LAVA House

I'm so very sorry to hear about Helvis. I see from his picture that he was a fine fellow.
I just read in the Kentucky Federation for Women Hot Flash about what happened. I so sorry.
I tried to leave this on the posting board, but couldn't get it to work. I'll contact some of the artists in Covington. Maybe we can get some stuff together to send down to you.

The loss of Helvis and Mr. Bill really hit me hard. I'm crying for them both. I've asked my beautiful dogs on the other side to watch out for Helvis and show him around. I know he's OK now and is playing with the other Star Dogs. Still, I'm crying for him and praying for him.

And Mr. Bill too. I'm not from Louisville and near saw LAVA house or Bill, but you say he liked the ladies. I used to be a very pretty young lady. Now I'm a middle-aged merry hag... anyway, tell Bill there's a lady in Covington who's crying for him.

Lisa Gillham

KFW Hot Flash:
E-News for Everyone

February 1, 2008

In every community there is work to be done.
In every nation, there are wounds to heal.
In every heart there is the power to do it.
Marianne Williamson


KFW NEWS:
FIRE DESTROYS LOUISVILLE’S LAVA HOUSE: WHAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN DO TO HELP
The LAVA House (LAVA - Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Art) was founded in 2001 as an artist studio space for artists. The old warehouse served as both artist studios and a residence, and became an important community center for many artists, musicians, and art lovers. Some KFW community members who have participated in the LAVA House include Hallie Jones, Kristin Shelor, Shannon Stelzer, Emily Ritter, and Squallis Puppeteers, among others.

The warehouse completely burned to the ground on Sunday night/Monday morning, leaving some artists and residents with nothing. None of us can completely imagine what it must be like to lose your home, your art, and the tools needed to make your art. To add to this disaster, the fire took the lives of their caretaker and dear friend, Bill Christy and his canine companion, Helvis.

Amid their grief, the LAVA House artists are reaching out to us with clear and concise ways of helping. Visit their website at http://www.thelavahouse.org/ to find find out more about the LAVA house and the fire, and to find your path towards a compassionate community response to this tragedy. Because many of our Hot Flash readers are artists we are particularly focusing on the art supplies they need, but if you can help out in any way, all contributions will assist these deserving community members through a most difficult time.

Some art supplies needed (listed on the website) include:
Drafting tables
Work benches
4 sewing machines
Power tools (table saws, miter saws, chop saws, compressors and pneumatic tool attachments)
Welders
Cutting torches
Paint & brushes
Easels
Shelving and storage racks
Kilns

The website contains complete information about how to donate.