tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80930581032803085762024-03-12T19:51:41.187-04:00Storm Drain Superhero.Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-19590905445873635582012-08-12T03:33:00.002-04:002013-08-22T11:25:36.318-04:00So Long...For Now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Sunrise, Sunset" as it is sung. </div>
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With the Dimmick House well cleared of my whimsical collection of doo-dads and whats-its, the sturdy, yellow GPS unit placed firmly in the hands of <a href="http://townoffarragut.org/index.aspx?NID=281" target="_blank">another</a> individual eager to serve the Farragut community, and my physical body well placed on the <a href="http://mooseeffect.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">other side</a> of the American continent, it seems like an appropriate time to wrap up this blog. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyXEitkZnJZRNJ3oWT9brNlyJvn_3kAPSHXfc525GUvocPkHSIeUBOKJvbZ4cD6kF6fdEtuyyXN7THyZLLYXVNNbnZ4tJ_rcD3R7TvszjGRglJhj45On21SrU-T_jtk_AS-ExtM1WuZs/s1600/sdsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyXEitkZnJZRNJ3oWT9brNlyJvn_3kAPSHXfc525GUvocPkHSIeUBOKJvbZ4cD6kF6fdEtuyyXN7THyZLLYXVNNbnZ4tJ_rcD3R7TvszjGRglJhj45On21SrU-T_jtk_AS-ExtM1WuZs/s320/sdsh.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first day in Farragut after having just flown in from my NCCC service in California two days prior.</td></tr>
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Frankly I have been putting it off. While normally my blog are neglected from the distraction of day to day life, or even a lack of inspiration and creativity, I let this one sit this past month simply because I wasn't ready to move on. To say that my year in Farragut was full of wonderful memories is a vast understatement. In fact, without hyperbole, I might even venture to say that this AmeriCorps experience has been the brightest chronological highlight of my young life. <br />
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Goodness knows I certainly didn't expect to fall head over heels for the Knox area, stormwater management, or even AmeriCorps state/national - but I did. Hard. Maybe it was the people, the work, the location, or just the way the stars seemed to align there concerning my life at the time, but whenever I think back to this past service year, I cannot help but feel a warm wave of nostalgia pass over me as if I were reliving the good ol' days...though those good ol' days have only just recently been let out of my grasp.<br />
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Or perhaps I'm just overly sentimental and a bit off of my rocker - but hey - it's my blog and I'll say what I feel. It is important for me to acknowledge that my service there got me where I am now, and it is through the memories I had there, and the knowledge that I gained, that I will rely on when the road gets bumpy on my <a href="http://www.mooseeffect.com/" target="_blank">current</a> adventure.<br />
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A sincere thank you to everyone who made my time in Knoxville/Farragut so <strike>special </strike>whimsical. I will hold it close to my heart.<br />
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To stop my own rambling I will leave you with the <a href="http://www.riverunicorn.com/" target="_blank">River Unicorn</a> and my final presentation to the Town. What I fail to find the words to say, I know this whimsical creature can with just one photo.<br />
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-Josh<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jjziP0LPhO0" width="420"></iframe><br />Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-55962021597033504762012-06-27T11:45:00.000-04:002012-06-27T11:45:46.249-04:00ThoughtsAs of Friday of this week I will be taking the <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2011/09/gaga-said-so.html" target="_blank">recycling posters</a> off of my desk, putting in my final data for Farragut's <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-is-adopt-stream.html" target="_blank">Adopt-A-Stream</a> program, and saying my goodbyes to all of the wonderful people I have met on this leg of my <a href="http://americorpsalums.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/a-license-to-serve/" target="_blank">AmeriCorps adventure</a>. To, as of next week, no longer speak of my AmeriCorps service in the present tense is strange to say the least. After two years of adventures, friendships, traveling, and daily doses of elbow grease I have few stories to share that don't involve me being in a gray t-shirt with an AmeriCorps logo on the sleeve.<br />
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<a href="http://whatisjoshdoing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My NCCC experience</a> framed my State/National year here in Farragut so well. Not only was my supervisor also a NCCC Fire Management Team alum, but from a personal development perspective, my time working in team based national service really prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that living and working alone in this job would provide. It also provided me with the self-confidence and assuredness that I lacked coming immediatly out of college. AmeriCorps has been good to me - but I suppose I don't need to tell you that if you have ever frequented my blogs before.<br />
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I cannot think of anything I would have rather done with my life this year aside from this job. I know that may sound like exaggeration to some but it is nonetheless true. Not only was Farragut an amazingly supportive and enjoyable site, the work that entailed always proved to feel important and of value to the community. Never did I feel that I was squandering my or my sites time with the work I was doing. I have been proud to be an important cog in the maching that is this municipality.<br />
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As a sentimental person, goodbyes are hard for me, so I think I'll just leave this blogpost as it is for now and try to come up with a little more closure later :)<br />
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Now it is time to delete about a kajillion emails off of this work computer to set it up for next year's AmeriCorps!Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-50090966703993016902012-06-22T13:48:00.002-04:002012-06-22T13:48:48.600-04:00A License to ServeI am featured on the national AmeriCorps Alums blog! <a href="http://americorpsalums.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/a-license-to-serve/" target="_blank"> Check it out</a>!Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-29192013856339659762012-06-22T12:02:00.000-04:002012-06-22T12:02:19.146-04:00Final ReportI had to submit my final report to my AmeriCorps heads this morning. I wonder if this is what they were looking for...<br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Day that Unicorns Saved Turkey Creek<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And other Tales of Environmental Stewardship in Farragut, Tennessee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></span></v:shapetype><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">AmeriCorps does things differently a few miles west of Knoxville Proper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, we participate in things like recycling measures just like the rest of the corps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However instead of a gray clad AmeriCorps member coming to your car to collect your electronic waste you encounter a large dinosaur named Recyclosaurus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We too throw our name into the hat concerning water quality education and outreach, but instead of putting together a PowerPoint presentation, we create a rap battle video starring benthic macroinvertebrates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes we too coordinate an Adopt-A-Steam program but most of the promotional images you’ll find surrounding it involve a unicorn in waders.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulw8kBoY9emPmgPJHu3aIufrQ2k-z09DKqzqjpti-IfHlv_X7J-b9s3xjJBkcIua9hu-u4v-Aar2q41Hr3Hmidy0W1k1pasnSHraVfhtil6GQUEbnm7tLuzrn23v8DvswKaNGCK6so8U/s1600/429030_309011432497872_236904575_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulw8kBoY9emPmgPJHu3aIufrQ2k-z09DKqzqjpti-IfHlv_X7J-b9s3xjJBkcIua9hu-u4v-Aar2q41Hr3Hmidy0W1k1pasnSHraVfhtil6GQUEbnm7tLuzrn23v8DvswKaNGCK6so8U/s320/429030_309011432497872_236904575_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That single horned beast has come to embody what my AmeriCorps year with the Town of Farragut Stormwater Matters program means to me. Though Mr. Unicorn and his roster of whimsical friends were fantastical and at times off-putting to those with limited imaginations, they were nonetheless purposeful and acted at the tip of the spear for getting positive results in water quality and all of the other environmental issues that AmeriCorps CAC tackles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply put, I believe my cartoonish way of thinking got results in the way that I hoped it would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\americorps\Desktop\332751_287496591316023_1104128454_o.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" style="height: 228.2pt; margin-left: -36.75pt; margin-top: 5.55pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 147.75pt; z-index: 251659264;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <v:imagedata o:title="332751_287496591316023_1104128454_o" src="file:///C:\Users\AMERIC~2\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"> <w:wrap type="square"> </w:wrap></v:imagedata></span></span></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contrary to what one might expect in hearing about the whimsical frolicking of unicorns, much of my AmeriCorps year has been about the dirty fingernail, sweaty t-shirt kind of work you’d expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn’t a moment of it however when I didn’t try to embrace a sense of whimsy in it all. Afterall, whimsy was my outreach tool that got people on board with my projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I needed to up the amount of committed recyclers at special events and at Town Hall, I created a series of posters and recycling bin wraps that featured pop culture icons such as Super Mario, LOLcat, and Lady Gaga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I physical carried the sum of 2,820lbs of refuse to be recycled, I believe Gaga herself carried a good 50% of that on her back.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcGfOw2NSoinmKcIv0nfkt1Wfmo_lqOiXYi_eeBN0mih2HSIAoGgsFWXg9OmlCl4Hv1nTXGN0vVU_sZdzTmclv-sa8vuxNqfW_DpOi95_ZYmtCxNS8fbH6j4XT92cuKrZL4mwZn8L_Y0/s1600/332751_287496591316023_1104128454_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcGfOw2NSoinmKcIv0nfkt1Wfmo_lqOiXYi_eeBN0mih2HSIAoGgsFWXg9OmlCl4Hv1nTXGN0vVU_sZdzTmclv-sa8vuxNqfW_DpOi95_ZYmtCxNS8fbH6j4XT92cuKrZL4mwZn8L_Y0/s320/332751_287496591316023_1104128454_o.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stormwater inlet GPS mapping was the kind of work I really fell in love with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had everything – a chance to spend all day outdoors, and emphasis on technology, a quantifiable workload, and a chance to commune with a most misunderstood character – the storm drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting to be an important cog of a system that allowed a comprehensive view of the stormwater system in place within the town was an awesome experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In was so awesome in fact that I tore through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of my AmeriCorps stint I was supposed to have the first quadrant of the town’s stormwater inlets mapped and assessed for health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2012-2013 AmeriCorps would then map quadrant two and so on until AmeriCorps member number four mapped the last section of town in 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much to the displeasure of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the future Town of Farragut AmeriCorps members, I loved mapping so much that I mapped not only my goal, quadrant one, but mapped the entirety of the Town of Farragut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3,387 stormwater inlets later I am a bit more tan and possess a robust sense of accomplishment.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFJYwYFKcRYLVQqXaRGkumvVVXnA6WjtYMSbtZQOk1kTLUCV-7QpN1V5KO0Zu3mk7CTxUoSvTKhSyHd1F4GQvfTtxstNmoe9bZxGK6ar3PFT4LAm7uuhmd1zt6rLjI6U4sF8Z3rWfixM/s1600/josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFJYwYFKcRYLVQqXaRGkumvVVXnA6WjtYMSbtZQOk1kTLUCV-7QpN1V5KO0Zu3mk7CTxUoSvTKhSyHd1F4GQvfTtxstNmoe9bZxGK6ar3PFT4LAm7uuhmd1zt6rLjI6U4sF8Z3rWfixM/s1600/josh.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\americorps\Desktop\Slide8-1-1.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" style="height: 153.75pt; margin-left: -51.75pt; margin-top: 207.2pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 205pt; z-index: 251661312;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <v:imagedata o:title="Slide8-1-1" src="file:///C:\Users\AMERIC~2\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"> <w:wrap type="square"> </w:wrap></v:imagedata></span></span></v:shape><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\americorps\Desktop\josh.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" style="height: 223.5pt; margin-left: 301.5pt; margin-top: -160.3pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 148.5pt; z-index: 251660288;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <v:imagedata o:title="josh" src="file:///C:\Users\AMERIC~2\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"> <w:wrap type="square"> </w:wrap></v:imagedata></span></span></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Field work didn’t just mean working around Turkey Creek however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly spent my fair share of time walking, and often falling, in Turkey Creek itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In coordinating the Adopt-A-Stream program for the town I have worked with several groups including a local Boy Scout Troop, a JROTC program, and students from the University of Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together we removed 1,470lbs of refuse from the Turkey Creek watershed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t all just trash bags and waders though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through my winning of a grant for the town, 350 trees have become citizens of Farragut whos primary job includes strengthening the riparian zones of Turkey Creek.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another aspect of my AmeriCorps position that placed me in thigh-high water was dry weather screening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An important stormwater management housekeeping practice, this screening had me collecting GPS points of manmade discharges into Turkey Creek and using testing kits to test all active discharges into the main body of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hundred percent of the target areas of the creek was mapped and tested for levels of chlorine, phenols, sediment, detergent, ammonia, copper, and chlorine.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4LReYbhUFIOS3UBjpPnQAB-ItUryhyphenhyphenEJx6ehAXR31DjaoD7bA64gF2c_QiRI5mJcthZPzTbvllT2J67CWE5vyKCO2Vj3kLPx9xPB1rRPPrGtNsyU-WXW8cJN4QPgrJkz7affiFi8-hA/s1600/Slide8-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4LReYbhUFIOS3UBjpPnQAB-ItUryhyphenhyphenEJx6ehAXR31DjaoD7bA64gF2c_QiRI5mJcthZPzTbvllT2J67CWE5vyKCO2Vj3kLPx9xPB1rRPPrGtNsyU-WXW8cJN4QPgrJkz7affiFi8-hA/s320/Slide8-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I wasn’t hanging out with storm drains, mapping outlets, or keeping trash out of Turkey Creek, I was helping to run the special event circuit with the rest of my AmeriFriends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Special events were the time for my love of whimsy to really shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best example of this being my participation in the Southeast’s largest environmental festival, EarthFest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When charged with coming up with a creative education and outreach tool for the festival’s scavenger hunt I pulled out my roster of whimsical characters without hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With help from my fellow AmeriCorps CAC members I enrolled a variety of environmental characters into the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote scripts, developed costumes, did photo shoots, and created blog entries for characters such as Latch the Green Garden Tick, Kelly the Water Quality Crayfish, and a new dinosaur character, Franklin Fossil Fuels. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The EarthFest cast weren’t the only ones to make online appearances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A YouTube rap battle was created from the ground up – lyrics, music, costumes, and videography – to teach middle schoolers about benthic macroinvertebrates as part of the Adopt-A-Watershed program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another video followed a spork on his adventure through being recycled as part of the America Recycles Day video competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to name just one more, Mr. Unicorn found his way to the AmeriCorps photo contest promoting Farragut’s Adopt-A-Stream program.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNMs63KaqbcUG-M32dlZRairkQ9r8-lu6hi3hcuXcICmBVuGd5t1GGEDwddccV643ZD71HPM7iN-h7gLDSPNrQ0sMwAzh9d0WHLQEksaUG4L1BQI9eH2U1VDKcAi7Tpup1m3fDDS3878/s1600/468711_372186929513655_1198076569_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNMs63KaqbcUG-M32dlZRairkQ9r8-lu6hi3hcuXcICmBVuGd5t1GGEDwddccV643ZD71HPM7iN-h7gLDSPNrQ0sMwAzh9d0WHLQEksaUG4L1BQI9eH2U1VDKcAi7Tpup1m3fDDS3878/s320/468711_372186929513655_1198076569_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say I got a lot of attention for my antics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often felt like a one man show for the local newspapers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do a few Google searches you can find more than a few newspaper articles covering my AmeriCorps year, videos of me in costume talking about local water quality, and general pieces speaking about the importance of AmeriCorps in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also been featured more than once on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knoxville community television and have even been featured on the National AmeriCorps Alums blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was personally very important for me to chronicle the major points of my year via my blogspot page, Storm Drain Superhero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did my best to chronicle every major accomplishment, every education and outreach character created, and every 500<sup>th</sup> storm drain mapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is my hope that future Farragut AmeriCorps will be able to look back on my blog for ideas and maybe even inspiration.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can’t begin to say how much I enjoyed my time as the Town of Farragut’s premier AmeriCorps member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have worked with so many wonderful people and have gotten to participate in so many compelling environmental projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, this often felt less like a short-term national service experience and more like a chance to live out a dream job for ten months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave this position with happy memories, a feeling of accomplishment, and a bolstered sense of the most important thing in the world…whimsy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62GgcTfVTX-mheytfc_5zyCGPwvp_KrwPjJvvkj7X3DOZaf9mTqB92hyphenhyphenuCcY-0UZ-Dj6RW2fekosL999v0Xnyxj2KxXylK3VDWUWO4gXiLeiOKZOawx9i5dHwJ0Hv_eoounrs7wZ7yjU/s1600/472007_2477786363674_1769161352_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62GgcTfVTX-mheytfc_5zyCGPwvp_KrwPjJvvkj7X3DOZaf9mTqB92hyphenhyphenuCcY-0UZ-Dj6RW2fekosL999v0Xnyxj2KxXylK3VDWUWO4gXiLeiOKZOawx9i5dHwJ0Hv_eoounrs7wZ7yjU/s320/472007_2477786363674_1769161352_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-45997711702606285652012-06-21T15:37:00.001-04:002012-06-21T15:38:30.533-04:00Rap Battle!!!<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">The Benthic Rap Battle is here!!!<br />
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Produced from scratch - music, lyrics, costumes, videography, etc - we created this project as an education and outreach tool for the topic of water quality. Follow Caddisfly and Dobsonfly on their whimsical adventure through the conveyance of hip-hop.<br />
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YouTube thumbs and comments appreciated!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vLvBcPXDIOM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<em>Based on Nice Peter's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ERB" target="_blank">Epic Rap Battles of History</a>, SWRHHCoWQ pairs together two water quality related characters in a battle of wits. This episode focuses on two water quality indicator species of <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/01/srhhcowq-what-acronym.html" target="_blank">benthic macroinvertebrates</a> - the Caddisfly (a Jewel-esque earth warrior) and the Dob$onfly (the devil may care Ke$ha party girl).<br />
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This project was put together as a water quality education and outreach project helmed by the AmeriCorps member of the Town of Farragut, TN Stormwater Matters program in conjuction with AmeriCorps members from Knox County Air Quality and Tennessee Yards & Neighborhoods.</em>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-63161653907455490712012-06-20T08:24:00.000-04:002012-06-20T08:24:09.436-04:00Loose EndsIn less than two weeks I will be taking down the spork and unicorn decorations that adorn my desk and this blog will come to a close.<br />
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I can't even begin to write a comprehensive post on this year and how much I have enjoyed it. So until then, enjoy these articles from the <a href="http://issuu.com/shoppernews/docs/farragut-shopper-news-061812?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank">Farragut Shopper</a> and Farragut Press.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3PP6nbIQHzqp9B3aDNk4vEDpVTfrd0z1ol_-N_WXOp3ygwH9MYDpoCw7aGMI0xFkAuaaFrfkUChXit2xBA-nCbqBBHxQIH8W7oZdzGH_ZrIHfeo1trsqyEceG8Qh9EEv4lDU3eOafKM/s1600/paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3PP6nbIQHzqp9B3aDNk4vEDpVTfrd0z1ol_-N_WXOp3ygwH9MYDpoCw7aGMI0xFkAuaaFrfkUChXit2xBA-nCbqBBHxQIH8W7oZdzGH_ZrIHfeo1trsqyEceG8Qh9EEv4lDU3eOafKM/s320/paper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFZKQNe-nncfJUOZoblsKSIQF_WIdrlW62q0ZKiZThsjqlonffj8D9O7GddU9c245oh2ktKFtpUGh50MuYGIU28o34IenO-rXdVZSM4B10j_LGL1JaHkYkW30BaBh2Q_UQf_5d7gntNo/s1600/598369_216861408434922_1273722325_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFZKQNe-nncfJUOZoblsKSIQF_WIdrlW62q0ZKiZThsjqlonffj8D9O7GddU9c245oh2ktKFtpUGh50MuYGIU28o34IenO-rXdVZSM4B10j_LGL1JaHkYkW30BaBh2Q_UQf_5d7gntNo/s320/598369_216861408434922_1273722325_n.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-75599147311693953552012-06-07T14:34:00.002-04:002012-06-07T14:34:35.506-04:00Media<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvtmaMNxVCRaFH8xmxlWXlpDeiYi_CfM8pxP-TEk1u8ZASW31KyGMcokAcl3TOZcOMlU7sOnqUhoASMrGW3ZsawR5bFylKrB9N5KQ6XrKN38-OP7ZBQLfjdSU27t_AazWwwstMdZM7VE/s1600/598369_216861408434922_1273722325_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvtmaMNxVCRaFH8xmxlWXlpDeiYi_CfM8pxP-TEk1u8ZASW31KyGMcokAcl3TOZcOMlU7sOnqUhoASMrGW3ZsawR5bFylKrB9N5KQ6XrKN38-OP7ZBQLfjdSU27t_AazWwwstMdZM7VE/s320/598369_216861408434922_1273722325_n.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just for the record, I have never lived in San Fran and my Costa Rican adventures were not part of my AmeriCorps experience. Nonetheless, here was my last appearance in the news :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-56417234200319668662012-06-05T10:07:00.000-04:002012-06-05T10:07:44.593-04:00ConvertAs I am writing this I am converting about sixty AVCHD into MPEG2 files to ensure a smooth playback mode when I edit these files down, am uploading an SD card full of raw footage into a shared server that will probably take overnight to complete, and have enough programs running between two computers to make toast in between the very busy hard drives. And this is just day two of my video editing. You weren't even here for the debacle that was the very first day of uploading. My physical and PC desktop alike were dumping grounds of music, still shots, storyboards, and scripts.<br />
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"Somewhat Remarkable Hip-Hop Conflicts of Water Quality" was a project that was brainstormed about two weeks into starting my time here at the Town of Farragut. With my supervisor Jason and myself both interested in completing compelling, hip, and at best, weird, education and outreach projects paired with a shared fandom of Nice Peter's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ERB" target="_blank">Epic Rap Battles of History</a>," a project so strange and creativity based was bound to happen. <br />
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At the beginning of the year it all seemed so simple. Write lyrics, <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mysterymammal/caddisfly-vs-dobsonfly" target="_blank">compose music</a> for the rap, cast rappers, shoot the video, and paste all of the pieces together. I was so confident at the beginning of this that I was pretty sure that at the very least come time for me to leave in June that we would be on episode three of SWRHHCoWQ. Alas here I am on June 5th still in the middle of a somewhat intensive editing process of the very first (and last should the torch not be passed forward) episode of our rap battle shenanigans. <br />
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Looking back on the entire process I can't help but be proud of myself and my Hip-Hop cohorts for what we have put together so far. We designed the background stories and characters all on our own, wrote lyrics from scratch, learned how to use video/music/green screen equipment with very little prior experience, composed and edited down a unique musical track for the production, made superstar rappers out of two friends, created whimsical costumes from whatever we could find....and the list goes on.<br />
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A year that has been full of<a href="http://www.stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/05/more-unicorns.html" target="_blank"> unicorns</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paR93QqQJdI" target="_blank">sporks</a>, and<a href="http://www.stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/03/return-of-recyclosaurus.html" target="_blank"> dinosaurs</a> should end with one last big project about two rapping benthic macroinvertebrates don't you think? Even if it doesn't turn out quite as well as something Nice Peter might produce, I am proud of what I have been able to paste together with the resources I have been given. This project has been my baby right from the start so it will be a relief to show it to the stormwater world here in a few weeks when editing is complete.<br />
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But for now...back to file conversion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2X9rwQViB5zXX-ZKGKsh6vZ8poUBWg-hR3K1p7B3IA72erKEk0EmhiBWWu5c3Qqiw9KcCCQfQenuK-dalgaWH7ifqACi0DsuSo-oYX7zKx6hcjhnJWG2xbBGhfa541pAguxpb1jMiEM/s1600/468218_363821093683572_100001670530101_996745_2040518097_o-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2X9rwQViB5zXX-ZKGKsh6vZ8poUBWg-hR3K1p7B3IA72erKEk0EmhiBWWu5c3Qqiw9KcCCQfQenuK-dalgaWH7ifqACi0DsuSo-oYX7zKx6hcjhnJWG2xbBGhfa541pAguxpb1jMiEM/s320/468218_363821093683572_100001670530101_996745_2040518097_o-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dob$onFly gets some wig help.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVbscPLMxADHf3CQ2Fo8G5nAMancx0IUxxqAQGQQf73dxdxBoP3_U6ukcucclJtnRL29rPYlH-uJXnuKvdQ0W9dms1ixP9dFo5JwZOhcT1P0PGLQa02dvelHlBNTYnRsVPSe2As9d4lY/s1600/M1140002-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVbscPLMxADHf3CQ2Fo8G5nAMancx0IUxxqAQGQQf73dxdxBoP3_U6ukcucclJtnRL29rPYlH-uJXnuKvdQ0W9dms1ixP9dFo5JwZOhcT1P0PGLQa02dvelHlBNTYnRsVPSe2As9d4lY/s320/M1140002-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caddisfly is all shelled out and ready to rap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLakyaTCqQbjsPB_t1xbrshZ92KewvX9zQcrn9Sp1eekgI0OHXBy8GYFca1XX-UG4bukbHeZtjjbRbkdVGde6RUxogIFRshil-1BVziZFSIgN5-dta58egECH8z5yq38ID9u7TGynVsVo/s1600/465502_364047216994293_494249105_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLakyaTCqQbjsPB_t1xbrshZ92KewvX9zQcrn9Sp1eekgI0OHXBy8GYFca1XX-UG4bukbHeZtjjbRbkdVGde6RUxogIFRshil-1BVziZFSIgN5-dta58egECH8z5yq38ID9u7TGynVsVo/s320/465502_364047216994293_494249105_o.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The editing process begins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID6vEjmWY6w4Cj5acVpxVKCTTvbXyeMxOLuX246a7rcvE3TjjvpV5zOwExX1j9ZooRU-6z7ZyNfcP_CmINnrWxk2oE7n9ZsmS4oSKgxjUEmVT-l45omIqiPiBHbeyX54MglqYKHwcGrk/s1600/414474_364029046996110_100001670530101_997245_567708135_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID6vEjmWY6w4Cj5acVpxVKCTTvbXyeMxOLuX246a7rcvE3TjjvpV5zOwExX1j9ZooRU-6z7ZyNfcP_CmINnrWxk2oE7n9ZsmS4oSKgxjUEmVT-l45omIqiPiBHbeyX54MglqYKHwcGrk/s320/414474_364029046996110_100001670530101_997245_567708135_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green screen editing for Dob$onFly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-2313914509366186002012-05-31T16:30:00.001-04:002012-05-31T16:30:29.881-04:00About to BlowflyAfter about nine months of planning we are finally ready to begin recording the marcroinvertebrate rap battle. I can't wait! I hope to have the final product up by the middle of next month!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s_2h4qKwR9lLX5joJ7Q1GjhohYVx7rp0Hk7acsYqr1eq8x8xyEhbIbXlwA8IEou8UDazTk3RvkJ-at_OGum0oJvycvhRnKTVFI-vYI9yujV2yv0cs9U-fFZwdWQJF-rlK2PQZ1Iuh2c/s1600/Caddisfly_XX3-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s_2h4qKwR9lLX5joJ7Q1GjhohYVx7rp0Hk7acsYqr1eq8x8xyEhbIbXlwA8IEou8UDazTk3RvkJ-at_OGum0oJvycvhRnKTVFI-vYI9yujV2yv0cs9U-fFZwdWQJF-rlK2PQZ1Iuh2c/s320/Caddisfly_XX3-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-1049308526775295652012-05-31T16:11:00.000-04:002012-05-31T16:11:58.962-04:00More Unicorns?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dmD-AD9Z5flSfKJXw6Cqxaey17iy7UUP12yOG8eUzaPdyVDOqjcfLd3sh_3ohX-n2QXELFQbLxkcxG5H_qk03sJ7us39tFVnucnLsVtsRK91eQiRP7X4bOv-RbPhzdEVonPvgMkB3cs/s1600/536763_2800459990313_840034097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dmD-AD9Z5flSfKJXw6Cqxaey17iy7UUP12yOG8eUzaPdyVDOqjcfLd3sh_3ohX-n2QXELFQbLxkcxG5H_qk03sJ7us39tFVnucnLsVtsRK91eQiRP7X4bOv-RbPhzdEVonPvgMkB3cs/s320/536763_2800459990313_840034097_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The reception for the Rainy Day Brush-Off Artistic Rain Barrel Campaign was last week. This lucky guy got to meet the artist behind this wonderful barrel. Did I mention she is also a Hard Knox Rollergirl? +10 points.Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-75454876846124231622012-05-22T08:30:00.002-04:002012-05-22T08:30:58.730-04:00Unicorn Jar<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcgl_OoobZfYoTTBh7Z_T5rFzP86uQHJ1K80UMrkhkGTgOUO4VnWjUFidUkQ9mTadYS_WNVIEynAI8-QloEKWjJpXSZZG3eg2osa3GNfZuTGIdGLU6HzI1KX3Cr6K38ecCbien99pFE/s1600/Publication1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLcgl_OoobZfYoTTBh7Z_T5rFzP86uQHJ1K80UMrkhkGTgOUO4VnWjUFidUkQ9mTadYS_WNVIEynAI8-QloEKWjJpXSZZG3eg2osa3GNfZuTGIdGLU6HzI1KX3Cr6K38ecCbien99pFE/s320/Publication1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to the Rainy Day Brush-Off I am now the proud owner of these two rain barrels :)<br />
<strong>So whimsical</strong>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-48003609514574658042012-05-21T16:01:00.000-04:002012-05-21T16:01:29.180-04:00Un-Sync<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Somewhat Remarkable Hip-Hop Conflicts of Water Quality!<br />
<br />
The rap battle is really coming together! With the music being done, our rappers Katie and Erin stop by to practice their lip-syncing in front of the green screen. Hilarity ensues. <br />
<br />
Stay tuned as we count down to the rap battle release!</span><br />
<br />
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ycWn_sQ7oqI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-51888534461325830742012-05-21T11:14:00.003-04:002012-05-21T15:57:44.205-04:00International Biscuit FestivalIn what other city can I find out about a festival and within a few hours be Mr.<a href="http://biscuitfest.com/" target="_blank"> International Biscuit Festival</a> 2012? I don't think there is any place like Knoxville.<br />
<br />
This weekend my musical outlet, <a href="http://soundcloud.com/mysterymammal" target="_blank">Mystery Mammal</a>, collaborated with my water quality AmeriCorps partner in crime <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/04/scavenger-spotlight-latch-tick.html" target="_blank">Kelsey Hensley</a> to bring the citizens of Knoxville <a href="http://stuckinsideofknoxville.com/2012/05/3rd-annual-international-biscuit-festival-2012/" target="_blank">Yoko Carbo and the Biscuit Submarine</a>. We were proud to accept the Golden Biscuit Award considering it took us the same amount of time to write and produce a song as it does to make a batch of biscuits.<br />
<br />
I love this city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gY2naVltwbuddSSmrtlN8jEA7Hk6ZCwdt2a-oMhJXLOEL_gE0HVlWcOWXE7s6jIaQyscBP7-3WJBrpsYEkMIblqZaK9HZ5SeGqYqRFIUOfXyeoxdnoZhag4j6oMDUOkjCCNqp-jxmIs/s1600/Biscuit-Festival20-Knoxville-May-2012-450x380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gY2naVltwbuddSSmrtlN8jEA7Hk6ZCwdt2a-oMhJXLOEL_gE0HVlWcOWXE7s6jIaQyscBP7-3WJBrpsYEkMIblqZaK9HZ5SeGqYqRFIUOfXyeoxdnoZhag4j6oMDUOkjCCNqp-jxmIs/s320/Biscuit-Festival20-Knoxville-May-2012-450x380.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mr. and Mrs. Biscuit Pageant. <br />
<strong>Photo from Knoxville Urban Guy </strong><a href="http://stuckinsideofknoxville.com/"><strong>stuckinsideofknoxville.com</strong></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnalqhC0hrjiVdPSMZlEy1CMUcbRAWQzZs5VrfFXPcOVr2nbPioRq93TMxHulgO0WsBhITihw4oc0NDKl3AYFjFiEA6Iaiox0kyqLL4_d1k5fr1sQTutwSQkfqLoBg0VHRVsJqw0y0mk8/s1600/575210_353977951334553_100001670530101_968790_248963097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnalqhC0hrjiVdPSMZlEy1CMUcbRAWQzZs5VrfFXPcOVr2nbPioRq93TMxHulgO0WsBhITihw4oc0NDKl3AYFjFiEA6Iaiox0kyqLL4_d1k5fr1sQTutwSQkfqLoBg0VHRVsJqw0y0mk8/s320/575210_353977951334553_100001670530101_968790_248963097_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoko Carbo and the Biscuit Submarine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFZkxQOHKDjz-5OkYbnYcyJzq7VjYLpW2g1GKTqyLBAmBLljXasIV-t5J1g0ledOS4tIRm_DbRImCed3NBzncn4XXvzGPoyw1gmyIgSB2KXup8QGqgyQxDEpg46QOkGLeDfBdLp2ALo4/s1600/560582_353978561334492_100001670530101_968796_1262621691_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFZkxQOHKDjz-5OkYbnYcyJzq7VjYLpW2g1GKTqyLBAmBLljXasIV-t5J1g0ledOS4tIRm_DbRImCed3NBzncn4XXvzGPoyw1gmyIgSB2KXup8QGqgyQxDEpg46QOkGLeDfBdLp2ALo4/s320/560582_353978561334492_100001670530101_968796_1262621691_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best trophy ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchIn_beMIF6yEMIy_pbROIuJ4jbsTWR5en4KWcWrOF3KdmUKJMTCKgblFdcT9HdFIK5Oh5NkiO8PQd3bXGw6HmgehEbT7_2rgvE_fUHY43QC22IDQcI3rB-QzyCVoFBcImMMB2TsGyQ0/s1600/428439_353978791334469_100001670530101_968797_2103411820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchIn_beMIF6yEMIy_pbROIuJ4jbsTWR5en4KWcWrOF3KdmUKJMTCKgblFdcT9HdFIK5Oh5NkiO8PQd3bXGw6HmgehEbT7_2rgvE_fUHY43QC22IDQcI3rB-QzyCVoFBcImMMB2TsGyQ0/s320/428439_353978791334469_100001670530101_968797_2103411820_n.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biscuit tweeted!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNe2cnZG1tchtoZ8C7NIMTsE4UxHeSrYj6Nd_pWE9oomVIsPYXdc9vqCjahmfYD5_RikIyWtRLyIoRWYiJJGXgzNJ3wVU9JD2fFX9lqFJ3RRqx3-g2Waa_ijzWn9yvKpv0SU18ZIKhP0/s1600/Untitled+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNe2cnZG1tchtoZ8C7NIMTsE4UxHeSrYj6Nd_pWE9oomVIsPYXdc9vqCjahmfYD5_RikIyWtRLyIoRWYiJJGXgzNJ3wVU9JD2fFX9lqFJ3RRqx3-g2Waa_ijzWn9yvKpv0SU18ZIKhP0/s320/Untitled+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-14877425869396657202012-05-18T13:45:00.000-04:002012-05-18T13:45:15.000-04:00AmeriAlumni<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-ItiaGO56cAa8IMeVzTkaPqs0L9O532VocOu0Wfbzb-01OxHt5bMnpu8y6iQcOCdIUAvSxHQRlwAXYOLRGUrHkpAuBnJ0NafnGhICr3Xn5lrd2_RWyaGQHJurF-FtJOtAR1rHKIAN-Y/s1600/AmeriSunSphere2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-ItiaGO56cAa8IMeVzTkaPqs0L9O532VocOu0Wfbzb-01OxHt5bMnpu8y6iQcOCdIUAvSxHQRlwAXYOLRGUrHkpAuBnJ0NafnGhICr3Xn5lrd2_RWyaGQHJurF-FtJOtAR1rHKIAN-Y/s320/AmeriSunSphere2-2.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The first meeting of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/AmeriCorpsAlumsKnoxville" target="_blank">Knoxville AmeriCorps Alums</a> is tonight! I am excited! </div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-9318221553651954762012-05-15T17:00:00.002-04:002012-05-15T17:02:31.937-04:00SRHHCoWQ - Lyrics!<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">The water quality rap battles are coming together! Stay tuned for the live action video of </span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Somewhat Remarkable Hip-Hop Conflicts of Water Quality</span></strong>!</span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><br />
Until then...let me drop some dope enviro-rhymes on you with this vid.<br />
<br />
</span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aLJdG5nUQN4" width="500"></iframe>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-61892841357183254422012-05-15T10:50:00.000-04:002012-05-15T10:50:26.872-04:00#3,387The first <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-500_16.html" target="_blank">500</a> flew by.<br />
I reached<a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-halloween.html" target="_blank"> 1,500</a> by Halloween.<br />
By the time November came I was halfway through at around <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2011/11/2000-drainage-odyssey.html" target="_blank">2,000</a>.<br />
The start of the fourth quadrant was marked by number <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/01/2500.html" target="_blank">2,500</a>.<br />
By <a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/03/3000.html" target="_blank">3000</a> I was certain I was nearing the end.<br />
<br />
And now here I am. #3,387 marks the very end of my stormwater inlet mapping.<br />
<br />
Originally charged with having the first quadrant of Farragut mapped by the end of my corps year, I have officially finished mapping the entirety of the Town. That's right. All four quadrants. Frankly I think I blew through it so quickly mostly because of how much I enjoy the experience of GIS Mapping. There's something kind of zen and adventurous about visiting my little storm drain friends be them on Kingston Pike or in secret hidey-holes around town. <br />
<br />
#3,387 turned out not to be a storm drain at all but a different kind of stormwater inlet. A curb-cut. I found this guy to be a particularly good fit to end on. This drainage enters directly into Turkey Creek - which is where all these drainages end up eventually. Often less directly than this however.<br />
<br />
It has been an adventure my dear inlets. I am sure we will have time together again before I leave, but if we don't, know that I enjoyed what time we had!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XKLW9pn-2S7kmwV2S2QcK7sHAOMSoiWWwSaRgxk10I40c-9euUStNhDwKznO51G6RsJfs6fxUXunDj4EDUNW2Ry3KkqGEXbXOikTyRxKjxYUhEDmCqEMEkdcmgwHln455KbTqLhW7JY/s1600/inlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XKLW9pn-2S7kmwV2S2QcK7sHAOMSoiWWwSaRgxk10I40c-9euUStNhDwKznO51G6RsJfs6fxUXunDj4EDUNW2Ry3KkqGEXbXOikTyRxKjxYUhEDmCqEMEkdcmgwHln455KbTqLhW7JY/s320/inlet.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-661565313034602992012-05-14T10:00:00.000-04:002012-05-14T11:19:02.011-04:00Ready, Set, Auction!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUmTM78Rnkfon6CrdtlznOCwgjpxInJwkBR0TvPLbCWelp8Ke4bL3m7Zd4xiCpJA-_B_z-uQa0eDubeHvWgCaqtIZ5FZ2OIH_gyE9wdyE29hspOkTMIuCYoAyLEUbY87UQ0vcgMswKec/s320/rdbobutton.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
The moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. This year's <a href="http://waterqualityforum.org/?page_id=516" target="_blank">Rainy Day Brush-Off </a>artistic rain barrels have been painted, clear coated, voted on, and being put up for <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/pbeute865/m.html?_nkw&_armrs=1&_from&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3686" target="_blank">auction</a>. It is exciting stuff folks! Personally, I am gunning for the <a href="http://waterqualityforum.org/?p=706" target="_blank">unicorn</a> barrel. Here's to hoping it'll be under a downspout of my own sometime soon.<br />
<br />
In order to get a little hype going I've been seen on CTV Knoxville talking a bit about the RDBO. I also made these videos just in case someone doesn't really get the whole rainwater harvesting thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J2rCLpURZMg" width="500"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4gfDaTWJKlc" width="500"></iframe><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vqfvVbGwzwk" width="500"></iframe><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dhYIUof2dyw" width="500"></iframe>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-36048326723206438522012-05-09T11:56:00.004-04:002012-05-09T11:56:51.535-04:00Smart.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l0TN5a7CDiBE1zFRBfuCL-XOnwpbQXR-MCHjiENdsWUjlGxo1lSfh_huU01vbegNeDgb796CPlguuBENMAd_nCkpk8bjzyiUsZf-Y_EGJnCy9kq_nVbgU-lEc4YdwLmiTcVo3KiwDWc/s1600/rcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l0TN5a7CDiBE1zFRBfuCL-XOnwpbQXR-MCHjiENdsWUjlGxo1lSfh_huU01vbegNeDgb796CPlguuBENMAd_nCkpk8bjzyiUsZf-Y_EGJnCy9kq_nVbgU-lEc4YdwLmiTcVo3KiwDWc/s400/rcy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#iamsold</td></tr>
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<br />Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-6915937399998605082012-05-09T11:54:00.000-04:002012-05-09T11:54:08.910-04:00WaterFestWaterFest is a annual event held at Ijams Nature Center focused on water quality and conservation education to area schoolchildren. The 1,500+ kids go from station to station learning about the power and importance of water while having some fun along the way. My station? A water magic show. I played the part of Will Freeze - a bumbling intern with butterfingers and only a couple of cool tricks up his sleeve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h61M2FtweaoXMIA31PG5ZssdH-rVle58aYDQP0nsxvehhyphenhyphenFJ0KHx3z_cQevxHBzbE-wDb7BsFGebuZ1Pdl6Izlln023DJfwVkQFGDfDtGaLK9dvS3IH3gyEGG_yWaHuTlmipfWqgNzM/s1600/wf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h61M2FtweaoXMIA31PG5ZssdH-rVle58aYDQP0nsxvehhyphenhyphenFJ0KHx3z_cQevxHBzbE-wDb7BsFGebuZ1Pdl6Izlln023DJfwVkQFGDfDtGaLK9dvS3IH3gyEGG_yWaHuTlmipfWqgNzM/s320/wf1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chessa, Dr. Vapor, sets up our water magic show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPdGxjgIJW7poJxyMdqCdokF4GmXNMUGCtQb1TRa1HnQh1p5iUC43LbznTGbvUd8lt2Y1pLimkUBVkkJ5NvOAbWBOOYnQ4Y8o3raiGWWApB97bvP1jM-m2or0TI6KkzUBuv7ApZN50gU/s1600/wf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPdGxjgIJW7poJxyMdqCdokF4GmXNMUGCtQb1TRa1HnQh1p5iUC43LbznTGbvUd8lt2Y1pLimkUBVkkJ5NvOAbWBOOYnQ4Y8o3raiGWWApB97bvP1jM-m2or0TI6KkzUBuv7ApZN50gU/s320/wf2.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Vapor and Will Freeze.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0GRFYLT_pggrJwS5jwZjW84RdDdi5yho0vPjVhARuhppoMfaRNWR9eAms6hD8MhS0Ck1AG08Y__Fw6eBgGeUazPI3HFt_aV4ASls05VDzqqWYE64OzWiOkkex2AzOeQX5fLOHYzt7QM/s1600/wf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0GRFYLT_pggrJwS5jwZjW84RdDdi5yho0vPjVhARuhppoMfaRNWR9eAms6hD8MhS0Ck1AG08Y__Fw6eBgGeUazPI3HFt_aV4ASls05VDzqqWYE64OzWiOkkex2AzOeQX5fLOHYzt7QM/s320/wf3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDEpUAeLpD4el5I-yitU1ZxUiFbjGX09B9PuH4Bah4WCMNiU-WSfI_8NkFbjDoTWhLPVbFLKACtlF1AHfFxSoQPDswFRoHDv7juPpEvGRMlU2cCfMEBvMgcBAc4fOrpw2dHEoYB5B5RE/s1600/wf5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDEpUAeLpD4el5I-yitU1ZxUiFbjGX09B9PuH4Bah4WCMNiU-WSfI_8NkFbjDoTWhLPVbFLKACtlF1AHfFxSoQPDswFRoHDv7juPpEvGRMlU2cCfMEBvMgcBAc4fOrpw2dHEoYB5B5RE/s320/wf5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water-balloon slingshot game.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg4xBFNLLc1dwcD21t4Zkng0BvOwLoNPWrK00EWkEDFP1VuIRUFxlSivDzvtQr5zOqnHlR2YfF2m408hmCyuZSUf7x3Sh-fxje6rtMwldfmuMnwXeldks-y8MZqSzT8K21o8tAXFzD64/s1600/wf4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg4xBFNLLc1dwcD21t4Zkng0BvOwLoNPWrK00EWkEDFP1VuIRUFxlSivDzvtQr5zOqnHlR2YfF2m408hmCyuZSUf7x3Sh-fxje6rtMwldfmuMnwXeldks-y8MZqSzT8K21o8tAXFzD64/s320/wf4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up our next trick.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdK8c63vLr6f2-TPgdytyBWLjCnfSHmnFSTecIEnzKrocH1CQaP0E-ibQjzn5YopoKYx2oYW6gKjQbTz7EnoACXJcH70O34n9Fr-P2PCbxScPJVhemNLxJVEsXMOV7Iw9AP3Abcz_i_I/s1600/wf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdK8c63vLr6f2-TPgdytyBWLjCnfSHmnFSTecIEnzKrocH1CQaP0E-ibQjzn5YopoKYx2oYW6gKjQbTz7EnoACXJcH70O34n9Fr-P2PCbxScPJVhemNLxJVEsXMOV7Iw9AP3Abcz_i_I/s320/wf6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Vapor talks science but keeps her tricks a secret in the end.</td></tr>
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<br />Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-4529693111179890972012-05-09T11:46:00.003-04:002012-05-09T11:46:52.418-04:00Catch Rain and Catch EyesThe annual Rainy Day Brush-Off is in full swing and I have been doing my part to help market and add a little whimsy to the shebang. For one, I am pretty proud of the business cards I put together for the event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRrsto-pgfyBjAGuFdY5AqPDKZ-mt-bgjYrRxZa3xZhqqUFajwOrSWp3Fw_-WifJvwfzeC9qOXPNoKRw9VaEV4Tl8eakjMtmOQl_DKaSq6Oa6_kOKbZwQsMXuoQPYbrzawbWQLJcGVNM/s1600/RDBOCard+2+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRrsto-pgfyBjAGuFdY5AqPDKZ-mt-bgjYrRxZa3xZhqqUFajwOrSWp3Fw_-WifJvwfzeC9qOXPNoKRw9VaEV4Tl8eakjMtmOQl_DKaSq6Oa6_kOKbZwQsMXuoQPYbrzawbWQLJcGVNM/s320/RDBOCard+2+Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjVdC7zFCTgEAv7D05cs6x5rMgOf8h3K8-ev8J7-HvW7qAra2leOhIr8RoYr66W_u_MF5kAr7G3mmjyydtMR6ZO1IUMjtU57ldjVeTTGeALsFl8VDxrm1yutnxTxpddq7v373sbmw7dY/s1600/RDBOCard1+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjVdC7zFCTgEAv7D05cs6x5rMgOf8h3K8-ev8J7-HvW7qAra2leOhIr8RoYr66W_u_MF5kAr7G3mmjyydtMR6ZO1IUMjtU57ldjVeTTGeALsFl8VDxrm1yutnxTxpddq7v373sbmw7dY/s320/RDBOCard1+Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The reveal of the barrels at Ironwood studio was a blast. We have so many great <a href="http://waterqualityforum.org/?page_id=516" target="_blank">entries</a> this year. This was probably one of my favorite events to attend in this AmeriCorps year. Friends, fun, food, art. Love it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZsAF5JfJUb3c2bZrlMtfm-Ck-UyMGTporlNVy5bmYLf7Uvn4ax6MY6KIl0YueueXlXOYG_glEv_f-SZ78kC2hZZ9SWlsjuVyQy5zoNJKqQz1VjpiuadY_bDParCkBdGZ32-ABTnOZDw/s1600/rdb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZsAF5JfJUb3c2bZrlMtfm-Ck-UyMGTporlNVy5bmYLf7Uvn4ax6MY6KIl0YueueXlXOYG_glEv_f-SZ78kC2hZZ9SWlsjuVyQy5zoNJKqQz1VjpiuadY_bDParCkBdGZ32-ABTnOZDw/s320/rdb1.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stick this guy in the back of an X-Wing Fighter and he'll increase your thermal clip capacity by 40% while also reducing run-off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznQh4MBX3kSo0m9_y2y2OqOvCACvd4hfN7IUf3QZxycGZtGXdGGndeteePXNiHj1ZkLe-ZOMY1RE7nbzp7NmXwneAxdEs11-koDqLZ3w4-obM_29Os5ZEAbwTwQiC8xGtssUJdXlqPY/s1600/rdb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQznQh4MBX3kSo0m9_y2y2OqOvCACvd4hfN7IUf3QZxycGZtGXdGGndeteePXNiHj1ZkLe-ZOMY1RE7nbzp7NmXwneAxdEs11-koDqLZ3w4-obM_29Os5ZEAbwTwQiC8xGtssUJdXlqPY/s320/rdb2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'Through the Looking Glass' themed barrel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAGI_SGQ2Yu2VO_HNthnkXnxD9nntLQeWtMvDfPxFkpdsnH5BWrK2qQ1bt1WOL6CAefDQ_Zhq_ZqjhnnSLBznZCukbVgCw_m2oConLXkbazJLKee-_r5JzgxLoWMxRl_Uw7mNXJRmdXQ/s1600/rdb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAGI_SGQ2Yu2VO_HNthnkXnxD9nntLQeWtMvDfPxFkpdsnH5BWrK2qQ1bt1WOL6CAefDQ_Zhq_ZqjhnnSLBznZCukbVgCw_m2oConLXkbazJLKee-_r5JzgxLoWMxRl_Uw7mNXJRmdXQ/s320/rdb3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimsy? If I didn't know better I might think I had painted this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf3kY6CCUcGq89T7v4I6BXWcJ8RQwFC1mz5bPMyPg8MkO3nPnTo8oAZijVlur7dFXWISn1xslJkZXoDz334fFgBn1dsZljCFpVQl554AqCcAA-siREevODQEMfl88GiztP3aZkIkOxmM/s1600/rdb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf3kY6CCUcGq89T7v4I6BXWcJ8RQwFC1mz5bPMyPg8MkO3nPnTo8oAZijVlur7dFXWISn1xslJkZXoDz334fFgBn1dsZljCFpVQl554AqCcAA-siREevODQEMfl88GiztP3aZkIkOxmM/s1600/rdb4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I see what you did there....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9nMdMwtnrK7tiUTJQ2ErLPj5byJWfgikWfc4KhhyphenhyphenbAt4dQLg7_mYouknH_KDCdCXLvX2eMxJgH40lxWIVdRdY_txivGlda-Zl-DpqRKiSE9WfKTfMdSygxaZOqDV8xLMJlu-JLaqnUU/s1600/rdb5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9nMdMwtnrK7tiUTJQ2ErLPj5byJWfgikWfc4KhhyphenhyphenbAt4dQLg7_mYouknH_KDCdCXLvX2eMxJgH40lxWIVdRdY_txivGlda-Zl-DpqRKiSE9WfKTfMdSygxaZOqDV8xLMJlu-JLaqnUU/s320/rdb5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food was yum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DjiGWK41bbDbvo2gOWFPZj-xJn8gjUbKIbrR0DAZJzH6EP6G09B1sAr7-Tf1raZzGxqvSebYOtpiXiKuFJHH5oPFg4AjrXTEjasAR9yvLcQXaT7wwJzORQqW8RjuMHWgsNNwoqPXHxA/s1600/rdb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DjiGWK41bbDbvo2gOWFPZj-xJn8gjUbKIbrR0DAZJzH6EP6G09B1sAr7-Tf1raZzGxqvSebYOtpiXiKuFJHH5oPFg4AjrXTEjasAR9yvLcQXaT7wwJzORQqW8RjuMHWgsNNwoqPXHxA/s320/rdb6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist describes his work - Photo by Jason Scott.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPBGUZD5nypdA0lQ918e5VtPHdbl3FVFAPOdNmwk7vOhEe-1NZxcFVCG4yJuy77670b77O2KABpIq3t4gT36D9s5iPHVK29rNwmAxFmEPcQcsg-lsWjwc6jSnr0PYDtGgiG3lRkz7c78/s1600/rdb7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPBGUZD5nypdA0lQ918e5VtPHdbl3FVFAPOdNmwk7vOhEe-1NZxcFVCG4yJuy77670b77O2KABpIq3t4gT36D9s5iPHVK29rNwmAxFmEPcQcsg-lsWjwc6jSnr0PYDtGgiG3lRkz7c78/s320/rdb7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an excellent turnout - Photo by Jason Scott.</td></tr>
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<br />Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-24429861853655364692012-05-09T11:34:00.000-04:002012-05-09T11:34:06.030-04:00EarthFest - The Creature FeatureIt feels like I have been waiting forever to post about EarthFest! Unfortunately my work computer hasn't felt up to letting me use blogger these last couple of weeks so I have had to delay it until now.<br />
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The summary of EarthFest 2012? It was awesome.<br />
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Whimsical characters abounded, hundreds participated in the educational scavenger hunt, and a lot of people left that day knowing a little more about being good stewards of the environment. What more could one ask for? All in all it was a blast to participate. It was very fulfilling to see the whimsical characters come to life just as though they hopped off of the <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/" target="_blank">EarthFest Blog</a> and into real life.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxCUX5uw-gh55G2FU01eMjeE4zySwv75ry-E1pzbHAK5GKJFSamvzdTG5iNjXI9vfJ7X7HeGZvZw6uuWYs9nzo_JP_dK1m1glLY0s9l1vKUxec9wDl-oHAed-m2or45w6aOnq66gGni0/s1600/ef1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxCUX5uw-gh55G2FU01eMjeE4zySwv75ry-E1pzbHAK5GKJFSamvzdTG5iNjXI9vfJ7X7HeGZvZw6uuWYs9nzo_JP_dK1m1glLY0s9l1vKUxec9wDl-oHAed-m2or45w6aOnq66gGni0/s320/ef1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trash Bag Monster- a huge hit with the kids.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAubGJC1Ckf4V17fFlwU_1OV4m9sbpKwyBG2fClZnOl8Oh06wbQqlZCCv_UTAuRXthvTIpv-DWriVSm9GN-2rA9m4CVqpyICrsO0bPDBETuYgvESiFLkyfwRZ6SDlhQTHtObaJYEAMg3Q/s1600/ef10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAubGJC1Ckf4V17fFlwU_1OV4m9sbpKwyBG2fClZnOl8Oh06wbQqlZCCv_UTAuRXthvTIpv-DWriVSm9GN-2rA9m4CVqpyICrsO0bPDBETuYgvESiFLkyfwRZ6SDlhQTHtObaJYEAMg3Q/s320/ef10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin Fossil talks to some scavenger hunters - Photo by Jason Scott.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvz3qOfNy8uxmMmFlQE0cmIiu90_mWQ9drVrXitVdJ1VZrEULLSPgCPauRop8Jg4mGCC3QrYw-AGBbAMKky4VSj7ii772nNsYQcN3jsGdfybxuHU1i21g69milil0UEok4RxCQyi1mwo/s1600/ef12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvz3qOfNy8uxmMmFlQE0cmIiu90_mWQ9drVrXitVdJ1VZrEULLSPgCPauRop8Jg4mGCC3QrYw-AGBbAMKky4VSj7ii772nNsYQcN3jsGdfybxuHU1i21g69milil0UEok4RxCQyi1mwo/s320/ef12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin Fossil, Grace (as herself), Big K, and Mother Earth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFNIA0hNK9Sk8-AFrLtZcWEwu1KSjg8Nd9H5h6pU5_0fyzNtEO4rqHY1YecGEHcOsyyjeAiSVF035T_GZio7AcasJGUB2husrP4mhKvVsJpmX29CchXk1KGnAsMLOaIxbRxUTi1Lrox0/s1600/ef13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFNIA0hNK9Sk8-AFrLtZcWEwu1KSjg8Nd9H5h6pU5_0fyzNtEO4rqHY1YecGEHcOsyyjeAiSVF035T_GZio7AcasJGUB2husrP4mhKvVsJpmX29CchXk1KGnAsMLOaIxbRxUTi1Lrox0/s320/ef13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latch <3's Kelly Crayfish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big K the water quality kangaroo draws whimsical images for the scavenger players.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll take a unicorn please.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice Aster stamps a EF scavenger passport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trash Monster and his Wrangler talk to a group of participants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZkydsWsF9tiNORm0VJSUslxlp5XMFnDCNehb1i-TfEQzUmVehUSxeTrW89odIrUHtvqXdYfQjPPaVNfIFityKOVMfYBmch6zobwky7mk0HqbBNuPpLRBASBexgB43U5xugMVxyTcS1I/s1600/ef7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZkydsWsF9tiNORm0VJSUslxlp5XMFnDCNehb1i-TfEQzUmVehUSxeTrW89odIrUHtvqXdYfQjPPaVNfIFityKOVMfYBmch6zobwky7mk0HqbBNuPpLRBASBexgB43U5xugMVxyTcS1I/s320/ef7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly Crayfish helps a scavenger player complete her passport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lath the Tick shares a scavenger clue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AmeriCorps - Get Things Done. Make Whimsy Happen.</td></tr>
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<br />Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-76769587936420577002012-04-17T11:57:00.000-04:002012-04-17T11:57:43.837-04:00EarthFest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ6dbsfjsGAsVhYeh86OFNzgFQBi_WjWji4EL6Ncoa9T_IHiqJ4LxTuRtmg5b4SfGirn3hp2i7Nj9HbYxP3AD8oHWfRb0KAcjF7SM9_rTpfuhqX-fUYywZYbpd6_GDi5vRvLaq0S0hd0/s1600/ateam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ6dbsfjsGAsVhYeh86OFNzgFQBi_WjWji4EL6Ncoa9T_IHiqJ4LxTuRtmg5b4SfGirn3hp2i7Nj9HbYxP3AD8oHWfRb0KAcjF7SM9_rTpfuhqX-fUYywZYbpd6_GDi5vRvLaq0S0hd0/s320/ateam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Love the Earth? Love whimsy? </b></div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Or do you just love me? </b></div><div style="color: #d9ead3; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Whatever you answer, come out to <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/" target="_blank">EarthFest</a> this Saturday from 10am-5pm to meet all of the fantastical creations above! Check the link for more information!</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuqF-XWsa1q-8cNwF4ixoKTRit1KrHsJ33zx43bv9mk_ozl0V_ib2nhg2Vhrx1qxDXbcJBw4YTVY3Gj2e6HWBOQHq6LWBvj6OdcZU1U5N3QTcOLbE1uMPGGIlkWJCyahRpf2McxVLTkg/s1600/ateam3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuqF-XWsa1q-8cNwF4ixoKTRit1KrHsJ33zx43bv9mk_ozl0V_ib2nhg2Vhrx1qxDXbcJBw4YTVY3Gj2e6HWBOQHq6LWBvj6OdcZU1U5N3QTcOLbE1uMPGGIlkWJCyahRpf2McxVLTkg/s320/ateam3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-12093873081547493182012-04-13T11:37:00.001-04:002012-04-13T11:40:25.754-04:00Scavenger Spotlight - Latch the Tick<a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/04/scavenger-spotlight-kelly-crayfish.html" target="_blank">Kelly Crayfish </a>was a hero. Latch the Tick? Well she's a hero too if you look up to those who look up to you for a particularly unsavory form of sustenance. Nonetheless Latch has some interesting things to say to both two-legged and eight-legged folks at this year's<a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/" target="_blank"> EarthFest</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafQ_IX0SZZ02EpF2yYHPctHPmMcRgdy0sNJO_nI1lxukVmYxntPMtyHggtQSW1-2xKVy9_CI5OOyoKLihD-r1rjLyzkf85t_q4rMPuAs0aAMzO6Tuc5ub0kdJs21u7NWwPENGKlyrOEk/s1600/Tickdemo10-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafQ_IX0SZZ02EpF2yYHPctHPmMcRgdy0sNJO_nI1lxukVmYxntPMtyHggtQSW1-2xKVy9_CI5OOyoKLihD-r1rjLyzkf85t_q4rMPuAs0aAMzO6Tuc5ub0kdJs21u7NWwPENGKlyrOEk/s320/Tickdemo10-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Name:</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Chiller; line-height: 115%;"> Latch</span></b><span style="font-family: Chiller; line-height: 115%;"> the Tick</span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";">Hemoglobin Heights</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Occupation</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";">Advice Columnist</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Advocacy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span></span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Green Pest Management</span></span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Letters to Latch – An Advice Column</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">An Excerpt from the Hematophagy Herald, April 13<sup>th</sup> 2009</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi Latch,</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Long time fan, first time write in. I have been reading your columns for years. There’s simply no better advocate for the parasitic lifestyle than you. Your piece on dorsal shield itch was uncompromising. This brings me to my big question – with all of your great bloodsucking advice over the years why does it seem you are advocating for humans at this year’s EarthFest? Don’t tell your loyal fans you have a taste for the mammalian way of life now. Say it ain’t so Latch.</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">AB Negative Feelings in Arkansas</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">AB Negative,</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Silly humans. Have no fear AB, this tick would never advocate a non-parasitic, bi-pedal lifestyle. It’s unnatural. Besides, how silly would a tick look in 4 pairs of Crocs and a sun visor? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When it comes down to it AB, it’s all about keeping my hunger in check and protecting the humans from their own doing. Like it or not we must share our lives with the humans one way or another – lurking in their gardens, joyriding on the backs of their pets, and quietly mocking them from our scenic woodland homes – waiting for the moment to dine. As any good parasite will tell you – humans are our hosts. We certainly don’t want to attend dinner parties with bad hosts do we? That’s why I am teaming up with several other misunderstood creatures this year at EarthFest to speak about pest control that doesn’t pollute ours and their waterways, harm natural habitats, and create problems for our less civilized warm-blooded hosts. Don’t worry though, I will also be keeping a tally to rate this year’s level of juicyness among humans to report back to the community.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">-Latch</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear Latch,</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After a close call with a human a couple of months ago I am afraid of commitment. Since then I’ve just gone from dog to dog taking what I need then moving on whenever things start to get serious. Maybe I’m scared or maybe I’m just waiting on the right human to come into my life. There’s this girl who visits my local community garden to weed and spray around the vegetable plants. I heard she’s a heartbreaker though. I just don’t know if I’m ready to get attached so soon. Any advice?</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">-Heartbeets in Tulsa</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">HB,</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You have nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve spent my fair share of outings with undesirables. I once settled for-get this-a lizard. Granted it was just a one-time thing but I’ll never sink so low again. Count yourself and those dogs of yours lucky. This is a hard world in which to find Mrs. Right Ventricle. Normally I’d encourage a reader to go for it but I don’t want to encourage leeching. Get it? Leeching? Parasites? Groundwater? I thought it was funny…</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d wait for a girl who’s first inclination isn’t to grab the pesticide bottle. Pesticide can be romanticide my friend.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep hungry,</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">-Latch</span></b></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-71538827132119398472012-04-12T09:22:00.000-04:002012-04-12T09:22:19.459-04:00Our Treeless Future Art ShowIf you visited the Town Hall this week then you got a chance to see a few dozen interpretations of what trees mean to area 2nd-5th graders. The '<a href="http://stormdrainsuperhero.blogspot.com/2012/02/our-treeless-future.html" target="_blank">Our Treeless Future</a>' art project, facilitated by Lauren of our Parks and Leisure department and aided by our intern Jessica and myself, allowed these kids to dream up what a future without trees might look like.<br />
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We had a lot of great entries and working with the kids has been a highlight of my time working through the Town. All of the children we worked with really understood the message. I think the community can expect some young tree planters in the near future!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyT-yJyIpQxwx8soaq8FgfSsfLNXY_EUKntC_oz3wBnUeUpbZocMwYWGGzG3dIC8E70VU8rHYg0W1dxp4VMs49Rzk21x4u1sQVKwB_5XMOi69LlHvonW_j8izNjykRmnGUifesnK1YqQ/s1600/IMG_5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyT-yJyIpQxwx8soaq8FgfSsfLNXY_EUKntC_oz3wBnUeUpbZocMwYWGGzG3dIC8E70VU8rHYg0W1dxp4VMs49Rzk21x4u1sQVKwB_5XMOi69LlHvonW_j8izNjykRmnGUifesnK1YqQ/s320/IMG_5605.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The display are in the rotunda.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJvRKzEwFEOSOW8tny2Mn0J6KcZDr9FbjUtvecKbIdioqm7jzMKg9WOTOGQXwB-cYtMIcvJcCuUdvt7ez-NU2VbczbewwaJPBZbobsMmnED8C2obYhvD_LUkLiWirZa_w9lbEHOp97SM/s1600/IMG_5609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJvRKzEwFEOSOW8tny2Mn0J6KcZDr9FbjUtvecKbIdioqm7jzMKg9WOTOGQXwB-cYtMIcvJcCuUdvt7ez-NU2VbczbewwaJPBZbobsMmnED8C2obYhvD_LUkLiWirZa_w9lbEHOp97SM/s320/IMG_5609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best in Show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1JC-3u5WGamdtnWJb6YWev279wbG4TKVT6TOL0BMV0RIynlK4nbM1kpUHq7vz8yksMIWMKtTZGFl6lUYusywLzf8fMBtJxpK0kCCiUYWgXCAKeNY749fgYibl69ItK_SUIv3JNWf6xs/s1600/IMG_5610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1JC-3u5WGamdtnWJb6YWev279wbG4TKVT6TOL0BMV0RIynlK4nbM1kpUHq7vz8yksMIWMKtTZGFl6lUYusywLzf8fMBtJxpK0kCCiUYWgXCAKeNY749fgYibl69ItK_SUIv3JNWf6xs/s320/IMG_5610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive work considering how little time they had to create these.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RCAWCmYtsAELxJUftYTqZPIxGB0veHjU2yJXVD2A1TjZL0e9ICX2kn2hWCatGm-oXEtx05BsPd3FUy27ByJtKsenunUDoDwQRG2x77I42C2hFeuLiBp1Ov8FXZRGNjz7z07hi7MB9k/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RCAWCmYtsAELxJUftYTqZPIxGB0veHjU2yJXVD2A1TjZL0e9ICX2kn2hWCatGm-oXEtx05BsPd3FUy27ByJtKsenunUDoDwQRG2x77I42C2hFeuLiBp1Ov8FXZRGNjz7z07hi7MB9k/s320/IMG_5611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the kids did a fantastic job.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprNdhSt-mbZirGSe_iDacHloaviij3z89Zje-zrey1vgvAM5LsiDAADtQLgTfdQJ3LA_qAr_-Tyh9I-V_gqsCW0N3mhx2BMV5iESM9kxHkyH8ugIpPjOrgbajnnieA6C2d7LxfPHTvA4/s1600/IMG_5607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprNdhSt-mbZirGSe_iDacHloaviij3z89Zje-zrey1vgvAM5LsiDAADtQLgTfdQJ3LA_qAr_-Tyh9I-V_gqsCW0N3mhx2BMV5iESM9kxHkyH8ugIpPjOrgbajnnieA6C2d7LxfPHTvA4/s320/IMG_5607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal favorite. Check out that sense of perspective!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8093058103280308576.post-16263044944074463492012-04-10T15:51:00.001-04:002012-04-10T15:52:37.438-04:00Scavenger Spotlight - Kelly CrayfishDid <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/scavenger-spotlight-a-poem-by-manic-marigold-and-despondent-daffodil-one-in-the-same" target="_blank">Manic Marigold </a>make you smile? Did <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/scavenger-spotlight-a-poem-by-manic-marigold-and-despondent-daffodil-one-in-the-same" target="_blank">Despondent Daffodil</a> bring you back down to earth? Either way take a moment to let the heroic tale of <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/the-legend-of-kelly-crayfish-and-the-sediment-shoals" target="_blank">Kelly Crayfish</a> another whimsical character at this year's <a href="http://www.knox-earthfest.org/" target="_blank">EarthFest</a>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7O9bIGgH3KW8iLC_n0573iCwR3FmE6H7VS0Hc-twcG85aYkA-6U89qRXs9-U41rr9l8_XFpywp8Hw8-RXBHbHqfMHk6UinNt5quGSDg4ZArfQxLKO95bbG7GGiGU8vXo8WZFdshiAlw/s1600/KellyCrayfish1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7O9bIGgH3KW8iLC_n0573iCwR3FmE6H7VS0Hc-twcG85aYkA-6U89qRXs9-U41rr9l8_XFpywp8Hw8-RXBHbHqfMHk6UinNt5quGSDg4ZArfQxLKO95bbG7GGiGU8vXo8WZFdshiAlw/s320/KellyCrayfish1-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";"> </span></b></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Papyrus; line-height: 115%;">Kelly Crayfish</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Hometown</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";">Sediment Shoals</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Occupation</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";">Part-Time Legend</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #9bbb59; font-family: "Hurry Up";">Advocacy</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">: </span><span style="color: #ddd9c3; font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";">Water Quality</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a beautiful day she came our way, yes Kelly Crayfish came out to play. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A life underwater was not for her, so many things to see, the pine, the fir. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As she crawled to shore much to her surprise, no friendly faces to greet, just the buzzing of flies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No big trees loomed over, no shrubs on the ground, just brown open land, the green all cut down.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No roots to hold soil, no leaves to clean air, just loose plots of earth left open, left bare.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few candy wrappers were all she could see, a couple of bottles, old cans, debris.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The flies buzzed so loud she turned her tail, but there it was, a sight, a smell.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rain came down carrying with it the dirt, strange things it was bringing, loose papers, a shirt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the dirt washed down she saw what was at stake, a big mud puddle out of her beautiful lake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She rushed underwater to warn all her folks, something bad was coming, no joshing, no hoax.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When they all stepped out to see the commotion, Kelly got an idea, it was put into motion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crayfish swam to the shore not empty handed, carrying seeds in their claws as Kelly commanded</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Quickly they worked as the water did drain, but not once a complaint, not one groan of pain</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The water got muddy as one might expect, but Kelly kept hoping they’d keep it in check</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The weeks went by not able to see, but their hopes remained strong with the promise of trees</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One by one the seeds started to sprout, and one by one the crayfish came out</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An from the tribe came laughter and cheer, no more bad feelings when the sky was not clear</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The trees held the soil with big heavy veins, no clouds of brown water the next time it rains</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Kelly had found the adventure she lacked, known as hero with her home still intact</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The crayfish went back to just as they were, and Kelly had seen them, the pine, the fir.</span></div>Joshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00580229092103495661noreply@blogger.com0