Local glass blower's future glows bright

I'm a writer, so it is no surprise I keep a pen, some type of paper and a camera in my purse, pretty much at all times.  I never know when I'm going to see something or someone who inspires me to get to my keyboard.  On Saturday, I came upon both someone, and some things. As you can see, I got to typing.

Hailey Suydam can take the heat.  Not just any heat, 2200 degree heat.  That is about the standard furnace temperature it takes to blow glass, and Suydam, just a year onto the blown glass scene, is making pieces that have customers coming back for more.

Hailey lives with her parents, Jim and Darcy Lees, in Saline when she is not away in school at Bowling Green State University.  She is a sophomore Art major there, with a minor in Psychology.  This past weekend she had one more chance to sell some of her blown glass art before returning to college, while participating in a fundraiser garage sale in Saline.

When asked what it is about blowing glass that appeals to her, Suydam says, "I'm really more of a 3D (dimensional) person, than a 2D person, and it (glass) was a good way to explore 3D art."

She recently worked on a glass blowing team doing a demonstration at the Toledo Museum of Art.  "It's kind of like a dance," Suydam says, "you need to know where to be at just the right time."  The art of glass blowing is intense.  It's all about timing, using the right temperatures, cooling time limits, oven doors being opened and closed in perfect order.  Suydam has also worked with the region's well renowned artist/ glass blower Leonard Marty.

Suydam often has a design idea in her mind at the start of a project, but likes the beginning of the process best.  "The first bubble is my favorite part," she said, "glass is unpredictable--you kind of gotta go with the flow."

She likes creating sculptures best, but didn't have any available at Saturday's sale.  What she did have on hand didn't stick around long.  By 3PM she had all but three pieces sold, and one customer coming back to the table again and again, debating on whether a particular glass vase would compliment her living room decor.

Hailey Suydam has quite a future in front of her.  She plans to combine her passion of art with her interest in psychology to become an art therapist.  It was obvious by the way she spoke with her customers Saturday, that she has all the qualities and personality suited to such a profession, and don't forget her talent.  Hailey Suydam is one bright and talented young woman.

Sports For Chicks: So many hunky sports!

So what's a sporty girl to do?

So many hunky sports, so little time! First and foremost I'd like to remind everyone it is football season.  Yep--this week is chock full of pre-season NFL knock down, run hard, hike it, kick it football.  Personally, I'll be watching my Lions (hush now!  I know Pitt beat them 23-7 but we're only trying out our rookies).  I know you've probably got a favorite team too and if you don't then yo probably have a favorite player, and if you don't--you should. There are so many hot ones--ahem, I mean skilled athletes--to root for.  Are you ready for some football?  I am.  My prediction the Lions are the Wildcard in the Playoffs (no scoffing allowed).

Also, Phil Mickelson is rockin' it at the PGA Championship in the mid-west this weekend, while Tiger has got some assistant golf guy holding his chin straight win he tees off...what?  Yep, Tiggy's form has gone to hell and if he's not careful he is going to lose his numero uno world ranking!  C'mon Tiger, we need you to finish strong (we'll have no colorful comments inserted here either!).

Did someone say hunky sports?  It will soon be US Open time in New York.  Ya know, I plan to make it there to watch a finals match at center court someday. Until then, we'll have all the usual fantastic fare this year:  Nadal, Federer, Roddick, Williams and Williams--and so many more who are moving up fast to kick the aforementioned off the court.  Two weeks to count it down...US Open starts Aug. 30th.

Sports For Chicks: T.O. and Ochocinco in the same house, hope it has two mirrors

I made a post on Facebook yesterday that said..."I don't know what is more exciting, three women on the Supreme Court or live NFL Football tomorrow night.  Both thrill me!"

Isn't that the truth? Since this is Sports For Chicks and not Successful Women Weekly, lets talk football.

Terrell Owens played a bit of ball for his new team tonight, facing one of his old teams.  Clarification: T.O. is on the Bengals, and tonight got spanked by his old team, the Cowboys.  He spent three seasons with Dallas, was let go in a swarm of controversy, and signed with the Bills last year.  Tonight, he stepped out onto the field wearing a Bengals jersey.  The Cowboys beat the Bengals 16-7 in tonight's Hall of Fame Game.

So you have to wonder how much ego can fit into one locker room.  Ahem, ego...I said ego.  Think about it.  The Cincinnati Bengals have Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco on the same team!  How is that going to work?  I can't wait to see who will try and steal more of the spotlight?  Who will be more outrageous and how much one-upmanship will we see?  I say "good luck" to the Bengal's management trying to keep these two focused on the game and out of the media.  It is going to be entertaining to say the least.  I hope, for Bengal's fans, Owens and Ochocinco put the mirrors down and play to their potential.

What Got To Me Today: Flying fish grounded

Saline District Library has got to be one of the most welcoming gathering places for families in our city.  It has a warm community feel paired with separate areas for everyone, all of which boast every resource imaginable to meet the needs of each individual visitor.  The staff and overall services of the library are so considerate of their patrons, so genuinely interested in those who enter, so so so attentive to the needs of each and every book lover, computer user, class taker, student studier, card holder, young and old.

This being said, you can imagine my surprise when I learned a recent art installment created by young library patrons and other community art groups had upset some members of the community.  Let me explain.  This summer, the Saline District Library, along with Saline Parks and Rec, Two Twelve Arts Center, SDMA and the City of Saline have implemented a program called "Make a Splash Saline."  The idea is to engage residents in the creative spirit of fun in the sun and water-theme based activities which include everything from a fishy library wall in the juvenile readers section and SCUBA night presentations to Under the Sea Puppet Shows and storytimes with swimming.

The most noticeable activity however, and perhaps the perfect visual of the summer theme, is the Windsock Art Installation visible all around town.  Kids and patrons of the library led by other community art groups, created a beautiful windsock to sail above the library.  Other windsocks were also created and displayed around town in shops and businesses for a Fish Finder treasure hunt, as well as for sheer decoration, whimsy and enjoyment. In honor of the event, and as the true representative of "Make A Splash Saline", the library chose to hang their windsock high and proud on their flagpole, temporarily replacing the American flag.  Unfortunately, this upset some members of the community.  In true form for the library, which strives to consider the feelings of everyone in the community, a note from the SDL director today stated:

"We certainly would never mean to create hard feelings in the community. We have moved the windsock to an alternate location and raised the flag back on the flagpole. We always appreciate hearing from our patrons and friends and strive to create a local resource where all members feel valued."

That's our library for you, so considerate, so genuinely interested, so attentive. I would expect nothing less. Certainly, they felt this was the right move and I applaud their ability to correct any discomfort.  So why is this "What Got To Me Today"? I just can't get my head around the idea that someone must have thought the library was being, I don't know, unpatriotic?  Insensitive? Biased even? by showcsing the art created by the community's children?

As far as I'm concerned the SDL is the absolute one place in our city that is none of the above.  It is the most politically correct venue I've observed.  It is the epitome of community, where all are respected and all are free to gather without predjudice.  There is no doubt, if you look within their walls and their programming, their commitment to community, family, and country is evident.  They fly the American flag every single day, and thought it might be special for the kids who created the wind sock to see their work from the library's highest point, visible far and wide.  It was a temporary substitution to give a visual to the community and city-wide summer celebration.  If ever there was a time to temporarily substitute the American flag, with all due respect, this was it.

Of course, this is just me in a shark infested rant, and no, my kid wasn't one of the windsock creators.  I was just rubbed a little the wrong way by the idea there were some out there who actually thought the library was acting a bit short of duty.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Food Review: Now that is a pulled pork sandwich!

It is true I have never done a food review.  I love to eat and I watch a lot of those cooking shows but am hardly a "foodie".  I cook for my family every night,  am constantly looking for healthier, tastier options to try, and have learned why certain cravings pop up unexpectedly.

  Chocolate for celebration, salt when I'm ticked off.

Sometimes I just don't want to cook.  When that happens, either my husband "cooks" which means Chinese take-out or a quick call to the pizza delivery guy, or we get the family together and take a trip to our favorite local yummerie, the Brecon Grille in Saline.

I'm not going to go on about the entire menu, the ambiance, the fact that we genuinely like the family who owns the place or the people who hang out there...you'll have to check that out for yourself.  I'm not going to elaborate on the award-winning seafood chowder served hot and chunky in a mug every Friday night.  I'm going to talk about what I think is the absolutely yummiest, comfiest, heartiest sandwich on the menu--BG's version of the Pulled Pork Sandwich.

I'm not sure why I'm such a fan of this type of sandwich, maybe it's my upbringing where it was prepared quite a bit.  Nowhere and at no time, however, had I found pulled pork perfection, until I tried this most awesome sandwich, whipped up at the BG by Nick (the man in the kitchen), overseen of course, by Paul, the owner.

Again, I'm not a culinary expert so I probably won't use terminology like that of trained professionals-but I'll do my best.  This giant sandwich is PILED high with the most tender shredded pork, smothered in just the right blend of sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, and topped off with slaw ( a recipe in itself) and shredded cheddar cheeses, sharp and perfect. It is served on an equally giant, warm onion roll, and it is so full of soft and mushy goodness that I prefer to eat it with a fork...so not to risk losing any of it onto my blouse.  I choose to pair it with sweet potato fries. These are served with a Bistro sauce, which has just the mildest kick of horseradish in it...the perfect spicy compliment to the sweet and smoky sandwich.  Wash it down with a coke or one of BG's icy brews and it is the perfect way to settle into the rest of your evening (or afternoon if you're having it for lunch).

So this sandwich has become my guilty pleasure.  I made a slight mention of it in one of my previous articles this month,  promoting the Bid for a Cure event, and have since had several inquiries so I thought I'd better elaborate on the subject.  If you are a fan of this kind of fare...wander over to the Brecon Grille in downtown Saline, 101 West Michigan Ave.  Tell them April sent you...and then let me know what you think!

Sports For Chicks: Spain Wins!

It was a long game on Sunday between the Netherlands and Spain in the 2010 World Cup.  Well into overtime (which in Soccer freaks me out because you never know how much time you are going to get--it is based on the number of time-outs when the clock doesn't stop), in the 116th minute, Spain's Andres Iniesta scores the only goal of the game.  Spain beats the Netherlands 1-0 and takes home the cup. 

Sports For Chicks: Nadal at his best!

I have to say it wasn't the most exciting match I've ever watched, but still worth  watching...(hello, it is Rafa we're talking about...I think I'd watch him playing Scrabble!). Anyway, he swept three games out of five to beat Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

Berdych has a mean serve, and I think that is what kept him in the game at all.  I think the match seemed less dramatic because of those serves, there wasn't a lot of volleying or breathtaking shots like we've become accustomed to when we watch Nadal and Federer or even Nadal and Roddick.  Nonetheless, it was a nice way to wind down Wimbledon (women's doubles are still in progress).

Bring on New York and the U.S. Open.  Nadal commented he is looking forward to the match, as he has never won a U.S. Open Title.  I am looking forward to seeing Federer back out there.  Unlike some of the commentators on NBC, I do not believe Federer is on his way out.  I predict Nadal and Federer in the finals in New York.