MapleMama

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 20:50:00 +0000

Aidan is a Star!

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Aidan attended the "Be a STAR" banquet, recognizing students for their good school citizenship. He took the "star" part literally.

Smells like...

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:58:00 +0000

MapleMama: "Ewwww, stinky diesel truck."

minimaple: "Hmm, I smell stop sign."

MapleMama: "What does a stop sign smell like?"

minimaple: "It smells like a telephone pole."

MapleMama: "Well, what does a telephone pole smell like?"

minimaple: (exasperated tone) "It smells like a stop sign!"

Peace

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:10:00 +0000

December 2009 is a month I will not soon forget. It had all the makings of a traditional Maple family holiday season: feather-light snowfalls, a journey to a farm to chop down our tree, gatherings with family and friends, a village under the tree, wassail, music, Christmas pillowcases, etc. But this year was also very different.

My Dad fell ill at the beginning of the month and was hospitalized. It at first was due to his gall bladder pain, but focus quickly shifted to his liver failure, anemia, eventual kidney failure and heart irregularities. He tried different therapies hoping to yield enough time to receive a transplant, but Dad moved to the intensive care unit Christmas day, where he stayed for 5 days before deciding that there was little to no hope and opted to return home for his final days.

While part of me is angry that this illness could have been preventable through changes earlier in his life, the largest part of me ached to see him fighting so hard, and losing so fast. We are lucky that he was strong enough to know what he wanted in the end, could articulate his wishes with our family and the medical staff, and that all of his family was willing to follow his requests in full.

We are also blessed that my Dad was alert enough on Tuesday night to recognize that he had returned home, express his joy in being in familiar surroundings, request what would become his last meal, laugh with family and friends, and be licked from head to toe by his puppy Bailey.

My step-mother's strength was tremendous in attending to Dad's medical and personal care, and making his last days at home so comfortable. My step-sister was by her side and my Dad's through all of this as well, and for the love they both shared, I am eternally grateful.

I got to spend a considerable amount of time with my Dad during his two days at home. There was an open door policy, and friends and family were encouraged to spend time at his bedside, even when he slipped into less consciousness. On New Year's Eve, he was "asleep" most of the day, but still showed small signs of acknowledgement when people spoke to him.

Just before 8pm, he became less agitated, and his breathing relaxed a little, so we checked in with family to let them know it appeared he would have a restful night. My step-mother and I were looking through pictures when Bailey started whining in the other room. We looked over at my father and realized this pup was alerting us. My stepmother and I made it to his bedside in time to hold his hands and tell him we love him during his final breaths, precisely at 8pm.

It is a moment I will never forget. And I am grateful that my Dad is finally at peace.

Photo credit: minimaple, 4 year-old grandson

The Value of American Arts

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:21:00 +0000

Wynton Marsalis Sets New Standard During National Arts Advocacy Day

Updated 4/13/09 to include video of the lecture!

– Legendary jazz trumpeter delivers soul-stirring Nancy Hanks address, calls on Congress to invest in America’s future by bailing out culture–

“We have an embarrassment of artistic riches in trust. And we’re not collecting our inheritance.”

March 30, 2009 — Pulitzer Prize and Grammy® Award-winning musician, composer, educator and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, joined Americans for the Arts this week in Washington, D.C. to urge Congress to provide more support for the arts to help restore America’s integrity through its culture. With keen observations and a moving, interwoven tale of American music, art and cultural identity, Marsalis delivered the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy during National Arts Advocacy Day on Monday night at the Kennedy Center – where he brought a packed-house of more than 2,000 to their feet for a tear-filled, 10-minute standing ovation.

Throughout the speech, Marsalis punctuated his tale of the American experience with illustrative musical performances by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: Chris Crenshaw, Victor Goines, Carlos Henriquez, Ali Jackson and Dan Nimmer.
On Tuesday, Marsalis testified, along with GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Josh Groban and GRAMMY®-Award winning vocalist and entertainer Linda Ronstadt, at a Congressional hearing entitled “The Arts = Jobs,” where each made the case for more funding for the arts to help sustain valuable programs during the recession and beyond.
“All around the world, music links generations old and young, and cultures near and far. So, it's critical for the nation to reevaluate its priorities during this financial crisis to ensure the best aspects of American culture aren't lost to younger generations because of scarce funding,” said Marsalis, a long-time advocate for the arts and international spokesman for music education.

Wynton Marsalis: 22nd Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy from Americans for the Arts on Vimeo.

KEY SPEECH EXCERPTS:

ON THE VALUE OF AMERICAN ARTS:

“A financial inheritance can be accurately assessed in dollars, but what is the value of an artistic heritage? Who calculates the value of ‘Amazing Grace’ or ‘Yankee Doodle’ or ‘Go Down Moses’? Those spirituals were the first body of identifiable, purely American musical art…all kinds of people from all over made one through tragedy.”

“If our political and economic systems don’t serve our cultural interests, how do we rebuild those systems when they are in distress or fail?”

ON THE NEED FOR EDUCATION THROUGH A NEW CULTURAL LENS:

“We want to embrace one another, but don’t know how. And the answer is not more education, but more substantive and more culturally-rooted education. The primary justification for the value of education is not some competition with other countries for technological jobs, or to win the so-called science race, or to beat anyone. Our arts demand and deserve that we recognize the life we have lived together.”

“Now the challenge of this generation is to find the frontier of our collective souls. And though it is a soul with a history of slavery and injustice and struggle, it is a soul with freedom and striving and triumph. And you can’t get past the truth of yourself.”

“Who will have the courage to teach the most heroic songs and stories of what we have done all over this land and demand that the best of who we are be the national story?”

ON AMERICA’S 'TOGETHERNESS' THROUGH THE TIMELESSNESS OF THE ARTS:

“[Our] songs, dances, writings allow us to speak to one another across generations. They gave us an understanding of our commonality long before the DNA told us we are all part of one glorious procession.”

“At any point on the timeline of human history, there are tales to be told – of love and loss, glory and shame, profundity, and even profound stupidity, tales that deserve retelling, embellishing, and if need be, inventing from whole cloth. This is our story. This is our song. If well sung, it tells us who we are and where we belong.”

ON THE INEXTRICABLE LINK BETWEEN AMERICAN HISTORY AND THE ARTS:

“Th[e] Constitution, the Bill of Rights, taught us how to negotiate our differences – the same way a good dance band adjusts to find the right tempo for each different room of dancers. To be effective, our founding fathers had to create a living document that could find the right tempo across the ages. And when the ink dried on the last signature, it was the Constitution that told us how to be…but it was left to the American arts to tell you who to be. And the who always affects the how.”

“Oh yes, this freedom had a fine political frame, but it was in need of a cultural engine. This new American way needed homegrown arts…to make us into one people…to teach us who we are.”

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AMERICAN ARTS:

“The best of the American arts and the way they’ve been sung and swung provided human meaning to the questions posed by the Founding Fathers more than 150 years earlier. It told you to be yourself and love what made you, you. It told you to listen deeply to others and find the beauty of originality in them. And through swing, the most flexible rhythm ever played, it told you how to balance your individuality with the desires of the group. It told you we have a history, a depth, a tradition that requires skill and study but demands you apply those skills to search the frontiers of your soul. It told you that innovation and creativity hold hands with the tried and true.”

SPEECH TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE AT http://tinyurl.com/wyntonlecture (in PDF format)

For the latest on Wynton Marsalis or Jazz at Lincoln Center, visit www.wyntonmarsalis.org or www.jalc.org.

About Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz. With the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of performance, education and broadcast events for audiences of all ages. These productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, yearly hall of fame inductions, weekly national radio and television programs, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, jazz appreciation curriculum for students, music publishing, children’s concerts, lectures, adult education courses, student and educator workshops and interactive websites. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Chairman Lisa Schiff and Executive Director, Adrian Ellis, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce nearly 3,000 events during its 2008-09 season in its home in New York City, Frederick P. Rose Hall, and around the world.

About Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 40 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

About the Nancy Hanks Lecture
The Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy is a leading national forum for arts policy intended to stimulate dialogue on policy and social issues affecting the arts. It is held each year in mid-March on the evening before Arts Advocacy Day at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The annual lecture is named for Nancy Hanks, former president of Americans for the Arts and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, who devoted 15 years of her professional life to bringing the arts to prominent national consciousness. Past speakers have included Maya Angelou, Dr. Billy Taylor and Robert Redford.

Notes: Press Release courtesy of jalc.org. Audio of the lecture will hopefully be available soon at: http://www.artsusa.org/events/nancyhanks.asp

Our Labranard

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:35:00 +0000

On Saturday, February 21st, we added a new member to our family!

Maria was born on December 31, 2008
She is half Black Lab, half St. Bernard (aka Labranard, or Bernador)
She was the only girl in a litter of 4 pups
Maria was the only pup in the litter to look like a Black Lab
We adopted her from the wonderful Frontier Animal Society, in Orleans, VT
She weighed 9 lbs. on 2/10/09
She weighed 13 lbs. on 2/21/09
She was cared for by a loving foster family/volunteer from the shelter until we adopted her
Maria (which our son pronounces "Mary-ah") was a lovely, unexpected 4th birthday gift for our son; one which we'll all be able to share for years to come!

Picture by MapleMama, but beautified by my cousin. Thanks, cous!

Grown-up Christmas List

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:47:00 +0000

Well, it's that time of year again. Neil Kramer at Citizen of the Month is hosting his Third Annual Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert.

My friend Vinny participated the first year (a stunning rendition of O Holy Night), then last year I composed a new song entitled Vermont Snow for the occasion. This year, I wanted to sing a song that spoke to my hopes for the many people in my life, and around the world. I recorded Grown-up Christmas List, with some help from GarageBand, and MrMaple's audio gear and kind guidance.

Here is just the audio file, if you prefer it to the above video, and the lyrics are below.

Grown-Up Christmas List

Music by David Foster
Lyrics by Linda Thompson

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now
Can you still help somehow
I'm not a child but my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called
The innocence of youth
Maybe only in their blind belief
Can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
And wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list

Sorry for the unforgiving midi accompaniment (I practiced the accompaniment on the piano, but those key changes did me in!), but hopefully the wonderful images, used through Creative Commons licensure, will make up for it. Image attributions as follows:

margotta
Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton
Personal photo: Me with Santa (really my Dad), 1971
Personal photo: My son with Santa, 2005
bass_nroll
NuageDeNuit
mdumlao98
carf
I'mBatman
gocyclones
Cayusa
Nite_Owl
hdptcar
Tim Green aka atoach
daveblume
mdumlao98
Personal photo: Husband and I practicing our wedding dance, 2002
Studio 60 and the Sunset Strip: The Christmas Show. Not used with permission.
Personal Photo: Our son marveling at his reflection, 2006
Personal Photo: Our son's 1st Christmas, 2005
TIO... is taking a holiday break...
jeff.snodgrass
danny.hammontree
Celestial Photography
Clonny
vonbergen.net
Jayel Aheram
Sir Mervs
®oberto's
Capt. Tim
Personal photo: Our son and I the day after his birth, 2005
Rubink1
carf
Personal photo: Wreath at the entrance to our driveway 2006
cenz

Thank you, Neil, for organizing this online event yet again. Happy Hanukkah to you!

Happy Holidays one and all, and may peace be yours this New Year.

PS - Here's my back-up song, In the Bleak Mid Winter.

Coolest lunch in town...

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:36:00 +0000

Al fresco dining (in 13 degree weather) for the local homeless shelter. How I love Vermont(ers).

http://www.wptz.com/video/18321093/

Hope

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:56:00 +0000

And might I point out which state predicted this election first...
Barack Obama Wins Vermont

It feels GREAT to be proud again to call myself an American. Bravo!

Update on Twit2Art

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:22:00 +0000

It's here!!

I love how he literally captured the 2 acts, with the text set in the "15 minute intermission." Thanks, Jan!

For more information, see my previous post on Twit2Art or visit http://www.twit2art.com/

I also couldn't resist posting a mural of the works to date. They are so wonderful!

MiniMaple Singing and Silliness

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:11:00 +0000

From a few months ago, but I'm just getting around to posting it!

The song is "Colors of the Rainbow" from Signing Time.

Vermont: Your VERtual Business Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:13:00 +0000

Enjoy the following excerpt.

Link to full article, by Alan Rappeport for CFO.com, also at the bottom.

And if I may say so myself, Vermont SOOOO rocks!

Known for its Green Mountains, maple syrup, and, of course, moonlight, Vermont might not seem the most likely state to welcome companies with edgy technology. And yet it is virtually in the lead.

A bill signed into law earlier this month positions it as a leader in incorporating so-called virtual firms — those without a physical headquarters, actual paper filings, and directors' meetings (they're all online.) If it succeeds, it could emerge with the nation's first virtual tech corridor.

The bid to attract companies with infrastructures as diaphanous as Vermont's moonlight has special appeal. It aims to offer far-flung groups, working on collaborative projects, the benefits of a corporation connection — without the costs that come with commuting and using centralized office space. Officials hope the law will replicate the success that Vermont has had as an "offshore" haven for captive insurance arrangements. That effort has drawn more than 500 companies to set up entities in the state.

Vermont Wants to Be the "Delaware of the Net" - Technology - CFO.com

Happy 4th of July everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:10:00 +0000

Highlights of Hinesburg, Vermont;s July 4th Parade. Best wishes everyone for a wonderful holiday weekend!

Vermont Amber Alert

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:09:00 +0000

ROYALTON STATE POLICE ACTIVATE THE VT CHILD AMBER ALERT

The missing child is Brooke Bennett and was born in 1995.

Height: 5'3"
Weight: 98 lbs.
Hair: Brown with purple highlights
Eyes: Blue
Scar: on calf 3 inches long and quarter inch wide

Other descriptors: Both ears pierced top and bottom, usually wears earring in rear hole - Bottom front tooth in front of K9 very yellow, freckle on neck in the front, freckle on top of 2nd toe on left foot, birthmark on upper left arm, bug bite above left eyebrow.

Brooke was last seen Wed. 6/25/08 at 9am at 7 Main St (Cumberland Farms) in Randolph Center Vt, walking in a southerly direction toward the village of Randolph. Brooke was last seen wearing pink sweater, blue jeans, white sneakers w/pink letters. There is some speculation she might have connected with a person she met on myspace.

UPDATE: I'm sorry to say this is another tragic ending here in Vermont. http://tinyurl.com/6y24c9
Our thoughts are with her (innocent) family and friends.

If you have any information pertaining to Brooke Bennett's kidnapping or death, PLEASE call the Vermont State Police at 802-234-9933.

Twit2art

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:24:00 +0000

Have you ever been asked wdydwyd? (Why Do You Do What You Do)

Well, I used my answer to commission a Twit2art. Twit2art is an art project, involving Twitter. People who send a message via twitter to @twit2art will receive a painting of that twit. Voila!

The price of each artwork is linked to the total number of twits thus far to @twit2art. The first twit (thus the first painting) cost € 1. The second € 2. And so on. Mine came in at #35.

I chose to use my "wdydwyd" answer for my twit2art, since the project really is a visual arts version of my response. People coming together across miles (and possibly many other differences) through art. Jan (the artist) is based in Belgium, and I applaud him for taking this sometimes empty, twitter microblogging experience and bringing it to life (and art!)

By the way, if you haven't seen the wdydwyd site, be sure to check it out. I'll have to take a picture of myself holding my new art when it arrives and load it to the site!

Image credit: For me, every performance feels like world peace; achieved in 2 acts, with a 15 minute intermission., originally uploaded by Twit2art.

Tears for China and Burma

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 17 May 2008 08:09:00 +0000

I have been struggling to wrap my head around the terrible tragedies of late.

First, the cyclone in Burma/Myanmar. The latest death toll stands at 78,000. 2.5 million survivors are still waiting to receive aid of some kind. I can only hope that the ruling regime will begin to accept the support, supplies, and aid being offered from around the globe.

Then China's 7.9 earthquake in Sichuan province; with it's estimated 50,000 deaths and 5 million displaced individuals. My heart breaks every time I hear about another school that is found in rubble. I wept uncontrollably as I listened to NPR's Melissa Block follow a family's search for their two year-old son, Wang Zhilu, and his grandparents.

Fu Guanyu and Wang Wei, I only wish my overflowing tears could wash away your incredible grief. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Photo by avirus

Vermont Delegates for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:48:00 +0000

Now, most of my readers know (and yes, most of you know me IRL) I am not generally a "political" person. But I can't help myself with this election and this candidate. I was one of the people elected at our town caucus to be a delegate for Obama to the Vermont Democratic Convention later this month. There, we will elect Vermont's 13 delegates to the National Convention in Denver.

Although I am campaigning to be a national delegate - I do feel strongly there are Vermonters MUCH more deserving of the honor than I.

What have I done?

I have been working with Obama's Arts Policy Committee in contacting artists and educators in advance of primaries in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Founded the Vermont Delegates for Obama group, to help keep other delegates informed on this somewhat mystical process.
Served as an information point and carpool center for my town's other delegates.
Advocated for the Arts and cultural diplomacy on Capitol Hill and met with Vermont's Senators Leahy and Sanders, and Congressman Welch and/or their staffs.

What have I NOT done?

I have not held a public office, or any official role with the Obama campaign
Hosted Obama house parties or other events
Worked phone banks
Canvassed door-to-door for Obama or voter registration
Driven to other primary states to volunteer for Obama
Blogged (outside of barackobama.com or democracy.org) for Obama

So, in the spirit of keeping the information flowing, I am posting here the information I recently sent out to the VT delegate group. You can learn more about other potential delegates here, too.

Greetings fellow delegates!

Some of you are undoubtedly new to the delegate role, as I am, but information is trickling in.

1. Congrats to the 110 or so Obama delegates from town causes, who successfully submitted their Statement of Candidacy/Pledge of Support forms, and are now campaigning to become Vermont delegates for Obama to the National Democratic Convention. The official list can be found here: http://vtdemocrats.org/index.php?id=2237

2. The goal at the state convention May 24th is to select Vermont's delegation to Denver. Vermont is allocated 10 district-level delegates and 3 district-level alternates. Based on the results of Vermont presidential preference primary on March 4th, those delegates will be awarded as follows: Obama gets six district-level delegates, three males and three females, Clinton gets 4 district-level delegates, two males and two females. Obama gets two alternates, one male and one female, Clinton gets one female alternate.

3. There will be a final delegate training session on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:00pm at 38 Eastwood Drive, So. Burlington.

4. Hopefully, you have received information from Joanne Boyle (who's helping organize the VDP Convention on 5/24). She sent information about development/placement of ads in the program and/or renting of table space at the convention to help promote your delegate candidacy. If you did not receive her message, I encourage you to contact her at jm(dot)boyle(at)yahoo(dot)com

5. If you cannot afford an ad or table - you can personally distribute flyers at the convention. I also invite you to introduce yourself to the Vermont Delegates for Obama group via a blog post, and/or a message to the group. Lastly, you can also campaign via the web opportunity below.

6. Neil Jensen of Vermonters for Obama, is graciously offering space on his website for national delegates to make their case. He says, "Just send me an email at info(at)vermontersforobama(dot)org with a statement in support of your candidacy -- and I'll post it online for you. If you participate, your name will be posted in alphabetical order at http://vermontersforobama.org/delegates and will be linked to your candidate statement. You can send statements either as text in an email, a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment, or just a link to another website, whichever you prefer. Be sure to include your full name and feel free to include a photo, too, if you wish." Thanks Neil for your generosity!

7. Lastly, you can view driving directions to the Vermont Convention event listing on this site. And please feel free to use the Vermonte Delegates for Obama forum to organize carpools.

That's all folks! See you in 2 weeks!

Allison
(aka MapleMama)

artwork by Shepard Fairey; flickr photo by a35mmlife

Pachelbel's Canon in D

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:36:00 +0000

Maybe not what one would consider purist or authentic performances, but certainly entertaining on a sleepless night!

BARACK OBAMA: A CHAMPION FOR ARTS AND CULTURE

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:06:00 +0000

The following is simply cut and paste from Senator Obama's position statement on the Arts.

I post it here because his statement completely echoes my thoughts on the Arts and the very issues I advocated for on Capitol Hill last year at the Americans for the Arts Arts Advocacy Days in Washington DC. It's a GREAT read! Enjoy.

Our nation’s creativity has filled the world’s libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books – Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression.

A PLATFORM IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS

Reinvest in Arts Education: To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great. To do so, we must nourish our children’s creative skills. In addition to giving our children the science and math skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education. Unfortunately, many school districts are cutting instructional time for art and music education. Barack Obama believes that the arts should be a central part of effective teaching and learning. The Chairmanof the National Endowment for the Arts recently said “The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society.” To support greater arts education, Obama will:

Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations: Barack Obama willincrease resources for the U.S. Department of Education’s Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination Grants, which develop public/private partnerships between schools and arts organizations. Obama will also engage the foundation and corporate community to increase support for public/private partnerships.
Create an Artist Corps: Barack Obama supports the creation of an “Artists Corps” of young artists trained to work in low-income schools and their communities. Studies in Chicago have demonstrated that test scores improved faster for students enrolled in low-income schools that link arts across the curriculum than scores for students in schools lacking such programs.
Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education: As president, Barack Obama will use the bully pulpit and the example he will set in the White House to promote the importance of arts and arts education in America. Not only is arts education indispensable for success in a rapidly changing, high skill, information economy, but studies show that arts education raises test scores in other subject areas as well.

Support Increased Funding for the NEA: Over the last 15 years, government funding for the National Endowment for the Arts has been slashed from $175 million annually in 1992 to $125 million today. Barack Obama supports increased funding for the NEA, the support of which enriches schools and neighborhoods all across the nation and helps to promote the economic development of countless communities.

Promote Cultural Diplomacy: American artists, performers and thinkers – representing our values and ideals – can inspire people both at home and all over the world. Through efforts like that of the United States Information Agency, America’s cultural leaders were deployed around the world during the Cold War as artistic ambassadors and helped win the war of ideas by demonstrating to the world the promise of America. Artists can be utilized again to help us win the war of ideas against Islamic extremism. Unfortunately, our resources for cultural diplomacy are at their lowest level in a decade. Barack Obama will work to reverse this trend and improve and expand public-private partnerships to expand cultural and arts exchanges throughout the world.

Attract Foreign Talent: The flipside to promoting American arts and culture abroad is welcoming members of the foreign arts community to America. Opening America’s doors to students and professional artists provides the kind of two-way cultural understanding that can break down the barriers that feed hatred and fear. As America tightened visa restrictions after 9/11, the world’s most talented students and artists, who used to come here, went elsewhere. Barack Obama will streamline the visa process to return America to its rightful place as the world’s top destination for artists and art students.

Provide Health Care to Artists: Finding affordable health coverage has often been one of the most vexing obstacles for artists and those in the creative community. Since many artists work independently or have non- traditional employment relationships, employer-based coverage is unavailable and individual policies are financially out of reach. Barack Obama’s plan will provide all Americans with quality, affordable health care. His plan includes the creation of a new public program that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health care similar to that available to federal employees. His plan also creates a National Health Insurance Exchange to reform the private insurance market and allow Americans to enroll in participating private plans, which would have to provide comprehensive benefits, issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums. For those who still cannot afford coverage, the government will provide a subsidy. His health plan will lower costs for the typical American family by up to $2,500 per year.

Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists: Barack Obama supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow artists to deduct the fair market value of their work, rather than just the costs of the materials, when they make charitable contributions.

Paid for by Obama for America

Can I just say...AMEN! - Allison

cc2.0lic photo by roxannejomitchell

Missing Person: Nicholas Garza

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:45:00 +0000

One of the first-year students on our campus has unfortunately been missing now for two weeks. In order to assist in keeping his vital information circulating, I will post the basic information and links below. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow students, during this difficult time.

Missing: NICHOLAS A. GARZA
Age: 19
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 150-160 lbs.
Home: Albuquerque, NM
Missing since: Feb. 5, 2008
Missing from: Middlebury College campus;
Middlebury, VT.

Nick vanished while walking the short distance from a friend's dormitory to his own at approximately 11:00pm on Tuesday, Feb 5th. It was poor weather, and it is believed Nicholas did not have a coat on. There have been no phone calls, e-mails, or monetary transactions from any of his accounts.

Links for more information:

Dedicated website: http://nicholasgarza.org/
Middlebury College's Garza info page
Middblog, a student blog, updated regularly
Facebook group

Anyone with information regarding Nick's whereabouts
is encouraged to call the
Middlebury Police Dept. at 802-388-3181.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Nick's body was recovered from the Otter Creek in Middlebury. As the cause of Nick's death is still a mystery, you are still encouraged to contact the Middlebury Police with any relevant information regarding Nick. There will be a campus memorial service when students return in the fall. Our hearts go out to the Garza family.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:53:00 +0000

May 2008 bring you and yours peace,
health and happiness.
Best wishes from the "Maples" for
a wonderful new year!

A big thanks, and cc2.0a-nc-sa attributions, to the following image contributors
to my mosaic: Leo Reynold, raybob, El Ramon, marie-ll, Claudecf, mag3737 , and cenz.

Minimaple buns...

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:51:00 +0000

...are now using the POTTY! Friday, our Kohler Family Seats arrived, and MrMaple quickly installed them. MiniM immediately wanted to sit down and try it out - and he did!

Yesterday, Saturday, was our first official day. We cranked up the woodstove, and the diaper (and pants) came off. It was quite entertaining to see Mini running around half naked all day, but it worked! He used the toilet ALL day, NO messes, and he did it himself without prompting or reminders!

We created a reward chart (below)--a red oreo cookie (his favorite) for peeing on the potty - with a Thomas passenger car or Hot Wheels car on the 5th attempts, and a Hot Wheels car for every poopy on the potty--which he was a little too driven to complete. We had to explain that running to the potty ever 5 minutes to do 2 drops of pee does not mean another sticker on his chart. I guess he gets that from me--since when I was told I could only bring one--not all--stuffed animal to bed as a child, I just took my largest animal and tied all of the others on top of it. Anyhow, the ultimate reward at the end of the day was Thomas the Tank Engine underpants, which he was VERY proud of!

Anyhow - we'll see how day 2 (underpants only, no other pants though) proceeds, but we are glad we waited this long (he turns 3 in February) as he seems to be truly ready and embracing the process. We are VERY proud parents today!

Holiday Music

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:53:00 +0000

Just a heads up that iTunes is offering 2 FABULOUS free holiday tunes this week:

Ding Dong Merrily on High
sung by Chanticleer from their album "Let it Snow"

and

The Hallelujah chorus
from Handel's "Messiah"
performed by the London Symphony Orchestra
--Sir Colin Davis conductor--with the Tenebrae Choir

As an added bonus, the Messiah recording is from an iTunes plus album. This song features higher-quality, 256-Kbps AAC encoding — twice the standard bit rate — and no DRM (digital rights management) so you can make as many copies as you like.

iTunes does offer free downloads every Tuesday: so for those of you on Windows and Mac who get your music (or TV episodes, audiobooks, etc.) elsewhere, it still can be a viable option to download some new music for free. Do be aware, however, that iTunes registration will likely require you to include payment information, even if you never use it.

Lastly - my holiday song, Vermont Snow, is still available for download and viewing, and do check out Digital Father's new original work, Please Wait Up. And of course, don't forget to stop by the Christmahanukwanzaakah concert, which will be rebroadcast (with new additions) on 12/25.

Happy Holidays everyone!

cc2.0 image credit: Johann C Rochall

2007 Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah Online Holiday Concert

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:08:00 +0000

Hook your laptop up to your best speakers,
put another log on the fire,
grab a mug of hot chocolate,
and settle in for some wonderful music from the...

2007 Blogger Christmahanukwanzaakah
Online Holiday Concert!

Despite having my annual "Christmas Crud" and the questionable events that transpired after last year's event, I decided to get my act together and submit a song to the 2nd annual Concert. I missed the deadline last year, (although Digital Father submitted a moving rendition of O Holy Night) but with much inspirational, technical and motivational support from MrMaple, I not only recorded a song, but composed a new work for the occasion: Vermont Snow.

You can listen to the audio here (mp3)

The text was inspired by the frosty view, out our front window, during the height of the snow storm last Monday morning.

Weary pine branches
laden with clouds of
fresh fallen silence.
Snow on the ground...

twirls in wind's whispering
breath, frosty sweet.
Tracks show the path
of a young deer's retreat.

Air thick with firelight's
woodsy perfume, and
nights linger long for
sun's warmth to resume...

its low golden arc
o'er green mountains, now white.
Hope dawns from eastern
skies at first light.

Traveling on snowflakes,
unique, as they fall
weaving white blankets
of Peace for us all.

In the spirit of the concert, I am performing all parts--voice(s), piano, and the midi flute--even if it is through the keyboard. Although the raspiness and large, frequent breaths are due to the crud, imagine my smoky voice comes from that "firelight's woodsy perfume."

I've additionally created the below music video for your viewing pleasure:

The photos were all taken on our six acres in Vermont early last week, with the exception of the following 5 images, from flickr, used through cc2.0 with attribution. I would like to thank these talented photographers for capturing some inspiring images.

Jan Tik | VTDarkStar | paulmoody (2) | jurek d.

Lastly, I need to send an
enormous shout-out to Neil Kramer
for his organization of this annual concert.
As bloggers, we share our words and thoughts on a daily basis,
but through this outpouring of talent and spirit, we are truly sharing ourselves.
Thank you, neilochka.

PS - Concert Participant button courtesy of Vanessa Lee Hamlen at The Butterfly Blog.

Snapping vs. Clapping

noreply@blogger.com (MapleMama) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:26:00 +0000

While driving to work this morning, I was listening to some holiday music on the radio - including a wonderful African-American spiritual. Something didn't strike me right while listening, and that strange feeling lingered for a few moments before I realized the problem. There was snapping.

Now normally, I am pro-body percussion. Whatever makes you more engaged with the music - you go girl/boy. But there are times when specific accompaniments are simply inappropriate. Clapping along to O Holy Night - not great. But there are times when it is also culturally inappropriate. Case in point - snapping along to the aforementioned spiritual. So in the spirit of oral tradition, I pass on to you the advice given by a choir director many moons ago, and I quote:

"Child, there ain't no snappin' to baby Jesus.
You save that snapping for Jingle Bells.
In church music, you should be clapping.
Because the Lord deserves a standin' O' -
let alone your li'l ol' clapping - in praise."

Photo courtesy of Dominic