Art Show Reminder and Lots of Updates -- Happy Thanksgiving!!

REMEMBER TO CHRISTMAS SHOP AT THE MIXED MEDIA ART SHOW! CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR TABLE!!!

The Rutherford House and Sewin’ Sisters Sowing will host a Mixed Media Art Show and Sale on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Rutherford House, 3300 Parkview Lane, Harrisburg, 17111. This event provides a venue for local artists to show and sell their artwork. Oils, watercolors, wood, jewelry, textile wall art, and wearable art will be represented.

If you are an artist and would like to make some money selling your artwork, please call Peggy at 564-5682 to reserve a table. This event is free, and there is no charge to display or sell your artwork. Hot dogs and beverages will be sold to benefit the Rutherford House, and donations to the Rutherford House will be gratefully accepted. Rutherford House 564-5682

SALVATION ARMY NEEDS OUR HELP!!

The past 2 years they had to hire temps to ring their Christmas Bells because they didn't have enough volunteers. In the past 2 years, they've received a 100% increase in requests for assistance, while at the same time, are experiencing a dramatic drop in donations. And they don't have anywhere near enough toys for Christmas boxes they deliver to needy families. Their food pantry is being hit hard, and folks will be needing even more food to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to their families. And the food pantry needs a never ending supply of re-useable grocery bags. So here's the details on how you can help:

Bell Ringers: Call Captain Tim Lavenbein, 233-6755 ext. 20. He'll sign you up and give you the details.

Toys: Must be unwrapped toys in their original packaging that have never been played with. Between December 3rd and December 9th you can drop the toys off at the Farm Show at the McClay Street entrance (the doors will be clearly labeled). Call Jeff Waters, 233-6755 for drop-off hours.

Food Pantry: nonperishable foods like helper meals, cereals, peanut butter, canned pastas (like spaghetti, ravioli, etc.), macaroni, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, Ramen noodles, etc. Foods can be dropped off at 1122 Green Street. Call Trinette at 233-6755 for more information.

WE FOUGHT THE LAW, AND WE WON!!! I have a signed letter from Congressman Tim Holden, and a copy of the pertinent section of the exemption in the law, that says all fabric, thread, and trim now has a permanent exemption from lead testing!!! So we're back in business and can sew for kids. Thank you Sewin' Sisters for your prayers and the time you invested in getting this law changed! I admit I'm surprised that we won, but with God all things are possible, eh?! Now THAT'S something to be thankful for!!!

THE CURRENS ARE THANKFUL that Art is back at work full time, after being off for 6 months due to having fallen 11 feet onto his face. As you know, he fractured many bones on the left side of his face and was dizzy non-stop for 4 months. After two months of rigorous Vestibular Therapy and many, many appointments with specialists at Hershey Med, and he's back in the saddle! Thank God!!

We're also thankful that we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, especially since there were times we didn't think Art would make it! We pray that you have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, too!

Sewing list by priority updated 11/9/09

Sisters,

Wondering what to sew? Here are our current projects, listed in order of priority.

1. Grocery bag totes

Use sturdy washable fabric, 20" x 20" squares with 3" x 20" handles (outside edges of handles folded to the middle, then folded on the mid-line and stitched). All seams must be double stitched, and edges clean finished. Please drop the grocery bags off at Marcellene's. You can call her at 561-9964.

2. Baby blankets for Light House Ministries

Pat Nissel needs LOTS of baby blankets (and very few adult blankets). Since flannel is 100% cotton, we can make those for her. She prefers the 1 1/2 yard blankets we made for her last year because they can double up the blanket on the back to give the baby some additional warmth and support under the baby's back. There is A LOT of flannel at the Rutherford House on the wall with the side window, the 2nd from the bottom shelf. (There may be one piece of flame retardant flannel in the stack, and one piece of flannel backed satin. Don't use those, they are not 100% cotton). If you'd like to add a filler, please use the hotel sheets that are on the bottom shelf beside the closet. Don't use any trim at all since we have no way to know if it's 100% cotton. Sew the pieces right sides together leaving an opening, turn inside out, top stitch the edges, and stitch something in the middle to anchor the pieces together.

3. Lap blankets, walker bags, and adult and children's aprons for Salvation Army

Salvation Army hasn't given us anything new that they need, so we will continue doing lap blankets, walker bags, grocery bags (see above), and adult and children's aprons.

September Sewing Dates

Since the first Saturday of September falls on the weekend of Labor Day, we will move our cutting day to the following Saturday, September 12. We will meet for our regularly scheduled sewing day on Saturday, September 19. The summer has been very busy, and we have been missing some of you while you have been away. Also, some of you will be out on vacation in October. Hope to see you on the 12th!

Sewing list by priority

Sisters,

Wondering what to sew? Here are our current projects, listed in order of priority.

1. Pillow totes for Kelly's Christian Crusade

We will continue to work on the pillow-totes for the homeless men ministry, Kelly's Christian Crusade. I have bunches of them cut out and ready to go here at my home.

2. Baby blankets for Light House Ministries

Pat Nissel needs a FEW adult blankets, and LOTS of baby blankets. Since flannel is 100% cotton, we can make those for her. She prefers the 1 1/2 yard blankets we made for her last year because they can double up the blanket on the back to give the baby some additional warmth and support under the baby's back. There is A LOT of flannel at the Rutherford House on the wall with the side window, the 2nd from the bottom shelf. (There may be one piece of flame retardant flannel in the stack, and one piece of flannel backed satin. Don't use those, they are not 100% cotton). If you'd like to add a filler, please use the hotel sheets that are on the bottom shelf beside the closet. Don't use any trim at all since we have no way to know if it's 100% cotton. Sew the pieces right sides together leaving an opening, turn inside out, top stitch the edges, and stitch something in the middle to anchor the pieces together.

3. Lap blankets, walker bags, grocery bags, and adult and children's aprons for Salvation Army

Salvation Army hasn't given us anything new that they need, so we will continue doing lap blankets, walker bags, grocery bags, and adult and children's aprons. (Reminder: The children's aprons MUST be made of 100% cotton.)

Harrisburg's National Night Out 2009!

Tuesday, August 4 was designated National Night Out, a drug and crime prevention event. This is its 26th year of existence. In Harrisburg, we certainly did our fair share to rally our community. The Sisters were right there on the scene, teaching basic sewing skills to young children and their parents.

The response was nearly overwhelming! We estimate that as many as 150 pillows were sewn by children and a few adults! We are very encouraged as to the far-reaching, long-term results that a simple sewing lesson will have for many children. Little girls and boys alike were absolutely fascinated by the wonder of being able to create something with their own hands. We believe this will go a long way in keeping active children positively engaged. Yay!

Sisters, you are invited!

The Sisters are invited to the Rutherford House Annual Anniversary Party on Friday, September 11 at 11:30. Please give Peggy a call at (717) 564-5682 if you are able to attend.

Response from Senator Casey re: CPSIA

Here is the response that was received from Senator Casey regarding the Lead Law (CPSIA):

Dear Mrs. Currens:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your concerns about the implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. I appreciate hearing from you.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) was signed into law on August 14, 2008. The purpose of the legislation is to prevent dangerous goods from being manufactured and sold to children, through better screening of noncompliant products and more effective product recalls. I supported this legislation because I believe it promotes greater safety in children's products.

Originally the law was set to take affect on February 10, 2009. However, due to ongoing questions about the law's interpretation and implementation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements. Under this new timeline, manufacturers and importers of children's products do not need to test or certify their products until February 10, 2010. Retailers are still expected to meet the lead and phthalates standards but will not have to test or certify that each product meets the new standard. These actions follow an earlier decision on January 8, in which the CPSC announced an exemption for resellers, determining that thrift and consignment stores are not required to test products prior to resale. As always, businesses that resell children's goods are encouraged to exercise judgment in removing noncompliant products and continue to follow all product recall advisements.

I understand that confusion still clouds the implementation process. Recently, President Obama nominated, and the Senate unanimously confirmed, Inez Tenenbaum as the chairwoman of the CPSC. In addition, President Obama has announced his intention to increase the number of agency commissioners to five from three and substantially increase the CPSC budget. I am confident that these additional resources will greatly improve the CPSC's ability to respond to concerns with the law.

Please be assured that I will continue to monitor the rule-making decisions of the Commission and promote quick decision-making. If you have specific questions about the law, please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia or call (301) 504-7923 to speak with a Commission representative.

Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.

If you have access to the Internet, I encourage you to visit my web site, http://casey.senate.gov. I invite you to use this online office as a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator