Maumelle`s Terry Williams
Transcription
Maumelle`s Terry Williams
July, August, September 2011 - Volume 6, Issue 1 Maumelle’s Terry Williams Dr. Jonathan Jameson Dr. Kyle L. Skinner MauMag Writers & Contributors S ustin Lloyd is the Sales Manager for Compsys, Inc. He has a background in sales, marketing and advertising. Justin lives in Bryant, AR with his wife, Kelly. His hobbies include running, cooking and spending time outdoors. Justin may be contacted via email at [email protected] ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 MauMag 04 hannon Goins is the co-owner of NorthSide Aquatics, Arkansas’ largest aquarium store, located on Counts Massie Rd. in Maumelle. NorthSide sets up office aquariums and has a maintenance service to help ensure that they stay looking their best. Follow NorthSide on facebook to stay up-to-date with their latest specials. Shannon may be reached at [email protected]. L ichelle McCon is a stay-at-home mom and writer. Hobbies include hiking, scuba diving, blogging, geocaching, and delighting in All Things Summer with her twoyear-old. Have a question or comment? Please feel free to email her at [email protected]. J ustin Pittman is the District Manager for Bedford’s Camera and Video stores in the Little Rock area. Austin has been a Certified Photographic Consultant since 2000. He lives in Maumelle with his wife Shannon and son Andrew. Austin may be reached by email at [email protected] M A Download MauMag Media Kit http://maumag.com/advertising.htm M ary Ann Stafford is a former art teacher and administrator who retired to be a full-time artist/writer. A Maumelle resident for 14 years, she still teaches drawing and painting in her studio and at the Arkansas Arts Center. Mary Ann may be reached by email at [email protected] arion Scott has been a resident of Maumelle since 2006. Retired, she enjoys gardening and running. She finished her seventh marathon this spring. Marion also enjoys volunteering with a special passion for senior education and activities. Visit our website J ictor Werner has lived with his family in Maumelle since 1995. He has been an alderman on the Maumelle City Council. He is a charter member of the local community theatre, The Maumelle Players. He supports the promotion of the arts in all it’s forms. He loves his 5 grandchildren, is an avid golfer and loves the city of Maumelle. M athy Wheeler is owner of Personal Training by Design, LLC. She is an ACEcertified Personal Fitness Trainer, Cooper Institute Master Fitness Specialist, Foot Solutions Master Nordic Pole Walking Instructor, IDEA Professional Member, SCW Yoga and mat Pilates certified and CPR/AED certified. To learn more about Kathy visit her website at personaltrainingbydesign.com. 05 www.MauMag.com V K www.MauMag.com K inda Kennedy has taught music through the piano and theory/composition in her independent piano studio in Maumelle for the past 22 years. She is also organist/ accompanist at NLR First United Methodist Church. Linda may be contacted by email at [email protected]. en Forrester, a retired administrative law judge, is the published author of numerous articles and columns on wine. Ken is a member of the Authors League, the American Wine Society and the Society of Wine Educators. D odie Spears is a Stage IV breast cancer survivor and freelance writer/ PR consultant. She owns her own communications company called Living Pink. Spears covers health issues for MauMag. Jodie can be reached at [email protected]. eborah Roush is the Executive Director of Communications for the Pulaski County School District, the third-largest school district in Arkansas. A Maumelle resident and longtime journalist and freelance writer, she enjoys contributing to her hometown publication, MauMag, when she can. Three articles in this issue call attention to the arts in Maumelle. My support for the arts in all its forms resides deep in my conviction that “art influences our creativity and enhances our awareness of all good things in life.” I would like to announce that the Maumelle Arts Council is now under a whole new board of directors and is in the process of completing a total re-organization. The Board is calling all Maumelle Artists to contact us via email at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. Great things will start happening soon. Visit our new website www.maumelleartscouncil.org to stay informed and to meet the members of the new Board of Directors. On page 16 of this issue, Linda Kennedy talks about the need of an Events Center in Maumelle as a “Home for the Arts.” I urge you to email us at [email protected] with your input, comments and opinions. Best wishes, Roger A. Frangieh, Publisher in this issue Maumelle’s Terry Williams 08 Maumelle High School 13 Something IMissing in Maumelle 16 The McCann Clan 18 From Maumelle to Matsumoto 20 Meet Julianne Cole 22 Express It! 23 What Summer Means to Me 24 Port & Sherry Wines 26 Tech Talk-The 3D “Wow” Factor 27 Parents Booster on Immunizatjion 28 C.E.R.T. People Helping People 29 What Is Cloud Computing 32 Publisher/Editor Roger A. Frangieh President RAFIMI Advertising & Strategic Marketing RAFIMI Publishing [email protected] Copy Editor Samia M. Frangieh Art Director & Graphic Design Roger A. Frangieh Photography RAFIMI Photography [email protected] To Advertise in MauMag MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 501.960.6077 By email at [email protected] 06 P.O. Box 13303 Maumelle, AR 72113 501.960.6077 [email protected] www.MauMag.com MauMag (Maumelle Magazine) is published by RAFIMI Publishing, a division of RAF Inter-Marketing, Inc. All contents are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced in any manner - including by electronic means - for any purpose without written permission from the publisher. advertisers index PCSSDInside Front Cover Maumelle Photo. Club Inside Back Cover Austin Family Dentistry Back Cover Skinner Chiropractic Clinic 03 Holiday Inn Maumelle 06 Maumelle Eye Care 07 Quy’s Salon & Spa 10 Central Arkansas Roofing 15 WD&D Architects 15 Gateway Self Storage 21 9th Annual Maumelle Expo 22 The Dreamy Spoon 24 Northside Aquatics 25 AR Home Inprovement 27 The Doggie Spa 31 EmbroidMe33 Maumelle Medical Center 34 St. Nicholas’ Epicopal Church 34 5th Annual Western RoundUp 34 RAFIMI Photography 34 Cover Photo by RAFIMI Photography All five years of MauMag issues are avavailable for download from our website www.MauMag.com. Just follow this link: http://maumag.com/archived_issues.htm. You may also go to www.MauMag.com and select the “Archived Issues” link. All MauMag back issues are in “.pdf.” www.MauMag.com Just the Place for You! 07 Rayville is a tiny, quiet town she remembers fondly and returns to frequently to visit her parents and brother. “Growing up I remember that the phone would ring on the telephone pole in the middle of town, and Daddy would run to answer it to get his emergency calls. That’s where I graduated from high school, and I still get really homesick for it,” she said. After attending the nearby Northeast Louisiana University, Williams majored in corrections, marrying just before graduation and becoming a stay-at-home mom. Williams' daughters, Kristin, Katie, and Kandace, now 25, 23 and 17, became her life. But in 1996, twelve years later and with a struggling marriage, Williams opted for her first big life change. “I needed to set an example for my daughters that employment was important,” she said, adding that she called her older sister, Kathy Biedenharn, who had founded a workrelease program called City of Faith, asking if a position was available. The answer was yes, and Williams drove 60 miles each way to and from her first job – and reveled in it. “I was a case manager. I remember that first day at my desk in the office. It was like I had just found out I was pregnant. I thought, ‘I don’t RAFIMI Photography 08 know where I’ve been.’ I loved the inmates. I loved the hours, and I hated when the weekend came,” she remembered. “It was a personal revolution,” she said. “It was the change I was looking for.” Shortly afterward, when a position opened for a case manager in the Little Rock office, the family relocated, though the couple soon divorced. Williams worked hard and moved up – fast. Lauded by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is heavily involved in the management of halfway houses, for her ability to take charge and garner respect, Williams became the facility director for Little Rock’s City of Faith, off University Ave., and in 2006 was named its deputy executive director. But she had another unexpected and positive change in 2000, when she married Little Rock Police Department captain -- now Maumelle’s police chief -- Sam Williams. Continued on Page 10 Rayville, LA High School 1977. Embracing a Life of Change I By Deborah Roush f you ask Terry Williams what drives her, the petite blonde answers simply and thoughtfully. “Well, I just think that if you see a need somewhere that you become responsible for it.” That is what has led Williams, 51, to a life providing housing and job opportunities, but more importantly, second chances, to a population that many others overlook. (See related article, page 11). It is not, however, what she ever expected to end up doing. And that’s OK with her. Williams was born in Lake Providence, La., and moved to the tiny town of Rayville, La., at the age of three, where her father was a police officer and her mother was a nurse. “My folks were both public servants. I think they really set the example for my brother, sister and I,” she said. www.MauMag.com MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Maumelle’s Terry Williams Left to Right: Katie, Terry, Kristin and Kandace 2006 The Williams had met when Sam was assigned as the liaison between City of Faith and the City of Little Rock. “I was still so nervous in my new job -- so green. I had left a town of 1,200 for this big city. The first time an ex-offender left the halfway house when he wasn’t supposed to, I had to call him. I said, ‘Captain Williams … sir … this is Terry Parker. I’m sorry to bother you.’ And he was yelling at me, ‘Can I get the president landed and then call you back?’ I was so intimidated I cried.” What I later learned was that he was shouting so I could hear him over the noise of the helicopter. Now we joke about that,” she said. The couple’s first date was the day after Christmas in 1999, when they went to see a prison movie -The Green Mile -- still her favorite. Sam lifted the load with his humor and captivated her daughters’ hearts too, Williams said. One example? “The girls were small, and we had a bumble bee problem where we lived. Sam came to help out, and we ended up with a bunch of dead bees. His solution was to have a bee funeral. It was those types of things that won them over,” she said. Terry and Sam married in June, 2000. With Dad Ray McBroom 1965 With sister Kathy Biedenharn 09 The couple, like many, are opposites, Williams said. “Sam likes his coffee at the same spot and has a routine I find maddening. He knows I can’t live like that. I want surprises; I don’t want any two days the same,” she said. Perhaps that’s why Williams embraces change, and was so willing to look to something new when she experienced what she calls “burnout” in 2006. “I was tired. Sam was serving in Iraq, training Iraqi police forces for the year. I began reevaluating my life – again,” she said. “I guess I’m always trying to reinvent myself somehow,” she said. “And I was driving down University and I saw the flashing light in front of UALR (the University of Arkansas at Little Rock), and that’s when I decided to become a student again. I hired additional administrative help at the halfway house so I could have more time for school. “I knew if I did this I could make a difference. I wanted to affect policy that helps inmates for the better. I knew I needed enough education to give me credibility to maybe go before Congress -- to do something to help these people. I wanted to truly have the knowledge. (Since then she has been to Washington, D.C., to meet with the BOP) Her first days at school, she had the same eagerness and excitement that she remembered from her early days working. Wedding Photo June 3, 2000 And last year she graduated with a certificate in the non-profit program and a master’s degree in public administration. The one constant throughout Williams’ life, however, has been her faith. “My religion has been an important part of my life,” she said. “It has taught me that there is always a use for me somewhere. “I want the Lord to trust me, because surely we can trust him,” she said. “And I don’t want to blow it, because I’m going to be accountable some day, especially with the girls – they are His priority. At Quy’s Salon and Spa We Offer Some Of “They have been given to me on The Most Advanced Skin and Hair Services loan for a little while, and if I never Available Anywhere In Little Rock. have anything else, that was enough,” she said. Featuring: Enjoying her daughters, and her • Computer Assisted Skin Analysis first granddaughter, Hannah, is life for Williams now. She also has returned • HydraFacial (Oprah’s favorite) • LumiLift and to life full time at City of Faith and is LumiFacial Therapies • SkinCeuticals Skincare making one more change – launching • Hair Styling • Nails • Body Therapies • Lash & Hair Ramoth Inc. to help find jobs for state Extensions • Bridal Packages • Spa Parties. ex-offenders (See related article, page 11). She works tirelessly while thinking, already, about her next endeavor. Call and order your “With all of these things, I didn’t see gift card today at what was coming. I really don’t know 501-851-3641. what’s next. But I’m looking forward Or go to quyspa.com to it,” she said.“The anticipation and print your gift makes all the difference for me,” she card at home. said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re Quy Lamastus going; it just matters that you’re going Owner somewhere.” 3101 Club Manor Drive • Maumelle, Arkansas 72113 • 501-851-3641 MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Voted among AY’s “Best Spas.” 10 Williams’ New, Innovative Employment Firm Finds Jobs for Offenders, Meets Businesses’ Staffing Needs RAFIMI Photography By Deborah Roush From left: O’Neal Brown, an ex-offender who found work through Ramoth, M Terry Williams, Ramoth, Inc.’s founder, and Allen Winkler, Ramoth’s vice president of operations aumelle’s Terry Williams has a love for former prison inmates. She believes that money. When the employee stays, which in them so much that, in an economy that is less than robust, she recently is the norm, that pay is turned over to him launched an employment firm – Ramoth Inc. – to help recently released or her as a small savings account,” Williams Arkansas and Louisiana ex-inmates find jobs. said. Though it’s a unique concept, Williams said she doesn’t consider it a risk. That’s because when it comes to ex-offenders, Williams is an expert. As the director of faithbased halfway houses for federal inmates called City of Faith based in Louisiana and Little Rock, Williams’ programs have put thousands of former federal prisoners to work – successfully. Now The City of Faith halfway houses receive she is helping state-level offenders find jobs too. calls daily from firms that regularly hire federal “One of the requirements of our halfway houses is that residents must be employed,” offenders, and now Williams is experiencing Williams said. “Time and time again I have seen federal offenders make a new life for themselves the same for Ramoth’s state-level offenders. through work. And the companies hiring them get dedicated employees inspired by the need for “We get calls from companies looking for money and desire to stay out of prison,” she said. concrete workers, welders and landscapers. Most offenders, Williams asserts, are hard working, intelligent people with good educations. There are employers who want clerical No sex offenders or those who have crimes involving children may take part in the program. workers and cleaners. It runs the gamut,” she “These are folks who have made bad choices and paid the price. Those we partner with have said. “Right now we have a company seeking supportive families and families to support. Ninety-nine percent of them have children. They’re experienced roofers.” willing to work hard, and now Ramoth can match them with companies that need them,” she said. Allen Winkler, Ramoth’s vice president Williams admits the idea is new, and possible employers may be leery. “So we remove of operations, who has worked alongside the risk from the entire hiring process,” she said. “Basically, Ramoth takes on the worker as an employee of ours. We absorb their conviction. We handle the drug testing. We work with the Continued on Page 12 parole officer. We’re responsible for it all,” she said. If the employee doesn’t show up for work, Ramoth immediately sends another employee to the job site. “The job of recruiting, hiring, worrying if the employee will work out – even payroll – that’s our job,” Williams said. Williams said Ramoth charges a negotiated rate, typically 25 percent of the employee’s hourly pay. “As an example, if an employee would earn $10 an hour, they might be paid $8 instead, with the remaining $2 going to Ramoth for our services. Of course, if the employer needs 10 employees from us, of course that 25 percent would be less,” she explained. After six months, the company may hire the employee directly, or continue with Ramoth. To encourage employees to stay at the job – and as an added Photo by: Deborah Roush incentive to firms that provide jobs for Ramoth workers – Ramoth withholds 10 percent of the offenders’ pay for six months. “It’s an Terry Williams and Allen Winkler, vice president of operations. insurance policy. If the employee leaves, the hiring company receives Phones That Ring off the Hook www.MauMag.com Terry Williams... Continued from Page 9 11 Williams’ Multiple Success Stories From left: Terry Williams, Ramoth, Inc.’s founder, Nate Martinez, an ex-offender who found work through Ramoth, Allen Winkler, Ramoth’s vice president of operations, and Daniel Laboto and Brett Mann, contracting officers for Ramoth. The Ramoth team finds work and provides second chances to Arkansas ex-offenders. MauMag RAFIMI Photography 12 RAFIMI Photography Maumelle High School is expected to have about 750 students, grades nine through 12, when it opens on Aug. 15, 2011. Pictured here are excited students from the first freshman class, who will graduate in 2015. The State’s Most State-of-the-Art: Maumelle High School August 15 to be First Day for Students W hen Maumelle High School incoming freshman Sarah Jane Gentry toured the Maumelle High School, set to open on August 15 this year, she, like everyone else who has seen it, was “wowed.” And with good reason. The 320,000-sqaure-foot school boasts not one, but two, gymnasiums – one that seats as many as 2,000 fans. There a 185-seat seminar room, a library that rivals those at small universities and a dramatic, blackbox theater that seats 1,500. “I’m really excited about being in the first class of freshmen at the school,” Gentry said. “I’m a little nervous about finding my classes, but we’ll all be new to the school, so it will be OK,” she said. Ramoth Name Springs from Williams’ Faith ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Williams in the work-release industry for the last six years, puts numbers behind the reasons why employing offenders is valuable. “In 2009, there were 2.2 million people in prison. That’s more than one of every 17 people. That is a lot of folks who need a second chance to overcome the stigma associated with having been a prisoner and are willing to work hard for it,” he said. “In 2010, City of Faith residents earned $1.1 million working in Arkansas, which greatly contributed to local and state tax revenues. These men and women are becoming responsible citizens, and we want to make this program available statewide. “According to statistics, 44 percent of Arkansas offenders will return to prison. Our goal is to decrease that number,” Winkler added. have work for them,” he said. Brown, appreciated in the laundry department for his readiness to lift heavy loads, is expected to be hired on permanently with the hotel soon, which makes Williams proud. “I knew he could do it and so did he. He was one of our first ‘employees,’ and we’re not surprised by his success at all,” she said. Nate Martinez, too, credits Williams for his opportunity at a bright future. Recently released from an Arkansas state prison, he searched for more than a month for a job, running out of money and becoming homeless before he stumbled on a Ramoth flyer and called Williams. Williams matched Martinez with a job installing cable for a small, local communications firm and allowed him to live temporarily at the halfway house. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and that applies to everyone,” Martinez said. “I can’t see myself going back to (prison), but this helps. It gives me something to work for.” Martinez, who said his brother has a similar job in Northwest Arkansas, appreciates that he is learning a trade. “This is something I could do as a career,” he said. “I want this. I want something different – something better.” For Brown, the fact that Ramoth withholds part of his earnings in a savings plan is helpful. “It’s a great idea. I’m thankful, because I probably wouldn’t do it myself,” he admitted. O’Neal Brown being interviewed by Deborah Roush. Like City of Faith, Ramoth is a faith-based organization, born out of Williams’ desire to provide second chances. She chose the word Ramoth from the Old Testament, where it was a city of refuge for criminals. And that’s just what she hopes her new business endeavor will become. A devout Christian, Williams believes that “when you see a need you become responsible for it,” she said. “After a job fair several years ago when 600 state offenders attended from all over the state, that need became evident to me and I knew then I had to do something about it,” she said. “And in this line of work I meet people every day who are beaten down by their bad decisions. I want to help provide them a second chance, because when I see what got so many of them where they are today, all I can say is, ‘But there by the grace of God go I.’” RAFIMI Photography Williams... Continued from Page 11 someone they can trust; it will be someone she believes in and someone they will be happy to Facility Built for Learning The high school, designed by Wittenberg, Deloney and Davidson and constructed by Baldwin and Shell Construction Company, both of Little Rock, was built with students in mind, said Derek Scott, chief operating officer for the Pulaski County School District (PCSSD). “We considered everything down to the minutest finishes in the facility,” Scott said, explaining that the district chose rubberized, no-wax floors to help decrease sound while significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs associated with waxing, stripping and buffing. “The lighting systems are equipped with daylight sensors, and classroom window placement and ceiling orientation were planned to allow for more natural light and reduce energy costs,” Scott added. Continued on Page 10 www.MauMag.com Photo by: Deborah Roush One man who plans never to return to prison, and who credits Williams and Ramoth for his new chance at life, is O’Neal Brown. Incarcerated for two years in Forrest City and Texarkana, he was released and given 60 days to find a job. On day 58, he connected with Ramoth and spoke to Williams. When she landed him a position in the laundry department at a local hotel chain, he cried. “To me, getting work was the biggest hurdle. I have three kids and I needed to work,” Brown said. “I’m trying to do better; I’m not going back to my old lifestyle,” he said, adding that his new job makes that possible. And to potential employers who might work with Ramoth, he adds, “Believe me, if Ms. Terry finds someone for them, it will be 13 Hill Elementary and Maumelle Middle, but then must go to Robinson High School in Little Rock, or North Pulaski High School in Jacksonville – the other two PCSSD schools with CBI programs. “CBI courses teach students vital life skills, like how to do laundry, or shop at the grocery store, and it’s exciting to know there will be a continuity for our students and that they can stay in Maumelle,” she said. Plants said there will be two, full-service CBI classrooms with full kitchens and washers and dryers. Maumlle High School... Continued from Page 13 14 “The field’s low-maintenance, artificial turf will reduce need for water, mowing and fertilizing, which is another cost savings,” he explained. Scott said when the school opens its doors, there will be some work still in progress. “The stadium is scheduled to be complete on October 7, so the first two scheduled home football games are being shifted to alternate locations,” he added. “The auditorium and one wing will not be open until around Thanksgiving, but that was always our intent,” he said. Scott said there is space for Maumelle High to grow well into the future. “The school, which will open with 750 students, can be expanded to house up to 2,000 students to accommodate the future growth of the region. While we are not currently constructing a track, baseball fields or tennis courts, there is ample space on the site to build them when funds are available,” he added. History,” Plants said. Students who graduate from Maumelle High will have the opportunity to earn as many as 16 college credits, Plants said. “And the more AP classes a school has, the larger the enrollment of scholar students, and that’s good for both the school and the students,” she added. Plants said there will be opportunities for students to take language classes that include Mandarin Chinese, French and Spanish and study pre-engineering and drama. “Our theater arts program will be tremendous. Students will be able to study set design, wardrobe, lighting, sound and effects, theater architecture and stage management. They will build their own production portfolios,” she said. They also will be able to take part in speech, debate, Readers Theater, improvisation, prose and mime. “In the pre-engineering program students will study drafting and design,” she added. “Students and families have really been thrilled at the opportunities this school will provide,” Plants said. Maumelle High will be the third school within PCSSD to offer a Community-Based Instruction (CBI) program for special education students. Jennifer Hopper, who teaches special education for Maumelle Middle School, said that has been a much needed addition for special education students who attend the CBI programs at Crystal Curriculum to offer range of courses But while the facility is truly impressive, it’s the curriculum that will make the school truly stand out, said Joy Plants, who, as the principal of Oak Grove High School, worked for more than three years in helping to plan for the new school. Plants is retiring at the end of June, and the district is in the process of hiring a new principal. “Not only will we have Advanced Placement courses in all core classes, but we will offer AP statistics, AP music theory and AP European RAFIMI Photography Beyond an opportunity to educate students in premier facility with a worldclass education, there are farther reaching implications to a new school in Maumelle, asserts Judy Keller, the city’s director of community and economic development. “When industries are looking for a new site, or an employer is recruiting employees to come here, the first question they have is about the schools,” Keller said. “To have a state-of-the-art school like our new high school will have a huge ripple effect,” she said. Keller, who works closely with local employers already in Maumelle, said her contacts are looking forward to interacting with the high school students. “It’s important to them that they help foster a quality, educated workforce that will come up in the ranks to replace baby boomers,” she said. “I have one area businessman who is excited about starting a robotics program with the school, for example.” Keller said she also expects local businesses will assist with internship and job shadowing programs. But students like Sarah Jane Gentry are just eager, really, to become a Maumelle Hornet, the school’s logo, carried over from Oak Grove High School, which Maumelle was built to replace. “It’s going to be really fun to be part of something new. It’s going to be good for my future,” she said. The telephone number for Maumelle High will be the same as Oak Grove High – 501- 851-5356. The number will be transferred mid-summer. Room is available for new students. For a one-on-one consultation with a new student registrar, call PCSSD at 501490-6203. www.MauMag.com MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 RAFIMI Photography City Excited about New School, Vocational Education 15 M RAFIMI Photography By Linda Kennedy aumelle is without a doubt one of the most desirable cities in which to live in Arkansas. Results of the latest census report place us first or among the best in many categories including fastest-growing, best-educated, having the highest percentage of professionals among our citizenry, and home ownership. We have always been family-oriented, and over the years we have worked together to support the building of those facilities that form the foundation of any community – a community center, library, fields and courts to sustain all sports needs for our youth (and adults), police and fire departments, and schools. The opening of Maumelle High School this Fall marks the realization of a dream we’ve had for many years, that our children could attend public school from kindergarten through 12th grade right here at home. Retail business is thriving. The development of new subdivisions is on the planning board so we are set to welcome more families into our community. RAFIMI Photography Therefore, you are probably wondering what could possibly be missing in Maumelle. It is the one facility any city needs to make and keep its “village” healthy and vital – our own Maumelle Performing Arts and Events Center. Just imagine what it would mean to your favorite organization, whether civic or of one of the artistic disciplines, to have a facility with all the essentials of video and sound systems needed for meetings/workshops in place at any time - a facility to seat up to 500, with a film screen in place at all times for the viewing of educational, historic, or artistic films; a stage to host a wide array of music or dance performances or workshops; with smaller conference rooms; and, most importantly, a place where all the citizens of our wonderful town can come to learn, teach, share expertise in a host of disciplines, and feed our spirits through contact with others and the many facets of the arts. The value to our young people would be beyond measure as it would be to all of us no matter our current stage in life. MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Dream along with me as I envision a possible line-up of activities such a center would likely provide: • Special events for your favorite organization • Summer workshops (in any of the arts/crafts) for our young people • Community concert series (drawing from the greater arts circuit of the world) • Plays and musicals (Children’s Theatre, Maumelle Players, guest actors) • Culinary arts classes (culminating in delicious dining experiences!) • Drama classes (culminating in a production) • Concerts (Chamber, Choral, Symphonic, Jazz) • Recitals • Dinner Theatre • Film Festivals and Workshops • Photography Workshops and Exhibits • Art classes (painting, sketching, sculpting, pottery) • Notable art exhibits • Book illustration & Graphic design workshops • Interior design workshops • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Crafts (jewelry-making, basket-weaving, quilting…) Songwriting workshops Storytelling events Poetry (reading and/or writing) Maumelle Writers Conference Garden shows and flower arranging Readings and book signings by Arkansas authors Dance (classical forms, ballroom, country line …) The Stars Come Out, Inc. Arts events of all types to serve the schools in Maumelle Engagement parties Wedding receptions Graduation parties Family reunions Trade Shows and Expositions Corporate Seminars and Workshops Banquets for all occasions (insert YOUR dream here!) _____________________ Over the years much groundwork has been laid through the work of the Maumelle Arts Council (formerly the Maumelle Performing Arts Council 16 which expanded several years ago to encompass all art forms). Right here in Maumelle we have accomplished artists in all the disciplines who RAFIMI Photography Calling All Music Teachers The Maumelle Music Teachers League (MMTL) is preparing for the third season of its Weekend Student Concert Series. We would like to invite music teachers of all musical instruments and genres who live or teach in Maumelle to contact us and become a part of this exciting series. Musicians who live in Maumelle but travel to other areas to study are also eligible to participate. Each concert features a guest artist performance, as well, and we welcome performers of any age! Information about the concerts and registering to participate can be found on the new MMTL website, www.maumellemusic.org. We are grateful to area retirement homes, assistedliving facilities and churches that have welcomed us into their facilities and made these concerts possible. We are in the process of confirming locations for the 2011-2012 series, but dates have been set: September 25, December 11, January 22, February 26, and April 22. Updated information will be available soon at www. maumellemusic.org., or contact Linda Kennedy at [email protected] if you have any questions. On another note: Some members of our community have expressed an interest in forming a community band. If you are an instrumentalist with the desire to be a part of this endeavor, please contact MMTL at [email protected] or Seth Seaton at: [email protected] 479-414-9428). www.MauMag.com Something Is Missing in Maumelle have joined together to study the needs such a center would demand. Suggested architectural designs, in full or with expansion possibilities included, have also been developed. Unlike cities that have old downtown areas that can be revitalized for a project such as this, Maumelle is still in many ways a “new town”. We must have a vision and the will to bring it to life. There is a direct correlation between the quality of life in a community to the quality of the arts that exist and are available to all of its people. What we are talking about here is the soul of our village. Supporting a new events center offers us an opportunity to say to our young people that we understand and value what is important. They are our future, and through events like the above, we have a chance to RAFIMI Photography provide them with year-round experiences that will help them develop into more responsible citizens with creative thinking and problem-solving skills, sociability, self-confidence, appreciation of the gifts and accomplishments of others, and to become inspired to be the best they can be using the gifts they have been given. For the rest of us, our quality of life will be greatly enhanced, and nothing binds a community together more strongly than getting to know each other through shared experiences such as these. A Center for the Performing Arts and Events will not just be a facility. It will be us, the people, creating, attending, sharing, volunteering, and supporting it in whatever ways we can individually. So what can we do to make this dream become a reality? Talk with your neighbors and friends, express your wishes to our local RAFIMI Photography officials, and be supportive and appreciative of all musical, artistic, and civic endeavors in Maumelle. If you have been involved in the past in bringing such a center into existence elsewhere, contact the Maumelle Arts Council (www. maumelleartscouncil.org) the arts@ maumelleartscouncil.org to share your experience. Be prepared when the time comes to raise funds to jump up and volunteer to help in fund-raising events, donate if you are able, and, most importantly, help keep the dream alive. An RAFIMI Photography undertaking like this will require a long journey from inception to completion. Any journey must begin with the first step. I hope you agree that it is time to start that journey. To paraphrase one of my favorite quotations in closing, “Maumelle needs dreamers. Maumelle needs doers. But, most of all, Maumelle needs dreamers who do.” 17 By Mary Ann Stafford Photography by Roger A, Frangieh Photo by Mary Ann Stafford MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 T 18 The McCans - Left to right: Dennis, Connie, Christen and Jason he making of art has generally been understood as a solitary occupation. For the McCann family however, it is a combination of philosophy, media, style, energy, and education that complements and supports individual efforts. A family of individuals with the same passion for art who balances, rather than conflicts with each other is unique in the art world. Maumelle artists Dennis and Connie McCann are the parents of three – Jason, Erin, and Christen. Jason is an established artist and teacher, while Christen is an emerging artist who will be a senior next semester at Hall High School. The middle daughter Erin was also gifted as an artist, but chose to follow another career. She is the mother of three, married to a graphic illustrator, and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. All four family members share two studios in the elder McCann’s home – one upstairs, and one downstairs. Jason uses the downstairs studio for his private art classes in the evening. The four of them critique each other’s work, especially when called to “come and look at something.” The suggestions are welcomed, sometimes incorporated, and sometimes ignored, but never resented. Jason and Christen have been around drawing and painting all of their lives, so it is natural that they have learned from their parents just by observation. All four are realists, but Jason and Christen are freer in style. Dennis completes all his paintings, but Jason likes to leave some things unfinished. Jason feels that his work sometimes needs the structure he sees in his father’s work, and sometimes Dennis needs the expression he sees in Jason’s work. They balance each other. Dennis and Connie met as fellow art students at ASU in Jonesboro. They were married in June, 1973. Dennis has two Bachelor’s degrees – one in Fine Art and one in Art Education, and a Master’s in Painting. Connie received a BA in Fine Art, but went back for a BSE in art education. Jason also attended ASU’s art department for a while, but completed a BFA and a BA in Art Education from UCA in Conway. He received a Master’s degree in Painting in 2007 from UALR, and is currently seeking National Board Certification. He and his wife Melissa have been married for eleven years; she is a pre-school teacher. Together, they have two children: Reilly, who is seven, and Leah, who is four. Dennis McCann has been a fireman for twenty-eight years; the same amount of time he has been an artist. He sees no conflict in being an artist and a fireman, since they are both very rewarding for him. Additionally, he does not worry about having to make a living with his art in this economy. He paints what he wants to from images he has photographed, usually neighborhood scenes and Arkansas landscapes that remind him of his childhood in North Little Rock. His studio time is mostly limited to nights and weekends. Sunlight and shadow, strong contrast, and shape are all important to him. He attaches large sheets of paper to the wall, turns the music up loud, and attacks the paper vigorously with pastel. Lately, he has been working in a smaller format which allows him to eliminate details. As father and mentor, Dennis believes that parents should encourage their children to try different things. They should also provide good materials and training. Better materials make for better works. He allowed Christen to paint on some of his artworks when she was only a little girl, and he provides art supplies, musical instruments, and classes of the best quality. McCann’s pastels have been accepted in the prestigious Delta Show at the Arkansas Arts Center ten times, and he has won many awards. He won the Best of Show Award at the Arts in the Air Invitational Exhibit at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute several years in a row. In April, one of his paintings was shown in the Arkansas Life Magazine. Influences include Edward Hopper, John Constable, and Peter Paul Rubens. His work can be seen at the Arkansas Studies Institute in Little Rock, and in Gallery Central in Hot Springs. The art of both Dennis and Jason can be seen at www.mccannfineart.com. Connie McCann has been an art teacher for twenty-one years and is the Chair of the Art Department at Hall High School, working with four other art teachers. She teaches Advanced Placement Drawing, Design, and Drawing I and II to 9-12 grade students. All three of her children have been in her classes. Since Hall High School has a lot of exchange students from different cultures, Connie has taught students from China, Japan, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iraq, Brazil, and Jamaica. A foreign exchange student from Japan lived in the McCann summer this year. This is a four-week boarding school sponsored by the State of Arkansas. The arts are taught along with core subjects such as math and science. Like his father, Jason likes to listen to loud music while he works, mostly in oil but sometimes with pastel. A “binge painter,” he paints steadily sometimes until 2 AM. Major influences other than his parents include Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Thiebaud, and Jasper Johns. His style is representational using expressive mark-making and/or brushwork with texture. His paintings display a sense of energy and aggressiveness that emphasize structures or figurative elements. Also like his father, Jason has been accepted into the Delta Show four times – three of them at the same time as Dennis. One of his paintings will be featured in Arkansas Life in July. Jason exhibits at Gallery Central in Hot Springs, and just completed a show at the Buckman Center for the Arts in Memphis. He is scheduled to exhibit in “The 15th Year: Connections Exhibition” at the Baum Gallery at UCA in September. Christen who said that she “loves the smell of oil paint,” grew up doing art and loves to draw and paint. She is partial to oil and to charcoal and just completed some works of her friends in unusual circumstances. She is fluent in Spanish, and plans to pursue a double major in Spanish and art, but says she is not really interested in teaching. Hispanic students in her mother’s class often come to Christen to ask questions in Spanish, and she replies in like manner. After graduating from Hall High School in 2012, Christen will attend either Hendrix University, Virginia Commonwealth in Richmond, or North Carolina Chapel Hill. Having been nominated to attend the Governor’s School at Hendrix College in Conway this summer, Christen will be taking art classes from her brother, Jason. Lately, she won 1st place in the State Beta Club Competition and two 1st places at the Arkansas Young Artists’ Competition. A perusal of her student portfolio is assurance that Christen will become a major artist in the years to come. In speaking to members of the McCann family, one is impressed by the interplay of respect, devotion, and encouragement each gives to the other. Although individual members have different personalities, styles, and motivations, they all contribute to a whole that illustrates the importance of the visual arts. Maumelle is fortunate to have this caliber of fine artists in its midst. www.MauMag.com The McCann Clan – a family of visual artists home while completing high school and college, earning a degree in Graphic Design. She married an American citizen and now resides in Maumelle with her husband and child. Mrs. McCann states that her most rewarding moments in education are when students enter thinking they could not draw or paint, but leave the classroom at the end of the course confident in their art and even choosing art as a career. When asked about her philosophy of art education, she said, “According to research, students who are engaged in the arts have higher test scores than others. Students learn critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, and effective communication, all while creating beautiful works of art. These are skills that carry over into all areas of a student’s life and are extremely important in creating productive citizens.” Her students have excelled in the field of art, winning many awards in local and regional art competitions. Some have received art scholarships and have become professional artists. Mrs. McCann is only able to work on her own art during the summer months since she is focused during the school year on her teaching. She prefers to work in pastel or charcoal, and loves doing portraits, as does her daughter, Christen. Jason McCann followed in his mother’s footsteps and became an art teacher as well. He teaches Advanced Drawing and AP Drawing at Central High School, and believes that drawing is the foundation of all two-dimensional art. One of the most rewarding aspects of his career is having former students tell him what his art classes have meant to them. Many times, he has noticed how students struggling in other subject areas have found a confidence in their art experiences that enabled them to achieve in those other subjects. He also realizes that teaching art strengthens his own use of composition and design. Jason will be teaching at the Arkansas Governor’s School at Hendrix University for a fifth 19 W By Victor Werner ho would travel to the other side of the planet to have a music lesson? In April 2010, this is exactly what Jeremy Yeatts, a recent graduate of Central High School (Little Rock, 2010) did. He travelled with his piano teacher, Pam Werner, from Maumelle, Arkansas to Matsumoto, Japan for a piano lesson. Well, not just one piano lesson, but many piano lessons, in preparation for a 10-piano concert held every other year in Japan. Just what is a 10-piano concert you might ask? It is 10 piano students, playing the same song in unison on 10 concert grand pianos. The songs range from something as simple as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to Chopin’s Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat Major, Opus 9-2. In the Suzuki community, unison concerts exemplify the spirit of cooperation. From a musical standpoint, unison playing has much to offer growing musicians. By performing together they learn to listen to others as they play. This is an indispensable skill that can improve their sense of Pam Werner rhythm and tempo as well as their awareness of musical expression. These abilities are often neglected when students listen exclusively to their own playing. The 10-piano concert is played with many hands but one heart. “Music is the language of the heart without words.” – Shinichi Suzuki This is Pam Werner’s 4th trip to Japan since 2000, each time taking at least one student with her and sometimes two. There have been three students from Maumelle, Jeremy Yeatts (2010), Christina Loken (2008) and Rebecca Werner (2002); and two from outside of Maumelle. “Why Japan?” the answer is simple. Japan is where Dr. Shinichi Suzuki developed a method of teaching children to play music in much the same way all children in all cultures learn to speak their language or their mother tongue. The Suzuki or Mother Tongue Method of teaching music could take up a whole article by itself, but this article is about the people who teach this method and are the students of this method. Briefly, then, this method was developed when Dr. Suzuki, in trying to teach a young child of four how to play the piano realized that ALL children learn their native language and learn it quite well. They do this even though it might be a complicated language like Japanese. They learn it and master it without having formal instruction. So simply put, children, at a very young age, are taught to play musical instruments by listening to the music and modeling their teachers. They learn to hear the music and play the music with excellent technique by listening to others play the music live or recorded. Later (as in learning one’s language), they learn how to read music. He believed that every child could be musically educated if the proper teaching techniques were used. Pam Werner has been teaching piano for over 40 years. She was trained classically, but learned about the Suzuki Method of teaching while pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Brigham Young University. As a budding educator, she was so impressed with Dr. Suzuki’s methods that she sought out more information on his philosophies. She was only able to find one thesis in the library, but began to apply his philosophies as best she could. In 1982, she moved, with her husband, to Canada and found a Suzuki violin group at a local university and would observe those groups. She learned about the International Suzuki Conference in Edmonton, Alberta where she met Dr. Haruko Kataoko, who co-founded the Suzuki Piano Method. A few years later, after moving to Arkansas, Pam attended another conference in Dallas, Texas, where her name was drawn to have a lesson from Dr. Kataoka. This was an incredible experience. Dr. Kataoka was able to sense what each teacher needed to develop a natural and relaxed body while playing the piano. She taught in a way that that enabled each teacher to understand and change immediately. Pam continued to have lessons with Dr. Kataoka in the US and Japan until Dr. Kataoka passed away in 2004 at the age of 75. She continues to study with the Japanese teachers who were trained by Dr. Kataoka, fondly called, Sensei (honored teacher) by her students. In addition to taking students to Japan, Pam has also taken Students to Sacramento, California for International 10 piano concerts. Maumelle students who went to Sacramento include Elise Cawthon (2005), Jeremy Yeatts (2003) and Adam Simon (2003). Jeremy Yeatts, one of three Maumelle students to accompany their Sensei to Japan, made his trip in April 2010. He will attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway this fall. Although his major will be computer engineering, he has been accepted as a student of Neil Rutman, Associate Professor of Piano at UCA. Of Mr. Rutman’s playing abilities, the Washington Post wrote that he "met the highest standards and his spotless articulation gave the whole program unusual polish and virtuoso marks," and the New York Times stated that "he won the audience over for himself with exquisite performances - both commanding and full of character." At the final banquet for the 10-Piano Concert, Jeremy was selected to speak, representing the American students. Following is what Jeremy had to say about his experience in Japan: “Before my trip to Japan, I thought about how I was going out of my country for a whole month. I would be focusing mainly on piano and preparing for the 10-Piano Concert. I thought, ‘Great… a month of piano practice, jetlag, making up loads of homework, and classical music… I’m definitely not looking forward to this.’ But after living a couple of days in Matsumoto, Japan, I regretted what I thought about this trip. “My host family, the Shimizus, is now a second family to me. They treated my roommate Edward and me like we were their own sons. Back home in Arkansas I would not practice the piano unless I was told to do so. But in Japan I practiced the piano 2 to 4 hours a day. Best of all, I did it on my own. All we listened to was classical piano music. I quickly grew a passion for the piano and classical music. The food, the language, the Jeremy Yeatts practicing for the concert people, the scenery, the technology, the culture and lifestyles were so amazing. I could not get enough of it! Gateway Self Storage 758-STOR (7867) www.MauMag.com RAFIMI Photography ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 MauMag 20 From Maumelle to Matsumoto “It was very hard for me to say goodbye to my new friends and host family. The most memorable time my host family, Edward and I had, was when we would stay up every night playing board or card games. I told my host family’s son, Ahs Shimizu, that I will be back. I developed a passion for the country so much that I have plans and options of working in Japan as an International Engineer or something similar. I even thought about studying the piano there if I were to come back for a longer period of time. But as of now I play and practice the piano like I would practice any sport; excited and determined to conquer the challenges ahead. “All-in-all, the memories I shared with my host family and friends in Matsumoto, Japan will stick with me for the rest of my life. They have taught me so many new things and ideas that I will live out; and the most important idea or “moral” that I got out of all of it was to take the opportunities that are given to you and to enjoy it no matter how you feel because it only Pam Werner happens once. Thank you to Mrs. Pam Werner and The Suzuki Association for helping me and Christina Loken and allowing me to have this opportunity of an awesome and amazing experience.” “Arigato Gozaimasu! (Thank You!}” Christina Loken, a local graduate of Academics Plus Charter School (Maumelle, AR 2010) took the Maumelle to Matsumoto trip in 2008. She has just completed her freshman year at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT). Christina’s experience in Japan has had such an impact in her life that she is studying Japanese. She is also an artist with distinct anime flair (Japanese animation). Christina also has a desire to return to Japan in the future to work or live. Rebecca Rowley, a graduate of Mills University Studies High School (Little Rock, AR, 2004), and Brigham Young University (Provo, UT, 2008) went to Japan in 2002. In an interview (available on YouTube), Rebecca describes her experience at the 10 piano concert in Japan. Rebecca recalled waiting in line for their turn onstage Rebecca Werner with the as one of her most exciting moments. The performers were given hand warmers so Mayor of Matsumoto their fingers would stay loose and ready to play in the unison performance of the 10-piano concert. The excitement, nervousness and hard work of the previous 2 weeks were rewarded with a flawless performance for the audience. Haruko Kataoka, the co-founder of the Suzuki Piano Method, would direct the practice time of the students as a group for 30-60 minutes daily. On their own at the homestay family, they would work on their pieces for as many as 6 hours each day. Rebecca describes Dr. Kataoka as being the “whip cracker,” but acknowledged that her piano skills grew under her leadership. The cultural aspect of visiting a foreign country was strongly emphasized by Rebecca as well worth the trip and the practice time. In addition to playing piano for church meetings, Individual Door Alarms • Climate Controlled Rebecca also plays the violin and currently plays in a community orchestra in West Jordan, Utah. Resident Manager • Propane Refills She is also the mother of two young children. Computerized Gate Access As a music educator, Pam Werner feels that we can enrich children’s lives through music. Sizes: 5x5 to 12x45 In the Suzuki philosophy, we believe that the Moving and Storage Supplies potential of every child can be highly developed if he/she is given the proper training and learning Commercial Deliveries environment. It begins at an early age by 24-Hour Access Available playing recordings of classical music. We then combine listening, practicing and performing under careful supervision of parent and teacher. The Suzuki parent is actively involved in the learning process. The parent attends all lessons 7101 Vestal Court and practices with the student each day. The Off Maumelle Blvd. parent need not be a musician but is simply (1/4 mile west of I-430) taught step-by-step how to help the child at home. Our approach is to use piano teaching, PROPANE to not only create a musician, but to develop a REFILLS beautiful human being. For further information, contact:Pam Werner at 501-425-2862 or visit her website www.pamwernerstudio.com. Email [email protected] 21 Executive Director, Maumelle Are Chamber of Commerce W MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 hat does Julianne Cole, the new Executive Director of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, like best about her job? “I am very excited about the ability to work with individuals and business and impact a positive climate for commerce in the Maumelle community,” she says. As the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, her main responsibilities include: Chamber event planning, member recruitment and retention, communications regarding Chamber activities and information pertinent to commerce, as well as administrative duties. 22 Julianne sees membership in the Chamber as a very wise investment for area businesses. “Chamber membership sends customer the right message: that you are a sound business invested in the community you serve,” she says. Beyond enhancing credibility, Julianne promotes Chamber membership as, “increasing an organization’s visibility in the community, multiplying their networking opportunities, providing costeffective advertising outlets and referral sources, and giving businesses a voice in the commercial climate in which they operate.” Before joining the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, Julianne enjoyed a successful career in sales and marketing. Most recently, she was employed by Comcast where she drove business to business sales of communication systems. Previously, Julianne has overseen marketing efforts in a variety of industries including healthcare, staffing and retail. For several years, she owned and operated her own company which she considers one of her greatest successes. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Baylor University, Julianne is happy about her “southern status.” Born and raised in the north, she moved to Texas during her senior year of high school. “What could have been a very difficult transition turned out to be fabulous move…I love the weather (sans tornados) and especially how friendly everyone is in the south!” Julianne has 4 children ages 17 to 1. “Sometimes it’s a little crazy having one headed off to college and one still in diapers… but I wouldn’t change a thing!” She and her husband, Jon, have resided in Maumelle for the last 5 years and count each day here a blessing. Express It! H By Kathy Wheeler Photography by Roger A, Frangieh ow often do you find your workouts begin to suffer because it’s summer? Kids are home from school so routines are a thing of the past. Then there’s the, “Who’s going to watch my kids?” issue. And let us not forget vacations. Just because the kids are on summer break and the family is going on vacation doesn’t mean you should take a break/vacation from your workout. Just 20 minutes a day twice a week should be sufficient enough to keep you going during the summer so when you hit it full force in the fall your body isn’t crying, “WHAT in the world are you doing to me?” (If you are a beginner, make sure to a doctor’s clearance for exercise.) Below are five exercises that can be performed at home or in a hotel room. They do not require weights, just a yoga mat or a towel. Perform each exercise 10-12 times before moving onto the next exercise. Go through the circuit once then repeat two more times for a total of three times. You can also include a cardiovascular exercise between each exercise for added calorie burn. Examples are: running in place, jumping jacks, jump rope (with or without a rope), walking in place. Perform each cardiovascular exercise for 15-30 seconds before moving onto the next exercise. Squat SQUAT (QUADRICEPS, HAMSTRINGS, GLUTEALS) From a standing position, place feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Inhale as you begin to sit hips back and bending knees (as if you are going to sit down in a chair). Keep back flat as you hinge from the hips. Also, do not extend knees past toes. Exhale as you stand squeezing buttocks. Continue for desired repetitions. Do not lower hips past 90 degrees. Bridge BRIDGE (HAMSTRINGS AND GLUTEALS) From a supine position (on your back), bend knees placing feet, approximately hip-width apart, on the floor. Exhale as you tighten buttocks taking hips toward the ceiling. Inhale as you slowly lower back down. Let the hips just touch the floor then repeat. Continue until all repetitions are complete. Plank PLANK (ABDOMINALS) Starting in an all fours position, place wrists directly under shoulders. Extend one leg back, curling toes, and pressing heel back. Now extend other leg. Your body should be in a straight line from the tip of the head down to the heels. Avoid lowering hips and arching back. Pull the belly button in towards the spine. Continue to hold the position but not your breath. Perform the exercise for 15 seconds working up to 30 seconds. Push-Up PUSH-UP (CHEST, TRICEPS) From the all fours position, place wrists directly under shoulders and slightly wider than shoulder-width, extend legs back curling toes under and pressing heels back (just like the previous exercise)*. Inhale bending elbows out to the side lowering your body toward the ground. Avoid arching back while lowering. Exhale as you push back to plank without locking elbows. Continue for desired repetitions. *Option: Place your knees on the ground with ankles crossed, feet lifted and hips lowered (straight line from tip of head to knees). Push-Up with Knees on the ground COBRA (STRENGTHENS LOWER BACK) Lie face down, legs and feet together. Place palms on the floor under the shoulders with fingers pointed forward. Keeping the legs on the floor, squeeze the shoulder blades together as you exhale while lifting chest off the floor (make sure to keep the neck in alignment – ears in line with shoulders). Movement is initiated from the lower back, not the hands. Inhale as you slower lower back down. Continue for desired repetitions.” Cobra www.MauMag.com Photo by Ashlyn Kubacak Meet Julianne Cole 23 M any years and multiple dentists back, I was a mere nineteen years old and getting a good ol’ deep-down teeth cleaning. I was on summer break from school, and my dentist and I were making idle chitchat – always a pleasure when someone’s hands are in your mouth – and I remember him asking if I had a favorite season. He seemed surprised. And I was surprised that HE was surprised. See, he was more of a fall and spring guy himself, and I can definitely say the same of myself now. But back in those days – as is the case with most younger folk, I suppose – I was way more into extremes. Summer and winter were where it was at…what with all the water play and yuletide action, not to mention the school hiatus part…whereas fall and spring were wussy and inferior and probably jealous of the other, far bolder seasons. Now with the hot, hot summer upon us (even steamier in my currently preggo state), I find myself fantasizing about cooler times. But I also find that I’m reminiscing about summers past, looking back fondly on family vacations, swimming lessons, summer camps, and other warm weather whatnot. And that got me thinking: just as summer means something altogether different to me now than it did at age nineteen, my once-tied-for-favorite season has actually meant something radically different to me at various stages throughout my life. I will share now. Age ten: At the tender single decade mark, summer meant absolute heaven. Well, that and bike rides and swim fun and ice cream trucks and beach vacations and sleepovers with gal pals on a random Thursday or even a (woo hoo!) Monday. Summer also meant Nick at Nite into the wee hours of the morn and then snoozing it up ‘til The Price Is Right time, grabbing a bowl of Lucky Charms, and trying like mad to win BOTH showcases. Best of all, summer signified freedom from spelling tests and Donald Richter, the yucky dude in Mrs. Massey’s class who declared his repulsive love for me in a thought bubble on a hand-drawn (by me) picture of Garfield the Cat. Eeeeew. Age fifteen: Summer meant no worries and few responsibilities. Sure, I might babysit a smelly, obnoxious kid on occasion (youngsters just weren’t my thing), but mostly I was busy hanging with and concentrating on my very first boyfriend. Not Donald Richter. Summer also meant a glorious break from algebra and research papers and (thank God) Ashley Smith and a few other snooty girls who helped me blossom into the neurotic, self-conscious woman I am today. Oh, and summer had also come to represent freckles and sunburns and a much deeper appreciation for fifty block. The wild red stuff on my head comes at a price. MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Age eighteen: 24 Ahhhh, summer. Summer equaled hope and impending independence with me teetering right on the cusp of adulthood. I felt so cool, so indestructible and full of life, and I’d soon be escaping my oppressive, energy-sucking hometown and heading off to big-girl college. Unfortunately, my boyfriend, THE (or so I thought) love of my life, was a year behind me in school, and I’d be forced to abandon him in the name of quality education and a full-paid scholarship. The agony! We’d try to make our relationship work from afar. Too bad we didn’t have cell phones or Skype or Facebook or Twitter or Google Chat (or even Google – however did I survive?) and other handydandy keep-in-touchables back in those days. And too bad that punk loser boy cheated on me. Age twenty-three: At this point in my life, I was immersed in a graduate writing program and going through some sort of artsy, fartsy literary phase, so I’m sure I equated summer with cloudless perfection and chirping birds and freshly mowed grass and other such feel-good metaphorical clichés. Freshly mowed grass DOES have a lovely, comforting smell, though, you’ve gotta admit. Summer meant one measly week off from serving The Man to travel someplace tropical with my spirited, fun-loving husband. We were crazyyoung at heart and still pretty darn young in age, and we didn’t have any of those pesky, life-sucking kiddo creatures to cramp our style or slow us down. No, youngsters still weren’t my thing, nor did I foresee a time when they would be. Age thirty-*bleep* (a.k.a. now): Water in the Garden: A brief history of global influence on American water gardens By Shannon Goins Today I took my two-year-old to Free Movie Day in a delightfully air-conditioned theater. The feature film? Megamind. Do I particularly like gazing upon mindless animated flicks? Not so much. But I DO like the heck out of my two-year-old (who, by the way, most definitely IS my thing), and I have a fondness for air conditioning as well. But rest assured that my girl gets plenty of park time and pool time and lake time and bubbles time and sandbox time and sidewalk chalk time and any other summery pleasures we can dream up. I shall introduce her to the ice cream man soon enough. And no worries: I introduced her to fifty block long ago. RAFIMI Photography “Summer and winter, both of ‘em,” I replied without hesitation. I was uber confident (read: naïve and childishly impulsive) like that. By Michelle McCon Age thirty: Too bad The Price is Right just isn’t the same without Bob Barker. At least we’ve still got Lucky Charms. So, no, summer doesn’t have nearly the same meaning to me now as it did at age nineteen or twenty-five or even thirty. Not even close. It’s about a thousand times better and more fulfilling…and two thousand times hotter, yes. Still, summer rocks. Just ask my awesome little girl. L et’s face it. Every one of us wants to have one of those perfect HGTV water gardens in their backyard, but when we sit down to do a Do-It-Yourself project like that, we often find ourselves swearing at a pile of “useless” materials as if we were a drunken sailor. Television water landscape designers make the process look deceptively simple. Has anyone else ever noticed that these people never seem to sweat? Well, the TV actors may not, but the people who design and actually install those water gardens certainly do! The magic of television editing makes it look like the show host can come up with an idea, draw out the plans, order all of the materials for the project, and have it delivered in under two minutes. What we often forget is that there is an entire crew of people doing that work behind the scenes. Not to mention that the professionals making the design have years of study and experience behind them and they aren’t creating their first design right in front of us. What we see is based on years of trial and error. Master water landscape designers have studied a number of fields. They know about plumbing, pumps, plants, environmental science, geology, computer-aided design, math, and geometry, just to name a few things - and then there is history. The history of water gardening not only exceeds what one could describe in any detail in the length of this article, but in this entire publication – by a long shot. The recorded history of water in the garden dates back roughly 5,000 years ago to the ancient Sumerians. For those of you didn’t just set down your world history book to read this article, the Sumerians were people who lived in Mesopotamia, or “Land of Rivers,” which is known today as Iraq. Continued on Page 30 www.MauMag.com What Summer Means to Me 25 By Ken Forrester Photography by Roger A, Frangieh MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 P 26 ort wine, which derives its name from the city of Oporto in Portugal, is a world unto itself. Of varying degrees of sweetness, usually red, it may be enjoyed without prior knowledge in a single evening or its study may well be a lifetime undertaking. Much of the ritual and cant of wine, some of it nonsensical, derives from the opening, decanting and service of Port. Service of Port may be as silly as dictating in which direction the bottle must go in serving a circle of friends and as totally serious as the fact that it is most often the wine of choice in toasting royalty. The erroneous folklore that “the older a wine is, the better I has to be,” derives largely from Port, which may, indeed, keep developing and then holding for seemingly unbelievable years. Port originated when England in one of that country’s many disagreements with France, sought an alternative source of wine and found it in Portugal. To insure stability, quality and taste during its shipment to England, it was fortified during fermentation with additional alcohol in form of a type of brandy. Port, at least an early version of Port, was thus born. The addition of alcohol stopped fermentation of the wine, leaving it with of varying degrees of sweetness (depending on when during fermentation the additional alcohol was added), ranging upward from cloying to subtly, enjoyably sweet. Many labels may be attached to Port wine. To generalize, Vintage Port comes from selected lots of wine in exceptionally good years. It may peak in a dozen years or it may still be developing after fifty or more years. Think of it as the “show off” wine of its maker. Ruby Port is of varying quality but is usually young and attractive. Tawny Port may be considered a step upward, more mature and thus more expensive. White Port may be very drinkable and enjoyable but versions made in the United States too often are made, sold and bought for their high alcohol content. Many other descriptions may be attached to Port to indicate whatever the maker wishes to convey about his product. Most liquor stores in Arkansas stock a representative, often small, range of Port types, but few, in my experience stock a wide range, making its exploration sometimes difficult but nevertheless worthwhile. Since moving from a house to an apartment, my collection of wines has become limited. Although I buy and enjoy bottles of Port of various types from time to time, the only bottle I have kept on hand is a 1905 Special Reserve, 5 Crown, Rare Douro Vintage Port, the last of a purchase of several bottles I made many years ago at a store in northwest Arkansas that was going out of business. Earlier bottles from this purchase have been entirely enjoyable; some had faded somewhat, others had continued to improve. The one remaining bottle, now well over a hundred years old, may have continued developing and may now be a bottled treasure; on the other hand, it may be totally over the hill. In time I will know. As to Sherry, if the city of Jerez was located in the United States, Jerez would be pronounced “Sherry” and might be known for its home-grown blue berries or perhaps be famous for distinctive cheese. Happily, Jerez is in Spain and its English-pronounced name is attached to some of the best wines in the world. Sherry (also called “sack” if you are given to reading Elizabethan literature) is made from grapes grown in a legally defined area of Spain and properly, at least in Spain, only that wine should bear the name. However, wine makers in other countries don’t consider themselves bound by Spanish law and attach the name to a variety of wines, some of which are outstanding, some of which bear little resemblance to the original. Much Spanish Sherry comes to America by way of England. English presence in Spanish Sherry making is widespread and often outstanding Sherries have English names. English participation may be endemic to any phase of Sherry production. Like Port, Sherry, whose history goes back several hundred years, is a fortified wine. However, the additional alcohol is added after fermentation is complete, not during fermentation as is the case with Port. Sherry comes in a variety of configurations. Very dry and tangy is Fino, which is recognized as an excellent (some think the best) aperitif. Manzanilla is a Finostyle wine, rich and full bodied, which may be even drier than Fino. Amontillado not as dry as a Fino is still excellent. Oloroso, perhaps the most favored of Spanish Sherries on the American palate, is usually described ad fullbodied and raisiny. Although these wines are dry, many Sherries are sweet. Amoroso, not much found in the United States, is a very enjoyable sweetened version of Oloroso. Perhaps the most recognized sweet Sherry is “Cream Sherry,” a name that originated in England and has been widely adopted throughout most of the wine making world. It is made by most of the wineries that make any sort of Sherry and varies considerably in quality. Any exploration of Sherry should include at least a nodding acquaintance with flor, the special yeast native to Spain that makes Sherry the wine it is and the solera, a system of tiers of wine casks where wine is withdrawn from the bottom tier and replaced in turn by wines in the tiers above, with the top tier of barrels being topped off by the current vintage. This system, abbreviated here almost to the point of inaccuracy, makes for great consistency in the finished product. For years, while I was becoming acquainted with wine (and while our finances www.arhomeimprovementsandrenovations.com Tech Talk The 3D “Wow” Factor By Austin Pittman L et me tell you about a situation that occurs in our stores on almost a daily basis. We sell high definition televisions, and have an area of our store designated for displaying these TV’s. We have them hooked up to Sony blue ray players, so the image quality, sharpness, and color saturation is unbelievable. We also have one television displaying a 3D movie. Every day we hear the question, “Why is this TV blurry?” or “Something is wrong with this TV”. We then pull out the 3D glasses, let the customer put them on, and without fail the one word response is always the same. “Wow!” In most cases these well-educated, successful people then reach their hands out, waving their hands in front of them and trying to touch the image that seems to be coming out of the television screen! All kidding aside, it really is an amazing technology, and in this article I will try to answer some of the most common questions about 3D. The definition of 3D is a technology that lets viewers experience video content in a stereoscopic effect. In layman’s terms, it adds a third dimension, depth, to the standard 2D dimensions of height and width. It works by displaying two separate images of the same screen at the same time, one for each eye. This is where the “blurriness” comes in. If you watch a television displaying 3D content without the help of 3D glasses, it looks like exactly what it is, one image overlaid on another image, and off centered just a bit (or more simply, blurry). The idea of 3D movies and television has actually been around for a long time. We all remember the fold up paper 3D glasses with one blue lens and one red lens. With these glasses there was often a strange color shift, the resolution was not nearly as good, and the “3D effect” was not nearly as dramatic. With the new technology, it is high definition (in most cases 1080P), and the color shift from the old blue and red glasses is eliminated, making for a much more enjoyable effect. There are currently two different types of 3D, active and passive. Active 3D technology requires glasses that block each eye in sequence at the rate of 120 times per second. This is obviously Continued on Page 32 www.MauMag.com Port & Sherry Wines were seriously short) Cream Sherry was our wine of choice. It was our everyday wine, our Sunday wine, our wine for special occasions, the wine we served to casual visitors and to esteemed guests. The price has risen considerably from the 79 cents per bottle we paid then but it remains a favorite after dinner drink. People who doubt that any combination of wine and food can increase the enjoyment of both should, after dinner, drink a glass of Cream Sherry while eating pecans. Several years ago as I traveled over the State of Arkansas, I bought bottles of Cream Sherry, (American, English and Spanish) I found on retailers’ shelves. For no reason I can recall, I bought a three gallon keg made of Arkansas oak and beginning in 1981 filled it with some of the bottles of the Cream Sherry I had collected. The wines blended together in the keg in an entirely pleasant manner and the blend took on the aroma, taste and character of both the individual wines and the oak. In 1982, I started bottling the wine, drinking it and serving it to guests. As I have withdrawn wine from the keg I have replaced it with additional bottles of Cream Sherry, usually of a different brand, making each bottle unique. I call this wine “Ken Forrester’s Golden Oak, Private Bottling, Heavy Cream Sherry.” Since “Heavy Cream Sherry” is a term I coined for my Sherry, it follows that the entire world supply of Heavy Cream Sherry comes from my oak keg which, after 30 years of service, is showing its age but continues to produce a blend of Cream Sherry that is incredibly complex. By law, I am prevented from selling my Sherry but I allowed sharing it with family and friends. Persons more than slightly familiar with Port and Sherry will recognize that my treatment of them here is of necessity extremely abbreviated and that further (much further) exploration may be necessary to elicit the full pleasure these wines may bring. 27 Protecting your children with vaccinations K 2011 Recommended Immunizations for Babies ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 MauMag 28 HepB 2 Months HepB + DTaP + PCV + Hib + Polio + RV 4 Months DTaP + PCV + Hib + Polio + RV6 6 Months HepB + DTaP + PCV + Hib + Polio + RV 6-18 mos* 6-18 mos* 1-2 mos 12 Months MMR + PCV + Hib + Varicella + HepA 15 Months DTaP 12-15 mos* 15-18 mos* 12-15 mos* 12-15 mos* 12-15 mos* 12-23 mos* By Marion Scott Photography by Roger A, Frangieh By Jodie Spears ids and germs. Is there a more natural combination? Germs are everywhere...kids get everywhere. Many of the germs children pick up don't cause much trouble. The trick is getting a head start on hazardous or life-threatening diseases and viruses. How to best keep current on kids' vaccines? Here are some tips to help you. Children are born with strong immune systems, but they have to be reinforced for lasting defense against serious diseases. This can be done in two ways: catching the virus and risking its effects (usually disastrous) or preventive vaccinations. Immunization begins almost the moment your child is born, as most babies are given a preventive vaccination against hepatitis B before leaving the maternity ward. (OUCH! Welcome to the world, kiddo.) “Vaccinations are important public health measures that prevent the spread of deadly infectious diseases like meningitis, measles, and polio,” says Judith S. Palfrey, MD, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “Studies show modern vaccines are safe and effective.” According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), vaccines protect against several viruses you've probably heard of and may have experienced as a child--measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, polio, tetanus, whooping cough--the list is comprehensive and each of the diseases on it are serious. In fact, whooping cough killed 62 children from 1997 to 2000 in the United States. Measles and rubella aren't common in our country now, but they're prevalent in other parts of the world, making them just a plane ride away. The AAP recommends you follow a regular, time-specific immunization schedule to protect your child from these diseases. Your child's immunizations should be laid out to coincide with the development of his or her immune system --at developmental stages when he or she is most vulnerable to serious infections. Some vaccines may require multiple doses, and they must be given in a timely manner for your child to be fully protected. “Unimmunized children are at risk of getting sick and dying of preventable illnesses,” Palfrey says. “For example, before the 1980s, there were about 20,000 cases a year of Hib disease, a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, which can be fatal. Now that we have an Hib vaccine, the number of cases a year in the United States has dropped to fewer than 100. However, the bacteria that causes Hib disease still exists, which is why children need the vaccine.” Fortunately, your child's pediatrician can help you immunize. The vaccinations are usually given at the same time as your child's regular checkups. Here's a table to help orient you: This is really easy. Pretty much all you have to do is show up with baby in tow and a little extra love for after the shot. Decades of epidemic-curbing vaccines and millions of healthy children tell us that childhood inoculation is a dependable defense against the spread of disease. If you're unsure about immunizing your child you should talk openly and honestly with your pediatrician about your concerns. At Birth C.E.R.T. People Helping People (Influenza) 6 mos through 18 years** 12 Months 6 mos through 18 years** 15 Months 6 mos through 18 years** * This is the age range in which this vaccine should be given. ** Children 6 months or older should receive flu vaccination every flu season. If this is the first time for flu vaccine, a child 6 months through 8 years of age should receive two doses, separated by at least 4 weeks. If this child only receives one dose in the first season, he or she should receive two doses the next season, if still younger than 9 years. Ask your child’s doctor if a second dose is needed. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Left to right: Leslie McMillan, Chief George Glenn & Peggy Cromwell I n the event of a major disaster,” states Maumelle Fire Chief George Glenn, “the public safety resources of any city are quickly overwhelmed. When a citizen dials 911, they have the expectation of a quick response, trained people with proper equipment, and their capability to fix the problem.” Maumelle Fire Department’s goal for emergency response is to answer a 911 call, have the dispatcher collect and relate the information to personnel within 60 seconds. Another 60 seconds is required to “turn out” (crews ready to leave the fire department). And finally, to be on site within the next four minutes. While in most circumstances that six-minute goal is met, during a major disaster, demand far outstrips supply and hard decisions must be made. That’s where an organization like CERT can be invaluable. CERT, or Community Emergency Response Teams, have been developing in Maumelle for the past four years. The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Chief Glenn states that this community can boast of having one of the most active CERT groups in Arkansas for two reasons. One, we have a dedicated lay citizenry who believe in the concept of emergency preparedness, and two, a keen focus on community education. So what role would CERT play in Maumelle? First responders would be unable to meet the demand for medical and fire services when the number of victims, communication failures, road blockages, etc. hamper or prevent immediate action. That fact was tragically brought to mind with the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa, Mississippi and Joplin, Missouri recently. Disasters follow three stages, Glenn says: High intensity during and shortly after the event which is of relatively short duration, clean up, and recovery, which take much longer. First and foremost, individual citizens should be self-prepared with an emergency kit capable of sustaining the immediate family for three days, minimum. The kit would include food, water, a battery operated radio, and flash light. Required medication should also be readily available. Thought should be given to care of pets and family members with disabilities. No government agency or community plan will be as effective as self-preparedness. Until first responders (fire, police, medical personnel, public works) can respond, members of CERT are trained to provide basic first aid, fire response, control of local utilities (water and gas shutoff). Neighborhood CERT members will be prepared to report the extent of the disaster and number and types of injuries. Following the initial disaster assessment, these individuals provide a resource wealth to official organizations. Chief Glenn explains that following a disaster, groups pour into the impacted areas wanting desperately to help. Following the Mexico City earthquake, volunteers saved nearly 800 lives; however, 100 well-intentioned individuals also lost their lives as a result of those efforts. CERT-trained individuals could be used in coordination efforts – tracking search grids (as previously defined by emergency agencies), shelter coordinators, communications links, funnels for and with lay groups (churches, civic organizations, etc.), basic traffic control, supply shuttling, personnel shuttling. They know the community and fill valuable NON-hazardous rolls, leaving trained experts to jobs that only they are trained to do. Chief Glenn reminds that “Disasters are logistics driven. Responders create an incident management structure that meets the needs of the disaster. The basic system includes Command, Operations (such as traffic control), Logistics (communications, supply transport), Planning (incident documentation, coordinating resources and resource requests), Finance and Administration”. Because CERT provides individuals from all walks of life, their skills can be matched to the area of need, filling in sub-functions within this structure. “The Community Emergency Response Team concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees” (www.citizencorps.gov/cert). Continued on Page 33 www.MauMag.com A Parent’s Booster On Immunization Leslie McMillan, & Peggy Cromwell with Emergency equipment and C.E.R.T. equipment back packs 29 MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 The Culture of Water 30 In every culture water in the garden has had a special meaning. Like art, water gardens have reflected the historical context as well as cultural and philosophical thought of their times. The trends we see today in contemporary American water gardens also represent our existing cultural influences. What makes the contemporary American water garden unique is that the design information available to us is much more diverse than at any other time in history. In the past, mountains and vast oceans separated cultures so that it took centuries for traders, travelers, and crusaders to carry water garden ideas from one side of the globe to the other. Today we can research thousands of years of water gardening styles from any point on Earth with only a few keystrokes. As a result, what we find in American gardens today is an eclectic amalgam of designs from around the globe. To be sure, there are purists among us whose gardens follow traditional garden designs of say European or Asian influence, but more often than not Americans borrow ideas from completely different cultures and time periods because those elements happen to suit their taste or philosophical bent. Add in a dash of mass consumerism of factory-made water garden supplies and decorations, and you never know what historical styles might get mixed together in a single design. SOME MAJOR HISTORICAL MILESTONES Ancient Sumeria and Persia Sometime around 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia the Sumerians developed lavish irrigated gardens using a system of canals that re-routed water from the Euphrates River. These canals were built all the way to the neighboring Tigris River which was at a lower elevation and served as a drain for any water not used while passing through the city. This was an amazing engineering feat upon which the entire civilization of the region depended. Without it, what was known as the “Fertile Crescent” would have been nothing more than arid, barren land. Engineers who designed these systems were so clever with their designs that they were even able to create spouting fountains by using ducts fed from higher levels of elevation. These ancient gardens morphed over time and with a slight shift in geography to become aqueduct-fed Persian “Paradise Gardens,” which were so-named by Socrates for their beauty. The Persian water garden layout usually included a cross-shaped water design. Each arm of the cross shape represented one of the four rivers of the Garden of Eden that flowed to the four corners of the earth from a central pool. The Persians enclosed their gardens with walls and planted trees in canals to prevent water from evaporating. The result was a private lush green area filled with the sound of running water. In the arid climate of Persia the Paradise Garden proved to be a type of oasis that defied its surroundings. Islamic Conquest of Persia Islamic conquerors of Persia in the 7th century continued to develop the concept of the irrigated “Paradise Garden” and carried it as far as Spain and India. The dispersal of the Persian Garden concept by Muslims was vast. Many cultures throughout Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe were influenced and went on to develop their own styles of water gardens using these ideas. Possibly the bestknown interpretations of the Paradise Garden are the gardens of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, built almost a thousand years later and the Gardens of Alhambra in Granada, Spain built in the mid 14th century. Ancient Egypt Another area of the ancient world in which water gardens were well documented is Egypt, dating back roughly 4800 years ago. Ancient Egypt is well-known for its use of irrigation, ponds in central areas of their cities, and ponds in the gardens of Kings and other nobles. Water gardening was of particular cultural importance, so much so English Landscape Movement In stark contrast to the structured, formal, ornate water garden designs found on the European continent, the English Landscape Movement during the 18th century strove to reflect their natural surroundings and attempted to mimic the English countryside. Above all, water features in this movement all had to appear natural rather than contrived, although many of them were created by artificial means. Accordingly, lakes and streams were found scattered throughout the extensive sloping lawns that were adorned with sculptures, temples, and bridges. Chinese Water Gardens that the Egyptian white water lily is the symbol used to represent the number 1,000 in ancient Egyptian numerals. European Gardens In Medieval Europe, from the 11th – 13th centuries, Christian Crusaders returning from the Middle East brought back many ideas about gardens with water features. This in turn fueled the extensive development of formal ornamental gardens during the Renaissance and Baroque periods (14th – 18th centuries). Designs based in precise mathematical formulas were a fundamental element that originated from the Paradise Gardens in Persia. Highly ornate and extravagant water fountains served as the main focal point of the gardens especially in France and Italy. Perhaps the most well-known water gardens of this time frame would be the Baroque water gardens of 17th century Versailles. Lesser known, but arguably one of the most impressive fountains ever built is the Fountain of the Water Organ at the Villa D' Este in Tivoli, Italy. Built in the 16th century, the Water Organ Fountain, an organ powered by water and air, is believed to have its origins in Alexandria, Egypt during the first century. If you can’t hop a plane to go to hear it for yourself, it is worth the effort to look it up on YouTube. Chinese water gardens as we know them today were perhaps most influenced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Chinese water gardens during this time were intended to be miniature reproductions of nature. The latter half of this movement developed in parallel to the English Landscape Movement. In fact, the two garden movements exchanged so many ideas, that Chinese pavilions and pagodas started to appear throughout the English countryside. Such gardens became known as Anglo-Chinese gardens. Rocks and water were the two most significant aspects of the Chinese water garden. Rocks symbolized mountains and streams represented great rivers, thus recreating natural landscapes in miniature. Also characteristic of this style were waterside pavilions, or “shuixie,” that were built half on land, half on stilts in the water. The pavilions had no walls, which permitted the observer to interact with water and land from all angles. Japanese Water Gardens When Buddhism was introduced to Japan in 552, it brought with it the incorporation of water into garden design. As a rule, Japanese water gardens strictly mimicked natural settings around them attempting to replicate the natural appearance of water in the environment. As in the English Landscape and Chinese water garden “Naturalist” movements, there is a distinct lack of fountains in traditional Japanese water gardens. However, one finds a number of bridges and stepping stones which provided the observer with a degree of access to the water. What distinguished the Japanese garden from other “Naturalist” water garden designs was that the specific movement of water, rather than its mere presence, was of foremost importance. In the Japanese water garden, moving water represented “chi,” or energy, which could flow or trickle, but should never be blocked. Having walked through a Japanese water garden, one should have come away feeling refreshed because of the interaction that one had with “chi” in the garden. Common Themes Today In American water gardening today one finds a wide array of styles from the past. There are the so-called “Modern Water Gardens” which have straight lines and rock work that is intentionally artificial in origin. The Modern American movement finds its origins in the rectangular canals found in Persian Paradise Gardens and the gardens of the 17th century European Renaissance. Both of these water garden styles tried to show that humans could control nature by creating shapes not found in nature to hold water. Modern American water garden design, which is sometimes referred to as “Ornamentalist,” can be seen at Rockefeller Center in New York City in the Art Deco-style Fountain of Prometheus. Also noteworthy of the Modern American movement are the many fountains at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, at which a number of scenes for the movie Logan’s Run were filmed. In stark contrast to the Modern Movement, there has been a strong resurgence of the “Natural Water Garden” over the last several years in the US. The natural water garden strives to be informal, use only natural materials for that which is visible to the onlooker, and appear as if it were part of the existing landscape. Flowing streams and waterfalls have nearly been synonymous with this movement, as Americans tend to be fascinated with the idea of moving water, drawing heavily from Japanese water garden design. So can you actually make an HGTV-worthy water landscape design? Continued on Page 33 www.MauMag.com RAFIMI Photography Water in the Garden... Continued from Page 25 31 MauMag ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 so fast that we can’t detect it happening, but it is what essentially blends the two separate images being displayed on your screen. These glasses require batteries to operate, and you must turn them on before operating. The glasses are also expensive, averaging between $100 and $200 per pair. Passive 3D uses a polarized film that coats the actual TV screen, which allows your eyes to see every other line, which once again blends the images together. The glasses required for passive 3D are much less expensive, ranging from $20 to $50 per pair. I have studied both technologies extensively, and I believe that the active 3D is much better. The screen color saturation looks much better, and the 3D effect is more prominent. So the next question is, “What equipment do I need to have to be able to watch 3DTV?” The first thing is obviously a 3D television set; you can’t watch 3D on a 2D set. You also need a source that sends the 3D signal to the TV. This can be a blue ray player, a game console, or a DirecTV satellite receiver. Finally, you need the glasses and a movie, game, or television program that is filmed or designed in 3D. The 3D content out right now is slightly limited, but more is coming out every day. Currently there are movies and video games that are 3D, and DirecTV now has at least two channels that are dedicated to 3D content, with more coming. Big sporting events like the Super Bowl and the World Cup are also being broadcasted in 3D. One common misconception is that if you have a 3DTV, you can’t watch regular programming. If your signal detects a 2D signal instead of a 3D signal, it simply reverts to a regular high definition 2D television. Although it has gotten a relatively slow start, I believe that 3D technology is here to stay. As more people see it (the “wow” factor), and as more programming, movies and video games become available, we will see a big increase in the amount of homes that convert to 3D. There are also now digital cameras and high definition camcorders that record in 3D, so you can watch your own home movies in stunning high definition 3D. If you haven’t seen the technology yet, swing by one of our stores. We promise not to tell anyone when you reach out and try to touch the image in front of you! 32 CERT... Continued from Page 29 What Exactly Is Cloud Computing? L By Justin Lloyd et’s imagine that all of your mobile devices (iPhone, PC, iPad2, iPod Touch, etc.) are in sync all the time. Would you like to be able to access all your personal data at any given time? If you answered to the affirmative then you are not alone. The Cloud promises to deliver the ability to organize your data such as documents, e-mail, photos, movies, contacts, etc. Cloud computing also allows you to share all of that data with your friends, family or coworkers. When some people see cloud computing commercials they can get a little confused as to what it actually is. You may not be aware of it but you are probably already using cloud-based services. Honestly, anyone with a computer already has been. If you’ve ever used Gmail or Google Docs then you have used a cloud-based service. Cloud computing means having all of your data accessible from wherever you may be. As long as the data is accessible on a mobile device, it’s transferable and it’s easily accessible then it’s in the cloud. The key to all this cloud computing talk is that you will have the ability to sync your data between all your mobile devices and have access to shared data. Shared data can be any data you access online which includes several places, like banks, social network sites, news and any paid service. In essence, your personal cloud (contact lists, music files, work documents, etc) can be connected to the cloud for the public to view, or you can only allow your friends and family to have access, it’s entirely up to you. You can set the parameters as to who has access to your data. For example, let’s say that you have a document that you want to share with your boss and nobody else. You can do that. You put the document in the cloud and select your boss as being the only person that may view the document. Eventually many clusters of personal clouds will exist and these clusters will have the ability to interact with one another. These clusters of personal clouds will lead to new types of social networks that will have many more security features than what you are already accustomed to having. Interestingly, your cloud will get used to the moves you make online and make computers even more user friendly. Software as a Service (SaaS) is part of the cloud computing revolution. It’s really catching on quickly in the business world. Software as a Service is the act of a service provider hosting applications for you (like we do at Compsys, Inc.) so that you don’t have to install it, manage it, or buy hardware for it. All you have to do is connect to it from any machine that has an internet connection and use it. This solution is obviously more cost efficient and way more convenient than hosting it yourself. This is just the surface of cloud computing and there will be more services offered via the cloud as time goes by and technology improves. So, keep your head in the cloud and see what it can offer you. The primary goals were to present citizens with the facts about what to expect following a major disaster in terms of immediate services, to impart the message about individual responsibility, to train in necessary life-saving skills, and to organize teams as an extension of first responder services. Since 1993 when this training was made available nationally by FEMA, communities in 28 states and Puerto Rico have conducted CERT training. Maumelle Leslie McMillan, & Peggy Cromwell with Boxes became involved as signatories of the Pulaski containing emergency equipment. County Emergency Operations Plan, important because it allows our city to tap into the resources at the county, state and federal level. It also streamlines funding processes. CERT is for everyone. The Maumelle Fire Department took on the responsibility for administering the CERT process here. With the help and support of former Alderwoman, Liz Adams, it became a topic of interest for the City Council. Ms. Adams, Alderman Witonski, Alderman Saunders, and former Alderman Chris Plante have completed the CERT basic training, along with thirty citizens in and near Maumelle. About half of those who have completed the training are active, attending bimonthly meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 at the Fire Department. Brief business meetings are followed by training sessions. Initial training is completed over eight weeks with meetings once a week for two-and-a-half or three hours each. Some individuals took the training just because they felt it would provide valuable information for them and their families, and that’s perfectly OK per Chief Glenn. The door is open and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings. Another basic training class is tentatively scheduled for this fall. In the meantime, Train the Trainers are being developed to help in Maumelle and in other areas of the state. Sessions during the basic training include, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Fire Suppression, Disaster Medical Operations (parts I and II), Light Search and Rescue Operations, Disaster Psychology and Team Organization, Course Review and Disaster Simulation. Students will also be introduces to safety equipment, disaster supplies, and how to build a disaster response kit. “CERT is about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the three killers by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective” (www.citizencorps.gov/cert). Chief Glenn reminds us that “We can help the community more effectively when individuals have done their part in preparing for disaster.” Attend a CERT meeting. Consider becoming a community CERT volunteer for your own good and for the good of Maumelle. Water in the Garden... Continued from Page 25 Of course you can! You just might need to do a little research and planning first. Remember the axiom of measure twice, cut once? The same principle applies here. You may be gung-ho to get out in the backyard with a shovel right this very minute – I mean, who isn’t just chomping at the bit to spend some quality time out in this triple digit heat? Do yourself a favor. Pull up a chair to your home computer and sit down with your favorite iced beverage in the air conditioning for a while, do some research, take a few measurements, and draw up a basic plan. Next, take a few pictures of the space where you plan to do the work. When you have all of that together pop on over to your local pond retailer with that in hand, let them make some suggestions for improvement, then let them find the right equipment for you to do the job. Embroidery • Garment Printing Shirts • Outerwear • Caps & Hats T-Shirts • School Uniforms Bags & Totes • Sports Apparel Golf Items • Personalized Items Corporate Apparel Promotional Products EmbroidMe - Maumelle 115 Audubon Drive, Suite 4 501.851.3202 www.MauMag.com Tech Yalk... Continued from Page 27 www.embroidme-maumelle.com [email protected] 33 By Larry Egger By Theresa Vandiver Playing Dress Up by Lena Marshall By Charlene Akins By Stephanie Meadows By Lee Coleman ·Jul - Aug - Sep 2011 Photographs courtesy of members of the Maumelle Photography Club To join MPC, please email us at [email protected] or by calling 501.960.6077 MauMag By Leslie Ann McMillan By Ken Saunders Call for tickets 501-851-4344 34 Hands By Joseph Goble Advert paid for by RAFIMI CRP 501.960.6077 [email protected] Sedation Dentistry Botox & Juvederm Sleep Apnea Treatment with the TAP® Appliance n n n n n n n Dental Implants Cosmetic Bonding Tooth-Colored Fillings Porcelain Veneers Dentures Orthodontics Laser Dentistry
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