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A CULTURE HOOKED ON OIL - Do we even have a choice anymore of whether
to drive or not? Face it, our society is car-happy, and I'm talking
rev the engine, let it burn, straight addicted to gas-guzzling
beasts! A slight glance into the media will prove my point that
the major car manufacturers are spending multitudes more on marketing
SUV's than they are on whatever hybrids or economical mileage
models that are available today. Perhaps if a high-class dealer,
like Mercedes or BMW were to really push an ad
campaign about their brand new, more "earth-friendly"
vehicles, it might start a trend among people who can afford
to be conscious of such things. However for the majority of Americans,
our main focus is getting to and from either work, or the stores
we must frequent during our typical routines. The way in which
most suburban areas have spread, without planning by civil engineers
prior to their developments, has left our cities widely in convenient
in nature, where use of freeway is necessary to existence as
we know it. Now it is relatively well - known that the real culprit
for outrageous levels of Carbon Dioxide being released into the
atmosphere is not smokestacks or big businesses as much as it
is the exhaust pipes from millions of cars crammed onto the pavement
daily. his is slightly more complicated to regulate considering
the sheer amount of contributors to the problem . Nevertheless
the negative effects of smog and global warming are dispersed
across the earth, without any sense of causation or blame.They
call these "social costs", meaning the entire public
picks up the pollution tab, usually paying by way of suffering
health risks. So what can be done to alleviate the stress on
the environment, in regards to meeting the Kyoto Protocol or
the conflict in the Middle East? My best guess would be to subsidize
more alternative energy research and development, something on
the public agenda that took a serious dive during the Reagan
administration, and has never fully recovered its significance.
Finding ways to harness hydrogen would likely be more profitable
than drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
But then again, advancements bin technology do tend to be surrounded
by potential controversy. We return to the idea of people on
the extremes too often dominating the conversations with their
blatant, unbudging opinions and presuppositions. Nothing in turn
gets done, as with Congressional gridlock we've faced on and
off over the years. When environmental concerns were first brought
to the forefront of the country's political agenda, back in the
1970's, legislators were more than willing to cooperate without
burden of bi-partisan split, especially in regards to issues
that directly affected the health and safety of human communities.
I mean how obvious must the evidence be to induce change. Does
a piece of smog have to hit you in the head before you realize
the damage being inflicted by our common actions? We, the constituents,
all share the responsibility and the consequences of of the American
Dream, and could definitely be putting more concentrated
efforts towards stopping dependence upon foreign oil. Can you
imagine if this supermarket strike had been about gasoline? That's
what it will take to make a significant change and halt in the
increasing pollution trend that began in the days of Model T
Fordst Ciao Magazine |
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Yucaipa CA - The Little Years, a play by award-winning Canadian
playwright John Mighton, is a great example of how the simplicities
of life can unwind in a natural calming perspective and find
their way into humble hearts. Crafton Hills College sits high
on the rolling terrain of Yucaipa , a small city about an hour
east of Hollywood . I’m always impressed with the performing
arts theatres of college campuses such as this one. The acoustics
were perfect and no matter where you sat the view of the stage
allowed a comfortable visual without straining. I wasn’t
sure how Mr. Mighton's background in mathematics gave him such
a profound insight into the emotional carousel of Little Years,
but as the play blossomed I made the connection. We watch a family
starting back in 1957 that  portrays itself as hip and in tune, where
in actuality the dysfunctional parade of events that unfolds
leads its members to age without ever growing. It is Kate's (played
by Julianne Berry ) inner "ugly duckling" which provokes
the anger that does not allow anyone to enter her gloomy garden
and made up world. She is constantly tormented by her mother
Alice (played by Jennifer Bondurant) who believes that socializing
is the cure for all and her continuous comparison with Kate’s
brother William, a mystical poet, infringes on everyone’s
lives without ever making an appearance. As time goes on we begin
to feel for the entourage and see them as possible candidates
for psychiatric assistance or for just a good dose of human kindness.
Grace (played by Juliana Bertucci) is one of the few characters
that touch upon reality. On several occasions she tries to console
her sister-in-law Kate and reassures her that she has a good
heart. Grace struggles with the need for more than her successful
husband William can give her and explores the possible relationship
with an artist named Roger (played by John Juby). All in all,
John Mighton has found a way to calculate the human soul while
subtley unveiling the perception of his characters. Reporter
Kant Gettalon for iUpdate |
 Variations on Gould Toronto
- CBC Radio "I have
an extra ticket and you have to come!!!" My mind was racing
like a Guinea pig in an annoying spinner. Everything I ever thought
about the CBC would soon become clearer to me. We arrived at
the Glen Gould Studio, in the heart of Toronto . A fair portion
of this lustrous real-estate is dedicated to a man, a musician,
a genius, that played piano. I can hear them all in unison, PLAYED
PIANO. And while the kind folks of the great white north continue
to invest their tax dollars in support of the arts programs in
Canada , the CBC was looking pretty good. The reception for this
monumental celebration convinced me that class still finds its
way around town. Had it not been for that annoying buzzer that
begins way too soon like a last call for snooting....this would
have been a perfect cultural evening, well at least for me. I
forgot to mention that this Mardi gras was a ten-day affair.
I was thrust into the pits of fortune for but one of these tux
and running shoes eventful evenings. When Andre LaPlante hit
the stage, I can honestly say I did not have a clue who this
gentleman was....he appeared to look like a classical pianist
and I expected just that. Before I tell you how awesome this
artist was, let me explain the importance of this gala. Glen
is a Canadian icon, a local boy who became one of the great musicians
of the twentieth century. I would always hear his name, not in
an Elvis or Beatle way but more like in an I'm cool, I know who
he is way. He broke international musical grounds and continues
to deeply provoke the listening ear. During this festival of
back-patting, many performers paid tribute to this legend in
their own musical way. Mr. LaPlante, I later found out, was named
an Officer of the Order of Canada .....dah..I could list all
his  achievements but that would only
reveal that I read his bio in the program. I want to write about
what I heard from this genius ivory tickler. I know I will probably
sound so cliché, he was a virtuoso boy, do I need piano
lessons.....The less said of this man the more. When the string
quartet, which was made up of Erika Raum (violin), Aisslinn Nosky
(violin), Steven Dann (viola), and David Hetherington (cello),
joined Mr. La Plante I was taken to a mystic place feeling the
passion of each string as it resonated through my head. How wonderful
to be treated to a natural high. If the CBC continues to display
this kind of adventure I will stop saying they are a foo foo
organization. Reporter Kant Gettalon for iUpdate |
 TORONTO - Marisa
recently met up with Richard Crouse at the SOCAN symposium (Society
of etc.) in Toronto. You might recognize Richard from TV. He
co-hosts the award-winning television show Reel to Real, Canada’s
longest running movie review program. The two had lots to chat
about, including the exciting new reality TV sitcom Marisa's
currently working on with Jimi Bertucci and Nick Mancuso called
"All About Me". Aside from his small screen work, Richard
has written a number of books. In fact, he once wrote a biography
on Celine Dion...hey, wait a minute...isn't there another picture
somewhere else on this site of Marisa with Paul Farberman, lawyer/advisor
guru to the one and the same Celine? Wow..small world! |
 When Jimi met up with Sting in Los Angeles, during
one of Stings concerts, they had a chance to talk about that
awkward evening in Toronto when both bands were appearing a mile
a part from each other. Sting mentioned to Jimi " hey it
could of gone either way"...sure Sting. |
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 BLACK ON BLACK: The legendary Johnny Cash was much more than a
mere country crooner. He was as innovative as such artists like
The Beatles, Elvis, Sinatra and others that helped pave the way
to a musical spectrum of change. For over 50 years he entertained
is with his black persona, but underneath that dark fashion was
a gentle and caring man. His music represents the simple individual
coping with life's everyday struggles to maintain a sane existence.
Despite his compassion for the ordinary man, he will always remain
elevated, at least in the sense of musical history...(more) |
 30 the cd that contains thirty years of
celebrated songs... some live... some never released... obscure
cuts...interviews...commercial radio ads...everything and anything...pre-production
"Would Mother Approve" pop rock anthem "I Do"
trippy dippy "Maybe Tomorrow" and a version of Strange
Feeling from the AC to Police transition period.... dorky GET IT NOW |
 Hello and Greetings from Canada. I ordered and
received a copy of Abrahams Children's TIME cd.While I was pleased
with the musical content,I was disappointed with the environmentally
friendly package it came in.Is a jewel case version available
and if so,how do I specify this choice in my order and I will
give this bio-degradable copy to a friend who attended their
concert with me in Saint John,New Brunswick,Canada in 1974. All
the Best.Laurie (read more feedback) |
 TALK OF THE TOWN - CONFIDENTIAL BY
LOLA And since my editors threatened to pull my Jimi B review
if I mentioned his overwhelming physical characteristics, I can
tell you in my column that he is a prime candidate for next years
Sexy Awards. (groan) I'm not supposed to print the fact that
he is having a long distance affair with a famous NYC model,
you see it's all hush hush because her boyfriend might get a
trifle upset to hear about Jimi (especially from me). |
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Did you know that Jimi was a sunshine
boy? |
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Just had a chance to listen to some
of your songs, actually all of them WOW they were great. You
don't often get songs of this caliber on the web, I'm very impressed.
Rudy - Brazil |
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