Ducks, Variations and What the Arts Do for the Community and for Tourism

 Let's talk about the value of the arts and theater in a community. And when it comes to The Duck Variations, there's definitely nothing to quack about—except maybe the ducks.

(Illustrative Only)

George realizes
he shouldn't have
littered in these
duck's home.
Quack Attack!
Ducks Reflect 
Environmental Health

This production is a unique collaboration featuring 13 directors, each creating their own interpretation of a scene. Every segment has its own personality, style, and vision, making the entire performance feel like a sampler platter of creativity. No two scenes are alike, which keeps the audience wondering, "What are they going to do next?"

The best part? It's completely free to the community. While everyone involved is having fun putting on the show, the arts do something much bigger. They improve quality of life, support tourism, and help make a community a more vibrant place to live and visit. It also can be a factor in encouraging more tourism, retention of talent, and revenue.

Think about why people come to places like Delta County, Escanaba, and Gladstone. They're not traveling here to admire office buildings. They're here to fish, sail, relax on the beaches, hike, bike, enjoy the outdoors, downhill or cross country ski, visit quaint shops downtown (once the construction is done), and experience the recreational pace of life. Those same visitors are often the people who enjoy local theater, art galleries, wineries, breweries, and community events. The arts become another reason to stay a little longer—and maybe spend a little more money while they're here (One might want to think about a whole service conception from marketing, to entry to exit and follow up.).

The Duck Variations is a perfect example. It's funny, a little quirky, and surprisingly thoughtful. Beneath all the laughs, it touches on topics like pollution and its effects on wildlife. If you're a duck hunter, you'll probably appreciate the humor even more. I tried duck hunting once. Let's just say the ducks and I reached an understanding—they'd keep flying, and I'd stick to watching theater. I might try again.

Whether you're a local looking for an enjoyable evening or a visitor wanting a few good laughs, this is a great show to see. Admission is free, so you don't even need to bring your wallet—unless you'd like to make a donation to the Bonifas Fine Arts Center or Players de Noc, which would certainly appreciate the support.

Join us this Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Bonifas Arts Center. Come for the ducks, stay for the laughs, and leave with a greater appreciation for what the arts bring to a community.

Think about the study below. While it is dated and the numbers are likely to be larger, consider how there can be a positive upswing local economics 

The Economic Impact of the Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry in Virginia Beach

• The report found that Virginia Beach's nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $87.7 million in economic activity, supported 2,875 full-time equivalent jobs, produced $52.5 million in household income, and generated approximately $7 million in combined local and state government revenue.
• Nonprofit arts organizations spent $25.9 million on employees, facilities, supplies, and services, creating economic benefits that extended to businesses across many industries, including construction, technology, accounting, and event planning.
• Arts audiences contributed an additional $61.8 million in event-related spending outside of admission fees through purchases such as dining, shopping, transportation, parking, and lodging, providing significant support for local businesses.
• Cultural tourism played a major role in the local economy, with nonresident visitors spending 41% more per event than local attendees. Nearly 60% of nonresident visitors reported that attending an arts event was the primary purpose of their trip.
• The study concluded that investing in nonprofit arts and culture strengthens both community quality of life and economic development by creating jobs, increasing tourism, generating tax revenue, and encouraging residents to spend money within the local community.

Americans for the Arts. (2017). Arts & Economic Prosperity 5: The economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences in the City of Virginia Beach. Americans for the Arts.

CPI Index Declines .4% for June 2026-Energy and Impact

Consumer prices edged lower in June, offering consumers some relief after months of elevated inflation. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prices fell 0.4% from the previous month, with lower gasoline prices accounting for much of the decline. Watching these indexes help you better understand the shifts in different sectors and some of the input and output factors of the economy.

The CPI tracks changes in the prices consumers pay for a broad basket of goods and services. Although no single measure perfectly captures inflation or purchasing power, the index remains one of the nation's most closely watched indicators of the cost of living.

The drop in gasoline prices was a key factor behind the month's lower inflation reading. Energy markets can shift for a variety of reasons, including changes in global supply and demand, production levels, and geopolitical events. While lower fuel costs generally benefit households and businesses, they also highlight the importance of maintaining reliable energy supplies and long-term energy security.

Some economists believe that food and energy prices are among the most fluctuating components of the CPI. For that reason, they often examine both the overall inflation rate and the core CPI, which excludes those categories to provide a clearer picture of underlying inflation trends.

Lower energy prices can have effects well beyond the gas pump. Because energy is essential to transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, and distribution, declining energy costs can gradually reduce expenses throughout the supply chain. As a result, businesses may face lower operating costs, and consumers may eventually see lower prices on a wider range of goods and services.

The report also underscores the broader importance of a resilient energy system. A diverse mix of energy sources—some are oil, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, coal, solar, and wind, etc.—can help stabilize costs, strengthen energy security, and improve the economy's ability to withstand supply disruptions. That argument of course doesn't always take into consideration the other less calculated costs such as polution or environmental impact so a well balanced discussion here can help understand the different points of view. 

Consumer Price Index Summary: June 2026 Inflation Cools

• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined 0.4% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis, largely driven by lower gasoline prices, marking a notable easing in monthly inflation.
• Over the past 12 months, overall consumer prices increased 3.5%, down from 4.2% in May, suggesting inflationary pressures moderated during the month.
• Core CPI, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, was unchanged for the month and increased 2.6% over the previous year, indicating underlying inflation remained relatively stable.
• Falling energy prices were the primary contributor to the lower inflation reading, while many other categories experienced more modest price changes.
• The cooler inflation report reduced expectations of an immediate Federal Reserve interest rate increase, although policymakers emphasized that additional months of favorable inflation data are needed before changing monetary policy.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, July 14). Consumer Price Index Summary. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm

A Butterfly on Flower (Photography)

 Recentely while going through some older photos and I found this one. 

I can print most pictures up to
poster size for $50
Frame or Unframed. 50% for charity
and 50% for me.
Send me a message to the right
or my email.
You may check out My Gallery
and Art Page. You may
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size you want with $50
for any photo to
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2026 Midyear Economic Outlook-Adapting to Change and Building Resilient Organizations

 It is helpful to review a variety of economic reports and forecasts to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing businesses. This report highlights several key factors shaping the global economy, including geopolitical uncertainty, higher energy prices, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. It also emphasizes the importance of building organizational resilience through strategies such as diversifying supply chains, strengthening portfolio management, and remaining adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.

Ultimately, adaptation is the name of the game. Businesses that can effectively adjust to changing market conditions are far more likely to succeed over the long term. How an organization is structured, how it gathers and analyzes information, how decisions are made, and even the culture it fosters all influence its ability to respond to economic shifts. As you read the report, consider not only the challenges businesses may face, but also the characteristics that enable some organizations to navigate uncertainty, manage risk, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Global Economic Outlook: Risk and Opportunity in a Supply Shock World

• The report projects a slower, but not recessionary, global economy as geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and supply-side disruptions reduce growth while increasing uncertainty for businesses and policymakers.
• Higher energy prices, persistent inflation, trade fragmentation, and demographic pressures are creating structural challenges that are reshaping global supply chains and increasing the cost of doing business.
• Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and strategic business investment continue to provide important opportunities for productivity gains and long-term economic growth despite near-term headwinds.
• Organizations are encouraged to strengthen operational resilience through cost discipline, portfolio management, supply chain diversification, and strategic agility to better navigate ongoing economic volatility.
• The report concludes that businesses capable of adapting to a more fragmented and uncertain global economy will be better positioned for sustainable growth, competitive advantage, and long-term value creation.

Daco, G., Rozkrut, M., Stefański, M., & Boussour, L. (2026, June 17). Global economic outlook: Risk and opportunity in a supply shock world. EY-Parthenon. https://www.ey.com/en_us/insights/strategy/global-economic-outlook

Donning the Kilt and Scottish Highland Sword Dance

Dance isn't just about having fun—although let's be honest, it's a lot more fun than running on a treadmill while staring at a wall. Humans have been dancing since the beginning of civilization. Every culture has its own style, and even animals get in on the action. Birds dance, bees dance, and if you've ever watched a horse after a bath, you'll know they have a few moves too.

(Illustrative Only)
Lennox leaves
Miners Castle to 
do a warriors dance. 

That is not really Miners
Castle. :)

🙃

Dance is one of those rare activities that exercises your body, challenges your brain, tells a story, and lets you socialize—all without having to sit through another Zoom meeting. It's movement with a purpose, which is probably why it has survived for thousands of years and shows no signs of disappearing.

I've danced on and off since I was younger, but over the last seven or eight years I've become much more involved. Somehow, I even worked my way into becoming one of the advanced male dancers in our group. Whether that says something about my dancing or the shortage of men willing to wear a kilt or get their groove on is still up for debate. 🤔(Yes I got spandex shorts on under.)

Our group has been invited to perform at a Scottish festival, featuring the Highland sword dance. This group does everything putting on some of the seasonal and cultural events using different styles of dance. If you've never seen the Highland sword dance, imagine trying to dance gracefully around crossed swords without accidentally inventing a brand-new emergency room procedure. It's a beautiful tradition—but accuracy is strongly encouraged. 

I was invited to perform in the main show, which was a real compliment (Most shows I can't do but I do some and I'm easy to work with.). Unfortunately, between work, lifeguarding, sailboat racing, fishing, and trying to convince myself that I actually have free time, I couldn't commit to every rehearsal. Instead, I'll be helping teach audience members some of the basic steps before the performance (I got the basics but certainly could have used more practice.). It's a great way to participate without everyone depending on me to remember all the choreography. (In the future when I win a saber bout, which is slightly less than half against competitive fencers, I can put down my sword and dance to it. ⚔ Rub it in a little. 🤣 I'm sure they will giggle. Got to have fun with life. :)

One thing people underestimate is how physically demanding dance really is. Spend an hour dancing and you'll quickly discover muscles you didn't know existed. It's outstanding cardiovascular exercise, improves balance, coordination, flexibility, and mental focus. Plus, unlike some workouts, people usually smile while doing it—which is always a good sign. The history of this dance is for warriors to show their stamina. History of the Highland Dance.

You can kind of get a picture of it in the Highland Sword Dance Video. Once you get the sequence you can just repeat for the most part. 

As a certified fitness trainer and certified yoga instructor, I enjoy helping people become healthier through movement. Whether your goal is getting stronger, improving flexibility, losing weight, or simply being able to walk up a flight of stairs without negotiating with your lungs, I can help. I offer virtual coaching. 

We'll build a fitness plan that fits your goals—and no, Highland sword dancing is completely optional. There are other things you can do. Although it does make family reunions a lot more memorable.

If you're interested, reach out using the contact information or email below. Worst case, you'll get healthier. Best case, you'll have a few new dance moves the treadmill will never teach you.

Absolute and Relative Intensities of Solo, Free-Form Dancing in Adults: A Pilot Study

• This pilot study examined the physical activity intensity of solo, free-form dancing among 48 adults (ages 18–83) who danced at self-selected moderate and vigorous intensities, both with and without music.
• Researchers measured exercise intensity using metabolic equivalents (METs), heart rate, heart rate reserve, and ratings of perceived exertion to determine whether free-form dancing met recommended physical activity levels.
• Participants achieved an average intensity corresponding to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with all participants reaching at least moderate intensity based on heart rate reserve during the dance sessions.
• Dancing with music significantly increased exercise intensity, and participants who intended to dance vigorously achieved higher MET values. Conversely, older age and higher body mass index were associated with lower exercise intensity.
• The findings suggest that solo, free-form dancing is an effective and accessible way for adults to achieve recommended levels of physical activity, supporting its potential use as a health-promoting form of exercise.

McCullough, A. K. (2024). Absolute and relative intensities of solo, free-form dancing in adults: A pilot study. PLOS ONE, 19(11), e0313144. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313144

Seagulls on the Beach and Impressionist Art

Seagulls on the Beach
eBay

You can also check
out some of the other stuff
in My Gallery

If you want to buy
direct or have questions
send a message to the right
or email muradabel@gmail.com

This painting features a group of seagulls on the beach with a warm sunset glowing in the background. It's inspired by the Impressionist style, an art movement that emerged in the 19th century and focused more on capturing a moment, mood, or feeling than creating a perfectly detailed scene. Impressionist Art Explanation

Instead of strict academic precision, Impressionist paintings often use visible brushstrokes, softer forms, and unblended colors to convey light, movement, and atmosphere. It's a style that works especially well for outdoor landscapes and coastal scenes.

If you're interested in adding this painting to your collection, it's available for purchase. I've reduced the price by $25. 11X14" Acrylic.

*The next one I'm working on is orange with silhouette inspired by one of my friends visits to Aruba. 

Illustrative to show what
it might look like on a wall. 

The Allegory of the Clan: A Neuroscience Perspective on Corruption, Hatred, and Moral Decision-Making

 We continue our exploration of the Allegory of the Clan, a philosophical thought experiment inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Like Plato's work, this allegory is intended to examine how people move through different levels of perception and understanding, ideally arriving at greater insight and awareness. Most might not but some will. 

One of the best ways to deepen that understanding is by examining research, scientific literature, understanding various perceptions of similar problems and evidence from multiple disciplines. These sources provide additional perspectives that can either support, challenge, or refine the ideas presented in the thought experiment.

The Allegory of the Clan is hypothetical in nature. It provides a philosophical framework for exploring how corruption, hatred, and social dynamics might interact within a closed system. In this learning scenario, a network of interconnected individuals—some holding positions of authority and others not—cooperate to protect one another, increase their own influence, and enrich themselves. Their loyalty to the group often comes at the expense of loyalties to other important societal values. 

A defining characteristic of this hypothetical system is the belief among its members that they are somehow superior to those around them. This sense of superiority reinforces the group's cohesion and helps justify unequal treatment of outsiders. It also may have influence on outcomes as their social networks influence narratives and opinions that are reflective of the in-group members and not the victims. 

As the thought experiment unfolds, it suggests that certain influential actors shape the group's perceptions and reinforce a cult-like worldview. Such a system flourishes when accountability is weak, corruption is tolerated, and institutions or bystanders look the other way. Members who have a history of misconduct are shielded from consequences thereby creating more victims, complaints are dismissed or retaliated against, whistleblowers are silenced, and freedom of expression is discouraged. In this hypothetical setting, constitutional principles and shared civic values become secondary to protecting the interests of the group (or even perhaps the wider ideology of hate.).

These dynamics reflect the broader compromises people are sometimes willing to make when personal loyalty, power, or self-interest outweigh ethical principles. Perhaps even when it outweighs professed values or shared principles. Judges, officials, religious figures, and average people are not immune to the power of narratives and incentivization of misbehaviors. We must always anchor to our freedoms and liberties like out founding fathers and mothers warned us.

The research study below offers one perspective on how these ideas may be connected. It suggests that corruption and hatred are both harmful forces that diminish society, although they do so in different ways. Hatred divides people who might otherwise unite around shared values and common goals, while corruption distorts fairness by directing opportunities and benefits toward those with influence rather than merit. The perception becomes if you want to be accepted, liked, and get ahead you have to adopt certain distorted perceptions promoted by darker motivations.

The thought experiment raises the possibility that these forces can reinforce one another. If individuals are willing to compromise ethical principles to justify prejudice or exclusion, they may also be more willing to compromise those same principles for personal gain. In that sense, corruption and hatred may become intertwined: corruption is driven by self-interest, while hatred is often rooted in distorted perceptions of self and others. Inflated perceptions of self rooted in deeper dysfunction may lead to misconduct. The social network in the context in which these dysfunctions exist determine the approproateness or lack of appropriateness of poor behaviors (...i.e. birds of a feather argument). 

*The Allegory of the Clan is hypothetical by nature so take with a grain of salt. 

The study that follows provides a neuroscience-based perspective on what some of these connections may be, offering additional insight into how emotional processing, moral decision-making, and ethical behavior may influence both corruption and hatred.

A Somatic Marker Perspective of Immoral and Corrupt Behavior

• The authors propose that immoral and corrupt behavior can be better understood through the Somatic Marker Hypothesis, which explains how emotions and physiological responses influence decision-making.
• Damage or dysfunction in brain regions such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and the amygdala can impair moral judgment, empathy, and the ability to anticipate negative consequences, increasing the likelihood of unethical behavior.
• Individuals with psychopathic traits often display decision-making patterns similar to those with VMPFC damage, including reduced empathy, diminished remorse, and a greater willingness to pursue personal gain despite harming others.
• The paper notes that impaired emotional processing may paradoxically improve certain financial or investment decisions by reducing emotional bias, even while undermining ethical decision-making.
• The authors argue that neuroscience provides a valuable framework for understanding corruption and immoral behavior, encouraging future interdisciplinary research that combines psychology, neuroscience, and decision science.

Sobhani, M., & Bechara, A. (2011). A somatic marker perspective of immoral and corrupt behavior. Social Neuroscience, 6(5–6), 640–652. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2011.605592