Photos from John Chausmer Reptiles at the 2025 Tinley Park NARBC Expo. Featuring striking boas and ball pythons on display, photographed by Corky Lorenz. John Chausmer Reptiles at Tinley NARBC Expo This vendor brought an impressive variety of boas. The patterns and colors were striking. I was happy to be able to walk up and observe this boa up close. John Chausmer Reptiles brought an extensive display of boas and ball pythons to the 2025 Tinley NARBC Reptile Expo . I passed by their table twice and was able to catch a closer view of this gorgeous orange snake. Thank you for holding him out to get the fun photo! They are active on Facebook and their own website . It seems like this breeder has a long history of documenting his work. When I searched online, I came across several youtube videos that you might be interested in watching if you are considering acquiring a new snake. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Fernwood Botanical Gardens features two charming model train displays, one indoors near the fern conservatory and one outside among the trees. A fun stop for families, kids, and train enthusiasts. Model trains at Fernwood Botanical Gardens There are two different train displays at Fernwood. One is inside, in the building where you buy your tickets. The other is a short walk from the entrance, on the trail. When planning my visit to Fernwood Botanical Gardens, I somehow missed the fact that they would have trains on display, not just in one place but in two! Inside the Fern Conservatory room, there are train tracks weaving in and out of the different fern displays in the visitor center that you walk through when you first arrive. Then, outside, there are even more trains, which was such a fun surprise to discover. I would have gone to Fernwood just to see the trains if I had known about them, so it was really exciting to stumble upon them. I loved the way the trains were weaving through the trees, like they were meant to be there. It didn’t feel like an artificial or commercialized setup. The whole thing looked carefully crafted with materials you would actually find in the forest. The tracks worked perfectly for the trains, but nothing felt copied or mass produced. It is the kind of display that a true train lover would appreciate, and any young kids who are train obsessed would absolutely love. I am not sure how long they run into the wintertime since snow could make things tricky, but when I visited on November 1st, the trains were still running. Leaves were falling, the air was chilly, and it was such a cozy scene. You will find the outdoor train display not too far from the main building where you check in. There is also a children’s exploration area nearby with a slide, open space to run, and plenty of trees and foliage to enjoy. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Opae ula shrimp are tiny brackish-water “volcano shrimp” that live for years with almost no maintenance. Here’s what they look like in small jar set-ups, how to care for them, and where we bought ours in Indiana. Ōpae ula shrimp as pets These are Ōpae ula shrimp, also called volcano shrimp. They live in small brackish-water jars and stay healthy for years with almost no maintenance. Ōpae ula shrimp are tiny brackish-water shrimp from Hawaii that people keep in small jars or nano tanks because they’re extremely hardy and low maintenance. They’re also called volcano shrimp, lava shrimp, or their scientific name, Halocaridina rubra , and they’re known for being slow-growing, long-lived, and basically unfazed by most beginner mistakes. Volcano shrimp jars We first saw them in person at the Goshen Reptile Expo, where a seller named Andrea Foxx had a full display with different jar sizes and set-ups. Her table was put together in a way that made you want to stop and look without feeling pressured to buy anything. You could pick up the jars, look at the tiny shrimp, and just explore. We had never seen these before, so it was surprisingly fun to stand there and watch how small they are. We ended up buying one of the smaller jars she had pre-made. One year later, this is what the jar looks like: the shrimp are alive and fine, there’s some algae growth, and the whole thing has basically taken care of itself. You can clean the sides of the jar if you want it clearer again, but the actual “care” part is extremely minimal. That’s been the interesting part, just how stable they are even for total beginners. What are Opae Ula shrimp? Opae ula shrimp are native to anchialine pools in Hawaii, which are pockets of water fed by a mix of freshwater and saltwater. These pools are stable, low-nutrient environments, so the shrimp evolved to be slow metabolism, low waste, and extremely tolerant of different conditions.They change color based on mood, age, light, and food availability. When relaxed or well-fed, they get a deeper red. They can live 15–20 years and breed slowly, which is why people treat them more like a long-term ecosystem project instead of a typical aquarium pet. They are not the same as cherry shrimp or other freshwater species. They’re brackish and need a very specific salinity range, but once it’s set, it barely needs adjusting. Opae Ula care basics If you’re keeping them in a small ecosystem jar like the ones at Andrea’s table, the main things you need are: brackish water (around 1.008–1.018 SG) lava rock crushed coral or aragonite sand a little natural light patience for the algae to build their food source They don’t need filters, heaters, or constant feeding. A tiny amount of spirulina every few weeks is enough, and algae usually does the heavy lifting. Too much food is worse than too little. Excess algae This isn't a problem, but if your jar grows algae faster than you'd like, and you can't see clearly, you can clean it by wiping the inside of the container. After a year with almost no intervention, our jar has algae on the sides and the rocks, but the shrimp are healthy and still moving around. Opae Ula shrimp in Indiana At the Goshen Reptile Expo, Andrea Foxx sells Opae ula shrimp in pre-made jars. Some with larger decorative set-ups and some with small starter jars. Her display is easy to understand even if you’ve never heard of these shrimp before. Everything was clearly labeled, and she had different bundle prices, spirulina powder, and little ecosystem jars ready to go. A lot of people stopped at her table because it stood out and the jars looked interesting. Kids and adults kept picking them up to look closely at the shrimp, which tells you how approachable the whole set-up is. It’s a nice “first tiny pet” experience because there’s no intimidation factor. Jar one year later The small jar we bought last year is still running with almost no maintenance. There’s algae growth, which is normal and expected, and the shrimp are very easy to see once you clean the sides of the container. If you like the look of a clear jar, you’ll probably want to wipe the sides every month or two. If you don’t care, you can just let the algae build up because the shrimp eat it. The rocks, sand, and salinity have never been changed. We’ve only topped off evaporated water with fresh water. These shrimp really do behave like slow, self-sustaining ecosystems. Why Opae Ula are popular They’re appealing because they are: quiet tiny low maintenance long-lived interesting to watch hard to accidentally kill People keep them on desks, in classrooms, or in kitchens because they don’t need equipment. They also don’t smell, which is part of why they’re starting to show up on search engines for tiny ecosystems and “Opae Ula shrimp tank” ideas. Help from the seller If you want detailed care instructions directly from the person we bought ours from, here’s her guide and social links: Full care guide: https://linktr.ee/foxxae Instagram with updates and photos: https://www.instagram.com/opae_ula_shrimp/ This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Historic images of the Carl D. Greenleaf home. The Ravenscrofts were the last residing family before it's tear down, by the new owners, around 1989. 1415 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, Indiana Originally considered to be the home of Carl D. Greenleaf. The Ravenscrofts were the last residing family before it's tear down, by the new owners, around 1988. Originally built in 1917, and 9,000 square feet, with 3 floors. It was referred to as the "Carl D. Greenleaf" home. The address was 1415 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, IN. Included in the album below: The black & white photo published by The Elkhart Truth after tear down Likely the last photos taken of the home, in color. Exterior views of the front, back, yard, and St. Joseph river. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Curbside Concerts in downtown Elkhart take place Fridays at 7 PM outside the Elkhart Public Library. See 2026 concert dates, parking info, food trucks, drinks, and what to expect before you go. Curbside Concerts The Elkhart Public Library, in downtown Elkhart, hosts free summer concerts on Fridays at 7pm. Address Elkhart Public Library Downtown 300 S 2nd St, Elkhart, IN 46516 Time Fridays starting at 7 PM. Dates for 2026 Friday, May 22 – Darryl Buchanan and the Soul Motown Allstars Friday, May 29 – BLAMMO Friday, June 5 – The Erly Friday, June 12 – Starlord Friday, June 19 – Zion Lion Saturday, June 20 – St. Eve and The Vibe Friday, June 26 – High Gravity Friday, July 3 – Paul Erdman & Marcus Clingaman Friday, Aug. 21 – The Buddy System Friday, Aug. 28 – Duke Tumatoe. Friday, Sept. 4 – Southside Denny Friday, Sept. 11 – The Tumbleweed Jumpers! Friday, Sept. 18 – Why Not Both? Friday, Sept. 25 – TBD Admission Cost Free to attend What to expect There will be food trucks, drinks, and space to dance. Dogs are welcome and you can bring your own comfy chair if you want to sit back further with kids or pets. There is parking in visitor lots across the street, or you can park along the street. This page was last updated on Jul 10, 2026

Learn what soda ash does in tie dye and why it helps cotton shirts absorb color evenly. Includes a photo of the soda-ash presoak process. What does soda ash do before dyeing? It makes the fabric ready to grab color. The soda ash raises the pH so the dye will chemically bond to cotton instead of just washing out later. I soaked this lavender work shirt in soda ash water and wrung it out by hand. It’s 100% cotton with white screen print graphics that I’m planning to overdye. The white ink stays white because it’s a synthetic material. The soda ash step doesn’t look dramatic, but it makes a huge difference in how permanent the color will be. It’s called sodium carbonate, but in the tie dye world, people refer to it as soda ash. I usually mix one cup of soda ash per gallon of water and let the shirt get fully wet before squeezing it out. Some people like to spin out the excess soda ash and pour it back into the main soaking bucket. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Here’s how the RecPro team lifts new air conditioners onto the roof of an RV to install them. How do you get a new air conditioner onto the RV roof? There are 2 main ways that people get the AC lifted up to the roof. When it’s available, they use a forklift. Most people use a ladder and help to slide the box up. Last week, at work, the content team was recording new install demonstrations for air conditioners. I noticed that they coordinated with the forklift operator to get the units up and down faster. They would take it out of the box and lift it up and down. In the past, the team would use a ladder to move the whole box. Without unpacking it, 2 people pulled from the top of the RV, while one person pushed from the bottom. I’ve even seen videos of an RV tech getting the AC box up the ladder alone, with careful technique. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

Geode style tie dye is known for concentric bands of color that are created with a resist style of tying with waxy thread. Here’s how you create those crisp lines. How to tie crisp lines in the geode tie dye style? Getting crisp lines without blotchiness requires making the ties really tight and properly spaced. When I say that the ties have to be tight, I don’t mean that you’re actually tying knots. What you’re actually doing is grabbing a bunch of fabric and wrapping the sinew around the fabric 4 to 5 times. Then you pull it really tight until it starts to lock down on itself because of the wax coating. If you want the line to be thicker, you can wrap 3 more times and pull again. It works better to wrap 3-4 times and pull, multiples times, rather than try to wrap it 8 times and get all of those wraps to cleanly tighten down. The next trick is figuring out how to pull the sinew without hurting your hands. Usually, I just use a scrap piece of PVC pipe that I wrap the sinew around. Then I use the pipe to pull the sinew. When applying dye, you want the liquid to be able to reach all of the tight space between the ties. It helps the lines to appear crisp and well defined, if there is enough space between the ties for the dye to fully saturate. This page was last updated on Feb 6, 2026

How to choose an event photographer by understanding your event type, goals, and how the photos will be used for promotion, vendors, and future events. How to choose an event photographer How to choose an event photographer starts with knowing what your photos need to do. This guide helps you pick the right photographer based on your event, your goals, and how you will use the images. Event Type When thinking about how to choose an event photographer, start with what the event is and what the photos are going to be used for. Is this a one time event, or something that happens every year? Recurring Events If it is recurring, the photos are not just for memories. You will likely use them for next year’s promotion, press coverage, and to attract sponsors. In that case, it becomes very important to have someone who can cover the event in an aesthetically pleasing way and who understands your goals. The feel of the photography acts as a filter for who the event is for and who it attracts. Pre Event Photos If it is a one time event, it can still be important, but maybe not for sponsors or long term promotion. In that case, you might want your photographer to come ahead of the event to help promote it. Photos of the location can be very useful. front entrance where to park where the bathrooms are what the space looks like Guest Experience This helps people understand what to expect and can make them feel more comfortable attending. It is especially helpful for people thinking about accessibility, navigation, or unfamiliar spaces. Then on the day of the event, think about what you want documented. Vendor Coverage Are you just trying to remember the event, or are you using the photos to represent the people involved? Vendors often get overlooked. If you have vendors, it helps to tell your photographer that you want them featured. That can include booths, products, and interactions. When vendors are shown clearly and tagged afterward, it makes them feel appreciated and gives you more content to share. Social Plan A photographer with experience in this will often gather names or social handles while shooting and have a plan for how the images will be used afterward. Photo Use Photography is no longer just about taking photos. It is about what the photos are for and where they will end up. photo album Google Business profile Facebook page story or post ad campaign Photographer Type You may hire a different photographer depending on those answers. A wedding photographer will shoot an event differently than a commercial photographer who is thinking about representing a business or selling something. If you think through your goals before reaching out, it becomes much easier to choose someone who fits what your event actually needs. This page was last updated on May 5, 2026

To get lines on tie dye shirts, use a thick waxy thread called artificial sinew. Wrap it around the fabric and pull it tight. How do you get lines on tie dye? To get lines on tie dye shirts, use a thick waxy thread called artificial sinew. Wrap it around the fabric and pull it tight. To get crisp lines on a tie dye shirt, you have to "tie" it really tight with thick waxy thread called artificial sinew. This blocks the dye from getting to the fabric, as a resist tecnique. To tie the fabric, you actually don't make any knots. Just wrap the sinew around a handful of fabric about 4-5 times. Then pull it very tight, and the waxy thread locks down onto itself. It stays tight on it's own so you don't need to worry about making any knots. To get it really tight, without hurting your hands, you can use something else as a pulling tool. I use a scrap piece of PVC pipe. I just wrap the sinew around the pipe a few times quickly, and then pull the pipe. The thread doesn't slip off the pipe and your skin stays protected. Spacing of the ties matters for dye absorption. If the ties are really close, you can get blotchy colors between the ties. If you are just starting, have a least 1.5" inches between the tie. You'll get the hang of it before spending an hour tying something that won't turn out well. You can see a video demonstration for tying geode style tie dye on my Youtube. Below are some examples of shirts tied with artificial sinew, in the geode style. If you need help or want to troubleshoot your process, you can join the Corky Dyes Facebook group. This page was last updated on Jul 10, 2026