VIVAcini

Page 1

July 13, 2012

13.07.2012

Becky Brooks of RVCC Furr Ball 2012 The Adobe

Serving southern New Mexico . . . and the rest of the world!


What NOT to miss!


What’s Inside NOT to Miss/Fort Stanton Live . . . 2 Helene’s Scene/Furr Ball 2012 . . . 4 In the Spotlight/Becky Brooks . . . 6 The Art Scene/The Adobe . . . 8 Pete’s Perspective/Being Alone . . . 10 Exclamation Point/Rebirth . . . 12

VIVAcini is published by

O. Helene Kobelnyk. An abbreviated version, information about advertising rates, and a link for PDF and ipad downloads is available at

I

In the Spotlight: Becky Brooks, Executive Director of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce. (Cover photo by O. Helene Kobelnyk)

www.vivacini.com

Logo design by Gregory Sarber of Creative Partners www.creativepartnersnm.com All content, photographs and artwork are the intellectual property of the contributing author, photographer and/or artist and are protected under copyright law. Reproduction of any part of this e-zine without the express permission of the author, photographer and/or artist and publisher is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved.

Photo Montage of Lincoln County Humane Society’s glamorous and successful fundraiser, Furr Ball 2012


Helene’s

Scene

Glitz and Glamour at Furr Ball 2012

Award-winning design with impeccable customer care

www.creativepartnersnm.com


Photography by O. Helene Kobelnyk Š2012 Additional Furr Ball photos at www.ohkphotography.net/


In

the

Spotlight

Becky Brooks Home, at last. . .

Becky Brooks, Executive Director of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce grew up in the suburbs of Houston called Spring Branch Memorial Villages. Back in the ’60s, visitors were greeted by a landscaped, grassy knoll in the shape of a circle. Becky laughed as she remembered that she and her siblings called it “the world.” “Whenever we rode our bikes there, we said we were ‘going around the world.’” Because her neighborhood was not part of the Houston school district, many families bought and built homes in that area so that their children could go to school there. Even though there were 800 in her graduating class, Becky was close to her classmates because the children stayed together from kindergarden until graduation. “It was a blessing to grow up there. I have many of the same friends today that I had when I was seven.” In Becky’s words, her home could only be described as a beautiful work of art since her father came from a long line of stone masons. “My father was a remarkable stone mason—you can always spot his work, his style.” She recalled how her grandfather first became a stone mason. “When he left the service, my grandfather went to work for Ford Motor Company in Michigan and fell in love with my grandmother. They must have been about 16-18 years old. When my grandfather asked for my grandmother’s hand in marriage, her father, who was a stone mason, told him that he needed to get a trade first because there was no future in automobiles. So he became a stone mason so he could marry my grandmother, and he taught all his sons the trade.”

From the age of seven until she was sixteen years old, Becky was a “King’s Daughter” in her family’s church— a local chapter of the International Order of King’s Sons and Daughters—a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to education, and doing good works. “We did Bible study and memorized whole passages from it, like Romans 8 (‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, Jesus. . .’). My heart was set on going to Florida Bible College, --I planned to graduate and become a missionary—until life intervened!” So, it was off to Texas Tech in Lubbock where she took courses in child psychology and sociology. During her junior year at Texas Tech, a friend suggested a weekend visit to Ruidoso.


“I am totally passionate about Ruidoso and Lincoln County. I want our chamber members to know the level of commitment I have to them and their needs.” (Becky Brooks)

“By that Monday, I had a job working as a nanny. I had my own cabin and a yellow Gremlin to tool around in. It was heaven and the beginning of my love affair with Ruidoso and Lincoln County.” She met Jeff Kenny in 1973 at the local hang-out, “The Buckaroo.” They married and had two sons. For the next twelve years, Becky raised her sons; ran a sandwich shop specializing in homemade bread, (“The Good Earth” in Midtown); ran a publication, “Mothering Magazine;” and worked as a waitress at Tinnie’s: “Back in its hey-dey, when Robert O Anderson owned it, it was the place to be and work at. No one ever quit or left. . . .I was the first server hired there in 17 years when I replaced 75-year-old Dot. The bartender had been there 25 years!” In 1985, family issues forced her to return to Houston, where she set out to support herself and her two boys. “I opened a marketing research com-

pany—I just dreamt about it one night.” Brooks Marketing Research (BMR) was a business-to-business marketing company “with expertise in marketing the various standards of ISO certifications working for The American Bureau of Shipping and LRQA, a division of Lloyd’s of London. Other clients included Fisher Imaging one of the first companies to manufacture full-field digital mammography and non-invasive Stereotactic equipment.” For 15 years, BMR thrived, employing up to 30 employees until Becky realized in 2001, “That I just wanted to go home—to Ruidoso.” So she gave it all up and returned to Lincoln County figuring that BMR would replicate its Houston successes here. However, before long, she realized what many small business people in town lament at one time or another: “It was very hard to find qualified, reliable people—and you just can’t make it without a good staff.”

The transition, according to Becky, was relatively smooth. “I had the expertise because of my business background and I knew and understood the workings of a member-driven organization like the chamber. “ She describes her leadership style as “very hands on, not just with my staff but with the board and of course, I let it be known that I have an opendoor policy with the community.” “Right now, in the aftermath of the Little Bear Fire, our county needs a lot of healing. In the meantime, my goal is to find out what our members want, and how we can serve them better. I am totally passionate about Ruidoso and Lincoln County. I want our chamber members to know the level of commitment I have to them and their needs.”

Becky regrouped, got her New Mexico real estate license and hung out her shingle: “Brooks Mountain Realty.” Real estate was good to her until the boom and economic downturn. In 2008 she segued from real estate to the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, where she was hired as office manager.

Becky quoted a passage that she says personifies her ethic in interacting with board members, her staff and those she serves: “Trust each other enough to agree to disagree so you can come to a consensus and make a commitment— then, hold each other accountable so that our goals can come to fruition.”

Becky’s years there were characterized by a revolving door of executive directors. By the spring of 2011, Becky was named interim executive director and in March of 2012, was officially named executive director by the board of the RVCC.

Living a life of gratitude and service to others is huge with Becky: “I wouldn’t know what to do without work. I consider this job, my sons, and my life a great gift—I feel very blessed and I want to be a blessing to this community.”


The Art Scene

The Adobe

A Fine Art Paradise Walking into The Adobe for the fine art lover is analogous to a child walking into a toy store. The visual array of lights, colors and lifelike sculptures is almost intoxicating. A seven-foot tall sculpture of a woman who seems to be reaching for the stars in an elegantly dynamic yet determined pose, is the first to solicit the attention and subsequent admiration of the gallery visitor. The main entry room can only be described as mesmerizing with its displays of brilliant colors and dramatic artwork from realistically saturated Southwest landscapes and unique Native American themed works, to stunning abstracts where subtle filaments of brilliance are neatly and deliberately tucked within the deep folds and ridges of oils. The track lighting is strategically placed to draw the visitor’s eyes to unique specimens such as the works of high desert painter, Walt Gonske, the dramatic 60 X 42 oil masterpiece, “Springtime”, by Philip Hermogenes Calderon from the late 1800’s, or to the delicate cast paper/fiber sculpture of Allen and Patty Eckman, whose work is part of the permanent art collection of the White House. Many works are tastefully clustered around themes, and even

though every space in each of the exhibit rooms seems to be filled with incredible art pieces, the atmosphere remains classy and uncluttered. The Adobe first opened its doors in April 1999 under the proprietorship of John and Annie Houghton. According to the Houghtons, “We love the arts and wanted to be a part of not only the global art world, but of our local art community. Artists are fascinating people and it’s amazing to see

how they express themselves in such beautiful artwork.” The mission of The Adobe is to bring superb art and artists of national and regional prominence to Ruidoso and Lincoln County. The Houghtons believe that fine art is crucial to a first class resort community such as Ruidoso and work tirelessly and cheerfully toward that endeavor.


Visitors are always welcome and greeted with a warm smile and a cup of fresh, organic coffee. For a more exquisite and personal experience, the gallery includes a light room for viewing select paintings under various light intensities. “It’s amazing to see how different hues and tones of a painting come to life when the light is softened or dimmed. It’s as if the painting is alive,” says Annie Houghton.

With works from local as well as internationally collected artists, the gallery ambience can be likened to that of a museum. Not surprisingly, The Adobe has earned accolades among artists worldwide and has been selected as Best Art Gallery in Lincoln County. A noticeable thread of sophistication and impeccable taste weaves its way throughout the rich collection of paintings, sculptures, pottery, antiquities and jewelry. John Houghton is the gallery’s primary collector, aficionado and procurer. When asked about her husband’s talent for recognizing and appreciating fine art, Annie replied that it is something he inherited from his parents, who were art collectors. “He grew up among beautiful art and developed a very keen eye for it. John learned how to discern and assess quality art pieces. Being surrounded by such beauty is very stimulating for both of us and certainly enhances our world.”

When asked about their personal favorites, the Houghtons admitted that they would be hard-pressed to choose, but cited Tom Darrah as one of this region’s most heavily-collected artists. “He has been a professional artist for over forty years and spent the majority of his career painting the landscapes and missions of New Mexico.” Not limited to two-dimensional and decorative artwork and in keeping with New Mexico’s rich silver jewelry heritage, The Adobe also features some of the finest silversmiths in the world. Many of the jewelry pieces are one-of-akind, handmade and signed. The jewelry ranges from intricate to bold, and some pieces can even be considered “wearable sculptures.” The Adobe also sponsors an artist-in-residence and the Houghtons expressed their gratitude specifically to all the outstanding artists and jewelers who consistently work their hearts out.

The Houghtons gradually expanded their location on 2905 Sudderth to three large gallery rooms with a total exhibition space of 4000 square feet.

Limited Edition Fine Art Prints www.helenekobelnyk.net

“Because of them, we have a constant stream of new art work, jewelry, and decorative items arriving almost daily.” More information about The Adobe and their featured artists can be found on their website at www.theadobefineart.com and visitors are graciously welcome to peruse the gallery at their convenience.

Article and Photos by O. Helene Kobelnyk ©2012

Rent this space for your website with interactive hyperlinks advertising@vivacini.com


Pete’s

Perspective

Being Alone The “sum - 1 -cares” Club My life is more interesting than many of you can imagine, mostly because of the people who cross my path and partly because I’ve died several times. So I’ve developed a pretty unique perspective on the human condition, life in general, and specifically, the simple act of giving. Why giving? Because it is so easily done and the ramifications can be far reaching. I do not drive because of sudden cardiac arrest and holding down a nine to five job is impossible simply because there is a limited job market for a broken down old man with a pacemaker, heart and diabetes problems. My discretionary funds are severely limited due to the aforementioned job market. It also seems that my ship, instead of sailing in on the lottery has been held up for an in depth customs inspection. In short, the desire in me to give far outweighs my means to do it, and I’m betting that there are many of you in the same boat.

Actually, I strongly believe in the saying that each should give according to his or her MEANS. Well, I am a photographer. I am able to walk around and shoot many things. Over the years I’ve amassed what I consider an attractive collection of images of landscapes, flowers, wildlife and other boons of Mother Nature. I upload the images that I like the best to an online photo center so I can print them out later. So, in terms of “giving according to means”, I consider my Nikon camera to be the source of my means. While my wife and I enjoy looking at the photos and I post some of them to online galleries and forum, I have always had the feeling I could do more with them. For the past few months on a weekly basis, I go with my wife to Wal-Mart and get an inexpensive floating image frame in 11X14. I’ll pick out one of my favorite

shots, like the one shown here and have it printed, usually in 8X10. My total cost for both the frame and the photo is anywhere from $6 to $8 dollars One of my friends collects the names and addresses of elderly homebound people who are on a fixed income. I figure that they don’t always have the opportunity or ability to go out in a garden or sit by a nice little stream or lake. So why not give them a photograph to brighten their days and remind them that the world is still a beautiful place. Between the two of us we manage to get the framed picture delivered and


I could give $6 or $8 to a charity with a lot less effort and the results would be minimal at best. It may pay for postage to mail out requests for donations. But giving a framed print will have the effect of giving the gift of YOU to a complete stranger. When I do this, I prefer to not know who gets the gift nor do I want to meet them. I know this sounds haughty but that is not the reason. I make sure that my name and address are not anywhere on the image or frame, because if it does, it creates an expectation in the recipient and the giver. It’s not necessary for anyone to know or even understand why I do this. It’s not for the recognition. I have always believed the most sincere form of giving is when it’s done anonymously. Let’s face it. We humans tend to be somewhat arrogant, especially when it comes to our creations. We give away some of our photos or art, and a few months later, are whining about not getting even a ‘thank you.’ Everyone reading this has a special gift that can be shared with someone else. It may be as simple as a jar of jam and a loaf of home-made bread. It can be as complex as helping a shut in get in touch with a relative they have not talked with in a long time. Laptops are portable and so is Wifi. All you have to start with is the desire. If you think that you have absolutely no givable skill at all, then you are the perfect person to just sit and listen to someone who needs the company. The entire point to this is to let other people know that they are not alone. So that’s my “Sum 1 Cares” Club, and you’re all invited to join. Have a wondrous day!

This is a 1/8 page ad space. It can be yours . . . check out details at www.vivacini.com

Article and photos by Peter Brickey © 2012 pete@vivacini.com

Call for Submissions

Please feel free to express yourself! Those interested in submitting their creativity (articles, polemics, promotional, photography, artwork, etc.) for publication in VIVAcini, please submit via email to: Helene Kobelnyk at ohk@valornet.com Articles should be in the 500-600 word range, and emailed as Worddoc attachments Photos must be high resolution, 200-300 dpi and submitted as jpgs.VIVAcini will come out on Fridays so please “get us your stuff ” no later than the previous Tuesday at 12noon. THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF VIVAcini -- where a sense of community takes flight, and knows no bounds!


{exclamation point}

Rebirth

The relationship between an editor and a writer is tenuous and it takes time to foster the necessary trust and respect. An editor needs to possess not only impeccable grammatical expertise and writing skills, but also the ability to glean the gist of a written piece and modify it as little as possible and only to clarify and enhance. An editor also needs to be creative, open-minded and intelligent. Working with an editor can be a nightmare or a blessing. For me it was the latter. I was lucky to have been able to work with a talented, patient and perceptive editor who helped me hone my skills and talents and who always undersood the meaning of my written work. What is sad and unfortunate is when such gifted and creative people find themselves working for ego-driven corporate hierarchies, and despite toxic and hostile work environments still manage to produce quality work out of love for their craft or art. It’s oxymoronic to group “creativity” with “corporation” in one sentence, especially when the first line of a corporation’s mission statement emphasizes “profitability.” Someone’s intellectually property means as little to them as the welfare of the rank and file. Their “ethic” amounts to “getting blood out of a stone for as little money as possible.” So things change and people move on because eventually, they need to preserve the integrity of their souls. That includes writers, artists, photographers and editors. We lost any semblance of a “local”, community-centered newspaper a long time ago, and that is the impetus for this online, printon-demand magazine, VIVAcini. It is intended to be a vehicle for all the talented artists and writers who want a place to share their gifts and be honored and appreciated instead of being expected to cater to some corporate “bottom line.” An ending is always the opportunity for a new beginning. I, for one, will continue to seek out, write about and photograph the wonders of our various communities, because I love it! Who knows where this will lead. In any case, I hope it will be fun and enjoyable for those who contribute their art, photography and writing, and informative, entertaining and beneficial for our readers. I thank this gifted editor who helped me grow as a writer. Some may know her and others may not realize how instrumental she was in creating something out of nothing . Most importantly, she knows how much she is appreciated and what an inspiration she continues to be to many of us creative folks and to the larger community. So, here’s to new beginnings and the pioneer spirit! Cheers, VIVAcini!

Until next time,

e n e l He


Next issue of VIVAcini will be available Friday, July 20th and here’s a sampling of next week’s features: A canine behavior specialist will answer your questions about your dog’s health and behavior . . . International Cuisine Community Calendar of Events Senior Moments Hyperlink listing for galleries and businesses

Lightmaster Photography Seminars Learning how to recognize, capture and create magical light for all your photographs Monday

July 23, 2012

3:30 - 6:30

“Setting Up High-Speed Captures”

plus more!

Bookmark and subscribe at www.vivacini.com Registration Required 575.354.2599


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.