Goodbye and Thank You Phoebe Snow

So with the death of Phoebe Snow we have lost not only a great voice but a great person. Here was a soulful voice, a woman of courage who had finally made it. With the release of “Poetry Man” she was on her way and then her life changed. Everyone‘s life changes but she made decisions that would have consequences for the remainder of her life. She was 24 and making some monumental decisions.


Phoebe Snow: Poetry Man

Phoebe became pregnant. When her daughter, Valerie Rose was born the baby suffered extreme brain damage. Phoebe was advised to have the child institutionalized and told the baby would only live three years. Phoebe would have none of it. She took her baby home and tended to her musical career as best she could.

That meant Phoebe toured when she could. It meant she took her magnificent voice and did background music for commercials. That meant she became a single mom of a special needs child and she did not regret it.

It is easy to talk about the dignity of all life, Phoebe actually lived those values. She actually would not have thought of it as a difficult thing to do. As she often stated, she was simply in love with her daughter. Her daughter had limited hearing, she was legally blind, and she could not talk. However, her daughter was able to use her body to communicate her wants, needs and feelings. Observers described Phoebe and Valerie Rose as having a very special relationship.

So Phoebe sang and toured the world. She made an appearance with a singer named Linda Ronstadt and they became fast friends. And Phoebe worked at her music. One day she noticed that her daughter liked opera so Phoebe began to sing opera. That may have been what kept her voice so pure over the decades.


Linda Ronstadt, Phoebe Snow - It's In His Kiss 5-19-1979

Valeria Rose was only supposed to live three years. She lived to be 31. When she died she left a hole in Phoebe’s life. It was Linda Ronstadt who got Phoebe back out singing and back into life. Phoebe would dedicate each concert to her daughter but it was an act of thanksgiving and not an act of mourning. She knew how blessed she had been to have her time with her daughter.


People Get Ready

Then at age 61 Phoebe left us. We were blessed to have Phoebe Snow in our lives. It is not simply her voice and her music that touches us. Lots of musicians can do that. It was the simple act of loving courageously and loving without end that demands our attention and our thanks. Good bye Phoebe and thank you for an art and a life so rare.

The Masks We Wear: Michael A. Dickman

Each year the School of Creative Arts hosts its Student Exhibit. This year was the 35th exhibit. They are wonderful exhibits because it is so easy to see how students grow as artists in four short years. This year I was excited to attend because Michael A. Dickman was organizing a little performance art called “Masks.” His work was to reflect the fact that we are surrounded by people wearing masks, persona. It is not just “them”, “we” wear masks in public.

Michael has been fascinated with public presentations of self. Last year he had an exhibit at the USF library of 50 faces. He is an observer of people. Last year he joined us for an Alternative Spring Break trip to Chicago. We worked at Emmaus Ministries. As we participated in our Immersion Night he clearly observed and noted ways of being.


SOCA Student Exhibition 2011: Faces in the Crowd

So I went to the exhibit. The sad news is I did not get much video. The opening was jam packed with people. I could not easily video folks. The good news is that it was full of people. It was a great exhibit.

SOCA Student Exhibition 2011: Seeing the World Through a Mask

I watched Michael’s group gather. They put on their masks and then joined the visitors at the various exhibits. It was interesting to watch elaborate masks and simple masks, feathered masks, colorful masks and monochromatic masks appear among the crowds. It was interesting to see Michael, the observer, be transformed into the one being observed.

Book Launching of “Streetwalking with Jesus”

Joshua Kent’s art installation Saturday evening was wonderful. Sunday morning I was looking forward to going to church with Nik Burkhart, however, that was not to be. I did so many chores in the early morning I ran out of time. Besides, I had papers to grade. At 2pm I caught up with Paul and Aubrey Goodell at the Emmaus Ministries offices and we were off the burbs for the book launching party.

John Green had been writing ‘Street Walking with Jesus” for a long, long time. I think Origen helped John with the first draft! So this was a big deal. The forward was written by Francis Cardinal George who has been a consistent and important supporter of Emmaus and the guys. I was looking forward to the event. Besides, I wanted John to autograph my copy.

We arrived early to help with the set up. Paul worked the inside and Aubrey and I posted the signs all over the place outside. Paul was not his to-the-point concise self. Instead he began to give us long drawn-out instructions on how to hang the posters. I turned to Aubrey and said not to worry, once we were outside he wouldn’t know where we hung them. Aubrey liked that approach and we got to work. Working with Aubrey was one of the best parts of the day. She is funny, animated, and very interesting.

Afterward we came inside. The room was huge, a school gymnasium. There were refreshments, art, music and people. Oh there were people. There were volunteers and board members, members from Uptown Baptist Church and friends and supporters of Emmaus Ministries. Before the launching formally started the Emmaus video was shown. Johnathan Hancock, the Executive Director of Emmaus is a great guy. He is supportive of the guys and staff and he is a man of faith. Still, seeing him on the big screen, I was impressed with how big his head was!


Book Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus"

I liked the poster/exhibit for E.M. While I am not a fan of the use of the word “prostitute” because I feel it labels a person and ignores everything else about them, I still liked the poster exhibit. I liked it because it asks the reader to look at themselves. It asks them to consider who Jesus and the early Christians associated with. It asks the reader to consider who they are to walk with and how are they to treat others.


Booking Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus"; Would YOU be a…

The book launching began with a blessing and comments by Francis Cardinal George. His commitment to Emmaus Ministers and his affection for the Greens was evident. While he is one of the busiest people in the Midwest he still stayed for the entire event. I was pleased to have a few moments of time with the cardinal.


Book Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus" : Francis Cardinal George

John Green then spoke. This was his day. The book is really a history and a reflection. It guides the reader as they figure out what their ministry is. John is such an admirable guy. When I think of all the guys, volunteers, interns, students and staff that were touched by the work of John and Caroline I am humbled. He is the reason I cannot simply say ‘someone should do something.” It is clear we are that someone, one person can make a difference.


Book Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus" : Deacon John Green

I enjoyed hearing John talk about the process of writing. I enjoyed hearing the history of Emmaus Ministries. I enjoyed hearing about his relationship with the cardinal.


John Green Telling a Story and then Reading a Story


The launching was an inclusive experience. We got to hear about the stories and illustrations in the book. At the tables volunteers were all sharing their favorite Emmaus Ministries stories. Most importantly, we were all buying copies of the book!


Book Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus" : Stories Told with Words and with Pictures

Finally, after all of the talks and video clips people went to the table to have John and the Cardinal sign their books. While that was happening we enjoyed a short concert by GreenChoby. GreenChoby is a folksy group composed of Caroline Green (john’s wife) and Mike Choby.


Booking Signing for "Streetwalking with Jesus" ; GreenChoby

So that was my extra special visit to Chicago. Business, friends, art and a book launching. Not too shabby! My prayer is that John’s book helps Emmaus Ministries grow in the number of supporters and volunteers it has. I pray that it helps people discover what they are being called to do. In the meantime, I just spent the weekend with artists, authors, musicians and friends!

Joshua J. Kent’s Installation at Back Room Projects

I had an opportunity to go back to Chicago. I needed to coordinate a presentation Doug and I were planning to give at the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution in May. While I was in Chicago I also walked down to Alternative and had a meeting about some training for a possible youth group in the Fort. It was a productive day. However, since I was already in Chicago I had a few perks I could not ignore. I stayed with the Kaio Community which was just wonderful. I attended the installation of my Kaio Roommate, Joshua Kent’s exhibit at Back Door Projects. Finally, on Sunday I attended the book launching party for John Green. That included time with Cardinal George. Clearly this was a great weekend.

I had my weekend all planned out. I would have my meeting with Doug and then Alternatives. I would go out to dinner with Bethany, do outreach with Emily and visit the Pilsen neighborhood with Whitney. Then I would go to Joshua’s installation and attend Nik’s church on Sundays. I planned on have some time with each member of Kaio. Well, that at least was the plan!

I did go out for dinner with Bethany and I did do outreach with Emily. I worked in the Ministry Center on Friday so that Whitney could help Josh with his installation. Then Saturday, instead of going to Pilsen and visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art with Whitney I again worked the Ministry Center. This allowed Nik, Emily, Bethany and Whitney to again work on the installation. I really did feel like that was my contribution to Josh and it made me happy to be able to help in this matter. So I spent Saturday cooking a Thanksgiving meal complete with 16 pound turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberries. I got to spend time with the guys which is always wonderful.

Saturday night was the installation. Joshua has spent 12 hour days installing his exhibit. Each of the Kaio members helped. This was a big event. The exhibit was at Back Room Projects on Troy Street. Back Room Projects was the creation of Jennifer Hines, a local Chicago artist and curator. She used the back porch room of her house to highlight the work of a new artist each month. Joshua’s exhibit was titled, “I have sat and watched each second blossom into existence.”

The opening was very nice. Artists and supporters were there. We spent time drinking Spanish wines and discussing art. However, the focal point obviously was the installation. We would all wait and then enter, one person at a time, and spend quiet time in the room. The ceiling was covered with flowers from cemeteries. The flowers and foliage draped down the walls. The room was dark and quiet and there was a meditation stool available for those who wanted to meditate.

I was able to film in the room. However, lets be honest, I am not a film-maker. I am a guy who has an on and off button on a camcorder. I could not compensate for the dark room. Still, the video captured a glimpse of Joshua's dream.


I have sat and watched each second blossom into existence

Now the flowers were not from grave sites that were newly decorated. Josh did not violate anyone’s mourning. Josh went to cemeteries around the country and gathered artificial flowers that were being thrown away so that the grounds could be taken care of. Josh had been collecting these artifacts for ten years.


Climbing Up the Walls of the Installation

I was looking forward to the installation. Josh was my Kaio roommate. The art in our room was about death, dying, passing, having lived. It was not morbid, there was no decay, this was not teen-slasher art. Rather, his art reflected an existential approach to the world. Well, his installation continued this approach.

In the room were the flowers and foliage of grave sites from around the nation and from various time periods. Thousands of flowers were on the walls. They were hung not by 9 thousand ink dots as stated in my video but rather 3000 glue dots. While the artifacts were meant to mark a person’s sorrow and remembrance they had been transformed. Walking into the room was like walking into a rain forest. The room was lush, full of color and shadows and full of life. This was a room of hope and promise and a room that shared of promise of lives being remembered.


I have sat and watched each second blossom into existence: the installation

Doug was the first person I heard talking about lying on his back on the floor just looking up at the ceiling. During my second time in the room I made sure I did that. The canopy was powerful, it pulled you into it. It was like looking at a Jungian painting. Mandelas, sand and pollen circles, medicine circles, and galaxies all came to mind. The room, the installation felt both cosmic/universal and uniquely personal. However, that is not unlike the experience of death and dying and it is not unlike existential moments of clarity.


Lying on the Floor Looking Up at Joshua Kent's Creation

I loved the whole evening. I again got to met Luke Larson, always a special occasion for me. I spent time talking with Jennifer Hines. She told me about grief and mourning in California. She also told me about the history of art galleries in the Pilsen neighborhood. I got to watch Joshua, dressed dapper as usual, greet and interact with his admirers. It was a wonderful evening and I was glad I was able to be a part of it.

MLK Day 2011 at USF: Part II In the Community

MLK Day is always a big day at USF. In the morning I attended the gathering and worship service. I then observed some of the on-campus activities. In the afternoon I drove to some of the sites to see just what our students were doing. There were far more sites than I could have possibly visited. It was good to see the impact we were having.

The first visit was to one of my favorite agencies in the city, The Center for Nonviolence. I often have speakers from the Center in my classrooms. What they do is very consistent with our Franciscan values. So I was pleased to find out we were helping to restore heir floors.


MLK Day 2011: USF at the Center for Nonviolence

Not far from the Center is the St. Vincent DePaul resale shop. It was great to see a team of Sisters, faculty and students working together. I kept wondering if they would come over and organize my closet?


MLK Day 2011: USF at St. Vincent DePaul

Next I drove over to the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne. This large ecumenical group takes care of the nuts and bolts of caring for the poor. Our students were busy working in their food bank.


MLK Day 2011: USF at Associated Churches Food Bank

This was a larger team. They worked in an assembly line. They were focused, cheerful and I am told, very productive.


MLK Day 2011: USF at Associated Churches Food Bank (student interview)

My last stop was at the Love Community Center. This was a large organization. It was a automotive repair school, training for wood working, classes for adults and children, a church, parenting classes and job skills courses.

USF had been coming here for years and they were appreciated. Today they moved the computer lab to make room for new program. It is amazing that one day of service can have such an impact.


MLK Day 2011: USF at Love Community Center Computer Training Program

Consistent with Dr. King’s work toward peace-making our group “Just Peace” sponsored a film for the evening. I attend. The film was an artistic documentary titled “Little Town of Bethlehem.” It addressed the issue of Israeli-Palestinian relationships from a unique perspective .It was sad and yet hopeful.

So, a day of work, service and peace-building. That is a great way to honor Dr. King and a great way to begin a term.


Little Town Of Bethlehem: Official Film Trailer

MLK Day 2011 at USF: Part I On Campus

It was exciting and strange to begin my academic teaching year in January. However, the nice thing about the Spring term is that one week into it is Martin Luther King Day. It is a wonderful way to be reminded of how much service our students do for their community. I think the idea of the day being “a day on not a day off” and being designed to be a day of service is inspiring. Our faculty and staff spend the year planning activities. The students get involved and finally on the day we have students all over the city making a difference. That is pretty cool and a great way to begin the term.

This year was no different. We started the day off with an assembly and a time of worship. It reminds every body why we are here and what makes this holiday different from the others.

"Here in This Place", MLK Day 2011 Service at USF

The worship service was not intimate. It was held in Gunderson instead of North Campus or the Campus Ministry building. Still, it was well organized, well attended and the students did a good job of leading the service.

MLK Day 2011 at USF: Worship

Afterward student, staff and faculty broke into service teams. Some of the projects were on campus and many were in the community. One project on campus was the making of blankets. I ws surprised how organized, methodical and yet cheerful everyone was.

MLK Day 2011 at USF: Making Blankets

The focus was not just on service, it was on community. To that end, having activities that could involve as many people as possible was important. One of those activities was an art project for youth led by USF students. It was popular and fun and some of the art looked pretty darn good!


MLK Day at USF 2011: the generations

Finally, it was a holiday. That meant fun was in order. So while lots of folks worked some also shot hoops. I mean, what is a holiday without either football or basketball?


MLK Day 2011 at USF: shooting hoops, well, it is a holiday!

A Christmas Daycation Part II

After lunch and a break we went to Andre’s favorite place in the city, the botanical Gardens. I like it because of the waterfall and the fact it is across the street from my church. He likes it because for a young child it is like entering a fantasy-land.

The main hall has a display that is changed each season. Sometimes it is a butterfly farm, other times a story book theme. This season it is Santa’s Workshop. I‘m guessing that with all those elves working look hours to make all those presents Santa’s workshop never smelled at nice as this one!


Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2011: Santa's Workshop

I like the tropical habitat. When I take Tai Chi I often begin my warm-ups in this room. What a great place for medication in motion. The kids love the waterfall and the fish pond.


Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2010: The Tropics

Afer spending time in Arizona nobody is ever going to convince me deserts are not fascinating! I love them and I especially love the cacti and succulents.


Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2010: The Desert Country

After playing in the humid tropics and the dry heat of the desert the kids needed to cool off. So we went outsides to play! During the spring and summer the courtyard is a beautiful outdoor garden and café. It is a great place to eat, to be at for concerts and to view city fire works. Today it was an excuse for the kids to play in the snow.


Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2011: Outdoor Courtyard

The view of the skyscape is nice in the yard. The baseball field, the cathedral, and the Hilton all demand your attention.


Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2011: The Trojan Horse

So the kids played outside while Cathi and I tried to stay warm. They spent time going down a slide. Just the thought of it makes my backside cold!

Fort Wayne Botanical Gardens Christmas 2011: Andre and Trinity
So that was our Daycation. It was a nice way to get back in touch with the sights and sounds of the city. It was great to spend time with the kids and even better hearing Cathi laugh. The day also reminded me of just a few reason of why I like this city so much. It was good to be home.