Meet The Judges For CafeRg's Splash Poetry Picture St. Valentine's Day Challenge

CafeRg's Splash Poetry Picture St. Valentine's Day Challenge [link] entry deadline is coming near - February 4th, 2006. If you have not entered the popular poetry challenge yet click the link above for more information.

The competition is judged by four Judges - two from SplashHall Poetry, one from BZoO HomeGrown Radio and one notable Judge from outside the SplashHall Poetry Network. The Judges score and choose four poems of all the entries for the St. Valentine's Day Challenge. The four top poems are then submitted to a SplashHall Poetry members poll, which the members vote to award a First Place and a Honorable Mention to the top 2 poems. Winners are also awarded prizes listed below.

This St. Valentine's Day Challenge Judge's are:



Special Guest Judge Dick Bakken





Dick Bakken of Bisbee, Arizona, did a 20-reading new book tour of the West in 2003—El Paso to Seattle, Berkeley to Santa Fe—to promote Twin Towers (Carrington Press, 2003), his response to the 9/11 WTC attacks, then again in 2004 to promote Dick Bakken: Greatest Hits (Pudding House Publications, 2005), which features his 12 most influential poems 1967–2002. To catch this relentless pioneer voicing poems without MS, mic, or podium, which has defined Bakken’s delivery—coast to coast—since 1973, long before “performance poet,” “spoken word,” and “slam” were labels anywhere near in vogue, hear his audio stereo cassette, The Other Side: Dick Bakken Live / Selected Voicings 1978–84 (Brushfire Publications, 1986). And check out “Orson Wells Interviews Poet Dick Bakken, Copper Queen Hotel Saloon, Labor Day, 2005,” at 'The Forbbiden Story Boards'. Greatest Hits, The Other Side, or his not-for-the-uptight-of-heart Feet with the Jesus (Lynx House Press, 1989) are available each $10.00 postpaid and signed from the author at dickbakken@yahoo.com.

Dick Bakken photo courtesy of Richard Byrd.

BZoO Radio And SplashHall Poetry Judges





Left to right BZoO Radio Host Belinda Subraman, SplashHall Poetry Director "Witt" Wittmann, SplashHall Host D. "Sunny" Porter.



BZoO Radio Host Belinda Subraman Belinda’s own writing has grown to span a vast array of subjects, styles and publications. She has traveled in over 20 countries, lived in Europe for 6 years and was part of an East Indian family for 22 years. These cross-cultural experiences often inform her work as well as her experiences as a Registered Nurse. These days her poetry, stories, and art can be found in hundreds of journals, reviews, anthologies, books and chapbooks. Since 1994 her archives are housed at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, in the Center for Southwest Research. Her daily updated web site is Belinda Subraman She also is Editor/Publisher of a multi-media ezine at GypsyMag and is BZoO Homegrown Radio Host.

SplashHall Poetry Director Witt Wittmann a recipient of the James A. Rodgers Creative writing award, was born and reared in Lake City, SC. She has attended the the University of South Carolina and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. Recently retired from the public school system, she now spends her time editing and illustrating books for others. She also the Poetry Directory at Splashhall Poetry. Wittmann is a self-taught, award-winning author and artist. Witt's work has been recognized and displayed at South Carolina's Artisans Center, and her tatted treasures have been exhibited throughout the state. witt has published two books: TatWitt: What I learned When I Learned To Tat (Union County Writers Press 2002) and Musing at La Poulaille (D-N Publishing 2002). TatWitt is an inspirational book with essays and poetry to motivate people to pursue their love for the arts. Musing at La Poulaille is a humorous collection of poems delving into the extraordinary world of chickens. You can see some of her tats and books at her WebSite.

SplashHall Hostess Debbie "Sunny" Porter lives in sunny Florida. Sunny dabbles in all type of arts and crafts. From panty hose dolls, dream catchers and quilts, each unique, never two alike. "When I was a teenager my favorite hobby was making necklaces, and poetry. I enjoy doing digital art, Cin(E)-Poetry, and spoken word Poetry". Sunny has published Skating on Saturns Rings & Sensual Lavender Dreams available through LuLu . You can visit one of her blogs at Lady SunShine's Aura Sunny has been a SplashHall Hostess for the past 5 year and loves helping others.

Sponsors And Prizes Are:

First Place will be awarded a beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses from Kingsgate Diamonds. Both First Place and Honorable Mention will be awarded SlamNation's New DVD and a Splash Poetry Challenge Award Banner.


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If you're a blogger you will also win blogging credits from the following blogging communities:




Top poems are also published on our syndicated blogs including Rollin Thunder Poetry, BZoO HomeGrown Radio Blog and SplashHall Art & Poetry.