Sarasota, Florida-Walking on a wire no wider than a nickel, 31 year old circus superstar Nik Wallenda walks 600 feet across while suspended 200 feet up in the air. The high wire walk took place Thursday morning between the One Watergate Condominium building and the Ritz Carlton Hotel two of the tallest buildings in the city.
Wallenda has broken several world records and done similar high wire acts across the country but this is the first time he's performed in his hometown of Sarasota. The event has special meaning for him. Wallenda's family started performing in Germany in the late 1700's and in 1928 Circus pioneer John Ringling brought his family to Florida. "The fact I can see the John Ringling Bridge and this is the footprint of the John Ringling hotel I wouldn't be here today if not for John Rinling and the Ringing brothers," says Wallenda.
Hundreds came out to see the 7th generation Wallenda perform. With a 50 pound balance bar in his hands, suede shoes made by his mother and his father communicating through an ear piece Wallenda makes the death defying walk without a safety net below.
Students from Bollettieri Tennis Academy came out to see for themselves. "He definitely has some guts," says 12 year old Allie Baxter. "I'm nervous fo him hope he gets across safely," adds 12 year old Maggie McCormack.
Wallanda did more than walk on the wire he knelt down several times and waved to the crowd. The 31 year old father of 3 also laid flat on the wire and that drew gasps from the people below.
The students say watching him inspires them to do better. "Never give up," says Maggie. "He taught me to be brave," says 12 year old gymnast Sarah Caolili.
Wallenda has three children ages 6, 9 and 12 and he says all three are walking the high wire. But as a father he doesn't want them to get into that side of the family business. "I apologize to my parents publicly. I put them through a lot of stress."
Wallenda has been walking the wire since he was a toddler. He has permits to be the first person to walk across the Grand Canyon. In 2009 he went on tour, "walking across America." The 31 year old performer plans on starting a new tour "walking across the world." He also says there are a few TV projects in the works. Wallenda understands the risks he takes, his grandfather Karl Wallenda died in 1978 doing a similar high wire act. So why keep testing fate? Wallenda explains, "I'm carrying on a legacy. I have a lot to live up to."
Isabel Mascarenas, 10 Connects
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Last weekend on Sunday, November 21st, we traveled to nearby Siesta Key to see the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sandsculpting Competition. What a treat. It was amazing to see what the different artists created out of sand, water, and a little craft glue to hold it together for a short while. We hope you enjoy the photos.
On Friday evening, April 23rd, we were treated to a performance by the Tibetan Monks of some ritual songs and dances with the monks wearing traditional costumes for some dances. There was a Snow Lion dance with 2 monks inside the large lion which was a lot of fun to watch. They also played their long brass and copper horns that telescope out from about 4 ft. to about 10-12 ft, shorter horns, a drum on a short pole, cymbals & bells. They also do a form of throat-singing where they can sing 3 notes at one time. Several ceremonial songs and rites were performed, as well as a demonstration of their form of debate between senior monks and more junior monks. Unfortunately, we were prohibited from taking photos during the performance.
Following this program, several hundred of us crowded around the mandala (which took the monks 5 days to complete) for the deconstruction ceremony. To demonstrate the impermanence of the universe and life, the monks performed a ceremony to dismantle the mandala. They wear their large golden yellow hats and beautiful brocade outer robes as they surround the mandala. Then one monk uses his finger to draw segments in the mandala, dividing it so it looks like an orange slice. Then the monks use a wide brush to sweep all the sand into the center of the table. They put small amounts of sand in little plastic bags to give out as souvenirs. The last pile of sand is placed in a small cup. Then everyone went outside to the bay where they poured the last of the sand & some tea used in the ceremony into the bay as we all watched. It was a beautiful event & we were so glad to have been able to see this firsthand.
On Saturday, April 17th, Fusion Art Jewelry designer and artisan, had her first solo exhibit and sale in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. She set up an awesome display with her fabulous jewelry spread out over three tables and she almost ran out of room. 
She used a number of small and medium signs to let people know they could request custom orders, etc. And she also had some very cute miniature polymer clay couches she used to display her new business cards. Way to go!
Three of us are continuing in our quest to learn more and different jewelry techniques and have recently begun a class in Bronze Precious Metal Clay at our local adult education facility in Sarasota, Florida . The class instructor is Colleen White, a wonderfully talented jewelry artist and silversmith who has learned all the ins and outs of using precious metal clay and has a studio and gallery in The Village of The Arts in Bradenton, Florida.
Judy Levine, Sue Herring, and Judy Pirkey, along with the rest of the class, made pendants the first week, and then a pair of earrings the second week. It's a real challenge as you have to make sure you do everything according to instructions or risk problems with your work. The clay has to be kneaded to make sure there are no air bubbles that can burst when the item is placed in the kiln to be fired. And then there are the little cracks that occur when the clay is a little too dry. Sometimes they can be fixed using slip, and other times you just have to ball it up and try again. And if you press too hard while you're sanding a piece before it's fired, it may break. But we're all determined to have new beads and components to add to our ever-growing jewelry collections.
Setting up is hard to do...
SOLD!
Judy Pirkey Sets Up, While Judy Ramlow
Pirkey Chat's With Customer
Lake's Amazing Assortment. So many pretties!
On visiting our first antique/consignment shop, the owner liked the necklace Debbie was wearing so much that she asked her to leave it with her on consignment as the owner has a customer who loves larger jewelry. She also asked Debbie to bring in additional pieces and possibly leave them on consignment as well.
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