Awesome Tattoos

Archive for the ‘Temporary Tattoos’ Category

By Diane M. Watson

When the towers fell I was on temporary duty in Central California with my regular job.

I desperately wanted to get back to my fire station in Lake County. as a volunteer firefighter for many years I was part of the brotherhood and sisterhood you hear about that comes with the fire service.

the nation was in mourning; the fire service was stunned. So many lives lost, so many fallen brothers and sisters.

in the days that followed, every single firefighter I know wanted to run to new York City to assist in any way they could to rescue and recover their brothers.

the final count was 343 fallen firefighters.

brave souls.

as I remember the events of 10 years ago the emotion that wells up in me is raw. Most of us memorialized the tragedy with tattoos. Some adorned themselves with American flags, Maltese crosses with flames and names of engine companies. my Sept. 11 tattoo is on my chest; it depicts my structure helmet with Station 70 on the front, pickaxes crossed behind it, the words “Bravery, Honor, Sacrifice” and of course, flames.

as I hold back tears I recall the amazing community outpouring when we stood on Lakeshore Drive in uniform on the one-year anniversary. with our boots in hand we raised money for the widows and orphans of FDNY.

People emptied their wallets and dumped coins from their ashtrays. One woman recalled that we responded to her house for an emergency involving her young son. she dropped what money she had in my boot and gave me a hug. my brothers on the street experienced the same gratitude from our community all over town.

the tragedy brought people together, in love and in appreciation for life.

Our fire captain at the time, Willie Sapeta, was a strong leader and swift to pull our ranks together across the county, appropriate money for weapons of mass destruction response training, coordinate efforts with law enforcement and ensure that our rural first responders were as prepared as we could be.

Can anybody really be prepared for such a monstrous disaster? now a Battalion Chief, Sapeta says that there’s a “heightened awareness and increased vulnerability” since the towers fell. “We’re not just firefighters and first responders anymore. We’re disaster workers.” Firefighters are the first to respond to terrorist attacks, environmental emergencies, explosions, earthquakes, floods, bridge or roadway collapse, you name it.

in the wake of Sept. 11 the newly formed Department of Homeland Security provided grants to rural fire departments to use for training and equipment.

Sapeta was instrumental in making sure Lake County received a fair share of the grant money.

Sapeta said there is a higher respect among law enforcement and the fire service. “It was phenomenal how all the agencies pulled together.” especially today, 10 years later, all the county agencies including police, fire, animal control, fish and game, dispatchers and tribal police work together to save lives and protect property.

even as preparations for Sept. 11 ceremonies and memorial events planned for this weekend are ongoing, as a member of the county’s emergency management team; Sapeta says his focus is on “protection of the attendees.”

First responders suffered a great loss that day. Always loved, never forgotten, are the men and women who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

even as our community stands in unity to remember the fallen, our local heroes await your call for service. they stand in bravery, honor, and sacrifice.

Diane M. Watson is a Supervisory Special Investigator for United State Department of Labor.

Port of Tacoma hosts popular annual boat tour

(PHOTOS COURTESY PORT OF TACOMA)

PORT OF TACOMA BOAT TOUR

Port of Tacoma visitors experienced a ship-side view of port activities on board a free, annual guided boat tour Aug. 28 during the Tacoma Maritime Fest. during the narrated tour down the Sitcum and Blair waterways, visitors saw ships and marine terminals up close, cruised under the world’s largest container cranes, glimpsed Port-constructed wildlife habitat and learned about some of the other Tideflats-based businesses that boost the region’s economy. Participants boarded a 400-passenger boat at Thea’s Park for the two-hour tour, and kids enjoyed activities such as coloring magnets, creating words with signal flags, and donning colorful temporary tattoos.

Dior’s new eyeliner temporary tattoos are getting plenty of coverage, from magazines to beauty blogs.

And I have to admit, they look TOTALLY COOL.

It’s not an everyday look, that’s for sure, but for a special occasion, it would be fantastic to have perfectly drawn on cats’ eye eyeliner.

There’s only one thing stopping me from snatching these temporary tattoos up …

The price tag for these “Velvet Eyes” temporary tattoos:

$59.

For that price on Sephora.com, here’s what you get:

-4 pairs of eyeliner patches: 2 black ones, 1 all pasted with anthracite gray crystals, 1 black with white crystals-Small glue

Seriously, I’m still dying to try it out, but at that price, I want to read more real-life reviews first. the only reviews up on Sephora right now are from a few idiots who’ve written glowing ‘reviews’ of the tattoos — without even receiving them first.

Still, this could be the new wave in eyeliner, for those of us who have trouble getting that line just right. but I worry about what to do if I get the line slightly off-center. not only will I have wasted $15, I’m sure that trying to get it off my eyes would cause some damage to a very sensitive part of my body.

So basically, my feelings are mixed.

What do you think? Would you try it?

Images via Sephora and Dior

Photo Courtesy Of Miramar Events the Silicon Valley Houserockers are scheduled to perform at this weekend&#8217s Mountain View Art &amp Wine Festival on Castro Street.

The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is scheduled 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Castro Street.

A 10-year remembrance to honor the heroes of 9/11 is set for 11 a.m. Sunday. the ceremony will include the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” a moment of silence and the lowering of the flag, followed by a procession down Mercy Street to Civic Center Plaza by members of all U.S. military branches, local police and fire officials, civic dignitaries and Boy Scouts.

The festival will feature cuisine from around the world, available along Castro Street.

This year’s festival brews from Tied House will include a Highway 6 Lager and its flagship Cascade Amber.

Vintners will pour wines from such winemakers as Torre Alta, Columbia Crest, San Elias, 786, Camelot, Penfolds and Stimson Estate Cellars.

The lineup of live music will showcase performances by the Groove Kings, Natasha James, the Silicon Valley Houserockers, Cream of Clapton and Department of Rock.

Kids’ Park, located in the Wells Fargo parking lot, includes a climbing wall, Hula-Hooping, remote-controlled NASCAR racing, carnival rides, temporary tattoos and a balloon artist.

The Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge will feature a giant-screen TV to view NFL and college football and Major League Baseball, with food and drink available for purchase.

Also highlighted are artisan specialty-food purveyors, organic and green products showcases, health and wellness displays, and home and garden exhibits.

For more information, call 968-8378 or visit www.miramarevents.com.

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Entertaining weekend in Yorkshire

8:03am Friday 26th August 2011

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HEADLINE bands, traction engines and sword-clashing pirates promise to entice the crowds to York and North Yorkshire this Bank Holiday weekend, writes Ruth Wildman.

Thousands of revellers are expected to descend on Crayke for the Galtres Festival 2011, whose line-up includes British Sea Power, The Charlatans and the Levellers.

Running from today until Sunday, the family-friendly event also invites aspiring young musicians to song writing workshops and the G-FACTOR talent show tomorrow afternoon, with the winner gaining a coveted stage slot.

there will also be more than 100 real ales and lagers to sample, Bollywood dancing, junk drums, storytelling, face painting and crafts with camping available, and a late night bus service. Visit Galtresfestival.org.uk for more details.

Jazz music and a one-man band will provide the soundtrack for the annual Craft Festival in Cawood, spanning the three-day weekend, with a series of events throughout the village, including traction engines, steam trains, face painting, arts and crafts. A free shuttle bus will take people around the village. Entry for adults is £4. Accompanying children enter free.

elsewhere, Leeds Festival, another annual fixture for many local festival fans, is taking place from today until Sunday with this year’s headliners including Muse, my Chemical Romance, The Strokes and Pulp. Festival goers are being advised to check out the travel plans at leedsfestival.com

in York, a gala day will be held at York Acorn Rugby Club, in Thanet Road, on Bank Holiday Monday, with inflatable games, a fun fair, and various stalls, with all proceeds going towards the junior team.

Meanwhile, the annual Acomb Green Summer Fair will take place tomorrow. The free event, organised by City of York Council’s parks and open spaces team, will take place between 1pm and 3.30pm with a variety of shows and activities for families to enjoy.

They will include a falconry display, dog show, bouncy castle, face-painting, henna tattoos, arts and crafts, a climbing wall, live music, willow-weaving and stalls run by local community and charity groups. there is no parking at the event.

For those who enjoy the sound of clashing swords, Scarborough Castle is being commandeered by pirates from tomorrow until Monday. as well as a duel, visitors can enjoy arts and crafts, dressing up, and historical artefacts.

Meanwhile, the last Night of The Proms at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre is on Sunday with performances from Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall and Aled Jones among others.

Castle Howard is hosting medieval themed events on Sunday and Monday including a stunt horse riding team, birds of prey show and archery, while visitors to Harewood House on both days will find characters from Waybuloo and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, along with the RAF falcons performing in a parachuting display on Monday.

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‘Party on the Green’ to be held in Abbots Langley

11:30am Wednesday 7th September 2011

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Crowds of people are expected to flock to Abbots Langley on Saturday, for a “Party on the Green”.

The fun day, hosted by Watford Community Housing Trust, has been organised to celebrate the reopening of Tanners Wood Hall and the refurbishment of Hillside Residents’ Association’s estate office.

It will also mark the forthcoming play facilities in South Way, Abbots Langley, which the trust is jointly funding with three Rivers District Council and a new block of flats built in School Mead by the trust.

Attractions at this free event will include children’s fairground rides, a petting zoo, graffiti art, henna tattoos and body art, face painting, and a kids’ magic show.

The trust is running the event in partnership with Hillside Residents’ Association and other local groups including Abbots Langley Baptist Church and Abbots Langley Children’s Centre.

Just before the fun day kicks off at about 11.45am, Peter Scott, chairman of Hillside Residents’ Association, will unveil a plaque to mark the official opening of the new flats, which have been named ‘Hillside House’.

Abbots Langley Parish Council will also be holding a ceremony to open Tanners Wood Hall, which is part of the same building.

The trust has leased the community hall to three Rivers District Council, which in turn has leased it to Abbots Langley Parish Council.

Party on the Green will be held in School Mead, Abbots Langley, from 12pm to 3pm.

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The last week in September has been designated as the national ‘keep kids creative’ week. this week is often celebrated in schools with many activities to stimulate kid’s creative muscles. Parents can also take advantage of this week to do some fun things at home. many parents struggle with finding time to fit creativity in but here are 3 suggestions that can take less than 30 minutes and will still get the kids creative juices going.

House of Cards

Card games can be fun but cards can also be used for other activities. Introduce kids to the art of building a house of cards. this activity can be done almost anywhere with only a deck of cards and a flat surface to build on. use one or more decks of cards and challenge the kids to a contest to see who can build the highest tower or the biggest house. show them how to lean cards against each other so they stand freely. this activity does require some skill and steady hands. If the flat surface is too slippery try laying a dish towel or pillow case down on the surface. this will make it easier to stack the first level of cards. for extra difficulty add household items into the mixture of building material. These might include toilet paper rolls, paper plates, silverware or even small blocks.

Make Lightning

Lighting is a powerful form of static electricity. in this experiment kids can make their own small version of lighting.

Items Needed

Scissors
Styrofoam tray
Metal pie plate
Masking tape

Step 1:

Cut off the corner of the Styrofoam tray in the shape of an L. Bend the L up at the corner. Tape the L to the center of the pie tin on the topside so it forms a handle that can be used to pick up the pie tin without touching the metal.

Step 2:

Rub the remaining Styrofoam tray on your hair really fast for one minute.

Step 3:

Lay the tray upside down on the floor or a table. Pick up the pie tin with the handle.

Step 4:

Drop the pie tin onto the tray. Slowly touch the edge of the pie tin with your finger. it should create a spark.

Step 5:

Pick up the pie tin with the handle and touch it again. Drop the tin on the Styrofoam again.

The experiment can be repeated many times. If the static electricity runs out simply rub the tray on your hair again.

Water Sprinkler Obstacle Course

This is a great game for a hot day when the yard needs to be watered anyway. Set up the sprinklers throughout the yard. mark a starting line and place balls or cones throughout the yard, close to the sprinklers. Challenge each participant to run through the yard and touch the cones or gather the balls then get back to the starting line without getting wet. Time each participant and award prizes for the fastest.

To make the game more challenging have someone stand by the faucet control and randomly turn the sprinklers on and off. An additional challenge can be to see who can run around the course the most times without getting wet.

If you enjoyed these ideas stop by Creative Kids to see many more samples of fun and fast games, crafts, science and family activities.

CdM this Weekend: five Great Things for Your To-Do List

1. SusieCakes Bakery is celebrating its fifth birthday with a retro beach party from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. the party includes a D.J. spinning classic beach tunes, games and prizes, balloon art and temporary tattoos. They also are giving away a box of six mini red velvet cupcakes (with purchase) for the first 50 customers, and 5 percent of all proceeds will go to a nearby charity. Call (949) 646-6881 for more information. SusieCakes is located at 2043 Westcliff Drive.

2. the South Coast Plumeria Society will be at Roger’s Gardens from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday to present “Plumerias: the Hawaiian Lei Flower.” the Society will discuss the history of plumerias, which grow well in Orange County, along with various care, culture and propagation techniques. Roger’s Gardens is located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road.

3. the third Annual GIVE Event will take place from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Irvine Spectrum Center in the Giant Wheel Court. the event, hosted by Active Ride Shop, is open to the public and benefits Costa Mesa-based Krochet Kids International and its Change for Change Campaign, as well as TOMS Shoes and its One for One initiative, according to event organizers. the event will include a “tie-dye your tee or tank” tent and a “Style Your Sole” area where local artists will customize TOMS shoes. There also will be a D.J. and a Kids Artist Village where children can create their own arts and crafts. Levanter will perform at 4 p.m., Los Coyotes at 5 p.m., the Allah-Las at 6 p.m., Kiven at 7 p.m., and the Pawnshop Kings at 8 p.m. for more information, call the Active Ride Shop at (949) 296-3094.

4. Crystal Cove State Park and the Crystal Cove Alliance are hosting an Open House in the Park & Marine Research Facility in the Historic District from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, where visitors can learn about science and the research being conducted in the park. Attendees should park in the Los Trancos lot and meet at Cottage #22. the park also will offer a guided walk through the 12-acre Historic District at noon Saturday. Park in the Los Trancos lot and meet at cottage #34 on top of the hill. the events are free, but there is a $15 day-use parking fee.

5. Rothschild’s Restaurant will host a Niles Nordquist Art Exhibit & Sale from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.Nordquist, an award-winning plein air artist, is a member of Oil Painters of America, the California Art Club, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters and Laguna Plein Air Painters. Refreshments will be served, and guests will be able to talk to Nordquist and see his newest work. Rothschild’s Restaurant is located at 2407 East Coast Highway; call (949) 673-3750 for more information.

Heartache at theft of bike

7:00pm Thursday 18th August 2011

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KIND-HEARTED Andy Watts, who works to support disabled people, is devastated after being targeted by thieves for the third time this month.

Andy, 54, was disgusted when burglars stole a grey HP laptop containing years of irreplaceable recordings from his flat in Stratton Road on August 4.

He later found that someone had tried to force the main door of Amber Studios in Harveys Yard, off Shrivenham Road, which he runs to support people with special needs.

on Wednesday, thieves stole the electric quad bike he uses to raise funds for charity and to promote community events, as well as for personal transport.

Andy said: “I’m gutted. It’s because of what I’m using it for. my quad gives me my leisure, I ride around on my quad, I never drive a car. And I just see it as a good way of fundraising.

“Whatever they take, I don’t think the thieves ever stop and think about what effect it has on anybody. I cannot live in a flat where, if I hear a noise outside, I’m jumping up. I wouldn’t say I’m scared but I’m not comfortable where I live at the moment.”

The blue Jianshe 229CC quadbike – registration OU09 HMY – cost Andy £1,800 when he bought it two years ago.

recently blind radio presenter Lisa Kennett completed a sponsored ride along the Ridgeway to raise money towards a promotional caravan for community radio station Swindon 105.5.

Andy and the radio station are working together on the Red Light Project, which will see disabled youngsters record their own songs at Amber Studios and then broadcast them on air.

to promote a fundraising fun day for the project, Andy planned to put an A-board on the back of the bike, dress in a monkey suit and hand out leaflets at different venues.

CCTV footage shows that at 4am on Wednesday, thieves parked a white van outside Andy’s home. It appears they lifted the bike into the van and drove off.

Andy said: “I’m thinking that it was more like three people involved because we have had to move it about before when we are doing work on it and it’s heavy. If you are doing it quickly, unless you are very strong, you would certainly need more than two people.”

The family fun day will be held at The Bell Hotel, in old Town, on August 28 from 2pm until late. The day will include bands, children’s games, face painting and henna tattoos.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Heartache at theft of bike

7:00pm Thursday 18th August 2011

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KIND-HEARTED Andy Watts, who works to support disabled people, is devastated after being targeted by thieves for the third time this month.

Andy, 54, was disgusted when burglars stole a grey HP laptop containing years of irreplaceable recordings from his flat in Stratton Road on August 4.

he later found that someone had tried to force the main door of Amber Studios in Harveys Yard, off Shrivenham Road, which he runs to support people with special needs.

on Wednesday, thieves stole the electric quad bike he uses to raise funds for charity and to promote community events, as well as for personal transport.

Andy said: “I’m gutted. It’s because of what I’m using it for. my quad gives me my leisure, I ride around on my quad, I never drive a car. And I just see it as a good way of fundraising.

“Whatever they take, I don’t think the thieves ever stop and think about what effect it has on anybody. I cannot live in a flat where, if I hear a noise outside, I’m jumping up. I wouldn’t say I’m scared but I’m not comfortable where I live at the moment.”

the blue Jianshe 229CC quadbike – registration OU09 HMY – cost Andy £1,800 when he bought it two years ago.

recently blind radio presenter Lisa Kennett completed a sponsored ride along the Ridgeway to raise money towards a promotional caravan for community radio station Swindon 105.5.

Andy and the radio station are working together on the Red Light Project, which will see disabled youngsters record their own songs at Amber Studios and then broadcast them on air.

to promote a fundraising fun day for the project, Andy planned to put an A-board on the back of the bike, dress in a monkey suit and hand out leaflets at different venues.

CCTV footage shows that at 4am on Wednesday, thieves parked a white van outside Andy’s home. it appears they lifted the bike into the van and drove off.

Andy said: “I’m thinking that it was more like three people involved because we have had to move it about before when we are doing work on it and it’s heavy. if you are doing it quickly, unless you are very strong, you would certainly need more than two people.”

the family fun day will be held at the Bell Hotel, in Old Town, on August 28 from 2pm until late. the day will include bands, children’s games, face painting and henna tattoos.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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