United Way

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Six Volunteers gathered at a home known as the “Shepherd’s House” that would one day be used by a woman who had been homeless or the victim of domestic violence as she got back on her feet. The small split level home was in a suburban neighborhood off of Semoran Boulevard (436), just north of Colonial Drive. The Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCFL) initiated the program, known as “Shepherd’s Promise“, just across the street is responsible for getting these homes in tip top shape. Work outside included spray washing the gutters and porch. Yard work was being done as well, including mulching and trimming trees. Inside, the kitchen was getting a new paint job and everything was being cleaned. The place was constantly buzzing with friendly activity. It was a riot of ladders, buckets, brooms and paint cans.

Any woman who moved in to the residence could have up to two children and she would have to take job interview training and computer courses. The children could then be dropped off at the church nursery once a job was found. The goal of course would be for the single mother to become self reliant. Two of my sisters have had to raise children alone and it was always challenging. Child support was non-existent. One of my sisters, when she was at the end of the rope financially, went to a church to ask for help. She was told to start gathering tin cans for the ¢5 refunds. I suspect this CCFL would have offered a better solution. 70%  of each paycheck earned by women in this housing program would have to be contributed to the charity, of that half would be put into savings to be returned to the women when she leaves, so that she could afford to find her own place.

The woman would have to verify that she was separated, since many had been in abusive relationships. If a man was found living in the home then the safety of the place would be compromised and they would be asked to leave. Every day social workers would help to ensure that the home was being well maintained. This respite was intended only as a temporary place where the family could recover and work towards a more permanent solution.

There was a playful atmosphere as the volunteers turned the empty shell into a future home. Hopefully the single mom and her family could feel that love as they worked their way back from the brink. On United Way’s “Day of Caring” there were dozens of these volunteer projects going on all around Orlando. Another project involved building a wheel chair access ramp to a home. When I got to that site, the ramp was already built and the volunteers posed for a quick group photo. Each of these volunteer projects was a big step towards changing someone’s life.

Darius Goes West

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I went to a screening of a documentary film titled “Darius Goes West.” Darius Weems has Duchenne muscular dystrophy which restricts him to a wheelchair. Darius’s brother Mario Weems died from the same disease at age 19.  Logan Smalley was a counselor at a ‘Project REACH‘ camp, a facility set
up to give the experiences of being at ‘camp’ to children with
disabilities, there he met Darius. After reading a copy of a letter Darius had penned to MTV‘s show Pimp My Ride
in which Darius had asked them to consider refurbishing his wheelchair,
Smalley organized a cross-country trip for Darius to Los Angeles, which
to the group became known as the ‘Darius Goes West Project’.  Though the initial letter had been ignored, they decided to get Darius out west so he could meet the producers face to face. The film documents the trip west with Darius and 11 of his friends.

Darius had never left his hometown of Athens Georgia so this road trip was the adventure of a lifetime. The term “goslabi” on the filmmakers T shirts referred to a scene in the movie where Darius was offered goslabi in a Chinese restaurant. Goslabi is a hot past often offered with sushi. Darius took a whole teaspoon and the scene showed his shocked reaction. The friendship and bonds between the characters became clear over the course of the film. This prank, rather than cruel, showed that Darius wasn’t seen in any way as a cripple but rather as an equal.

Documenting the trip in the mobile home showed how often simple amenities like a bathroom or store are often not wheelchair accessible. The young college students help Darius overcome every obstacle. In the end, Darius gets to the west coast and meets the cast of “Pimp My Ride.” The actual cast loved the idea, but the producers held fast and refused to upgrade Darius’s wheelchair. The boys had to return defeated. 7,000 mile road trip across the United States to promote awareness of the fatal disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and to raise money for research into a cure.

Back in their hometown, people had raised money and hired a local mechanic and craftsman to add custom features to a wheelchair. Flames were painted on its side, a state of the art audio system was worked into the chair. The alterations to the chair however weren’t as important as the alterations to the participants. When they started, the boys knew nothing about film making or fundraising. The film has won an incredible number of awards and the goal to raise awareness has become an unstoppable movement. The film celebrates life that should be embraced with open arms. No setback or disability can stop someone who truly wants to live.

All proceeds from the film go to ‘Charley’s Fund‘, named for DMD sufferer Charley Seckler, and set up as a non-profit foundation investing in scientific research to help cure DMD. The filmmakers had originally hoped the film might raise $70,000 for DMD research, but by March 2009 they had raised $1.5 million, and by June 2009 they had raised $2 million.

Flocktail Party

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Lisa Coney invited me to the New Bistro on Park Avenue In The Hidden Garden Courtyard (348 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, Fl).  On November 13th I went to find out more about fabulous flocktails and fun. Clyde Moore of I Luv Winter Park was there and he gave me a warm welcome. His pink collared shirt fit in perfectly with the decor. A dozen or so pink flamingos stood on tables, shelves and the bar. Each had been decorated by a local artist. Each was a unique work of art.

Robin Maynard, the founder of Libby’s Legacy, a breast cancer foundation, introduced herself. She knew of me because she saw me sketching at Scooters for Hooters, another charitable organization she started in 2007 shortly after her mothers death.  $1 from every Pink Flocktail went to Libby’s Legacy. The Flocktails were bright pink drinks served in martini glassed.

The Mission of Libby’s Legacy is to provide
comprehensive breast health care to the under served Central Florida
community through education, mammograms, follow up diagnostics and Hope
Coaches on the journey from diagnosis to treatment. Libby’s Legacy also helps stage IV breast cancer
patients battling this disease by granting wishes in order to create
cherished memories with loved ones through the LIVE BIG program. Not just Surviving…but LIVING!

All the art sales benefit Libby’s Legacy and the local artists. The Flocktail Party was a way to thank the Artists and 1350 West Art Gallery where the flock was being auctioned off. The room grew crowded with artists and patrons and conversations roared. Inspired by the life of Libby Maynard, Libby Legacy foundation strives to be secure enough to be
vulnerable, strong enough to be gentle, wise enough to be humble, and
powerful enough to serve others!

As of May 2013 Nearly 4000 Breast Health services have been
provided, 55 breast cancers have been diagnosed through these life
saving diagnostics and 6 LIVE BIG cruises have been granted! That’s what
you’ve done Central Florida!  My own mother, Elvira, died from breast cancer when I was 10 years old. I feel a strong desire to help the cause. If anyone buys a print or the original of this sketch, I will donate 50% of the sale to Libby’s Legacy. Leave a comment if you would like to help.

Sara Knee-ds You!

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On August 13th I went to Redlight Red Light (2810 Corrine Drive, Orlando, FL) to attend a fundraiser for barkeep Sara who had an unfortunate accident. While working out at the gym, she tore the lateral meniscus in her right knee almost in half. The injury left her unable to work, walk, or bike (which is her only form of transportation). The surgery and physical therapy required to get her back on her feet is going to cost between 7,000 and 10,000 dollars. While she has the love and support of friends in the time being, surgery is imminent and will need to take place in the near future to avoid permanent damage. Being that the price tag is a wee-bit heavy, Redlight Red Light hosted a benefit in her honor to help her raise the funds she needs to recover to get back to slingin’ beers and stealthy biking.

Some special kegs were tapped and all of the proceeds were donated to her surgery. Since I’m a fan of drinking for a cause, I ordered one of Sara’s beers to sip as I sketched. Erica Abalos-Hernandez, formerly of Bee’s Knees had some huge chocolate chip cookies for sale. She explained that there was a dash of sea salt on them which compliments the sweetness. I had to try one. It was so good, especially washed down with the beer. Later she walked the room with someones child on her hip. Sarah took her place behind the chocolate chip station with her crutches leaning up against a table next to her. I spoke with her briefly about biking in Orlando. She lives downtown and used to bike everywhere. She knows all the back roads routes to Redlight Red Light. She described her knee injure in some grizzly detail and I was glad I could help out in my way. The room grew crowded as I sketched. It was heart warming to see so many people coming together to help someone in the community.

When I ordered a second beer, my sketch started looking pretty good. Donated beer bottles filled a pew and several tables. There were silent auction items such as gift baskets, a meal for two at The Table (a value of $240) and $100 meal at Eola Wine Company. Donated items also came from Black Bean Deli, Will’s Pub, Dear Prudence, Oblivion Taproom, Wild Ocean Seafood, the Enzian, the Gnarly Barley, College Park Yoga, Stacole Fine Wines, Imperial, Sushi Lola’s, Lineage Coffee Roasting, and others. Artwork was also being auctioned off.

The Sara Knee-ds You! Fundraiser was a huge success. With everyone’s
generosity,  $6,500 was raised towards barkeep Sara’s
knee surgery and physical therapy. Sara said, “To
everyone who attended on Tuesday, donated, raffled, drank some beer,
brought me coffee, drove me around, made me food, offered me a piggy
back ride, or sent some thoughtful words my way, my sincerest gratitude.
Because
of the overwhelming amount of support I’ve received from friends,
patrons, and small businesses in our community, I will be able to fund
my surgery. I wish I had more than words to express how
thankful I am. Witnessing the generosity in people has been a wonderful,
humbling, life changing experience. There is no feeling more amazing
than realizing you are not alone. Thank you.”

Wine, Women and Shoes

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It was my wife Terry’s birthday. Thanks to Maria Diestro, I got two press passes to Wine, Women and Shoes since Terry adores a good pair of high heels.  What better birthday could there be than spending an afternoon sipping wine and shopping for shoes?  The woman at the reception table wished Terry a happy birthday.  That was an unexpected sweet gesture.  Maria must have made a note on the list. The event was a fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel. We arrived a bit early and agreed that I should get my sketch done first. I decided to focus on this Parisian style ottoman that had been set up. There were very few places to sit so I figured it would be a popular spot for women to rest their legs after standing in high heels. Besides myself there were only a few other men in the room. “Shoe Guys” held shoes on platters and they walked the room showing off the wares.

Vintners showcased samples of their wines and there were food stations. I never found time to try any of the food since I was sketching. One of the “Shoe Guys” turned out to be Matt McGrath a friend who often produces Play the Moment productions. That must have been a fun gig, being a male Vanna White for hundreds of women. I was glad Terry had someone to talk to while I worked. She purchased a pair of shoes that she adored. I decided the sketch was done when the runway fashion show began. Terry saved me a seat. A woman seated in front of us said to Terry, “You’re so lucky your husband joins you at this type of event.” I sipped my white wine.

It was an afternoon of Fashion and Compassion. Second Harvest Food Bank provides access to food and other grocery products in order to meet the needs of hungry families in six Central Florida Counties. They promote and support the development of partner agencies’ ability to fulfill their missions.  They mobilize leaders and communities by bringing visibility to the invisible problem of hunger and poverty, and they develop more holistic and county-specific solutions to hunger in Central Florida. Bidding was fierce during the auction. All of the proceeds  from Wine, Women & Shoes benefited Second Harvest Food Bank. Before we left, we sat in the photo booth.

Relay for Life

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Marilyn Wattman–Feldman suggested I go to the Sanford Zoo to sketch the Relay for Life. My wife Terry arrived before me and I looked for her in the crowd. Tents were set up in the area in front of the zoo entrance where the zip lines are set up. There was a makeshift stage set up and I noticed a llama wearing a diamond studded tiara. A radio personality asked all the cancer survivors to come forward and stand in front of the stage. A large group of survivors, all dressed in purple T-shirts stood in front of the stage. There were young and old alike, people from all walks of life.

The Relay was an all night fundraising walk. The first lap was for the survivors lead by Clarissa the llama. The announcer didn’t realize Clarissa was a llama. “It wasn’t in my script!,” he shouted and he laughed. I saw Marilyn among the survivors as she did the first lap. Children were selling wristbands with passion. Terry and I got some bratwurst for dinner and we watched the girls make up new chants as they tried to sell the wristbands.

For $5 you could go on an evening tour of the zoo with a zoo guide. Marilyn said that the animals were more active at night. Guests were given flashlights with red gels which wouldn’t disturb the animals as much. We saw kangaroos, gators, a porcupine and some monkeys but most animals were either very well hidden or they were backstage asleep. After the tour, Terry left and I started searching for a sketch. I settled on this young zoo employee selling stuffed snakes and letting people know about the zoo tour. The snakes were cheap, like $3, and she sold quite a few. As I started putting in color, the lights all went out. I thought there had been a power failure, but someone finally explained that there was going to be an hour of silent remembrance for friends and family who had died to cancer. Paper bags with candles inside were placed all around the relay track. Some bags had photos of loved ones and many had loving tributes. Even the girls selling bracelets quieted down. It was a solemn, quiet time. The lights all flickered on, and the carnival-like atmosphere resumed. I splashed colors on my dark sketch, losing the gorilla and rhino in the dark of the night.

A Gift for Music

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Mary Palmer opened her home to host a recital by Dr. Gary Wolf on Piano and Mati Braun on Violin. Gary Wolf was Distinguished Professor of Music at UCF and he is Professor Emeritus of music at UCF and is Artist-in-Residence in the Music Department of Rollins College. Mati studied at Juilliard in New York City. He was principle violinist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and he was a violinist with a the New York Philharmonic from 1969-2006. They played Sonatas from 18th & 20th century. Veracini, Mozart, Beethoven & Sibelius. Introducing Beethoven, Mati said, “Beethoven’s music is therapeutic. If I play music at a hospital it would have to be Beethoven. This piece is almost lighthearted although Beethoven was a very serious man.”
Perhaps fifteen to twenty people sat in the living room to listen. Mary collects African drums which added splashes of bright color around the piano. This event was a fundraiser for “A Gift for Music.” AGFM is an offshoot of A Gift for Teaching. Sally Carter the director of A Gift for Music was at the recital to explain the program. This program offers violin lessons twice a week to students in six low income schools around Central Florida. 460 students benefit from the program each year. Third grade students are offered beginning violin classes and fourth and fifth grade students are given the opportunity to continue violin training in advanced classes. The AGFM Orchestra gives advanced students a chance to perform on stage. Students can choose from violin, viola, cello or bass. They rehearse Saturday afternoons and perform several times a year. Students are loaned instruments for home practice. A Gift for Music has touched the lives of over 7,200 students and their families in Central Florida. When a child blossoms and finds a way to express themselves through music, we all benefit. Donations to help keep A Gift for Music running are always accepted.
“What I have in my heart and soul must find a way out. That is the reason for music.”
– Ludwig Van Beethoven

Lone Wolf

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The next performer at the Jug-ly Art & Antics fundraiser at the Peacock Room was the Lone Wolf. He set up behind a simplified drum set with a megaphone attached to the base drum. He had a harmonica set up with a brace to hold it to his lips. A tin can hung below the harmonica perhaps for added acoustics. His voice was raspy and deep. Something about singing into a megaphone made the vocals seem bad ass. I worked quickly trying to capture him in the dim light. His drum set was bright green and he disappeared into bloody reds. His girlfriend stood directly in front of the stage checking her iPhone occasionally. He called out to her once, to help him find the slide for his guitar. He was the quintessential one man band.

Next on the line up were the Kitschy Kittens Burlesque Troupe. Suddenly the room was jam packed. A thick wide and tall gentleman stood right in front of me. Two slender women dressed in German Tyrolean dresses got on stage. They each got a beer out of a cooler and popped off the caps. They began a seductive dance to a beer song. I only caught a glimpse of the one girl when she moved to stage right. Soon frilly under garments were flying into the crowd. John Theisen kept picking them up and putting them back on stage. The girls began to sway and stagger as they sipped and danced. Before I could close my mouth and put a pencil to the page, it was over. The girls bounded off the stage, their shiny symbol shaped pasties bouncing. They gathered their garments and exited stage left. Perhaps I’ll have a clean line of sight and get a sketch next time.

Another band started to set up their equipment on the small stage. They were all young college kids in stone washed cut up jeans. The Getbye was emblazoned on a drum set. I considered another sketch but decided I had enough eye candy for one night. I headed home. I had started the evening thinking I would sketch the Bloody Jug Band. I will have to catch them another night. Hopefully plenty of money was raised for a Gift for Music and the Crealde School of Art.

22nd Annual Taste of the Nation

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Great food, great drink for an even greater cause. In America more than 17 million children struggle with hunger. That is close to one in four children. For 28 years Second Harvest Food Bank has helped feed the hungry in Central Florida. With the help of the food industry and the community, millions of pounds of wholesome food is distributed each year to 500 local feeding programs. Yet in today’s economy the need continues to grow.

Taste of the Nation was held at the Orlando World Center Marriott (8701 World Center Drive). Terry and I arrived a little early so I could get started on a sketch before the event got too crowded. More than 2000 people were expected to attend. We bumped into Paula Large who is an excellent artist. Paula’s husband was working the event as a chef on stilts. I saw Maria Diestro, who is the Second Harvest Communications Manager. She had invited me to sketch and report on the event. While Terry went to shop for reading glasses, Maria walked me into the ballroom. The room was immense. All the vendors had donated their time and food to the cause. Maria said I had to the Royal Plaza table to try Chef Jean Louis’s famous bananas foster. This was the first place I stopped. Jean Louis put butter in the frying pan and the banana halves sizzled. He then drizzled something in the pan which lit up causing a fire ball. Oddly Jean had no eyelashes. Sure enough the bananas foster was fabulous! I was content and fired up to start sketching.

Walking the room I was attracted to the orange African sunset behind Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Chef Bob Getchell was preparing the spicy Durban Chicken. He demonstrated to everyone working the event how much food should be served. The dish had to look good as well as taste good. The spicy Durban chicken was served on a bed of Basmati rice with mint chutney and papadam. The dish was a little to hot for my taste. I wished I had a beer to cut the spices.

After I finished my sketch, I texted Terry and we found one another in the cavernous room. She had been sampling dishes while I sketched. She introduced me to the dishes she liked the most. A wild Boar soft taco was delicious as was a sweet pork belly. I was thirsty from the salty meat dishes so I searched for water or a soda. I couldn’t find either one so I settled on a white wine. Seating was only available in the VIP area which was roped off. After an hour of standing I was getting tired. I can’t imagine how the women standing in their high heals managed. When Terry wandered off in search of more food, I sat on my camping chair. A chef walked by and, pointing to his temple he said, “You were smart to bring your own chair.”

There was a chef throw-down competition on the main stage. The competition only lasted 10 minutes so I didn’t try and sketch. 150 Keys were being sold for $25. One of those keys would open a door to a wine cellar containing thousands of dollars worth of wine. At the end of the evening a long line of people gathered to try their luck at unlocking the door. It only took five attempts before a woman’s key worked. She shouted in delight. Taste of the Nation Orlando raised $167,500 to fight hunger in Central Florida that night.

Southern Fried Sunday

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Southern Fried Sunday organized by Jessica Pawli was an all day music festival and more with ticket sales going to benefit the Mustard Seed. It was Jessica’s birthday and she celebrated by giving back to the community. The benefit featured 17 musical acts at 3 venues on Mills Avenue. The Mustard Seed is a furniture and clothing bank that helps rebuild lives of individuals and families who have experienced a tragedy, disaster or homelessness. When I arrived at Mills Avenue I decided I wanted to draw Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors. Women in bikinis were holding signs that read, “Free beer” and some were hula hooping. There was a long line of black Harley Davidson motorcycles parked in front of the bar. I sat down and the second I opened my sketchbook it started to rain. I rushed up the street to Will’s Pub.

I was issued a tan armband. I walked into the dark room with a stage. People were seated all around the edge of the room and there were no empty sects left so I sat on my camping stool up close to the stage. Bartender Brian Hanson was performing. I didn’t know if he had just started or if he was almost finished so I worked quickly. He closed his eyes lost in the music. His deep raspy voice filled the room. Sure enough he had only one song more to sing. When he got off stage he spoke to the woman seated beside me. Her name was Mech Anism. He didn’t think it was one of his better performances.

“Greenland is Melting” from Gainsville Florida was the next group up. Their lively act had everyone clapping and swaying. The guy on the cello bobbed his head up and down violently, his hair a flowing mad mess.The guitarist and banjo player harmonized the lyrics. I was having so much fun sketching to the music. I could have listened to these guys all day.It was over way too fast.

“Kitchy Kittens Burlesque Dancers” wandered through the crowd asking for donations for Mustard Seed. They looked amazing in their 1940’s Pin Up Girl themed costumes. They were on stage for only a minute so I didn’t catch them in a sketch. I couldn’t stay all day. I had time for one more sketch before meeting my wife Terry, Amanda Chadwick and Matt Simantov at the Food Truck Bazaar.