Un Exito

Relay for Life keeps walkers close to home
Saturday, July 28, 2007
By Matt VandebunteThe Grand Rapids Press
COMSTOCK PARK -- The first four years after her mother died of cancer, Ingrid Fournier and the rest of "Barb's Bunch" walked in the Relay for Life of Rockford.
This year, the group is staying closer to home for its annual effort to honor the memory of Barbera Hekman, taking part in the American Cancer Society's first 24-hour walk-a-thon in Comstock Park.
"This is so much more meaningful," said Fournier, 40. "It belongs to Comstock Park now. We're doing this with neighbors and we're meeting new people. It's a community."
Fournier and her teammates from Zion Lutheran Church are one of 14 teams at the inaugural Comstock Park event, one of about 20 relays in West Michigan this year. Another relay is scheduled for next weekend at East Grand Rapids High School.
The Comstock Park walk started Friday afternoon and continues through 3 p.m. today, with people on the track the whole time to symbolize that cancer never sleeps.
To meet a $35,000 total fundraising goal, teams collect donations for the cancer society and during the relay sell food, toys and services out of large tents.
An evening ceremony was to feature candles inside decorated bags.
Held on the track at Comstock Park High School, the relay includes live entertainment and hourly themes such as a lap Friday in honor of Chris Pierson, a Greenridge Elementary School teacher who died in February 2006 of leukemia.

A note from the P.Suave Editorial Board: Both Barb's Bunch and the Comstock Park event as a whole exceeded their goals; a total of $35,100 was raised during this inaugural event, $1,590 of which by the Barb's Bunch team.

Que duerman bien,

Pepino Dormilon

Team Suave

Comstock Park: Teacher to be remembered
Thursday, July 26, 2007
By Matt Vande BunteThe Grand Rapids Press

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Chris Pierson led her colleagues to Relay for Life events in Ada and Rockford on several occasions.
On Friday, when the American Cancer Society's 24-hour walk-a-thon comes to Comstock Park for the first time, staff and supporters of Greenridge Elementary School will again rally around the former special education teacher.
Pierson died of leukemia in early 2006, but many said she will be there in spirit at the inaugural event, scheduled to step off at 3 p.m. on the track at Comstock Park High School, 150 Six Mile Road NE.
Of the many special activity laps planned hourly, a Kids Lap with balloons and signs in honor of Pierson is slated for 4 p.m. Friday.
"You can just show up, even walk around the track to show your support," said Emily Garneau, a Greenridge office aide and co-captain of the school's relay team. "I'm sure she'd be happy that (Relay for Life) has come to Comstock Park. We just want to make her proud."
The relay will include about 16 teams that keep at least one member walking on the track until 3 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to the fund-raiser, which will feature live music, volleyball and several activities planned by individual teams.
The Greenridge squad, for example, plans to set up a Hawaiian-themed tent where members will sell nail polishing and hair-braiding services.
Walkers are encouraged to take part in hourly themes including trick-or-treating, pajama party, jump roping and ball bouncing. A "Miss Relay" fundraiser at 8 p.m. Friday will crown the man dressed in drag who collects the most donations. At other times, people can pay $5 to change the song being played.
And at 9:30 p.m. Friday, a luminaria ceremony, featuring candles inside decorated bags, will honor cancer victims and survivors, as well as people still fighting the disease. Bags are available for $10 by calling Garneau at 647-4071.
Greenridge staff plan to remember Pierson by spelling out her name with one letter per bag.
"That is going to be very impressive to see," said Pierson's father, James Pierson, who will walk with his wife, Paula. "It really brings to light just how many people have died.
"We know that Chris would have been one of the organizers had she been here. (Relay) has been a very big part of our life, and especially my daughter's."
Chris Pierson died in February 2006 from complications with leukemia. She previously survived a bought with ovarian cancer and got active in Relay for Life, serving on an organizing committee for the Rockford relay.
Pierson's former students and their parents are invited to be part of the Greenridge team.
"She absolutely adored those children," James Pierson said. "They were her whole life."

Bob the Gorilla Editorial Board notes: Barb's Bunch, the famed relay team from Pepinoville, will be in attendance at the Comstock Park inaugural event, after a few years of participating in the Rockford Relay. Li'l Pepinita and cousins Salchicha, Bailarin, Fotografa, Linguista, and El Tigre, will be in attendance as well. Bompa Suave may dress and walk as a women (sic) if Pepina uses her communications degree effectively.

Andale,

P. Suave y La Junta Directiva Gorila

Los Chavitos

Above are some shots taken at the orphanage we visited outside of Cuernavaca. The bottom picture is the cafeteria and the orphans doing clean-up.

Me queda impresionado,

P.Suave

Traviesa

Li'l Pepinita is a caution. While in Mexico, we visited a spring-fed water park. It was 4-some acres of water ponds, pools, rivers, and crazy trial lawyer loving recreation stuff: cement diving boards, slippery cement steps, deep water with currents, swings, rope walks, Tarzan ropes, and so much more.
Li'l Pepinita is pictured here just before, and while, she jumped from about 20 feet into the mouth of the spring. The spring itself was about 40 feet wide and spewed hundreds of gallons of water every minute, feeding the park with crystal clear, cool water.
She surfaced unscathed several times. Her day was cut short, though, when she belly flopped 8 feet off the rope bridge into a swift river. I dropped my taco and dove in to assist mi vida, only to have her hand me her pink swim shoes so she could swim herself to shore. Hardy stock.


No nado nada,

Pepino S.

A Pezcar

Li'l Pepinita and cousin Salchicha passed the morning along the shores of Rio Dill. After using a dozen worms, and at least as many various lures, they went home fishless.

Me encanta el verano,

P. Daddy

Chicharrones

Chicharrones, called pork rinds on this side of the border, have no carbohydrates. Besides that, fried pork skins have nothing to contribute to overall health. Yet, they are crunchy, salty, melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I love them so much that, occasionally, I eat enough in one sitting to satisfy my saturated fat level for a month. Front-loading.

During our Mexico trip we had the opportunity to witness the confection of the tasty porcine treat. We visited a self-sustaining orphanage. That is, the residents (children from infants to teen-age) and the staff cultivate and prepare their own food. During our entire visit, I never saw an infant cultivating anything. They're such babies.

At the top of this entry, you see a coldron of hot oil with pig skin floating on top, followed by a picture of a future bag of pork rinds. Just below him is a wheel-barrow of slop gleaned from the cafeteria left-overs, and used to feed the hogs. You can also see the cooking area, with wood piled high to fuel the cooking fire. The last picture shows the pig pens (similar in sight and smell to Li'l Pepinita's bedroom).

Sabrosisimo,

Pepino Puerco

Independence Day

During our lay-over in Dallas today, soldiers began walking from their arrival gate along a mezzanine concourse above the airport mall. Everyone in the mall began to applaud. Those sitting stood up and clapped. Those wearing hats took them off and clapped. Little kids joined in, as did people from all walks of life. Some folks had tears in their eyes. Everyone applauded until the last soldier was out of sight.

Dichoso ser Norteamericano,

P. Suave

Volvemos

Gemela and Li'l Pepinita became fast friends during our short journey to Cuernavaca. Although tears were shed when we had to leave, we were thrilled that Li'l Pepinita had a great experience (thanks to our new friends Paco, Cheli. and sweet Gemela, our hosts during our stay).
Muchas gracias to nieghbor Pelotero and two of the four best grandparents in the world, Bompa and Abuelita for caring for La Gata Diabolica and the Hacienda Suave during our absence.

!Viva America!

P. Gringo Andariego Suave

Llegamos

La Familia Suave arrived in Cuernavaca yesterday afternoon. We met our Mexican Family (the folks that will be rooming and bording us for the week) almost immediatly after arriving. They took us to their beautiful home, where Li´l Pepinita was thrilled to find out that they have an 8 year-old daughter! The two girls spent the rest of the afternoon and night playing. This morning, she spent five ours in a class with two other girls and two boys. She´s loving that, too.
Mama Pepina and I spent the morning in classes, too.
More later.

Siempre primavera aqui,


Peps

Universal

Double click on the title, "Universal" above (or go to www.universal-spanish.com), and you'll get an idea of where La Familia Suave will be spending our days next week.
Universal is a language school in Cuernavaca (Morelos, Mexico). On Monday, we will join a group of students, parents, and the principal of Pepina's school who have already spent a week of study, field trips, and fun at Universal. We plan to catch up fast as we join them during the seecond week of the adventure.


Hasta luego,

P. Viajero

La Carnicera

Las Chicas Suave visited The Butcher of Pepinoville yesterday. Li'l Pepinita had six inches of locks lopped off within minutes, Pepina two. You'd think The Butcher got paid by the inch.
To be honest, they do look sassy.

Una casa con poco pelo,

P. Pelado

La Mumia del Sotano

If you turn your head side-ways you'll see Li'l Pepinita disguised as a Mummy. I left her in the basement unsupervised, as I putzed upstairs. After a long and suspicious silence, she came lumbering into the office, grunting and bumping into walls and furniture on the way.

Mi hija es una locura,

Papi Peppi

El Verano

Summer's officially here. The piddling of sprinklers, the fever-induced-nightmare-like music of the ice cream truck (How does "She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain When She Comes", on a loop, on synthesized organ, sell more ice cream? Ice cream sells itself, if you ask 'ol Pepino. Why not just have the sound of the truck's engine idling be the only sound. Lord knows a kid figures out the ice cream truck is coming using a far keener sense than mere sound. I think a kid knows whats coming when the ice cream truck guy turns the ignition back at the ice cream truck depot. Uncanny. Save the "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man" keyboarded loop for outing deposed dictators from monasteries, for crying out loud. Sorry, I've digressed), the slap of the sandal, the hum of the fan all welcomes in the dog days of summer.
Featured here during these vernal days will be accounts of the Familia Suave's travails to beat the heat sans air conditioning, their struggle to consume one ice cream per day, and updates on the progress of the family tomato plant (thanks for watering it Grandma Suave).

Llega el calor,

P. Suave

Bang! Pow! Boom!

Due to Opa's health concerns, La Familia Sauve had postponed our summer journey south of the border. We will leave early next week, while sister Agronima and neices Bailarina y Barista take care of things Opa.
Li'l Pepinita has become a raquetball nut. Since Tio Chris came to town with his raquet, she has acquired a keen interest in slapping balls against walls. We've played twice this week at the YPCA, and she still hasn't had enough.
Do my words seem a little droopy? Do you sense some fatigue in ol' Pepino? Pardon the malaise, but I'm still catching up on sleep lost due to the Nieghborly Pyromaniac Nightly Firework Display performed by our Pepinoville nieghbors. Seems a calendar and local ordinance codes need be sent to our fair firebugs. Last count, our sleepy lane consists of 4 babies, 11 school-age children, and several twitchy house pets that might be considered before lighting illegal explosives well before an appropriate occasion.
We'll be gone on the 4th....

Bomba,

Pepino Vecino

Pepinita

Pepinita has got a new entry - hot off the press. Click on Li'l Pepinita on the side bar, and enjoy.

Un padre orgulloso,

Papi Pepi

Muy Agradecido

Included on my list of Professions That Deserve A Hearty Slap On The Back (PTDAHSOTB) are health care folks, especially nurses and neo-nurses. Thank you, on behalf of all things Pepino.
Mr. Health Care Professional Guy/Gal, this one is for you.

Les agradecimos,

La Familia Suave

El Fin De La Temporada Escolar

School's out. No more teacher's dirty looks (Note to self: work on getting along with colleagues). Anyway, here we are, the time of year everyone and their brother envies Pepino's job. Stay tuned for a new special feature, the Pickled Summer Vacation BlogLog (What a Teacher Does When School's Out). In the meantime, I leave you with an excerpt from a recent education association newsletter. After a few seconds of Google research, I found it to be fictional, but still something a weary educator can identify with (and laugh at) - pardon the dangle:

The following is an answering machine message for the Pacific Palisades High School in California. The school and teachers were being sued by parents who wanted their children's failing grades changed to passing grades even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.
This was voted unanimously by the office staff as the actual answering machine message for the school:
"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting with the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:
To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1
To make excuses for why your child did not do his/her work - Press 2
To complain about what we do - Press 3
To swear at staff members - Press 4
To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several fliers mailed to you - Press 5
If you want us to raise your child - Press 6
If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7
To request another teacher for the third time this year - Press 8
To complain about bus transportation - Press 9
To complain about school lunches - Press 0
If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable/responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teachers' fault for your child(ren)'s lack of effort, hang up and have a nice day!"

Alice Cooper lo decia,

Pepino Veranero

Yankees/Red Sox

O.K. I went to Boston last weekend and was supposed to write about it while I was there. I was too busy getting there and getting back to write. So I'll provide a Boston BlogLog, patent pending:

1. Drive to Pepinoville International Airport and the show begins.
2. Fly backwards in time to Chicage, only to arrive the same time I left Pepinoville.
3. Dask to my gate for the next flight. Mid-dash purchase water for the same price as a gallon of gas.
4. Arrive in Boston, walk to bus shuttle, get off at T-station, and take the train to downtown. I'm at my hotel within a half-hour, plane-to-lobby. Love that muddy water.
5. As I cross the lobby, my Pepino Phone rings, its our friend Meeker on the line, a Beantown resident, telling me she'll meet me in twenty minutes.
6. I'm led on a history-walk thrue downtown Boston, led by dear Meeker. We stop and watch the Yankee/Red Sox game at every bar along the walk. We libate, too.
7. Hear the tune, "Love that Muddy Water" on a constant loop in my head.
8. After too little time, see Meeker off, and attend some serious sit n' git meetings.
9. Repeat steps 1,2, 3, and 4 in reverse, and arrive in the wee hours of Monday morning.

Me encanta el lodo,

Peppy

P.D. Mil gracias Meeker. Volvemos pronto...

Memorial Day

"A heroe is someone who has given his or her life for something bigger than oneself"

-Joseph Cambell

Once

Eleven years ago today Pepina and I exchanged vows. Padre Sayers said we'd love each other less that day than we would the rest of our lives. Although we raised an eyebrow at the celebate monk, his words ring true. In fact, tonight we've agreed to have a go at it another eleven years.

Eleven is heaven.

Un esposo contentisimo,

P. Suave de Pepina