The TSW Kensington Fire Story

At the beginning of June we passed the 2 year mark since we moved to Jackson. What a 2 years we've had. After much consideration we have decided to leave our roles here at the Perkins Center. Emily has been volunteering here for the past 2 years and I have been the youth director. I have resigned my position effective at the end of our current summer arts camp. So much could be said about our reasons for leaving of the Perkins Center but the simple version is that we feel it is time for us to move on.

As we thought about where to go and what to do next in our lives we were leaning towards heading back to the northwest for a season. With no real ties to anything or anyone beyond the Perkins Center, Mississippi seemed like an unlikely place to stay. It was around this time of deciding to leave and what to do next that we met some new people who have become close friends. For the first time in a long while we began to feel part of a community. Turns out our friends Joe and Elli are moving out of their apartment/art space in an area of town called the Milsaps Art district at the same time that our commitment to the Perkins Center would be up.
The idea of us moving into Joe and Elli's place began to get tossed around and few weeks ago and on a train ride down to New Orleans we got a call from Joe saying that if we wanted the apartment we could have it but we had to act quickly because other people were showing interest. So in a moment of excitement and uncertainty we made the decision to take the apartment and stay in Jackson .

As we've become more involved in the city we've come to see a beauty in its people and culture that seemed invisible to us for quite some time. There is something going on that seems unique and new. We don't know how long we will stay but we are excited to be staying in Jackson. The new space we'll be living in has a room that is set up for music recording so I'm looking forward to setting up my home studio there and investing more time into my music. Emily is looking to continue her education at Jackson State University and is glad that she will be able to keep in touch with most of the children we've become friends with over the past 2 years.

I don't know what the future of this blog will look like as it started out as a way to document and keep you in touch with our time working here at the Perkins Center. The name may change but we will hopefully continue to post updates.

I have also started a myspace page for my music (thanks Katie). So if you are into being virtual friends stop on by www.myspace.com/johnnybertram or if you want to be real friends that's even better.



We hope all of you are enjoying the summer season. Im pretty home sick for the mountains of Idaho these days. I find myself day dreaming about swimming at Warm Lake a lot lately.

Emily and I wish to thank all of you have supported us and encouraged us through out our time here. I m blown away when I think about all the people who have chosen to stay connected with what we've been doing. Your love and friendships have helped make this a life changing experiance for us.

Peace,

Johnny




p.s. go see Sicko

It's getting hot down here.

Our Summer Arts Camp is up and running. We are having a blast but between the heat and the 45 students enrolled we are very tired. Things seem more in control this year. I can see a lot of maturity in the staff. We have really been focusing on stepping back and letting others lead which has been a great thing. I see young leaders stepping up as they are given more responsibility which is pretty encouraging.

Our days consist of a variety of activities including, swimming, photography, baking, gardening, going to the library, singing funny songs, playing basketball, dancing, singing, learning to play piano, studying for the up coming spelling bee, and of coarse kick ball.

On evenings and weekends we've been hanging out with new friends Brad, Sage, Joe, and Elli. Its nice to have a crew of like minded yet unique people to encourage and challenge us.
Emily on the train they call the City of New Orleans

Johnny and his mustache getting mocked