Pam Zappardino Columns from Jan 1 2008 to July 1 2008
July 1, 2008
Real flowers take center stage in 'Art is Blooming'
I was at the Taneytown Business Breakfast some weeks ago - a miracle in itself as my being outside the house and semi-awake at that hour is a rare occurrence - when I heard about an exhibit at the Taneytown History Museum that was coming up fast. I g... Jun. 26, 2008
Art bars: As good as it gets
Let me be right up front. Not only should chocolate be acknowledged as one of the basic food groups, it should be the one at the bottom of that pyramid in the spot reserved for foods we're supposed to eat morning, noon, night, and several times in be... Jan. 3, 2008
'Go Fish' exhibit is cool, fun, refreshing
A master of understatement, curator Susan Williamson noted that "It's a little fishy" in the Tevis Gallery at the Carroll Arts Center. It's a lot fishy. They're everywhere, but maybe not as you might expect to see them. Lou Frisino takes the exhibit'... Jun. 19, 2008
Wide angle on Art in the Park
My camera and I went to Art in the Park last Saturday, in the heart of Westminster. The first heat wave of the summer was upon us, and "sweltering" doesn't quite capture the weather, but being a working artist isn't for the faint of heart. They all s... Jun. 12, 2008
Botero's work filled with rich color
Fernando Botero doesn't look larger than life. His work, on the other hand, is astonishingly so. And it started with a mandolin. He was always interested in volume and strength, Botero remembers. At 24, he drew that mandolin, making the sound hole ve... Jun. 5, 2008
'Distant Voices' chronicles life of Japanese AmericansThere was some amazing theater here in Carroll County last week, and unfortunately too few people took the opportunity to experience it. The Carroll County Public Library brought the Distant Voices Touring Company to the Carroll Arts Center for a per... May. 29, 2008
Stories connect us to ourselves
Knock, knock. Who's there? Gabriel. Gabriel who? Not exactly what you'd expect in a speech by a world leader. But this world leader understands the art of the story; the power story has to build relationships, even in the course of a 20-minute talk; ... May. 22, 2008
11 students display works in spring show 'Gestalt'
"Gestalt" is the thing over at McDaniel College's Rice Gallery this week: the whole, more than the sum of the parts, seeing the big picture. Eleven seniors are doing just that in the last of this spring's student shows there. Melinda Hirt opens up th... May. 15, 2008
Art integral in all aspects of life
Some folks believe art is a luxury. "Nice but not necessary" seems to be the thinking. Yet humans as far back as we can trace made art, and that art has been integral in ceremony, tradition, religion and government. It reflects who we are. It is made... May. 8, 2008
Look closely at "The Right Side of the Brain"
In another life, I did research on that gray matter inside our heads, so the "The Right Side of the Brain" seemed right up my alley. Far from a physiological endeavor, it's actually the name of the senior capstone exhibition at the Rice Gallery on th... May. 1, 2008
Unchosen art on display for 'Salon de Refuses'
Spring is in the air, and the juried student art shows are popping up on the McDaniel College campus at about two-week intervals. Students compete to get their work into these shows and as in all competitions; many works aren't selected. While disapp... Apr. 24, 2008
Looking upon the moon differently
There's something about the moon. It holds an important place in nearly all cultures and evokes emotional responses from all of us at one point or another. Christina Collins-Smith calls it "one of God's most elegant and powerful creations ... whose m... Apr. 17, 2008
Restated, the arts in Carroll are just fine
Five years ago, the Carroll County Arts Council packed itself up and moved west, up the street to the site of the former Carroll Theater. It settled into its new home, redone in art deco splendor, and started in to make art. The first exhibit was "Th... Apr. 10, 2008
Legendary artist's work 'a ribbon around a bomb'
At first blush, Frida Kahlo's work is complex, striking, seductive, haunting, earthbound, otherworldly. Her sense of color is perfect, her lines exact, her moods palpable, her light subtly reinforcing intent, her forms precisely what the composition ... Apr. 3, 2008
Society often overlooks artists' contributions
I watched the American Masters special "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song" debut on PBS a few weeks back. It's the story of 89 year-old Pete Seeger's life, but it's much more than that. It's the story of the power of music, and by extension, all of the ... Mar. 27, 2008
Singer-songwriter puts on show unlike any other
Cheryl Wheeler walked onstage at the Carroll Arts Center last week without, as she noted, even checking her hair in the mirror. "Too late now," she mused, doing some one-handed tidying. Wheeler's self-deprecating sense of humor is still intact. So is... Mar. 20, 2008
Take time to appreciate Jones' works in exhibit
"About a Hundred Things I Forgot," at McDaniel's Rice Gallery, is a very unusual exhibit that doesn't seem like it should be. The subtitle: "Figure Paintings" might lead you to expect an emphasis on those figures. Robert Jones has some other ideas. F... Mar. 13, 2008
Art rules in Carroll schools
This time of year, I, a self-confessed lover of winter, get giddy about two things. I can't wait for my first crocus sighting. There's something about it that just makes me happy. The second thing has the same effect. It's the Annual Youth Art Month ... Mar. 6, 2008
South Carroll league takes its show on the road
The South Carroll Fine Arts League is on the move - in more ways than one. This no longer fledgling group has increased its membership and has a couple successful members' shows under its belt. Headquartered in South Carroll, the league has members w... Feb. 28, 2008
Aldrich puts together powerful exhibition
It takes a lot to render me speechless, but Cynthia Aldrich managed to do it last Sunday with the opening of her installation "Bearing Witness" in the Gallery at Carroll Community College's Scott Center. It is simply the most powerful exhibit I have ... Feb. 21, 2008
Planes, parallels worth the effort
The Rice Gallery at McDaniel College can be challenging. A long, somewhat narrow space with a wall of west-facing windows, it has rather inflexible lighting that can't quite compensate during the day nor illuminate well at night. And then there are t... Feb. 14, 2008
Exhibit showcases the beauty of glass
SiO2. Silicon dioxide. An everyday chemical we use constantly, paying little or no attention. It holds stuff, like water, flowers, maybe a martini. It keeps things out or in: rain, dearly bought heat. Sometimes we notice that it's pretty. Sometimes, ... Feb. 7, 2008
Light provides different view of art
This dark thing is starting to get old. Don't get me wrong, I'm one of those weird people who actually loves winter, but the excessive amount of darkness gets to me. Depression can set in around this time of year and doctors say some of it can be tra... Jan. 31, 2008
Hopper's National Gallery exhibit is full of surprises
"What I wanted to do was paint sunlight on the side of a house." A bit surprising coming from Edward Hopper, perhaps best known for his images of a gritty New York. I caught the traveling exhibition of Hopper's work at the National Gallery last week... Jan. 24, 2008
'Expressions of Carroll' exhibit lacks energy
The Carroll County Artists' Guild has many talented artists, and attending one of its shows usually interesting. I was a bit surprised, though, by "Expressions of Carroll," the guild's current exhibit in the Community Gallery at the Carroll Arts Cent... Jan. 17, 2008
Comedy Pigs 'Wreck the Halls'
Jesus and Santa Claus walk into a bar, and from that opening scene on, even if you managed to miss the broad hint in the title, you know that "Wreck the Halls" is not going to be the most reverent of holiday fare. The nearly sellout crowd in Frederic... Jan. 10, 2008
Rock Ball to benefit nonprofit
Group seeks to help offset rising medical costs For the second straight year, Granite House is holding a fundraiser to subsidize the costs of mental health care for people who cannot afford it. Granite House is an affiliate of the Sheppard and Enoch ... Apr. 17, 2008
20080701 Pam Zappardino Columns from Jan 1 2008 to July 1 2008
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
20080700 Westminster MD A Month of Sundays 2008 Summer Concert Series
Westminster MD A Month of Sundays 2008 Summer Concert Series
“A MONTH OF SUNDAYS” – 2008 Summer Concert Series
“A MONTH OF SUNDAYS” – 2008 Summer Concert Series
We cordially invite you to join us at 6:45 pm in the Westminster City Park (off Main Street & Longwell Avenue) each Sunday in July for a variety of great music.
We are celebrating our 14th summer of bringing great entertainment to the public!
Food and beverages will be sold.
Concerts are Free and Open to the Public.
Check the attached schedule and come earlier to join in the fun if we're hosting a display of beautiful cars by Free State Corvette Club, Street Cars of Desire, Classic Corvette Club of Maryland, or touring motorcycles by Gold Wing Road Riders Association! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.
Join us as we host a "Spotlight on Local Talent"...an opportunity for community talent to be featured opening each concert week by singing The National Anthem and performing a song to open our second hour of entertainment after our half-time concert break.
Be sure to come early and receive your free ticket for our "Best Seat in the House" drawing held at the beginning of each concert. You could win special seating for your group to view the concert, a free CD from our host entertainment, a free summer concert series t-shirt, and cold beverages to quench your thirst as you sit back and enjoy the show!
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Westminster City Park. Public bathroom facilities are located in the park. Audio and video recording of concert performances is prohibited. No pets are allowed.
In the event of possible bad weather that might be a threat to our weekly performance or questions about the scheduled entertainment, you may telephone Linda Silfee, Concert Event Program Coordinator, at 443-286-2367 for updated information.
While no admission is charged to attend the free Summer Concert Series, we encourage donations of personal care items for all ages (i.e. newly purchased deodorants, toothbrushes & toothpastes, soaps), paper goods (i.e. toilet paper, paper towels), cleaning supplies (i.e. Windex, Formula 409, furniture polish), baby food, diapers or formula will be collected to help the homeless & low-income individuals served by the Human Services Programs, Inc. of Carroll County. Items will be collected at each performance.
(The concert series is presented in joint cooperation with the City of Westminster Recreation Department, the Carroll County Department of Recreation & Parks, and the Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc.)
We hope to see you in July at the Westminster City Park for our free summer concert series!
(concert info: call 410-876-6639, 410-848-6962, 410-876-5407, 410-386-2103, 443-286-2367)
July 6, 2008 – IRON RIDGE – Traditional Bluegrass, Country, Light Gospel
Kicking off our summer concert series is a repeat performance by Iron Ridge, a band dedicated to preserving old-time traditional bluegrass while adding some original and light gospel tunes that will melt your heart. Delight in the awesome picking of Denny Kopp on mandolin & fiddle. Jerry Leitner is a stand-out on rhythm guitar. Max Allison excels as bass player and on vocals in the group’s awesome 4-part harmonies. Listen closely to Jay Mosley’s velvet voice along with his sweet-pickin’ banjo! Jay’s son, Joey, an award-winning musician, is a real delight with his special touch on guitar and vocals. Miss Jen Starsenic adds a fine dimension to the group with her sizzling fiddle. Listen closely as these voices blend in a crisp and clean, tight harmony, while they present a refreshing and professional performance on stage, coupled with superb instrumental work. http://www.ironridgeband.com/
“National Anthem” will be sung by Miss Alexia Mercedes Van Horn, a 20-year old Westminster local talent, who currently attends Towson State University and is also in the process of recording her musical debut CD in Nashville, Tennessee. Our 2nd set will begin with Alexia performing “God Bless America”.
(Join us for a special summer evening in the Westminster City Park as Free State Corvette Club showcase their beautiful cars for our enjoyment…all the while taking advantage of this opportunity to cast a vote for your favorite car and contribute to our charity!)
July 13, 2008 – THE CRAWDADDIES – Cajun, Zydeco, Swing, Roots, Rock & Reggae
This 5-member band, founded in 1995, infuses these sounds of music into an incomparable, groove-laden sound that is unquestionably their own. The eclectic, good-time spirit of their set and twelve years of touring the national festival and college circuits has earned the band a strong following. They have performed locally for Westminster’s Fallfest and the Maryland Wine Festival. Join us to experience the accomplishments of these talented musicians, who along with the use of traditional guitars, keyboards & drums, also perform using an accordion and rubboard. The Crawdaddies have come together to form an extremely unique musical group to present an infectious pulse and high-energy classic cajun/zydeco rhythm with cool swing grooves, country, rock, funk and soul.http://www.thecrawdaddies.com/
“National Anthem” will be sung by Ginger Jefferson, a local talent from Hampstead, who has participated in nine September Song productions and currently sings with “The Candlelighters”, a music ensemble based at the Glyndon Methodist Church. Ginger is a student of vocal coach, Phyllis Rudolph. Our 2nd set will begin with Ginger performing “Amazing Grace”.
(Join in the excitement as Street Cars of Desire will be in the City Park at 5:30 pm displaying their cars for our enjoyment!)
July 20, 2008 Rich Clare – PENTAGON w/ Rico and The Ravens – Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues…from then until now! (This concert may last until 9:30 pm.)
Pentagon is a 6-piece show band that plays Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues from the time it started until now, showcasing the music from Wilson Picket to Smash Mouth…from Buddy Holly to U2! They will conjure up a memory, make you laugh along the way! Pentagon is best known for their 6-part vocal harmonies and unique brand of humor. The band has performed in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Puerto Rico. Pentagon has been a mainstay at Hershey Park Amphitheater for the past 30 years! http://www.richclarepentagonbandfanclub.com/
“National Anthem” will be sung acappella by Jennifer Rose, a well-known entertainer & very dear friend to many of us at our summer concert series through these past years, who is an extremely talented country, rock, pop singer. Our 2nd set will open with Jennifer performing “America the Beautiful”.
(Join in the festivities and be sure to vote for your favorite touring motorcycle as the Gold Wing Road Riders Association will be displaying their bikes at 5:30 pm!)
July 27, 2008 The Van-Dells – Oldies, Rock & Roll Show Group
The Van-Dells are an oldies show group that specializes in 50’s and 60s Rock & Roll and are billed as “the Nation’s #1 Rock & Roll Review!” Back by popular demand for a repeat performance, be entertained by a cross section of oldies combined with a unique blend of comedy, choreography, tight harmonies and costume changes. http://www.van-dells.com/
“National Anthem” will be sung acappella by ONE ACCORD, a 17-voice men’s chorus from Sandy Mount United Methodist Church in Finksburg, who has been singing together for more than 10 years, under the skilled direction of Linda Wheat. Our 2nd set will open with the chorus singing “God Bless America”.
(Join us in the City Park as Classic Corvette Club of Maryland will begin showcasing their cars at 5:30 pm!)
Annual events holidays Month of Sundays in July
Sunday, June 29, 2008
20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history
The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past historyJune 25th, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff
Photo caption: Looking east on the south side Main Street of Westminster Maryland at St. John Catholic Church in the 1920s. The church was built in 1865. On June 19, 1952 the storm blew through town and toppled the steeple at 4:45 in the afternoon. As a result the structure was subsequently deemed unsafe in 1968.
The last church service was held on February 4, 1968. The structure was demolished in early March 1977 and replaced with the Westminster Branch of the Carroll County Public Library in March 1980. (The image is from an old file collection. The photographer is unknown. Kevin Dayhoff)
Writer’s note – a shorter version of this column appeared in the print edition of the Westminster Eagle on June 25, 2008.
_____
June is “invasion month” in the city of Westminster. Over the years, a sampling of the invasions over the years has involved bugs, hogs, parking meters, dust, flies, manure, and Southern troops have made historic appearances in the city and caused quite a ruckus.
Ay caramba – where to begin?
Throughout history there have been many critter problems in Westminster, but none seems to have caused as much a stir as what to do with the city’s hog population.
Many thanks go to Laurel Taylor, the Westminster City Clerk who gave me a hand a while back in getting to the bottom of the controversies.
As early as October 1, 1860, an ordinance was enacted by the Westminster mayor and common council, which prohibited “the running at large of hogs and swine” in the city.
On October 9, 1860, “the price per head for the impoundment of errant swine was reduced from $2.00/head to $1.00/head. The daily fee for impoundment was reduced from $1.50 to $.50.”
The following year, on June 12, 1861 the minutes of the common council proceeding note: “Moved and seconded that the Ordinance relating to Hogs running at large in the City of Westminster be enforced and that after the 1st of July 1861 all hogs or swine found in the streets will be taken up and disposed of as directed by Ordinance heretofore (illegible - passed?) by the Board and that ....Joseph Shaw publish a Notice of the same to the Citizens of Westminster prior to 1st July 1861.”
Dogs running loose seem to have also been a problem because in 1866, an ordinance took effect that prohibited dogs from running at large in the City unless they were muzzled.
The minutes of the meeting at which that Ordinance was adopted contain a warning: “Attention is hereby called to the Ordinance already existing relative to swine running at large, which will be rigidly enforced.”
However, the problems associated with hogs persisted and in October 1895 a special council meeting was called after “Dr. J. Howell Billingslea and a committee of citizens who went before them to urge immediate action in the interest of the public health,” according to an October 12, 1895 article in the now defunct American Sentinel newspaper.
The newspaper article noted that Dr. Billingslea was “convinced that the hog pens, even when kept as clean as possible, are disease breeders and a constant menace to the health of the people in towns of any considerable size, a fact about which there can hardly be a dispute…
“January 1st, 1896, is spoken of as the period at which the prohibition will likely go into effect. While such a measure will work hardship, probably in many cases, it seems to be necessary to the preservation of the health of the community.”
The article did not go into detail as to what “hardships” would occur.
In June 1946 another controversy erupted in downtown Westminster – parking meters.
On May 24, 1946, the now defunct Democratic Advocate reported that parking meters “from Charles Carroll Hotel to Anchor street, (became) a reality Tuesday morning when a force of men started drilling holes for the erection of the meters.”
The proposal by the city to install parking meters was quite controversial and the subject of litigation. However, the newspaper reported, “The injunction was denied by Judge Clarke, some time last April, and an appeal was under way but later dropped by the opposers…
“Charles Armacost, popular contractor of Finksburg, has charge of the placing the meters in position. The work is being done very rapidly.”
Of course, parking in downtown Westminster ebbs and flows in controversy. I can recall more than a few spirited conversations about the parking meters well into the late 1950s and 60s.
For many of us, one enigma remains and that is why parking was removed from the south side of Main Street in front of where the downtown branch of the Carroll County library is located.
Many of us who grew up in Westminster recall parking on that side of the street – in front of where St. John Catholic Church was then located. The came along “progress” and a center turn lane – that is hardly ever used - was added for the entire block and the parking removed.
Nevertheless, in spite of the critter challenges and the parking meters, the city has survived. Whether we will survive the city’s current “tax, borrow, and spend” initiatives remains to be seen.
####
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
####
www.kevindayhoff.net
http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff
http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
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E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com
His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed
“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams
20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history
20080625 The hogs and parking meters of Westminster’s past history
Thursday, June 26, 2008
North County News: At school - Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech
North County News: At school - Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech
Posted on explorebaltimorecounty 6/25/08
Send announcements to 409 Washington Ave., Towson, MD 21204, or northcountynews@patuxent.com.
Ryan Handzo, of Phoenix, was named to the dean's list at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. (Mr. Handzo is the son of my sister, Tammy Frock Handzo and her husband, Rob Handzo.)
Joslyn Lear, formerly of Baldwin, earned a master's degree in education from Loyola College in Baltimore.
Matthew Hartig, of Parkton, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in metals and jewelry from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.
Abbe Balaban, of Phoenix, a junior at Widener University in Chester, Pa., was awarded a Chris Towns France Scholarship from Cultural Experiences Abroad to fund a semester overseas. Balaban, who is studying psychology, international relations and French, will spend the fall at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Jamie Grandizio, of Baldwin, was named to the president's list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she is studying kinesiology.
Amy Jaklitsch and Lisa Jaklitsch, of Parkton, were named to the dean's list at Frostburg State University in Frostburg.
Scott Meade, of White Hall, received an appointment from Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
These North County students graduated from Towson Catholic High School:
* Michael Brady, of Sparks.
* Emily Kearns, of Glen Arm.
* Erika Kolakowski, of Baldwin.
* Brittani Perz, of Glen Arm.
John O'Brien, an assistant principal at Hereford High School, has been transferred to the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, where he will be an assistant principal. Louis Jira, an assistant principal at Randallstown High School, will replace O'Brien.
20080625 North County News Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech
Posted on explorebaltimorecounty 6/25/08
Send announcements to 409 Washington Ave., Towson, MD 21204, or northcountynews@patuxent.com.
Ryan Handzo, of Phoenix, was named to the dean's list at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. (Mr. Handzo is the son of my sister, Tammy Frock Handzo and her husband, Rob Handzo.)
Joslyn Lear, formerly of Baldwin, earned a master's degree in education from Loyola College in Baltimore.
Matthew Hartig, of Parkton, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in metals and jewelry from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga.
Abbe Balaban, of Phoenix, a junior at Widener University in Chester, Pa., was awarded a Chris Towns France Scholarship from Cultural Experiences Abroad to fund a semester overseas. Balaban, who is studying psychology, international relations and French, will spend the fall at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Jamie Grandizio, of Baldwin, was named to the president's list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she is studying kinesiology.
Amy Jaklitsch and Lisa Jaklitsch, of Parkton, were named to the dean's list at Frostburg State University in Frostburg.
Scott Meade, of White Hall, received an appointment from Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
These North County students graduated from Towson Catholic High School:
* Michael Brady, of Sparks.
* Emily Kearns, of Glen Arm.
* Erika Kolakowski, of Baldwin.
* Brittani Perz, of Glen Arm.
John O'Brien, an assistant principal at Hereford High School, has been transferred to the Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, where he will be an assistant principal. Louis Jira, an assistant principal at Randallstown High School, will replace O'Brien.
20080625 North County News Handzo named to deans list at Georgia Tech
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
20080623 Obama for change
Barack Obama for change
Because that is all you will have left when he’s done.
Because that is all you will have left when he’s done.
June 24, 2008 - - The base idea for this image was passed on to me in an email from “CJ.”
I guess it resonated with me as the presumptive Democrat nominee for president’s conversation so far about economics and taxation is a major concern for me as I ponder the merits of his candidacy of the Oval Office.
At my advanced age I can easily recognize political silliness when I see it and I refuse to be distracted.
Barack Obama appears to be an honorable man who wants to be president and I admire him for his accomplishments.
My heart and prayers go out to him and his family when I hear or read the vicious personal attacks over drivel that ultimately I really don’t give a rat’s backside over. It’s all so boring and an unnecessary distraction of high chair food fight proportions.
I don’t really care what Rev. Wright has said or when he said it. I don’t care about what Senator Obama’s wife said or when she said it.
I’m not fooled by the recent marketing makeover with his appearance on People magazine or Mrs. Obama’s chattiness on “The View.” I have no interest in voting “for the friendly guy next door” to be president.
I care about issues such as who is going to protect us from foreign aggressors. I care about national defense.
I care about the economy. I care about the class warfare being promoted, disguised as taxation policy.
I care about the deleterious affects of our nation’s lack of a coherent energy independence policy.
I care about who has the experience necessary to be president.
I care about who is going to appoint the next several Supreme Court justices.
If I were to have a choice between “a third term for the Bush Administration” or “Jimmy Carter’s second”; I’ll take “Bush’s third term” in a nanosecond.
Although I realize that Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain is certainly no George W. Bush and I have not, as yet mistaken Senator Obama for President Jimmy Carter…
Anyway - I played with the base idea for the image; re-arranged it and added to it and voila.
Please cut and paste this image and distribute it widely…
KevinDayhoffNet
www.kevindayhoff.net
20080623 Obama for change
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
20080619 “Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”
20080619 “Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”
“Blue Balled” by “Truth through Action”
A 4 minute and 30 second short film about a young lady who abandons a late night encounter when she discovers her date’s undisclosed secret. The film was shot in
Retrieved June 19, 2008: http://truththroughaction.org/media-gallery/film/blue-balled/
http://youtube.com/watch?v=15zSYa1_7J0
June 19, 2008 - - At my advanced age I can easily recognize political silliness when I see it and I refuse to be distracted.
Nevertheless, from an artist’s point of view – as someone who really enjoys edgy videos and the use of cutting edge art to promote (advertise) a particular agenda, this video is kinda cool. I liked it…
However, the purpose of commercials and advertising is compel and persuade a person, who is not particularly predisposed, to purchase a product – or in this case, vote a certain way.
I can’t imagine this video being persuasive to an independent or least of all a conservative. It seems to be an artistic endeavor in search of meaning. (And I can’t really throw stones at that when I look back at some of my political advocacy in the past…)
This video, with its high production values and artistic accomplishments, is only appealing to the choir – and if anything, may very well persuade an independent or conservative to shy away from the frivolous and superficial values presented.
To state the obvious, I certainly know of few folks who ever utilized a person’s party affiliation in choosing a partner for life – or an evening.
The country is full of husbands and wives who cancel each other’s vote at the voting booth during presidential elections…
Nevertheless, this video is out there in the pop culture overlay that is being promoted by supporters of presumptive Democrat presidential nominee, Barack Obama.
Moreover, in all candor, I’d like to see more of the edgy, artistic approach to political advocacy from both sides of the aisle and I’ll look forward to more of the work of
However, one can easily agree with ABC News writers, Susan Donaldson James and Cloe Shasha, when they observed in a thoughtful analysis on June 11 in “Dems Use Edgy Films to Rally Youth Voters”:
“The video, created by the new political organization TruthThroughAction.org, is one more affirmation that the Internet is a central character in the 2008 presidential race.
The blue-leaning nonprofit was founded by
[…]
… "Our products have a message but are also entertaining as film projects, and we don't think anybody else is doing the same thing."
Like the "Obama Girl" video, which spread virally last year, "Blue Balled" is intended to rally the indie community and young political activists to support the Democrats in November…
[…]
"I thought it was brilliant," said Andrew Rasiej, co-founder of TechPresident, a group blog that covers how the 2008 presidential candidates use the Web.
"It clearly taps into the fact that the election has captured the imagination of the youth of our country and reinforces a message that any political organization for a candidate would want to associate with -- hip cool and passionate," he told ABCNEWS.com.
"It clearly takes advantage of the atmosphere of young people paying attention to the election and using their language and their medium to convey the message," he said. "It's very shrewd."
[…]
Jeff Everson, an economics major and football player at Middlebury College, was not impressed with the Democrats' video. "I thought that as a political tactic it wasn't effective," said Everson. "But at the same time I found it funny. The concept of this video sort of separates the country, which seems counterproductive."
Everson, a McCain supporter, agrees that the Republicans need to find new ways to reach young voters.
"One of the mistakes that McCain made was not utilizing technology like YouTube," said the 20-year-old. "The Democratic Party has done a better job of encouraging young people to vote."
Whether the message of these clips fits with Barack Obama's strategy is anybody's guess.
A film that includes copious amounts of alcohol, sex and near nudity may not fly with the group of young evangelicals Obama is now targeting.
"Anytime any organization tries something new, there will always be people who don't agree," said filmmaker Sugarman. "What the Democratic Party and anyone involved in politics are starting to realize is that we need a new way to get in touch with people beyond the traditional means of political communication."
The complete article by ABC News writers, Susan Donaldson James and Cloe Shasha, is worth a good read. Please find it here: “Dems Use Edgy Films to Rally Youth Voters.”
Related: View Political Monogamy
_____
Footnote 1:
Written and Directed by Josh Sugarman
Presented and Produced by Brandon Yankowitz
Produced by Brigitte Liebowitz
Starring Michelle Galdenzi and Bryan Dechart
Featuring Steven Berrebi and Elo Santana
Music by Shanna Zell and J. Chris Griffin
Crew
Duke Greenhill, 1st AD
Jason Pritzker, 2nd AD
Apryl Richards, Script Supervisor
Mike Bozzo, DP
Joel Knutsen, 1st AC
Ian Swanson, 2nd AC
James Leonzio, Steadicam Operator
Havi Elkaim, Production Designer
KD, Key Hair Stylist
Allison McCrudden, Key Makeup
JD Hartman, Gaffer
Sean Hutcheon, Key Grip
Matt Jensen, Grip
Joshua Hilson, Sound Mix
Alan Tansey, Boom Operator
Monday, June 23, 2008
20080618 Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff
20080618 Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff
Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff
June 18, 2008
Kevin E. Dayhoff Sunday, June 18 Why I can't say the 'S' word Friday, June 20 is officially the first day of summer and, for those of us who like it hot, it doesn't come a day too soon.
In recent years, summer months are as busy as the rest of year. Gone are the lazy southern Carroll County summers.
However, growing up in Carroll in the 1950s and '60s, sum... [Read full story]
Paul Causey was the mortar that built many lives in Carroll On May 25, folks filled Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster to say good-bye to one of our community's unsung heroes, Paul Causey. Like Mr. Causey, the folks who came to celebrate his life of 81 years are the foundation of our community.
Mr. Causey would have been annoyed over all the fuss and att... [Read full story]
Food, canning history and eating my way across Westminster On May 3, 1946, a newspaper article carried a story that Carroll Countians opened "approximately 3,163,000 cans of food É annually."
"Citizens of Carroll County can anticipate dramatic developments in canned foods during 1946, many of these products having first been packaged for the armed forces... [Read full story]
Pecoraro makes 'superdelegate' stand in advance of convention Political and presidential historians are often quick to point out that the Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the Unites States.
However, many folks may not be aware that much of the roots of the party are arguably in Maryland.
The U.S. Democratic Party, and specifically, the Ma...[Read full story]
Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture Last Wednesday, the Humane Society of the United States released videotape of an "undercover investigation" which claimed to show the "shocking abuse of 'downer' cows occurs not just at slaughter plants but É at livestock auctions and stockyards around the country," according to the humane society p...[Read full story]
More Headlines
For this year's prom, 'Come as you are' ... and stay a while
College may be expensive, but the experiences are priceless
Rhodes offers a helping hand to those in need
Dr. Herlocker set a pace in more ways than one
Days of bicycles, playgrounds, swamps and turkeys
Jeff Morse incident is a lost opportunity
Inns and hotels important in the early history of Carroll County
Hypocrisy and poor money management plague client No. 9
Beet juice, Romeo and Juliet and the 1856 Guano Islands Act
Trouble with trash is nothing new, but the technology may be
Don't let 'wrap rage' leave you in stitches
Looking at Bowling Brook one year later
'Tech Tax' will have crippling impact on Carroll
It's easy to demonstrate for peace; harder to work for it
How culture and song can save a nation
Dr. Martin Luther King's enduring words
Courthouse history seems to match theatrical flair of current case
Something we really must talk about
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
20080612 Jim McKay
Jim McKay
Thursday, June 12, 2008 © by
Author’s note: A shorter version of this column appeared in The Tentacle on June 11, 2008…
I finally got an accompanying YouTube video up. Find it here:
20080607 NBC's Bob Costas pays tribute to Jim McKay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoAatCui6zw
Last Tuesday morning the spotlight of the sports world was focused on the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in
Mr. McKay passed away last Saturday on his horse farm in Monkton, in northern
For many of us who grew up watching early television, Mr. McKay was one of the first recognizable television celebrities in our lives.
One of the driving forces of television in its infancy was sports programming and many a youngster learned manners, poise, integrity, and speaking skills from Mr. McKay.
Much has been written about the socializing affect television can have on young impressionable minds. Of course, in recent years, much of the conversation has centered on the concern over the terrible impact the manners and behavior and violence displayed on television are having on today’s young children.
We may not have known at the time that we were learning to be gracious ladies and gentleman – but learning social skills is exactly what was happening.
We just thought we were watching sports.
(For many baby-boomers, the example set by folks like Mr. McKay may very well be one of the reasons that we are so disillusioned with
Mr. McKay was always very knowledgeable, well spoken, and gentlemanly as compared with television and sports of today which frequently appears to emphasize empty glitz, pizzazz, and mindless, banal banter over depth, talent, and integrity.
Mr. McKay was born James Kenneth McManus on Sept. 24, 1921 in
Running nearly 3,000 words in length, it is must reading for anyone who really wants to gain insight into the life and times of Mr. McKay – and why so many of us came to admire him as one of the truly great gentlemen of our time.
For the seasoned newspaper reader, one subtle tribute stands out. The AP stylebook now has folks simply referred to by their last name after they are introduced in an article. Unfortunately not many newspapers use a modified AP style that allows a writer to refer to a person by “Mr.” or “Mrs.” or “Dr.” after they are first mentioned.
In the article which appeared in the
As it should be, Mr. McKay began his career as a police reporter for
Dan Rodricks proudly pointed out in his column from last Sunday, that “Jim McKay had once been one of us. (So had his wife, Margaret; so had Louis Rukeyser of Wall Street Week, the author William Manchester, CBS reporter David Culhane, to mention a few.)”
Before Mr. McKay joined the paper, he graduated from
“After graduating from college, Mr. McKay served 3 1/2 years in the Navy during World War II, mostly on escort duty in the
In 1947, A. S. Abell Company, the publisher of the
Last Sunday’s article noted that Mr. McKay did not understand why he was being recruited for the brand new medium. He was told, “(D)idn't you say you were president of the dramatic society at
The television station began on Oct. 27, 1947 with a live broadcast of “two horse races at Pimlico.” The article noted “the first words heard on television in
He changed his name in 1950 to Mr. McKay after he was recruited that year to work for CBS - TV. His first program was “The Real McKay.”
Many of us remember Mr. McKay for different reasons. In his long and storied career, he broadcast 25
He was the first host of the “Wide World of Sports” in 1961 and over the next four decades, he introduced many different sports to the American living room other than the traditional fare of baseball, football, or basketball. Many will remember the iconoclastic opening for each episode: “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”
He reported upon the Olympics for the first time in 1960 and went on to cover a total of 12 Olympics throughout his career.
For many folks, who are not sports enthusiasts; his place in history occurred when he anchored the live coverage, for 16 hours straight, of the terribly tragic 1972 Munich Olympics when 11 Israeli athletes were senselessly murdered by Palestinian terrorists.
History will forever remember Mr. McKay’s concluding remark when the ordeal was over: “When I was a kid, my father used to say our greatest hopes and our worst fears are seldom realized. Our worst fears have been realized tonight. They have now said that there were 11 hostages. Two were killed in their rooms this morning -- excuse me, yesterday morning. Nine were killed at the airport. They're all gone.”
He is the only sportscaster to win an Emmy for news coverage - for his reporting at those 1972 Olympics.
In 1968, he was the first sports broadcaster to win an Emmy for sports coverage – his first of 13 Emmys. He received a lifetime achievement award in 1990. In 1995, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
In a statement released by President George W. Bush, he said: "For a generation of Americans, Jim was more than the much-honored host of Wide World of Sports and ABC's Olympic coverage. He was a talented and eloquent newsman and storyteller whose special gift was his ability to make the viewers at home genuinely care about more than just who won or lost.”
His death marks the end of an era. He leaves behind a legacy of sharing, with several generations, a life known for the thrill of victory.
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E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com
His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed
“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.”
Friday, June 13, 2008
20080614 Flag Day
Flag Day
The long version of Sunday Carroll Eagle column for Sunday, June 8, 2008
by ©
Related: 20080606 Presidential Proclamation: Flag Day and National Flag Week
Tomorrow is the 231st birthday of the United States Flag. For the past 92 years we have observed June 14th as Flag Day.
Hopefully, you and your family will display the Old Glory for Flag Day.
Please take a moment to reflect upon the flag that has steadfastly stood for
The flag has remained a constant reminder of the sacrifices that have been made to maintain the freedoms, liberties, and way of life in this great experiment; we call the
When we display the flag, our community also expresses our gratitude to the men and women who have gone before and fought to ensure that the many blessings and freedoms we enjoy will continue for many generations to come.
Flag Day was established by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. On August 3, 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress that designated June 14 as National Flag Day.
Also this Saturday we celebrate the birthday of the United States Army. It was two years before the Flag Act of 1777; on June 14, 1775 that Congress established the United States Army. Ten companies of "expert riflemen" were originally authorized - approximately 800 soldiers.
On June 15, 1775, George Washington was chosen to head the Continental Army. The delegate to the Second Continental Congress who nominated George Washington was Thomas Johnson, from
While we are on the subject of birthdays, this year is also the occasion of another milestone in
The origins of the Army Reserve began in April 1908 with a group of doctors being designated as the Medical Reserve Corps, which could be called to active duty in an emergency. Today there are more than 200,000 “citizen-soldiers” in what we now know as the U.S. Army Reserve.
The origins of Flag Day go back to the Second Continental Congress, which met from May 10, 1775 to March 1, 1781. It passed the “Flag Act of 1777” on June 14, 1777.
Originally, the purpose of the Second Continental Congress was to hopefully continue negotiations with
Nevertheless, by the time the Second Continental Congress had convened in
Quickly, things weren’t not looking good for the home team. Instead of conducting economic negotiations with the most powerful nation on the planet at the time, the Second Continental Congress found itself at war; equipped with a non-existent army, no money, and the support of about one-third of the population, on a good day.
One of the immediate challenges for General Washington was to negotiate with a congressional committee in September 1775 for more soldiers, equipment, and supplies.
Factionalism plagued congress and regionalism challenged the military and the agreement reached with congress was ultimately not satisfactory.
According to Volume I of the U. S. Army’s “American Military History,” edited by Richard W. Stewart: “A Continental Army had been formed, but it fell far short of the goals Washington and Congress had set for it. This army was enlisted for but a year, and the whole troublesome process would have to be repeated at the end of 1776. The short term of enlistment was, of course, a cardinal error; but in 1775 everyone, including
A representative from
Tradition has it that a
Hopefully she got paid.
Congressman Hopkinson billed the “Board of Admiralty” in 1780 for his work on “‘the flag of the United States of America’ as well as several ornaments, devices, and checks appearing on bills of exchange, ship papers, the seals of the boards of Admiralty and Treasury, and the Great Seal of the United States. Hopkinson had received nothing for this work, and now he submitted a bill and asked "whether a Quarter Cask of the public wine" would not be a reasonable and proper reward for his labors.”
A congressional committee was appointed to investigate Congressman Hopkinson’s request for payment. It summoned witnesses and took testimony. However, “the men of the Board of Treasury ignored the summons. In its report to Congress, the committee recommended that the present board be dismissed.”
The more you read about the behavior of Congress in the early days of the Republic, the more one wonders if we were at war with Congress– or
On August 23rd, 1781, congress passed a resolution that the Congressman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, be paid. Ultimately he was never paid, not because it was disputed that he did the work, but because his political adversaries prevailed in denying him payment.
Bear in mind, while all this is taking place - there is war going on; a war that never really went well.
Objective history that is ambivalent as to whether the American colonies won the war or
It was around August 23, 1781 that French Admiral de Grasse arrived from the Caribbean, blockaded the Chesapeake Bay, and pinned British General Cornwallis down at
Only by the Grace of God did our nation survive, in spite of ourselves – in spite of Congress.
When he is not preoccupied with reading Revolutionary War trivia,
20080614 Flag Day
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