Brotherly Love

The Inagural Performance

of Premonition was held right in front of my very favorite boutique ever, Alechemy this past Saturday afternoon. While it is true that Robert and I woke to the sound of thunder early that morning, the weather did clear up, making it the perfect day for an 'Al Fresco' performance.

Uncle Bob passed out 'Christmas in July' fans, while the guys played Jingle Bells in their Hawaiin shirts.






It was also Rick's birthday, so we had to ask the nearest Marilyn Monroe lookin' woman to serenade him!



The day was complete with dinner at Willie Rae's, one of our favorite eateries on the Square.

Elijah's finally made his debut....

much to Angela's, Mike and the family's joy! He's big, he's cute and he's hungry!

Premonition Debuts at Alchemy...

on the Marietta Square! Be there to witness the first live public performance by Premonition right outside of our favorite boutique, Alchemy.


















What better time to celebrate? Christmas in July and Premonition are both signs of great things to come.

Come on out and check these guys out!

Happy Birthday Michael!

It seems like not so long ago you were a baby boy in my arms.

As you grew you wanted to explore this wonderful world of ours

and then go out on to your own in this adventure called life.

Through it all you will always be my baby boy in my heart.

Happy Birthday Son!

Another woman for Nathan?

Angela, Nathan's Mommy and main woman, is beginning to think that Nathan is seeing (or should I say watching) another woman. In the morning when Nathan used to want to climb in bed to cuddle, he now runs to the living room to watch Dora the Explorer. I even overheard him talking to her the other day while I was on the phone! "Buenos Dias Dora!", Nathan said very excitedly. As long as she continues to teach Nathan, Angela decided that she will not stand in the way of their relationship.

Premonition Rocks!

So you wonder what Robert has been up to lately? Is he making use of his collection of musical instruments? Well friends, family and fans - I have a premonition that he will meet up with some fantastic musicians, get a gig or two and have more fun than is legally allowed! The plus side for me? Happy man and great photo ops!

Check it out for yourself and don't forget to sign the Guest Book while you're there!

Premonition brings you a rich mix of classic rock, wailing blues, and good feet stomping dance music.

Our brand of music is inspired by artists ranging from “Eric Clapton” and his singing rock and blues guitar, to the beat driving, say what you mean “ZZ TOP”, to “Rolling Stones” classics you love.

Lake County may soon have first seizure response dog

Check out this article about Ken, Sara's husband, and the efforts to raise monies for Ken's dog.The pancake breakfast was very successful, but there is a long way to go. Stay tuned for opportunities to help with this worth cause!

BY CHANDRA JOHNSON
cjohnson@nwitimes.com

You might say Ken Livengood's life is going to the dogs.

Together with the community and Paws With A Cause, Livengood may soon be able to have Lake County's first seizure response dog to help his family better manage Livengood's epilepsy. Livengood said he realized he needed an assistance dog when his seizures became too much.

"After the last time I had staples put into my head, I looked at the wife and said, 'What do you think about helper dogs?' " Livengood said. "She'd already looked online."

Paws With A Cause and Munster's South Side Christian Church will hold a pancake breakfast June 24 to raise the remaining funds Livengood needs to purchase a dog. Tickets for the benefit are a $5 minimum donation.

"A lot of my clients say as their disability progresses, their world shrinks," field instructor Annie Schaffer said. "They can't work and then they can't drive, so their world just keeps shrinking."

"I think that's why Ken and his family chose Paws With A Cause," event coordinator Kelly Vates said. "Because of how much they invest in their dogs and their clients."

Livengood, now 47, learned of his epilepsy when he was 13. When Livengood had a seizure on the job in 1988, he was put on disability and later lost his driver's license. He is also required to wear a helmet while standing to prevent injury from unpredictable seizures. Vates said the dog would also help put Livengood's family at ease.

"A lot of these accidents happen when Ken is alone," Vates said. "The main goal with this dog is to be able to feel safe enough to leave home, go to work and feel confident that Ken's got someone right there by his side."

Schaffer said Livengood's dog would be trained specifically as a seizure response dog. When Livengood has a seizure, the dog will get a special cordless phone and bring it to Livengood. If Livengood has a seizure in public, the dog will lie down next to him to wait for help.

Paws With A Cause has placed more than 1,900 dogs with disabled clients nationwide. Clients must report on progress of the relationship every 18 months. If the client's condition changes, Schaffer said trainers come back and update the dog's skills to accommodate needs. Schaffer said the clients are screened almost as vigorously as the dogs.

When Livengood raises the money, his case will be placed on the "find a dog" list, where he can specify a size, gender or weight of his dog. Livengood said it was the dedication of staff and the thorough process that made him choose a dog from Paws.

"When Annie told me if I ran into a problem anytime and she said she could come back, that sold me," Livengood said.

"I think a key word for Paws With A Cause is 'responsibility,' " Vates said. "There are organizations that will place a dog with you for less money, but not with the quality Paws offers."

Congratulations Jordan!

June 6th of 2006 marks the graduation of our nehphew Jordan from Gavit High School.



Jordan, we wish for you a bright future as you embrace all of the exciting possibilities in your life.

Happy Fourth of July!

Robert and I spent the Fourth of July at The Marietta Square, as the city celebrates being named an All American City. The day started with a car wash and Tacoma (our little boy) being adorned with the proper Fourth of July attire. (Now, don't go thinkin' that bows are for little girls only!)

The parade itself was moving (no pun intended) as flags were passed out to parade goers who subsequently proudly waved them on cue. From the youngest to the oldest - all appeared to be equally 'Proud to be an American'.

The fabulous Fried Flamingo Queens once again took home the Fantasy Award for their wonderful float and outrageous, fun outfits. They continued to delight children and adults alike as they passed out flamingo fans, sequined tiaras & flamingo sunglasses and posed for pictures.

We set up our own little area complete with beach towels, cooler and lawn chairs to take in the music with our friends Bobby and Cheryl. We watched three guys with guitars (not their band name, but don't know that either) and then the Cobb Symphony Orchestra.

By the time the evening's feature attraction - Little Big Town -came on, we decided that it was much too crowded to stick around. And it was at that point 12 hours after we first arrived that we left, missing the fireworks, but coming home to a nice refreshing shower.

2006 All American City

For those of you who have visited Robert and I, you are already aware of how much we love Marietta - now here's proof positive that it's true! Marietta really is a great place to live!

The National Civic League crowned the city of Marietta one of the 10 best communities in the nation as a 2006 All-America City, the oldest and most respected community recognition award in the country. Nearly 600 communities began the application process which recognizes exemplary civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes in which citizens, government, businesses and volunteer organizations work together to address critical local issues. Winners in previous years have been honored at the White House.
“The city is honored to win the All-America City award because only four other Georgia communities have won in the award’s 57-year history,” Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway said. “It means the work we’re doing is among the best in the country, and it’s great that others recognize it, too.”
In its application, Marietta demonstrated how three unique projects were solving challenges through community partnerships.

• The first was Marietta’s efforts to reduce crime and stabilize deteriorating neighborhoods by creating M-STAR. The citywide program combines community policing and computer analysis of crime trends with accountability of city staff and public involvement. M-STAR has resulted in many successes, the most notable being a reduction of crime.

• The Marietta Revitalization Program was the second initiative submitted to judges. Its goal is to save the city from decline and create a stronger sense of community by balancing the city’s housing stock, stabilizing school enrollments, creating affordable workforce housing and revitalizing neighborhoods. The city has made substantial progress toward increasing the percentage of homeowners while reducing substandard rental units.

• Judges required a third program to benefit children, and the city explained how Marietta Reads, a citywide effort to foster reading and literacy, has increased student test scores and book circulation.

“Everyone in Marietta should be proud, because winning the award is the result of the entire community working together every day,” Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton said. “We appreciate the community’s work for the great progress we’ve made the last three years."

Whether it be shopping, antiques, dining or events on the square - there's something for everyone here! Some of our favorites are:

• Alchemy boutique (the greatest jewelry!)
  
• L Michelle (fantastic shoes)
• Willie Rae's (ever have a fish taco? - wonderful!)
• Crystal's on the Square (the best bar on the square, plus live music!)
• La Famiglia Italian Ristorante (authentic, family run restaurant)
  
• Darwin's Blues (don't miss this one!)
• Nik's Back Porch (Tuesday jams)
• AJ's Poor Boys (best po' boys outside New Orleans city limits)
  

Once upon a time....

Brayden was feelin' like a couch potato, gettin' a little plump and thought he would talk to his Momma about the situation....






Momma - We need to get out of this place and explore our surroundings.....







I know this was my idea, but what the heck is that?








Boy, do I need a drink of water!

Summertime Fun at The Marietta Square

Join Robert and I for some fun at The Marietta Square with our friends. First we join Cheryl and Bobby for dinner at La Famiglia Ristorante for a fantastic Italian dinner, and then onto the lawn to enjoy Andrew Black and the Believers at the Glover Park Summer Concert Series.

And to make the night even more memorable, we met up with more of our friends, Margret and Bob, Laine and Bill, and Tamera & Scott. The night was perfect until five minutes before the band was scheduled to finish when the skies opened up and gave all of us a cleansing summer shower.

Ahhhh - hot fun in the summer time!