EDITORIAL DIRECTOR’S NOTEPAD
A Tornado Blows Out a Candle Editorial Director: Randy Reid
Publisher: Cliff Smith
Director of Audience Development: Angie Hullfish
Contributing Writers: James Benya PE, FIES, FIALD Principal at Design Services, Inc. and The Benya Burnett Consultancy Craig Dilouie Principal at ZING Communications Stefanie Schwalb Hospitality Lighting Contributor Interim Managing Editor at Boston Magazine Staff Writers: Katie Smith Jacob Wright Published by EdisonReport 1726C General George Patton Dr. Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone: 615-371-0961 designinglighting.com designing lighting is focused on the Business of Lighting Design™ and provides business information to the lighting design community. In addition to the website, designing lighting publishes bi-monthly online magazines featuring original content, interviews within the community and highlights successful award winning lighting designs. While designing lighting is based in the U.S., it has contributors from Europe and is developing a global presence. (ISSN 2693-9223) Statements and opinions expressed in articles and editorials in dl are the expressions of contributors and do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the EdisonReport. Advertisements appearing in the publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.
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designing lighting
I returned to Nashville Friday morning, 10 DEC, after a very successful evening celebrating with friends in New York from the IESNYC, DLFNY, IALD and WILD. I went for a run in the afternoon taking advantage of the unseasonably warm December day. Later, my wife and I joined dear friends for a Christmas dinner in downtown Nashville. A quick drink at the bar and we were seated at 7pm. These are close friends and when we dine out, we pray immediately after ordering the appetizers. That way when the food arrives, we can immediately dig in. The tacky LED candle on the table seemed out of place at such an upscale restaurant. By 8:30 we were stuffed and slowly finishing our wine as the waiter gently pushed us because he had to turn the table over. We took the hint and left about 8:45 and began hitting the honkey-tonks. We ended up at The Stage, where the crowd of tourists were too young and too drunk, and the music was far too twangy. There was a light sprinkle in the air. At 9:30 we moved to Barlines at the Omni where a three-person band sang the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Great comfort music. We left at 10:30, home by 11 and fast asleep at 11:30. Little did we know that as we finished our meal the most devastating tornado ever in the state of Kentucky was hitting the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory about two hours north. Kyanna Parsons-Perez was one of 110 people trapped inside and she was crying, begging for help on Facebook live. She and about 44 people were rescued. As of this writing about 70 people from the factory are missing. The candle factory, started by a local woman, was one of the largest employers in Mayfield, and many of the employees were working extra hours because of the holiday season. An article in the New York Times by Rick Rojas and Jamie McGee described the devastation, “And the candle factory was nothing more than a spread of assorted debris. The only indication of what it once was: The scents of vanilla and lavender, along with aromas that conjured up springtime and fresh laundry…” You and I and Kyanna are all in the same business: Lighting. Only she makes candles—perhaps the most beautiful light ever. You and I are handsomely rewarded for what we do; she and her peers who perished likely earn little more than minimum wage. There is a lot to think about and a lot to pray for this holiday season. The American Red Cross is making it easy to send a quick $10 donation simply by texting "REDCROSS" addressed to the number, 90999.