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The good news is that I don't have to
wait until December to find out that I didn't win <smile>. On April
23, 2012, I got a polite (boilerplate) 'Thank You' note from
Michelle Hynes, Vice President, Civic Ventures and Purpose Prize
Team Leader, acknowledging my application and kindly informing that
the selection process is continuing, sans me and roughly 1000 other
submitters. "We applaud the work you are doing... to make the world
a better place for all of us," she wrote.
The best thing about the whole
process was what I learned about myself as I read the generous words
of the friends and colleagues I'd polled to ferret-out veracity
regarding my work.
Read all about my application for the $100,000 Purpose Prize.
As noted in the application
referenced above, during September this year my plan is to take my
gozarks show on the road in a (soon to be acquired) mini-RV equipped as a mobile
office-studio. The first stop of my 'media & marketing awareness
crusade' <grin> will be as
a presenter on the agenda of the
4th Annual RSOL National Conference in Albuquerque.
 While
visiting sunny New Mexico,
I'll be doing my thing to empower the arts, keeping promises made (two years ago)
to Donna Todd of the
London Frontier Theatre, to infuse the marvelous WPA structure
her troupe calls home with new life. But hey, let's not wait until
September to get started...
Check out this VIDEO, look in your heart, open your wallet and let's
start things rolling NOW...!!!
Follow-up: Last week I attended the 'Smart
Meter' meeting in Ft. Smith (see 'Recent Events', below). Sadly, it
was not what I understood that it was supposed to be. That is, I
went looking for an intelligent and open-minded discussion of the
science, facts, benefits and risks of implementing this 'new and
improved' technology... and what took place was more like a totally
one-sided pro-smart-meter rally, facilitated by all of the
'(electrical) powers that be'.
My strong encouragement, contact the
Arkansas
Public Service Commission and ask pointed questions about
security, radiation anc costs. For example, have they calculated how
much will be 'lost' to the local economy by eliminating all of the
meter-reader jobs? Or where they get the chutzpah to assert
that this new (computer-based wireless) technology makes 'the grid'
more secure in an age when we can't get our smart phone to play nice
with our stupid computer...???
Come on people... let's THINK...!!!!
And while you are thinking about
that, please do also ponder on how we may all together celebrate
2012 in joy and abundance with the unified purpose of peace.
(((hugs))) ~Christine
RECENT EVENTS
Public meeting to discuss mandated Smart Meter
deployment.
 A
town hall meeting will be held at 6pm, Monday, April 30, 2012, at
the Ft. Smith Chamber of Commerce, 612 Garrison Avenue, to
discuss the deployment of 'smart meter' electricity monitoring
technology on homes and businesses throughout the OG&E service area.
According to the OG&E website, installation of
this new technology will “modernize and allow for better operation
of our electrical system (and is) an important part of OG&E’s
strategy for providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to
our customers (that will) help our customers better manage their
electricity use.”
However, many citizen groups and a variety of
public officials nationwide have taken issue with such industry
claims, asserting that Smart Meter technology violates their
personal privacy, poses a serious health hazard, puts the security
of the entire electric grid at great risk and needlessly escalates
the cost of electricity.
“Public outcry has occurred to the point of civil
disobedience,” said Ft. Smith resident Jake Morgan, speaking on
behalf of a group of neighbors who have organized the April 30th
meeting.
“Michigan, Texas and California are three states
that have some history implementing Smart Meter technology,” Morgan
continued. “Some cities have listened to their constituents and have
gone so far as to outlaw Smart Meters from being implemented like
Marin County, California. The latest evidence of a backlash comes
from Maryland. Last month, the state’s public service commission
rejected an $835 million smart-meter installation plan put forward
by the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company.”
Also, in January this year, the Board of the
American Academy of Environmental Medicine called for “immediate
caution” regarding smart meter installation and encouraged a
moratorium on installation, based on their findings that the
electromagnetic field (EMF) and radiofrequency (RF) generated by
Smart Meter technology pose “significant harmful biological effects”
to human health.
As a result “some utility companies now provide a
reasonable Opt-Out program for those who feel Smart Meters are not a
good idea for them,” Morgan elaborated. “OG&E has publicly stated
that they do not plan to allow citizens to opt-out, and that's why
we've organized this public meeting. So everyone can get informed
and have a voice in deciding what is best.”
For more information about the April 30th meeting,
contact Catherine Holloman, 479-739-4935.
SEE ALSO:
Smart Meters or Dumb Ideas?
Are these
helpful devices that make energy cheaper, keep the gird safe and
make all the systems we rely on more secure? Or is this 'smart'
transfor-mation simply highly sophisticated 'social engineering'
being promulgated as 'for our own good' by a league of
multi-national energy and technology brokers who are up-playing
'consumer benefits' while plotting on taking us all to the cleaners
for billions in (their) profit?
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Career Fair, Tuesday, May 8, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
at the Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center,
10800 Colonel Glenn in west Little Rock. sponsored by
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
Find employment in customer service, clerical,
healthcare, retail, government, military, nonprofit and more. All
job seekers welcome! Bring your resume and dress your best. For more
information, contact Valerie Nix at 501-372-5100 ext. 1177,
vnix@goodwillar.org
or Tiffany Thomas at ext. 1185,
tthomas@goodwillar.org.
~ ~ ~
18th Annual MOTHER'S DAY Solidarity Gathering
click image for
PDF flier >>>
Hosted by
Arkansas Voices for the Children Left Behind.
MOTHERS IN PRISON
CHILDREN IN CRISIS
Friday, May 11th, 11am
Arkansas State Capitol
ROTUNDA
~ ~ ~
MUSIC BENEFIT
Saturday, May 12, “In Tune with the Homeless” offers a free day-long
benefit music festival, 11am / 5pm at the Enjoy LifeStyle Center &
Skatepark, 500 Karrott Street, North Little Rock, where a 'battle of
the bands' will feature nine musical groups performing in three
musical genres: Folk, Hip-Hop, and Rock. The primary beneficiary of
this event is the SOAR Outreach Network (SOARNetwork.org &
FamilyCalledUs.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that
provides transportation and other resources for homeless persons in
the Little Rock area. Admission to the festivity is free of charge
and open to the general public. Assorted recreational activities,
food vendors and merchandise are available for purchase onsite. For
more information, contact Dee Dee Boneicki, 501.837.3024,
heavenlyhere@yahoo.com
-or- Adam Lansky, 501.838.2682,
adam.lansky@hotmail.com
MUSIC BENEFIT
Saturday, May 19, 2pm to sunset, “Band Together &
Fight Hunger,” celebrates its 8th year as a one-day music festival
in North Little Rock on the front lawn of the Levy United Methodist
Church at the corner of 47th & Allen Streets. The fun-raising
project benefits the Amboy Community Food Project. All are welcome
to bring lawnchairs or blankets and enjoy the music, food and good
cheer among all ages. This is a 'rain or shine' event, featuring Big
Tree, Jawbone & Jolene, Bluesboy Jag, Clover Blue, Charlotte Taylor
& gypsie Rain, Rayzr Skynard, Brethren and Allan good. Admission is
free with the donation of non-perishable food items. The program
will be moved indoors, weather requiring. Contact Jim Carpenter,
501.765.8806,
carpenter8806@sbcglobal.net for details.
RECENT EVENTS
FREE ADVOCACY WORKSHOP
If you are truly determined to 'be' an
effective phorce for beneficial change in your
community and throughout our criminal justice system, join us for
this FREE 'train the trainers' program facilitated by Mary Sue
Molnar, founder of the fast-growing group Texas Voices For Reason &
Justice, Mary Sue Molnar is among the nation's leading and most
outspoken advocates for the reform of sex-crime laws.
Training for the Trainers, Sunday, April 15, 2012, 2pm / 4pm,
main branch of the Little Rock Public Library, 100 N. Rock Street,
across from the River Market, 1st floor, West Room.
CLICK for PDF FLIER
~ ~ ~
RE-ENTRY
RESOURCE FAIR
Organized to help parolees and their
families connect with the support services that will enable them to
have successful lives! March 12, 2012 ~ 9am / 3pm
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As several among you already know, my youngest son is
in the Navy. Here is the latest news from him:
May 2012: A marksmanship test score of 228 to
240 = "Expert" status in the Navy. My IC3 writes:
"I got a 231 with the 9mm."
January 2012:
"I have an update for you, I was frocked today. The
Commanding Officer and Command Master Chief of my ship pinned on my
E-4 insignia so I am officially a 3rd class petty officer instead of ICFN. I am addressed as IC3 which is a lot easier to say every time
I have to answer the phone (lol). I will send you a pic of what the
insignia looks like. It is will be displayed on all of my uniforms
after I have them all updated when we get back to land. Any way it's
hard to believe how long I’ve been in, the time has really flown
by."
He enlisted over two years ago on the delayed
entry program, spent months in training to prepare for bootcamp from
which he graduated late in October 2010 and is now stationed aboard
the USS Chancellorsville with the homeport of San Diego, California.
Official Navy USSCV Website
USS Chancellorsville (CG 62)
Deployment Log
Cruiser Photo Archive
My son is one heck of a great kid and
I love him with all of my heart, just like I love all my children,
be they near or be they far...
The Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser
USS Chancellorsville (CG-62)
REMEMBER OUR MILITARY
SUPPORT THE USO!!!!
~ ~ ~
Yet another 'bragging rights' page, this one devoted
to my youngest daughter who, as with all of my children, I love very
much...
Shaundel Shoxx: Momma's Little Girl Grows Up
~ ~ ~
And if you wanna know what my
'middle' daughter is up to, take a look at this
PDF
RECENT FEATURES
Cashing in on Predators?
Are laws on sex offenders supposed to
protect kids -or- meant to enrich high-tech tracking companies? Read
this special
Mother Jones report by Kate Sheppard and see what you think
about what is happening. Then decide for yourself if it's right, or
if it's wrong.
Justice Stephen Breyer
Sitting jurist of the United States Supreme Court,
Justice Breyer makes it redundantly clear in this still topical 2006
interview that for the democratic principles codified by the U.S.
Constitution to ‘work’ citizens must be ‘involved.’
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