Mark, Chair of the 9:38 Trustees, has been minister of Christ Church Kensington since September 2011. Mark is married to Claire and they have three children, all of whom share his passion for Chelsea FC and his angst over England's cricket and rugby teams.
The Church of England's full-time equivalent clergy has fallen from c9,500 in 2000 to 7,469 in 2016 and it predicts that, on current trends, it will fall further to 6,300 by 2035 and the number of incumbents will fall from 6,600 currently to 4,150 by 2035. Clearly, the advance of the gospel in the UK and across the world does not depend on the Church of England. However, if those statistics are repeated across other denominations then the need to raise up the next generation of pastors, Bible teachers and church leaders is as vital and urgent as ever.
The Apostle Paul knew the danger of the gospel dying out in one generation. He had seen the whole of Asia turn their back on him and his gospel of Christ crucified, even Phygelus and Hermogenes, who were significant enough to merit particular mention as deserters (2 Tim 1:15). However, Paul doesn't counsel his young troubleshooter, Timothy, to hunker down and keep his head below the parapet. Far from it, he calls on him to be unashamed of Paul and to guard the gospel by passing it on to the next generation of faithful men who will be able to teach others (2:2, cf. 1:14). Rather than guarding the gospel entrusted to him by burying it somewhere safe, Timothy is to see himself as a steward of the gospel and a link in the chain of redemption.
In our days of gospel desertion and distortion, church leaders and those engaged in gospel ministry today do well to see ourselves as links in that eternal and glorious gospel chain. We also do well to remember how sacred a trust and how significant a task is raising up the next generation of gospel ministers. Friends, we have many calls on our time and many good things to do. But the Apostle Paul is clear that guarding the gospel in our generation requires us to entrust it to those in the next generation who are able to teach others. What could you do in your local church? Who could you encourage and train up in the next generation?
The Apostle Paul is clear that guarding the gospel in our generation requires us to entrust it to those in the next generation who are able to teach others.
Some ministers host a lunch or tea for some members of their congregation, invite a local minister to come and share their story of going into gospel ministry and to answer questions. Others write personally to those in their congregations to encourage them to attend a 9:38 conference so they know they are being urged to consider full-time paid gospel ministry by their own pastor. We can all obey Jesus' command to pray the other Lord's Prayer, namely to ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up a new generation of gospel ministers, youth and children's workers, evangelists and women's workers and to send them out into his harvest field (Matt 9:38). We can all be encouraging our local churches to prioritise (and budget for!) the training up, equipping and deploying of gospel workers for Christ. What could you do to reverse the decline?
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and we may well wonder: how can this vital work of raising up the next generation can hope to succeed? Well, the Apostle Paul precedes his call to Timothy to pass on the gospel to the next generation by reminding him to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1). All that God requires of us he himself plans to accomplish through us.


Strike one. Strike two. | Be Susan.
≈ Comments Off on Strike one. Strike two.
Well, we got to the doctor's office only to find mom was not scheduled for an appointment, plus the doctor and his wife had been hijacked by American, so he wasn't even in today. We now have an appointment for 12:15p tomorrow. Poor mom, she told me she didn't realize how worried she was until she was driving over and felt like throwing up.
On Friday, my friend was diagnosed with colon cancer. One of my favorite people in the whole world died 10 years ago from colon cancer. I know things are different today, etc . . . But, my favorite person was 58 when she died. My friend will be 58 this year. That's too damn close.


text:
You can pre-order the Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus in the US and they'll work on Verizon
Ricky 28 February 2019
Sony Android Verizon
Sony announced a total of four new smartphones at the MWC and two of them are now available to pre-order in the United States. The Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus are two mid-range phones that will be sold unlocked in the US.
Despite all the colors available, only silver and black are coming to the US
In addition to working with GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile, the phones were also certified to work with Verizon. Since the carrier has begun to phase out its 3G CDMA network, Verizon's coverage is almost entirely LTE signal which means all calls and data don't ever need to be routed through its legacy network. Phone makers who'd like their phones to work on the carrier are still required to certify their devices.
The Xperia 10 is going for $350 while the 10 Plus is priced at $430. They are both available in either black or silver color options. The phones can be pre-ordered right now from either Amazon or Best Buy's website. The phone will be officially released on March 18.
Both phones have Sony's new 21:9 Wide display with Full HD+ resolution. The 10 has a 6-inch display while the 10 Plus has a 6.5-inch screen. The smaller phone has a 2,870 mAh battery while the larger one has a 3,000. Though they aren't very large, Sony's phones have always been great at managing battery life. And with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 and 636, respectively, they'll be quite power efficient.
The phones come with 3GB and 4GB of RAM respectively with 64GB of storage. As for cameras, the 10 has a 13MP + 5MP dual camera while the 10 Plus has a 12MP + 8MP setup. They also have side-mounted fingerprint scanners that won't actually be disabled in the US!
Amazon | Best Buy: 10 | 10 Plus
Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus available in Europe, Xperia L3 too
Sony's 5G prototype is being displayed at MWC
Sony's press videos for the new Xperia 1, 10 and 10 Plus are up on YouTube
Sony Xperia 1 has the first 4K OLED mobile screen, is first Sony with triple camera
ncq
I just ordered the 10 plus for only 360€ in the Netherlands at kpn (mobile provider) They have a promotion where you get a 64gb sd card from sony. Or you can get it for 429€ at only 1 store where you get a headphone the h800.
Mx@
Don't know why you post something silly like that, but basicly Sony have constant profit growth in last 10 years >> Have they? they struggled for a lot, and quick Google search will reveal they didn't. Like they seriously suffered for a wh...
SHAZAMM
all they had to do was add a bigger battery..with this design it would be perfect and louder speaker
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


These links take you to more details of each resource on other websites. Use your back browser button to return to this page and the rest of the Check The Map site.
If you've read a great book lately, or can recommend a DVD, please send us a resource email and tell us all about it.
A real problem for young teenagers with severe reading difficulties, including dyslexia, is the shortage of stories they want to read. (Obviously books aimed at young children are not appropriate.) Based on their considerable research and wide-ranging trials, Anna and Sydney Higgins have written the graded series of books, FUN READ.
Tom isn't sure if he has any talents at all when he sees how good his friends are at writing and reading. But a school competition soon helps him to find his own very special talent! Special Stories Publishing in conjunction with the Dyslexia Association are delighted to make Tom's Special Talent a children's resource picture book dealing with dyslexia availble to you. Children with Dyslexia or a learning difficulty often find school a daunting and sometimes terrifying daily task. In an environment where certain skills, like writing and reading, are praised and highlighted more than others, it is important for kids to recognise that everyone has a 'special talent' of their own. It encourages other kids to be mindful of the differences that exist between their friends and classmates and to be aware that all children, regardless of their talents, learn differently.
Social Skills teaching resources for children with special needs. For use at home and school. With video tutorial, friendly characters, interactive games and printable teaching resources. Our products explain and explore social skills in a simple, matter-of-fact, and child-friendly way.
Copyright: Copyright 2010 Hometrain Ltd. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
Find out more about - How Are You?
The target user age of this courseware is 5-10 years old and takes them through the school day - ranging from getting ready for school, recognising "danger zones" when travelling to school, recognising faces, working with others and interactive Games.
How well does your child cope? When children encounter a stressful situation, it's often difficult for them to cope. Dr Jones' Animal Agentz is a fun computer-based learning tool in which children interact with a family of bright and colourful animal characters who teach them important coping skills to help them manage stressful situations. New parenting skill for all issues.
Copyright: Animal Agentz Ltd A.R.R.
This interactive course will give teenagers a variety of situational strategies designed to help them to recognise and acknowledge their emotions and to create friendships. Aimed at those who may find social and friendship situations difficult.
KeyStone ScreenSpeaker is a voice output screen reader program designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision or dyslexia or other learning disabilities. Users can hear their work being spoken back while the text is being typed or dictated using voice recognition software (not included). Any mistakes can be found and corrected using spelling and homophone checkers. Any amount of the text can be read back at any time. Text can be read by character, word, line, sentence, paragraph, or as a complete document, either during the document's creation, or upon its completion, and under control of the mouse, numeric keypad, cursor keys, or voice command. The program announces the identity of icons, menu items, buttons, and dialog boxes, and provides audible and on-screen help. The computer-generated voice and the amount of information spoken can be customized at any time. The program works directly with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and DragonDictate voice recognition software from Nuance and Word 97 and later word processing software from Microsoft (programs not included). The program can guide users through the enrolment process in Dragon voice recognition software, providing extra training stories and reading out scripts in small phrases for the user to repeat. Used with Microsoft Word, the program speaks out each character, word and/or sentence as soon as it is typed, and announces when a spelling mistake or homophone is produced and speaks alternative spellings when the user needs to inspect them. A hot-line telephone and e-mail service is available to support users and teachers.
KeySpell Ellipsis is a voice output spelling utility designed for use by individuals with learning disabilities. This spelling aid supplements the spell checkers in programs such as Microsoft Word. It has a comprehensive dictionary of 350,000 words, and can be set for specific levels of difficulty or areas of interest. For example, an inexperienced writer could reduce the number of suggestions produced by choosing the Junior dictionary, while a doctor could narrow the range of suggestions by choosing the Medical dictionary. To help users select the correct word, thesaurus-type alternatives are provided, as are examples of the word used in context, in a meaningful sentence. The program has a direct link to recent versions of Microsoft Word (97 or later) and Dragon NaturallySpeaking (version 5 or later), allowing users of those program to find the correct spelling with the spelling utility program and transfer the results back with a single keystroke, replacing the original. The utility can also scan Microsoft Word documents for spelling errors and homophones (which are highlighted as such). The checking mechanism provides suggestions based on phonetic similarity to entered word(s), so the correct word can be produced from even complex misspellings. Searches can also be conducted based on the beginning or the end of the word according to the preference of the user. For those with dyslexia, the program can even supply correct spellings "elephant" can still be found when misspelled with a consonant as "lefant" The program incorporates voice synthesis technology from Nuance that allows selected text to be read aloud as it appears on the screen.
KeyStone SpeechMaster is a voice input text editor program and voice output screen reader program and spell check utility designed for use by individuals with learning disabilities. The system integrates voice recognition technology (Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional software; see separate entry) with a text-to-speech screen reader (KeyStone ScreenSpeaker) and a spelling and homophone checker. The program reads enrolment scripts in small phrases for the user to repeat, making it unnecessary for users to read a single word in order to set up voice input. For voice input, the user dictates into a microphone attached to a computer. Speech is converted into text and displayed on the screen using Microsoft Word. The program then speaks out the text in its own clear computer-generated voice so that the user can determine whether the correct words have been displayed. When a correction is needed, the program speaks the displayed alternatives. If the correct text is heard among the options, it can be chosen with a voice command like "Choose 3." The program's spelling and homophone checking functions and screen reader can be started as dictation proceeds, or on completion. Where questions arise, detailed help is supplied both on-screen and audibly. A hot-line telephone and e-mail service is also available.
The University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, worked with 16 young people with learning disabilities to find out what makes them feel anxious or depressed. Using video and photo diaries the young people talked about how they felt. This DVD presents the experiences of three young people from this study. They talk about how their lives became difficult or unhappy and what helped them to feel better. The DVD is intended to help young people, families and practitioners to identify and learn from their experiences. The DVD is priced £5 (for young people and carers) or £15 (for professionals and organisations).
Find out more about - What's Happening?
Synopsis: A booklet to help young siblings of autistic children understand what autism is. From the Author: This book was written to help my daughters, Jemma and Jade, understand why their brother, Jack, did the things he did and help them accept that even though he did embarrasing things when we were out he couldn't actually help it! Why does he knock my games off the table?, he's so destructive. Why does he squeal when we go out? Why doesn't he get told off when he's naughty like I do? I hope that this book will help other families like ours!
The fully accessible resource promotes self advocacy by providing: · practical advice and guidance to help disabled learners enhance their understanding about the reasonable adjustments that can be made to accommodate their disability in the learning context; · advice about what they might expect of their tutors in terms of adjustments to practice; · a skills 'self check' · advice about disclosure and confidentiality; · links to a range of multi format case studies; · links to additional online resources.


text:
Q: IE9 set innerHTML of textarea with html tags I have this field
In IE9 the following line gives me the error 'SCRIPT601: Unknown runtime error '
//option 1.
document.getElementById('code').innerHTML = 'some text';
The error disappears and it seems to work (assiging empty value) when I change the line to:
//option 2.
document.getElementById('code').innerHTML = '';
The I tried this:
//option 3.
document.getElementById('code').innerHTML = escape('some text');
but then the HTML gets to be escaped and thats not what I want, I want this exact string to be placed in the textbox.
In Chrome and Firefox the code in option 1 does run correctly.
What can I do to fix this?

A: You should set the value property.

A: At a guess, does your webpage have a <!DOCTYPE html> or similar?
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2011/03/24/ie9-s-document-modes-and-javascript.aspx

A: In IE9 quirks mode accepted solution won't work.
As you are probably trying to set innerHtml for <p>, it will work if you replace <p> with <div>.
Credits: Theo Gray, http://www.theogray.com/blog/2009/06/internet-explorer-unknown-runtime-error

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The following is an incomplete list of the rulers of the Kingdom of Matamba, a late medieval West−Central African state centered in a region of present day Angola.

History
The Kingdom of Matamba was ruled by native Northern Mbundu kings and queens since at least the early 16th century.  During much of this time it was a nominal vassal to the powerful Kingdom of Kongo to its north.

In 1631, Matamba was invaded by the warrior queen Nzinga Mbande of the neighboring Northern Mbundu Kingdom of Ndongo. From then on, the state would be ruled by Ndongo monarchs of the Guterres Dynasty.

List

Matamba monarchs

Ndongo monarchs—Guterres dynasty

See also

References
 Fernando Campos: Conflitos na dinastia Guterres através da sua cronologia1, África: Revista do Centro de Estudos Africanos. USP, S. Paulo, 27-28: 23-43, 2006/2007

.
Angolan royalty
Rulers Of Matamba
Matamba
17th century in Angola
18th century in Angola
19th century in Angola

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Hollins, who enters his second-year at the helm of the Nets, believes no one player, but the group as a whole, will help the Nets PG play this season. He is also excited about the returning core group of players.
General manager Billy King signed Thomas Robinson, Wayne Ellington and traded for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson this offseason in an effort to add depth to the Nets back court.
Last year I spent most of the season killing Hollins for the way he spoke in the media. It looks like he may have learned his lesson, because I can't help but love this sentiment.
Maybe being an underdog agrees with Hollins, because he seems infinitely more likable standing up for his team and praising the infusion of youth that Billy King was able to import this summer. Will it translate to wins? Who knows. We know the Nets have shortcomings, but there seems to be a surprise in every NBA season. The one thing a coach in Brooklyn hasn't been able to do yet is to overachieve. I'm not saying a few defiant comments will spur a huge season out of nowhere, but it could be the thing that rallies the team together.


Their policy means they will refuse to do any business with any gun company, FFL dealer/transfer, or any other law abiding citizen who wants to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
Thank you for the inquiry through the web-site and the short answer is absolutely we handle firearms sales. If you are an FFL holder we can handle firearms, accessories and ammunition. If you do not have an FFL, then we set you up for selling accessories and ammo. Here is a list of all of our services. Through the NRA Business Alliance & NSSF you are eligible for exclusive benefits that will enable you to save money, increase effectiveness, and build greater customer satisfaction. And of course we ARE the PREFERRED MERCHANT for the firearms industry. We have no application fees, no monthly minimums and no early termination fees.
My Dad opened up a small gun shop last year, I help to get setup for Square not catching the fine print that firearms and ammunition are not allowed. Why would we have ever thought that a legal product regulated by the federal govt would be banned by them or any card processor? Paypal is the same way I have found out. Frankly I'm outraged, this is nothing but political in my opinion. What's more upsetting is they just sent us an email stating they were suspending our account. No phone call, not letter, and it was a "noreply" email. That's unprofessional and insulting. I realize, shame on us for not reading the fine print closer, but again. We follow the law, and are regulated by the ATF how'd of thought. Unconstitutional gun control will sneak up on us with small restrictions or costs that will add up and make it prohibitive for dealer to sell and consumer to purchase if we don't keep these things in check. Not only will I be boycotting Square, I'll be doing the same with paypal. And I'll be sharing this information with everyone I know that would care.
I just was directed to the 2ACheck website where they indicated that Square had received a failing grade regarding 2nd Amendment "rights" and asking that folks boycott Square. I am emailing you to let you know that I fully support your policy and will NOT be boycotting Square.
Thanks for the heads-up Eric. We did not "recommend" Intuit, so much as mention it as a possible alternative, with the caveat that we are not very familiar with them. We will look into Payment Alliance, and have just contacted them.
"viable alternative" is stating it'll work, when it in-fact it does not work. Saying that something that is viable, but you haven't looked into them is very contradictory.
Just look on Payment Alliance's website, they specifically state they deal with the gun industry. https://www.gopai.com/Solutions/Merchant-Solutions/Industry-specific-Bundles/Firearms Payment Alliance will donate a portion of what they bring in to the NRA, but will withhold your amount if you want you don't want to donate to the NRA. Paying a monthly fee, usually around $25-$35, is well worth it compared to having your funds being frozen for violating a payment processor's vague prohibited business list (e.g. Paypal).
There are several other payment processors that will allow you to sell firearm parts and accessories if it doesn't require an FFL. You have to remember that most of these payment processors consider firearm sales a high-risk business, even before Operation Choke Point.
Thanks for your help Eric. We wouldn't have learned about this without you.
Intuit GoPayment? Are you kidding me? Why would you recommend these payment providers without knowing their history? Intuit has a history of rejecting gun dealers, and freezing their accounts. If you did a quick search it would reveal that.
Always make sure to read a processing company's policy on various businesses. Make sure to also ask, in email, if they accept your firearms related business before processing with that company. If the payment processing company is not sure, move on to another company who does. You do not want to have your accounts frozen after-the-fact.
There are companies, like Payment Alliance, that specifically deal with firearm dealers. Even if you don't sell firearms but sell firearm accessories, I would still use a payment processor that accepts firearm dealers due to the risk of having your payment process freeze your funds. Paypal is a perfect example of how their policy prohibits the sale of firearm parts.
Read it again carefully. It says DO NOT recommend.
I own a processing company, have gun shops, and can offer best rates and service, free terminal and no contract.
Another option for small businesses is to use PayPal. Has best rates & no contracts!
Cancelled my account today. Free market will prevail and unconstitutional positions will not.
This is just plain stupid. Square is hoplophobic.
A BIG #2A THANK YOU! FOR TAKING ACTION!


Ed Warner has been named as the newly appointed non-executive Chairman of Air Partner, with effective from April 1 2019.
Warner has extensive PLC experience and has chaired the boards at a range of prominent organisations. He is currently Chair of Grant Thornton UK, Blackrock Commodities Income Investment Trust and derivatives exchange LMAX, as well as a Director of a suite of Dublin-listed investment funds managed by DCI. In addition, he is Chair of the Palace for Life Foundation and World Para Athletics. Warner was also Chair of Standard Life Private Equity Trust from 2013 to the end of 2018 and of Panmure Gordon & Co between 2010 and 2016, as well as a Non-Executive Director of SafeCharge International Group from 2014 to 2016.
Richard Jackson, who was appointed Chairman on an interim basis on September 7, 2018, will revert to his previous role as non-executive director and senior independent director.


text:
The Review/ Short Read/
Wayward Heroes: A Survey of Modern Icelandic Cinema
From vengeful Vikings to surly sheep farmers, the cinema of this remote island nation is as unique as its landscape
by Steve Gravestock
The TIFF Cinematheque retrospective Wayward Heroes: A Survey of Modern Icelandic Cinema begins Friday, May 10.
In May 2015, the usually jaundiced industry audiences at the Cannes Film Festival were surprised and invigorated by Rams, a drama set in a remote rural area of Iceland and directed by the mostly unknown Grímur Hákonarson, which went on to win the top prize in the festival's prestigious Un Certain Regard section. For many, Rams was a revelation, and one that naturally invited a bewildered question: How is it that a remotely located nation of 300,000 people — a country where sheep outnumber humans three to one, and which in its peak years of film production made only ten fiction features — could produce such a singular piece of cinema?
As with many such discoveries, however, this one was hardly unforeseeable, not least because it was only the crest of a wave. In the months and years immediately preceding and following Rams' Cannes triumph, films by other Icelandic directors such as Dagur Kári, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Hlynur Pálmason, and Ísold Uggadóttir had picked up prizes at prestigious festivals around the world, while Baltasar Kormákur — who had previously established himself as a successful transnational filmmaker, directing films in his native country as well as helming such Hollywood fare as Contraband, 2 Guns, and Everest — scored a major international success with his ten-part television series Trapped, which sold all over the world after debuting at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
In my forthcoming monograph A History of Icelandic Film, I set out to chart the course of Icelandic cinema from the silent era to the present day, as the largely sporadic production from the 1920s to the 1970s gave way to the "Icelandic Spring" of the '80s, the international inroads made in the '90s by Fridrik Thór Fridriksson (the modern godfather of Icelandic cinema), the emergence of the scruffy hipster films that culminated in the worldwide success of Kormákur's 101 Reykjavík, and the remarkable growth and diversity in Icelandic film production that we have seen in the first two decades of the new century. The ten films in this series — ranging from magic-realist fables to bloody Viking epics, sardonic deadpan comedies to hard-boiled Nordic noirs — offer a snapshot survey of that remarkable evolution from the '80s to today.
Baldvin Z
Life in a Fishbowl
Children of Nature with Fridrik Thór Fridriksson
Baltasar Kormákur
Jar City
As in Heaven with Kristín Jóhannesdóttir
Ágúst Guðmundsson
Dagur Kári
Nói the Albino
Guðný Halldórsdóttir
Under the Glacier
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
When the Raven Flies
The Icelandic Dream with Róbert I. Douglas


text:
City of Berwick
Location in Melbourne
75,400 (1992)[1]
626.1/km2 (1,621.6/sq mi)
120.43 km2 (46.5 sq mi)
Council seat
Outer Southeast Melbourne
LGAs around City of Berwick:
Knox Sherbrooke Sherbrooke
Dandenong City of Berwick Pakenham
Dandenong Cranbourne Pakenham
The City of Berwick was a local government area about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of 120.43 square kilometres (46.50 sq mi), and existed from 1973 until 1994.
2 Wards
3 Suburbs
The area which came under the City of Berwick had previously been the Berwick and Doveton ridings of the Shire of Berwick. It had been incorporated as the Berwick Road District on 24 October 1862 and became a shire on 12 May 1868. On 1 October 1973, the area surrounding Berwick and Narre Warren, which was undergoing rapid population growth and urbanisation, split from the shire and was proclaimed a city.[2]
On 15 December 1994, the City of Berwick was abolished, and, along with sections of the City of Cranbourne, was merged into the newly created City of Casey. The Doveton industrial district was transferred to the newly created City of Greater Dandenong.[3]
Council met at the Narre Warren Civic Centre, adjacent to Westfield Fountain Gate, in Narre Warren. The facility is still in use for similar purposes by the City of Casey.
The City of Berwick was divided into four wards, each of which elected three councillors:
Centre Ward
East Ward
North Ward
South Ward
Beaconsfield (shared with the Shire of Pakenham)
Eumemmering
^ Australian Bureau of Statistics, Victoria Office (1994). Victorian Year Book. p. 49. ISSN 0067-1223.
^ Victorian Municipal Directory. Brunswick: Arnall & Jackson. 1992. pp. 311–312, 805–806. Accessed at State Library of Victoria, La Trobe Reading Room.
^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (1 August 1995). Victorian local government amalgamations 1994-1995: Changes to the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. pp. 5–6. ISBN 0-642-23117-6. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
4. Census in Australia#2016 population of Berwick, Victoria
Coordinates: 38°02′28″S 145°20′56″E / 38.041°S 145.349°E / -38.041; 145.349


text:
Joaquín Torres-García
Uruguayan, 1874–1949
Joaquín Torres García (28 July 1874 – 8 August 1949) was a Uruguayan-Spanish artist who was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. Torres-García emigrated to Catalunya, Spain as an adolescent, where he began his career as an artist in 1891. For the next three decades, Torres-García embraced the Catalan identity and led the cultural scene in Barcelona and Europe. As a painter, sculptor, muralist, novelist, writer, teacher, and theorist, Torres-García was considered a "renaissance" or "universal man." He used a simple metaphor to deal with eternal struggles he faced between the old and the new, between classical and avant-garde, between reason and feeling, and between figuration and abstraction: there is no contradiction or incompatibility. Like Goethe, Torres-García sought to integrate classicism and modernity. Although he lived and worked primarily in Spain, Torres-García was also active in the United States, Italy, France, and Uruguay; he influenced European and North American and South American modern art. Torres-García is known for his 1903 collaboration with Antoni Gaudí on the stained-glass windows for the Palma Cathedral and the Sagrada Família. He decorated the medieval Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya with monumental frescoes. His art is associated with archaic universal culture, including Mediterranean cultural traditions, Noucentisme, and modern classicism. Torres-García developed a unique style (first known as "Art Constructif") during the 1930s, while he lived in Paris. Arte Constructivo (Constructive Art), a school he opened in Madrid, became Universalismo Constructivo (Universal Constructivism, a treatise he published in South America while teaching in his workshops Asociación de Arte Constructivo and El Taller Torres-García). Torres-García's art combines classical and archaic traditions with twentieth-century "-isms": Cubism, Dada, neo-plasticism, primitivism, surrealism, and abstraction. Torres-García published over 150 books, essays and articles in Catalan, Spanish, French and English, and delivered more than 500 lectures. He founded several art schools in Spain and Montevideo and a number of artistic groups, including the first European abstract-art group. Torres-García founded the magazine Cercle et Carré (Circle and Square) in Paris in 1929. Retrospectives in Paris (1955) and Amsterdam (1961) are the earliest shows documenting Torres-García in the world of abstract art. In the United States, he exhibited in New York during the 1920s as the Whitney Studio Club, the Society of Independent Artists and the Societe Anonyme were emerging. In the 1930s, Albert Eugene Gallatin exhibited Torres-García's work in the Museum of Living Art with modern masters Picasso, Georges Braque, Henri Matisse and Fernand Léger. The Museum of Modern Art opened its Latin American collection in the 1940s with the acquisition of Torres-García's work, and the Sidney Janis and Rose Fried galleries sponsored shows during the 1950s. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum had a retrospective exhibition in the 1970s, and more-recent retrospectives at the Museum of Modern Art (2015) and the Acquavella Galleries (2018) exhibited Torres-García's art with a contemporary perspective.
Uruguayan, Central American, South American, Spanish
Artist, Publicist, Teacher, Art Theorist, Publisher, Fresco Painter, Glass Designer, Muralist, Restoration Architect, Collagist, Illustrator, Painter, Toymaker, Sculptor, Theorist
Joaquín Torres-García, Joaquin Torres Garcia, Joaquin Torres-Garcia, Joaquín García, Joaquim Torres-García, Joaquim García, Joaquín Torres- García, J. Torres-García, Joaquím Torres-García, Joaquím Torres- García, Torres-Garcia
Read a short essay about the seminar A Flâneur in Montevideo: Joaquín Torres-García´s "La ciudad sin nombre" at the post website
Read a short essay about the seminar Growing Up With Style at the post website
Read a short essay about Joaquín Torres-García at the post website
Read a short essay about Joaquín Torres-García at the post website (part 1)
13 works online
Street Scene
New York 1920-22
Untitled (Figures)
Color Structure
Construction with Curved Forms
Jean (Hans) Arp, Alexander Calder, Giorgio de Chirico, Hans Erni, Max Ernst, Justino Fernández, Alberto Giacometti, Julio González, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, Jean Hélion, Vasily Kandinsky, Fernand Léger, Jacques Lipchitz, Alberto Magnelli, Joan Miró, Ben Nicholson, Amédée Ozenfant, Pablo Picasso, Kurt Seligmann, Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Joaquín Torres-García, Gérard Vulliamy, Ossip Zadkine, Various Artists
23 Gravures
1930–35, published 1935
Plate (folio 45) from 23 Gravures
512: Circle and Square, Joaquin Torres-Garcia and Piet Mondrian
Collection gallery
Sur moderno: Journeys of Abstraction—The Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Gift
Oct 21, 2019–Sep 12, 2020
Lincoln Kirstein's Modern
Mar 17–Jun 15, 2019
Joaquín Torres-García: The Arcadian Modern
Oct 25, 2015–Feb 15, 2016
Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000
Jul 29–Nov 5, 2012
New Perspectives in Latin American Art, 1930–2006: Selections from a Decade of Acquisitions
Nov 21, 2007–Feb 25, 2008
Transforming Chronologies: An Atlas of Drawings, Part One
Jan 26–Apr 24, 2006
Painting & Sculpture II
Nov 20, 2004–Aug 5, 2015
Joaquín Torres-García: The Arcadian Modern Edited by Luis Perez-Oramas, 2015 Exhibition catalogue, Hardcover, 224 pages


text:
Remembering Johnny Carson
"Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien, "Late Show" host David Letterman, Calvin Trillin, and Bette Midler, share their memories of legendary "Tonight Show" host, Johnny Carson.
Conan O'Brien Calvin Trillin Bette Midler David Letterman
Conan O'Brien reflects on his first five years at "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." 17:15
Remembering Johnny Carson, Pt. 1 & Pt. 2;...
World, Entertainment, Books
In memoriam of Johnny Carson; continuing with a look back at conversations about Carson, with O'Brien, Letterman, Midler, and Trillin. "Collapse" 54:19
Conan O'Brien talks about the recent success of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." 17:26
Sean Penn; Conan O'Brien
Sean Penn presents his latest directorial project, "The Crossing Guard." On the recent success of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." 54:18
'Heeere's Johnny!'
Journalists Calvin Trillin, James Wolcott, and former bandleader Skitch Henderson reminisce about Johnny Carson's 30 years as host of "The Tonight... 18:34


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3 Responses to "make your own leaning mood board"
so beautiful! i love that you can change it easily as you find new inspirations.
I forgot to mention that I'm on a mission to create the Ultimate Happy Playlist. Please help me out by letting me know what song instantly makes you happy when you hear it!


On to Geldern for the 34th International Street Art Competition!
Following Grazie Jenny and I headed to Geldern for the 34th International Street Art Competition in Grazie. Geldern is a total contrast to Grazie. This event first started in 1979 to celebrate the 750th anniversary of Geldern. While the Council thought it should be a one-off event, the public had other ideas – they voiced their opinions and were heard and thus here we are at the 34th anniversary.
This town opens it arms to street painters, in fact you could say this town is breeding street painters. Children as young as 4 years old take part in the festival, all ages do – children, youth, adults from the town and surrounding area as well as more experienced artists from other countries. Approximately 35,000 people live in Geldern and this year 332 people participated – numbers were lower than expected due to the extreme heat.
Jenny McCracken was guest artist at this years event. She was last in Geldern in 1991, at that time she and Roland Josuttis won first place with their artwork 'Red Gorbi' based on Yeltsin taking over from Gorbachev. 21 years later the duo reunited to produce 'Iron Ladies' – Angela Merkel and Julia Gillard enjoy European and Australian teamwork.
While Jenny and Roland and all the other artists worked, I met with Gerd Lange from the city of Geldern and shared information about Geldern and Australia's Chalk Urban Art Festival and discussed ideas for the future and opportunities for artists. I also met with many artists who would love to come to Australia – stay tuned for more news on that, discussions will continue with Festival Organisers from Italy, Mexico, France, USA and the Netherlands as well as Germany.
The children receive their prizes – the Madonnari of the future!


Who's The Mapmaker and The Artist?
I had a reading the other day where the Grandmother of my client literally said, "Who's the Artist and Who's The Mapmaker?" Because I promise to share just about anything I hear (whether or not it makes sense), I wasn't surprised to learn from my client that the artist was her granddaughter and the mapmaker was her grandson. (This was hugely specific, as I've never heard about a mapmaker in now 2,000+ readings)!!!
It's a long story, but the Grandmother of these kids (my client) helped to inspire the artistic and geographic interests in both of these kids. After discussing this, the Grandmother of my client said she was especially proud of the "Grandmother that her Granddaughter had become." (I'm getting choked up just writing about this, but as you can imagine, that evoked a few tears from my sweet client). She explained that her Grandmother was one of the best influences in her troubled early life. So it would make sense that she'd be thrilled that her baby grew into a wonderful Grandma, just like she was. AND after that, the Grandmother spirit and a few others showed me a glimpse of 55 years from now, when my client's grandkids (Grandparents themselves in the future) are remembering my client and saying what a great example she was as a Grandparent, one that they were emulating. What a wonderful, redeeming and healing session that was, spanning the voices of three generations of grandparents — the past, the present, and well into the future.


text:
Downey Brand LLP
The Levee Was Dry
Legal updates & commentary on flood risk and floodplain management
USACE Issues Draft Guidance on Federal Credit; Comments Due By September 28, 2015
By Scott L. Shapiro on September 9, 2015 Posted in Federal Regulations, Flood Control, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
A little more than a year after the passage of the Water Resources Reform and Develop Act (WRRDA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued the draft guidance required by section 1018. And, from a local perspective, the draft guidance is quite good and appears to reflect a softening on some crediting issues that have plagued locally constructed projects for nearly five years.
If we climbed into the "wayback" machine we would find that over the past decades Congress has passed a number of provisions that allowed non-Federal sponsors to do work in advance of Federal planning or construction and then treat those costs as a credit toward the non-Federal sponsor's cost share on the related Federal project. One of the most popular provisions for this was Section 104 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. Section 104 was highly liberal in its ability to lock in potential credit, with very few limitations. Unfortunately for aggressive non-Federal sponsors, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) became concerned that as non-Federal sponsors were able to "lock in credit" for planning or construction activities, each of those investments made it harder and harder for USACE to ultimately recommend a project which didn't align perfectly with the already-constructed and locally-performed work. In other words, USACE awarding credit was actually driving USACE decisions to be made later. As a result, the ASA decided that credit could no longer be issued under Section 104, and instead should be evaluated under Section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (as that section was amended by section 2003 of WRDA 2007).
Unfortunately, from a non-Federal sponsor perspective, section 221 and USACE's original implementing guidance were very limiting. For example, they required that the USACE planning process be significantly completed, thus delaying local investment that could otherwise quickly reduce risk; they arguably changed the rules on lands and related rights (LERRDs), such that a non-Federal sponsor's cost share could actually go up; they precluded non-Federal sponsors from using credit from one separable element on another separable element; they could be interpreted as affecting the without-project condition, narrowing the non-Federal investments eligible for credit and changing the benefit-cost ratio; and many other limitations.
In response, Downey Brand worked with a number of affected non-Federal sponsors to create the National Coalition of Flood Project Partners (NCFPP). The NCFPP petitioned the ASA for less-limiting rules. While the ASA did issue revised guidance, the guidance did not lift the limitations that were inhibiting local investment in fast flood risk reduction.
The New Draft Guidance
As a result of the lack of administrative process, the NCFPP requested that Congress intervene, and the result was section 1018 of WRRDA 2014. But based upon USACE's and the ASA's previous aversion to more liberal crediting provisions, we fully expected that the guidance required under section 1018 would be as limiting as possible. However, we are pleasantly surprised with several key provisions:
First, as expected, USACE codified the provisions in Section 1018, such as the provision assuring that cost-benefit ratios were measured properly, and that lands and related rights (LERRDs) did not negatively affect the non-Federal sponsor's cost share.
But second, USACE actually showed great flexibility in determining the milestone at which credit may first be locked in. Under Section 104, credit could be obtained through a simple letter, and the USACE district could send the letter at almost any time. Under the old Section 221 guidance however, USACE was prohibited from signing a crediting MOU until after the draft engineer's report was released to the public, a milestone very late in the USACE planning process. In the new draft guidance, the milestone is now set at the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) conference, a point in the planning process that is earlier than the release of the draft Engineer's report.
Third, the USACE guidance also confirms that if a non-Federal sponsor needs to lock in the credit earlier, the sponsor can apply to the ASA for special permission. Most interestingly, however, the draft guidance provides a series of factors that the ASA will evaluate in considering a waiver, and that list of factors is very similar to a list that we provided to Congress and the ASA a year ago! The list includes factors such as (i) Whether the proposed work is a modification of an existing Federal project; (ii) Whether the proposed work will follow an existing levee alignment in the case of a flood risk management project; (iii) Whether the proposed work balances and integrates the wise use of flood plains to ensure public safety; (iv) Whether the proposed work significantly reduces flood damage risk to human life, property or critical infrastructure; and (iv) Whether the proposed work will likely be included in the final project recommendation.
Fourth, the draft guidance also moves the "decision" from the ASA to the USACE MSC (Major Subordinate Command, USACE speak for Division) for the final determination of whether the locally-constructed work was integral to the USACE project being planned or constructed. This change can cut six months or more from the approval process, and thus reduce transaction costs by tens of thousands of dollars.
A number of other provisions are also tweaked in ways that make seeking and utilizing credit easier for the non-Federal sponsor. For these reasons, in addition to any project-specific comments that you may have, we strongly encourage you to comment by September 28th, supporting the draft guidance. In our view, Jan Rasgus and Tab Brown did an excellent job preparing draft guidance that strikes a healthy balance between USACE-needed control and flexibility for the non-Federal sponsor.
Comments can be submitted at the Federal eRulemaking Portal referencing docket COE-2015-0013. Comments may also be submitted directly to Jan at Janice.E.Rasgus@USACE.army.mil.
Tags: National Coalition of Flood Project Partners, Section 1018, Water Resources and Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)
Scott L. Shapiro
& Andrea P. Clark
Welcome to our flood risk and floodplain management blog. Our goal is to provide fresh insights on the laws and policies that affect flood risk and floodplain management, and how these issues might affect your agency or business operations. Our expertise in this area, which involves understanding a complicated intersection of Federal, state and local laws as well as public policy and flood control engineering concepts, gives us unique insight into an area that is complex and often misunderstood. We invite you to follow our blog and get to know us through our blog posts, leave a comment or question, and engage us in conversation.
If you are interested in a guest post on the blog, please drop us a line. We would love to hear your thoughts.
Federal: Wise Use of the Floodplain
Floodplain Management
NAFSMA
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
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Must See TV – D.C. Style
House Financial Services Committee Schedules First NFIP Hearing of the Year
Calling all Potential P3 Projects
Water Resources Development Act is Signed Into Law By President
President Issues a Presidential Memoranda on Western Water (But Flood Is Mentioned)
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About Downey Brand
Downey Brand's Natural Resources Group has the experience and depth of knowledge to help advance your interests. With more than 90 lawyers in the firm and more than 30 lawyers who specialize in natural resources and the environment across California and Northern Nevada, we can provide practical solutions for issues ranging from CEQA to Clean Air Act to land use to floodplain management and all aspects of water law. Learn more at downeybrand.com.
Copyright © 2019, Downey Brand LLP. All Rights Reserved.


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I haven't posted to this blog in awhile but wanted to share the family response that I wrote for Mom to read at the dedication yesterday. As the response states, we are overwhelmed with the honor and proud of the legacy Dad left behind. Mom managed her emotions well and read my words beautifully. I know Dad would have been equally proud of her and mortified by all the attention. Obviously, with this honor comes a new wave of grief but each waves is also cleansing and healing. Thanks again to all those who have loved us and walked with us through our grief journey. You have forever changed my heart.
On behalf of the Weatherly family, thank you. Allen loved PBS, AETN, and this community. He had one desire for his life and that was to make a difference. Those of us who had the privilege of doing life with him, are forever changed by his impact on our lives, and so we can find comfort in the knowledge that his desire was fulfilled.
Allen loved giving tours of this building. He was proud of the expansion and of what programs and good work developed in this space. We teased Allen for being a natural tour guide. One of his early jobs was as a cave guide in Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City and he never seemed to let go of the instinct to guide. He felt most at ease with a strategy and gently nudged those around him along the course to make plans come alive. Additionally, his natural tendency to sprinkle historical facts and pop culture tidbits into every day conversation only solidified this persona of being the ultimate tour guide. When Allen gave a tour of the station to visiting friends or family, we would roll our eyes and tease him about spending the most time talking about two specific things. Of course, he was proud of the Emmys and other awards, eager to introduce loyal staff, and could launch into detailed explanations for every nook and cranny, but his tours always lingered for him to boast (on behalf of AETN, of course) on the special floors in the engineering studios and in this space, the Atrium. Thank you to the foundation and friend board for not selecting the floor as the space being named for Allen. The plaque would certainly have been cumbersome step over each day.
Allen had a dream for this atrium. As the plans for the expansion of AETN were developed, he knew that there was a need for a place to display and celebrate the diverse strengths of Arkansas. He dreamed of this space being accessible to the community as we shared in our rich history, colorful people, unique contributions to music, and innovative art. How lucky are we to have been witness to his dreams coming alive? This space has told the stories of Arkansas World War II Veterans, children have sat at the feet of former Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe as she read to them, families have posed next to the giant Christmas tree decorated with beloved characters from Sesame Street, and fellow music lovers gathered to witness Cedell Davis' distinctive blues guitar stylings. And this is just the beginning. Allen's dream has become his legacy.
Mr. Rogers wrote "If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." Sometimes we don't know how much we need light until we are in the dark. Allen had a quiet charisma that perhaps wasn't fully realized until it was gone, until we had to say goodbye. He filled each space with light both in his personal life and professional life. He is so very missed because he was so very loved. This space is as special as he dreamed it would be. Light pours in from so many angles illuminating the best of AETN, the best of this community, and the best of Allen Weatherly.
Growing up, Thanksgiving Day meant dinner at my maternal grandparents. Grandma's house was always immaculately cleaned and decorated. The table was set with her fine china and she had the silver polished. Mom hoped for dressing, while I hoped it was the year for Grandma's homemade noodles. On the best years, my aunt, uncle, and cousin were able to travel from Texas. Other years, we were joined by family friends and/or adopted Drury basketball players without a local family. After pie was served and the dishes were cleared, Dad and Grandpa watched football while David and I played. I have fond memories of sitting in the living room floor coloring or playing Yahtzee with my Grandma Thanksgiving evening. Later in the weekend, we often gathered with my other Grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This gathering was more hectic as we had more cousins running around. Thanksgiving break, as a child, also typically involved our family attending basketball games. When we lived in Missouri, we cheered for the Panthers and, later, in Arkansas, we rooted for the Warriors or the Bears. I know that there were stresses during the Thanksgivings of my youth. Perhaps, my parents were concerned about finances, someone at the table was struggling with health, someone absent was missed, something was said to offend another, or a dish hadn't turned out as desired. As hard as I try to recall those moments, I can't. In a recent mindfulness exercise, I was prompted to think of the sounds of Thanksgiving. I thought of the stacking of dishes, laughter, and the squeak of sneakers on a basketball court. The sounds that I reflected upon, did not include arguing, sighing, or silence.
I've noticed that as I grow older, I often alternate between yearning to repeat the traditions of my childhood while simultaneously feeling burdened by external pressures to follow those same traditions. As I've asked people their plans for the holiday, I've noticed that so many people grumble and complain about travel, cooking, and family drama. Just a few years ago, I imagine I was one of the grumblers. We put so much pressure on ourselves to live up to the holidays presented in media or in our "windexed" memories. I've fallen victim to setting the Thanksgiving bar too high (dressing children in the perfect clothing only to discover cranberry sauce dribbled down, working diligently to recreate a perfect dish from Food Network only to discover that I am not Emeril, or hoping the family will all share a grateful attitude only to witness/participate in bickering or hurt feelings) and have gone to bed that night harboring bitterness, disappointment, or exhaustion. I've lived away from family and felt as though I was missing out and I've lived near family and wished I could have a day of solitude. Sometimes, the stress that accompanies holidays simply overshadows what we desire most.
Dad died just 3 weeks before last Thanksgiving. Despite it being the year for my gaggle to spend with Trey's family, we knew we weren't strong enough for a crowd and opted to stay close to home. Mom, David, and I agreed to not set ourselves up for the typical holiday pressure traps. We were not emotionally prepared. Much of my memories of last November are a blur. I know we did gather at my house to eat and play games. We have videos of my brother and Logan competing in the pie in the face game and pictures of Grandma with whipped cream on her nose. The kids laughed and for a couple of hours, our grief subsided. In preparation for this year, we planned a "Friendsgiving" as a way to begin new traditions while also ensuring that my Mom and brother aren't alone next year when Trey and I resume alternating years with his family. Fortunately (and unfortunately) we have found that most of the people in our lives are connected with family and their own traditions, leaving our gathering to simply be our small crew. Shortly after realizing that Friendsgiving 2017 might be a bust, my grandmother fell ill and was admitted to the hospital. I don't know what tomorrow brings and am honestly, battling familiar pangs of grief, bitterness, and dread. I want my kids to feel joy and enjoy time with family. I don't want them to soak up the negative feelings the adults are experiencing. My kids have witnessed so many tears this past year and I want to protect them from more. I keep reminding myself that the sounds of their Thanksgivings will likely include the positives just as mine does. Being an adult is difficult. There appears to be an entire retail industry based on shirts and mugs with phrases about "adulting being hard" or "not wanting to adult today." As we become more responsible, we also become more aware, more grounded, and more jaded. We have to be able to recognize heavy emotions and have to learn to manage stress in order to function. As parents, we carry so much of the emotional burden to prevent our children from laboring before they ought to.
In this season of expected gratitude, I am working overtime to see the many blessings around me and to express gratitude for what I've experienced and am experiencing. I am grateful for the Thanksgivings of my youth and the warm memories. I'm grateful for the Thanksgivings I spent as a young adult living away from my family that lead to me be a more independent woman and to recognize the value of friends that become family. I'm grateful for the Thanksgivings spent with the family I married into and the opportunities to learn new traditions and play a role in their developing memories. I'm grateful for the Thanksgivings with my husband and children as we create our own traditions. I'm grateful for what is yet to come because no matter how difficult a season of life may seem in the moment, there will surely come good memories, there will surely come laughter, and there will surely come new sounds of Thanksgiving.
Fifteen and a half years ago, my Dad and I stood outside the sanctuary with my arm linked in his. The last bridesmaid, my cousin Tess, was walking down the aisle. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I'd focused the past 8 months on preparing for the wedding and had given little thought about what it would be like to be a wife, an adult, and independent of my parents. I must have audibly gasped or tensed my arm, or perhaps Dad knew my thoughts were spinning out of control. He softly said, "You know, I'm not giving you away. I'm just walking you to the next chapter and I think it's going to be one hell of a page turner. We'll begin walking when you are ready." He said exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. I wrote those words down on a scrap of paper the next morning as Trey and I flew to our honeymoon. I didn't need to write them down because they were written on my heart. I've never shared those words with anyone but they've served as a compass, a mantra, and a message of love.
I have lingered in a stage of anticipation of this day for months. Today marks the one year anniversary of Dad's death. The one year mark has seemed like a landmark of sorts, despite many friends telling me that they felt the initial grief process took them closer to three years. Still, I've dreaded this day. This anticipation has encompassed all of the feelings that grief carries; fear, sorrow, anger, shame, guilt, and emotional fatigue. I've struggled with emotional preparation for today, knowing that I needed to perform a sort of emotional ritual while still focusing on self-care. Yeah, yeah…self-care…I really sound like a therapist or something. I requested the day off work months ago and began creating a list of ways to spend the day; drive as far as I can before having to turn back to pick up the kids, sleep, binge Stranger Things, hike Pinnacle, read, dine alone at a nice restaurant, create something, get drunk, write (winner, winner), shop, visit the columbarium that memorializes Dad, volunteer, etc. Ultimately, I've spent the day sitting in a quiet home, crying, sneaking chocolate from the Halloween buckets, meeting Trey for lunch, reading many of my journal entries that I have written about my grief over the past year, cooking, and writing. My writing took the form of a series of lists. I began with favorite memories, moved to chronicling the last week of Dad's death and the week of his funeral, listing "Thank You Notes" that were never written, and ultimately with a list of moments of joy from the past year.
As I read what I've written this past year, I could help but laugh at myself. I couldn't have been more cliché. I could print each of these entries out and categorize them into the traditional stages of grief. The progression through the stages certainly wasn't linear but each stage is certainly represented. There were days that I chronicled my rage at politics and related how this connected with my grief (Election Day was the day following Dad's funeral…it's all very intertwined in my grief). I also wrote about difficult it has been knowing Dad isn't the engine moving AETN forward and, to be completely honest, about feeling let down by people I expected to hold our family up during this difficult time but who were either absent or hurtful. I've also unfairly lashed out at my VERY patient husband and battled to stifle a nonsensical notion of competitive grief with loved ones. I've bargained, felt guilty, and I have spent time in shock and denial.
As much as I've struggled to walk Logan and Jack through their grief, the hardest part has been knowing that Norah won't have any memories of Dad. The day after he died, I began putting together a slide show of pictures for his visitation and frantically realized that we had failed in the 6 months since Norah was born to take any pictures of Dad and Norah together. I was crushed and this was the source of much of my focused despair and guilt for many months. We have so many pictures of Dad holding and playing with Jack and Logan. I have so many memories of their interactions that I can continue to share. I have evidence of his love for them. I can tell Logan about how I had planned to announce my pregnancy with him in a grand gesture by mailing a picture frame with the news inside but couldn't wait that long. I called Dad and caught him on his way to Little Rock to a meeting. When I told him that he was going to be a grandparent, I was met with silence. "Dad?" I hesitantly asked. Dad then said, "I'm sorry, Lauren. I had to pull over. I didn't know I'd get so choked up and happy." I can tell Jack how funny Dad thought he was when he'd babble in what we assumed must be Dutch. But I had none of this for Norah. In something that I can only describe as a miracle, Trey mentioned to his mom how upset I was about having no pictures of Norah and Dad. My mother-in-law produced a picture from her cell phone taken shortly after Norah was born of Dad holding her. Trey and Carolyn gave me the picture for Mother's Day and it is one of my most cherished possessions.
To stick with the metaphor Dad shared on my wedding day, this past year has been a difficult chapter but here we are on the one year mark. Nothing has exploded, we are all intact, and we continue to walk forward. I have learned a lot about myself this year and have learned a lot about my Mom, my brother, and my husband. We have all grieved but in our own way. Sometimes these processes have clashed but, for the most part, I think we are proud of how we have each coped. For me, the most significant lesson that has come from the past year is how wonderful the people around me have been. So much of the first couple of weeks was (and is) such a blur. I have clear memories of some conversations and events and other things seem out of focus. A friend, who lost her father years ago, texted condolences through Trey with the suggestion to wear comfortable shoes to the visitation and funeral. I latched onto that suggestion as though it were law. I could barely think clearly enough to perform basic tasks but I was determined to wear comfortable shoes. I remember sitting on the floor in front of my closet searching for dress shoes with the softest insole and thinking "Mandy knows because she has been through this." I then began creating a collection of people in my life who have lost their dads. As the next month progressed, my collection grew. I visualized this collection of faces, names, and situations as a collage on a wall with pins and red string connecting each person to another. (Perhaps I've watched too many crime movies!?) I found significant comfort in collecting another name and recognizing that although losing their Dad was painful, this person was still standing, still functioning, and still able to love. I have relied on these examples as mentors as I figured out how to move forward. Some of these friends shared their experiences and others have no idea that I looked to their experience as an inspiration. As the year has progressed, I've had several more friends who have lost a parent and I've wondered if they collected my name for this mutual grief yearbook. It has given me hope that perhaps someday I can be looked at as someone who continued to stand, function, and love.
Throughout the past year, people have ministered to me through their words and actions over and over. I'm simply awful at asking for help but help happened when I needed it most. Friends fed us, cared for our children, gave me books (my love language), donated in Dad's memory, shared stories and memories, laughed, and were simply present. Several coworkers, including our psychiatrist, attended Dad's funeral despite the billable hours they has to sacrifice. Friends who own a fabulous local restaurant not only provided dinner for friends and family that came to celebrate Dad's life, but stayed and served us the night of the visitation. My best friend, Beth, and her teenage daughters spent the afternoon and evening after Dad's funeral on my couch loving on my babies and holding me. Friends opened their home to us the week after the funeral so that we could attend Logan's soccer tournament but not have to muster the stamina for a hotel stay so soon into our grief. My book club cared for my heart 2 weeks after Dad died at our annual Thanksgiving dinner. The night was already scheduled but what they didn't know is that I spent an hour sitting on the floor of my office earlier that day, with the door closed, sobbing and unsure if I would ever be able to breathe again. Only a couple hours later, I was sitting around a table with some of my dearest friends laughing until my sides ached. A high school friend mailed me a book that fed my soul and soothed my heart. Other friends bought t-shirts and answered phones at the AETN pledge drive night in memory of Dad. PBS flew mom, Logan, and I to San Diego for a week to honor Dad. Logan and I were embraced by people from all over the country who respected and were positively influenced by Dad. Our church held a blood drive in Dad's name. Trey's stepdad has always been a wonderful grandfather but he has been even more attentive and loving this year so that my kids didn't feel as much of an absence. Not a month has passed this last year without there being a note in my mailbox telling me that we are being thought of, prayed for, and loved. When I checked the mailbox today, I found 3 letters and a book mailed by a friend of Dad's who I was fortunate to meet in San Diego. Last night we gathered, as we have done for the past 5 (or maybe 6?) Halloweens with dear friends. They were sensitive and yet aware of our need to have fun, just as we needed last year the night before Dad died. Perhaps the most significant source of support has been my husband, the one who took my hand from my Dad's fifteen and a half years ago. Trey has loved me even at my most unlovable. He has made me laugh, given me reality checks when I've needed them most, loved our children, negotiated through my many snot-filled crying spells, cared for my mom and brother, and continued to walk with me through this chapter.
It has been a year since my Dad died. It has been a very difficult chapter of my life. I miss him every single day but I am still turning pages. Thank you to all of you who have walked with us this year and thank you to those who will walk with us into the chapters to come.
Last night I dreamt that there was a knock at our front door sometime after the kids had gone to bed. When I peeked through the peephole, I was surprised to see Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie standing on the stoop with Louis Vitton bags in hand. Apparently, they had arrived to film another season of "The Simple Life" at our home. I awoke perplexed. Why did my subconscious selected this for a theme? I'm not sure I even watched the show when it aired over 10 years ago and I certainly don't remember thinking about Paris or Nichole during recent waking hours. As I brushed my teeth this morning, I began to wonder what ol' Paris has been up to in recent years. I awkwardly balanced my phone while continuing to brush those pesky molars. This is not an unusual activity for any of us, right? Gone are the days of wondering and guessing. Rapidly disappearing is the art of speculation and daydreaming. Prior to having a smart phone at my finger tips, I often stewed on one ponder or another for days, weeks, and in several cases, years. Sometime in late high school, I began wondering if giraffes are able to vomit. Think about it…it would defy gravity!? I asked multiple people this question and attempted to find the answer the old-fashioned way, in an encyclopedia. This question haunted my synapses for a long time and wasn't answered until I happened to ask a zookeeper at the St. Louis Zoo. (Note: Giraffes are able to vomit. Much like cows, they often regurgitate their food as a part of the digestive process. You are welcome.) Had this question popped into my head these days, I would have simply asked Siri or consulted Google. Sure, I'd have been spared weeks of questioning and drawing others into my query, but at what cause?
Logan has been working on his semester project for his gifted and talented class. He has compiled weeks of research into a presentation about Mt. St. Helens. Last night, he asked me to help him practice the presentation portion of the project. As I babbled on about an attention-getting opening, I was met with a blank stare. I'd suggested Logan open with a "did you know…" statement shocking the audience (in this case, a 3rd grade class) about the existence of volcanoes in the continental United States. Logan patiently waited out my suggestions before retorting that either kids would already know about volcanoes in the US or they wouldn't care. "Mom, if kids are curious about something, they just look it up." Wow. What is the fun in that? I'll admit, I play into this with my kids. We have googled insects, snakes, and plants from the backyard. Logan or Jack have simply had to ask the beginnings of a "wonder" before Trey and I have jumped to locate an answer.
As an amateur fact collector, I do enjoy having knowledge at my ready. I like having answers and being able to connect one known to another known. Random trivia is my jam. (Thanks, Dad!) However, there are times that this accessibility is damaging. We spaced Logan and Jack out 6 ½ years. During those in between years, smart phones emerged. We had internet with Logan was born, but looking up all of my new momma "what if's" required me sitting at our computer desk. With a postpartum body and a newborn, I simply didn't make this effort much. With Jack, however, I found myself simultaneously nursing and searching a million and one things that 'might' be wrong. I took a screen shot one of those early days as I recognized that my anxiety was driving my thumb to swipe right and left on all kinds of terrifying information. I looked up lip tie, thrush, jaundice, mastitis, post partum psychosis, neurological deficits, motor skills delays, SIDS, sibling resentment, prolapsed uterus, and more all within one nursing session. Trey walked into the room at one point to find me sniffling that we'd waited too long between the boys and that they'd never be close. He cocked his head and asked if we would be returning Jack to the factory? Rather than allow myself to daydream possibilities, I simply searched for all that could go wrong and it was all at my fingertips.
I want my kids to have time to wonder and explore. Obviously there are times we "unplug" and battle the resulting grumbles but the battle is worth it when I hear Jack talking to his toys or I see Logan outside building a fort. Perhaps the greatest outcome of these moments is that through observing their wonder, I am drawn into the process as well. I wonder what goals Logan will reach. His ambition and drive are like none other and I know he will set his sights on great things someday. I wonder who Jack will bring into our lives. His charisma and loving spirit already draws people in and I can't wait to be introduced to the tribe he builds as he grows. I wonder what kind of woman Norah will be. Will this strong-willed baby girl follow in the footsteps of her brothers or pave her own way? I can continue to Google many questions and answers but the things that really matter are still, fortunately, left up to the imagination. In my opinion, this is as it should be.
Jack is at a funny age. He has traded some of his joyfulness for an expanded world view. He has begun problem solving and trying to make sense of the greater world. Year four was a struggle with Logan as Trey and I wrestled with moving beyond simple toddler tantrums into a need to understand, reason, and work things out on his own. As we enter Jack's, fourth year, I'm reminded of some of Logan's struggles (and our struggles to catch up with his changing needs) and am trying hard to accommodate Jack.
Lately, Jack has been having a difficult time. He was excited to try out both t-ball and soccer but has found them both difficult. He wants to be big like Logan but lack attention, coordination, and experience. We didn't have to navigate these particular growing pains with Logan as he had no one to compare himself too.
My typically joyful child has cried himself to sleep in protest of daycare the following day and awakened crying. We have a wonderful daycare that employs teachers that love on my kids every day. I know that this is simply a phase Jack is going through and not an implication that anything is going wrong at school. Jack has decided that he needs a best friend and for whatever reason, doesn't feel like he has found his best bud yet. He will name other pairs of friends at school but then lowers his eyes and tells me that I am his only best friend and since I'm not at school with him, he is alone. Thanks, bud. My heart is breaking. On the way to school the other day, Jack was crying and protesting.
J: I don't like school days! I want you to stay home with me and play tball with me all day!
Me: Jack, remember that I am going to work while you do your work at school. You are going to play with your friends and learn from your teachers. You will eat yummy foods for lunch and for snack. I will pick you up because I always come back for you!
Jack: You are not my best friend anymore! I want a new Mommy and Daddy!
Me: Wow, critter! I am sad to hear that. I would never want a different son!?
Jack: I want a different son! I want us to get a black son!
Me: A black son? That is an interesting idea but remember that our family has 5 people and that is our limit.
Jack: NO! I WANT A BLACK SON! BLACK SON! BLACK SON!
Me: Why do you want a black son, Jack?
Jack: Because that white SUN is always getting into my eyes.
These are the conversations I want to remember. I want to recall his growing awareness and vocabulary no matter how difficult it makes things in the moment; the circular arguments that have no win for parents and make us want to pull our hair out (if Trey had hair…).
When Logan was four he desperately wanted a stepdad. He cried and argued that we were the meanest parents ever because we wouldn't let him have a stepdad. No explanation or reasoning seemed to help. Trey explained that if he had a stepdad that would mean that daddy didn't live in the house anymore and that he wouldn't get to see both of his parents every day. In Logan's mind, however, he knew that Big Phil, Trey's stepdad, was the coolest. Why wouldn't he want another parent like Big Phil? It made sense to him, even if it hurt Trey's feelings a bit.
Since my Dad's death, I've often felt like a four year old. I've found myself looking at the world in a new way and trying to make sense of things I thought I already understood. In the past (almost) six months, I have reevaluated my marriage (no panicking, I'm keeping Trey), how I want to parent, my friends, how I spend my precious free time, and how I want to leave this world (again, no panicking…this isn't a '13 Reasons Why' moment). Goals I found important last year, have faded and things I valued before, have lost their luster. With each stage of the grief journey, I'm trying to leave a little pain behind but put something more worthwhile in its place. It's hard, folks, really hard.
A couple months ago, Mom announced at a Sunday lunch that she needed to prepare herself for upcoming days that might be difficult. We all knew that April would bring back to back gut checks and so we began to brace ourselves.
We all prepared in our own ways. We spent the morning of my birthday at a t-ball game and 2 soccer games and then distracted ourselves in the evening with good friends. Day 1 was a breeze.
Easter was more difficult but we pulled through. Well, Trey and my friend Wendy pulled me through. Due to various circumstances, I found myself without a seat for church (I was helping Logan acolyte and Trey and mom found the last 2 person pew). I ended up sitting away from my family but with Wendy, who was also having a difficult time. She posted on her Facebook that afternoon that she'd needed a friend to sit with her. Little did she know that by inviting me into her pew and holding my hand, she held me together for that entire service. I will forever be grateful and will view Easter Sunday with a new perspective. I cried a lot that day. Trey alternated between providing me space, giving me comfort, and reminding me that there are 3 kids watching my every move so I needed to pull myself together. And I did.
I made it through the anniversary and Norah's birthday fine. Like Dory's motto goes, "Just keep swimming!" I kept patting myself on the back because I'd made it. Another set of difficult "firsts" were behind me and I was/am still standing. Then everything crashed inward. On April 21st, Logan ran in his school's 5K. One year ago, I stood at the finish line without any expectations of how he would finish and he came barreling around the final corner and across the finish line in 3rd place. I was 3 days from delivering Norah but I jumped up and down and went crazy! As soon as I hugged his sweaty neck I called my Dad to report Logan's finish. He asked for Logan's time and asked about his form. We were both so proud. Dad was in the middle of a meeting and shared that he'd gotten misty eyed hearing how well his eldest grandson had done. This year, Logan beat his time from last year and his form was impeccable. I walked over and hugged Logan's sweaty neck as I had done the previous year but I didn't get to report to Dad. Logan hugged me and went to find my mom, who was subbing that day. They also hugged and then Logan cheered on his friends as they crossed the line. I lingered all the while fighting back throaty sobs. I'd prepared for the hard days April was bringing and I'd made it through. Why couldn't I get through this one too. I fought tears all day. When I picked Logan up from school, several hours later, I began crying again. He said, "I know, Mom. I wanted to tell him too." The thing is that I have expected the holidays to be hard but it's the other moments that seem to be the most painful. It's hard to prepare for the unexpected moments that I want to ask Dad something or all of the times I want to brag on my kids to him. As a therapist, I've worked with people though grieving but I definitely am seeing it differently now. You can't prepare for everything. There is not chart for these high tides. My worldview is changing.
Norah's 1st birthday party was equally as difficult. Again, I hadn't braced myself because in all honesty, Dad would have found the party a bit miserable. He would have laughed at my "baby feminist" theme and enjoyed taking pictures of Norah tasting her first cake but the small talk and forced joy would have bored him. Sure, we would have talked books, politics, and music but we did that all of the time. I just couldn't shake feeling bitter that he can't watch his granddaughter grow up. With every picture taken, the bitterness that we somehow failed to take a single picture of Dad holding Norah corroded my soul. I was angry that some family chose not to come to the party and found it difficult to appreciate those who were there. I kept reminding myself to be in the moment and focus on Norah but it was difficult and it hurt a lot. Afterwards, a couple friends sent pictures from the party. I know that I will cherish those pictures above any others because they pulled me through those few hours. My village lifted me up once again. With Logan and Jack's first birthday parties I was focused on the décor, cakes, and party. This time, it is my village. These people have chosen to be in my life and allow me to be in theirs are carrying me through.
On Good Friday, Jack and Norah's daycare was closed. I drove our normal route from home to drop off Logan at school and then strayed from our normal route to pass the daycare and drop Jack and Norah off with my mom, Jack questioned why we weren't stopping at his school.
Jack: Mom, that's my school. You forgot my school!
Me: Jack, your school is closed today. Remember?
Jack: Oh yeah! It's Bloody Jesus Day!
Me: *ummm (note to self: we may need a theology lesson or two) Well, it is Good Friday.
Now I knew why he'd been so confused and how the heck do I make this all make sense to him when it doesn't make sense to me? I'm sure that there are multiple amazing ways I could have handled this moment but, instead, I quickly pointed out something benign out of Jack's window. The ol' switch and bait.
Things look different these days. Different through my grief lens and different through Jack's growing lens, but we are making it. We will continue to rise to each challenge, even if we fall short, and quest to do life as gracefully as we can…together.
As the days pass since Dad's death, I find myself thinking of his absence less often. Instead of the pervasive absence, I find myself forgetting that he's gone. A day or two goes in which I'm distracted by work, care of my kids, meal planning, social interactions, and typical life. Then, suddenly, I pick up my phone to call Dad about a story I heard on NPR or a book I'm reading. While I'm not in constant pain, as I was the first couple of months, these sudden pangs of reality seem sharper, harsher. Guilt floods my gut for becoming distracted from my grief.
Friends have asked the dreaded question "How are you doing?" less often and I've become out of practice with my vague answer. In the days and weeks following his death, I became adept at answering these queries in a way that satisfied curiosity and convinced most that I was being sincere. I know that people don't know what else to say and so they often say what they need to hear in that moment. My replies were carefully constructed for the benefit of the listener. "I'm getting through." … "It is hard but I'm surrounded by love."…"I'm ok." Now that people have moved on, the less frequent questions often take me by surprise and are more difficult to answer. I'm still getting through and still surrounded by love but the ache is still there.
A couple weeks ago a friend questioned me about my state and didn't accept my dismissive answer, avoidant eyes, or fake smile. She listened to my scripted response and asked again "but how are you?" I didn't want to admit that I have 6 voicemails from Dad saved on my phone that I consider listening to each day but then avoid them because I know it will be too hard. I didn't want to tell her that I read through Dad's Facebook messages wishing for a new post. I didn't want to share that I still haven't visited the Columbarium because I'm not ready to see his name followed by an end date. I definitely didn't want to tell her that I still pretend he's just traveling and that I'll see him at Logan's next game or in our church pew. I didn't want to admit that I often set my alarm for the middle of the night so that I can cry alone without worrying my family. I didn't want to tell her that my stomach remains in knots at the idea of seeing my Dad's side of the family, whom I love very much. I didn't want her to know that my worry about my Mom and brother's functioning keeps me from sleeping and, at times, from being able to breathe deeply. I didn't want to tell her that every time I look at my precious daughter, my heart aches that we somehow didn't take any pictures of Dad holding her.
My professional training helps me know that this is all part of typical grief but that knowledge certainly doesn't make it an easier process. I've been afraid to say any of this out of fear that once I start bleeding, I won't be able to stop. I went home that evening and cried to Trey. (cried is an understatement but flows better than "I laid in the fetal position on the couch while Trey told me to quiet my sobs so that I wouldn't disturb the neighbors 2 acres away) Trey was everything he needed to be in that moment. He provided comfort, cursed the luck, and loved me even as I lashed out. I slept restlessly that night and woke feeling nauseous. I walked into my friend's office the next morning and poured out my sorrow. No, I'm not ok and that is normal. Everyone else moves on and yet I'm still here, feet planted in this moment. I'm not mad that people are moving on and I know that there are many people missing Dad too. But life does march on. People do make new memories and new connections but the reality that these new memories and new connections are being made without Dad in them has me vulnerable and miserable.
I needed that process. I needed someone to push me and I needed Trey to help me pick up my pieces. I teach people about self-care every day but am the last to put it into practice. I have focused my energy on making sure Trey and the kids are grieving constructively but haven't allowed myself the same journey. I would love to now write that since having that "breakdown" I'm in a much better state, but I don't know if that is true. I am trying to do more for myself each day. I'm spending time each morning meditating, have begun running again, and am soaking up precious time with my family. I've distracted my mind with prompted writing and can't seem to read enough. As long as I keep my mind from wandering freely, I'm maintaining.
The random reminders of grief continue to throw me for a loop. This week I was sitting in my office working on paperwork when a coworker peeked his head in my door and asked if I'd heard the Governor's kind words about my dad. I hadn't and began scrambling to figure out what was happening. With a quick internet search, I was able to listen to a soundbite of the Governor announcing my Dad's replacement. My breath left my body and my heart dropped into my gut. Obviously, I knew that a replacement would be announced at some point. Logically, I knew that the agency that my Dad headed would need a leader but hearing an actual name with the title that Dad held so proudly stung. The Governor began the announcement with another lovely tribute to Dad's work but I found myself throwing that to the side of my mind and focusing on a new face replacing Dad's in the entryway of the station; a new face on the website; and a new body occupying his office. Dad would be the first to brag about the staff he worked with and would never take credit for everything that happened under his leadership, but in my head and in my heart, that is his station. (Note: I'm sure she is a lovely person and I can't wait to see the amazing things she does with an already incredible staff and agency.) This week, I've fought feelings of bitterness, a need to hurt more than anyone else, and a new tsunami of feelings. Thankfully, this announcement came during Trey's annual trip to the SEC tournament with his stepdad. His absence has made me have to function, have to cope, and have to avoid collapsing on the floor in loud, ugly, snotty tears that would terrify my children. I have kept a list of ways I wanted to grieve this week but wouldn't allow myself. Know that I actually wrote the following words: "I want to text everyone who has ever lost a parent and tell them that I hurt more than they do." And "I need someone to tell [another grieving family member] to move on because I can't deal with someone else's grief." Clearly these were filed in the "not productive" category. Instead, in the past 5 days, I have read 4 books, bought way too many things online, and strayed from my diet. (Still not productive but at least I didn't ruin relationships…right?) I have also written every day, stayed *fairly* focused at work, talked to friends, exercised, and enjoyed time with my kids. Tomorrow I will wake up and keep moving forward. Some days it will hurt like hell and others will seem better somehow. At least, that is what I keep telling myself.
I reject the idea that 2016 is the worst year ever. Sure, we have lost icons like David Bowie, Prince, Carrie Fisher, and George Michael. Yes, we have elected a fascist egomaniac and given a sense of power to those who aim to take away basic civil rights and freedoms. And, above all, my hero slipped from my life leaving the biggest hole in my heart. 2016 has been hard but I cannot abide by the idea that our hard times end at midnight Saturday night. Bowie, Prince, Fisher, and George will still be gone. The inauguration will still occur in 20 days. And, sadly, I still won't have my dad. There has been so much pain and loss in 2016 but there will be more in 2017. Pain is a part of life, and a necessary contrast so that we recognize joy.
With my meager voice, I implore you to continue celebrating music and movies. I ask you to continue voting, advocating, and loving those who are frightened and feeling unloved. I beg of you to see the good that has come out of 2016 and if you can't find any examples, come gaze upon my sweet baby. I beg you to walk with me into 2017. I know that I need someone to lean on and want to be that person for you too. Thank you 2016, for preparing me to fight for a better tomorrow. Let's carry the good forward and help each other stand.


text:
National Ballet of Ukraine to perform in Orlando for humanitarian benefit event
in National
ORLANDO, Fla – Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Ginsburg Family Foundation announced a first of its kind performance by the world-renowned National Ballet of Ukraine to benefit Ukrainian citizens, refugees and veteran services, according to a news release from the Dr. Phillips Center.
The performance, organized by the Ginsburg Foundation and Ukrainian producer Vadim Fedotov, will take place on August 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the center's Steinmetz Hall. Organizers said 100% of ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit the people of Ukraine.
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The event is sponsored by the Ginsburg Family Foundation, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Nemours Children's Health, Universal Orlando, the Ed Haddock, Jr. Family Foundation and Rosen Hotels & Resorts, the center said.
"We have all been overwhelmed by the total disregard for humanity as the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in an unjustified war in Ukraine," Marc McMurrin, president & CEO of the Ginsburg Family Foundation, said in a statement. "This performance has been given the full endorsement and support of the Ukrainian government and is an opportunity for Orlando to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people amid their continued struggle for democracy, dignity, and self-determination."
The evening will kick off with a presentation of the Ukrainian and American national anthems performed by Opera Orlando, with the main performance to highlight Ukrainian culture and feature excerpts from the world's greatest ballets.
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the music, to be conducted by Sergii Golubnychyi from the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theater in Kyiv, which the National Ballet of Ukraine calls home.
Additionally, a silent auction will be held in the lobby featuring art and cultural items from Ukraine.
While the National Ballet of Ukraine has performed in many places around the world and in the United States, the upcoming performance in Orlando will be its first in the U.S. since 2018, the center said.
The ticket sales will go directly toward charities providing humanitarian assistance and emergency medical aid to Ukrainian citizens, refugees and veteran services, including Razom for Ukraine, Doctors Without Borders and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.
"We are beyond grateful to the Orlando community for hosting us and kicking off our first US tour in several years," Olena Filipieva, artistic director with the National Ballet of Ukraine, said in a news release. "In these challenging times, it means so much to our dancers to be able to share their passion with audiences, while also benefiting so many fellow Ukrainians back home (…) This tour has a deeper purpose for us all."
Ticket prices will range from $100 to $250. Purchase tickets and learn more at the Ukraine Ballet Benefit website.
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