Dick Wants To Dick Cool Cities

In case you missed the story last month, Dick DeVos (R), if elected will cut the Cool Cities program in Michigan.

As an artist who has been following this project in Grand Rapids, the results promised are starting to appear. These positive first steps is part of the recovery beginning to happen in Michigan.

Dick Devos is terribly misguided to cut a program that is such a very small line item in the budget. And just like his flip flopping on the flag issue, I do not doubt he will try and retract his statement when the numbers begin to appear that this progrma is working.

He must feel the Arts are an easy target just like Gays and Women's reproduction rights.

But should DeVos buy ...er ...be elected governor in November, the Cool Cities funding and future projects that benefit our cities will all go away. (see Free Press Story here)

DeVos' camp has fired the first shot in what could become Michigan's next cultural war.

It is time for all artists and arts lovers to rally in their communities, Dick needs to be stopped at the polls this November.

Dick DeVos Before He Dicks The Arts in Michigan!

REGISTER TO VOTE IN MICHIGAN: CLICK HERE

"You Gotta Love Willie!"

While on an art field trip in 1981, I remember my travel mate Earl (last name forgotten) saying over "a smuggled in the hotel room" drink, "You gotta love Willie!"

I had heard of Willie Nelson's music, I had never heard such gushing over a singer before.

It was almost like he was saying that come what may, you must stand by this man.

Later in life, as I would listen to his music and watch his life, I would grow to understand the simple truth of this statement.

Two weeks ago I had the chance to see Willie Nelson live at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.

While I have always enjoyed his music, I have never been able to catch him live.

The setting for this show is an intimate outdoor theatre with plenty of grass.

Speaking of grass.... Willie, famous for his smokin' down on his bio diesel tour bus, was spot on as he ran through a marathon set list. His ability to hold the audience points to the showmanship that has made him an American Icon.

From a far I have admired his life.

As he has stood up to farmers, environmental issues, gays and world peace, the man has woven himself into the very fabric of what it means to be an American.

My only negative comment from the concert was that the one song I most hoped he would play, "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth" was performed with his son's opening band.

The pace was hurried as he plowed through the three-minute tune. At this pace, the audio board also exhibited some problems keeping up with Willie as his lyrics became twisted or dropped completely. (Audio issues were fixed once Willie took the stage for his own set.)

Some of the key lines from this song include the beautifully articulated, "So I guess it's just
Do unto others before they do it to you. Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out
Is this what God wants us to do?"

When this song was release, folks booed him because it was while we were in the first stages of the Iraq war. And while it never was officially released, it still made huge waves as folks burned his records in protest.

Recently, he stood with Gay people as he released two great tune from Brokeback Mountain and then release a special funny song on the iTunes site, Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly (Fond of Each Other).

Responding harshly to the cowboy song a writer posted a comment on Nelson's site that "they were now going to burn all of their Willie Nelson CD's."

A staffer simply replied, "You went out and bought more of Willie's music after burning your entire Nelson collection in protest over the Whatever Happened To Pace on Earth song? We thought you did not have any thing left to burn."

(See, progressives can be funny.)

So for those who have not heard his hard to find "Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth," I am reprinting the lyrics below and then adding a link to a site with a piano version of the tune.

If one is also smart, they will discover how to get this track to their iPod.

In the end, folks like Willie Nelson give me great hope that when one lends their voice to the dialogue, we will shine a light of truth on the wrong being committed in this world.

It might be very Anne Frank of me to say this Hallmark style comment but we can make a difference. Willie, along with so many other voices, has subtly impacted my own world.

Here's the to the hero inside each of us!


Photo Credit: Holly - "Thanks for the great pics!"
LINK: Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth MP3
Lyrics: What Ever Happened to Peace On Earth
by Willie Nelson

There's so many things going on in the world
Babies dying
Mothers crying
How much oil is one human life worth
And what ever happened to peace on earth

We believe everything that they tell us
They're gonna' kill us
So we gotta' kill them first
But I remember a commandment
Thou shall not kill
How much is that soldier's life worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth


So I guess it's just
Do unto others before they do it to you
Let's just kill em' all and let God sort em' out
Is this what God wants us to do

(Repeat Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

Now you probably won't hear this on your radio
Probably not on your local TV
But if there's a time, and if you're ever so inclined
You can always hear it from me
How much is one picker's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

But don't confuse caring for weakness
You can't put that label on me
The truth is my weapon of mass protection
And I believe truth sets you free

(Bridge)
And the bewildered herd is still believing
Everything we've been told from our birth
Hell they won't lie to me
Not on my own damn TV
But how much is a liar's word worth
And whatever happened to peace on earth

In Focus: An Inconvenient Truth

After sending off my August On The Town articles, I jettisoned off to Studio 28 to see An Inconvenient Truth. I have not been to film in some time and after weighing the options, I felt this was the one to see.

Turns out it was the right choice since it was eye-opening. Given how terrible I was doing last week combined with my no news fast and fragile emotional state, the film is one filled with a slivers of hope and humanity. I really do believe all the hype now.

A lot of documentaries can render one to a state of paralysis. This film was edited in a way to allow the viewer to digest each science portion only giving enough data for one to chew on for a moment before returning to the hard data.

While other filmmakers have tried to employ this technique, I think it works beautifully here.

In a funny aside, my father and I was talking today and he brought up that he takes 17 pills a day. As we talked about the film and he began to cast doubt since Al Gore was a part of it, I simply said, "Let me see if I get this straight. You trust scientist when they tell you to take 17 pills but scientisst who tell you to cut your environmentally damaging lifestyle you ignore?"

Until this moment I never saw the argument this way. It is fun sometimes to have a hard line right wing father.

Most times he ends our calls with a bit of laugh as he says, "You are my lovable liberal son."

For a hard liner, he can be pretty cool. And I am sure he imagines right after our calls I race out to hug a tree.

And just like I told my father to do, this film should be required viewing for every American.

Visit: ClimateCrisis.net

Spotlight: Amy Sedaris

Over the years I have enjoyed watching Amy Sedaris in various acting roles.

She is probably best known for her character Jerri Blank, a boozer, a user and a two time loser, who returns to high school at the age of 47. The TV show Strangers With Candy ran for three seasons on Comedy Central before being made into a feature film.

I do not want to be guilty of saying it is must see entertainment, but for anyone who remembers the silly drama of the afterschool special, this is just the ticket.

Be sure to also visit one of the best waste of time spots on the 'net, YouTube.com for further viewing of Amy Sedaris. Stand outs include her David Letterman interview from 2005, her PETA anti-fur video with Todd Oldham and the funny tumbling episode on The Colbert Report.

Its summer, so have fun and talk with food in your mouth!

One of My Hardest Assignments

Today I delivered an eulogy for a 26 year old boy who committed suicide. Since I had taken this kid, along with his aunt ot NYC for his senior grad gift, the family asked me to say a few words.

As I spoke with family members I learned how happy he was on that trip and how he always asked how I was doing.

He suffered silently from suicide and took the family off guard.

After delivering it I had a group of elderly ladies while eating white bread and ham sandwiches ask me if I did eulogies for a living. (Of course their miracle ear filtered out my intro where I said, "I have never done this before and do not know where to begin.")

I smiled and nodded a polite thank you. When pressed furthe, I then spoke again from the heart, "no, I would short out my keyboard from all the crying."

Scott was a very loving person and will be missed so deeply by those who met him along the way. I count myself lucky to have made the journey to NYC with him over 8 years ago. His family has always made me feel at home.

As i prepared to leave, the grandfather said, "You know we consider you family."

Not missing a beat I replied, "This isn't about me having to send you cards nad gifts now thorughout the year?"

We both laughed. The real test of family is if you can find laughter through your tears.

I need to rest now. I may publish a few comments here but doubt I will post the entire eulogy.

-Tommy

The Joy of Friends (and Lake Michigan)

"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together"
- Woodrow Wilson

I love our gatherings at Lake Michigan. This event used to take place every week a few summers ago but life got in the way.

Now as friend's families begin to grow and the warmth of the summer sun is high, we again begin to gather weekly to enjoy the time we have to share with each other.

I love these moments.

(...and the water temp was perfect for swimming as the sun dropped below the horizon.)

I Am ( like ) A Greek God

Ok, I took one of those silly online tests and found out what Greek god I am most like.

While I do not usually get involved with these type of web projects, I was feeling a bit silly after the long holiday weekend.

And given my results, it was only a matter of time that I would take one of these. Destiny?

Enjoy and be sure to post your results if you are so tempted.

Which Greek God Are You?

Happy 4th of July!

Greetings from the Hollyhock Lane Parade - Michigan's longest running 4th of July Parade.

I used to live on Calvin Street years ago and always looked forward to this slice of Americana each year as it would pass right outside my window.

Now I return each year to be view this beautiful parade where neighbors and politicians walk down the road in celebration of this great American tradition.

But I am curious why Governor Granholm's marchers were not handing out any stickers. Every other candidate's team that marched today stickered the entire parade route.

It is not my intention to light fireworks during the day, but what is going on with her campaign? Anyone?

Cheers!
Tommy

Design Muscle's First Project

Today my good friend Jacqui and I became tired of waiting for progressive phrases to emerge through the current system.

So we formed Design Muscle to fill the void.

In the coming months look for other ideas and flights of fancy as we gear up for the 2006 political season.

Our first offering is a bumper sticker campaign to promote the fact that Governor Jennifer Granholm has done much to ensure a clean environment for Michigan.

Anyone who spends time in Michigan knows how important our enviroment is to this region and the sports minded folks throughout the seasons.

We encourage people to purchase these bumper stickers and place them on automobiles all across this state. (T-shirts avialable, too...but they will not fit your car.)

It is time to frame the debate by taking back the language we rightfully own!




Cafe Press Link : Design Number One
Cafe Press Link : Design Number Two

Target: The Bush War

Tonight the Iraq war became terribly personal.

After my board meeting I stopped by my friend's shop as they prepared to ship off their son to war.

For those with their head in the sand, this is the stupid Iraq war created by the worst President of the United States' history.

Normally, after a party I would just head home and enjoy a nice night of sleep. But tonight I am angry and restless.

While people wandered about wishing the young son their best as he prepares to climb on a Hummer to patrol the IED laden terrain, many were whispering to each other. It was clear they were not happy.

One family member attending this party works for the VA. He quietly shared startling stories of the many hospitals America is building for the many "invisible" maimed soldiers who return to home in a stealth cloaked welcome of darkness.

We are so quick in the media to say, we do not want this to become another Vietnam War. (too late) But the national shame of bringing home our children dead and maimed in the middle of the night is beginning to feel like we are sneaking a hooker out so the neighbors will not notice. It is shameful.

In an unanimous fashion, it is clear this room of friends and family are over this bloody war. No more war.

Tonight when I return home I cannot sleep and so I write.

I write to say that the President and his evil advisors must be told they are done.

No longer will I allow the issues of immigration, affirmative action, or gay marriage distract as our dead sons and daughters come home under a shameful blanket of stars. While we may not see this action, the creator of the stars is watching. No longer should they be allowed to hold Jesus hostage in the White House and wage war in his name.

Tonight the real target is clear and is in our cross-hairs. This President, his administration and ill advised party must pay for the bloody war of lies they have on their hands.

John Lennon was so right, WAR IS OVER, if you want it.

Tonight for me the war became terribly personal.

Tonight, it is our job to begin to remove one by one those who have tarnished the good name of what it means to be an American. This is not a threat, this is the truth that must be told and put into action.

America's best days are yet to come, but only if we are humbled and move to make right the wrong of this administration.

The target is clear. No more war. No more lies.

Somewhere Over The Hudson...

Last night was the opening of Rufus Wainwright's two sold out performances at Carnegie Hall. The enitre show is a recreation of Judy Garland's 1961 show.

I am posting an ABC review of how the night went.

Should anyone come into an extra ticket and a private jet and wonders who to take, I think I can clear my schedule. I promise not to sing along.

What time shall I meet at the gate? LOL

Cheers!
Tommy

from ABC News:

Historic Judy Garland concert restaged in New York

Reuters

NEW YORK - Eclectic pop singer Rufus Wainwright bridged musical generations on Wednesday with a daring re-creation of Judy Garland's legendary 1961 concert at Carnegie Hall.

Wainwright took the stage to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd and launched straight into the first number, "When You're Smiling."

The Canadian crooner said "we're not in Kansas anymore, we're in New York," -- a play on the memorable line from the "Wizard of Oz" movie which launched Garland's career. Backed by a 40-piece orchestra, Wainwright then restaged the monumental concert often called the greatest single night in show-business history.

Garland's double album, "Judy at Carnegie Hall," won two Grammys including Album of the Year and became her best-selling record, made when she was 39.

Wednesday's show was the first of a sold-out two-night run.

Among some two dozen numbers were classics such as "Do It Again," "That's Entertainment!" and "Puttin' on the Ritz."

But it was the songs most closely associated with Garland -- "San Francisco," "The Man That Got Away," "The Trolley Song," "Swanee," "Chicago" and her signature, "Over the Rainbow," that drew the strongest response.

Wainwright's dreamy, reedy tenor marked an arresting counterpoint to Garland's throaty belting.

Wainwright, like Garland, made it a family affair. He performed with his mother, Kate McGarrigle, his sister Martha and Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, who appeared for a duet rendition of "After You've Gone."

Liza Minnelli, Garland's other daughter, did not appear on stage.

Wainwright spoke often of Garland's influence during the performance, which was filmed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. "When I was a kid I wanted to be Dorothy," he said.

He cracked at one point, "I'm going to speak now, because on the album Judy speaks here." When a light malfunctioned, he joked "this didn't happen in the original."

Garland's Carnegie Hall concert was one of several comebacks throughout her troubled life, which ended with her death in 1969 at 47.

Not long before the show she had nearly died from hepatitis and was told her career was over. The Carnegie Hall performance defied that prognosis, and spawned a 16-city U.S. tour and years of sold-out concerts.

Stars in the audience 45 years ago included Rock Hudson, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Henry Fonda. On Wednesday, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joel Gray, director John Waters, Gina Gershon and designer Patricia Fields were among the fans who gave Wainwright several standing ovations.

"I did feel a real connection to Judy Garland and did really commune with her," Wainwright said at the show's end.

It was clear from the ecstatic response that the thousands who attended felt the same way.

Self Portrait, v.666

THE BIG SECRET IS OUT TONIGHT

There will be NO DROPPED CALLS tonight at the opening of
The Telephone Show opens at ByrneBoehm Gallery, 959 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids.

The Telephone Show translated into the visual realm. Experience what happens when art is created in a collaborative chain.

The Original artist's interpretation of the "secret message" was passed to a second artist who, in turn, created their own piece of art in response to what was given them.

The second artist handed their "secret" piece off to a third, who created their own piece. And so it passed to eight different artists - each one working in their own medium.

All the artwork remained a secret hidden even from the participating artists, to be revealed at the show opening.

June 2 Artist reception and unveiling
5:30 - 9:30 PM

Artist Q & A
7:30 - 8:30 PM

A big thanks to Kristin for her great style she brought to my piece and to this project!

Spotted: Vince appears in a GR Advertisement

I was just checking out the web site that I have written a few guides and noticed a figure I recognized immediately.

To be fair, I knew Vince was to appear in the Hillmount campaign, I just did not expect to find it today while browsing rapidgrowthmedia.com.

So "Spotted" this month has to go to Vince...even if it only features his backside.

Visit: hillmountgr.com/
The advertising campaign is being handled by plentycreative.com/

Weekend Getaway: Healthy Venting

This past weekend I left GR for Chicago and then Detroit. But before I post any pics from this trip, I decided to share a favorite activity I discovered in Chicago....Bush Bashing. LOL

No kidding, there was an arcade game where you can bop the President.

And I did it because I just love supporting sporting activites....it is a great way to spend countless calories while beign blind ot the time passing by around me....kind of like how Bush has spent our surplus...blindly passing the bill on to your grandkids.

Focus: Health Health Health

Best Dog In The World

I realized that I have not updated this site on how Madison is progressing.

After a round of new meds she has rebounded...again.

She is a lot like my Great Grandmother who when nearly gone bounces back just when one thinks this she will not.
(she finally died well into her 90's)

While Madison will never be that bouncing dog who loved to catch the frisbee for hours, she is so sharp and responsive mentally.

To all those who wrote or sent cards, I am truly touched by our throughtful actions.

Those who meet Madison know the charm she can cast over your hearts.

Again, deepest thanks!

Tommy

New Art and Finding Jesus

Over the last few days I have been doing research for a new body of work that grows out of my growing frustration with America's focus on my family and the need to regulate even further our so called freedoms.

So while pouring over many images, I decided to stumble on to You Tube and conduct some video research for my project.

It was while sifting through thousands of videos that I discovered Jesus.

And I could not find a more fitting video to lift my spirits.

So for the moment I will pause to have a good laugh...even if it is at Jesus' expense.

LINK: Jesus Christ: The Musical

Putting FUN back in to FUNdraiser

On Thursday, May 18, the Kent Democratic party held their annual gala. And what a fun night it was.

This year I was tapped to take a larger role and had the pleasure of introducing Senator Mark Shauer, Rep. Mary Waters and Lt. Governor John Cherry. Also speaking was the "Eternal" General Frank Kelly who was introduced by Scott Bowen.

For each of the three I did some homework and tried to find something off the bio page.

Shauer - it turns out he is a health nut and is very very active.....like "the Energizer Bunny of Senate."

Waters - I asked that if she can find a way for me to keep my "TRUE BLUE" Michigan Driver's license plate, then she would have my vote. (She said from the podium that I could keep it if elected.)

Cheery - This one got the biggest laugh. Besides Cherry being from Genessee County where I grew up, he is an avid hunter. I will reprint here what I had to say:

"He hails from my home, Genesee County, and is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

If there ever was one who deserved a “Sportsman for Cherry” bumper sticker it is this man.

But what does he hunt? It turns out wild turkeys for one.

Since it was getting late in the day, I decided not to call his office and went straight to google.

Within a few clicks of recommended links, I was able to see he was the real deal.

But then I decided to return to google and this time type John,
Cherry,
Hunting,
(Pause)
Accidents.


Nothing….but someone named Cheney kept coming up.

Ladies and Gentleman lets have a big Kent County welcome to the Lt Governor of Michigan, John Cherry!"

The real pleasure was being so close to Frank Kelly who fired up the room with his wisdom of the years.

Thank you to all who came out to support a great event.

And a big thank you to my friends, Maggie Simmons, Sue Levy and Cheryl Warner who do so much behind the scenes to make this event a reality. Great job!!!

Good Eats: Morels

It is that time of the year again when our funny faced fung-guy pops up and says, "Eat Me."

So in honor of his appearance, please drop along a note on how you would dress this fella up before popping him in your mouth.

I sauteed him in butter, onions, salt, pepper and then added him to a huge pot of risotto.

Cheers!

Telephone Show Receives First Press Story

The exciting new "telephone" art show opening in a few weeks received an advance story in today's Grand Rapids Press.

Artists play visual 'telephone' game

Sunday, May 14, 2006
By Gail Philbin
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Area artists may feel like kicking themselves after they visit "The Telephone Show," an unusual exhibit opening June 2 at the ByrneBoehm Gallery.

The show is a visual arts version of the old children's game of passing a whispered message from person to person to see how it changes, only the "message" that mutates in this case is a piece of art.

Now that the idea for this show has come from 26-year-old artist Kelly Allen, it seems like such an obviously novel and effective way to create a chain of artistic inspiration, some artists may wonder why they didn't think of it themselves.

The initial "message" in "The Telephone Show" is a mixed-media work titled "Tummy Ache" created by Allen that has been re-imagined in succession by seven other artists, each one working only from the previous artist's piece. The exhibit is comprised of Allen's painting and its seven subsequent versions.

Each artist had up to one month to finish his or her piece and toiled in the dark in terms of the series as a whole -- each person was allowed to see only the work of the artist before him or her, and Allen didn't see any piece except her own.

As they completed their works, the artists gave the one that served as their inspiration to the gallery for safekeeping and passed their own on to the next artist.

"I wanted it to be as big a surprise for the artists as possible," said Allen, explaining the secrecy.

The artists didn't set out to copy the "message" they received but instead had free rein to "pick up on a color scheme or ... whatever they wanted to pull," Allen said.

How the resulting show will look is anyone's guess, given the diverse media the artists bring to the table and the unpredictable ways they may have interacted with each other's works. To determine where they fell in the chain of art creation, they picked numbers from a hat.

In order of participation, the artists are: Kelly Allen, mixed-media and painting; Alison Jones, mixed-media and digital photography; Andrea Lutz, photography; John Mosher, abstract oil painting; Tommy Allen, photography; Jenn Schaub, printmaking and painting; Shelly Klein, sewing; and Dan Ward, realist painting.

Kelly Allen created a "tongue-in-cheek" piece to kick off the experiment -- a confection of such images as candy, hearts and hamsters that recall the sweetness of childhood. If "Tummy Ache" were a telephone message, it would be saying something about Allen's memories as a little girl, she said.

"It's something I would have loved back then," she said of the sugary, surreal world of the painting.

It remains to be seen whether or not Allen's light-hearted message stayed intact during what turned out to be a nine-month game of Telephone beginning in September 2005 when Allen started her piece.

Whatever "The Telephone Show" ends up looking like, Allen believes it will offer a unique way of exploring interpersonal communication and interpretations of meaning in social interactions.

"The transition from one artwork to the next acts as a visual metaphor for the ways in which humans communicate their intentions, how they might be understood or misunderstand, and finally interpreted or misinterpreted as the message is passed along through time," she said.

"The Telephone Show" has proven challenging for some of the artists, because it has taken them out of their "groove" and required them to draw inspiration from something other than what they're used to, Allen said Despite that, she hopes to do the experiment again.

"Every single time, it will be a completely different show," she said. "It will never get old."


Gallery: ByrneBoehm Gallery
959 Lake Drive, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: (616)336-0209