Jim Parsons – författare

Fair Park Deco is a fascinating tour of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. Like every American exposition in the 1930s, it began in economic depression. Although its economy had been buoyed by major oil discoveries in the early '30s, Texas agriculture was hard hit by the Great Depression. By the middle of the decade, state officials had set their sights on a great centennial celebration to help stimulate the economy and attract tourist dollars. “If during the next six months the people of the state could become filled with the idea of holding a big celebration on the one hundredth anniversary of the establishment of Texas independence,” the state’s centennial commission speculated in July, 1934, “it would have the effect of creating a general forward-looking spirit through the state. It would be more stimulating than anything we can think of, and this effect would be immediate.”This book focuses specifically on the Art Deco art and architecture of Fair Park—the public spaces, buildings, sculptures and murals that were designed for the 1936 exposition. Most of the chapters in the book represent different areas of Fair Park, with buildings and artwork effectively arranged in the same order that a visitor to the Texas Centennial Exposition might have seen them. The art and architecture are featured in original photography by Jim Parsons and David Bush as well as in historic photographs.Fair Park is one of the finest collections of Deco architecture in the country, but it is so much more: the embodiment of Texan swagger, it is a testament to the Texanic task of creating a dazzling spectacle in the darkest days of the Depression.

Vivid imagery and original research are the hallmarks of DFW Deco: Modernistic Architecture of North Texas, the latest in Jim Parsons and David Bush’s series of books documenting Art Deco and Art Moderne design in the Lone Star State. DFW Deco examines a vibrant architectural heritage that spans legendary eras in American history, from the Roaring Twenties through the Great Depression to World War II.DFW Deco explores the full range of modernistic building styles and some of the uniquely Texan influences that shaped the growing cities of North Texas. Classic zigzag skyscrapers promoted by Fort Worth boosters and Dallas businessmen, Art Deco storefronts in the booming towns of the great East Texas oilfield, and streamlined facilities inspired by innovations in transportation and communications all have a place in this book.DFW Deco looks not only at whole buildings, but also at their finely crafted details, ranging from vibrant tile murals depicting the scope of Texas history on Fort Worth’s monumental Will Rogers Memorial Center to stylized gold-leaf pinecones and cotton bolls in the ornate People’s National Bank Building in Tyler.Using a mix of original and historical photographs, this lavishly illustrated book promotes an appreciation of Main Street movie theaters, innovative suburban homes, and even a surprising collection of modernistic soft drink bottling plants. DFW Deco also documents the federal programs that helped build exceptional courthouses, schools, and post offices from small towns to big cities. The book ends with a chapter of short biographies of the architects and artists who created these landmarks.By illustrating the broad reach of modernistic design in North Texas, the authors hope to advance the preservation of significant buildings and encourage readers to explore the region themselves and discover their own Art Deco treasures.

Teacher research in Canada: Although the job might be hard the quest is worth it. It is about teacher power. We trust teachers and we believe they have powerful knowledge, insight, and experience that should be shared widely-and we mean to attempt that sharing. We are a community, bound by an ethos: we care about children and we want to help them learn. We also believe that teacher research is important and that not enough of it is done. We hope to correct that poverty. Our work is based upon three beliefs about research: 1) the WHAT is important-we need to seek and create knowledge and that knowledge should be based upon our best inquiry; 2) the SO WHAT is important. We are a community of critical action. We need to consider how what we learn SHOULD be applied; & 3) the NOW WHAT is important. We have to actually engage children in the best ways we know how, with the best of what we have learned. This is what The Canadian Journal for Teacher Research is all about. Our goal is to transform teaching in Canada.

Writing this book has not been a labor of love or a desire to become independantly wealthy,but simply a personal account of my years spent in the restaurant industry and growth as a husband,Father, and fellow human being. The book''s main theme is diversity in all it''s forms.From the particular guests,employees,managers,and all who will always be part of life''s simple pleasure ,an escape from the daily grind of life,of going out to eat. If this lifetime of journey can spark a memory, or stir an emotion within,or satiate a curiosity, then that is all the satisfaction I can hope for.Remember life is about diversity,compromise and acceptance,in the spirit of this just Call Me Purple.

You don't need a tweed jacket to be a researcher--in thousands of schools across North America, practising teachers conduct studies on best practices, alternative approaches, and effective learning strategies. Classroom teachers have experiences and opportunities unavailable to researchers in a university setting, and action research--site-based, teacher-conducted research--can have a valuable impact on the educational community. Yet many teachers don't see their work as real research, and many other teachers have great ideas for research projects but don't know where to begin. For these teachers, Engaging in Action Research demystifies the world of educational research and provides support, guidance, and encouragement. From creating a research plan to reporting findings, this book provides step-by-step instructions to help teachers conduct research projects in the classroom, using strategies that work. Get ready to investigate, analyze, and share!