Niche: July- August Issue

July-August 2013

Niche

A Niche Webazine Publication

“Finding your niche in life.�

Summer Fashions Health and Beauty

Inside this Issue:

Bands to check out Helping out in your community Book Review Healthy Cooking Places to go: Art edition Health and Beauty Business Blog: How to make it work with stress.

Surviving Stress Movie Reviews Fresh Faces Literary Corner

Featured: Omnia Studios Sabine Rosch Aurora Christopher Ledford Thomas Wallace Share my Seacret

World War Z This is The End

Cover photo and inside cover photo provided by: Sabine Rosch

Sabine Rosch

World War Z Review Written by Rusheena Boone

Marc Forster puts a new spin on the dreaded

zombie apocalypse in his film “World War Z”, based on the novel by Max Brooks. “World War Z” follows Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt), a former United Nations employee, who is forced out of retirement to find a cure for an epidemic of mysterious origins that turns its victims into bloodthirsty zombies. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to watching this movie, but it actually turned out to better than I expected.

It’s surprisingly not as cliché as you’d think a zombie flick should be, and despite the film deviating almost completely from the novel, the story is engaging and very easy to follow. However, you might have a hard time believing a few of those clichés we all know and love, like how quickly the post-apocalyptic scenarios began.

The zombies had barely ravaged the entire city, before the looting broke out. The lack of gore (even for a PG-13 movie) was also very surprising, giving the genre, but that’s good news for parents, who may have been worried about bringing their children along to the theater.

There weren’t as many plot holes as I anticipated, but there were far too many stale moments that could’ve been cut, without affecting the story. For instance, Gerry’s wife (Mireille Enos) and kids (Sterling Jerins and Abigail Hargrove) don’t really serve a purpose. They make you more sympathetic towards Pitt’s character, yet all three of them are one-dimensional. They provide hardly any conflict in his race against time, and you rarely see them throughout the entire movie. All of the actors performed well enough, with what they were given, but it’s pretty obvious that there wasn’t much thought put into any of the supporting characters.

Speaking of the obvious, let’s get to the zombies.

While it’s clear that the editor was CGI-happy, the zombies are more than just a pile of rapidly moving computer graphics, like the trailer portrays. Their interactions with humans are

somewhat original, and their hyper speed adds a new dynamic to the trademark zombie characteristics. Will it stick? Probably not. But it’s definitely memorable. On the other hand, some of the most intense scenes only involve a handful of zombies and the main characters; so, let’s hope that the editor will learn that less is more, if he edits the sequel (Yep, there’s already a sequel in the works).

I’d give “World War Z” three stars. It’s a solid “B movie,” but that’s all it is. If you can ignore some of the oddities and repetition of the plot and get over the fact that Pitt’s character is probably the only interesting one in the movie, it’s an enjoyable popcorn movie; however, it doesn’t do much for a theater experience. I caught plenty of “z’s” during the movie, and the most memorable moment was when I spent $6 on a small drink. I’d recommend buying on “World War Z” on DVD or Blue Ray, but I wouldn’t rush to spend my money just yet. The summer blockbuster season is still going strong, and I have a feeling that there will be better movies coming out soon.

This is the End: Review Written by Rusheena Boone

An ensemble cast of comedy all-stars bring

the funny, as the world spirals out of control, in the film “This is the End.” Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, writers of “Pineapple Express” and “Superbad,” team up again to write and direct their version of the Rapture, set in the “City of Angels.” Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Jonah Hill, and Danny McBride have to band together in order to survive the Apocalypse. Their friendship and loyalty will be put to the test, as outside forces and dissention within the group threaten their lives at every turn.

Although Rogen and his crew are all playing themselves, “This is the End” isn’t a vanity project; in fact, all of the characters poke fun at themselves and their real work that wasn’t well-received at the box office. While crude comedy has become very popular, especially with young audiences, this film isn’t for everyone. There’s a lot of toilet humor, pot smoking, genital references, and homoeroticism, even for an R-rated movie. So, if you aren’t a fan of brash or raunchy comedy, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise.

Nonetheless, it’s very enjoyable, and the cast delivers, with their signature styles. Although in some of their older work, their comedic styles, while unique, seemed to mesh together, but in “This is the End,” every character is brings something new to the table, despite all of them playing exaggerated versions of themselves. It’s very much like a horror film, where each character is an archetype, except it comes off naturally in the film. Today, most comedic horror movies fall flat, but this film is most definitely not one of them.

I give “This is the End” 3 and a half stars. Rogen, Franco, Baruchel, and the rest of the usual

suspects are on their “A game.” It’s obvious that they put some effort into this film and didn’t want to focus to be completely on them, not an easy feat for a cast playing themselves. This is a great movie to buy on DVD or Blue Ray and watch with your friends on any occasion. So, don’t hesitate to pick it up at your local movie store or wherever movies are sold, as soon as it hits the shelves. .

From the Scroll of Alana: The Delve

By: Christopher Ledford

“Simply Riveting!”

- Niche Webazine Rated 9-10 stars

“Amazing detail and story line!”

Written by a local Georgia Writer, From the Scroll of Alana: The Delve, Book One; takes you into a world of fantasy, filled with action and adventure. Christopher Ledford, takes his reader on an adventure they will not forget. Be sure to check out the first book in his series which is sure to leave you wanting more. The second book in his series is also available for your reading enjoyment. To find your copy of these new and ground breaking books you can follow Christopher on Facebook or purchase them directly from Amazon.com Cover Art: Concept and Line Art by Linton Broad, Colors and Inks by Yana

Health and Beauty A

re you curious about health and beauty care and tips? I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Catherine Nikkel and I am a mother (among many other things) out of the Toronto, Canada area of this fine world.

Like many women (and men alike), I have spent many hours reading magazine articles on health and beauty, trying out various workout regimens and healthy eating programs, I’ve experimented with makeup, sought out the latest fashions, meditated, and much more. I am sure you can relate. As humans, we generally want to look and feel our best and I am going to suggest it starts with the basics.

I invite you on this journey with me through Niche, to venture into various tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts, myths and facts, home remedies versus store bought and much more. I invite you to contact me with questions you may need answers to, or tips we can share with others.

I hope to cover anything and everything under the health and beauty umbrella – which is a huge one believe me! When I posted “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “health & beauty?”, the answers ranged from stores like Shoppers Drug Mart, people’s names, healthy diet, exercise, and so on.

I look forward to joining the Health and Beauty team here and covering these topics with you!

A little about what I bring to the table... I am a woman who has struggled with weight since the birth of my son 15 years ago. In the past couple years, I have found things that worked and other things that didn’t help me with this battle. Yes, a battle. Obesity is a war worth fighting. A year ago I made a commitment; I have lost 60+ pounds, rejoined a gym and feeling a million times better physically and in turn, emotionally. I tried multiple fad diets from no carbohydrates to high protein intake and so on. I needed a lifestyle change was the truth!

I am also an agent with an amazing skin care company based out of the US and now expanding to Canada, Mexico, South Korea and more to come! I am a firm (pun intended) believer, that physical beauty starts with proper skin care. The products I use and promote are natural products based out of the Dead Sea in the Himalayas – they speak for themselves. (www.sharemyseacret.com is my website – please connect with me on how you can save 40-60% OFF retail prices) I believe in helping and empowering one another – and this is where the “beauty from within” comes in!

Lastly, I am a child and youth worker, working with high risk teenagers in an educational environment. I am truly passionate about what I do, and a lot of self care that takes place with this career will work well in terms or stress management, personal development and overall well being.

I can’t express enough how excited I am to embark on this journey with all of you and please feel free to connect with me through social media or feel free to email me at catherinenikkel@gmail.com with any questions, comments or topics you would love to see covered!

Ways a Facebook Fan Page can help your business

By Catherine Nikkel

F

acebook is an online social networking service that connects people around the world. Presently, there are over one billion active users (8.7% suggested to be fake profiles – leaving 91.3% “real”). For those of you people who like numbers – 91.3% of one billion people leaves you with 910,000,000 potential customers for your business.

Puts a whole new perspective on Facebook Fan Pages and business doesn’t it?

Allow me to take this opportunity and outline for your several ways that a Fan Page with Facebook can help your business on a variety of levels – and why waiting, could hurt you in the long term. By the way, a Facebook Fan Page is a webpage specific to a business or organization rather than a person. What’s also unique about this platform is people do not need to have or be logged into a Facebook profile to access these pages – in turn, increasing your exposure even more.

Catherine’s Top 5 Suggested Ways a Facebook Fan Page can help your business 1.

Allows you to engage with your community (customers, prospects, etc) at no cost In a matter of minutes, you can have a branded Facebook Fan Page where millions of users can visit your page, post on your timeline, share testimonials, post pictures/videos and engage with others about your products and services. This type of interaction will also help reign in those customers that may have been curious about your product and needed some convincing (peer pressure, maybe). This page can create a forum for Questions & Answers, suggestions, favourite products, moments, and much more. You may also want to consider using this page to promote a Giveaway you’re hosting or specials/deals.

2.

Drives traffic to your existing website Facebook (fan pages included) has no restrictions on sending traffic from your Facebook pages to your own website, or any website for that matter. In fact,

it’s encouraged to link your business accounts to your Fan Page. Something also important to note, is the traffic is essentially “pre-qualified” traffic you will see on your site via your fan page. Turn customers into fans and fans into customers – consider linking widgets to both your website and Fan Page.

3.

Builds and strengthens customer service/relations Not only can you connect with your customers/prospects on a social media level, rather than business, but a personable one. Avoid selling/pitching on your Fan Page – now, this does not mean don’t share your deals, specials and promotions, instead avoid the “buy now” replace it with – visit my website! Interaction is key here – appear interested in who your customer is as a person instead of solely a consumer.

These relationships alone will help the branding of your business, in turn, sales.

4.

Creates another space for your business on the world wide web As previously mentioned above, anyone can locate your Fan Page on the internet with a search. Anyone can view your Fan Page – meaning – they do not need to be signed into a Facebook profile to do so.

Those browsing your page may include future clients, employees, media, competitors, and so on. Take advantage of this kind of exposure.

5.

ROI metrics are readily available Facebook’s page insights, provides the analysis of marketing and communication that occurs on your Fan Page. Interactions include page likes, picture/ post likes, comments, etc. The page insights also breakdown the demographics of those who interact on your page – gender, ages, geographic location, etc.

This tool (also free) plays a very key role in determining the effectiveness of these Fan Pages – it will assist in how and who to target – even what time of day is best to post. You may also choose to utilize these findings down the road where you may choose to “promote your posts” (creating a Facebook ad to draw attention to the post or page).

I trust that this information will help you in finding the value in a Facebook Fan Page! Given the ease in creating a Facebook Fan Page you could be up and running in no time! If time is difficult, you could also consider hiring someone to do one for you!

Business Blog: How to make it work with stress by.Cathrine Nikkel

Perhaps this is an ironic statement, could there be healthy stress?

Perhaps for some this simply doesn’t make sense, and that could be because we’re not familiar with that terminology. Stress is a fact of daily life and is the result of both the good and bad things that happen. Too much stress can cause serious health concerns, but there are many ways of dealing with stress that can reduce your risk.

Getting married, changing jobs, travelling, a first date, etc …. ALL of these positive “life events” bring stress, healthy stress.

Bottom line when it comes to that word stress, if you have never felt it – you are not alive. Everyone feels stress. When you find an event stressful, your body undergoes a series of responses. These come in three stages: Mobilizing Energy Your body releases adrenaline, your heart beats faster and you start to breathe more quickly. Both good and bad events can trigger this reaction.

Consuming Energy Stores If you remain in the mobilizing energy stage for a period of time, your body begins to release stored sugars and fats. You will then feel driven, pressured and tired. You may drink more coffee, smoke more and drink more alcohol. You may also experience anxiety, negative thinking or memory loss, catch a cold or get the flu more often than normal.

Draining Energy Stores If you do not resolve your stress problem, your body’s need for energy will become greater than its ability to provide it. At this stage, you may experience insomnia, errors in judgement and personality changes. You may also develop a serious illness such as heart disease or be at risk of mental illness. ….While some people may appear to thrive on it

there still exist a risk factor for some diseases …

Not good – however – knowing ways of reducing the negative effects of stress as a result turning this into healthy stress is key!

“Stress is a burst of energy,” says psychiatrist Dr. Lynne Tan of Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. “It’s our body telling us what we need to do.”

Could you call this healthy stress?

Increasingly, researchers are probing the upside of stress. Some believe short-term boosts of it can strengthen the immune system and protect against some diseases of aging like Alzheimer’s by keeping the brain cells working at peak capacity. People who experience moderate levels of stress before surgery have a better recovery than those with high or low levels, another study showed. Recently, a study suggested that stress could help prevent breast cancer because it suppresses the production of estrogen.

And earlier this year, research out of Johns Hopkins found that children of mothers who had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol during pregnancy were developmentally ahead of those of women with lower levels. (nbcnews.com) “What we can do is change the way our brains respond to [stress] with coping techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and exercise,” says Dr. Bruce Rabin, a professor of pathology and psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

“Focus the energy like a laser beam on what you need to do,” says Tan. “Very successful people, rather than feeling disempowered, take the extra stress energy … and make it into a high-energy, positive situation.”

Learning to deal with stress effectively is a worthwhile effort, even if you already consider yourself capable of handling anything life sends your way.

Many of the most common long-term stressors— family illness, recovery after injury, career pressures—often arise without warning and simultaneously. Stress management is particularly valuable if your family has a history of hypertension and other forms of heart disease.

Identify the cause. You may find that your stress arises from something that’s easy to correct. A psychologist can help you define and analyse these stressors, and develop action plans for dealing with them. This is a recommended course of action should you find the stress is becoming too much.

Monitor your moods. If you feel stressed during the day, write down what caused it along your thoughts and moods. Again, you may find the cause to be less serious than you first thought.

Make time for yourself at least two or three times a week. Even ten minutes a day of “personal time” can help refresh your mental outlook and slow down your body’s stress response systems. Turn off the phone, spend time alone in your room, exercise, or meditate to your favourite music.

Walk away when you’re angry. Before you react, take time to mentally regroup by counting to 10. Then look at the situation again. Walking or other physical activities will also help you work off steam.

Analyze your schedule. Assess your priorities and delegate whatever tasks you can (e.g., order out dinner after a busy day, share household responsibilities). Eliminate tasks that are “shoulds” but not “musts.”

Set reasonable standards for yourself and others.

Don’t expect perfection.

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes; it’s how you learn to deal with it.

Questions, comments, feedback – your own insights, please email me catherinenikkel@gmail.com or connect with me on Social Media.

m m u S

n o i h s a er F

Create Art in your own home.

- Jess Atkinson

Photo pinned on pintrest: pinterest.com/JessicaLAtkins/

O

ften we look to add a sense of style and flair to our homes, but sometimes it can be hard to find that perfect piece that really speaks to you. What do you do when that happens? An easy solution that the whole family can get involved with is re-purposing old furniture. Go to the flea market or your local yard sales and look for pieces that can be easily sanded down and painted.

5: Create and have fun, your imagination is key to this. Allow your children to have fun with this step, putting sponges and finger/hand prints around the piece for that unique but treasured touch.

What you will need: Sand Paper Paint (colors of your choice. Can be spray paint if you like but make sure you spray it outside or in a well ventilated area.)

Brushes Sponges Stencils Tarp or painters plastic

7: Enjoy your new work of art with functionality in your home.

Steps: 1: Sand down the piece you have chosen to work with. Make sure the surface is smooth to the touch, unless you want the distressed look to the paint. If you do want that type of look, sand till the layers of the furniture peak through and there are still some rough patches on the surface.

2: Place the piece of furniture on a tarp or painters plastic.

3: Ready the colors or type of paint you want to use.

4: If you use stencils make sure you tape them into place before painting. Or if you want to use them last allow the painted area to dry before placing the stencils on the furniture.

6: Allow the furniture to dry. If you used acrylics you may want to spray on enamel to keep the colors vibrant for a long time.

Niche | Webazine - 1205 Third Street Perry Ga, 31069 - Tel 478-987-7750- www.nichewebazine.comnichepublication@gmail.com- www.facebook.com/nichewebazine

Look for these current publications

The Nightside Series Review

by Libby Crisps

“The Nightside Series” Author: Simon R Green “In the Nightside, the night never ends.

Hidden away in the dark, magical heart of London, dreams go walking in borrowed flesh, and temptation and salvation are always on sale. You can find anything you want in the Nightside, if it doesn’t find you first.” – Introduction from: The Unnatural Inquirer A set of 12 books written by Simon R Green of London, the Nightside series features a detective who couldn’t find a clue if someone held it in front of his face, who never leaves home without his pockets full of condiments, and who has an unerring ability to offend, astound, and amaze everyone he meets.

This unusual character, John Taylor, is a resident of the Nightside – a dark and twisted version of London where men, gods, aliens, the living, the dead, and the “mortality challenged” meet in an endless search for their most secret desires.

the Nightside with a bullet in his back.

With rather fatalistic cheer, he takes a case that will send him right back into the gaudy neon-drenched streets under a too-close moon. Through the rest of the series the reader will laugh, gasp in shock, and giggle into tears as Taylor finds himself facing down gods, running from carnivorous cars, and sending immortals to their supposedly non-existent deaths.

His companions range from a bandolierbearing leather clad blonde to a zombie who can’t die so he holds his body together with duct tape and super glue, along with transvestite super heroes, ghosts, a succubus, and legendary heroes and villains from throughout history.

The books move quickly, and keep the reader turning pages eager to find out what outrageousness will come next.

With a wry sense of humor and a fantastic way with words, Simon Green’s The series begins with “Something from books are a delightful parody of human the Nightside” where we find John Tay- nature and the foibles so readily overlor hiding in London from other worldly looked. beings who chased him out of

By Marsha Green

For twenty-five years Bill Ramsey served dozens of HIV positive and AIDS clients in the Raleigh, New York, and Miami areas as a volunteer. Ramsey sat with clients in doctors’ offices, hospitals, homes, and anywhere else a friend was needed. Because he was moved with compassion, he sometimes knew more about the men he served than some of their own family members did. He is still involved with HIV/ AIDs related issues in the gay community.

Ramsey’s love for NYC gave him pause to think of what he could do there. After researching homeless shelters and soup kitchens online, he contacted a soup kitchen in the Bronx called Part of the Solution (POTS).

Recently I had a chance to talk with him about his service and asked how he had started serving at POTS. He said, ”,”I simply phoned them and asked if I could come clean their toilets.” I laughed as he continued, “They told me they could work with me on that.” Ramsey brought a small band of people with him to not only clean toilets, but also to fix meals and organize storage. The group further encouraged the staff through their selfless giving, blessing them by letting them know that their work is valuable. Another organization Ramsey has high regard for, in the New York area, is God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD). GLWD plans to deliver over a million nutritious, individually-tailored meals this year to people who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.

Sparking interest in ourselves and those we love to reach outside of our own inner circles can be challenging. Opportunities to serve others come in all sizes. Can you serve others alone? Many hands do make light work, so one suggestion is to find others to work with. “One puts to flight a thousand; two, ten thousand.” There are many acts of kindness we can do at any given time, but making a definitive

choice to serve in our communities paints a slightly different picture. Most of us have read or have seen television spots about “paying it forward.” Little things done with the right motives can splash a smile on the face of those who just moments before seemed hopeless. I like to think of our acts of kindness progressing from random, to conscious choices, and possibly moving to a lifetime of service.

It’s a given that we are incredibly busy with our jobs, home life, and other commitments. One way we battle the tyranny of the urgent is by taking charge of the one thing we have in common; time.

Each week we have 168 hours. When any of us make the inner commitment to one or two hours a week, or even a month, we are starting on a path of altruism. This selflessness flies in the face of our tendency to be self-centered and builds character in us, our children, and also those we serve.

Taking the first step to serve others grinds fear to a fine powder which is further blown away as we gain motivation to find more opportunities to serve. When we help others, we benefit just as much.

Imagine being invisible and seeing the reaction of the family whose meal you’ve covertly paid for at a restaurant.

Striking up a conversation with someone in a checkout line can reveal far more than the obvious box of diapers young parents are paying for.

My own family has spent time with other families on a hot street corner handing out bottles of ice cold water to families on their way to or from a parade and fireworks shows on July 4th. We covered a truck bed with tarps and filled it with ice and bottles of water.

Serving in the community can evolve from one opportunity to another so if we keep our eyes open, we might find the niche we never knew would be a dream-come-true.

Bill Ramsey started out learning to serve soon after becoming a Christian as a youngster. What started as handing out invitations to church, evolved into

greeting every single customer and walking them to their cars at the grocery store where he worked as a teen. He says that he acted as though he himself was the store’s owner and this is how he thought a good store owner would be.

Over time Ramsey has cleaned churches, worked in drug-rehabilitation programs, and volunteered at Covenant House, a nationwide network that provides shelter, food, crisis care, etc. to homeless and runaway youth. Even now, he provides fried chicken dinners and hand delivers them to the homeless people in the downtown area of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

He loves his life, has served others close to fifty years, and wouldn’t change a thing.

We can’t all dedicate our lives to full-time service, but we can find those who do and support them. I recently learned that one group in Kentucky takes recycling to a wonderful new level by creating mats for homeless people using plastic grocery bags. Creative friends get together and crochet baby blankets. Why not create sleeping mats for the homeless once or twice a month instead?

Finding others to serve in this age of technology is a search engine away. The following are a few suggestions I found along the way: There are some Major League baseball teams dedicating some games to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and opportunities to serve the DAV abound on those dates. Less flamboyant, but awfully important, is the DAV’s need for help transporting veterans to one of the 172 VA hospitals across the country for treatments or appointments.

We might consider an outdoor art show for a specific cause dear to our hearts. It might take a year to plan it, giving a couple of hours each week to the task, but the service is undeniable. Keeping costs down will ensure the bulk of funds raised will go to the organization rather than overhead.

National and community levels of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) start their 2013 volunteer pro-

grams in September. We can start our children off serving others by getting them involved in OCC by letting them help pick out and fill shoe boxes with fun and necessary items for children across the globe.

Local pick-ups happen in most communities, during the week of November 18-25, for Christmas deliveries. You can plan to stop by for a couple of hours that week to help.

Another thing to consider is contacting the local police department about donating teddy bears which are provided to officers and are used when dispatched to family crisis situations to give to the children they come in contact with. You might also ask for permission to bring snacks once a month to the officers on duty. Ask police officers about organizations in your own community that could use helping hands every now and then. They’ll know more than most people where the needs truly are.

Another possible service opportunity is to gather up gently used items to donate to the Salvation Army or other local agencies.

As we enjoy the gift of giving our time, goods, and money, we set an example for our children and those we are serving. And, when our children decide to serve on their own we should be sure to make a big deal about it.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of volunteer service. Serving two hours once or twice a month can become addictive so be aware. None of us want to burn out on these excellent opportunities so we want to reevaluate every six months or so and make the changes that work best.

Part of the Solution: www.potsbronx.org.

God’s Love We Deliver: https://www.glwd.org/volunteers/overview.jsp Covenant House: http://covenanthouse.org/sem/homeless-kids-scared/?q=Bra nded&origin=DHQEI1400EBGB1&gclid=CImQnqXHyLgCFel9Ogode3cA4A &mpch=ads Instructions for making mats for the homeless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQtcpPBJc70&noredirect=1 Disabled Veterans Van Drivers: http://www.dav.org/volunteers/DriveVan.aspx Operation Christmas Child: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/ operation-christmas-child/ Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vwlocal/Programs

Sabine Rosch

Sabine Rosch

Literary Corner: Poetry byThomas Wallace

These roads we’ve traveled As dusk approaches, your shadow stretches, Your present effects your future, as your past shapes your present.

Familiar forks, new decisions, a new face, same traits, Observe the acts of the ones around you, you may find some new things about you.

Blinded by a rage from your past find the right path learn from the mistakes to better your future.

Take the U-turn of life, hindsight prepares for the future, Just know you put yourself where you are, to get away from where you were.

Take care of you, its their loss now, you’ve nothing to lose but the fears of your own mind.

Break the ice

Often in our desperation we find ourselves Longing to be in the arms of another Without thought or care for much more Than the comfort we push each other Hoping maybe we will hear the word lover We fear we may grow too close too fast Now we stand starting to wonder What is meant to last Finding clever ways to break the ice Is it really that sexist to say you look nice Here we go again throwing clever words at the wall We hope to find some weathered mortar and hear We are cowering from our thoughts still in the arms Of who we hope will someday call us lover Staring in through the frowning eyes of a smiling face Can we shine the light and found the way back to grace

River thoughts Evening lights the night The last rays of sun in the dusk sky Slowly replaced by shining stars and moonlight Trees turn into people, optical illusions Of an overactive imagination Now seeing a new light eyes dilate Fear cast aside we stand again Never failing to persevere New rays of the dawns approaching Finally seeing the silver lining The sun is out, our eyes are smiling

Spotlighting Christopher Ledford

Where to go: Editor’s Pick Art Edition

Arts & Rec: Family Event Sunday, October 13, 2013 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Believing that art and creativity is a core component of healthy human beings, vibrant neighborhoods, and thriving economies, the High invites our museum community – families, friends, and neighbors – to the launch of Arts & Rec. Arts & Rec is a day of creating, thinking, discussing, asking questions, listening to music, watching performances and, of course, looking at art! Join us for a variety of allages activities and family-friendly programs inspired by Girl with a Pearl Earring and the Golden Age of Dutch painting.

This program is free with Museum admission.

Located in Macon Georgia, The Museum of Arts and Sciences is a great place to spend the day, either alone or with family.

Events range from Classical artists and local artists, music, science activities and experiments.

EVENTS FOR THIS MUSEUM: 8/06/2013: Polar Bear Den 8/09/2013: Second Friday: Sky Over Macon 8/15/2013: Lunch and Learn: Alzheimer’s 101 9/03/2013: Polar Bear Den 9/12/2013: Lunch and Learn: Creek Indians 9/13/2013: Second Friday: Sky Over Macon 9/14/2013: Astronomical Society 9/14/2013: Reptile Rendezvous 10/01/2013: Polar Bear Den 10/03/2013: Lunch and Learn: Corrine Colarusso 10/11/2013: Second Friday: Sky Over Macon For more info about this museum, you may visit their website at: http://www.masmacon.org/

Fresh Faces: Children looking to break out into the world.

Aurora, wants to be a model.

She has talked about it since she could talk, about being a ballerina/artist/model that is.

She has been in ballet when she was 5 and she has preformed in two shows a year since.

Featuring: Aurora

Q and A with Aurora: How old are you?

A. Seven years old

What is your favorite movie?

A. Wreck-it-Ralph

What is your dream?

Is there something that you are scared A. To become a model and an actor and of? ballerina and travel around the world.

A. I don’t know anything that I would be afraid of. I might be scared of someWhat do you like to do? thing but I don’t know it yet.

A. I like to dance and try on a lot of different clothes to see if I like them.

Who protects you from it?

A. God and my family would protect Who is your role model? me if there was A. My teachers friend Ms. Darbone be- something. cause she knows a lot about dance and travels all over dancing. Also Ms. Cassy What is your favorite animal? cause I want to be a ballet teacher like A. Sea Otters, they are so cute. her too.

If you could be anything what would Is there someone famous you would you be and why? like to meet one day?

13. A cat because they get to sleep a lot.

A. Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez because I like their style and they started What is your favorite food? when they were young.

14. Tomatoes What do you want to be when you grow up?

A.Model/Dancer/Actor/Artist all at the same time

Is there someplace you would like to visit?

15. New York because that’s were models go.

Do you have a special talent?

A. Dancing and doing the splits.

Who is your favorite singer?

16. Taylor Swift, I don’t know why I just like her.

What is your favorite color?

A. PINK

Cooking with your health in mind.

Garden Salsa Original recipe makes 4 servings 3 tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup finely diced onion 5 serrano chiles, finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons lime juice

In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Chill for one hour in the refrigerator before serving.

Sesame Cod

Original recipe makes 4 servings 1 1/2 pounds cod fillets 1 teaspoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon dried tarragon 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 tablespoon sesame seeds Directions

Preheat the oven’s broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil. *Place the cod fillets on the foil, and brush with butter. Season with lemon juice, tarragon, and black pepper; sprinkle with sesame seeds. *Broil the fish in the preheated broiler until the flesh turns opaque and white, and the fish flakes easily, about 10 minutes. *

Featured Jewelry:

By Omnia Studios

Bands To Check Out -Chris Fryer

I’ve been to many concerts in my short time on this earth.

I for one enjoy live music opposed to most studio recordings. There is a freedom in the live musical performance.

Although rehearsed, a bands true nature and talent is most obvious when on a stage with nothing but their instruments.

to all the dancing and jumping around I was doing.

The Wailers are currently touring and they make their way to the south east almost every year. Be on the lookout for them because they are one live musical act to behold.

Nothing but good positive vibrations comes from this historic band. Another band that I have the joy of writing about is Sublime with Rome.

Sublime has been one of my favorite bands since I was a young teen. After the passing of their guitarist and lead singer, Bradley Nowel, the two remaining members have One band that has stood the test done other projects. However of time is The Wailers. Yes the not until recently when they band of Bob Marley fame. teamed up with a very talented Although most original memsong, guitarist who calls himbers have passed on to that self Rome have they dared play great reggae party in the sky, the infamous original Sublime the name and the sound have songs live. Anyone who is a fan kept the positive vibes alive. I of the original Sublime, owe it have had the opportunity to see themselves to see the new, not The Wailers perform live three necessarily improved but none times. the less amazing Sublime With Rome.

Each time my feet were killing Check them out! me the next day, of course due

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