Friday, March 8, is International Women’s Day.   It seems to me, unfortunately, that women in the United States do not observe this important date as much as we should.  Maybe it’s because, even with the inequalities that remain in our country, we still have it pretty good — good enough to make us complacent and forgetful even, of how much we have to be grateful for and celebrate.

But as the “lucky ones,” relatively speaking, I think we owe it to our sisters in other parts of the world that don’t have it so well, to observe this day and do something to help those women with less opportunity.

From my travels, experience, reading and just years of life on the planet, three of the things that strike me as core issues for women today, particularly in countries with emerging economies are:

Water (and subsequently health)    

International Women's Day March 8 2013 - will these girls have a future as adult women? Will they even survive to become women?

Literacy / Education

Violence 

Lack of Clean Water – and therefore health

Of the 1.3 billion people living in abject poverty, the majority are women and children. With this poverty, most often comes a lack of access to clean water.  In addition to the physical harm that comes with having to carry heavy loads of water (and its often not even somewhat clean water) long distances, women in poor regions with no access to running water lose a lot of time – time to take care of their children, educate themselves and their children, and time to to spend on a livelihood to improve their lot in life.

But, they also lose their health, which continues the cycle of poverty because they are too sick to work at jobs or raising food.

According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP), “37% per cent of the developing world’s population – 2.5 billion people – lack improved sanitation facilities, and over 780 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources. Inadequate access to safe water and sanitation services, coupled with poor hygiene practices, kills and sickens thousands of children every day, and leads to impoverishment and diminished opportunities for thousands more.  

The majority of people living in poverty are women and children.

In fact, every 20 seconds, a child dies as a result of poor sanitation. That’s 1.5 million preventable deaths each year.  

Poor sanitation, water and hygiene have many other serious repercussions. Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because  their schools lack private and decent sanitation facilities. Poor farmers and wage earners are less productive due to illness, health systems are overwhelmed and national economies suffer. Without WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), sustainable development is impossible.”

(There’s more to this blog post – to see entire article click on the Headline  or on Page TWO below …) 

]]> http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/03/march-8-is-international-womens-day-concerns-about-water-literacy-violence/feed/ 0 http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/gum-spring-library-is-now-open/ http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/gum-spring-library-is-now-open/#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:19:35 +0000 http://aromancerenaissance.com/?p=1111

A record-setting crowd attended the Grand Opening of Loudoun County's new Gum Spring Library. Over 6,500 people passed through the doors on the first day

There’s no doubt that the big attraction in Loudoun County, Virginia, this past weekend was the Grand Opening of the new Gum Spring Library!  Over 6,500 people came through the door on the first day, Saturday, February 23, setting a new record for library openings in the area.

Lots of people were interested in learning about the non-profit support group for the new Gum Spring Library known as the FROGS - the Friends of the Gum Spring Library.

The day kicked off with a ribbon-cuting ceremony at 11:00 that included welcomes and speeches, a color guard from the local Girl Scouts, and face painting and custom balloon animals for the kids.  Everyone was excited to see the neighborhood finally realize its dream of a gorgeous new library!   

  To help the non-profit Friends of the Gum Spring Library support special and ongoing programs for the library and its community, there are many options.

To purchase a permanent tile in the library with your name on it, please visit:

http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/       

To become a Member of the  non-profit Friends of the Gum Spring Library, visit:   http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/p/become.html

The FROGS - Friends of the Gum Spring Library - had an information table at the Gum Spring Library's grand opening. Seated is Kimber Garland-Homes. Standing from left to right is Deborah Deal-Blackwell, Angie Drews, Nancy Watford, Shriya Awasthi, Bob Lynd, and Karen Montgomery.

   To learn more about the library, visit its web site:   http://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=113 

 Visit the Friends of the Gum Spring Library’s FACEBOOK page:

CLICK HERE

]]> http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/gum-spring-library-is-now-open/feed/ 0 http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/original-art-tribute-to-nature-revealed-at-patron-reception-at-loudoun-countys-new-gum-spring-library/ http://aromancerenaissance.com/2013/02/original-art-tribute-to-nature-revealed-at-patron-reception-at-loudoun-countys-new-gum-spring-library/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2013 02:06:35 +0000 http://aromancerenaissance.com/?p=970

The Opening Day for the new Gum Spring Library is February 23, 2013.  In celebration of this wonderful and long-awaited forthcoming event, and to thank the generous financial donors to the public art wall that was commissioned by the Friends of the Gum Spring Library (FROGS), the FROGS held a special pre-opening reception at the library.

The beautiful interior of the new Gum Springs Library

(Note: the reception was paid for by the independent non-profit Friends of the Gum Spring Library. No county funds were used.)   Art patrons were able to take a sneak preview peek at Joan Gardiner’s magnificent design she has named “Riparian Zone.”  According to Ms. Gardiner, the inspiration for her “natural” masterpiece was the peaceful wetlands she was able to see from the library site.  A cornucopia of animal life found in the Loudoun County area, “Riparian Zone” features realistic depictions of creatures in soft muted tones. “I didn’t want the art on the wall to be glaring,” said Ms. Gardiner. “I wanted it to be in concert with the peaceful tone of the library’s architectural design.”  

The "Riparian Zone" is under construction at the new Gum Spring Library.

It was not yet finished at the time of the reception on February 18.  The design and crafting of the individual intricate pieces of the art wall each take a good deal of time.  However, Ms. Gardiner hopes to have it completed in time for the Grand Public Opening at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 23.  A unique and beautiful expanse of original work, “Riparian Zone” is a tribute to our area wildlife and should serve as an inspiration to future generations of library members to cherish nature’s own wonderful works of art.

A section of the public art wall under construction at the new Gum Spring Library. The individual animals will be much more visible once the entire piece has been stuccoed.

Many people helped make the installation of the public art wall possible including the architecture and construction teams. The FROGS would like to especially thank Van Metre, Aldie Veterinary Services, the Kirkpatrick Farms Home Owners Association, and the Loudoun County Library Foundation for their financial contribution.

Be sure to stop and admire this wonderful example of original art from a local artist when YOU visit the new Gum Spring Library.

 To find out how you can buy a permanent donor tile with your name on it, visit: http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/

Visit, the Loudoun County Library web site at: http://library.loudoun.gov/

FROGS' Bob Michaud with Nancy Nuell.

Gum Spring Library "FROGS" members

Ross & Tiffany Fischer enjoy the new library!

    Keep Scrolling!

There’s lots of photos!

To learn more about the Friends of the Gum Spring Library or FROGS, as they are commonly known, visit:  

 http://gumspringlibrary.blogspot.com/ 

      To learn more about the new library, visit:  

  Loudoun County’s Gum Spring Library

Friends of the Gum Spring Library (FROGS) members Shriya Awasthi and Kimber Garland-Homes are happy to see the library finally opening!

Art Patron Aimee Luce from Aldie Vet and John Gardiner enjoy Joan Gardiner's work.

Gum Spring Library Branch Manager John Huddy takes a break. Enjoy it now, John. You may never get to sit down and relax again!

Artist Joan Gardiner and FROGS member Deborah Deal.

 

Nancy Nuell with Karen and David Montgomery

Linda Holtslander, Community Relations for Loudoun County Library, and artist Joan Gardiner.

The "stacks" at the new Gum Spring Library are stuffed with the latest and most popular titles.

 

There's plenty of comfortable seating at the light-filled new Gum Spring Library.

 

The new Gum Spring Library offers an entire section that's devoted exclusively to teens.

 

There's room for teens to just (quietly) hang out in their own section of the library.

 

The "library cafe" at the new Gum Spring Library.

Kids have their own special and separate section at the new Gum Spring Library. Pictured is the entry to the Children's section.

Everything is "to scale" for the littlest readers - even the adorable furniture.

 

The new library features a beautiful open floor plan.

 

In addition to the "Riparian Zone" art wall created by Joan Gardiner, the library also features a wall of paintings depicting local history.

 

The Children's section features natural scenes on the divider windows.

 

The "Check Out" desk stands at the ready for the crowd expected on Saturday morning, February. 23.

   Last year we braved a cold wind and overcast skies to hold our annual Family Fun Walk for the Gum Spring Library.  But, this year, we got a big reprieve.

There was something for everyone at the 3rd annual FROGS Family Fun Walk on April 21, 2012 for the new Gum Spring Library!

   The storm that would dump several inches just to the north of us, and plow us into 48 hours of (needed) rain, mercifully held off just long enough for the FROGS (Friends of the Gum Spring Library) to enjoy a beautiful day for our 3rd annual event.

Walkers and participants in the 3rd Annual "FROGS" Family Fun Walk enjoyed great weather.

Every year walkers get a t-shirt, a goodie bag stuffed with items from local businesses, fruit, snacks and water.  The moon bounce is always popular and the participants are happy to wait in line for  chance to get their faces expertly painted by our “face artist.”   This year, we even had LIVE entertainment provided by Bach 2 Rock!

Another successful Family Fun Walk for the Gum Spring Library.

    We can’t wait until NEXT year when the library will be open and we can all retire to the stacks after our stride through the neighborhood.

We had a looooong line of walkers! It was quite a sight!

Some of Deb’s random thoughts on creating a Successful Community Event:

• PLAN, PLAN, PLAN way in advance.  The FROGS start working on their April Family Fun Walk event in December!

• Look into what licenses may be needed as far in advance as possible so there are no last-minute surprises that could squash your event
  
  

  Everybody waited patiently for face painting!

• Break down the event into specific tasks and then assign those tasks to reliable people.  Call those people 48 hours beforehand to

make sure they can still carry out their assignments. 

• If you don’t provide specifics for completing a task in advance, don’t nag about  how that task is achieved after the fact.  Volunteers don’t appreciate micro-managing when its too late.  Instead, make a note on how that task should be achieved  for  whoever gets that task next year.    

• Have good signage.  There are always regulations on signage in any community.  Just find out what the those regulations are and do the best you can. (exploit the loopholes if necessary on the day of event, and just take down the signs immediately afterward.)  

Arcola Fire Department Volunteers.

• Take advantage of as many area newsletters, magazines,  newspaper listings and area cable TV listings as possible to get the word out about your event.  

• And make sure you create and utilize an email invitation list of everyone you know.  If you provide a way for the reader to opt out of future emails, they generally will not object and usually will not opt out.

• Don’t forget clean-up.  Leave the area the way you found it.

• Have a post-event de-brief.  Take good notes and keep those notes where they can be pulled out for the next event and read again.

• Think of as many ways as possible to THANK YOUR SPONSORS – that is, only if you want them back next time!

Everybody was in a great mood and enjoyed the event.

And, speaking of sponsors, we’d like to thank those that supported our 2012 Family Fun Walk:

•    East Gate Orthodontics - www.eastgateorthodontics.com
•    HCA Healthcare - www.hcahealthcare.com
•    Stone Ridge Orthodontics - www.smilestoneridge.com
•    Van Metre Homes - www.vanmetrehomes.com
•    Snap Fitness - www.snapfitness.com/stoneridge
•    Kravitz Orthodontics - www.kravitzorthodontics.com
•    Inova Loudoun Hospital - www.inova.org
•    Concept Marketing, Inc. - www.cptmkt.com
•    Aldie Vet - www.aldievet.com 
•    Montessori of Chantilly, Casa dei Bambini - www.montessoriofchantilly.com
•    Curry’s Auto - www.currysauto.com
•    Mathnasium - www.mathnasium.com/stoneridge
•    Family Veterinary Hospital of Stone Ridge
•    Family and Aesthetic Dentistry of South Riding

 

(Note:  This is a private blog. Of course, the comments herein are those of Deborah Deal’s and do not reflect or represent any other member of the Friends of the Gum Spring Library or the Loudoun County library system. All photos copyright 2012 Deborah A. Deal.)

A FROG board member thinks he really IS turning into a Frog now! He's practicing his frog pounce position.

Always have lots of balloons for a Family event.

 

       

Face painting is sometimes even better on something other than the face!

                       

                        

I'd rather have what you're having!

 

 

I took the time to look over the cereal shelves really well this time and look what I found ...!

So, I’m checking out the cereal shelves in my Harris Teeter grocery store tonight after a meeting of the “Friends of the Gum Spring Library” (aka the FROGS) and look what I found …! The fact that I bought it, would make Mom proud — it’s CREAM of WHEAT! Just like Mom used to make for us.

Same maker and everything …

The fact that I ate some should make Michael Pollan, author of “In Defense of Food” happy too. Why? It’s WHOLE GRAIN. In his book, Mike goes into some interesting detail about why we shouldn’t be eating crappy refined, bleached, adulterated, not-good-for-you grain products. He really believes we miss a whole bunch of inter-related nutrients if we don’t eat Whole Grain.

I know I always felt better throughout the morning when I had HOT cereal for breakfast. Sure the sugary cold cereals taste good going down, but they soon evaporate. They certainly don’t stick with you long. I feel sorry for the little kids that don’t get a good breakfast before dashing out the door to school.

What does this “new” Cream of Wheat taste like?

Well … kind of “wheaty” but in a good way. It doesn’t have a real strong taste to it, but then regular Cream of Wheat never did either. You can buy microwave packets of the regular Cream of Wheat in the grocery store and those come in “flavors.” But the objective with trying the WHOLE GRAIN Cream of Wheat is that its WHOLE GRAIN without a whole laundry list of chemicals in it. Much of the packaged “food” we buy on the shelves today doesn’t even qualify as FOOD anymore, it’s a mix of artificial chemicals. No wonder our kids have autism, ADD, allergies and more. (By the way, if you have an allergy to wheat, obviously, don’t buy the product I’m discussing here.) In the U.S. at least, we’ve been feeding them a Frankensteinian brew of chemicals.

So, it doesn’t have a whole lot of taste. Neither did oatmeal in my opinion. But we added stuff (hopefully natural) to it and we ate it. Why? Because its good for us. In addition to being warm and cozy and filling, it has 50% of the recommended daily value of iron, 20% of folic acid, 30% calcium and more.

I think i’ll finish the box for sure and go back for more. If you have ideas on what to add to it to make it taste more “exciting” please share a comment.