Help The Baltimore Clayworks!

Maryland Citizens for the Arts has asked us to ask YOU to send an Email to Legislators .
The House Appropriations and Senate Budget & Taxation Subcommittees held budget hearings on February 19 and 20, 2009, and a large group of representatives were in Annapolis to testify and support the MCA advocacy goals. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Today, we are launching the next step in our Advocacy Plan - an Action Email Blast.
For this, WE WILL NEED EVERYONE'S HELP!

The process is very simple. As soon as you have read this alert, click on this "Take Action" icon. That hyperlink will take you directly to the Maryland Citizens for the Arts website. There, using a prepared letter which insures that the issues are properly identified and our advocacy goals are clearly defined, you will be able to contact your legislator directly. Enter your zipcode, which will identify the senator and/or delegate from your district who serves on one of these subcommittees. After you have provided your home address, you will be able to read the letter, edit it, and provide your e-signature. Please take a few minutes to do this right away!

NUMBERS ARE IMPORTANT! Encourage your friends and associates to join in sending this message. Pass this message on to the local arts advocates in your region, and urge them to send this email. *Please note that CapWiz will ONLY allow you to send this message to the legislators from your district. That is why we need participation from every part of Maryland !

One person CAN make a difference! Hundreds of people can make a HUGE difference!

If this cut is sustained, Baltimore Clayworks will lose approximately $40,000 in funding, and murals like this one made by residents in our urban community, classes for children in city schools, exhibitions like Tour de Clay and much, much more will be in jeopardy. Please act NOW!!

Thank you for caring and transforming your care into Action!

PS:
MCA WILL HOLD AN ADVOCACY CONFERENCE CALL TO THE FIELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009 AT 3:00 P.M. TO UPDATE YOU ON OUR ADVOCACY PLAN AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. THE CALL-IN NUMBER IS 1-800-935-3856 PASSCODE: 465287

(not so) Secret Recipe, shhhhh...

I just whipped up a batch of my wildly popular chocolate bark candy for work tomorrow! This recipe is one I keep in my "secret weapon" recipe box. It's really good but terrible for you so I only make it when it is going somewhere that is not my fridge! Tonight I made it for a work potluck we are having tomorrow afternoon. It's my go-to for any kind of event because it's super fast, super cheap, super easy and super tasty! So....want the recipe??? Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you.
1 cup of stick butter
1 cup of sugar
2 packages of saltine crackers (they come 4 packs to a box so save the rest for the next time you need to pull out this secret weapon!)
1 package chocolate chips of your choice, I used milk chocolate this time.
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.In a small saucepan melt the butter and sugar, the sugar will not dissolve but you want it mixed in with the butter. While that melts, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and break the crackers over it so they are in a single layer covering the cookie sheet. Ladle the butter mixture over the crackers and bake for 10 minutes or until the butter is bubbly and the crackers are starting to brown. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cracker mixture and place back in the oven for a minute or two, just until the chips are shiny and easy to spread. Take the tray out of the oven and using a butter knife or spatula, spread the chocolate over the crackers, like icing. Let the whole tray cool in the fridge until the chocolate is set then break into small pieces. Make sure to bring the recipe wherever you bring this because I guarantee someone will ask you!

Sleepy time.

Is there really anything better than a nap in the sun? This is a shot of my little mexi-cat napping on our living room couch. This week I'm gonna need a nap. Wednesday and Thursday I have to work the day job until 8:00 and then this weekend I'll be heading to PA to help my mom paint her shop. I think I'll take Monday off to re-coupe!