GREETINGS WORLD AND HAPPY 2010 FROM HARLEM, WELCOME TO THE DECADE OF THE ALCHEMIST.

2010!!!... CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?...WE MADE IT... AT LEAST THIS FAR... ARE YOU FEELING THE FUTURE LIKE I AM?


THIS IS TRULY THE DECADE TO THINK & WORK LIKE WIZARDS... WITH IMAGINATION, HARD WORK AND THIS THOUGHT IN MIND, THE BEST IS SURE TO COME.

SO...

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS, ENJOY THE RIDE AND WE'LL BE ON OUR WAY HOME, INTO THE FUTURE.

"THE BEST IS SURE TO COME".

PEACE

XEMOBIA

FUNKY BEJEWELLED MINI GLASS BEADED CROCHET CROWN FOR THE ENCHANTED SUPERNATURALS BY XENOBIA BAILEY

GREETINGS FOLKS, I AM STILL WORKING ON THIS CROCHET BEADED CROWN, I HAD TO PUT IT ON SOMEONE MAGICAL TO SEE HOW THE PIECE IS WORN.

THIS AMAZING PERSON IS DEBRA, SHE IS A WORLD TRAVELER AND WRITER. YOU CAN CHECK OUT HER BLOG. SHE HAS AMAZING TRAVELING STORIES TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD... A TRUE BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT THIS ONE IS.... A "FOR-REAL" ENCHANTED BEING IF I EVER MET ONE.

I WILL HAVE HER BLOG SITE VERY SOON TO SHARE WITH YOU.

PEACE

XENOBIA

WILD AUTUMN, SUPERNATURAL CROCHET CROWNING OF CROCHET ARTIST IN UNION SQUARE PARK, BY XENOBIA BAILEY

GREETINGS ONCE AGAIN LOVELY PEOPLE,... HERE IS A LOOK AT MY LATEST CROCHET CROWN-CAPS, WORN BY A YOUNG SUPERNATURAL CROCHET ARTIST.... SHE REMINDS ME OF MYSELF BACK IN THE DAY, THE YOUTH HAS SUCH WONDERFUL ENERGY WHEN THEY CULTIVATE THEMSELVES.

I'M STILL IN A GRAND RUSH TO GET EVERYTHING DONE AT THE SAME TIME... THINGS WILL GET ORGANIZED SOON, SO THAT I CAN HAVE MORE PR TIME ON THE BLOG. I'M ABOUT A YEAR BEHIND WITH SOME OF MY POSTINGS.

PEACE YA'LL

XENOBIA

CROCHET CROWN-CAP FOR SELL IN MY ETSY STORE...

XENBA.ETSY.COM

SUPERNATURAL ARTIST SPOTTED AND CROWNED IN UNION SQUARE PARK BY XENOBIA BAILEY

HEY GOOD FOLKS THIS IS MEG, SHE IS TRULY A SUPERNATURAL ARTIST, WE JUST MET WHEN SHE PURCHASED ONE OF MY CROCHET CROWNS A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO,

I REALLY LIKED HOW SHE LOOKED IN THIS FUNKY CROWN, THIS CROWN WAS PURCHASE BY SOMEONE ELSE SO ME PURCHASED ANOTHER CROWN THAT WAS REALLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE CROWNS, THE PHOTO I TOOK WAS NOT A GOOD SHOT, SO I AM SHOWING FABULOUS MEG WITH THIS CROWN

NEW ORISHA AND URBN WIZARD CROCHET CROWNS FROM XENOBIA BAILEY

I AM SO VERY PROUD TO PRESENT THE ORISHA CHANGO CROWN, THIS IS A SMALL SIZE, ABOUT A SIZE 22 INCHE HEAD.

I WILL BE POSTING ON ETSY VERY SOON.

URBAN WIZARD CROCHET CROWN FOR THE MYSICS IN THE HOOD.

SOON TO BE POSTED ON MY ETSY STORE.

ZEBRA CROWN, THIS CROWN HAS BEEN SOLD.

WORKS IN PROGRESS FUNKY CROCHET CROWN

WHEN I PUT THIS CROWN ON A WOMANM IT WORKS BETTER FOR ME, I STILL HAVE TO ADD THE SIZING FOR SCULPTURAL BODY TO THE CROWN.

ULTRA FUNKY CROCHET CROWN FOR KING COOL PAPA DADDY-O, FOR FATHERS DAY, OR ANY DAY, CREATED BY FIBER ARTIST XENOBIA BAILEY

GREETINGS FOLKS... HERE IS MY LATEST CREATION FOR ALL THE ART COLLECTER LOOKING FOR THAT ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT FOR FATHERS DAY...

I'M IN A SUPER MAD RUSH RIGHT NOW... FOR MORE DETAIL... CHECK IT OUT ON MY XENBA.ETSY.COM SITE...

THANKS FOLKS... I'LL BE WRITING MORE IN THE FUTURE.

REMEMBER A KING, REHAB A KING

What a way to start this memorable "DAY FOR A KING"!!!.... I just had an amazing telephone conversation with a New York Performance artist named Rha Goddess, who has created a powerful performance piece (that I just missed) at the Public Theatre, The project she is working on really hits right on the “HEALING ELEMENT”. She is working with Mental Health Issues of Communities of Color.

This touring project was just launched Jan. 15, 2008 at The Public Theater in New York. Artist-as-Cultural-Activist, working for the community…. That’s what I’m talking about.

Check out the details of the project in the Link below.

http://www.rhaworld.com/LOW-SpecialEvents/index.html

Try and get on the mailing list to stay connected to this vital project.


__________________________________________________________________________________________________
TAXPAYERS MORE WILLING TO PAY FOR REHABILITATION THAN FOR INCARCERATION, REPORTS FIND.

Posted on January 21, 2008

Taxpayers More Willing to Pay for Rehabilitation Than for Incarceration, Reports Find

The American public supports the rehabilitation of youth offenders and is more willing to pay for rehabilitation than incarceration, two new reports funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation find.

Based on data from a poll performed by the Center for Children's Law and Policy, Potential for Change: Public Attitudes and Policy Preferences for Juvenile Justice Systems Reform (executive summary, 12 pages, PDF) found that more than 70 percent of Americans believe that incarcerating youthful offenders without rehabilitation is the same as giving up on them. Ninety percent of those surveyed believe that "almost all youth who commit crimes have the potential to change."

Based on research conducted by the MacArthur Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice, the second report, Rehabilitation Versus Incarceration of Juvenile Offenders: Public Preferences in Four Models for Change States (executive summary, 17 pages, PDF), found that the public is willing to pay an average of nearly 20 percent more in taxes for juvenile rehabilitation than incarceration.

During the 1990s, state legislatures across the country enacted statutes under which growing numbers of youths could be prosecuted in criminal courts and sentenced to prison, often because policy makers assumed popular demand for such action. But youths in the adult criminal system are at greater risk for assault and death, receive less in the way of rehabilitation and treatment services, and are 34 percent more likely to commit crimes than youths retained in the juvenile justice system. The MacArthur Foundation is working to address these issues through its Models for Change initiative and by supporting action networks designed to develop systemwide changes in Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington that can serve as national models for reform.

"Momentum is gathering across the nation to replace harsh, ineffective measures with programs that address the welfare of young people while preserving safe communities," said MacArthur Foundation president Jonathan Fanton. "The public understands that youth in trouble with the law are not lost, and that working with them to solve problems is a better approach to public safety than just locking them up."

“Rehabilitating Juvenile Offenders.” John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation 1/15/08.

REHABILITATION PROGRAMS LINKS BELOW

http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.1074781/k.D7EC/In_Focus.htm

http://www.modelsforchange.net/

MICHELLE BISHOP: HARLEM NEEDLE ARTS

I recieved this e-mail from Michelle Bishop a few days ago, I thought I would share it...

Happy New Year!

I am so sorry that I was not able to attend Isisara’s Kwanzaa. When Aliyah arrived home she was sick so I had to stay home.
Let me know if you are free next Monday January 14 so that we can get together. Aliyah will be away the entire week with her school.

Just wanted to let you know that Lowery Sims is no longer with the Studio Museum but now she is a curator at Museum of Art and Design (MAD) with David McFadden. I will be meeting with David and Lowery in a few weeks. Thelma Golden is now the new Executive Director of Studio Museum .

Also another piece of good news – Harlem Needle Arts Inc.non-profit status was approved by the IRS. HOORAY. It’s official. There has been so much going on I’ve been meditating every minute of every day.

Chat soon.

Peace and blessings,
Michelle

Michelle Bishop is the founder of a major part of the Needle Arts Movement in Harlem that has been going on for the past 5 yrs. This Hard working UpTown Sistah is Focued, Driven and No half-Stepper.

A Full Time Single Super-Mom,

A Full Time Homemaker

A Full Time Director of Harlem Needle Arts.

A Full Time Up-Holder of the Culture.

A Full Time Friend.

I first met Michelle about 4 summers ago one evening at a African Film Showing in a park in Harlem, (I just can't recall the name of the park at this moment).... But, anyway, Michelle was busy passing out flyers and talking to folks about crochet and knitting classes that she was starting in Harlem.

I introduced myself to her, we talked a little about needle arts, and the rest is history.

She has organized for the past 3 or 4 yrs, this amazing Bus Trip, from Harlem to Rhinebeck New York in the Fall, to The Sheep & Wool Festival, I really, really love this trip because I never saw so many Blue Ribbon livestock before, Alpaca's, lama's, goats, sheep, rabbit, sheep, sheep dogs, yarn spinner, any kind of felters, just stuff and more stuff connected to wool is at this festival. People come from across the country with their livestock, wools and yarns, it's out of this world.

I have gotten some of the best wools & silks that is made in this country at this event for a really good price. Plus they have wine maker, cheese maker, maple syrup, candies, honey bee people. Jellies, Jams, cider's, sausages and other prime meats straight from the farm. and it is always so beautiful, the leaves are changing into their vivid autumn colors this time of the year. It's just the place to be at that time of year.

This year Michelle left her corporate 9 - 5 gig as a Digital Information Technologist for 12 yrs. to work full time to build her EMPIRE,... I ment,... home based business/organization and raise her 13 year old daughter Aliyah.

Just to mention a few of her activities, she has curated a annual quilting exhibits at Lincoln Center in the summer for the past 3 yrs, she organized a regular quilting-bee with quilting sistah artist in Harlem, she has organized a clothing drive drive for a children's performance group from Kenya, caught in cold New York this past winter.

I'll just see... Remember the name... Michelle Bishop and The Harlem Needle Arts, and I am sure she will tell you all that you need to know.

harlemneedlearts@verizon.net

WINTER EVENING FILM AT MoMA, NYC

(continued) After church was out, I walked over to the Rose’s house, In this photo they are preparing to go out for a walk and get something to eat…. So as soon as everyone’s hair was combed, diapers dried, all the toys and jackets packed, we all walk around the block to a place Theresa had read about in a uptown magazine, to get some take-out food, we walked over to the park and set at one of the park benches and eat & talked as “Big Sister” Rose road around on her scooter (I think that's was they call that thing she was riding!!)...But.... anyway...afterwards we left the park,...went to PathMark to get a few groceries…. I walked with the Rose’s back to their home…

I continued with my Sunday visiting,… I invited myself over to Literary Agent Marie Brown’s house, her house was one of the house’s that was on the Artist-Open-Studio Tour earlier that day, she was exhibiting Clamenza Hopkins Painting’s,…Even though it was late in the evening, I know they would still be there winding down the evening with food, (Marie had prepared this really-truly delicious salad) and interesting conversation, I met the most wonderful group of woman their, I hope to gather again at another time.

That’s it for that Sunday in Oct.…This is what happened today, I was so proud of myself for getting so much administrative work done today, a lot of research reading for grants & exhibitions,…I did not crochet today…this is not a good thing…

6:00 pm:..I was on a panel for The Bronx Council for The Arts organization BRIO (Bronx Recognizes it’s Own) Titled: “HOW TO APPLY” for the 2008 BRIO Awards for the Arts, I was a past awards panelist and BRIO asked myself and other panelist and BRIO award recipients to give application insight and tips to new applicants....

7:45 pm,…..After the panel…For the hi-light of my day....I rushed down to the Museum of Modern Art to catch the film, “Shakespeare in Love”,… This is one of the many reason I got a membership at the Museum of Modern Art,… to see endless films…(I you so desired)…. free for member… on the big screen, home video’s & DVD’s are fine,… But,….

8::48 pm,… viewing a film on the big screen is divine,… I can see why this film received The Academy Award Best Film ten years ago… for me,… the patterns, textile’s, costumes and the women’s hairstyles & hair-ornaments were, just,…(to say the least) stunning!!!, even though this was a film that used very few colors, they stayed with a (very well lit) rich natural color palette,… accentuating the lead & primary Actor’s and sets….and….. THEY! (snap) WORKED! (snap) THAT! (snap) PALETTE! (snap) TO! (snap) THE! (snap) “9”! (Double-snap)…. Oh,,… Yeah…. The acting, direction and cinematography was good also…Definitely,… A Must See Again & Again!!!…

200 YR. GRACE OF ABYSINNIAN CHURCH

This here, is a image of proud Father Richard, with his son, This was taken this past Oct, 2007,.... The Sunday before I went to London,.... I called Richard and his wife Theresa Sunday morning to ask them what they were doing that day, because I wanted to come by and see the baby before I left for London, They said that they were planning to go to church for fellowship that morning,… they invited me over for a after church meal,

Well….They were not able to get themselves and the kiddies ready in time for church (totally understood), but I decided to go since I was going to be leaving the country,…

Abyssinian (there seems to be a few ways to spell this) Baptist Church in Harlem is our church of choice for fellowship… it was an amazing service on a beautiful Summer like Fall morning. A large group from the church and Rev. Calvin Butts had just returned from a Pilgrimage to Ethiopia,….

Rev Butt. Spoke so beautifully about their travels,….During this trip, Ethiopia was celebrating their 2nd millennium, he spoke about the festivities, formal banquets, tours of palaces, helicopter rides viewing the land and an moving story about foot climbing up the mountains for a breathtaking view....He said, Rita Marley was there with her family.

I had to get 2, CD copies of this sermon, one for myself, and one for Richard and Theresa since they were unable to attend this service, I thought it was one of those historical moments to be captured and shared, I plan to get a copy of the CD of the sermon Rev Butts delivered before the group left for Ethiopia, I heard, that service was equally as stirring as the one I attended.

I have to look up the dates,… But…Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia had visited Abyssinian Church and presented Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who was the pastor at that time. with a Ethiopian Coptic Cross that is displayed in the church…..Now!!…Ain’t that something to write home about?

FIRST-SUN OF THE NEW YEAR...

12:20 pm, A mild misty/rainy day:... Happy New Year,... As the Sun Rises on the New Day and New Year, I think of New Births that always bring exciting expectations to a community.... This photograph, is of a good friend, who lives in my community. International photographer Richard Rose' and his beautiful son Mosiah Rose, Mosiah's name comes from the middle name of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. This powerful act of naming this child, roots Mosiah Rose into a strong sense of history and clears a way for a bright creative culturally conscious, fulfilling future.

PRECIOUS MEMOIRS...

11;21 am, It's the New Year Eve, a beautiful mild, sunny day in Harlem, and I am working on my organization & planning resolution I entend to resolve in 2008, Plan's are to work smarter, to reduce stress, to keep my blood pressure down and to have Time Management down to a Fine Science so that my events and activities have a nice flow throughout the day,

I think my management upgrade is working better than it appears... ("one's disorganised surroundings can be miss leading when you are re-organizing".... remember that,... it helps with the remedy),.... I'm looking forward to a very productive year that will be a result of better management skills,...

First on the list for today, None Scheduled Activities:...return library books (MUMBO JUMBO,... THE LAST DAYS OF LOUISIANA RED,... and THE FREE-LANCE PALL BEARERS all by ISHMAEL REED),... organize my storage space (a little), do my laundry (finally), read and send out follow-up e-mails (past due), get my $5.00 phone card ready so when the New Year arrives around the world I can give a New Year "Holla" to my folks on the planet.

NITE-WATCH: GRAND CENTRAL STATION

The night I photographed this image of the Chrysler Building over looking Grand Central Station, I was walking across 42 st.... I usually do'nt walk along this street, because the sights are not that interesting to me on this part of 42 St., but,.... this night I walked down 42 st. between Park & Lexington Ave,... I was in the front of the Hilton Hotel,.... there was a yellow cab parked out front that was on fire, the cab driver was trying to put the flames out with his jacket, I looked around to see if there was any help and there was a group of people standing in front of the Hilton Hotel just watching this man trying to save his burning cab..., I asked did anyone call the fire department,..... they did not respond to me,... they acted as if I was not there,.... I knew everyone that was watching this cab blazing, had a cell phone,.... I call the fire department telling them that there was a burning cab on 42 St. between Park & Lexington Ave. in front of the Hilton Hotel and before I could disconnect the call I heard the Fire engine and police tearing down the street towards us,... as the group of people still stood there watching,...
the fireman secured the area and the fire was put out....I could'nt believe the people just standing there watching this.

That burning New York City Yellow Cab story brings to mind my first New York City Yellow Cab burning experience, I was on the 34th st. cross town bus, going to purchase some 35 mm film for my camera,... which I had with me at the time because I was planning to photograph later on in the evening, but I was completely out of film,

I was on the 34th st. cross town bus right in front of Madison Square Garden on the most light perfect time of day, and this yellow cab was right in the inter section of 34th and Broadway, hood up and it seemed like traffic-light-high-flames were leaping from the engine of this cab,... my first reaction to this scene was to get off the bus and start photographing because it was an amazing moment to be captured, with the razzle-dazzle of Madison Square Garden, a sea of jammed up cars & cabs,... the neon street lights,... the crowded streets,.... it was like a urban war-zone photograph. But... I was on the bus, with a empty camera... on my way to get film...I felt like a raged caged artist....

Need I say,... a few month later I saw that exact...I repeat.... EXACT!!..... scene in Danny Simmons, the artist and producer of Def Jam Comedy's on HBO and on Broadway...(I had to put all that in, because I think it's a big deal).... I said all that to say that... I saw that exact shot in Danny Simmons ONE WORLD MAGAZINE... Photographed by a roaming street photographer....

I'm still trying to get over that "SHOT THAT GOT AWAY".

NOBLE ELDER BRO. MANSUR SCOTT

I believe I need a DRUM-ROLL to do this "shout-out"!!!...but, here it goes anyway, ...."HIS SUPREME HONORABLE EXCELLENCY",... "THE MAGNIFICENT",... "THE ULTIMATE NOBLE ELDER",... SIR BROTHER-MAN: MANSUR SCOTT....ILLUSTRIOUS GRIOT/MUSICIAN (PERCUSSIONIST-FLUTIST) EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!....OK,.. OK,.... I know, I went a little over the top, but this is where a conversation with Mansur Scott takes my imagination,.... spinning way out there, along with his insights into the worlds and characters of the "outer streams" and his personal encounters, experiences and evolutions.... some Folks "back-in-the-day" called him....."HEAVY" (for good reason)....Folk's do'nt come no realler and stronger that this "real-deal", "Deep-Cat". You heard the cliche, what do'nt kill you, will make you stronger? Brother-Man Mansur had to be the inspiration for this thought.

"JUST DO IT...BABY"!!!

UpTown Style...Harlem, New York, Dec 2006...."YEOOW SIR......YEOW SIR..... Eeee YEOOOOW SIR!!!....


This Silky Smooth Dapper Up-Town Brother was definitely out to see and be seen,... He was totally, ready, willing and able to strike a "Meeeean" pose, when I asked him if I could take his picture.... Thanks for the memory...

OUT WITH THE OLD...

"THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 2006: I walked around the neighborhood this time last year (on a very warm December day) photographing discarded items put-out for random pick-up.... I was not able to do that this year because I was busy with other projects, maybe I can get a few shots before everything gets thrown-out and picked-up........

INSPIRATION NOTE: Please Copy & Paste the link below and go to "Download this talk" & check this talk out by this amazing young woman that lives in The South Bronx, New York, her name is Majora Carter, she is doing very dynamic evironmental work, revitalizing & greening her community. I always need a boost of inspiration to keep me going through my creative day, listening to this talk really gave me the charge I needed.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/53

"TO BE GIFTED..."

2008 ENDLESS WISH LIST...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HOLIDAY CHEERS & BLESSINGS

"TAAH DAAH"!!!... I Finally made it to the "Big Net".

Happy Holidays and greetings Folks... Bear with me for a few days as I try to smooth out the kinks in working with this blog... technology can be amazing when you know what you're doing... and it can be a pain in the "twink" when you're trying to figure it out.

That said...

The New Year is almost here and it's time to do the annual resolutions, I'll share with you a timely little quote from a fortune cookie I received a couple of days ago.... It stated; "NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ALL OF THOSE LOOSE ENDS AND TIE THEM INTO A BEAUTIFUL SHINY BOW"... Now!!..., is'nt that special!!!

My plans for 2008: I am going to continue with my media shut-down... (except for the internet), I have been on this media shut-down for 3 years now, 2008 will be my 4th year, there's too much trauma in the media for my nerves right now, it's having a negative affect on my psyche, horrible for the emotions and the production of ART, especially the type of ART WORK I want to create, or need to create in these "TIMES OF CRISIS". I want to be like the Salmon, and swim up the stream,... not go down the toilet. Ooop's..., I mean,... swim down the Stream... at the end of 2007 I did look at a couple of days of cable TV to check out some movies and to see what the trends are, other than that, I find I can live without it for the most part.

The holiday's in New York has it own special flavor, especially during this time of global warming, This image of a young "Prince of Harlem" among a collection of Black Wooden Soldiers, sitting on his stoop in Dec 22, 2006 is definitely one for my signs-of-the-times memoirs.

(This is just a test practice posting of this blog Folks to get this "Dad Blasted" Thing started... I'll write more later when I know more of what I am doing... but until then,

ALL THE BEST OF ONLY THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR CIRCLE OF SPECIAL PEOPLE!!!

Peace

Xenobia