LANSING, MI – A new exhibit juxtaposing the work of art teacher Jacquie Vaughan with those of her students at Lansing’s Shabazz Public School Academy will be displayed February 8 through April 25, 2009 at the Michigan Women’s Historical Center. A free public reception for the exhibit, entitled “Potpourri,” is scheduled for Sunday, February 8 at the historical center from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Potpourri” will feature the fiber artwork of Jacquie Vaughan, whose handspun yarn and textiles and quilts have been displayed at dozens of venues as well as at the Great Lakes Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival. As an art teacher at Shabazz Academy, Vaughan inspires her students to move beyond simple media such as paint, pencils, and clay and explore the fiber arts as well-often to great result. A selection of these students’ best works-integrating spinning, dyeing, felt making, weaving, and beading-will be included in the exhibit. Vaughan and several students will also demonstrate some of their techniques at the February 8 opening.
The “Potpourri” exhibit kicks off the Black History Month celebration at the Historical Center.
The Michigan Women’s Historical Center was established in 1987 by the Michigan Women’s Studies Association, which seeks to improve what is taught and thought about women in Michigan’s schools, colleges, and universities. Inside the Historical Center are changing galleries highlighting women’s history and art as well as the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, commemorating nearly 250 Michigan women past and present. Photographs, biographical sketches, and lesson plans relating to the Hall of Fame honorees may also be viewed online at www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.
Overstock.com Announces Monthly $10,000 Family Bailout Sweepstakes for 2009
Announcing the winner of its initial 2008 $50,000 Family Bailout Plan yesterday, Overstock.com CEO says the Sweepstakes will continue throughout 2009 with $10,000 monthly debt payment awards to the lucky winners
SALT LAKE CITY ,UT– Overstock.com,Inc. (Nasdaq: OSTK) today announced that the online retailer will pay off $10,000 of the debt of the winner of its monthly $10,000 Family Bailout Sweepstakes throughout 2009.
Each month Overstock.com will announce a new winner of the $10,000 prize. Entries are already being accepted for January’s give away and will continue through the end of the month. The winner will be announced around February 15. The remaining monthly contests for 2009 will begin on the first day of each month, and monthly winners announced the month following. No purchase is necessary; however, entries are automatically submitted by purchasing items on Overstock.com. To enter or nominate someone you know, visit: www.
overstock.com/familybailout.
"We’re going through the most challenging economic times since the Great Depression," said Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com Chairman and CEO. "With such a great response from the $50,000 Family Bailout, we wanted to continue to lend a helping hand during the months ahead."
In keeping with the spirit of their Family Bailout Plan of 2008, Overstock.com has created the 2009 Monthly Family Bailout Sweepstakes in order to give those who visit Overstock.com the chance to pay their mortgage, credit cards, or other large debts in a troubled economic time. The $10,000 award will be directly paid to the winner’s designated creditors, and includes an additional amount designed to cover any taxes that may apply.
For further details and complete terms and conditions on the Overstock.com Family Bailout, visit www.overstock.com/
familybailout.
Overstock.com, Inc. is an online retailer offering brand-name merchandise at discount prices. Overstock.com, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market System and can be found online at http://www.overstock.com.
President-elect Barack Obama Renews Promise of Hope
The 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in this country after years of work by clergy, doctors, and neighbors for reproductive freedom. The ruling promised hope for desperate women with unintended pregnancies who felt they had no other options. The inauguration of Barack Obama, a strong supporter of reproductive justice, offers hope to women and men in the U.S. It is also a reminder that the future of reproductive freedoms lies with those who grew up in a time of legalized abortion and increasing access to contraception.
“With this promise comes responsibility,” says Rabbi Amy Bigman, chair of the Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. “Over the last 30 years laws have chipped away woman’s access to abortion and birth control. While we celebrate the freedoms and rights we have today, it is our turn to ensure the promise of hope.”
“Celebrating the Promise of Hope: 36th Annual Roe v. Wade Commemoration” is the theme of this year’s event which will take place January 21, 2009 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Hannah Community Center at 819 Abbot Road in East Lansing. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will include monologue performances that provide personal insight into issues related to reproductive choice. Rep. Rebekah Warren will provide a legislative update. Prior to the program, attendees can participate in different informational activities.
The event is sponsored by Michigan Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, ACLU, Lansing Area Advocates for Choice, League of Women Voters Lansing Area, MSU Medical Students for Choice, MSU Students for Choice, NOW, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Michigan, Planned Parenthood Young Leaders, and the Jane Doe Fund.
The Michigan affiliate of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice works to ensure reproductive choice through the moral power of religious communities. The Coalition seeks to be a representative of people of all faiths and to give a clear voice to the reproductive issues of people of color, those living in poverty, youth, and underserved populations.
Agriculturally Speaking…. Michigan’s
Agri-business Sector on the Grow
By Don Koivisto, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture
As we take time to reflect on the past year, I want to acknowledge and applaud the job growth and retention in the agri-food industry and
celebrate its nearly $64 billion annual impact on the state’s economy.
From business expansion, which created or retained thousands of jobs, to making agriculture a sought after career path, Michigan’s agri-business industry continues to thrive and grow despite the current economic climate.
As Michigan’s second largest economic driver, our agri-food sector is a multi-billion dollar a year business and produces more than 200 commodities, ranking second only to California in agricultural diversity. Not only does Michigan lead the nation in production of 20 agri-food commodities, but is also 1st and 4th in the nation for floriculture and Christmas tree production, respectively.
One developing area of agri-food commodities is cranberry production. With potential for production expansion, the cranberry industry could play a significant role in supporting Michigan’s future economy. Along with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Cranberry Council, MDA co-sponsored a Cranberry Session at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo to explore the possibilities of cranberry production in Michigan and the positive effects it will have on our state.
Michigan’s agri-food industry continues to grow with business expansions of household names such as Kellogg Company and Gerber (a subsidiary of Nestle’ Nutrition). Kellogg Company is creating 300 new food research jobs through the expansion of the W.K Kellogg Institute for Food and Nutrition Research, Kellogg’s center for food research, development and innovation. Gerber is also expanding, through a $75 million investment over the next 10 years into its current Fremont plant; they are committed to retaining 1,100 employees and creating 200
new jobs.
Another main component of the agriculture industry’s $64 billion economic impact comes from Michigan’s annual exports. As one of the top 20 state agriculture exporters in the nation, Michigan’s annual agriculture exports generate more than $1.2 billion and employ over 13,800 residents.
These achievements further underscore the importance of the agri-food industry in Michigan for job growth, job creation, and economic support. Despite tough economic times, agriculture continues to be a thriving industry and supports many Michigan families. As we close out a successful 2008, the Michigan Department of Agriculture is looking forward to a promising 2009.
Source: Press releases
