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Glass, Coral, Gold, Copper
The implanted ovum is on the left side of the uterus, which takes the shape of a labyrinth. The symbol at the bottom right is meaningless, but I felt the background needed something :)
This is a photo I quickly caught today. I added it to my interview with Tex Evans creator of the Tantra Hud.
pearlslaceleather.blogspot.com/2013/10/tantra-talk-with-t...
Kiev 4A
Jupiter 12 - 35mm f/2.8
Kentmere 400 pushed to 800 ISO
Kodak HC-110 Dil B (1+31)
10 min 20°C
Scan from negative film
Obviously, I wasn't even half-expecting this.
For the first time in several years, an NJT F40PH-2CAT ends up in revenue service, as NJ Transit faces a cab car shortage. #4119, along with sister #4120, were placed in work service since the ALP-45s were activated.
#4119 is seen here trailing on the rear of Train 1167 arriving Secaucus Junction on the Main Line.
On Thursday afternoon, I walked into Lodhi Colony’s posh and sought after Japanese restaurant Guppy. I looked around intrigued, I had really expected it to be a more formal setting. But Guppy’s fun Asian vibe with a homely decor had me the moment I walked through the restaurant.
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Not being a major fan of seafood, I was slightly apprehensive about eating authentic Japanese food.
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The chef probably wanted to ease us in so the first thing we tried was a smoked pumpkin soup with sakura wood and crispy pumpkin seeds. The smoked flavor overpowered the typical pumpkin taste, which worked well. There were also some leaves thrown in to add to the flavor and give some green to the ochre soup.
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Next we sampled a cold smoked Kampachi, a type of fish that was served on a bed of some salad, again, the dish was smoked to perfection. Because of how close it was to the taste and texture, all of us at the table assumed it was salmon. The chef later told us what it was!
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We tried another type of Kampachi, right after this one.
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Next, our server, smile on his face, walked up to our table with two trays of sushi. Before he had put the tray down at our table, I decided I would pass on the sushi. But within seconds, I was talked into eating it. I was told I couldn’t go to Guppy and not have their sushi. I was afraid but I picked up my chopsticks and bit into the sushi, it had almost all the basics from the sushi bar, a couple of types of fish including salmon, vegetables, rice and of course the skin. I can proudly say, I enjoyed it. Sushi and I are now friends.
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After this, we tried a vegetarian starter; tofu and water chestnut in what seamed to be a slightly tomatoey creamy base, it was close to an Indian curry flavor but the water chestnut of course, made all the difference. Within moments, we had gobbled it up and two large helpings of Eel arrived at our table. It had some basic spices and also some eggplant; it was cooked in a semi gravy.
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The flavor of the eggplant, went surprisingly well with the Eel, which I had not anticipated. Along with the Eel, we tried something called Parch man fish, which was close to a grilled fish served with some spices and lemon. This was my favourite.
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The chef was concerned we had had a seafood overdose, so he told us he would bring us a ‘comfort dish’. While I waited for this dish, that I was very intrigued by, I ordered myself a ‘summer hoedown’ which was a beer cocktail with a punch flavour and mint leaves. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Unlike other places, the alcohol content in the cocktail was more than sufficient! I was quite pleased!
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A couple of minutes later, our comfort food arrived, A semi friend chicken curry dish with steamed rice. This felt like home! The flavours were absolutely perfect and I was more than glad to get a break from all the different types of fish.
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To add to this, we also sampled two different types of cold ramen, one being Udon and the other Soba. This was probably my least favourite dish from the selection but others seemed to enjoy it!
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I didn’t stay for dessert, but I hear it was good! I’d give my Guppy experience a 4 on 5. They will definitely be seeing a lot of me!
XOXO
Shivangi
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Lodhi Colony, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Stevie Nicks And Dave Stewart Perform At Sydney Entertainment Centre
You wouldn't usually expect for Dave Stewart to be support for a Stevie Nicks tour, but that's exactly what's happening this Australian tour, and Sydney fans saw it happen at the iconic Sydney Entertainment Centre tonight.
Casual fans probably didn't know that Stewart produced Nicks' new album, In Your Dreams, and believe us - it's a real treat for both Stewart and Nicks' fans.
Brian McFadden acted as a bit of a third wheel, but there's no doubt McFadden still enjoys a strong fan base in Australia.
Nicks performed Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, the band's prized #1 from years gone by.
We also heard numbers from her new A Vampire's Dream, Soldier's Angel.
The new songs featured Stewart on guitar and resonated with the Sydney audience.
If you were a Nicks, Stewart or even a McFadden fan, this is the place you had to be at tonight.
Promotional information secured by the Australia promoter of the tour reads:
McManus Entertainment is thrilled to announce that Brian McFadden will be joining the legendary Stevie Nicks and Dave Stewart as a special guest for the 2011 Australian tour. McFadden will join the bill for the entire tour.
Celebrated musician and songwriter Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics will also be touring Australia for this very special show.
Joining Stevie for these special shows will be celebrated musician and songwriter Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, who co-produced Stevie's new solo album, "In Your Dreams". Fans of both Fleetwood Mac and Eurythmics will be thrilled to know that Stevie Nicks and Dave Stewart will be performing their greatest hits from their respective bands as well as highlights form their solo careers.
"I'm so excited to bring Stevie back to Australia and give her the opportunity to play to her many fans across the country," said promoter Andrew McManus. "Stevie has one of the most unique and recognisable voices in the history of popular music and is also one of the greatest songwriters of all time. And I think there will be a whole new generation of fans due to the recent episode of 'Glee' based on the legendary Fleetwood Mac album, "Rumours."
Apart from Stevie's incredible work with Fleetwood Mac, she has also had an extensive solo career, collectively having more than 40 top 50 hits and selling more than 140 million albums worldwide. Just a few of her many solo hits include Edge of Seventeen, Leather and Lace, Stand Back, Bella Donna, Rooms On Fire and Stop Draggin' My Heart Around. Stevie will also be playing songs from Fleetwood Mac's extensive back catalogue. Some of their most loved songs include Rhiannon, Gypsy, Sara, Landslide, Dreams and Seven Wonders.
Joining Stevie on her Australian tour is Grammy and BRIT Award winning musician, songwriter and producer, Dave Stewart. Dave is best known for his work with Eurythmics and recently co-produced and co-wrote many of the songs on Stevie's latest album, "In Your Dreams". The album closes with the Stevie and Dave duet Cheaper Than Free. And Stevie sang a track with Dave on his 2010 solo album, "The Blackbird Diaries". His music career spans three decades and more than 100 million album sales. Some of Dave's biggest hits include I Only Want To Be With You (The Tourists) and Eurythmics hits Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Missionary Man, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, Would I Lie To You? and Thorn In My Side.
It's was a wonderful night for music fans in Sydney and a concert that anyone who attended will remember fondly for many years to come.
Websites
Stevie Nicks official website - The Nicks Fix
Dave Stewart official website
Brian McFadden
Sydney Entertainment Centre
McManus Entertainment
Flourish PR
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Music News Australia
I expected the driver to take this corner a bit wider than this, so this photo unfortunately didn't turn out quite as good as I hoped.
We were expecting to get around 600 bales from our field. However, it turned out to be around 1000 bales.... We are moving these with my little trailer which holds 35 bales at a time....
We are very thankful to my very fit neighbour, who can just about be seen standing in front of Mike, who treated this like a workout & tossed the bales on top of the trailer.
We have moved around 300 bails today - only another 700 to go.....
It was overcast in Toronto today with showers coming and going. I was downtown and decided to take a half hour stroll down Yorkville Ave. which was once the heart of the “hippie”culture in the city but has since become a very upscale residential and shopping street.
There weren’t nearly as many people out and about as I had expected in the early afternoon but as I passed by a driveway between tall buildings I noticed this man sitting on a ledge relaxing. (Come to think of it, I could probably make a separate set of photos comprised of Strangers who were sitting on ledges.) There was something about this man’s face in the soft light bouncing off the buildings and pavement that caught my interest so I turned around and backtracked toward him. He met my eye contact and stood up to receive my invitation to take his photo for my 100 Strangers project. I was happy with his quick positive reaction and he asked what I needed. Meet Daniel.
I explained the project and found out that Daniel was working at a valet for a high-end specialty food shop located in the highrise building that towered above him. He parks customers’ cars, retrieves them, and helps carry their groceries and packages. I had known of this shop and knew it was upscale but I never imagined a specialty food shop having a valet service.
I told Daniel that he needn’t stand and for him to return to sitting on the ledge would be fine. I gave my usual instruction to simply look right into the lens of my camera and explained that I would take a few photos to guard against blinks and camera movement. He asked if his glasses should be on or off. I suggested a couple with them on but then a few with them off since I could see his eyes would photograph quite well. He also agreed to hold my reflector in position for all but the initial three or four photos. His facial expression was quite sad-looking but I felt there was a sensitivity in his face along with a very nice, sincere quality to his presence.
I find that some of my subjects appear serious and a bit intense with the initial photos which I assume has to do with their wanting to “do their best” for my project. Others are simply smilers. With those who appear very serious, after the serious photos I often tell them “You can use any expression you want. You certainly don’t have to smile, but if there is a smile in there, you can go ahead and let it out.” I think there is something about this somewhat unexpected wording (rather than simply telling them to “Smile please”) that usually cracks them up in a rather natural way. Daniel had a half-smile which caused me to joke a bit and then this smile appeared and I snapped it. While making the photos I had to back a bit into the driveway to get enough distance and asked Daniel if he could warn me if a car was coming. “Getting killed by a car is not part of the 100 Strangers project” I said. He said he had an eye out and not to worry.
My chat with Daniel was very interesting and quite revealing. He told me he is 52 years old, was born and raised in Toronto, and has been working as a valet for about two years. Prior to that he was in the construction business working with concrete. His first job was painting cars. “I guess you could say I started out painting cars and wound up parking them” he said. I asked how people treat him and he said the vast majority are very polite and friendly and that people are generally quite good at heart. I said it was encouraging to hear that. He went on to tell me about the famous tenants in the condo above the store who he sees on a regular basis. Some are professional athletes and others are in the entertainment industry. “I know who they are but I pretend I don’t. Part of being professional is granting them their privacy and not asking for autographs etc.”
Daniel really liked the 100 Strangers project and we talked about how many of the photographers doing the project describe themselves as shy about approaching strangers and that we enjoy learning how to “step outside our comfort zone” and that I now love the project for all the interesting people I meet. When I asked what he likes most about his job he said “It’s kind of like your photo project. What I like most is meeting so many nice people in a day.” He went on to say he is quite shy by nature and never used to talk easily with people. “I was the guy who would hide against the wall at a party and most of my jobs were either working alone or with a very small, consistent team. This job forced me to get used to meeting new people all the time and it’s been good for me. If you’d met me two years ago, we couldn’t have had this conversation.” I told him that we have both grown through stepping outside our comfort zones and he agreed.
Daniel asked what made me approach him for the project and I said I sensed a friendliness in his face. He said that really pleased him. “Lots of people say I look so serious and kind of angry. I’m glad you could tell that I’m not.”
I told Daniel how much I had enjoyed getting to know him and how much I appreciated his doing the photos. He said “I’m here most days so if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, please stop by and say hello and tell me how your project is going. It would really make my day.” The vast majority of my Stranger encounters are quite positive but some really leave me with a large smile – both inside and out. This encounter was one of those.
Thanks again Daniel for participating in 100 Strangers. You are now Stranger #227 in Round 3 of my project.
Additional update: Five months later I was in the area yesterday and stopped by to take Daniel up on his invitation to visit. I had his photo with me since he doesn't use a computer. His welcoming my arrival was enthusiastic and his handshake warm despite the cold weather. There was a sincerity in his interest in how my project is going and he was happy for me when I told him it was going great. His boss was there and proved a fascinating man with an interesting story of his immigration to Canada from Afghanistan many years ago as a refugee. Unfortunately, concern for the safety of relatives back home and abroad prevented him from being photographed for the project. He told a wonderful story about how he met Daniel as a neighbour when Daniel was suffering serious medical complications caused by unsafe job conditions where he was working. This man got Daniel a job as a valet where he himself was working (he is in a position of influence in the company) and it turned Daniel's health (and life) around. Daniel confirmed this account. This meeting was a great follow-up on a memorable Stranger encounter and Daniel was grateful for the photo.
Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page
To browse Round 1 of my 100 Strangers project click here: www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157633145986224/
To browse Round 2 of my 100 Strangers project click here:www.flickr.com/photos/jeffcbowen/sets/72157634422850489/
My friends Jason and Mandi are having a baby sooner than they had expected. We had talked about doing some pregnancy shots a while ago and we finally got a chance to take a few pictures at our cookout at Buckeye Lake. I can't take credit for the hands shaped like a heart idea, but it is pretty neat.
strobist info:
flash camera right through a white umbrella at 1/4 power.
This photo made it into Explore on August 3rd 2008. It reached as high as #122.
Not what you expect to see when you pop your head out the front door. This requires some further investigation (as all good Flickerites would).
I find out later that the crane was delivering materials into the garden of house. The gardens are very long on this houses. Not sure what the items being delivered were, but all lifts come with risk - especially that that low angle and extension. Another risk is the crane being hit by passing traffic.
GST Voles Day at Beaumont Farm, Flitton, pulling Himalyan Balsam again 25/7/2017
Hi All,
Thank you for your hard work pulling balsam at Beaumont Farm yesterday; we got further along the river than I had expected and no-one got (too) wet – so a very good day!I do have a growing pile of lost property though! The tally so far:
• A pair of work gloves left after the Sandy Smith balsam task 2 weeks ago
• Two plastic bags following the balsam task at Flitton Moor last week (one containing goggles and another containing socks)
• A flask cup, a posh pair of wellies and a pair of gloves initialled JIM following yesterday’s task
I will bring all of the above to the task next week.
Next week’s task is the annual hay cut at Duck End – so cutting and raking! Meet at the main entrance at 10am (map attached).
Regards,Tim
Tim Spencer
Countryside Ranger
The Greensand Trust
Hi All, Tim et al
Another good day on a new site at Beaumont Farm but same enemy, that beautiful & innocent looking Himalayan Balsam. As Tim said nobody actually drowned (got really really wet) .
First we missed all those Voles not on duty, the Daves Section were severely depleted. Second thank to Malcolm for all his cakes including and upside down gooseberry cake that was delicious but was upside down. I actually got there at about the briefing hour so felt I could indulge when T was called. The weather could not make up it's mind and stayed cloudy until noon when it got nice and humid and brighter.
We had about 4 bands of 4 Voles each, two in waders & int river, two in wellies and nearly always on tbank tidying up the HB into "tidy & neat" piles. Progress was rapid at first as the West end of bank was not too heavily infested but later when the middle section was tackled the HB was prolific and tall so progress was slower. Among my snaps there is a good before and after comparison. Natural history subjects were in quite good numbers, including some interesting plants, loads of Banded Demoiselles, butterflies and bumble bees. Some of these are in my photos. .
The end presented a few problems for some of the wading Voles, the river bank being steep and tall, but eventually everybody got out with a lot of help from Big Jim the Fireman. Malcolm also managed a bit of "Horse Whispering" on the side and we had again the delightful company of Dr Raven, who was again only there for the cake.
I am sure there were more laughs than the above.
Oops snaps start at www.flickr.com/photos/pitzys_pyx/36167489935/ so follow left arrow through the day.
Cheers
Pitzy
our Daughter Debra's Baby Shower, the expected bi\oy is to be named Joel Charles for Debbies God Father and the babies father.
Wasn't going to upload these for a couple days, but had a slightly disturbing conversation with my Father tonight about a previous neighbors immanent demise, and I realized that I may not live forever, so here you go.
Last day of the first month of 2021. Got out to the depot/yard at 10AM. Beautiful weather. The night before I'd invited my Nephew to come out benching with me. He'd never been out and I'm sure didn't know what to expect.
Well, I brought him to the yard because I thought it would at the minimum be interesting to him watching the crane operators loading the containers on the cars. Well, when I got there the nearest tracks were loaded with freights blocking most of the view, and half of the cranes weren't operating anyway. Didn't really bother me because as an active bencher I'm used to waiting for something interesting to happen.
I apologized and assured him that "Any minute" a freight could roll through with some amazing pieces on it. And 3 or 4 did while he was there. I shot my flicks and talked to him about what he saw. Said he saw some really cool pieces and even mentioned some hand re-painted numbers on the cars. Somehow he already knew that the writers shouldn't be covering the numbers. He knows zero about graff, and understood this. How is it that so many writers don't understand this?? I'm not sure the Nephews' a fan of graff. I really haven't talked to him about it much. He did ask me how people didn't get caught, or in trouble for doing it. I tried to explain layups, people sneaking into yards etc. And to his credit, he never sounded judgmental. He just had questions.
Anyway.. Had a fun time, and shot some nice pieces. I used the same 7.5mm lens I've used there before but used a Lightroom lens correction to flatten the images so they don't have the fisheye effect. Not sure which I like better, flat or fisheye. Both have their appeal.. The furthest I can stand from a freight on the first rail is about 15ft. so the ultra wide angle is necessary. I can get a whole autorack in one shot. It's actually pretty cool.
As always, thanks to all of the writers!
For freight graffiti slideshows hit up my YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/SilenceSeven
It took me a lot longer than I had expected to get these pictures up from last weekend, but it's been hard to find time between my job and volunteering. Taking pictures just has not been the most important thing for me at this point, but nevertheless I will continue squeezing the shutter whenever I can. Hopefully, we will all be able to see dramatic transformation of these areas back into their original beauty, but it is clearly a long road ahead.
If you live in the area and wish to help, please contact me and I will send you a list of volunteer centers throughout Miyagi as well as a list of important equipment to bring with you. If you do decide to volunteer, please go with an organized group and bring the necessary equipment. I don't mean to frighten anyone, but I was notified again today that there still are dangerous areas. Don't go alone, please.
Here is a video that I took of the area the same day I took these pictures:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CazswZd454o
The area that these pictures were taken, was utterly obliterated by the tsunami. After a few hours of hauling items back and forth between my friends' destroyed home, I started to get a headache and feel sick from the fumes. In my last post, I also mentioned that I had heard of people setting off explosions and starting fires from trying to light their cigarettes.
We worked amidst pure devastation for about 5 Hours, however we were only able to salvage a handful of their things. Sometimes it was hard to know what was theirs, since the tsunami had swept a whole city worth of belongings through the first floor of their home.
Surprisingly, the four-year-old house was in pretty good shape despite the fact that it was blown back off of its foundation about 200 feet and sat about 10-15 degrees off of level (in the video I said 60 feet, but I meant to say 60 meters. The distance and angle is still a total guess, but you can judge for yourself in the pictures/video). The structure of house was in such good condition, that we were able to walk up to the second floor and salvage most of the dry, smaller items. Their daughter was just given a brand new bed and desk-set as an elementary graduation present, but we unfortunately could not take it out.
The reason we needed to go and salvage what we could as quickly as possible was because the house, although it did not look like it, was sitting in the middle of a road. The city and self defense force had given them only a few more days to clear out before they would have to bulldoze it down.
I asked the family if they had tsunami insurance, but apparently there is no tsunami insurance. They will receive a small amount of money from the government, but it will not even come close to covering the damage they sustained.
The most dumbfounding part of that day for me was not surreal experience of walking through the total destruction of an entire town, but rather the laughing and smiling that came from a family who just lost everything- everything except each other. Items and worldly possessions are of little value against the people we hold dear. I tried to reciprocate the smiles, laughter, and healthy conversation (especially in light of the children), but it wasn't easy fighting off the grim emotions lurking below the surface.
This last weekend, I was able to volunteer for a short time in Downtown Ishinomaki and also take a few more pictures/video The downtown area seems to be getting a lot more attention, and about half of the roads seem traversable. Downtown also felt incredibly safe during the day time due to the dozens of police and military (both Japanese and US) walking the streets and distributing food and water at the camps. I will post those pictures later this week.
I know my website is in shambles right now (I just have not had time), but I'm hoping to have it looking nicer as soon as possible. I've never really sold anything from my website, but I'm going to donate all of the money I earn from ANY of the pictures I sell (not just the quake photos) to Red Cross Japan for at least the next year. Please take it into consideration. Here is my site:
In addition, I contributed many of my pictures to QUAKEBOOK.org, and if you have never heard this organization, PLEASE check them out as well. All of Quakebook's revenue will also go towards the Red Cross Japan.
Lastly, you can contribute directly to Red Cross Japan here:
www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html
Thank you very much for facing this tragedy with us. With cooperation, strength, and perseverance, we can accomplish anything.
Take care,
Carsten Knoche
Actress Freida Pinto is expecting her first child with fiance Cory Tran. The actress took to social media to announce the news and shared a post on Instagram.
www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/celebs/2021/jun/29/fr...
My grandma used to always tell me: "You have to Prepare for the worst, hope for the best....and expect the unexpected." That advice...has stayed with me...ever since she first said it to me.
Expect the unexpected..that part rings in my ears..
I'm at home....not even fully dressed....when I hear a knock on my door. My son runs to open it and some random dude is there...he ask's me for my name and then serves me with papers. I was sooo embarrassed. I couldn't even get up to grab the papers..so this dude has to walk in my house....and serve me with EFFIN' papers. My ex.....him and his damn perfect timing.....sometimes I sware he has a camera that follows me everywhere I go and whenever the perfect time comes up...he strikes. He beats me down with more of his indifference and indecision. Nothing that he told me...was in these papers...in fact the papers were a complete and total mess....they spelled my son's name wrong......and even gave him the wrong friggin birthdate.....what the hell is that....what pisses me off is that my ex is the one giving him the information. What have I been fighting for then?? I feel like an idiot..I have fought for him to be in my son's life for sooooo long now....and now I feel like I have been betrayed and duped. Then my mom calls me and tells me that she is starting chemo tomorrow as well. I thought it was supposed to be just radiation.....now she starts chemo. Sometimes I Feel she isn't telling me something.
But you know what tomorrow is....MY birthday...so at this point....my birthday is going to suck. Yes...i'm being negative and right now I don't care. I am so livid....so heartbroken...I can hardly see str8.
every single time I start to get a footing....my foot is grabbed and I slip.
Maybe I am not making any sense right now...and I am sorry for that. But I needed to just get this off my chest....and I am so upset...
I need to eat something....but I can't...I have been crying my eyes out, but I don't want to. I need a moment to myself..but I am single mom and don't have that luxury...I need to get away...but no can do.
So here I am facing this head on......like a friggin champ.....but I feel like I have been beat to a pulp.
Area I expecting and new parents meet at the Camp Casey Community Activity Center June 2, 2012, for a Baby Shower. Various garrison activities had boothes where they passed out information. Dads-to-be were given a chance to see what it was like to be pregnant with the "empathy belly". Both parents also got the chance to see who could change their "baby's" diaper and try to guess the flavor of baby food. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Troth
RICHMOND, Calif., - More than 300 volunteers are expected to roll-up their sleeves to rebuild the aging John F. Kennedy Park into a community gem. The City of Richmond, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, is championing the one-day community-build park project in the City’s Park Plaza neighborhood, which will also include the installation of more than neighborhood trees in celebration of Arbor Day.
Built in 1968, the seven-acre park will be renovated to meet the changing needs of today’s park users and bring multiple benefits to the neighborhood. The project and process is a catalyst of a new era for park revitalization and cross-sector partnerships.
“I’ll be there with a wheel barrel and ready to work,” said Mayor Tom Butt who’s a strong supporter of expanding the City’s urban park footprint. “I applaud the commitment of the neighborhood residents who have been working with our urban planners to redesign the park into something we can all be proud of.”
Since April 2015, more than 400 community members have joined in the participatory process to design the park improvements. Together, they are helping shape future programs aimed at improving quality of life and providing connections to meaningful, safe, beautiful outdoor spaces for people of all ages.
“Our park has been underutilized for many years for a variety of reasons,” says Madalyn Law, President of the Park Plaza Neighborhood Council. “The rebuild of JFK Park gives our neighbors an opportunity to use the park again in a more positive environment with new features designed for all ages to come together for health and wellness and fun in the outdoors.
Generously funded and technically supported by The Trust for Public Land, the new design will feature a family zone with a children’s playscape, offering a fun environment designed to enhance youth's imagination around play, and build positive childhood memories. The park will be the home of the City of Richmond’s first Fitness ZoneTM and fitness trail. Together, the fully-accessible and senior-friendly fitness zone and the fitness trail encourage area residents to meet in the park and support one another in healthy lifestyle choices and strengthening social ties.
“Every Richmond resident deserves a quality park within walking distance from their home,” said Gina Fromer, The Trust for Public Land California State Director. “Good parks make neighborhoods healthy and whole.”
Other park improvements include a community garden, the installation of energy efficient LED lights, a 5,000 square foot mural, and a rain garden.
“With the new improvements going into the park, I have no doubt that it will be a community treasure for generations to come,” said Mayor Butt. “Open space that has a mix of passive and active use and is appropriate for different age groups means everyone in our community will be able to enjoy it.”
The upcoming volunteer action is part of the City’s on-going commitment to invest in its neighborhoods. Earlier this year, more than 100 volunteers came together to rebuild the softball field in an event sponsored by O.C. Jones & Sons, beginning a powerful movement for change in the neighborhood.
Chevron is providing funding for the Chevron STEM Learning Center and Community Plaza, which will provide a teaching space for local schools to use to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as a picnic pavilion for residents to enjoy.
“We are proud to partner with the City of Richmond on this park project, which will help spark interest in STEM for students at neighboring schools,” said Kory Judd, general manager of the Chevron Richmond Refinery. “The John F. Kennedy Park provides a unique opportunity for our neighbors and students to enjoy the park space and explore STEM education in a park setting.”
In addition to the community-build park event, the public is invited to visit The 50 Tour: Champions of the Bay presented by Chevron. The tour will feature the eight Vince Lombardi trophies from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers and a guest appearance by an NFL legend. It will also feature the Chevron STEM Zone, an interactive learning space that demonstrates how STEM fuels innovation all around us – through the lens of football.
"I've been a proud resident of the south east community for over 40 years and it's wonderful that some of our requested neighborhood improvements are coming to fruition," said Naomi Williams, President of the Pullman Neighborhood Council. "With the park improvements and the reopening of the Richmond Swim Center, we are seeing a south east renaissance."
Must admit, didnt expect to see anything at all last night as it was quite cloudy. Just before midnight though a clear patch started to appear in the heavens, so took a walk to a nearby field. Probably the best shot in the hour I spent out there, a couple of small meteors. Most of bigger ones seemed to be directly overhead, judging by the flashes in the clouds which were raining on me.
So yes I did get a shower, but not of the meteor type :)