O'Kane Gallery to feature works by Leamon Green

Steamroller prints, hand drawings, hand paintings, and rough drafts highlight the Leamon Green exhibition entitled “Look At Them Now.” The exhibit opened September 1 and runs until October 13.

           

Steamroller prints involve the artist carving the image into a piece of wood, pouring ink into the carving, and then driving over it with a massive roller. The weight of the drum literally lifts the image onto the canvas paper. There are currently four of these on display. Weight of the World, Scales, Recovery, and Wandering Eyes are the highlight of the exhibit. The rest of the exhibit is all hand paintings or drawings. Some of the works are accompanied by rough sketches.

Speaking with Mark Cervankea, I found out a lot about what goes into making a steamroller print.

“We wanted to use the four steamroller prints as the centerpiece of the exhibit since they are larger,” Cervenkea said in an interview. The entire exhibit is focused around the four steamroller prints. “The areas that are white are where the wood was carved out to make the piece. This gives a unique relationship and reference to the subject,” Cervenkea stated. There are very few places that do steamroller prints since the pieces tend to be quite large.

“The idea of this exhibit was to build around the steamroller prints since they have a bold and expressive look to them. It’s a completely different form of artwork.”

Mark Cervenkea and Leamon Green have known each other for a while. Green’s work has also been featured in other shows.

“There was no specific work that we wanted for this exhibit. All we wanted was to build around the steamroller prints,” Cervanka said.

Steamroller printing is known for its relief style. Ink is poured into a carving and the canvas is placed over the carving. A heavy metal drum or steamroller then presses the canvas into the carving. This differs from etching in which a copper plate is carved out, ink applied, and then dipped into an acid bath. The acid eats away at the high areas, leaving the low areas as the artwork.

An advantage to steamroller printing is that it allows an artist to print large-scale while keeping the price affordable.

Leamon Green is a local artist and also is the head of the Performing and Visual Arts Department at Texas Southern University. Green is also considered to be one of the best draft artists around.

Green has been doing steamroller prints for five years with Houston Print Matters. “I always wanted an exhibit at UH-Downtown. Mark and I went through some ideas together and decided on the pieces that would be put on display,” Green said.

Steamroller prints require a group effort and donated paper. “Most of the time, it takes an entire day to make a few prints. It also requires organization,” Green said in an interview.

“I have been doing art for as long as I can remember. My parents were very supportive and I decided to major in art during college,” Green said.  

Green wanted to use the steamroller prints as the centerpiece and build around them. After talking to Mark and discussing the pieces to be used, the two of them decided to use the large prints and build around them.

“I wanted to build off the content of the steamroller sketches since they have a bold and expressive look to them,” Green said. “It really is a different animal.”

Since very few places do steamroller prints, it can be hard to find a venue. Luckily, Saint Arnold’s Brewery let Green use their parking lot to create the prints.

Steamroller prints are carved onto large pieces of wood and then printing ink is poured into the carving. Wherever there is a white space, that represents the actual carving. “It’s a very unusual way to create a relief print.”

School's out, but starvation is not

For the majority of us, we never need to worry about having enough to eat. But for many low-income families, food insecurity and starvation are summer problems. With school out, the free and reduced lunch program also ends. This puts many at risk of starvation.

           

According to CNBC, summer puts a strain on food pantries and food banks as they struggle to provide meals to families. Kevin Concannon with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that the time of year that a child is likely to go hungry is during the summer months. This is because school is out.

           

You’re probably wondering how I know so much. I volunteer at Catholic Charities in their Guadalupe Basic Needs Center. Summer is always a strain since more families rely on food assistance than any other time of the year. This means that food banks and food pantries are strained to fill the gap for those who normally rely on other services and federally funded food programs.

           

According to Feeding America, Texas is home to six of the 10 counties in the country with the highest rate of childhood food insecurity in 2011. Almost 2 million children or 27.6 percent lived in a food insecure household.

           

Food insecurity means that a household struggles to provide enough food for everyone in the family due to a lack of resources, according to CNBC.

It’s not just Texas. The situation is reflected on a national level too. About 21.4 million children receive free or reduced-cost lunches during the school year, according to the USDA. The neediest kids receive breakfast, snacks, dinner, and even backpacks of weekend food through school or after-school programs.

           

But last summer, only about 3 million kids were fed through the summer program, which provides meals to kids via school and community programs, Concannon said.

           

Kids usually have trouble getting to feeding sites when school buses aren’t running and parents are not always aware of the programs. When kids don’t have regular, nutritious meals, they learn slower and have more behavioral problems, experts say. They also start to develop unhealthy habits including binge-eating that can put them at risk for diabetes and obesity. Hungry kids may also resort to desperate measures such as intentionally failing a class so they can go to summer school and be assured of a meal.

           

According to CNN, a record 21.7 million U.S. students get free or low-cost lunches during school. But fewer than 4 million or just 18% of those in the student lunch program are fed through the USDA’s summer food program. While it’s a record, many say that the government can do more.

           

One of the biggest hurdles for summer meals is that it be served in an approved location and consumed on-site. This is to make sure that the children are the ones receiving the meals. But poverty and violence in an area can deter kids from wanting to go and receive the free meal.

           

Audrey Rowe, a USDA administrator, said that the department is working with lawmakers to increase flexibility around the summer meals program. It is also trying to expand the number of sites to include health centers and children’s hospitals.

Finger pointing continues in water contamination

It's something that no one wants to deal with. For people in North St. Louis County, Missouri, the water has been contaminated with radioactive waste. Many people have already died of cancer and it's only going to grow. 

Using social media, over 2700 cases of cancer, tumors, and auto-immune diseases have been documented. And that's just in one neighborhood. 

A spokesperson with the Army Corps of Engineers said that the cleanup is a slow and tedious process. "Things have to be moved at the slow pace in order to protect the environment." 

Doctor Fasil Khan, who is the director of the county health department said that sometimes disasters unfold slowly and the real extent of the damage is only realized once you start counting the people around you. 

Ever since 1973, very little has been done to clean up the mess. The worst part is that 50,000 tons of highly radiotoxic and uncovered waste from the Manhattan Project sits in the West Lake landfill located in North St. Louis, Missouri. The Post-Dispatch also reports that radioactive material from Mallinckdrodt's downtown project could be there as well. Residents are furious that little has been done to clean up the waste. 

Clusters of cancer as well as elevated levels of sickness and death have been recorded. This includes an ongoing health survey in which 45 cases of appendix cancer show up. While rare, it's 1,075% higher than the national average. 

What's worse is that an underground fire from an adjacent landfill is making its way toward the radioactive waste. The fire has apparently burned for years with no attempt at putting it out. No other radioactive site in the country is like this. 

Further compounding the problem is a series of private corporations that swirl around the ownership of the landfill and the material dumped there. These entities have repeatedly shown a priority to mitigate corporate liability at the community's expense. 

Phoenix-based waste hauler, Republic Services, which currently owns the landfill, tried to block court-ordered monitoring data from being provided. But Attorney General Chris Foster fought back and won. 

About three weeks ago, the Department of Natural Resources released a letter indicating the fire was moving closer to areas with high levels of radioactive contaminants. 

This would only make the problem worse unless something is done. 

Record rainfall shuts down Houston

In a city that is used to being hit with rain, the last few weeks saw record rainfall. By Tuesday, Houston had shut down. 

The rain started around May 5 and has not let up. The already saturated ground can't handle anymore water. 

Even the city's intricate system of bayous and gullies couldn't handle the runoff. This led to many of them breaching their banks and flood many residents, who had little time to prepare. 

Fans at the Houston Rockets game on Memorial Day were told to stay in Toyota Center until the rain let up. However, a few defied orders and ventured out into the rain, only to find their vehicles were submerged. 

Even the city's bus system and light rail was suspended until further notice. This is because most of downtown and many freeways were under water. However, by mid afternoon, some buses and the light rail lines were back in service. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already declared parts of Texas as disaster areas. Houston is included in that list. 

So far, there are seven confirmed fatalities and many more missing. Fire crews and police are telling people not to venture out until the waters recede.  

The floods turned deadly for Houston firefighters after a rescue boat carrying an elderly couple, their daughter, and another rescued victim capsized. The daughter and the two firemen performing the rescue were fished out of the raging waters. Sadly, the elderly couple and the other flood victim were among the seven fatalities so far. 

With more rain in the forecast, the already saturated ground cannot handle any more runoff. Hopefully, this week brings the last of the rain for a while. 

Suspect in September arson charged

It’s hard to imagine that last September, air traffic was snarled due to a fire at the Chicago Air Traffic Control Center. Now, the lone suspect in the case has been formally charged.

The September 26, 2014 fire cancelled thousands of flights across the country. Not only did it affect consumer travel, but it also affected the Valparaiso University football team’s chartered flight to North Carolina. Instead of flying out of Chicago, the fire forced the team to return to the university and wait for a flight out of South Bend Regional Airport.

The fire started in the early morning hours and quickly began crippling air traffic throughout the Midwest. While no one was hurt, one employee was treated for smoke inhalation.

At about 5 a.m., Brian Howard carried a black Pelican suitcase into the Air Traffic Control Center, say federal prosecutors. About 30 minutes after he arrived, Howard posted a message to his Facebook saying that he took a hard look in the mirror and that is why he took out the center and tried to also take his life. He told April and Pop that he loved them and he was sorry for leaving the big mess.

Workers discovered the fire several minutes later. Amid the dense smoke, emergency personnel found that a floor panel was lifted, exposing telecommunications cables, some of which had been severed and set on fire.

Howard, who was a contract worker at the Chicago Air Traffic Control Center, has been formally charged with one count of willfully setting fire to, damaging, destroying, or disabling an air navigation facility and one count of setting fire to commit a federal felony.

The fire cost the airline industry an estimated $350 million as more than 5,000 flights out of Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway International Airports were cancelled in the wake of the fire. Controllers from neighboring states pitched in while the Chicago Air Traffic Control Center was repaired.

The Federal Aviation Administration has asked for $8.8 million from Congress to improve FAA security. The FAA is also trying to organize communications and training to handle approximately 90% of flights within 24 hours of a catastrophic outage instead of the several days it took last September.

If convicted, Howard faces 20-30 years in prison. He also faces a fine of $250,000, or twice the amount in damage caused by the fire.

The charge of using fire to commit a federal felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Howard’s attorney, Ron Safer, says that Howard has “always accepted responsibility for his conduct” and they believe the charges are fair.

Tri County Wildfire almost contained

September 14, 2011

Strong winds from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, a crippling drought, dry vegetation, and very low humidity are just some of the obstacles the Texas Forest Service and many other volunteer firemen face in the battle to gain the upper hand.

The runaway, out of control wildfire, which started over Labor Day weekend, has already consumed more than 18,400 acres in Montgomery, Grimes, and Waller Counties. And according to the latest news reports, the fire is right at the Harris County line.

The fire has forced the evacuation of 4,600 residents in Grimes and Waller counties. According to the Texas Forest Service, 60 homes have been destroyed. So far, the fire is 75% contained, but that could change, depending on the wind speed and direction. Winds out of the south have allowed fire crews to gain the upper hand.

Bulldozers and other heavy equipment have been creating fire breaks in Montgomery County, and many areas also were showing signs of progress. Utility workers were finally allowed to enter and begin restoring service to those affected by the fire.

Many of the evacuation orders that were in place have been lifted. However, some residents still are not allowed back into their homes. The only two subdivisions in Grimes County that are still closed off are Plantation Lakes and Saddle Creek along Riley Road. Parts of these subdivisions are also in Waller County.

However, some residents chose to stay in their homes and ignore the mandatory evacuation orders. 

Some have even gone as far as to put sprinklers on their roofs. Others have cut their own firebreaks with tractors or skid-steer loaders.

Despite calls for help by Texas governor Rick Perry and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, very little aid has been sent from Washington. Texans finally got a word of relief Friday night. President Obama declared that a major disaster exists in Texas. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs.

The declaration allows federal aid to be sent to Texas. State officials are now able to gain access to heavy equipment, personnel, supplies, and other types of support needed to help it respond. The fires have been burning for nearly 300 consecutive days. The problem has been going on since January, and has only gotten worse.

Almost 700 personnel, several aerial tankers, and many other pieces of equipment have been involved in the firefighting effort.

Homer Drew gets 600th win in blowout in 2009

After five tries, Homer Drew picked up career win number 600 at the ARC Friday night.

“The guys did great, said Associate Head Coach Bryce Drew.  “We are excited for the win.  Good things can happen if we get a streak going.”  When asked what the 600^th win meant to Homer, “I am very excited for him,” Bryce stated after the game.  “It was a great night. If we can get some wins, we will improve our chances of hosting a first round game in the tournament,” Bryce stressed.

After the game, the fans heard head coach Homer Drew talk about the milestone. “600 to me is just a number,” he said.  “I want to thank the loyal fans who have come out to the games.  We are young, but we are improving. I would also like to thank our loyal students,” he stated. 

Howard Little shook up the Ramblers’ offense most of the night.  The sophomore guard had 17 points, 4 steals, and 5 rebounds in the win.  “It feels great to give Homer his 600^th win,” he said.  "Any win is great, but it even greater when you show it just for the coach,” he told me after the game.

With the Crusaders right now in seventh place and only two games behind Youngstown State, a win on Sunday is important if Valparaiso wants to host a home game in the first round of the tournament. 

Riding a 33-19 halftime lead, the Crusaders fired up all cylinders in the second half en route to a 71-47 victory.  Despite the Ramblers’ attempts to come back, Valparaiso made sure that did not happen. 

“It feels pretty good to get that win,” freshman guard Erik Buggs said.  “A win on Sunday would give us a look at where we stand.  Stats do not matter.  If you come out on top, you know that you have done your job.”  He also grabbed six rebounds in the win. 

Freshman walk-on Andrew Ferry had 7 points in 11 minutes.  “It was good to get 600 wins,” he said after the game. “It gives us a lot of relief.  We are ready to move on.” 

When asked what the chances are of hosting a first round game, “Anything can happen.  Winning at home is key since we have to defend our turf.” 

Freshman forward/center Cameron Witt had six points for the Crusaders as well as one rebound. “The win tonight takes a monkey off of your back,” he said in a post game interview.  “We can start to relax a little bit now.  It takes a lot of hard work to knock off a team that toppled you earlier,” he said. 

Next up for the Crusaders are the Flames of UIC who come into the ARC only a half game behind.  UIC won the last meeting back in January at the Pavilion.