ECA 2-13 by Elizabeth Community

Beth Haenni President 704 562 5152 Greenway Avenue beth.haenni@gmail.com Eric Davis Vice President 704 776 3013 Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@yahoo.com Diana Watson Secretary 704 996 9776 Kenmore Avenue dianawatson3@gmail.com Paul Shipley Treasurer 704 651 5897 Kenmore Avenue shipley_paul@msn.com

Kristan Magas Park & Recreation Liaison 704 488 0051 E. 5th Street kdm2201@gmail.com

Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com

Stephanie McKee Social Co-Chair Kenmore Avenue 704 907 2872 smckee@theconecompany.com

Victoria Zabel ECA Business Liaison 704 441 2274 Pecan Avenue victoria.zabel@me.com

Kathy Kennedy-Miller Zoning & Real Estate Clement Avenue kkm@jmainteriors.com

S PA C E B OY S E Z

Monte Ritchey Past President 980 722 0922 Clement Avenue monteritchey@gmail.com

ECA Board Members

Melanie Sizemore Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 375 3244 Vail Avenue msizemore@realindex.com

Nancy O. Albert Editor/Newsletter Chair 704 779 0932 Hawthorne Lane noalbert@carolina.rr.com

Tom Smith ECA Business Liaison 630 886 2039 Kenmore Avenue tom.smith@fedex.com

Sarah Bradley Communications/Social Media 704 491 3760 Laurel Avenue sarah@bluefeathermedia.com

Ric Solow Beautification & Trees 704 334 2986 E. 5th Street ric@solowdesigngroup.com

Ken Magas Website 704 877 7151 E. 5th Street ken@kenmagas.com

Andrew Woodruff Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 953 5994 Greenway Avenue rawoodruff@carolina.rr.com

J O I N THE E C A I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. – E.B. White

✤ Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. – Margaret Mead

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back cover: Tom Thoune and Raymond Grubb working on mosaics. cover photos and photo this page by Nancy O. Albert

ECA Officers

Creative Elizabeth from the editor, Nancy O. Albert

of a recently released study conducted by ArtPlace.

When I read the press release sent out by the Arts and Science Council (see below), I began thinking about our own neighborhood and suspected that Elizabeth could hold its own against any place in the city. So when I was asked by one of our contributors if I had a theme in mind for the summer issue, the concept of creativity popped into my mind. I put the word out that I was hoping to feature articles about arts and artists living in Elizabeth and the response was overwhelming. I knew some of the people that we feature in this special issue, but the work of some of the others came as a delightful discovery to me.

ArtPlace is a collaboration of leading national and regional foundations, banks and federal agencies committed to accelerating “creative placemaking”—putting art at the heart of a portfolio of strategies designed to revitalize communities. America’s Top ArtPlaces were identified as being exceptionally successful in combining the arts, artists and venues for creativity and expression with independent businesses, restaurants and a walkable lifestyle to make vibrant neighborhoods. This honor adds to the recent recognition of Charlotte’s arts and culture:

— Top 10 Cultural Cities in the So friends and neighbors, along U.S. by US Airways with articles highlighting all the good and important things the — Arts & Science Council ECA does, this expanded issue Public Art Walking Tour featured by AirTran will celebrate the wonderfully creative and nurturing ArtPlace — Top 25 Big Arts Cities (#16) in which we live. by American Style Magazine Charlotte Recognized Among America’s Top ArtPlace Cities for 2013 by the Arts and Science Council Charlotte has been named among 44 Metropolitan cities in the United States with neighborhoods identified as America’s Top ArtPlaces. Charlotte Center City neighborhoods from Fourth Ward to First Ward were included. The results were part

deadline fall 2013:

August 15th editorial content:

noalbert@carolina.rr.com advertising: victoria.zabel@

me.com or tom.smith@fedex.com ------------------------------------full page ad

size: 6.53” x 7.53” (1306 x 1506 pixels) half page ad

size: 6.53” x 3.715” (1306 x 743 pixels) quarter page ad

size: 3.205” x 3.715” (641 x 743 pixels) biz card ad

size: 3.205” x 1.8065” (641 x 361 pixels) classified ad

1 column wide, 4 lines deep with 1 line bold, 3 regular

— Named #14 on Creative Cities International 35 U.S. Cities ranking

specs: full size b&w jpeg or pdf, 200 dpi, NO WORD DOCS! to shivita@mac.com

“Charlotte’s thriving arts community has had a tremendous impact on the growth of our community,” said Robert Bush, senior vice president, chief innovation officer at the Arts & Science Council. “This study and recognition helps reinforce that investment in the arts

Ad placement is at the designer’s discretion.

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have the power to create vibrant neighborhoods and communities, drive economic development and enhance our quality of life.” The process of identifying the America’s Top ArtPlaces involved an initial search of 33,000 zip codes to find areas that scored highest on a set of six indicators identified by Impresa Inc., a Portland, Oregon-based consulting

firm specializing in the study of metropolitan economies. Four of the indicators measure ingredients of vibrancy: the number of retail and service businesses; the percentage of independent businesses; the neighborhood’s Walk Score; and the percentage of workers in creative occupations living in the neighborhood. Two artsrelated indicators were also used: the number of arts-related

non-profits and the number of arts-related businesses. Finally, neighborhood scores were normalized for family income so that neighborhoods with the highest concentration of income did not skew the results. For more information about ArtPlace, visit www. artplaceamerica.org Contact: Krista Terrell | krista. terrell@artsandscience.org Elizabeth by the numbers by Beth Haenni “So, not to talk shop, but… what’s going on with… [followed by question about Elizabeth]? “ This is one of the most popular segues for engaging me at a social function in Elizabeth. I love it when neighbors ask me all kinds of things they think the ECA President should know! So, I did a little digging to answer some of your burning questions. Let’s talk shop. Elizabeth is: 122 years old Median age of resident: 36 Number of Elizabethans: 4,053 Number of households: 2,546 Number of children: 726 Area: 731 acres Impervious surface*: 34.9% Homeowners: 43.2% Average house size: 2,097 SF heated

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Number of new apartments along 7th St. between Weddington/ Firefighter: 366

Elementary classmates all over the neighborhood. Hadley likes walking her cat Lilac, on a leash, on the sidewalks on Kenmore. She likes playing soccer in the little “private” park at the end of her street at the corner of Kenmore and Osborne. Hadley likes to see the live jazz musicians who play upstairs at the Cajun Queen and she loves climbing on their mascot alligator, named

Median household income: $70,193 Residents living below Federal Poverty Level: 19% Number of restaurants: 57 Commercial presence: 5,879,851 SF Tree canopy coverage: 39.7% overall; 68.4 % in residential area Streets in Elizabeth: see map insert p.4

at Ridgeway and Kenmore in

Sources: 2010 U.S. Census, City the summer time. She gives of Charlotte QOL Study, Charlotte a percentage of her profits Observer, TreesCharlotte, Urbanspoon to the animals because they *Defined as artificial structures (e.g., roads, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, buildings) covered by impenetrable materials; an environmental concern that affects run-off, temperature, tree canopy growth, pollution, etc.

photos: Nancy O. Albert

Sons and daughters of Elizabeth by Hadley Smith, age 7 (as transcribed by her father Tom Smith) Things Hadley likes about Elizabeth: She likes riding her bike to visit her friends at their homes. She likes walking with Mommy through the neighborhood and she likes to ride her bike through the secret sidewalk. Hadley likes to run barefoot all over Kenmore, 5th and Ridgeway. She loves setting up her lemonade stand

have no one to help them and the rest goes to her college fund. She likes seeing all the birds make their nests, then she looks at the eggs and she helps the birds when they need help. Like the time a few weeks ago when two baby doves, not yet fledglings, were orphaned due to the local alley cat killing their parents. Hadley wanted to raise the baby doves; however, Hadley’s parents lacked the tube feeding equipment and feeding material to make the baby doves eat. Hadley’s family took a trip to Rowan County where the doves were taken in by a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator. Hadley loves her three baby sitters who all live within half block of her home. She loves seeing local neighborhood school Eastover

Elizabeth, who stood out front viewing 7th Street for many years. Hadley noticed a week ago the large wooden Elizabeth the alligator was moved and is leaning against the brick Cajun Queen restaurant building. She wishes the owner would repair her and bring her back out front so she can continue to climb on her. Hadley likes playing corn hole toss at the Philosopher’s Stone (P-Stone) while her parents enjoy the the people pages

outdoor patio. Hadley’s favorite restaurant is Crisp even though she spends many Monday evenings at Showmars with Jason the Balloon Man, for Kids Eat Free Mondays.

was a huge success with about 100 neighbors attending. Ric and Kris Solow on 5th Street hosted appetizers in their beautiful backyard and studio, a perfect start to the evening. After appetizers and drinks, everyone headed to one of the Call for eleven host houses for dinner Mint Museum docents that consisted of blackened by Kathleen Collier chicken, Todd’s red beans and Have you ever thought of rice, and salad. To wind things becoming a Mint Museum down, most of us made it to docent? Docents play a the dessert house hosted at dynamic role by conducting Brent and Kathy Miller’s home conversation-based tours with on Clement Avenue where visitors of all ages. To become we enjoyed the Mardi Gras a volunteer docent at The Mint traditional king cake and white Museum, candidates must make bread pudding. a one year commitment to As always, social events like training and touring and have an enthusiasm for art, a friendly this can’t take place without the help of an awesome social attitude and the ability to communicate with groups. For committee. Many thanks to Amy Williams, Diana Watson, Jen an application form and more Towell, and Karen Lockhart for information please contact volunteering your time to plan Kathleen Collier at kathleen. and setup for this fun event, collier@mintmuseum.org or and to all the hosts! 704.337.2098. ECA Social by Jennifer Towell Please join us for an ECA Social Night Out on Wednesday, June 5th. We’re kicking off the summer months at Hawthorne’s on 7th Street. Drop by from 6-9pm for half-priced wine bottles and appetizers on the patio. Hope to see you there! Progressive dinner 2013 by Stephanie McKee The Mardi Gras-themed progressive dinner on May 4th 6

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Save the date: October 12th-13th by Kim Lineberger

contemporary or artsy residences, the tour has something for everyone this year, including: A classic craftsman bungalow lovingly restored

over 16 years to its original charm. You won’t want to miss the home’s original fireplace tiles from 1917.

If Andy Warhol is your style

we’re featuring an amazing ultra contemporary kitchen accented with touches of pop art. Come see a head to toe makeover of a classic American bungalow.

Check out some of the stylish and creative ideas this home offers up. Charlotte Home Magazine recently featured this cute home in its spring edition. Don’t miss our lineup of amazing gardens!

We have several this year that will inspire the inner gardener in all of us. The committee wishes to thank those who are graciously sharing their homes and gardens this fall.

Does it seem early to be talking about fall – and the 2013 Kim Lineberger Elizabeth Home Tour? (kimlineberger@gmail.com) and Ashley Nurkin (mallonee28@ Mark your calendars for the yahoo.com) are this year’s second weekend in October tour chairs, with help from and plan to celebrate the sponsorship chairman Jessica beauty of our neighborhood. Wilfong (jessica.mauch@gmail. The Tour showcases the unique com), volunteer chairman Amy diversity and style of our Williams (amybraswill@yahoo. Elizabeth neighborhood. com ), communications chair Whether you’re interested Suzanne Henry (suzkhenry in historical, modern, @gmail.com) and homeowners

“Thank you for putting on a great event!” A blogger also commented about the event: We need your help! “This course is pretty fantastic, The Elizabeth Home Tour mostly flat and/or downhill is also a great volunteer with a few small hills on the opportunity. For newcomers, back half... the course is it’s a great opportunity to beautiful. It winds through the meet neighbors. For longtime tree-lined, residential streets residents, it’s a chance to of the Elizabeth neighborhood renew acquaintances and make in Charlotte and it’s nice and But success is best defined by new friends. If you have an shaded with a good amount interest in volunteering to staff those who actually participated. of crowd support. Thank you, a tour home or contact area Here are just a couple of Elizabeth residents!” businesses for a sponsorship, the comments posted on The race was also one of the please contact Ashley, Kim, Amy our Facebook page after the most profitable in recent years Williams, or Jessica Wilfong. race: “One of Charlotte’s as a result of the generous most enjoyable races!” and See you on the Elizabeth Home Tour, October 12th-13th. dinner chair Elle Allen (ghomizadeh@aol.com ).

away as California, Minnesota and New York. Runners, volunteers and spectators gathered in Independence Park for a post-race party and then Hawthorne’s Pizza for the awards ceremony. Live music was provided by the talented young musicians from School of Rock.

photo: Nancy O. Albert

2013 Elizabeth 8K Road Race honors the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy by Robert Zabel Nearly 650 people registered to take part in the running of the 27th annual Elizabeth 8K Road Race. The race was held Saturday, April 20 under bright skies and crisp air and by all accounts, was a major success. Elvis was in the house, or rather at the course, to welcome runners and to create a fun and festive atmosphere both at the start and finish of the race. John Fillette with a time of 29:27 and Hannah Orders at 31:55 were the top overall male and female winners. They were followed by runners ranging in ages from four to 76 who hailed from twelve different states, some as far the people pages

support of our sponsors and fees generated from registration. In total, the Elizabeth 8K generated over $12,000 in profit for the ECA with proceeds supporting the replenishing of our tree canopy and the beautification of the common areas of our neighborhood. We’re also exploring opportunities to team with Trees Charlotte, a public/ private collaborative dedicated to achieving 50% tree canopy coverage in Charlotte by 2050. Similar to our own efforts in Elizabeth, TreesCharlotte is committed to maintaining and expanding the natural tree canopy of our great city. Despite the successes of the race and individual performances, there was a deeper issue to the day that united all the runners this year. Five days earlier, a tragedy occurred at the Boston Marathon, killing 3 people and injuring 264 more. Nicole and Michael Gross are two local athletes and friends of the Elizabeth 8K who were injured in the blasts. Nicole’s sister, Erika Brannock, was also seriously injured. They had traveled to Boston to cheer on their mom, who had been training for months to run in this storied event. Our race was dedicated to Nicole and Michael, a 26-second moment of silence was held, and runners wore blue ribbons to remember, not only Nicole and Michael, but all of the victims 8

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of the senseless tragedy that occurred. Friends of Nicole and Michael were on hand to collect donations to support the Be Strong Stay Strong FundTM that was established to help support their families during their long and expensive road to recovery. To donate to this fund, please visit www.bestrongstaystrong. net

for their contribution.

On behalf of the ECA and the entire Elizabeth community, I want to personally thank those who assisted me in organizing this year’s race, without whose dedication, commitment and assistance this event would not have been possible. Those individuals include Amanda Beacham, Michelle Dagenhart, Mary Kate Hernandez, Marshall Lindsay, Brian Rubins, Margaret Tugwell and Rick Winiker. Additionally, I want to recognize and thank Ken Magas for lending his creative genius and talent to all our Elizabeth 8K design work and collateral, including the Boston Marathon - UNITED logo that we promoted on our Facebook page and website, Paul Shipley for providing the financial discipline required for an event of this magnitude, and the ECA Board for their ongoing commitment and support for the race.

We wish you continued running success and are already looking forward to next year’s event.

Finally, the event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank them and we encourage all those in our community to show our collective appreciation and gratitude by supporting them with your business.

Thank you to all our sponsors: Title Sponsors

– Novant Health Charlotte Orthopedic Hospital – Hawthorne’s NY Pizza & Bar – Harris Teeter Platinum Sponsors

– Jones Dry Cleaning Gold Sponsors

– Charlotte Rolfing – The Davey Tree Expert Company – Dickens Mitchener & Associates – Helios BodyCare Chiropractic Center – Law Office of Annemarie Pantazis – Leroy Fox – Ken Magas Design – McKnight Law Firm PLLC – Swooz Hair and Makeup Salon – T.R. Lawing Realty, Inc. – Winiker Law Firm, PLLC.

In addition to the race committee, a team of 60 volunteers were on hand on race day to ensure a fantastic experience for the runners and Silver Sponsors walkers and we are very grateful – Iron Butterfly Pilates

The Color of Gratitude by Jennifer Monroe

photo: Nancy O. Albert

It was the exact hour when everything begins turning blue - the porch railing, the magnolia trees bursting with blossoms, the soft chimes swaying in the early morning breeze. That luminous moment when the line between the earth and sky begins to fade away and morning arrives in earnest. Three tiny starlings landed in unison upon the budding green branches of our new October Glory maple tree, standing proud and pretty in our front yard. At that moment, watching them in the palest morning light, I felt so very thankful. I realize the purpose of this lovely gift from the Elizabeth Community Association – and it truly is a gift – is to continue to endow our streetscapes with beautiful and enduring colorful canopy. Yet I can’t help but feel as though I will personally be enriched over the years with the verdant colors each season will bring, along with the bright underbellies of cheerful birds dropping by for a quick chat.

something memorable with the gift so graciously bestowed upon us? Mother Nature reminds me each blue morning, golden afternoon and violet dusk, just how privileged we are to reside in such a beautiful place. As I look upon our lush and charming neighborhood, I shall remember the devotion of those who make up our ECA. We are a community of custodians who wish to leave our indelible mark upon the future. Giving back and sharing forward.

Appreciation is a place we visit from time to time. But how much time do we really spend there? Do we say the words expected of us and merely move on with our day? Or do we thoughtfully plan to stay awhile, employing an honest effort toward creating

I truly appreciate our ECA and the wonderful Solow Design Group! I thank you for providing the new green, yellow and orange, and, come autumn, the red that you’ve to thoughtfully given our beautiful Elizabeth. I know this for sure… giving thanks

is a reflection painted from the richest colors of our inner palette. I can’t wait to see the red glow of autumn. A message from the CMPD by Officer Robert Sprague Greetings all, I hope everyone is enjoying the pleasant weather and getting ready for what will hopefully be a beautiful summer. As the weather gets warmer we have a tendency to open our windows to enjoy the breeze whether it is in our cars or in our homes, but we have to make sure to close those windows when we leave. Looking at the crime stats for 2013 and comparing them to 2012 there has been an increase in larceny from auto in the Elizabeth neighborhood. the people pages

Incident Type

Jan. – May 2012

Jan. – May 2013

Difference

% Change

Larceny from Auto

1500%

Residential BurglaryStorage Bldg

Auto Theft

Armed Robbery

-1

-10000%

Larceny from Building

-1

-3333%

Residential Burglary

-1

-3333%

Larceny of Bicycle

-2

-10000%

LarcenyShoplifting

-2

-6667%

Larceny-Other

-4

-5000%

Did you know that every year over $1.25 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles in about 1.85 million thefts nationwide according to the most recent statistics? By taking a few basic precautions each day you can minimize your chances of being victimized. It only takes seconds for a thief to enter your vehicle, so don’t give them the opportunity. Lock your doors.

While this advice seems like common sense, up to a quarter of vehicle thefts nationally are from unlocked cars. Even if you’re running into the store for a quick cup of coffee on a cold winters day or a hot summer afternoon, that’s too long to leave your vehicle’s contents open for the taking. Simply locking the doors will deter those who might be waiting around for an easy target. 10

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If you’re going to leave items of value in your vehicle, please take a few minutes to document the serial numbers or engrave them with your driver’s license. Doing one of these can help CMPD get your property back to you should it ever be stolen. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at rsprague@cmpd.org or at 704-336-2878 and have a great summer!

CMC Mercy Community Free Wellness Seminars Almost any seemingly worthless by Lisa Duffy, RN personal item that’s visible from A complimentary meal will be the outside, even an empty provided. Register for any of shopping bag, could be seen as a carrier of valuables. Don’t the seminars at 704-304-5192. leave anything in plain sight, Running seminar: no matter what you think the preventing common value of it is. When a thief walks running injuries by your car and looks inside, Tuesday June 4, 2013, you want them to see nothing. 6 – 7:30 pm Take a few seconds before you CMC- Mercy Auditorium exit your vehicle to hide any Dr. David Price, MD, MD with valuables from sight or if you Sports Medicine and Injury can, take them with you. Care. Hide it!

Clues for a criminal

Memory loss and aging

Thieves will look inside your vehicle for cluses before breaking in. Cell phone chargers, GPS power cords or window mounts are an indicator that these devices may be inside. Little things like this can send a big message to criminals, so take a few minutes to remove these indicators, and let’s reduce the number of larceny from auto reports.

Wednesday June 5, 2013, noon – 1:30 pm Sycamore Conference Room (3rd floor) in the Medical Office Building at CMC-Mercy Dr Darlyne Menscer, MD, from the Department of Family Medicine. Urinary incontinence

Tuesday July 2, 2013, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

CMC- Mercy Auditorium Dr. Bernard Taylor, MD, from Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. RSVP by Thursday June 27. Brain health

as traffic safety, pedestrian connectivity and parking will be addressed, and my goal is to make this a dialog where we can discuss issues, concerns and successes. To that end, feel free to raise or comment on transportation issues using the Elizabeth Community Facebook page or

Next, I’d like to provide an update on the planning and implementation of transportation recommendations coming out of the Elizabeth Small Area Plan. Specific goals include: – Eliminate gaps in the sidewalk system

photo: Eric Davis

Tuesday August 6, 2013 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. CMC-Mercy Auditorium Join a panel of physicians as ElizabethCommunityAssociation they discuss brain health. RSVP @gmail.com by Thursday August 1. First all, if you haven’t already noticed, Elizabeth has achieved The Roundabout a tremendous success in by Eric Davis helping balance the vehicular The Roundabout will be a and pedestrian usage of 7th periodic column discussing Street with the installation the ways we move and connect of a pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of 7th and within Elizabeth. Topics such

Clement Ave. This crosswalk not only helps connect the north and south sides of Elizabeth, it also provides a convenient access to Independence Park. Now that the weather is (finally) getting pleasant, take this opportunity to take a new bath as you walk through our beautiful neighborhood.

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–Identify and designate a pedbike connection from Little Sugar Creek Greenway through the Elizabeth neighborhood to Chantilly Park

The communities volunteer contributions are immeasurable. The quality of care is so vastly improved by Independence Day ones willingness to be here and July 4th family tailgate party for give of yourself. By sharing your – Renovate the pedestrian all ages. Please join us at 6pm time and skills, meeting new tunnel that crosses underneath for fun, food, and fellowship friends and giving back to your Charlottetowne Avenue and at 9pm walk with us to community, your own life will Independence Park to watch – Install wayfinding signs along be enhanced. CMC-Mercy has the fireworks. No reservation overland connector routes many diverse volunteer required between primary greenways placements available. Please Summer music camp contact Jill Aleong at 704-304Representatives from the July 15-19, registration 5806 or jill.aleong@carolinas. Elizabeth neighborhood required. Singing! Dancing! org for more information and meet CDOT and CharMeck Creating! Ringing! Drumming! an application. Planning every other month Acting! Listening! Rising to discuss status, options and Yard Yak: 1st though 8th graders will opportunities. As of April blurring the lines produce the musical “Blast this year, a project manager by Kay Minor Off: Discovering the God of has been assigned and the Creation.” preliminary design work is in This spring, I decided to process. As future activities and Camp is 9am-3pm M-W, 9-5 remove all the dwarf ivy from milestones are identified, on Thursday, and 9-6 on Friday my front fence. Lovely in the I will communicate them via beginning, over time it became (lunch provided each day). this column. I hope to see a tenacious green serpent. End of Camp Show and Dinner everyone out on the streets! Maintenance aside, sunlight for Family and Friends Friday, was blocked from other plants. July 19 at 6pm. Summer with So off it came, unwillingly and Hawthorne Lane UMC Join us each Wednesday piecemeal. by Jerry Holshouser Adams at 5:30 for supper and All the existing open iron fellowship Spend your summer with panels were lowered in height No reservation required. Hawthorne Lane UMC by Benny, my welder, and re501 Hawthorne Lane configured along my border CMC-Mercy Hospital is 704-332-8131 with the sidewalk. I love it. looking for Volunteers www.hlumc.org Much more open to passing by Jill Aleong neighbors, pets, etc. Now, the Vacation bible school At Carolinas Medical Centerbeds are filled with a mixture kickoff and registration Mercy we are committed of phlox, dianthus, various low Sunday, June 23 at 12 noon to enhancing healthcare growing bulbs and as of today, on the lawn from a patient’s perspective. summer annuals. Showers Through special attention to 4 year olds thru 5th and sunshine will take care emotional and spiritual needs graders are invited to of the rest. A few weeks ago, as well as the patients’ physical my neighbor and I agreed on a week of celebrating condition, we deliver kindness, the need of new fencing out God’s Creation compassion and expertise. Monday June 24 - Thursday back. PJ, an easygoing fence 12

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June 27 at 5:30pm with dinner, stories, music, missions, and MORE....

master, is almost done with our pinewood shadowbox designed wonder. A process that, to be honest, progressed in a few fits and starts. Merging two families of ideas, openness and privacy, has its challenges. A semi-private fence was the beginning. Then petite Madeline, my 5 pound Papillion, scooted between the boards into the neighboring yard. So another day was scheduled to close the gaps with an additional 125 one by fours. Another check was written. Lesson learned. Measure pets first.

photo of Hadley Smith: Sarah Gay

My next project is installing my late mother-in-law’s vintage concrete columns in my garden. This will mean moving the clothes line, which is presently woven thru trees in half the back yard. No worries. All structures are impermanent in this world. Including us. Enjoy the challenges and grow.

major productions that have chosen Elizabeth as setting in the past couple years, including the popular Showtime series ‘Homeland.’

local actor, I was aware of the production; I’d been runnerup, according to my agent, to Stowell’s real mom to ‘play’ his mother in the movie (she’s deceased, seen only in photos). My neighbor Tara and I had I never got to meet the cast, a great view from across the street. I befriended the location though. That honor was granted to a junior resident, 7-year-old manager, Randy Byers. Tara Hadley Smith, and her dad, allowed them to set lights in Tom, who live on Kenmore. her front windows and porch, Movie filmed seen in the background in some They camped themselves on in Elizabeth the apron of the house’s front shots. Even our landlady Maja by Sarah Gay Norman was on set, to oversee yard at dinnertime Thursday The Elizabeth neighborhood some repairs; and mentioned evening, Tom telling some of had some excitement as spring that her son is also in the film the crew, “My daughter wants to got underway. During the first business. I manage the Film meet a famous actor!” week of March, the Hallmark Actors’ Studio in NoDa, and TV Movie, “Shuffleton’s know at least three fellow actors The lead, Mr. Stowell, had Barbershop,” starring Danny who live in the neighborhood. already made eye contact with Hadley from the yard. Stowell Glover and Austin Stowell Elizabeth is such a creative came over and chatted with (one of the stars of ‘Dolphin place! young Hadley for nearly 20 Tale”, 2011) came to shoot a The production basically took minutes. Hadley, interviewed scene for two days at 2145 5th over the house, with residents for this piece, remembers the Street, on the corner of 5th and Ridgeway Ave. This makes three leaving for the week. Being a first thing he noticed were her the people pages

Hadley has seen it; she owns it; and she’d recognized the handsome Stowell immediately. She asked about the dolphin star, and Austin told her that she has a new friend, having lost one – important, because dolphins will die of a broken heart. Hadley proudly displays the autograph he gave her. Later that Thursday night, the production finally got to their outdoor scene. So as not to disturb the neighborhood by shooting outside at night, windows were blacked-out with heavy canvas to do indoor scenes during daytime. At night, large brilliant-white lights came on in the street as the blackout curtains came off. About midnight Thursday, they moved outside. The scene was simple—but not quick! They did 8 or 9 takes of Stowell pulling up to the house in a pickup truck with a female passenger, stopping, getting 14

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out and walking up to the house. Lights, camera angles and costumes were re-set between each shot. I had a great birds-eye view of it all from my balcony porch— and a very warm coat; it was freezing. The crew was bundled up in down jackets and hoods, lending a bizarre muffled ambiance. Jokes floated back and forth, but everyone was professional and focused. Finally, at about 2:00 a.m. the Director called, “that’s it!” The crew, who’d been alternately huddled waiting, or bustling equipment onto trucks, broke into applause. The lead, Austin, ever-gracious, said loudly, “thank you very much, everybody!” The stars were momentarily whisked away. The crew packed up; by next morning, beyond a few last set props being carried out of the house, all traces were gone. The movie was off to Lincolnton, their next setting. Director Mark Jean, a guest on stage at CPCC’s ‘Film People’ night during the College’s ‘Sensoria’ week , said he had a great experience shooting here; he loved how friendly people were, how many local crew could be hired, and that he would definitely return if he has the chance. Given that the film’s story is set in Georgia, highly competitive now with its own attractive film incentives, it’s a tribute to us that we can attract these productions. If we

as a state can stay competitive with our own film incentives (recently threatened in the state legislature), we should be able to see continued growth of our film industry in Charlotte, to help nurture our own creative community here in Elizabeth.

Fifth Street nurtures a family of artists by Donna Bise 1979: Our first home. Fifth

Street in Elizabeth. Our neighbors are film producers, a jewelry maker, graphic designers, a mime and musicians. We live side-by-side in the heart of Elizabeth. Greg Ring, a page designer for the Charlotte Observer. Donna Bise, a photojournalist.

1984: The national spotlight

continues to shine on Charlotte. News media is interested in the city that had, in 1978, voted in liquor by the drink in 1983, elected its first African American mayor, Harvey Gantt. The Observer wins two Pulitzers in the 80s. The NC Dance Theatre debuts

photos: Donna Bise

red cowboy boots, which she was wearing over her fleece pajamas. “He had the same boots as me,” she remembers (he plays country singer Trey Cole in the picture). “He said, ‘I like your boots, you look like a cowgirl!’” They went on to discuss platypus habits and dolphins. Tom recalls with some chagrin not recognizing Stowell: “I said, ‘well, maybe after this movie comes out you’ll be a big star!’ and he looked at Hadley with this little smile and said, ‘have you ever seen ‘Dolphin Tale?’”

its first fully self-produced ballet. Donna leaves full-time newspaper work to begin a freelance photography business. It’s a good place for business. Charlotte grows, my business grows, our family is about to grow. I love working from our home in Elizabeth. 1986 and 1990: Elizabeth’s

next generation of artists are produced! Kristian and Cory Ring are born within walking distance of their fifth street home. Artistic influences surround them in Elizabeth residents: Hardin Minor introduced them to mime. Lexie Longstreet cast them as extras in short film, my clients used them as models. And not far from “the hood”: fifth-grade orchestra and creative teachers at Eastover Elementary, The Light Factory, Children’s Theatre. Fifth Street “kids club” who together created skits, Lego movies and more art projects than any refrigerator could hold!

Turn of the century:

Orchestras at Eastover, AG and MPHS, Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra Classical and classical music jam sessions on Fifth Street nurture a budding cellist. The Light Factory, being Donna’s “assistant” on assignment, in the editing room and in the darkroom nurture a budding visual artist. Thanks to Charlotte’s supportive music community the cello nets a full ride

to undergrad, then grad school and opportunities to play at music festivals from Aspen to Leipzig, Vermont to Limoges and Carnegie Hall. Kristian Ring is now teaching and performing at the Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, with hopes of making Elizabeth home again someday. Hear Kristian Ring’s performance of Popper Requiem for 3 Cellos (with fiancée Alicia Storin) at http:// youtu.be/_9iOI4W-wcI ASC’s Public Arts Program was established in 1993 and 1% for art program in 2001. Charlotte was becoming a feast of visual arts for young Cory Ring. Studies in cinematography at UNC School of the Arts School of Filmmaking opened the door to his first on-screen credit for visual effects in Hunger

Games, Charlotte, 2011. His first post-college work in the camera department for The World Made Straight (by NC author Ron Rash), Asheville, 2013. Man on the Hill, Winston Salem, 2012, was screened this month at Sony Pictures: Cory Ring’s LA debut as Director of Photography. He too hopes that NC Film initiatives will continue to bring more opportunities closer to home. See www.CoryRing.com for some of Cory’s recent work. Or an Elizabeth community 2007 video produced for Savvy & Company http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=gde2i4FWybI Greg Ring continues to work to publish the daily printed version of The Charlotte Observer, and Donna continues to photograph assignments in the Carolinas and beyond. This family of artists thanks Elizabeth and Charlotte for being such a supportive community for growing artists. Let’s do all we can to keep film and music and the arts alive in NC and our neighborhoods! Early Saturday Morning by Ruffin Pearce It’s early on a Saturday morning deep in the Summer of 2002. My son Liam (almost 3) walks into the room with his little acoustic guitar strapped around his neck and tells us that he wants to go in the the people pages

front yard and play music. We take him and our second son Cooper (then about 4 months old) outside and watch as Liam plays and sings with all of the energy and passion of Bono playing to 50,000 people. The only other sound we hear are the occasional cheers from passing cars and the “way to go’s” of couples on their Saturday morning walk. Fast forward almost nine years… I am now watching my boys (now 13 and 11) play to about 200 hundred people at Merlefest (with two 16

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friends) in their acoustic side project “Gandhi’s Warehouse.” Liam has become an amazing singer and guitar player while Cooper (an avid guitarist) dons his banjo for this show. The crowd goes wild. As usual, the tears well up and pride swells in me as I see my boys touch people with their music. A few weeks earlier, I had the same experience watching them play to 1,800 people at The Fillmore. Each time, as usual, the tears well up. Over the years they have both played to thousands of people

all over Charlotte and North Carolina with the School of Rock Charlotte and their own bands. It is not the big shows, however, that mean the most to them. It is how they got there. The true magic of Elizabeth that it has given my boys the opportunity to be creative. Elizabeth has always been a patient and kind listener. My boys would not be the musicians (or people) they are today without the experiences and open arms that Elizabeth has given them. Not only have the traditional venues (The

photo of the Pearce boys: Ruffin Pearce – painting this page by Jim Chapman, courtesy RedSky Gallery

Visulite and The Double Door) taken them in for more shows than I can count, but, more importantly, the people of Elizabeth have taken them in. As has been a constant in my life for the last 10 years, on any given warm day, Liam and Coop and their little brother Chappy, grab their guitars, amps and mics and head to the front yard to “busk” for the neighborhood and anyone passing through. They just love to play music. Their favorite audience by far, however, is the 20,000 kids under the age of 5 that now live on Greenway. Cooper and Liam love them all. These are their “little friends” and music has created a bond between them that warms my soul. As I watch the pride swells and the tears well yet again. Maybe it’s because of the happiness I see in all of them. Maybe it’s because I see music being passed to the next generation. Probably, however, it’s because it takes me back to that early Saturday morning deep in the Summer of 2002 when I saw my little boys discover and explore music and creativity in my home, now and always: Elizabeth. Jim Chapman by Heather Andreas and Nancy O. Albert Elizabeth resident Jim Chapman has been a working, exhibiting, and award-winning artist since the 1970’s, when he studied in the southern

Appalachian mountains of North Carolina with Warren Dennis, William Dunlap and Noyes Long, as well as with John Groth of the Arts Students League in New York City. One cannot help but notice the obvious delight that Jim takes in creating his paintings, a sincere gratification in being given the opportunity to express his vision of color, form, and texture in a visceral conversation with the viewer. He has traveled widely in the United States, Europe, and Asia working in the media of painting and photography on commercial projects for Crown Publishing, the North Carolina Department of Tourism,

and a number of private commissions. In 1985, he assisted Christo and JeanneClaude on their Surrounding Islands project in Miami, Florida. Jim Chapman has developed a highly personal, unique style while addressing the traditional subject matter of

still life and landscape. His palette is an inspired variation on Post-Impressionist color theory combined with a keen observation of the natural world. Indeed, his richly textured paintings are a feast for the eyes. In April Jim’s Tuscan Fantasy Farmland won the Juror’s Choice Award at the Raleigh Fine Arts Society NC Artists exhibition. RedSky Gallery by Heather Andreas When owner Kellie Scott created RedSky Gallery, her goal was to help artists make a living creating artwork and to offer consumers easy access to a broad and fine selection of original art. She strongly believes that when you live with objects you love, it adds to the quality of your life each and every day. RedSky Gallery carries a wide selection of original paintings, sculptures and fine craft glassworks, ceramics, fiber, metal, wood, and jewelry. Over 400 artists throughout North America are featured. Included among them is work by Elizabeth artist Jim Chapman and whimsical ceramic sculptures by Betsy Towns, daughter of longtime Elizabeth residents Jane and Roxie Towns. Whether visiting the gallery in person or online, a wealth of information about who the artist is and details the people pages

about how and why they create their work is provided. Kellie believes this information is an important element for both buyers and gallery visitors. She invites you to experience for the wonders of her artists as you visit in person or online. Tom Thoune… at home in a creativity-driven community by Colleen Taylor Tom, a ten year resident of the Elizabeth neighborhood, speaks enthusiastically about the community’s ongoing support of his artistic endeavors. An accomplished mixed-media artist, mosaic scholar, and ceramicist, Tom shares his love of artistic expression through teaching, be it formal or organic. Most recently, Tom inspired his beloved community by constructing seven large circular mosaic-based public art pieces commissioned by the newly renovated PlazaMidwood Harris Teeter. Neighborhood kids tell stories about Tom teaching them to script a performance, complete with hand built sets and puppets, and many adults have learned clay and mosaic techniques through Tom’s classes at the McColl Center. When asked what he likes most about teaching art, Tom shared what he loves most about the young artist. “Children,” he says “are less inhibited 18

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than adults, they have not developed limitations which allows for more innovation in the process.” Tom is very passionate about where he lives and works. He chose Elizabeth because he prefers an older neighborhood with mindful architecture and well-established gardens.

He loves that Elizabeth is a walk-friendly neighborhood, with nearby amenities and diversity. It is most appealing to Tom that the Elizabeth neighborhood residents share similar values; they enjoy being out and about; they want to engage with the lives around them.

photo of Tom Thoune working on a mosaic (left): Colleen Taylor – OMIMEO photo (right): Hardin Minor

Although Tom is well versed in many forms of art, in the past three years, he has been commissioned to complete several local public art pieces. You can see an expansive mosaic install at the South End trolley line stop, a beautiful and whimsical piece at Levine Children’s Hospital rooftop garden, two oversized mosaic pine-cone structures at the Providence Road Division CMPD building, and of course, the aforementioned Harris Teeter installation. Tom has thoroughly enjoyed making such an impact on Charlotte’s public art scene, he remarks, “It is a privilege. I think of myself as being capable of fostering creativity in and through others. I really thrive on the dynamic of working with ‘new creatives’ because it allows me to be the guy who adds the craftsmanship to others peoples’ efforts.” OMIMEO by Hardin Minor, Mime-In-Motion

“PHYSICALOSOPHY”(c), my philosophy of physicality. I believe that we are in this dimension with the body/ mind/heart we have been given to experience the physicalness of living. Since we were in the womb of our mother, we have been engaging and learning about the world through physical experiences. Our heartbeat and breath are the basic dynamic principles and centering and grounding are the core principles of stabilization in our lives. All emotional, intellectual and spiritual learning takes place while we are alive from the platform of the body. We need to strive for flexibility, strength and endurance for optimal physical health. But its hardly worth the effort if you can’t have fun! That’s how play turns work into joy. Play is the key to becoming a whole person. Think of the word ‘play’ and now to how many things it

applies: sports, games, theater, food, data, ideas, relationships, sex, fashion, music, pets, vehicles, entertainment, arts, children, grand children and yes religion and politics. If you’ve lost your ability to play why bother, what’s the point? We only get one body and 80 years if we’re lucky in this sandbox of life. I have been exceptionally fortunate to be able to almost make a living by making a life of play in a variety of venues: education, entertainment, performance, consulting, choreography and politics. Since 1978 I have been co- Artistic Director of the OMIMEO Mime Theatre (OMT) with my partner in mime, Eddie Williams. OMIMEO has been invited to celebrate our 36th season at the Wells Fargo Theater/ ImaginOn with a new production of our award-

Creativity can be a mysterious process until you dig into it and find that it emerges from a energizing combination of playing and working the imagination in one medium or another. For me it’s been the physical performing arts of mime, dance and physical comedy. I’ve created a way of understanding and engaging the world in which we live that I call the people pages

winning, family-oriented “Black Light Magic”; Jan. 8-12, 2014. It should be a great production, so come and play with our imagination! OMIMEO was founded in 1978 as a Mime Vaudeville Clown Theater and has been at the forefront of some of the most important theatrical trends during the past thirty years, introducing Charlotte audiences to break dance / hip hop in 1982-’83, New Vaudeville in the late 80’s and the nouveau Cirque experience in the early 1990’s. OMT first presented Aerial Artists in 1979 and most recently in the Booth Playhouse BPA produced “Vaudevizual”. We have made inventive use of Puppets in a variety of ways throughout our performing history. OMIMEO has participated in almost every ASC fund drive since our inception, were featured in every ASC produced First Night Charlotte (1988-1998) and continue to be a vibrant part of the cultural mosaic of Charlotte’s art community in our work with a wide variety of educational, corporate, liturgical and nonprofit clients. Hardin served as an Artists’ Representative on the ASC Board of Directors for three years in the mid 1990’s. Proudly, OMIMEO was one of one of the founding organizations of the original Spirit Square Center for the Arts. 20

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Why are Bluebirds blue? by Reid Watson My four-year-old granddaughter recently asked this question. The best I could do went something like, “Probably the same reason the sky is blue”, recalling a quote from Henry David Thoreau, “The bluebird carries the sky on his back.” Anna Cate’s question piqued my curiosity and the true answer is amazing. Children often ask why the sky is blue, and we can ask the same question about bluebirds. The answer is the same in both cases: it’s a trick of the light. For decades, scientists have known how birds with yellow or red feathers usually get their color: it comes from pigments in foods the birds eat. Flamingoes, for instance, extract pink pigments from algae and crustaceans they filter out of the water. The challenge has been to figure out exactly how blue birds get their color.

Unlike many other bird colors, blue is not a pigment. It’s a color produced by the structure of the feathers. Tiny air pockets in the molecules of each feather scatter blue light and absorb the red and yellow wavelengths to cancel each other out, while blue wavelengths of light reinforce and amplify one another and reflect back. That beautiful blue light leaves the feather to dazzle the eye of the beholder. The different shapes and sizes of these air pockets and feather molecules make different shades of blue – bright and vivid for males and more subtle for the female bluebirds. If your family would like to see a bluebird or two in the Elizabeth Neighborhood, the chances are pretty good if one walks along the 2400 block of Kenmore Avenue in the late afternoon to early evening hours: just look up to the aerial power lines. Several of the lower Kenmore Avenue neighbors have recently developed an interest in attracting Eastern Bluebirds into the Elizabeth Neighborhood to help this once widespread native songbird that underwent a dramatic decline during the 1900’s make a comeback by placing bluebird houses (called nestboxes) throughout a 3-block area this spring for the bluebird breeding season.

next page Artful Yards montage: Little Shiva – photos: Nancy O. Albert – photo this page: Byron Baldwin

An easy way you can help the bluebirds re-establish here is to not feed any birds bread, or seed that contains a lot of millet or cracked corn, as this attracts House Sparrows which are a major cause of the decline of native songbirds. Since the introduction of the house (English) sparrow (Passer domesticus), their populations have exploded here and throughout the US, and they are harmful to native species, particularly the bluebirds and chickadees, making it virtually impossible for them to successfully nest and reproduce. Thistle,

safflower, and black oil sunflower seeds are enjoyed by many native birds, but are not preferred by House Sparrows. One thing bird enthusiasts agree on is if you have House Sparrows, you will not have Eastern Bluebirds nor other desirable native songbirds. Byron Baldwin by Nancy O. Albert Byron Baldwin has been making photographs since 1970. He finished his graduate work at Ohio University in 1972 and has since lived

in Charlotte, NC. He was a founding member of The Light Factory in 1973 and taught photography at Myers Park High School and at area colleges including CPCC for forty years. His work has been exhibited widely and is included in the collections of the High Museum in Atlanta, Bank of America, the Library of Congress, R.J. Reynolds Corporation, the State Museum of South Carolina, The Mint Museum, The Levine Museum of the New South, Wells Fargo Bank and numerous private collections. His book “The 521 All-Stars, the people pages

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A Championship Story of Baseball and Community” was published in 1999. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants, and is represented by The Hodges Taylor Gallery in Charlotte. In 2012 he received the Cato, Arts and Science Council Lifetime Achievement Award for Teaching. You can see more of his work at http:// byronbaldwinphotography. com/index.cf. Long story, really short by Lisa Rubenson It’s rare that we get a message on our home phone anymore. 24

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When we do, it’s usually the disembodied voice of the CVS “your refill is ready for pickup” guy. So, when I heard that author Mona Simpson would be judging Round 10 of NPR’s “Three-Minute Fiction” contest, and that the prompt was to tell a story in the form of a voicemail, I decided to go for it. I’ve been known to cover a lot of ground in a stream-ofconsciousness voicemail. For my story, I played with the idea of self-censorship. I wanted the speaker/caller to have a lot of baggage to contend with as she tries to say one simple thing, “I’m sorry for

your loss.” Through a series of mostly unsent messages, she accidentally tells a story that the listener will never hear. Getting the voicemail from the NPR producer telling me I had won was quite the “lifestamp” moment. I played it a few times just to be sure. I went to the studios at WFAE and talked to Mona Simpson (in NY) and Guy Raz (in DC) on “All Things Considered.” When it aired, my family and I sat around the radio like a scene out of the 1930s. In addition to receiving copies of Simpson’s work, my story will appear in the spring issue of the Paris Review. I

Kelly tire photo: Byron Baldwin. Opposite photo (toilet): Nancy. O. Albert

never thought I’d type that sentence––pretty heady stuff for an aspiring fiction writer. Some other nice things have happened as a result of winning the contest. My husband (my favorite writer), kids and my parents reacted as though I’d just won the Presidency. I heard from friends and family members, as well as people I didn’t know, who told me they were moved by the story. For better or worse, I think the story inspired some listeners to make a few calls to old loves. Pam Kelley at the Observer did a generous story on the win, as did Natalie Joy Howard for Creative Loafing. An American actress living in Europe heard the piece, and we’re now working together to take the story even further. I’ve been a freelance (mostly marketing) writer for a long time, but I’ve only just started sending my fiction work out there. I’m glad I took a chance and stepped out of my comfort zone, and I hope this win inspires others to pursue their creative interests. I heard this week that two friends submitted stories for Round 11. Maybe “going for it” is contagious! Read the full text of “Sorry for Your Loss” on the NPR website: www.npr.org/ 2013/03/09/173722517/ sorry-for-your-loss

Creativity by Frances L. D’Amato Creativity sometimes happens when we need a solution to a present problem. The bombing of the Boston Marathon has touched us all. The editors of Boston Magazine were faced with putting out the May issue and decided to collect the shoes of runners who had participated in the Marathon. They arranged the shoes in the form of a large heart and then interviewed contributors. One woman said she was running to the finish line when she heard the bomb explode. She ran the other way for about two miles and lived to talk about it. The runners who lost their limbs will never wear some shoes again. The heart surrounded by all the shoes illustrates the effect of the bombs on so many innocent people. In his work Art of Thought, published in 1926, Wallas presented one of the first models of the creative process. In the Wallas stage model, creative insights and illuminations may be explained by a process consisting of 5 stages: preparation, incubation, intimation, illumination and verification.

Jobs at Apple brought us into the 21st Century with all the mobile devices: I-Phones and I-Pods. Today it is said more pictures are taken on I-Pods than with cameras. I wonder how many of us would have imagined that when the mobile phone was first introduced. Our own local transportation system took a creative turn with the blue line. Our wise leaders realized that we really couldn’t ever build enough roads to accommodate the growing population, especially during rush hours when people would all be trying to get to the same place at the same time. Hopefully, other links will be built instead of more lanes, especially toll lanes. Think about your own creative process. How do you organize plants to enjoy color year-round? We do live in a beautiful area – be creative.

The stories of Steve Jobs’ creativity tend to confirm the model above. This is the ten-year anniversary of the I-Pod. Some cannot remember listening to music via cassettes, reel to reel, or records. Steve the people pages

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