Kudos to You

We Drank The Water - A Short Story as Editorial Fiction

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 19 May 2012 20:06:05 -0700

by Quinn Epperson
San Francisco

Editorial Fiction to Raise Awareness of a Social Need

Although this story is fiction, the need for clean water is very real. It affects children, parents, and grandparents. Yes, my story is set in Sudan, but the need for clean water extends beyond one country. This is a global issue and a human issue. Will we help each other have access to clean water? Or will we turn our backs and say it's not important what happens to others? Will we permit ourselves to become socially aware?

We Drank The Water

[Note: Ara is an Arabic name meaning "brings rain"; Sa'ad is an Arabic name meaning "good fortune"; a Boabab tree is a large fruit tree]

Through the hot air, the sun burning down on our shoulders we walked on. We walked on through the blinding day, while we ignored our parched throats. Step after step, hour after hour, we walked until the blazing sun went down and the earth was cast in shadow and the cool night air hovered above our skin. We collapsed under a wide leafless Baobab tree.

After a while I asked, “Sa'ad, is there any water left?”
“No, Ara. What did I tell you this morning? We have to save the rest of the water for tomorrow when we will actually need it.”
“I actually need it NOW,” I replied.
“No. Have some bread instead,” suggested Sa'ad.
I sighed, and looked at the dry, hard bread that I had eaten for days. I decided it was pointless to argue any longer so I lay down and tried to get some sleep. As I tried to clear my mind, pictures of the day when Sa'ad and I had left rushed in. The day Mama had come home and taken Sa'ad and I aside and told us, told us that she was sending us to her brother, who lived in Ethiopia, and had a big well on his plantation. When we asked why, she sighed and told us that she had just gotten word that there would be another drought this year. Another one. So here we were on the border of Ethiopia. I closed my eyes as sleep took over.

The next day we stumbled upon a town that was in ruins. We wandered through it looking for any food. We found none. When we came to the last straw thatched roof I peered out into the empty plains.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Is what what you think what is?” Sa'ad replied
“That, over there. It looks like a lake!”
“Are you sure it is not only a mirage?” he asked, doubtful.
“Well there is only one way to find out.” I started toward a shimmering circle. I heard him following me.
“I think I see it too,” he said from behind me
“Come on!” I shouted, quickening my pace. As we neared the lake, if it could be called that, I noticed that the water was murky and still, still as the branches of a tall, palm tree on a blistering hot day. I reached the water and waded in. The cool water enveloped me like smog settles on a city. Sa'ad reached the shore and peered in.
“Come on Sa'ad, it is so refreshing!” I called to him.
“Are you sure its safe?” he asked.
“Quit worrying!! It is perfectly fine!” I closed my eyes and forgot about anything else. A few moments later Sa'ad interrupted the silence.
“Ara. We should fill our water skins. And we should probably get going. We only have 2 more days until we reach uncle's house,” Sa'ad said, starting to rise.
“Can’t we stay here a little longer?” I begged.
“No. We better get going.”
“Fine.” As I rose out of the water I cupped my hand and bought a mouthful of water to my mouth. I drank the murky liquid and felt deeply refreshed.

That night, after a few hours walk in the blistering sun, we both decided to take shelter under a tall cliff. Sa'ad had been successful with his sling today and had brought down a dessert pigeon. I gathered firewood and started a low fire on which to roast the bird. After the bird had finished roasting Sa'ad and I ate and talked about the ‘wonderful’ school only 3 miles from our uncle's house.
“Sa'ad, do you really think the school is everything they say it is?”
“I really don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. I am hoping though. We’ll find out soon enough.”
“Yeah. Remember our old school. The roof was falling down before the fire came.”
“Yeah I remember.”
“Mama said there would be a hospital.”
“Yeah, that will be nice, I guess.” In the distance I heard a faint howl.
“Did you hear that?” I asked moving closer to the fire.
“Hear what?” Sa'ad said, beginning to put out the fire.
“Uh, hear that sound,” I said.
“Probably just your imagination. I am going to bed now,” Sa'ad said as he finished putting out the fire. He lay down. I heard another howl but this time it was closer.
“Did you hear that?” I asked.
“Go to sleep.”
I lay down beside him but I heard another howl, louder and more distinct. Sa'ad sat up.
“What was that?”
“What I’ve been hearing for the past 5 minutes. What is it?” Sa'ad stood up and gathered our things.
“Hurry! We’ve got to get on top of this cliff. Follow me.”
He handed me two water skins and started to climb to the top of the ridge that we had been sleeping under. We scrambled up it as the howls multiplied and become much louder. Sa'ad reached the top first and looked back for me. Black shapes appeared at our campsite and tore through the put out fire and what was left of the dessert pigeon.
“Hurry,” Sa'ad said as the black shapes came closer to where I was struggling. He grabbed my hand and started to pull me over the top. All of a sudden I felt a vicious tug at my sandal and a howl.
“Sa'ad! Help!” Sa'ad pulled with all of his might and my sandal slipped off and I was on top of the cliff.
“You okay?” Sa'ad asked, checking me over.
“Yeah, I am okay” I said brushing the dust and twigs off of me. “What are they?”
“Jackals,” he replied. “We are going to have to spend the night up here.” He spread out the mats.
“You go ahead and sleep. I’ll stay up and make sure they don’t find a way up here.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yeah. Go to sleep.”
I lay down and fell asleep with the howls and the dessert wind in my ear.

The next morning I awoke with a pain in my stomach. I opened my eyes to the painful glare of the sun. Usually we woke well before the sun rose to get a head start. I sat up to look for Sa'ad. He lay on his mat tossing and turning. I crawled over to him.
“Sa'ad? Are you alright?” I laid a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes.
“I am fine. My stomach just hurts a little. We better get going.” As he sat up I saw him flinch as he put a hand to his stomach.
“Are you sure you're okay?” I asked, concerned.
“Yes! I am fine.” He grabbed his water skin and pack and started down the cliff. I grabbed my stuff and followed him down the cliff. As I went the pain in my stomach increased.

Half way through the day my stomach pain moved. My throat started hurting and I was having a hard time breathing. I looked ahead and saw Sa'ad was weaving back and forth. As I watched he collapsed on the ground. I ran up to him and shook him by the shoulder.
“Sa'ad! Are you okay?” I looked worriedly down at him. He opened his eyes.
“Yeah, I am fine. Just was really hot then I couldn’t breathe and then... We should get going.” As he started to get up he leaned back and nearly tipped over. I caught him by the arm. And stopped. He was covered in sweat.
“Here, lean on me,” I told him.
“No, no. I am fine.” He started to tip again.
“Sa'ad. You are sick. This might be the only way to get you to uncle's house.” I draped his arm over my shoulders and started walking. Without protest he leaned on me and we started on our way. After about an hour I asked, “Sa'ad, how much longer to uncle's house?”
He looked at me. “I’d say about 2 more hours, if we keep walking without taking a rest.”
I kept silent, not knowing if we would make it by sundown. We walked on, with Sa'ad’s heavy weight on my shoulders and the sun smouldering heat onto our heads. The sun started to go down and was now behind us making our shadows as big as buildings looming ahead of us. Step after step, breath after breath. I looked up and in the distance I saw shadows, or what I thought were shadows.
“Sa'ad, is that what I think it is?” I pointed as he looked.
“Think so.” He slouched back down.
I quickened my pace and the buildings came closer and closer. When we passed the first person we saw I asked where Afuruk Wek, my uncle, lived. An old lady told us to walk to the other side of town and look for a big white house. When we arrived at what I thought was the big white house I helped Sa'ad past the white picket fence and up the painted steps up to the big wooden door. I knocked on the door with the knocker and a few seconds later the door opened and a weathered face peered out.
“Ara, Sa'ad? Is that you?” All of a sudden I felt a wave of dizziness come over me and quickly replied, “Yes. I think we need a doctor.” I thrust Sa'ad against the door is I fell toward the churning floor. Darkness closed around me and the last thing I sensed was uncle pulling Sa'ad inside the house.

The first thing I awoke to was the pain in my stomach and the soreness in my throat. I opened my eyes to a white ceiling and pleasant air. Sunlight filtered in through white curtains. I waited there, staring at the white cracked ceiling for over an hour, or so it seemed, when the door opened and a man in a white over coat came into the room. He came over to my bed and put a hand on my head.
“Fever's down,” he said. I sat up as Uncle came through the already opened door.
“Where’s Sa'ad?” I asked.
“He is in another room,” said Uncle.
The man in the white coat said, “He is a very sick boy.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He has the same thing you have but a much more severe case.”
“And what’s that?”
“Diphtheria.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes. Diphtheria. Many people in my village had died of that.
“You should get some more sleep. It will do you good.”
I closed my eyes and slept.

I woke up as a woman in a white coat came in the room.
“What day is it today?” I asked.
“Um, Friday.”
I gasped. “Are you sure?” We had arrived at Uncle's house on Tuesday.
“Yes, I am sure, Honey. Do you need anything?”
“Um, yeah, can I have some water?”
The woman left the room and brought back a pitcher of water and a cup.
“How’s Sa'ad?” I asked, feeling guilty that this question was an afterthought.
“I'm sorry, but he’s doing much worse.”
“Isn't he okay?” I asked sitting up.
“No. Unfortunately. You can go and see him in a couple days, if you’re feeling better. Speaking of that, how do you feel?” I examined my nerves and found that I felt much better than before.
“I feel great.” I told her, truthfully.
“Well, maybe you can get up after the doctor has checked you out. Get some more sleep now.”
She left the room. I closed my eyes but didn’t feel like sleeping, so I picked up a book and read.

The next day I was finishing up my book as the doctor came in.
“I am going to check you out and see if you are okay to get up.” He came around next me and had me stick out my tongue and checked my stomach and a bunch of other things.
“You’re doing much better,” he said, putting away all of his instruments. “You can go out as soon as you want.”
“Can I go and see Sa'ad?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll send in a nurse to bring in your clothes and show you around the hospital.” The nurse came in and handed me some new clothes. I got dressed and stood up, for the first time in a quite a few days. I felt dizzy for a few seconds but it passed and I walked out of the room. The nurse was waiting for me and I followed her to Sa'ad’s room. We halted before a door and the nurse turned to me.
“He looks very altered. Do not get him excited and we can only stay for a few minutes.”
I nodded and she opened the door. I stepped in to the darkened room and looked about. There was a faded bed in the center of the room with a lump in the center of the bed. I walked over to the bed and saw Sa'ad looking back at me. His eyes had sunk into his head and the skin was pulled taught.
“Sa'ad?”
“Ara? What are you doing here?” He asked struggling to speak.
“I came to see how you are doing. How are you doing?”
“I am fine.” I looked at the nurse and she shook her head.
“Has uncle come to see you?” I asked.
“Yeah, he came in this morning with my breakfast.”
“That’s great.” The nurse cleared her throat.
“We should get going now. Let Sa'ad get his rest.”
I smiled and said, “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Meanwhile you just focus on getting well.”

The next day I came into see Sa'ad and he looked worse. His skin was pale and his skinny arms were on the bed, unmoving. I sat by his bed and just looked at him.
“You know what got me so sick?” he asked, all of a sudden.
“No,” I replied, startled by his furious tone.
“That water.”
“What water?”
“The water we had the day we ran into the jackals.”
“Oh,” I said.
“I feel so stupid. Mama told us thousands of times not to drink still unmoving water. And we did and this happened.”
“It's no one's fault, Sa'ad. It just happened.”
“Yeah, I know,” he said, falling silent. “So what have you been doing while I am in here?”
“Just walking around,” I said. We were silent for a few minutes and then Sa'ad broke the silence.
“You know I am going to die,” He said quietly.
“No. You're not! You're going to get well and go to school and become a doctor.” I said, my voice catching.
“We both know that isn’t true. I am really sick.” The nurse tapped my shoulder and beckoned to the door.
“I gotta go Sa'ad. You're going to get well.” I turned to leave, but he caught my hand. “If I die before Mama comes, tell her that I love her and that I know she did what she thought best.”
“You can tell her yourself,” I said and turned to leave.
“I love you, Ara.” His voice gently carried to my ear and I ran to him.
“I love you too.” I kissed him gently and turned to leave.

A week later Sa'ad died. The men buried him in the shade of wide baobab tree and then came home to tell us he had found rest. I visited his grave every day and vowed twice a day to find a way to prevent diseases from being transmitted through unclean water. I never forgot our trek through Sudan. I never forgot Sa'ad. And I never forgot how dirty water had killed my only brother.

BMW, Triumph, or Vespa - Pick One If You Can

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:04:54 -0700

Visit California BMW Triumph Motorcycles in Mountain View, CA and you'll find your choice of BMW and Triumph motorcycles, and Vespa scooters, if you're just getting started with two-wheeled wonders.

The best selling motorcycles this year have been the iconic Triumph Bonneville T100, and BMW's dual purpose off-road/on-road GS and BMW's six-cylinder GLT. Get a side-by-side comparison of the 2011 BMW F 650 GS and the 2011 Triumph Bonneville T100 here.

Triumph's Tiger Explorer provides an exciting off-road/on-road motorcycle, which may be surpassed by a new touring bike that fits in the line up between a BMW R1200RT and the K1600GT.

On the showroom floor, you can find the Thruxton 900:

The Thruxton 900 was named after the Thruxton Racing Circuit where Triumph won the first three places in the 1969 Thruxton 500, a 500 mile endurance race held near Andover in Hampshire, United Kingdom. This was during the "Cafe Racer" era of modified motorcycles. The Triumph Thruxton has been around for quite some time. Here is Sucker Punch Sally's modified Triumph, for instance.

You can also find the Bonneville T100, the Speedmaster, and the Thunderbird:

The Bonneville T100 is a 'retro meets modern' iconic styling motorcycle.

The Speedmaster cruiser is a good commuter bike, weighing in at 550 pounds, about 200 less than the Thunderbird. The lighter weight allows for better turning and control than a heavier ride.

The Thunderbird cruiser has history. The 1957 Triumph Thunderbird, for instance, is old school. The one on the showroom floor is completely modern, providing a comfortable and dependable ride.

If all this seems too much, consider starting with a Vespa:

The Vespa is a 'twist the grip to go' type of scooter, with hand brakes for slowing and stopping. You'll get a feel for what it's like to ride a motorcycle, minus shifting gears, and, if you find you're comfortable with it, you may then want to get a motorcycle for longer rides.

Scrambler vs. Speed Triple R

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 19 May 2012 12:03:15 -0700

Seems like a strange question, to compare a speed bike with an off-road inspired sports bike, but when looking for a new motorcycle, the choice often comes down to where will you ride?

The Triumph Scrambler can be ridden off-road, or, better yet, on roads that aren't exactly smooth or racer-refined. You can take the Scrambler to places not seen on a typical country tour route that sticks to the roads you share with cars and trucks. How about a trip to the Ukraine or to Mongolia?

The Speed Triple R, however, is meant for race conditions. You hug the Triple R while the Triple R hugs the road.

Visit California Triumph in Mountain View to see these bikes on the showroom floor:

The Scrambler 900:

The Speed Triple R:

Triumph Rocket III Roadster

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:59:39 -0700

On the showroom floor at California Triumph Motorcycles is a Triumph Rocket III Roadster 2300cc inline-3 power cruiser.

In 2009, Popular Mechanics compared the Triumph Rocket III with six other bikes, listing them according to their 0-60MPH time: Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special, Honda VTX1800F, Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Classic, Suzuki Boulevard M109R, Triumph Rocket III, Victory Hammer S, and Yamaha Star Warrior.

While listed 5th in the Popular Mechanics line up, the Rocket III Roadster was the "only bike to run in the 11-second quarter-mile bracket." The reviewer goes on to say that, "when raw muscle matters most, the Triumph is the undisputed heavyweight champion."

The Rocket III also has a 6.3 gallon fuel tank and a seat comfortable enough for long hauls. Read about its specs here.

For a review on this motorcycle, visit Motorcycle News to find out why they give it 4 out of 5 stars, with 5 stars for the engine.

Some Mountain View showroom pics:

Triumph Motorcycles in Mountain View

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:42:24 -0700

Pull into the driveway to the left of the California BMW Triumph Motorcycles showroom, and you'll see the Triumph Shop and the Repair Center.

The nearest Triumph store to the one in Mountain View is in Livermore, and then in San Francisco.

The Mountain View shop has Triumph t-shirts, men's and women's riding gear, bike gear, helmets, and bike accessories. They are very well stocked and the helpful and knowledgeable staff can provide recommendations for your specific needs.

Here's some of what you can expect to see at this location:

Women's Gear:

Bike Gear:

Riding Gear:

Touring Gear:

Cycling Supplies:

Customized Outfits:

Stop by and browse the shop and the bikes. Ask a few questions. Get on the road and ride.

Nathan George and Change for Good

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:34:49 -0700

After the Veritas Forum presentation on April 18, 2012, two breakout sessions were held the next day, one for Nishan de Mel and one for Nathan George.

Nishan's session focused on the need for social and political systemic change. His role seems to be more along the lines of John the Baptist, calling out, "Make way for Change!" He calls for a need to clear away the things that hinder our collective path to alleviating the pains of the impoverished and making strategic and sustainable change for good for those who go without at so many levels.

Nathan's session focused on how he got to where he is today, as one who finds sustainable methods of raising people up out of poverty through dignified jobs within the framework of Fair Trade, and his own effort to make it a reality at Trade as One in Santa Cruz, CA. Nathan also calls for change, primarily through a personally relevant, authentic, and pragmatic response to the Gospel message.

Nathan spoke to an audience of about 30 at the Stanford Old Union CIRCLE Common Room. This room is the regular meeting place of Intervarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship, many of whom were present at Nathan's breakout session.

I made a recording of his presentation and post it here, unedited and without the Q&A session, with his permission.

Listen to Nathan George's presentation: Nathan George - Change for Good - From Career to Calling (47:46)

Discussing Poverty at The Veritas Forum

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:06:04 -0700

On April 18, 2012, I attended the presentation of "Making Money, Spending Money: What do we owe to the poor?" at Stanford's Veritas Forum. The speakers were Nathan George and Nishan de Mel and the moderator was Debbie Hall.

The primary question posed was "Do we have an obligation to the poor when we're choosing things like our vocation, classes, and what to buy at the grocery store? And if we do, how should that obligation change the way we make those decisions?"

Nishan de Mel's response is a conviction to meet poverty head on with macro, community involved, sustainable responses. For him, individual acts of kindness are temporary while group acts of sustained impact that make a difference in the lives of those impoverished are where he and like-minded peers want to focus their energy.

His experiences in Sri Lanka have given him a need to decide, a need to choose how to respond to the ever present question of what to do to help those who have nothing on so many levels. How can changes be made that change lives on a macro level? Nishan's academic research and own way of thinking leads to the query: how do we develop macro strategies through political action and through public information? He argues that that kind of engagement really matters, not just individual acts of charity.

Nishan's discussion at the Forum centered on dealing with social and political structures and the underlying issues as well as having and developing macro strategies as a sustainable response to poverty and changing people's lives for the better.

As for our obligation, Nishan states that as Christians, we value life and thus must value all lives, and as people who are not poor, we are however complicit in others' impoverished lives by living as we do and we must therefore do what we can to change sociopolitical structures so that poverty is addressed and alleviated.

Nathan George's response was self-awareness about a lack of meaning in his career pursuits and a need to find personal (not inherited) faith in God. He went back and read the New Testament scriptures in the Bible and realized he had missed the text on sharing good news with the poor, giving freedom to the captive, and recovery of sight to the blind. For him, this meant that "if your understanding of the message of Jesus does not, in a tangible way, include this as a clear expression of what your life is about, then it's not authentic." This really disturbed Nathan and he wanted to make changes in his life to include a response to the poor.

He visited the idea of 'dignified jobs' which led to engaging in Fair Trade business. He quotes an African proverb: the hand that gives is uppermost but the hand that shakes is an equal. By engaging in Fair Trade, the poor are treated as equals. They provide highly skilled products and the people who purchase their products need those products.

Both spoke about making an impact. Listen to the discussion at The Veritas Forum.

John Stott and The Fellowship of the Believers

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:32:01 -0700

John Stott spoke at the Reformation Study Center in Los Altos, CA in 1977. According to Robert Benedetto, now Library Director at Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union, the center was begun in 1977 as a school for church laypersons. Additionally, various classes were offered at three sites around the Bay Area. The school ran for nearly 4 years but closed due to lack of funding. A similar school is New College Berkeley.

This digital recording was created at Kudos Press from an original tape cassette recording: Listen to John Stott speak about the fellowship of the believers as found in Acts 2:42: John Stott and The Fellowship of the Believers, 1977 (41:43)

Dropped Chevy Apache 31

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 05 May 2012 22:28:28 -0700
Last month, I stopped by West Coast Classics and Customs and noticed a beat up old truck body sitting on the ground just outside their repair shop. As I got closer, I could see it was a late 1950s Chevy Apache 31. I asked the WCCC mechanic, Branden, what was happening with the truck. He said they planned on lowering it.

Today, the truck has new dual exhaust pipes on a lowered chassis. It's taking shape. They'll bring this project truck to driver ready condition and sell it. Stop in and watch the transformation. Be inspired. Visit on a Cars and Coffee day - first Saturday of the month, from 10AM-Noon - and pick out your next project. Or, consider making room in your garage by putting a past project up for sale on consignment at West Coast Classics and Customs.

Some pics from today:

1959 Blue Chevy Apache Pickup Truck

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 05 May 2012 22:10:49 -0700
Two 1959 Chevy Apache pickup trucks sit on the lot at West Coast Classics and Customs in Sunnyvale, CA. One is this blue, working model waiting for a new owner, up for sale on consignment.

That's part of why I like to visit WCCC on a regular basis. I don't know what they'll have on hand, either for sale on consignment, or something they are restoring for a customer, or a project car of their own.

1959 GMC 100 Pickup Truck

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:53:38 -0700
When I stopped by West Coast Classics and Customs in Sunnyvale, CA, for their Cars and Coffee event, I met Louis, the owner of this 1959 GMC 100. He told it's been completely redone. He bought it in good condition, but didn't like the rusting out door panels, so he decided to fix it. That was four years ago. He says it was worth the wait and the effort. It sounds just right, and it's what he's always wanted for this truck. Is it his first truck? No. He's had others, mostly GMC pickups.

If you have a project truck or car, and think it'll never get completed, maybe it's time to visit a Hot Summer Nights Car Show and get inspired to get your ride done and most likely show-worthy.

If you're in the Santa Clara, CA, area, visit the Wednesday Night Car Show, featuring upwards of 275 custom and classic cars. They meet at El Camino Center at the corner of El Camino Real and Scott Blvd. every Wednesday for the summer.

1949 Ford F1 Pickup

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:45:12 -0700
Sitting in the back corner of the front lot at West Coast Customs and Classics is this red Ford F1 pickup truck. I chose to use a low angle shot because the front grill on this truck is so impressive. Personally, I like the flat top look with the narrow nose hood. It's a looker.

Stop by West Coast Classics and Customs in Sunnyvale, CA, at the corner of West El Camino Real and South Mathilda Ave. and have a look, while it's still there.

Or bring in your own ride, to show it off, or maybe get a tune up.

May Events 2012

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:37:31 -0700
MAQUOKETA, IA
Vintage Torque Fest with Pre '75 Motorcycles
When: May 4-5, 2012
Sponsor: Vintage Torque Fest
Event Location: 1212 E. Quarry St.
Note: Event is at the Jackson County Fairgrounds

MEMPHIS, TN
Memphis in May Music Festival
When: May 4-6, 2012
Sponsor: Memphis in May
Event Location: Lee Park along S. Riverside Drive
Note: see site for parking and ticket info

NEW ORLEANS, LA
Jazz Fest Webcast
When: May 4-6, 2012
Sponsor: New Orleans Jazz Fest
Event Location: 1751 Gentilly Boulevard
Note: see site for details on all the events

AUSTIN, TX
Austin Min Maker Faire
When: May 12, 2012, 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sponsor: Austin Min Maker Faire
Event Location: 1101 E 5th Street at Pine Street Station
Note: see site for event details

CANNES, FR
Festival de Cannes
When: May 16-27, 2012
Sponsor: Festival de Cannes
Event Location: Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
Note: This is an invitation only festival, but see the website for good coverage of the event.

OCEAN CITY, MD
Cruisin' Ocean City
When: May 17-20, 2012
Sponsor: Cruisin' Ocean City
Event Location: 4001 Coastal Highway
Note: See site for spectator passes and show hours

SAN MATEO, CA
Maker Faire Bay Area
When: May 19-20, 2012
Sponsor: Maker Faire
Event Location: 1346 Saratoga Drive
Note: see site for parking details and hours

SAN DIEGO, CA
Corvette Dreamin' and All Chevy Car Show
When: May 20, 2012
Sponsor: Corvettes of San Diego
Event Location: Liberty Station, NTC Promenade, Point Loma
Note: see site for event details

OUTER SPACE
Annular Solar Eclipse
When: May 20, 2012
Sponsor: NASA
Event Location: Greatest Eclipse occurs at 49.0943° N, 176.2775° E (latitude, longitude)
Note: Visit the website for maps and additional information

WASHINGTON, DC
Rolling Thunder XXV Motorcycle Rally
When: May 27, 2012
Sponsor: Rolling Thunder XXV
Event Location: Pentagon Parking Lot
Note: see site for rally point and run route

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Have an event to add to this list? Send an email. Event submissions subject to approval by Kudos Press.

John Stott and Sermon Preparation

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:35:51 -0700
John Stott spoke at the Covenant Mid-Winter Conference in 1977, after speaking at Urbana '76.

To get a fuller picture of John Stott beyond that of his books and speeches, visit the John RW Stott Memorial and view photos of John with the people he knew. Or, read about his visits to Peru and his interactions with noted author René Padilla. Additionally, a brief history of John appears at Protestante Digital, with an emphasis on his work in South America.

This 1977 recording is from a tape cassette discovered recently in a church choir room:
Listen to John Stott speak about Sermon Preparation: John Stott Sermon Preparation, 1977 (60:51)

Show Cars at WCCC Cars and Coffee

nospam@example.com (Kevin Fox) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:13:25 -0700
West Coast Classics and Customs had one of their Cars and Coffee events this past Saturday. Members of the NorCal Woodies car club showed up to visit with Brian Gomez. A few others arrived in their rides: a 1967 Corvette Stingray 427, a 1969 Camaro Rally Sport 350, a 1953 Henry J, and a 1960s Ford F100. Nearby sat a lowered 1959 Chevy Apache 31 currently being worked on at WCCC.

Here are some pics: