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.

BZoO HomeGrown Radio Is Growing Check Out The Other BZoO HomeGrown Radio WebSite

Hey ya'll, BZoO HomeGrown Radio has another website at www.bzoo.org. Boogie on over and see whats new. Be sure to check out the Showlist.

These last 3 days I have been creating a new site for the BZoO Homegrown Radio and Podcast and it was been a real bitch :-0 the coding has kept me up late in the wee hours of the night ..or is that morning? Anyway we are getting there. The Show List has been activated and we added some new mp3 tracks to the BZoO HomeGrown Radio from some great indie musicians, including a phenomenal 12 year young artisit from Mississippi, Mike Morgan. New podcast and Spotlights are in the making too.

If all goes well with enginieering we will boardcast our friends from Kansas City, NightWatch at 10:00 PM EST. NightWatch is hosted by host Legendary Horror Film Director and Producer Todd Sheets as he exposes your mind's eye to ghost, folk-lore, legends, conspiracy and mystery. I am told the show is somewhat like Art Bell's. Let's hope this goes well tonight.

Also check out the interview of myself with Will Brown of Cloudy Day Art look on the Showlist or if you just cant wait ;-) you can get it on Cloudy Day Art.

Give us a couple days and we will have a special place for musicians and spoken word artist to leave your calling card right here on the BZoO HomeGrown Radio Website. You will be able to leave your Official Website and Current Events. It will be an awesome spot for you the Indie Musician and Spoken Word Artist.

Stay tuned and keep checking back and I will see you on the radio. Now boogie on over, hear?

Create Your Sweetheart A St. Valentine's Day Poem ~ SplashHall Valentine's Poetry Challenge.

Win a bouquet of roses from Kingsgate Diamonds, SlamNation's New DVD and a Splash Poetry Challenge Award Banner.


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Enter cafeRg's Splash Poetry Picture 'St. Valentine,s Day' Challenge. The top two poems will be decided by a SplashHall Poetry Members Poll and the Judges score.

How It Works

Judges will award 4 poems a score of 1 to 4. SplashHall Members will then vote for those 4 poems and, based on most votes, each poem will be scored 1 to 4. Ties, should there be any, will be broken and decided by the Judges.

A beautiful bouquet of a dozen red roses from Kingsgate Diamonds, by way of FTD, are given to First Place. Both First Place and Honorable Mention will also be awarded the sensational DVD "SlamNation" and awards banners.To enter your sweethearts St. Valentine's Day poem in CafeRg's Splash Picture Poetry St. Valentine's Day Challenge, muse William Albert Allard photograph, "Passion Dwells In The Shadows" and post your valentine poem In This Forum Here.

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

There is a limit of 1 poem per person per challenge. Poems need to have a William Albert Allard photograph, "Passion Dwells In The Shadows" tone to be included in the voting and scoring. SplashHall Host and Staff including Rollin Thunder Staff and BZoO Homegrown Radio Staff are not eligible to enter.

Poems must be submitted and posted in this forum by Saturday, February 4, 2006 8:00 PM EST. Scoring and voting will begin. Winners will be announced on Sunday February 12, 2006.

Want To Keep Your New Year's Resolution? Join Me - The Splash 2006 Can Do Project

Every new year thousands of thousands of people, including myself, make or want to make New Year Resolutions that they would like to enhance their lives and those around them.

Mostly, as fast as the new year comes to be ..we fail! Mostly because we fail to plan. Oh sure, we make a list but what support do we have to follow the list? Another reason is our Resolutions or Goals are not defined or realistic. For instance, we all want to make the world a place of peace or we want to clean up homelessness. How are you going to do that. Stand upon a mountain and exclaim peace? No, but you could start a group in your community and forego your mission of social justice.

Ok, I think you get my point, so let me request that you join me as a support group. We shall call our little group "The 2006 Splash Can Do Project". We shall have goals both as individuals and as a group.

At first our 'list' will be somewhat general, but as a group, we help each other define our goals and support each others endeavors. Feel free to comment, ask questions or make suggestions along the way. Also its ok to amend, add or drop a resolution.

Ok here's mine... along with some notations to help you understand the process.

Individual Goals

1) Lose 30 Pounds.

How shall I do this? My plan is to lose 5 lbs a month. That way I will reach my target weight of 165 lbs by June. Summer is a good target date, yes? Additionally I would need to change my eatings and exercise habits.

2) Change My Eating Habits.

If I am to lose 30 lbs then I will need to slow down on the chips and 'midnight' ice cream, yes? But by changing my eating habits I will also change my health. I will have more energy and having more energy I will be more likely to exercise.

3) Exercise At Least 3 Times A Week.

You may be saying but these are all related and you are correct. Thats the idea, each goal helps me obtain my goals. Another benefit from the first 3 here is I will be able to think clearer which will help with my next goals.

4) Become A Better and More Creative Writer.

I feel I need to write with more clarity. Often I feel I am mis-understood when writing, in fact even my verbal communication could use help ..lol.. I would also like to write a few poems, something I havent done in a while. However, I still would like to write in my style that anyone would recognize I am the writer and the trick here would be using creativity.

5) Become A Better Radio Personality.

I havent found my niche yet as a radio personality (or DJ). I want to convey my cosmic self over the airwaves and digital waves. Sometime humorous, sometime serious, sometime somewhere in between. Also to enhance my voice quality.

Group Goals

1) Motivate More Participation At SplashHall Poetry.

We have some of the best talent here at SplashHall. Likewise there 'is' good participation. But I feel so many others that are talented, creative members here, shun from participation for fear of acceptance by the group. SplashHall and its members are like a 'Goldmine' of talent and creativity. We, both members and staff, need to exploit that. More on this as we develope our support group.

2) Develop BZoO HomeGrown Radio Into Dynamic Creative Radio.

BZoO was created as A) an audio outlet for SplashHall. B) to gather more artist in the art arena of independent musicians, songwriters, spoken word artist and audio poets. BZoO is young and growing as is the concept. It has the opportunity to become a leading example and voice in the electronic arts. How shall we do that?

3) Create A Creative Support Group For SplashHall And BZoO HomeGrown Radio.

This is where you come in and your participation is most important. My idea is not only do we encourage and support each other in our individual lives but together we create the direction and future of SplashHall and BZoO. Some will particpate on the basis of just individual growth and some will participate on the basis of the group growth and support.

Let me emphasis the above group goals. To participate your goals may be different. They do not need to be the same. These are my goals. My New Years Resolutions. I will help you reach your New Years Resolution, your goals, your desires and you help me and anyone else who would like to become part of this project. And I hope there is a few of you to start this project and help it grow. The main goal of The 2006 Splash Can Do Project is to help You and Each Other maintain and reach their own NewYear Resolutions, their own 2006 goals. Encourage and help each other make 2006 the year they kept and obtained their individual goals. Are you in? Willing to try?

There's no obligation, no pressure, and its 100% Free. You can participate at your own pace. There is no meetings. There is no set time, except that which you set for yourself to reach your goals. All you need to do is comment, stating you want to be part of this project. A project that is really about you.

I have been very eleborate to try to be clear. You do not need to be. In goal setting and reaching our goals we need to start somewhere. Simply reply, outline, with your 2006 New Year Resolutions here. Please do join me and make 2006 special for all of us, yes?

Again, feel free to comment, ask questions or make suggestions along the way.

If you're not already a SplashHall Member, you will have to Join Here. Its Quick, Easy, Friendly, Supportive and 100% Absolutely FREE.

Whether you choose to join or not, may your desires and dreams for 2006 come true.

Happy New Year Resolution!