Stunts: A Look Behind the Scenes

The horror cult classic, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre that left audiences perched on the edges of their chairs in 1994,  is still talked about today because of the stunts.  Suntwoman Jody Haselbarth says that the more daring and dangerous work was performed by the stunt team.

In describing herself, the petite stuntwoman says, "I am a natural athlete, I have a strong background in dance, bareback bronc riding, gymnastics and bull riding." 

                                                                                                                             

Haselbarth, who is a former member of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), has been a  member of the Houston Stuntmen's Association since moving from wrestling to stunts over thirty years ago.

Although she has not yet received a call to work on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel,  she agreed to share her experiences from the original one.           

Source: Abiiba Howell

Joining her is longtime friend, and stuntman, Oscar Carles, who “got started just out of high school after learning some things from a friend..”   The two recall a stunt at the one hundred year old Texas house that was a major player in the 1994 horror movie.

Haselbarth offers sage advice.

Source: Abiiba Howell

Whether you choose to rent the 1994 Texas Chainsaw Massacre or wait for the latest sequel, one thing you can count on is that there will be plenty of stunts going on behind the scenes.

Libraries for the Homeless: Revisited

The temperature today was reported to be in the upper ninety degrees in Houston, Texas, which was cool, compared to the last few days of temperatures over one hundred and three degrees.

Source: Abiiba Howell

The high temperatures may be the last thing that Ted Weisgal, an advocate for libraries to be available for the homeless, wants to hear about. Weisgal, Co-Founder of Leisure Learning Unlimited, believes that more can be done on  the part of the libraries and cities to help eradicate the homeless shelter issue.

Source: Abiiba Howell

     
                                                       
Because of the piercing emperatures, the Star of Hope shelter has seen a much higher number of people who are homeless seeking refuge. According to Marilyn Fountain, Director of Communications for the shelter, the homeless need help and we (the public and the shelter)can provide the help that they need.

The shelter spokesperson expressed empathy while discussing the emotions

Source: Abiiba Howell

Source: Abiiba Howell

experienced by the homeless when they have to seek shelter or assistance.

Source: Abiiba Howell

Since my report months ago, the National Alliance to End Homelessness stated, in the July, 2011 Conference on Ending Homelessness,"despite waning state and local assistance, rising need among vulnerable families, and challenges created by new programs and changing rules, this community has demonstrated its willingness to grab opportunities, use the best possible practices, and serve people who have been hit hardest and whose unmet needs are most severe."

The subject of allowing homeless people access to libraries has been discussed

long before M. Vocino referred to the
                                                Source: Abiiba Howell

Source: Abiiba Howell

homeless patron as "the problem patron" in 1976. (Wilson Library Journal, 50 (5)372-373).

Though the debate continues as to whether the decline in library usage should open the door for the homeless population,  cities, such as Houston, are opting to renovate libraries; it remains to be seen as to whether the homeless will benefit.

Helpers of the Homeless

There are many agencies and organizations that work on behalf of those who are without a regular and normal place of residence.


The purpose of this publication is to allow the voice of an agency to point out the myriad of reasons that shelters, agencies and organizations that work on behalf of the homeless, should be supported and utilized by the homeless and others.

Marilyn Fountain, Director of Communication=s for the Star of Hope Mission emphasizes, and educates us on, the reasons many find themselves homeless and the factors that lead them to seek help from the shelters.

Leisure...

C'est La Vie



One of the greatest things that humans take for granted is the ability to enjoy life.

This photo story seeks to connect us with the simple pleasures that are life-balancing and personally fulfilling as we devour the non-obligated hours of our day. The means of leisure are as important as the interactions they include.

With everything going on in the world and the fact that some live a life of "forced leisure," we do have the ability to choose special leisurely moments. It is then that we can include an appreciation for the opportunity to engage in leisure.

It is the life...

Homeless Humor?

Being homeless is no laughing matter, but some people use humor to get through their circumstances.

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Help the Homeless 101

This presentation is designed to encourage people to think of new ways to help those who are homeless. Often, the solutions lie in being more informed about how we can give, what the recipients rally need and what the circumstances are that led to their situation.

Help the Homeless 101 on Prezi

Marilyn Fountain of the Star of Hope mission helps t share the myriad of ways people can get involved.

The key is to put on the thinking cap and vow to do something.

Libraries for the Homeless: Feasible?

If, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless, "The housing situation in the United States has worsened," (July 2010) then the call for libraries to house the homeless may not be such a stretch.

According to Ted Weisgal, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Leisure Learning Unlimited in Houston, Texas, “As a taxpayer and a human being, I don’t like to see money wasted.”  He expressed a concern that many of the library buildings and their adjacent parking lots are sitting empty and could be used as places to house the homeless.



                        

Source: Abiiba Howell

The idea may be further supported by the work of The National Alliance to End Homelessness. In their mission statement for the upcoming National Conference on Ending Homelessness, the group seeks to, "renew our homeless assistance systems by focusing on cost-effective and efficient models for prevention and housing-based methods – both of which have proven to effectively curb and end homelessness, solving the problem rather than managing it." (2011).

The group, whose website demographic, above, is comprised 100% of people who have had some level of college education (42% some college; 26% bachelor's degree; 32% graduate degrees) (Google AdPlanner), states its commitment to "revisit our ideas of permanent housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing and come together as a community to determine how best to move the Housing First Strategy forward."

While the Housing First Strategy focuses on providing permanent housing for the homeless, the library alternative offers the potential for housing, facilities and tents in a regular place that also can offer services.

 

         Source: Abiiba Howell

Kyle Kaczmarick, a patron of the Houston public libraries, among others, supports Weisgal's idea of moving the books into schools and allowing the homeless to inhabit the public library buildings.  "The school libraries often sit empty as well," says Weisgal.

                                                                                  

On the issue of safety and security for the homeless, the streets prove to hold far more dangers than a library would, according to an article by NBC4i.com. Some opponents of the homeless using libraries, according to Weisgal,are concerned about the safety of non-homeless patrons. He says that "moving the books to the schools removes that issue."


The SF Appeal Online Newspaper reports a decline in homeless numbers (May, 2011).  The city's adoption of the Housing First Strategy, according to the publication, contributed to the drop in the chronically homeless numbers from 62% to 33%.

                                                  Source: Abiiba Howell

Despite alternative means for reducing the numbers, the reasons for homelessness, according to Marilyn Fountain of the Star of Hope mission in Houston, Texas, are still varied. She asserts that people still need housing and they need services.

Source: http://www.fmhsloudspeaker.wordpress.com

Any potential opposition by stakeholders to making the libraries into shelters for the homeless is reflected in the blog post commentaries by educators and parents on the subject of whether public libraries are still relevant (eNotes, 2011).

Educator and parent, lmetcalf, appreciates that libraries group books by  age and reading level. (Jan. 11, 2011).  College freshman teacher, mshurn,  views libraries as essential and more than just a repository of books, the writer sees these facilities as places that foster the bonding of families. (Jan.19, 2011).


According to Ted Weisgal of Leisure Learning Unlimited, the impact on the schools would be lessened and the schools would benefit because the books in libraries are getting far less use because of the internet, he states that "having the public utilize the school libraries would foster a stronger sense of community and the public would be more motivated to enroll or complete their education since the services would be right there."

Continuing on, he expresses his thought that seniors can use both places as volunteer opportunities.

In 2008, the Houston Public Library reported an area population of 2,149,948 and registered users comprised of 564,608 (adult) for a total of 797,603. The libraries were open, at that time, for 350 days, with a full-time service staff of 513 and volunteers that logged in as many as 38,035 hours of service. 

Source: googletrendsonline.info

In light of major technological advances and more people needing computer access, the Houston Public Library system found itself with an average of 956 public access computers in 2009.  The daily circulation, according to the library system, was 18,205 books and 4,681,767 visitors throughout the system for that same period.


It will be interesting to see if the Houston Public Library's annual report for the year 2010 reflects an increase or decrease in the figures.


As an educator, auntlori, says in an eNotes blog, "I love the library. It is a sanctuary and a buffet all in one place."  She goes on to say,  "...there is an opportunity to tune out the world and immerse yourself in something beyond who and where you actually are." 

Regardless of what side of the fence one stands, this is one issue that will affect the homeless and housed, alike.