One book states:
” One should not close oneself to the possibility of your that your date may become your friend.”

Another book, “A friend is sometimes a word devoid of meaning; enemy never.”

This has been a tough year for this author. But soon I’ll be on the road again. When I want to remember my good son, I often will review text messages that he sent me.  It seems he realized early on that our struggle together held us in a bond, when everybody including family was leaving us in the dust.

This is a message that was texted from my son Sean on 11/2/10

I love you Dad. I’m thankful for the ability to call you up and share things that are going on or spend time with you when I visit. Thank you for being there for me and thank you for being my Dad.”   Sean Thomas Dickson

Two months later my son passed away of Leukemia unexpectedly.

This colors and variety of the pieces alone attracted hundreds of lookers. Valued at $198.00 a bargain of fun to walk away with.

The the Culture Shock Community and The Salem Art Association are perfect examples of non profit event organizers that are making Salem a better place to live.

Culture Shock for instance is promoting free classes have started this week in Salem for everything from Yoga to Finger Style Guitar picking. Willamette Art Center is booking ceramics classes for all ages.

This year, the Salem Art Association, upped the ante for it Annual Art Fair and Festival. Be sure to get a Multi-Day pass so you’ll have time to chat with the artists who all seem friendly and approachable.

not unlike that of the late Adelle Davis’ theme, “You are What you eat.”  Kathy’s artistic themes put spin on that idea. Her art is coved in text: “You are what you read. “

Kathy’s are is not just sculpture, not just literature, not just paper machete or found art. Yet its  a librarian’s dream, playful, colorful and cultured.

Kathy Ross is One such artist I met featured 3-D Art, much of which was sculpted.  Kathy remarked to me her theme is

Another piece, shown at this year’s festival, Your are what You Sing: and perhaps one of this year’s most popular pieces, “The Shopper, aka Junk Collector” pictured here.

Kathy Ross can be found at this weeks Festival at Aisle 3, Booth 30.

Although small contributions in cash are convenient there are really alot of reasons why its better to write a check to a non-profit organization than give cash.  The largest reason to write a check one is direct accountability. It decreases temptation.

Cash has a way of slipping out the side, (ask any bookkeeper).  Cash is a universal commodity that anybody can use. Always write a check to make sure the money goes to the right entity or non-profit organization. Cash is likely to not be designated for use. There is no paper trail.

Truth is, its better to write a check for $2.00 than give fives dollars cash. You’ll have better peace of mind, and you’ll have a record for your tax deduction. If the money gets lost, you’ll know it.

It somebody share that they prefer you not write a check, you know there is a problem. Decline the contribution, no matter how small.

Whats going on is Clear. (Yep, their competitor is new in town.) They are loosing adverting viewers on their channels and subscribers. So the are using AOL tactics to keep you subscribed.

So, if they give you a cancellation, remember to get the #order number, or you will force you to pay your bill. If you ask, it’s likely they won’t stop your service.Their tail is between their legs.

That’s America. And it’s Clear that competitors are affecting them.

The great thing here is Al Franken is kind of funny in his delivery of this speech. He adds comedy to a very serious situation. They are talking about billions of dollars being lied about. I don’t think anybody could have put
the Senator for South Dakota in his place any better.

My reasons  why:

Portland is retaining it’s value is because it is a city that is on the cutting edge of being a green city, heavy investment in public transportation and really does have more water friendly weather than Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix or Detroit.  Portland has less pollution, less overbuilding, and increased demand from people moving north from California.

In 2008 a couple of Brazilian college students made a study about “The use of Didgeridoo for  people with anxiety”. They study stated that the instrument (didgeridoo) can lower a person´s anxiety by practicing it 20 minutes a day. For 7 weeks the average rate was 10% (ten percent) at anxiety decreasing. [This information from Wiki.]