Latest news with #Dahlia
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2025 Little Miss Wheelchair Michigan forms bond with mentor
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Most people can't say they've been honored with any awards, or nominated for any titles by their state. At 4 years old, Dahlia Swanson is already able to. Dahlia is Little Miss Wheelchair Michigan 2025. She was nominated by 2025 Miss Wheelchair Michigan Rynita McGuire, who saw a lot of herself in Dahlia. 'I hadn't crowned a little Miss Wheelchair yet and she reminded me of myself when I was younger,' McGuire told News 8. Dahlia's personality and self-assurance drew McGuire to her and the two quickly formed a bond. 'She's a little go-getter and a firecracker just like I was when I was little and I just fell in love with her right away,' McGuire said. 'She does a lot in the community. Her parents are very, very supportive and encouraging and I just thought she was perfect for the role.' Outside of their roles, McGuire and Dahlia both share a passion for DJing, after Dahlia saw McGuire DJ. McGuire has been a DJ for 25 years and recently gifted a pair of small turntables to Dahlia. 'She saw me DJing at the Mary Free Bed Art Exhibit, that's held by the Mary Free Bed Guild here and she told me she wants to be a DJ one day,' McGuire said. Whatever Dahlia decides to do, McGuire said she is going to do her best to support her and other children with disabilities. 'I didn't see a lot of representation when I was growing up of people with disabilities really doing a lot of big things in the world, but I fought to make sure that I was reaching all of my goals,' McGuire said. 'And I just think that the more they see me and other adults like me really accomplishing things, the more they can believe in themselves, because I don't feel that society has a lot of high expectations for people with disabilities. But we can do anything anybody else can do and sometimes even better.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Sign painting is not yet a lost art — these artists still create them by hand
The couple has a cute dachshund named Dahlia, who enjoys napping on a couch near the front windows of as colorful a storefront business as you are likely to find here or, for that matter, anywhere. It's called Heart & Bone Signs and the couple is Andrew and Kelsey McClellan. They are artists, and what they have been doing here for more than a decade, though working in relative obscurity, is painting the town. Literally. They are sign painters and gold-leafing artists, practitioners of venerable art forms that were once so prominent here that the city was, without argument, the center of the sign painting world but, after new machine technologies were introduced, all but extinct by the 1980s. You can, if you open your eyes, see their work around the city and suburbs, Blue Island being an especially inviting 'canvas' for them these days. You can, if you are riding in an airplane, see their work that has transformed the roofs of warehouses with paint and company logos. Also, if you open your eyes, you will see the work of artists of previous generations, on the brick walls of buildings, faded and sometimes discovered upon the demolition of adjoining structures. Those are commonly known as 'ghost signs,' and they grabbed the eyes of the McClellans when they came to Chicago. They are native Coloradans, first meeting as students on the campus of the University of Colorado in Denver, falling in love in a sculpture class, getting married and eventually going through the arduous process of being accepted into post-graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. They enjoyed that, learned a lot, but were unable to meet the financial demands of a second year's tuition. But they loved the city and, while working non-art jobs, began to explore its rich, if hidden, sign painting traditions. They met and learned from artist Stephen Reynolds, who was instrumental in showing them how to approach materials and techniques, and from Bob Behounek and Robert Frese, a gold-gilding expert who further informed, taught and enlightened them. And then they found Dan Colyer, who, as a young sign painter, had saved piles of sketches used by the Beverly Sign Co. from the garbage heap. 'It was a miracle that he has saved them, kept them all these years,' says Kelsey. They discovered more stories and facts and were introduced to other former artists and gained great insight into the history of the company. It compelled them to start a publishing company, Heavy Pages Press, and produce a book, 'The Golden Era of Sign Design: The Rediscovered Sketches of Beverly Sign Co.,' a beautiful 12' x 8' hardcover book that provides an extensive look at the incredible sketches of Chicago's preeminent outdoor sign company, Beverly Sign Co., famous and admired across the country. It's a terrific book, its page filled with art, along with some very informative words that speak to the history and significance of the company, of sign painting and a has a lively interview with Colyer, who says, in reference to legendary designer and teacher Ken Millar, 'Oh my gosh, he could not spell a word to save his life. He would be drawing a sketch, and come to me and my sister to get the correct spelling of the words he was writing. Too funny! He may not have been able to spell, but once he got it from us, he was off to the races!' It was at a book talk at the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, that the McClellans met Bryan Bedell, a designer who has long worked at a Chicago company called Field Notes. Enthusiastically, he told his boss, pal and the company's founder and president, Jim Coudal, about the book. Coudal told me, 'I pride myself on knowing a great deal of Chicago history but I did not know about this lively, fascinating sign painting chapter.' And so there came to be Field Notes' 66th Quarterly Limited Edition for the spring of 2025. It is 'The Chicago Look,' 'which explores a chapter of American design and typographic history through the lens of a single, highly influential — and sadly now-defunct — enterprise.' The limited edition was a huge success and a visit to the Field Notes website will entertain you with Steve Delahoyde's short film about the McClellans and show you the wide and wonderful extent of Field Notes offerings, what I have previously called 'a distinctively American story… done it in an irresistibly artful way.' Talking to them, it's easy to feel that the McClellans are pleased to be on an aesthetically rewarding journey. Though they have produced hundreds — 'maybe a thousand by now,' says Andrew — of pieces of art (OK, call them signs if you must), they seem to lack the self-promotional genes. 'We don't advertise,' says Kelsey. 'Social media has been pretty beneficial, but we like our work to speak for itself.' They enjoy the collaborative process with clients and word of mouth has been steady. And it's getting louder too. Their paintings, paired with their inherent curiosity, have made them among the most forceful advocates for this art form. In the summer of 2022, the McClellans and Behounek and Frese acted to save ghost signs in the Ravenswood neighborhood slated for demolition. With community support, they raised the money that enabled many signs to be restored or removed and saved. And that experience is what first introduced them to the Beverly Sign Co. story. In their storefront headquarters, the McClellans are surrounded not only by the tools of their trade — ladders, pens, paints, quills, razor blades and other gizmos. The walls are covered with dozens of signs, many sizes, shapes and colors, names in different typefaces, all of them once part of the city's commerce and diversion, its history. 'It is wonderful for us to keep this tradition alive,' said Kelsey. As we talked, I learned of a breed of workers who used to paint buildings. 'They were called wall dogs,' said Andrew. 'Because, I think, they worked like dogs, tethered to the sides of buildings in any kind of weather.' Then he said, 'I think that people who hire us are expressing a level of authenticity for their business. These handcrafted signs, the gold-gilding, are ways of saying 'We are here to stay.'' On the couch, the little dog stirred.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Genshin Impact Update 5.7 introduces Dahlia to the roster
Image via HoYoverse Genshin Impact Version 5.7 is set to launch on June 18, and HoYoverse has dropped a surprise — Dahlia, the long-rumored 4-star Hydro Sword wielder from Mondstadt, is finally joining the roster. Here's a crisp breakdown of what you can expect from this newest addition to the game. Who is Dahlia in Genshin Impact 5.7? Dahlia isn't exactly a new face in the lore. First mentioned way back in Version 1.3, he's been a part of Genshin's whispered history for years, now stepping into the spotlight as the 'Herald of Barbatos.' As a high-ranking member of the Church of Favonius, Dahlia brings a unique blend of piety and mischief. He's charismatic, chill, and — like many from Mondstadt — quite fond of a good drink. Genshin's FIRST Hydro Shielder?! | Dahlia Initial Beta Kit, Builds, Teams Overview & Analysis When Is Dahlia Coming to Genshin Impact 5.7? Mark your calendars—Version 5.7 launches on June 18, 2025, and Dahlia will be featured in the first-half character banners alongside the long-awaited Skirk and Emilie. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses In Ubatuba Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Dahlia Playstyle & Role in Teams Dahlia is a 4-star Hydro Sword character, and his kit is designed around two core functions: Shielding Support Attack Speed Buffing This makes him a natural candidate for fast-paced, on-field DPS teams that benefit from Hydro application and faster Normal Attacks — think Yoimiya, Wriothesley, or Ayato. However, early impressions from beta players paint a mixed picture. His off-field Hydro application is limited, his shield is modest at best, and his energy costs are on the higher side. His Attack Speed boost is also nothing groundbreaking, especially when compared to what other 4-star supports like Mika already offer. New Update! Version 5.7 Banners Dahlia Fully Details With Skirk - Genshin Impact Dahlia Story Impact & Launch Details in Genshin Impact Version 5.7 Narratively, Dahlia left a strong impression in Version 5.6, showcasing his free-spirited nature and loyalty to Barbatos. This personality adds depth to Mondstadt's lore, making his arrival more meaningful for lore lovers. He'll be featured alongside Skirk and Emilie on the event banners in the first phase of Version 5.7, but synergy-wise, there's little overlap between them. Still, for players building Mondstadt-themed teams or looking for niche utility, Dahlia might find a place. If you're a collector, a Mondstadt fan, or running a team that needs Hydro support and faster hits, Dahlia is worth a look. Otherwise, it might be smart to wait and see how the meta settles post-launch. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings. Catch Lovlina's story unfold on Game On. Watch here!
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Genshin Impact 5.7 Update, New Characters, Banners and More
Image via: HoYoverse As the worldwide Genshin Impact community counts down to Version 5.7, anticipations soar around the arrival of two fresh playable characters: Skirk and Dahlia. HoYoverse is yet to officially release either of these characters in a drip marketing manner, but some very reliable leaks have revealed players' expectations and in a sense, it will create another edition in team-building strategies. Skirk: From lore to meta defining DPS Long teased in Genshin lore as Childe's mysterious mentor from the Abyss, Skirk is stepping out of the shadows at last. Leaks say she will be a 5-star Cryo sword user, but what offers her originality is her unusual mechanics. Her kit, supposedly, ushers in a "Sevenfold Flash" mode, where her Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks are inflected by Cryo, and this cannot be overwritten. This mode expands her attack range to some measure and offers interruption resistance but demands a very particular resource called Serpent's Cunning in lieu of Energy to trigger her Elemental Burst. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The place-to-be for automation and robotics Undo Relevant topics from automation, AI and robotics Undo Valuable contacts with international exhibitors Undo Fresh input at the top-class supporting program Undo The leading trade fair for automation & robotics Undo This unique Burst will bomb her enemies with Cryo AOE slashes, which scale in strength with the extra Serpent's Cunning sacrificed, and what threatens to get even more amusing is her interaction with certain Area-effects on the map known as Phantom Rifts, generated by reactions such as Freeze or Superconductor. Skirk can suck these up to further augment the potency of her attacks, really tying her playstyle into Freeze comps, making her a prime contender to work with Cryo buffers. Dahlia: Hydro support with a hidden role? Entering the roster as a 4-star Hydro sword-user, Dahlia seems to require at least some kit polishing, according to early beta impressions. Leaked reports hint at his synergy designed for Skirk to provide a quick swap Hydro application for consistent triggering of Freeze. While the numbers do not presently impress, the tactical niche in new comps might develop, especially should HoYoverse opt to rebalance his scaling pre-launch. Genshin continues to be a controversial opponent of male characters with the coming of Dahlia. There has been only one male 5-star character since Version 5.1, and the community has been expressing growing frustration regarding the gender-imbalance statement from the character lineup. If this is really an underwhelming character, then the reception for him might indeed put some fresh fuel on the debate. Leaked Banners Banners of Version 5.7 shall feature Skirk alongside the rerun banner of Shenhe, Emilie in the words of the respected leaker HomDGCat. Even though the banner phases are not confirmed to date, it is speculated that Phase 1 shall feature Skirk and Shenhe, the two sharing the Cryo element and maybe some synergy. This will make for an attractive Freeze team package for players who want to build around Skirk right away. ✅UNEXPECTED!!? HOYOVERSE DID THIS TO 5.7 BANNERS TODAY (New Updates) - Genshin Impact Phase 2 may feature Emilie and Mavuika, even if they are somewhat niche in the current meta. It goes without saying, though, that rerun banners represent one of the few opportunities crucial for new players to make up for missing the release of these must-have units and that each phase could very well provide an important piece towards team optimization. What lies ahead in Version 5.8? Where Version 5.7 is mostly centered on character additions and team-building changes, Version 5.8 is expected to focus on exploration. The long-awaited regions of Mare Jivari are rumored to make an appearance, thus serving as Natlan's final expansion before the official launch of the region. Considering its tentative release on July 30, 2025, this update may lay down key narrative context and set up more dramatic shifts in power within the game. Furthermore, some occasional leaks are indicating the introduction of a Hydro support that synergizes well with Skirk in 5.8 possibly displacing characters like Yelan in some rotations. If this QA female 5-star turns out to be the strong contender developers have hinted at, it is going to add on more fuel into the ongoing debates around character design direction of the game. JUST IN! NEW & UPDATED BANNER LINEUP FROM 5.7 TO 6.0, All Leaked And Confirmed Characters-Genshin While the Genshin Impact 5.7 leaks seem detailed and credible, one has to keep in mind that nothing is actually confirmed until the official release by HoYoverse. Kits can be amended, banners may be rejigged, and characters could be bumped forward to later updates. Yet, while past precedence and the consistency of current leaks almost lean to performing the long-awaited debut of Skirk, the character may very well rewrite the dynamics of the Cryo team forever. Patch 5.7 seems to go beyond just being another update, it could well be the beginning of a whole new meta era.
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Haneesya: Yes, my skin is dark, what else do you want?
KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Haneesya Hanee has spoken out against the persistent ridicule she has faced regarding her skin colour, a form of criticism that has plagued her since her debut. The 25-year-old artiste, known for her role in the drama Aku Bukan Ustazah, expressed her growing frustration, particularly with the fact that these attacks have now extended to her family members. "From my time in the Dewi Remaja competition until today, people have fixated on my skin colour," Haneesya lamented. "I don't know how to make them stop. Every time they target me, they inevitably resort to this skin colour sentiment." "They seem capable of relating to other aspects of my life, such as my personal stories or relationship issues. "But when they want to find a 'weak point' to attack, my dark skin colour is still their go-to subject. Yes, my skin is black, what more can I say?" she told BH Online. Haneesya added that some of the netiznes don't even meet the supposedly conventional beauty standards that they mock her for. She further revealed that some of those people criticising her also have children which share a similar skin tone as her and could be subjected to the same kind of hurtful comments. "I've seen the social media profiles of these people hurling insults at me. They seem to lack any consideration for young children who might be affected by the same kind of prejudice," she said. "How would these children feel when they know their own parents are the ones making such derogatory remarks about someone else's skin? It' would surely be deeply upsetting for them." Haneesya also expressed her disappointment that her aunt became a target of online abuse after uploading content on TikTok. While Haneesya acknowledges that some of the criticism directed at her stems from her portrayal of the character Dahlia in the drama Dia Imamku, she stressed that the post in question had nothing to do with the drama. "During the recent Hari Raya celebrations, I shared a TikTok video featuring my family, including my aunt. "I was dismayed to see that many people couldn't distinguish between reality and fiction," Haneesya recounted. "They insulted my extended family and made derogatory remarks. Can't they extend some respect to my family? "Dahlia is just a character; my innocent family shouldn't be subjected to this kind of abuse. "It would be different if I had posted something related to Dahlia. In that case, if you want to hurl insults, go ahead," she said.
