Paul - Making Peace in Ethiopia
Paul Makepeace - Making Peace in Ethiopia
Have you ever had a friend that you just couldn't ever really figure out what the heck he does for a living? Well, I've had a few. All (well almost all) turned out totally legit, usually hearty do-gooders. We'll, I received an email this morning with these pics of his current business trip to Ethiopia.
The way I understand it, he will be stationed in Johannesburg for a year or two, once he completes his work in Ethiopia. And from these pics, there seems to be pleanty of work to do. Now exactly what work he doesn't there I don't have an inkling. He works for IFDC, an International non-profit, based right here in our community in North Alabama, and according to their website they: IFDC is an international nonprofit serving the most impoverished areas of the world with agribusiness and soil fertility solutions to achieve global food security.
I just remembered that another old buddy, that has now moved off to Honduras (well he did a couple of decades ago) ran IFDC, and I never really got what he was doing either.
I really enjoyed the pics, hope you do.
And Paul, if you'd like to chime in here to clear the air, you'd be more than welcome!
My Friend Paul - Making Peace in Ethiopia
Australia's fashion week 2012 MBFWA
Australia's fashion week 2012 MBFWA
It's Australia's fashion week 2012, otherwise known as MBFWA. Enjoy the pictures of the show. Also, take a look at fashion trends for 2012, what's passe' what's in store for the future. Going from quantity fashion to quality fashion is the new direction for the new year. Find out about Spring to Autum fashion trends as well as color trends, beauty trends, hairstlye and accessories.
Australia's fashion week 2012 MBFWA
A DATE IN THE LIFE OF MICHAEL
A Date in the Life of Michael
By Michael Jones, Seoul
“I’m here. Outside exit 4, sittn’ in the sunshine ”
Either the girl or the guy is late. In my case, it’s the girl. I’m generally too eager and therefore always early. Probably explains why I’m not yet married.
Nonetheless, I’m sitting outside a subway station in central Seoul. The ride here was fun.
I rode a packed Subway.
Click here for the remainder of our new friend, wonderful PhotoLOG
What's the Buzz on Beeswax
What's the Buzz on Beeswax
by Jamie J Jung
She tossed me the box. My Grandma smiled and exclaimed, “Happy Birthday!” I opened the small package, and inside was an eye-dropper bottle with the image of a bee surrounded by Chinese characters which I assumed said “honey” or “bee guts”. I turned the bottle around in my small fat fingers, looking for some hint of an English translation. “It's beeswax, it'll make you very healthy!” As she spoke, I proceeded to inspect the bottle and deny her 'facts'. This bitter, sticky yellow substance had been of no importance to me, up until I researched my Grandmother's claims to it being a miracle worker. Just a few drops on the tongue or in a drink, and 'POOF!' I would be cured of all my allergies. After much search and discovery, I realized how versatile beeswax was, employed in the creation of: lip balms, soaps, crayons, cosmetics, medicinal creams and furniture polishes. It is also used in waterproofing anything in the household like shoes. Without beeswax, we would have snow seeping through our leather boots or when casting-out fishing lines we would draw back soggy, wet strings. Beeswax, not known to many, can also be used for human consumption; however, there are no direct positive results to eating it. Most food companies simply use it in packaging, processing and preserving foods. Yet, I don't doubt that there is some mysterious aura around the simple substance we have all known for so long. Like children who use Crayola crayons as magic sticks, we are still learning and observing the world around us. For all we know, beeswax may be a miracle worker after all.
What's the Buzz on Beeswax
Sustainability, Guilt and Inaction, Oh My!
Four questions to ask in order to help promote sustainable consumer practices.
By J.J. Fellows
I think most of us know sustainability is important. And I'd guess that most of us find it difficult to act in ways that promote sustainability, or even to know what it means to act in those ways. Which ways specifically? Did an action just have to be environmentally friendly? If so, why did we have this whole new word 'sustainable' when we could just say 'environmentally friendly'? Or is there more to it than that? I—like most of us, I'd guess—didn't know. My lack of knowledge, combined with my vague conviction that sustainability was important resulted in a lot of guilt, and a lot of inaction! So I decided to find out what sustainability was, and how to promote it in my consumer purchases.
According to Gro Harlem Brundtland, an international leader in sustainable development, sustainability “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1987). This helped me to see why it was that sustainability wasn't exactly the same as environmentally friendly. You could be environmentally friendly in a way that doesn't meet the needs of the present (by not purchasing anything, for example!). After a bit more research, I developed four questions, based on work done by Oliver Chéry and Elise Marcandella, that help me to evaluate the sustainability of my purchases:
Where do raw materials come from? And how are they transported to the manufacturing location? The retail location?
Is the collecting of supplies and raw materials done in a sustainable way?
How do the people involved help maintain sustainability for those who work with the product from the start to the end of its life-cycle? How do they encourage work-life balance, and an awareness of healthy work practices?
Is the product itself designed to be sustainable? Is it designed to last? Is it designed to maintain a classic aesthetic over time such that consumers won't feel a need to buy new furniture to meet changing styles?
Using these four questions, investigations into sustainability of my consumer decisions has become easier. I know what to ask, and what to look for in order to meet my needs while ensuring that future generations can also meet theirs.
If you ever feel as bewildered as I did, and as guilty and full of a sense of vague urgency that something needed to be done—but you weren't quite sure what it was—then follow this link to my article In Search of Sustainability. Hopefully we can eliminate our collective guilt and inaction together!
Works Cited:
Brundtland, Gro Harlem “Our Common Future” World Commissions on Environment and Development. 1987. Print.
Chery, Oliver and Marcandella, Elise “Innovation and Sustainable Development in Wood Furniture Design” in Management of Technology, Innovation and Value Creation: Selected Papers for the 16th International Conference on Management of Technology, Mostafa Hashem Sherif and Tarek M. Khalil (eds.) USA; World Scientific Publishing. 2008. Print.
Sustainability, Guilt and Inaction, Oh My!
Pulitzer Prize winning native Hank Klibanoff returns for first amendment awareness month.
Pulitzer Prize winning native Hank Klibanoff returns for first amendment awareness month
by James Ryan
April 23, 2012 UNA was host to 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner Hank Klibanoff in honor of first amendment awareness month. Along with fellow journalist Gene Roberts, Klibanoff won the award for the 2006 book “The Race Beat: The Press, the Civil Rights Struggle, and the Awakening of a Nation” that recounted the role of newspapers and television in the African-American civil rights movement¹. Kilbanoff spoke on the first amendment as a muscle, saying that the 45 words that comprise its body need to be exercised to be strong. He went on to make emphasis to the point that the first amendment is a vital supporting structure of society, stating “there is an absolute connection between a free press and a free society,” his message reinforced by notable examples from history and his own experience, with both of positive and negative examples of press behavior.
Beyond the insight and commentary about freedom of speech and press, Kilbanoff also called the audience to join his personal cause of the reopening of public access to the Wilson Dam locks, closed since 2001 for fear of terrorist attack. Kilbanoff stated that going to the dam and watching the boats cross was a unique local activity and that it was time to move past the fear and remove the fencing that the TVA put in place as a barrier to the public, quoting Ronald Regan in facsimile, “Mr Gorbachov, tear down this fence!” In connection with the topic of the day, Kilbanoff said the right of peaceful assembly was in question.
¹ Jonathan Yardley (November 6, 2006). "Two journalists recall the reporters who covered some of the nation's most hard-fought battles.". The Washington Post. Retrieved on April 23, 2012.
Pulitzer Prize winning native Hank Klibanoff returns for First Amendment Awareness month
Simple ways to give back to Mother Nature on Earth Day
Simple ways to give back to Mother Nature on Earth Day
by Miranda Cain
Physician and well-known author Lewis Thomas wrote, “We owe our lives to the sun…How is it, then, that we feel no gratitude?” Earth Day, April 22nd, is fast approaching and a perfect time to give back to Mother Nature by starting a new Earth-friendly habit. You can make a big difference, even if you don’t do anything big—it’s the little things that count the most. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Inside your house:
1. Purchase a stainless steel water bottle and refill it instead of buying disposable water bottles. Even if you recycle all those plastic bottles, a reusable bottle is much more Earth-friendly—think of all the manufacturing energy, shipping of finished product, and money from your pocket that goes into each disposable bottle of water!
2. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. It’s simple and easy, but difficult to remember, so put a note on the mirror as a reminder.
3. Make your toilet low-flow with a convenient and easy-to-use converter, like this one sold here at Amazon.com. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to buy a convertor to make this upgrade. Make it a DIY project—click here to learn more.
4. Time your showers and keep them under ten minutes. Wanna be a superstar? Keep your shower under five minutes.
5. Turn off lights when you leave a room, and especially when you leave your home.
6. Unplug appliances when they aren’t in use. Appliances such as a toaster, coffee maker, phone charger, laptop charger, and others shouldn’t be plugged in all the time.
7. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. We don’t need to use electricity for something that a little air and time can do.
8. Bring a bit of the outside in by keeping plotted plants in your house. The plants filter the air in your house naturally!
9. Look for green furniture. Not the color green, but the stuff made from natural, local materials. Items made to last awhile are just as green. Out-of-the-box, ready-to-assemble pieces that break easily and are regularly added to the landfill should be avoided.
10. And last, but certainly not least, RECYCLE! It’s easy and quick and it makes a huge difference in how much trash goes into your local landfill. Recycling is the easiest green thing you can do and it’s a breeze to get started.
Outside of the home:
1. Use a push lawn mower instead of an electric or gas one. Push mowers use human power instead of fuel. They are good for the environment and the human providing the power gets a little exercise as well. One bird, two stones.
2. Start composting! It’s a great way to get rid of fruit, vegetable and yard scraps and fertilize your garden! Not sure how and where to start your compost, then click here for details on where to begin.
3. Speaking of gardens—create one and grow veggies that you use frequently—think tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. Don’t have a green thumb? No worries, there’s help out there. If you’re just starting out then this is for you. If you have experience and just need help keeping your garden green, then read this.
4. Use rain barrels to collect rain, and then conserve water by using your collected rain to water the garden and lawn.
5. Keep the landscape around your house natural to your location’s environment. For example: Don’t plant grass in the desert—you will waste a lot of water trying to keep the grass alive.
6. Eat locally grown food. Not only do fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market taste better than those from the supermarket, but they are also more fresh and their carbon footprint is much smaller.
7. Forgo the car and walk or bike whenever possible. Traveling under your own power will reduce your carbon footprint and boost your health and fitness!
8. Stop using outdoor cleaning supplies and chemical fertilizers. Go natural! Use a little bit more elbow grease on your grill and use manure to keep your lawn happy.
9. Look into putting solar panels on your roof. Depending on your location and house size, they could be a great investment to help lower your energy bill. Learn more about solar energy here.
10. Take a hint from the Dr. Seuss classic, The Lorax, and plant a new tree in your yard. Why? Trees provide great shade in the summer that can help reduce your home’s cooling costs. Trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, cleaning the atmosphere. And what neighborhood couldn’t stand a little more green?
Simple ways to give back to Mother Nature on Earth Day
Heading for High Point tomorrow
Tomorrow, I'll be heading back to beautiful High Point North Carolina for our semi-annual show. But this time it's going to be much more comfy. Instead of driving with a trailer full of furniture in tow, I've got a 1 1/2 hour flight, with the furniture awaiting my arrival. Althought it's clearly not, it kinda sounds like the big boys!
We won't be sitting in our normal prime spot of the IHFC building's InterHall, but we'll be just up the elevator a couple of floors, in ShawLiving's beautiful showroom.
If you will be in High Point this weekend or next week be sure to stop by to see our all new 2012 SuperNatural Collection. Hope to see you there!
This week in the slow studio
We have several projects going this week. Although nothing complete yet.
An extra large supercool oak and walnut desk in process. One leg of the desk will be flowing grain design, useing the same slab for the leg.
The other leg will be solid walnut. Really a duplicate of our modern walnut console table, just a little shorter. Really a very similar design that we showed at the NAHB show home in Winter Park in Feb.
Finally getting back to this credenza for Sheena, a top notch interior designer in High Point, for a client in Sarasota.
One of the modern solid walnut legs.
Finishing the sassafras benches for Phil Campbell Alabama's city park.
What does Seoul have to do with furniture anyway?
You might be beginning to wonder if you are on the right website. Seeing a few blog posts and quite interesting, well thought out and well written pages around here. Yes, I can't blame you for wondering if you are lost.
But no, you are right here, in the space at this moment, but things might seem quite a bit brighter. And I think that's an amazing thing.
Over the past month or two I've been reaching out and making new friends all over the country and planet. In the wonderful article about Seoul, I can't help but think of how I might think of and describe my home, the deep South. When you first think of the South (if you aren't Southern) what do you first think of? Quick! Well, most people that haven't had a chance to visit the South and get to know us, might think of 1960's Civil Rights Issues, or 2012 Immigration legislation. But if they/you will just dig just a bit deeper, you might just find a wonderful, mesmerizing place that you might never want to leave.
I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Michael and his present home Seoul South Korea, from his perspective. In his next piece (presently in our editing queue with more great stuff), let us tag along with him on a first date in Seoul, with photos along the way of the subway station, coffee shop that's closed, etc
So, what does all of this have to do with my little sustainable furniture business? Nothing and everything. I set up RWF as a means to celebrate life, creativity, and friends I meet along the way. Well, I guess you could say that I've opened the doors, bumped the party up a notch, having the time of my life, celebrating with friends across the planet to better understand them, their way of life, the wonderful differences, and maybe arriving at the conclusion that we might just all be much more similar than we might first have thought.
Does Form Really Follow Function
If you are an architect, an artist or designer you might really appreciate this one. If this side of your brain (I never can remember which) isn't your cup of tea, you won't be alone their either.
Thank you Ben, and welcome aboard.
Here's the link to the article: Does Form Really Follow Function
ONE OF THE BEST REASONS TO VISIT SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Crowds at Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival / Kim SungjinOne of the best reasons to visit Seoul, South Korea
By Michael Jones, Seoul
Quick…what comes to mind when you think of South Korea? I’ll bet it’s North Korea? Or Kim Jong Il? Or maybe a phrase like, “Korea is the country that’s dangerously close to North Korea.” If that is true, what a shame. The truth is, there is a lot to behold here in the Land of Morning Calm.
Case in point…
Spring is coming, and that means Cherry Blossoms! If there’s one thing to delight any designer, it’s the beauty of the tiny pink and white cherry flowers splashing their radiance into parks and along the sidewalks of 
A cherry blossoms life is a perfect story. It begins like an action packed novel, with an amazingly flashy entry into life, blooming in a day’s notice. It develops its lovely character over a brief seven-day life span that seems to reach a fever pitch. Then, in an encore of beauty, its petals break off and shower to the earth with a graceful, soft elegance; a perfect ending to a perfect tale.
So I urge you to cast off the knee-jerk associations of tyrannical dictators or the threat of war upon hearing the name Korea. Instead, from now on begin envisioning the image of a cherry blossom and its tale of beauty. Ask 
ONE OF THE BEST REASONS TO VISIT SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
First Amendment Awareness Month
If a local would like to attend Hank's talk on the 23rd, and post what they learn here on my LOGblog, it would be very much appreciated. (A few pics digital pics would also bea helpful). Just email me at robinwadefurniture@mac.com if you are interested.
In the mean time, I'll be attending Gene Policinski's talk on the 19th, and look forward to sharing my findings.
First Amendment Awareness Month
Is anyone out there?
I can see him now, tapping away on his paddle and transmitting signals around the world in an attempt to make friends with almost anyone tens of thousands of miles away. If ever Dad heard the signal for "Is anyone out there?" he would run downstairs to his office and start tapping away, reaching out to whomever was asking to verify that he was listening.
Through his ham radio and Morse code hobby, Dad made friends in places near and far, and discovered that deep inside we are all the same. And he celebrated this understanding, from time to time, just when the atmosphere and his little ham radio antenna in the side yard were in sync.
When I was in grade school, he won an amateur radio competition. His prize: a family vacation to the 1967 World’s Fair in Montreal, known as Expo 67. At age 10, my first visit abroad. Technically, crossing an imaginary line on a land mass doesn’t qualify as “abroad”, but I was only 10, and I’ve never been into technicalities. And, since we drove, it certainly seemed abroad to me. It was the first time I’d ever experienced a culture and people outside of my small southern hometown. It was the first time I’d ever heard other languages spoken within earshot and the first time I’d ever made friends who didn’t live within just a few miles of my home.
Today, I’m continuing to make friends and build business relationships around North America and overseas, but I’m sitting in my office and in my home. But now, the tap-tap-tapping isn't Dad spelling out messages on his paddle, its me typing on my laptop keyboard. Thanks to modern technology, its easy to meet like-minded people from around the planet with whom I can work and share experiences and knowledge about sustainability and design. I’m enjoying learning about their unique vantage points in the world and their ideas and passions.
In the short six weeks that I’ve been toying with this new paradigm, I've had the absolute pleasure to have begun business relationships and friendships with amazing people in Johannesburg, Lima, Seoul, Okanawa, New York, Murphreesboro, San Antonio, Mumbai, Flagstaff, San Francisco and more.
Fifty years after I fell asleep with Morse code bouncing around my head, I am following my father’s path. Although he encouraged my brother and me to learn Morse code, we didn't really get into it like he did. But I’m finally realizing that the lesson was never lost on me. Today’s technology allows us to so effortlessly do the same thing, but with pinpoint accuracy, incredible speed, and the added bonus of visual imagery.
The question is no longer, "Is anyone out there?” The questions are: In what country do you want a friend? In what city? With what interests? For me, its international issues, southern culture, philanthropy, human rights, environmental concerns, architecture and design, and sustainable, healthy living. With the help of social media, the introduction between me and an architect who loves to write, an attorney who lives green, or a journalist who designs furniture for fun, is almost instantaneously.
As a way of celebrating these folks and sharing their ideas and thoughts with you, I’ve invited my new friends to have voices on my LOGblog and RobinWadeFurniture.com and you will be hearing from them on a regular basis. And somehow, one friendship and blog post at a time, these new friends from around the country and the globe might just be helping make this big, sometimes scary and dangerous world a smaller, more friendly place. I hope you enjoy the words and images they share with us.
Is anyone out there?
2 walnut benches in progress
smoked chicken & asparagus
smoked chicken & asparagus
Walnut cubes just out of the finishing room
Walnut cubes just out of the finishing room
The Guardian by Carly Palmour
The Guardian from Carly Palmour on Vimeo.
Nice work Carly, thanks for sharing!
The fork in the road - and I took it
But, once you got over your original panic and brief sense of failure, you look around and find a magical little spot on this earth that you may have never ever known about. Well, a couple of months ago, another fork (in our ever beautifully winding road) presented itself, and we've been immersed in the new direction ever since.
So glad you have joined us for at least a bit of the ride so far. But stay tuned, buckle up, you will never guess what's waiting for us - just down the road a piece.
The fork in the road - and I took it
Eating Alabama
Eating Alabama
Wonderful trailer of a local film about local food. Can't wait to see the movie. Well done who ever you are!
I've been intrigued by what I keep hearing about the annual SXSW events. Great to see a local group involved.
If you see the film shown around here, let me know!