by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by hyungjin park from Pixabay
This started out to be a post about keeping Christmas, year-round. And as a shout-out to a number of organizations that seemed to have it in their hearts, all through the tough, turbulent road that was 2020.
But with the events in Washington today, I’m going in a different direction.
How do we stay hopeful and “dispel the darkness” when the unprecedented occurs? We can talk all we want about “lighting one candle”, but what are our sources of inspiration?
I certainly don’t have all the answers.
What I’m planning to do, over here, is to put Valentines in our windows to the first responders, on February 1. And to spotlight artists and nonprofits through the year.
And, of course, my plans include enjoying the writing of as many amazing authors as is humanly possible.
(Royalty-free image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
In the “spotlighting” department: the Bay Area’s Dickens Fair, during Christmas season 2020, brought virtual festivity to everyone with their free “Dickens Fair at Home” program. Every weekend, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, they put up new content. These free offerings included video performances and documentaries, downloadable recipes and sheet music and virtual crafts workshops.
They’re hoping to be back, this November, with an onsite Dickens Fair, as they’ve had since the 1970s.
(Image courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific, and used with permission.)
Meanwhile, Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach, which took a huge hit due to the pandemic, is now offering virtual tours and virtual “meetups” with some of their aquarium residents.
On weekends, they offer virtual tours of both the North Pacific Gallery, and of their Tropical Pacific Gallery. These are 45-minute tours with a member of the Aquarium staff, where participants get to “meet” one or more of the Aquarium animals, and learn more about them.
In addition, during the week, the Aquarium offers teacher resources and virtual field trips. And one of their new offerings, as they raise funds to continue their conservation and research, is their “Virtual Animal Encounters” program.
This is where you get to reserve a 30-minute Zoom call with a member of the Aquarium staff, who will introduce you and your work group, virtual party or at-home classroom to one of the otters or sea lions in residence.
Admit it, a cute furry otter or a few sea lion barks might lead to a very memorable event.
And finally, I love Renegade Craft Fair. Since 2003, they’ve been showcasing the contemporary craft community, with shows in London, Los Angeles and Seattle, among the ten cities in which they appear.
Renegade Craft Fair, Los Angeles State Historic Park, summer, 2012.
In 2020, out of concern for the well-being of their community, they had to cancel their on-location shows. But they continue to display the work of their continuously-evolving group of exhibiting artists and designers, in their Collective. If you need a special gift for anyone (including you!), you’re likely to find it here.
Oh–and about Twelfth Night? Traditionally, Christmas is officially over at midnight tonight.
Given the way things have been going, I think I’ll keep the decorations up just a little while longer.