Kudzu Twines Journal » Béverly B. http://www.ahf.net/blog Something worth spreading Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:50:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Embracing the humanities in the New Year http://www.ahf.net/blog/2010/01/embracing-the-humanities/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2010/01/embracing-the-humanities/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:31:08 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=763 Over the past several months, I have blogged about the importance of embracing the many facets of the humanities. The opportunities to benefit and appreciate the diversity of human experiences through heritage, tradition and language are clearly boundless right here in the state of Alabama.

It is easy to lecture away at the advantages of delving into the humanities, all the while never truly pursuing the goal oneself. So, in the spirit of the New Year and its refreshing sense of starting anew, I have decided to recap some of my previous points and truly take them to heart myself.

Let this list be a reminder to you as well and perhaps a starting point for creating your own!

In the year 2010, I will:

  1. Learn about the foreign cultures within my own state (i.e. museums, festivals, community involvement, etc.)
  2. Start to create a library of various genres for my son and daughter.
  3. Speak more French to my son and daughter so that they, too, can profit from being bilingual.
  4. Participate in a writing workshop.
  5. Take the whole family to the theater to see a play, a musical, or a ballet.

As I have said before, it is a true luxury to live in a state that allows for a mixture of cultures and the resources to support all aspects of the humanities. Let us take advantage of and fully enjoy our heritage, traditions and languages in this New Year.

Bonne Année et Bonne Santé à tous! Happy New Year!

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2010/01/embracing-the-humanities/feed/ 0 Spend your Christmas holidays at the theatre http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/12/holidays-at-the-theatre/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/12/holidays-at-the-theatre/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:46:16 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=709 We have officially entered into the holiday season! At my house, the holiday decorations are up and the holiday music is playing around the clock. Now that my husband and I have a family of our own, we had to take the traditions from both sides of the family and decide which ones we want our children to enjoy and remember. For example, my mother quilted a wall-size advent calendar for my family to enjoy–similar to the one that still hangs at my parent’s house overseas. And I am going to attempt (for the first time) my mother-in-law’s homemade cinnamon rolls recipe that is now a must for breakfast on Christmas morning.

I’ve also decided to add one more tradition to our list that I did not grow up with but think would be a wonderful treat for the whole family. I want my children to grow up appreciating the arts, and what better way to instill that love in them than with a trip to the theater at Christmas time! Sure, there are a number of holiday movies available on DVD. But there is something special about going out as a family, having a little adventure together and creating memories.

That being said, here is a list of upcoming performances around Alabama that your whole family can also enjoy!

  • A Christmas Story–Whole Backstage Theatre, 1120 Rayburn Avenue, Guntersville
    December 3 through 6
    $15 for adults and $12 for seniors
    Contact the theatre office at 256-582-SHOW (7469) or visit www.wholebackstage.com.

  • A Christmas Carol–ACTA Theatre, 225 Parkway Drive, Trussville
    December 4 through 13
    $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for students
    Contact the theater office at 205-655-3902 or visit www.actatheater.com.

  • Wits’ Other End Holiday Cabaret–Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th Street So, Birmingham
    December 3 through 19 at 8 PM
    $24 for tickets
    Contact the theater office at 205-251-1206 or visit www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

  • Merry Memories–RMTC Cabaret Theatre, 301 19th Street North, Birmingham
    December 10 through 20
    Thurs, Fri, and Sat evenings at 7:30 PM and Sat/Sunday matinees at 2 PM
    $30 for tickets (group rates available)
    Contact the theater office at 205-324-2424 or visit www.redmountaintheatre.org.

  • A South City Christmas–South City Theatre, 109 Cloverdale Drive, Alabaster
    December 11 through 20
    Thurs, Fri, and Sat evenings at 8 PM and Sunday matinees at 2 PM
    $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $10 tickets for groups of 10 or more
    Contact the theatre office at 205-621-2128 or visit www.southcitytheatre.com.

  • The Nutcracker–The Alabama Youth Ballet, Pelham High School Auditorium, Pelham
    December 19 and 20
    Sat evening at 7 PM and Sunday matinee at 2:30 PM
    $10 for general admissions, educators’ and group discounts are available
    Contact the office at 205-987-7234 or visit www.grebeldance.com or www.alabamayouthballet.info.

Merry Christmas!

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/12/holidays-at-the-theatre/feed/ 0 A new view of Dr. Seuss http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/11/dr-seuss/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/11/dr-seuss/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:09 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=629 I was talking to a coworker a few weeks ago about some night classes she had taken recently–one of which was in the humanities. She mentioned that she had written a paper on Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel, the famous children’s books author and illustrator. I assumed that the subject matter of her paper was directed towards his influence on children literature and left it at that. However, the next day, she brought to me a book entitled Dr. Seuss Goes to War: The World War II Editorial Cartoons of Theodor Seuss Geisel by historian Richard H. Minear (The New Press, 1999).

I quickly discovered how very little I actually knew about the man behind Horton Hears a Who! and The Cat in the Hat. The meaning and purpose behind his children’s books and in Seuss’ works outside of children’s literature is quite fascinating indeed. During World War II, Seuss worked as the chief editorial cartoonist for the left-wing New York newspaper PM-–for which he drew more than 400 editorial cartoons from 1941 to 1943.

Seuss infused his political philosophy into his art. His editorial illustrations contained his trademark creatures–quite similar to those in his children’s books. Seuss used his bizarre characters to denounce social issues (including isolationism, racism, anti-Semitism and propaganda) and people (including Hitler, Stalin and the Japanese).

It is no wonder, then, that in his children’s books, Seuss embedded his fantastic creations into moral parables that spoke of progressive ideas. For example, The Sneetches was inspired by Seuss’s opposition to anti-Semitism and is a plea for racial tolerance. [Fun fact: the Sneetch creature first appeared in the political cartoons he drew for PM].

Horton Hears a Who! is a political statement about isolationism and is actually a parable about the American occupation of Japan. The Lorax and The Butter Battle Book are parables about the environment and the arms race, respectively.

I am sure that, to this day, many have no idea what the underlying meaning is in Seuss’ children’s books and know very little, if not nothing, about his political cartoons. Seuss deftly presented a political philosophy with such humor and finesse in his children’s books that it offends no one and few realize it as being political at all.

Seuss “advocated social change, teaching generations of children not only how to be better readers, but better people as well.” (The Political Dr. Seuss, Independent Lens).

To read more about this political side of Seuss, here are two good websites for your use and enjoyment.

  • Mandeville Special Collections Library Presents “Dr. Seuss Went to War: A Catalog of Political Cartoons by Dr. Seuss”: http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/speccoll/dspolitic/
    This site provides a complete catalog of Seuss’ political cartoons as seen in Minear’s book Dr. Seuss Goes to War. You can sort through the cartoons by people, war/domestic issues, countries/regions, and battles/battlefields.

  • Independent Lens presents The Political Dr. Seuss: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/politicaldrseuss/index.html
    This site is dedicated to the political side of Seuss. It also includes an inside look (including video clips) at the documentary entitled “The Political Dr. Seuss.” The documentary provides an intriguing portrait of Seuss and how he viewed the political and social changes of his time.

SOURCES
http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/1aa/1aa291.htm

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/11/dr-seuss/feed/ 0 Use a writing workshop as a starting point http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/10/writing-workshop/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/10/writing-workshop/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=583 I have always been an avid reader. What I didn’t realize about myself until recently, however, is that I also love to write. Writing can be used for numerous purposes. It can be a healthy outlet for working through an emotion. It can allow people to organize their thoughts and prove (or disprove) a point. It can be used to voice an opinion. It can also allow others to propel themselves into another world or to curb their curiosity about someone (or something) that they once knew nothing, or very little, about.

Consider the amount of books you read in a month, in a year. And then ask yourself–why not put your own thoughts, dreams, or opinions into print?

At first, I thought it a daunting task–to express myself on paper. But then I looked back at how much writing I had already done throughout my life–an innocent diary entry when I was in junior high; a thesis in college; a case brief in graduate school; an angry (and quite therapeutic) letter to someone to whom I couldn’t express my emotions verbally.

If I have any desire to write, I should pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and just start. Perhaps you should, too!

I realize now that, if the writing is for me, I should not be concerned with how others will receive what I have to say. If I have any desire to write, I should pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and just start. Perhaps you should, too!

If you are anything like me, though, you will want to know where to start–whether you are writing just for you or for the public. Here are some online and local writing workshops in which you can participate, as a start.

  • Turning Journal Entries into Polished Pieces, Editorial Freelancers Association
    Mondays and Thursdays, November 30-December 10, 4 p.m.
    Online (4-session webinar)
    For more information and registration, visit www.the-efa.org (event calendar)

  • Writing from Healthy Starts, Editorial Freelancers Association
    Tuesdays, December 1-December 22
    Online (4 sessions)
    For more information and registration, visit www.the-efa.org (event calendar)

  • Fiction Writing For Beginners, Auburn University, Montgomery
    October 31, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    For more information and registration, call (334) 244-3804

  • Short Story and Novel Feedback, Auburn University, Montgomery
    November 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    For more information and registration, call (334) 244-3804

  • Creating Your Novel, Jefferson State Community College, Birmingham
    December 1, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    For more information and registration, call (205) 856-7710


Note: Here are two other Alabama colleges that do or will offer the same (and other) writing workshops.

  • Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, (205) 391-2323
  • University of North Alabama in Florence, (256) 765-4862

The workshops at Shelton State take place this month, and there are none currently scheduled at the University of North Alabama. However, do keep checking back with them, especially if these locations are most convenient to you.

Whether you have already fallen in love with writing or just want to get your feet wet, these workshops are a good starting point. There are numerous classes out there, so be sure to ask for the complete list of available workshops.

As a last thought, do not let these classes be a one-time thing. Continue to participate in them, as they are good stepping stones to boost your confidence and to structure your thoughts. And, if and when you’re ready, these classes will also teach you what to expect should you end up wanting to pursue writing as a career!

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/10/writing-workshop/feed/ 0 Resources to learn a foreign language http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/09/learn-a-foreign-language/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/09/learn-a-foreign-language/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:18:09 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=515 I grew up learning English and French simultaneously, and I honestly don’t remember which language I spoke first. The advantages to knowing another language has been great for me, culturally and career-wise. Learning another language can be a tedious task. I was fortunate enough to have been raised in France and fully immersed in its culture. French and English are both my native languages.

However, this is not the same or as easy an experience for my 4-year-old son. We only travel to France to visit my family every other year. So, he does not get the benefit of hearing the language every day, everywhere, and from everyone. It is up to me to speak to him consistently all the time. At this point, he understands me for the most part when I speak French to him, but, there is no real incentive for him to speak it back to me since we live here–in America. I’m still working with him on that part.

Being bilingual myself and having used this ability in my past and current job positions, I truly wish the same advantages for my son. I also know, however, that the learning capability of a foreign language for a child gets more and more difficult the older the child gets. Scientific research shows that the “window of opportunity” for learning a language is from birth to age 12. So, I’ve implemented some rules at home that help me (because I do need the support) to keep French around him as much as possible. For instance, my son watches all of his cartoons and Disney movies in the French version.

Being bilingual myself and having used this ability in my past and current job positions, I truly wish the same advantages for my son.

Obviously, French is not the only foreign language of interest out there, so I’ve listed below a couple language programs and materials available to you and to your children both online and locally here in Alabama.

  • Muzzy, the BBC Language Course for Children. (I can personally vouch for this program! I remember watching these videos when I was very young to learn English.) This is the #1 language course for children and is available in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian and English (ESL). Muzzy uses the simple methodology of repetition through animated stories and songs. It provides a natural immersion approach with visual, musical, aural and contextual language, all the while keeping the child captivated and engaged. For more information, visit www.early-advantage.com.
  • Huntsville Chinese Village, 904 Bob Wallace Avenue, Suite 127, Huntsville.
    Their programs include language classes for children of all ages. There is a “Parent-Toddler” class designed for young children, ages 3 to 5 years, with creative movement, games, nursery rhymes and songs. Next, there is a “Child” class for children 6 years and up with stamped and picture flashcards as part of the materials. There is also a program called “Together” with four learning levels for a parent and child (8 years old and up) to learn the Chinese language together. For more information, visit www.huntsvillechinesevillage.com.
  • There is also an online nationwide directory (search engine by zip code) of foreign language programs available for children of all ages. The foreign languages search options includes German, Italian, Spanish, ESL, Immersion Schools, Mandarin Chinese, etc. For more information, visit www.totclasses.com.

Thankfully, there are a number of resources we, as parents, can use to introduce our children to a foreign language–whether it be for pure entertainment, cultural growth, interaction with your foreign speaking family, or simply for that competitive edge career-wise down the road.

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/09/learn-a-foreign-language/feed/ 0 An inheritance of literary enjoyment http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/08/literary-enjoyment/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/08/literary-enjoyment/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:16 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=465 One of the most cherished gifts I have ever received was from my grandmother-in-law. I loved going out to see her, because she was an amazing woman–with such a strong personality that commanded respect–and also because she had one room covered wall to wall with books. She had every kind of book imaginable–a true mixture of genres, authors, styles. I would always borrow three or four books at a time until my next visit out.

And then, when she passed away two summers ago, she graciously left me her library. What a gift to be granted such a remarkable collection of history, fiction, non-fiction, biography, fantasy, etc. I was in awe and so thankful. I have been striving to build a decent collection of books since college and now–just like that–I have a respectable library.

Her endowment, however, also made me realize that it is one thing to build a collection for my own enjoyment, but more importantly, what a blessing it would be to provide my own children with such a complete source of knowledge and enjoyment right at their fingertips.

Here are two ideas for you (thanks to the ever-so-useful Google) on how to get your children more involved with reading and how to perhaps start them out with a small library of their own.

Scholastic Book Fairs
If you are a parent, you may have seen Scholastic Book Fairs from time to time hosted by your child’s school. Beyond these fairs, however, Scholastic also has a user-friendly online store with thousands of children’s books easily sorted by age, characters and series, subject and genre, etc. For more information, visit store.scholastic.com

Alabama Book Festival
Saturday, April 17, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s never too early to plan for next year! The festival is held once a year on the third Saturday in April at Montgomery’s Old Alabama Town. It features more than 50 nationally recognized writers, illustrators, publishers and more. There will be numerous children and young adult book writers, book sales, author signings, and a special children’s activity area. For more information, visit oldalabamatown.com or call (888) 240-1850.

I am an avid reader, and I am thoroughly enjoying my new library. But I now truly appreciate the importance of sitting down with my four-year-old son and reading to him as well.

My grandmother-in-law’s generosity gave me the incentive to contribute to a collection of books for my own children–in the hopes that, one day, they too will experience the same kind of literary enjoyment I received. I believe that this is one instance when (and if possible) the experience and resources should be handed to our children on a silver platter!

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/08/literary-enjoyment/feed/ 1 The melting pot of Alabama http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/07/melting-pot/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/07/melting-pot/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:26 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=323 If you are as interested as me in the diversity of cultures, you’ll be happy to know that Alabama is actually quite a melting pot of heritage, tradition and language. There are so many opportunities at your fingertips from which you can benefit and appreciate the diversity of human experiences right here in your home state.

One of the first things I did when I moved to Alabama was search for a French association or group, where I could meet some Francophiles and get a little taste of home. Now for me, this was a balm to sooth home sickness. But for others, it may be the perfect environment to learn about a different culture and how it blends into the nation we live in.

It is a true luxury to live in a state that allows for a mixture of cultures. You don’t have to go far to enjoy diverse tradition and language.

With the economy as is it and the tighter pocket book, it’s just not that easy to justify buying a plane ticket overseas for pure enjoyment right now. At least, it isn’t easy for me. So it is a true luxury to live in a state that allows for a mixture of cultures. You don’t have to go far to enjoy diverse tradition and language. Here are a few places you can visit and groups you can join should you want a little taste of foreign culture. Enjoy!

  • Friday Foreign Film Festival / Free Friday Foreign Films
    1240 O’Brig Avenue, Guntersville, Alabama
    All films are shown at the Guntersville Public Library.
    For more information call (256) 571-7595 or e-mail books@guntersvillelibrary.org
  • Alabama Shakespeare Festival
    1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, Alabama
    This is the 6th largest Shakespeare festival in the world, and it produces 14 world-class productions annually. Some of the classics include works by William Shakespeare, Moliére, George Bernard Shaw, Anton Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, Thornton Wilder and Eugene O’Neill.
    For more information visit asf.net.
  • Condé-Charlotte Museum House
    104 Theatre Street, Mobile, Alabama
    This museum is furnished with period antiques that illustrate Mobile’s French, English, Spanish, Confederate and American history.
    For more information visit condecharlottemuseum.com.
  • Huntsville Chinese Village
    904 Bob Wallace Avenue, Suite 127, Huntsville, Alabama
    This program, beyond providing language instruction, also offers exposure to Chinese culture through activities and social gatherings–including Chinese calligraphy, field trips and community involvement in Chinese cultural holidays.
    For more information visit huntsvillechinesevillage.com.
  • Alliance Francaise of Birmingham–Affiliated with Alliance Francaise USA
    Birmingham, Alabama
    This association was founded by Birmingham Francophiles and promotes the study of French through organization of social and cultural events and French language classes.
    For more information visit afbirmingham.org.

You can also check out frenchculture.org for ongoing shows and exhibits in Alabama.

Alabama is truly full of culture (easily accessible too!) throughout its entire state. It’s really just a matter of researching your interests. Google is my personal favorite–I’d be lost without it. So, enjoy the list I’ve started for you, but please don’t stop here. I’m sure you will be able to find something to satisfy any of your cultural curiosities!

Written by: Béverly B.

]]> http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/07/melting-pot/feed/ 0 A book to boost Alabamian pride http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/06/a-book-to-boost-alabamian-pride/ http://www.ahf.net/blog/2009/06/a-book-to-boost-alabamian-pride/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:00:54 +0000 bbashorahf http://www.ahf.net/blog/?p=193 Hearts of Dixie

Writing about a former employer can be tricky and a little intimidating. But when he contributes regularly to the avid reader (such as myself) and does so well, it would be selfish of me not to share his creativity with others. So here it goes. James L. Noles Jr. is a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, and a partner in the Environmental & Natural Resources section at Balch & Bingham LLP. But beyond his title as an attorney, he is also an author–and a brilliant one at that.

As his former legal secretary, I had the privilege to observe (and at times be part a of) the writing process from idea to publishing. Now, I’ve always had a passion for writing and language so, I have to admit, I felt like I was mixing business with literary pleasure!  I had eyes on the inside. I saw the magic happen. My first and most memorable impression of his work, however, was for his book entitled Hearts of Dixie: Fifty Alabamians and the State They Called Home (Will Publishing LLC, 2004), which was published before I worked for him.

As a foreigner and new to Alabama, I did not initially have a full appreciation for what the state had to offer. I was oblivious to the many names and faces that had walked its grounds and ultimately influenced the very history of our nation.

I wanted to know more about my new boss and I believed that reading one of his books would be the quick fix. What I didn’t expect was the “wow” factor and an immediate sense of pride for not only working for an accomplished author but also living in the great state of Alabama.

And this is why:

As a foreigner and new to Alabama, I did not initially have a full appreciation for what the state had to offer. I was oblivious to the many names and faces that had walked its grounds and ultimately influenced the very history of our nation. Now though, my knowledge and outlook have both greatly improved to be sure. And I didn’t read a state history textbook to find this out. I didn’t breeze through cliff notes. Hearts of Dixie itself managed to fix my attitude. It took the blank canvas that I personally saw as Alabama and painted a radiantly colorful story of its accomplishments, heroes and influences. Hearts of Dixie provides the reader with an engaging and fascinating narrative that shines a spotlight on the state of Alabama as a whole and its people.

Organized in biographical chapters, Hearts of Dixie presents to the reader 50 Alabamians of remarkable accomplishments. The book is easy to read and to the point. The format of the biographies alone makes the information appealing–as if it weren’t a history lesson, but a series of short stories instead. Which then makes the realization that these people actually lived even more powerful.

Sure, we all know of Truman Capote, but have you heard his whole story? Did you know he was from Alabama? But the selection of these fifty Alabamians is not focused strictly on the people we all know well. Hearts of Dixie cleverly includes men and women from, what it seems like, literally every walk of life.

Are you a football fanatic? Read about Coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant. Are you a theater lover? Read about Actress Tallulah Bankhead. Are you a Rocket Scientist? Read about Dr. Wernher von Braun. I could go on, but I won’t as an incentive for you to get the book and find out for yourself the complete list of profiles! I must add, however, that as a French native, I personally enjoyed the chapters on Jean Baptiste Le Moyne and William Rufus DeVane King.

And what, you ask, is the one beautiful commonality of each chapter? These influential men and women all called the state of Alabama their home. Some of you may read Hearts of Dixie and assert that you were already privy to this information. But I wasn’t. And even if you were, do you fully appreciate it?

Another appealing feature of Hearts of Dixie is the chapter introductions. Each biography is introduced by another distinguished Alabamian, who describes the influence received from the featured person–whether it be through a personal bond or a reflection of admiration. So you really get a snapshot at an additional fifty remarkable Alabamians of our present day. Talk about a treasure trove of historical experience rising right up from your home state!

The introductions compel you to think in the present tense. But then in the actual biographies, Hearts of Dixie has a fluidity that takes you back in time to when these people were still alive, when their personalities were still forming, and these influences brand-new. You flip each page expecting, wanting, to read more. You wish you had personally known these people–to have been influenced in some way by them. And then you realize that you have been touched–because you are an Alabamian yourself, and Hearts of Dixie just revealed the historical and cultural significance of the state these people (and now you!) called home.

I highly recommend that you add Hearts of Dixie to your collection. Besides owning one great book, a portion of the sale proceeds is donated to the Alabama Humanities Foundation to help fund the Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship. For more information about Jim and his other books, please visit his personal website.

Written by: Béverly B.

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