Beauty and The Beads

Sometimes, a few bags of free dog or cat food and a little time is all it takes to make giving up ones pets unnecessary.

By Janie Amaya

Hundreds gathered outside the US Capitol urging Congress to support future funding for cancer research and prevention programs and prevent budget cuts. The rally was part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks (ACS CAN) annual leadership summit and lobby day.

Several of the nations top mens college basketball coaches put their rivalries aside and joined the ACS in their nationwide collaboration, Coaches vs. Cancer. University of Missouri-Kansas City basketball coach Matt Brown was joined by his 11-year-old daughter Ally, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of eight.

Cancer is amazing. It just doesnt affect the patient itself, it also affects the families, Brown said. Ally has been tremendous through all of this; I think mom and dad have had the biggest struggle more than anybody else.

In a short speech, Brown encouraged supporters to get out there and use their voices. Dont think it doesnt make a difference, he said. Maybe theres one person out there thats willing to really understand why youre here and hopefully theyll continue to give money for this wonderful cause.

ACS volunteer and supporter Brenda Turner from Kentucky lost her sister to cancer 10 years ago and has since taken part in the annual event. I work everyday for the cancer society to try to find a cure for cancer and thats what were here for today; to ask our Congressman and Senators to make sure they put funding in the budget for cancer research.

Turner said the events makes a difference because the ACS has managed to keep funding in the last several years. If we didnt speak out I know we wouldnt get anything, she said.

ACS offers several services, including look good-feel better sessions, funds for clinic transportation and research and education. The organization boasts that they have approximately 600 advocates and survivors from all 50 states and nearly all Congressional districts one the ground in DC working to raise awareness and secure funding.

The newest exhibit in the University of Daytons Marian Library Gallery displays traditional religious icons of Mary and the child Jesus in the finery of beadwork, gems and embroidery.

Fiber artist Nancy Goes exhibition, With Needle and Thread — Beaded Portraits of Mother and Child, is on display now through Friday, Nov. 11, in the Marian Library Gallery, located on the seventh floor of Roesch Library.

All of Goes art featured in the exhibit is crafted in fine embroidery, beading and collage. Goes said celebration and contemplation are the guiding themes of her work.

I celebrate the joys of life in Gods created universe and contemplate the mystery of His revelation in Jesus Christ, Goes said in her artist statement. As a woman and mother I have been strongly attracted to the icons of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. She is the ultimate role model for the Christian woman. She is the epitome of sacrificial and unconditional love.

The Rev. Johann Roten, director of research and special projects for the International Marian Research Institute at the Marian Library, said this idea of unconditional love is portrayed vividly in Goes primary depictions of Mary – Our Lady of the Way and Our Lady of Tenderness. Roten said he differentiates between the two Ladies, both of whom are seen individually in multiple icons throughout the exhibit by looking at Marys posture and gestures.

There is a great sense of intimacy and unity between Mother and Child, said Roten about Our Lady of Tenderness, the most common in Marian art. They are always seen cheek to cheek.

Roten said in art featuring Our Lady of the Way, however, Mary sits with the child Jesus on her lap, her hand pointing towards him. This form of imagery dates back to the sixth and seventh century, and is an instruction to people that they must follow Marys son, Roten said.

While With Needle and Thread focuses primarily on Mary and the nature of her relationship with Jesus, additional smaller works in the exhibit celebrate the beauty of nature and creation, Roten said.

The series Sketches: Creation features eight blocks, each with four squares of glass beading placed upon them. Goes said each block represents a day of creation as written in the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

The first block consists of entirely black beads, which Roten said symbolizes absolute nothingness and prime evil. As the blocks progress, the black beads dissolve into the evolving color of creation with beaded images of sunrises, the night sky, the sea and eventually, humanity, Roten said.

Roten said he describes the eighth and final block, which drips of shimmering pearls and glistening light, as a representation of the divine lights final domination over darkness.

Goes said the themes of nature and triumph over evil continue in a piece featuring all three mediums: beading, embroidery and collage. The untitled piece sits in a gilded gold frame and shows the stitched shadow of a man, surrounded by vibrant greenery as well as a border of inlaid money.

In this piece, Roten said the viewer cannot tell which way the figure faces since he is a shadow. He looks off to either the temptation of materialism, as represented by the money, or to Gods beauty in nature, Roten said.

He must make a decision, Roten said. Is he going to go deeper into creation, or come out of the frame into materialism?

In her art, Goes said she finds inspiration from the Bible as well as from Orthodox icons. Goes said the process of creating each piece is both meditative and prayerful.

The Bible, the symbols and iconography of the Church have long been an inspiration for my work, Goes said. I love the rich ornate golds and gems of icons, and find balance in the simple minimalism of the meditation series. My work is small and intimate, meant to speak to the individual and offer time and space for worship, meditation and silence.

For further information about the artist and her works and to view an online gallery, call the Marian Library at 937-229-4214 or visit http://bit.ly/MarianLibrary.

Island pets are encouraged to bring their humans to church Saturday, Oct. 8, in celebration of a day dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, regarded world-wide as the patron saint of animals and the environment. Island clergy will recognize this by celebrating St. Francis feast day with a Blessing of the Animals at St. Johns Episcopal church at 7771 Stringfellow Road in St. James City. The blessing will take place at 11 am This is the 11th annual Blessing of the Animals, which brings together pet owners and animal lovers to share in fellowship and for an opportunity for their furry and feathered friends to receive prayers intended for them. Each pet will receive a personalized certificate indicating that they have each received a blessing.

Assisting the Reverand Ryan A. Wright, vicar of St. Johns, will be Father Michael Hughes from Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and several other clergy.

This event is open to the public and will commence with a brief outdoor service, which will be followed by the blessing of each animal that has come to church that day. St. Johns only request is that pets be on leashes or contained. If it is too difficult to bring your pet, you are welcome to bring a picture an join us. You dont even need a pet to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to have a Saturday activity together.

Hotdogs, chips, and soft drinks or water will be available for a minimum donation. Also offered for sale will be medals etched with a special animal blessing.

For more information about this years Blessing of the Animals please call St. Johns Episcopal Church at 283-1820

With September being National Preparedness Month, the Alabama
Emergency Management Agency and FEMA is encouraging Alabamians to
update their emergency plans to include pets.

For millions of animal owners nationwide, pets are important
members of the household, FEMA representatives said. The
likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such
as a fire, flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on
emergency planning done today. Knowing what supplies to have
available, how to evacuate with your pets, where your pets will
stay and how you will meet your pets needs throughout the disaster
are all critical questions to address.

FEMA officials said pet owners should keep a pet emergency supply
kit, which should include at least a three-day supply of food in an
airtight, waterproof container, drinking water, bowls for the food
and water, current photos of you and your pets together, physical
descriptions of each pet, medication, vaccination records and first
aid pet supplies.

Also included should be a leash and a pet carrier, which could
double as a sleeping area and comfort items, such as favorite toys
and blankets.

Make a back-up emergency plan in case you cant care for your
animals yourself, FEMA representatives said. Develop a buddy
system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure someone
is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to
do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans
and show them where you keep your pets emergency supply kit. Also
designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood
and another farther away, where you will meet your buddy in an
emergency.

For more information, visit ready.gov/pets and click on the Pet
Preparedness Toolkit.

Lansing —- The state has been losing out on millions of dollars in revenue. Why? Because many people who shop online are not paying sales tax. Its a loophole that lawmakers are trying to close.

Long lines, store hours — you dont have any of that online. Danny Black shops online two to three times a week for clothing, office supplies, electronics — most things he buy, he gets online. He can be on the phone, at home, on the computer, it doesnt matter.

Its convenient, its fast — a lot of internet sites are offering free shopping.

Black is one of millions who shop online and often get away without paying sales tax.

Its not fundamentally fair to have one segment of retail not collect sales tax while the rest of retail has to, said Michigan Retailers Association President Jim Hallan.

In 1992 the Supreme Court ruled that online sellers without a presence in the state do not have to collect sales tax. Now lawmakers want that to change with the Michigan Main Street Fairness Act, so every Michigan shopper has to pay their 6-percent.

Its a question of fairness and equity, said State Rep. Eileen Kowall (R) White Lake Township, one of the co-sponsors of the legislation. And Michigan small neighborhood businesses are able to play on a level playing field with online retailers.

A handful of states do require you to pay sales tax when you shop online. In Michigan you are supposed to report any online purchase but youre not held responsible if you dont.

Public Sector Consultants Senior Policy Fellow Gary Olson said the tax is almost voluntary because the state doesnt know when or what you purchase. Olson helped conduct a study of Internet sales as it relates to brick and mortar businesses in the state. It was commissioned by the Michigan Retailers Association.

Its around $289 million forgone sales tax revenue each year in the state, said Olson.

Were perfectly comfortable competing price-wise with Internet pricing but we cant sell for 6-percent less than the Internet price, said Dan Marshall, owner of Marshall Music near Frandor.

Marshall says nearly everyday customers come into the store to get expertise on a particular instrument and then they make the purchase online.

Lawmakers and policy analysts say the bottom line is the state is losing money and Michigan retailers are losing a fighting chance to compete.

Its not a tax increase, its a fairness issue, said Olson.

Part of the findings from Public Sector Consultants showed that the state could save or create nearly 1600 jobs if this legislation is passed. Kowall said its on the Legislatures fall agenda.

Video-on-demand technology vendor SeaChange International (Nasdaq: SEAC) says it is seeing demand for a t-commerce application that allows cable subscribers to buy DVDs with a click of their remote controls.

The Twins season is almost officially over. If youve been following this season, you know its been over for awhile though, and if youre anything like me, you waste inordinate amounts of time playing GM in your head and thinking about ways that your beloved franchise can turn around. Theres clearly not a silver bullet to turn the Twins into contenders (aside from healthy seasons from Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Denard Span), and given the number of issues theyre going to have and pieces they could lose (Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel — Im looking at you), it stands to reason that theyre going to need to be doing some bargain hunting.

One name the Twins should look into, even if one of Cuddyer or Kubel comes back, is a familiar name from his six seasons in Kansas City: David Dejesus. More after the jump.

The Twins have said theyd like to bring one of Cuddyer or Kubel back to the team, but its far from a sure thing that either will be back, and its tough to imagine both returning. With Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN recently tweeting that hes getting the vibe that Cuddyer may nowneed some convincingto return, its fair to say there will probably be some changes in the outfield next season.

David DeJesus is in the midst of his worst season as a Major Leaguer, so he probably doesnt sound like an ideal candidate for a Twins offseason target (though he does sound like hed fit right into the 2011 Twins mold) Hes batting .237/.322/.369 — a far cry from the .289/.360/.427 line hed posted in his career until being traded to the Athletics last offseason. A few things stand out for DeJesus though:

• Patience. DeJesus is still walking in 9% of his plate appearances, leading to a .322 OBP in a down season. That walk rate trails only Jim Thome (14.5%), Joe Mauer (9.6%), and Denard Span (9.2%) for 2011 Twins, and the OBP would sadly rank sixth on the club.
• Luck. DeJesus BABIP this season is .271, but he entered this season with a career mark of .322. Hes putting the ball in the air slightly more (specifically popping up to the infield), but both his fly balls and ground balls have below-average BABIPs tacked onto them, suggesting hes had his share of bad luck this season and a rebound in terms of average (and therefore OBP, thanks to a consistent walk-rate) could be on the horizon.
• Defense. DeJesus has long been praised a steady defender, something which the Twins havent had in the form of Kubel and Cuddyer. If youre a fan of UZR, hes got a +33.4 mark for his career (5.2 UZR/150) including a +1.2 this season (3.1 UZR/150). If not, hes got a solid reputation from scouts that should be enough to at least cement that hes an improvement over the incumbents (Kubel/Cuddyer).
• Price. DeJesus is earning $6M this year, and with the season hes had, hes not likely to even match that amount on a one-year deal. Some club may guarantee him that, but the likely event for DeJesus is a one-year deal with a reduced base salary and some incentives based on performance and playing time.

DeJesus has never been a big home run hitter, so theres not much need to worry about the spacious confines of Target Field limiting his homer total. He may not want to sign in another pitcher-friendly park, hoping that a hitter-friendly atmosphere might help him rebuild his stock and earn a multiyear deal. If thats the case, the Twins could always overpay a little to try to lure him here and still come in under his 2011 base.

Youd have to think the Twins at least stand a chance of luring him in though, due to the familiarity of the AL Central and the fact that a 2011 contender may not want to hand over the job to someone coming off a down year. The Twins, however, can look at DeJesus as a potential upgrade on defense who brings a solid OBP to the table and can fill in is a stopgap in right field while Joe Benson develops more at Triple-A. They present the unique situation of a club thats got some rebuilding to do — a typical setting for veterans to boost their stock — but could also contend due to a weak division and the possibility that their stars return to health. DeJesus would know that its likely the Twins contend, or he gets traded to a contender — not the worst situation to be in.

Even if Kubel or Cuddyer is re-signed, they could see significant time at DH with DeJesus shoring up an outfield defense that seems likely to include Denard Span (health-permitting… knock on wood) and Ben Revere (organization seems to love him). If both Revere and Benson begin the season in the minors, adding a player of DeJesus type becomes even more critical.

If the Twins experience another desolate season and DeJesus does indeed rebound, theyve got themselves a nice trade chip come July. And, even if he repeats a year like 2011, thats not a bad ROI for the likely price tag that will come along with him. His defense and OBP skills alone will make him a 1.5-2.0 WAR player, which should be well worth the minimal investment hed require based on 2011s off-year.

Steve Adams also writes for MLBTradeRumors.com, MLB.com Fantasy Baseball, and contributes at 612Sports.net. You can follow him on Twitter:@Adams_Steve

Last week, Brilliant Bloggers focused on working with brands, and part of a relationship with a brand could be receiving items for review. I definitely dont think that you should blog for free stuff, unless what youre getting are cars or something. Just remember that cookie samples and free books dont pay the rent. Even if its something your family uses, think to yourself is this $5 sample of laundry detergent worth the hour I spend writing about the product? $5 per hour isnt even minimum wage.

But enough lecturing about monetization of your blog. The fact of the matter is that in some cases it isnt just about the value of the product you receive. Reviewing products could also be really good for your readers. A well-placed review can draw readers via social media, SEO, and more, so much so that it even makes sense to buy the product to review it. If you can be part of an affiliate program, it makes even more sense to review a product.

Paying for a product certainly isnt optimal if you can get it for free! So here are five places you can find items to review:

1) Contact brands directly.

Brands love working with bloggers in many cases, but few have the time and manpower to spend all day looking for bloggers who would be a good fit for review items. Dont be afraid to approach them. In your email, make sure you highlight what you can bring to the table whats your pagerank? Traffic numbers? Network size? This doesnt just apply to brands contact individuals as well if someone within your niche is launching a new product. Some brands/people will say no. Thats okay! But some will say yes. If you never ask, youll miss out on every yes.

2) Attend conferences.

When you go to conferences in the blogging world and within your niche, youll be able to talk to lots of brands on the expo floor most events have. Many are giving away free samples just go up to the booth and talk to the representative for a few minutes. Even those that dont have free samples are willing to work with bloggers if you make a case as to why youd be a good fit for a product review. Take their card and follow up as soon as the conference is over. Remind them of your conversation and your continued interest to do a product review. You might have to follow up a few times to get a response, since lots of other bloggers are probably doing the same thing.

3) Walk around your house.

Again, buying your own products isnt optimal, but if you take a quick walk around yourself, you might have dozens of products that you already own that would be great for review. For example, if you run a blog about cooking, what kind of baking chocolate is your favorite? You probably have some in your pantry right now talk about it! Or if you run a blog about fashion, why not write about your favorite pair of reliable go-with-anything black heels? The things that are part of your everyday life are interesting to readers not because theyre new, but because you think theyre the best!

4) Network with other bloggers.

When I launch a new product, Im always will to send free review copies to people I know via social mediaif they interact with me long before I have something to give them. If you approach me on Twitter for a copy of my book and I have no idea who you are, I want to know about your traffic numbers and such, and I might say no. If were already Twitter-friends, Im probably going to say yes, even if your blog is brand new or you have a small network.

5) Network with other bloggers.

Wait. Wasnt that tip number four? Its not a mistake that this is tip number five as well, because theres a second way where networking with bloggers could help you get review items. I have long-term relationships with some PR companies and brands, and if I know other bloggers who would be a good fit for review products, I pass on their contact information. Like I mentioned before, most companies dont have the time/manpower to go out and find bloggers. If a blogger they already like and trust recommends another blogger, theyre happy to send products.

Remember, if youre going to get free items, especially expensive items, you want to make it worth the companys time and money to send you products.  If you dont have a lot of traffic yet, think about what else you can add to the equation Will you tweet about the product? Run a giveaway? Wear their t-shirt to a conference? Think about what you can do for the brand and what the brand can do for you and make sure it makes sense for both of you to work together.

Mad Mens Elisabeth Moss took the ultrafemme route in a delicate, embellished Marchesa gown. Beautiful sequined beading adorned both the bodice and the sheer sleeves, and a pair of strappy, metallic heels peeked out from underneath the fishtailed, tulle train. Do you love it?

Have your say on all the Emmys red carpet looks with our fun fashion polls!