Tuesday 12 November 2013

SAGA OF A NEW LAP TOP AND AN OFFICE SUPPLY COMPANY

This saga begins Thursday,June 27th, I took my new Samsung lap top which I use for my business in for repairs to a local office supply here in Welland. I was told by a young sales rep that the technology section was back logged and know one could look at the problem until after the long Canada Day weekend, Fine. I returned the following Tuesday, July 2nd  in the morning with my laptop, printer , modem  and my warrantee papers along with my bill of sale. I was told again that there was a back log and that they couldn't possibly get to my lap top with in the next 48hrs. Because I had bought it at the office supply and purchased an extended warrantee from them I decided to leave it with them rather than go to an independent -BIG MISTAKE- I heard nothing from the store, so I placed a call to see if they had discovered what the problem was and if it would be covered under warrantee. Nothing had been done. The computer tech had not even looked at the computer. Finally Saturday, July 7th late in the afternoon I received a call telling me that they had started running diagnostics but wouldn't know anything until Sunday morning. I called Sunday only to be told that my brand new lap top had a fried hard drive and they would have to send it out for repairs. It would take 5 - 10 business days to get it back. Nearing the end of the 10 business days I called the store to see what was happening with my computer only to be told it was still out for service - I asked where had they sent it for this repair and why was it taking so long. Apparently the "Maker" had to order in a hard drive for it and the lap top was in Sarnia, Ontario.

I received my lap top back finally from this store almost a month to the day I took it in for repairs. I will never use them again to purchase tech equipment or for repairs.

I NOW USE A VERY RELIABLE COMPURER COMPANY CALLED SKYCOMP,THEY ARE PROFESSIONAL AND I HAVE VERY REASONABLE RATES AND MY COMPUTER IS NEVER IN FOR REPAIRS LONGER THAN ONE WEEK!!!!

Thursday 25 July 2013

HUDSON DOUGLAS WELCOME TO THIS WORLD

First born grandson to my brother Douglas  & sister in law Michelle was born in Australia early this morning Australia time. My niece Julie and her husband Adam have a very handsome baby boy!

Congratulations! 

Addison and her big sister Lily have their very own first cousin! Congratulations to Matthew and Frances you have a wonderful little nephew to dote on.


Awesome day!

Monday 22 July 2013

HOT ! HOT ! HOT! STORMY WEATHER

Come "CHILL ON THE HILL"! Temperatures soared into the 100's with a humidex of 44 C. Setting up on Thursday was a challenge. Jim and I arrived early only to find the "artists village" had not been laid out. This was promptly taken care of by Todd and his daughter. I always go early to set up so that when the other artists come I can give them & their needs my full attention. Scotia Bank set out a wonderful hospitality suite for the artists with fresh brewed coffee, tea, water & soda's. Pizza and delicious cookies! Thank you Scotia Bank for your generosity to the artists of Art In The Park 2013!

This was the first time I've had an artist take ill because of the extreme heat. Even though all artists were encouraged to get into the hospitality room every 1/2 hour just to cool their core temperature down, all artists were encouraged to bring water and iced clothes to place on their necks. Jared left early Thursday due to illness but trooper that he is he came back Saturday after the temperature broke.

Friday was a challenge, temperatures soared again into the 40's. Maria a showing artist,son called her from Burlington warning her that severe weather was moving quickly into our area and it had struck Burlington without warning high winds, torrential rain lightening etc. The town staff had been keeping an eye on the weather as storms were possible in the late afternoon. I reported the phone conversation from Maria's son,  to town officials, reminded them that it would take the artists some time to dismantle their displays. It was decided that it would be prudent to have the artists take down half their displays and then wait and see -----( we get a double lake effect with our weather from lake Ontario and Lake Erie, bad weather often passes us by)  well by the time I got around to all the artists, it was evident that the storm was imminent. All artists moved quickly to get their work safely packed inside Town Hall, tents dropped and on their way home. On arriving home I checked the weather channel and we were under a tornado warning -- lasted until early morning.

Saturday, 1 tent totally demolished, structural damage in an other tent. One artist's house was struck with lightening and a large mature tree in front of her house was also hit by lightening and was knocked down. The show went on. One artist offered to share half her tent with the artist who lost her tent. Others helped with removing the  broken & collapsed tent. Thank you Ruth Maier for showing kindness to someone in need. Unfortunately, it rained off and on all morning and did not finally clear until the afternoon.

Our artists were fantastic through out all of these trials. Congratulations on a great job! I'm very proud of how well you pulled it all together. See you next year. Let's make 2014 the best show yet!

Thank you People of Pelham for your wonderful support!

Wednesday 17 July 2013

I'M READY TO CHILL ARE YOU?

The two cars are packed. Waited 'til after dinner for the sun to start going down. It's been in the 100's F here or + 40 C most of the day. I have discovered an new mechanism in my body - I call it the "sweat shower". Fifteen minutes to pack the cars and my own personal shower kicked in - YUK!!!

My friend Darlene called from Lockport to wish us all good luck and great sales. Hot! Hot! Hot! in he town of Lockport.

I'm looking forward to seeing the artist village go up tomorrow, "chilling with good friends" and partying into the hot summer night listening the music of Elton John and Billy Joel!

Hope to see you over the next 4 days.


Tuesday 16 July 2013

GETTING READY TO "CHILL ON THE HILL"!

Artists are coordinating paintings, tents, lighting etc getting ready for the BIG CHILL ON THE HILL!

In the Haftar studio, I am planning the layout for my display, selecting paintings and trying to finish a new painting for the show. I have my guest room ready for a friend and fellow artist to stay for the duration of the show. I am shipping a painting to a client this morning.

I am excited to see the pristine white tents of the artist village come together on Thursday. I am looking forward to hearing feed back about this years show. We have wonderful new artists joining us. I am particularly interested in hearing the response to our emerging artist Lauren Ellis. Lauren is a young artist working in graphite. This is her first show and I know she will receive a warm welcome and lots of support from all the artists in the village.

Exciting things happen in the artist's village the atmosphere "vibrates" with excitement. Our clients stroll under the cool umbrella of beautiful mature trees, sip on a glass of wine or beer and have the opportunity to view and purchase original art work. They meet and talk with the artists who have produced these unique pieces. Each piece is like a finger print telling the story of a particular moment in the artist's life.

Thursday, opening night will rock the "village" a cover band playing Elton John and Billy Joel will have the whole "Hill Jumpin Up"!  SEE YOU ON THE HILL - BRING THE FAMILY YOUNG & YOUNG AT HEART -  COME AND CHILL WITH US!

Sunday 14 July 2013

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: SUMMERFEST - ARTIST VILLAGE OPENS THURSDAY JULY ...

Life and Times of an Artist's Easel: SUMMERFEST - ARTIST VILLAGE OPENS THURSDAY JULY ...: Sooo excited, it's finally here!!! This Thursday the artists will come from far and near to participate in  THE 2ND ANNUAL - ART IN THE ...

SUMMERFEST - ARTIST VILLAGE OPENS THURSDAY JULY 18TH - SUNDAY 21ST

Sooo excited, it's finally here!!! This Thursday the artists will come from far and near to participate in  THE 2ND ANNUAL - ART IN THE PARK -  an important all original juried fine art show.

Twenty -two artist will comprise the "artists village". The artists will build the village Thursday in Peace Park Fonthill and will be open for business from 4pm - 10pm. You can come sip on a delicious glass of local wine and beer and take in the spectacular art.

We welcome Lauren Ellis an emerging artist. Lauren works in graphite.  Please stop in and chat with her about her pieces. We also are pleased to present  6 other new artists to ART IN THE PARK, raku potter Franz Rood, abstract acrylic & slumped glass artist Ruth Maier, decorative abstract artist Joanne Currah, fret work artist William Eisbrenner, guache artist Carole Rose and acrylic on stone artist Esa Nieminen. Last but not least, 15 returning artists including James Kerr , Pat Paquin, Mary Powley, Mary Ann Huisman, Maria Cozzi,Robbin Pulver Andrews, Birgie Ludlow, Fred and Angela Sirrs, Christel Wille, Marvyn Rivett,Monique Mulder Wallace, Jared Robinson, George Doros, Jody Edwards, & Pat Haftar. we work in glass, wood, pottery, oil, acrylic, watercolour, working on canvas, paper, ceramic and stone etc.

The professional artists showing in the artists village would like to say "Break a leg!" to all the musicians, singers, dancers and actors who will be preforming at the "PELHAM NIGHT OF ARTS"on Friday July 19th on the stage in the artists village!

ART IN THE PARK - artists village is in Peace Park , Fonthill - take the QEW to the 406, 406 to highway 20 go west on highway 20 to Station Street go left on station and make a right at first street Town Square go through the first set of lights first drive way on the right leads straight into Peace Park.