“Local artists can submit proposals - State News” plus 4 more |
- Local artists can submit proposals - State News
- Lube master - Dallas Voice
- Classical music day at the White House (part 2) - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com
- NIAGARA COUNTY: Strong-arm tactics in Falls? - Tonawanda News
- Mayor hands out first pillar award - Star Community Newspapers
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| Local artists can submit proposals - State News Posted: 05 Nov 2009 08:02 PM PST By David Barker (Last updated: 1 hour ago) The city of East Lansing Arts Commission currently is accepting proposals from artists interested in creating a commissioned work of public art honoring the former Councilmember Mary P. Sharp. The sculpture will honor Sharp's pioneering effort toward the advancement of justice and human dignity, as well as her vision of a society in which racial, ethnic, cultural and class stigmas do not exist. Artists can download the Request for Proposal packet at the city's Web site, cityofeastlansing.com. Submissions must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2010, to be considered. Originally Published: 1 hour agoThis content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| Posted: 05 Nov 2009 07:12 PM PST James Hickey, who has been a gearhead since he was 5, provides Dallas' gay community with an out auto expert who knows a few things about how to make your engine hum It's a tenet of gay culture that men aren't just hairdressers, florists, interior decorators and liberal media wonks (guilty!), but actually part of the fabric of society: Truck drivers, construction workers, even auto mechanics. James Hickey is proof of the latter. Metrosexual cliches aside, not all gay men live for mani-pedis — some prefer their fingernails coated in axle grease instead of clear enamel. Although when Hickey finishes up his day as a mechanic and assistant manager at Kwik Kar Lube & Tune on Fitzhugh, he typically unwinds by crossing the street for a brew at BJ's … and sometimes a few of his straight co-workers will join him. "It's no big thing really. I like that place and we'll go and play rounds of pool and have a drink," Hickey says. While a gay mechanic may seem out of the ordinary in the seemingly straight world of grease monkeys, for Hickey and his boss "The bottom line is James is a [good] mechanic. Being gay is not even an issue," Caldwell says. Then again, maybe it is a big deal. Hickey says that since word is spreading that an out mechanic can look over their cars, the gay community has begun ask for the Dallas native by name. Which is good for business. "We've definitely had a growth in the gay community as customers. They know one of their own will treat them much better. I hear horror stories of other service centers taking advantage of LGBT people just because. That's not right," Hickey says. "I don't know how he can tell if they are gay or not. I can't but it's great they feel they can come here," Caldwell adds. (Hickey tells him the bumper stickers on the cars usually help.) All of which would be pointless if Hickey didn't know a wrench from a radiator. After 30-plus years of tinkering with cars — he first looked under a hood when he was 5 — Hickey knows his product. He hasn't yet come across a car yet he couldn't fix, he says, including a BMW he recently bought and restored. It's in his blood. All the men on his mother's side of the family had been mechanics. Despite that legacy, he had some rebellious thoughts of doing something else. He even tried his hand at remodeling, but it was a no-go. Much like in The Godfather, just when he thinks he may be out, it pulls him back in. "Even being gay didn't get me out of it," he says. And, he admits, he wouldn't want to do anything else.
Knowing your way under the hood Hickey has some insights into what all guys and gals — gay or straight — should basically know about their cars. Here's some of Hickey's advice. Lube up. "Above all else, always be regular on your oil changes," he says. "It's gotta be clean. If not, it can mess up your pistons and valves. You don't want that." Splish-splash. "Always keep your fluids level. It's amazing how much that helps." Don't forget these. "You want to get the radiator flushed and always check the oil and air filters. The air filter especially, because that's what you are breathing while you're in the car." As with your own health, Hickey recommends preventive maintenance over emergency corrective measures. "The thing is, you want to do these steps on a regular basis because this will save you so much money. If these peter out, you got major costly repairs that could have been prevented," he says. Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, 3224 N. Fitzhugh Ave. 214-219-7100. Open daily at 8 a.m. Closed Sundays. This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 06, 2009. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| Classical music day at the White House (part 2) - Weblogs.baltimoresun.com Posted: 05 Nov 2009 06:29 PM PST
So Wednesday's focus on classical music at the White House, attended by 120 school kids during the day and a crowd of cultural and political types in the evening, was a welcome gesture. I'm not expecting a massive trickle-down effect that, given the personal popularity of the Obamas and whatever press exposure the day generated, will translate magically into increased music education and attendance at classical music events around the country. But this classical music day had considerable significance. As pianist Awadagin Pratt said to me after the midday concert for the students, "to have the office of the President support this -- you can't beat that." Unfortunately, the press did not have access to the workshops/master classes that were given throughout the White House for the students by Pratt, violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Alisa Weilerstein and guitarist Sharon Isbin. But we got to hear the day's two performances in the East Room. I reported earlier on the afternoon one, introduced and attended by Michelle Obama.
Violinist Daniel Heifetz, who runs the excellent Heifetz International Music Institute each summer (it used to be in Annapolis and relocated to New Hampshire several years ago), was there with his wife Janne. I also spotted Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser. And from the acting world, Edward Norton. The President's senior advisor David Axelrod was up front, chatting before the concert with Sen. Bayh. In his introductory remarks, President Obama welcomed "the many members of Congress who've joined us tonight -- despite what you may have heard, they are actually a civilized bunch." After describing "a busy day of classical music here at the White House," the president had some kindly advice that drew several laughs. "If any of you in the audience are newcomers to classical music, and aren't sure when to applaud, This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | |
| NIAGARA COUNTY: Strong-arm tactics in Falls? - Tonawanda News Posted: 05 Nov 2009 06:44 PM PST | Published: November 05, 2009 09:51 pm NIAGARA COUNTY: Strong-arm tactics in Falls? By Mark ScheerE-mail Mark The Tonawanda News The man leading a push to promote the area's ties to the Underground Railroad told Niagara Falls police that he had a "very intimidating" encounter this week with an individual who identified himself as a relative of a Niagara County lawmaker. Kevin Cottrell, a state parks employee who serves as project coordinator of the North Star initiative, filed a police report on Wednesday alleging that a man who said he was related to county Legislator Renae Kimble engaged him in an "extremely awkward" conversation during a visit to his office at City Hall. According to the police report, the man met privately on Monday with Cottrell to discuss comments he allegedly made about Kimble following her appointment earlier this month to the 13-member Underground Railroad Heritage Commission. Cottrell told police two men had first come to city hall on Friday looking for him but he wasn't in his office. In the report, Cottrell said he admitted to the man that he did use a derogatory comment to describe Kimble and explained that he used it in relation to how she got herself appointed to the commission. The report indicates Cottrell denied the man's accusation that he also said he intended to "shoot her down like a dog," saying he never said anything like that and the man got his information wrong. The report indicates Cottrell gave the man his card and telephone number and the visitor to his office said he felt better knowing Kimble would not be harmed. According to the report, Cottrell told the man he thought the "nature of his visit was inappropriate" and that "this is not how things are done here." The report indicates that Cottrell's visitor did not arrive at City Hall alone and that Cottrell later identified a man who accompanied him as a police detective from Buffalo. Reached by telephone on Thursday, Cottrell verified the statements contained in the report and said he filed it because he was upset and disturbed by the encounter. He added he's sick of dealing with a political class in Niagara County that has for many years used acts of intimidation in an effort to gain control over local projects and the funding attached to them. "I have a job to do and my job should be productive and focused on getting this project moving," Cottrell said. "It should not be focused on a goon squad coming in and intimidating me. Is this how we do business in the 21st century? Is that why nobody wants to come up here and do business? It stops with me." Kimble was appointed to the commission as the sole nomination of state Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos who named her to the board at the recommendation of Republican state Sen. George Maziarz. Kimble said she had no knowledge of the incident in question. She did not respond when asked if the individual who visited Cottrell's office was a member of her family. "I don't know anything about it," she said, before declining further comment. "I wasn't there. I know nothing about it." A dozen other residents with various backgrounds and education have been appointed to the commission, the first of its kind in New York. Members will work with sub-committees and be charged with implementing a master strategy to promote cultural heritage and oversee projects. To aid efforts, the commission is slated to receive $350,000 in casino funds annually until 2010. Cottrell admitted he is concerned Kimble's appointment is aimed at undermining the overall effort, which he noted is being supported by casino cash that some state and county lawmakers strongly believe should be spent elsewhere. Cottrell said he has no problem with Kimble serving on the board because he believes he will have the backing of the majority of commission members moving forward. "I'm working," Cottrell said. "I'm not looking for a fight." 
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| Mayor hands out first pillar award - Star Community Newspapers Posted: 05 Nov 2009 07:19 PM PST Mesquite Mayor John Monaco presented Sharing Life Outreach Center Founder and Executive Director Teresa Jackson with the Mayoral Pillar of the Community Award during the centers 10 year anniversary banquet on Sunday night. Our pillar award celebrates individuals who provide support, strength, stability, leadership and foundation, and Teresa Jackson is an excellent example of someone in our community who fits that description. It is my pleasure to have her as the first in our community to receive this prestigious recognition, said Mesquite Mayor John Monaco. As Jackson states in her directors message on the centers Web site: The vision for Sharing Life Community Outreach was born in my heart many years ago. I envisioned a place of hope for people who find themselves in need. I envisioned a cheery place; warm and friendly; a place where the client would feel respected and welcome; a place of encouragement and even opportunity. I believe that is the kind of place SLCO is becoming, Center seeks donations This content has passed through fivefilters.org. |
Our presidents typically don't have a lot of interest in classical music. Sure, our Chief Executives -- more likely, their First Ladies -- will attend the occasional performance in a concert hall or opera house (especially when there's not much choice, as when they're on state visits to other countries), and there will be periodic appearances by classical artists at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But we're not talking a real high priority for most administrations. 
Her husband was back from a trip to Wisconsin that day in time to join her and their daughters for the evening performance. The audience included some notable classical music figures. Baltimore Symphony music director Marin Alsop was accompanied by the orchestra's president/CEO Paul Meecham. | You are subscribed to email updates from cultural - Bing News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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