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Mexico Art Journal: Mexico City
by Leslie Moody Castro June 22, 2019
The following is Part Three in a series of three art-travel essays by the author. Find Part One (Guadalajara) here, and Part Two (Monterrey) here.
We landed in Mexico City later than we expected. Two of the three of us were home and eager to get into our own beds. We were parting ways that night for the first time in a full week. Traveling is always easy alone, when you can set your own time limits, plan visits and meetings to suit your own schedule, and hibernate on the nights you need to. Traveling for the first time with friends can sometimes feel like rolling a square wheel, until a groove sets in and you've all found your roles and begin to read each other's minds.
Once we landed, we hopped into our separate Ubers and set off in our different directions, with a plan to meet at my house in the morning before our first artist visit. Mexico City is structured very differently from Guadalajara and Monterrey. Here, we would visit residencies, the SOMA school, and artists we had wanted face time with for some time. Mexico City was more about catching up, and ending with a reunion party for everyone who'd supported our trip with recommendations and introductions, as well as our Unlisted Projects artists alumni. It was good to be home, and I knew the days of reconnecting would be long ones. That first night back home was a quiet one.
Our next morning began slowly. Around noon we all piled in a car for the half-hour drive to visit with painter Ana Segovia.
We were in Mexico City at the height of the dry season. Our route took us to the second level of the Periferico highway, one that was once a loop in the outskirts of the city but now moves urban dwellers through the city quickly. The contamination in the air was visible. We could taste it and feel the heavy particles of dust in our noses as we inhaled. The views of the city from the highway were clouded with a brown haze.
Ana Segovia (pictured at top) is scheduled to come to Austin in July of this year. I had been following her work for two years — the same amount of time she had been back in Mexico City after finishing her BFA at the Art institute of Chicago. Ana told us the story of her family lineage, which is deeply immersed in the golden era of Mexican cinema, where many of the tropes, stereotypes, and codes of masculinity and machismo were perpetuated and became intricately woven into the identity of "Mexicanness." Ana's work is in direct response to these tropes — either subverting them, challenging, or changing them altogether. It is the strength, content, and context of her work that initiated an invitation to Unlisted Projects Residency in Austin, but it was also her character as a creative being that solidified that invitation.
One of the most under-appreciated factors of running a residency program is understanding personalities. Inviting any artist is a small leap of faith, the assumption that everything will work out fine. Essentially, you're inviting near strangers to come live in your home and become part of the surrounding art community. This leaves the door open as much for success as it does for mistakes. We've been lucky thus far; we've found personalities who are successful in our space. We're also lucky to have such a supportive and vibrant community of Austin artists who welcome our visiting artists in every way.
Our conversation moved from Ana's physical work to logistics and ideas of connectivity for her residency. After that visit, we hopped in a car and settled in for another long ride to the Santa Maria la Ribera neighborhood, just outside of downtown, to visit Manuela Garcia.
It's hard to write about Mexico City without describing the massiveness of it. We'd spend an equal amount of time traveling by car from place to place as we would visiting artists. The city's expansiveness is impressive; a whopping 20 million people live on top of each other, fighting for space and air. When we arrived at Manuela's doorstep, getting out of the car felt like we were slowly unfolding ourselves. Between the traffic and the distance, we welcomed a moment to stand.
We walked up the stairs to Manuela's studio — a beautiful, light-filled space of three tiny rooms joined together by a narrow hallway. We became very aware of our size as we followed Manuela through her space, through which she moved with grace and ease, all the while dodging works in varied stages of progress coming out of the walls, sitting on shelves, or rolled in corners. Each small experiment was a bold, tiny, and poetic gesture that forced us to take a moment to analyze how each work behaved. In the middle of the main space, a long and narrow piece of wood, resting on a table top, held tension as it extended to the ceiling above, curving beautifully in its center. Manuela tapped the piece, sending it spinning around its own axis and yet remarkably holding its tension. We all gasped in surprise. She is fearless, and it was wonderful.
We could have spent much more time studying the way Manuela worked and spoke about objects in the world, but once again our time was winding down. We walked out of her studio single file and said our goodbyes on the street.
Our next destination was the Mexico City hub of the Casa Wabi Residency, based in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. We were scheduled to meet with curator Paola Jasso to talk about the residency's programs. It was the final official visit of the day before ending with a late lunch at an infamous cantina in the neighborhood. We took in the sights as we strolled through the main square on our way to Casa Wabi. Somehow the pace of our trip had suddenly slowed down, ironically so, since we were in the cosmopolitan mega-center of the city. But here, time is different. It's almost as if the city places as many obstacles in your path as it can, and arriving anywhere is like a small victory. Arriving on time is like winning a marathon.
We strolled into the Casa Wabi gallery space and were led upstairs to a comfortable conference room. The gallery was one small room of a large, impeccably designed home converted to offices and work spaces. On our way up we were caught off guard by room after beautiful room. Paola joined us in the conference room and we all made ourselves comfortable as we began to chat. Casa Wabi, a non-profit, is the brainchild of artist Bosco Sodi, who built an enclave on a private section of beach in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Young artists from all over the country are invited to the residency to live and work for four to six weeks, and one requirement is that they connect with the immediate surrounding community — a connection that culminates in a public program or project of some sort. The brick-and-mortar gallery in Mexico City functions as an exhibition opportunity for young artists who do not have gallery representation.
Paola is an incredibly busy woman, but doesn't show it. Her cell phone buzzed incessantly. She turned it off. She has a general calm about her, and that mixed with the gorgeous design of the space makes the experience of sitting with her an easy one. And while we could have wandered around that house for another two hours, we were getting hungry.
Our lunch destination had been decided by Ana Segovia, who planned to meet us there. It was in the neighborhood. Cantina lunches are always a cultural experience, but this cantina, Timón de Cortes, is unique because no matter the time of day, or day of the week, someone at Timón de Cortes occupies the microphone and owns the stage. It's a cantina and a traditional karaoke bar; amateur performers are compelled to showcase their talent through famous ballads and Mexican pop music from the late '90s. It was three in the afternoon when we sat down, ordered a round of beers and tacos, and the woman at the mic had already been singing her heart out long before we arrived. Ana joined us, and we all watched as the microphone was passed between three different people who were clearly living out their dreams of pop stardom. We were happy to oblige them as their audience.
I woke up the next morning with a swollen throat and a mild fever. I blamed the altitude and pollution. We had an early visit with Armando Rosales. I got myself together and out the door. We were meeting Armando at the Espacio de Arte Contemporáneo (ESPAC), a collecting foundation that invites young artists to work with the collection and produce exhibitions in its space. We were lucky enough to be in the city to catch Distancia Doble (Double Distance), a collaboration between Armando and Ana Bidart, whom we would meet later that afternoon. Armando gave us a walk through of the show, and a digital studio visit to show us his work trajectory and his development as an artist. His work takes quotidian objects or social norms and subverts them. It's a gesture as simple as learning to write with the left hand by repetitively writing phrases from historical textbooks — phrases which just happen to be socialist-leaning. Or using a standard shipping crate leftover from an art fair as a roving exhibition space. As we stood there listening to him, I felt myself declining.
I quietly dipped out of our meeting and promised to meet up with the group again that afternoon for the rest of our studio visits. I hopped in a car and went straight to the doctor, who confirmed a severe respiratory infection and then sent me off with a cocktail of antibiotics (including a daily injection in the bum for six days) and a prescription for rest.
I woke up hours later even more exhausted, but determined to not miss the afternoon visits. Talking with artists in their spaces is my favorite part of the job, and I felt the responsibility to be present in the visits we had planned that afternoon. I sucked it up and made my way to meet everyone at the apartment studio of Javier Barrios, a young artist originally from Guadalajara who had been in Mexico City for a number of years.
For much of his art career Javier had dealt with political issues, until his curiosity turned to decorative imagery — namely flowers. He talked us through the migration patterns and subtle political implications of wealth and class in the existence and proliferation of orchids. Through drawings and delicately fabricated sculptures, Javier makes political gestures through highly aestheticized objects — beautiful things with subversive political content.
We had three more visits that day and our next stop was to Ana Bidart's studio. Ana's work is steadily gaining respect in the city's art community. As we walked into her apartment she handed me a warm cup of tea and sat us all on the couch. She began to tell us about the importance of the line in her practice — it is the foundation of all her work and a point of departure for the quiet gestures she makes. Her work is not medium-specific, necessarily, but dependent on the time spent churning an idea in her head. Ana takes the necessary "thinking" time she needs to fully develop a project. At times that's only a few weeks or months, and other times an idea develops over years.
There's a direct link between all the artists we met that day. Each one of them had overlapped in some way at SOMA, an unaccredited education program that has filled a niche and need for MFA programs in the city. Over the course of our week of travel we had learned that a lack of arts education programs is a common problem throughout the country. Mexico City is no exception. That afternoon we sat down with SOMA's new director Laura Cortés Hesselbach, who talked to us about SOMA's educational programs, as well as the reason SOMA remains unaccredited. The criteria of Mexico's public education system is restrictive and antiquated, and excludes many of the canonical artists that have shaped Mexico City's art scene. By tapping the established community of artists and their expertise, SOMA has been able to maintain autonomy from the state while building an internationally respected academic program. Once again, we were seeing a system of mentorship, like we had seen in Guadalajara, but here it's formalized in an 'informal' educational setting.
It was well into the evening when we said our goodbyes to Laura at SOMA. Our original plan had been to stick around for the evening Miercoles de SOMA (SOMA Wednesday) gathering and lecture, a weekly event that brings the art scene together. But I was fading, and went home to bed.
We were in the home stretch of our trip; on the final day and we had planned a visit to the Casa Lu residency, followed by a reunion party for our Unlisted Projects alumni and close friends. Casa Lu is run by the fantastic Lupe Quesada, a ceramicist and connector whom I'd met through Sarah Fox in San Antonio, who was a resident nearly a year ago. Casa Lu is spread between two very different homes — one in the residential suburb of Tlalpan, and the second in the city itself. Both homes are stunning, comfortable, and hubs for creativity. Our visit to the home in the city took place between regular residency cycles, and Elisa Pinto had both the home and studio to herself to produce a body of work followed by a solo exhibition. Elisa was revisiting the collected memories of her father, who died when she was young. She was recreating the conceptual idea of a home with these memories, giving them physical place and space.
Lupe walked us through the house, told us about past artists and connections, and revealed that at one point her professional dream was to be a camp counselor — running the residency allows her to meet that impulse. Since we met a year ago, Lupe and I have become fast friends, and she's been generous enough to share the public spaces of the Casa Lu homes for collective gatherings,such as long afternoon lunches and our much-anticipated party.
That night we all gathered in the yard of the house. We had the equivalent of a keg of beer in a giant metal basin full of ice, and a bottle of tequila. Paty Siller and Luis Nava of Janet40 — friends and our most recent resident artists — had taken care of everything, and their energy was effervescent. They had outfitted the place with Christmas lights, candles, and music. We spread pillows and blankets on the ground, and all our favorite people started trickling in. We were surrounded by nearly all of our alumni residents, and the friends who had taken care of us through our entire trip from Guadalajara to Monterrey, and then Mexico City.
It felt like home, and we all felt at home together.
Special thanks to: Lupe Quesada, Joaquin Segura, Virginia Colwell, Yeni Mao, Tanya Diaz, Brittany Baranowski, Rebecca Marino, Wimpy Salazar, Daniela Libertad, Andrea Martinez, Alejandro Garcia Contreras, Ignacio Neri, Ruben Gutierrez and every single person who shared a beer with us.
For more information on Unlisted projects, please visit https://www.unlistedprojects.com/
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Image Title: Outdoor Living 8 X4 Space Saver Shed Double Doors Wood Sheds Regarding Cedar Storage Design 6. Filename: outdoor-living-8-x4-space-saver-shed-double-doors-wood-sheds-regarding-cedar-storage-design-6.jpg. Image Dimension: 575 x 400 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Amani Connelly. Uploaded Date: Friday - May 11th. 2018 07:10:19 AM. Category: Architecture. Image Source: homestyler.com.
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All categories Woodbridge News Woodbridge Economic Development Woodbridge Senior Center Woodbridge Recreation Department Woodbridge Human Services Woodbridge Youth Services
Woodbridge News
Woodbridge Economic Development
Woodbridge Senior Center
Woodbridge Recreation Department
Woodbridge Human Services
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Much Kneaded Wellness reopens and expands
Jennifer Brennan is the owner of Much Kneaded Wellness. She has been a massage therapist and reiki practitioner for 17 years and decided to expand her wellness center in January of 2020. Little did she know that when signed the lease o...
JO Esthetics Opens in Woodbridge
Jennifer O'Hare has just opened JO Esthetics in Woodbridge. O'Hare has been an esthetician for 15 years and always worked for other people. During the pandemic she realized she wanted to work for herself and found a space that fit just...
Wine and Spirits of Woodbridge Opens
Wine and Spirits of Woodbridge recently opened in the plaza at 245 Amity Road. The store, located between The Red Barn and The Write Approach, is a "boutique, high-end" wine and liquor store, says co-owner Steve Shapiro.
Shapiro wanted ...
Wine and Spirits website Woodbridge Economic Development
Home Care Business Moves to Woodbridge
Sandra Salmon, the owner of Opal Stork Home Care, is passionate about nursing and taking care of others. She attributes that to her Jamaican heritage and its culture of nursing and helping her grandmother back in Jamaica delivering babies and embalming th...
Opal Stork website Woodbridge Economic Development
Trick or Treat, Costume Contest and Concert in the Business District!
On Sat. Oct. 23 several Woodbridge businesses will give out candy to costumed trick or treaters in the business district from 11 am-1 pm.At 12:45 there will be a costume contest and parade at Coachman Square followed by a 1 pm free, family-friendly concer...
Bethany Farm (in Woodbridge) Opens
Bethany Farm, half of which is in Woodbridge, opened to the public this spring. The garden center and nursery is in the former location of Ace Begonias.
For former Ace customers, Bethany Farm & Nursery still sells begonias. The property looks a little ...
Rogue Fencing Academy Moves to Woodbridge
Rogue Fencing Academy opened in Woodbridge this spring at 14 Selden St., between Woodbridge Social and Thai Stories restaurants.
Co-founder and head coach Sandra Marchant has been a multiple time national medalist, Vet 40 National Champion, and 2020 Vet 50...
Additional Info... Woodbridge Economic Development
Tayé Foster Bradshaw Group, LLC, Comes to Woodbridge
New Woodbridge resident Rev. Antona Brent Smith brought her literature and marketing business with her from St. Louis. That company, Tayé Foster Bradshaw Group, LLC, is the name of her marketing business and her pen name. Her late father called...
Free Outdoor Concerts in the Business District
Free outdoor concerts are coming to the Woodbridge business district this summer and fall! On the fourth Saturday of June, July, September and October at 1 pm there will be live music on the lawn at Coachman Square, 21 Bradley Road.
The concert s...
Two new businesses open in Woodbridge
Two new businesses have opened in Woodbridge recently: Jon D. Racow, State Farm Insurance and Fernandez Autoworkz.
Jon D. Racow State Farm Insurance just opened in the D'Andrea Plaza on Litchfield Turnpike and Fernandez Autoworkz just ope...
Local Barber Voted "Best"
Eight years ago Mark Fernicola decided he was ready for a career change. He decided to become a barber and this year Ferni's Barbershop was nominated to the New Haven Register's "Best Of."
"Ferni"...
Smoothie Shop Opens
Rise & Grind Nutrition opened in mid October at 1652 Litchfield Turnpike and the public is invited to a Grand Opening on Sunday Nov. 10 from 8:30am-4:00pm. The first 25 people in line will receive a free swag bag of goodies and there will be raffles, ...
New Nail Salon Opens in Woodbridge
Ceci's Nails opened for business in mid-December in the 214 Amity Road shopping plaza, next door to the newly expanded Lucky Soul Tattoo.
Ceci's Nails, owned by Cecilia Bermeo, offers waxing, eyelash extensions, facials, manicures, pedicures and eyebrow th...
Cecis Nails Facebook page Woodbridge Economic Development
VITA offers Four Ways to File 2021 Taxes for Free
Four Ways to File 2021 Taxes for Free
In partnership with the IRS and the Connecticut Association for Human Services, the Woodbridge Senior Center offers free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. For over 50 years the...
New Indoor Mask Emergency Order
Given the quick spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and the high positivity rate, First Selectman Beth Heller signed an emergency order on Tuesday Jan. 4 requiring masks in indoor public spaces and meeting spaces where the public has access (except whe...
Read the order here. Woodbridge News
Town Modifies Bulk Trash Fee
Starting Feb. 1, the Town will institute a bulk trash fee. The Board of Selectmen approved this fee after reviewing and discussing data from the Transfer Station.
The Town's Transfer Station has a scale which is used to charge haulers bringing in...
COVID-19 Test Kit & N95 Distribution on Saturday
The Town of Woodbridge has received a second, smaller delivery of COVID-19 at-home rapid-test kits from the State government this week along with N95 masks. There has been no information from the State about additional supplies -- if or when we receive mo...
COVID-19 Home Test Kit Distribution on Monday
UPDATE 1/2:
The Town of Woodbridge had hoped to receive approximately 1,100 COVID-19 at-home rapid-test kits from the State government last week. Instead, on Monday, the Town will receive 675 kits. Each kit has two tests. Of the 675 the Town is reserving a...
CT Alert Woodbridge News
Housing Informational Forum - Dec. 6 NOW VIRTUAL
On Monday, December 6, 2021, the public is invited to an informational session on the Town's current housing planning process to build a shared understanding of how homes that meet the needs of current and future residents can create an even mor...
Link for meeting. Woodbridge News
Holiday Season Donations
If you're able to help others this holiday season here's what local organizations are collecting (if you have something to add to this list, let us know!):
COATS & CLOTHES:Local business Brown Fitness is collecting winter co...
A note from the First Selectman
A note from First Selectman Heller regarding this year's budget process:
Last May there were many residents at the Annual Town Meeting, at which we set our budget. Many voters at the meeting were unaware that there were several opportunities prio...
Stay on top of Woodbridge happenings by signing up for the Town's monthly enewsletter. Emails are usually sent the Friday following a Board of Selectman meeting.
You can also sign up to receive emergency alerts through the State&apos...
Housing Survey Available Through Oct. 30
Woodbridge residents are encouraged to complete a housing survey which will inform a State-required housing plan.
In 2017 the State required that all municipalities have an Affordable Housing Study in place by June 1, 2022.
The Town of Woodbridge has establ...
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Live Music in the Business District
Registration Open for Road Race and Recreation Fall Programs
Please join the Woodbridge Recreation Department for their 39th annual 5K Road Race/Children's Fun on Saturday, October 2, 2021. The Children's Fun Run begins at 9:00 am at the Beecher Road/Fitzgerald Cornfield. The 5K Road Race is a...
Additional Info... Woodbridge News
Woodbridge Like Me event to celebrate Woodbridge
The ad hoc Diversity & Inclusion Committee invites the public to its event, Woodbridge Like Me. The event, to be held on Sat. Oct. 2 from 11 am – 2 pm, is a sister event to the Woodbridge Town Library's One Book, One Town choice, A...
Public presentation and Q&A session regarding CCW proposal
The Board of Selectmen has received two proposals for the use of the former Country Club of Woodbridge. You can see both here. The Eclipse Development proposal will be presented to the Board of Selectmen at their October meeting.&nbs...
Webex meeting link Woodbridge News
WVFD will hold a Memorial Service to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11
The Woodbridge Fire Department is holding a Memorial Service to commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, September 11, 2021 beginning at 8:30am at the Fire House.
All are welcome to attend.
Town Hosts Craft Fair and Makers Market
Shop local at the Town's first outdoor craft fair and makers market in the Town Library parking lot on Sat. Sept. 11 from 10-1. Interested vendors may sign up here.
The craft fair is the last in the Town's Second Saturday Series, design...
Emergency Preparation
Hurricane Henri is forecasted to land on Sunday -- please prepare for power loss and tree damage. Emergency contact information can be found in the attached guide. The State's emergency preparation guide is here. In the case of an emergency call ...
Woodbridge Emergency Contact Information Woodbridge News
Celebrate Art! is Aug. 14, part of the Second Saturday Series -- CANCELED
Celebrate Art! is canceled and parts of the event will be rescheduled to the Sept. 11 craft fair/makers market.
Residents are invited to participate in a community art project and open mic event at Celebrate Art!, part of the Town's "S...
Home Repair Loans Available
Interest-free loans for certain home repairs are available to qualified Woodbridge residents.
The State of Connecticut Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Program provides interest-free loans to replace furnaces, roofs, windows, and septic system...
Announcing Second Saturdays!
This summer, residents are invited to the Woodbridge Town Center Campus for free family fun on the second Saturday of each month.
The "Second Saturday" series will run from May through September and will be hosted jointly by the Human S...
New Resident Welcome Coffee
All new residents are invited to an outdoor in-person outdoors Welcome Coffee on Thursday July 1 at 9:30 a.m. at Arden's Garden on the Town Green, 11 Meetinghouse Lane, organized by the ad hoc Community Council.
First Selectman Beth Hel...
Woodbridge Participates in Make Music Day
The Town of Woodbridge is participating in Make Music Day on June 21!
Make Music Day is an international movement which brings free, community-wide, musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide. Every year, the celebration is held on June...
Continuation of Recessed Annual Town meeting is June 2
The Woodbridge Board of Selectmen continued the recessed Annual Town Meeting, which was held on May 17, 2021, and will now be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 6:30 pm at the Woodbridge Fire House, 100 Center Rd.Masks and social distancing will be required...
Call of Annual Town Meeting
Link to participate in the Annual Town Meeting: https://woodbridgect.webex.com/woodbridgect/onstage/g.php?MTID=e3c29802feb285f742399e740da229f79
People may also listen by calling 408-418-9388 and using access code 173 724 1043; the meeting will be broadcas...
FY 22 Preliminary Budget Woodbridge News
Preliminary Municipal Election Results
Due to the close nature of the votes there was a recount on Thursday for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate. The recount did not change the outcome of the election.
Board of Selectmen:First Selectman Beth Heller, Paul Kuriako...
See the updated results here Woodbridge News
Preliminary Budget Hearing is Monday April 19
The Board of Finance's Preliminary Budget Hearing will be on Monday April 19 at 7:30 pm. The hearing will be virtual and the public may participate via this link. The hearing will also be broadcast live on Channel 79 and YouTube WGATV79. ...
Link to join Preliminary Budget Hearing Woodbridge News
Municipal Election is May 3
The Municipal election will be held on May 3 from 6 am to 8 pm in the Center Gym at 4 Meetinghouse Lane. The Regional School District 5 budget referendum is on Wednesday May 5 from 6AM to 8PM in the Center Gym, a copy of the budget is available on the Reg...
Warning of Election Woodbridge News
'Woodbridge Bike Route' Crowdfunding Campaign Successful!
The Woodbridge Bike Route crowdfunding campaign ended early because it was so successful! Residents were asked to help raise $7500 which would be matched by Sustainable CT to create an on-road bike route with a few bike racks and safety features. The camp...
Town Holds Earth Day Event
Clean out your closets this Earth Day – residents are invited to bring many recyclable and reusable items to the Library Lawn on Saturday April 24 from 9-11 am. Masks will be required; no public restroom will be available.
Composter and rain barrel sale link Woodbridge News
Virtual Welcome Coffee for New Residents
All new Woodbridge residents are invited to a virtual Welcome Coffee on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. organized by the ad hoc Community Council.These welcome coffees will be held quarterly. The next ones will be held on July 1 and Oct. 1.First Selectman Beth Helle...
Register here Woodbridge News
Musicians Sought for Woodbridge Unplugged
The Woodbridge Town Library and Town of Woodbridge are organizing informal outdoor acoustic concerts this spring and summer.
The Woodbridge Unplugged concerts will be a fun, free and safe way for residents to come together, enjoy each other's com...
Help Transform "the Grove"
Please share your opinion on how to improve "the Grove" – the space between the Old Firehouse and the Library.
This area currently hosts a bocce court, shuffleboard court, a few picnic tables, shade trees and boulder...
Crowdfunding campaign launched for 'Woodbridge Bike Route'
The Town of Woodbridge is working to create a bike route and bike/pedestrian safety amenities in and around the center of town. The bike route -- a five mile route linking several destinations, including Amity Regional High School, the Town Center Campus,...
Town offers compost bins and rain barrels at discounted pricing
The Town has joined our regional partner, South Central Regional Council of Governments, to offer discounted compost bins and rain barrels to residents.
Backyard composting is an excellent strategy for homeowners to reduce waste and lower their c...
Woodbridge Human Services department continues to help residents get vaccinated.
Use the following resources to make an appointment:
-Call Yale for an appointment at their vaccine clinic sites: 203-688-1700 or go online.
-Call Griffin Hospital for ...
Town Offers COVID-19 Tax Deferment Program
Per Governor Lamont's Executive Order 9R, the Town of Woodbridge is pleased to announce a Tax Deferment Program for eligible taxpayers impacted by COVID 19, by application only, which will apply to taxes due on January 1, 20...
Application Woodbridge News
Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
The Beecher Pool, Gym, and Rec Dept. Office will be closed on Monday, January 17th in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. There will be no after-school programs.
Woodbridge Rec. offers T'ai-Chi new winter session
The Woodbridge Rec. Dept. will offer T'ai Chi with Bill Banick Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
January 7 through January 27. 4 weeks for $48
link to adult program online registration Woodbridge Recreation Department
Pool Hours expand
Tuesday and Thursday Adult Swim Pool hours expand to three reservation time slots: 3:45 pm to 4:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm, 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm.
A reservation is still required.
Winter Session Yoga with Diane King
Yoga with Diane King is back. January/February classes are now available. Classes begin January 3.
Yoga develops strength, balance and ease in body and mind. We practice self-awareness, self-acceptance, and relaxation. We build good bre...
link to adult program registration webpage Woodbridge Recreation Department
Ice Rink open for the season
The Town's new ice skating rink is located at the Center Road tennis courts, 149 Center Rd, managed by the Recreation Department, and is open for the season, weather permitting. The rink is available for use daily, and the Recreation Department will provi...
Winter Yoga with Bill
Time to register for the Winter session of Yoga with Bill. December 1 to February 28. Monday through Friday mornings 8:30 am to 9:45 am Tuesday evenings December 7 through February 22, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm. Room 16 o...
link to online registration Woodbridge Recreation Department
Woodbridge & Bethany Parent Survey for Youth Services
Attention Woodbridge and Bethany parents!
Woodbridge Youth Services wants your input. We want to offer engaging programs - please help us by completing our parent survey Please fee free to call 203-389-3429 or email youthone@wo...
Take brief survey here! Woodbridge Youth Services
Snow Art Competition for Bethany and Woodbridge
Bethany and Woodbridge families are encouraged to express your talents and have some fun with a Snow Art Competition! Email your photos as an attachment please by March 1, 2022 to youthone@woodbridgect.org. Please include your name and...
See details Woodbridge Youth Services
Submit or Edit Your Business Listing
Education Districts
Building Department: 203-389-3419
Human Services: 203-389-3429
Town Clerk: 203-389-3422
Town Hall: 203-389-3400
Woodbridge Town Hall • 11 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge, CT 06525 • Phone: 203-389-3400

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Tower Talk: a guide to the latest major cell site developments
Spanish passive infrastructure firm Cellnex has signed an agreement to acquire 230 towers from French cellco Bouygues Telecom for EUR80 million (USD88.6 million). In addition, the deal includes a second phase which could see Cellnex take over up to 270 additional towers from the operator. The agreement also features a 20-year contract for Cellnex to provide services to Bouygues Telecom. Commenting on the deal, Cellnex's CEO, Tobias Martinez said: 'the agreement with Bouygues Telecom is the beginning of a long-term collaboration with this operator… We trust that this agreement opens the door to extend it in the future to other areas such as construction of new towers on demand (Build to Suit), or the deployment of new technologies based on the "small cells" for the mobile broadband extension. This deal strengthens our European scope and thus our ability for building a partnership with customers operating in different European markets to whom we can offer telecom connectivity solutions.'
In a related development, Cellnex is seen as a likely bidder for French tower firm FPS Towers, which is being sold off by its owner Antin Infrastructure Partners, Reuters reports. A prospectus was sent out to potential buyers earlier this month, and the sale is expected to raise up to EUR1.0 billion.
China's three mobile network operators – China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom – have each signed five-year lease agreements with joint venture infrastructure provider China Tower. The South China Morning Post writes that the deals are expected to generate savings of CNY2.4 billion (USD358.8 million), CNY1.9 billion and CNY1.8 billion this year for Mobile, Unicom and Telecom respectively.
Helios Towers DRC, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) subsidiary of Helios Towers Africa has completed a USD105 million upsizing of its syndicated term loan facility. The loan facility will be used to finance its acquisition of Bharti Airtel's tower portfolio and to fund organic growth, including the construction of new towers and investment in new power technologies, as the company looks to reduce its reliance on diesel fuel.
Russian wireless provider Tele2 Russia is involved in talks with investors regarding the potential sale of its tower portfolio, Telecom Daily writes, citing unnamed sources close to the deal. Tele2 is looking for at least RUB25 billion (USD385.65 million) for its roughly 10,000 towers, and is negotiating with three prospective buyers.
Indian tower providers Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel have begun rationalising the rates they charge, so that all cellcos will pay the same rate at each location. To that end, the Economic Times cites a source close to the development as saying that the towercos have frozen the annual rent escalation for Bharti Airtel in many areas, whilst the fees paid by Idea Cellular will continue to rise until the rates paid by each cellco reach parity. Indus Towers is jointly owned by Idea, Airtel and Vodafone India, whilst Infratel is owned by Airtel. The decision to alter the rates was prompted by concerns from cellcos that the tower providers were charging competitors different rates for tenancies at the same location. The new approach may cause problems for new customers looking to negotiate lower rates for larger number tenancies.
The Delhi High Court has stayed a series of orders calling for Indian cellco Videocon Telecommunications Ltd (VTL) to pay INR4.5 billion (USD66.96 million) to four infrastructure providers until the court issues a final decision on the matter. The Hindustan Times reports that the operator incurred losses in 2013/14 and 2014/15 and in March this year agreed to sell its 1800MHz spectrum to Bharti Airtel for INR44.3 billion, with the intention of using the funds to pay off its creditors. Through late April and early May, however, the court issued a series of orders instructing VTL to pay a total of INR4.5 billion to American Towers Corporation India (ATC India), Viom Networks (now part of ATC India), Tower Vision India and Indus Towers, after the tower providers approached the court to secure their payment from the proceeds of the spectrum sale. VTL challenged the orders, noting that they sought to give precedence for repayment to the infrastructure providers over a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI) which held a prior right to be paid from the sale proceeds.
We welcome your feedback about Tower Talk. If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or corrections, please email editors@commsupdate.com
China, Congo, Dem. Rep., France, India, Russia, American Tower Corporation (ATC), Bharti Airtel, Bharti Infratel, Bouygues Telecom, Cellnex Telecom, China Mobile, China Telecom Corporation, China Unicom, FPS Towers, Helios Towers, Indus Towers, Tele2 Russia, Tower Vision India, Vi (Vodafone Idea Limited, VIL), Videocon Telecommunications Limited (VTL), Viom Networks, Vodafone India, Mobile
IoT Time: Internet of Things digest
Starlink reaches one million subscriptions milestone


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While reading a recent BBC Travel News Article about authentic ethnic food in America, I realized I have yet to write a feature about the authentic ethnic foods of Costa Rica! While Costa Rican cuisine is not likely to be listed on any world foods top 10 list, it is delicious in its own simple little right. I say this because many travelers expecting all Latin American countries to serve spicy, flavorful dishes are often disappointed by the simple (and dare I say bland) food that can often be found in Costa Rica. However, with expectations aside and my dining tips you can have a delicious time on your tour of Costa Rica by car hire.
If you find yourself at a big hotel near the San Jose Airport in Costa Rica, where everything is likely done on a huge scale to feed dozens or even hundreds of guests my advice is to skip the gallo pinto and go for the fruit, yogurt, and breads. The traditional breakfast dish of Costa Ricans, gallo pinto consists of black beans and white rice heated together in a pan with oil, garlic, sweet peppers, cilantro, celery, onion, and a little salt. When made right it's delicious In bigger places you're lucky if even has garlic. I've seen many a sad serving of oily beans and rice called gallo pinto. Order your gallo pinto from a soda (small cafe), B&B, or a nice ecolodge such as Finca Luna Nueva (who made some of my all time favorite gallo pinto).
My personal favorite of the Costa Rican dishes, this hearty stand-by can only be had fresh when your tour by car hire passes by a place that has just cooked a fresh pot of black beans. A hearty style of black bean soup, sopa negra consists of the water the beans were cooked in (which is flavored with cilantro and salt and maybe other spices), black beans, white rice, tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, and a boiled egg. Some restaurants will crack and drop your egg into the boiling soup for a very beautifully displayed boiled egg floating atop your soup.
Save the most on your tour of Costa Rica with the cheap car rental rates from CarHireX.com.


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Q: select sum of columns with the same name and size I have a MySQL table like that:
material_name   size        rcv     issue
abc             250mm       10      8
abc             250mm       10      8
abc             150mm       25      4
dfz             450mm       15      6
dfz             250mm       42      25
dfz             250mm       34      35
xyz             250mm       25      20
xyz             150mm       42      40
lmn             150mm       10      1

I'm trying to select total rcv and total issue
where both of material_name and size are unique.

A: I suppose that you want the following pair (MATERIAL_NAME, SIZE) to be unique. In this case, try this:
SELECT MATERIAL_NAME, SIZE, SUM(RCV), SUM(ISSUE)
    FROM TABLE
    GROUP BY MATERIAL_NAME, SIZE;

Otherwise, if you don't want to have duplicates on one column - E.g.:
abc 250 mm
abc 150 mm

you need an additional criteria (which one have to be ignored).
Or maybe you want to split the problem in 2 parts:
-- for name
SELECT MATERIAL_NAME, SUM(RCV), SUM(ISSUE)
    FROM TABLE
    GROUP BY MATERIAL_NAME, SIZE;

-- for size
SELECT SIZE, SUM(RCV), SUM(ISSUE)
    FROM TABLE
    GROUP BY MATERIAL_NAME, SIZE;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


As part of its new "Historically Speaking" lecture series, Monmouth County Historical Association is pleased to welcome Dr. Walter D. Greason to speak on Sunday, February 27 at 2:00 p.m. The lecture will be held at the Association's Headquarters, 70 Court Street, Freehold. Dr. Greason will speak on his recent publication, The Path to Freedom: Black Families in New Jersey," which reveals how African American migrants transformed civil rights in New Jersey between 1920 and 1970. The story is told through photographs of several generations of local Freehold families.
Dr. Greason is an Associate Professor of History and American Studies at Ursinus College where he also serves as Coordinator of the African American and Africana Studies Program. His focus is United States history with special interest in race relations during the twentieth century. As a proud native of Freehold, Dr. Greason frequently returns to our area offering teacher training in American history and diversity training for corporations and community groups.
The lecture is open to the public and admission is free. Refreshments will be served following Dr. Greason's presentation. Please call 732-462-1466 for further information or to reserve a seat.


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Fits Vendo VF-90 & Vendorlator VMC-90.
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Claudio Raja Gabaglia Lins is a Brazilian diplomat. He served as Brazil's ambassador to Pakistan from 21 August 2015 to January 2020. On 12 March 2020, Lins presented his credentials as Brazil's ambassador to the Bahamas.

During his tenure as envoy in Islamabad, Lins expanded Brazil's economic cooperation with Pakistan by overseeing the establishment of the Pakistan-Brazil Business Forum and also focused on diplomatic and cultural ties.

References

Living people
Ambassadors of Brazil to the Bahamas
Ambassadors of Brazil to Pakistan
Year of birth missing (living people)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home Community La Mesa Chamber hosts 'Summer Bash' Business Expo
La Mesa Chamber hosts 'Summer Bash' Business Expo
Albert H.Fulcher
La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Mary England said that holding a business expo was not in her plans, unless she could find a fun and interactive way to get local businesses together. Now, after its second yearly "Summer Bash" Business Expo, her "all-hands" Chamber has accomplished just that—and more.
With 47 Chamber member vendor tables and some of the best food coming from La Mesa, Spring Valley and Lemon Grove, Aug. 12 marked an evening of fun and some great B2B action. Vendors taking business cards gave away more than 47 gifts to guests and the Chamber welcomed 14 new members. All new members received certificates of recognition from the offices of Congressman Duncan Hunter, Sen. Joel Anderson, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber and San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
"I have a new mix of chamber members, more high energy and we all get to meet them," said England. She said after that, they sent out a survey asking members liked, did not like and it came back with a resounding, "We want more."
With a sold out house for the expo, England said, "They love it and with our chamber members we listen, and we respond. We are a full service chamber. We help our members, promote our members and if our members need anything, we deliver."
Mary Ann Alianelli, La Mesa Women's Club clubhouse manager, said she was there to get the word out that the clubhouse was available for events. It has been a member four nearly four years.
"That is how we fund our philanthropic donations," she said. "We do five scholarships every year for the Grossmont Union High School seniors, and we are doing a large fashion show for the La Mesa Boys & Girls Club."
Kristin Bean, AFLAC district manager, said they just moved its office back to La Mesa so they were a newer member.
"People are great and there are a lot of great businesses out here," she said. "And AFLAC is more relevant than it's ever been with the consumer driven health plans."
England said she was excited to recognize the 14 new members to the Chamber.
"I want them to know that they are the reason that we (the Chamber) exist," she said. "It's just a great opportunity for people to get together in a fun setting, have fun and promote themselves."
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Wednesday, April 22, 2015 7:03 pm
Odds and ends for April 22
Filed under: Aiee! Teh stoopid! It burns!,Journalism,News & Record,Say a prayer,Shooting the wounded,We're so screwed — Lex @ 7:03 pm
Tags: Clinton Cash, Clinton Foundation, coal ash, Downtown Greensboro Inc., Duke Energy, gun control, gun rights, John Robinson, Linda Brady, New York Times, nullification, Pat McCrory, Paul Rodgers, Peter Schweitzer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Scott Walker, The Replacements, UNCG, water pollution
Sorry for the posting drought. Stuff happens. A lot of stuff.
Another reason I'm not quite ready to canonize Pope Francis: On Tuesday, he accepted the resignation of an American bishop who had been convicted of failing to report child-porn images on a priest's computer. Which would be fine except that the conviction was three years ago.
Speaking of illegal sexual acts, Amy Schumer and Josh Charles offer up something I thought didn't exist — a note-perfect way to joke about rape. (The fact that it parodies "Friday Night Lights," which, frankly, I've always thought overrated, is just a bonus.)
Apparently, it's quite all right with the Obama administration if, under the TPP and other trade agreements, corporations get away with murder.
Really, New York Times? Peter Schweitzer, author of "Clinton Cash," a book charging improprieties regarding contributions to the Clinton Foundation, has admitted he can't prove his charges. The Times, apparently having learned nothing from its fusterclucked coverage of Whitewater, Wen Ho Lee, and Iraq, breathlessly promoted the book anyway, and the paper's ombudsman — traveling and quasi-off the grid, she says — has yet to say a word.
Who sponsored First Amendment Day festivities at Iowa State? The Charles Koch Foundation. No, I am not making this up.
Florida legislative Republicans illegally went behind closed doors to plan resistance to Medicaid expansion. Fortunately, AP reporter Ken Rideout was able to hear what was going on through a crack in the door and brief his colleagues.
Between 2009 and 2013, median household income in North Carolina stayed flat or fell for all but the top 5% of earners. So do tell me again why the rich need another tax cut. And tell me again how this state's misbegotten economic-development program is working so well. Jesus wept.
The N.C. legislature continues to indulge its Confederacy fetish, this time with a bill to (try to) nullify federal gun laws. Dudes, we've had that discussion already. In 1861-1865. Your side lost.
Drinking water in wells near many Duke Energy coal-ash sites is contaminated. Perhaps the state of North Carolina will lift a finger. I'm not holding my breath. Friendly reminder: Gov. Pat McCrory was a longtime Duke employee before heading to Raleigh. Coincidence? I think not.
Another legislative measure to chill your First Amendment rights is in the works, this one going after whistleblowers in the agriculture industry. I suppose this would be an appropriate time to mention that I don't recall Big Ag or ALEC ever asking me for my vote.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the poster boy for the Visigoth wing of the Republican Party, will be the N.C. GOP's keynote speaker in June.
One of many reasons why North Carolina's HB 456 is a bad idea.
I suppose there might be a decent argument for not just blowing up Downtown Greensboro Inc. and starting over (or just leaving the rubble where it falls), but at this point I can't imagine what it would be.
Offered without comment: Former UNC-Greensboro Chancellor Linda Brady talks with the student newspaper, The Carolinian, about what she thinks went wrong in her administration.
My friend and former boss John Robinson talks about the day eight years ago that was the beginning of the end for the News & Record. He's hard on himself, but John has never been a bullshitter, and he isn't starting now.
Someone needs to explain to me why Paul Rodgers and The Replacements are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Go on. I'll wait.
Monday, February 9, 2015 8:01 pm
Odds and ends for Feb. 9
Filed under: Aiee! Teh stoopid! It burns!,I want my country back.,I want my religion back.,I want my state back.,It's Not About Race Because Nothing Is Ever About Race,Journalism,Panthers,Shooting the wounded — Lex @ 8:01 pm
Tags: bigotry, Charlie Hebdo, coal ash, domestic violence, Duke Energy, Godwin's Law, Greg Hardy, ISIS, Islam, Jim Womack, marriage equality, Medicaid, memory, Mike Huckabee, NPR, Panthers, Paul "Skip" Stam, Roy Moore, thuggery
So because I think Binyamin Netanyahu is a sociopath who has led Israel down a dangerously self-destructive path and who (as is true of any other head of state) has no business addressing our government without an invitation from the head of that government, Joe "Ratings Lower Than Whale Poop in the Marianas Trench at High Tide" Scarborough thinks I'm anti-Semitic. Fortunately, Dave Winer, the Godfather of Blogging, has a response: "Let me jewsplain that for you: chuck is a goy schmuck asshole schmeggegey nazi idiot dick."
Some people just don't have the temperament to be lawyers. Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, not for the first time, is demonstrating that he is one of those people, ordering officials in that state to ignore the U.S. Supreme Court's 7-2 legalization of same-sex marriage there. Coming into today, Alabama was 0-2 in nullification contests, and it began losing again today not long after county offices opened for business. Sorry, Roy. And screw you with a fence post, bigot.
"[I]f memory for events is strengthened at emotional times, why does everyone forget what they were doing when the Challenger exploded?" Memory is damned tricky. And our criminal justice system, for good or ill, needs to take better stock of its shortcomings.
A month or so ago I had to give New York Times op-ed pecksniff Ross Douthat credit for being right about the Charlie Hebdo incident. Now, I must give New York Times op-ed pecksniff David Brooks credit for being right about President Obama's National Prayer Breakfast comments. Verily, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are coming up the driveway and here I am all out of hay.
If Mike Freaking Huckabee blows that dog whistle any louder, he's gonna owe me for some new windows.
So, Godwin's Law with respect to privatization? Totally bogus:
They say that the first person in any political argument who stoops to invoking Nazi Germany automatically loses. But you can look it up: According to a 2006 article in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, the English word "privatization" derives from a coinage, Reprivatisierung, formulated in the 1930s to describe the Third Reich's policy of winning businessmen's loyalty by handing over state property to them.
(Seriously. I had no idea.)
There might be a case for not publishing some of the Charlie Hebdo images, but outgoing NPR ombudsman Edward Schumacher-Matos utterly fails to make it.
Oregon's governor, John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, has a fiancee. His fiancee has advised the governor on some of the same energy issues on which she works as a paid consultant for private interests, and there's roughly zero chance Kitzhaber was unaware of this major conflict of interest. I imagine there are roughly 4 million Oregonians who don't give a damn what I think, but I think Kitzhaber should resign. I imagine a district attorney and a U.S. attorney there also don't give a damn what I think, but I also think Kitzhaber should go to prison.
WRAL-TV catches Rep. Paul "Skip" Stam lying about Medicaid. Stop the presses.
A former chairman of the state's Mining and Energy Commission, Jim Womack, gets all butthurt over the fact that a Lee County coffee-shop owner doesn't want Duke Energy's coal ash dumped in her back yard. Because Womack was having trouble understanding the owner's position, I wish she'd've spooned some coal ash into his coffee.
I was wrong; Carolina Panther Greg Hardy won't be convicted on domestic-assault charges in a jury trial after all. The complainant has skipped town amid rumors of a civil settlement. I stand by my prediction, however, that Hardy has played his last game as a Panther.
Here in Greensboro, a patron at New Orleans Bar & Grille on Big Tree Way was unsatisfied with his steak Saturday night and started filming a review, when restaurant employees not only interrupted but also stole their phones. My wife's from Louisiana, but it'll be a cold day in hell before we set foot in that place. This deserves to go viral so hard that not even the owners' grandchildren's grandchildren will ever be able to try to start a business here. And the restaurant employees need to go to prison.
Let it never be said I'm not tough on crime. Y'all have a good evening.
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I love the feel of rain when it hits my skin, and you my dear have captured it perfectly. You are right, rain is just confetti from the sky.


Owen County is divided into 13 Civil Townships : Clay, Franklin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Lafayette, Marion, Montgomery, Morgan, Taylor, Washington and Wayne.
Owen County was Organized January 1, 1819.
Spencer wasn't always the County Seat.
The first County Seat was located at Lancaster, about half a mile up the river from the present town of Spencer on 150 acres donated by John Dunn. On account of a defect in the title to the land, commissioners were appointed to change the location.
Spencer became the County Seat February 12, 1820. First settled in 1820, by John Dunn, Philip Hart and Richard Beem, by 1849 it contained a Methodist Church, a Christian Church, four stores, three warehouses, eight mechanics shops, and a population of about 300.
Owen County, organized in 1819, was named in honor of Colonel Abraham Owen, of Kentucky, who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe, while serving as a volunteer aid to General Harrison. It is bounded north by Putnam, east by Morgan and Monroe, south by Greene, and west by Clay, and contains 396 square miles. The civil divisions into townships are Harrison, Wayne and Clay in the east, Franklin and Jefferson on the south, Marion and Morgan on the west, Jackson, Jennings and Taylor on the north, and Montgomery, Washington and Lafayette in the interior. The population in 1830 was 4,060, in 1840, 8,359, and at this time  about 12,000. With the exception of the bottoms of White River, which in general are large and fertile, and a few tracts of level, wet land, when drained, well adapted to grass, the balance of the county is undulating or rolling, a medium between the hilly region farther east and the level country on the north, west and south. The upland portion is generally a rich, clay soil, and well adapted to corn, wheat, oats, grass, and other articles common to the climate. The timber is mostly a good quality. Iron ore and coal are found in abundance in the southern and western part of the county. The former is known to the manufacturer by the name of "liver ore," is destitute of manganese, and contains 44 ½ percent of pure metal. This ore is very easy of access. The surplus articles exported in 1848, were, 24,534 hogs, 57,760 bushels of wheat, 18,000 do. Of corn, which, with tobacco and other articles of marketing, make the whole amount about the value of $200,000.
There are in Owen County about twenty gristmills, twenty-one sawmills, four carding, machines, one printing office, fifteen stores, two groceries, five lawyers, four-teen physicians, thirteen preachers, nine Christian, seven Baptist, six Methodist and two Presbyterian churches, and eighty-four mechanics of the trades most in demand.
The falls of Eel River furnish the best water power, and are among the most remarkable curiosities in the State. They are three-fourths of a mile apart, the upper fall is 45 feet within a short distance, the lower fall is 35 feet perpendicular. The proprietors of these falls, though they have often talked of making large improvements there, have as yet done but little. Iron ore is abundant in the vicinity. It is much to be regretted that such facilities for valuable and important improvements should not attract the attention to which they have such claims.
The taxable land in the county amounts to 165,768 acres; 19,000 acres have been selected for Canal lands.
John Dunn, Philip Hart, David Thomas and Samuel Bigger made the first settlement in Owen County about the beginning of 1817. The first church organized and the first meeting house and mill built was in 1819. Previous to that time, grain was sent about sixty miles to be ground. As a memorial of the old customs, it appears that at the sale of lots for the County Seat in 1821, the county board allowed $9.87 ½ for whiskey to treat the bidders. Now there is no one authorized to retail spirits, a majority of the citizens having decided not to allow licenses.
Long before the coming of the white man, Owen County was a favorite rendezvous for a number of Indian tribes, due to the beauty and healthful climate found in its picturesque hills and valleys. Today there are yet to be seen through the magnificent forests frequent signs that show where "Sweet Owen" now is, which was then a favorite camping place for the Indians. There is also much in evidence that prehistoric peoples, as their mounds and burial places testify, formerly inhabited this locality. It is certain that in latter times the Delaware, Eel River, Miami and Pottawatomie Indians swarmed the hills and valleys. The land of Owen County is a fine balance of hill country and rich, fertile river and creek bottomland. Particularly outstanding is the Eel River, with its beautiful falls and cataracts. White River traverses the entire southeastern section. One of the northern group of southern Indiana counties, Owen is the most noted for its production of stone, coal, and tobacco. The famous Oolitic Limestone, used extensively in government structures, is quarried at Ramona. The bituminous coal found here is of the finest quality. The county is also ideal for the production of fruit.
Owen County covers 393 square miles, divided into thirteen townships. The incorporated towns are Spencer, 2,179, and Gosport, 722. Owen County total population for 1890 was 15,040; 1900, 15,149; 1910, 14,053; 1920, 12,760; 1930, 11,357. In 1920, the center of the United States population was in this county, at a point of 1.9 miles west of Whitehall.
Spencer is fifty-three miles southwest of Indianapolis and is served by one railroad. Among its manufactures are flour, lumber, brick, tile, staves, and bottles. The coalmines and limestone quarries in the region are important industrial factors. The largest clothespin factory in the world is here.
The early settlers referred to this county as "Sweet Owen," and today it includes many of the state's foremost natural beauty spots. Chief among them is McCormick's Creek Canyon State Park. Another is Cataract Falls, on Eel River. Other points of interest are Green's Bluffs, Boone's Cave, Owen Park, and Lake Hollybrook. There is a marker north of Gosport, on the site of the boundary line of the Harrison Purchase, commonly known as the "Ten O'clock Line."
The county was the birthplace of T. C. Steele, the noted artist. Spencer was the birthplace of William Vaughn Moody, poet and dramatist, and of the writer and poet, William Herschell. The most famous resident was Samuel Ralston, who settled near Jordan Village.
Owen County had seven manufacturing establishments, according to the 1935 federal census. A total of 179 wage earners were employed on payrolls totaling $129,518. The value of the product was $509,637.
The county had 1,719 farms with an average acreage of 112.8 acres each. Their value was $4,030,440. A total of 34,446 head of livestock was reported.
The total county tax valuation for 1936 was $7,539,937.


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Home / Products / The Circle Of Reason
The Circle Of Reason
Author: Amitav Ghosh
Winner of the Prix Medici Etranger Award Following the form of the raga in Indian classical music, Amitav Ghosh slowly builds the tempo of The Circle of Reason. The first part spans several decades, the second unfolds over a few weeks, and the third, like a scherzo, races through a day. Ghosh's debut novel centres on Alu, an orphan enlisted by his foster father as a soldier in his crusade against the forces of myth and unreason. Suspected of terrorism, they are about to be arrested when a tragic accident forces Alu to flee his village. Pursued by a misguided police officer, Alu finds his way through Calcutta to Goa and on to a trawler that runs illegal immigrants to Africa. Tracing Alu's journey across two continents, The Circle of Reason is an exceptional novel by one of India's most celebrated writers in English.
Amitav Ghosh is the author of ten highly acclaimed works of fiction and non-fiction which include the Booker Prize shortlisted Sea of Poppies (book one of the Ibis Trilogy), River of Smoke, The Glass Palace and The Shadow Lines. He has won numerous prizes, some of which are the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Pushcart Prize and the Grinzane Cavour Prize. He divides his time between New York and India.
An Indian In Cowboy Country
The Templar's Secret
100 Great Inspiring Stories


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In the decades since Jane Addams, Crystal Eastman, and Helen Keller worked with other civil libertarians to found the American Civil Liberties Union, the expansion of women's rights has become a core part of the ACLU's mission. Women have sought the right to control one's own body, to have equal educational and economic opportunities, and to fair treatment under the criminal justice system.
Opponent Testimony – in House » Ohio Senate Bill 28 "Fetal Remains"
On February 28, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the House Health Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue from surgical abortions....
On February 28, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the House Health Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue from surgical abortions.
Read our opponent testimony.
Opponent Testimony – in Senate » Ohio Senate Bill 28 "Fetal Remains"
On January 10, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the Senate Government Ovesight and Reform Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue ...
On January 10, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the Senate Government Ovesight and Reform Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue from surgical abortions.
Opponent Testimony » Ohio Senate Bill 28 "Fetal Remains"
On January 10, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the Senate Government Overight and Reform Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue ...
On January 10, 2018, Gary Daniels, chief lobbyist with the ACLU of Ohio, testified before the Senate Government Overight and Reform Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 28, which would require abortion clinics to bury or cremate fetal and embryonic tissue from surgical abortions.
End to Nuisance Orders affecting Survivors of Domestic Violence
Twenty-eight U.S. Senators submitted a letter to the Honorable Julian Castro, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), expressing their support for HUD's efforts to combat discriminatory nuisance ordinances that unfairly target survivors of domestic violence. ...
Twenty-eight U.S. Senators submitted a letter to the Honorable Julian Castro, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), expressing their support for HUD's efforts to combat discriminatory nuisance ordinances that unfairly target survivors of domestic violence. Many nuisance laws attempt to abate unreasonable or unlawful use of property, or disturbances of the peace, that may be an annoyance to the general public. While nuisance laws purport to create safe neighborhoods, they can unfairly target survivors of domestic violence, who are often found in violation of these ordinances because of behaviors initiated by their partners. If found guilty of too many violations, tenants must be evicted, or their landlords can face penalties ranging from significant fines to loss of rental permits or property foreclosure. The collateral effect of eviction places survivors at risk for homelessness and increased vulnerability.
Specific instances of nuisance ordinances placing additional burdens on survivors of domestic violence have been documented in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and Berlin, New Hampshire, where both municipalities passed strict laws. Signatories to the letter end their appeal by urging HUD to ensure tenants can maintain secure housing and necessary emergency assistance without fear of eviction because of mandated consequences imposed by local nuisance regulations.
Veto Abortion Restrictions in Budget, Governor Kasich
The ACLU of Ohio in a letter called on Governor John Kasich to exercise his line-item veto powers to reject abortion limitations included in the ...
The ACLU of Ohio in a letter called on Governor John Kasich to exercise his line-item veto powers to reject abortion limitations included in the new state budget.
Requirements within House Bill 64 jeopardize the health of women across Ohio. These restrictions are an attack on reproductive freedoms and unnecessarily target the autonomy of Ohio women.
The budget language requires clinics that provide abortions to have transfer agreements with local hospitals within 30 miles. Many medical professionals have condemned such restrictions in the past as an undue burden on the medical field and on the women who need medical care.
The second provision would allow the state to close clinics by failing to respond to a clinic's request for a variance (an exception). In short, the state can just neglect to hear a request from a clinic to deviate from zoning requirements. This could mandate the closing of such clinics that provide abortions without a hearing or explanation after 60 days. Doing so infringes upon due process rights.
Again, we urge Governor Kasich to exercise his line-item veto powers to stop these provisions from being enacted into law.
"Heartbeat Bill" Introduced in OGA Again
The Ohio General Assembly started its new session in January 2015 and the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" has already been reintroduced. House Bill 69 recently had its second committee hearing in the House and, once again, the ACLU of Ohio ...
The Ohio General Assembly started its new session in January 2015 and the so-called "Heartbeat Bill" has already been reintroduced. House Bill 69 recently had its second committee hearing in the House and, once again, the ACLU of Ohio testified against it. Like previous versions, the bill would outlaw abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. The ACLU has promised to sue if this bill passes.
Heartbeat Bill Fails in Ohio House
House Bill 248 (HB 248), commonly known as the "Heartbeat Bill," was first introduced in the 2013-2014 session of the Ohio House in August of 2013. This is an extremely invasive bill that aimed to ban abortions in Ohio once ...
House Bill 248 (HB 248), commonly known as the "Heartbeat Bill," was first introduced in the 2013-2014 session of the Ohio House in August of 2013. This is an extremely invasive bill that aimed to ban abortions in Ohio once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks. The bill contained no exceptions for survivors of sexual violence or incest. While it claimed there was an exception to prevent the death or serious harm of the pregnant woman, it still subjected the woman and the physician performing the abortion to government unnecessary and intrusive scrutiny. It was sponsored by Reps. Christina Hagan (R., Alliance) and Lynn Wachtmann (R., Napoleon).
The bill was passed out of the House Health and Aging Committee in a party-line vote of 11 to 6 on November 20, 2014, during the lame duck session of the Ohio General Assembly. On December 10, 2014, HB 248 failed on the House floor. For more information, visit our legislative page.
"Equal Pay for Equal Work" Remains Elusive for Women in the Workplace
Every year, Equal Pay Day reminds us of the number of extra days a woman in the U.S. must work before she is paid the same amount as the average man. It has been more than fifty years since ...
Every year, Equal Pay Day reminds us of the number of extra days a woman in the U.S. must work before she is paid the same amount as the average man.
It has been more than fifty years since the signing of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and women across the nation are still fighting for basic paycheck equality.
In Ohio, Democrats are currently pushing for an Ohio Equal Pay Act to bring the state in line with the Lilly Ledbetter Act of 2009.
Nationally, the Paycheck Fairness Act was recently defeated in the Senate for the third time. Nevertheless, the ACLU helped persuade the President to issue an executive order banning retaliation against employees of federal contractors for disclosing or inquiring about their wages.
This executive order is no substitute for the Paycheck Fairness Act, but it will help encourage compliance with existing equal pay laws.
Learn more about how the Paycheck Fairness Act would help women secure equal pay for equal work.
ACLU of Ohio Files Suit Against Budget Amendments that Restrict Reproductive Rights
On October 9, 2013, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit challenging several abortion-related amendments inserted into the massive 2013 state budget bill (HB 59). One of the amendments ...
On October 9, 2013, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit challenging several abortion-related amendments inserted into the massive 2013 state budget bill (HB 59).
One of the amendments in question bans public hospitals from making transfer agreements with abortion clinics. Another requires clinics to follow a government script when dealing with patients and to present those patients with evidence of a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion or face criminal charges. A third amendment creates a new state "parenting and pregnancy" program that siphons state money directly to private organizations that are forbidden from mentioning abortion services.
These amendments have no place in a state budget bill. In fact, they violate the Ohio Constitution's "single subject rule," which mandates that legislation deal with only one issue, the appropriation of funds for existing government programs or obligations.
The abortion debate will no doubt continue, but allowing the legislature to violate the constitution in order to get what they want ultimately hurts us all.
That's why this litigation is about reproductive justice and good government. You don't have to be pro-choice to understand that the business of the legislature should be conducted above board and in the full light of day.
Backlash against Reproductive Rights
The Ohio General Assembly has passed two bills that further curtail Ohio women's reproductive rights, including a ban on abortions after 24 weeks and a ban on abortions performed in public hospitals. Other bills, including the "Heartbeat Bill," are pending.
Patents on Breast Cancer Genes
In May 2009, the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer are unconstitutional and invalid. The suit charges that the patents stifle diagnostic ...
In May 2009, the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer are unconstitutional and invalid. The suit charges that the patents stifle diagnostic testing and research that could lead to cures and that they limit women's options for medical care. On July 29, 2011, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the patents were valid. The ACLU had not yet determined if it will appeal. Updates and more information about the case are available here.
Supreme Court Ruling Enabling Employment Discrimination
The Supreme Court decided in Wal-Mart v. Dukes that women who had faced discriminatory practices at Wal-Mart could not proceed with a class action lawsuit. The ACLU and other civil rights organizations had urged the Supreme Court to ...
The Supreme Court decided in Wal-Mart v. Dukes that women who had faced discriminatory practices at Wal-Mart could not proceed with a class action lawsuit. The ACLU and other civil rights organizations had urged the Supreme Court to allow the suit to proceed. As it stands, the decision will make it significantly more difficult for victims of discrimination to seek redress.
Women's Rights Resources
Judge Blocks Ohio's Near Total Abortion Ban
Dads Reach Historic Paid Parental Leave Class Action Settlement with JPMorgan Chase
Fathers Denied Paid Parental Leave by J.P. Morgan Chase File Sex Discrimination Complaint with EEOC
More women's rights Press Releases...
Rotondo v. J.P. Morgan Chase
Maudlin v. Inside Out, Inc.
HB 82 – Discrimination Law Exemptions for Religious Employers (2013-2014)
HB 78 – Post-Viability Abortion Revision (2011-2012)
SB 72 – Post-Viability Abortion Revision (2011-2012)
More women's rights Legislation...
ACLU Blog » Why Ohio's "Heartbeat Bill" is Truly Heartless
ACLU Challenges Budget Amendments » Cleveland
Dignity, Access, Respect: Reproductive Justice for Women of Color » Cleveland


There are some things in life you could never see coming. Some things that you know could—will—come eventually, but ones you never expect until you're much older. Wiser. More able to cope, or at least accept. But death is no respecter of persons, whether old or young. I just never thought it would come so soon.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016. 1:00 pm.
The date and time are stamped in my memory forever. That was when we found out that my oldest brother—only sixteen months younger than me—was dead. And more than that, that he appeared to have taken his own life.
Snippets of the day remain, pieces of memory that typify the day our family was turned upside down.
The incredible local volunteer fire crew, many of whom we know—some even personally. Many came out to be with us, if only for a little bit in those first dreadful hours.
Looking at the clock and knowing someone ought to call the family in the States, and soon—they'd be going to bed before too long—but knowing that you didn't want to do it. But someone had to, someone who could still talk, so I volunteered. I hope I never have to deliver such painful news again.
The post on Facebook an hour later, asking for prayer for our family, and the instant almost overwhelming but oh-so-comforting messages that began flooding in. The bittersweet knowledge that many, many people were offering up prayers for us, for our situation—it was humbling. And so, so encouraging.
The nurses, who stayed around with us—just being there—until the police came to talk to several of us for their reports.
The friend who came as soon as she realized what had happened, providing a shoulder for Mom to cry on and just being there for us. Because she loves us. She made time in her day, even though she had a big trip to prepare for. What more could you ask of a dear friend?
One of the many dear friends of my brothers, who also came as soon as he heard…but couldn't stay to talk, because of other things going on. Who then came back later when things had cleared a bit, and just listened and was here for us.
The many other friends that came that afternoon and evening as soon as they heard, telling us that they were praying for us, talking about now-precious memories, and overall just being a physical visible wall of support for us.
The path ahead looks steep, but there's One who has already traversed it for us. Glory to His Name!
So many snippets. So many little conversations in the midst of the murky confusion of that first and the following days as we—I—tried to come to terms with the fact that my brother was actually dead. I remember that first night clearly, as I lay down and burst into tears. "Oh, Lord, I've lost my brother!" And as that long night drew on, I finally asked Him—the One who knows all better than any of us could—to take it. To use it as He saw fit. And most of all, to help us heal.
Faithful. Many times, at different stages, I've wondered what it would be like to go through something really, really hard. I knew that I could praise God in the midst of everything going well; I often took time to do that simply because a heart of gratitude needs an outlet and I was so, so thankful. I knew I could find beauty in normal, everyday life. But I wondered if I could still do the same in the midst of heartbreak. If I could find beauty in the middle of brokenness. Well, I found out—and yes, you can! Our God is so, so faithful. Faithful to heed the tears and inward pleas from hearts torn with grief, faithful to point out simple, small blessings, faithful to be there, to be the solid rock even when the storm is raging. He is faithful.
So as I sit here tonight, just over three weeks past that initial shocking day that has changed our family forever, I'm still thankful. Thankful for the time I had with Seth, thankful for the blessing and sharpening he's been in my life in the past, thankful for the many little memories I have of our time together. Two things stand out especially—our trip together to the US (almost exactly a year ago), and that time we went out for coffee "just because" only eight weeks ago. Both were firsts for us, and both were memory-making ventures that I will always treasure.
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine…." (John 10:14) I love thinking of Jesus as our Shepherd, especially through times like this.
The pain? Yes, it's still there. I've lost my brother, one who was probably my closest playmate in my early years. We did everything together, and still have done a lot of that even up till now. We've had to rearrange so many things since he's gone—the hole in our family, in our hearts, is huge. Just the other morning I was redoing our cleaning roster, and deleting his name in order to move things around felt like deleting a part of something that has always been…and I knew would never come again. But God's grace and love are still there, still holding us ever closer together. We can ask "why?" and "how?" all we'd like, but in the end although this wasn't God's original plan we know He allowed it. And by allowing it, I trust that He has a bigger, better "why" for us—all of us—in the end. We haven't seen the completed puzzle yet.
For now, it's taking faith and patience. Yes, we miss Seth. Terribly. But there is One who is supreme, and can—and I believe will—turn even this into something beautiful in His time. God loves us, and although we can't understand the depth of that very well, I can testify to the fact that that has been revealed over and over throughout this whole ordeal.
Praying friends, all of you who have spent some time offering up prayers for us over this time, thank you. We still covet them—the path to healing is looking very long. Thank you for your support—we feel it. May the Lord richly bless every one of you.
The Kowhai tree out in front of my house finally started blooming—only about 2 weeks later than all other trees! Still, I'm thankful. Isn't our Lord good?
My dear brother Seth, I miss you. You're now gone, leaving us the chance to see how much you did for us on a daily basis. Not only that, but you've left us with an even deeper appreciation for each other. You meant a lot to us in your short sixteen years. I'm going to miss your love of coffee, your willingness to help with just about anything, and your determination even in the midst of difficulty. There's so much I could say, but I won't. Just know that I'll always treasure the memories I have of you. You're gone now. Gone to the God that we've been taught of and loved all our lives. I release you to Him—He loves you so much more than I ever could, and I have hope of seeing you again one day. Farewell, brother. Thank you for the determination you've left with me to love the Lord more, and to get to know His Word even better than I have before. Thanks for all you've taught me. Love, your oldest sister.
Whew! Busy, busy times. Between a full-on weekend last weekend (often not to bed until 11 or so), getting sick for the good part of last week, and a few other things that needed to be done, I decided to take a break. I'm sure I needed it, but in many ways I always hate taking breaks because it's often really hard to get started again.
However, this time it hasn't been that bad to get back in the groove. Yes, I did miss posting the last two posts of the photo challenge, even though I did take pictures each of those days. I finally have time today to get this post up—yay!
I even got a chocolate cake in the end—wished on me by a cousin, and given to me by a friend!
It was my birthday! I spent the whole day playing in the kitchen baking different things (pavlova, sugar-free pavlova, and sweet rolls), which was really fun. That evening, several friends came over to help us eat the turkey that had been butchered for the occasion. We had a great time.
The boys decided to burn a pile of sticks we had out in the paddock, and someone suggested a cookout for Saturday lunch. So that's what we did. They got one of Mom's cast iron skillets, fitted a long pole to the handle, and settled it in the middle of the coals after the fire had burned down. They then proceeded to roast precooked sausages. It was a delicious meal, finished off with a few marshmallows!
After lunch, most of us headed out to the ocean. Ross, one of the friends who had come Friday, was staying with us for the weekend and we wanted to show him around a bit. Since we were going to be near water, the boys inevitably wanted to bring their boats along. They had a great time for a little while—until it simply got too cold to be on the water any longer!
The two little boys got cold first. They ended up sharing a towel for a bit, until the older one was offered a quick boat ride. Then the youngest sat on my lap in an effort to warm up a little while we waited for the older boys to get ready to leave.
Someone had the brilliant idea of giving me a few of the early daffodils right before we left the ocean—I loved it! And it was fun to be able to use my new vase for the first time, too. Lovely spot of color for my desk, especially these last few days as a winter storm has finally brought a little moisture to our part of the country.
We got a little rain the last part of this week, and both yesterday morning and this morning we actually had a little snow on the ground! That doesn't happen very often, because we're only 50 meters or so above sea level—we do have a range of hills between us and the sea, but even so we generally only get rain. This morning on the way to church I got to take a couple pictures of the gorgeous hills and mountains surrounding us. There's nothing like a touch of snow to make everything look bigger and even more beautiful than before!
Taken as we crossed a river north of us—these are some of the hills between us and the sea.
Since it was snowy and very frosty (so much so, in fact, that early this morning we couldn't get any of the van doors open—they were frozen shut!), we set off for church half an hour early. There's a fairly high range of hills between us and church, and we've slipped a bit before on black ice, so Dad wanted to take it slow. Praise the Lord, we got through safely with plenty of time left, so we headed out to the ocean for a five-minute stretch break before going back into town for church.
It's been a gorgeous day, and the sun just set about half an hour ago behind the trees and hills to the west. It was one of those golden sunsets, the kind that you have to just stop and take in for a moment or two. God is so good to us!
I posted a "planning" post two weeks ago, and although I would have done a new one last weekend, that didn't work out due to more worthwhile activities. This past week ended up having plenty to keep me occupied with anyway, even without goals to meet, and I learned some valuable lessons through that. Even though it was a more difficult week, God has shown Himself faithful in innumerable ways and I think I've learned to rest even more on His guidance. It's tough at times, but I know He holds the future and in that I can find complete peace. After all, "…the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (see Deuteronomy 31:6). What a promise!
Overall, I've had a great couple weeks. I hope you have, too! Keep your eyes on Jesus this coming week and glorify His name!
Today, several of my brothers went to a friend's birthday party. This afternoon while they waited to go pick the boys up again, my two youngest brothers were outside playing so I got to snap a few pictures of them. I love looking back at pictures like this—moments in time. Even if they aren't the best quality, they're things that "will never be quite the same again" (to quote one of my favorite songs, We Have This Moment).
These guys are growing up so fast. It's so fun to watch them grow up, but sad, too. It's sad that soon they'll be too old to ask for a goodnight hug and kiss from me—nothing melts a big sister's heart more than that! These guys are so precious.
Future mechanic? He's trying to figure out why there's a string in an odd place in the back.
You know, as I think of how fast the years have gone past since these guys were such little things, I'm amazed at how much I've grown as well in my faith. How much more Jesus means to me than He did back then.
THIS is why our windows don't stay clean! And it's also why it's worth it to have dirty windows.
She wants out to play with her big brothers!
Just as we children love each other, God loves us. And just as they were waiting to leave to pick up our brothers, we're all waiting for Jesus to come back.
Keep on keeping on while you wait. Don't pause in the race to rest. I was listening to Pilgrim's Progress today on my walk, and came across the place where the three men—Simple, Sloth, and Presumption—lay sleeping, and how they wouldn't listen to Christian's concern for them….don't sleep in your Christian life! Keep on seeking Jesus, and walk the walk He's laid out for you.
Little sister came out to my room this morning as everyone else was doing school. She doesn't do it often these days—it's currently winter, and although the weather belies that fact, it is chilly outside most of the time so she doesn't have many chances to escape the house. However, today it was warm enough to have the doors open and out she came!
She doesn't say much, but today she announced something similar to "Toys!" and proceeded to dump the contents of the cardboard box I use as a toybox on the floor. Usually she asks me to get it out for her, and generally only pulls a few things out before rediscovering the books and forgetting about the other animals and blocks. However, she played for forty-five minutes or so, both discussing the different books with me and playing with the animals. She seemed to enjoy herself.
And as I watched her from time to time, examining the nuances of the different books or playing with the different animals, I had to think how we really ought to be like that, too—appreciating the beauties of the world around us, even if it just comes from a common toybox. Being content with what we have, with what we've been promised in Christ. Not wishing to have any more now than our King wishes us to have right now (see the section on Passion and Patience in Pilgrim's Progress).
He cares for us! Isn't that just wonderful?
These last few days, I've been really wondering what a Biblical perspective for guy/girl relationships is. How are we girls supposed to treat guys? Is it possible to be friends with a guy, and yet not have to worry about coming across as romantically interested when all you intend to do is simply be a friend? For me, it hasn't been that hard to be friends with other girls. Yes, I'm always nervous when I meet new people, and am generally pretty quiet until I get to know them better. But I've never really had the chance to be friends with guys, probably at least partly due to the fact that I'm always worried that I'll come across in a different way than I intend to.
I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about this, and while I'm sure I don't have the entire answer yet, I think I've found the key to the solution.
My problem is that I've always imagined friendships with guys with the view of them being possible future marriage partners. Never simply as "friends".
From what I can see, these are two completely different friendships—the one with my girlfriends is mostly about being a blessing to them, listening when they have struggles, sharing struggles of your own, being together and talking about everything under the sun. However, what I've always imagined in a guy's friendship is mostly stuff centered around romance and marriage. How selfish and pointless is that?
I think what's happened is that I've unconsciously bought into a lie—and I'll explain that in a moment.
I've got an older friend (and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing this!) that made a bad decision in her younger years. She went against the advice of her friends and family, and many years later realized her mistake and tried to correct it. However, from what I read in the Bible, her method of correcting the situation was wrong. That fact aside, she's since told me that in effect, you should do what you deem is right, no matter what others say. That you should follow your heart no matter what the outcome will be, instead of leading your heart.
From what I've heard from modern music, TV, blogs, movies, the internet, and other sources (intentionally or not), I believe this is a modern worldly view. Modern media is pushing the thought that girls' relationships with guys (and vice versa) can never be simply friendships. It's okay to have lots of friends in your own gender, but if you cross over into the other gender, that most likely means that you're interested in dating or going out with them.
The sad thing is, it's so prevalent that I have unconsciously accepted that as truth. That I can't have simple friendships with guys without having a "purpose" behind that friendship.
This is not only a lie, but it's dangerous. And completely unbiblical.
Taken at face value, this literally means we girls should treat younger men as if they were our brothers, and for the guys to treat younger women as if they are their sisters. Note that nothing is said like "but it's best if you're only friends with those of your own gender." The only stipulation is that you treat them "with all purity". That would apply to both parties, I believe.
For me, this is revolutionary—that it is okay to simply be friends. Of course, we still have to be careful in our friendships. We still have to be aware that others may see and interpret our words and actions differently than we do. But if we keep to treating everyone "with all purity", in Christ's love, be sober minded (yes, I'm talking to myself), and continually commit every friendship to the Lord—whether it be within our own gender or not—we should be alright.
Oh, and sober minded? Different definitions could include self-controlled, wise, discreet, or sensible.


If you're using Facebook as one of your main vehicles to get your marketing message to your audience, then you won't mind some of these apps that we suggest do come with a monthly fee, you'll need to decide for yourself if the return on investment is worth it!
Sharing your blog to your facebook page (and other sites), we still like networked blogs, for two reasons, it will simply post your blog to your business page (and personal page if you like) but its also a place where you can easily manage all the blogs that you follow. As its still very widely used it can help to grow your blog audience.
Sharing your blog for WordPress A simple plugin that also works well is provided by the email providers mailchimp, its called Social, really easy to set up this will broadcast your wordpress based blog to both Twitter and Facebook.
Scheduling Posts You can of course use a tool like hootsuite to do this task, but the annoying thing is that the images and videos end up really small in the timeline. That's OK for some of your posts, but if you want to schedule posts and get nice big images and videos then you need Post Planner, now at $19 you need to justify it, but it is a great tool especially if you are managing multiple pages as it provides you with content ideas too.
Contact Form For a really simple way to add a contact form to your page then this app does the trick. This is an area that most people forget so make sure you load it onto your Facebook page.
E-commerce App Got something you can sell online then your Facebook friend here is Ecwid. We've been using this platform for years because of its simplicity and integration into Facebook. Its so easy to use and the best part is that its free.
As well as putting on your pinterest board and slideshare account these will improve your business page greatly. There we go – spend a few minutes today to enhance your Facebook marketing.