Flashback 2/18 - Invent Iowa Regionals & Concert

Harrison's "Fishing Bow" invention made it to regionals - along with 3 other 6th grade inventions and one by a pair of 7th graders. They got out of school to attend the competition, which was held at Westdale Mall here in Cedar Rapids. It was an exciting day - his invention got excellent scores and advanced to State!

No time to celebrate after school; he had a fine arts concert that evening - played harp in orchestra and sang in the choir.

The tale in pictures:

Invent Iowa Entry - The Fishing Bow

Harrison's weekend project was to make a prototype of his invention for the Invent Iowa fair. This is one of the options offered through the PACT (Program for Academic & Creative Talent) program at Franklin. Apparently, the student misses class for an hour a week and talks about what to invent, then the weekend before the competition, he and his parents are responsible for putting the entire project and presentation together.

Luckily we had the weekend free (yay no more North Cedar commitments!) and G-Boy was available to offer expertise. The final result: The Fishing Bow! This is a handy tool for any outdoorsman who wants the flexibility to bow hunt or fish at a moment's notice, as prey makes itself available. We are very lucky to have our particular backyard, which made the promo photo shoot much more convenient.

Here are some of the photos Harrison used in his display:

Harrison's Honorable Harping

I am impressed by how many student harp players there are in Cedar Rapids. Last Saturday, Harrison performed with an "Honor Harp Ensemble" as part of the Metro Youth Orchestra festival. The ensemble pictured below is made up strictly of 6th and 7th graders from Franklin and McKinley Middle Schools (and there are four members who did not show up for the concert). Amazing.

Mr. Clancey, the Franklin Orchestra Director, was able to secure HD a spot taking lessons with the same Harp teacher he (Mr. Clancey) studies with - so hopefully I can find a way to pay for them! After seeing the difference between the skills of the private study students and the ones who take lessons at school, I think it would be worth it if we can afford it.

We Shall Overcome

We are such activists. Julio, Harrison and I attended our very first demonstration last night. The hate-oriented cult that goes by the name of Westboro Baptist Church had made threats to picket opening night of "The Laramie Project", being performed at TCR Lindale. "The Laramie Project" is a play that was written to explore the dynamics of the repercussions of the brutal 1998 slaying of Matthew Shepard, a young man who was killed because he was gay.

Fred Phelps, the founder and self-proclaimed "reverend" of WBC, and a small band of followers picketed Matthew's funeral, shouting hate slogans and bearing signs that said things like "God Hates Fags". They make a point to harrass any organization that shows support for or tolerance of homosexuals, Jews, and pretty much anything or anybody not part of his church.

In anticipation of their possible picketing, several groups organized counter-protests. The TCR group was asked to dress in as much white as possible and form a "Wall of Angels" in silence. While the wall of angels were the majority, in our silence we were easily "upstaged" by the loud high school and college students who brought signs and leapt up and down screaming at cars to honk.

No matter. The WBC group never showed up, and we had a fun time seeing fellow theater people and church friends. It was a hugely diverse group - from young children to senior citizens, all races and creeds, gathered to protest hate, and it was a great deal of fun. It was also incredibly moving to be part of that kind of fellowship.

Over 300 people stood along 1st Avenue

Recognize my "daughter" - Marian Paroo?

Savannah and her mom, Hillerie

Karen from Church, Jen & Lindsay from TCR

Julio with Kate, Trish and a friend
victims of Steph's hurried snapshot taking

The crowd extended from here clear down to
the road leading into our neighborhood

TCR buddy Alisabeth poses with Julio

The center part of the group

Waiting for G-Boy to bring HD over

Posted behind one of the larger TCR groupings

Harrison Arrives!

One of the counter-protest organizers

"Stragglers" overflowed to the other side of a drive way

TCR buddy AC is interviewed

Julio looking at the newspaper photographer
taking pictures from atop a snowbank