A  Colourful Mix

By Nicole Hodnett






Amadou Kane-Sy (Artist) and Marouba Fall (Poet) – Senegal

When we think of inter-racial we automatically think of it as leftovers of the apartheid epidemic. In order for the people of society to be truly defined as democratic, we need to see each other as people, not colour.

According to the Urban Dictionary, inter-racial relates to marriage, relationships or dating between races. In the 2000 census, there were 1.6 million inter-racial marriages in America. This number has undoubtedly increased.

According to African History, The Prohibition of Mixed marriages act no 55 of 1949; forbid marriages between whites and other races. Between 1946 and the enactment of this law, only 75 mixed marriages had been recorded, compared with 28000 white marriages.

Esther Saunders, a 20 year old student from the University of Natal gave her thoughts on what inter-racial relationships mean to her.



University of Kwazulu Natal Student-Esther Saunders

“Inter-racial relationships definitely can be a beautiful thing provided that the 2 people don’t see each other for the colour they are, but as the person they love”, she said.



An artist of the Dialogue Project,Amadou Kane- sy ,describes that Human relation geography has been in existence for a very long time. This has happened naturally and in line with the initial natural design of a desired process of a better human evolution.



Break the Silence initiative gives artists and poets a unique opportunity to use their talents to advocate these significant messages to the community

Gabisile Nkosi,an artist based in KwaZulu Natal, believes an African proverb that says.

Amadou Kane-Sy (Artist)

‘If you want to hide something from a black man, write it in black and white”. To convey this message, Nkosi said,” It is better to do a colourful visual, rather than to use text”

This is a great representation of what the great Mandela have been fighting for more than a decade. If we truly see each other for the people we are and not the colours we are, the earth will be blessed and prosperous.

Links, tendencies and connections

By Nicole Hodnett

When we think of art we think of Picasso, the great Michael Angelo or the enchanting smile of Mona Lisa.



400 × 507 - Vincent van Gogh'sSelf-Portrait

According to an article written by Brian Rice, art causes people to look a little closer and to observe social issues occurring so frequently in today’s society, the freedom to express and assume freely through art.



When we observe the artists who produce the art, eccentricities are often evident within them. We remember the great Vincent van Gogh who lived a short, deeply tormented life. According to Shelly Essak, he executed a number of self-portraits and had a brief turbulent friendship and veered in and out of madness.

He shot himself on July 27^th, 1890, but didn’t die until 2 days later. He died selling one painting in his lifetime.

In today’s society artists express their thoughts on subjects that affect and infect mankind. Art for Humanity is a platform that gives artists and poets the freedom to break silences on what affects them.

She is a Dialogue artist and South African born. Kim Berman was born in Johannesburg in 1981.She completed her Bachelor of Fine arts at the University of Witwatersrand. She lectures at the Fine Arts Department at the University of Johannesburg and is the Director of The Artist Proof Studio in Newtown Johannesburg.



Artist -Kim Berrman

According to an article written by Helen South, television usually portrays artists sitting around in coffee shops having deep and meaningful conversations, swanning about interesting clothes at art galleries or having dramatic nervous breakdowns connected to drugs and alcohol. Most of the time they will be where they need to be and that’s in their studio making art.

According to Mad Science, European scientists are claiming that artistic tendencies may be linked to the same genetic mutation that causes schizophrenia and paranoia.

According to the constitution of South Africa we are all entitled to express our thoughts freely and fairly. In light of today’s society artists expressions of thought have become deeply controversial and often misconstrued.

When it comes to freedom of expression whether it was yesterday, today or tomorrow, an artist and the constitution will always be connected.

Student-Created Newsletter Highlights Achievements of The University Honors Program

From UC News:

Student-Created Newsletter Highlights Achievements of The University Honors Program

The newsletter includes an interview with Raj Mehta, director of the University Honors Program and the new vice provost for International Affairs.

The Powwow Dancer vs. the People of Privilege, or The Hounding of William Sanders

Social Justice Warriors: Do Not Engage: The Powwow Dancer vs. the People of Privilege, or The Hounding of William Sanders

Cincinnati Landmark Productions presents The Wedding Singer - Jul 27-Aug 5!

From Kimberly McGinnis, former RAPP Program Coordinator:

Performance Dates & Time

Friday July 27th 8:00 pm
Saturday July 28th 8:00 pm
Sunday July 29th 8:00 pm
Wednesday August 1st 8:00 pm
Thursday August 2nd 8:00 pm
Friday August 3rd 8:00 pm
Saturday August 4th 8:00 pm
Sunday August 5th 2:00 and 8:00 pm
Gold Section $20 (rows E, F, G, H)
Adults $14
Seniors/College Students $12
High School and Younger $10

Seating Chart

View the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts seating chart.

In THE WEDDING SINGER, it's 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer. He's the life of the party, until his own fiancee leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. With a brand new score that pays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980's, THE WEDDING SINGER takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room.
Call the Box office for tickets
513-241-6550 or
click here to purchase online (ticket fees apply to online sales) 

"The Principles of Hip Hop" - Jul 28th @ Columbus State Community College!

Hip Hop Institute Showcase

“The Principles of Hip Hop”

Saturday, July 28^th, 5-730pm

Columbus State Community College

315 Cleveland Avenue, 4^th Floor, 43215

FREE ADMISSION!

Confirmed Performers

·                 Jon Sands, Writer & Spoken Word Artist

·                 Krate Digga, DJ from Mighty SoundChamps

·                 Marshall Shorts, Visual Artist & BRUSH Experience creator

“The Next Big Thing” Presentations

·         Presenter:  Searius Add

Title:  Hip Hop - Consciousness and Current Events
This presentation will draw a correlation between major events in America over the last 3 decades and rap lyrics during that same time span.

·         Presenter: Racquel L. Armstrong

Title: Hip-hop as a Teaching Tool

As an English teacher in the public school system, it is imperative that I develop innovative ways to teach timeless concepts and skills.  With the increased teacher accountability tied to state and national norms and achievement tests, the K-12 education sector is scrambling for strategies to use in order to reach our inner city youth.  It is my philosophy, however, that we use everyday mediums in order to teach complex concepts.  It is through the analysis of several elements of hip-hop including MC-ing and Graffiti writing that we can teach our underserved students how to access, understand, and formulate knowledge of our world.

·         Presenter:  Bess Bolton

Title:  Green Technology is the Newest Hustle

This presentation will show how youth started Hip Hop as a hustle; unknown, different, radical, etc. and how it evolved and is still a hustle today and profitable. Green technology is similar with green cars, wind turbines, etc. and will need the youth to recognize that there knowledge about this newest hustle could be quite profitable for the hip hop community.

·         Presenter:  Javier Sanchez

Title:  Guard My Heart

Spoken Word piece with an accompanying slide show.

·         Presenter:  Mexie Wilson

Title: The 5th Element – Doin the Knowledge

Most people are aware of the 4 elements in Hip Hop, but many don't know about the 5th Element - Doin The Knowledge. I will explain the meaning of the 5th element and how I personally practice and participate in the element through Hip Hop Activism.

Contact:  Kimberly Brazwell | 614.287.2426 | kbrazwel@cscc.edu

The Man Who Changed Middle-Class Feminism, or Derrick Bell and Critical Race Theory, Where Racism and Anti-Racism Intersect

Social Justice Warriors: Do Not Engage: The Man Who Changed Middle-Class Feminism, or Derrick Bell and Critical Race Theory, Where Racism and Anti-Racism Intersect

GLSEN Pay-What-You-Can Screening of Xanadu - Aug 9th!

From GLSEN Greater Cincinnati:

Join us August 9th for a preview performance of Xanadu! Roll up your leg warmers for an evening of funny and feel-good '80's pop-rock pandemonium. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, first come first served, beginning at 6:30pm with proceeds benefitting GLSEN Greater Cincinnati. The show starts at 7:30pm.

Based on the 1980 Olivia Newton John movie, beautiful Greek muse Kira has journeyed from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in a quest to inspire struggling chalk artist Sonny to create the most resplendent and staggering work of art the world has ever known… the roller disco! But can Sonny capture the imagination of a jaded landlord to save his disco from the wrecking ball, and will Kira’s jealous muse sisters destroy Sonny and Kira’s forbidden love? Featuring musical hits including 'Magic', 'All Over The World', 'Suddenly' and 'Evil Woman'.


RSVP and share the facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/418492478193366/

socialist Bible verse of the day: Proverbs 21:13

"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." —Proverbs 21:13

The crux of todays influence

By Nicole Hodnett

In today’s world everything we see, do or hear goes according to influence, generalisations or stereotype.

According to an article written by Julia.T Wood, of the many influences on how we view men and women, media are the most persuasive and one of the most powerful.

When we watch television or movies we see scantily clad ladies strutting around ,showing their bodies’ parts off to the world in tiny pieces of clothing .

Diane Victor "Weighing and Wanting"

Do men automatically view women as objects when its plastered on television  or is this just the way the world works?

It is unfortunate that a piece of clothing can lure a sexual predator or give wrong ideas to the opposite sex. We are the way we carry ourselves and even though it is not our fault, influence will continue the stubbornness to play fair in the lives of men or women.

A dialogue artist, Amadou Kan-sy explains the difference of colour complexion, and with different accent and tones of life and communication.

According to feminist issues in prostitution, radical feminism opposed prostitution on the grounds that it degrades women and furthers the power and politics of the male gender. Feminists seek to be supportive of sex workers while deploring the work itself as inherently wrong. They do not admit to taking an ethical position in contemporary moral terms. According to the Old Testament  the  women’s behaviour was limited in ancient times.

Clifford Zulu (Artist) and Sithandazile Dube (Poet) representing Zimbabwe in the Art for Humanity, “Dialogue Among Civilizations” Print Portfolio 2010.

According to Science Daily, past studies have shown that people perform poorly in situations when they being stereotyped .This was according to Associate Professor of Psychology, Michael Inzlicht who led the study.

Results show that prejudice and stereotyping have lingering adverse impacts.

According to association for Consumer research, a very large body of research on non-verbal communication has sprung up during the past twenty five years when it comes to clothing.

Another major focus of study on clothing treated it as an extension of the psychological state of its user.

According to an article written by Breezysands, women in the media are portrayed as having an ideal body type. As early as toddlerhood, girls are groomed to believe that they must achieve an unrealistic shape in order to look radiant.

Clothes being marketed today have such slogans on them such as "hot chick" or "flirty baby" that objectify little girls the same as beauty pageants.

This happens when girls as young as 3 years old wear makeup with wigs, false teeth, fake eyelashes and excessive amounts of makeup.

Can we really be okay with each other in this world or do we still see each other as alien that automatically have to judge one another and act on impulse when we see something that sticks out from normal human vision.

 The women for children project gives light to topics like these and gives poets the chance to express themselves through art and poetry on social issues that affect them and today’s society.

Social Mob Justice: The Outing of Zathlazip

Social Justice Warriors: Do Not Engage: Social Mob Justice: The Outing of Zathlazip

Dramakinetics Trivia Fundraiser - Aug 2nd!

From Dramakinetics of Cincinnati:

Dramakinetics Triva Fundraiser
Thursday, August 2nd
6:00PM to 9:00PM

Northside Tavern

4163 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45223

Come join us for a night of trivia, food, raffles, split the pot, and door prizes!!!! All proceeds go to Dramakinetics, a Northside based, non-profit organization that hosts performing arts classes for children and young adults! 

$10 Entry Fee Includes:
-a seat on a trivia team of 4-6 people (bring your own team too)
-a chance at our secret door prize
-free food!
-a chance to help a growing Northside non-profit reach out to more youth in our community!

Stick around after, because Karaoke Fantastic begins at 9pm following trivia!!!

Food and prizes generously provided by:

Melt Eclectic Deli
AJ Greene of the Cincinnati Bengals
Esquire, Mariemont, Kenwood Theaters
Pomodori Pizza
Tantrum
Jewelry by Shareese


Want to know more about the fun and function of Dramakinetics?
Check 'em out on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramakinetics
On the web: http://dramakinetics.org/
Email: info@dramakinetics.org

Artists for Humanity

By Nicole Hodnett

Marjorie Maleka "This is my story"

Etching & oil pastel 424 x 371mm

Marjorie Maleka "This is my story"

Etching & oil pastel 424 x 371mm

Abuse can be of a physical, emotional or verbal nature. It is intimidation on another individual, yearning for control and intrusion into another’s psyche. The Bill of rights states our human entitlement to equal protection.

According to Psychology today emotional abuse is anything that intentionally hurts the feelings of another person.

The 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children is an international campaign that takes place every year from November 25^th to December 10^th.This period also includes Universal Children’s day and World Aids day.

Art for Humanity Director,Jan Jordaan gave his view on the abuse of women.

"Women have the right to freely express themselves and a right to say no. If women do not speak out they will be treated like objects”, he said.

While many women across the world fight for better wages, women in Saudi Arabia can’t even take a paid job without the permission of a male guardian. According to Emaj magazine the norms of Saudi Arabia constitute the Kingdoms official laws and regulations. The laws are based on religious decrees .Religious police control every aspect of a women’s life in Saudi Arabia.

According to BBC News, a prominent Saudi television presenter made international headlines when she permitted to newspapers to print horrific images she had allegedly sustained from her husband back in 2004.

 Through an expression of art, the Women for Children project was created in light of any unspoken topic. Art for Humanity has provided platforms to Freedom of expression.

"Gourmet Grub for Good" - Aug 11th!

From Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati:

Gourmet Grub for Good
Saturday, August 11th
7:00PM to 10:00 PM

Mayerson J.C.C.

8485 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

Gourmet Grub for Good Highlights:

• Guys AND Gals compete for culinary greatness! Guys, Griddles and Grub now known as Gourmet Grub for Good!
• 300 guests come together for great food and a great cause!
• Up to 50 amateur chefs present their specialties in one of 6 categories: appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, side dishes and desserts. 
• Guests sample as many dishes as they wish and vote for their favorite in each category.
• Prizes presented to winning chefs
• Great musical entertainment and premium wine raffle.
• Silent auction filled with enticing artwork, jewelry, gifts and special theme packages.


Individual tickets $40 in advance/$50 at door
Host tickets $100; Patron/Table Sponsor tickets $250; Corporate Sponsorships begin at $500

Tickets: http://www.cintishares.org/GGG2012.htm

what should Goodreads—or anyone—do about pseudonymous jerks?

From my comments at Stop the GR Bullies - Goodreads Doesn’t Care:

1. Goodreads shouldn’t care. They’re a forum for free speech about books. So long as no one does anything illegal, they should stay as far away from this entire business as they possibly can.

You’re entitled to share information about the people you think are bullies, so long as those people have made that information public. The bullies are entitled to be vicious and slag books without even bothering to read them. Free speech is messy, but it’s better than the alternatives.

The best thing to do is to keep calling for kindness and honesty. If Goodreads had a solution to the problem of abuse on the internet, I’m sure they would’ve shared it with Youtube by now.

2. More moderation seems like a nice idea, but moderators tend to take sides. Sometimes they make a problem worse.

I like systems in which people can downvote comments, but that has problems, too. People will downvote comments for fun, or because they’re on vendettas.

Save the Date: Asian Student Welcome - Aug 31st!

From Ethnic Programs & Services:


Asian Student Welcome
Friday, August 31st
5:00PM-7:00PM
TUC Great Hall

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs and Services, Department of Student Life, the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services, and the UC Asian American Association (AAA) we would like to invite you to attend the Asian Student Welcome. The program is dedicated to welcoming students of Asian descent to the University of Cincinnati. Please come and enjoy some free refreshments with your friends!

An expressed mind-set

By Nicole Hodnett

When we think of discrimination we think of a state of mind. This mind-set has the disposition of looking down on someone through race, gender, colour or religion.

According to the Economic times British MP, John Stuart Mill was the first person in Parliament to call for women’s rights to vote in 1869.

According to UN NEWS CENTRE, almost every country in the world still has laws that discriminate against women and promises to remedy this have not been kept.

Discrimination is never a mental state.it is solely conduct. A person must act on a decision before it can be found illegally discriminating.

During the years of the Apartheid struggle the fight for gender equality took a back seat .According to My Fundi the Constitution of today’s democracy outlaws discrimination in any form. South Africans are simultaneously tackling the deep seated legacies of racism and patriarchy.

According to African History, it has been 50 years since the federation of South African women organized a mass demonstration against the imposition of pass laws on women in South Africa

Art for Humanity has initiated the Women for Children project. Through an expression of art it brings light to an unspoken topic.

They are the mothers, daughters and sisters to our society. There will be follow up articles leading up to Women’s day. Stay Tuned!

Save-the-Date: Hispanic Student Welcome - Aug 30th!

From Ethnic Programs & Services:


Bienvenidos: Hispanic Student Welcome
Thursday, August 30th
5PM-7PM
Mick & Mack's Cafe


¡Saludos y Bienvenidos a la Universidad de Cincinnati!

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs and Services, Department of Student Life, and the Office of Ethnic Programs and Services, we would like to invite you to attend the “Bienvenidos” Hispanic Student Welcome. The program is dedicated to welcoming Latino students to the University of Cincinnati. Please come and enjoy traditional Latin American refreshments with your friends!

WHEN: Thursday, August 30, 2012 
TIME: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
WHERE: Mick & Mack’s Contemporary Cafe (Tangeman University Center)

Please RSVP by Friday, August 24, 2012!

Please spread the word to your friends and tell them to RSVP by the deadline. We look forward to seeing you in person! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

¡Hasta Pronto!

about Stop the Goodreads Bullies, pseudonymity, and cyberstalking

Stop the GR Bullies is an attempt to stop "bullies" from posting cruel reviews at Goodreads. One of StGRB's tactics is to find information online that the "bullies" made public, then share that information at their site. The "bullies" and their supporters say they are being "cyberstalked" and "outed" by StGRB.

A few things I should state first:

1. Reviewers should feel free to say whatever they like about books and authors.

2. Reviewers should expect their readers to say whatever they like about reviews and reviewers.

3. Cruel reviews have always struck me as pointless. When so many good books are overlooked, why waste time slagging books you don't like? Ignoring books helps them disappear. Adding your negative attention to the positive attention a book has gotten only increases the attention that book will get. It's more effective to promote what you love than to attack what you hate.

4. Pseudonymity and anonymity matter. Anyone who is concerned about their privacy should have their privacy respected. Bradley Manning is one of my heroes, and I despise the people who outed him.

If the StGRB uproar was only about cruel reviews, I probably would not be writing about them.

But it's also about free speech:

Reviews should be honest. When reviewers give one-star reviews to books before they're published, the writer is a liar, not a reviewer. Though Fox News legally established its right to lie, lies are not and should not be defended as "free speech". Free speech is the right to share what you believe is true; it has nothing to do with saying what you know is false in the hope of hurting someone.

It's about metaphors:

If metaphors matter, "outing" and "stalking" should not be used lightly. In real life, people who were "outed" did their best to keep their identities private because they feared the sometimes-fatal consequences of being identified as a homosexual or a socialist. "Stalking" is about following people who are trying to go about their daily lives; it has nothing to do with reading or sharing a writer's public writing.

It's about bullying:

Some of the "bullies" are crying that they're being bullied, and that their reviews were not bullying because they didn't physically hurt anyone. But long before the internet existed, people knew that intellectual bullying existed and could be worse than physical bullying. Physical scars eventually fade, but mental scars last forever.

It's about censorship:

Some of the "bullies" are looking for ways to shut down the StGRB site, by appealing to the law or GoDaddy, the site's host.

It's about how to be pseudonymous on the net:

If you want to be pseudonymous, you have to make an effort. What you share in public is no longer private information; when you share it, it becomes public information. (Apologies for spelling out what should be obvious to everyone, but I'm constantly astonished by how many people haven't grasped that concept.)

The easiest way to be pseudonymous online is to be nice. No one tries to "out" anyone for being wonderful.

This doesn't mean you have to be nice. If you want to be abusive, that's your right. But if you want to be abusive pseudonymously, take your pseudonymity seriously. Don't cry that you've been "outed" if your targets, or their friends, or people who don't like abusive people, decide to share information that you've already shared. It may not be nice of them, but the hard version of the Golden Rule applies: Others may do unto you as you have done unto them.

ETA: On G+, I was asked why I mentioned Maning at #4, so I added "and anonymity". Privacy should cover all forms of withholding one's legal identity. Whistle-blowers often want to be anonymous or pseudonymous, and embarrassed people always want to expose and punish them.

The Women's Fund Releasing New Research on Status of Women & Girls in Greater Cincinnati - Aug 15th!

From The Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation:

Many of you remember the 2005 release of the groundbreaking report by The Women's Fund, PULSE: A Study of the Status of Women and Girls in Greater Cincinnati. That report led to many important changes for women from leadership development to partnerships for funding programs that made a difference for women and girls. It is time to update the picture painted in 2005.  The Women's Fund is releasing the first two reports in a new series. The first report delves more deeply into an issue that our community is working on - changing the poverty trends. The second report is an analysis of one of the major hurdles women face on their climb up the self-sufficiency ladder - the Cliff Effect.    You're invited to join us for this research release at our next eXXchange session. This special session is free and open to the public, but registration is required.   The vision of The Women's Fund is to lead the conversation about women's economic self-sufficiency in our community and ignite a shared desire to improve it. Register to attend today and share this event with your colleagues and friends who are interested.

Get more information Register Now!

Thanks for your support and interest in The Women's Fund! We hope to see you on August 15. Sincerely, Vanessa Freyatg Executive Director, The Women's Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation freytagv@gcfdn.org 513-768-6123

Cincinnati LGBT Film Festival 2012 - Jul 20th-22nd!

CNKY Scene Film Festival
On Facebook and online.


CNKY Scene Film Festival fosters a creative outlet for the Greater Cincinnati area where LGBT issues are expressed and discussed through the art of film. 

Dates: July 19-22 2012 

Ticket info: 

Every Scene (Full Festival Pass)-$59.99

This option gives you an all access pass to the festival that includes the following.

Kickoff Party - July 19th
Guest speakers Chris Seelbach and Steve Newsome
Performance by Jeremiah Clark
Food provided by A Catered Affair

Screenings:
Preferred seating and Admission to all 7 blocks of films
Opening film After Party (one Drink ticket)
Continental Breakfast Meet n Greet , Saturday 7/21
Filmmaker Q&A
Saturday Feature After party (one drink ticket)
Sunday Closing after party

http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/SeasonSearch?presenter=KNOW&season=CNKY&pkg=CNKY

**Please arrive 10 minutes before each block to secure a seat in the theatre. The Know Theatre is limited to 100 seats. This will allow us to sell the unoccupied seats available at the door.

Your Scene (Individual Block ticket) - $10.00

This option allows you to choose the block of films on the schedule you would like to see and can be purchased the day of the screening.

https://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=591545&presenter=KNOW&venue&event

**Please arrive 10 minutes before each block to secure a seat in the theatre. The Know Theatre is limited to 100 seats. This will allow us to sell the remaining seats available at the door.

Call the Box Office at 513.300.KNOW

Getting Kids Back to Nature - Arlitt's Nature Playscape (Opening Next Month) Highlighted

From WVXU via UC News:

Getting kids back to nature By Ann Thompson 7/17/2012 4:09:15 PM

Playscape at Cincinnati Nature Center A Cincinnati effort to increase the time kids play outside is being held up as a national model. Parents are nervous these days about their kids playing in the woods. U.C's Dr. Vicki Carr lists their concerns. "One, they'll get kidnapped. Some perpetrator will come and grab them or that they will get hurt." But Carr says research has shown the fears are unfounded and in fact there are more injuries on playgrounds. She has helped create the best of both worlds...nature inside a perimeter fence. At the Cincinnati Nature Center 6 year old Brett Maples jumps over a narrow stream onto an unsteady rock with his mother Kelly's help. "I was going to say that one's a little wobbly. You made it easy." Brett gravitates to the water, one of the most popular areas in this one and a half acre playscape. The Nature Center's executive director Bill Hopple says the 11 and under play area also finds kids digging in the dirt and building forts. "I always say no instruction is necessary." This is a place you can pick flowers, go off the trail and experience the outdoors according to the Nature Center's Kristi Masterson. "They're going to get stung by bees. They're going to get poison ivy perhaps. But they are going to engage in nature and learn the consequences of their actions that way." A Nature Playscape for preschoolers will open August 15th on UC's campus. It will be much smaller than the one at the Cincinnati Nature Center. It's the largest totally natural design play environment in the country,according to Hopple. He says the National Wildlife Federation is calling and so are area park districts, hoping to copy the idea.

Mick & Mack's First Chef's Table: German and Austrian Cuisine - Today!

From UC News:

Mick & Mack's First Chef's Table: German and Austrian Cuisine

Please join us for our first Mick & Mack’s Chef’s Table Thursday, July 19, featuring German and Austrian cuisine.

Date: 7/16/2012 3:00:00 PM
By: Victoria Rogers

   
Chef Jonathan Hunt presents:
Chef’s Table: German & Austrian Cuisine 
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Tangeman University Center, Level 3
First course served at 5:30 p.m.
Greetings, Food Lovers!

We have refreshed our Epicure’s Delights dinner events with a new name, Chef’s Table, and updated our format to match our new and exciting event calendar. We will still have the great food you love and enjoy, but the event will now include a discussion with our chefs on cooking methods, tips and ingredients. Recipe cards for our featured menu items will be given.
Our first course will be served at 5:30 p.m. We will be featuring German & Austrian Cuisine that includes a three-course meal with beverage pairings for $20 per person. 
STARTERS:Austrian Apple Soup
Apricot Glazed Kielbasa
ENTRÉES:Beef Goulash with Pumpkin Seed Spätzle
Chicken Schnitzel
DESSERT:Sachertorte
Pear and Almond Tart
FEATURED WINE PAIRINGS:Huber "Hugo" Grüner Veltliner  
Leitz "Ein Zwei Dry" Riesling   
Meßmer Pinot Noir  
Due to the popularity of our events, reservations are strongly recommended and help us to prepare. To make reservations, please contact us at 513-556-3653 or email mick_macks@uc.edu. Must be 21 or older and present valid ID to buy and consume alcohol. Menu items and wines are subject to change based on season and availability. For more details on our events or menu visit us at www.uc.edu/mick_macks.

SAVE THE DATES:Spanish Wine Tasting on Thursday, August 2, featuring Spanish Tapas 
Chef’s Table: Tuscan Bistro, on Thursday, August 16 

thought of the day

Wisdom is the marriage of knowledge and kindness.

UC Partnership Seeks Mentors to Transform the Lives of Foster Youth

From UC News:

UC Partnership Seeks Mentors to Transform the Lives of Foster Youth

Recruitment is underway for mentors to help area foster youth achieve the possibilities of a higher education.

Date: 7/16/2012 12:00:00 AM
By: HEMI Partnership
Phone: (513) 556-4368

   Recruitment is underway in a unique partnership to build on the educational success of area foster children who are aging out of the foster care system. The Higher Education Mentoring Initiative (HEMI) – a partnership represented by UC’s Partnership for Achieving School Success (PASS), Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development, Hamilton County Job and Family Services and the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners – is recruiting mentors to serve 15 high school students in Hamilton County foster care.

This marks the fourth year of the HEMI partnership to assist, encourage and support the academic achievement of foster students through high school and college. 

The partnership served 50 students last year. All students have graduated high school and most are pursuing higher education at various schools including but not limited to UC, Cincinnati State, Great Oaks, the College of Mt. Saint Joseph, and the Ohio State University

“As HEMI approaches the fourth year of the program, we’re continually seeking adults to spend roughly two hours a week to mentor a foster child through their junior and senior year of high school and through their pursuit of a degree or certificate,” says Annie Schellinger, UC HEMI Program Coordinator.

To be considered for the mentor program, participants must fill out an application, undergo a background check and complete an interview process. This includes providing a copy of a valid drivers’ license and proof of insurance. 

To learn more about how to become involved, you can attend a one-hour Information Session on the following dates:
Wednesday, July 18th
Tuesday, July 24th
These sessions will be offered from 5:30-6:30 pm at the County Administration Building, located at 138 E. Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

Mentors must attend either a six-hour training program that will take place on Aug. 25, after they have been cleared for the initial screening process, or they must attend an evening training program on Aug. 14 in early February. To obtain an application and for more information, contact Annie Schellinger, UC HEMI Program Coordinator, at 513-556-4368, or e-mail annie.schellinger@uc.edu

The selected mentors will meet the foster students at an event in September, after undergoing the training program.

Partner for Achieving School Success Program

DAAP Students Design Tsunami-Relief Gift for Japan

From the UC Alumni Association:

Students design Tsunami-relief Gift for Japan Twenty-five students in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning recently began an interactive project that will result in a custom-made playground for a Japanese town that was almost destroyed by last year's tsunami. The work involves direct communication and collaboration with children in Japan to gather input about how the playground should be designed, and provides the opportunity to demonstrate a sense of global community spirit while capturing their experiences along the way.

A 94^TH Milestone

By Nicole Hodnett



Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

The opening words of the Freedom charter became widely known in South Africa’s political discourse. Nelson Mandela played a significant role in popularizing the Freedom charter that was adopted by the congress of the people in 1955.

His name means quick minded and sensitive nature. In Qunu in the Transkei, Nelson Rolihahla Mandela was born into royalty on July 18^th1918.

According to Nobelprize.org his father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu tribe. Madiba was educated at the college of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942.

According to Tripod, Nelson Mandela wrote the attorneys admission examination and was admitted to the law profession. He opened a practice in Johannesburg, in partnership with his friend Oliver Tambo.

He joined African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling national party’s apartheid policies after 1948.He went on trial for treason in 1956.

In the early fifties Mandela played an important role in leading the resistance to the western areas and in the introduction of Bantu education.

During his prison years he served it in the notorious Robben Island prison, a maximum security prison on a small island 7km off the coast of Cape Town.



Dialogue Artist-Guto Nubrega 

During his years in prison he grew steadily and was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa. He became a potential symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid government gathered strength.

A dialogue artist,Kim Berman expressed her thought through art when South Africa erupted in a wave of xenophobic violence in 2008.This period seemed to betray many of the fundamental values of community. This represents what it was like when race groups were segregated during apartheid

Art for Humanity provides platforms to express thoughts through art and poetry. Poets and artists from across the world come together to portray their specific thought on whats affecting and infecting our society. Mandela spent 67 years fighting for South Africans to express their thoughts in a free and fair fashion. Today is declared international Mandela day in honour of that all he has done.

According to an article written by Glenda Nevill,it is a day when the worlds media gather in the tiny village of Qunu not so much in expectation of seeing the global icon ,but seeing who has gone to see him.

 “The greatest gift our nation could possibly give Utata Nelson Mandela for his 94^thbirthday this week would be to emulate his magnanimity and grace “said Desmond Tutu.

A dialogue artist, Guto Nubrega from Brazil describes the creative commitment on how to address such an important subject focused on human values.

According to Soweto live many intend dedicating 67 minutes to a worthy cause in honour of Mandela fighting for social justice for 67 years.

Dineo Phati, a journalism student from the Durban University of Technology gave her thoughts on what today represents for her.

“People place too much emphasis on only doing good things on this day when good should be done every day”, she said.

South Africa marked the year 1994 as the year of Freedom and marks the same time Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa .Today he turns 94.

Thousands of well-wishers expressed their gratitude towards Madiba on his birthday via Facebook.

"We ,the people of South Africa,declare for all our country and the world to know:that South Africa belongs to all who live in it black and white,and that no government can justify or claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people"

In honour of Madiba day we are all called as a country to do charity work and spread the goodness that He so selflessly gave to South Africa.  Happy Birthday Madiba!!