First the pottery news.We got power to the new kiln today and did a test firing. Worked as advertised. Here’s a couple of pictures of our new baby.
Since we took out the 7 cubic foot to install this 16 cubic foot our total kiln space now is 42 cubic feet, up from 33, but the 16 cu ft in this one is so much more useable than the 7 in the old one that their really is no comparison. Just in time too. We got a rush order from the Legislature Gift Shop for 100 pieces in two weeks. We’ll need all the room we can get.ALl rather small items, half slab and half thrown so we can both work at the same time on production. Should not be too scary.
I got published in the Edmonton Journal this morning. A letter I wrote a couple of days ago concerning the apparent lack of action on Canadians and Albertans to offer aid to the storm refugees made the paper. Several others voiced similar comments, and one suggested $500,000 be sent from the province. My $1 Billion still beats it! Obviously it pays to complain because the Federal Government today announced they are sending four ships to the Gulf to assist, and here in Edmonton one of the radio stations is having a fund raising weekend "Pay to Play" with money going to the relief efforts of the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. K-Rock is running the event and receiving great response. $97 to get a song played, $197 to block a song. I’ve never been a fan of the station because so much of the announcing is based on Sophmoric and bathroom humour, but their hearts are in the right place this weekend.
Other fund raising events are underway this weekend as well. Edmonton is a great city with terrific people who want to help, when given a way to do it. Now if the Provincial government dips into the money bag a little and sends that $1 billion we can really all hold our heads up.
Friday night, kids had first couple of schooldays, John is doing community service work at CKUA radio, his school requires junior high students complete a number of community service hours during the year. In years past he has almost not got them done. This year he got a jump on it and is working as a volunteer at Listener Supported CKUA.
So…tonight we’re having nachos, and watching a movie….nite