Well, I would have thought Detroit to be a city able to handle a sudden dumping of snow a little better than they did. It wasn't even that sudden, they knew good and well there was a heap of snow blowing in Saturday night/Sunday Morning. I got a call early in the morning saying church had been canceled, and it sounded like I would have had a hard time getting a cab anyway.
The next call that came was to say the concert was still on at 3pm. That was late enough in the day to get some of the main streets in the city cleared off, but it still made for a dicey ride from the hotel to the hall.
Then the word came in from those who don't live downtown saying the snow is still piled up on the streets and there is now way of getting into town for the concert. Sadly, this was one of the best selling shows of the series. The DSO said they had sold 95 per cent of the hall but only a small fraction of that actually made it in to see the show.
This was the case for all of my dozen or so DB participants to come to the event. Alastair (the conductor), Jenn (the soloist) David (with the DSO) and I all had dinner together on Friday night. David offered to let us use the DSO greenroom for our event. It is such a beautiful room.
Well, all is not lost. There is a good chance that Alastair will be conducting there again... maybe not in the holiday season and hopefully we can get an event like this organized again.
Keith and I were able to meet on Friday for breakfast. The snow is not keeping him from rallying the troops and some amazing event ideas are bouncing around for the Detroit Chapter.
Stay tuned!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Snow!
I managed to dodge the snow in St. Louis, but it found me in Detroit.
I arrived here Thursday and was able to meet with Keith, the point man for the new DB chapter here in Detroit, on Friday for breakfast. Alastair was able to join us and as it turns out Keith's wife and Alastair knew each other at Prin in the late 80's. Go figure.
I went to the holiday concert on Thursday night and it is a great program. Alastair and the orchestra will do 7 shows before the weekend is out and we'll have the DB group all together on Sunday at the 3pm show.
Yes, "White Christmas" is one of the songs.
I arrived here Thursday and was able to meet with Keith, the point man for the new DB chapter here in Detroit, on Friday for breakfast. Alastair was able to join us and as it turns out Keith's wife and Alastair knew each other at Prin in the late 80's. Go figure.
I went to the holiday concert on Thursday night and it is a great program. Alastair and the orchestra will do 7 shows before the weekend is out and we'll have the DB group all together on Sunday at the 3pm show.
Yes, "White Christmas" is one of the songs.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Principia Planning
Gina and Sue were in town and we were able to catch up on how the road trip is going. I was also able to join the planning committee for the DiscoveryBound Leadership Conference (DBLC) that will take place at Principia next fall.
The DBLC (formerly known as the National Teen Leadership Conference and Chapter Workers Workshop... or something like that - NTLC for short) is a great opportunity for teens and adults alike to come together and explore in their role with the DiscoveryBound community, their local CS community and how the work they do blesses the world.
Last year, sessions addressed how to combat the onslaught of sensational media, developing team building skills and more.
This year proves to be another amazing event. Mark your calendar for Labor Day Weekend 2008!
The DBLC (formerly known as the National Teen Leadership Conference and Chapter Workers Workshop... or something like that - NTLC for short) is a great opportunity for teens and adults alike to come together and explore in their role with the DiscoveryBound community, their local CS community and how the work they do blesses the world.
Last year, sessions addressed how to combat the onslaught of sensational media, developing team building skills and more.
This year proves to be another amazing event. Mark your calendar for Labor Day Weekend 2008!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
We're all pretty aware of Facebook, but I'm just getting to the point where I'm going really use it as a tool to get the word for DB events out.
The is a DiscoveryBound group on Facebook, it was started by a participant named Jeff who was kind enough to include me as an admin so I could help the group grow and to use the amazing communication facilities of the system.
Already by reaching out to the members of the group, I've gotten a few responses back asking questions about the events, expressing concerns regarding not having enough funds, and just elation that these events are on. The results have been amazing. One of the dialogs has inspired a participant to organize a fundraising concert to help her afford getting to the NYC event.
I've started some discussion threads on the group site where members can share how they are getting funds together, share gratitude and provide suggestions on how to improve the events. Check it out:
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204864338
The is a DiscoveryBound group on Facebook, it was started by a participant named Jeff who was kind enough to include me as an admin so I could help the group grow and to use the amazing communication facilities of the system.
Already by reaching out to the members of the group, I've gotten a few responses back asking questions about the events, expressing concerns regarding not having enough funds, and just elation that these events are on. The results have been amazing. One of the dialogs has inspired a participant to organize a fundraising concert to help her afford getting to the NYC event.
I've started some discussion threads on the group site where members can share how they are getting funds together, share gratitude and provide suggestions on how to improve the events. Check it out:
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204864338
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Mighty Mouse Fix
I would like to report today was very exciting. But it wasn't. It was a relaxing wet, cold, gray day. Which is good for getting things done inside.
An email from Kansas City today brought good news of strong support continuing to build for the DB chapter there. I sent along a pre-formatted spreadsheet to collect chapter worker and chapter contact details.
The Detroit event continues to develop. I head up there on Thursday to meet with the growing crew to serve on the DB board and for our event up there.
I forget if I've described it before, but here's what we're doing: Alastair Willis, a good friend of mine who is a symphony orchestra conductor is conducting a Christmas Pops concert series in Detroit. The newly formed chapter board (as a result of the TMC Youth Summit in Chicago) has been bustling and recruiting members to the board and promoting the event. We're getting folks to the 3pm show on Sunday, the finale. Afterwards we'll all head backstage to meet with Alastair and later Alastair will speak to the group about how he uses Christian Science in his daily expectation for harmony in his work as a conductor.
Oh, and the other 'exciting' thing is I took my Bluetooth Apple Mighty Mouse apart to fix the scroll ball that decided to get gummed up and not scroll down any more. I found a great site, www.mightymouserepair.com, that gave me step by step instructions. I had called Apple first (mistake) to get their suggestions but they ran me through all the crazy questions and whatnot about what OS I was using and to take the batteries out and put them back in and blah, blah, blah. I wish they would have just admitted it's a common problem (comon, someone built a web page around it all) and made their non-warranty cleaning suggestion - just use water.
Anyway, after taking it apart and not loosing all the small parts, my down scroll works again! And it'd brilliant.
It's too bad we had such a short turn around time, but it's likely we'll be able to do more of these events as Willis keeps me posted of his upcoming concerts.
An email from Kansas City today brought good news of strong support continuing to build for the DB chapter there. I sent along a pre-formatted spreadsheet to collect chapter worker and chapter contact details.
The Detroit event continues to develop. I head up there on Thursday to meet with the growing crew to serve on the DB board and for our event up there.
I forget if I've described it before, but here's what we're doing: Alastair Willis, a good friend of mine who is a symphony orchestra conductor is conducting a Christmas Pops concert series in Detroit. The newly formed chapter board (as a result of the TMC Youth Summit in Chicago) has been bustling and recruiting members to the board and promoting the event. We're getting folks to the 3pm show on Sunday, the finale. Afterwards we'll all head backstage to meet with Alastair and later Alastair will speak to the group about how he uses Christian Science in his daily expectation for harmony in his work as a conductor.
Oh, and the other 'exciting' thing is I took my Bluetooth Apple Mighty Mouse apart to fix the scroll ball that decided to get gummed up and not scroll down any more. I found a great site, www.mightymouserepair.com, that gave me step by step instructions. I had called Apple first (mistake) to get their suggestions but they ran me through all the crazy questions and whatnot about what OS I was using and to take the batteries out and put them back in and blah, blah, blah. I wish they would have just admitted it's a common problem (comon, someone built a web page around it all) and made their non-warranty cleaning suggestion - just use water.
Anyway, after taking it apart and not loosing all the small parts, my down scroll works again! And it'd brilliant.
It's too bad we had such a short turn around time, but it's likely we'll be able to do more of these events as Willis keeps me posted of his upcoming concerts.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Sunsets
Gina and Stodden from DB HQ are heading out this way so I'm camped out in St. Louis for a bit.
In that process, Kristin invited me to come and meet with and speak to the Upper School kids heading out on the Teton Science School trip. This is where the kids go live and play in the snow for a week and learn about science, art and life.
As we were walking back to the tuck behind the boy's gym (also where the US is being kind enough for me to store the trailer for a stint) we saw this sunset.
Sorry my little phone camera can't quite capture the deep red and orange... but just so you know, it was amazing.
Things are rolling along nicely with organizing an event up in Detroit later this month for DB and the STL and KC chapters are ramping up. Omaha should be getting going once winter break starts and Deb our lead there has a moment to breathe. Thanks all!
In that process, Kristin invited me to come and meet with and speak to the Upper School kids heading out on the Teton Science School trip. This is where the kids go live and play in the snow for a week and learn about science, art and life.
As we were walking back to the tuck behind the boy's gym (also where the US is being kind enough for me to store the trailer for a stint) we saw this sunset.
Sorry my little phone camera can't quite capture the deep red and orange... but just so you know, it was amazing.
Things are rolling along nicely with organizing an event up in Detroit later this month for DB and the STL and KC chapters are ramping up. Omaha should be getting going once winter break starts and Deb our lead there has a moment to breathe. Thanks all!
Monday, December 3, 2007
DB:STL
Saturday afternoon half a dozen of us gathered at the Napper's house. This was different than the meeting described before. This was not a meeting about building a DB chapter for the kids, but building one for the adults.
It's not a completely unheard of concept. I was involved with getting such a group going in New York City and others have sprung up in the Bay Area and LA. DB isn't really designed to have adult chapters but they are willing to accommodate the needs in the movement that are not being satisfied other ways.
As the NYC group has shown, these groups don't really need DB, but there are some perks if they choose to take them. It's more like the legal stuff of being under the DB 501(c)3 umbrella for fund raising and the like. But it is still a great resource for DB to find chaperons for various events. We have an event coming up in NYC and we'll likely have many of the members of the CS:NYC group helping.
It sounds like the crew in STL is good with being a DB chapter. We're still sorting out the best way for them to stay connected. There's a Facebook Group right now, but I don't think it's quite as powerful as the Yahoo! Groups system. Oh, I hope the new DB website will work as promised. Communication is such a vital key to all of this... and a close second is eliminating as much admin work as possible for the volunteers. They should just be blasting out an e-mail:"We're going camping next week. Come on!" and that's it.
It's not a completely unheard of concept. I was involved with getting such a group going in New York City and others have sprung up in the Bay Area and LA. DB isn't really designed to have adult chapters but they are willing to accommodate the needs in the movement that are not being satisfied other ways.
As the NYC group has shown, these groups don't really need DB, but there are some perks if they choose to take them. It's more like the legal stuff of being under the DB 501(c)3 umbrella for fund raising and the like. But it is still a great resource for DB to find chaperons for various events. We have an event coming up in NYC and we'll likely have many of the members of the CS:NYC group helping.
It sounds like the crew in STL is good with being a DB chapter. We're still sorting out the best way for them to stay connected. There's a Facebook Group right now, but I don't think it's quite as powerful as the Yahoo! Groups system. Oh, I hope the new DB website will work as promised. Communication is such a vital key to all of this... and a close second is eliminating as much admin work as possible for the volunteers. They should just be blasting out an e-mail:"We're going camping next week. Come on!" and that's it.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Winterize
Well... ya know, plans are really just the foundation upon which change occurs. It's nice to think you have a plan, to make it appear to others as if you're all organized and you have everything sorted out... but change is the inevitable and variables are truly infinite.
In shot, I'll be in St. Louis a bit longer than expected. Gina, our National Director, just got back from Peru and was not around for the prep, buildup, launch and even the beginning weeks of this road trip. I got a call from her suggesting I stick around as she has a trip scheduled for mid-December to come to St. Louis to meet with The Principia as it is and wanted to catch up with the road trip as well.
Temperatures have dropped quite a bit here in the city of the arch and since the Serafini's have been so great to allow me to continue to stay with them and since I'll be heading to the Great Northwest for Christmas and New Years - away from the trailer it just seemed to make sense to set it up to be cold for a while and not to burst any pipes.
I found Howard RV south of the city and they had the best price after some calling around to compare. Mike and Dave took care of everything, including emptying my black tank (sewage) which I've not had to deal with... yet. Thanks boys.
They also pointed out a few tips about storing the batteries. There are a few systems that will constantly draw on the batteries. So, they suggested disconnecting them and storing them inside - on wood, not on concrete (concrete sucks the acid out of the battery). Clever.
It's all part of learning about life on the road... or rather, on and off the road in freezing conditions.
So, I'll head towards Kansas City in the New Year when I get back and then down to Oklahoma City and into Texas, where hopefully I can find warmer temperatures.
Phone calls and e-mails out to Kansas City and back up to Iowa and Nebraska have been abounding as well as connections to Detroit as we try to organize an event up there.
In shot, I'll be in St. Louis a bit longer than expected. Gina, our National Director, just got back from Peru and was not around for the prep, buildup, launch and even the beginning weeks of this road trip. I got a call from her suggesting I stick around as she has a trip scheduled for mid-December to come to St. Louis to meet with The Principia as it is and wanted to catch up with the road trip as well.
Temperatures have dropped quite a bit here in the city of the arch and since the Serafini's have been so great to allow me to continue to stay with them and since I'll be heading to the Great Northwest for Christmas and New Years - away from the trailer it just seemed to make sense to set it up to be cold for a while and not to burst any pipes.
I found Howard RV south of the city and they had the best price after some calling around to compare. Mike and Dave took care of everything, including emptying my black tank (sewage) which I've not had to deal with... yet. Thanks boys.
They also pointed out a few tips about storing the batteries. There are a few systems that will constantly draw on the batteries. So, they suggested disconnecting them and storing them inside - on wood, not on concrete (concrete sucks the acid out of the battery). Clever.
It's all part of learning about life on the road... or rather, on and off the road in freezing conditions.
So, I'll head towards Kansas City in the New Year when I get back and then down to Oklahoma City and into Texas, where hopefully I can find warmer temperatures.
Phone calls and e-mails out to Kansas City and back up to Iowa and Nebraska have been abounding as well as connections to Detroit as we try to organize an event up there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
