Dar Al Funoon opening 30 September 30th 7-9pm

Dar Al Funoon cordially invites you to its 7th Affordable Art Show

The show will feature a rich variety of styles ranging from works on paper, limited editions and originals by local and international young, emerging and established artists.

Opening Tuesday September 30th, 2014 from 7 - 9 pm at Dar Al Funoon, and continuing till Thursday October 2nd, 2014.

See attachment for details.

What Sandy Hook taught us about teachers

Link to original post by Chan Lowe (click here)

The cartoonist Chan Lowe created this image and wrote the following: "As the nation wades into parallel and interconnected discussions about gun rights, mental illness and the culture of violence in this country, we should also be considering a topic no less related to the Connecticut school tragedy: Are we doing right by our teachers?

Never has the dedication of the people who practice the teaching profession been spotlighted in the way it has over the past few days. We were shown, in dramatic terms, to what lengths teachers are willing to go to fulfill the crucial mandate they have been given: the education and welfare of the most precious members of our society. Yet they are so often treated with disdain.

Teaching is a calling. Not everyone has the will or the stamina to do it well. It takes love, pride, and an almost sacred commitment that can't be explained in words. In America, teachers have traditionally been underpaid, because in America's early communities, "schoolmarms" were always spinsters who were not expected to support families.

In other countries, the teaching profession is considered so noble that it is well paid in comparison to many other professions, as it should be. In this country, politicians—acting as proxies for taxpayers—haggle with, lowball, denigrate and harass teachers as if their demands for job security and decent pay are unreasonable and selfish.

A teacher invests in the future, student by student, and his or her legacy consists of the product of those students' fertile minds. Occasionally, teachers are even called upon to throw themselves into harm's way to protect the lives of their charges as if they were their own children—and last week six of them demonstrated most profoundly that they do not shrink from the task. About this, no one can argue.

So, who deserves to be paid more, and what does the reality tell us about our priorities?"

Kuwait breaks another world record (this time for traffic deaths)!

Last week Kuwait broke the world record for fireworks, this week Kuwait breaks the world record for traffic deaths:

Kuwait broken world record in number of traffic deaths
Posted on 11/18/2012

Kuwait has broken world record in number of traffic deaths, with 17 deaths recorded in every 100000 cases on the average, local daily reported quoting Chairperson of Traffic safety society Bader Al Matar. He added that Kuwait roads have the capacity to accommodate 700000 vehicles and almost 1.6 million vehicles ply on the road. He also said the current traffic lights are failed and government must implement online system to manage traffic.

Read more at http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=20780&SECTION=0#ixzz2Caj4vlMX

Dear foreign residents, only citizens are allowed...

As per sms from Ministry of Information, Kuwait.

Dear foreign residents, only citizens are allowed to take part in protests, processions and march demonstrations.
(Gathering law 12)
(Ministry of Information)

Kuwaiti opposition supporters run for cover as riot police fire tear gas during a protest in Kuwait City, on October 21, 2012, against the decision by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah to amend the electoral law despite it having been confirmed by a court last month. Kuwaiti riot police beat opposition protesters who were gathering for a massive demonstration against a decision to change the electoral law, organisers and witnesses said. (Yasser Al-Zayyat/AFP/Getty Images)

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Kuwait!

These fine Santa helpers greeted me when I left my apartment building early this morning on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2011 in Salmiya, Kuwait.  Not to make fun of them at all, these Bangladeshi street cleaners work hard for very very little pay but were all smiles this morning and were so happy that I was taking their photo.  THANK you for all your hard work and MERRY CHRISTMAS  to ALL!!!

Exhibit of foreign artist living in Kuwait opens Sunday, December 4, 7pm

I have two artworks included in this exhibit, hope you can make it!

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens in Kuwait – Demonstration Notice

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens – Demonstration Notice 13-2011

September 14, 2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all U.S.  citizens within your area of responsibility.

Youth activist groups have called for a demonstration on Friday, September 16, 2011 in Kuwait City during the early evening hours at Safat Square and possibly Determination Square located opposite the National Assembly.  An increased police and security presence is expected throughout the day in and around the capital.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Do not let curiosity get the best of you; avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings.  Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, as well as the Country Specific Information for Kuwait can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also download our free Smart Traveler App for travel information at your fingertips and follow us on  Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.
U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kuwait are encouraged to enroll in the Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security.  U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad".
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

how the other half lives in Kuwait...

I titled this photo "Workers’ Beds for the Night, The Avenues, Al-Rai, Kuwait," and entered it into a journal that was to be published here in Kuwait. My title was censored and changed to just "Workers' Beds for the Night." They did not even ask me. I guess I am just shocked that they even published it.... the Avenues is currently the biggest mall in Kuwait (although I've heard they are building a bigger one). It is also one of the newest and richest... these men, workers at the Avenues and mostly all Bangladeshi, were all sleeping directly on the concrete, with only a few sheets of a newspaper as any comfort, in the underground parking around midnight...