TRAVEL ADVENTURES . . . 
Faig Ahmed: SLOMA Presents the First West Coast Museum Exhibition | | Exhibition Opens February 12 at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art | | The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is pleased to announce an upcoming solo exhibition of contemporary Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed. The artwork exhibited will span Ahmed’s career, while focusing on works primarily made within the past five years: 2016-2021. The work in this exhibition is loaned from major collections from all over the world and is organized in collaboration with Nina Levent, Director of New York-based gallery Sapar Contemporary.
A multimedia artist working with textiles, painting, video, and installation, Faig Ahmed is best known for his conceptual works that deconstruct and rearrange fragments of traditional Azerbaijani rugs to create contemporary sculptural forms. His work reimagines ancient crafts and creates new visual languages by disassembling traditional works and stereotypes, bringing them into a global contemporary art context. Ahmed explores fresh new visual forms that challenge our perception of traditions and iconic cultural objects. His artworks engage the viewers through its unexpected marriage of traditional crafts with hyper-contemporary, digitally distorted images often in the form of pixilation, three-dimensional shapes and melting paint that alters the pattern on the rugs. The artist’s avenues of artistic inquiry are connected to patterns, language, calligraphy and how those are reflective of mystical practices, ancient scriptures, regional histories.
“I first discovered Faig Ahmed’s work in 2018 and immediately fell in love. Since that time, his global reputation has skyrocketed and his work is in major museum collections all over the world,” said SLOMA Chief Curator Emma Saperstein. “It’s really special for us to present this work to our community.”
Born in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan in 1982, Faig Ahmed graduated from the sculpture department of Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Art in Baku in 2004. He represented Azerbaijan at the nation’s inaugural pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2007 and participated in the 2013 pavilion. Also in 2013, he was nominated for the third edition of the Jameel Prize organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. He lives and works in Baku, Azerbaijan and is a Board Member of the YARAT Contemporary Art Space.
Ahmed’s works can be seen in public collections globally, including the Art Institute of Chicago; Seattle Art Museum; Los Angeles County Museum; Bargoin Museum, France; The National Gallery of Victoria, Australia; and The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, Norway, among many other public and private collections.
A variety of in-depth programming with local school districts, guided docent tours, and a lecture program will accompany the exhibition.
“We are honored to be presenting the work of an internationally-recognized artist that has never been exhibited before in this region,” stated SLOMA Director, Leann Standish. “It’s a wonderful example of the momentum that SLOMA has developed, not only expanding our focus nationally but globally as well.”
Faig Ahmed Exhibition: February 12 - May 15, 2022
Artist and Donor Dinner: February 10
Member Preview: February 11
About San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) is the heart of the California Central Coast art community and a vital link to the cultural life of the region. It is a dedicated to providing and promoting diverse visual arts experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, education, creation, and collaboration. Located at 1010 Broad Street, on the west end of Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo, California, admission to this 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit arts organization is free to all. More information can be found at www.sloma.org. __________________________________________________________________ RANDY ROWSE SWORN IN AS SANTA BARBARA’S NEW MAYOR ON STEPS OF CITY HALL 
Mayor Randy Rowse LBN Staff
About 200 people gathered at City Hall to say farewell to outgoing Mayor Cathy Murillo. The ceremony was held outdoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outgoing Mayor Murillo acknowledged and thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve the people of Santa Barbara. During his acceptance speech Randy Rowse promised to bring a nonpartisan approach to the mayor's office. He asked for a round of applause for public safety and law enforcement and recited the power and importance of businesses in the community. "The revitalization of our local business is a top priority," Rowse said. "Those who own and operate those businesses are our neighbors, they employee people, and they create the revenues necessary to provide city social services, clean parks and infrastructure, and that includes the maintenance and support of the police and fire departments that we enjoy." Randy Rowse served previously on the City Council with Murillo. Despite political differences they have a friendly public relationship. They both laughed and smiled at each other when Murillo passed the gavel to the new Mayor and when Rowse presented Murillo with a dozen red roses for her service. "I'd like to take just a moment to acknowledge the service of Cathy Murillo, her time on council, her time as mayor and her leadership during some pretty difficult times," Rowse said.   Bottom of Form
10 Things You Might Not Know About Mardi Gras What is Mardi Gras? Do you know the meaning of krewe? Or where to get one-of-a-kind beads? Here you will find 10 things to know about Mardi Gras to make your Carnival the best!
By LouisianaTravel.com Staff Mardi Gras. Two little words with an infinitely large explanation. For different people it’s different things—an event, an idea, a day, a way of life, piece of history, state holiday, or a million parades and countless memories. Think you know Mardi Gras? That it’s all about booze and beads? Think again! 10 Things to Know About Mardi Gras 1. Carnival is a Season; Mardi Gras is a day. Sure, we all do it. “Yea, I’m going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras!” we say, when we’re actually going to see parades the weekend before Mardi Gras, or the weekend before that. Technically, “Mardi Gras” is the last Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and ushers in 40 days of best behavior during Lent, and “Carnival” is the season that begins on the Feast of Epiphany. A krewe (pronounced the same way as "crew") is an organization that puts on a parade and/or a ball for the Carnival season. 2. Your Dog Will Love Mardi Gras. Dogs just want to have fun! And that’s what they get at their very own parades in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Northshore and more locations! These animal-dedicated parades show off the fun and revelry from our furriest of friends, and man, do they look cute (check out images from past parades)! Though the parades are mostly not rolling this year, start planning your dog's costume for the next celebration. 3. Mardi Gras is for Families. There are many activities and Mardi Gras parades that are family-friendly. Though the parades are not rolling this year, in New Orleans’ there are a few favorite family parade-watching spots, which include St. Charles and Napoleon Streets. 4. The Best Ways to Get Parade Goods Aren’t Always Obvious. Sure, you could say, “Throw me something, mister!” or you could stick your cute kid on your shoulders, but if you really want to test your suitcases’ weight limit, head to the end of the parade. You’ll be showered by effervescent float-riders with a single goal: chuck all bags of beads off before they get off the float themselves. 5. You Never Know What They’ll Throw. Bathroom humor never grows old, as evidenced by the irreverent joy of Krewe of Tucks riders in their giant toilet bowl float! The screaming crowds line the street begging for their bathroom-themed throws, including monogrammed toilet paper, sunglasses shaped like toilets, mini-plungers, and more. In Shreveport, we love the Krewe of Highland, who throw Spam and hot dogs. Anyone can come home with beads. Only those "in the know" get miniature squirting toilets and dinner. 6. The Best Parades Aren’t Necessarily the Biggest. You can’t get any smaller than ’tit Rex, known as “New Orleans’ first and only MicroKrewe.” This krewe, founded in 2009, features miniature floats made from shoeboxes and found objects. Carnival throws are handed out by krewe members rather than tossed, since — in keeping with the theme of the parade — they are so tiny. 7. Why We Throw Beads at Mardi Gras? Legend has it in the 1880s, a man dressed like Santa Claus received such fame throwing beads, that other krewes followed suit. Makes sense, seeing before that, krewes threw any manner of items, including food and dirt. Today krewes buy plastic beads en masse which parade-goers prefer over dirt! Locals still love to see throws of tiny glass bead strands, which are rare and seemed to have phased out in the 1960s and 1970s. 8. The Weight of Revelry. Think your suitcase is heavy? Officials estimate upwards of 25 million pounds of Mardi Gras items get tossed from floats. In fact, locals like to visit ARC of New Orleans and recycle their beads for next year. 9. Mardi Gras is a Legal Holiday. It really is! Despite the preponderance of what might “seem” like illegal activity, Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in Louisiana, and has been since 1875, when Governor Warmoth signed the “Mardi Gras Act.” 10. Mardi Gras is More Than New Orleans. When you hear “Mardi Gras” do you only think of New Orleans? Think again. Mardi Gras is celebrated around the state! Cajun Mardi Gras (yes, there is a Cajun spin on Mardi Gras) can be found in the Lafayette and Eunice area. In Baton Rouge, parades roll many weekends before and during Mardi Gras. Plan to experience some family-friendly Mardi Gras fun in Alexandria. And all-year round, check out the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles or Mardi Gras World in New Orleans to see real floats, costumes and everything Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is also celebrated all over the world including many locations in Europe and massive celebrations are found in Brazil every year! ___________________________________________________________________ TRAVEL NEWS .jpg)
Transportation Security Administration Information for Seniors
Screening for Passengers 75 and Older Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk. Screening Benefits You may leave on your shoes and light jacket during screening. If you alarm during security screening, you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down. You can request to be seated during this portion of the screening. Passengers 75 and older who are unable to stand for screening will be screened through other security methods. Should you travel with medical devices and/or implants, other screening procedures may apply. Disabilities and Medical Conditions To ensure your security, all travelers are required to undergo screening at the checkpoint. You or your traveling companion may consult the TSA officer about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening process. You may provide the officer with the TSA notification card or other medical documentation to describe your condition. If you have other questions or concerns about traveling with a disability please contact passenger support. You are required to undergo screening at the checkpoint by technology or a pat-down. If your TSA PreCheck® designation has been verified at a participating airport, you do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts, or light jackets during the screening process. However, if you are required to undergo additional screening for any reason, a pat-down may be required, which includes the removal of items such as shoes, belts, or light jackets. Also, TSA officers may swab your hands, mobility aids, equipment and other external medical devices to test for explosives using explosives trace detection technology. Travelers with disabilities with TSA PreCheck® on their boarding passes will receive TSA PreCheck® on-person screening when screened in a standard lane for any reason. This may happen when the TSA PreCheck® lane is closed, for example. Carry-on baggage and other accessible property will undergo standard screening in standard lanes, including removal of laptops, 3-1-1- liquids, and CPAP/BPAP equipment. REAL ID Flying with a REAL ID REAL ID deadline extended. Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 3, 2023. Read the announcement. Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. Check for the star. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. If you’re not sure, contact your state driver’s license agency on how to obtain a REAL ID compliant card. For information by state, including where to obtain a REAL ID, visit the DHS REAL ID website and click your state on the map. About enhanced driver's licenses. Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota, and New York states issue REAL ID and state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses, both of which are acceptable. Washington state issues enhanced driver’s licenses only. State-issued enhanced driver's licenses are marked with a flag. These documents will be accepted at the airport security checkpoint when the REAL ID enforcement goes into effect. It’s the law. Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibit federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as getting through the airport security checkpoint to board a plane. Learn more about REAL ID enforcement. For details on carry-on and additional screening information visit the link below: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening ___________________________________________________________________ NEW OPENING OF THE MAYBOURNE HOTEL IN BEVERLY HILLS 
MAYBOURNE BH 225 N. Canon Drive Beverly Hills, CA 310-860-7800 
www.maybournebeverlyhills.com
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