Just another Saturday night...

Cupcakes...

 

Dyed eggs for special order wedding toppers...

 

  

  

  

Valentines...

 

  

  

  

 

Candy boxes...

 

  

  

a little debate on the fate of Portland Public high schools...

Dinner at Juliano's... and a finish at Sheridan's frozen custard.

Ugh.

Get it together, Grant Community. This isn't a pep assembly.

I'm supremely irritated this evening. I've been hearing fits and starts about the PPS conversations about the high school restructuring. And I'm not cross at the PPS Board. Nope. I'm vexed because once again, I find that I'm living amongst a population whose majority has forgotten to use the brains God gave them to think before they speak.

I was reading up on the PPS progress, and have discovered to my dismay that not only are there large groups of people who have lost sight of the *actual* reason behind the restructuring, but those same folks have been speaking out in meetings, on Facebook, and other venues using information that is based in some universe other than the one called Fact.

Earlier, I responded on a Facebook "group" page to this statement (which was posted by the group's administrator): "The Portland Public School Board wants to close Grant High school and turn it into a magnet school thereby leaving families in inner NE no option for public high school. GHS has been a thriving part of the community since the 1920's. It is a rare: a neighborhood public school serving the inner city mixing lower and middle class along with different races, religions, and ethnicities. It is not a perfect school but it is a good school and the only inner NE option.

The Board wants to shut it to NE families forcing people to ship their kids off to the 'burbs or to private schools. (emphasis added)

Grant alumni take action! NE Families take action! Fellow Portlanders take action!"

Now, certainly this is an impassioned call to arms! We don't want our school SHUT DOWN! Criminy! Where will all those kids go to school?! Holy cats! Something must be done! But the thing that's most alarming is the speed at which the FALSE statement above rapidly spreads - not only through social networking sites like Facebook, but from child to child - from parent to parent - until soon, the misinformation has spread like wildfire and everyone is in panic mode!

My initial post in response was this: "I'm not sure that the information listed here is entirely correct. I take great issue with the statement that "the {school} board wants to shut {Grant} to NE families forcing people to ship their kids off to the 'burbs or to private schools." That is entirely untrue. As I understand it, Grant is one of a few schools whose central location and accessibility to the transit system make it an ideal candidate for a different school venue. There are much greater worries and larger issues at stake than the possible reuse of one building here."

Now, there's one theory that Grant will be used for several "magnet" programs within the building, and that there might be options within that theory. Certainly as one of many people whose neighborhood and familial ties to the school are emotionally based, it might be the end of an era for several thousand individuals. Indeed, my children are fifth generation in the same neighborhood. My parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sibling and I all went to US Grant. But I'm not sure that alumni status creates a sufficient base for the type of hysteria that I hear surrounding the talks about possible uses for PPS buildings.

Ultimately, I'm confident that people will come to the realization that the sacrifice of one building does not mean the end of school spirit, and I hope that the adults involved in the reorganization will continue within the respectful language of community, educational improvement, and a cooperative spirit aimed at the greater good for the most students. That's the most important point - the BEST solution for the MOST students. This is not a Grant High issue, people. This is a City of Portland issue. And what is best for the small community of Grant High might *not* be what is best for the city wide high school population. Let's not forget that this isn't happening this year. Or next year. It's a 5 - 6 year plan of implementation for full phase in.

As has always been an option for people who don't want to participate in the public school system as a public school system, there are a multitude of places that your children can go - places you can send them for schooling where you don't have to worry about restructuring, equalization, or opportunity! Those places are called Catlin Gabel, OES, Jesuit, The International School, Central Catholic, St. Mary's, Cedarwood, and LaSalle. Take your pick!

Furthermore, the Facebook page "Save Grant High School" is becoming a breeding ground for complaints and assumptions based on incorrect information, misinformed and emotionally based opinions.

"I think it's fantastic that you have a vested interest in maintaining Grant High as it stands now... But I think there's a grave disservice in *mis* informing people on this page about the purpose and plan of the school board. I'm all for people being passionate about issues, but they must be given correct information if they are to make informed decisions. Please consider a careful edit of your sideline in an effort to encourage the most reasonable and thoughtful discourse possible on this topic. As it stands, the information you've provided is not just misleading. It's incorrect."

I sent the note above to the admin, and I do hope that people stand back and take a look at what the school board is *really* proposing. This is in no way a personal slam against one person's rights to post up whatever information they want. But it is just one example of the misdirection and emotional smoke screen that prevents productive discussion and progress - a slippery slope that is far too easy to slide down.

If people would take the time to research the topic at hand, they would see clearly (not just from the PPS site, but also from reports at the Oregonian and the Portland Sentinel) that the purpose of restructuring of the school boundaries is to condense the populations into their neighborhood schools. Does anyone get this? The school board is TRYING TO GET MORE KIDS CLOSER TO HOME. This plan is being formed with an eye towards equalizing the programs offered at every neighborhood school. Listen again - EQUALIZING THE PROGRAMS. The magnet program possibility at Grant should make people excited, and proud that not only is Grant one option for the magnet program because of the close proximity to transit, but also because YAY! Grant is a great school! We can use that as a model and offer it to MORE kids CITY WIDE!

Does anyone else see the irony here? People are complaining because Grant is a great high school. Why should we lose our great school and let it have the possibility of becoming a beacon for the rest of the city? Everyone wants to bash the school board for finally trying to solve what *those same complainers* have been complaining about for years! Inequality in school programs! Classes are too big! Not enough diversity! Not enough "specialized" educational opportunities for gifted and focused children!

Well guess what, Portland? This is an opportunity to create a more intimate school community for those kids who currently have neighborhood schools that *aren't* as lucky as Grant & Lincoln, and it will equalize the playing field across the entire city.

Right now, not every school has basic additions like art, music, and sports. Do you all remember when we were in an uproar because of the HORROR of losing those items?

Right now, only some schools have Advanced Placement and "honors" classes. Does anyone think that the children at those schools are more deserving than others?

The PPS Board is trying to provide an equal opportunity to each child across the high school system. Public school is the cornerstone of our democratic society. It is imperative that people of this city realize that every child is entitled to that participation. Participation in a safe, clean, environment. An environment that includes more than adequate teachers, programs, and activities.

I applaud those fellow parents who take time to do the research, who take time to think BEYOND our own backyards, and look FORWARD to an opportunity for each child across the city. For crying out loud, people. Think beyond 33rd Avenue. If you don't like the way things are, then start doing your research and get a good solution going. One that doesn't just save Grant's ass.  Do your homework.

Distractions and a Dirth of Diet Coke...

Well, it might be because I'm drinking water like a psychogenic polydispiac... Or that I have a headache coming on... But I want a diet coke and some chocolate with almonds and chilies to be delivered to my desk... I suppose I could go and get some, but then my mind started cantering away with thoughts of what items I would be most pleased to find on my desk in the event that delivery fairies *did* exist... What would I find and be like "Oh! SWEET!" and be all atwitter about? (And by atwitter I mean the *real* definition of the word, not what would I tweet about. Cause I don't do that crap.)  But either way, my open letter to the diet coke and chocolate fairy has gone unanswered... For a little afternoon distraction, I created a list of my own, and then dropped a note off on Stacy's desk asking what 10 items you would like a fairy to leave on your desk...

Emily:
Diet coke with a straw in a cup.
Dark chocolate with almonds and chilies.
Cow Skull
Barnum & Bailey or other vintage circus memorabilia.
A chip to plug into my brain that allows me the full extended knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite.
A vintage pair of Lucchese boots.
Tiny little gnomes, deers, and toadstools. (Um, yeah, one category.)
A miniature deer that would stay small forever.
A galvanized steel trough full of vintage ribbons, papers, postcards, letters, and millinery supplies. (Hush now.)
A new fleece bathrobe that doesn't already have glue and dog fur on it.
A bowl of vintage sparkly things.
A letter from an old friend.


Uh oh. That's more than 10. But I think the miniature deer would be a bonus. It's like a chihuahua but not yappy.

What would *you* wish for?

Shame on you, CBS.

From CredoAction.com

"The broadcast networks that air the Super Bowl have historically rejected advocacy ads. Yet CBS, which is airing the Super Bowl this year, has accepted an anti-choice ad by the ultra-conservative group Focus on the Family.

Focus on the Family's "celebrate life" (read: anti-choice) ad features Heisman Trophy-winning college football star Tim Tebow. And CBS approved this anti-choice ad, even though the network has repeatedly rejected advocacy ads in past years including a 2004 MoveOn.org ad that went after then-President Bush's fiscal irresponsibility and an ad the same year from the United Church of Christ showing them welcoming a gay couple who had been turned away from another church. And they just rejected a comical ad from a gay dating site from this year's lineup of ads.

So to recap: CBS wouldn't allow a group to criticize Bush, wouldn't let a religious group promote its own tolerance of LGBT families and considers a light-hearted dating ad out of bounds. But CBS is perfectly happy to allow Focus on the Family to promote its conservative social agenda."

Join me in calling on CBS to kill the Focus on the Family ad before the Super Bowl on February 7!


If you'd like to sign the petition, click here. 

Ugh. Mornings.

So I'm sitting here drinking my coffee thinking that despite the fact that I do like my job and I love the people who I work with, I could really be rather happy working from home, doing arts and crafts, and generally living a life of leisure and volunteer service.

I think I'd volunteer for the Humane Society first.

There is a problem of funding, however... And as fully as I believe that *someone* out there would loooooove to pay me to be a working artist, I've not yet met that special Patron. I think my patrons thus far are my parents and my husband. Because they allow me the freedoms to do my crafty deliciousness... Luckily it pays for itself. I wish it paid for itself *and* me. But until that time, I guess it's off to work...

Happy Monday. Here's to hoping for artful days in the midst of it all.

Oh look! Book #4!

Do you know who William Dawes is?

This is one of those books where you pick it up and get into it and discover that it is indeed, not at all the thing that you thought it was. As it were, I kept going.

The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell is a rather interesting, scientifically written book about the issue of epidemics - virus, communication, social, fashion, and the types of personalities within our cultures who help to shape the behaviors of the main groups of people. Turns out we aren't as independent as we'd thought...

I like the analogies that he uses throughout the book to illustrate his points and ideas more clearly... I learned alot.

By the way - William Dawes is the guy who made a ride at the same time, on the same night, in a different route as Paul Revere. But it was Paul Revere's personality, social connections, and charisma that made all the difference in the world. But then, if you read the Tipping Point, you'd know that.

Treasure Day...

So there are days when I go out searching for treasures, and then there are days when treasures come to me!

I delivered Pierre to Amy this afternoon. Pierre looked pretty good, after his multiple coats of whitewash... Even though I was a little sad to see him go, it's so much easier for me to create things and let them go if I know that they are going to a special home from the beginning. I left Pierre after a good visit and headed out to my Dad's.

At Dad's we watched a DVD of their trip to Mexico - I'm so inspired by the colors and spirit of Mexico! The folk art is really tremendous, and I was the lucky recipient of some beautiful rocks that they collected for me - granite, quartz, and a piece of coral! I was very excited about the rocks, but Dad was being mysterious, and handed my sister the camera - he wanted her to catch my expression when he handed me something else. I held the plastic bag in my lap - it was pretty heavy, and rather cumbersome. As I unwrapped the plastic from the treasure inside, a horn appeared atop a perfectly gorgeous cattle skull. Are. You. Kidding. Me? Apparently they'd been sleuthing in a few places in the local areas on their visit (including an artist's residence where my uncle held a *not-quite-finished* one... It was a little... meaty... still...

But they remembered that I'd written it on my Christmas list, and have been pining after a skull for a while now (much to my husband's chagrin). But the one that Dad and Kmom found in a little local shop in Mexico (and brought all the way back through customs!?!?!) for me is so beautiful. It has the teeth, and a partial piece of the nasal cavity bone, but the color (bleached by the sun) of the bone, and the dark horns are just lovely. Yes, I'm weird. I know. But if you could just *look* at the curves of the bones, the hollows of the eye sockets that look like ghost caves, the smoothness of the skull cap... You would have to note the beauty that lies in the opposition of simplicity and complexity residing within... *sigh* I am a happy girl.

After lunch we headed to Grandma M's (my step grandmother, who is just a sweet woman, delightful and a *really* great quilter) to look at her collection of quilts that she's made. I thought we'd see about 12 or 15 quilts. But she kept disappearing into the back rooms and bringing out more. They were all so stunning! I've only ever made one quilt, and it was a rather sophomoric effort. I have a great deal of respect for people who can not only do them well, but also *continue* to make them once the initial period of interest for me would have worn off. M's quilts are full of color - her use of brilliant fabrics and vivid and unusual color combinations communicate a modern and artistic vibe. They just kept laying the quilts out - one after another, they were vintage quality with a modern look, and the juxtaposition of the vintage and modern elements bowled me over! These are quilts that belong in an art gallery! I was floored when she said to pick my favorite. There were two that just spoke to me, and when I said it was between those two, she told me to take both. Again - I don't know what planets lined up for me today, but this was just a special day. 

 Finally, when I arrived home, I was so excited about the quilts and skull that I sent a text message to Amy. Knowing full well that she was running all her last minute errands, I never in a million years expected what happened next - Amy spent the weekend with the flu (not just her, but also her son!) and her daughter had 7 friends over - so her recovery wasn't the easiest. And she's flying out to NoLa tomorrow morning. Early. So her day was spent cleaning, catching up, and trying to get ready. But despite all that, she *still* came over to see the treasures... And she brought me MORE! Amy and I are trading Pierre the Stag for craft supplies, and even though she was so busy, she and her sweet children gathered up some delightful little treats for me! Woo hoo! I can't even list all the things that came to live with me, but there were papers, embellishments, stickers, transfers, buttons, brads, diecuts, gaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!! I filled up my button jar, and I am so so so happy at these sweet things!

Two gorgeous handmade quilts! Cattle skull! Crafty treats and treasures! What in the world?? Thanks, everybody. I feel *very* loved today.