October 2001

deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Special Feature, Quotes, Opinions, Rants, Praises.

The Artsy Site Of The Month: Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western Collection Flash technology recreates the action and sound of A Fistful Of Dollars and other Leone films.		Handy Site Of The Month: HandSpeak A wonderful tool for non-verbal communication.
Web Page Design Site Of The Month: Designing Your Classroom Web Page Written with educators in mind.		Seasonal Site Of The Month: 10 Ways To Demonstrate Your Love Of Pasta October is National Pasta Month.
Just Fun Site Of The Month: Belvedere The pooch's comics, screen-saver, Flash movie and more.		Downright Serious Site Of The Month: NAGC 2001 Holiday Toy List Play is serious stuff. Let's encourage it.
Historical Site Of The Month: Kite Aerial Photography How cameras took wing.

Think you know it all? Prove it at Frenzi.com. And if you don't know something you can get some answers there.

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October Events

For October Travelers

October 3-7, 2001 Cruisin' The Coast Coastwide, Biloxi, Mississippi.	Thousands of classic cars show up at this event, along with owners, traders and admiring onlookers. There will be drag racing, a kid's sock hop, parade, Rockin' at the dock, music, cruising and drive-through judging, auto swap meet, breakfast buffet, more More: Call 888-808-1188 or 228-385-3847.
October 4-6, 2001 North Memphis Street Blues & Gospel Festival 230 N Memphis Street, Holly Springs, Mississippi	In memory of Junior Kimbrough and in tribute to R. L. Burnside, this event is filled with music. Details: Call 662-252-5279 or 662-252-5678.
October 5-6, 2001 Carthage OctoberFest Coliseum, Carthage, Mississippi	200 arts and crafts exhibitors. More information: Call 601-267-9231.
October 5-7, 2001 The Whole Enchilada Festival Downtown mall, Las Cruces, New Mexico.	A huge street party with the world's largest enchilada, plus other foods, music and entertainment. The event is now in its 21st year. More: Call 505-524-6832.
October 5-7, 2001 California Avocado Festival Carpenteria Avenue, Carpenteria, California	All things avocado, plus lots of music. Further information: Call 805-683-0038.
October 5-7, 2001 Oktoberfest Downtown Market Square, Fredericksburg, Texas	A German bier tent, arts and crafts, polka and waltz contests, Kinder Park for children, vineyard area, food and entertainment. There is an admission charge. More: Call 830-997-4810.
October 6-7, 2001 Indian Summer Festival Woody Gap School, (Georgia Highway 60), Suches, Georgia	Run Above the Clouds (a 10k and a 1 mile), Rod Run car show, square dance, quilt show, arts and crafts, play by local students, Mountain Rangers hand-to-hand combat demonstration, auction, poster contest, barbecue and other foods, music. There is a small admission charge for those over age six. Parking is free. Additional Details: Call 706-747-2401 or 706-747-5434.
October 6-7, 2001 LAKEfest Festival unknown venue, Pine Lake, Georgia.	At this writing the festival had been cancelled for this year, due to the focus on terrorist events in our country, but there has been talk of a scaled-down version For details, please contact the Pine Lake Association of Involved Neighbors at the number below. More: Call 404-978-1263.
October 6-7, 2001 Johnny Appleseed Days unknown venue, Paradise, California.	Apple recipe contest, lots of food and entertainment. Further Information: Call 530-877-9356.
October 6-7, 2001 Morro Bay Harbor Festival Downtown waterfront, Morro Bay, California.	Albacore and More Barbecue, ship tours, arts and crafts, beertasting, vendors, musical entertainment. There is an admission charge for those over age 5. More: Call 800-366-6043.
October 6-7, 2001 Harvest Festival El Rancho de las Golondrias, 334 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico.	This is held at a living history museum, so there are lots of demonstrations such as crushing grapes for wine, stringing chiles for ristras, and milling and threshing wheat. There will be music, dance, art, food and entertainment. This is an event for those of all ages to enjoy. Additional Details: Call 505-471-2261.
October 6-7, 2001 Aspenfest Weekend unknown venue, Ruidoso, new Mexico.	Celebrate the peak of fall colors with a chili-cooking contest, arts and crafts fair, vendors, parade and rod run show. More: Call 800-253-2255.
October 6-7, 2001 Silver Salmon Celebration unknown venue, Astoria, Oregon	10k race and walk, tours of local fishing boats, storytelling, face-painting, micro-brewed beer, musical entertainment, local restaurants featuring salmon dishes, outdoor market. There is no fee to attend. More information: Call 503-325-6311.
October 6-7, 2001 Kansas Sampler Festival Forest Park, Ottawa, Kansas	Great food samples from more than 150 Kansas communities, plus exhibit booths and entertainment. There is admission charge. Parking is free. Details: Call 785-242-1411.
October 6-7, 2001 Sunflower Festival The Art Barn, 695 N 400 East, south of US 6, Valparaiso, Indiana	Pumpkin decorating, mural painting, sand art, hayrides, clowns, food court, crafts, bingo, entertainment. There is an admission charge. More information: Call 219-462-9009.
October 6-7, 2001 Buffalo Festival Farmer Daves Buffalo Ranch, 1390 2850E Farmer City, Illinois	Buffalo-shaped Corn Maze, Native American Powwow, music, haunted hay ride, pumpkin patch, country music festival. Further Details: Call 888-283-3378.
October 6-8, 2001 Massachusetts Cranberry Harvest Festival Edaville Cranberry Bogs, 7 Eda Avenue, Carver, Massachusetts	The area celebrates the cranberry harvest with agricultural exhibits, events for kids, craft fair, hayrides around the cranberry bogs, helicopter rides, entertainment. More information: Call 508-295-5799.
October 6-14, 2001 Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Festival Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.	Hot air balloon rides (best to reserve a spot early), mass ascension of over 200 balloons in an hour, food and merchandise concessions, fireworks show, more. There is an admission charge (you can buy packages of tickets for events, and tickets may be passed along if you do not use them all). More: Call 888-422-7277 or 505-821-1000.
October 12-13, 2001 Tennessee Williams Festival various venues, Clarksdale, Mississippi	Tennessee Williams lived much of his childhood in Clarksdale, and so it is fitting that this should be the place to honor his life and work. There are discussions, play presentations, walking tours, music, cuisine and more. Additional information: Call 800-626-3764 or 662-627-7337.
October 12-14, 2001 Elvis FANtasy Fest Woodland Park Community Center, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Indiana	Dinner buffet, sock hop, gospel breakfast concert, contest for tribute artist, Special Olympics athletics events, car show. Further details: Call 317-844-7354.
October 12-14, 2001 Robert H. Goddard Days Civic Center, Roswell, New Mexico.	This is for those who enjoy science and space exploration, and includes demonstrations and hands-on fun. More: Call 505-624-6720.
October 13-14, 2001 Fire Ant Festival unknown venue, Marshall, Texas	There are silly contests for fire ant calling (alarm, feeding and mating), gurning (distorted face-making) contests, fire ant collecting by kids, rubber chicken chunking (throwing) contest, chili cooking contest (each pot must contain at least one fire ant), plus plenty of street dancing, parades and food. Further details: Call 903-935-7868.
October 13-14, 2001 Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Main Street, Half Moon Bay, California	The results are in, and the giant pumpkins will be on display at the festival. There is a pancake breakfast, a pumpkin parade, Pumpkin Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run, pumpkin carving contest, pie eating contest, the music of Tom Rigby and Flambeau and The Stingrays (and others), hearty stews using the coastal produce (such as artichokes and brussels sprouts), other savory foods, and plenty of pumpkin treats. Admission to the festival is free. Please leave pets at home. More information: Call 650-726-9652.
October 18-21, 2001 Biketoberfest various venues, Daytona, Florida.	Some 60,000 motorcycle enthusiasts show up for this event. There are races, rallies, demonstrations, parties, raffles, shows, music and more. Additional information: Call 800-854-1234 or 386-255-0415.
October 18-21, 2001 Texas Rose Festival 1900 W. Front, Tyler, Texas	Queen's Tea, Queen's Coronation, Rose Show, arts and crafts, Rose Festival Parade, seminars, nursery tours. Further details: Call 800-235-5712.
October 19-20, 2001 Hospitality Fall Festival Historic Downtown, Booneville, Mississippi	Arts and crafts, food, health fair, carnival, music by locals The Guns and also by Jerry Lee Lewis. More: Call 800-300-9302 or 662-728-4130.
October 19-20, 2001 Ruidoso Oktoberfest Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive, Ruidoso, New Mexico	In its 18th year, this event has a contest for the most creative or authentic German attire, a Kinderhall for the children, music and dance, and lots of traditional German foods and German beers. There is an admission charge for those over age seventeen. Further details: Call 505-257-6171 or 877-877-9322.
October 20-21, 2001 Cotton Jubilee unknown venue, Greenville, Texas	Arts and crafts, business expo, health fair, Civil War encampment, bed races, bingo, kids events, bike rally, displays, German fest, food and drink. Additional details: Call 903-455-1510.
October 20-21, 2001 Gold Rush Days various venues, Dahlonega, Georgia	There was a gold rush in the Dahlonega area in 1828, and now this festival celebrates that part of history with 300 arts and crafts booths and other vendors, a hog calling contest, liar's contest, bluegrass music and dancing, gold panning contest, food. More information: Call 706-864-7247.
October 20-21, 2001 Woolly Worm Festival Banner Elk School Grounds, Banner Elk, North Carolina	In its 24th year, this festival features the racing of the woolly worm caterpillars. The winning woolly worm is used to forecast the severity of the coming winter season. You can buy a woolly worm if you don't have one already in your possession. There are lots of food and crafts to go with the rest of the fun. Further details: Call 800-972-2183.
October 20-21, 2001 Oztoberfest Dorothy's House, 567 East Cedar, Liberal, Kansas	Mingle with The Wizard Of Oz former cast members, Oz experts and other folks at this festival that includes arts and crafts, a parade and other activities. More: Call 316-624-7624.
October 20-21, 2001 Sorghum Festival Crawford County High School, 1130 State Route 66, Marengo, Indiana	Crafts, food, concessions, entertainment. No alcohol is permitted. Further details: Call 812-633-4254.
October 21-23, 2001 Peanut Valley Festival unknown venue, Portales, New Mexico	Carnival, music, local talent, lots of peanuts. Additional information: Call 505-562-2631.
October 26-27, 2001 Bean Fest and Great Championship Outhouse Race Courthouse Square, Mountain View, Arkansas	Traditional outhouses are built and decorated and then put on wheels and sent around the courthouse square to compete for prizes. There is also a lot of jazz jamming, and a contest for the best cornbread and beans. There are children's events and arts and crafts booths. More information: Call 870-269-8068.
October 26-28, 2001 Louisiana Barbecue Festival St. Louise De Marillac Church, 6800 Patricia Street, Arabi, Louisiana	Rides and entertainment, plus lots of barbecued foods and pizza. There are also game booths and a climbing wall, and performances by local students. Additional information: Call 504-271-4671.
October 28-29, 2001 Wild Wonderful Chocolate Festival Intersection of Highways 49 and 41, Oakhurst, California	Arts and crafts, antique car show, chocolate sampling booths, silent auction, chocolate pudding wrestling contest, choctail party, professional chef chocolate cooking contest, pancake breakfast, horseshow pitching contest. Further details: Call 559-683-1993.
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information. Please tell them you saw the information in Deb's Monthly Review. Please, please don't write and ask for personalized information on upcoming festivals, (well, unless you want to hire me!) I just do not have time to do free searches for everyone who asks.

There was a particular religious spokesperson who made comments last month regarding the tragedies of September 11. The comments had to do with the United States of America reaping what it has sown, with the speaker seeming to suggest that because Americans have sinned, these acts were some sort of natural conclusion, or perhaps even retribution, for our failure as citizens to live up to the standards this man claims meet the stringent requirements of our Creator. He has a right to speak his opinion. That's what we have in America--freedom--of speech, of religion, of assembly, and many other freedoms that would be unthinkable in many places. But I wonder if this man has ever thought of a somewhat bigger picture--what freedom has cost the United States of America, this country in which he may speak freely. And I wonder if he has ever considered the cost of the freedom we experience as followers of our Creator. The cost for that freedom was "war in heaven", spoken of in the Book of Revelation (a book from which this fellow quotes quite often). The War in Heaven tells us what happens when a Creator creates beings in His/Her own image and then turns them loose in complete freedom of choice. If the war began in Heaven, what we see here is a reflection and a continuation of that war between good and evil, a type of stage on which we are all improvisational actors with choices to make each day. God could have invented us as beings with no choice whatsoever. We could have been little clones who did everything correctly and had perfect motives for every action, which certainly would have made it a much safer world. There could have been no arguing, no hair-pulling, no drunk-driving, no rage, no first strike. We would have lived in perfect peace and harmony through all the ages. Somehow, in all the talk about freedom in America, some have forgotten that freedom is a risk. God took a risk when He made us beings capable of choice. Did the people who died in the terrorist attacks commit some horrible act that resulted in their death? Did their loved ones who grieve for them now do something that angered God so much that He had to do something to hurt them? The big picture would show us that this is impossible. The God who invented the very idea of "people" is a being of Pure Love. We've all heard it many times. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." And it doesn't stop there. We are asked to live and love in freedom just as our Creator does. Jesus said to "love your enemies" and to "do good to those who persecute you". But this is not coming from a God who says, "Don't do as I do. Do as I tell you." The ninth chapter of John, in the New Testament, tells the story of people questioning Jesus about the man who had been blind from birth. They wanted to try to catch Jesus in some divine faux pas. But He rose above their accusations, ignored their petty finger-pointing, and told them that the man's blindness was as much a tool as any other human condition, and that God could take this human inconvenience and turn it into a miracle. And it wasn't just talk. He healed that man then and there. Our healing has not been immediate. Our pain is horrible. Our grief seems unbearable, not just because of what happened September 11, but because of all the pain and loss of we have all known throughout our lives. The story of that blind man tells us that God is working to heal us our whole lives, even though we don't always see Him working. And He invites us to be like Him, healing the pain of others as we move through this life. The small-minded, "god-in-a-box" mentality says that you and I are responsible for what happened to those who suffered in the September 11 events. It makes us slaves, robots, creatures of an angry God who sets the standards too high and then waits for us to do something bad so He can zap us. But a loving Creator says that we are created in His image, and that we have the capacity to rise above evil and be like Him. We can choose to forgive and we choose the freedom of being healers with Him, reflecting His love. Fanaticism is a detail hounded to death and then dragged up again and again like some zombie in a horror movie. If we obey its calling, we will all be paranoid, accusatory little hall monitors, pointing fingers at ourselves and at one another for every pain we suffer in this life. True love is a bigger picture that shows us, not the pointing finger of an angry God, but the open hand of one who understands our needs before we even ask. All we have to do is take that hand, and then turn and grab the hand of someone near us and share that freedom to love. There will be battles of the kind we expect, and soon. There will be skirmishes with ground troops and tanks and planes that do their awful damage. And there will be retaliation. And so it will be--back and forth, as it has for so long, with no real relief for those who tell us that we have brought suffering upon ourselves. For minds who think like that, there will be no release and no healing--only more battles and more finger-pointing. Oh, we do have a battle to win, but it's not with terrorists in the Middle East. It's with a fear that keeps us from loving one another. "Perfect love casts out fear." (I John 4:18) I wish you the healing and comfort of God's perfect love as we move onward and upward in the days ahead. The real jihad is fought in every human heart. I wish you victory.

Once upon a time there was a man with a gentle voice and quiet charm. He made several movies and worked in a TV show playing a character who rode a motorcycle from town to town, touching lives, and singing a little here and there. Then some of us didn't hear much of him for awhile. We wondered if he would ever come to sing for us again.
Michael Parks is not only singing, but he recorded 17 songs for us to enjoy. If you haven't closed your eyes and dared to dream for a long while, take heart. These are songs to dream by. And you'll believe he sings just for you. This one was worth waiting for. Take a trip to Listen Recordings where you can order your copy.

We're pleased to host the work of artisan Joan Garnand on our little patch of light on the web. Joan's creations are finally finding their way out of her Tennessee community and into the hearts of admirers everywhere. Check out Joan's zucchini/squash casserole recipe. This busy lady also began her TV stint this past spring, and is sharing her cake decorating and candy-making skills on a local Chattanooga station. She has spent this summer doing face painting and hand-painted stationery at Tennessee festivals.
You don't have to gamble your money away in Las Vegas. A friend recently clued me in on the great deals to be found in outlets and other shopping. If you would rather bargain-hunt than gamble, check out Shopping in Las Vegas. and Shopping Insiders' Guide to Las Vegas. Belz Factory Outlet World has its own web site. Here's at tip on buying used books. The Las Vegas library branches have book stores where you can purchase discontinued and donated books. Here is the listing of the library branch addresses. And they tell me that the Red Rooster Antique Mall (which is in a former bottling plant) on Charleston Boulevard is a wonderful place to poke around for collectors. If you're craving Italian sausage and imported cheese, try Siena Deli on East Tropicana Avenue.
Some of you will pass on this one, but for those who are willing to give them a try, there are lots of great ways to prepare beets. Some years ago I tried a recipe using just canned beets and condensed cheese soup, and though one rarely sees beets and cheese together, I really like the flavor.		I grew up within minutes of this cave, and can promise you a great experience if you tour Meramec Caverns. Missouri has thousands of caves, but this is the largest commercial one. Onondaga Cave is also interesting to see.
If you live or visit Boulder, Colorado this fall, check out the concerts at the Boulder Public Library. For a recording of the month's concerts, call 303-441-3100 (you'll get a voice menu and you'll need to press 1, then 2, then 1 again.)You can see a partial list of upcoming concerts. If you are near the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, this year, Monte Maxwell will delight you with his Halloween Organ Concert. He'll be doing selections from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables (and many other musicals and classical pieces). Be prepared for special visual effects that enhance your listening experience. To get tickets, call the Academy's music department at 410-293-2439. (at this writing, there were two performances scheduled on October 26).

Find great restaurant reviews and more at DINE.com

Registration for Learn.com is quick and free! You can also write your own courses and if your course is chosen to be published for public viewing, you can earn too. Learn to write a better resume. Improve your English grammar skills. Learn to maintain a sewing machine. Get tips on day trading.		Rubber stamp collectors! Did you send for yours yet? Anne-Made Designs has a 258-page catalog. To get yours, you'll need a check for $8.50. (if you are new to stamping, I should tell you it's a common practice to pay for catalogs) This will get you a full catalog and supplements, plus first-timers get a 3-by-5 card of assorted unmounted stamps to enjoy (Anne's choice).
Why pay full price for new clothes?		Send your $8.50 to: Anne-Made Designs Anne Olney PO Box 697-D Erwin TN 37650 You can tell Anne I sent you, but she'll give you prompt, professional service anyway--it's just her style.

Graphic Hunters, take note! All graphics on this page (except the links to other sites, the Home and the email graphics below) are original. If you want to use any for your non-commercial page, please do. A thanks on your page and a link back to this page would be great. Do drop me a line or two of email so I can see and enjoy your page.

Deb's Monthly Review is copyrighted! Do be a dear and ask before you lift whole portions of the Special Review or something. Remember! Those of us who publish on the web are not saying our work is in the public domain. When in doubt about your use of someone's else's writings or graphics, ask! If you want to use graphics or text on a commercial page, contact me first, please, and we'll work something out.

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