Lavender Farm In Italy For Greentopia

Lavender Farm In Italy, 2017

acrylic on canvas 

24" x 48" (60.9 cm x 121.9 cm)

201707072

© copyright Mike Kraus

For more information, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/186507940/custom-commission-original-art-by-mike

Last night, I was honored to participate in Greentopia's Dinner On the Bridge fundraising gala by donating my Lavender Farm In Italy painting (above) to the silent auction.  Over 275 friends, supporters, and leaders converge on the 100-foot high Pont-de-Rennes bridge in Rochester’s High Falls to participate in this truly unique event.  Greentopia is Rochester's premiere organization moving the city, its citizens and the region towards a more sustainable, resilient future. Greentopia's three primary projects include: The GardenAerial at High Falls – a capital project to build greenway infrastructure, trails and amenities around the rim of the gorge at High Falls; Green Visions: Growing Healthy Futures – a workforce development/phytoremediation flower-growing business in the JOSANA neighborhood of Rochester; and the High Falls EcoDistrict; the creation of New York State's FIRST EcoDistrict – a planning and organizational framework to achieve ambitious environmental goals in the neighborhoods surrounding the High Falls Gorge. 

The High Falls are one of three voluminous waterfalls on the Genesee River, that flow through the city of Rochester in New York. The High Falls are located about 2 miles upstream from the lower falls and act as their source. The High Falls area was the site of much of Rochester's early industrial development, where industry was powered by falling water. Browns race diverts water from above the falls and was used to feed various flour mills and industries, today the water is used to produce hydroelectric power.

The High Falls may be viewed from the Pont De Rennes bridge, a pedestrian bridge that spans the Genesee River a few hundred feet from the base of the falls.

The High Falls was the site of the final jump of "The Yankee Leaper" Sam Patch who died after jumping off of the High Falls in 1829 (from Wikipedia)

Tommy Brunett is a singer/songwriter and showman based out of Upstate NY. He's a craftsman and songsmith mixing old-school country, great story telling and rock and roll. He glides and stomps through his now legendary live performances with true sideshow-carny expertise and is known for his good ol' honest approach to everything he touches.

Tommy's television credits include: The Today Show and Conan O'Brien and he's warmed up the ol' floor boards for such acts as ZZ Top, Kellie Pickler, Charlie Daniels, The Lumineers, Marshall Tucker Band, Shooter Jennings, Courtyard Hounds, Old 97's, Ted Nugent, Cracker and more. Little known fact... he was also the touring guitar player for 80's hit slingers Modern English from the U.K. back in his hired gun days.

Oh yeah and he's got his own brand o' booze with some other fine folks called, Iron Smoke Whiskey. It's apple wood smoked and tasty as all get out!

If you like Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Social Distortion or Evil Knievel, you'll be eating Brunett up with two giant spoons and his live shows with the Tommy Brunett Band are guaranteed to make your socks roll up and down.

http://www.tommybrunett.com/

For more information or custom order, please visit:

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Step It Up with Lavender In Provence

Lavender In Provence, 2016

acrylic on canvas

350 dpi

© copyright Mike Kraus

To purchase, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/215617131/lavender-in-provence-original-digital

This year, I've donated my artwork on behalf Beth Holmes and her family.  

Join us on 

Saturday November 19 

for our annual 

Step It Up! Cure Pancreatic Cancer

Indoor 5K and Family Fun Day!

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)

Gordon Field House and Activities Center

1 Lomb Memorial Drive

Rochester, NY 14623

REGISTER TODAY!

No One Fights Pancreatic Cancer Alone!  Fighting pancreatic cancer is done with courage, strength and the support of family and friends. The Pancreatic Cancer Association of WNY is here to help patients and their families in the fight of their lives. 

We're in this fight together.

Received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer? It can be a very confusing and emotional time but you are not alone. We'll help you understand the disease, your diagnosis, and direct you to other resources available in our area. If you just need someone to talk to, we can connect you with patients and family members who have asked the same questions as you.

The Willow Tree

The Willow Tree, 2016

acrylic on canvas 

16" x 20" (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus

This piece was created for the Willow Domestic Violence Center (formerly Alternatives for Battered Women (ABW)) as they growth and transform the organization to better serve survivors of abuse.

Willow Center provides life-changing, often life-saving, services reaching over 7,500 each year – right here in the Greater Rochester area. Last year, Willow Center responded to more than 5,000 calls to our crisis and emergency Hotline 222-SAFE.

The needs in our community are bigger than our current space and programs can accommodate. While more than 500 survivors and their children found safety in the shelter, there were 1600 on the waitlist, with many ending up in hotels or worse, staying with their abuser. 

Willow Center’s comprehensive campaign embraces innovation and will fund major capital renovations and critical program expansion that will work together to ensure the sustainability of services for survivors in our community.

The Safe Place Campaign will expand the emergency shelter from 40 to 49 beds, adding more than 3,200 bed nights for the community. New shelter rooms will be more accommodating to family living, with individual bathrooms and showers (compared to the three showers shared by 40 residents in the current shelter). The rooms are also flexible in size to accommodate larger families and separate enough to accommodate mixed genders. Three units will be designed to accommodate Deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired survivors. The shelter will also have increased security, bullet-resistant glass and emergency response monitoring. Families who stay in-shelter will now be able to bring their family pets, making Willow Center the 2nd pet-friendly shelter in New York State. Adding pet living quarters will eliminate an unnecessary barrier to safety, as almost half of domestic violence survivors stay in abusive situations for fear of what will happen to their pets if they leave.

For more information about  the Willow Center's A Safe Place campaign, please visit: https://willowcenterny.org/safe-place-campaign/about-the-project/

Purple To Cure Pancreatic Cancer

Join me in supporting the

Pancreatic Cancer Association of Western New York

at the

Indoor 5K and Family Fun Day

Saturday November 21, 2015 at RIT Gordon Field House

12 noon - Registration Opens / 1:30-4:00 pm - Walk and Activities

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun while creating hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

SNEAK PEEK!

-Meet Scott Spezzano (98.9 The Buzz) and Nikki Rudd (News10NBC) - our Emcees for the event!

-University of Rochester's all male acapella group the Yellowjackets will perform

-Children's activities like a huge bounce house

-Character (princesses, batman, sports mascots)

-Food and Beverages

-Shop Purple where you can pick up some purple mementos and support our cause, which will include my original piece:

Lavender Field, 2015 

Acrylic on Canvas

8" x 10" (20.3 cm x 20.3 cm)

© copyright Mike Kraus 

To view, please visit: https://www.etsy.com/listing/255409253/field-of-lavender-original-digital

For more information and advanced registration, please visit:

http://www.pcawny.org/index.php/news-events/step-it-up-5k-walk

I Love the Smell of Chlorine in the Morning

Last weekend, Megan and I were lucky enough to see Rachel in a swim meet at Penfield High School as a part of the Sea Dragons (http://www.seadragons.org)

Mmmm...  Swimming is a difficult sport to capture with still photography... 

But, look at Rachel go! 

She's a way better swimmer than I am.  I would have been doing the doggy paddle... 

And, here's the future Olympian showing off all her prizes.  GREAT JOB RACHEL!

And, here's Scout torturing us.  Specifically, trying to use Megan's hair as a pillow...

A good place to hide from the cold.

And passing out after three hours of losing her mind...

And, other dogs are now mailing Scout treats.  Apparently really good treats that are able to hold her complete attention for the entire night.  Thanks Vern!

Finally, went to Wilson Commencement Park's (http://www.wilsoncommencementpark.com/) gala on Saturday.  Unfortunately, wasn't able to take any pics.  It was a good time with great people.

That's about it for now.  Just waiting for Meg to get back from Chicago and playing with the dog.

New Digs

Here's "Call Me Maebe," a newborn horse at Lollypop Farm.  She was less than 24 hours old when this was taken.  What a great event to have around the office!


Speaking of events, here's the new wall that went up in the lobby to protect visitors, staff, and volunteers from the construction.


ATTENTION!  New cat sanctuary being built behind this wall!!!


It's been a long time since this office was this spotless.  Our old workspace will be a good space for others in the near future.


Goodbye old friend!


Hello new friend.  Here's my new workspace.  Still waiting for some new supplies to come in and complete the space.  But, it's shaping up and it's very exciting to see some of this renovation and expansion at Lollypop Farm come to completion!
That's all going on right now.  Been very, very busy lately with all kinds of projects.  So, it will be nice to watch some Modern Family (and possibly Lincoln) tonight.  Adios!

Lollypop Farm Telethon 2013 Today!

Join us as we celebrate our 17th year of Lollypop Farm’s Telethon, our largest fundraising event for homeless and abused animals in our community. This annual animal extravaganza will be broadcast live from Eastview Mall on 13 WHAM-TV, Rochester's CW, and 13wham.com from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.. - See more at: http://www.lollypop.org/site/c.clKUI9OQIoJcH/b.8484615/k.352D/Telethon_2013.htm#sthash.RlryD2Lq.dpuf

The six-hour broadcast will showcase the diverse and meaningful work Lollypop Farm performs each and every day. Celebrate our far-reaching community programs, successful adoptions and hear stories of some of the special animals that have touched our lives.

Your support is critical! All funds raised help Lollypop Farm care for homeless and abused pets and continue to bring valuable services—including humane education, cruelty investigations, and much more—to the Rochester community.

Make a difference in the lives of homeless animals with your Telethon donation. Remember—every dollar raised stays in the Rochester community and helps change a pet's life for the better. See how your donation is put to work:

$25 = Spay/Neuter one animal
$50 = Purchases surgical instrument trays
$100 = Purchases animal capture gloves
$200 = Purchases a veterinary heating pad
$500 = Allows for surgical and rehabilitation of one animal cruelty victim

- See more at: http://www.lollypop.org/site/c.clKUI9OQIoJcH/b.8484615/k.352D/Telethon_2013.htm#sthash.RlryD2Lq.dpuf

Growing Our Family

For a couple of years, Megan and I have struggled with infertility.  After lots of consideration, we have decided to start the process of adopting a child.  At this time, we are taking classes, filing out tons of paperwork, having home inspections before we seek the right child for our family.  

There are lots of questions you may have about adoption and here are some links that may help:

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/ - The award-winning national adoption magazine is the leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption. 

http://www.creatingafamily.org/ - A blog that provides education and resources for infertility and adoption

http://www.representmag.org/ - The Voice of Youth in Foster Care 

http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/ - Adoption Learning Partners offers an array of interactive, e-learning courses that will increase each participant's understanding of the joys and challenges of adoption.

http://www.adopt.org/ - Their inspiration comes from the belief that "there are no unwanted children, just unfound families" 

Once we have finished our classes and inspections, we will re-evaluate our situation.  If we decide to proceed, the waiting period can range from a couple of months to a few years for us to be matched.  In the meantime, your support will mean a lot to us.  We're excited about starting our family and hope you'll welcome our child when he or she finally arrives!

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to contact me at: MikeKKraus@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Mike and Megan

Movers and Shakers

This is the look of a sad little girl who's husband won't let her move into her new house earlier than planned.  


Almost all of our junk fits into the living room.  And moving is the best way to fight post-Thanksgiving turkey coma


Everything has a place and every place has a thing (except the 2nd floor, which is vacant)

So, for those of you that really want to know, our new address is:

41 Woodside Dr

Rochester, NY 14526

We'll be moving soon at Lollypop Farm too!  This is the exterior of the new clinic with siding and all.


There will be lots of happy cats looking out these windows soon


Cats-eye view


Nice masonry!


For all you HVAC and other system fans out there...


Interior of the new training center.  Quite a vast expanse!


The walls about to go in the new office space.  In front is open office space for desks and other equipment.  Offices on the left side.  Kitchenette straight ahead.  Bathrooms slightly to the right.  And the far right and back will be meeting rooms.  A lot of progress and it won't be long before it's all finished!

That's about it for now.  As things stand now, the next episode will be "how to fix insulation problems in your home."  Good thing it should be a nice, warm weekend...


A huge THANK YOU to a lot of people:
Terry Clar for letting us into every home in Monroe County and being patient with two idiot first-time home buyers.  To Bob Schreiber for teaching us about houses, all the running around, and generous support in trying to find a place to call "home."  To Megan's dad for storing our crap at his house for longer that we'd like to admit and so, so, so much, much more.  To Dave and Alison for working the morning shift of the move and moving the armoire into its final resting place (+ coffee).  Rich for letting these homeless bums squat at his place, move us in-and-out-out-and-in, and countless other ways big and small.  Erin brought the sugar high of Girl Scout Cookies and pop to finish out the move.  Marianne, who is pimping out our apartment (more on that later).  Mike Renahan for a couple great home inspections.  To Rachel for moving in a dining room table and breaking in Scrabble at our new house.  I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of people and apologize if I did.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  None of this would have been possible without you!!!

I'm Mike Kraus and I Approve This Message

YEAH!  The bricks are in at Lollypop thanks to all the good people at Zaretsky and Associates Landscaping http://www.zaretskyassociates.com/!!!  Between injuries and hurricanes, it took a lot to put these in the ground.  I can't wait to tell our excited donors they are in!






And a quick update on the construction.  It's going up fast.  I saw some masonry on the clinic in the back and the roofing being installed.  It won't be long before these will be occupied!
Not much else to report.  I've been super, super busy lately.  So, I'm boring...

Another Lollypop Construction Update

The walls are going up fast for the new training center




A lot of work to go as you can tell by the sheer amount of cinder blocks around


Crisp fall day with the trees changing color behind the new animal clinic.


And, the trees haven't quite changed color or the salmon start to swim up the falls at Corbett's Glen

The trees around Allen's Creek are about to change.  Hopefully, it will be better than last year when they were about to change and then a severe windstorm knocked all the leaves off.  It went from summer to instant winter.  Then, there was no snow.  Last year was weird.
That's it from here.  

Mike Kraus' Animal Kingdom

Hello Daisy!


Sorry, already adopted...  But, a very sweet and funny Dachshund.


You can tell how tiny she is by comparing her to the chair legs.


And now for the kittens.  Not adopted, but not quite ready yet.  They are in the foster program and need to put on some weight first.  




Fawn.  Not at work, but hanging out at our apartment.


CONSTRUCTION UPDATE!  The walls of the new clinic are rapidly rising!


The walls of the new training center and offices!

"This means something.  This is important."  

If you don't get it, please put this on your Netflix queue: Movie suggestion

All the great things we do for the animals is because of you!  So, please show your support and our race and festival below:

BARKTOBERFEST

September 22, 2012, Lollypop Farm from 8:30am to 3pm

http://www.lollypop.org/bfest/mikekraus