A Friend, Photog and Freelancer

This is to those who know Darrell Oake and those who just have big hearts:

A hard-working and incredibly memorable former colleague of mine, now a freelancer, has three children and a wife whose married career has been raising them and being a wife to Darrell. Now the wage earner in that family has been knocked out by Guillain-Barre syndrome. I was terribly concerned to hear he was in the ICU. We understand his condition has improved, but it's expected to be a long road back.

A trusted friend of his, Frank Zinck, is collecting both money (via PayPal) and gifts to get Darrell's family through the holidays with less fear and discomfort. He guarantees 100% of the funds and items collected will go directly to the family, and I am very satisfied that it will. If you can find it in your heart to help I would personally appreciate whatever large or small thing you can do. The link will also give you a bit of information on the syndrome (which looks like a very nasty piece of work indeed!). Much love to both Darrell and his family and to those who help them through this tough time.

More from Montgomery County (Pa.) Community College

The information information is reprinted from www.mc3.edu:

"Fall Performing Arts Showcase Wed, Dec 07, 2011 starting at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Thu, Dec 08, 2011 starting at 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Two Evenings (Plus an Extra Hour -ed.) of Music & Dance

Each evening features a different lineup of the best talent and work by students in the Music and Dance departments. Enjoy the performances by the College Choir, Dance Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Chamber Choir and others.

The public is invited to these free performances on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Science Center Theater, Central Campus, Blue Bell."

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In addition, the school is offering a lunchtime "sampler show" at 12:30 on Monday, Dec. 5. The matinee is expected to include both choral and instrumental works, as well as dance. All Performing Arts Showcases are offered at no cost to the public. Students from the Montgomery County Community College's associates-level degree program have gone on to study music at four-year institutions and garnered recording contracts. Many within the department aspire to be music educators and to work in the helping professions.

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In other news, also from the school's web site:

MCCC Hosts Ceremony for GED Graduates

RSS

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Montgomery County Community College held its Fall GED Graduation ceremony on Oct. 19 for 63 students who earned their General Education Diplomas at West Campus, 101 College Drive, Pottstown.

The College’s Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education Suzanne Holloman congratulated the students on their GED achievement and encouraged them to continue their educational endeavors.

Holloman said since the program started in 2006, more than 600 students graduated, and the students’ pass rate on the first attempt is more than 85 percent. The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board funds the program, which is free to applicants and is held at the College’s West Campus.

The College’s Vice President for Student Affairs and keynote speaker, Dr. Steady Moono, told the graduates that hard work and discipline will pay off in the long run, as it did in his life.

“Remember these rules of the road,” he said. “Always work hard, guard your integrity, be humble, take advantage of opportunities and stay focused on your goals.”

The GED graduate speaker Monica Olszyk, Phoenixville, spoke about her next goal of becoming a medical secretary now that she has her GED.

“My return to school at age 50 was precipitated by unemployment after working for 34 years,” she said. “I want to thank the Workforce Investment Board for offering the program at no cost. I would not have received my GED otherwise.”

WIB Chairman Harvey Portner, who has attended every GED ceremony since the program started, told the graduates, “Make sure you continue. Without continuing your education, you can’t go forward.”

GED Program Coordinator and Instructor Raymond Ricketts emphasized Portner’s advice.

“There are no more barriers for you,” he said. “Go to college. Don’t sit on your diploma.”

Several of the graduates are already working on the next step in their educational journeys. Kimberly Weigner, Norristown, recently enrolled at the College to earn her degree in restaurant management. Kheira Bouzid, Pottstown, is ready to start her first semester and hopes to enter the nursing program.

Ibsen at MontCo

from Montgomery County Community College's Drama Club
(via facebook)

Montgomery County Community College Theater Arts Program and Drama Club present

Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House

A scandal puts a marriage to the test -- and a wife and mother must make a decision to see her life as it truly is in this stage classic.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday
November 10th, 11th, 12th at 8:00 PM
Sunday Matinée
November 13th at 2:00 PM

$10 general admission, $5 students & seniors
PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE or call (215) 641-6518

The Most Wonderful Times of the Year?

In the name of brevity, I'm combining two of the posts I traditionally put up this time of year.

In date order:

First, the general election is this week, Tuesday, November 8. Polls in my home county, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, are open from seven a.m. to eight p.m. In a monumental oopsie (I assume) the county Republican committee for my poll sent out a "green ballot" or slate card from this past May's primary election in the U.S. Mail this week to voters throughout West Norriton Township. While the date is wrong and the "ballot" does not serve to offer, of course, any updated endorsements, it does serve as a reminder of what offices are on the ballot this time. The ballot is heavy with judgeships and row officer positions. There is a question of state and county judge retention, too. The meat-and-potatoes positions locally are seats on the school board and and township commissioners slots. A heated county commissioner's race has also been hot in the media, and its results will greatly affect the governance of this county.

As always, vote early, vote once and vote well.

If you don't feel educated about this, very competitive set of races now's the time to bone up on media coverage or start asking those you respect their opinions. Maybe both. Let's not neglect our precious franchise.

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Second, and more personal is the issue of Christmas. I don't need anything other than a few household staples like oatmeal, rice and water. I don't expect to be extravagant in gift-giving, and I don't think gifts need to be extravagant. This year in particular, I am thankful for my remarkable family, my sweetheart and the friends that have stuck by me, cheered me and pushed me forward. All I want is more time with them -- and maybe somebody to help me haul out my winter clothes. Brrrrrr.

First, I miss Agnes. There is nothing else I can say about the loss of yet another family friend right now, and there's nothing else that needs to be said publicly. I miss her, and I always will.

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Second, it is rare that my heart is so artfully assaulted as it was tonight at Montgomery County Community College. As part of the school's Africa: The Call and Response series, formidably startling young percussionist, vocalist, writer and dancer Dobet Gnahoré performed in her Philadelphia-area debut. Personal, political & activist, her music features harmonies and melodic aspects reminiscent of artists made popular in America like Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- but her storyline of both love and great suffering brings to audiences the violence of existence and the beauty of simply drawing breath and movement.

Dobet's art is deeply unsettling in its message and its force. It is not for everyone -- but perhaps it should be seen by those who find it most uncomfortable. Undeniably musically accessible, undeniably entertainment, it is also a challenge and a journey. These peeks, courtesy of YouTube, do not begin to show the anger, catharsis or pathos in her work, but they do show a glimpse of the beauty and joy she also, undeniably, exudes.

The Africa: Call and Response series began in October with Baaba Maal's "Tales From the Sahel." It continues next semester with a February 4 performance by Randy Weston Quintet and concludes with Angelique Kidjo's March 23 concert at the school. The project has been funded by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through the Philadelphia Music Project. More information on the project, the performances and other public offerings at the Montgomery County Community College are available at the school's department of cultural affairs at (215) 641-6439.