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CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS ARTICLE DATED 09-28-2008
Quilt show organizers Suzanne Maguire, left, Terri Andrews-Murch and Rebecca Martinez confer on fabrics for a quilt at Whistle Stop Quilt Show.
While she may not consider herself an artist in the traditional sense, Rebecca Martinez has a knack for transforming fabrics into wearable works of art and wall hangings.
And she is a strong supporter of other fabric artists.
For the third year in a row, the Colfax resident is inviting fabric artists to participate in a quilt show to be held during Colfax's Railroad Days celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Martinez as well as Whistle Stop Quilt Shop owner Suzanne Maguire and Realtor Teri Andrews-Murch are hoping to hang at least 30 quilts ranging from traditional to modern designs ― from the balconies of buildings along Main Street from Church to Depot Streets.
While not a traditional quilt show venue, it is not unusual to hold a quilt show outdoors, Martinez explained. Communities like Petaluma and Lafayette have become known for the outdoor venue for their popular quilt shows. The upside of hosting an outdoor show, the women agree, is that it draws people into town.
"In our case, it will help businesses around here," Andews-Murch said. "It's a way to get people to walk around Main Street and not just stay in the parking lot."
Members of the Colfax Junction Quilters Guild wearing white gloves will be stationed at each quilt to assist admirers desiring to look more closely at the back, Martinez said. Handmade ribbons will be awarded in several categories, including Best of Show, Mayor's Choice and Chamber's Choice.
Entry deadline is Sept. 13. Fee is $5 per quilt. Applications can be picked up at the Whistle Stop Quilt Shop on Main Street or at the Colfax Area Chamber of Commerce in the historic Railroad Depot. Proceeds will benefit Operation Mom, a Colfax group that sends packages to military personnel serving overseas. Each woman draws on her unique vision and love of quilts in planning this event.
A Colfax resident since 1994, Martinez's grandmother was the first person to recognize Rebecca's Interest in art. "I was 3 or 4," she recalled. "I took her address book and decorated it for her. I copied some letters out of some book, some faces and stuff." It became one of her grandmother's treasures, Martinez recalled. Instead of scolding her, Martinez's grandmother proudly showed the book off to all her friends.Throughout high school and college, she continued to study art, eventually focusing on graphic art. In her heart, however, Martinez is a fabric artist. "I've had a fabric collection since I was 9," she said. "I was always making things with them. It's my pallet."
She often buys items at thrift stores, then takes them home, takes them apart and either reuses the fabric or redesigns the clothing. When her children were attending a coop pre-school, Martinez volunteered to design a quilt for their fundraiser. Not only did she fall in love with the art form, but she also delighted in the camaraderie of working with other quilters.
After settling in Weimar in 1993, Martinez connected with the Foothill Quilters Guild and began attending workshops offered through the guild. She continues to sew – specializing in wearable art and creating her own quilt designs.
While Andrews-Murch has been making baby quilts since she was 12, her true passion is collecting antiques. "I buy ones that call to me," she said. Andrews-Murch, who also coordinates the summer hot rod shows, loves the idea of people walking through town enjoying the quilts. "My mission is to get people downtown," she said.
Maguire also discovered her love for sewing and fabric as a youngster. "My mom is a wonderful seamstress," Maguire said. "There was always a sewing machine up and a basket of fabric around."
While living in the Bay area, Maguire had a successful business making custom home decorations. Since purchasing the Main Street business, Maguire has ventured into the magical world of quilting. "I'm on my fourth quilt and it's my first year here."
Martinez stressed the show is open to all levels of quilters. "If you have a quilt that you like, even if it is not technically perfect, please enter it," she said. "We encourage beginning quilters to now they can make quilts."
They are also looking for volunteers to help them hang the quilts on Saturday morning. Anyone willing to land a hand can call Maguire at 346-8482.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS ARTICLE DATED 01-16-2008
School launchesglobal awareness effort, fundraiser
By: Gloria Beverage, Colfax Record Editor Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Students at Colfax's Camptonville Academy are being encouraged to think globally.
One of the school's goals this year is to connect the 220 kindergarten through
high school age students with the community - both locally and globally, explained Sandy Shea, area coordinator for C.O.R.E. at Camptonville Academy.
Students have already been reaching out to military personnel serving overseas. They have collected enough snacks, socks and toiletry items to fill four boxes to be mailed overseas by Operation Mom, Shea continued.
However, their primary focus will be raise awareness and funds to support a school in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
Inspired by Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace," students and staff have made the commitment to join the A+ Foundation's mission to support one school in Pakistan or Afghanistan over the next five years.
Mortenson advocates girls' education as the top priority to promote economic development, peace and prosperity. According to his Web site, Mortenson says, "you can drop bombs, hand out condoms, build roads, or put in electricity, but until the girls are educated a society won't change."
Just before the winter break, school staff launched its own Pennies for Peace drive. According to the Pennies for Peace Web site, the drive "teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and educational opportunities to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A penny in the United States is virtually worthless, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy." "We have raised about $50 so far," Shea explained. "We are going to see how much we can raise by the middle of April. "
The school is also partnering with Forest Charter School in Nevada City to host a large fundraiser in the summer or fall.
"By participating in this fundraiser," Shea said, "we are providing an opportunity for students to learn about global issues while raising money to support efforts for global peace. Through his struggle to provide schools in communities that have been affected by terrorism, Greg Mortenson teaches us the value of persistence and selflessness.
"His mission is to work with communities to meet their needs, which truly connects to our mission as a personalized learning charter school - to meet the needs of our community," Shea continued. "I feel like we are working towards the same mission in many ways, connecting us globally through the value of education."
High schools students will be reading and discussing Mortenson's book over the next few months. The Leadership Class from Forest Charter will facilitate those discussions, Shea said.
Finally, the community is being invited to join in a discussion of Mortenson's bestseller. The first in a series of meetings will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Colfax Center, 225 So. Railroad Avenue. "People can learn more about what they can do," Shea concluded.
For more information about the projects, call 346-8340.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS ARTICLE DATED 03-20-2003
WAR, not if, but when …
By A. Thomas Homer
Thursday March 20, 2003
As the deadline passed, Wednesday evening for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, U.S. forces in the Middle East were waiting for orders from their Commander and Chief, President Bush. The question is 'no longer if the United 'States will go to war against Iraq, but when?
On the home front, most went about their daily routines with little change. And while the debate continues over US. involvement in Iraq, one group of women who could be most effected, gathered in Auburn in support of their sons..
A local organizational meeting of Operation MOM attracted a small group of mothers, girl friends, grandmothers and family members who have sons and daughters in the military in Iraq. Helping get the program started is Alta resident Bobbi Park.
"Supporting our troops isn't a new idea," Park said, "But most support groups are based on one branch of the military. Operation MOM supports sons and daughters in every branch of the military and is open not only to mothers, but other family members as well. That is what got my attention."
Park's son, Marine Lance Corporal Keith Pratt is on the front lines in Iraq along with several other recent Colfax High School graduates.
"What we want to do is begin compiling a list of servicemen and women from this area," she said. "That way we can begin to send them care packages, letters and our support. We also plan on placing donation boxes and get the word out as to what they need. "It's amazing to find out how many families are affected with a son or daughter in the military."
"I want people to know that we are moms, we're parents. We don't want a war or our children there, but I respect them and the job they are doing. We support them."
War news from the front as well as anti-war protests at home floods the television news. "The hardest part is watching all the anti-war demonstrations she said. "I respect their opinion, but my son is over there protecting their rights to be against the action our President is taking. Emotionally it is not healthy for me to focus on someone else's opinion that I don't agree with."
Also attending the meeting was Lcpl. Pratt's girlfriend Leann Shehan. "He called Sunday morning and said he was fine. He told me he was safe and not to worry", she said.
Pratt's stepfather Steve Park is a Placer County Sheriff's Deputy. Several PCSO Deputies have sons in the military in the Iraq area. Deputies Dan Hall, Rocky Warren and Jeff Brown all have sons in the war zone.
By A. Thomas Homer
Thursday March 20, 2003
As the deadline passed, Wednesday evening for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq, U.S. forces in the Middle East were waiting for orders from their Commander and Chief, President Bush. The question is 'no longer if the United 'States will go to war against Iraq, but when?
On the home front, most went about their daily routines with little change. And while the debate continues over US. involvement in Iraq, one group of women who could be most effected, gathered in Auburn in support of their sons..
A local organizational meeting of Operation MOM attracted a small group of mothers, girl friends, grandmothers and family members who have sons and daughters in the military in Iraq. Helping get the program started is Alta resident Bobbi Park.
"Supporting our troops isn't a new idea," Park said, "But most support groups are based on one branch of the military. Operation MOM supports sons and daughters in every branch of the military and is open not only to mothers, but other family members as well. That is what got my attention."
Park's son, Marine Lance Corporal Keith Pratt is on the front lines in Iraq along with several other recent Colfax High School graduates.
"What we want to do is begin compiling a list of servicemen and women from this area," she said. "That way we can begin to send them care packages, letters and our support. We also plan on placing donation boxes and get the word out as to what they need. "It's amazing to find out how many families are affected with a son or daughter in the military."
"I want people to know that we are moms, we're parents. We don't want a war or our children there, but I respect them and the job they are doing. We support them."
War news from the front as well as anti-war protests at home floods the television news. "The hardest part is watching all the anti-war demonstrations she said. "I respect their opinion, but my son is over there protecting their rights to be against the action our President is taking. Emotionally it is not healthy for me to focus on someone else's opinion that I don't agree with."
Also attending the meeting was Lcpl. Pratt's girlfriend Leann Shehan. "He called Sunday morning and said he was fine. He told me he was safe and not to worry", she said.
Pratt's stepfather Steve Park is a Placer County Sheriff's Deputy. Several PCSO Deputies have sons in the military in the Iraq area. Deputies Dan Hall, Rocky Warren and Jeff Brown all have sons in the war zone.