My colleague & co-conspirator Jill turned 30 on July 23. Our office manager Kelly, her husband Shane and I threw her a surprise party with about 60 guests on the Island, our community park, right next to where we're building the skatepark. We had a green & brown eco-friendly theme - potato starch utensils, cornstarch cups and natural fiber plates were compostable, the tablecloths were reusable twin bedsheets, rice paper (biodegradable) lanterns. (Mostly from Greenpartygoods.com ) She was tickled by the theme and totally surprised by the party. Kelly, Shane and 15 other people had taken her to Red Lobster on her birthday so she was really not expecting anything else. Shane persuaded her to take a walk to the Island and as she crossed the footbridge and recognized people's trucks, she thought we were all having a party without her. :-)

Jill & Shane walking up to the party. Her brother Mikey is the far background, their son Liam is on the big wheel.


Emily, one of Kelly's triplets, with Nisha.


Nisha, Jill & Shane's daughter Mataya, Emily and Christopher, another of the triplets. The triplets and Mataya are six. They argued over who gets to hold Nisha and kept coming to me for refereeing


Shane's dad Bill, who can best be described as a rake and scoundrel.


We had two big picnic tables full of food and a big sheet cake, plus Shane grilled chicken and veggie kabobs, and grilled strawberries.


Cake & Christopher


Liz, wife of one of Bill's nephews. I just like the picture.


We couldn't light the beeswax candles because it was too windy but Jill & Liam pretended.


Jill was also surprised by the bamboo flooring for our new office - lots of folks contributed for her big gift. She has been begging all of us for the flooring. She told me yesterday that it's being put in today. Can't wait to see it!




Oddly, the pix don't really show how crowded it was. I was completely overwhelmed by the crowed and ended up skipping the library's garden party the next day.

My skatepark project is coming along! I wish I could go to the demo event...


BLOSSBURG V.I.B.E. WELCOMES SKATEPARK DEMO TO ISLAND PARK

BLOSSBURG -- Blossburg V.I.B.E. will host the American Ramp Company 2009 skate park demonstration team at the newly resurfaced basketball court at Island Park in Blossburg on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

American Ramp Company will bring ramps that represent the three most popular build options and allow local skaters to test ride the equipment for the new Vibe Park skateboarding area, which is on schedule for opening in October. Skateboarders, inline skaters, and BMX riders can participate in the demonstration.

In addition to the skating exhibition, there will be music, contests and giveaways. T-shirts with the Vibe Park logo will also be available for purchase.

Blossburg V.I.B.E. members Jill Nickerson and Heidi Jones have been working on building a skateboarding and in-line skating area at Island Park for several years. They helped the Borough of Blossburg successfully apply for a Small Communities grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that will provide approximately two-thirds of the $60,000 estimated cost of the project.

"I'm very excited to see our local skaters test the equipment we're evaluating for the park," Nickerson said. "Heidi and I really appreciate the support we've received from borough council and the recreation board to implement this project. We think the skate park will really benefit the community by giving the skaters a safer place to practice their skills."

Participants under 18 must have legal guardian sign a waiver. All participants must wear helmets to receive a wristband to ride. The demonstration is free of charge.

Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business & Entertainment) is a nonprofit organization created in 2004 to envision, plan and implement projects that will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, play or attend school in Blossburg. Tax-deductible donations to meet the community match portion of the state grant can be mailed to Blossburg V.I.B.E., PO Box 126, Blossburg, PA 16912.

My meetup group had a kayak tour of Buffalo River this morning . I've never kayaked before - I come from a land of mountains, shallow streams, creeks and ponds and have little water experience beyond those and pools. The sum of my boating experiences is less than ten, including the canoe in the pool for a lifeguarding class. I didn't know that I'd get nauseous.

It was interesting though, seeing the grain elevators - i had no idea there were so many - the metrorail house, the underside of the bridges. Tour guide Justin took pictures so maybe I'll have some to post soon.

An athletic goods store and a tobacco store in Mansfield, PA, are owned by the same people. (Hypocrisy? Irony? What is the right word for this?)

Infringement Festival events at Albright-Knox tonight. I'm meeting some folks from my queer women's meetup there at 7 at the info desk, y'all are welcome to join me/us. Free, parking is $3.

(at the bottom)

8 pm
Performance: Infringement Festival
American tribal style bellydance with Euphraxa, Middle Eastern style bellydance with Nadia Ibrahim, and Erin Bahn. Now in its fifth year, the Buffalo Infringement Festival is an uncurated, eleven-day showcase of theater performances, performance artists, dancers, musicians, media-makers, and visual artists from throughout Western New York, Canada, and the rest of the world. Highlighting work that is eclectic, independent, experimental, and often politically charged, the festival unfolds from July 23 through August 2 in venues all over town, but this special event offers you a change to experience a broad sample of "art under the radar" under one roof.