On My Way To The Capital

I met a lady who introduced her self as, "Peace". 

She thanked me for asking before taking her photo. 

She took my hand, looked deep in my eyes and told me to have a beautiful day. 

She said nothing more.

Words Matter

These are 18"x24" works that will be shared with my local community in legal postering locations. The attempt is to catch the eye and to get the viewer to take pause to consider the impact of their words on others.

Ciara Blossom 2010

I would like to introduce you to the lovely Ciara Blossom, a wonderful example of Truth & Beauty. She embodies love and community and is integral to the heartbeat of Austin.

Ciara Blossom 2010 from Spunlight Hoops on Vimeo.

If the Vimeo player doesn't work on your puter, you can check out the YouTube version here.

RFID Tracking Used on Children in Texas Schools

Tracking devices used in school badges

Two districts are first in the area to use ID tags that raise privacy, security concerns

By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Oct. 11, 2010, 10:00AM

Jerry Baker Chronicle

Sixth-graders, from left, Jacorey Jackson, Deante' Maxey, Casandra Hernandez and Kamryn Jefferson, all 11, wear special tracking badges at Bailey Middle School in Spring.

Radio frequency identification — the same technology used to monitor cattle — is tracking students in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts.

Identification badges for some students in both school districts now include tracking devices that allow campus administrators to keep tabs on students' whereabouts on campus. School leaders say the devices improve security and increase attendance rates.

Read the entire article here.

I have family raising children in the Spring district and look forward to their insights and comments.

In light of my last post, I would like to ask for people's opinions on the RFID program in the Spring and Santa Fe school districts and ideas about how to create something to impact our communities and the planet in a positive way.

I Saddle the Cycle for All of Mankind

I saddle the cycle; not for me

But for all of mankind

The peace of monks floods in

As I float in a 1700 cc meditation

Each stroke of the V thrusts me

Ever closer to ultimate understanding

I saddle the cycle; not for me

But for all of mankind

Feeding the Hungry is Illegal in Orlando!

"Principles have no real force except when one is well-fed."
-Mark Twain

Making certain that needy people have enough food to eat can be illegal in Orlando. The city has a ban on feeding more than 25 homeless people at a time and it's first legal victim, Eric Montanez of Food Not Bombs has just been found innocent.

Feeding poor people is a crime?!? In what right-wing fascist run world is this OK?

After pointing out that feeding the homeless and hungry is a crime in Orlando Jeff Deal of Orlando's Channel 9 Eyewitness News reported: (click here for video)

"And, of course, all of this all started because city leaders felt there were too many homeless people gathering in one location. They felt this was a public safety issue that the public could be in danger with all of those people."

Can't you just smell the objective reporting? I bet he just packed his face with corporate franchise food and had a $7.00 coffee just before his report.

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
~Emma Lazarus, 1883

Austin Ice Cream Festival

Austin Ice Cream Festival

If you must eat ice cream, eat it at the 1st Annual Austin Ice Cream Festival. It will benefit 3 wonderful charities and is destined to be an Austintatious good time. It will be held August 18th from 10:00 am 'til 7:00 pm at Waterloo Park.

This is a free event!!! There will be lots of games, activities, contests and live entertainment AND…ICE CREAM! See the ICE CREAM TRUCK!!!

This year's festival will benefit the following charities and organizations:

La Leche, The Austin Children’s Shelter and Habibis Hutch.

Check out the official website here.

Thanks to Rachel for letting me know about this event.