View allAll Photos Tagged statement
1. The spiritual entity Qalb
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Adam
In the Urdu language the fleshy meat, (the heart) is known as dil, and in Arabic it is called fawad. The spiritual entity that is next to the heart is the Qalb and according to a Prophetic statement the heart and the Qalb are two separate entities.
Our solar system is the physical human sphere. There are other realms and spheres, for example the realm of the angels, the realm of the throne of God, the realm of the soul, the realm of the secrets, the realm of unification and the realm of the essence of God. These spheres and life forms inhabiting these spheres have existed before the eruption of the ball of fire, our Sun, which created our solar system. Ordinary angels were created alongside the creation of the souls when God commanded "Be" but the Archangels and the spiritual entities (which are placed inside the human body at birth) have existed in these realms before the formation of our solar system.
Many planets in our solar system were inhabited but subsequently these life forms became extinct. The remaining planets and their inhabitants are awaiting their destruction. The Archangels and the spiritual entities (of the human body) were created seventy thousand years before the command "Be."
Of these spiritual entities God placed the Qalb in the realm of love. It is with this that a human being is able to become connected with God. The Qalb acts like a telephone operator between God and the human being. A human being receives guidance and inspiration through it. Whereas the worship and the meditation done by the spiritual entities themselves can reach the highest realm, the Throne of God, with the aid of the Qalb. The Qalb itself, however cannot travel beyond the realm of the angels, as its place of origin is the Khuld, the lowest heaven in the realm of the angels.
The Qalb’s meditation is from within and its vibrating rosary is within the human skeleton (the heartbeat). People that failed to achieve this meditation of the Qalb in this lifetime will be regretful, even though they may be in paradise. As God has stated regarding those who will go to paradise, that do they, the inhabitants of paradise think that they will be equal to those who are elevated (reached higher realms by practicing the spiritual disciplines and becoming illuminated). As those that have achieved the meditation of the Qalb, they will enjoy its pleasures even in paradise when their Qalb will be vibrating with the Name of God.
After death physical worship ceases to exist and the people whose Qalb and spiritual entities are not strengthened and illuminated with the light of God are afflicted and distressed in their graves and their spiritual entities waste away. Whereas the illuminated and strengthened spiritual entities will go to the realm where the righteous will wait before the final judgement.
After the day of judgement a second body will be given, the illuminated spiritual entities along with the human soul will enter that body. The people that taught their spiritual entities, meditation, whereby the entities chanted the Name of God Allah in this life time will find that the spiritual entities will continue with this meditation even in the hereafter. Such people will continue to be elevated and exalted in the hereafter.
Those that were “blind of heart” (not illuminated) in this life time will be in darkness in that realm also, as this world was the place of action and effort. Those in the latter category will become quiescent.
Besides the Christians and the Jews the Hindu faith also holds a belief in these spiritual entities. The Hindu faith refers to them as Shaktian and the Muslims know them as Lata’if.
The Qalb is two inches, to the left of the heart. This spiritual entity is yellow in colour. When it is illuminated in a person, that person sees the colour yellow in their eyes. Not only this but there are many practitioners of alternative medicine who use the colours of these spiritual entities to heal people.
Most people regard their heart’s word, “inner feeling” to be truthful. If the hearts of people were indeed truthful, then why are all the people of the heart not united?
The Qalb of an ordinary person is in the sleeping or unconscious state and it does not possess any appreciation or awareness. Due to the dominance of the spirit of the self, the ego, and the Khannas, or due to the individual’s own simple- mindedness the heart can make judgements in error. Placing trust in a sleeping Qalb is foolish.
Only when the Name of God Allah, does vibrate in the heart does an appreciation of right and wrong and wisdom follow. At this stage the Qalb is known as the awakened Qalb. Thereafter due to the increase in the meditation by the Qalb, of the Name of God Allah, it is then known as the God-seeking Qalb. At this stage the heart is capable of preventing the person from doing wrong but it is still incapable of making a right or just decision. Thereafter and only when the Light and the rays of the Grace of God (theophany) start to descend upon that heart, is it known as the purified and illuminated Qalb that stands in the presence of God (witnessing Qalb).
A Prophetic statement:
“The mercy of God descends upon a broken heart and an afflicted grave.”
Thereafter when the heart reaches this stage then one must accept whatever it dictates, quietly without question because due to the rays of the Light and the Grace of God the spirit of the self, (ego) becomes completely illuminated, purified and at peace. God is then closer to that individual than that person’s jugular vein.
God then says, “I become his tongue with which he speaks and I become his hands with which he holds.”
2. The Human Soul
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Abraham
This is on the right side of the chest. This is awakened and illuminated by the meditation and one-pointed concentration on it. Once it becomes illuminated, a vibration similar to the heartbeat is felt on the right side of the chest. Then the Name of God, Ya Allah is matched with the vibrating pulse. The meditation of the soul is done in this way. At this point, there are now two spiritual entities meditating inside the human body, this is an advancement in rank and status and is better than the Qalb. The soul is a light red in colour and when it is awakened, it is able to travel to the realm of the souls (the station of the Archangel Gabriel). Anger and rage are attached to it that burn and turn into majesty.
3. The spiritual entity Sirri
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Moses
This spiritual entity is to the left of the centre of the chest. This is also awakened and illuminated by the meditation and one-pointed concentration on it with the Name of God, Ya Hayy, Ya Qayyum. Its colour is white and in the dream state or by spiritual separation from the physical body “transcendental meditation” it can journey to the realm of the secrets. Now there are three spiritual entities meditating within a person and its status is higher than the other two.
4. The spiritual entity Khaffi
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Jesus
This is to the right of the centre of the chest. It too is taught the Name of God Ya Wahid by meditation. It is green in colour and it can reach the realm of unification. Due to the meditation of four entities one's status is further increased.
5. The spiritual entity Akhfa
Prophecy and knowledge relating to this was granted to the Prophet Mohammed
This is situated at the centre of the chest. It is awakened by meditating on the Name of God, Ya Ahad. It is purple in colour and it too, is connected to that veil in the realm of unification behind which is the throne of God.
The hidden spiritual knowledge relating to these five spiritual entities was granted to the Prophets, one by one and half of the knowledge of every spiritual entity was granted from the Prophets to the Saints of their time. In this way there became ten parts of this knowledge. The Saints in turn passed this knowledge on to the spiritually favoured (Godly) who then had the benefit of the sacred knowledge.
The apparent knowledge of the seen is connected to the physical body, the spoken word, the human realm and the spirit of the self, this is for the ordinary mortals. This knowledge is contained in a book that has thirty parts. Spiritual knowledge was also given to the Prophets by revelation brought by Gabriel and for this reason it is known as the spiritual Holy Scripture.
Many of the verses of the Qur’an would sometimes be abolished, since the Prophet Mohammed would sometimes mention matters relating to this “hidden spiritual knowledge” before ordinary people, which was only meant for the special and Godly. Later this knowledge passed on spiritually from the chest of one Saint to another, and now it has become widespread by its publication in books.
6. The spiritual entity Anna
This spiritual entity is inside the head and is colourless. It is by the meditation on the Name of God Ya Hu that this spiritual entity reaches its pinnacle. It is this spiritual entity that when it becomes illuminated and powerful it can stand in the Presence of God, face to face, and communicate with God unobstructed. Only the extreme lovers of God reach this realm and station. Besides this there are a few and extremely exalted people who are granted additional spiritual entities, for example the spiritual entity Tifl-e-Nuri or a spiritual entity of the Godhead, Jussa-e-Tofiq-e-Ilahi, the spiritual status of such people is beyond understanding.
With the spiritual entity, Anna, God is seen in the dream state.
With the spiritual entity of the Godhead, God is seen in the “physical meditating state” when the spiritual entity itself leaves the human body and transcends to the essence of God.
Those possessing the spiritual entity, the Tifl-e-Nuri, see God whilst they are fully conscious.
It is these people who are the majesty and power of God in the world. They can either occupy the people by prescribing worship and austerities or by their spiritual grace send a person straight to the realm of God’s love. In their sight, concerning dispensing spiritual grace the believers and the non-believers, the dead and the living are all the same. Just as a thief became a Saint, in an instant, by the passing glimpse of the Saint Sheikh Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani, similarly, Abu-Bakr Havari and Manga the thief, became instant Saints by the passing glimpses of such Saints.
The five major Messengers were given knowledge of the five spiritual entities separately and in order of their appearance, as a result of which spirituality continued to prosper. With whichever spiritual entity you practice meditation you will be connected to the corresponding Messenger and become worthy of receiving spiritual grace (from that Messenger).
Whichever spiritual entity receives the rays of the Grace of God (favour), the Sainthood granted to that spiritual entity will be connected to the corresponding Prophet’s spiritual grace.
Access to seven realms and gaining elevated spiritual status in the seven heavens is obtained through these spiritual entities.
The functions of the spiritual entities inside the human body
Akhfa: Due to the spiritual entity, Akhfa a person is able to speak. In its absence a person may have a normal tongue but will be dumb. The difference between human beings and animals lies in the presence or the absence of these spiritual entities. At birth, if the entity, Akhfa was unable to enter the body for whatever reason, then a Prophet appointed for the rectification of this ailment would be called to treat the condition as a result of which the dumb would start to speak.
Sirri: A person is able to see due to the spiritual entity, Sirri. If it does not enter the body the person is blind from birth. An appointed Prophet had the duty to find and place the spiritual entity into the body, as a result of which the blind would start to see again.
Qalb: Without the spiritual entity of the Qalb, in the body, a person is like the animals, unacquainted, far from God, miserable and without purpose. Returning this entity into the body was the task of the Prophets also.
The miracles of the Prophets were also granted to the saints, in the form marvels and mystical wonders as a result of which even the impious and liberal became close to God. When a spiritual entity is returned by any allocated Saint or Prophet, the deaf, dumb and the blind are healed.
Anna: When the spiritual entity, Anna, fails to enter the body, a person is regarded as insane even though the brain may be functioning normally.
Khaffi: In the absence of the spiritual entity, Khafi, a person is deaf, even if the ears are opened wide.
These conditions can be caused by other defects in the body, and can be treated. There is no cure in the case, where the defect is caused by the absence of the associated spiritual entity except where a Prophet or a Saint intervenes and cures the defect.
Nafs, self: As a result of the spiritual entity of the self (ego) a persons mind is occupied with the material world and it is because of the spiritual entity Qalb that a persons direction turns towards God. For more detail visit www.goharshahi.org or visit asipk.com and for videos visit HH rags
PP22 - Policy Statements
H.E. Ms Paula Ingabire
Minister
Ministry of ICT and Innovation
Bucharest, Romania
26 September 2022
©ITU/D.Woldu
Just one of three pop up window displays at The Larder on a theme of communication and expression. Created by local documentary photographer Garry Cook at the Recent "Making a Mark" event organised by Oxheys Mill Studios on Preston Flagmarket.
Taken with an 18-55 mm lens.
Take a look at my facebookpage for more!: www.facebook.com/diannebphotography
Model: Fréderique de Roos.
It's been a looong time since I've been posting photographs, this is because I'm very busy with school at the moment, because finals are coming up. There'll be more pictures of this shoot soon!
Madam, I have impeccable taste. I assure you this shirt is straight from the catwalks of Milan! I am not embarrassed!
heehee!
.
FYI:---
This is my breakfast in a tropical jungle.
Sweet pork on sticky rice with one piece
of BBQ chicken, served on a banana leaf.
A cup of clean water and one cup of coffee.
Welcome to my world ...........;-)
Jon&Crew .
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-abandoned-thai-temple-dogs
Please,
No Political Statements, Awards, Invites,
Large Logos, Copy/Pastes or 2nd World.
***** No Invite Codes *****
© All rights reserved.
.
PP-22 - Policy Statements
Mr Oscar George
Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Telecommunications and Broadcasting
Bucharest, Romania
30th September 2022
©ITU/Rowan Farrell
Note on bottom reads "Mosquito Land". A true statement during the summer. Photo was found in an antique store.
PP22 - Policy Statements
H.E. Mr Puthyvuth Sok
Secretary of State
Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
Bucharest, Romania
27 September 2022
©ITU/Rowan Farrell
PP22 - Policy Statements
Mr Carlos Manuel Baigorri
President
National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel)
Bucharest, Romania
27 September 2022
©ITU/Rowan Farrell
08/07/2020. London, United Kingdom. Summer Statement Cabinet. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak leaves the Cabinet Room after briefing members of the cabinet at the weekly Cabinet meeting inside No10 Downing Street, on the day the Chancellor delivers his summer statement to the House during the coronavirus. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street
Beaded tribal statement necklace from Forever 21, worn once, great condition. Originally $12.80.
$3
If you are interested, email me at ahoweonenineninethreeatyahoodotcom (actual numbers- not spelled out). In the subject line put: Moving Sale 2015 , this is the only way I will see your email. I'll try to check this nightly. Please note exactly which item(s) you're interested in. Everything is final sale. I will not hold any items for more than a day, it is all first come first serve.
Die Bundesministerin der Verteidigung, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, gibt ein Statement zusammen mit dem Vorstandsvorsitzenden der Deutschen Bahn AG Richard Lutz und dem Vorsitzenden der CSU im Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, zu der Thematik kostenloses Bahnfahren für Soldatinnen und Soldaten im Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, am 17.08.2018.
©Bundeswehr/Christian Vierfuß
Spitalfields Market, City Of London This Stallholder in Spitalfields Market is such a character, and almost timeless. Camera:Nikon D90 Lens: Nikon 55-200
Joint statements by the Prime Minister of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilița and NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană
Featured Image from Swayam Jyotish Photobook
ARTIST STATEMENT
The light from this container of photographs is non-dual from the innate light within each one of us. So too is physical light reflected in a jar of water or subtle light projected from the Chitta (mind-heart) in dream state. At its best the camera is a simple tool to transfer light through a lens recorded by a censor. At its root, consciousness is all-pervading and who we are. Consciousness, the Light of lights, proceeds from us and lends itself into the moment. The practice of Vichar (self-inquiry) reminds us of that same light appearing as the Jiva (individual-soul) and leads us to the revelation of Atman (universal-soul) and "Who Am I?" With that realization Nkosi Sri Govindaji approaches India with complete adoration and awareness of the Absolute Self in all, Brahman
Leica M11 / Leica 21mm f 3.4 Super Elmar ASPH
Nkosi.artiste@gmail.com
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Chance Nkosi Gomez known initiated by H.H Swami Jyotirmayanda as Sri Govinda walks an integral yogic path in which photography is the primary creative field of expression. The medium was introduced during sophomore year of high school by educator Dr. Devin Marsh of Robert Morgan Educational Center. Coming into alignment with light, its nature and articulating the camera was the focus during that time. Thereafter while completing a Photographic Technology Degree, the realization of what made an image “striking” came to the foreground of the inner dialogue. These college years brought forth major absorption and reflection as an apprentice to photographer and educator Tony A. Chirinos of Miami Dade College. The process of working towards a singular idea of interest and thus building a series became the heading from here on while the camera aided in cultivating an adherence to the present moment. The viewfinder resembles a doorway to the unified field of consciousness in which line, shape, form, color, value, texture all dissolve. It is here that the yogi is reminded of sat-chit-ananda (the supreme reality as all-pervading; pure consciousness). As of May 2024 Govinda has completed his 300hr yoga teacher training program at Sattva Yoga Academy studying from Master Yogi Anand Mehrotra in Rishikesh, India, Himalayas. This has strengthened his personal Sadhana and allows one to carry and share ancient Vedic Technology leading others in ultimately directing their intellect to bloom into intuition. As awareness and self-realization grows so does the imagery that is all at once divine in the mastery of capturing and controlling light. Over the last seven years he has self-published six photographic books, Follow me i’ll be right behind you (2017), Sonata - Minimal Study (2018), Birds Singing Lies (2018), Rwanda (2019), Where does the body begin? (2019) & Swayam Jyotis (2023). Currently, Govinda is employed at the Leica Store Miami as a camera specialist and starting his journey as a practitioner of yoga ॐ
Just a fun shot my new fashion footwear to get me on and off the boat since the flood.
So if you see an septuagenarian in pink wellies it's me, so stop and say giday.
Younghusband Murray River South Australia.
No question as to who would win in a confrontation be me and this wave. Slight reach and height advantage on me ha!
U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and delivers statements to the press at Israeli Prime Minister’s Office inJerusalem, August 24, 2020.
CVredity: Matty Sterrn/U.S. Embaassy Jerusalem
This avant garde big flower necklace one of a kind statement necklace was created by hand.
The body of this collar necklace is needle felted wool (100% wool), swarovski colorful cristal stone, light turkiz Czech beads and colorful embroidery thread.
My inspiration for this necklace comes from Russian folk art and Japanese manga culture.
by Nufar Livny Laskov
The “Real” KOM League
Flash Report for
Week of October 9, 2016
On October 6, 2016 a preliminary report was posted at: www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/30037985332/ At that time I mentioned that some updating would be done in the next 24 hours. One of the things mentioned in the report was Billy Hoeft and the relationship to Don Biebel. In the report Biebel was urged to get in touch and provide some comments about his boyhood friend and high school teammate. Biebel read the report, at his Sacramento, CA estate, and it started a three way e-mail party among him, Bill O’Donnell of Durham, NC and myself, right here in Columbia, MO. Like most things that get mentioned in these reports they expand. The story turns out to involve a number of young men from Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s high school baseball team of 1949. Three of them made it to the major leagues in ways some people might never guess. So, to be up to speed for the next Flash Report, you might wish to study up on William Frederick Hoeft, Donald Floyd Biebel and Laurence Henry “Dutch” Rennert.
To make it easy to do your research here are a few links to the aforementioned trio:
Don Biebel
www.google.com/search?rls=aso&client=gmail&q=dutc...
Billy Hoeft
www.google.com/search?rls=aso&client=gmail&q=dutc...
Dutch Rennert
www.google.com/search?rls=aso&client=gmail&q=dutc...
And, while you are looking ahead you might wish to take a look back, one decade, to a story found in the Columbia, Missouri Tribune from September of 2006. One recipient of this report is Bill Clark and he doesn’t have a computer. His son prints these reports and gives them to him. So Casey doesn’t need to print out the following link. Bill you can go back to your old files and dig out the one wrote wrote about the KOM league reunion in 2006 at Carthage, Missouri.
archive.columbiatribune.com/2006/sep/20060920Feat001.asp
_____________________________________________________________________________
Recommended reading
If you are limited in your time and interest in reading this report I suggest you go directly to the obituary of Vincent Nicholas Kokenge and see how it dovetails to the obituary shared seven years ago with that of Martin Claude Reisch. Each pitched for the 1947 Chanute Athletics and probably the only game Reisch ever started, Kokenge finished.
As with most reports an attempt is made to include a photo of the team on which a deceased member played. Vince Kokenge and Martin Reisch may or may not have been present when the 1947 Chanute A’s team photo was taken. There are two players in the back row that I have not been able to identify even with the help of five guys who are in that photo. www.flickr.com/photos/60428361@N07/30037985332/
Here are those who were there when the “family” portrait was taken:
Front Row: Earl Anstaett, Lou Bejma, Bobby Johnson, Jack Jordan and Francis Urban.
Middle Row: Sam Dixon, Sheldon Lewis, Charles Kunkle, Don Phillips and Bob Phillips.
Back Row: Team President W. C. McCullough, Joe Eperasy, Rex Simpson, Unidentified, Unidentified (Possibly, Vince Kokenge), Bernie Tye, Jake Thies and Charles Bates-Manager.
There are two -major league players in that photo. One had been there and the other headed in that direction. If you don’t know who they were look it up. If you are still stumped and interested in knowing, let me know.
______________________________________________________________________________
A personal request:
Put yourself in this scene. It is a cold, dark morning on December 1. You are a member of a service club and it meets before the sun comes over the horizon and you are expected to drive to the meeting site, sign in, listen to a few announcements, eat breakfast and listen to some old guy drone on about something that happened when Harry Truman was President of these United States. Gosh, I miss Harry. By the way Harry Truman was in the same town, Columbia, Mo., where the presentation will be made, when Franklin Roosevelt died.
Back to the issue. Put yourself in the place of the service club members who have to appear to be interested in what the speaker has to say that has been lined up by the program committee chairman. On top of that that speaker appeared before that same group three years earlier.
Now, put yourself in the shoes of the speaker. The chances are the same speech could be presented once again but since the speaker is senile he can’t recall what was presented. Most likely a few members of the service club would remember and they’d either leave in disgust or heckle the speaker off the platform.
So, in short, that is where Yours truly stands, or sits, as the case may be, as his last appearance in a public forum rapidly approaches. The most daunting task of any speaker is to follow the three “C’s” of public speaking. If you need a refresher they are: Clear, Concise and Ceated.”
Now I come to my point. If you were in an audience to hear a speaker talk about something that transpired 63-70 years ago and only knew the general topic was about baseball, what questions would you pose? Tough job, right? Well, I’m asking my “vast” e-mail family to join me at the service club. No, no, not in person but by sending along a question or two that you would ask if you had to get up early and trudge through the early dawn hours in order to keep your perfect attendance record intact.
If you send a question, that is selected to use in my presentation, you will be given full credit for your effort and if you happened to have played professional baseball I will even embellish your career by 10 or 15 points in batting average or a have a dozen more wins tacked on if you were a pitcher.
There are no restrictions to the kind of questions that will be considered. I fully expect about six people to respond to this request and with that I’ll probably use my verbosity skills to fill the full 30 minute time requirement and maybe empty a meeting hall in a lot less time than that. Send me a question or two. Thanks!!!
_____________________________________________________________________________
Vincent Kokenge
www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=Vin...
Sioux Falls, SD ~ Vincent N. Kokenge, 93, died on 9/28/16.
Funeral services will begin at 11 AM on Friday, 10/7/16 at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 5 PM on Thursday at the funeral home with the family present to greet friends from 5-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation.
Vincent Nicholas was born on Sept.12, 1923 in Sioux County, IA to Joseph & Catherine (Kellen) Kokenge. He was raised and received his education in Sioux County attending and graduating from Paullina High School in 1941. It was as a child that Vince developed a love of baseball. Playing ball out of Granville, IA Catholic High School, Vince eventually signed to play minor league baseball with the New York Yankees organization in Quincy, IL. That dream of the "bigs" did not come to pass, but he did spend several years in Iowa and Nebraska as a baseball player. From baseball Vince moved on to throwing a hook from the left side as a bowler. In 1989 Vince was inducted into the South Dakota Bowlers Association Hall of Fame.
Vince was united in marriage with Delores Kroeger on 11/10, 1947. In 1967 he started Kokenge Painting Service, a business he owned and operated until his retirement in 1988.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Delores Kokenge; 6 children: Mike (Marcia) Kokenge, Larry (Colleen) Kokenge, Kathy (Jim) Lang, Cindi (Tony) Ruggiero, Pam (Jeff) Cox, and Ron (Barb) Kokenge; daughter-in-law, Michelle Ward; 22 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Vince is preceded in death by his parents; son, Douglas Kokenge; and brothers: Raymond and Virgil Kokenge.
Ed comment:
A couple of notes were received about the death of Mr. Kokenge and I shared this with Jack Morris, baseball necrologist. “Vince gave me a lesson on how to pronounce his name many years ago. The "g" is silent and he told me to say the word ‘cocaine’ and I'd be pronouncing his name correctly. Baseball Reference didn't show what handed he was but he was a lefty.”
Baseball Reference officials aren’t going to change anything without some type of documentation and I shared this newspaper quote from the Iola, Kansas Register. For documenting that fact it is contained in the Iola Register. June 28, 1947--Vince Kokenge. a lefty, who lost to lola 5-3 Wednesday night, was called on to finish the game and he performed reasonably well. He retired his first two batters, but Hal Fortine then drove a triple to left to. score (Ken) Aubrey and (Bill) Chandler.
A little more background. Kokenge was the batboy for the Sioux City Cowboys of the Western league in the mid-1930's. He was the batboy while Hal Luby was on that team. I suspect that was 1935-36. While with the Chanute A’s, in 1947, Kokenge posted a 3-6 record. His nickname with his teammates was Cocaine.
With the death of Vince Kokenge the number of former 1947 Chanute A’s players, still living, are down to four: Gerald Cross—Ft. Smith, Ark., Sam Dixon—Lawrence, Kans., Robert H. Peel—Hutchinson, Kans., and Frank Urban former Carthage resident who now lives in Springfield, Mo.
Bob Peel has long operated a women’s cosmetic supply company in Hutchinson, Kansas and has traveled the world in that capacity. However, nothing comes close to an experience he had in 1985 from Oct. 7 thru 10. He was aboard the Italian cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, when it was hijacked by Palestinian Liberation Front thugs. He saw the entire episode unfold, even the death of Leon Klinghoffer. Don’t have space to rewrite that event from 31 years ago this week but here is a refresher course site: www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&am...
One member of the 1947 team was never found. His name was Rice Martin. He attended the University of Missouri in the spring of 1947 and then showed up in Chanute for a short time. The Chanute newspaper said that he attended Missouri University and listed his hometown as St. Louis but no trace of him was ever found.
Could this be Rice Martin? After looking at the 1947 Chanute roster for over two decades something finally clicked in that vacant spot above my shoulders. The only instance that I ever found the name, Rice Martin, was in a Chanute sports column. However, there was a Martin Claude Reisch who was born 8/27/1924 in St. Louis. He was in the Army from 7/5/1943 to 4/8/1946. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that he went to the University of Missouri in 1947. Reisch appeared in the same May 28, 1947 sports column as does the late Vince Kokenge.
May 28, 1947--Chanute's starting pitcher, Martin Reisch, pitched only to four batters —Bugs Redden, who doubled, Paul Box, who singled, Ken Aubrey a walk and Bill Chandler, who singled. Two scored on Chandler's hit. Vince Kokenge, a lefty, who lost to lola 5-3 Wednesday night, was called on to finish the game and he performed' reasonably well. He retired his first two batters, but Hal Fortine then drove a triple to left to score (Ken) Aubrey and (Bill) Chandler.
Conclusion: After 25 years of carrying Rice Martin, on my database of Chanute A’s, I officially and ceremoniously deleted his name this past week. The person was Martin Claude Reisch and he passed away June 17, 2009 in Ft. Worth, Texas. Although, I’m not 100% sure, those four Iola batters he faced on May 27, 1947 may well have represented his entire professional baseball career. When I spoke with Reisch some 20 years ago our conversation didn’t cover that subject.
In the August 4, 2009 edition of this seldom seen and even less often read publication I shared the obituary of Reisch. Four months after his passing his wife also died. Here is Martin’s obituary:
***
Martin Claude Reisch, 84, retired news bureau manager for Bell Helicopter Textron, died Monday, June 8, 2009.
Service: Memorial Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 19, with rosary at 2, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2016 Willis Lane, Keller.
Martin was born Aug. 27, 1924, in St. Louis, Mo. He pitched in baseball's minor leagues alongside some up-and-comers including Yogi Berra. A veteran of World War II, Martin was called to serve under Gen. Patton following the D-Day landing at Normandy.
After the war, Martin moved to Denver, Colo., where he met and married Elodie. He was the first civilian to work at the U.S. Air Force Academy, serving as sports publicity director. He later joined the Rocky Mountain News as sports columnist. During this time, he also wrote a weekly sports column for the Denver Catholic Register and hosted a bowling radio show interviewing personalities such as Don Carter. In 1966, Martin moved to Fort Worth to join Bell Helicopter Textron as chief of national media. He retired from Bell after 21 years.
Martin was always active in church and school activities. He coached Little League, was an assistant Cub Scout master, headed parish committees, and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus.
Martin and his wife of 60 years, Elodie, traveled the world together and enjoyed spoiling their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Reisch.
As a final act of generosity, he has willed his body to the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth to be used for educational purposes.
Survivors: His wife, Elodie; children, Norman and wife, Pat, of Colorado, Jim and wife, Sandy, of Dallas, Bill and wife, Betty, of Bedford, Mary Colette and husband, Don McCall, of Mansfield, Madonna Trujillo of Fort Worth, Annette and husband, Frank Kearns, of Bedford; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Published in Star-Telegram on 6/17/2009
For a photo of Mr. Reisch you can go to the following URL and it will also contain the obituary that is included in this report.
www.legacy.com/obituaries/dfw/obituary.aspx?n=martin-clau...
(Ed note: There is a possibility that URL is no longer active, since this posting seven years ago.)
Ed note:
(This note was also written seven years ago at the time Reisch’s obituary was posted.)
Just so the readership knows that I know, one aspect of the obituary is not factually correct. The statement made that he played in baseball’s minor leagues with Yogi Berra is incorrect. Reisch may have played against Berra in St. Louis kid team baseball, but I cannot document that either. Some of you former St. Louisans my remember Reisch and you can fill me in on his non-professional history.
For Reisch to have played against Berra, in the professional ranks, old Yogi would have had to have played in the KOM League. Reisch’s career with Chanute was less than five games as a pitcher, in 1947. The Chanute newspaper from that era reported that Reisch’s nickname was “Specs.” Of course, the wearing of glasses was rare in that era and organizations frowned upon young ballplayers wearing them. Bob Field played for Miami, Okla., in 1946, and he told me it nearly cost him a chance to play for that club due to wearing spectacles
A quote from the September 17, 1957—Long Beach, Independent. Ken Sanders, UCLA grid boss, said "I doubt if anyone could name any players on the Air Force Academy team which UCLA plays Friday night, but we could because we wanted some of them . . . namely halfback George Pupich and guard John Dolan.”.. ..” “The Air Force is going after the same type of kids we are…good scholars who can run off tackle!" said Martin Reisch, Air Force Academy publicity chief.
__________________________________________________________________________.
Comments about last week’s report
Well you outdid yourself!! This one will take a while to go thru everything! Will start with the pictures of Alphie - boy has he grown up.
Know my Pop is reading over my shoulder with the rest - so many names of so many guys he would recall & some I even recognize after following the Hall reports.
Am recovering from stem cell injections into right knee week ago Tuesday. Used bone marrow & fat this time so am hopeful it will do the job. Dang arthritis is a literal pain!!
Keep these reports coming. The "crossing Johnny Hall" has a great ring!!—Barb Eichhorst—St. Louis.
***
`nother good one john Jim Skog—Davenport, Iowa
Ed reply:
Thanks for the encouragement. One other reader has also said he enjoyed it. That would be Walt Babcock. I think you two got together on this one.
***
A good read after your no report time. How did you get in the Carthage stadium with your grandson? I wanted to get in a couple of years ago to see the blue seats with the plaques on them. Weren't they acquired from Atlanta? Because of your mother's story, I know how you do enjoy fried green tomatoes. Immediate mystery: World Series and November election results. Jim Jay-Kansas City A’s batboy 1956-57
Ed reply:
I got in the Carthage Stadium for I knew where the keys were. Alan Bull was overseeing the place and I went over to his office on the park grounds and told him I wanted in.
I don't much care who plays in the World Series so I can't care much who wins. I know who is playing in the other fall classic and I do know where I stand on that subject. In fact, I don't believe anyone is undecided. I think some people use the line of "undecided" line in order to get attention or to be paid for their vote. Yes, money does go to people to vote for certain individuals. In fact, when I get those harassing robo calls I ask the person if their candidate is prepared to pay me more than their opponent has promised.
I never answer a telephone poll, honestly. Last time I was a 25-year old female Latino who is leaning toward Gary Johnson.
****
Hi John--Enjoyed all the stories of (Darryl) Strawberry, (Dick) Wakefield etc. I grew up 20 miles from Rochester, NY and remember when Johnny Antonelli got the big bonus of about 50K, I believe. That sure sparked me with enthusiasm for my own pitching dreams.
One of the great HS pitchers was Billy Hoeft of Oshkosh HS (Wis) I think he graduated in 50 or 51. Signed with Detroit. Had a 15 year MLB career.
Thanks for all of your writing for us baseball junkies ! -- Bill O—Durham, NC
P. S.
The mind is a weird thing. Inside it I am about 18 looking at myself be 82.
Ed reply:
Thanks for the comments. I recognize all the names you mentioned I agree with that statement about 18 and 82. It reminds me of the little boy sitting on the curb crying. An older man came up and asked the boy why he was crying and the reply was "I can't do what the big boys do." At that moment the old man sat down beside the boy and commenced crying with him.
Ed comment:
Billy Hoeft’s high school catcher was Don Biebel. Biebel was signed by the Chicago Cubs and by virtue of that was assigned to Carthage, Mo. for part of the 1950 season and all of 1951. Don managed in the Cub organization after his time looking after me on road trips and making sure I had something to eat, especially at Miami, OK one night. He wound up be the traveling secretary for the Chicago Cubs as well as the last public relations director for the Kansas City A’s. I still call him a friend when he takes the time to read these reports and responds. Come on Don, send me a note about Hoeft.
***
I could read this type of material and stories forever as I long to remember the (Baxter Springs) Whiz Kids and setting in the stands and watching games as a toddler. My dad told me many stories about what was going on later in life.
My cousins came down from Iowa and they were older. Back then they used to give out snow cones or popsicles for baseballs returned to the concession stand. As we were getting ready to go home the floor board in the back seat was covered with baseballs. My cousins told my father that they got tired of eating them and just put the balls in the backseat. He of course made them return them. Thomas Drake
***
JOHN, I SEEM TO REMEMBER MICKEY ROBERTS FROM MY STAY IN CARTHAGE IN 1951. DID HE GO TO THE U. OF MISSOURI AND HAVE A SISTER ABOUT MY AGE. I BELIEVE I MET HIM ON THE OCCASIONS HE WOULD COME HOME TO CARTHAGE FROM COLLEGE. MAYBE A BAD MEMORY. WALT Babcock—Cape Cod, Mass.
Ed reply:
You probably are thinking about Terry Roberts who was Mickey's cousin.. He attended MU on a football scholarship and was an All Big Seven lineman. Mickey didn't graduate from high school until 1952. He may have come around with some of the guys you ran with such as Jim McKinney, Charlie Scott and Danny Woodward. Mike didn't have any sisters.
Babcock’s reply:
THANKS, FOR REVIVING MY MEMORY. YOU ARE CORRECT. THANKS, WALT
Ed reply:
I'm correct, as always, right?
____________________________________________________________________________
A former Independence Yankee-- John M. Bachar Jr. still churning out the numbers.
A member of the 1947 Independence Yankee pitching staff was John M. Bachar Jr. not to be confused with Medar Joseph Backers another pitcher on that team. Bachar was born in Chicago in 1928 and Backers in Detroit in 1927. Over the years I communicated with Backers who died in St. Clair, Mich. in 2010.
For many years Bachar has been a statistical guru in the California system of higher education and now writes for Progressive Magazine in his emeritus status. While playing in the KOM league he was a student at Northwestern University. If you want to know more about him here is a link. www.laprogressive.com/author/john-m-bachar-jr/
______________________________________________________________________________
Once again, the conclusion
Defying all the odds of time and finding material about an old league that went belly up at the end of the 1952 baseball season, this concludes another report. Will there be another one? The answer to that question basically depends upon the feedback received.
A bright and bold statement necklace fit for a queen of fashion! Tutorial blogged here: erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/2013/08/fashionista-statem...
Size: 6”x6”
Tesserae: Scrap stained glass, millefiori, vitreous tile, and salvaged mirror, on 1/4" environmental MDF
Statement:
This work depicts an abstract forest at dawn. On a salvaged mirror substrate, I have used scrap stained glass for the leaf canopy and the hilly ground, with accents of Italian glass millefiori. I left the tree trunks and branches as "open cut-outs" with no tessera, which allows the mirror substrate to show through and form the tree trunks and branches. The trees are all "interlocked" with one another by their web of branches. My intention with the overall composition is to suggest that between the heavens and the earth we are all interconnected ("Beyond Borders") and by using the mirror as a major element, I hope to remind anyone who views the piece and sees their reflection in the trees, that they, too, are part of that infinite connection.
About me:
My name is Francesca De Lorme and I am the owner of Studio Fresca in northeastern Vermont. While I enjoy art of all kinds and work in a variety of media, as well as teach art part-time at nearby Burke Mountain Academy, I am totally and irrevocably smitten with mosaic. When I'm not delving into dumpsters or scavenging around salvage yards, I create Mixed-Media Mosaic Art using primarily recycled, salvaged and reclaimed materials — and I love the entire process. The art and craft of making mosaics is totally engrossing to me because it involves the heart in the passion of creation, the head in fitting together all the elements of the puzzle, and the hands in fine craftsmanship. For me, art is both interaction and expression; an exploration of discovery that perfectly weds the mind, the soul and the body in an ongoing, thought-provoking, and always entertaining, dialog...with myself, with the world around me — and with ALL the stuff, both physical and metaphysical, of life. I am affiliated with several local and national artists associations and my work has been consistently chosen for exhibit in major and minor juried shows. I also offer small group and individual classes; serve as Artist-in-Residence for schools; plan, design and coordinate community public art projects; and sell some mosaic materials and supplies.
Francesca De Lorme
Studio Fresca
Website: www.studiofresca.com
Vermont, USA
This photo is a view from one of the routes in the National Park Service (NPS) Preferred Alternative within the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Special Flight Rules Area in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP), illustrating the high quality scenic views and grandeur of GCNP. This view is looking to the west at Banta and Atoko Points on the North Rim. .
.
The Draft EIS was developed to address the mandate of the 1987 National Parks Overflights Act to provide for substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of Grand Canyon National Park and for protection of public health and safety from adverse effects associated with aircraft overflights. Through the Draft EIS, the NPS is proposing a plan for managing helicopter and airplane flights over Grand Canyon. These flights currently carry more than 400,000 visitors above the canyon each year. Like all other uses in the park, air-tours play an important role in visitor enjoyment. But without better, more thoughtful management air-tour flights can interfere with the enjoyment of visitors on the ground. Air-tour flights also affect soundscape and other park resources of Grand Canyon's 1,902 square miles..
.
The Draft EIS can be reviewed online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=65&proje... Comments can be submitted online at the same Web address (the preferred method), or mailed to Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, Attention: Office of Planning and Compliance, P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023, or provided at one of the public meetings. Comments will be accepted through Monday, June 20, 2011..
.
NPS Photo
Dress: A Grecian Turn Dress, Rubber Ducky via ModCloth
Cardigan: Charter School Cardigan in Raspberry via ModCloth
Bracelets: Nordstrom (blue bracelet), Talbots (orange and pink bracelet), and vintage (gold bangles)
Necklace: Statement of the Art Necklace in Sun via ModCloth
Laptop Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom
Photo by Pat Zimmerman
Photograph by: Ryan Nyenhuis
Sunday June 15th 2008, Fathers Day. Ryan and I woke with a plan. The plan being to sneak into the abandon R.L. Hearn Thermal Generation Power Plant which is located in the south east area of downtown Toronto. We wanted to photograph the beauty of decay.
We had made a trip over to the power plant a week prior to scout out the area, to see where guards were located and to find easy access inside.
Sneaking past the guard house located at the front of the property and making our way along the north west section of property towards the back of the plant where the barbed wire fence was weakest.
We then smoked three quarters of a joint together before working up the nerve to hop the fence. Ryan went first, watching him hop the fence and dart out into the yard and hiding behind scrap metal for cover then finally making it to the back of the building. Then it was my turn. What excitement that was, knowing your breaking the law to do something adventurous.
After getting onto the property we were standing at the back of the Hearn and looking for our way inside. To do so we had to hop up onto a metal fence post and from there had to reach up and grab a hold of plywood that covered up the tall entrance area. A good 15 foot climb up, over and in.
Once inside the first photo that was taken was the one of Ryan and I standing together, titled "final hours".
This place was like no other we had ever explored together. The shear size of it all was breathtaking and mind blowing at the same time. The beauty of destruction.
After the first photo was taken we started exploring the plant. Taking the necessary precautions we had come prepared with asbestos masks and flashlights.
We had made our way around on the ground floor, through locker rooms, showers, storage rooms. Then we started making our way up stairs to the 2nd and 3rd level offices, had the remainder of our joint together.
From the office levels we went back onto the factory area and started climbing the metal stairs up further still. Some photos show how high up we were in that building.
We then made ourselves up onto the roof. What a view from there looking out over the city core. Looking out over Lake Ontario we saw really dark storm clouds. Ryan pulled out a cigarette and had a smoke.
We were up on the roof for about a half hour before Ryan asked me "what do you want to do now man?". "Do you want to go home now or stay a bit longer and explore?". My camera battery had died at this point and being there any longer served no purpose for me. I was hesitant on a response because at the same time I wanted to keep exploring because the plan was to keep coming back weekend after weekend to explore and document the old structure.
I then agreed to keep exploring. We came in off the roof, coming down a level, walked through a doorway into a long looking dark room. All across the top level of The Hearn runs conveyor belts that run coal from one end to the other. Walking together along the metal grating flooring. Ryan was 2 feet in front of me.
I then ended up tripping over a small extruded piece of metal on the floor, and from that second on I pointed my flashlight directly onto the floor to see where I was walking.
Very shortly after this happens, in mid sentence Ryan just falls into blackness. All I see is from his waist up as he plunges into complete blackness and followed by about 4-5 seconds before hearing a sick crash far below.
I then look 2 feet in front of me and see there is no more floor. My imediant thought is that he is dead. Then my brain clicks "I have to get my best friend out of here".
I then tried my best to back track to get out of the building, taking a route that he and I had not taken to get to this point. All I knew is I had to get out of The Hearn and find someone that could help.
I don't even know how I got out of that place. When I did I came out on the back side of the building, ran around to the guard house screaming for help.
I screamed to the guard that my best friend just fell in there and is hurt really bad, he asked what we were doing in there and I told him we were just taking photos.
The guard then called like every paramedic, fire and police officer in the city. About 10 minutes after the call was made all I could hear were the sirens. Scared and relived at the same time I was.
Once they all showed up I told them Ryan was in there, that we were up high in the building and he fell. All the cops were telling me to retrace my steps, they wanted to see where we came in from. I screamed at them "we don't have time for that right now, my best friend is dying in there". I then started leading them to the front of the Hearn because I knew it was the closet way inside. We get to the front and all entrances were boarded up. One cops said to me "Ian there is no way in through this way, you have to show us where you came in from". I then demanded to the fire fighters that they bust this plywood down to get inside.
Once inside the cops started fucking with my mind, me being in total shock at the time they started asking me where we had explored, they wanted me to take them on what would have been a few hours of exploration, which we didn't have time for.
Then an officer finds his asbestos mask and glasses. My first thought is he was okay, that he somehow managed to crawl out under his own power. I was wrong. His mask and glasses had bounced off of objects on the fall and Ryan was nowhere to be found.
The police tried getting a hold of Rogers Communication to see if they could pin point his location with the cell phone he had on him. They ended up using thermal vision to locate him. He was trapped in a coal hopper located high up in the building.
I was escorted out at this point in time because I was too "hysterical" for the cops liking.
Two and a half hours went by, a fierce thunderstorm was passing through.
While they were working on getting Ryan out I was giving my statement to the police. Never gave one of those in my life. I told them everything that I am writing here right now, everything, even the joint smoking. I had Nothing to hide.
We went in undetected but I didn't care if the whole world was watching at this point, I was doing what any best friend would do. I was trying to save him. City Pulse News was there and I was trying to hide from them. I was scared that this is how his family would find out and how my family would find out, being Fathers days and all.
After two and a half hours of hell they finally got Ryan out. I watched them carry him out on a backboard and I yelled to him that I loved him.
Ryan was rushed to St. Micheal's Hospital, the best in all the city for trauma.
I followed about an hour after him, being escorted in a police car. On the drive one officer said to me "this is going to cost you and your buddy about a hundred thousand dollars for all that had to be done here today". What a jackass thing to say. I responded by saying "I don't give a fuck about money, take all I have from me I don't care, I'm loosing the most important person in my life right now".
We get to the hospital, I enter the trauma wing of St. Micheal's. They told me that I was going to be the one to call the home of the Nyenhuis'. I thought that was insane, and told them I could not make that call, that they would have to.
I then went into the waiting room, sat down. I remember the NBA finals were on the televisions in there and I ended up falling asleep somehow.
Waking to Stevie and Tammy's faces hours later (Stevie being Ryan's room mate and Tammy being Ryan's girlfriend).
Stevie told me that John and Cheryl were on their way and that we could go up stairs to the trauma ward to see Ryan.
The trauma centre, located on the 9th floor of St. Micheal's Hospital.
Hours passed by, as the night went on the news kept getting worse and worse about his condition.
I ended up leaving to come back to my apartment at 6am the following morning, I had to talk to my parents and try and shovel some food into my system. Still being in shock and never got treatment for shock when it happened.
I returned to the hospital at 3pm that day. Only to find nothing had changed with his condition.
Then came the worst words I ever had to hear, Ryan's father coming in the room and telling me it was time to say goodbye to Ryan.
We made our way into where he was being cared for. To see my best friend in the state he was in broke my heart. Blood coming out the back of his head, body black and blue bruised from head to toe, internal damage that could not be repaired, feeling his forehead and it being ice cold. He was laying there in front of us, dead. Machines were the only thing keeping him "alive".
I said my goodbyes to him, telling him that he can't leave me here, he can't leave the creation of Studies In Comfort behind, something that is so brilliant, that we were supposed to take over the world together and do all that was planned. I told him to haunt me.
I then looked at his eyes and saw tears. He may have been brain dead but I know he heard every word I said. Doctors did not give an explanation to what was coming out of his eyes.
If only I had said to Ryan "hey man watch your step" he might still be alive today. I have been told over and over again that I can not blame myself for what happened that day. I sometimes still do.
Ryan and I once had a conversation that if something ever happened to one of us that Studies In Comfort would stop, without a core creator there is no sense to continue it. Well I am going against those wishes. I can't lose what he and I created even before it took off the ground.
I now know my purpose in life. To carry on Studies In Comfort. I must continue on for him, finish off the 3 studio albums we had in the works and continue on with this art form.
Ryan died at the wheel and I have moved his lifeless body to the passengers seat and now a fucking insane madman is driving.
Ryan Nyenhuis, whos favourite artist was Nine Inch Nails, who lived on floor number 9, who wore a roman numeral 9 on his right arm, who died on the 9th floor at St. Micheal's Hospital, Toronto.
Thank you to 55 Division and all the paramedics and fire fighters who helped get Ryan out of that terrible dark place.
Ryan Nyenhuis is survived by his father, John, mother Cheryl, sisters, Jennifer and Leah, their beautiful children, myself and Studies In Comfort.
Ryan John Nyenhuis
July 28th 1981 - June 15th 2008
We love and miss you.
___________________________
All photographs were taken by Ryan Nyenhuis & Ian Levack with a Casio EX-Z1050 camera.
More info: www.craftivist-collective.com/Mini-Fashion-Statements
PRESS RELEASE 16.2.17:
Will you find a Mini Fashion Statement in your pocket this April?
As the world remembers the Rana Plaza disaster on 24 April, the Craftivist Collective will be launching a new craftivism kit to make and gently challenge people to think about how their clothing is made.
The collapse of a Bangladeshi factory in 2013 saw 1,138 garment workers killed and over 2,500 injured. There had been signs of structural failure the previous day, but workers were ordered to return to work regardless.
The Mini Fashion Statements kit is being launched in support of Fashion Revolution, a global movement born in the wake of the disaster, which calls for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry.
The kit feature small scrolls on which makers all over the world are encouraged to write - slowly and in their neatest handwriting on their own or in groups - one of three provocative but not preachy messages designed to get both writer and reader thinking about the true cost of fashion and inspire them to play their part in improving the ugly side of the industry.
Shop-droppers not shop-lifters
The finished scrolls, tied with a pretty bow and featuring an invitation to “please open me”, a smiley face and a kiss, can then be ‘shop-dropped’ into the pockets of garments in fashion stores, or clothes worn by family, friends and colleagues.
This deliberately non-confrontational form of ‘guerilla activism’ using handcrafts is a designed as an alternative to some the more traditional aggressive types of activism.
Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective, said: “We help people learn the art of ‘gentle protest’. We want every part of the fashion industry to be beautiful, not just the clothes. Our pocket-sized scrolls are powerful and poignant little reminders of the role we can play as consumers. They’re designed to make us think about how the clothes we buy and wear are made, and how we might be able to help tackle problems like poor conditions for workers or the use of materials that are damaging to the environment.”
Asking #whomademyclothes
Orsola de Castro, co-founder and Creative Director of Fashion Revolution, said: “We want to unite the fashion industry and ignite a revolution to radically change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased, so that what the world wears has been made in a safe, clean and fair way.
“The Craftivist Collective’s Mini Fashion Statements are a really simple, fun and creative way to be part of the Fashion Revolution. Made with love and placed into a pocket on a store's clothes rail, they surprise shoppers with a message that reminds us to be more curious about our clothes.
“They may be small, but they have the power to make shoppers stop and consider the people who make our clothes, their working conditions and human rights issues. This shows that activism doesn't need to shout from the rooftops, it can gently provoke from our pockets!”
The Mini Fashion Statement kits were pioneered by Sarah during workshops at Stockholm Fashion Week and Helsinki Design Week, and are the first non-stitched Craftivist Collective project. Sarah will be holding further workshops in London and Lincoln in early April to introduce people to the kits and teach them how to do ‘shop drops’ to distribute their mini fashion statements.
[Subhead:] Editor’s notes
CRAFTIVIST COLLECTIVE: Founded in 2009, the Craftivist Collective produces projects, products and kits to help individuals and groups across the globe change the world one stitch (or sentence) at a time using slow, gentle, beautiful activism. You can find out more at www.craftivist-collective.com
FASHION REVOLUTION: Fashion Revolution is a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. Fashion Revolution Week runs from 24-30 April 2017. For more information visit www.fashionrevolution.org
RESOURCES / CONTACT: Logos and product imagery, as well as quotes and interview opportunities, are available on request - please email press@craftivist-collective.com.
MINI FASHION STATEMENT KITS: Each kit features: a roll of high quality scrolls, each with an embossed Craftivist Collective logo; three different colours of ribbon (enough for 10 scrolls) to help make your messages stand out; ‘Crafterthought’ questions to reflect on as you write; two small free gifts; tips and message templates. They will available from 24 April at <a href=www.craftivist-collective.com/shop.
EVENT: Hackney, London: Thursday 6th April, Showroom Studio, 6.30-8pm. £10 You will learn the art of gentle protest, create beautiful small fashion statements supporting the organisation Fashion Revolution to put into the world as catalysts for change and practice the skill of shopdropping (the opposite of shoplifting).
Director's statement:
Travel has been a central motif for me, ever since Boatman. Whether simply constant movementor a particular trajectory, travel provides their basic narrative structure. Circling the ring road around Rome in Sacro GRA, the deadly boat travel from North Africa to Lampedusa in Fuocammare, or in El Sicario the narco hitman retracing, and reenacting, the killings he carried out.
I first met Pope Francis after he saw Fuocammare and visited Lampedusa. We spoke briefly in the Vatican about the problem of forced migration, which was already a crucial issue for him. But I had no idea about the extent of his travels until I was interviewed for Notturno by the Vatican newspaper, the Osservatore Romano.
For Francis, travel is an intellectual and spiritual practice. The idea of this pope constantly in motion, circling the globe, fascinated me. I asked to see some of the footage from his trips and ended up with a sea of about 500 hours of material. Would it be possible to turn this sea of rough neutral reportage into a compelling portrait of this man? We were constantly rearranging, adding and cutting, feeling for a coherent sequence regardless of place or chronology or theme. Like chipping away at a block of stone to find the figure within.
The invasion of Ukraine changed our approach and forced the material into a different order. Chronology became essential. Francis had always spoken forcefully against all war. Now his warnings, and his analysis of the pattern of war, stood out.
Travel is where Francis the man becomes visible. Direct engagement with the people is clearly extremely important to him. You could say that his pontificate is a reverse pilgrimage, so rather than followers streaming from remote places to the Vatican, the pope himself travels to the people, meets them where they live and learns firsthand about their lives and woes.
I feel fortunate that I had the chance to accompany the Pope on two trips to Malta and Canada before finishing the film. Traveling with Francis, being there in person, immediately engaged the way I think as a cameraman and a director, and a completely different sense of the trips emerged. It forcefully made me aware that just like the Pope’s journeys, In Viaggio is necessarily inconstant evolution, and I tried to embed that concept as we included the material I shot. Any sense of closure would have gone against the evolutionary nature of the film, its orientation towards whatever comes next, the continuation of the process of encountering, learning, understanding. This open-endedness is the very essence of In Viaggio.
––Gianfranco Rosi