Saturday, November 25, 2006
Arts and Crafts on the Mountain 11-24-06
Our Good Friends at The Pocono Mountain Arts Council (PMAC) in Mt. Pocono, PA held an Opening Reception for their annual Fine Art and Fine Craft Show at The Pocono Manor Inn in Pocono Pines, PA. It was a wonderfully elegant affair featuring the work of numerous talented artists throughout the Pocono Mountain Area enhanced by the soothing music provided by some local performers who lent their talents to the event. Our Good Friends Andrei Protsouk, Mark Ciocca, Margie Cohen, Maria Ferraris (President of PMAC), Sally Wiener Grotta, William D. Hobbs, Linda Mann, Gita Rash (Director of Public Relations for PMAC), Candice Wayes, and Nancy Snyder who accepted The Forwardian Arts Society Certificate given in recognition to those who support and enhance the artistic community and its members on behalf of The Pocono Mountain Arts Council. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz along with Thomas, Anna, Rose, and Donald Busteed were there to enjoy the evening. It was also wonderful meeting Our New Friends Jennifer Wise and Toni Vanderhorst who is the Creative Director of Muse Magazine in Greenwood Lake, NY. The exhibition and show lasted until Sunday November 26th with plans to present another Fine Art and Fine Craft Show next year. Please visit Our Good Friends at The PMAC at www.poconomac.com for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
some thoughts from a friend
A Note from Paul: The following is an essay in the form of an email by Our Good Friend Silvia A. Brandon Pérez. I feel very fortunate in receiving this and I thought it would be good to share with you. I hope you’ll receive it with the same thoughtfulness as I did. Please feel free to share your comments as I’m eager to learn what they are.
On the eve of the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States, and while thousands across the land battled each other for yet another nonsensical and highly expensive toy, I have returned from what I may characterize as one of the most emotionally and spiritually uplifting events of my life, and of some 42+ years of activism of one sort or another.
I attended the annual School of the Americas rally in Fort Benning, Georgia, with my spiritual sister Susan Lyons. We flew in on Thursday, attended a number of workshops, sometimes together, sometimes separately, acted as part of the legal collective and as legal observers, and then together participated in the solemn procession in front of the gates of this School, which under its modern name of WHINSEC (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) , continues to train the despots, satraps, torturers and paramilitary assassins of the Western Hemisphere. It is security cooperation, indeed; together, there is a cooperation in wholesale abuses of the human rights, freedoms and the very lives of anyone who threatens the 'security' (read financial well-being) of the powers that be. By way of example, 22 Colombians, mostly labor unionists, are assassinated each and every day under the aegis of our "Plan Colombia" by proud graduates of the School, and with our weapons and our tax dollars.
This particular gathering was attended, on Sunday the 19th of November, by well over 22,000 people, including many young high school and college students, religious people, US American, Canadian Americans, and Latin Americans from all walks of life, all ages, creeds, national origins, ethnicities. We heard from survivors of torture, from young and old walking wounded who had lost children, siblings, parents and spouses or significant others; at times, during the procession, as the 'collective' from the stage would chant the name of yet another 20 day old or 20 year old or 97 year old 'desaparecido,' people would drop off the line and crumble on the ground to sob loudly, hands covering their faces, or would continue to weep while they stood as witnesses, and chanted, 'presente.'
It was so necessary to stand as a witness, and I could see why there is such a compulsion to cross the fence, despite the assurance of a minimum of three months of federal hard time for a puny governmental trespass infraction against a government which has committed such numerous and egregious crimes against humanity. It is as if you would embrace all of these wounded brothers and sisters, and attempt to alleviate their pain, and our pain, and to share with them Donne's words that 'any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.'
No man is an island and 22,000+ of us gathered in a collective of grief, outrage, and a determination to close this school, and to close down the activities of empire, and to finally heal our planet. We are involved in mankind.
Words fail me. If we have not succeeded in closing them down by next November, I too will put my body on the line and say, PRESENTE, and say BASTA, and say, NUNCA MAS. For now, I am grateful that I spent these days with these heroes of everyday life, that I was able to once again embrace that spirit that alleviates my despair at this modern life of greed and indifference. BASTA, BASTA, NUNCA MAS. Close down the SOA and Guantánamo and the spirit that maintains them. NUNCA MAS.
P.S. A postscript that I would like each of you to consider, as you share with family and friends. For those of us who hail from other places in the Americas, to hear the name of our continents used as a country name is insulting another sign of empire. Please consider in future using the term US America rather than America, and the term US Americans for Americans, unless, indeed, you are referring to Americans as those who inhabit our glorious continents.
Silvia A. Brandon Pérez, planetary citizen, and Latino Americana, soon to launch
www.americaisnotacountry.org.
On the eve of the celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States, and while thousands across the land battled each other for yet another nonsensical and highly expensive toy, I have returned from what I may characterize as one of the most emotionally and spiritually uplifting events of my life, and of some 42+ years of activism of one sort or another.
I attended the annual School of the Americas rally in Fort Benning, Georgia, with my spiritual sister Susan Lyons. We flew in on Thursday, attended a number of workshops, sometimes together, sometimes separately, acted as part of the legal collective and as legal observers, and then together participated in the solemn procession in front of the gates of this School, which under its modern name of WHINSEC (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) , continues to train the despots, satraps, torturers and paramilitary assassins of the Western Hemisphere. It is security cooperation, indeed; together, there is a cooperation in wholesale abuses of the human rights, freedoms and the very lives of anyone who threatens the 'security' (read financial well-being) of the powers that be. By way of example, 22 Colombians, mostly labor unionists, are assassinated each and every day under the aegis of our "Plan Colombia" by proud graduates of the School, and with our weapons and our tax dollars.
This particular gathering was attended, on Sunday the 19th of November, by well over 22,000 people, including many young high school and college students, religious people, US American, Canadian Americans, and Latin Americans from all walks of life, all ages, creeds, national origins, ethnicities. We heard from survivors of torture, from young and old walking wounded who had lost children, siblings, parents and spouses or significant others; at times, during the procession, as the 'collective' from the stage would chant the name of yet another 20 day old or 20 year old or 97 year old 'desaparecido,' people would drop off the line and crumble on the ground to sob loudly, hands covering their faces, or would continue to weep while they stood as witnesses, and chanted, 'presente.'
It was so necessary to stand as a witness, and I could see why there is such a compulsion to cross the fence, despite the assurance of a minimum of three months of federal hard time for a puny governmental trespass infraction against a government which has committed such numerous and egregious crimes against humanity. It is as if you would embrace all of these wounded brothers and sisters, and attempt to alleviate their pain, and our pain, and to share with them Donne's words that 'any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.'
No man is an island and 22,000+ of us gathered in a collective of grief, outrage, and a determination to close this school, and to close down the activities of empire, and to finally heal our planet. We are involved in mankind.
Words fail me. If we have not succeeded in closing them down by next November, I too will put my body on the line and say, PRESENTE, and say BASTA, and say, NUNCA MAS. For now, I am grateful that I spent these days with these heroes of everyday life, that I was able to once again embrace that spirit that alleviates my despair at this modern life of greed and indifference. BASTA, BASTA, NUNCA MAS. Close down the SOA and Guantánamo and the spirit that maintains them. NUNCA MAS.
P.S. A postscript that I would like each of you to consider, as you share with family and friends. For those of us who hail from other places in the Americas, to hear the name of our continents used as a country name is insulting another sign of empire. Please consider in future using the term US America rather than America, and the term US Americans for Americans, unless, indeed, you are referring to Americans as those who inhabit our glorious continents.
Silvia A. Brandon Pérez, planetary citizen, and Latino Americana, soon to launch
www.americaisnotacountry.org.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Exploring the Cosmic Wonderlands of Hyperspace 11-18-06
Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held a multimedia event entitled, “Hyperspace.” It was an interesting presentation filled with video and musical moods which enticed the senses. A feeling of relaxed fascination embodied the room and all who inhabited it. The hypnotic visual effects were provided by Azimuth Visuals as presented by Our Good Friend Hong Waltzer and the equally entrancing music was provided by Electric Diamond as presented by Stuart Diamond and Our Good Friend Don Slepian. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Jan Slepian, and Greg Waltzer along Our New Friend Peter Taney of The Juggernaut String Band were among the many who filled the gallery to capacity. The Artspace Gallery’s next presentation of “Hyperspace” will be on February 17th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery at 570-476-4460 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Lofty Dreams at The Sherman 11-17-06
Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The 12th Annual Loft Snowboard Movie Premier of The Forum Team production of “That” and The MackDog Production of “Follow Me Around.” It was a fun night with a great deal of people and snowboarding films. I’m not sure it was the youthful energy or the red Bull I drank, but I have the urge to try it out. Time will tell. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz and Cheryl Yost (of the Sherman Theatre) attended along with Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be The Agnostic Front show with Strength for A Reason, Million to One, Without Virtue, and Under Fire on November 24th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Special Events Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Food and Film at Kirkridge 11-12-06
Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA held their Community Pot Luck Dinner which included a showing of, “Brother Sun and Sister Moon” a film about St Francis of Assisi. It was provided and introduced by Our Good Friend Mark Litchy. Our Good Friends Jean Richardson and Nancy Scheirer (Both of The Kirkridge Retreat Center) along with Our Good Friends Don Slepian and Arline M. Smeltz share the film, the great food, and the enlightening conversation. A similar event is scheduled for December 3rd to celebrate the Christmas season. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center at 610-588-1793 for more information.
A Golden Age at The Sherman 11-11-06
Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The Golden Age of Rock and Roll Show on Saturday November 11th. The evening was filled with great music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The show was very enjoyable and energetic with a great deal of dancing and hand clapping going on. I was only taken aback when someone reminded me the songs were considered “Oldies“ and I remembered when they first came on the air. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz and Cheryl Yost (of the Sherman Theatre) attended along with Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be The Early November with Hit the Lights on November 13th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music OND 2006 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
The Groovy Sherman 11-06-06
Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented Bob Weir (formally of The Grateful Dead) and Ratdog. The evening was filled with great music and a lot of fun reminiscent of a Grateful dead concert and the variety of people who attend. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz, Brook, and Cheryl Yost (all of the Sherman Theatre) Arline M. Smeltz, Ron Ford, Gary Lambert, Christine Trembly, and Our New Friend Ian Thomson along with James, Terri, and Tony Dellaria were among the many who shared the experience. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be The Golden Age of Rock and Roll Show on November 11th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. Due to the nature of the program no photographs were taken.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Rockapella Rocks The Sherman 11-04-06
Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The Fitzmaurice Community Services 40th Anniversary Celebration show featuring Rockapella. The evening began with an extensive buffet served in the orchestra pit in front of the stage and continues with the memorable music associated with the great group of talented performers. Our Good Friends Richard Berkowitz, Brook, and Cheryl Yost (all of the Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz and Laura Goss of The Pocono Arts Council were among the many who shared the experience. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be Bob Weir and Rat Dog on November 6th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Art OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Dynamic Duo in Gallery 554 11-04-06
Our Good Friends at Gallery 554 located within The Visual and Performing Arts Center in Stroudsburg, PA presented the works of Our Good Friends Ed Chesnovitch and Patricia A. Griffin. This exhibition only ran until Sunday November 5th but they will be sharing their work in future locations. Please contact Our Good Friend Ed Chesnovitch at 570-476-2494 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Art OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
Members’ Show At Artspace 11-04-06
Our Good Friends at The Artspace Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA presented their members’ show in a group exhibition reflecting the wide variety of approaches to the visual arts by its membership. Our Good Friends Greg and Hong Waltzer, Don Menza, Will Daskal, and Helen Heeren were among the many artists who shared their wonderful work. This exhibition will run until Sunday November 30th. Please contact Our Good Friend at The Artspace Gallery at 570-476-4460 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Art OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
A New gallery in Town 11-04-06
Our Good Friends at Gallery 705 in Stroudsburg, PA opened their new gallery with the work of Elso Schiavo. The work featured a vibrancy of colors which delighted the eye. Our Good Friend Arline M. Smeltz were among the many who shared the experience. The exhibition will continue until November 30th. Please contact Our Good Friends at Gallery 705 at 570-421-0833 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Art OND 06 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.
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