You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2008.
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at the end of 2008 .
what has infiltrated my vocabulary & become more so of me than ever before.
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I used to think I was tres smart by getting concert tickets on Craigslist. While I wouldn’t look down on anybody getting that satisfaction, I’ve come to realize that certain programs really depend on those ticket sales to continue providing their much-loved resources to our community. One place that I will try to buy directly from is our local orchestra programs. I mentioned in a previous post just how much enjoyment I get from a good string concert performance. How can I not focus giving to something that I get so much back from?
If you can’t afford to purchase tickets directly from the symphony organization for the main concert, you can still expose your family and friends to the experience in other ways. Take the kids to a dress rehearsal. In this area, a Discovery Rehearsal Series can cost less than $7 / ticket for a children’s series of 7 concerts and about $8.50 p/ ticket for adults. That’s less than a movie ticket nowadays! This gains you entrance to the final dress rehearsal on the Saturday of a performance weekend. It can actually be more interesting than the actual concert if you enjoy witnessing the behind-the-scenes action and interactivity between conductor and orchestra. Upcoming performances are at 2pm on January 24, February 21, April 18, and May 16, 2009.
And if concert dates make sense in your schedule, becoming a member can have plenty of advantages and be cost-effective as well. You will have the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public offering and therefore the ability to get greater choice of seating. Plus, you will then stock up points toward preferred seating at the new venue coming later this year, the Green Center in Rohnert Park at Sonoma State University.
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I am extremely pleased to see that this area has active youth symphony orchestras. With school music and art programs going out the door, kids need another outlet where they can cultivate these talents. Plus, I am convinced that my math and reading skills – and even physical coordination and ability to decipher puzzles – were enhanced by learning to read music at an early age. With following a conductor’s direction comes discipline, and with identifying rhythms and the subtleties of an adagio vs an andante comes coordination and acute awareness of others’ cues. Just like in team sports, you learn to work as individuals to problem-solve & deconstruct your own piece – and then operate together in unison to produce a grand symphony for a keen and enthusiastic audience. I would be hard-pressed to raise children in a community where this value is not recognized. Thank you Santa Rosa Symphony, for providing that important and worthy avenue.
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On the heels of yesterday’s post, here are some things you can do to help keep our park system alive and open to the public. These five things are tangible ways for you to make a difference if this cause speaks to you as important.
1 – Visit a state park.
What could be a more pleasurable way to spend an afternoon? If you live in California, the resource www.calparks.org will help you locate one near you or a particular destination.
2 – Support the implementation of the State Park Access Pass.
If you live outside of California, find out what similar programs your state provides. As you may know, in the fall of 2008, Californians experienced the longest budget delay in history. Thankfully, none of the state parks that were on the chopping blocks were closed. The President of the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), Elizabeth Goldstein, points out in a recent progress update that “If Californians paid just $10 on annual vehicle license fees, we’d have enough money to address critical problems in the state park system, and provide free daily access.” Think about that – free daily park access. Most of our beaches alone have entry fees higher than that! Another $5 / year would keep the monies allocated to the park system in our general state budget. Find your local representative here. And for a sample letter or to organize a group petition, download this pdf to use as foundation for your own – spap petition
3 – Participate in Park Advocacy Day 2009
Info from the CSPF Website: Monday, March 23, 2009. Join us for our seventh year of bringing together advocates from across California to lobby for funding and protection of our state parks. It is those in-person visits that make an impression and demonstrate the dedication of advocates who travel to Sacramento to make their voices heard. Online registration is open and can be done by visiting the PAD 09 section of our web site. Or for more info, call the Sacramento office at (916) 442-2119.
4 – Thank your governor for work completed in 2008 towards the preservation of California’s natural environment.
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/preservation/wildforeststhankyou
5 – Ask your senator to please continue this important work in 2009 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/preservation/feinstein
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Other tips can be found here at Save our State Parks and at the CSPF.
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A belated Happy Hanukkah to all my tribe. I think I may have a “Jewish in June” party for all denominations. Wouldn’t it be fun to celebrate all the jewish holidays of the year in one night? Sort of like bar golf, but hopefully a little more educational. It’s pretty hard to get slammed off manischewitz wine. + maybe it will straighten out the facts that Hanukkah and Christmas are as related as Pesach and Easter. (none have any relation to the other ; – ). Of course, singing maoz tzur while dressed as Queen Esther and dining under a Tu B’shvat arbor may be even more confusing! I am grateful that I have friends that are open to my crazy ideas.
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Today I chose to become a member of an organization that supports the preservation of the Sonoma Coasts and Redwood Forests. Stewards provide educational opportunities to the community, including children’s classes on Tidepool and Watershed Education and Redwood Ecology. Stewards sponsors interpretive talks and naturalist-led tours, hikes, bike rides, kayak trips and other local community events such as the Bodega Bay Seafood, Art and Wine Festival and the Annual Old Grove Festival (which features music and theater in the woods). Part of the organization’s goals is to enhance the experience of visitors to the parks, state reserves and surrounding coasts through ongoing programs and ecological projects of historical and day-to-day significance.
This year ( 2008 ) 17 of our 48 State Parks were faced with closure by the government due to budget cuts. The deferred maintenance shortfall that currently exists in our state parks is in the realm of $1.2 billion. The deferred maintenance projects in the Russian River District total in the millions. The dedication to parks preservation by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, along with their California state and local partners, have helped keep our parks open to the public for yet another year. Let’s try to make that forever.
If interested, learn more about the Stewards here.
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I took this photo amongst the redwoods at Muir Woods a couple of years ago. Sometimes I forget how lucky we are – able to experience these enormous beauties at any time. It takes a visitor to remind me that other parts of the country do not have this spectacular landscape. It is hanging in my office, as a pleasant reminder to get out and see the real thing every now and then.
Tomorrow, I will highlight 5 things you can do to help save our parks.
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Shoes and more shoes. Shoes that are cute – fit one foot and not the other (don’t ask). Shoes that were worn a few times before realizing they were just not me. Heels that I can no longer wear. [But I will wear heels again someday]. Shoes that are just taking up space where I have none. I didn’t think I was “that” kind of girl with all the shoes. But I guess I was wrong.
I schlepp the pile over to Goodwill. Somebody please love my shoes.
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And unrelated to the shoes, look what I got ! You gotta smile at that !!
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Gift cards to my postal carrier and other dedicated delivery professionals for their holiday efforts. Yes, they work hard. Although things seem to consistently get to my door 2 days later than they should. I think I am in a time warp (minus 2).
I also sent out some birthday cards and gifts. There are a lot of December and June birthdays here, so it comes in waves. Kitty is still sick, so a lot of the day has been spent nurturing the kid back to health.
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I received a note today that a friend has been secretly participating in the GIGGGLE project. She had recently thrown a couple of parties specifically for children’s charities. I love it, even in stealth mode. This couldn’t make me happier. Really. This is what it’s all about.
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This morning I sent out positive energy into the world. A bit esoteric maybe? Or perhaps my cynicism is rearing again. In any case, I think it helps.
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This afternoon I made poached pears (two variations) for a little holiday gathering. It was really more of a “receiving” because I got so much pleasure out of it. Everybody seemed to enjoy them and they went wonderfully with the delicious dinner our host had prepared. When I can do a little cooking, it has some meditative qualities. The sweet aromas and colorful produce mixed with a steamy kitchen and soothing music . . .
I will post the recipe on expandingSpace when the opportunity arises. And then you can enjoy the experience too.
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I braved the post office today to send off little surprises to a few folks that are close to my heart. I hunkered down for the hour plus wait that was sure to come. Took a breath – and walked in. Empty! I was shocked. Sending things out at the nth hour is the right hour in my case. Plus, it’s always a good day when I can write to friends and let them know that they are special.
Tonight I took some pictures of a strikingly beautiful couple before their Christmas eve outing. When I say some pictures, I mean 40 ;- ) . Hope it was as amusing for them as it was for me!
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And today I had a friend to share in the last-minute errands with. Certainly turned out to be a fun expedition, not a chore at all. What if every potentially frazzling task was instead a delightful treasure hunt ?
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