Hello everyone,

Touching back on what Jennifer said in the February newsletter, change is in the air! I hope you are enjoying the new layout of WiVLA VOiCES, as we go green to help the environment.  Additionally, this will be the first month with our new board of directors and yours truly as the newsletter editor. Jennifer has done a fantastic job with the newsletter and has been a tremendous help in showing me the ropes!  

I am looking forward to serving WiVLA as the newsletter editor. If you have any questions, suggestions, story ideas, or member news, please contact me at newsletter@wivla.org.

Best Wishes,

Andrea Waguespack

ACCOLADES

Ann Bellinger Hartley was the juror for the awards for the Beaumont Art Exhibit, Beaumont, Texas.

Ann Hartley and Janet Ruffin have work in the "Portals" exhibit at the Dragonfly Gallery in Austin, Texas. The exhibit will open Thursday, March 17 from 5-7 p.m.

The Writers Block International Writing Competition is accepting submissions of short and feature length scripts and manuscripts of all genres including documentary, horror, sci-fi, Wiccan, fiction and nonfiction, Religious/Spiritual, animation, and Gay/Lesbian for their 2011 competition. Deadline is October 29, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.spacetaker.org/field_guide/artist_opportunities/call-entry-2011-writers-block-international-writing-competition.   

The Serie Project is accepting applications for 2012. The organization offers a nonprofit Artist in Residence (AIR) program, with the mission to promote Latino artists as well as to grant access to the serigraphy technique. The deadline is Aug. 26, 2011. For more information, visit http://glasstire.com/?page_id=25824&id=20.

The Art in Public Places program seeks to commission professional visual artist(s) living or working in the state of Texas, to create works of art at three municipal pool sites: Barton Springs, Bartholomew, and West Enfield. The deadline is Monday, April 25, 2011. For more information, visit http://glasstire.com/?page_id=25824&id=32.

Houston Community College Art Gallery is looking for artwork for its 2011-2012 gallery. Deadline is April 15, 2011. For more information, visit http://glasstire.com/?page_id=25824&id=19.

The Power of Self is accepting self-portraits for their 2011 competition. Deadline is April 15, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.artistswanted.org.

Artists Alive & Well Members Only Juried Show: "In-site" is accepting entries. Deadline is April 12, 2011. For more information, visit:

http://www.spacetaker.org/field_guide/artist_opportunities/call-entries-artists-alive-and-well-member039s-only-juried-exhibiti.

The Northbrook Public Library 9th Annual Juried Art Show is accepting entries for 2-3 and 3-D digital media submissions. Deadline is May 31, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.northbrook.info/artshow/2011. 

The Photo Center NW is accepting entries for its16th Annual Photo Competition Exhibition. This year's exhibition theme is focused on land and water, and anything related - open to interpretation. Deadline is May 14, 2011. For more information, visit http://pcnw.org/gallery/call-for-entries/16th-annual-photo-competition-exhibition.

GOOD PLACES TO WRITE & DRAW

By Cary Reeder

Bungalow

1219 Marconi (off Montrose and West Clay), Phone: 713-524-2591

The Montrose is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit but I've never wanted to live there. It's always felt a little too hip, cosmopolitan, and fast for me compared to the bucolic, small town charm of the Heights. It's not that I'm not cool or anything; I did play bass guitar in a new wave/punk band in the early 80s after all. Still the area feels a little too aloof for my liking, and that's why I am just giddy about Bungalow, a new coffee house/gift shop/clothing boutique in the neighborhood.

Bungalow adds a much needed touch of sweetness to the Montrose. Dare I say, a bit of Heights-like charm? Bungalow is run by the mother/daughter team of Denise and Katie Skorka. I learned from Denise that their original plan was to open a gift and clothing boutique with coffee as a minor element, but after a few months in business it was clear that what the neighborhood really wanted was a coffee house. Bungalow still sells gifts and clothing but their primary focus is now coffee, and you know that coffee makes this writer hap, hap, happy.

General Atmosphere: Bungalow is absolutely adorable. It would be like walking into my own house if my garden had flowers instead of weeds, my living room was clean instead of strewn with old newspapers and a layer of cat hair, and there was a friendly woman in my kitchen ready to make me a frothy, delicious latté instead of my cat Oreo waiting for me to turn the water faucet on for him. Bungalow has the feel of a nice bed & breakfast with homey decorations, comfy couches and chairs with lots of pillows, and a general feeling of warmth.

Features:  Where do I begin? Bungalow has a lot going for it. The location is just about ideal if you live in-town. It's conveniently located right off of Montrose Boulevard, down the street from the Museum of Printing History, but seems a world away from all of the hubbub of city life. There are two cozy seating areas inside the converted house - a front "living room" with couches and chairs, and a more secluded back room with a couch, desk, table, and counter to sit at. There are also several tables and chairs outside in an absolutely idyllic setting under a canopy of trees, as well as more seating and a swing on the front porch. Bungalow has free WIFI and, drum roll please, lends out iPads to customers for free. Beware: iPads are so much fun that I had to turn mine back in so I could finish this column.

Coffee and Comestibles: Bungalow uses locally roasted beans for their coffee from Java Pura, which scored points with me because I like supporting the little, local guy/gal. I had my usual latté which was nice and strong, and gave me the fortitude to get through a hard day of writing grant proposals. I also spied several delicious and very fattening-looking pastries, brownies, and the like but because I would like to be able to continue buttoning my pants without lying down on my bed, I abstained from trying them.

When to Go: I visited Bungalow on a Wednesday morning and it was nice and quiet. I get the sense that it's always nice and quiet here. They do not serve alcohol or meals so you will not run into the happy hour or lunch crowd here. My best guess it that anytime is a good time to go, as long as they are open.

The Verdict: I fell head over heels in love with Bungalow the moment I walked through its garden arch. What a sweet, welcoming respite from the cold, cruel world. The next time you're having a bad day, grab your laptop or sketchbook and head over to Bungalow. I guarantee that it will help chase the blues away, no matter how cranky, petulant, or cantankerous you may feel.

Have you found a Good Place to Write or Draw in your neighborhood? We encourage and invite WiVLA members to be guest columnists. Contact the editor for details.

WOMEN'S SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE  

Who can apply for a scholarship from The Professional Group (TPS)? Any woman with true financial need, who is beginning/continuing college or taking a class, is eligible to apply. Applicants may not be recent graduates. Last year, TPG awarded six scholarships ranging from $250 to $2000. It is best when a member of The Professional Group nominates the candidate. Please contact Patricia Rumble (WiVLA and TPG member) for an application and information on the nomination process at trish@mtherapy.com or 713-784-9400. The final application deadline is Friday, May 27, 2011.

WiVLA PRESENTS CAFE EXPRESS WITH 

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION  

After every WiVLA meeting, we migrate over to Cafe Express for dinner and conversation. In March, five of the board members lunched at Cafe Express-River Oaks with the specific goal of giving Milton Williams (L) and Craig Orr (R) this Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of WiVLA and its Board of Directors.  A big thank you to Cafe Express - West Gray for their exemplary customer service!

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Lauran Perry English was a vendor (Seabreeze Expressions) at the Women's Conference at Moody Gardens, where Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love" was a guest speaker, on Thursday, March 31. She mostly sold her "Seashell Seascrolls," and photo/poetry/cards.