Exploring Identity Through The Arts

One of She Crew's interns made the Principal's List for grades and behavior.

Exploring who you are is a valuable exercise for anyone, especially in situations in which those individuals are part of oppressed groups and haven't always had opportunities for growth available to them. Having a tool to express individuality and group identity, recognizing historical background leading to your moment in time, discovering who you really are, happen to be life tasks that need to be addressed in order to develop in maturity.

Two women, with backgrounds in the arts, Jessica London-Shields and Meredith Montgomery, came together in Chicago and founded SHE CREW. The organization began as one that offered an intensive multidisciplinary workshop, lasting six weeks and occurring in the summer, for girls age 12 to 14.



The workshops were designed to provide an opportunity to explore being a woman, what womanhood is all about, and how that affects how the girls see themselves. Specifically, they received writing prompts in the areas of womanhood and identity; and women and family, community, career, and their own bodies.

Not only is journal writing utilized in the workshops. There is also discussion, especially looking into the cultural view that womanhood is something to attain and towards which to strive. In addition, the girls engage in performance exercises that enable a deeper and more introspective exploration of various viewpoints, new perspectives, and inclusiveness. These forms of work are planned to enable the girls to form a culture of equality, accepting all the faces of womanhood that are seen around them. At the end of the workshop, the girls participate in a performance that is written by the group.

Two other programs are available through She Crew and are open to those who have completed the summer intensive workshop. The Continuation Program continues the experience of the summer intensive with weekly meetings that lead to improved writing and performance skills, leadership, and civic engagement. Support is also provided in filling out high school applications and resume writing.

The Continuation Program continues the work started in the Summer Intensive program.

The Growth Program is available to girls age 15 to 19. The internship portion of the program provides instruction in curriculum development, leadership, and directing and producing. The instructor portion (limited to those age 18 and above) allows youth to work with an adult instructor, who helps them to deepen their skills in curriculum development, leadership, and utilizing the methods of She Crew in its programs. Both of this components provide pay for the girls.

The writers' pack that participants in the summer workshop receive.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/jessica-london-meredith-montgomery-she-crew/; and the above link.

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Vision Technology Services Becomes Part Of BG Staffing, Inc

Some VTS employees.

Located in Hunt Valley, MD, VISION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (VTS) provides talented IT professionals and project consulting services to companies within various fields of business. They are always on the hunt for skilled and intelligent IT professionals, representing these areas of focus: business analysts, software engineers, and various types of  IT support services. They strive to make the best matches between the companies requesting assistance and the consultants who work for them. The objective is to provide services and people to help make their client companies successful.

In September, BG STAFFING, INC (BGSF) acquired all of the assets of the Vision Technology group of companies. BGSF, which has its headquarters in Plano, TX, is a rapidly growing national temporary staffing agency, representing a wider variety of professions and job categories in the workforce. Acquiring VST means that their footprint within the IT field has been expanded.



The purchase price reached $20.75 million, of which $10 million was paid at the closing of the deal. The exact monetary amount was subject to working capital adjustment and earn-out payments, and depends on meeting certain conditions, over a three-year period following the acquisition. Based on preliminary unaudited data, VTS had $33.2 million in revenues.

VTS has had an excellent reputation in the local area and has provided services in the mid-Atlantic area, along with a few other markets. They have frequently been ranked by The Baltimore Business Journal among the top 50 companies in central Maryland. If you look just at IT consulting businesses, VTS has become one of the regional leaders.

L. Allen Baker, President and CEO of BGSF, stated, "The completion of the accretive Vision Technology Services acquisition in the IT segment fits perfectly into our growth and expansion plans. It will allow us to move closer to our goal of generation $100 million in revenue from the IT segment - and to enhance the cash flow portfolio we are building for our shareholders. BG currently has operations in 40 offices and 15 states. We look forward to expanding our footprint [into Maryland and the mid-Atlantic] and adding additional IT skill sets. It is our goal to accretively and meaningfully increase our adjusted EBITDA [net income with interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization added in] annually over the next several years."

VTS employees participating in March of Dimes fundraiser.

In addition, Mr. Baker welcomed the VTS employees, staff, and customers. He assured everyone that VTS will function independently within BGSF as their own brand.

Company Award by Baltimore Business Journal.

Thanks for information from this announcement by VTS: http://www.vistechs.com/News/vision-acquired-by-bg-staffing; along with the above links.

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Carbondale Actively Addresses Violence

Provocative programs lead to addressing the issue directly.

I think  that if a person reads enough headlines and/or lives near a major US city, that person becomes keenly aware of a pattern of violence. In many cities, deaths from violence numbers in the hundreds, sometimes multiplied in single digits. Many have pondered these statistics, trying to sort out the many causes and seeking some solution to restore the peace.

Carbondale, Illinois, formed a NONVIOLENT CARBONDALE organization, its name signifying a hope and a goal. The idea was to explore the issues of peace, social justice, and compassion, and maybe even join other like-minded communities in becoming COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITIES.



Over the period of its existence, Nonviolent Carbondale has launched yearly 11-day initiatives that would explore facets of bringing Carbondale into the level of a compassionate city. The 11-days were divided into themes: 11 Days For Peace (2011), 11 Days For Compassion (2012), 11 Days For Food Justice (2013), 11 Days For Peace (2014), and 11 Days For Compassion (2015).

There has been widespread participation in these focused sessions by thousands of community members and numerous supporting organizations. The City government has provided support through its Human Relations Commission, under President Hugh Muldoon. With the input and participation that Nonviolent Carbondale has garnered, a resolution is to be brought before City Council to affirm the City's participation in the Charter For Compassion and declare Carbondale's participation in a ten-year plan to become a Compassionate City (from the start of 2011).

When a city, like Carbondale, embarks on a campaign to become a NONVIOLENT CITY, it is committing to address its incidents of violence in all its forms, structures, and systems, along with connecting the commonalities. Then there is a proactive effort to remake the culture as one that is holistic, creative, nonviolent, and city-wide. It involves promoting, teaching, and practicing nonviolence to the point that nonviolence becomes institutionalized in that city. It involves hard work, collaboration, and the participation of everyone.

At one 11 Days activity, a mask exhibit showed a diverse community of faces.

This is a positive vision, a striving forward towards a goal, a willingness to address the many issues that get in the way of the pursuit of nonviolence. Yet, in our major cities, there needs to be some soul-searching, the same hard work, the striving to eliminate the forces that contribute to violence. This is one way. I wish the best to the City of Carbondale in their effort to become compassionate.

The local library's participation in 11 Days earned them a prestigious award from the ALA.

Thanks to information from this article by Yes! Magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/when-communities-decide-theyve-had-enough-violence-20160315; and the above links.

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Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

The challenge has been issued, fellas.

It's been in operation for more than 35 years, healing children and family members, whose lives have been affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. As more research has been completed, this organization has grown and incorporated the findings into its programs. Located in Placerville, California, THE CENTER FOR VIOLENCE-FREE RELATIONSHIPS has been a key lifeline for the families they serve.

A variety of fundraising events supports the work. As the weather is getting warmer and the calendar is approaching spring, a challenge has been issued for the fourteenth year. On Saturday, April 30th the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Event will take place. This is an event for the men of the area. They've been issued this challenge. Can you manly men put on a pair of women's high heels and walk a whole mile in an effort to raise awareness about violence against women?



Now, gentlemen, we all know that you like challenges, especially when there could be a little competition involved. You can come individually, or you can get a team together. Yes, it does mean walking a mile in some crazy high heels, but it also involves raising money.

After registering the high heels individual or team walkers, it's time to get some sponsors, those who contribute money. Be aware that registering to walk doesn't mean you can't contribute money, even to other teams or individuals. The Center For Violence-Free Relationships is counting on you. Their fundraising goal is $40,000; so far $1847 has been given. It's just over a month to the goal date of April 30th. The clock is ticking.

It's all for a good cause and you can cheer on the team or individual to whom you gave. On April 30th, gather together at the Placerville Town Hall. Registration and event festivities take place at 10 to 11 AM; the WALK itself is held at 11 AM to noon; then cut loose from noon to 1 PM for the celebration. Bring your camera. Imagine those fun pictures that you'll have later, to remember your participation.

Participants and supporters in last year's challenge.

By the way, since it can be rather difficult to get heels in those larger male sizes, The Center For Violence-Free Relationships has a selection of heels in sizes 9 to 14. But you get the best selection if you commit early and go right down to pick yours out. So, have some fun, guys, and make a fashion statement, too. Register early and come on down to the Center for the best selection.

Some of the signs displayed during last year's event.

Thanks for information from this announcement at the Center For Violence-Free Relationships: http://thecenternow.org/events/walkamile/; and the above link.

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Seeds Of Food Security

One of the families, with a garden installed by GardenWorks.

More and more frequently, as time goes by, I notice how many places are making provision to provide food for those who are food insecure. Public school systems all around the US are making sure students have enough to eat, some even stretching to provide food outside of school hours. Even some colleges and universities have stepped in, with food pantries of their own, for students who are burdened with heavy student loans and can't support themselves completely with part-time work.

So, it's no surprise that there are different ideas and groups to support communities where high numbers of people just can't afford to feed their families enough food. THE GARDENWORKS PROJECT, in the west Chicago suburbs, is teaching families in need how to maintain their own home gardens.



In 2011, Tina Koral founded this organization and continues to serve as its volunteer Executive Director. The GardenWorks Project installed four home gardens in 2012 and over the years has increased that number to a total of 76 households that now have the home gardens. Residents with these gardens are provided with compost, and vegetable plants and seeds for a period of two years after the garden is installed. Each family also receives its own gardening coach, who helps them through the intricacies of the growing season.

GardenWorks also provides group education in organic gardening techniques, including best practices, composting, starting seeds, and how to extend harvests outside of growing seasons. There is also a beginning gleaning program, in which volunteers harvest produce from a community garden and provide the harvest to local food banks, adding fresh fruits and vegetables to their offerings. What they harvest is the produce which would have otherwise gone to waste at the Glen Ellyn Park District's community garden. Tina pointed out, "Fruit gleaning not only feeds the hungry, it builds community."

Seed packets donated by DollarSeed Garden Seeds.

Ms. Koral began her work after noting that even though those who lived in the suburbs might appear wealthy, there is still hunger and poverty in their midst. According to the West Suburban Community Pantry, "Over 95,000 people in DuPage County go to bed hungry every night. Of those, over 45,000 are children." This is a staggering issue in this country, that looks so wealthy on the surface. In just a short time, a program like The GardenWorks Project, can have an impact, while providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

A call for volunteers to join in and help.

Thanks to information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/tina-koral-the-gardenworks-project-2/; and the above link.

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It's A Bike And A Washing Machine

This is two devices in one.

A number of people in our world really like multipurpose devices. You get the advantage of doing more than one job from the same power source. That device can also reduce the number of power cords running around your home. Not to mention that such devices are great conversation pieces.

Introducing the BIKE WASHING MACHINE! You heard/saw this right - a bike washing machine. As the name says, this classy little item does two jobs; it's a stationary exercise bike combined with a washing machine. Students at DALIAN MINZU UNIVERSITY in China developed this prototype in order "to bring health and convenience to our lives."



Also notable is that this device can save on power costs. Here's how the bike washing machine works: when you pedal as you exercise, your motion rotates the drum of the washing machine, while also generating the power to activate the display screen or save for later use. The device saves time, money, and energy - quite the combination of savings. But the benefits extend to burning excess calories, tuning your muscles, and creating a healthier you.

The bike washing machine, indeed, demonstrates the functionality and benefits that derive from inventing a machine that can do more than one job at a time. But, you had to know that there is some bad news, along with the fact that the device was created. You can't buy it anywhere. As a prototype, the bike washing machine was only made once, for a college project. But, there is always the chance that some venture capitalist might come along and finance the project from the ground up. We can only hope.

Pedaling motion turns the drum of the washing machine.

A few words about Dalian Minzu University: This is a university with two campus locations - the Kaifqu campus in the Jinzou area of Dalian and the Jinshitan campus at the Golden Pebble National Tourist Resort. This university caters to ethnic minority populations within China and is particularly strong in the areas of engineering and applied subject areas. The bike washing machine is an example of the inventiveness of their students and results from the fine education they are receiving.

Students gathering at the library, part of Dalian Minzu University, for World Book Day.

Thanks to information from this article at Goodnet.org: http://ht.ly/ZctIf; and this general information page at Dalian Minzu University: http://www.dlnu.edu.cn/english/aboutdlnu/index.htm, along with the above links.

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At The Intersection Of Nature And Technology

An announcement for a bioblitz from 2015.

Sometimes, to reach those who aren't involved, you have to get to their level and appeal to them in ways they can understand. Certainly, for those who have been growing up in the Cyber Era, thinking processes are linked to, and mediated by, technology. We all are aware of how often we see cell phones and smartphones out in the community. They become a necessary part of the social world that we negotiate every day, to the point that it can be difficult to put them down and engage fully and openly with another person.

Dan Rademacher has certainly spent a good deal of his time interacting with technology. He has been utilizing his skills to work on data and communications projects for various nonprofit organizations. He was one of the six original organizers of NERDS FOR NATURE (NFN), which brings together people who are passionate about technology, while also having concern for the environment.



In 2014, NFN launched a series of bioblitz campaigns, which took place in urban parks around the San Francisco area. Before each of the eight events, NFN issued a call for those who had smartphones to come together in a specific park, after downloading the iNATURALIST APP.

Participants in the events had a specific period of time in which to record all of their observations of plants and animals that they spotted in the park. Then, participants met together at a designated place and time to watch the data accumulate on a large screen.

The specific intent was to interest a younger group of participants, who would normally not attend an event led by an expert, by providing them with the opportunity to interact as citizen-scientists. Essentially, by utilizing this technique, a wider audience was engaged in this new format, whereas the traditional leader-led hike tends to appeal to an older crowd. Dan expressed his hopes for the experience; he wanted to "help people discover their own power as full participants in the life of the parks they love."

A paper datasheet used in a survey of starfish at Gulf of Farallones Marine Sanctuary.

Currently, NFN operates a MEETUP GROUP, from which it conducts its events. All an interested individual need do is sign up in order to be able to participate in the nature and technology interface. They cover the areas of San Francisco/Oakland and also Silicon Valley. They remain all-volunteer, and encourage participation in their projects. Access them and you, too, can enjoy the intersection of nature and technology.

Compiling data from observations in McLaren Park.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/dan-rademacher-nerds-for-nature-bioblitz-2014/; and the above links.

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