Hello all. This post is for spring break week. Some of you will be here, some not. I invite you to excavate Champaign/Urbana events, as well as appropriate (as per course description) events wherever you may wind up on the break.
You have this one time opportunity to try something extraordinary in more exotic locales, and I have to tell you I can't wait to read about what you choose. Please document your attendance, and remember, all deadlines for every week (post before you leave town for week 9!) will still hold true.
Have a great, fun, safe spring break!
- (Specific Times for Each Day Below) // Monday, March 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 p.m.Thursday, March 27 1:00-5:00 p.m.Friday, March 7, 1:00-5:00 p.m.Saturdays 1:00-4:00 p.m.Sundays 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Note: There will be no book signing on March 2 or March 16) // SURVIVOR BOOK SIGNING // Illinois Holocaust Museum 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077Located in the Feis Family Lobby // ROSHNI
Monday, March 24
- All Day// 100th Annual Illinois Transportation and Highway Engineering Conference // Illini Union // CHRIS
- All Day // Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop // UIUC - Agriculture Engineering Sciences Building // CHRIS
- All Day // March 14, 2014 - March 28, 2014 // The Illini Union Art Gallery // Eric Show // 1401 W. Green St., Urbana, IL // BRIGITTA
- 7:00pm // Newcomb Film Series: Girl Rising // 7pm // Building: Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC), Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, uptown campus // Tulane University, New Orleans, LA // Cate
Tuesday, March 25
- 9:00 am // Mr. Christopher Berg, UIUC, "TBA" // A414 CLSL // JILL
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am // WebTools Form and Surveys // ONLINE // ANNE
Wednesday, March 26
- All Day// Blanchard Springs Cavern Exploration// Blanchard Springs Cavern, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas// Free for ASB trip-goers, other wise prices vary on how deep in you go// Joey
- All Day// Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag) Hiking/Sightseeing// Buffalo National River forest, Buffalo National River, Arkansas// Free// Joey
- 8:30am-5pm // A Musical Life: The Travels of Otto Mesloh // Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign // BRIGITTA
- 11:00am-12:00pm // Science Seminar Series (Unique Biodiesel Project in Sub-Saharan Africa) // Waller Hall 112, West Kentucky Community & Technical College // PUJA
- 8:30am-5pm // A Musical Life: The Travels of Otto Mesloh // Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign // BRIGITTA
- 11:00am-12:00pm // Science Seminar Series (Unique Biodiesel Project in Sub-Saharan Africa) // Waller Hall 112, West Kentucky Community & Technical College // PUJA
- 12:30pm-2:30pm // From Sochi to Paducah: Award-Winning Photojournalists from Russia // Paducah School of Art and Design // PUJA
- 4:00 pm // Nutritional Sciences 500 Seminar // 180 Bevier Hall // JILL
March 2014
Monday, March 24
- All Day// 100th Annual Illinois Transportation and Highway Engineering Conference // Illini Union // CHRIS
- All Day // Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop // UIUC - Agriculture Engineering Sciences Building // CHRIS
- All Day // March 14, 2014 - March 28, 2014 // The Illini Union Art Gallery // Eric Show // 1401 W. Green St., Urbana, IL // BRIGITTA
- 7:00pm // Newcomb Film Series: Girl Rising // 7pm // Building: Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC), Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, uptown campus // Tulane University, New Orleans, LA // Cate
- 9:00 am // Mr. Christopher Berg, UIUC, "TBA" // A414 CLSL // JILL
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am // WebTools Form and Surveys // ONLINE // ANNE
- 11:00 am // Ding Darling Free Daily Programs Nature Photography // Sanibel, FL // LINDSEY
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm // WebTools Skin Designer // Online // ANNE
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm // WebTools Skin Designer // Online // ANNE
- All Day// Blanchard Springs Cavern Exploration// Blanchard Springs Cavern, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas// Free for ASB trip-goers, other wise prices vary on how deep in you go// Joey
- All Day// Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag) Hiking/Sightseeing// Buffalo National River forest, Buffalo National River, Arkansas// Free// Joey
- 8:30am-5pm // A Musical Life: The Travels of Otto Mesloh // Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign // BRIGITTA
- 11:00am-12:00pm // Science Seminar Series (Unique Biodiesel Project in Sub-Saharan Africa) // Waller Hall 112, West Kentucky Community & Technical College // PUJA
- 8:30am-5pm // A Musical Life: The Travels of Otto Mesloh // Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign // BRIGITTA
- 11:00am-12:00pm // Science Seminar Series (Unique Biodiesel Project in Sub-Saharan Africa) // Waller Hall 112, West Kentucky Community & Technical College // PUJA
- 12:30pm-2:30pm // From Sochi to Paducah: Award-Winning Photojournalists from Russia // Paducah School of Art and Design // PUJA
- 4:00 pm // Nutritional Sciences 500 Seminar // 180 Bevier Hall // JILL
Thursday, March 27
- 11:30am-12:00pm //Mindful Meditation at the Spurlock Museum // Knight Auditorium at Spurlock Museum// ongoing event
- 12:15pm-1:15pm // Celebrate Women Luncheon // Curris Center Ballroom, Murray State University (KY) // PUJA
- 3:00pm // FINANCING A SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP - ECI SCORE // Champaign County Chamber of Commerce // ALEX
- 6:30 PM //Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields' Lecture // Illinois Holocaust Museum // 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077 // ROSHNI
- 7:30pm //A Reading by Christopher Tilghman // 7:30pm // Building: Woldenberg Art Center, Freeman Auditorium, uptown campus // Tulane University, New Orleans, LA // Cate
- 12:15pm-1:15pm // Celebrate Women Luncheon // Curris Center Ballroom, Murray State University (KY) // PUJA
- All Day // Midwest Russian History Workshop // Levis Faculty Center (919 W. Illinois St., Urbana IL 61801) // KELLY
- 10:00am and 1:00 // Friday Lecture Series at Ding Darling // Sanibel, FL // LINDSEY
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm // Grow Your Own Gardner's Day // 515 Old Timber Rd., Monticello, IL // Brian
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Sunday, March 30
- 1:00pm-4pm // Grafting Workshop // Chicago Botanic Garden • 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 // ROSHNI
- 1:30pm - 2:30pm // EMMY AWARD WINNING FILM: SKOKIE: INVADED BUT NOT CONQUERED // Illinois Holocaust Museum 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077 // ROSHNI
Mar 26 // 4:00 pm // Nutritional Sciences 500 Seminar // 180 Bevier Hall // JILL
ReplyDeleteTimothy Abbott, Nutritional Sciences Graduate Student "Establishing and maintaining the complex adhesions of the testes: A role for the omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)." Mini-Theme: Diet and Cancer: Prevention versus Intervention
Mar 25 // 9:00 am // Mr. Christopher Berg, UIUC, "TBA" // A414 CLSL // JILL
ReplyDeletePart of the Physical Chemistry Seminars, no further event detail information provided
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/1249?eventId=31462941&calMin=201403&cal=20140325&skinId=4273
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMarch 14, 2014 - March 28, 2014 // All Day // Eric Show // 1401 W. Green St., Urbana, IL // BRIGITTA
ReplyDeleteThe Illini Union Art Gallery will display the fifth annual The Eric Show Friday, March 14 through Friday, March 28. An opening reception will take place on Friday, March 14 at 5pm. Light refreshments will be served.
The Eric Show commemorates the life of Dale Steffenson’s son, Eric, who lost his life just after graduating high school a semester early in 1970 when his car was struck by a drunk driver. He was an accomplished and award-winning artist with hopes to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as an art major.
http://www.visitchampaigncounty.org/calendar/date/eric-show-0
mar. 26 // 8:30-5pm // A Musical Life: The Travels of Otto Mesloh // Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign // BRIGITTA
ReplyDeleteLike most musicians and music ensembles that toured throughout the United States at the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Sousa Band traveled over 1,272,000 miles by railroad.
http://www.library.illinois.edu/sousa/index.php?p=eventscal
Mar 24// All Day// 100th Annual Illinois Transportation and Highway Engineering Conference // Illini Union // CHRIS
ReplyDeleteEach year, hundreds of transportation engineers, officials, technicians, faculty and students gather to discuss issues critical to the safe and economical movement of people and goods across Illinois, the U.S.A., and beyond. The 100th T.H.E. conference will take place March 25th-26th with pre-conference activities offered on the 24th. To celebrate this milestone, we will be utilizing various University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign institutions including Foellinger Auditorium, Lincoln Hall and the historic Illini Union Building.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=29545917&calMin=201403&cal=20140317&skinId=1
Mar 26 // All Day // Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop // UIUC - Agriculture Engineering Sciences Building // CHRIS
ReplyDeleteThe three modules offered in this workshop series are designed for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) contractors, inspectors, designers and others interested in erosion and sediment control and storm water management best management practices (BMPs) for a sustainable environment. Successful completion of the Fundamentals Module is required before taking the Design or Construction Modules. This two-day module presents the following four topics: • Fundamentals of Hydrology &Soil Erosion • Regulations Related to Erosion and Sediment Control • BMPs for Erosion and Sediment Control • Inspection of Erosion and Sediment Control Measures In addition to the course materials, hands-on learning opportunities are provided at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Erosion Control Research and Training Center (ECRTC). Individuals will earn 11 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for attending and actively participating in the Fundamentals Module.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31720273&calMin=201403&cal=20140317&skinId=1
WebTools Form and Surveys
ReplyDeleteMar 25 // 10:00 am - 11:00 am // WebTools Form and Surveys // ONLINE // ANNE
Joining a training session
http://illinois.edu/webservices/toolbox/training.html
This workshop will demonstrate all aspects of creating and conducting Surveys and Forms. Many new enhancements are available in both the Survey Builder and Form Builder such as file uploading, editing answer options, accessibility, and many more.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31731498&calMin=201403&cal=20140317&skinId=1
Mar 25 // 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm // WebTools Skin Designer // Online // ANNE
ReplyDeleteThe Skin Designer now features Wizards to walk you through creating your unit skins. No coding is necessary. Quickly create Ecards, Email skins, and all other WebTool skins.
To join training
http://illinois.edu/webservices/toolbox/training.html
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31731499&calMin=201403&cal=20140317&skinId=1
March 24th // Newcomb Film Series: Girl Rising // 7pm // Building: Lavin-Bernick Center (LBC), Kendall Cram Lecture Hall, uptown campus // Free // Cate
ReplyDeleteGirl Rising is a groundbreaking feature film about the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to transform societies. The film presents the remarkable stories of nine girls around the world, told by celebrated writers and voiced by renowned actors revealing a critical truth: educate girls and change the world.
Tulane University, 201 Boggs, New Orleans, LA 70118
http://tulane.edu/calendar/event-details.cfm?uid=E9B0BAF2-EAB0-EA68-2F4D23F2BBAA0F5F
=]
March 26th // MFA Thesis Exhibitions: Misgiving by Jenna Turner & Though to Nothing Fading by Caleb Henderson // 9am-4pm // Building: Woldenberg Art Center in Room 200, uptown campus // Free // Cate
ReplyDeleteExhibitions of ceramics work by Jenna Turner and painting work by Caleb Henderson, candidates for Masters of Fine Arts in ceramics and painting.
https://tulane.edu/calendar/event-details.cfm?uid=905D2A26-D194-52FD-7ABD52EA710E8676
I wasn't able to attend either of my post because of volunteer hours and trip policies... but here is a little on my trip as a whole.
DeleteThis spring break I went on and Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans. Our project was called Project Green Light and focused on helping people become more energy efficient. Our job was pretty simple, go to people’s houses and change their old light bulbs to CFL’s and build small gardens in back yards.
Project Green Light was full of flaws. First, CFL’s contain mercury so when they burn out, if they are not recycled they could poison our landfills and also harm the people using them if they break the bulb. Second, when driving all around New Orleans to find these people’s homes, we were using a ridiculous amount of gas. Third, there were tons of people abusing this program… like people who asked to keep their light bulbs so when their burnt out they could go right back to using their old instead of having to buy more.
After a day of volunteering it became very clear that this week was not going to be about the volunteering I was doing but rather how I was going to grow as a person.
And I could create a list of things that I learned that would go on forever but the most important I learned was how to make friends. All the friends I’ve ever made have been through knowing someone else whom they are friends with too. That’s not a bad way to met people… but it can be limiting.
However, on this trip I was with people I barely knew, people with all sorts of different styles and opinions. I butted heads with every single person more than two times each. However, at the end of the day the dining room would be filled with conversation and laughter. One of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been in.
I don’t know if it was the group I was with or the general attitude of everyone in New Orleans... but things are just different down there. It really seems like people have a good grip on what it means to live.
March 27 // A Reading by Christopher Tilghman // 7:30pm // Building: Woldenberg Art Center, Freeman Auditorium, uptown campus // Free // Cate
ReplyDeleteThe Creative Writing Fund of the Tulane English Department presents a reading by Christopher Tilghman of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, author of Mason's Retreat and The Right-Hand Shore.
http://tulane.edu/calendar/event-details.cfm?uid=83D5D617-0EBD-8842-28C006EB291D3BE4
Mar 26 // 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm // Android Training Class // EnterpriseWorks Conference Room 130, 60 Hazelwood Drive, Champaign // MAGGIE
ReplyDeleteThis introductory class will provide students with the skills required to develop Android-based mobile applications. The class will include an instructor-led, hands-on, introduction to the Android development environment including the creation of simple but functional Android mobile applications. Topics covered include development tools, user interface creation and implementation,design patterns, persistent storage, database integration and information retrieval using web services.
Cost: $150 :|
Sponsored by:Research Park
Speaker:William Seemann, AITS
Registration Required!
Mar 27 // 11:30am-12:00pm //Mindful Meditation at the Spurlock Museum // Knight Auditorium at Spurlock Museum// MAGGIE
ReplyDeletePresent-moment awareness can be elusive and we often find ourselves distracted or lost in thought. Through the training and practice of mindful meditation we can discover a calm amidst our to-do lists and more fully appreciate the gift of each day. Mary Wolters from Green Yoga Spa will lead free, 30-minute drop-in mindful meditation sessions in the Knight Auditorium at the Spurlock Museum. No registration is required. Presented each Thursday from March 6 through April 24.
Cost is free, donations are accepted!
Mar 27 // 12:15pm-1:15pm // Celebrate Women Luncheon // Curris Center Ballroom, Murray State University (KY) // PUJA
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of Celebrate Women is to encourage and enhance gender equity by honoring the past, present, and potential accomplishments of women from diverse ages, ethnicities and backgrounds through education, enlightenment, and inspiration. This year's theme is Character, Courage and Commitment.
Ticket Prices & Seating
Tickets $14 for the community, $10 for students
http://www.murraystate.edu/celebratewomen
Mar 26 // 11:00am-12:00pm // Science Seminar Series (Unique Biodiesel Project in Sub-Saharan Africa) // Waller Hall 112, West Kentucky Community & Technical College // PUJA
ReplyDeleteReliable sources of energy are often difficult to access in rural or underdeveloped regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Jeffrey Seay, an assistant professor of chemical and materials engineering at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Paducah Extended Campus, will present “Development of a Sustainable Low Cost Process for Biodiesel Production in Sub-Saharan Africa” on Wednesday, March 26 at 11:00am-12:00noon in Waller 112.
Dr. Seay is the Principal Investigator for a project designed to address the need for access to fuels for transportation and electric power to promote prosperity. This seminar will describe the design of a promising prototype for an appropriate technology based process for the sustainable, low-cost production of biodiesel and its required raw materials from locally available materials and feed stocks.
University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability (UKATS) Research Group members who have travelled to Cameroon in Sub-Saharan Africa will participate in a Q&A session after the presentation.
Everyone is invited to attend this free seminar! For more information, contact Dr. Karen Hlinka at karen.hlinka@kctcs.edu.
http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/News%20and%20Events/newsItem?id={6E0140C7-D369-4224-81E4-324EAF103E5E}
(I know we're supposed to excavate and write about events outside of our major, but I may attend this too because I've never had this experience in my hometown)
ReplyDeleteMar 26 // 12:30pm-2:30pm // From Sochi to Paducah: Award-Winning Photojournalists from Russia // Paducah School of Art and Design // PUJA
On the heels of the Olympics, award-winning photographers Oksana Yushko and Arthur Bondar, from Moscow, Russia, will visit Paducah in March. The duo will be the next participants in the Paducah Arts Alliance Artist-in-Residence Program and during their month-long residency, they will visit the Paducah School of Art and Design on March 26 at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this FREE EVENT!! Yushko and Bondar will talk about their work, life experiences as photographers and follow up with a question and answer session.
Yushko's work has been published in The New York Times, Mare Magazine (Germany), Guardian (UK), Russian Reporter, Esquire and Financial Times to name a few. Bondar has been working as a journalist since 2007. He exhibits his work worldwide, and was named "Best Photographer of the Year in Ukraine" in 2013. Don't miss this opportunity to meet these two amazing artists! For more information, contact Randy Simmons at randallr.simmons@kctcs.edu.
http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/News%20and%20Events/newsItem?id={7AA7C7D7-C80E-4C49-AC27-0C97BF9849B1}
DeleteDespite knowing that we’re not supposed to write about events related to our own major, I decided to ignore the consequences and do it anyways (not to offend you, Linda). It was mostly because I realized that I don’t actually attend many events that are relevant to photography as it is. It was also partially because I had grown up and lived in this small Kentucky town for almost my entire life, but I had never really noticed the thriving arts community that apparently existed in our historic downtown. I had seen glimpses of it, such as the large Floodwall mural paintings that line the edge of the river—each of which is a re-telling of Paducah’s history. I don’t know if I had ever experienced the arts in action though. So when I heard that two award-winning photojournalists from Russia were visiting our little town, I decided that it was something I had to check out. Well, I should give more credit to my hometown—it was recently designated as the “world’s seventh City of Crafts and Folk Art” by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). That’s a pretty cool recognition, I’d say.
On Wednesday, I ventured downtown to hear Oksana Yushko and Arthur Bondar speak at the Paducah School of Art and Design. It was my first time seeing the school, which I didn’t know existed until a few years ago. I met up with a fellow classmate from high school who is also into photography, and we gathered at the photo lab where the presentation was to be held. It was kind of a ‘blast from the past’ to see someone from my high school again—he looks so different now!
One of the professors introduced our young guests, and they began to talk in their Russian accents. (I’ve gotten so used to hearing ‘American’ English that hearing their voices was kind of a wake up call—a reminder that a whole other world exists outside of the one I’m used to.) Yushko and Bondar showed us many of their recent works, some which are collaborative and others are personal. A lot of it would be considered documentary-style photography, but sometimes they also combine their images with music and sound to add another layer of depth. They showed an example of this; it had a chilling, emotional, and ghastly feel to it.
One of Bondar’s works, “Signatures of War” is a collection of Polaroid pictures he took of World War II veterans in Europe. Each individual also signed his or her respective photo. Bondar explained that people do not care much about the veterans now, or their stories. In fact, one of the individuals he photographed said that this was the second photo he’s had taken since the war ended. (This prompted me to think about something that I want to do with some of the photos I took in India over winter break. I plan on making it happen…)
One of the overall points the two photographers had was that “all of the energy and effort you put in now will eventually reward you later.” As graduation nears, I hope to keep that in mind.
Mar. 28 // All Day // Midwest Russian History Workshop // Levis Faculty Center (919 W. Illinois St., Urbana IL 61801) // KELLY
ReplyDeleteThe Workshop will be based on the discussion of pre-circulated papers, which presenters will be asked to submit in advance, for electronic circulation via password protected website. Papers should please not exceed 35 pages in length.
Each session will last 55 minutes, with a brief (5 minute) break between papers, and longer breaks between sessions. Thematically organized, sessions will have a chair to help keep them on schedule and to organize question time. That said, they will be composed of separate, 50-minute discussions of individual papers, which attendees should read in advance. Presenters will be allowed a small amount of time (5 mintues) to introduce their papers, but should not plan on making extended remarks or presenting their findings in detail.
http://www.reeec.illinois.edu/events/conferences/MidwestRussianHistoryWorkshop.html
Mar. 28 // 10:45am // Gillum Ferguson at Illinois History Symposium // Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL // KELLY
ReplyDeleteGillum Ferguson, author of Illinois in the War of 1812, will speak at the Illinois State Historical Society's Annual Illinois History Symposium.
http://illinois.edu/calendar/detail/500?eventId=31734766&calMin=201403&cal=20140319&skinId=1
During my Spring Break, I spent the week at home. Traveling isn't in my budget at the moment, so no exotic locations or extraordinary events for me...just some much needed family time. I did take my dog Sandy to PetCo one day, though, and there was an adoption event happening, so that was pretty cool. Imagine tons of puppies in little play pens all throughout the store. It was basically heaven. Boy scouts were collecting donations for a local shelter, so I gave some money and spent way too much time playing with the puppies. They bite a lot with these little shark teeth. Completely adorable. Sandy wasn't too happy that my attention was on other dogs and kept pulling to get away from them. She's such an old lady. Anyway, I would not willingly attend another puppy adoption event in the future for fear of being unable to leave without one. I don't possess that kind of self-control.
DeleteMarch 30th // 1-4pm // Grafting Workshop // Chicago Botanic Garden • 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteChicago Botanic Garden • 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
March 30, 1 – 4 p.m.
The Midwest Fruit Explorers present this hands-on workshop with step-by-step instructions on how to graft and care for fruit trees. The best varieties for the Midwest will be available, including apple, pear, and plum trees. MidFEx members will be on hand to guide visitors to select the right tree for the right location. After purchasing root stock, visitors can follow the demonstration and leave with one or more trees ready to plant in the ground. No preregistration required.
Mar. 26// All Day// Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag) Hiking/Sightseeing// Buffalo National River forest, Buffalo National River, Arkansas// Free// Joey
ReplyDeleteWhatever your motive to be there, the rock does not disappoint. Nor does the trail along the way, as it is flush with wildflowers and a pretty waterfall area in the spring, then graced with the bright oranges and reds of turning maple leaves in the fall. Even in summer, one can hike the trail and enjoy the view over Buffalo River country that awaits at trail's end.
More info:
Deletehttp://www.buffaloriver.com/whitaker-point-trail-hawksbill-crag/
Mar. 26// All Day// Blanchard Springs Cavern Exploration// Blanchard Springs Cavern, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas// Free for ASB trip-goers, other wise prices vary on how deep in you go// Joey
ReplyDeleteCheck out some caves (caverns?)!
http://www.blanchardsprings.org/ (and enjoy the website soundtrack)
Blanchard Springs Cavern is found in the Ozark National Forest of Arkansas, nearby the Buffalo National River. The caverns have been forming for millions of years, and continue to be shaped and expanded to this very day. It is nearly impossible to fathom the timeframe of the vast caverns, ever changing, formed by individually minute drops of water. Pre-dating even the dinosaurs, the Blanchard Springs Caverns have evolved at a rate entirely negligible within our lifetimes. Standing there in the dark cave, watching the slow, steady dropping of water onto the rock below, it is hard not to feel confronted by the fact that human life is merely a flash in the pan of Earth’s history.
DeleteThe story of these caverns begins with prehistoric oceanic creatures, whose bodies when dead sunk through the water and accumulated at the bottom. Over time, as more and more creatures landed on the bottom, the weight of them began to crush the bodies at the bottom. These hard, rocklike remains were crushed together into one cohesive ocean bed, rich in lime, and thus deemed limestone. Later, the water above began to work its way into the cracks and weak parts of this rock, slowly forming paths and holes, which expand into larger tunnels and rooms, or maybe even burst out, creating a spring. That ocean floor is what we walk on today, and the paths the water took as it drained through the limestone are now caverns such as the ones at Blanchard Springs. Water continues to flow from top to bottom in these caverns, evidenced by the constant dripping from the ceiling, the many underwater passages, and perhaps most fascinating, the formation of stalagmites and stalactites. As water drips through the ceiling, it carries a trail of minerals with it, depositing small amounts as it flows. Over time those minerals hang further and further from the ceiling, forming spike-like structures, called stalactites. Down below, the same drop of water that created the stalactite fall to the floor and deposits even more minerals there. In this spot, and the area around that receives the splash, rises a stalagmite. Remarkable on their own, these two structures eventually come to meet some where in the center, between where the water falls, and where it lands, creating massive columns. In the case of Blanchard Springs, the organic shaping of the caves, and the many complex, history-spanning formations result in a massive room which resembles and far surpasses the grandeur of an opera house.
However, my group and I seem to have visited the caverns at a particularly interesting, if not pivotal, age of the caverns. As we walked into the building that serves as the welcoming center, we were quickly turned around and told to go back to our car to drop off any item that was not washable clothes. No cameras, no cell phones, no belts, no chapstick. This precaution is because of a thing called White Nose Syndrome. White Nose Syndrome is an epidemic sweeping caves across the country, found in Blanchard Springs only weeks before our visit. The syndrome refers to a fungus that grows on bats as they hibernate, essentially suffocating them, and resulting in an early awakening that guarantees death (no food, much too cold). Bats have always hibernated in the winter months, lying motionless for the whole season. They have evolved in a way that has protected them from the threat of becoming a stagnant home for fungi. Yet, for reasons no scientist has been able to uncover, this particular fungus has found a way to grow on the bats, and has now become an extremely serious threat to the bat population. This pandemic, although only in its infancy, has already killed off hundreds of thousands of bats, potentially threatening their existence. As we exited the center, we were required to soak the soles of our shoes in a spore killing solution for about five minutes, a measure that hopes to prevent the spreading of the fungus to other areas. It is not hard to imagine the enormous consequences that arise from the large-scale elimination of a species. The surrounding environment is thrown off balance, the death of one species resulting in hardship for those who prey on it, as well as over expansion of the species who were its own prey (mosquitoes…).
DeleteYet, despite all the commotion and biological warfare, the caverns carry on through this impossibly brief moment in their lives. They continue to grow and change, marching to the drum of that eternal tick-tock. Drip-drop.
March 27 // 6:00 - 8:00 pm // "Cooking the Ideal Way" Cooking Show // 1501 S. Neil St. Champaign // Brian
ReplyDelete"Cooking the Ideal Way" Cooking Show with Ideal Protein Chef Daniel Verati
Trying to eat healthy, but stuck in that chicken and broccoli rut? Have no fear, Chef Verati is coming here! Join Matzner Clinic and JumpStart Weight Loss as they host world-renowned Chef Daniel Verati in an exciting and energetic cooking show. It will change your cooking from boring and bland to delicious and nutritious! Your taste buds will thank you!
Chef Verati has more than 20 years of experience in the culinary arts. Three years after losing over 100 pounds and surviving a heart attack, world-renowned Chef Verati cooks up a storm in his new cookbook, Taste the Freedom, presenting more than 250 delicious recipes for a better lifestyle. His passion for healthy eating has inspired millions of people to get back in the kitchen and take pleasure in cooking fresh, nutritious food. In addition to working in a number of famous restaurants around the world, Chef Verati managed his own five-star restaurant and taught in some of the world’s most prestigious cooking schools.
Tickets: $10 per person
For tickets and more information, contact Matzner Clinic at 217-359-6625 or their Facebok page: https://www.facebook.com/JumpStartMatznerClinic
March 29 // 9:00 am - 12:00 pm // Grow Your Own Gardner's Day // 515 Old Timber Rd., Monticello, IL // Brian
ReplyDeleteMarch 29, 2014
Have you made a plan for your vegetable garden this year? Join area gardeners for a morning of educational classes at Allerton Park. Enjoy learning about Tiny Greens, Tasty Tomatoes & Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces.
Cost $10 per person; Register online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu.dmp or by calling 217-762-2191 by Wednesday, March 26.
March 28th // 10:00 and 1:00 // Friday Lecture Series at Ding Darling // Sanibel, FL // LINDSEY
ReplyDeleteFriday Lecture Series 2014
The free 2014 lectures will be held twice each Friday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., except where noted. Book signings follow all of the starred (*) lectures. Seating for the lectures is limited and available on a first-come basis. - See more at: http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/lectures#sthash.SZedsuMb.dpuf
March 28 - Erin Myers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Florida Panthers - See more at: http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/lectures#sthash.SZedsuMb.dpuf
http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/lectures ^^
ReplyDeleteMarch 25th // 11:00 am // Ding Darling Free Daily Programs Nature Photography // Sanibel, FL // LINDSEY
ReplyDeleteDing Darling Free Daily Programs:
http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/admin/media_upload//2014descript2.pdf
Nature Photography Get back to nature! Learn the art of nature photography using basic equipment. We will teach you how to understand your subject and the
etiquette involved in getting a great picture without disturbing the subject. Great for family outings in nature. 30 minutes. Inside the Education Center
http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/admin/media_upload/2014InterpFinal.pdf
march 27th // 3 pm // FINANCING A SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP - ECI SCORE // Champaign County Chamber of Commerce // ALEX
ReplyDeleteFinancing A Small Business Workshop ECI SCORE The Financing A Small Business workshop is an overview of start-up financing for a business. Content includes business requirements, preparation needed, and sources of capital. A workbook is provided. The workshop is two and a half hours long at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. The cost of the workshop is $25. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For more East Central Illinois SCORE information or to register for workshops, log on to eci-score.org or call 217-359-1791. Email questions to info@eci-score.org
March 24th // ALL DAY //Laurel Falls Trail // Trailhead: From Sugarlands Visitor Center, turn toward Cades Cove on Little River Road and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead where there are parking areas on both sides of the road. // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteLaurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May. The waterfall consists of an upper and a lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream at the base of the upper falls. Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park and parking at the trailhead is limited. The area is especially busy on weekends year-round and on weekdays during summer.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/laurel-falls.htm
From March 21st to the 24th I visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the first time. The main attraction my family and I wanted to see were the Smokey Mountains, national parks, and waterfalls. We took a nine hour drive from Niles, Illinois to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The highlight of my trip was the hike we took to Laurel Falls. I was expecting this hike to be simple stroll like the ones I have taken near my house in the suburbs, but this was a completely unique experience. We took the beginners trail, since many of us were new to this. As we started walking, we were surrounded by tall trees and large rocks. I was in awe of how many trees were around us and how amazing as I started looking up the tree. One side of the trail was walled off by rock and the other side was exposed to forest and hilled areas. The different trees had very unique tree barks with different colors and textures. Some fallen trees with exposed roots were scattered throughout the forest ground. Mini waterfalls were scattered about within the walls of rock. Walking in a single file line, each group member walked at a different pace. It was a really enjoyable experience because at times the trail was filled with noises of people talking and birds chirping, but at other times the trail became completely silent and peaceful. The quietness and crisp air allowed me to breath better and pay attention to the moment I was in and nothing else. I have never felt that way before. I have heard many times that living the present moment is truly liberating and can help with stress, but I never really knew how to actually do that. Even though this was a temporary moment, I started to realize and appreciate the world around me and the beautiful balance of nature. As I was walking I noticed mini water streams surrounded by rocks, which reminded me of a zen saying. “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins; not through strength, but through perseverance.” This was the first time I have ever been completely surrounded by nature for long periods of time. I never realized how much we can all learn from nature. Nature has its imperfections that create balance. Everything from the rocks to the moss growing on the roots of many trees create a balance when you look at nature as a whole. Everything ties together and nothing is judged. We hiked until we reached the Laurel Water Fall where many hikers gathered to take pictures and climb the rocks surrounding the water. It was a beautiful experience and everyone was there for the same reason. I t was so fun because we started talked to strangers about their experiences and where they were from. It was a magical experience.
DeleteMarch 27th // 6:30 PM //Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields' Lecture // Illinois Holocaust Museum
ReplyDelete9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077 // ROSHNI
'Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields' Lecture
Elliot Lefkovitz will discuss the National Jewish Book Award finalist "Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields." Account of the participation of German women on the World War II Nazi Eastern Front. Registration required.
Price:
Free Event
Venue:
Illinois Holocaust Museum
9603 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
847-967-4800
Venue Website
Categories: Civic, Literature
Photos: N/A
March 30th // 1:30pm - 2:30pm // EMMY AWARD WINNING FILM: SKOKIE: INVADED BUT NOT CONQUERED // Illinois Holocaust Museum 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077 // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteEMMY AWARD WINNING FILM:
SKOKIE: INVADED BUT NOT CONQUERED
Sunday, March 30 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Skokie Invaded but not conquered
This original documentary, produced in association with the Illinois Holocaust Museum, is the winner of two 2013 Midwest Emmy Awards. The film explores the impact of the attempted neo-Nazi March of the late 1970s, then and now.
Post-screening discussion to be led by Buzz Alpert and Bob Kandelman, community activists during that time.
Reservations required; reservations@ilhmec.org.
March 2014 (Specific Times for Each Day Below) // Monday, March 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 p.m.Thursday, March 27 1:00-5:00 p.m.Friday, March 7, 1:00-5:00 p.m.Saturdays 1:00-4:00 p.m.Sundays 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Note: There will be no book signing on March 2 or March 16) // SURVIVOR BOOK SIGNING // Illinois Holocaust Museum 9603 Woods Drive Skokie, IL 60077Located in the Feis Family Lobby // ROSHNI
ReplyDeleteSURVIVOR BOOK SIGNING
Located in the Feis Family Lobby
Joe KoenigVisit the Museum during the times below to meet with Holocaust survivors who have written about their experiences:
March 2014
Monday, March 17, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Friday, March 7, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturdays 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Sundays 1:00-4:00 p.m. (Note: There will be no book signing on March 2 or March 16)
Spring Break Event // The Slingshot // PCB, FL // BRIGITTA
ReplyDeleteOn one of our last nights in Panama City Beach, Florida, my four friends and I decided to ride the slingshot down on the beach very early in the morning, around 2 am. I took pictures of my friends Bianca and Laura because I was not about to bring my phone on that thing or else it would go flying out of my hands. Essentially you are locked into a "car" that seats two people and holds you in by a seat belt and a harness similar to that of a roller coaster. Two large, sturdy poles extend in a sort of v-shape that are attached to cords which are attached to the car. Once ready, you are tilted back and the safety lock is released, and the conductors tease you as you wait to be bungeed into the air at warp speeds. Once the spring released we went flying backwards and then bounding forward again. It was really fun and the crowd all screamed with us. It did hurt my head a bit, I will admit, but I think that might have been in contribution to the fluorescent rainbow lighting going along the poles. I am an avid roller coaster junkie, though, so I would definitely do it again! It was an awesome spring break, and riding this was a fun memory to add to the collection.
Mar 29 // 12:00 am // Rose. Rabbit. Lie - variety show // The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV // JILL
ReplyDeleteThis week, I posted my events before I knew we were allowed to attend events outside of campus. For this reason, I did not attend the event I posted, but rather I spent the week in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the term goes "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" I have found this statement to be necessary, but during my stay in Vegas I did attend a show appropriate to write about.
DeleteOn my last night in Vegas, I went to this bar called Rose. Rabbit. Lie. located in the Cosmopolitan. Here my friends and I were comped a table and drinks all night (awesome). The show started at midnight. It was very different from anything I had seen before, the show itself was relatively short, lasting only 30 minutes. After the show it turned into a dance party/club vib. The show was a combination a various short acts: tap dancers, beat boxers, burlesque dancers, etc. It was the perfect combination of tacky and tasteful.
The show, like many other things I saw in Vegas taught me that life can be one big party, it can be as enjoyable as I want it to be. I left for Vegas stressed about school and my future and I returned enlightened that if my professional life doesn't turn out exactly like I had planned there is a world full of options. I have learned that I take life too seriously and I need to start enjoying this one cause it is the only one I get.
Mar 27 // 9 am // Make your own scented candle // Marriott's Cypress Harbour in Orlando, FL // ANNE
ReplyDeletehttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/fitness-center/mcocy-marriotts-cypress-harbour/
For my event this week, I traveled to Orlando, Florida. My family owns a timeshare down there and I brought Maggie, Molly, and Brianne. We left Sunday evening from Chicago and returned home early on Friday the 29th. When we got to our resort, there was a list of activities that were done at our condo and that anyone could attend so Maggie and I looked for the one that sounded the most fun. We found a make your own scented candle workshop and we were really excited to make our own candle. We chose this event even though it was at 9am, which was technically 8am back home. It was too early but still fun. We each paid $5 for all of the supplies we needed for our candles. It was basically like sand art but with little grains of colored wax. Then we each had to pick a scent from a whole box full of choices, it was overwhelming how many different candle scents they had but we chose a warm vanilla. To top the candle off we melted a few grains of wax on the stove and poured the solid wax on top to finish our candles. I was quiet happy with the end result.
DeleteThe rest of our vacation was great. We saw Miley Cyrus Monday night at the Amway center downtown Orlando, and it was insane. The people were crazy and Miley had great stage props, which was super entertaining. We visited Universal’s CityWalk, which is a little area of a bunch of restaurants and bars and it was really exciting to participate in the nightlife of Orlando. We also rented a 4-person bike, which sat two in front and two in the back. It was so much fun because there are speed bumps around the resort and we would fly over them. We visited the downtown Disney area, we stopped by sea world to buy a stuffed penguin for a friend and we even rode the monorails around Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot! Even though the sun wasn’t shining the whole trip, we still made the most out of what we could and I enjoyed my last spring break ever.
While on Spring Break, I traveled to Orlando, Florida with Anne, Molly and Bri. We stayed at a resort where Anne's parents own a timeshare. While we were there, Anne and I decided to make scented candles at the resort's activities center. Several activities were offered throughout the week, but this one fit best with our schedule and also interested us. I think this activity was geared more towards younger kids, but we still enjoyed ourselves and made some yummy-smelling candles. The candles cost us $5.00 and it was similar to making sand art in bottles, but instead of sand, it was candle wax. There were several color options to pick from, so mine ended up being pink, green and white. After layering the wax, we were able to choose a scent to add to the candle. This activity was overall pretty fun. I always like burning candles, so I can't wait to burn a candle that I made!
DeleteMar 24// 11AM // Marsh Beast Airboat Rides// Melbourne Beach FL// CHRIS
ReplyDeleteThis week, I went to Melbourne Beach in Florida. While there we went on an airboat ride. The boat had about 15 seats, and a giant fan that propelled us smoothly over the water. The body of water we were on was an old abandoned pineapple farm, that had since flooded. Today it is quite large and marshy.
DeleteOur tour guide was a former alligator hunter/commercial fisherman, who now works for various conservation programs. As the ride began, we immediately saw a nest of Ospreys. The parents, who as we found out mate for life, were standing above their recently hatched chicks. They are beautiful, large predatory birds. These birds were cool but they can be found here in the midwest. I wanted to see something unique. Next we saw a bird nicknamed the snake head. It's name is attributed to its head, which, just like it sounds, is long and looks like a snake. The bird is quite funny, because it stands with its wings spread out, shaking its head back and forth. It looks like it's dancing. As I found out, it does not possess the same oils in its feathers that most other birds have, so it needs to dry off in the sun.
Next came the good stuff. Gators. First we saw an alligator swimming. Only his head was visible as he glided through the water about fifty yards from us. I wanted to see one closer. I soon got my wish, as the airboat pulled along a little upraised patch of cattails with an alligator resting in the sun. He was roughly ten feet long! As the instructor said, once the summer rolls in and the water is warmer, the gators will rarely be seen on the shores, and will be mostly hunting in the water. We continued onward, seeing alligators here and there. Then we hit the jackpot. There was a small little bit of land near the edge of the marsh that had eight alligators all sitting together! Eight! They were all about 7 feet or larger too!
At the end we saw some of the baby gators. The mothers stay with them on the shores. All the previous gators we had seen were male. The tour guide estimated they were a year old, and they were about 2-3 feet long. The girls on the boat all thought they were cute. The tour guide pointed out that their 80 tiny razor-sharp teeth aren't so adorable. We all had a good laugh.
All in all, this was an amazing trip. Our guide was super knowledgable on the local nature. I had been on an airboat before, but I only saw 1 or 2 alligators. That day I saw 30 or so. It was incredible. I am so glad I went.
This spring break I travelled to Orange Beach, Alabama. Five of my friends and I survived the 15 hour car ride down to the end of the country and enjoyed a week of warm weather. When planning this vacation, we had all the intention to jet skiing, go zip lining, spend time on the beach, hiking, long runs and much more. But, a month before going I broke my ankle, luckily the week before going my doctor gave the okay to go, but to play it safe. So, our adventures spring break turned into a relaxing by the pool, movies and night type of vacation - which, I didn't mind.
ReplyDeleteOne event we decided to go to while it was thunder storming was a trip to the navy base in Florida. They had a free, aviation navy museum. I was able to get myself a wheel chair and explore part of our national guard that is usually forgotten about. My favorite exhibit of the museum was the "Sunken Treasures". It it about the planes found at the bottom of Lake Michigan in Chicago. They use to train pilots to take off and land planes on boats, even the most experienced pilots had trouble; causing many crashes and explosives. Today, over 300 planes still reside in the Lake, a part of Chicago history I knew nothing about.
All in all, my spring break was great, exactly what I needed to get my mind off of things by relaxing with friends.
march 26 // all day // paint your own pottery // the pottery place, champaign, il // ALEX
ReplyDeleteThis week, I chose to do something I have been meaning to do in champaign for quite a long time. I went to the Pottery Place on Springfield and glazed some pre-fired pottery. My friend Sinead works there, so i was able to go behind the scenes and see the process in its entirety. Normally, customers choose a piece of pottery to decorate, and then the employees at the Pottery Place fire the piece to its finalization. I had the opportunity to see the piece through its completion, and be a part of its kiln fire. I helped dip the pottery and load the kiln.I have always been interested in the creation of ceramics, so seeing how hand made pieces are created and finalized through the company and artists hands was a new way of thinking about the art and sale of the medium.
DeleteFriday, March 28 // FRC rare documentary screening: Notebook on Cities + Clothes // SAIC // SEANO
ReplyDeleteI was in Chicago for most of this past week, decided to mine the SAIC instead. I went to a screening of the 1989 film 'Notebook on Cities and Clothes' by German director Wim Wenders. The film is a documentary, an intimate portrait of Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto. I love artist documentaries (especially when they are produced, filmed by artists) because they usually give a tremendous insight into one's creative process. Although, I think its necessary to always keep a drop of skepticism when you're watching an indexical-genre film because just like the crisis of authenticity in photographic image, it exists and grows in the ability to edit film. I found this film to be more authentic than that average of skepticism. The way Wenders films makes me feel like a real fly on the wall. A shot that stands out to me now is one taken backstage during the big season show. Yohji is going through final touches, re-looking over outfits and running from model to model, all while traffic of models and outfits move around him. Wenders is seemingly out of sight and out of mind to Yohji, as a model being styled and several other people moving shit around are blocking the foreground. So Yohji's like pacing back and forth, trying to make everything exactly how it should be. He eventually sits down and stands up in the corner of the backstage area next to a model mirror, where you can see the full scene of chaos unfolding. During this scene in a billiards hall in Tokyo, Yohji talks about how the field is super competitive and constantly shifting and changing. Constantly. If a designer misses a season, they're written off by the industry, "they'll say 'he's done, it's finished.'" Fashion is a cool field in that way because it kind of forces an artist's answer to the calling and forces the viewers to reckon with the work regularly. Something about that franticness ness, that big push to finalize harmonized with me. I could just kind of feel him and empathize with the look on his face as he is sitting next to the mirror, the expression on his face matched the excessive attention to execution I sometimes feel within my own self. I could really say a lot about how much I loved the way this film was actually shot. Wenders used something called an IMO(?) 35mm film camera with 60m reels, forcing him to change the reel and effectively cut every 60 seconds. This to me was an excellent metaphorical companion type thing to this idea Yohji talks about. He says something like "I only believe in the present and past. I don't believe the future." This really made an impact on me. It makes so much sense that I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner. The future is nonexistent. It merely exists as speculation, existence only occurs in the rapidly occurring moments of the present. Therefore, it's totally impractical to act for the the future and totally important to put most focus into the immediate present, while also guiding those actions just barely from the past. I've been going in and out of a weird life-y somewhat-existentialist crisis thing personally and this idea had really changed everything for me and the way I think about my work and self.
DeleteIf anyone is interested in seeing this film, let me know. I bought it and I will post it as a dropbox link if anyone's interested. Highly recommended to all who are makers.