Help Produce the Next Jeanie B! CD

Posted by Marie on December 22, 2010

Award-winning, Chicago-based children’s musician Jeanie B! is laying the groundwork for her next CD.

And she wants you to get involved!

Help support independent music and quality children’s entertainment by checking out her fundraising page. You’ll notice that there are plenty of goodies to be had in exchange for your support.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac-Users: Part 1

Posted by Marie on December 7, 2010

Hey, Mac-Users. These are some of my favorite keyboard shortcuts for the Apple machines.

• All the Function keys. That row above your number keys do some pretty nifty things. I don’t know anyone who has them all memorized, but just go through and hit them randomly every so often. I bet you’ll be surprised.
• [Command][Tab] cycles through all the applications you have open at the time.
• [Command][~] cycles through all the windows that are open within any single application.
  • for example, if you have two or more Word documents open
  • the [~] is right above [Tab]
• [Command][Shift][4] turns the mouse arrow into a quick screen grab tool. When you hit the key combination, you’ll notice that the mouse arrow turns into a target-like circle. Just drag a rectangle around anything, and a picture of that appears as a .png file on your Desktop. This is a great way to put something into a PowerPoint presentation or to email someone a visual.

That last one may be my favorite hidden gem. It’s saved me a lot of time over the years.

Mike Venezia and George Berlin Begin New Book Series

Posted by Marie on October 6, 2010

Mike Venezia and George Berlin have teamed up to create a series of (mostly) picture books that feature their brand of creatively wacky illustrations.

The first book in the series, Ways To Get Around, focuses on all manners of transportation and travel. Yes, “bare feet” is covered but so too is “bear feet.”

The details and humor inside are going to keep the adults entertained even as the art and imagination delight their kids.

Get the book from Mike or George at one of their in-person appearances
or simply visit their Mike and George’s Weird World of Wackiness website.

Detour Enters Third Year

Posted by Marie on September 15, 2010

Today is the second anniversary of Detour Services.

Wow. That’s pretty incredible to me.

I am truly thankful.

Beyond the Coyote Art Show This Weekend

Posted by Marie on September 5, 2010

The Flat Iron Artists are putting on the Beyond the Coyote art show this weekend. Some of you may remember the original Around the Coyote art festival that is no longer in operation.

A new traditional launches in its place, and it should be just as fun, chaotic, interesting, and warm.

A $10 suggested donation will cover all three days of the event.

Check out artist George Berlin in Gallery 203 and the band Black Bottle Junction playing:

• Friday, September 10th, 8pm – 9pm
  Club Lucky
  1824 West Wabansia
• Sunday, September 12th, 3pm – 4pm
  Piece Brewery
  1927 West North Avenue