Laura's "Art" Debut at Bird in Hand!

Next time you're in downtown Chico, swing by Bird in Hand at 320 Broadway (great toy/gift store!) and check out the newly-installed window display!  As a participant in this year's "Artoberfest" window art project, I have the pleasure of displaying a video I made last year entitled "Kahlas Visits Bird in Hand."  (Click here to view the original "talkie" version of the video; it's adorable!)  Kahlas was one of the students at Rose Scott Learning Community where I volunteered last year, and he was such an inspiration to me.  During a little outing I took with him to buy yo-yo string, I shot some Flip Video footage just for the fun of having Kahlas watch it later with his classmates (little knowing it would later evolve into a "visual art piece"!).  I'm very proud to share this video and to be part of this year's ultimate art "happening" in Chico, where art is being displayed in storefront windows throughout the downtown area during the month of October. (Click here for art-related events happening throughout the month.)

Special thanks to my friend Ginny Crawford (Chico Arts Commissioner) for recognizing the potential in this sweet little video, and to Jeanne Rawlings, Dustlight Productions, for her excellent post-production assistance.  Also to Kahlas for his friendship, never-ending curiosity and love of yo-yos, Cindy Carlson, Curriculum Director of Rose Scott Learning Community (K-12 Open-Structured School), for her dedication to the kids and overall sweet nature, and to Becky of Bird in Hand for being such a great sport and one of the most helpful, nicest shop folks in Chico!

New School Offers Hope

This evening I attended a fundraising dinner for the newly-opened Rose Scott K-12 Learning Community, a school for students with ADHD and autism. Founder and Director/Lead Teacher Cindy Carlson was on hand to talk about the school and the role it plays in helping children who don't "fit the mold." According to their brochure, the school emphasizes the arts, music (which the kids LOVE), science, social studies, math, language, physical exercise, peace studies, compassionate communication, service learning, sustainability and preparedness for life success. Sounds like a curriculum to which ALL of our schools should aspire! I truly admire Cindy and her staff of volunteers for dedicating themselves to offering hope to children (and their parents) who may find the "regular" classroom setting a frustrating, esteem-sapping place.

Note: the school could use help in a number of areas--funds, supplies and volunteer hours (just two per week). They are currently looking for a drum set for their music room. Please contact Cindy at 354-3101 or rosescott4adhd@gmail.com if you can help. Thanks!