listen, pray and pursue their own harmonic journey to higher consciousness.” The purpose behind his new work is to help us remember our natural state of spiritualism.

“Music penetrates the depths of mind, body and soul. Every sentence we speak, every prayer we think has a rhythmic and tonal flow that opens multiple doors of intuition, inspiration and actual physical responses,” said Don. Hence, the reason why aggressive noises can become more than the listener can bear. However, we can use the same knowledge to reverse the trend and even go beyond where we see ourselves in the present moment. “The elements of music can re-pattern the way we think, feel and move,” he said. That can also mean that if you’re trying to build a better life for yourself and your family the quality of the sounds you surround yourself with can play a part in whether or not you’re successful and how you feel about the journey.

But don’t stop there. We can even learn to listen more effectively when out in the world so that sound pollution bothers us less. “By learning to listen with our inner ears, to move ever so subtly to rhythm and then to feel the power of tone always leads us to joy,” said Don. In other words, respond rather than always react to the sound waves.

Add in those moments when we can escape the sonic blasts and choose the music we hear and we may start to see ourselves as happier overall. “Music aligns the inner and outer worlds. It modifies our breath, heart beat, brain waves, muscle tension and skin temperature and quickens our inner spirit; the wireless connection to God,” said Don.

Rather than try to endure the sounds or just complain we can learn to adjust and take care of ourselves whenever possible. It’s a good rule to carry into every area of our lives on our path to becoming even more of the person we envision. More adventures to follow.

Martha Randolph Carr’s latest book, A Place to Call Home, a memoir about the reemergence of U.S. orphanages is available wherever books are sold. If you’d like Martha or Don Campbell to come and speak to your group visit: www.newvoicespeakers.com. Author’s email: Martha@caglecartoons.com or visit www.martharandolphcarr.com.

©2008 Martha Randolph Carr. Martha’s column is distributed exclusively by Cagle Cartoons Inc. newspaper syndicate. For info call Cari Dawson Bartley at 800 696 7561 or email Cari@cagle.com.

Dance Season Starts Soon

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:28:13 -0700

By Lisa Love

Our dance season is almost ready to start!

I hope I will see some of you at Valery Lantrotov's master class on July 27th or the Ball State Dance Camp in early August. I know many families are getting the last of summer vacations taken care of.. I hope all are safe and relaxing. Come back ready to dance!

A pointe shoe trip will be made on August 9t to Indianapolis.. Please call or email if you would like to join me.

A local visit to Hot Toes on Wheeling will be made on August 23rd. If you need tights, soft ballet shoes or just want to join us for an afternoon. Please let me know if you would like to participate in this as well, so I can let Mary at Hot Toes know how many to expect.

Our rehearsal schedule and performance schedule will be available soon. Twice a week dance classes begin Tuesday, August 12th. Pre-Pointe 5:00-6:30 and Pointe 6:00-6:30. Twice a week students : - Please plan on keeping most Saturday afternoons from 12-2 available in October and November.

Once a week dance classes begin September 8th. If you would like to join the twice a week class please email or call me. I would love to see you join us. Class schedule Please email me with the class you plan on attending. Thank you.

PreK Monday 6:30-7:15 Tuesday 4:00-5:00 Saturday 11-11:45

K-1 Thursday 4:00-5:00 Saturday 10-11 Grade 1-3 Monday 4:30-6:30 Saturday 9:00-10:00

Grade 3-6 Monday 5:30-6:30 Saturday 9:00-10:00

Adults Thursday 7:30-8:30

Saturday rehearsals for once a week students will not begin until late October and will be for 6 weeks. We have some wonderful opportunities available this season - I can't wait to share them with you! Please call or email with any questions.

Lisa Love

765-282-1480 studio

SPJ Leaders Commend Passage of Amended FOIA Bill in House

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:54:17 -0800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists commended the passage of a House version of the amended FOIA bill Tuesday.

"Passage of the FOIA bill will allow not only members of the press but all Americans to hold their government more accountable," Society of Professional Journalists President Clint Brewer said. "In a time when First Amendment rights are under attack almost daily in this country, this bill is a major step to ensuring America has a free press and a government that is transparent and open."

FOIA, as it is commonly called, is one of the strongest tools Americans have to supervise the inner workings of government and hold elected officials accountable. In March, the House of Representatives passed an earlier version of the bill, H.R. 1309, the OPEN Government Act, sponsored by Reps. Todd Platts (R-Penn.), Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.).

The U.S. Senate passed its own version of the bill last week.

The House version does not alter FOIA's disclosure requirements or any of its exemptions. However, the legislation does improve the process by which the federal government can carry out FOIA's disclosure requirements. It creates an independent ombudsman to resolve citizen disputes, helps agencies strengthen FOIA, creates a tracking system for the public to easily track the status of requests and allows requesters to more effectively recover legal costs incurred when agencies improperly deny requests.

To ensure the bill's passage, SPJ worked alongside members of the Sunshine in Government Initiative (SGI), including the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Associated Press, Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, National Association of Broadcasters, National Newspaper Association, Newspaper Association of America, Radio-Television News Directors Association and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

"Currently, delays, staggering legal fees and mountains of red tape undercut FOIA's usefulness for citizens and journalists," said David Cuillier, SPJ's National Freedom of Information Committee chairman. "This bill is crucial for helping FOIA work better, which in turn, helps democracy work better."

Now that the bill has been passed, it heads to the White House where it awaits President George W. Bush's signature.

Source: SPJ Press Release

Free Christmas Concert at Reardon Auditorium Tonight

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:53:27 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - The Highland Choirs (Concert, Madrigals, Starliters, Singers, and Freshman Choir) will present their annual Christmas Concert this evening, December 10, at 7pm on the campus of Anderson University at Reardon Auditorium.

This event is FREE to the public & will feature close to 200 local students.

Please come celebrate Christmas with us tonight!

Source: HHS Choral Boosters

Lee's Theatre Presents Once Upon a Christmas Wish

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 6 Nov 2007 11:02:29 -0800

ANDERSON, Ind. - Step into a magical world of princesses, fairies, dwarves, elves, and even Santa himself at Lee's Theatrical Productions this Christmas season! Once Upon a Christmas Wish finds Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White making a Christmas Wish that magically turns them into children again.

They awaken not realizing they used to be adults and go on a fanciful adventure to find the true meaning of Christmas...if they don't find it by sundown, they'll be children forever! This enchanting holiday tale of love and friendship was written by Susan Lee of Lee's Theatre. The musical lyrics were also written by Susan Lee. The musical score for this production was composed by Dan Smith, Anderson University Music Composition Student and produced by Shawn Neal of Lee's Theatre.

Once Upon a Christmas Wish will be performed at Lee's Theatre, 1426 W 53rd St in Anderson on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm and Sunday, November 25 at 3pm. Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 55 and up, and $7 for children 12 and under and can be purchased at Lee's Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 765-644-5337 or go to www.leestheater.com.

Pendleton State Police District Traffic and Criminal Enforcement Results for September 2007

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 11:23:01 -0700

PENDLETON, IN - Lt. Mike Lepper, Commander of the State Police Post at Pendleton, has released the traffic/criminal monthly report for the district. The Pendleton district covers Hamilton, Madison, and Hancock counties.

Traffic tickets issued 1,239
Traffic Warnings 745
Driving While Intoxicated 10
Assisting Motorists 273
Crashes Investigated 40
Truck Inspections 117
Criminal Arrests 55
Felony Arrests 36

StatePolice Recruit School: The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for the next Indiana State Police recruit school. The deadline for submitting an application is December 14. The school will begin in 2008. Go online at www.in.gov/isp/career to submit your application.

Mayor Kevin S. Smith, City of Anderson Part of National Effort to Revitalize Vacant Properties

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 9 Oct 2007 23:54:08 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Anderson Mayor Kevin S. Smith is participating in a national effort to revitalize vacant brownfield properties for new economic development today.

On Tuesday, October 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a select group of high-level officials from the federal government, local communities, state governments, the corporate sector, and environmental groups to seek solutions to the challenges of revitalizing “mothballed brownfield” properties. Mayor Smith was invited because the City of Anderson is underway with a nationally-recognized initiative to turn vacant and contaminated General Motors facilities into commercial offices that bring new jobs, new tax base, and economic revitalization.

Mayor Smith said, “Anderson is poised for an economic resurgence, and we aim to work with allies in the private sector and the state and federal government to convert these long-vacant properties into new prosperity.”

The City of Anderson is underway with an initiative to convert closed and contaminated properties into new business and jobs for the community. There are more than 125 properties city-wide that are idled, potentially contaminated, and in need of revitalization.

Since the time that Mayor Smith first identified the revitalization of these sites as a priority, Anderson has received $200,000 in U.S. EPA brownfields grant funding to identify brownfield sites, assess their contamination, and create strategies for their redevelopment. Anderson has put this funding to work. The emerging success story at Anderson sites has been recognized nationally, and was featured at the U.S. EPA’s 2006 Brownfields Conference in Boston. At the EPA meeting on October 9, Anderson will describe how determined efforts to forge partnerships with the private sector can overcome barriers to economic revitalization at mothballed brownfield sites.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a nationwide initiative to explore the causes of mothballed brownfield properties, and seek potential solutions to overcome barriers to the revitalization of these sites. On October 9, U.S. EPA is conducting a forum with selected invitees who have valuable perspectives on the issue. The meeting will have 70 participants, including senior EPA management running the national brownfields program, corporate executives from Fortune 500 companies, state environmental officials, local government officials, and environmental groups promoting brownfields revitalization.

Kevin Smith will represent local governments, as the only invited mayor, and has been asked to give the opening presentation at the EPA meeting. Officials from other localities that will also be participating include representatives of the City of Rochester, NY, Emeryville, CA, and Charles Town, WV. One important segment of the session will focus on how individuals, companies and small businesses that mothball brownfields can inhibit downtown and community revitalization. The session will seek positive approaches to collaboration with such site owners to realize value from these properties.

The Environmental Protection Agency hopes to use the input from the meeting to understand how to provide more tools and resources to localities and businesses on the mothballed brownfields challenge. Mayor Smith of Anderson plans to use these lessons learned, and the relationships built through this October 9 forum, to promote the creation of new businesses and community improvements in idled sites throughout Anderson.

Source: City of Anderson

Rangeline Community Center Activities

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 6 Aug 2007 00:22:41 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - The following activities will take place at the Rangeline Community Center in Anderson on Monday, August 6, 2007.

Shuffleboard from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Euchre from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bingo from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Rangeline Community Center is located at 1405 N. Rangeline Road in Anderson. Seniors come to play shuffleboard, euchre, bingo, and square dance. A meal is served every Monday from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. The Rangeline Community Center also hosts wedding receptions, reunions, and other meetings.

Scraps from my Table: Oscar the Cat O Death

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 5 Aug 2007 21:22:53 -0700

By "Mayor Buckwheat" 
 
 Cat-O-Death 
 
News of Oscar, The Cat-O-Death, quickly quickly traveled to Andersonia last Thursday. The Acting Mayor immediately tore himself away from his "Mirror-Mirror-On-The-Wall" routine to call for Oscar to be brought to him to predict his political lifespan. 
 
 As he made his way into Andersonia, Oscar made time to curl up on Ty Bibbs' hopes of ever holding any political office. Once inside City Hall, Oscar made an arduous stop and go journey through the city offices. Frank Burrows commented, "It was so sad. It seemed like the poor lil' feller was confused. He just kept curling up on people". 
 
After arriving on the 5Th floor of City Hall, Oscar darted quickly to Acting Mayor Kevin Smith's lap and refused to budge. As he ordered Animal Control to take Oscar and a sizable bag of stones to White River, Smith's campaign committee gathered outside his office, shaken. 
 
 
IBO Comes To Andersonia 
 
 
The City of Andersonia is proud to host the 1st Annual Irritable Bowel Olympics, which will bring up to 2000 sufferer/survivors to the city, along with their families. Competitors from all across the globe are expected to compete in a wide variety of events such as the Toilet Bowl Fill, Three Meter Squirts, and the Dookie on a Spoon 100 Meter Relay. 
Tony Girt prepares his entry for the Does A Bear Sh*t In The Woods event 
 
Veteran Convention and Visitor Bureau Director Ralph Day commented that he was able to persuade the City to have extensive additional security measures in place for the event. Day said, "With a group this large and this explosive, the City will need all the help it can get to make sure things flow smoothly and without violent outbursts". 
 
 
The Annexation Express 
 
 
Kevin Smth's annexation forces, having recently been driven from Richland Township, have been seen making their way south toward Lapel. Looking slightly battered but equipped with 2ND generation 125 MM TIF cannons the Acting Mayor led his battle weary troops into combat. 
 
It has been reported that Field Marshall Art Pepelea was wounded in combat and is not expected to make it through the November campaign. General der Infanterie Stapleton is still hospitalized and recovering from injuries sustained in last year's anti-smoking campaign. 
 
Store Clerk In a Bubble 
 
Mayor Smith revealed plans for a new crime prevention strategy today with a showy press conference in downtown Andersonia, where he encased several City employees in individually fitted bulletproof bio-domes. "I don't know why there was such a to-do about that convenience store with the Moos-limb feller and his fancy plastic cage. You can be sure he's not going to be the victim of Andersonia's rising crime rates. Seems to me this is a way to kill every bird we have with one little stone". 
 
The impenetrable domes will be developed and manufactured by out of work ex-automakers and will ultimately allow the dismissal of 80% of Andersonia's police force. The savings will be passed on to the taxpayers, or, perhaps, to fund additional Smith Administration trade missions. 
 
 
 
Letters to Buckwheat 
 
 
BW, Get 15 of today's hottest ring tones absolutely free. Just bring this incredible offer to my 5Th floor office. K.S. Andersonia 
 
Sometimes your facts and observations are so on target I find myself looking at fellow employees wondering if they are the real BuckWheat. Whoever you are keep it up, you are our only voice! RC-Andersonia 
 
 
Archives are available at <a href="http://mayorbuckwheat.blogspot.com/">the blog</a>.
 
The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Smith Administration.... but are pretty damn close. Please feel free to forward this letter to anyone that may be interested. I can be reached at <a href="mailto:Waynelafear@yahoo.com">Waynelafear@yahoo.com</a>. Mr. Lafear will make certain that I get your message. Any and all mail directed my way will be held in the strictest confidence. Until next week.......BW OVER AND OUT!