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August 01, 2007

Evolve Urban Arts Project present: From Dark To Light

From Dark To Light

thru September 24, 2007

Gezahey1

Recently many of our residents have started recommending and referring some remarkable artists to be exhibited at the Evolve Urban Arts Gallery @ Pierce School Lofts.  Evolve Urban Arts Project is proud to begin our 2007 -2008 season with two such referrals.  Keep ‘em coming!!!


Clayton Broga, runs a youth mentoring and tutoring program for refugee youth in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area.  Clayton recently moved to Washington, DC and he had only been an Evolve resident for a few months when he suggested that we check out an artist that he knew quite well.   Gidey Gezahey, is one of the adult men in Clayton's program, who just happens to be a fantastic artist from Ethiopia.


Gidey has led an amazing life and it certainly shows in his artwork. Fleeing from Ethiopia to Egypt due to violence, he was then imprisoned by Egypt because of the political/social undertones to some of his paintings (unity of the nation and peace above politics... a beautiful message). He endured atrocious conditions and treatment, eventually escaping to safety, only to return to rescue his family. Finally the International Rescue Committee granted him eligibility to come to the US. He's a fantastic artist and a great man and we are proud to feature his works August 1 - September 24, 2007 in the Evolve Urban Arts Gallery @ Pierce School Lofts.  An opening reception and exhibit will be offered for Second Saturday on August 11, 2007 from 4:00 - 7:00.  A unique tasting menu of Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be paired with selected works.

Gidey Gezahey studied art at the Minilik School of Fine Art in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and later at the Comboni House in Cairo, Egypt.  Having lived in Eritrea for many years, he left unrest there, traveling on foot across the Sudan to Egypt where he settled for a time and continued his pursuit of art.  He says that he can only create when his spirit is positive...when that mood changes he rests his brush.  Each of his oil paintings are crafted from a place where the spirit and mind commune peacefully, bringing forth imagery that haunts the soul and delights the imagination.

 

Take a leisurely moment to surround yourself with the imagery that evolves from the mind of this Ethiopian artist who's been recognized in Egyptian and French art circles.  He was recently discovered in Charlottesville, Virginia where he now makes his home and is building a body of work in anticipation of his first major U.S. exhibition.

Gezahey3Gezahey2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See more of Gidey Gezahey's work at:  http://www.artndeed.com/id74.html

Dumplings With Soy Slaw

From RealSimple.comDumplings Photo

2 9-ounce packages fresh or frozen dumplings or pot stickers
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons soy sauce, plus more for serving
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
1 16-ounce bag coleslaw mix
5 scallions (white and light green parts), thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
Soy sauce

Cook the dumplings according to the package directions (panfrying is preferable to steaming).

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, and hot sauce (if using). Add the coleslaw mix and toss.

Divide the slaw among individual bowls and sprinkle with the scallions and peanuts. Top with the cooked dumplings. Pour any sauce that remains in the bowl over the dumplings. Serve with additional soy sauce on the side.


Yield:  Makes 4 servings

CALORIES 303 (30% from fat); FAT 10g (sat 3g); SUGAR 11g; PROTEIN 9g; CHOLESTEROL 0mg; SODIUM 571mg; FIBER 6g; CARBOHYDRATE 44g

Exercising In The Heat

Exercising In The Heat

Hot Work Out PhotoSummer is officially here. Summer offers extras hours of daylight and with it the opportunity to spend even more time enjoying outdoor activities. For many, this means more time doing physical activities and playing sports. So, it’s important to remember the potential dangers that also come with exercising in hot conditions. As long as you know the dos and don’ts of working out in the heat, then you can fully take advantage of all the fun of summer.

Written by Dr. Sean Robinson, owner of Fitness Works who is a proud participant in the Evolve Xtras program offering discounts and special services to Evolve residents.

 

Read more to learn what you should and should not do in the summer heat.

What you should do:

Drink plenty of fluids. It’s extremely important to stay hydrated. If you’re thirsty then you are already dehydrated; drink before you feel a need to. Be sure to drink throughout the day (stick to non-caffeinated beverages, preferably water). Also, drink 15-20 minutes before beginning your workout and every 15 minutes throughout the exercise.

Eat regularly. The heat can decrease your appetite, but it’s important to eat normally. Try to eat small meals 5-6 times per day. Include lots of fruits and vegetables. Aside from being nutritious, fruits also tend to help with hydration.

Wear light, loose fitting clothes that can breath. Cotton is always a good choice. If your outdoor activity produces a lot of perspiration, consider clothing that is specifically designed to wick the sweat away.

Wear sunscreen. Even if you exercise early in the morning or late in the evening, if the sun can reach you then you can get burned. Not only is a sunburn bad on the skin and potentially dangerous but it also hinders your bodies ability to stay cool.

Use common sense and don’t attempt strenuous activities that your body is not accustom to. Stick to exercises that you are very familiar and comfortable with.

Check the weather forecast. It’s best not to participate in intense outdoor exercise sessions when the heat index registers in the dangerous zone.

What you should not do:

Don’t try to diet by sweating. Excessive perspiration is not the key to permanent weight loss. Any decrease in the scale would simply be a result of water loss, not fat reduction.

Don’t adapt the “no pain, no gain” motto. Ignoring your body’s signals could be dangerous. Heat-related illnesses come with warning signs. Be sure to learn how to recognize them and what actions to take.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of liquid when swimming. Just because your body is surrounded by water does not mean that you are well-hydrated. As with any land exercises, you need to regularly replenish lost fluids when in the pool.

Avoid physical activity during the hottest part of the day, which usually is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

If you want (or need) to be working in very hot temperatures, don’t do it until you become acclimated. Try to spend only a few minutes per day in the hot conditions for the first couple of weeks and then add time gradually each day.

Avoid extreme changes in temperature. Don’t hop from being extremely hot and sweating excessively right into an ice cold, air-conditioned environment. Try to cool your body down slightly before exposing it to the extreme temperature variation.

Whether you have to work outside or do it for enjoyment, following the above tips will help you stay cool and safe during the dog days of summer. So, don’t spend the season cooped up, get out there and have some fun!