Simple Ways to Honor Earth Day

 

Saturday is Earth Day, so we decided to come up with a list of ways to get involved on Earth or any day, because as they say: Earth Day is Every Day!

1. Plant stuff! Flowers, trees or a vegetable garden provide oxygen and can even produce food in a way that is healthy for the earth and you.

2. Pick up trash and Recycling. The best place to do this is a natural ecosystem that is threatened by human behavior. So if you live near a forest, open space or body of water, take a trash bag and pick up debris. The animal residents will thank you.

3. Donate to your favorite environmental cause. Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservency, Sierra Club, Greenpeace and World Wide Fund for Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund) are just a few options. You can also donate to a local organization, like Environment New Mexico. 

4. Compost. If you've been thinking about starting a compost pile, there's no time like the present. There are more ways than ever to get on the compost bandwagon, from high tech devices, to worms to just a basic pile in your backyard. 

5. Go Low Waste. Look around your house for unused containers and shop the bulk section for anything from flour and rice, to laundry detergent, shampoo and all purpose cleaner. Look for ways to get around plastic and excess packaging. 

And don't stop there. Use Earth Day as a day to kick off your sustainable journey.

 

 

 

 

Will's Book Nook: Batman '66

 

There's a newish Batman podcast called Batman '66 that revives the old 60s Batman TV show starring Adam West in all its campy glory. I watched reruns as a kid in the 90s and 00s and I appreciate it cheesiness even more now. This podcast acts as a continuation of the series in audio form. They even got Adam West and Burt Ward to reprise their roles of Bruce Wayne aka Batman and Dick Grayson ask Robin, Boy Wonder. Unlike the serious Batman movies and noir inspired series, this version brings back the jokes and the onomatopoeias that we all know and love. For its silliness and nostalgia, I give it 5 out of 5 scribbles.   

Arts Connections Advice

Q: My mom is going out of town for 9 days and I don’t like it. I’m nervous and I’m going to miss her. How do I cope?

A: The first thing is to remember that everyone deserves a break, and even though you aren’t happy about it, you still want to make sure that your mom has a great trip and is able to enjoy herself. Find someone who is not your mom if you need to vent about the trip. You don’t want to make her feel guilty. As for coping while she’s gone, make sure you have plenty of activities scheduled to keep your mind off of it. Think of some extra fun things to do with a friend or your dad. Have a movie night with popcorn or a game night. Go out to a restaurant or go bowling. You could even go to the zoo. Take pictures of the fun things you’re doing so that you can show them to your mom when she gets home. 

Q. My dad recently had a health scare when we were at church. It was scary, but I had help thankfully. We even had some medical professionals who stayed with him until the paramedics arrived. What do I do if it happens again or some other emergency?

A. You already did the best thing by alerting others nearby and finding the best people to help. Staying calm is also important. This helps you think more clearly. The unexpected can always happen, and it’s actually lucky that you weren’t alone. You can be prepared by having your phone and even a first aid with you when you’re out. And now that it has happened once, you know you handle it in the future.

Will’s Book Nook: The Tales of Uncle Remus, as told by Julius Lester

I remember the Uncle Remus stories from my childhood, but I remember just how funny they were. Especially when told by the author, Julius Lester, who performs his own audiobook with funny voices. Lester, the author and civil rights activist took the folk tales, originally compiled by Joel Chandler Harris in the 1880s. I like the trickster character, Br’er Rabbit, but I like that he occasionally meets his match and gets what’s coming to him. I also enjoyed how Lester modernized the humor and sometimes talks directly to the listener. I give it 5 out of 5 scribbles.

Easter Egg Hunt Tips

 

Even as grown ups, sometimes we still enjoy a good Easter Egg Hunt. Here are our tips for making it fun!

1. Most importantly, make sure you know how many eggs you're hiding and even number them. Then make sure all of them are accounted for. Especially if they're real eggs!

2. If you have time and plan ahead, make a map or take picture of each hiding place so that you can find all of the eggs again. See above.

3. If you'd like to make your hunt more exciting, hide a special egg that can be traded for a prize. You could paint this egg gold or make it stand out in some way. 

4. If there are different age groups participating, especially young children, consider hiding some of the eggs lower down, in easier spots and giving a 1 to 2 minute head start.

5. To make it more of a team effort, you can turn the hunt into a scavenger hunt. Each plastic egg could contain a piece of paper with a clue to the next hiding spot. Then each team gets a prize based on the order in which they finish or the number of eggs they collect.

Will’s Book Nook: Short Story Ideas

 

I like to write short stories, and in the past I’ve based them on Ironsides, a series featuring a detective in a wheelchair. But recently I’ve had some writer’s block. I’ve got some ideas, but I thought I’d do some brainstorming with my classmates for Writing Together. 

I particularly enjoy writing smart alecky detective stories, and I came up with a name befitting a New Mexican detective: Toto Caliente. I’m also a big advocate for representing disabilities of all kinds. But when it comes to the plot and other characters, I’m seeking inspiration. I’ve based characters on friends of mine in the past, and that’s always been fun. And I’ve worked a lot of my own experiences into my writing. Some options I’ve considered including in my next short story are: the potential spaceport that may be built in Albuquerque, and I’d like to use that in some way. A friend of mine is the inspiration for Detective Caliente’s partner, Pico. I also came up with a character called Singing Sparrow, based on the New Mexican Pueblo culture. One of my favorite books of all time is The Curious Case of the Dog in the Nighttime, featuring a boy with autism who tries to solve the mystery of his neighbor's dog's death. A number of recent TV shows, like Sherlock, have also featured detectives and other main characters with autism. I like this idea, because autistic people see things in a different way than neurotypical people. I've also been listening to an audiobook collection about a blind detective. People underestimate him, and he uses his other senses in a way that others might not. One idea I've had is to include a community access worker as a character. Talking this through has helped come up with a lot of ideas. Thanks!

Arts Connections Advice

Q: With the time change that just happened, I’m feeling extra tired lately. I always struggle in the early afternoon just after lunch. How can I snap out of it?

A: Because your body is working hard on digestion, people often feel sleepy after lunch. Try eating something light and healthy. Pick from the 4 Ss (we just made that up): salads, soups, sandwiches and smoothies and see if it makes a difference. Another way to shake off the sleepies, is to go for a walk or some other type of light to moderate exercise. Getting out in nature and sunshine when you can is also beneficial. If all else fails there’s the classic method of splashing water on your face. 

Q. I have a disability and I use a wheelchair. When I'm out in public, I'm always surprised at how inconsiderate some people can be. People often cut in front of me in line or don't hold the door for me. How can I deal with this?

A. If you are with someone, make sure they advocate for you by speaking up. Awareness is a huge part of the battle. You can also practice speaking up for yourself. You can't always change people's behavior, but you can make them aware so that maybe in the future they will be more considerate. Even just making sure they don't ignore people with disabilities and pretend like they're invisible is a huge step forward (no pun intended). The key not to show your frustration and not to be passive aggressive, but to be as nice as possible. It's not fair that it's on you to be the bigger person and to educate, and there may be days when you just don't have it in you--and that's okay, but by killing them with kindness, they are more likely to change their behavior and everyone will benefit from it.

 

Opinon: Down With DST!

 

Daylight Savings Time started during World War I as war effort to reduce coal consumption. Most countries that started it during WWI stopped doing it immediately after, while some countries began doing during WWII. We here in the US never stopped, even though the reasoning behind it no longer made sense. So here we are, stuck changing moving our clocks one hour forward every spring, also known as "spring forward." Many different people argue about whether it's better to keep our current system of changing clocks, to make DST permanent or to make Standard Time permanent. But one group of people is pretty much in agreement: doctors! It has been proven in many studies that DST is bad for our health. It might be nice to have more sunlight in evening, especially if you're an early riser. But the risk of heart attack stroke and traffic accidents much outweigh any benefit. We writers of the Arts Connections Blog are in agreement. Daylight Savings Time sucks!

Will’s Book Nook: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes

 

In my last Book Nook, I wrote about the Roald Dahl censorship controversy, so this time I want to talk about one of my favorite Roald Dahl books, Revolting Rhymes. I have it in audiobook form, which also includes Dirty Beasts and is read by star of stage and screen, Alan Cumming. The funny and sometimes naughty rhymes combined with Cumming’s delivery had me laughing quite a lot. His comedic timing made it even funnier than I originally expected. I quote it all the time. I especially like to reference the part in "Goldilocks" when she's on trial for breaking and entering and she's clearly guilty of that. I also love that Dahl made Red Riding Hood a wolf hunter. She even helps out in the "Three Little Pigs" with their wolf problem. Speaking of which, my favorite quote from that rhyme is when the wolf says, with determination, "If I can't blow your house down [...] I'll have to blow it up instead." I give it 5 out of 5 scribbles, because of Cumming's narration. 

Interview with Alex

Alex is the newest member of the teaching staff here at Art’s Connections. She took over Theater Games and Book Club at the beginning of the semester in January. We sent her some interview questions to get to know her better.

Q: Have you worked with people with disabilities before?

A: I have! The last was a lovely young lady on the spectrum who I taught and accompanied throughout the day. Plus, as a disabled person myself, I've spent a lot of time in the disabled community.

Q: Do you like music? what kind? Do you have a favorite band/singer?

A: I love music! My favorite kind would be alternative rock and punk rock, but my favorite band is OK Go!

Q: Are you originally from New Mexico?

A: I only moved to New Mexico about 2 years ago. Before that I spent most of my life in Texas. And before that I moved around quite a bit with my family. I even spent a few years in Japan!

Q: Have you done any local theater productions?

A: I have! Most recently I performed in the New Mexico Seven at the Fusion theatre and am currently cast for the Shakespeare Festival this summer! In fact, I was in the festival last year. If you saw As You Like It, I was the forest person with the dog!

Q: What is your favorite theater production that you've been in? 

A: My favorite theatre production that I've ever been in was a show called (& Medea). I was a puppeteer and got to design and build almost all of the puppets myself!

Q: Do you direct? What have you directed?

A: I actually haven't directed, but I've thought about trying it out. I have written original shows though! 

Q: What other places have you lived?

A: Like I said, before New Mexico, I was in Texas. Before that was Delaware, Japan, and Virginia, where I was born.

Q: Do you like to travel?

A: I love to travel! I especially love flying. It always feels like an adventure.

Q: What is your favorite travel destination?

A: This is gonna be a bit cliche, but I love going to theme parks, they're just so much fun.

Q: What is your favorite animal?

A: Coyotes! 

Q: Do you have any pets? What kind? What are their names?

A: I have 2 dogs and a cat! One is a German Shepherd named Emmett, the other is a Pitbull, my service dog named Drax. They're both 4 years old. The cat is named Winston. She's blind with no teeth and is 10 years old.

Q: What is your favorite book/movie/show?

A: Right now my favorite book is I think Room by Emma Donoghue, my favorite movie is Chronicle, and my favorite show, at least right now, is The Last of Us.

Q: Do you like to cook? What is your favorite food/cuisine?

A: I'm not much of a cook, but I make a really good spaghetti! In terms of my favorite food, it's definitely pizza.

Q: What are your hobbies or favorite free time activities?

A: I love writing, reading, dancing, and sewing!

Q: What's your favorite color?

A: Green!

Q: Do you make art? What kind? Do you have a favorite artist?

A: I do make art. I love making collages and weird abstract paintings. I don't really have a favorite artist, I just have artwork that I love. My favorite is abstract. 

Q: Share a joke with us!

A: What do you call a fish with 3 eyes? 

Fiiish.

We love it! Welcome Alex!

Will's Book Nook: Roald Dahl Controversy

 

 

You might be familiar with Roald Dahl, author of James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Witches. And you may also have heard his name in the news lately. The publishing house, Penguin, is re-releasing his books and they have chosen to censor some of the words and character depictions that would be considered offensive today, such as fat phobic language referring to the character of Augustus Gloop. There's been a lot of outrage over these changes, and in my opinion Penguin is trying to sanitize Dahl's work, instead of having difficult conversations about what he meant and his personal prejudices. In response to the criticism Penguin has just announced that they will release "classic" versions of the novels in addition to the censored versions. Instead of changing the words, why not add a footnote instead, acknowledging problematic nature of the language. I give Penguin and the new censored versions negative Scribbles for this silly and misguided idea.    

Will's Book Nook: Looney Toons Golden Collection

 

I know this is not book related, but I was excited to hear about the release of a remastered collection of Looney Toons cartoons. I watched them growing up, so it's nostalgic for me. Mel Blanc is also one of my favorite voice actors and a fun fact is that he did the voices for all the Looney Toons characters. I recommend the documentary Man of a Thousand Voices if you're interested in learning more about him. My top three favorite Looney Toons characters are Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Yosemite Sam, but it's impossible to choose a number one favorite. Side note: there are some jokes and story lines that would be considered offensive today. For nostalgia's sake and for all the extra features, I give this collection 5 out of 5 scribbles.

Lenten Celebrations Around the World

 

If you're in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras, if you're in Rio de Jinero it's called Carnival, if you're in the UK it's called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, if you're in Germany it's Karnival, Fasching or Fastnacht depending on the region. There are many more names and celebrations around the world. These celebrations typically occur during February or early March in the Christian season of Lent. According to Wikipedia, "Carnival typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus. Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. Participants often indulge in excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, and other foods that will be forgone during upcoming Lent." Different foods and costumes are associated with different regions. For example, the Kings Cake in New Orleans has a figurine to represent the Baby Jesus hidden inside. In Rio, revelers can be seen wearing masks decorated with feathers, gems and beads, and Germany the focus is on silly costumes. 

If we were to celebrate Carnival here in New Mexico, we wondered what it might look like. Similar to our Dia de los Muertos parades, a Carnival parade would probably feature low riders. Celebratory food would have to incorporate green chile, and maybe biscochitos would make an appearance as well. As for how people would dress up, the jury is still out. 

 

Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

 

There are many ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, whether with a partner, a parent, a friend, group of friends, or a secret admirer. Here are just a few fun ideas to do with any of the above!

ROMANTIC DINNER

A romantic dinner can range from a lot of things; getting Italian food (and maybe having a Lady and The Tramp moment), going out to get pizza, or staying home for a home cooked meal. While going out can be fun, it's always nice to know you helped make the food yourself. 

GOING TO THE MOVIES

It will depend what kind of movie you go to see. Obviously, a more romantic film will be great to see with a partner or a secret admirer, while a comedy or even a sad movie would be great to see with friends or family. Check to see what movies are playing.

TAKING A WALK

Going for a walk or hike is great both for exercise and for taking pictures. You can get beautiful photos of nature and of you and your loved ones. Try looking for more accessible trails if you want to go on a hike so all of your friends can come along.

GOING TO A PARK

This is a great chance to play with your dog (if you have one) with your friends, family, partner, or secret admirer. It would also be nice to bring a blanket and a book to relax with your loved ones. You could also see if the park is going to have an outdoor concert.

PICNIC

With a blanket, candles, and flowers, picnics are a great way to combine a romantic meal with going to a park. Be sure to pack your favorite foods. And also be sure to keep an eye out for any bears trying to steal your picnic basket!

Last Minute Valentine's Gift Ideas

 Uh oh! It's Valentine's Day and you don't have a gift ready! Maybe you got the date on your calendar wrong,  maybe you were distracted doing something else, maybe you have ADD and you weren't able to focus, or maybe you just plain forgot. Don't worry! We have several solutions so you can find true love at the last minute.

HOMEMADE HEARTS: "I plan on making my best friend who is blind a heart by taking a piece of paper and using a hole punch to make braille. I'm trying to be more artistically inclined. This way she can feel the heart." 

This is a great example of a quick valentine gift that also pays attention to the Valentine. Remember when you make your gift to make it special for the person you're giving it to, whether that is a loved one, friend, or family. This even includes your pets!

CARD: "I plan on making a card for my mom and my brother and my secret admirer. I'm using paper I already have, plus glue, stickers, and colors and drawings to show true love!"

It's important to remember when you are making a last minute gift to use what you already have. It's best to use the resources that you have so your Valentine knows that it's from you. Last minute isn't the time to rush or panic. Just make your loved ones happy!

POEM: "Roses are red, violets are blue, candy is sweet, and so are you!"

For a poem you could write something original or you could read something that's already been written, like a performance. Reading or writing a poem could be very romantic, even if they don't know who it's from. You could send it as a secret admirer!

BOX OF CHOCOLATES:  "Other than ice cream, chocolates are my favorite dessert."

A box of chocolates is very yummy and a quick solution if you do not have a gift since every store will be selling them. If you buy your Valentine chocolate make sure you account for their dietary needs, like buying no sugar chocolate for someone with diabetes. 

HOMEMADE FLOWERS: "Homemade flowers don't flop over and die, so that way you can keep them longer."

It's important to think about how long your Valentine can enjoy their gift. Flowers are very pretty but don't live very long. Flowers made out of pipe cleaners, tissue paper, balloons, and other things will last much longer and be much more memorable. DIYs are always very important and let your Valentine that the gift came from you and that you put a lot of work into it.

Will's Book Nook: The Adventures of Dick Tracy

 The Adventures of Dick Tracy is a 1930's radio show based on a popular comic. The author of the comic was named Chester Gould. Dick Tracy was a smart aleck type detective who faced off against very silly villains. It was a radio show that didn't take itself very seriously. Looney Toons famously made fun of Dick Tracy on multiple occasions. 

In one episode I listened to, the villain was named The Noodle. He was able to fit into small spaces like a spaghetti noodle because of how skinny he was. "This looks like the work of The Noodle!" He was stealing people's money out of piggy banks. Mel Blanc played the voice of The Noodle. He's one of my favorite actors, as I grew up with him. He actually also starred in The Looney Toons. He came up with most of the voices for the Dick Tracy radio show. 

I really enjoyed how silly the villains Dick Tracy were chasing were and how unserious the show was. It was also one of the first shows to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the audience. I thought that was very cool. Overall I like silly things so this was a fun time. 

I give The Adventures of Dick Tracy 5 out of 5 scribbles.

DIY Valentine Gift Ideas

 

Valentine's Day is just a week away, so if you don't have a gift yet, it's time to start planning. But what if you want to save some money, and/or give a gift from the heart? Consider making a gift for your loved one(s).

1. A bouquet of flowers, especially red roses, is a traditional Valentine's Day gift. But what if you made the flowers out of tissue paper and pipe cleaners? Not only are they just as pretty, but they last longer. You can also use recycled materials, like post it notes or newspaper. You can even get creative with a vase, such as a decoupaged bottle or jar. You could also decorate it with washi tape, stickers or 3-D embellishments.

2. A handmade card is also a classic option. You can get crafty with the decorations, and include a heartfelt message on the inside or even a poem! Hearts are a popular choice, especially if you made them 3-D. Flowers, cupids, or just something you love like animals.    

3. Baked goods and other edible options are usually a hit. Just make sure you take your loved one's diet into account. Cookies, brownies and candies are usually winners. But what a heart shaped pizza or a bouquet of jerky? You could even diy your own Edible Arrangement with their favorite fruits.

4. What better way to express your feelings than writing them a love song and recording it? If you have a shared "song," you could record yourself singing it. If you are not musically inclined, you could create the perfect playlist for them, just like they used to do with mixed tapes.

Will's Book Nook: Suspense (1940-1962)

 

Lurene Tuttle (left) and Rosalind Russell
in "The Sisters" on Suspense (1948)

 

 

 

Suspense was a long running radio show on CBS that had various different directors and hosts, including Alfred Hitchcock. It had the subtitle, "radio's outstanding theater of thrills" and followed a suspense-driven formula. According to Wikipedia, "the protagonist was usually a normal person suddenly dropped into a threatening or bizarre situation; solutions were "withheld until the last possible second"; and evildoers were usually punished in the end." I like the strong acting performances from leading Hollywood stars, such as Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre. One episode featured a man trying to cheat death, but it keeps showing up as if death were an actual person. He eventually catches up with him as a hitchhiker. The sound effects were creepy and effective and the twists and turns were suspenseful. So far I'd give it a 4 out of 5 scribbles. Sometimes the audio quality is a little lacking, given the age of the show.

Arts Connections Advice #7

Q: I'm an adult who lives at home with my parents and we often have conflict. How do I get them to see me more as an adult?

A: It all comes down to responsibility. The more you can do to prove your independence and contribute to the household, the more you will likely be seen as adult. The first step is picking up after yourself and not making extra work for those around you. Then it's a good idea to find chores that are easiest for you to do and that you're best at. And don't forget to be a good team member and work with your parents (or other family member) to do certain things that you might not be able to do completely on your own. Make dinner together, set the silverware, while your mom puts out the plates, unload the bottom rack  of the dishwasher and hand dishes off to someone else to put in cabinets. If you'd like to start managing your money, work together to create a budget and start a savings account. Give yourself a certain amount of spending money, and put the rest into savings. See if you can stick to your budget and save toward bigger items. And don't forget to work on cooperation and a positive attitude. If you want your parents to stop punishing you, make sure that they clearly outline their expectations and that you are following through. If your system isn't working, bring it up with them so that you can work out a solution together. If you are in a bad mood, try to develop strategies so that you don't take it out on others. Keep the lines of communication open to avoid misunderstandings as well. It's not always easy to live in harmony, and you're going to have disagreements from time to time, but as long as you view living together as cooperative undertaking, you will get the respect you seek.  

Will's Book Nook: Sherlock Holmes: The Carleton Hobbs Collection

 

A new collection of remastered episodes of Carleton Hobbs' Sherlock Holmes BBC Radio Show, that ran from 1952 to 1969, making him the longest tenured Sherlock Holmes. This series stars Carleton Hobbs as Holmes and Norman Shelly as Watson. It also stars a young Christopher Lee as Dr. Moriarty. He's one of my favorite actors. Vintage would be a good way to describe it, which works for me, because I've been getting into older stuff. I like the older style of talking and the slang that is no longer in use, like "'ods bodkins," which can best translated as "oh my!" Based on what I've listened to so far, I'd give it 5 out 5 scribbles.