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Eli Beer is a pioneer, social entrepreneur, President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel. In thirty years, the organization has grown to more than 6,500 volunteers who unite together to provide immediate, life-saving care to anyone in need - regardless of race or religion. This community EMS force network treats over 730,000 incidents per year, in Israel, as they wait for ambulances and medical attention. Eliās vision is to bring this life-saving model across the world. In 2015, Beer expanded internationally with the establishment of branches in South America and other countries, including āUnited Rescueā in Jersey City, USA, where the response time was reduced to just two minutes and thirty-five seconds. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (1:04) Hatzalahās reputation for speed (4:48) Hatzalahās volunteer EMTs and ambucycles (5:50) Entrepreneurism at Hatzalah (8:09) Chutzpah (14:15) Hatzalahās recruitment (18:31) Volunteers from all walks of life (22:51) Having COVID changed Eliās perspective (26:00) operating around the world amid antisemitism (28:06) goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jayās brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .ā¦
Content provided by Margy Dudley. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Margy Dudley or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Who knew that the small mountain town of Durango had such an active art scene! Four Corners Arts Forum features art that is visual, performance, literary, musical, corporal, culinary, and art that you may not have thought of as art. Host Margy Dudley finds remarkable stories of creative and dedicated artists who have long lived at the corners of our minds, and brings them to the center of our conversations.
Content provided by Margy Dudley. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Margy Dudley or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Who knew that the small mountain town of Durango had such an active art scene! Four Corners Arts Forum features art that is visual, performance, literary, musical, corporal, culinary, and art that you may not have thought of as art. Host Margy Dudley finds remarkable stories of creative and dedicated artists who have long lived at the corners of our minds, and brings them to the center of our conversations.
Erika Vetter is a professional actor from New York City who will be visiting Durango as a part of PlayFestās 2025 Real World Speaker Series connecting young theatre professionals with our local high school and college students who may be interested in pursuing a career in theatre. This Thursday April 3rd from 1-2pm Erika will give a free talk for Fort Lewis College students as well as regional high School students. This event which is also open to the public will take place at the FLC Main Stage Theatre building. During the week Erika will be busy speaking directly to theatre classes at Durango High School, Animas High School and Fort Lewis College about her path to becoming a professional actor. She performs both on stage and in TV, has been nominated for many awards and recently starred in āSwing Stateā a Merely Players production here in Durango. Additionally her theatre credits include performances in āTeenage Dick"(Seattle Repertory) and the Off Broadway production of "Emilie" (The Flea, NYC). Her TV credits include "Only Murders in the Building" (Hulu) and "Somebody I Used to Knowā (Amazon Prime). Erika lives in Brooklyn and you can visit her website at www.erika-vetter.com. Durango PlayFest began in the summer 2018 and is producing its 7th season this year from June 24-29. Durango PlayFest empowers new and emerging playwrights through submissions by providing a collaborative environment to develop new work with professional actors and directors from New York and Los Angeles, culminating in thought-provoking play readings at the Durango Arts Center with talkbacks that engage local audiences. PlayFest creates educational and employment opportunities for students and the community, while contributing to the economic and cultural vitality of Southwest Colorado. Felicia Meyer Artistic Director also Chair of the Fort Lewis College Performing Arts Dept puts us on the map for play development. From the beginning PlayFest partnered with FLC and involve students in all aspects of the festival development by providing various intern positions in stage management, lighting & sound, marketing, hospitality and more. In 2023, PlayFest launched the Speaker Series to expand the role of education. The first year, featured was Sky Lakota-Lynch, of Ethiopian/Native American decent, who is currently starring on Broadway in Tony award Best Musical "The Outsidersā. This years PlayFest will be happening from June 24-29 and tickets to the readings at the Durango Arts Center will be available mid April on their website at www.durangoplayfest.org.ā¦
Today I have two very talented guests joining me in the KDUR studios, artist Louisa Plamer and Tim Kapustka an owner of Studio & to talk about some of the exciting events happening at the Gallery in April and May. Studio & just celebrated their 15 year anniversary from March 15-22 with an exhibit titled ā15ā highlighting many of the shows they have done over the years supporting artists in our community and brining fresh perspectives to the local art scene. Louisa Palmer speaks about the upcoming exhibit in April, as an artist who will be featured along with Jenn Rawling and Miki Harder both local women artists in KINDRED āCelebrating our threads, interconnectedness and kin, nurturing seeds of inspiration, contemplation and action.ā This show will run from April18-26 with the opening reception on Friday April 18 from 5-9pm. Louisaās work bridges the realms of painting, illustration and linoleum block printing rooted in contemporary folk traditions deeply inspired by Slavic and Norse traditions.ā She has created posters for music festivals in Oregon as well has having her work selected to represent the Durango Farmers Market in Durango. She has called Durango her home for three years and has already exhibited multiple times at Studio &. To see her work you can visit her website at www.louisaplamer.com or her Instagram @lou_pal. Also joining us is Tim Kapustka a founder of Studio & who is an artist and graphic designer and who will talk about an invitational exhibition curated by him called VISIONS OF JOHANNA based on a song by Bob Dylan. This is an idea that he has thought about for many years and finally the timing seems right. Each one of the 33 artists has received a line from the lyrics which will be the title of their artwork and can be created in a variety of mediums including sculpture, painting, textile art and block printing creating a unique visual experience. The show will be hung in the order of the lyrics in the song and will run from May 9 thru 17 with an opening reception on Friday May 9 from 5-9pm. For more information about these exciting events check out their website www.anddurango.com also on Instagram @anddurangoā¦
In this episode we learn about the great work that the folks at the YAY Foundation do here in Durango and other parts of the country. The YAY foundation, a non-profit organization uses comedy and the healing power of laughter to help people dealing with drug addiction, depression and physical health issues by making these tough conversations more approachable. Joining me in the studio today is Aidan Park who founded YAY in 2022 and Ben Gross, Program Director. Aidan Park who is now also a professional actor and comedian has experienced life as an immigrant, homelessness, depression, drug abuse and being gay and HIV positive and has used these experiences which help him understand the struggles of others to create an inclusive organization that believes in the ability to heal. In addition to corporate consulting the YAY Foundation works closely with other community groups such as The Special Olympics, Durango Arts Center, Sky Ute Casino, Four Corners Alliance, Sober Water, St Marks Episcopal Church locally and reaches communities in Farmington, Salida and Fort Collins as well. In addition to all of this Aidan is a Best Selling author of the book called The Art of Being YAY! We also speak about the exciting upcoming event on Saturday March 8th when theyāll be hosting a comedy night called āStand Up For Recoveryā at the American Legion at 878 East Second Avenue from 7-10pm. This will feature Durango Community members in substance abuse recovery who will each perform a 5 minute stand up comedy set after having taken a free weeklong workshop. Friends, family and the community are invited to attend and learn about the healing power of humor. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on their website at www.theyayfoundation.org. You can find out more about their mission and other events that the YAY Foundation hosts in the community.ā¦
In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Dahlia Coats a college student here who is co-editor-in-chief of Images Magazine, Fort Lewis Collegeās Journal of Creative Work By The Students, For The Students. Dahlia is in her junior year and is an English major with a minor in writing which is her passion. The magazine is published twice a year both in the Spring and the Fall highlighting essays, poetry, paintings, photography, collage and just about any art form. The majority of the submissions are sent in by current students but include some alumni as well providing a space for creative expression. The theme of the current issue is MUSE and each semester there is a new theme generating new ideas. With a dedicated Design Team and Editorial Team as well as a Faculty Advisor the group produces an interesting and thought provoking publication. Local support comes from the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College and the Financial Allocation Board, the English Department, Art and Design Department, an Advisory Board, KDUR radio station, Mariaās Bookshop, the Durango Public Library and individual supporters. The magazine has been published for over 50 years and continues to thrive! You can follow them on Instagram @flcimages.ā¦
In this episode guest host Bryant Liggett station manager of KDUR radio speaks with Durango based musician Joshua Mendrala. Making music under the name Ragged Oak, they speak about the new Ragged Oak record, making music on a budget, and why collecting records/cassettes is better than streaming!"
In this episode Iām excited to be speaking with Jody Chapel from Mancos, Colorado who is an artist, art educator and passionate advocate for the arts. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art from Regis University in Denver. Jody volunteered with arts advocacy groups and served as commissioner for Denverās Office of Cultural Affairs. She is currently the shop manager at the historic Mancos Common Press offering many workshops and classes including the first letterpress 101 class in the region. The storefront for the Mancos Times Tribune stood empty until 2013 when a discovery was made that all the original print materials from 1911 were still inside the building. With encouragement from a visiting preservation professor from the University of Pennsylvania, a local citizens group was formed to explore the restoration and revival of the building and its contents to Its original interior which includes a rare American Cranston printing press. Today The Mancos Common Press, a non-profit organization offers a wide array of printmaking classes throughout the year featuring letterpress, block printing, printing on presses, hand-printing methods and more. The organization hosts youth groups and art classes for the area schools to share the experience of letterpress and the history of printing techniques and technology. There is also an Artist in Residence program offered once a year for visiting artists. With the need for more space, the Mancos Commons Building has just been completed next door including space for creatives, retail and workforce housing. Grants and funding were provided by Colorado Creative Industries, Ballantine Family Foundation and the Colorado Division of Housing. To find out more you can visit their website at www.mancoscommonpress.org Which includes a PBS documentary āBringing the Past into the Presentāā¦
Joining me today on the program is Mark Stevens from Mancos, Colorado who is an award winning author who has also worked as a reporter and a national television news producer specializing in public relations. He has recently written a new book called No Lie Lasts Forever which will be coming out this April. Today though weāll be talking about the Four Corners Writers group and their first Anthology which was just published on December 10th titled Four Corners Voices. Mark co-edited the collection with Chuck Greaves and Lisa Taylor which includes 12 short stories, 24 poems and 13 essays written by regional authors. The authors include both experienced and beginning writers which were selected through submissions to a writing competition, the writers also vary in age from high school students to late 70s. The Four Corners Writers is an established 501c3 and they received generous financial support from the LOR Foundation and 81321 Launch which has made this book possible. The group is committed to highlighting the power of the written word and showcasing the enormous amount of talent here in the region. There is already discussion about a second anthology later this year if you missed the first one! The Four Corners Writers began meeting at the Mancos library in 2017 and has continued to grow in membership with the mission to identify, develop and promote literary voices in the area. In the future the group may grow to include additional areas in the Four Corners region such as Moab, Utah and Flagstaff, Arizona. On Saturday January 25th at 7pm at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez there will be live readings from the Anthology by 14 of the writers reading from their work. The Four Corners Writers continues to hold monthly workshops at the Zu Gallery in Cortez. You can purchase the book at Mariaās Bookshop in Durango, Zu Gallery in Cortez and Hand in Hand in Mancos. You can also visit the website Bookshop.org. For more information on the Four Corners Writers you can visit their website at www.fourcornerswriters.com.ā¦
Join me for a conversation with Kate Siber, a dharma leader at the Durango Dharma Center which facilitates mindfulness meditation, dharma talks, community gatherings and hosts many different retreats that last one day and longer. The Center practices Theravada Buddhism which originated in India and is based on the original teachings of the Buddha. Kate has been practicing Vipassana meditation there since 2012 and as a dharma leader hosts some of the regular monday night meditations with dharma talks which is also a great place for beginners to start their practice. She serves as a mentor for the Next Gen group for people in their 20ās and 30ās which is offered along with both Middle Gen and Senior Gen groups. In 2025 there will be a full schedule including some new events and retreats beginning Jan 7 with the Daily Life Retreat. The Mindfulness of Body Class and Spiritual Friends group will be happening in February and March. There are many ways the Dharma Center is also committed to helping to create a healthy Durango community offering recovery and compassionate listening groups to people needing assistance meeting lifeās challenges. Kate has been a board member of the Dharma Center, communications chief, retreat manager and special event coordinator. She was invited and participated in Spirit Rockās Community Dharma Leaders program. In addition to her involvement with the Dharma Center Kate works as a freelance magazine writer, correspondent for Outside Magazine and childrenās book author. She tries to spend as much time as possible in the wilderness. To find out more about the many exciting upcoming programs for the new year in 2025 visit the website at www.durangodharmacenter.com.ā¦
In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Patricia Davidson, a glass artist who uses sculpting, blowing, casting and kiln forming techniques. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, she was awarded a residency at Pilchuck Glass School. During this time she was also invited to become a member of Dale Chihulyās glass blowing team in Seattle, Washington where she worked for 10 years which included extensive traveling to work in glass factories in Europe. She has been the only woman gaffer of chandeliers at Chihuly studio and while working for Chihuly she also worked as a staff member, teacher and visiting artist at Pilchuck Glass School and Pratt Fine Arts. In the interview we learn the complex science behind the different kinds of glass materials used for different purposes. Patricia has been exhibiting her art over the years both nationally and internationally and has received numerous awards and scholarships for her artwork. Her work is in several private collections and international museums as well. Although she has achieved huge success with her own art, Patriciaās real passion lies in the Art Therapy programs she has developed using glass art in a way that can help transform studentsā and adultsā lives. Hilltop Artists, a non-profit organization works with middle and high school students in Tacoma, Washington to empower them with positive youth development. Patricia also founded a program working with war veterans called Hot Shop Heroes in conjunction with the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. She shares the joy of making a difference in peopleās lives who have suffered from trauma. Although she just moved to Durango a few months ago Patricia has already become an important member of the art community here. You can visit her at her studio in the Smiley Building at 1309 East Third Avenue. For more information you can go to her website at www.patriciadavidsonart.com or Instagram @pattydglass.ā¦
Joining me on the program today is Leroy Garcia, founder and owner of Blue Rain Gallery which began over 30 years ago in his home in Taos, NM. The gallery which has grown and become hugely successful over the years now showcases exquisite sculpture and paintings from artists all over the country. Growing up in a large family of eleven, Leroy was used to hard physical labor, helping to build the family home. Being an entrepreneur himself, he began showing the work of Santa Clara Pueblo potter Tammy Garcia in the house which was just the beginning of his involvement in the art business. He holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in business administration and management from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Today Blue Rain Galleryās main location is in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the Railyard Arts District and just two years ago opened an additional location here in Durango, Colorado at 934 Main Avenue. The Gallery showcases innovative and contemporary Native American and Southwestern art, representing over 50 artists including Preston Singletary, Rimi Yang, Jesse Littlebird, ZZ Wei and Thomas Breeze Marcus. Leroy himself is a sculpture and glass artist but mostly takes pride in maintaining strong relationships with the artists he represents in his gallery giving their work the attention and exposure it deserves. Leroy has also developed a strong secondary market with many regular customers and collectors. The gallery has produced over 90 podcasts on their website where Leroy speaks with the artists about their process. In addition, you will be able to read an up-to-date blog page. Also online you can find the Blue Rain Print Shop showcasing beautiful gifts and accessories highlighting many of the artistsā work. The gallery hosts opening receptions every First Friday of each month in Durango. To see the artistsā work he represents and to find out more you can visit blueraingallery.com. Visit them on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.ā¦
Joining me in todayās episode is long time Durango local Heather Hinsley, an entrepreneur and accomplished āChef Artistā who creates edible nutritious art. She is the owner of Delicious Details Edible Nutritious Art which will have its Grand Opening at the Smiley Building this Friday December 6th during Noel Night, an annual holiday celebration. Heather has a certification in nutrition and enjoys giving instruction and coaching classes in healthy options in tasty artwork that you can eat as nutritious desserts. The ingredients she sources for Delicious Details are sustainable and organic that can contribute to overall well-being using the finest raw ingredients to create a delicious and healthy alternative in desserts that are free from gluten, grains, dairy, eggs, soy and refined sugars. Her first business endeavor in Durango began as an espresso cart on Main Avenue where she was discovered by the manager of Aramark at Fort Lewis College who insisted that she move her cart into the CUB at the college where her business thrived. She later owned the Cake Cafe which also served as a coffee bar where in addition to creating beautiful and healthy wedding cakes she created espresso drinks and delicious cinnamon buns. Among her many careers she managed Manna Soup Kitchenās culinary program for a year fulfilling her desire to be of service. She also worked with Joshua Hoffman at the local company Sarvaa Superfood and continues a business relationship with the them carrying the products in her new raw food bakery. As well as being a chef and visual artist she is also an exquisite writer and in 2023 she published a memoir including recipes called Delicious Details: Memoir With Family Recipes . Her memoir which is culturally inspired and beautifully written is of her journey through family trauma and recovery. Heather found comfort during her difficult childhood in the natural world, animals, visual art and culinary nutrition for enhancing recovery and facilitating healing. She continues to be influenced by her ancestry combining Sicilian Heritage with her Indigenous First Nation Miākmaq roots inspiring her culinary art which has become an intimate connection with food. Her book can be purchased locally at Mariaās Bookshop and White Rabbit Books and Curiosities as well as online at Barnes and Noble. You can find Heather and Delicious Details at 1309 East Third Avenue, Durango, Colorado in The Smiley Building above the Smiley cafe on the Second Floor. To find out more you can also visit her website at deliciousdetailsdurango.com Also on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagramā¦
In this episode Iām excited to be talking about two of the upcoming plays presented by the Merely Players Theatre Company in Durango, Colorado which was founded in 1994 by Charles Ford and his wife Mona-Wood Patterson bringing professional level theatre to the community. Joining me today on the program are three company members, Zachary Chiero, Geoff Johnson and Charles Ford. We will be talking about the 2024 Holiday Rep Theatre presenting The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane which will be directed by Zachary Chiero, who is Artistic Associate of the company. The play which is about the adventures of a china rabbit is adapted from the book by Kate Dicamillo. The performances begin December 5th. Also joining us is actor Geoff Johnson who will be doing a one-man show playing 18+ characters in Jacob Marleyās Christmas Carol, a reimagined story based on the Christmas classic by Tom Mula and directed by Mona Wood-Patterson. This play will be opening on December 13. In addition to co-founding Merely Players, Charles Ford who is Technical Director of the group and a master backstage technician will be doing the backstage tech for both plays including puppets for Edward Tulane. Zachary has worn many hats as actor, choreographer and director and has spent the last 12 years working with many theaters in the Philadelphia area. Goeff worked with Charles and Mona in the Durango High School Theatre program before going to Fort Lewis College where he studied in their theatre program. To buy tickets and for more information visit their website at www.merelyplayers.org . All performances are at THE MERELY PLAYERS UNDERGROUND at 789 TECH CENTER DRIVE, DURANGO Performance times for The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane are DECEMBER 5,6,7,18,19 & 20 AT 7:00PM DECEMBER 8 & 21 AT 2:00PM TICKETS are $32 Performance times for Jacob Marleyās Christmas Carol are DECEMBER 13,14,17 & 21 AT 7:00PM DECEMBER 15 & 22 AT 2:00PM TICKETS are $32-36ā¦
Today Iām excited to be speaking with Crystal Hartman about her upcoming solo exhibit at Studio & Gallery in Durango, Colorado titled There Was Always The Forest. Crystal is known for her stunning fine art paintings, sculpture and jewelry. Growing up in Durango ābehind a jewelerās bench at the mouth of a canyon in SW Coloradoā gave her plenty of opportunity to spend time exploring in the wilderness that she loves. Her art is her connection to nature but also to who we are as beings. She is currently living in Urbana, Illinois with her husband and working in her home studio there, creating new pieces of art that keep evolving. She has won many awards for her work and has been featured in Art Jewelry Magazine among others. Her artwork has been exhibited all over the world at the Center for Contemporary Art, in Barcelona, Spain, The National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria, The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art in Boulder, Colorado and at the Denver International Airport to name just a few of the places. She began carving wax, cutting stones and forming metal as a young child and apprenticed in Durango with Stanton Engelhart beginning at the age of 14 until college where she earned her BFA from the University of Colorado in Boulder. The work she is bringing to this exhibit is abstract capturing the magic of the forest as a place we go to heal and meditate. She includes some sculpture made out of wooden blocks as well. Her show at Studio & opens this Friday November 15th and runs through November 23rd. The opening reception is from 5-9pm on November 15th and there will also be an artist talk on Saturday November 23rd at 2pm. You can see some of her work on her website at www.crystalhartman.com. She is also on Facebook and Instagram @crystalhartman.ā¦
Join me for a conversation with local artist Ted Moore a man of many talents as a creator of woodwork and fine art, a musician and a teacher. Ted currently has an exhibit of his fine art work at SPACE Gallery in Denver, Colorado. The show is a two person exhibit that he shares with Anna Elis Johnson and is titled GROUNDED which runs through Saturday November 2nd. Tedās own body of work is titled āThe Alphabet of Treesā which highlights the storytelling nature of trees over the centuries. His artwork is inspired by landscape, culture and the history of the Southwest where we live, using wood panels, gold leaf and ink paint to create these unique and stunning pieces. Ted has an MBA and Phd in Medieval studies from The University of Toronto and an MFA from the Maine College of Art and Design. Tedās style of artwork is rich in meaning using religious iconography in a secular way in historical types of cabinetry including triptychs, retablos, reliquaries and cabinets of curiosity. In this way he makes the mundane into the extraordinary mixing the traditional with contemporary aesthetics. His studio is next to his home in Hesperus, Colorado where he has lived for 8 years, an area that provides much of the inspiration for his work close to La Plata canyon where he can find the wise old trees and stumps in different stages of decay. In addition to all this Ted is a professional musician and drumming teacher at iAM Music and a member of the band Mojo Birds described as an eclectic flock of songwriters playing Funky Modern Roots Music. There is a balance in finding time to work on his fine art pieces during the summer months when he is traveling with his band. Recently though the Mojo Birds has been given a great opportunity to record an album in Nashville, Tennessee. To hear some of the songs recorded live you can visit their website at www.mojobirds.com and to see Tedās beautiful fine art work you can visit his website at tedmoorewoodworkandart.com. Also find him on Instagram and Facebook @tedmoorewoodworkandartā¦
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