Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Gift My Mother Gave Me [Maria & Eunice Kennedy Shriver]


There are all kinds of mothers who all mother in different ways. In this short film, Maria Shriver talks about her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics. 

Through her example, Eunice Shriver gives her daughter the gift of possibility - "you can, you must, you will" - and changes the world for millions of people with intellectual disabilities.







 
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Friday, May 3, 2013

Radio with Ruthann Amarteifio : A week in Palestine and Poetry


 



Ruthann Amarteifo conducts an evening of a week in Palestine ending with spoken word and poetry.

The first half of the show features violations reported by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights relayed via Raymond Blaine. A solitary altercation between an Israeli and a Palestinian resulted in the destruction of cultivated crops and almond trees by fires, school buses attacked, more than 90 Israeli military incursions, the wrongful abduction of people, children and elderly wounded, the destruction of mosques and further demolitions of private property.

The initial cause of the week Raymond reports on is a direct result over a peaceful protest against the confiscation of land in Palestine by Israel.

Later in the show, Ruthann brings three poets together for a round table discussion on poetry, writing and life, including live readings of their work.

Derek Ubuntu Dunham and Quin Overman discuss essential aspects of writing such as inspiration, creative writing classes, copyright issues, and styles of poetry. Both writers focus on areas of inspiration like social awareness, writing groups and their experience reading the written word.

Crossover art is touched upon [one artist that embodies several genres of art such as painting, music, writing, sketch] and that talking about issues through writing and poetry ignites people to think more deeply about social issues.

Native American and African philosophy are brought to the surface through Derek and Quin and Susan Marie joins them towards the end of the show reading her piece, "This is my America" adding her inspirations, favorite writers and general reflections on the written and spoken word.

All three poets, along with Ruthann, discuss various aspects of nations in distress, specifically Palestine and Pakistan, as well as the muse and where each poet delves to reach that in depth place inside the soul that is responsible for automatic writing and stream of consciousness.  


To listen to the show, please link :  Gather Round with Ruthann Amarteifio


[To contact guests on the show and Ruthann, link directly to their websites by clicking their names above.] 






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Monday, April 29, 2013

Poetry Metagenics at the Pulitzer Center






Original article here --> Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 


Inspired by the serendipitous algorithm-generated poetry of the New York Times Haiku, we're hoping to feed our own award-winning writing through a concept of similar but more human design: the staff and readers of the Pulitzer Center website.  

 Our resident poet, Jennifer Nguyen, got the ball rolling: 

@jen_vnguyen



A dividing line
of walls, mines, wire, land and men,
unites Korea.

We write on behalf
those who may risk death for words
this Poetry Month.

When given the "choice"
sick, ailing Cambodians
prefer HIV.



What is a haiku?

Haiku is poetry in three short lines using a 5-7-5 syllable structure. Typically haikus contain strong sensory or synesthetic words and images. 



Poetry Month: Telling Untold Stories:

Haikus about international untold stories help interpret global issues for a wider audience. 



Amanda Ottaway  
@amandaottaway

in and of shadows 
the stateless stumble, ever 
the nowhere people.

Susan Marie  
@SusanMarie_NY

Bones emitting truth 
stack, one atop another 
collocating flies.


Poetry can help us reflect and see things we might have missed in everyday life. 

Poetry can be a call to action or, as Pulitzer Center grantees Eliza Griswold and Seamus Murphy found in Afghanistan, a way to express dissent when self-expression is dangerous. 







© Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
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Thursday, April 18, 2013

For Boston from Buffalo


A Message from Our Unity of Buffalo Prayer Ministry





Dear Unity Friends,

We are saddened by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, and we send healing prayers to all the injured, knowing that they receive the very best of care, and that they are being healed from within by mighty currents of God’s healing love abundantly flowing through each one.  

We send prayers of comfort and peace to the loved ones of those injured and those whose loved ones have made their transition.  

We know that the Holy Spirit draws near to each person who is grieving or worried about their loved one, and whispers comforting thoughts that uplift each one.  

We send prayers of gratitude to the first responders who so effectively and efficiently cared for the injured, knowing that they too are comforted and uplifted.  

We send calming thoughts to all who are frightened.  

Today’s Daily Word reminds us that the power of God works through one and all, and we are blessed and protected. 


Thank you for praying with our prayer ministry.

Unity of Buffalo Prayer Chaplains
1243 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 882-0391

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Friday, April 12, 2013

Thoughts While Sleepwalking


On Audio --> here 
 

it leaps and bounds
love 
climbing vines towards Heaven
 
zinging past stars, galaxies
meteors flashing
supernova stargaze falling embers
 
like a waterscape canvas
melting nightscape backdrop
settling upon blooms springing forth
from each bud
 
an electrical buzzzzzzzzzz
 
resonating
a bumblehum
of drones
leaving the air
thick and heavy
like buttercream frosting.

If you look to the sky, you will see the energy
electrical lines quake and quiver  a sonic boom
like static
traveling down one arm
to the fingertip
that touched Gods' own
on the ceiling of the Sistine.

Michelangelo knew about love. 

Aboriginals knew.
They needed no speech.

They felt the Earth
pull their chests
outward
magnetic
a throbbing ache
of telepathic temple
told presence of
Mother Earth
God
Buddha
Muhammad
The Great Spirit
Yahweh


The bum in the gutter
has knowing eyes.
I bet you never took
the time to see.
 

Next
         time
                  look
                           closer


the iris
reflects the freedom
of knowing
the same crazed stare
of a driven soul
escaping through  tunnels of poetry
waiting to flood
the city streets
and drown  the foolhardy.


The Genesis 
 
of an Apocalypse.  
 

© Susan Marie 
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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

the most beautiful songs


On Audio --> Here


Sometimes
the obscurest birds
sing
the most beautiful songs.

Like a child,
placing blocks,
worn,
letters faded, atop another.

Oh . . . so carefully.

Or in the kitchen,
where one woman,
beautiful,
with her hair tied back,
cooks
and silently hums to herself,
her family, waiting,
in the other room.

And the man,
viewing his child below him,
placing worn blocks with such intent
then shifting his gaze to the back of his wife,
in the kitchen,
standing.

And there is no music.

No words are spoken.

It is simply understood
that sometimes
the obscurest birds

sing

the most beautiful songs.

 

© Susan Marie and Shivpreet Singh

*Shiv said to me, "Sometimes the obscurest birds sing the most beautiful songs."  



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Monday, April 8, 2013

2013 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair


According to the website, "The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is a regional two-day event that brings booksellers, authors, bookmakers, zinesters, small presses, artists, poets, and other cultural workers (and enthusiasts) together in a venue where they can share ideas, showcase their art, and peddle their wares."



Attending and performing at the fair in 2013 proved to be one of the most outstanding weekends I have experienced in a long time. Held yearly at Karpeles Manuscript Library and Museum in Buffalo, New York, 2013 was the first time the book fair was a two day event. This event is free and open to the public. 

 This year there were over 4,500 visitors with events beginning on Thursday evening to kick start the weekend, 25 poets reading at the event on Saturday, bookmaking workshops for children and adults on Sunday, two after parties on Saturday, over 27 main sponsors of the event, and over 122 vendors.
The entire list of vendors can be seen here --> Participate

Photos of the museum and vendors can be seen here --> Photos

I were lucky enough to read at the event
.


The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is an integral event for Western New York, as Buffalo is, literally, the epicenter of poetry, literature, and the arts. This event utilizes the historic buildings in Buffalo, as well as providing the independent author, artist and press a place to sell their books, crafts, photography, and various fine works of art. 

If you missed the event this year, you must attend in 2014. If you wish to vend during and/or sponsor the event, get on the mailing list HERE as it fills up quickly. 

Thank you to Chris Fritton for managing to make the 2013 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair a massive success. 


See you next year!



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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

NYS Senators, NYS Assembly: Restore the Cut to Western New York Disabled Services [OPWDD]



Senator David Carlucci and this petition below are linked HERE, with over 15,000 signatures. Thank you to all supporters, unfortunately this was voted against.
Action Needed Before March 31st !

Please sign, share and hit the "email contacts' link on the petition
---> PETITION


52 million dollars is being considered by NYS Senate & Assembly to be spent on Ralph Wilson Stadium [sports] and Television while cutting essential disabled educational services in Western New York like Starlight Studio. The Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York has already taken massive cuts, please share, sign and make a difference in the lives of people that need disabled services.
 





There is an effort being coordinated by groups representing voluntary agencies serving the developmentally disabled regarding the 4.5% cut. This effort amounts to calling Majority party members in both houses to urge them to vote against the 4.5% OPWDD voluntary cut in the budget proposed by their leaders. To do this, we want them to speak on behalf and vote for a "hostile amendment" which the Minority Parties in both houses will propose.

Again, we need as many Majority Party members as possible to make a big issue of this on the floor of both houses for the leaders, the Governor and the press to see. Minority Party members are expected to vote for the amendment. The aim of this amendment is to generate pressure through the many rank and file members who were genuinely supportive of full restoration.

The issue: Albany, N.Y. (WKBW) - Senators spend most of the night on Tuesday into Wednesday making tough decisions on the state budget. The big issue was the $90 million cuts to the disabled.

Taking away funds would cut services for thousand of people across Western New York. One program that will be affected is at the Starlight Studio. It is an art program for the disabled that allows them to use their talent to communicate. For many people, art is the only way of expressing their feelings. Experts said cutting these programs could lead to major frustration and anxiety for the disabled.

"We all care about the developmentally disabled and we want to improve the quality of life for them and their families. We did our best to minimize their pain. We minimized the cuts from six to four in a half," Senator Kathleen Marchione said.

Another concern for those against the cuts is that there are millions of dollars going toward entertainment, yet taking away from the disabled. In the budget, about $52 million will go toward the renovations of Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. There will also be about $5 million going to move "The Tonight Show" from its home in Los Angeles to New York City. Many people feel the state is putting entertainment before the disabled and other important programs.


The budget will head to the State Assembly where it will be debated. It is expected to pass before the March 31st deadline.



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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Buffalo Small Press Book Fair



Free Event April 6th and 7th 







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    Wednesday, March 13, 2013

    Make Yourself Better : A Book Review







    Written by Philip Weeks, published by Singing Dragon, "Make Yourself Better : A Practical Guide to Restoring Your Body's Wellbeing through Ancient Medicine" covers various disorders a human being can experience ranging from spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Philip manages to cover extensive medical background regarding the human body, how each system operates and how a dysfunction in each system and organ affects our bodies and minds. Philip provides an extensive holistic guide in order to improve each system, if a disorder arises, as well as simply staying healthy. 

    The most important aspect of this reference guide are the chapters on stress, the kidneys and adrenal glands. Stress is, generally, the root of all dysfunction. Philip includes precise, yet simple to purchase and accomplish, holistic ways to cleanse the body of built up toxins for every organ and body system.

     As an expert on natural medicine, nutrition, a Master Herbalist and acupuncturist, Philip does state that if one is to detoxify the body, to make sure it is healthy to do so and observed by a medical doctor first. Such precautions are essential, as all of our bodies function differently.

    Guided by Eastern Medicine and applying Western Medicine, the author provides a full account of how and why the body acts the way it does, as well as realistic solutions to rid the body of already present toxins and to avoid and dispel potential illness.

    This volume is a must read for those who have no understanding of Eastern Medicine, holistic practice and the ways in which our bodies and minds function. Medically, the book is extensive in explaining, yet in simple terms, every single system and organ. 

    A pleasant and shocking surprise, one will enjoy learning how "everyday" things adversely affect us, often without our knowledge. 

    More importantly, after understanding your body, checking with your physician and understanding the content Philip provides, "Make Yourself Better" includes various ways to help yourself. 


    Visit Philip's Website :  Make Yourself Better

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