Runraiser: 55 on 55

   Pam, my dental hygienist of nearly 15 years, is running 55k on her 55th birthday to raise money to help her brother, who has recurrent cancer. So I'm sharing the link in case anyone can help out. Here is the story in her words:
   On May 25th I plan on running 55K, (34.1 miles), to raise funds to help defray medical costs for my brother. In January 2011, shortly after his 55th birthday, Willy was diagnosed with Stage III Renal Cell Carcinoma, (kidney cancer). His right kidney along with the tumor, (the size of a Nerf football), had to be removed. In October of 2011, an MRI revealed the cancer had metastasized to his brain. At that time he underwent three weeks of full brain radiation, and had one stereo-tactic radio surgery treatment. At that time he also began an oral chemotherapy regiment. He is now on disability and receives enough to cover his basic expenses, but his private insurance has a $10,000 deductible and no prescription drug coverage.
   You, or someone you know, may have been diagnosed with cancer. So you may already understand the fear and uncertainty that comes with that diagnosis. I can't do anything about his cancer, but maybe, (with your help), I can relieve some of his financial fear and uncertainty. Would you please help? Thank you!  — Pam Barnes

AU catch up: Mirrors & Metal

   Check one of the coolest pieces of artwork I've donated for sure: a wooden mirror frame with my logo in it; the annual Machine Head art work day; and the main event itself!

Art Unleashed 2012

Tonight was Art Unleashed, and another good one at that! (I found out a couple weeks later that we raised over $77,000 in a single evening, with over 400 pieces of artwork, and hordes of volunteers making it all happen). It was held at the historic American Royal again:

This sweet dog greeted everyone at the door. I WANT HIM.

The crowd grows

Posing with some of my metal artwork

LOVE this pug painting! Didn't win it. BOO.

LOVE Mary Ann's mixed-media collage!

LOVE Charlotte's drawing!

LOVE Donna's new mosaic!

And Joni & Jack's pieces in the live auction... WOW.

Kelley's "downward-facing dog" yoga bag

Dawn & Ginny with their wins (Ginny won my dog frame!)

Britten won the surly monkey photograph!

Sawako, me, Britten, Nicole, & Amy (with Rich hiding in back)

Art Unleashed: Mirror, Mirror

   Amber happens to work at 3Axis Inc., and they happen to be experts in woodworking and happen to have a CNC router, and I just happened to create a design that we thought would make the perfect frame for a mirror! So here is her friend & coworker, Bryce, showing off the cut piece that we will be donating to the Art Unleashed auction.

WOW.

Amber with the CNC router (not to be confused with the C+C Music Factory)

The router at work! It took over an hour to cut all the intricate details...

...almost there...

Bryce shows off his work

Amber finished the mirror & frame beautifully...

They're supposed to be making one for me to keep. I think I might have them leave the circle out, and make it a coffee table with a piece of glass on top!

Trail Run for Haiti

   This morning I woke up way too early for a Saturday, and Taylor and I drove out to Lone Elm park in Olathe for the 1st annual 5k Trail Run for Haiti, by Heart to Heart International. I usually run Race for the Cure this weekend (which is tomorrow), but I wanted to try this one for two reasons: I believe in the cause, spurred by my friends Pam Kingsley and Melissa Bolden; and the organizers welcomed Taylor to run with me. The first reason makes the second seem trivial, and I guess it is, but Taylor sure LOVES these 5ks—and the crowd LOVES "Mr. Personality". So why shouldn't he join me?
   It was a nice course through a small dirt section, and mostly mowed grass trails. The Heart to Heart volunteers were SO wonderful! Very welcoming, and stationed along the course to cheer us on. They did a great job organizing the race. There were only about 100 runners, so it was a nice, chill way to start the weekend. Once the pack opened up, we had a stretch of trail to ourselves, so Taylor was able to dart back and forth a bit, hunting as we ran.
   They had a ton of food for us at the end—fruit, sports drinks, and premium bagels (spinach & gruyere, anyone?), and the race packet included a ton of local coupons. I felt like they gave me more than I gave them with my entry! Definitely a race I would do again—super friendly crowd, and they were very appreciative to all who attended.

   You can easily support the children of Haiti by purchasing a handcrafted necklace. It has been three years since the terrible earthquake that changed their lives, but they are still very much in need of our help. From what Pam and Melissa have told me, the people in Haiti are so wonderful and grateful for the world's support.

   I'd love to get over to Haiti to help sometime. Melissa was trying to twist my arm, not that it needed much twisting. Hmmmmm...
   Taylor and I finished the race in 28:13, mostly due to Taylor's momentum. Not too bad, considering my Nike+ thinks we actually ran 5.5k. Starting to get my times back down to where they used to be... just need to get back into shape!

Trail Run for Haiti Videos KSHB-TV

Nice job, Jadh—on the interview, and on organizing the race!

Unleashed at Machine Head!

   Once again, Dick turned us loose in his shop to make metal art out of my logo for this year's Art Unleashed. We worked for 8 hours and turned out somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 pieces of all shapes, sizes, & finishes. Plus, we had a lot of fun as usual. This year it was Dick, Robert Q, Matt, Jared, Connie, Randy, Jason, Amber, Ricky, Jana & me. Whew!
   More photos to come... I've volunteered over 22 hours this week (for HSGKC & for my friend Michele's business—in addition to working 40) & I need a nap!

HSGKC Mug Shot

   Check out the Art Unleashed mug that I just created. Shutterfly generously sent me a code for a free mug (I only had to pay shipping), so I decided to create one that commemorates this year's event, which I plan to donate to the art auction. Here's hoping it will bring in some good money for the animals!
   Click & drag the image below to see all sides of the mug... this preview is almost as cool as the real thing! And did you know that if you post about your Shutterfly project and email a link to shareproject@shutterfly.com, they will give you a $10 credit for a future order? Talk about paying it forward. Thanks, Shutterfly!

Mug

View the entire collection of cards.

Annual Machine Head Day

   Today Dick once again opened his fantastic metal shop up to the motley crew of volunteers to make cat & dog artwork for the annual Art Unleashed auction. As you can see, Dick, Robert, Jana, Connie, Randy, Jason, Amber, Ricky, Matt, Jared—even Aki, Taylor & their new pal Lambert!—and I, had a blast.
   We made about 40-50 pieces of metal art for donation, and this year we got extra creative. Our best collection yet! Sincere thanks to Dick Jobe for his generosity!

"You're not thinking of putting US to WORK, are you?!"

Lutes family photo

Connie & her adorable grandson

Whoa. Ricky is TALL. And I am SHORT.

Dick & Matt get down to business

Cutting begins

A tribute to my dear Gypsy

Ricky prepares the rods for garden stakes

Sandblasting

Amber's in the grind

Artwork, and the dog who inspired it

The all-important lunch order: Jimmy John's this year

Artwork piling up

Tons of yard art

Artwork almost taller than me!

Frame me up

Sitting down on the job

Look at us—we're ART!