Hello All,
Happy Fall! I am personally not ready yet to give up the warmer temperatures... and my sinuses have had enough of the rise and fall of this weird weather we have been having as of late - 90 degrees one day - 60s the next...
Anyway, enough of that...
The Fall issue is packed with lots of fabulous content that my intern (yes, I have an intern) has graciously helped me go through and make it the best it can be. Have fun looking through it!
Remember - we are always looking for stories, artwork, etc. Email me at holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com We are taking submissions for the Winter issue now...
Thanks,
Nicole
Monday, October 2, 2017
Musings for Moms: Driving - Fall 2017
Is it just me or have the people on the road started driving a whole
lot worse? People have no qualms about crossing the line while they are behind the wheel nowadays. I am not saying it’s primarily men or women, or new drivers versus experienced ones—as a whole, there are a lot of people that are on the road that shouldn’t be.
And the popularity of cell phones and the social media aspect of it all makes people that much more dangerous behind the wheel. When I first started driving 25 years ago, I had a cell phone but you paid per minute used (it was primarily for emergencies) and there was definitely nothing ‘smart’ about it.
Now we have evolved into a society that cannot put their phones down long enough to make sure we don’t run a stop sign or red light. There are cars that can get wifi because we can’t go on the road without being connected.
According to a Teen Driving Statistics website in 2012, 2,823 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 died in motor vehicle crashes. 48% of those crashes were single-vehicle accidents. Compare that to 1975 statistics and the number increased by 68%.
Driver error seems to be a big issue when it comes to accidents – but what does that mean? Is it because they took their eyes off the road a split second too long, over-corrected their steering wheels, zoning out?
Drinking and social media were the primary blames for a fatal accident over the summer that took the lives of several younger women. There was another accident on the parkway where a woman went the wrong way on an on-ramp and hit a family taking their newborn baby home from the hospital. The baby will need ongoing surgeries.
This summer while the family and I were coming home from the beach, there was a very large car carrier tractor trailer loaded with new cars – going way too fast – that didn’t slow down enough for the curve in the interstate and almost lost his load. Thankfully he was able to pull his shit together and not flip – because that would have caused a chain reaction of accidents.
Bottom line, if you go out and have a few drinks, call a taxi or Uber. Texting or social media apps – don’t do it while driving.
And the popularity of cell phones and the social media aspect of it all makes people that much more dangerous behind the wheel. When I first started driving 25 years ago, I had a cell phone but you paid per minute used (it was primarily for emergencies) and there was definitely nothing ‘smart’ about it.
Now we have evolved into a society that cannot put their phones down long enough to make sure we don’t run a stop sign or red light. There are cars that can get wifi because we can’t go on the road without being connected.
According to a Teen Driving Statistics website in 2012, 2,823 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 died in motor vehicle crashes. 48% of those crashes were single-vehicle accidents. Compare that to 1975 statistics and the number increased by 68%.
Driver error seems to be a big issue when it comes to accidents – but what does that mean? Is it because they took their eyes off the road a split second too long, over-corrected their steering wheels, zoning out?
Drinking and social media were the primary blames for a fatal accident over the summer that took the lives of several younger women. There was another accident on the parkway where a woman went the wrong way on an on-ramp and hit a family taking their newborn baby home from the hospital. The baby will need ongoing surgeries.
This summer while the family and I were coming home from the beach, there was a very large car carrier tractor trailer loaded with new cars – going way too fast – that didn’t slow down enough for the curve in the interstate and almost lost his load. Thankfully he was able to pull his shit together and not flip – because that would have caused a chain reaction of accidents.
Bottom line, if you go out and have a few drinks, call a taxi or Uber. Texting or social media apps – don’t do it while driving.
Artwork - Fall 2017
Artists statement
Artist statement
I’ve started to draw the city and the unique scenes it offers. As a hyper-realistic artist, there is plenty of detail and beauty to be found in this city which I plan on picking like a flower and showingto my audience. To me East Liberty is an example of the hidden scenic gems the city holds.
A Sport for the Uncoordinated - Fall 2017
Anyone who knows me will readily tell you that I am the furthest thing from athletic or coordinated that a person can be.
So when my husband spontaneously purchased kayaks last fall for our anniversary, I was hesitant to believe that the money he spent would be worth it.
I had kayaked a few times before – once in the sound side of the Outer Banks when I was about twelve or thirteen, and again several years ago at the North Park Boat House right before my husband and I got married. While I love to swim, I had an unreasonable fear of falling into the water on those first couple of trips, and was left with sore shoulders and a familiar feeling of athletic inadequacy after the short tours were over.
But I have been pleased to learn that over the last year, kayaking could easily become one of the only athletic activities my uncoordinated self may actually enjoy.
After the purchase of the kayaks, we were eager to get them into the water ASAP. Living close to The Waterfront in Homestead, we had heard of Duck Hollow and how it played host to fisherman, canoers, and kayakers. So it was a no-brainer to take the short fifteen minute drive, maneuver through the short span of woods, and carry the kayaks down to the riverfront.
Unfortunately, that was the easy part. Once in the water, the current made its presence known immediately. The initial part of the trip wasn’t very strenuous, but by the time we were ready to turn back against the current, I realized I was way in over my head. It had been years since I’d been in a kayak, and although I have a relatively regular routine of lifting hand weights at home while I watch my guilty pleasures on TV, my otherwise unused muscles were not prepared to propel my kayak against the Monongahela. As I watched my much-stronger and faster husband paddle seemingly effortlessly ahead of me, I became convinced that I was not moving at all. The tree line on either side of me looked the same after twenty minutes, and the giant barge gliding through the water thirty yards away from me was intimidating, its giant body causing more wake for me to battle against.
Somehow I eventually made it back to our launch spot. I was exhausted and recovering from a panic attack, but I didn’t want my husband to regret spending money on our new kayaks. Our first two adventures took place in the river, and I had to admit that the expeditions were entirely too strenuous and borderline scary for a panicky, weak-armed person like myself.
Since the river had proved to be more of a battle than anything else, we decided to head to North Park for our next adventure.
As soon as my paddle hit the water, I knew this was going to be better than fighting the mighty Mon.
Here, I could paddle at my leisure with as much or as little effort as I wanted. I could take breaks, letting the gentle wind slowly push me across the lake or spin me around for an alternate view of the park itself. I felt comfortable enough to remove my lifejacket, and even managed a few laughs as I accidently-on-purpose plowed my kayak into my husband’s. Not only was the water calmer and the actual experience more enjoyable and relaxing, but the launch from the sandy shore was easier and there were plenty of people around to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Our most recent expedition found us at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. Years ago, we had taken a pontoon boat out on the lake, but this was our first time using the kayaks. Like at North Park, our launch from the sandy shores was smooth and easy, and I actually looked forward to spending the next hour paddling around the lake.
It was a gorgeous July day – blue skies, puffy white clouds, not too hot, not too cold. Wind gusted in every direction, setting the sailboats and kite-boarders for a thrill. Fishing boats and pontoon boats dotted the landscape, and couples walked along the shore with their dogs and kids.
After only a couple of minutes, I realized that the normally calm lake was actually quite choppy. The combination of the wind and the intersecting wake from all the boats was creating small waves that were large enough to crest over the sides of my coral colored kayak. I laughed when the first couple poured in over the sides, soaking my gym pants and tank top, and dug in deep with my paddle while my husband and I rowed to the shade of a bridge in the distance. By the time we got there, the two of us were pretty well-soaked. We were laughing and having fun, and while the choppy water was still no big deal in comparison to the strong current of the Mon, it was clear that this was not going to be the relaxing day on the lake like the ones we’d had at North Park.
Our journey back to the shore was the same as our journey out – our kayaks bucked and dipped, waves smacked us on our backs and on our sides, and our clothes and seats were wetter than they’d ever been on any other adventure. By the time we pulled back onto the soft sands of the grassy beach, we were laughing hysterically and dripping wet. It was at that moment that we realized we had forgotten towels.
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve found our groove as new kayakers. My husband is insistent that he wants to kayak someday to The Point, but I doubt my arms will ever be strong enough to carry us that far. In the meantime, we plan on trying out Keystone Lake and Twin Lakes Park for our next outings, and may even haul our little boats to the Outer Banks for our vacation in September.
So despite the fact that I can barely chew gum and walk at the same time, and certainly can’t call myself coordinated enough for a sport like softball or volleyball, I think kayaking may be a perfect fit for me.
So when my husband spontaneously purchased kayaks last fall for our anniversary, I was hesitant to believe that the money he spent would be worth it.
I had kayaked a few times before – once in the sound side of the Outer Banks when I was about twelve or thirteen, and again several years ago at the North Park Boat House right before my husband and I got married. While I love to swim, I had an unreasonable fear of falling into the water on those first couple of trips, and was left with sore shoulders and a familiar feeling of athletic inadequacy after the short tours were over.
But I have been pleased to learn that over the last year, kayaking could easily become one of the only athletic activities my uncoordinated self may actually enjoy.
After the purchase of the kayaks, we were eager to get them into the water ASAP. Living close to The Waterfront in Homestead, we had heard of Duck Hollow and how it played host to fisherman, canoers, and kayakers. So it was a no-brainer to take the short fifteen minute drive, maneuver through the short span of woods, and carry the kayaks down to the riverfront.
Unfortunately, that was the easy part. Once in the water, the current made its presence known immediately. The initial part of the trip wasn’t very strenuous, but by the time we were ready to turn back against the current, I realized I was way in over my head. It had been years since I’d been in a kayak, and although I have a relatively regular routine of lifting hand weights at home while I watch my guilty pleasures on TV, my otherwise unused muscles were not prepared to propel my kayak against the Monongahela. As I watched my much-stronger and faster husband paddle seemingly effortlessly ahead of me, I became convinced that I was not moving at all. The tree line on either side of me looked the same after twenty minutes, and the giant barge gliding through the water thirty yards away from me was intimidating, its giant body causing more wake for me to battle against.
Somehow I eventually made it back to our launch spot. I was exhausted and recovering from a panic attack, but I didn’t want my husband to regret spending money on our new kayaks. Our first two adventures took place in the river, and I had to admit that the expeditions were entirely too strenuous and borderline scary for a panicky, weak-armed person like myself.
Since the river had proved to be more of a battle than anything else, we decided to head to North Park for our next adventure.
As soon as my paddle hit the water, I knew this was going to be better than fighting the mighty Mon.
Here, I could paddle at my leisure with as much or as little effort as I wanted. I could take breaks, letting the gentle wind slowly push me across the lake or spin me around for an alternate view of the park itself. I felt comfortable enough to remove my lifejacket, and even managed a few laughs as I accidently-on-purpose plowed my kayak into my husband’s. Not only was the water calmer and the actual experience more enjoyable and relaxing, but the launch from the sandy shore was easier and there were plenty of people around to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Our most recent expedition found us at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park. Years ago, we had taken a pontoon boat out on the lake, but this was our first time using the kayaks. Like at North Park, our launch from the sandy shores was smooth and easy, and I actually looked forward to spending the next hour paddling around the lake.
It was a gorgeous July day – blue skies, puffy white clouds, not too hot, not too cold. Wind gusted in every direction, setting the sailboats and kite-boarders for a thrill. Fishing boats and pontoon boats dotted the landscape, and couples walked along the shore with their dogs and kids.
After only a couple of minutes, I realized that the normally calm lake was actually quite choppy. The combination of the wind and the intersecting wake from all the boats was creating small waves that were large enough to crest over the sides of my coral colored kayak. I laughed when the first couple poured in over the sides, soaking my gym pants and tank top, and dug in deep with my paddle while my husband and I rowed to the shade of a bridge in the distance. By the time we got there, the two of us were pretty well-soaked. We were laughing and having fun, and while the choppy water was still no big deal in comparison to the strong current of the Mon, it was clear that this was not going to be the relaxing day on the lake like the ones we’d had at North Park.
Our journey back to the shore was the same as our journey out – our kayaks bucked and dipped, waves smacked us on our backs and on our sides, and our clothes and seats were wetter than they’d ever been on any other adventure. By the time we pulled back onto the soft sands of the grassy beach, we were laughing hysterically and dripping wet. It was at that moment that we realized we had forgotten towels.
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve found our groove as new kayakers. My husband is insistent that he wants to kayak someday to The Point, but I doubt my arms will ever be strong enough to carry us that far. In the meantime, we plan on trying out Keystone Lake and Twin Lakes Park for our next outings, and may even haul our little boats to the Outer Banks for our vacation in September.
So despite the fact that I can barely chew gum and walk at the same time, and certainly can’t call myself coordinated enough for a sport like softball or volleyball, I think kayaking may be a perfect fit for me.
Stacy is a 2003 graduate of West Mifflin Area High School and has completed two courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature. She writes novels for teenagers and adults, both of which can be found on Amazon. Stacy lives in Munhall with her husband and fur kid, and besides writing, enjoys reading, Penguins hockey, and traveling.
Liberace in Lawrenceville - Fall 2017
It was the day that Kennedy died, and Liberace was crying all the way
to the Holiday House—sequined star, at forty-four the fair-haired boy
adored by unloved mothers and daughters. There was no show: respect
for the dead President (none for that other Lee, felled by a glistening Ruby).
Liberace worked a shuttered dressing room, cleaning sparkling costumes
with Carbona, known to TV repairmen and huffers—fire-resistant and sweet
as antifreeze. He was used to the fumes, like the buzz of a crowd. Next night,
standing room only for “Birth of the Blues” on twinkling ivories. A dizzy Lee
cut the concert short, collapsing backstage in a slick of his own vomit. They rushed
him to St. Francis. He was there anyway, his failing kidneys fluttering like birds
in the saint’s hand. While doctors shook their heads, sad metronomes, he ordered breakfast at Tiffany’s—the glitter that never fades—for his family and friends.
He was dying. But in that red brick house of pain, he felt his childhood Catholic
faith saving him. A gliding nun in white prayed to St. Anthony for something lost:
his innocence, perhaps. She whispered his boyish name, Walter. No one ever
knew who she was. The stained crosses in nearby St. Mary’s Cemetery began
cheering for him, in the oily rain of Extreme Unction. O Pittsburgh of Miracles.
O City of Machines. O artificial kidney, alien angel huge as a refrigerator,
doing the magic trick. An engineer named Mateer irrigated the star in crude dialysis.
Mid-December, a ghostly Lee waved the Sisters goodbye from his Hollywood car.
Twenty years later, he played Heinz Hall, buoyed by a bevy of hair-sprayed heads, mauve and cerulean, like the clouds of Catholic Heaven. Showered praise and cash
on St. Francis Hospital, whose remodeled Lawrenceville lobby would bear his name
and his gleaming portrait, that all-American-by-way-of-Poland-and-Italy smile.
Gone today. In the darkening days of St. Francis and Liberace’s reputation,
the nuns would move his portrait to an obscure aisle. Where is he now—
buried in rubble, or rising like Las Vegas in the rainbow grid of pick-up sticks
that fronts Pittsburgh’s fresh Children’s Hospital, shining gaily in his joy?
to the Holiday House—sequined star, at forty-four the fair-haired boy
adored by unloved mothers and daughters. There was no show: respect
for the dead President (none for that other Lee, felled by a glistening Ruby).
Liberace worked a shuttered dressing room, cleaning sparkling costumes
with Carbona, known to TV repairmen and huffers—fire-resistant and sweet
as antifreeze. He was used to the fumes, like the buzz of a crowd. Next night,
standing room only for “Birth of the Blues” on twinkling ivories. A dizzy Lee
cut the concert short, collapsing backstage in a slick of his own vomit. They rushed
him to St. Francis. He was there anyway, his failing kidneys fluttering like birds
in the saint’s hand. While doctors shook their heads, sad metronomes, he ordered breakfast at Tiffany’s—the glitter that never fades—for his family and friends.
He was dying. But in that red brick house of pain, he felt his childhood Catholic
faith saving him. A gliding nun in white prayed to St. Anthony for something lost:
his innocence, perhaps. She whispered his boyish name, Walter. No one ever
knew who she was. The stained crosses in nearby St. Mary’s Cemetery began
cheering for him, in the oily rain of Extreme Unction. O Pittsburgh of Miracles.
O City of Machines. O artificial kidney, alien angel huge as a refrigerator,
doing the magic trick. An engineer named Mateer irrigated the star in crude dialysis.
Mid-December, a ghostly Lee waved the Sisters goodbye from his Hollywood car.
Twenty years later, he played Heinz Hall, buoyed by a bevy of hair-sprayed heads, mauve and cerulean, like the clouds of Catholic Heaven. Showered praise and cash
on St. Francis Hospital, whose remodeled Lawrenceville lobby would bear his name
and his gleaming portrait, that all-American-by-way-of-Poland-and-Italy smile.
Gone today. In the darkening days of St. Francis and Liberace’s reputation,
the nuns would move his portrait to an obscure aisle. Where is he now—
buried in rubble, or rising like Las Vegas in the rainbow grid of pick-up sticks
that fronts Pittsburgh’s fresh Children’s Hospital, shining gaily in his joy?
Angele
Ellis’s latest collection is Under the
Kaufmann’s Clock: Fiction, Poems, and Photographs of Pittsburgh, with
photos by Rebecca Clever (Six Gallery Press). The author of four books,
Angele’s work also has appeared in sixty publications and thirteen anthologies,
including the forthcoming Unconditional
Surrender (Low Ghost Press), and Nasty
Woman & Bad Hombre (Lascaux Editions).
We
We nearly missed each other.
We bent down to pick up the silver coins scattered on the lawn.
We drank bottles of seawater.
We waited for the sun to heal the wound by itself.
We were tired of knives.
Our bouquets remained on a bench made of gray stone.
We graduated and reincarnated.
Our hearts were torn into pieces of the Sahara.
We read fire.
We dug the grave and whipped tranquility.
We, too far, too close.
We stood at the opposite ends of a rainy alley, showing indifference.
We embezzle others' kindness.
We, facing such lonliness, become vulnerable as a collapsing dam.
Meng Qi'Ang is currently a student majoring in English and philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. This poem was written during his study abroad period when he enjoyed being in a total isolation in Cambridge, England.
We bent down to pick up the silver coins scattered on the lawn.
We drank bottles of seawater.
We waited for the sun to heal the wound by itself.
We were tired of knives.
Our bouquets remained on a bench made of gray stone.
We graduated and reincarnated.
Our hearts were torn into pieces of the Sahara.
We read fire.
We dug the grave and whipped tranquility.
We, too far, too close.
We stood at the opposite ends of a rainy alley, showing indifference.
We embezzle others' kindness.
We, facing such lonliness, become vulnerable as a collapsing dam.
Meng Qi'Ang is currently a student majoring in English and philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. This poem was written during his study abroad period when he enjoyed being in a total isolation in Cambridge, England.
Sophia Hamilton - Interview - Fall 2017
Sophia Hamilton Interview
Sophia Hamilton is a contemporary romance author from Venice, California. Her debut novel, “The Stoplight”, is available now as paperback on Amazon, and as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo.
1. “The Stoplight” is your debut novel. How did you begin writing?
I have always enjoyed storytelling through the written word. I have always found it easy to write papers and stories in school. I like being creative – writing always allows me to do that.
2. “The Stoplight” follows Dan through some pretty crazy circumstances. Where did you get the idea to write “The Stoplight”?
A friend of mine was telling me about this place that she goes to regularly to eat and I got the idea for my main character to run a restaurant. The characters are in no way a reflection of the place she goes, other than it being family owned.
3. Why did you choose to self-publish your book rather than go through a publishing house? Do you have any advice to give other writers about the self-publishing process?
I went back and forth with this quite a bit actually. I would have rather gone through a publishing house because they promote the books – it’s hard to promote yourself when you are new to the scene. But I also didn’t want them to totally change my book into something it isn’t. I have also seen authors who start out with the indie route and then get attached with a pub house and have conflicts because they don’t have the creative freedoms they once had anymore. I would rather have that freedom and build my fan base.
4. Do you have plans for any future novels?
I do. There is potential in the book for it to be at least a trilogy. I have a great idea for the next book and have literally started putting pencil to paper for it.
5. What advice do you have for other writers seeking to get their start in publishing?
Follow your dreams. If you love what you have written – and it is of good quality – then go for it. Don’t let someone tell you that you aren’t good enough.
6. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
It’s not always easy – but that doesn’t mean not to follow your dreams. Be true to yourself and there is nothing to worry about.
Contact Sophia on Facebook at Sophia Hamilton, on Twitter at @sophiah_author, by email at sophiahamilton618@gmail.com, or on her website at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075ZZZQFQ and https://www.sophiahamiltonauthor.blogspot.com.
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, but still harbors a deep love for poetry. Her work has been featured in Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine, and The Holiday Cafe.
Sophia Hamilton is a contemporary romance author from Venice, California. Her debut novel, “The Stoplight”, is available now as paperback on Amazon, and as an e-book on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo.
1. “The Stoplight” is your debut novel. How did you begin writing?
I have always enjoyed storytelling through the written word. I have always found it easy to write papers and stories in school. I like being creative – writing always allows me to do that.
2. “The Stoplight” follows Dan through some pretty crazy circumstances. Where did you get the idea to write “The Stoplight”?
A friend of mine was telling me about this place that she goes to regularly to eat and I got the idea for my main character to run a restaurant. The characters are in no way a reflection of the place she goes, other than it being family owned.
3. Why did you choose to self-publish your book rather than go through a publishing house? Do you have any advice to give other writers about the self-publishing process?
I went back and forth with this quite a bit actually. I would have rather gone through a publishing house because they promote the books – it’s hard to promote yourself when you are new to the scene. But I also didn’t want them to totally change my book into something it isn’t. I have also seen authors who start out with the indie route and then get attached with a pub house and have conflicts because they don’t have the creative freedoms they once had anymore. I would rather have that freedom and build my fan base.
4. Do you have plans for any future novels?
I do. There is potential in the book for it to be at least a trilogy. I have a great idea for the next book and have literally started putting pencil to paper for it.
5. What advice do you have for other writers seeking to get their start in publishing?
Follow your dreams. If you love what you have written – and it is of good quality – then go for it. Don’t let someone tell you that you aren’t good enough.
6. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
It’s not always easy – but that doesn’t mean not to follow your dreams. Be true to yourself and there is nothing to worry about.
Contact Sophia on Facebook at Sophia Hamilton, on Twitter at @sophiah_author, by email at sophiahamilton618@gmail.com, or on her website at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075ZZZQFQ and https://www.sophiahamiltonauthor.blogspot.com.
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, but still harbors a deep love for poetry. Her work has been featured in Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine, and The Holiday Cafe.
Rocky Mountains - Fall 2017
When his mother came to visit his family
From the other side of this world, Michael
Took her to Banff for the sight of blue glaciers
In Columbia Icefield, a tour among Rockies
Massive, mighty, magnificent as the human mind
Some looking like castles in a nightmare
Some like Titanics among icebergs
Others like the haunches of dragons, Chinese
Or otherwise, fighting on an ocean at dusk
How come the trees are all so small. Are they
Man-planted? Mother asked. No, because
Of the harshest climatic conditions here, they
Have only a couple of weeks to grow in a year
Explained the tour guide, when Michael’s mind
Was wondering in the more wintry wildness
Near northern lights, where he could see
Neither rocks nor mountains, where a single
Flake turned his thought into blue glacier
Yuan Changming, nine-time Pushcart and one-time Best of Net nominee, published monographs on translation before moving out of China. With a Canadian PhD in English, Yuan currently edits Poetry Pacific with Allen Yuan in Vancouver; credits include Best of Best Canadian Poetry (2008-17), BestNewPoemsOnline, Threepenny Review and 1319 others across 40 countries.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Submission Requirments
Submission Requirements – The Holiday Café
What We Publish:
We will accept any fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, essays, photographs or drawings. Provided the content is not plagiarized, X-Rated, or racist the topic/subject matter at hand is at your discretion. If it is deemed not appropriate it will automatically be deleted without further discussion.
The contributor will maintain all rights to his/her work. We just ask that you do not submit us anything that you have sent to several journals for publication, we would like new works.
We would like all articles to be submitted in Word and photos in a jpeg format. If you do not have word, feel free to submit your works in the body of an email. Email submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
If your submission is accepted, you will hear back from Nicole, who will begin the editing processes on your articles. Nicole will email you when she receives your works, this however does not mean she has read them at that time, she will get in touch with you for editing suggestions and final decisions if the works are deemed publishable or not.
If your works are not deemed suitable for The Holiday Café don’t give up, try again. Work at it and resubmit.
What We Publish:
We will accept any fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, essays, photographs or drawings. Provided the content is not plagiarized, X-Rated, or racist the topic/subject matter at hand is at your discretion. If it is deemed not appropriate it will automatically be deleted without further discussion.
The contributor will maintain all rights to his/her work. We just ask that you do not submit us anything that you have sent to several journals for publication, we would like new works.
We would like all articles to be submitted in Word and photos in a jpeg format. If you do not have word, feel free to submit your works in the body of an email. Email submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
If your submission is accepted, you will hear back from Nicole, who will begin the editing processes on your articles. Nicole will email you when she receives your works, this however does not mean she has read them at that time, she will get in touch with you for editing suggestions and final decisions if the works are deemed publishable or not.
If your works are not deemed suitable for The Holiday Café don’t give up, try again. Work at it and resubmit.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Letter from the Editor - Summer 2017
Hello Cafe Readers,
Hope this issue finds you well... It has been a hot and wet summer here so far in Pittsburgh, but hey, I am not complaining - I will take the hot and rain over cold and snow any day!
First and foremost, I would like to thank Rachael Bindas, who not only scored an interview with author T. Gephart, but also helped me out with this issue, doing various tasks. I am hoping I can convince her to help for the Fall issue as well...
We have a pretty jammed packed issue, as mentioned above we have an interview with T. Gephart, and also BLaCK CaT MOan - who opened for the legendary Buddy Guy, along with a painting from Mary Dunn, along with other fantastic pieces.
As always, I cannot make this happen without you - please send submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Enjoy the warm weather and see you in the fall!
Hope this issue finds you well... It has been a hot and wet summer here so far in Pittsburgh, but hey, I am not complaining - I will take the hot and rain over cold and snow any day!
First and foremost, I would like to thank Rachael Bindas, who not only scored an interview with author T. Gephart, but also helped me out with this issue, doing various tasks. I am hoping I can convince her to help for the Fall issue as well...
We have a pretty jammed packed issue, as mentioned above we have an interview with T. Gephart, and also BLaCK CaT MOan - who opened for the legendary Buddy Guy, along with a painting from Mary Dunn, along with other fantastic pieces.
As always, I cannot make this happen without you - please send submissions to holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Enjoy the warm weather and see you in the fall!
T Gephart Interview - Summer 2017
T Gephart is an internationally and USA Today best-selling author from Melbourne, Australia. Gephart is the author of the Lexi, Black Addiction, Power Station, and #1 Series, as well as several standalones. Her latest novel, Train Wreck, will be released on July 10th. You can find her on Facebook at T Gephart, or at www.tgephart.com
1. How did you begin writing?
I started writing on a dare. I have always been a storyteller, my travels in life have meant that I had a lot of interesting experiences to share and I have enjoyed sharing them with my friends. I loved how entertained they were by my antics, and it made me happy, but as far as formal writing went, I didn’t see myself as a writer. Then on a dare, I wrote a book for my friends as a Christmas present. It was filled with some of my craziness (stories that had actually happened) and fiction—this was my chance to embellish and colour it how I wanted—but I never intended or expected it to be published for general consumption. We were supposed to read it, laugh about it, and then move on with our lives. After reading my first “book” they begged me for a second part and pushed me to self publish it. I wasn’t interested and was resistant for a while but finally I put it out there more so they would stop badgering me. Again, I assumed it would be thrown out into the world and we’d all go back to our lives like nothing happened. Ironically, it seemed fate had other plans and my first book, “A Twist of Fate,” got noticed with readers devouring it. I assumed it was a fluke so when I pushed publish on my second book I didn’t expect much, but again I was wrong. It seemed that readers enjoyed my voice and my craziness so I decided I would continue until I didn’t enjoy it anymore or they stopped reading. I’ve just finished writing my 16th book so I guess neither of us are done just yet ;-)
2. Many of your books take place outside of Australia, in the U.S. How do you make sure to capture the atmospheres of the American cities accurately, while still living in Australia?
My first series, “The Lexi Series,” starts in Melbourne and then moves to New York and there’s a novella, “Lexi,” set in Rome. Other than that, all of my books are set in the USA. I have been travelling to the US since 1994. I was an 18 year old—gasp, I’m really that old—and decided I wanted to go to LA by myself and see the world. Of course, it wasn’t as awesome as I thought it was going to be (Pre-internet meant I didn’t know I’d booked a hotel in a not so nice part of town) but it whetted my appetite for travel and I came back a few—a LOT— more times. New York was and still is one of my favorite cities which is why most of my books are set there. I won’t write about a place I’ve never been, and I am lucky enough to have lived in the US and have a lot of friends and family still there. It means I have a good grasp of not only the geography but of the vernacular as well. I also make sure not to assume; if I don’t know something I make sure I ask a local, Google can’t give you the personal touch.
3. In your website biography, you seem to pride yourself on living an ‘eclectic’ and ‘unconventional’ life. What is the craziest story from your personal experiences that you’re willing to share with fans?
I’d like to plead the fifth LOL. I have so many crazy, crazy stories, some of which I’m not sure whether or not the statue of limitations have passed. Trying to think of one that would be suitable for print. Ummmmmm. Okay, this one I think is safe considering I’m no longer in the country. And it’s not too crazy per se but still a lot of fun. When I was in Ireland last year I infiltrated the set of Vikings (History channel series) I walked around the sets and snooped around like a complete stalker. I have photos of myself sitting in Lagertha’s chair and walking around Ragnar’s house and the Viking village. I was on set for about an hour and a half before the crew realized I wasn’t an “extra” LOL. I wasn’t arrested but politely asked to leave. I will say that my mouth and my Aussie accent have gotten me out of a lot of trouble. ;-)
4. Your protagonists seem to be strong, empowered, self-made women that are deeply in tune with their femininity and sexuality. How do you think your protagonists affect the existing literary landscape?
I write characters I want to read. It’s that simple and I think there are a lot of readers who also want to read strong woman. That doesn’t mean they can’t have some softness and vulnerability to them. I want the light and the shade to all my characters and we—women—are so critical of ourselves and each other I hope that my characters force readers to examine how we see each other. I don’t think my writing is ground breaking, and there are many, many authors with strong and compelling women in their pages so I’m not arrogant to think that my books and/or characters are altering the landscape. I feel like more a ripple, which is hopefully part of a bigger wave, and together we are creating strong women in fiction reflective of the strong women in our reality.
5. What advice do you have for writers looking to self-publish, rather than sign with publishing houses?
Publishing houses publish what they believe is marketable, not necessarily what is “good”. They are accountable to their bottom line and taking risks isn’t always part of that equation which means they have to pass over things that are brilliant but might not have wide appeal. Self-publishing gives you more freedom and greater control and when done correctly, can give you a HUGE sense of accomplishment and financial reward. When I became a USA Today bestseller, it was my name listed as the publisher and that felt pretty amazing. I am a CEO of my own corporation, and I make the decisions of when, where, or how I write. But that doesn’t mean I get to put out a half rate product or that I don’t have the pressure of a deadline. I think there are people who believe that self-publishing is inferior but this is not always true. I employ and contract designers so that my covers are professional, editors so my work is polished, promotional and marketing people, as well as others. It’s a costly exercise to get a book to market and those want to do it shouldn’t be tempted to cut corners. Respect your readers, don’t think they won’t notice or deserve less than your best. But if you do it right, then there is no greater reward than sitting back and knowing you got there under your own steam. The BIG FIVE publishing houses are no longer the gatekeepers, which means it’s an exciting time to publish. Make a decision that is right for you, and don’t let ego be a deciding factor. It’s nice to see a book on a shelf but it’s even nicer to have written a book you believe in and can stand behind.
6. Where do you see yourself and your writing in the future?
I constantly joke I’m one book away from busking under a bridge somewhere. LOL The industry, like all areas of entertainment, is fickle. What was “hot” and “in demand” can change so quickly so I don’t write to trend. I write how I always have written—what I want to read and hope others do too. I can’t stress it enough, ego has no place here. I know that I will be writing for the rest of my life. I’m a storyteller, I always have been, but whether my stories are commercially available will remain the decision of my readers. Publishing is expensive and when it no longer becomes viable, then I will do something else and my “books” will once again be gifts for my friends. Hopefully I have a long career ahead of me; in literary terms I am a baby, but if it all goes away tomorrow I have had one hell of a ride and regret nothing. Plus, it made a great story ;-)
7. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
The best advice I have to give for ANYTHING (not just writing) is to it do it with 100% commitment. I have a sign that sits in my office that reads “I was warned not to bite off more than I could chew, but I’d rather choke on greatness than nibble at mediocrity.” There is absolutely no shame in failure, to have tried something and epically crashed and burned. It makes you a better person, and it sure as hell made me a better writer. So don’t fear failure; instead welcome the lessons it’s going to teach you. And when you do finally succeed— and you will—it will all be worth it.
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, but still harbors a deep love for poetry. Her work has been featured in Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine, and The Holiday Cafe.
1. How did you begin writing?
I started writing on a dare. I have always been a storyteller, my travels in life have meant that I had a lot of interesting experiences to share and I have enjoyed sharing them with my friends. I loved how entertained they were by my antics, and it made me happy, but as far as formal writing went, I didn’t see myself as a writer. Then on a dare, I wrote a book for my friends as a Christmas present. It was filled with some of my craziness (stories that had actually happened) and fiction—this was my chance to embellish and colour it how I wanted—but I never intended or expected it to be published for general consumption. We were supposed to read it, laugh about it, and then move on with our lives. After reading my first “book” they begged me for a second part and pushed me to self publish it. I wasn’t interested and was resistant for a while but finally I put it out there more so they would stop badgering me. Again, I assumed it would be thrown out into the world and we’d all go back to our lives like nothing happened. Ironically, it seemed fate had other plans and my first book, “A Twist of Fate,” got noticed with readers devouring it. I assumed it was a fluke so when I pushed publish on my second book I didn’t expect much, but again I was wrong. It seemed that readers enjoyed my voice and my craziness so I decided I would continue until I didn’t enjoy it anymore or they stopped reading. I’ve just finished writing my 16th book so I guess neither of us are done just yet ;-)
2. Many of your books take place outside of Australia, in the U.S. How do you make sure to capture the atmospheres of the American cities accurately, while still living in Australia?
My first series, “The Lexi Series,” starts in Melbourne and then moves to New York and there’s a novella, “Lexi,” set in Rome. Other than that, all of my books are set in the USA. I have been travelling to the US since 1994. I was an 18 year old—gasp, I’m really that old—and decided I wanted to go to LA by myself and see the world. Of course, it wasn’t as awesome as I thought it was going to be (Pre-internet meant I didn’t know I’d booked a hotel in a not so nice part of town) but it whetted my appetite for travel and I came back a few—a LOT— more times. New York was and still is one of my favorite cities which is why most of my books are set there. I won’t write about a place I’ve never been, and I am lucky enough to have lived in the US and have a lot of friends and family still there. It means I have a good grasp of not only the geography but of the vernacular as well. I also make sure not to assume; if I don’t know something I make sure I ask a local, Google can’t give you the personal touch.
3. In your website biography, you seem to pride yourself on living an ‘eclectic’ and ‘unconventional’ life. What is the craziest story from your personal experiences that you’re willing to share with fans?
I’d like to plead the fifth LOL. I have so many crazy, crazy stories, some of which I’m not sure whether or not the statue of limitations have passed. Trying to think of one that would be suitable for print. Ummmmmm. Okay, this one I think is safe considering I’m no longer in the country. And it’s not too crazy per se but still a lot of fun. When I was in Ireland last year I infiltrated the set of Vikings (History channel series) I walked around the sets and snooped around like a complete stalker. I have photos of myself sitting in Lagertha’s chair and walking around Ragnar’s house and the Viking village. I was on set for about an hour and a half before the crew realized I wasn’t an “extra” LOL. I wasn’t arrested but politely asked to leave. I will say that my mouth and my Aussie accent have gotten me out of a lot of trouble. ;-)
4. Your protagonists seem to be strong, empowered, self-made women that are deeply in tune with their femininity and sexuality. How do you think your protagonists affect the existing literary landscape?
I write characters I want to read. It’s that simple and I think there are a lot of readers who also want to read strong woman. That doesn’t mean they can’t have some softness and vulnerability to them. I want the light and the shade to all my characters and we—women—are so critical of ourselves and each other I hope that my characters force readers to examine how we see each other. I don’t think my writing is ground breaking, and there are many, many authors with strong and compelling women in their pages so I’m not arrogant to think that my books and/or characters are altering the landscape. I feel like more a ripple, which is hopefully part of a bigger wave, and together we are creating strong women in fiction reflective of the strong women in our reality.
5. What advice do you have for writers looking to self-publish, rather than sign with publishing houses?
Publishing houses publish what they believe is marketable, not necessarily what is “good”. They are accountable to their bottom line and taking risks isn’t always part of that equation which means they have to pass over things that are brilliant but might not have wide appeal. Self-publishing gives you more freedom and greater control and when done correctly, can give you a HUGE sense of accomplishment and financial reward. When I became a USA Today bestseller, it was my name listed as the publisher and that felt pretty amazing. I am a CEO of my own corporation, and I make the decisions of when, where, or how I write. But that doesn’t mean I get to put out a half rate product or that I don’t have the pressure of a deadline. I think there are people who believe that self-publishing is inferior but this is not always true. I employ and contract designers so that my covers are professional, editors so my work is polished, promotional and marketing people, as well as others. It’s a costly exercise to get a book to market and those want to do it shouldn’t be tempted to cut corners. Respect your readers, don’t think they won’t notice or deserve less than your best. But if you do it right, then there is no greater reward than sitting back and knowing you got there under your own steam. The BIG FIVE publishing houses are no longer the gatekeepers, which means it’s an exciting time to publish. Make a decision that is right for you, and don’t let ego be a deciding factor. It’s nice to see a book on a shelf but it’s even nicer to have written a book you believe in and can stand behind.
6. Where do you see yourself and your writing in the future?
I constantly joke I’m one book away from busking under a bridge somewhere. LOL The industry, like all areas of entertainment, is fickle. What was “hot” and “in demand” can change so quickly so I don’t write to trend. I write how I always have written—what I want to read and hope others do too. I can’t stress it enough, ego has no place here. I know that I will be writing for the rest of my life. I’m a storyteller, I always have been, but whether my stories are commercially available will remain the decision of my readers. Publishing is expensive and when it no longer becomes viable, then I will do something else and my “books” will once again be gifts for my friends. Hopefully I have a long career ahead of me; in literary terms I am a baby, but if it all goes away tomorrow I have had one hell of a ride and regret nothing. Plus, it made a great story ;-)
7. Do you have anything else you would like to add?
The best advice I have to give for ANYTHING (not just writing) is to it do it with 100% commitment. I have a sign that sits in my office that reads “I was warned not to bite off more than I could chew, but I’d rather choke on greatness than nibble at mediocrity.” There is absolutely no shame in failure, to have tried something and epically crashed and burned. It makes you a better person, and it sure as hell made me a better writer. So don’t fear failure; instead welcome the lessons it’s going to teach you. And when you do finally succeed— and you will—it will all be worth it.
Rachael Bindas is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, PA. She focuses mainly on fiction, but still harbors a deep love for poetry. Her work has been featured in Moledro Magazine, Aeons, The Curious Element Magazine, and The Holiday Cafe.
Bokeh Unicorn - Summer 2017
Mary has been painting since the age of 12. Throughout her life, she dabbled in oils, and now, since she has retired, Mary has been at it full time. Her mediums have expanded to include acrylic and pastels. Three years ago, Mary became a certified Alexander wet-on-wet* instructor.
Additionally, over the last few years, Mary has been exhibiting all over the Pittsburgh area.
For eight years, she has been teaching acrylic painting at Pat Catan’s, as well as various companies that offer painting parties, and through her own DaVine Creations-paint parties in the home. Her recent endeavor is teaching at Paint Parties and More located in White Oak, PA.
Mary has more exciting news in the paint arena as she began free painting lessons on her YouTube channel. The painting above is an example of one of her finished paintings that she instructs via her YouTube. She does this as a step-by-step process using acrylic paint. It’s fun and simple, and most people can accomplish the painting as she provides outlines that help the viewer draw the actual subject. All materials used are listed for the viewer’s convenience.
If you would like to learn to paint, check out her channel. All one has to do is subscribe and enjoy the journey.
To see how to paint the above Unicorn go to this link.
* Wet on Wet is a technique of applying many layers of oil paint but not waiting until the previous layer is dry.
Outer Banks Soul - Summer 2017
With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer is said to be in full swing. It’s that time of year when most people will take a vacation to some place new and exciting, or return to a favorite location close to their hearts. I fall into the latter category, and while my vacation won’t happen until right after Labor Day, I’m already impatient with anticipation about our trip to my favorite place in the world, the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Many Pittsburghers are frequent visitors to the affectionately nicknamed “ribbon of sand” that juts precariously out into the Atlantic Ocean, and my (and my family’s) history with the place started a long time ago. My grandparents began visiting the spot for themselves in the seventies, and I grew up listening to my mom and her siblings tell stories about camping on the beach countless times throughout my childhood. I even remember, at about age six, having a tiny pink t-shirt that read “Nags Head, NC.” “What’s Nags Head?” I remember asking my mom, puzzled over the odd sounding first word and its partner. “A town near the beach,” she replied.
I’d have to wait until the summer I was eleven before experiencing this “Nags Head” myself, and although that first trip was more than twenty years ago, it was the start of my love for a place whose charm, history, and undeniable sense of peace has settled into my heart and soul.
Any article or vacation website can tell you about the unspoiled beaches, the original oceanfront cottages from the early 1900’s, or the family-owned restaurants dotting the coast on this 130-mile stretch of barrier island. But over my ten visits to this beautiful spot, I’ve learned to appreciate more of the little things that would stir any traveler’s soul.
For me it started by learning how to swim in the tumultuous ocean – jumping over waves, letting them roll over or under you, and how to recover when one knocked you out flat. I learned to deal with the burn and tang of salt in my eyes and nose, and the scrape of the sand against sunburned skin. I spent countless nights being rocked to sleep in a beach house on stilts that swayed in the coastal winds, and although I was entranced by their beauty and elusive nature, to admire the wild horses of Corolla from a distance.
The horses, which are descendants of wild Colonial Mustangs, are just one piece of history Outer Banks offers. That history, like the ocean, is also something that took time for me to learn to understand and respect. As a preteen, and even a teenager, I was always slightly bored by the Wright Brothers Museum and the ubiquitous posters depicted the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” But as I grew older, I found myself drawn to the varied past of the place and really started paying attention and seeking out information. I could spend hours writing or talking about the historical significance of the towns, but for now it will suffice to say that considering its relatively small size and secluded location, history is as varied here as it is in almost any town in the US.
The Wright Brothers Memorial commemorates the first successful, sustained flight in the sandy dunes of Kill Devil Hills, and although it was significantly larger decades ago, Jockey’s Ridge National Park is still home to the largest sand dunes on the East coast. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was one of the last recipients of Titanic’s distress call in 1912. That same lighthouse was actually moved inch by inch in 1999 to save it from beach erosion. And Virginia Dare, who the “beach road” is named after, was the first American-born child in the English Colonies of the New World.
While absorbing all of this history, I also found an explanation about my Nags Head t-shirt from so long ago. In the sixteen and seventeen hundreds, ships were lured close to shore on dark nights by lanterns hung from a horse’s–or—nag’s—head head and walked along the dunes, causing the ships to wreck in the shallow shoals. Pirates were responsible for many of these wrecks, and their ships, which were stocked with barrels of rum, went down in the churning sea. The rum they carried was said to be strong enough to “kill the devil,” and certain contraband, so when those barrels washed ashore, they were buried in the dunes of the beach. Hence the name “Kill Devil Hills.” Today, more than 1,000 shipwrecks have been documented off the coast, and many of them can still be seen from a plane, or even poking up from the sea floor during low tide. One of those shipwrecks even belonged to the infamous Blackbeard, whose last battle took place off the coast of Ocracoke in 1718.
It took two decades and ten or so visits to the Outer Banks for me to discover all of this, and so much more. And while this history and entertainment is certainly part of the reason I fell in love with the place, I also now believe I was on these beaches during significant times in my life. The first few visits found me struggling with adolescence and self-esteem, then growing to a confident and fearless teenager. When I was eighteen, the trip to the beach served as a sort of balm for the recent death of my grandfather, one half of the team who had discovered this family vacation spot so long ago. And when I brought my boyfriend –now husband—to the Outer Banks in 2009, I was excited to share it with him, but nervous that he would think it boring after his repeated cruises to the Caribbean. I was over the moon when he smiled at me over the table at Awful Arthur’s, declaring that he had just eaten the best tuna in his life, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him as we watched the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge and he lamented with me on our last night at the Atlantic Street Inn.
I always tell people that I cry when I arrive in the Outer Banks, and I cry when I leave. But in between those tears, I spend time shopping unique boutiques, soaking up the sun on the weathered deck of a beach house, and breathing in the salt air that seems to put a spell of tranquility on anyone within its reach. One day, I hope to call this place my home.
Stacy is a 2003 graduate of West Mifflin Area High School and has completed two courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature. She writes novels for teenagers and adults, both of which can be found on Amazon. Stacy lives in Munhall with her husband and fur kid, and besides writing, enjoys reading, Penguins hockey, and traveling.
Many Pittsburghers are frequent visitors to the affectionately nicknamed “ribbon of sand” that juts precariously out into the Atlantic Ocean, and my (and my family’s) history with the place started a long time ago. My grandparents began visiting the spot for themselves in the seventies, and I grew up listening to my mom and her siblings tell stories about camping on the beach countless times throughout my childhood. I even remember, at about age six, having a tiny pink t-shirt that read “Nags Head, NC.” “What’s Nags Head?” I remember asking my mom, puzzled over the odd sounding first word and its partner. “A town near the beach,” she replied.
I’d have to wait until the summer I was eleven before experiencing this “Nags Head” myself, and although that first trip was more than twenty years ago, it was the start of my love for a place whose charm, history, and undeniable sense of peace has settled into my heart and soul.
Any article or vacation website can tell you about the unspoiled beaches, the original oceanfront cottages from the early 1900’s, or the family-owned restaurants dotting the coast on this 130-mile stretch of barrier island. But over my ten visits to this beautiful spot, I’ve learned to appreciate more of the little things that would stir any traveler’s soul.
For me it started by learning how to swim in the tumultuous ocean – jumping over waves, letting them roll over or under you, and how to recover when one knocked you out flat. I learned to deal with the burn and tang of salt in my eyes and nose, and the scrape of the sand against sunburned skin. I spent countless nights being rocked to sleep in a beach house on stilts that swayed in the coastal winds, and although I was entranced by their beauty and elusive nature, to admire the wild horses of Corolla from a distance.
The horses, which are descendants of wild Colonial Mustangs, are just one piece of history Outer Banks offers. That history, like the ocean, is also something that took time for me to learn to understand and respect. As a preteen, and even a teenager, I was always slightly bored by the Wright Brothers Museum and the ubiquitous posters depicted the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” But as I grew older, I found myself drawn to the varied past of the place and really started paying attention and seeking out information. I could spend hours writing or talking about the historical significance of the towns, but for now it will suffice to say that considering its relatively small size and secluded location, history is as varied here as it is in almost any town in the US.
The Wright Brothers Memorial commemorates the first successful, sustained flight in the sandy dunes of Kill Devil Hills, and although it was significantly larger decades ago, Jockey’s Ridge National Park is still home to the largest sand dunes on the East coast. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was one of the last recipients of Titanic’s distress call in 1912. That same lighthouse was actually moved inch by inch in 1999 to save it from beach erosion. And Virginia Dare, who the “beach road” is named after, was the first American-born child in the English Colonies of the New World.
While absorbing all of this history, I also found an explanation about my Nags Head t-shirt from so long ago. In the sixteen and seventeen hundreds, ships were lured close to shore on dark nights by lanterns hung from a horse’s–or—nag’s—head head and walked along the dunes, causing the ships to wreck in the shallow shoals. Pirates were responsible for many of these wrecks, and their ships, which were stocked with barrels of rum, went down in the churning sea. The rum they carried was said to be strong enough to “kill the devil,” and certain contraband, so when those barrels washed ashore, they were buried in the dunes of the beach. Hence the name “Kill Devil Hills.” Today, more than 1,000 shipwrecks have been documented off the coast, and many of them can still be seen from a plane, or even poking up from the sea floor during low tide. One of those shipwrecks even belonged to the infamous Blackbeard, whose last battle took place off the coast of Ocracoke in 1718.
It took two decades and ten or so visits to the Outer Banks for me to discover all of this, and so much more. And while this history and entertainment is certainly part of the reason I fell in love with the place, I also now believe I was on these beaches during significant times in my life. The first few visits found me struggling with adolescence and self-esteem, then growing to a confident and fearless teenager. When I was eighteen, the trip to the beach served as a sort of balm for the recent death of my grandfather, one half of the team who had discovered this family vacation spot so long ago. And when I brought my boyfriend –now husband—to the Outer Banks in 2009, I was excited to share it with him, but nervous that he would think it boring after his repeated cruises to the Caribbean. I was over the moon when he smiled at me over the table at Awful Arthur’s, declaring that he had just eaten the best tuna in his life, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him as we watched the sunset from Jockey’s Ridge and he lamented with me on our last night at the Atlantic Street Inn.
I always tell people that I cry when I arrive in the Outer Banks, and I cry when I leave. But in between those tears, I spend time shopping unique boutiques, soaking up the sun on the weathered deck of a beach house, and breathing in the salt air that seems to put a spell of tranquility on anyone within its reach. One day, I hope to call this place my home.
Stacy is a 2003 graduate of West Mifflin Area High School and has completed two courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature. She writes novels for teenagers and adults, both of which can be found on Amazon. Stacy lives in Munhall with her husband and fur kid, and besides writing, enjoys reading, Penguins hockey, and traveling.
The Imagination Project - Summer 2017
Take a second. Remember when you were a kid, and everything in the world seemed so…possible? Imagination is the essence of childhood, allowing kids to grow, think, and explore their environments. Now imagine, that environment is a doctor’s office, a medical daycare, a hospital unit…
Pediatric patients deserve all of the happiness and lightheartedness of an imaginative childhood, and it is our mission to make that possible.
This year, the University of Pittsburgh welcomed a new, magical organization to campus: The Imagination Project (TIP). This student-run operation aims to brighten the lives of pediatric patients and special needs children in the community. TIP volunteers bring famous children’s characters to life, as they visit with medically fragile children, who need a little extra light, laughter, and wonder in their lives.
TIP’s members aim to make fun, meaningful experiences for the children and their families. The organization’s volunteers undergo Character Conditioning—extensive training and research where they learn to become their assigned character. It is very important that our actors are always prepared to give an authentic performance. The visits range from individual bedside appearances to attendance at large group events: tea parties, sing-alongs, story time circles, dance parties, anything that we can do to bring a child’s favorite character to life.
The best part about the mission is that is allows college-age students to give back to their community in a fun and loving experience. They get to witness the impact they are making, rebounded in the excitement of a child's reaction. It is truly making magic.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible" ~ Walt Disney
Pediatric patients deserve all of the happiness and lightheartedness of an imaginative childhood, and it is our mission to make that possible.
This year, the University of Pittsburgh welcomed a new, magical organization to campus: The Imagination Project (TIP). This student-run operation aims to brighten the lives of pediatric patients and special needs children in the community. TIP volunteers bring famous children’s characters to life, as they visit with medically fragile children, who need a little extra light, laughter, and wonder in their lives.
TIP’s members aim to make fun, meaningful experiences for the children and their families. The organization’s volunteers undergo Character Conditioning—extensive training and research where they learn to become their assigned character. It is very important that our actors are always prepared to give an authentic performance. The visits range from individual bedside appearances to attendance at large group events: tea parties, sing-alongs, story time circles, dance parties, anything that we can do to bring a child’s favorite character to life.
The best part about the mission is that is allows college-age students to give back to their community in a fun and loving experience. They get to witness the impact they are making, rebounded in the excitement of a child's reaction. It is truly making magic.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible" ~ Walt Disney
BLaCK CaT MOAN - Interview - Summer 2017
1. Can you tell our readers a little about your band, BLaCK CaT MOAN?
BLaCK CaT MOAN is an Americana/Blues Roots Band that coined the phrase, "New Vintage Blues." With St. George Byich on guitar and resonator and TK Mundok on vocals and harmonica,
they bring to life a music that harkens back to early folk field recordings and the Delta.
BLaCK CaT MOAN have been playing Folk, Jazz & Blues Festivals since 2013. In 2014 they opened for American Blues/ Soul singer, Billy Price, and in the summer of 2015 they went into the studio to record their album, “the SAINT, the MUNK & the MOAN," which has received internet radio play as far as Croatia.
BCM took home 2nd place in the Western Pennsylvania Blues Challenge in early 2016 and in August won 1st place in the First Annual Northern West Virginia Blues Challenge, and performed in the 2017 International Blues Challenge, held in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
With inspiration from Robert Johnson, Mississippi, John Hurt, and the recordings from Chess Records, BLaCK CaT MOAN does not mimic other musicians of that era, but rather brings a new vibe to a classic art form. While drawing inspiration from Robert Johnson, Mississippi, John Hurt, and the recordings from Chess Records, BLaCK CaT MOAN brings an entirely new vibe to a classic art form.
2. Recently, BLaCK CaT MOAN opened for the legendary Buddy Guy. How did you get to be the opening act?
What a great story. We did a fundraiser at MOONDOGS in Blawnox back in January to promote our trip to Memphis. We had a beautiful Burlesque Troupe work with us that evening as our opening act and I think we made a great impression. We were set to play at MOONDOGS the weekend before Buddy Guy with the Burlesque Troupe again, so George and I got together for a rehearsal. Mike Elko, the concert promoter for The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, called MOONDOGS looking for a two piece opening act for Mr. Guy. Ron Esser said he knew just the band and rang me up right then. That was about twelve days before the gig.
3. What did you take away from that performance?
What I personally took away from our performance with Buddy Guy was that, a room, is a room, is a room, no matter the size or who happens to be filling it at that time. The true stage is inside you, and your true audience is inside you. If I can keep it as simple as that, the house and the audience will always be happy with the experience.
4. There are stereotypes with artists which include lack of income. I know you have been in the art scene for a while. I feel you are talented and respected in both the music and art industry. What advice would you give to break that stereotype? Also, for artists that are just hitting dead ends or hitting points of frustration, what advice would you give to them?
I do think it's funny that the stereotype still exists and that your family will associate you with a starving artist if you tell them you want to paint or make music. The irony is that the majority of magazines show people in the entertainment world but they are not associated with being an artist - they're a celebrity. Being an artist doesn't mean being on the cover of a magazine, being both regarded for your work and destroyed for your life choices.
There's a perception that it must be all or nothing.
Thankfully , we now how have so many online platforms to exhibit work and promote ourselves;, being an artist can be a more mainstream idea. My advice is simple:, keep being yourself, keep doing your art as honestly as you can, as long as you can, and someone will catch on.
5. What do you want to do next? Who do you want to play with or open for in the future?
I always want to keep surprising myself. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone forces you try a new approach, so, I plan on exploring.
At this point, the way I currently am expressing myself, with BLaCK CaT MOAN anyway, it would make the most sense to open for or play with Jack White. I have a huge respect for him as an Artist. It will make for a good show, and a Great Collaboration.
You can find BLaCK CaAT MOAN on Facebook, or you can listen to and download the album, "the SAINT, the MUNK & the MOAN" at blackcatmoan.org
T.K. MUNDOK's artwork can be found on Instagram.
BLaCK CaT MOAN is an Americana/Blues Roots Band that coined the phrase, "New Vintage Blues." With St. George Byich on guitar and resonator and TK Mundok on vocals and harmonica,
they bring to life a music that harkens back to early folk field recordings and the Delta.
BLaCK CaT MOAN have been playing Folk, Jazz & Blues Festivals since 2013. In 2014 they opened for American Blues/ Soul singer, Billy Price, and in the summer of 2015 they went into the studio to record their album, “the SAINT, the MUNK & the MOAN," which has received internet radio play as far as Croatia.
With inspiration from Robert Johnson, Mississippi, John Hurt, and the recordings from Chess Records, BLaCK CaT MOAN does not mimic other musicians of that era, but rather brings a new vibe to a classic art form. While drawing inspiration from Robert Johnson, Mississippi, John Hurt, and the recordings from Chess Records, BLaCK CaT MOAN brings an entirely new vibe to a classic art form.
2. Recently, BLaCK CaT MOAN opened for the legendary Buddy Guy. How did you get to be the opening act?
What a great story. We did a fundraiser at MOONDOGS in Blawnox back in January to promote our trip to Memphis. We had a beautiful Burlesque Troupe work with us that evening as our opening act and I think we made a great impression. We were set to play at MOONDOGS the weekend before Buddy Guy with the Burlesque Troupe again, so George and I got together for a rehearsal. Mike Elko, the concert promoter for The Palace Theatre in Greensburg, called MOONDOGS looking for a two piece opening act for Mr. Guy. Ron Esser said he knew just the band and rang me up right then. That was about twelve days before the gig.
3. What did you take away from that performance?
What I personally took away from our performance with Buddy Guy was that, a room, is a room, is a room, no matter the size or who happens to be filling it at that time. The true stage is inside you, and your true audience is inside you. If I can keep it as simple as that, the house and the audience will always be happy with the experience.4. There are stereotypes with artists which include lack of income. I know you have been in the art scene for a while. I feel you are talented and respected in both the music and art industry. What advice would you give to break that stereotype? Also, for artists that are just hitting dead ends or hitting points of frustration, what advice would you give to them?
I do think it's funny that the stereotype still exists and that your family will associate you with a starving artist if you tell them you want to paint or make music. The irony is that the majority of magazines show people in the entertainment world but they are not associated with being an artist - they're a celebrity. Being an artist doesn't mean being on the cover of a magazine, being both regarded for your work and destroyed for your life choices.
There's a perception that it must be all or nothing.
Thankfully , we now how have so many online platforms to exhibit work and promote ourselves;, being an artist can be a more mainstream idea. My advice is simple:, keep being yourself, keep doing your art as honestly as you can, as long as you can, and someone will catch on.
5. What do you want to do next? Who do you want to play with or open for in the future?
I always want to keep surprising myself. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone forces you try a new approach, so, I plan on exploring.
At this point, the way I currently am expressing myself, with BLaCK CaT MOAN anyway, it would make the most sense to open for or play with Jack White. I have a huge respect for him as an Artist. It will make for a good show, and a Great Collaboration.
You can find BLaCK CaAT MOAN on Facebook, or you can listen to and download the album, "the SAINT, the MUNK & the MOAN" at blackcatmoan.org
T.K. MUNDOK's artwork can be found on Instagram.
Frustrations - Summer 2017
I have motivation
I have inspiration
I put music first
Not my ego
Some people may have forgotten
Tacky and over the top
That's not quality
Blast me on Facebook
That's cowardly
Grow a pair and say it to my face
Today's society not sure I am into it
Listening to quality music
The quality that does not have reverb or backing tracks
What happened to class and quality?
I don't do watered down material
Ya know, some say it will do
I have faith in some
That some is hanging on by a string
You don't care?
Maybe you should
Swindling can be dwindling
Push forward! I am moving forward!
You can't force things to happen
Are people really this ignorant?
I have motivation
I have inspiration
Get a clue
Yeah, I'm talking to you
Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry. She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.
In with the OLD and Out with the NEW - Summer 2017
I am rather envious of the music selection that my grandparents and parents had the opportunity to grow up with. The soundtracks to their lives were filled with emotion and real instruments ranging from string to horn sections. The vocals were raw and real, with no interference of backing tracks or lip-syncing. The musicians may have had egos back then, but they could back those egos up with talent. Concerts mattered more back then, and records were affordable. The music was timeless.
I really don’t understand music today. Is this really the best the music industry can produce? If one were to say “yes,” then that’s rather pathetic and embarrassing. I grew up on the explosion of boy bands and electronic-tinged music. Back then I was all about it. Now that I am older I was hoping that the music industry would grow and change with me. The music today is watered down and emotionless; the songs are usually about love or ballin’! To be brutally honest, when driving I’d rather sit in my car in silence than listen to what is playing on the radio.
Well-known musicians in today’s generation, are you only in this industry for the money and the fame? If you say “yes,” then it shows. If you were in this industry for the music, then the music wouldn’t sound so limp, and I probably wouldn’t feel so robbed.
I will never understand the purpose of pop country. I feel bad for those who think pop country is actually country music. I have to sit and wonder what the early country icons who paved the way would say about today’s sound.
Some say it’s not the artist in control of their music; it’s the suits at the record labels with the control. If that’s the case, maybe the artists should grow a pair and stand up for good quality music. The industry is hanging on by a thread. What do you have to lose?
To the suits at the record labels:
Can you do me a favor? Next time you sign an artist, can you make sure they are authentic and have actual talent? Maybe the artist can have more qualities than just being marketable. At this point it shows that you are not in this industry for the music; you are in it for the money. Also, there are other ways to sell music other than sex. Let the artist’s talent speak for itself.
I have been observing local musicians to compare the old and newer musicians. I find that older musicians are more loyal to quality music. They educate themselves, and they still practice, practice, practice. The older musicians can careless about smoke and mirrors and are more down to earth.
Some of these newer musicians I have seen just generate mediocre music in hopes of catching their big break. I hope that’s going well for them because there music shows that they are trying to prove to people that they are a so-called ‘somebody’ rather than caring about the music. Also, the newer musicians like to play this name dropping game of ‘Oh, I worked with this person, and this person.’ ‘Oh yeah, well I worked with so and so.’ I am not sure why name dropping matters. Is it because the newer musicians lack confidence? Or is it because once again they are trying to prove they are a ‘somebody’? I love when I hear newer musicians come to a gig and they openly admit to their band members that they did not practice what they were supposed to, as if not practicing is something to be proud of and is acceptable. The egos of some of the newer musicians are ridiculous because they act like the world owes them something. What exactly does the world owe you? You can barely keep your band together or you completely destroyed your band because you did not want to listen to others who had more experience in the industry.
My all-time favorite is cover bands who get overly drunk and botch songs on stage. Give yourself a pat on the back because you are really doing justice for the music industry!
With time I hope we can see a stronger music scene. Musicians should care about the quality of music, having a strong set list prepared, a song selection that fits the vocalist, and pay attention to the crowd and not what’s on the television. Music should have raw emotion and multiple instruments, and I hope to see local venues and guests show stronger support to local musicians.
I do want to acknowledge musicians young or old who work hard and do everything they can to make the music industry a better place. I thank you.
Natalie is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry. She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cornon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.
There’s Something Wrong with the World Today - Summer 2017
I have been struggling with some things for a while now, trying to comprehend where we are going as a whole, and how no one seems to want to do their jobs – always passing the figurative buck. I am tired of self-centered, selfish, enabled people. There I said it: I work, and I work hard – I don’t half-ass it and I don’t put my work onto other people. I don’t inconvenience others by putting more on them. If I don’t know something, I ask questions to make things run smoother.
I don’t like getting taken advantage of, and mostly that is how I feel at the end of the day. People in today’s society are giving me a distaste for humankind. For instance, how is it okay for a group of high school students to cut in front of you and your children while you are trying to get into the amusement park, when you and your children actually got to the park in a timely fashion to situate yourself in line and wait for the gates to open? Are we not teaching our children proper etiquette and manners? That you cannot just take something from others, that we need to show respect and be courteous? That’s what is lacking here, RESPECT. No one shows it, no one uses it.
Then you have the fast-food workers demanding higher minimum wages – but they take their good time getting you your order, and half the time the order isn’t correct – and just so we are clear, it’s not their fault that the order is wrong, it is yours. If you try to argue the point, they just roll their eyes at you and huff and puff. Well dearies, I can roll my eyes too – I am not paying for you to text or talk about your sex lives, or to hear you chatter about meaningless high school drama, I am paying for my meal to be hot and accurate. The time my mom and I went into a store and the woman ringing us up was much more concerned about telling her co-worker about her sex life than helping us paying customers, I called her supervisor, and refused to go back there.
You want a raise, earn it – don’t think you are just entitled to it. The entitlement is my biggest problem. No one is entitled to anything, you need to work for it. No one wants to work. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to see people starving because they are making below poverty line wages; my problem is people who don’t want to work, and expect a fat paycheck.
There is the argument that people need to feed their families, that they need the $15/hour to survive. This is a no win situation. I think this country of ours needs more job training for people – that they can get entry level jobs doing office work or maintenance (to name a few), and the ability to move up in a company. The problem with fast food people making this kind of money, they are going to have to raise prices of food to ridiculous amounts and people will stop going when it is no long economical to stop and buy their family a ‘quick’ meal.
Same with retail outlets, why do you think there are more self-checkouts, less baggers at the stores, higher prices and less staff to help you out? It’s because the outlets need to pay the hourly wages. I don’t think people should have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet – there should be jobs out there that pay decent salaries and if there aren’t, then I think the wrong people are padding their pockets… meaning, profit is high and there is probably a host of higher ups that have padded pockets while the underlings are busting their rears and getting paid nothing.
That generally goes for when I am in a store, too; nothing frustrates me more than when I am at a check-out and the employee is engaged in a conversation with someone else. You find it rude when I am on my cellphone – well, how do you think it looks to the customer to see you chatting with someone else? I worked in various customer service positions when I was younger, and when there were people in my check-out line, I focused on them—not my other co-workers, not my phone, not anything else. Show me the same courtesy by being pleasant, putting your phone down, and not talking about other people in the store. I swear this is why more people shop online now-a-days, they don’t want to put up with this aggravating behavior. I am not saying everyone in retail is awful, as I have a lot of friends that are in retail – and they work hard – but there are certainly those few that seem to ruin it for everyone.
Recently I hired a performance artist to come to my house and entertain my sons and their cousins while I was setting up food for a party we were hosting. Now first of all, I don’t think he performed his full 45 minutes that he was supposed to, but at this point, that is neither here nor there. The fact that he sat in his car while still in my driveway and badmouthed me on his Facebook account doesn’t sit well. Paraphrasing here, he said that ¾ of the guests got up to leave the performance to go eat and whatnot. That is not the point; the point is that it was a show for the children – who were watching and entertained. And I paid you, so I don’t care if the room were empty – you put on the best damn show you can and don’t think you are owed anything beyond a paycheck simply because my husband’s elderly aunt was in the kitchen eating. Also, the snarky comments, such as ‘those people in the kitchen are missing a great show’ or ‘you are really missing something great out here’, during the performance were uncalled for. I will gladly re-hire someone if they earn it, but telling my son that he should ask for another performance for his birthday does not win points with me. Sure he could have been joking about it, but the tone in his voice just screamed snarky to me. Also, what if I didn’t have the funds to pay for another performance – but you just told my child that he should get one… Parents, you know what I am talking about here… there will be an endless amount of whining, pleading, etc.
The thing is, I am not going to put up with the poor behavior of our society. Restaurants are slowly getting pinged off my list one by one as well, because they can’t get orders right or just generally give off that ‘I don’t give two shits’ attitude; well, I guess I don’t either, because I won’t go back.
I guess I struggle with this because people actually cared about doing their jobs when I was growing up. They paid attention to details and engaged the customers in conversations that were proper and polite. I miss that. We need to straighten up, we need to work, and we need to stop putting off our work on others. You have a specific list of duties you do during your shift or work day, don’t pass the buck to the person that comes in after you… do what you need to do and do it to the best of your ability. Don’t leave your work for someone else to do because you don’t want to. We need to take responsibility for our actions, get our heads out of our rear-ends, and quit doing our jobs half-assed. It’s not fair to the ones that actually put forth the effort to pick up the constant slack of those not doing their share.
Nicole Leckenby is co-founder of The Holiday Cafe. She runs after two energetic little boys at home. She wrote her first book, My Crazy Life in 2008 .
I don’t like getting taken advantage of, and mostly that is how I feel at the end of the day. People in today’s society are giving me a distaste for humankind. For instance, how is it okay for a group of high school students to cut in front of you and your children while you are trying to get into the amusement park, when you and your children actually got to the park in a timely fashion to situate yourself in line and wait for the gates to open? Are we not teaching our children proper etiquette and manners? That you cannot just take something from others, that we need to show respect and be courteous? That’s what is lacking here, RESPECT. No one shows it, no one uses it.
Then you have the fast-food workers demanding higher minimum wages – but they take their good time getting you your order, and half the time the order isn’t correct – and just so we are clear, it’s not their fault that the order is wrong, it is yours. If you try to argue the point, they just roll their eyes at you and huff and puff. Well dearies, I can roll my eyes too – I am not paying for you to text or talk about your sex lives, or to hear you chatter about meaningless high school drama, I am paying for my meal to be hot and accurate. The time my mom and I went into a store and the woman ringing us up was much more concerned about telling her co-worker about her sex life than helping us paying customers, I called her supervisor, and refused to go back there.
You want a raise, earn it – don’t think you are just entitled to it. The entitlement is my biggest problem. No one is entitled to anything, you need to work for it. No one wants to work. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to see people starving because they are making below poverty line wages; my problem is people who don’t want to work, and expect a fat paycheck.
There is the argument that people need to feed their families, that they need the $15/hour to survive. This is a no win situation. I think this country of ours needs more job training for people – that they can get entry level jobs doing office work or maintenance (to name a few), and the ability to move up in a company. The problem with fast food people making this kind of money, they are going to have to raise prices of food to ridiculous amounts and people will stop going when it is no long economical to stop and buy their family a ‘quick’ meal.
Same with retail outlets, why do you think there are more self-checkouts, less baggers at the stores, higher prices and less staff to help you out? It’s because the outlets need to pay the hourly wages. I don’t think people should have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet – there should be jobs out there that pay decent salaries and if there aren’t, then I think the wrong people are padding their pockets… meaning, profit is high and there is probably a host of higher ups that have padded pockets while the underlings are busting their rears and getting paid nothing.
That generally goes for when I am in a store, too; nothing frustrates me more than when I am at a check-out and the employee is engaged in a conversation with someone else. You find it rude when I am on my cellphone – well, how do you think it looks to the customer to see you chatting with someone else? I worked in various customer service positions when I was younger, and when there were people in my check-out line, I focused on them—not my other co-workers, not my phone, not anything else. Show me the same courtesy by being pleasant, putting your phone down, and not talking about other people in the store. I swear this is why more people shop online now-a-days, they don’t want to put up with this aggravating behavior. I am not saying everyone in retail is awful, as I have a lot of friends that are in retail – and they work hard – but there are certainly those few that seem to ruin it for everyone.
Recently I hired a performance artist to come to my house and entertain my sons and their cousins while I was setting up food for a party we were hosting. Now first of all, I don’t think he performed his full 45 minutes that he was supposed to, but at this point, that is neither here nor there. The fact that he sat in his car while still in my driveway and badmouthed me on his Facebook account doesn’t sit well. Paraphrasing here, he said that ¾ of the guests got up to leave the performance to go eat and whatnot. That is not the point; the point is that it was a show for the children – who were watching and entertained. And I paid you, so I don’t care if the room were empty – you put on the best damn show you can and don’t think you are owed anything beyond a paycheck simply because my husband’s elderly aunt was in the kitchen eating. Also, the snarky comments, such as ‘those people in the kitchen are missing a great show’ or ‘you are really missing something great out here’, during the performance were uncalled for. I will gladly re-hire someone if they earn it, but telling my son that he should ask for another performance for his birthday does not win points with me. Sure he could have been joking about it, but the tone in his voice just screamed snarky to me. Also, what if I didn’t have the funds to pay for another performance – but you just told my child that he should get one… Parents, you know what I am talking about here… there will be an endless amount of whining, pleading, etc.
The thing is, I am not going to put up with the poor behavior of our society. Restaurants are slowly getting pinged off my list one by one as well, because they can’t get orders right or just generally give off that ‘I don’t give two shits’ attitude; well, I guess I don’t either, because I won’t go back.
I guess I struggle with this because people actually cared about doing their jobs when I was growing up. They paid attention to details and engaged the customers in conversations that were proper and polite. I miss that. We need to straighten up, we need to work, and we need to stop putting off our work on others. You have a specific list of duties you do during your shift or work day, don’t pass the buck to the person that comes in after you… do what you need to do and do it to the best of your ability. Don’t leave your work for someone else to do because you don’t want to. We need to take responsibility for our actions, get our heads out of our rear-ends, and quit doing our jobs half-assed. It’s not fair to the ones that actually put forth the effort to pick up the constant slack of those not doing their share.
Nicole Leckenby is co-founder of The Holiday Cafe. She runs after two energetic little boys at home. She wrote her first book, My Crazy Life in 2008 .
Musings for Moms - Fidget Spinners - Summer 2017
How many of you out there have kids that have a collection of Fidget Spinners?
This craze entered our house in spring and it hasn't died down yet. For those of you who don't know what a Fidget Spinner is... they are small hand-held devices that use ball-bearings to rotate between ones fingers. The toy will then spin around on ones finger, while the user tries to switch fingers, tosses it, etc.
The toys were originally developed and marketed towards those with anxiety, autism and ADHD. While it is a beneficial sensory toy for those with autism, they have become a distraction in many classrooms. It also has been proven to help kids with ADHD to focus.
My oldest son, who is almost eight, has been watching YouTube videos on how to construct his own fidget spinner. He told me one evening, that he wants to order the items needed, and then go to the garage to build it, because that's where people build things, in the garage.
While we have yet to build one, the boys have spun their spinners all around the house, both inside and out.
The main things to know - when purchasing your child a spinner...
The toys were originally developed and marketed towards those with anxiety, autism and ADHD. While it is a beneficial sensory toy for those with autism, they have become a distraction in many classrooms. It also has been proven to help kids with ADHD to focus.
My oldest son, who is almost eight, has been watching YouTube videos on how to construct his own fidget spinner. He told me one evening, that he wants to order the items needed, and then go to the garage to build it, because that's where people build things, in the garage.
While we have yet to build one, the boys have spun their spinners all around the house, both inside and out.
The main things to know - when purchasing your child a spinner...
- They do contain small pieces - and could be a choking hazard.
- Purchase from a reputable retailer (so you know the product has been tested, etc.)
- If the spinner lights up - make sure the battery compartment won't just open up (again choking hazard).
- Follow age restrictions on the packaging.
- Check the spinners occasionally for broken/missing pieces.
With that all said and done, play it smart with your spinners and go out and have some fun.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Letter from the Editor - Spring 2017
I, for one, am glad to be out of winter. It's not a secret that I am not a fan of the cold temperatures and snow... I love the sunshine and warm weather... but I digress, you aren't here to hear about my weather preferences, you are here for the writing and art. And let me tell you, we have a fantastic issue this time around.
We have interviews, we have poetry entries and so much more. I hope you all enjoy this issue.
Don't forget to send in your submissions (we are always in need of poetry/stories/artwork) as you are the ones that keep this site running. Email me here or find us on Facebook or Twitter and finally, Pinterest.
Until Summer,
Nicole
The Bridge Series
I have tried very hard to keep my political views out of the Cafe, but sometimes, something comes along and you realize, keeping your views out aren't the right way to go anymore. People need the arts, we need the arts. Children need the arts, if nothing more than to learn how to express your inner thoughts (with all the proper grammatical spellings and punctuation). And I am not trying to make this a Democrat vs. Republic thing - because honestly this isn't about that - it is about what we need as a country and how we as artist keep taking the hit, because why do we need to fund writers and the arts.... Because they are IMPORTANT is why.
Before I started the Cafe, I was an editor at a little Pittsburgh publication called The New Yinzer, where I met and worked with Kris Collins. That was over 10 years ago (where does the time go?). While we have both broke from the Yinzer proper, we have kept in touch over the years (thank you Facebook). One day I saw a post from Kris about the Bridge Series and how it began and thought this is something I can get behind and share with my fellow readers/artists/writers/etc.
Please read the following interview with Kris and Jason (The founders of The Bridge Series) and feel free to go to one of their poetry shin-digs. Let's support the arts, because if we don't - I am not sure who will.
Nicole
1. I have read that the inspiration for this series came from the election results in November 2016. Will the pieces being read be politically motivated/hear us the people and what we think about this new elected official?
Jason Baldinger: The first reading definitely had some people reading pieces motivated by the current political situation. Kris and I talked ahead of time that we feel like this should be a conversation through art, but what that conversation should entail is up to our readers as much as it is our board members. We are not booking people with the intent that they alter how they write to fit into a theme, I would say that the current administration has motivated some people to write more politically than they may have before.
Kris Collins: It's true that the inspiration for The Bridge Series came out of the the whole What-do-we-do-now? feeling we had after the election. We were each asking ourselves questions about the validity and purpose of art moving forward with an administration that is so antithetical to the values of self-expression, community, and thoughtful discourse. A lot of people in the Pittsburgh literary community were asking themselves these very same questions as it turned out. It was also very clear that the more marginalized members of the greater community (local and national) would be in even greater need of allies. The series was created to be a space for conversation and education, as well as our usual emphasis on the written word and having a good time. We neither require nor expect our featured readers to present exclusively political content. However, it does feel like, thanks to Trump, everything carries political weight whether that was the original intent or not.
2. How do you plan to merge the community/activists/writers for this reading series?
Jason: Hopefully the series becomes about empowerment, ultimately. If you book community organizations together with writers you are giving both an opportunity to learn, to network, and to find new paths by which to work together in the future. I certainly hope the same happens for our audiences.
Kris: It was very important to us that our guest organizations occupy the stage with the writers. The reps from the organizations will have the same stage time as the featured writers to present their missions to the audience. It's not simply a matter of having a rep present while the writers do their thing on the stage. It's a matter of equivalency. Also we're very interested in representing many different corners of the writing community. The Bridge Series is not meant to be a venue exclusive to poets. We want to have fiction writers, journalists, memoirists, comic book writers, etc. represented on that stage.
3. How are you choosing the organizations that benefit from the funds raised from the reading series?
Jason: Fortunately, Pittsburgh is loaded with non-profits so that helps! When Kris and I had our initial discussions about this we felt that the two of us booking nine readings was absurd and really not in conjunction with our initial vision of the series. Kris in particular felt that putting together a board of fellow writers, all of which also have an acute sense of social justice, would help distribute not only the work load but it would give us a wider field from which to see and act from. It works out that each member of our board will be booking at least one show, as well as helping inform and flesh out our other bills. Again, the more eyes you can try and see through other peoples eyes the easier it is to get a better idea of a more equitable society, not to mention reading series, looks like.
Kris: The advisory board is such a vital part of making The Bridge Series work. For the series to succeed it needs to be run as a collective. Jason and I as the co-directors will deal with the logistics of readings (working the door, hosting duties as needed, PR, etc.) which frees up the advisory board members to curate the evenings and build what we hope is an incredibly diverse series. The first couple of organizations that were featured were probably determined as much by current events as by us. Be Well! Pittsburgh works to help people without health insurance. NAMSC aids with refugee resettlement in our community. These issues in the headlines of the news every day now.
4. Would you ever consider evolving from readings to other forms of speech –i.e. music/art/etc.
Jason: Both Kris and i felt that getting the series grounded/ branded was the first and foremost idea. We figured if people knew that the last Wednesday of the month at the Brillobox was a good start. Once we get further down the line there will be more of an opportunity to jump off from that and try satellite venues and events which could include different media. Also, both Kris and I are doing other benefits outside of the bridge series which will be fund raisers for other organizations. I just did a reading last week that raised money for the Southern Poverty Law Center, and have a few other events upcoming. Kris has some planned parenthood readings coming up as well, I believe.
Kris: We came up with a very basic format for the events to start with. Like Jason said we wanted to let the audience know what the series was about, how the rhythm of the evenings would go, and give them a 'Tune in next month, same Bridge-time, same Bridge-place' expectation. However, the simplicity of our basic format allows for an incredible elasticity. As far as we're concerned songwriters and hip-hop artists are a part of the writing community, so down the road we will hopefully see them represented.
5. Where can we find the Bridge Series if we wanted to attend? Facebook information? Youtube/podcasts available?
Here's the link to the bridge Facebook page.
Here's the podcast Kris and I did before the launch
Check here for upcoming events
6. If people wanted to donate to the cause – but maybe aren’t local or able to make the reading nights – what can you suggest they do?
Kris: We provide contact info for all of our guest organizations on our FB page and on the event pages. If you're not local and you want to donate just follow us on FB, But also look into the organizations in your own community. I'm sure they would love to hear from you as well and could certainly use the help.
Under the Kaufman Clock - Angele Ellis Interview
One of our regularly featured authors has a new book out, Under the Kaufmann's Clock. I was happy that I got to interview Angele Ellis about her new book...
1. What was the motivation behind Under the Kaufmann’s Clock? How did you pick the pieces that are in the book?
A year ago, while looking over my full-length poetry manuscript, I realized that I had enough poems
set in the Pittsburgh area for a chapbook. Then I decided to mix things up by adding my flash fiction pieces inspired by Pittsburgh. Then I had the idea of bringing in photographs. (Rebecca Clever is a local photographer who is also a writer and editor. She ran the journal Blast Furnace for five years.)
Dividing the manuscript by season--spring, summer, fall, and winter--gave the book an organic flow. It also allowed me to pair haiku and another short poem with the season subheads. The completed product--I wrote and published a few Pittsburgh pieces after I got this idea--has 30 poems, nine pieces of flash fiction, and 16 photographs, not counting the front and back covers. The book is in 8 x 10 format to do the photographs justice, like a coffee table book. (Many collections of poetry and short fiction are in 5 x 7 format.)
The title piece--a story whose narrator is definitely not me, but a Yinzer guy--first appeared in The Holiday Cafe. (Thank you again, Nicole.) That title is part of a legendary Pittsburgh phrase, and the clock itself is a Pittsburgh icon, captured gorgeously by Rebecca Clever on the front and back covers of the book.
Although I write in different forms, I like to think I'm an accessible writer. There is something for everyone interested in Pittsburgh Under the Kaufmann's Clock. I also want to give a shout-out to my editor and publisher, Nathan Kukulski of Six Gallery Press, for allowing me such freedom in putting this book together.
2. What is your writing process? How many hours a day do you write or is it that you write when you feel inspired?
I don't have a set number of creative writing hours--it could vary from an hour to 12 hours--but I do creative writing and/or something related to my creative writing almost every day (an interview, a submission, a letter, a meeting, sending out review copies, planning/doing/attending a reading or presentation or discussion, publicity via social media). And I read. Regularly reading other people's work, contemporary and classic, is essential to being a writer.
3. What advice do you have for fellow writers?
Read a lot...and don't feel guilty about it. Haunt libraries and bookstores and coffee shops. Join a book discussion group. Seek out literary journals and websites, including local ones. Make time for writing...and don't feel guilty about it. Write because you need to write for yourself--because the act of writing and what you write about compels you, absorbs you, delights you, frightens you, enlightens you, expands you, frees you.
Take classes and workshops, attend presentations, readings, and discussions, join a writing group (or more than one), and ask writers who have published and whose work you like for advice on your work and on publishing. Learning to handle and benefit from criticism, to reflect and revise, are integral to publishing your writing. Pittsburgh is an intensely literary city, with a lot of great activities available for a modest fee or for free. There also are many good groups and resources online.
And when you get frustrated, tired, and hurt--when your writing seems bad or stupid, when you feel blocked or ignored or put down, when you get rejections, when you do get published and have readings and it doesn't seem to matter much--don't give up. Even if you go through a long period where you don't write or can't write, never give up. And whatever other passions you have--for music, film, painting, sports, whatever--don't give those up either.
4. Who is your favorite author/Who inspired you to become a writer?
My mother recited poetry to me from the cradle. (The daughter of Italian immigrants, she was schooled when learning to recite poetry was part of education, and was a champion reciter and a natural actress.) This poetry ranged from nineteenth and twentieth century stalwarts--Longfellow, the Brownings, Stevenson, Frost, Yeats, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen--to writers no one reads anymore. There always were books in our house, including a big dictionary, and without formal training I was reading fluently by age four. We often went to the local library--I think a library card was the first card I ever carried--and when I was old enough for school, I was a school library regular. I soaked up fairytales and folk tales, classic children's literature, the daily newspaper, the Encyclopedia Brittanica, and biographies of famous women. By ten, I'd discovered my father's college Collected Works of William Shakespeare, and then I moved on to adult novels--there isn't a great leap between Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess and Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. English (and its companion, history) always were my best subjects in school. I earned a B.A. in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, with enough credits in English Literature to be a double major, although I didn't declare one. Lines from authors throughout centuries run through my head continually, and are like lines of prayer to me in times of trouble.
But although I always wrote poetry and fiction, I didn't publish any of it for years. I worked as a student journalist and editor, as a business and technical writer and editor, as an academic editor, and as a peace educator. My first book, Dealing With Differences, was cowritten with an education professor, originating in a high school pilot curriculum that we developed.
What made me a published writer of poetry and fiction (and literary reviews) was the combination of a shattering breakdown and then, my divorce from the man who'd been both my college boyfriend and my husband of over 20 years. My life imploded. I had nothing to lose.
5. What is up next for you? (are you going to be reading anywhere?)
I have to take a break from readings for a while, but I'll be doing events again starting in late spring or early summer, including different types of book launches. (Stay tuned!) I'm slated to read in October for the Versify series, curated by poet Bob Walicki, at Bloomfield's White Whale Bookstore.
6. Where can we find your book?
Under the Kaufmann's Clock--my fourth book--is available through Amazon:
I'm working on getting the book into several local stores and into the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Pitt's Hillman Library.
1. What was the motivation behind Under the Kaufmann’s Clock? How did you pick the pieces that are in the book?
A year ago, while looking over my full-length poetry manuscript, I realized that I had enough poems
set in the Pittsburgh area for a chapbook. Then I decided to mix things up by adding my flash fiction pieces inspired by Pittsburgh. Then I had the idea of bringing in photographs. (Rebecca Clever is a local photographer who is also a writer and editor. She ran the journal Blast Furnace for five years.)
Dividing the manuscript by season--spring, summer, fall, and winter--gave the book an organic flow. It also allowed me to pair haiku and another short poem with the season subheads. The completed product--I wrote and published a few Pittsburgh pieces after I got this idea--has 30 poems, nine pieces of flash fiction, and 16 photographs, not counting the front and back covers. The book is in 8 x 10 format to do the photographs justice, like a coffee table book. (Many collections of poetry and short fiction are in 5 x 7 format.)
The title piece--a story whose narrator is definitely not me, but a Yinzer guy--first appeared in The Holiday Cafe. (Thank you again, Nicole.) That title is part of a legendary Pittsburgh phrase, and the clock itself is a Pittsburgh icon, captured gorgeously by Rebecca Clever on the front and back covers of the book.
Although I write in different forms, I like to think I'm an accessible writer. There is something for everyone interested in Pittsburgh Under the Kaufmann's Clock. I also want to give a shout-out to my editor and publisher, Nathan Kukulski of Six Gallery Press, for allowing me such freedom in putting this book together.
2. What is your writing process? How many hours a day do you write or is it that you write when you feel inspired?
I don't have a set number of creative writing hours--it could vary from an hour to 12 hours--but I do creative writing and/or something related to my creative writing almost every day (an interview, a submission, a letter, a meeting, sending out review copies, planning/doing/attending a reading or presentation or discussion, publicity via social media). And I read. Regularly reading other people's work, contemporary and classic, is essential to being a writer.
3. What advice do you have for fellow writers?
Read a lot...and don't feel guilty about it. Haunt libraries and bookstores and coffee shops. Join a book discussion group. Seek out literary journals and websites, including local ones. Make time for writing...and don't feel guilty about it. Write because you need to write for yourself--because the act of writing and what you write about compels you, absorbs you, delights you, frightens you, enlightens you, expands you, frees you.
Take classes and workshops, attend presentations, readings, and discussions, join a writing group (or more than one), and ask writers who have published and whose work you like for advice on your work and on publishing. Learning to handle and benefit from criticism, to reflect and revise, are integral to publishing your writing. Pittsburgh is an intensely literary city, with a lot of great activities available for a modest fee or for free. There also are many good groups and resources online.
And when you get frustrated, tired, and hurt--when your writing seems bad or stupid, when you feel blocked or ignored or put down, when you get rejections, when you do get published and have readings and it doesn't seem to matter much--don't give up. Even if you go through a long period where you don't write or can't write, never give up. And whatever other passions you have--for music, film, painting, sports, whatever--don't give those up either.
4. Who is your favorite author/Who inspired you to become a writer?
My mother recited poetry to me from the cradle. (The daughter of Italian immigrants, she was schooled when learning to recite poetry was part of education, and was a champion reciter and a natural actress.) This poetry ranged from nineteenth and twentieth century stalwarts--Longfellow, the Brownings, Stevenson, Frost, Yeats, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen--to writers no one reads anymore. There always were books in our house, including a big dictionary, and without formal training I was reading fluently by age four. We often went to the local library--I think a library card was the first card I ever carried--and when I was old enough for school, I was a school library regular. I soaked up fairytales and folk tales, classic children's literature, the daily newspaper, the Encyclopedia Brittanica, and biographies of famous women. By ten, I'd discovered my father's college Collected Works of William Shakespeare, and then I moved on to adult novels--there isn't a great leap between Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess and Charles Dickens' David Copperfield. English (and its companion, history) always were my best subjects in school. I earned a B.A. in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, with enough credits in English Literature to be a double major, although I didn't declare one. Lines from authors throughout centuries run through my head continually, and are like lines of prayer to me in times of trouble.
But although I always wrote poetry and fiction, I didn't publish any of it for years. I worked as a student journalist and editor, as a business and technical writer and editor, as an academic editor, and as a peace educator. My first book, Dealing With Differences, was cowritten with an education professor, originating in a high school pilot curriculum that we developed.
What made me a published writer of poetry and fiction (and literary reviews) was the combination of a shattering breakdown and then, my divorce from the man who'd been both my college boyfriend and my husband of over 20 years. My life imploded. I had nothing to lose.
5. What is up next for you? (are you going to be reading anywhere?)
I have to take a break from readings for a while, but I'll be doing events again starting in late spring or early summer, including different types of book launches. (Stay tuned!) I'm slated to read in October for the Versify series, curated by poet Bob Walicki, at Bloomfield's White Whale Bookstore.
6. Where can we find your book?
Under the Kaufmann's Clock--my fourth book--is available through Amazon:
I'm working on getting the book into several local stores and into the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Pitt's Hillman Library.
Musings for Moms - Spring Safety Tips
Hello All,
We made it through winter, and the warmer temperatures are on the way, although I guess, they kind
of never really left. We had a very odd winter this year in Pittsburgh, warm/mild temperatures throughout and I am not complaining one bit about it.
Now we are moving into even warmer weather and sunny days (hopefully). The kind of days where the little ones will be begging to get outside and run around and ride their bikes and whatnot. And because everyone has been cooped up inside, it is pretty much a done deal that outdoor playtime is going to happen.
Here are a few things to do before heading outside:
We made it through winter, and the warmer temperatures are on the way, although I guess, they kind
Now we are moving into even warmer weather and sunny days (hopefully). The kind of days where the little ones will be begging to get outside and run around and ride their bikes and whatnot. And because everyone has been cooped up inside, it is pretty much a done deal that outdoor playtime is going to happen.
Here are a few things to do before heading outside:
- Helmet Checks
- Make sure last years helmet still fits - it should be tight enough that it does not rock back and fourth on your child's head.
- Make sure the straps are not fraying
- Should have a ASTM (American Standards Testing Materials) label on it. This means it has been tested and complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Sunscreen
- Just because it isn't summer doesn't mean you don't need SPF protection. 30+SPF is the suggested for kids when playing outdoors.
- Reapply it as necessary.
- Toys
- Check the kids bikes, scooters, etc. for wear and tear from last season. Make sure everything is safe for them to ride this year.
- Stay Hydrated/Seek out shade
- It is important for the kiddos to stay hydrated when they are either outside playing or active in sports - make sure they take water breaks.
- In the same regard if it is extremely sunny, make sure to dress them properly in loose, light colored clothing and when you can, have them sit in the shade.
Most importantly though, after all safety checks have been done and water bottles are filled - Have fun.
Until next time,
Nicole - Mom
Monster Slayer
you like to pretend
that you didn't hurt me
or that i don't exist,
but you don't just get to
erase me because
of the shame you feel in
being you;
and i wish i could say that you're
not that bad of a person because i
was in love with you once,
but you really are
a monster—
there's no words i can offer to you
of comfort
because everything sweet i felt for you
has died
all that remains is this aching heart and this
rage that burns me when i think
of your name,
and i wish i could say that i'm happy for you;
but i'm not
men like you don't deserve happily ever afters—
you married the woman you cheated
on me with,
and you got a promotion at work;
i wish the wicked never
prospered
because it always suffers the good to see them
succeed—
one day, however, i will come back
to avenge all the innocence you've killed because there
need not be monsters in a world where nightmares
are already too frequent.
Linda M. Crate is a Pennsylvanian native born in Pittsburgh yet raised in the rural town of Conneautville. Her poetry, short stories, articles, and reviews have been published in a myriad of magazines both online and in print. She has three published chapbooks: A Mermaid Crashing Into Dawn (Fowlpox Press - June 2013) and Less Than A Man (The Camel Saloon - January 2014), and If Tomorrow Never Comes (Scars Publications, August 2016). Her fantasy novel Blood & Magic was published in March 2015. The second novel of this series Dragons & Magic was published in October 2015. Her third novel Centaurs & Magic was published November 2016.
that you didn't hurt me
or that i don't exist,
but you don't just get to
erase me because
of the shame you feel in
being you;
and i wish i could say that you're
not that bad of a person because i
was in love with you once,
but you really are
a monster—
there's no words i can offer to you
of comfort
because everything sweet i felt for you
has died
all that remains is this aching heart and this
rage that burns me when i think
of your name,
and i wish i could say that i'm happy for you;
but i'm not
men like you don't deserve happily ever afters—
you married the woman you cheated
on me with,
and you got a promotion at work;
i wish the wicked never
prospered
because it always suffers the good to see them
succeed—
one day, however, i will come back
to avenge all the innocence you've killed because there
need not be monsters in a world where nightmares
are already too frequent.
Linda M. Crate is a Pennsylvanian native born in Pittsburgh yet raised in the rural town of Conneautville. Her poetry, short stories, articles, and reviews have been published in a myriad of magazines both online and in print. She has three published chapbooks: A Mermaid Crashing Into Dawn (Fowlpox Press - June 2013) and Less Than A Man (The Camel Saloon - January 2014), and If Tomorrow Never Comes (Scars Publications, August 2016). Her fantasy novel Blood & Magic was published in March 2015. The second novel of this series Dragons & Magic was published in October 2015. Her third novel Centaurs & Magic was published November 2016.
Bear Hug
Two of my many goals for 2017 are to take better care of myself and to patronize more small businesses. Luckily, I was able to find a new spa in South Park that helps me do both!
Bear Hug Massage and Spa is owned and operated by Patrick, a massage therapist, and Nicholle, a beautician, both of whom are ready, willing and able to make you look and feel your best.
The spa, conveniently located in the Bavarian Village on Brownsville Road, is a comfortable, relaxing hideaway that puts you at ease as soon as you step through the doors. The sage green paint, tiny terrarium in the waiting room, and bear-themed décor makes you feel like you’re about to be pampered at a mountain lodge resort.
The owners, who met at massage therapy school, have created an all-around hidden retreat. From the open, airy waiting room to the bright reception area and clean, relaxing treatment rooms, it’s easy to see their passion for the business. “I have been doing this for ten years and every day I love my job more and more. Clients make me happy, and I hope we make them happy!” Nicholle says. “I love what I do and have the best business partner anyone could ask for.”
Services include the traditional massages, manis/pedis, and waxing, but Bear Hug also offers reflexology (touch therapy), body wraps (for detoxification), and Reiki, an ancient Japanese practice of energy healing. Their various other services, which include facials and makeup application can be viewed on their easy-to-navigate website, www.bearhugspa.com, which echoes the peaceful feel of their physical location. Bear Hug’s services are reasonably priced, and they offer a monthly membership that includes special pricing and other great discounts. They also send out offers for your birthday, and good deals can always be found online.
In all honesty, the only bad thing I can say about Bear Hug is that their location (in the rear of Bavarian Village) doesn’t give them the recognition or curb appeal they so deserve. In an era where opening a small business or being a self-starter takes extra guts and extra hard work, Patrick and Nicholle seemed to have hit it out of the park. With a little recognition and a few referrals, I can easily see lots of new clients breezing through their doors.
If you’re looking for a new place to pamper yourself, I highly recommend taking a drive through pretty South Park straight to Bear Hug Massage and Spa!
Stacy is a 2003 graduate of West Mifflin Area High School and has completed two courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature. She writes novels for teenagers and adults, both of which can be found on Amazon. Stacy lives in Munhall with her husband and fur kid, and besides writing, enjoys reading, Penguins hockey, and traveling.
The Many Colors of Natalie
I am not going to sit here and give the book a review, because of course, I would be biased... I mean there is a poem about me in the book, how can I not be biased and say, that is the best thing I have ever read!!
But I can say, the book is entertaining and full of Natalie's personality. The book is also filled with a lot of original artwork that accompanies the poetry. What more can a person ask for?
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market (Seattle, Washington) is eerily quiet. Taken before all the hub-bub started.
Submitted by Natalie Belin.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Winter Issue - January 2017
Hello All,
Hope this finds you well - and warm...
This issue is pretty small - my apologies... I will make up for it in the Spring - I cannot do that though, without you... we need submissions... email them to me at holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Hope this finds you well - and warm...
This issue is pretty small - my apologies... I will make up for it in the Spring - I cannot do that though, without you... we need submissions... email them to me at holidaycafe.nicole@gmail.com
Musings for Moms - My Thoughts
Recently, there has been a few stories on the news and social media that have made me stop and give a moment to what I was actually hearing/reading.
Let's start with school buses. Putting your child on a school bus can be a scary thing. You are entrusting another person to get your child safely to/from school. I am sure by now that everyone has heard about the awful story in Tennessee when the driver was speeding and slammed into a tree. I believe FIVE children died that day...
A little closer to my home, a recent news story talked about how the vehicles weren't properly insured, that some of the drivers of the bus company in question have been charged in the past for DUI, robbery, assault, etc. It was also said that the company didn't perform the necessary back-ground checks and child abuse clearances. If you read the story, you will even find that one of the bus drivers didn't even have a driver's license. Now how does that happen. I mean, they are going to be driving a BUS, wouldn't you as an employer want to physically see their license - maybe make a photocopy and have it on file?
So, let me get this straight... we are entrusting our kids on buses where the company cannot even manage to do their job and make sure our kids are protected by doing simple back-ground checks. It really isn't that hard of a process to get the forms... I did it so I can participate in things at my sons school. Companies need to suck it up, dip into their profit margin and get the clearances so parents can have their minds at ease when their kids step onto that bus. We have a ton of other worries about our kids, we don't need more to think about. And for the love, make sure they have a valid driver's license - that seems like a no-brainer but I guess it's not...
Am I just crazy in thinking that we should be holding the bus drivers to a higher standard because they are driving our children around? I am not one of those people that has to be the only person that drives my kids around - they have gone in other friends/family members cars, but I trust that because either that persons own kids are in the car or because they are family and love my kids, that they will drive in a manor that wouldn't endanger my kids.
The second thing that gave me pause recently was the story in which Lena Dunham told that she wishes she had an abortion. Now, she has never been pregnant - she just wishes she had one so you know, she could reduce the stigma of abortions and girl power and all that...
I am not going to get into a debate over pro-life/pro-choice here, I am simply going to say that that has to be one of the most insensitive and disgusting things I have ever heard. People that have had abortions have their reasons, but to say that you would want to put your body through that trauma both mentally and physically just so you can belong to a group... or some such business, well, to be honest I cannot even really wrap my brain around it.
There are so many people out there that cannot even get pregnant, that she is wishing to get pregnant just to terminate said pregnancy to reduce the stigma of abortions. I think there is always going to be a stigma to abortions regardless if Lena had one or not.
We live in a world plagued by stigma. There is a stigma about women who breastfeed their children, there is a stigma to c-sections, there is a stigma to just about everything women do, so how about we just try not to call unwanted attention to our gender and actually become proactive in making the world a better place?
My final gripe, I guess you could say, is the player that is crying foul after her scholarship was pulled for giving the middle finger. Now, hear me out... I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and I have flashed my middle finger frequently when irritated. My problem with this is she was representing her school, wearing her uniform. I am sure if she was photographed outside of some random building in jeans and t-shirt, the implications would be far less. And now she is suing because she feels like she was wronged.
Was the punishment harsh, perhaps. But it was a televised event - and there is clearly photographic evidence of it...I have a problem with the people that think they can just do whatever they want (the entitled) regardless of who they hurt in their wake. She was representing her school - and thus her behavior should be top-notch... Sure celebrate the win, but is flipping an obscene gesture to a media outlet celebration - or just being a brat?
When did people start loosing respect for others (and themselves for that matter)? That they think that they can get away with acting poorly and speaking poorly to others and those others just have to take it. And why are we enabling people to get away with this bad behavior? Why is it that we cannot tell people when they are wrong anymore? Everyone gets offended... What has become of our society?!
Was the punishment harsh, perhaps. But it was a televised event - and there is clearly photographic evidence of it...I have a problem with the people that think they can just do whatever they want (the entitled) regardless of who they hurt in their wake. She was representing her school - and thus her behavior should be top-notch... Sure celebrate the win, but is flipping an obscene gesture to a media outlet celebration - or just being a brat?
When did people start loosing respect for others (and themselves for that matter)? That they think that they can get away with acting poorly and speaking poorly to others and those others just have to take it. And why are we enabling people to get away with this bad behavior? Why is it that we cannot tell people when they are wrong anymore? Everyone gets offended... What has become of our society?!