July is drawing to a close this week. Back to school (in whatever form) is around the corner.
I took a field trip to Gas City yesterday. This is a great little town about an hour North of Carmel. There is a flea market as well as a nice boutique and soap store on the main street through town. We took a back way up through the smaller towns and we saw that the corn is getting high and ripening.
We are continuing to meet Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 as well as Wednesdays at 4:30. Several of our classes continuing on Thursdays. Watch for an email with the links. You are welcome to join our meetings!
Watch for Fall planning. We usually meet after Labor Day. Informal polling suggests that most people would prefer to meet via Zoom in the near future, but that there may be timing conflicts with our children's virtual education.
COVID 19
Blaze-1 study is being conducted in Indianapolis with the Franciscan Health Network. You can be a part of the solution to end the pandemic (beyond washing your hands, cleaning , distancing, wearing masks when you can’t distance).
To be eligible for the Blaze-1 study, you must have tested positive for COVID-19 three days prior to the study drug infusion. They are looking for patients who have mild symptoms and are not hospitalized.
And what is this all about? Seeds From China (and other stuff in small packages)
Over 31 states in the United States, Canada, other countries people are receiving small packages with seeds, soil, tea-like dried leaves, etc. These suspicious packages are unsolicited. The seeds may be part of a "brushing" scam to generate fake reviews. Regardless, they can be detrimental to our environment and health: they may be invasive species, they may have pesticides, they may be diseased. These packages are also "agricultural smuggling" and beyond US Department of Agriculture, the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection and individual State departments of agriculture are investigating.
Do not open or plant the seeds. Do not throw any of it in the trash. These seeds and their packages are under investigation by a number of federal and state authorities. If you already opened the package or planted the seeds, do not dig them up on your own. Contact the authorities. In Indiana that would be:
Place all the contents in a zip-top bag, then place the bag in an envelope or small box and mail to:
USDA APHIS PPQ
Nick Johnson
3059 North Morton Street
Franklin, IN 46131
If you are unable to mail the items, do not throw them out or flush them down the toilet. Keep the seeds, packaging and mailing label and contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology at 866-663-9684 or DEPP@dnr.IN.gov
Anyone who has already planted seeds should not dispose of the plants or soil. Contact the Indiana DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology at the phone number and email address above.
Additionally, change your passwords on all your online accounts as well as watch for unauthorized charges on your credit cards.
The whole show will start with kids’ bands at 6:30. And Jerry’s band will be on stage around 8:00pm
I heard that there might also be food truck(s). It’s free admissions for all ages!
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30, Zoom.
We read Mark 14: 1-26. There are two stories: one is about a woman who gave Jesus a very expensive gift and anoints Jesus. When she is rebuked and criticized by the people around her, Jesus tells them to "leave her alone". Intrigue escalates in verses 10 and 11: Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus.
Jesus instituted Holy Communion in Mark 14: 12-26. Jesus is announcing a "new covenant" or agreement between God and people. Communion is a meal that is celebrated by Christians to celebrate all that Jesus has done for us. What hymn did Jesus and the disciples sing? This site has a good discussion about the Jewish custom for celebrating Passover and the songs sung. Holy Communion or Eucharist has be sadly missed by people who have had to worship remotely in these pandemic times of social distancing.
drawing to a close: ending around the corner: coming soon
unsolicited: not asked for suspicious: showing cautious distrust package: an object wrapped in plastic or paper or packed in a box packaging: wrapping, envelopes, etc.
anoints: rub with oil as a part of a religious ceremony, ceremonially confer a divine office
rebuked: express strong disapproval or criticism because of someone's behaviors
English Classes: Some of our classes are continuing to meet several times a month.
These past four months have been full of changes for us. In just four short months our lives have been remarkably changed. We have learned so much about the risks of this new disease that has impacted our health, lifestyles and economies. Our new normal means we need some changes to keep us safe and moving forward. Starting Monday, July 27 all of Indiana has a mask mandate. You must wear a mask in public (for example, in stores, restaurants, in parks, etc.). This is to protect the others around us. Aside from being a healthy practice, some people would call this just plain common courtesy.
People are talking about Americans not being accepting of wearing masks. There are complaints of masks being political, uncomfortable, hot, hard to breathe in, awkward, hard to understand each other, strange, inconvenient, hard to find and so much more. There are additional complaints about people who don't wear them properly or take them off to talk. Wearing a mask in the United States is a highly unusual behavior. Not wanting to wear a mask is nothing new. During the Spanish Flu 100 years ago, Americans were advised to wear masks. This article and video from History.com shows that not too much has changed in this regard. When people cover their faces here used to mean that someone did not want to be identified and that they are up to no good. Wearing a mask flies in the face of being open and being recognized as an individual (a very important feature of being an American). This article from Alabama.com further considers our current situation: Why everyone doesn't want to wear a mask during a pandemic.
There is a great, old,David Bowie song for you to enjoy (Changes from the Hunky Doryalbum). Here are the lyrics to read. Does any of the vocabulary of this song sound familiar? Some of these words have become common, pandemic vocabulary.
COVID-19 Update
Back to School Many Indiana schools are looking forward to meeting in person. The schools have extensive plans to keep students and staff safe. Will school be exactly the same as before? No, not at all. Frankly, no year has ever been like the last and no year will ever be like this one! I have added a Back to School [page to our webpages that has quick links to the different schools and their opening plans. You can compare and contrast. There are also links to CDC and Indiana State Guidelines. Being prepared and understanding the rationale for actions and requirements helps us get through this together.
Mask Mandate from the governor of Indiana. Many people wear masks or facial coverings when in public and most stores require them to enter and shop. This mandate or official order helps because there is a common expectation to wear a facial covering when things are crowded inside or outside. "Mask up Indiana", This means that you don't have to feel awkward pulling out a mask or asking someone coming into your home or group setting to wear a mask. If you see people congregating, it would be best to avoid that area.
Close Contact = spending more than fifteen minutes within six feet of someone
Contact Tracing = in the presence of someone who has tested positive
News Resources
A great option for keeping up to date is the Hamilton County Reporter. You can get current news in your email as a subscription for $12.00 a year!
International Bible Study: Tuesdays. 9:30-10:30, Zoom.
We wrapped up Mark 12 with a four sentence story that wraps up the great example where a widow (who could be the victim of unscrupulous leaders) is recognized. When it comes down to it, it isn’t the monetary value of a gift, but that she gave her all. God knows and recognizes the actions and motives of all people.
You may have heard people predicting the end of the world. Will it be climate? Will it be self destruction by war or nuclear weapons? Will it be disease? What will it be like? What do we do? Jesus addresses these concerns in Mark 13. Jesus reiterates the signs that indicate the end is near. These signs are like road signs that prepare us for what is to come so we can be prepared. Jesus' advice, "What I say to you, I say everyone: 'Watch!'"
July 28: Join us as we begin by talking about Mark 14: 1-11.
Back to School Seminar
We had a nice back to school seminar. Notably, general consensus:
We have to learn how to deal with this disease.
Our children are excited to return.
Our schools are being well prepared to cope with classroom "new normal" processes.
We can only imagine what this will look like, but the reality of the experience won't be as scary as I imagine.
One size does not fit all families or schools: every family needs to decide how to best go back to school given their particular health concerns.
Be thoughtful, be respectful.
Be ready for anything: e-learning may be necessary, kids may need to stay home
I am confident my kids will follow the rules; I am worried about others.
Be informed. Stay up to date from athoratative sources, ask your teachers, look at directives from the school websites, etc. Rumor mills are not the place to find answers (" people are saying/posting"
Don't judge (in this case judge takes the modern definition of criticize): parents are making the best decisions for their families and children; listen and support their decisions. To go to school or to e-learn are good choices and depend on the well being of the family.
Fun Stuff At Home and Away
From the Center for Performing Arts:
Entries just keep rolling in to the Center’s At Home Talent Show! Among the recent entries:
Lawrence North High School sophomore Erica Wilson performs an original song, “Falling.”
All the way from California, Erich Sylvester plays a ukulele standard.
Indianapolis musician and visual artist Michael Lipe combines his talents for a video of his tune “Beautiful Punk.”
Indianapolis guitarist Matt Winingham plays a blazing solo over the chords of “She” by Harry Style.
And speaking of fun, check out the Peanut Butter and Jam Series for young children, teen and youth programs, ukulele as well as other fun learning opportunities at the Performing Arts Center.
Greencastle Music Festivalis on for August 21 and 22. Tickets are $10. This outdoor festival promises good music and food and outdoor space to enjoy the music.
Great reading for the family: Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Hunky Dory: slang for going well or doing great album: a collection of music on a vinyl record remarkably: drastically, markedly impacted: acted on
aside from being: in spite of, notwithstanding,
common courtesy: a polite practice (for example, holding the door for someone)
flies in the face of: challenge or against an opinion (Love my pun here?)
old,: commas are so important. This one tells us the song is great and old by David Bowie. Without the comma the great song is by the old guy named David Bowie. up to no good: planning or doing something wrong
sound familiar: looking forward to: anticipating extensive: covering a large area or content when it comes down to it: ultimately reiterates: says again or repeat it, it: it is odd to see a word twice isn't it? mask up: put on your mask; similarly, dress up monetary: pertaining to money notably: standing out consensus: agree deal with: work with; live with one size does not fit all: all situations and problems can not be solved by one solution rumor mills: places that create and promote misinformation and opinion over fact reiterates: tell again
It was great to get together with you this week. It nice to hear about your week and how you are moving around in this "new normal". The CDC has some great resources for information and decision making as well as communication for talking with others. Click to check out the resources here.
Young adults 15-21.
Schools.
Camps.
Youth sports.
Businesses.
Churches.
General public.
Domestic travel.
Shared housing for back to college.
Parks.
Dance, Dance, Dance!
Here is an opportunity to move around and dance with our sister city in Japan and your friends in Indiana. The next first session is July 18 at 9:00 pm. Click here to find out more and register. If you haven't danced yet, Join me!
Watch here: https://japanindiana.wufoo.com/forms/indiana-yosakoi-dance-registration/
Find out more and register here by clicking here
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30, Zoom
We had a great discussion about Mark 12: 35-37. Jesus rebuts the teachers of the law by using a turn of words that clearly tells that the teachers are not teaching the truth. The crowd is delighted. Jesus then teaches In Mark 12: 38-40 that to watch out and calls out the teachers of the law for people who love their prestige at the expense of the least.
July 21: Join us. We are finishing Mark 12 talking about verses 38-40. What do we do? How do we act? A widow shows how! Jesus gives us a spoiler for the end: buckle up and read Mark 13.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30, Zoom
rebut: claim something is false
calls out: call critical attention to someone's unacceptable action/behavior
at the expense of: to cause harm or neglect
buckle up: get ready
I hope that you had a great Independence Day Celebration! We took my Jeep over to the church to watch the fireworks out of the Dad's Club. Once we got home we were able to watch fireworks either from Cool Creek Park or Bridgewater (or both) from the end of our driveway. I know that some of you were able to watch from your home. Did your community set off their own show? A number of neighbors gathered in their driveways around the cul de sacs and intersections to shoot off their own shows.
We are continuing to Zoom on Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 and on Wednesdays at 4:30. Generally, the rest of this Update covers things we talked about or interesting asides sent to me later or just good stuff to know!
People are asking:
What is the difference between loosen up and lighten up? These two sayings are being used in conjunction with COVID-19 openings. In this case they both mean that restrictions are being reduced. But, if you are being very serious, your family may tell you to loosen up or lighten up.
Who are the Founding Fathers? Biography.com provides brief descriptions of the men and their who described and structured the United States of American democratic republic. There are links to videos to learn more about these brave men.
Where’s the Main Library? The Carmel Clay Library is renovating. They are adding a parking garage as well as expanded space. During the renovation, the library is relocating to 116th and Keystone (in the old Marsh building). Read more about the changes here.
Back on Track Indiana Openings: It's nice to be talking about opening up rather than locking down. Our neighborhood pool put the furniture out and is now fully open to the neighborhood and guests. Before you run out be sure to check for the protocols at each place to see how each destination strives to keep guests and employees safe and healthy. Check out these other popular openings:
Conner Prairie: What does it look like to be operating at capacity? Conner Prairie has detailed what it’s like to be at this outdoor park. The staged reopening document details what to expect.
Cornerstone Lutheran Church is conducting indoor and outdoor services as well as providing will not be opening for meetings until September. There will be limitations on numbers that can meet. Masks/face coverings and social distancing is required. You can read the CLC Return to Work Plan. Generally, they are recommending Zoom or other virtual meetings until further notice.
protocols: process and rules
strives: tries
Fun with Vocabulary
Learning vocabulary can be boring. Have you tried playing with a word ladder?
cat tat tan tin tip nip
Want to know more and get a quick solution? Check out Datagenetics Word Ladder Solver. If you are looking for a no frills solution, the Word Ladder Solver (hover over the word to get a definition) gives you a couple solutions in a quick and dirty way. Type in your beginning and end words and poof a solution is generated. Word ladders are a good way to increase both vocabulary and problem solving skills.
quick and dirty: a short cut
poof: something that happens in a moment
Let's Eat!
Prepackaged meal and meal solutions are a great way to learn how to cook something new without having to invest a lot of time in planning and searching for the right recipe and shopping to stock items you may not have in your pantry. Hello Fresh (available at Kroger) and the Fresh Market both have affordable family meals.
Pasta salad is the summer version of the casserole in the Midwest. This classic side or main dish that is versatile and can help you use up surplus or leftovers. Start with this Quick and Easy Pasta Salad recipe.
The best produce right now:
watermelon (you can get seeded ones at Kroger, too)
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Zoom Mark 12:28-34 a timely message: Jesus is quizzed about what is the most importantant commandment. He answers:
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."
What is the source love? 1 John 4: 19 tells us "We love because He first loved us." (Read the full, beautiful discussion in 1 John 4).
Mark finishes this story by saying that "from then on no one dared to ask [Jesus] more questions." What more can be said?
July 14: Talk with us about Mark 12 beginning at verse 35. Jesus asks the questions.
Reading and Read Aloud Fun:
Hamilton East Library Facebook has some great events posted including a summer reading list a Story Walk at Roy G. Holland Park.
This game Word Ladders is purported to be created be Louis Carroll, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (a great book for both kids and adults and the origin of our saying of “down a rabbit hole” which is used today when you get lost snooping on Facebook or following ).
There is so much to tell you about this week! Don't miss out on the opportunities to get engaged in our community and with the world.
There will be fireworks displays! Check out the schedules here. We are continuing to be creative: Carmel is having three locations with 20 minutes shows each. Independence Day is usually celebrated with parades, fireworks, speeches, concerts, picnics, bar-be-cues, etc. Growing up, we would get a Bomb Pop as a treat on the 4th of July and get to play with sparklers! Check out the site below to learn more about what makes sparklers sparkle. This is a year to create new traditions: put on your red, white and blue. Celebrate!
Other Appropriate Social Distance Festivals and Fun The Indiana Fiddlers’ Ungathering
This fabulous, fun gathering is not meeting in person, but you can still meet to enjoy some music great fiddling music.
IMS Historic Racing Event:
Two races on July 4 and the Brickyard 400 on July 5!
July 4, 9:00 IndyCar Grand Prix and Road Course with racing beginning before noon
July 5, 4:00: The Brickyard 400 NASCAR Racing. The stands will be empty, but you can watch the racing live on NBC!
Hamilton County Visitor's Video on You Tube, but stay tuned for all the following videos! Visit Hamilton County Indiana
Have you been refining your skills?
The Center for the Performing Arts Stay at Home Talent Show (be sure to take credit and switch your account in case my email is there) is on! Share your talent by July 21. I hope to see you!
Everybody Can Dance!
JASI (Japanese American Society Indiana) is hosting an online Yosakoi Dance Program. Learn along. See more in the You Tube and register.
Really cool is a mask out of Japan that connects to Bluetooth and can amplify, text and translate into seven languages and will cost less that $40.00! Read more about it Forbes.
Indiana state leadership has decided not to move forward in opening the state this weekend. We continue to hold steady, they are keeping an eye on the states around us and our numbers aren’t quite there for the state to open the rest of the way. That being said, you can dine-in restaurants and go bowling. Kid sports are starting back up. Be sure to wash your hands, keep yourself six feet from others, clean touched surfaces, and wear your mask.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30, Zoom.
We learned a lot about marriage, life after death. Sadducees (who did not believe that people’ssouls would be joined with their physical bodies after the world ends and who, by the way are defunct). This is quite a fun story to read. People attempt to trick Jesus and once again he subverts the argument.
July 7: We will talk about the greatest commandment! Mark 12:28-34. What does God demand?
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30, Zoom.
We went over the Dad Jokes in the link posted last week. When you read these aloud, you may understand them better because they are a play on words.
July 7: Come and share what you did over the weekend.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30, Zoom.
We talked about so many things! We talked about whether American hairdressers could cut Asian hair (check out C.K. Designs), our preferred way to prepare pork belly (Chinese/Taiwanese or Filipino style...or both?).
July 8: Join us. We can set an agenda, but we never stick to it!
Science in English with Children
Sparklers are fun, but what is the chemistry that makes all that sparkle happen? Let's take a trip to the UK to find out...After all, just because we have our independence doesn't mean we can't use their English! The Chemistry of Sparklers
growing up: as a child
sparklers: handheld fireworks that emit sparks
amplify: make louder
aren’t quite there: statistics do not match the necessary goals
people's: referring to something belonging to people as a group
soul: spiritual or not physical part of a person that is considered to be immortal
defunct: no longer in existence, no longer operating
subvert: undermine authority
play on words: using words in a way to amuse us or make us laugh
could: are able to
stick to it: follow the agenda
