The Sounding of Two Canons

With all the negative news and commentary out there, in both mainstream news and the blogosphere (and there’s plenty), we would like to take a moment to spotlight some programs that are making a real difference in our community.  Our area is a fantastic place to live, and that’s largely due to programs and volunteers like these.

Feeding kids:

Cheers to Casa de Amigos, West Texas Food Bank, and Irving-based First Choice Power for partnering to feed children, not just during the summertime, but on the weekends as well in Midland. “Texas is one of the worst states when it comes to childhood hunger,” First Choice Power’s community relations manager Catherine Carlton said, adding research shows as many as one in four Texas children don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Casa de Amigos sees major need met with new summer food program

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_a392bf47-df19-56fd-b39b-117864ed916f.html

Cheers also to our neighbor to the west, the Junior League of Odessa, and partners Education Foundation, West Texas Food Bank and ECISD for implementing this program, Food 2 Kids.  I (Cory) heard a presentation at a lunch meeting about this program, and it was very moving.  The program started as a result of many ECISD teachers who noticed that many kids were showing up to school on Monday morning, having had very little, if anything, to eat over the weekend.  The program hopes to address the persistent problem that “a hungry child cannot learn.” 

Food 2 Kids – Program of Junior League of Odessa

http://www.jlodessa.org/?nd=p_food_to_kids

Attorney Pro Bono Work:

Finally, about 90 percent of Midland Bar Association attorneys do pro bono (“for the good”) work.  That’s much higher than most Texas counties.  Congratulations to the Midland County Bar Association and the Midland County Young Lawyers’ Association on receiving their first Deborah Hankinson Award from the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

Attorneys awarded for pro bono work

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_ac36b148-b761-59d5-9dd9-46365d686051.html

Making use of the old Ritz Theatre Downtown has been a widely-discussed topic for years here in Midland, and now it seems like it may become a reality. 

A recent MRT article stated that The Ritz Theater, located across the street from Cigar Frogs on Main Street and Texas Avenue, is currently under contract by the Ritz Cultural Event Center Inc., a nonprofit organization formed in March.  The group wants to rehabilitate the building, which originally opened in 1936, for use by various non-profit groups around town.  Best of all, the article said the organization is looking to remodel the outside of the building to its original design.  The group is hoping to close the purchase by July 31^st, begin construction on August 1^st, and said they would like to see it open by November 1^st.

We were excited to read this article in the paper on Saturday, and we wish this new project success. 

Nonprofit organization to start $1 million project on Ritz Theater

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_5c01de6d-838e-5327-8358-a9e11b950c48.html

The Ritz Theatre in 1950, left; the Theatre today, courtesy Midland Reporter Telegram

We apologize, as we have not blogged for a month now.  Summer, Memorial Day weekend, and work have kept us as busy as can be.  But we have not forgotten about Live Midland!

Two announcements: Chris and I’s last blog will be sometime this summer, though we do not yet know when.  We have multiple reasons for retiring our Midland blog, one of the reasons being that our two-year anniversary of blogging is in October, and it’s time to pass the torch to someone else.  We have enjoyed our stint as volunteer bloggers, but it’s time for some new blood on Live Midland!

Second, and along those lines, please check out the new Live Midland blogger, Alisha!  Front Row Midland is finally here, and you can check out her first blog entry here: http://livemidlandtexas.com/front_row_midland/  Alisha is very involved in the community, and we know she is going to keep everyone updated on what’s new and going on around Downtown Midland and beyond.  Welcome Alisha!!!

We wanted to update you on a couple of issues we’ve posted on in the past, namely, our wish for an Alamo Drafthouse come to town, and our hopes to see the end of euthanasia of animals at the Midland animal shelter. 

First, we got a call from the President of Triple Tap Ventures last week, who told us they are still doing all they can to make an Alamo in the Midland/Odessa area a reality.  Not much of an update, we know, but a promising one nonetheless!  It’s so nice of him to keep us updated after we sent the petition around last Fall, because we know he is a private businessman and does not have to give us any updates whatsoever.  Cheers to him, and good luck to those who are trying to make a Midland Alamo happen!  Any future news we get, we will post it here and on the Facebook page.

Second, we read an article from one of our favorite writers at the MRT, Kathleen Thurber, who reported last month on local citizens being upset that the Midland SPCA was facing funding problems after 62 years in Midland.  We thought the quote from Director of Midland Animal Control Paul O’Neil was interesting: He said he’s looked into a community collaborative grant program known as Maddie’s Fund that would provide a significant amount of money to help Midlanders achieve a society where euthanasia isn’t necessary; but that to apply for the grant, each of the city’s rescue organizations would have to agree to work together under a lead organization and also collaborate with veterinarians with the goal of achieving a no-kill status city-wide within 10 years.  Another person quoted in the article said that was never going to happen, since all the animal control organizations around town have different philosophies and techniques.  We applaud the local non-profit animal organizations’ efforts, of course, but we sure do wish that they could work together to achieve no-kill status for Midland.  If Midland became a no-kill city, we feel this would be something of which our community could be really proud.

Animal rescue organizations, shelters work to fill their respective niches

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/02/28/news/top_stories/animal_organizations_sunday.txt#ixzz0kcGCl4lb

Happy Friday!   C&C

Sorry we haven’t blogged in a while….  It has been a busy three weeks!  I think it’s funny sometimes people think there’s nothing to do in Midland, because I have been busier here than I’ve ever been in the other places I’ve lived.  Week before last I was constantly busy with meetings: fun ones too, like book club, wine club, birthday luncheons, and you know, that thing they call “work”….  Chris went skiing with his buddies from A&M, as they get together every year for a reunion, and had a great time….  Last week my lovely husband threw me a surprise dinner birthday party at Cancun Grill (Downtown) on a Monday, two days before my birthday, so needless to say it was a surprise (Thank you to Joe and Javier for putting up with our table!  Best place in town).  Add to that a visit from our triplet niece and nephews for their Spring Break, and most recently a fun family Easter weekend, and it really has been the best three weeks ever! 

We love the Spring!  We love how it is lighter, later, and everyone is able to stay outside longer.  We missed Buckshot Bash and Gary P. Nunn, as we had an engagement party in Austin weekend before last, and let us tell you the bluebonnets are out in full force.  If you have a chance to make the drive to the Hill Country, do it, the wildflowers are so beautiful right now!  We did hear Buckshot Bash was a huge success, that the concert was great, and that the Midland Center was full.  Another successful fundraiser for the Junior League of Midland!

As for Downtown….  Sorry for the stream of consciousness, we have so many thoughts we’re just going to put them all here….

Farmer Matt and the Community Garden: this article by Burr Williams of the MRT is so neat.  Really, what a difference one person is making in this community.  First, he brings Midland the Downtown Farmers’ Market, and now Farmer Matt has arranged to use the yard behind the yellow house at the Scarborough-Lineberry Historical House as a community garden.  There’s a lot of talk out there about improving quality of life in Midland, and this is someone who actually does something about it.  Cheers to Farmer Matt Hanson.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/03/24/news/opinion/columns/burr_williams.txt

Looking for new lunch places Downtown?  We always are.  Try these….  We haven’t had a chance to go to Graham’s Pharmacy since they’ve moved, but we are meaning to….

Garcia’s Burrito (on Main a block down from Cigar Frogs)

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/03/04/life/top_stories/doc4b901f57b878a119128752.txt

Graham Pharmacy (glad the old soda fountain made the move!)

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/02/28/life/top_stories/doc4b85527410117449327306.txt

Happy Wednesday!  -CC

Usually we bloggers are completely out of the loop when it comes to all things Live Midland, but we learned yesterday that this website is soon to get a new blogger, one who we believe will do a fantastic job.  She is very involved around town, and she is also very enthusiastic about this project.  She told us the good news yesterday, and the plan is she could be set up as early as next week.  Her blog will be replacing Laura’s “Downtown Junkie,” which is a good thing because, though Laura was only supposed to be a temporary blogger for a month or two in the beginning (October 2008), she blogged for almost an entire year regardless.  Believe it or not, it’s not easy to recruit people to sign up to be volunteer bloggers!  We think this new writer is going to be great at letting readers know what is going on around Midland, and Downtown especially.  Can’t wait for her to begin next week…..  WELCOME to the team!!!   C&C

April 16, 2010, 6:00 pm

Midland College

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Anyone can participate in Relay For Life. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.

The only requirement to participate in Relay For Life is the $10 registration/commitment fee (per person) that is due upon registration. After that, anything you can raise through individual, team, or online fundraising is graciously accepted. It is recommended that each participant to set a personal goal to raise $100. If you raise more, that’s even better. Even if you do not raise $100, you are still welcome to participate.

This event is very near and dear to our family, as my brother, Michael Canon, is a 28 year survivor of brain cancer.  Without the help of the American Cancer Society and other organizations dedicated to winning the battle with cancer, we would not have the joy of today watching our brother take an active role in giving back to the support community that helped to save his life.  Every year Michael participates and raises money for this wonderful cause, and we are so proud of him.  Please, if you do not wish to participate, there are many ways to give your time/resources to this very worthy cause.  Thank you for any help!  - Chris

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=24155 

Anyone who has made the 30-minute drive to Odessa lately or driven to the airport has noticed a very tall and sweeping structure coming out of the desert, almost exactly between Midland and Odessa that you just can’t miss.  For those of you who are wondering what that structure is going to be, it is to become our new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, a great example of what the two cities can accomplish when they work together.

This may shock all of our readers, but Midland and Odessa, the home of Friday Night Lights, are not necessarily places known for their commitment to the arts.  But like most stereotypes, looks can be deceiving.  I know from personal experience that the music education I received growing up here was top notch, and I have no reason to believe that years later it does not remain so to this day.  I know that in Midland alone we have the impressive Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale, Midland Community Theatre, Arts Assembly of Midland, Midland Arts Association, Museum of the Southwest, the Midland Festival Ballet, not to mention various dance studios, local bands, and the improv groups who perform at the Yucca Theatre.  Midland herself is the home to two world-famous and accomplished opera singers (Susan Graham and Heather Johnson Watts).  Every year, Midlanders can look forward to the Celebration of the Arts, Septemberfest, Midland City Limits, and the Summer Lawn Concerts at the Museum.  Just 3 weeks ago we went to a museum exhibit gallery opening here, something I never quite managed to get around to doing when living in D.C., or Houston, or Austin.  That’s not to even mention what Midland’s neighboring area and West Texas towns have given to the world: Buddy Holly, Bob Wills, Roy Orbison, just to name a few; the art communities of Alpine and Marfa; the fantastic Globe Theatre replica in Odessa.  We even count, just among our own Midland friends, a fantastic writer, an accomplished photographer, and a talented painter.

Unfortunately, while uninformed and ignorant stereotypes will always be a part of life, finally we West Texans will be able to show the world that yes, we do care about the arts, and we are proud of it.  Thanks to those people who have made this Performing Arts Center a reality, and we are looking forward to 2012. 

Ground broken on Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/04/04/news/top_stories/performing_arts_center_groundbreaking.txt

http://www.utpb.edu/media-1/groundbreaking-for-wagner-noel-performing-arts-center/

As I was walking through the lobby of First National Bank of Midland today, I was greeted by a table set up by Honor Our Troops (or H.O.T.), an organization who sends care packages to our soldiers overseas.  If you’re like me, it’s one of those things that I’m always “meaning to do,” or “will do in the future.”  In any case, they asked if I wanted to send a care package for $25.00, and I promptly said yes.  It was so convenient!  They had the package ready to go, I wrote a handwritten thank you note to the soldier, and they gave me an ID bracelet to take home with the soldier’s name on it.  The contribution is still so miniscule (an understatement) in comparison to what these soldiers give for us every day.

I had heard of this organization before, as I believe I have seen them set up at the County Annex on A Street.  I was told they also have a full-time store in the Odessa mall, which I did not know before.

This organization is in Downtown Midland TODAY!  Just stop by the bank lobby (FNB of Midland) at lunch, it’s that building on the corner of Big Spring and Wall, across the street from Luigi’s.  What could be more convenient than that?  The man who started the organization is a father who began this effort to support his son, and the other sons and daughters who serve overseas.  Cheers to the two men I met this morning who are responsible for 10,000+ care packages being sent to our brave soldiers.  Truly amazing.  We can all hope to make that sort of difference in this world someday.

Honor Our Troops (Send care packages online!)

http://www.hot-honorourtroops.com/INDEX.html

Both of us are animal lovers, and 2 out of 3 of our dogs are rescue dogs, so we were very concerned when we heard that the Midland SPCA is danger of closing.  For those who are not familiar, the Midland SPCA is a no-kill shelter which has given homes to the homeless pet population in Midland for 62 years.  As you may have heard, or read in the paper, without money donations, adoptions, and/or supplies, there is a real chance they may have to shut their doors forever. 
 
We spoke to an employee of the Midland SPCA yesterday who told us they have been receiving donations, and that if they continue to do so there is a good chance the shelter may be able to remain open.  For those of you who are interested in helping, by making a donation or adopting a pet, the information is below.  It is our hope that the shelter will not shut down; but if it does, we really hope that Lone Star SPCA or private citizens will step in to save the homeless animals that are currently in their care.  For more information, please see below, or call the Midland SPCA at 684-7582.   
 
DONATION INFORMATION: Donations can be made (1) on the website through Pay Pal, (2) by mail, or (3) by going by the shelter.    ONLINE: http://www.midlandspca.net/  Click “DONATE”
Please mail donations to: Midland SPCA, 2701 South County Road 1206, Midland, Texas 79706 
 
Midland SPCA works to keep its doors open
http://surveys.relevantview.com/sbox/asandboxdev.sbt/928454,2694,12,1,0/http/www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/02/10/news/top_stories/midland_spca_dogs_midland_animal_services.txt
Midland SPCA desperately needs financial assistance - Letter to the Editor Sunday February 14th
http://surveys.relevantview.com/sbox/asandboxdev.sbt/928454,2694,12,1,0/http/www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/02/15/news/opinion/letters_2-14.txt

Canon Pets, from left: Sadie (Cavalier KC Spaniel), and Duke & Buddy (our two Labs)