LESBIAN NEWS VOL. 45 ∙ NO. 02 ∙ September 2019
PIN-UP DARK, SEXY, AND INTRIGUING
WHAT A GRAND ISRAELI MUSICIAN LN 45TH VIEW NINET TAYEB ANNIVERSARY LN Contributors
Anne Laure Pineau At 32, Anne Laure is a Parisian journalist working for national magazines (ELLE, Paris-Match, Liberation) on many subjects, from the far-right and conservative movements in France, to the Angola Prison Rodeo in Louisiana. She has the absolute conviction that her job is political and can enlighten the human complexity. As a feminist, as an anti-racist and as a lesbian, she is working daily to give a space to the untold stories. (Photo: Juliette Robert).
Beth Shipp is the first Executive Director of LPAC, the lesbian Super PAC that builds the political power of lesbian, queer, bisexual and transgender women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality and social justice. She is a political strategist with more than 20 years of experience working for women’s reproductive rights, Democratic candidates and progressive causes. Prior to joining LPAC, Ms. Shipp was the political director for NARAL Pro- Choice and worked on a variety of federal and state campaigns throughout the nation.
Carl Matthes is the current president of UGLA, Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance, an organization providing a support system for gay men, lesbians and education for individuals and the community He is a columnist on the Lesbian News, owned and published by his sister, Ella and her wife, Gladi. He was editor of the GLAAD/newsletter, and a GLAAD/LA representative on the Board. ln July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his partner of 50 years, by Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar. It was a unique gay/lesbian double ceremony as Carl’s sister Ella and her partner Gladi were also married by Jose.
Carla Ferrer Russo, PhD is a Professor of Natural Medicine, a Registered Yoga Instructor, and a pioneering Behaviorist & Life Coach in the field of transformation and consciousness for healthy lifestyle living. For over twenty years, Dr. Carla’s work has focused on sharing both her personal and professional experience addressing the whole being, mind, body and spirit; empowering profound personal and professional break-throughs for individuals and organizations throughout the United States and United Kingdom (EU).
Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA. they met there at 17 years of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October 3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but also how uniquely they work together.
Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist. Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts· A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her biggest passions. Dina Evan, PhD is a noted speaker and veteran activist for LGBT Women’s and Human Rights. She is a professional counselor and spiritual coach working with individuals, couples and organizations from coast to coast. She has authored three books, Inspiration Cards, Calendars and Meditation CD’s. She provides tools for creating successful relationships which she believes are the path to consciousness. Dina feels the highest assignment today is simply waking up. (602) 997-1200 • www.drdinaevan.com
Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University, Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She retired as a secondary school principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they have been working on the LN together since 2005.
John Esther For nearly a dozen years, Movie Editor John Esther has been writing for Lesbian News. Over time, he has written more than 100 articles for LN on film, music, theater, ~ and culture. His monthlymovie column, Eye C, is currently the longest consecutiverunning - movie column in LN. John also contributes articles to numerous other publications, plus his own blog. John is currently a Board Member of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA).
Juno Parreñas, PhD has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since 1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on her research involving orangutans.
Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s a great place to meet women!
Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netflix, when tweeting was something birds did and “Pinterest” was a bad typo. She relied on her fertile imagination for fun quickly discovering that words threaded together could create a vibrant tapestry of expression. This awareness sparked a passion and subsequent career. For more than 20 years, she wrote and edited for regional and niche publications. She has authored over 100 published articles. Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids.
Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffing ton Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing 1!11 pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University. Morag Hillsinger Reba Birmingham is our LN poet, writing until recently under the Nom de Plume Morag Hillsinger. She is also a practicing lawyer and an author with Launch Point Press. Her debut novel, Floodlight, is now available on Bella Books, Amazon and Kobo. It is the first in a series about the LGBT characters that inhabit the fictional town of Merryville California. It is quirky and fun. The sequel will be released in 2018.
Nat Burns is an award-winning novelist and journalist who lives and writes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has authored novels in several genres for four different publishers and has just released her eleventh novel, a lesbian romance called Lights of the Heart. Her shorter works and essays have appeared in more than fifty publications and she’s been writing for LN since 2009. Burns is now writing full time after retiring from her career as editorial systems coordinator for a medical publishing company. www.natburns.com
Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: PilotGodless- 2010- 2012; CD- Spoken Word 2005; Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004; Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts: Law & Order; The Practice; Cold Case; CSI Las Vegas.
Robin Tyler is a pioneer activist in the LGBT community. In the 1970’s, she became the first ‘out’ lesbian or gay comic on television, albums and in concert. In addition to 25 Women’s Music and Comedy Festivals, Robin produced the main stages for 3 OD of the LGBT Marches on Washington. Robin and her wife, Diane Olson, were the first lesbian plaintiffs to file the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to California and were the first to marry in Los Angeles County.
Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her “wifey” for 25 years. They live in Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV!, and makes art out of old buttons.
Shawn Ryan is a lot of things. He’s an Actor/Singer/Writer/Director and Camp Director but fancies himself a Dancer/Poet/Lyrical Savant/Brother/Son/and Terrific Husband. His greatest wish is that someday Barbara Walters will come out of retirement and make him cry on ABC. He lives in a state of adoring bliss with his husband, actor John Ainsworth, and their furry children, Mr. Kitty and Gazpacho the Chihuahua. It seems as though things couldn’t get much better, but day by day, they to do. Follow him on www.shawn-ryan.com
Sherron Mills, N.P. has been a lesbian health care practitioner and activist for many years. In 1980 she co-founded Lyon-Martin Women’s Health Services, the country’s first non-profit clinic to serve the lesbian community. She then went on in 1984 to launch Pacific Reproductive Services to provide sperm bank, fertility and insemination services primarily to Ill lesbians. Knowing that many of her clients would greatly value the opportunity for their children to meet their sperm donors, should they wish to do so, she was an early pioneer in recruiting men who would contractually agree to meet a child at least once after he or she reaches 18. As a result, PRS today has more ‘Willing to be known” sperm donors than any other U.S. sperm bank. Stephanie Papadakis is originally from southern California. Stephanie knew she wanted to live in San Francisco from the age of 10 (but had no clue she liked women). When she’s not working at a lesbian travel company in SF, she spends her time cooking delicious paleo meals, climbing rugged mountains, exercising daily, researching random trivia knowledge, making “dream lists” on Airbnb, and planning day-, weekend- and weeklong dates with her partner, Sara.
Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director ofthe Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for over two ~ decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces and expands - jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director for the Educational Theatre Institute.
Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite- freelance writing. Early on she was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions. After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the LGBT cause.
Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or visit her website at www.astrologysandiego.com September 2019
CONTENTS
LESBIAN NEWS
COVER STORY
PIN-UP: DARK, SEXY, AND INTRIGUING Psychological drama by filmmaker Liz Lachman By LN Staff
INSIDE LN FEATURE HOTSPOTS SEPTEMBER FAB SPOTS WHAT A GRAND VIEW POETRY My conversations with Toni Morrison MOON LIT By Lucy J. Madison FEMASTROLOGY SEPTEMBER 2019
LOL • GOLDEN CROWN LITERARY CONFERENCE 2019 • LN 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION LIFESTYLES
MoviesEyeC THE WAVES OF ORLANDO Literature, love, and lust in “Vita and Virginia” Follow Us Online! By John Esther
LESBIANNEWS.COM Notes From Nat ISRAELI MUSICIAN NINET TAYEB Never call her Ninet the bonbon, Ninet the darling or sweet Ninet with the cheeks. Let us know By Nat Burns what you think. Book Review WORDS ON A PLATE Squirrels are such gossips and who knew magic was so dangerous? By Nat Burns
Spirituality CREATE By Dina Evan, PhD COLUMNS
Words that Make Sense TELEVISION CAN ACTUALLY MAKE US SMARTER Am I using my brain when I watch TV? By Toni Hart
Queerly Questioning DEAD-NAMING IN DEATH I am tired of hiding from a guerilla war. By Juno Parrenas
Positive Reflections ANTS ARE GREAT TO HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE. NOT!!! Hordes of ants marching into your house during the summer By Dian Katz, MS
PIN-UP: DARK, SEXY, AND INTRIGUING Psychological drama by filmmaker Liz Lachman By LN Staff
ninspired and in her forties, Good Doctor) and Angela Sarafyan (Westworld), screen with a block of shorts this September 13 celebrated photographer and co-starring Michelle C. Bonilla. The short to 19 at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center in Santa Lana Freeman searches for film, a proof of concept for Liz’s feature script, Monica (time: TBA) the elusive visual “perfect has won 28 film festival awards and has been moment.” When a young an official selection in prestigious fests like waitress saves her life, Newport Beach, HollyShorts and the Bowery Film Questions we asked Liz: Lana believes she has found her muse. But as Festival. Some of you might remember Liz from she becomes more and more obsessed with her first award-winning hilarious short, Getting LESBIAN NEWS: WHY DID YOU MAKE THIS the young woman, Lana pulls away from her To Know You (starring Elizabeth Keener, Dana FILM? Uhusband, her work, and the people who love Delany, and Michelle C. Bonilla). Pin-Up is a her, not realizing that the muse could destroy darker turn, sexy, and intriguing and delicious Liz Lachman: I’m fascinated by the nature of her life. all at once. obsession and obsessive love - where it comes from, where it leads to… (hint: nowhere good!) Pin-Up is a psychological drama by filmmaker If you haven’t gotten a chance to see it or if When you’re facing those feelings there’s such Liz Lachman, starring Christina Chang (The you have and want to see it again- Pin-Up will a deep, deep need and desire- like a hole that can’t be filled. I believe it comes from a previous life experience…
LN: LIKE…?
Liz: Like the need for Mother’s Love. I think perfectionist thinking is all part of it - if I can be good enough, Mommy will love me. I mean not everyone has this experience, and many times it’s sub-conscious, but I’ve been surprised (and delighted) by the number of people who have responded in a visceral way to Pin-Up and its theme. So something is capturing and holding them!
LN: COULD IT BE THAT SEXY AND SENSUOUS LOVE SCENE?
Liz: Ha! It could.
LN: TELL US ABOUT THE CAST:
Liz: I was a huge fan of Angela Sarafyan on Westworld and I couldn’t have been more excited when she read the feature script and agreed to do the short. She was amazing to work with! And Christina Chang from The Good Doctor is such a pro… so capable of pulling up so many deep emotions - and very caring of the material. They were both great. Michelle Bonilla had just returned from Paris the day before but jumped in like a complete trooper and brought her all! Same with Roy Lee Jones- I had a wonderful cast!
LN: THE FILM LOOKS WONDERFUL TOO.
Liz: Thanks! Gareth Taylor was the DP and Claudia Roque did the production design- both real pros. I was trying for “arty” and they really made that happen. I loved a quote from one of the festival judges that compared Pin-Up to a Brian DePalma film with its red room sequences. That was pretty great.
LN: WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Liz: CO-creative partners! I want to make Pin- Up the feature and I’m looking for producing partners and funding at the moment. And of course I continue to write screenplays and a couple of those are making their way into production right now. TOP
WHAT A GRAND VIEW My conversations with Toni Morrison By Lucy J. Madison
n a raw and windy she reveled in the memory of that new-found her beloved son Slade died. Perhaps his soul Thursday afternoon, four freedom and peace. But after a few blissful called out to her asking or demanding, that she days before Christmas minutes, she heard her son, Slade, call her return so they could spend more time together. 2017, Toni Morrison told name and she realized that duty required her me she had died twice. to return to her son. So, she flew back to her Toni then recalled when she told her father about The first time, she said, body. Toni told me that the act of re-entering this flying experience. He flatly said to her that her eyes wide and searching, she slept in her her body was the most physical pain she ever she had died, plain and simple. I remember how bed that faced the Hudson River with windows experienced. She recounted how she had to quietly she sat after telling me this. She stared all around her in a half-moon shape and awoke “squeeze herself back into her fingers,” and the vacantly at the muted television tuned to MSNBC Oto find herself looking down at her sleeping excruciating pain of squeezing one’s essence, where the ticker at the bottom of the screen body. She realized she was just “eyes and a one’s soul back into the physical body, still made talked about the looming government shutdown brain.” She felt no weight of gravity or her body. her shudder all these years later. Toni said that just days before Christmas. But I could tell She felt free to fly and fly fast. feeling the weight of her own body again was she was no more watching that television than unmistakably difficult. And once re-connected climbing Mount Everest. A wistfulness passed She told me that she left her house on River Road with her physical self, she listened again for her across her face. She was, for a moment, lost in in the tiny one-street village of Grand View-on- son’s voice calling out to her but heard nothing her memories of flying free. Hudson New York, just twenty or so miles north at all. of Manhattan, and flew up and down the street I remember that visit with precision. It was one with glee. She recalled with absolute clarity I wondered if the dream was a precursor of what of the last times I spoke with Toni before her the joy of being free of human constraints, and was to come. Many years after that experience, health deteriorated to a point where she no longer recognized me or maintained the ability that her main character was a young man, who to speak with clarity about anything in this world. loved to look up at the stars at night. Frustrated, At eighty-six years old, her body had begun to she knew nothing about constellations and had fail her fast. An oxygen tank sat unused behind no idea where to look. I laughed. Google was not her, nasal sprays, lotions, cough drops, and all Toni’s friend. For years, I argued with her about the accouterments of the old and infirm seeking the merits of using a computer and the Internet solace in anything a drug store might provide to conduct background research. She balked at now covered the tables once littered with books. the mere mention of it each time. “Everything I need to know, I can find in my head, or I can ask Toni leaned back in her reclining chair with a my assistant!” was usually her snarky reply. blanket over her legs and closed her eyes. I noticed how pale she looked, her once vibrant I flipped open my iPhone and showed her an face tinged yellow, sickly. I understood why app called Sky Guide, where one can point that memory appealed to her, and I wondered the phone in any direction, day or night. She about a line she’d written in Song of Solomon: was so excited she nearly jumped out of her “If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.” chair. Twenty minutes later, after trying every I wondered if that quote derived from the dream password imaginable, I finally had the app loaded or the other way around. on her iPhone and watched with amusement as she moved the phone from left to right, up and She did not tell me about her other dying down, eyes shining bright at the idea that she experience, nor did I press for more information. could now see what her character saw. In those I knew she would tell me if she wanted to, and moments, I saw a master at work, like watching clearly, that second experience was one she Leonardo da Vinci find a shadow in the Mona preferred to keep private. To change the subject, Lisa or Michelangelo shape the marble for the I asked her what she was working on. Toni Pietà. was always working, always thinking, always imagining stories in her mind long before they Toni and I were Grandview neighbors for almost found a home in pencil on yellow legal pads or ten years. During that time, I learned how much bookstore shelves or in classrooms around the she loved a good party, three fingers of quality world. vodka, and a room with a view. She thoroughly enjoyed my cooking and often called to ask me Toni didn’t say much about the story this time; only for what she referred to as my “famous chicken cutlets.” She prized that recipe so much she and syntax, made her a master. chicken cutlets for this visit because I had been once asked me to cook for her and the noted too rushed, and I regretted that. I knew I would theatre director, Peter Sellars, when he came The last time I saw Toni, I had stopped by for a never see her alive again. for lunch. Later that year, when I stood in the visit in early April 2019. Hurricane Sandy blew me aisle at Lincoln Center to watch their highly back to Connecticut where I now reside, but now One night several years earlier, Toni sat in my anticipated joint project, Desdemona, Peter and then, I stopped by to see Toni and talk with living room sipping vodka looking out at the yelled across four aisles “Chicken Cutlets!” as her. On that day, she did not seem well. A recent same Hudson River view, talking about telling he waved to me. stroke had limited her ability to communicate. I stories. She said that she was tired of telling asked her out of habit what she was working on, her students to stop writing about themselves. As a fledgling writer, I asked her once to read a and she told me she was working on something “Writing about oneself is so boring. No one script I’d written. Three days later, she invited me new, something important. She told me that she wants to read about your life. Go tell a story. over to talk about it. I recall at least three panic was rising early, as was her custom, to write. Imagine someone’s life. Make something up. attacks in the two-minute walk to her house. For The nurse standing next to her shook her head Now that’s interesting,” she said with that sharp three hours, I sat with Toni as we talked through from side to side, gently letting me know this twinkle in her eyes that I loved so much. notes she’d taken on my script. It was one of the was not entirely the case. Toni believed that single most remarkable experiences of my life. she was still writing, but she wasn’t. On this day after her passing, I feel a real, tangible She did not speak to me a Nobel Prize winner to void in my world and the greater world around an unknown writer. She did not talk to me black I tried not to show my sadness. I tried not to me. Many famous people, past presidents, woman to white woman. She connected with show Toni that I knew the truth. I tried not to noted writers, and leaders, will eulogize Toni me writer to writer, human to human. Her ability focus too intensely on that faraway look on her far more powerfully than I ever could. I was her to understand basic human emotions and the face. When I left an hour later, I sat in my car for neighbor, her friend, her sometimes maker of human experience made her a gifted artist. Her a long while as the engine idled before headed chicken cutlets. Together, we looked out at the humbleness made her an exceptional teacher. home toward the setting sun over the brand same Grand View, and for that, I will be forever Her use of language, of words, of sentences new Tappan Zee Bridge. I had not brought her grateful. TOP
MoviesEyeC
THE WAVES OF ORLANDO Literature, love, and lust in “Vita and Virginia” By John Esther
he second feature by director fortune after she left her husband, Sir Harold bohemians in the Bloomsbury Group. Chanya Button (“Burn Burn Nicholson (Rupert Penry-Jones), for a woman, Burn”) explores the significant Violet Keppel. (Nicholson is also bisexual.) The star of the Bloomsbury Group, Woolf relationship between literary (Elizabeth Debicki) has made a name for icons Vita Sackville-West and In light of this most unamusing affair to her herself in higher intellectual circles, but her Virginia Woolf. mother, Lady Sackville (a marvelous Isabella works do not sell as well as the aristocratic Rossellini), tells daughter -- who “dresses Sackville-West. Sackville-West is intrigued by Set in 1920s England, the novelist/poet/ like a man” for wearing pants -- she may not the literary genius and is determined to meet provocateur Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton) publish her latest book -- or fear financial cutoff Woolf. When Sackville-West attends a function Tis riding a privileged high on her fame and -- nor shall Vita get mixed up with those sordid the sparks begin to fly between the two. The chemistry for the two is natural for Sackville- West but, despite the sexual liberation ideals of the Bloomsbury Group, Woolf is apprehensive. Devoted to her husband, Leonard Woolf (Peter Ferdinando), and combating her mental illness, the anxious Virginia needs stability -- something a relationship with Sackville-West does not particularly offer.
Notwithstanding Virginia’s reluctance the two eventually consummate the relationship and develop a lasting relationship which would see them flourish as writers and thinkers. In particular, Sackville-West becomes the muse for Virginia’s novel, “Orlando,” a landmark in LGBTQ literary history for the gender fluidity of its titular character.
Based on the play by Eileen Atkins with the screenplay co-written by Atkins and Button (with letters from Sackville-West and Virginia), the film presents itself like an English 101 introduction to its characters.
Surrounded by precious fashion and pretty decor, these historical figures are reduced to summary examinations to their works, their times, and lives. “Independence has no sex,” says Sackville-West, which is pretty easy to say when one has a house of servants; husbands are staunched feminists without a jealousy bone in his body; and one is free of puritanical England’s expectations.
As someone who read quite a bit of Virginia Woolf’s writings back in the day, it seems pretty fair to say Debecki has nailed Woolf down. In appearance and spirit. Hers is a more convincing performance than the Oscar-winning Nicole Kidman’s interpretation of Woolf in “The Hours.”
On another hand, I have almost zero knowledge or Sackville-West’s writings. I know more about her from this film. After watching “Vita and Virginia,” I am not inclined to know more about her writings or herself. If this film is to be representative of her character, affectations and desires, then it seems Sackville-West was a pretentious, privileged snob without an ounce of class consciousness or any other greater concern that did not liberate her even further beyond her already grossly entitled status.
TOP
Notes From Nat
A TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY QUEEN DIDO Still on everyone’s mind, even after a six-year abdication By Nat Burns
powerful voice, akin to Janis “Woodstock”— youtu.be/nZV1dtQRL64 number of Israel’s most popular musical artists. Joplin or Amy Winehouse, In 2006, she released her debut album, Barefoot. has stepped boldly onto the “White Rabbit”— youtu.be/5ZLwB9owTCE It was so wildly popular that it went platinum in American stage. Hailing from less than twenty-four hours. Israel, musician, singer/ Born thirty-six years ago in Kiryat Gat, Israel, songwriter, composer, DJ, of a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother, This popularity led to her starring in a television model and actress, Ninet Tayeb, has now made young Ninet knew early on that music would series based on her meteoric rise to fame. It was California her home. She has even embraced rule her life. In 2003, at twenty years old, she called Our Song and lasted four full seasons. some of the old American nostalgic tunes that placed first in the Israeli Idol television show Aslam the listener back into history, performing after years of performing in small, local venues. Her work on the series caused her to be chosen songs such as “Woodstock” and “White Rabbit”. After winning, she found herself working with a for a feature film, The Assassin Next Door. Her performance, a co-starring role, was cited as afterward decided to lose the weight to get back “Sympathetic Nervous System”— youtu.be/ electrifying. She was later nominated by the to her normal size. The criticism of this weight ypJlRX6d_jo Israeli Theatre Awards as the Best Female loss was harsh and continuous, and she quickly Actress of 2010 for her role in the play Spring realized that she could—and should— be true “What are You People”— youtu.be/EFsGtC0Hix0 Awakening. only to herself. The songs on Communicative reflect this. The album was a financial failure but “Find My Love”— youtu.be/c5etzRMNGys Then Ninet released her second album, served as a monumental shift in Ninet’s music Communicative, in 2009 and it was met with open and her personality. She likens the work to an Her fourth album, released in 2013, was called hostility. And she admits it was well deserved as exploding pressure cooker. After many years, All the Animals Knew and on this one, Ninet in it she railed against being referred to as Ninet, Communicative has now finally been accepted wrote all the songs once again in her native the bonbon, Ninet, the darling or sweet Ninet as a valuable artistic effort and Ninet has gone Hebrew. with the cheeks. On Barefoot, a very young, cute on to receive many musical awards. Ninet sang popular songs. On Communicative, “Crazy”— youtu.be/t_IR1rEkotU an older, more jaded Ninet sprang forth. She The next album, Sympathetic Nervous System, finally realized that no matter what she did, released in 2012 in English, was very well Three years later, Ninet moved to Los Angeles someone was dissatisfied with her behavior. received and has been touted as her best album. in the US and she released her fifth album, For example, she gained weight while serving Paper Parachute. as a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces but “Room”— youtu.be/lpuGF-ruWXg “Paper Parachute”— youtu.be/k6qc9bX_7vQ
“Elinor”— youtu.be/rsfTaDSKcZ8
“Vague”— youtu.be/sMuMKdMUt8M
“Child”— youtu.be/PLv4S4YQibs
One associate who has been instrumental in introducing Ninet to the US is English musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, Steven Wilson. He featured her on his 2015 fourth solo album Hand. Cannot. Erase. Also on his 2016 album To the Bone. She toured the US with him that same year, promoting her own Paper Parachute. Earlier, in 2015, they performed together at The Royal Albert Hall in London.
“Pariah” by Stephen Wilson and Ninet Tayeb— youtu.be/cNTaFArEObU
“Routine”– by Stephen Wilson and Ninet Tayeb— youtu.be/tMfGp79fJCQ
One thing Ninet seems to enjoy is singing covers of some of her favorite singers.
“Hallelujah”— youtu.be/fdPMRWpxiw4
“Wicked Game”— youtu.be/tCdqGY1vElI
Recently, in 2018, Ninet had a leading role in the Israeli TV series, When Heroes Fly, and she also released her new single “Self Destructive Mind”. Her career in the US is proving just as rousing as her entertainment career in Israel and she seems to be an artist to watch–on both sides of the world.
“Self Destructive Mind”– youtu.be/Ou6eHarBayE
© 2017 White Magic Music www.ninetayeb.com/en/home
Always remember, if the links won’t open, copy and paste them into your browser.
‘Til next month— Nat
TOP
Book Review
WORDS ON A PLATE Squirrels are such gossips and who knew magic was so dangerous? By Nat Burns
ell, the magic is back. In Floodlight, Book One of the Hercynian Forest Series, we met Panda Fowler, tax maven, and her wife Mitzi, a travel guide. Also, their cat Brutus. And that’s where normalcy ended. We also met elves, griffins, shapeshifters Wand dwarves. And stepped into a magical world that coexists alongside Panda’s everyday world in Merryville, California, where the two women live. This town, like so many others in real life, is peopled with a band of very familiar townie characters, both liberal and critically conservative.
In book one, Panda had to go to this magical realm, the Hercynian Forest and battle evil forces –a twisted condemning religion– to rescue her kidnapped wife. In this second book, Words on a Plate: Book Two in the Hercynian Forest Series, Panda is coming to terms with her wife’s new griffin wings that sprout whenever Mitzi is upset, a consequence of her kidnapping experience and her time in the Hercynian Garden. Actually, Panda is reluctant to accept this new world of magic that she has been thrust into but is trying to make the best of it. When her sister, Puddles, and Mitzi want her to go to Peru to look for her missing, presumed dead parents, it stirs up a suitcase-load of pain and fear. Yet, eventually, they go, and the mayhem begins.
This book covers a lot of ground. We are in Peru with Puddles and her loser boyfriend, then back in Merryville with a gaggle of town ladies who disapprove of the thistles in Panda and Mitzi’s yard. Then there’s yoga with Twyla, the protective fairy, who just may not be what she seems, and, similar to the Floodlight museum show in the first book, we visit the controversial Words on a Plate installation in this one. And, of course, there’s the return of the dark magic of the forest that Panda and Mitzi must overcome yet again.
The most interesting thing about this new novel is the intricate way author Birmingham mirrors the two worlds that it covers. Homophobia, gender bias, conservatism and general intolerance occur on both sides as people clash and deal intelligently with these issues. Heroes emerge as rapidly as villains. The story is also an engaging mystery as readers try to untangle who is a bad guy and who will emerge as a good one.
Birmingham has also narrowed the chasm between human and others as new connections emerge–between humans and fairies, fairies and squirrels, elves and cats, and magic with the mundane. She has peopled her books with several dozen recurring characters and, though stereotypical to begin with, they all morph in strange and wonderful ways, even without the helping hand of magic. If you want a well plotted adventure, filled with humor and pathos in equal measure, with normal people dealing with far from normal situations, then this is the book for you.
TOP Spirituality
CREATE By Dina Evan, PhD
Not a single thing has ever been created that
did not begin first inside of us with our own thoughts and feelings. What are you creating?
What do you empower? Fear or facts? Love
or animus? Acceptance or separation? Our spirits have been blown open with the reality of today’s negative chaos and from that you are
now in this moment more powerful with your
potential to effect change than ever. Choose wisely from your path and spiritual power, not
fear or pathology.
TOP VISIT SITE Words That Make Sense
TELEVISION CAN ACTUALLY MAKE US SMARTER Am I using my brain when I watch TV? By Toni Hart
’m sure a lot of us have heard that to come up with difficult solutions like game Checkers is a fairly easy game to learn and play, watching reality shows are just mindless shows require us to do. and you often will see grandparents playing with entertainment and benefit us in no way their grandchild. Chess requires a lot more skill except entertaining us. This may be true, The game shows are similar to playing crossword and shrewd planning. Chess requires you to try however, there are shows on television puzzles and putting pieces of regular puzzles to get into your opponent’s head and anticipate that do play a part in increasing brain together. Both activities force us again, to come what his next move will be in order to win the power. up with solutions to solve a problem. This is game. With the television game shows though, not to say that other TV shows don’t have their we don’t have to have anyone to play with. We Every night, I sit in front of the tube when I have benefits. Entertainment soothes the soul and can simply watch on our own and try to answer Ia little down time. One of my favorite pastimes is helps distract us from the real difficult issues. the questions. watching the game shows that come on. There’s, This is fine if we don’t overdo. Everyone needs “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Jeopardy, and a distraction from time to time. So the next time we are flashing through Wheel of Fortune” to name a few. Are these just channels trying to figure out what we want to mindless television shows? Not exactly. Unlike Back in the day when we didn’t even have TV and watch, maybe we can choose something that some of the other programs on TV where we families listened to the radio, they worked their will actually benefit us. Maybe we can choose a just watch drama and intensity unfold, game brains. They had to visualize the story being told program that has some lasting value. And heck, shows force us to think of solutions. This in turn by the narrator and this required exercising the maybe we can get the whole family to watch exercises the brain. Any time we are using the brain. I remember whenever my father had free together so when the program is over, we can brain to solve something, we are utilizing brain time, he’d play a game of checkers or chess. discuss the program together. Jeopardy and power. So in the example of reality shows, we These two board games also force us to think Wheel of Fortune are probably on your TV set aren’t really there to solve anything. We can up clever ways to beat our opponent. tonight. Grab your remote and tune in!!!
hope and wish for an outcome but we don’t need TOP
Queerly Questioning
DEAD-NAMING IN DEATH I am tired of hiding from a guerilla war By Juno Parrenas
ordan Cofer was, in his words, movies, afraid to go to stores, and afraid to go did not offer a correction were dead-naming him an ace poly trans boy with to school. in his death, using a name that was increasingly a loving heart and way too becoming dead to him in his lifetime. Two left- much to do. His time on earth My own rage about this has been simmering leaning national news sources, including my was violently cut short by his long before El Paso, Charleston, and Parkland. personal favorite Democracy Now, did report, brother, the assailant who killed I still mourn for Orlando and I mourn queer but used old photographs, which is almost as nine innocent people in Dayton, Ohio. Jordan’s Latinx family who I will only know through bad as having said nothing. brother was an insignificant young white man their obituaries. This time, I mourn for the loss whose most memorable act was to end the lives of someone who is also representative of the These photographs of a young Jordan and Jof people who had so much more to contribute queer future that I want to see in my lifetime. his brother, his killer was like a double act of to society and the world. That future is a queer future populated by violence. These photographs are like testimonies brown loved ones, asexual (ace) loved ones, of intimate violence, of a person who is so close This occurred in a time when we are so tired of and polyamorous loved ones. to you and yet too capable of causing harm and mass shootings, so tired of thoughts and prayers carrying out murder. And then comes the extra that mean nothing but inaction. Senseless Left-leaning news and opinion site The Splinter violence of representing an innocent victim that fretting of violent video games distracts from was the first to report that the shooter’s sibling is unlikely the way they would have wanted to what is the most evident correlation, which is was trans-identified. He was not out to his be represented. that there is a serious problem of young white family, but he used male pronouns and he men arming themselves with assault rifles that had a tumblr and instagram account under his Jordan left a record. That record is on Instagram. are way too easy to obtain in this country and preferred name. LGBTQ media reported about That is the way we should remember him. All are using them to targeting innocent people this once discovered, but very few mainstream LGBTQ media paid this respect. Teen Vogue in public. We are living in a society where we media bothered to make the correction or did, too. This is really the least that we can all are afraid to go to gay bars, afraid to go to the update the report. In effect, media sources that do. TOP
Positive Reflections
ANTS ARE GREAT TO HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE. NOT!!! Hordes of ants marching into your house during the summer By Dian Katz, MS
hhhhh my gaaawd!!! Ants Wait until you see the new swim attire I have She’s so odd, always with spray bottles, blow know the months of the purchased for this summer. It’s all black with torches and chainsaws!! What’s that all about? year!!! I’m serious! Every a cute matching hat for my antennae.” Oh you She seems obsessed with cleaning the corners late July, they come go ahead and laugh. To SOME of us, this is no of this hotel all of the time. Last year, she marching in my house laughing matter!!! My house is on the top 10 nearly torched the place with her obsession with forks and knives in best vacation spots for ants. for cleanliness. She was so upset when she their hands! And every year, I’m in the house chainsawed the area we are supposed to be putting my hazmat suit on fighting them with Now I may not like ants in my house and welcomed. That’s not a friendly way to greet every spray known to mankind!$&@! I bet they apparently, they don’t seem to care about what her guests, that’s for sure! Oh and she also Ocan tell time too! I think. The little nasty critters know about me always has this angry look on her face. Not and could care less!! They just want to get in, very welcoming for a resort manager if you ask My house, the Katz House, must be some sort chomp up the place, annoy humans, and march me! So true Darla!!” Grrrrr!!!! If only I knew how of tropical vacation spot for ants around the out of there. Sometimes they march in numbers to talk Ant. I’d give them a piece of my mind. globe. They seem to be talking about a great carrying some of the goods on their backs. Then Unfortunately, I am outnumbered when it comes place to vacation. I can just hear some of the of course, After their meals, they all congregate to them. ants jabbering, “Have you gotten your tickets in different parts of my house, sipping drinks to the Katz Resort yet Rex? Yes Sam. I booked and smoking cigars. You know they are seeing And then there’s the phone calls all month long the kitchen floor!” And “Sally, have you tasted me run around trying to get them, as some form trying to book reservations for their annual family the crumbs in the corner of the dining area? of entertainment. vacation. I thought my phone was constantly The food is to die for!! Well Betty, my favorite ringing because of telemarketers. But nope, it’s lounging area is by the dog’s water bowl. “Ha! Teresa, have you seen the resort’s owner? ant families. One time I made the mistake of picking up the phone. “Hello? Is this the Katz change my ways! And they have their own party
HotSpots
SEPTEMBER FAB SPOTS Back to school? Say whaaaat? By Dian Katz, MS
assy September is here… hot women? Of course we would!!! Straight or But since there are not supposed to be any going back to school… thinking coupled, hanging out amongst our kind and alligators walking around the pool area, it’s safe about the upcoming holidays… taking in all the beach air and festivities, can to say we’d have one hell of a 4 days! Hmmm, and watching the season of fall be a blast!!! Join lots of gals at KEY WEST alligators. I just recently saw this movie where move in. BUT, let’s not forget to WOMENFEST on September 4 to 8. alligators were jumping out of the water during think about all of the fabulous a Florida hurricane and trying to bite people. Hotspots happening in September too! Here are Women all over the world come to this festival Ahem, never mind. It was JUST a movie, ladies! a few to consider: to enjoy exciting dances, museums, land So snap out of it! Hahahahaha. get it? “Snap” activities such as scooter runs and trolly rides, out of it? “Alligators, snap?” Ah forget it. Nobody S drag shows, pool parties, sunset cruises, and around here gets me! KEY WEST WOMENFEST more. Now this sounds like a paaaartaaaaay!!! Who would NOT want to do this??? Well, unless For more information, snap your fingers and Wouldn’t all of us love to spend Labor Day there were a few alligators walking around the visit: gaykeywestfl.com/womenfest weekend in a posh, beach resort with lots of pool area, we might not have as much fun. THE ERESSOS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S and allows you to have just the kind of holiday FESTIVAL you want while being exactly who you want to “The Ohio Lesbian Festival is a not-for-profit, be – whether that’s single, happily coupled up, volunteer driven womyn only event designed to How would you like to attend a festival put on by with your kids or a as a group of friends,” say promote womyn’s community, music and art. women for women in gorgeous Greece?! Can you promoters. The Festival was founded on the premise that imagine the women there? Holy smokes, too hot lesbians and queer womyn need opportunities to even type! THE ERESSOS INTERNATIONAL Dang!!! This sounds off the hook fun, fun, fun!!! and spaces to recognize and support each other, WOMEN’S FESTIVAL is the perfect place to get I said fun three times so you know it’s serious. to define our culture, to find our own strengths your groove on! Two weeks in a village with all This sounds like the isle of lesbos!!! Do you and to be empowered. All womyn are welcome!” women and IN Greece!!! Geez, it doesn’t get remember hearing about that when you were first say organizers. any better than that! coming out? I’m like, hell yeah I’d like to be on an island with only lesbos!!! Ahem, sorry, sorry. Well I’d like to be empowered! Especially “For the lesbian, gay or solo woman traveller, Got a little carried away there
HotSpots pass me a marshmallow on a stick. I need to pretty funny. “reeling”… sounds like something say “reely” five times and visit: reelingfilmfestival. go roast it. Yum.. Oh my bad. I’m just thinking I’d say. That’s reely funny. Let’s get reel. Oh org/2019/ about camping. ::::swat:::: damn mosquitos!!! reely? Alright Dian, put down the
Poetry
MOON LIT By Reba Birmingham
Tuck your blanket around both of us
Let the wind blow your hair
I lean in. You smell so good.
We have been together under
Many moons
Too many to count
And yet our bond is still there
I know you hate sand
But there you sit on the blanket with me
Moon lit
We cuddle and laugh
At inside jokes
And I feel warmer
Than when the sun was high
We gather our things, the
Sunset long gone
Happy in our anonymity
Happy in our shared memories
Sober as judges
Basking in the reflected light of
Our years.
TOP
Femastrology
SEPTEMBER 2019 By Astrologer and Psychic, Victoria Bearden
eptember brings in change There’s a Full Moon at 21° Pisces on The Fall Equinox is a major celebration in the with a squirrely Full Moon, September 13-14, 2019. Emotional energy and Pagan world and corresponds with the holiday Saturn Direct, Fall Equinox tempers will run high with the Sun and Mars Mabon. Druids offer libations and gifts to the and more. The month begins in Virgo opposing the Full Moon and Neptune tree spirits of the forest. Wiccans and pagans with the Sun, Mercury, Venus, in Pisces. This will be a particularly intense do rituals and share in feasts and festivities. It and Mars in productive Virgo, moon, and we all might be feeling a little crazy, is a time of harvest and acknowledgement of so if you need to get moving with your goals so keep a level head and choose your battles. the abundant gifts Mother Earth has bestowed and projects this ought to help! When the going Avoid the temptation to jump into drama and use upon us. By the Goddess, may we never lose gets tough, the Virgos get busy! Virgo is also the energy for something creative or spiritual our gratitude for these gifts! Humanity has Srelated to health, so this is a good time of year instead. Keep your wits about you, as the Full always struggled with our relationship with the to address physical and nutritional concerns. Moon/Neptune combo is notorious for creating Great Mother, Gaia, as if we could ever be confusion, illusion, and spaciness. Sometimes independent of her, or “conquer” her. I hope and Saturn in Capricorn finally goes direct on a Mars/Neptune contact will bring up situations pray more and more people gain awareness of September 18, 2019. The Ringed Planet has with deceptive and nefarious people. Don’t be just how much we are influencing life on this been retrograding since April and will finally paranoid, but if you get a bad feeling about planet, and our own potential for survival on it! change direction, but it will be at a near someone, heed your intuition. Also, be careful And I hope and support all the intelligent young standstill for most of the month. This may with drugs, alcohol, and chemicals on this moon. people who are interested in finding new tools seem like the very definition of the doldrums. to create solutions for the problems we have But don’t just sit there. The best way to deal Autumn Equinox falls on September 23, created. This is a time to be thankful, but also to with Saturn’s dominance is by getting down to 2019, when the Sun enters Libra, the Sign give back and do things that matter for the good business. No shortcuts, no procrastination, and of Balance. Libra is ruled by the element of of all sentient beings on this Earth. no daydreaming allowed. As 2019 continues, Air, symbolizing communication and the flow we’ll all get a chance to get our dreams more of knowledge and ideas. But Libra is ruled There’s a New Moon at 05° Libra on September in alignment with reality, but not without some by Love Goddess Venus, and wants meaning 28, 2019. New Moons always represent at work. I picture Saturn retrograde as a big rusty and connection, not just talk! The sign of the change to go within and reset your energy for gate you can see past but you can’t really get Scales is also related to justice, fairness, and the weeks ahead. This New Moon may help you through. The gate is now going to slowly move equality. Let’s use the Libra energy this fall to gain clarity about some of your most important out of the way! Yippee! So, get your ducks in further our sense of harmony and relatedness, relationships. a row this September and take definite steps especially with those who are not like us. Always towards the things you want and need the remember, everyone you encounter is holding Opportunity Days: most. You’ll see more and more progress in the up a mirror for you so you can better see your September 3, 8, 10, 18, 19, and 24 months to come. True Self. Be the mirror for them, too, in the best way possible. Aries (March 21-April 19) Leo (July 23-August 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Advancement is possible with goals, and September is money month. Look at what This is a good month to concentrate your career. Be present and attentive in the you have, not what you don’t have. It’s a energy on career and goals. Get your “big workplace and your will be rewarded. But be time to be grateful, look for opportunities, and plan picture” priorities into alignment and decide careful with your health this month. You need to ahead. Get all of your ducks in a row concerning where to direct your efforts. Make a commitment strike a good balance with your body, mind, and finances. Take stock of your expenses and balance to improve the reality you are creating. A mature spirit. You will benefit greatly from bodywork and the books. You may have the opportunity for some and responsible attitude will help you get in a good holistic treatments even if you are feeling great. financial gain, but be conservative and logical with position for future success. It’s time to take charge And if you’ve noticed you’re running a little low on your investments. Think about long range security of your life direction. Sagittarians looking for a energy, definitely get things checked out. You may when making your choices. If you are looking for better job could find one. Be cautious and aware have been bottling up a lot of emotions over the last a better job, this is a good time to put yourself when it comes to expenditures and paying off debts. months, and accumulated stress could be a factor. out there. Challenges could arise with a spouse Mantra: Commitment Mantra: Balance or business partner surrounding money matters. Address health concerns in a direct manner and Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Taurus (April 20-May 20) you will be able to improve any existing problems. Saturn and Pluto in your sign can be hard The dominance of Earthy Energy is a great Mantra: Abundance task masters. Don’t get mired in the struggle. Femastrology boon to you this month, so take advantage of Your circumstances might have limitations, but that it. You will fare well in your pursuit of happiness, so Virgo (August 23-September 22) doesn’t mean your mind has to. Connect to that which get out there and find it! You should be luckier than Earth Energy is in the house! Happy Birthday inspires you. Keep your mind focused on goals and usual, in love and in general. If you feel like taking Virgo! This is a wonderful opportunity to seek plans and work to break free from your old patterns. some calculated risks, now is definitely the time. your advantage at work, in your public life, and in Access new information and learn things that will Roll the dice! Single Taurus natives could definitely general. The stars are aligned for you to succeed. help you create the future you really want. This is find a great partner. You will benefit from social Important goals are within reach, so make the extra a good time to take classes and workshops. Self- and creative activities. Be cautious around mid- effort. If you find others around you are not pulling help literature will encourage you. Travel will give month for potential misunderstandings with friends. their weight, don’t just do it for them. Let them you a boost and a different perspective. Mantra: Mantra: Happiness know what you expect from them. This should be Expansion a fortunate month for just about anything you want Gemini (May 21-June 20) to do, so have fun with it. Single Virgos could get Aquarius (January 20-February 18) You might feel a little antsy this month with all lucky. Mantra: Advancement Take care of old business and simplify your the Earth Sign energy afoot, but don’t let it get agenda. You may need to let go of things to you. Use it to get grounded, literally. Spend time in Libra (September 23-October 22) that are holding you back. This could even apply nature and getting in touch with your physical body. Gather your strength and conserve your to things you’ve been accumulating around your Spending more time with family or at home will also resources. You may be tempted to burn the house or in your closet. Time to clean it out! Think help you find your center. Gemini is not known to candle at both ends, but this is a time for recharging, about a snake who needs to shed its old skin. You’ll be very patient, but a calm and somewhat cautious not over-doing. Do things that help you connect to be all shiny and new if you purge that which no attitude will keep you out of trouble. Conflicts or your spiritual and creative nature. Surround yourself longer serves you. If you need a couple of therapy intrigue could arise in the work area, so watch your with calmness and beauty. Music and art will have sessions, you’ll get a lot out of it this month. Deep back. If you are unsure about something, hold off a powerful and positive impact on your psyche. Let experiences and powerful emotions are rising up until you have more information. Mantra: Patience go of stress and honor your need for relaxation from your core. Address your feelings, it will help and serenity. If you feel your health is out of whack you release any old stuff you have buried. Then Cancer (June 21-July 21) seek out help and assistance to get things back into you will be free to open up to new experiences and Abundant Earth Sign energy provides a solid balance. Mantra: Peaceful people. Pay careful attention to money matters backdrop for successful projects. This is a around mid-month. Mantra: Letting Go favorable period for productivity and brainstorming. Scorpio (October 23-Novemeber 21) Your ideas will be clicking and information you The prominence of Earth will be a friendly Pisces (February 19-March 20) share with others will be well received. If you’ve and supportive vibe for your watery nature. There are many powerful lessons coming been wanting to take a class, workshop, or test Scorpions can be solitary, but why not open up a to you from relationships. This includes all this would be a good time to do so. Information little? This should be an enjoyable period for positive one-on-one relationships from love, to friendship, you receive now may have long term benefits. One interactions with friends and co-workers. If you’ve to business. There is a big mirror being held up word to the wise, be cautious and aware in any been wanting to have a party or host an event, for you to see yourself. Take a look. You’ll get a legal dealings that arise this month, as things could September is good for that. Teamwork and group lot of positive feedback from others now. But you get complicated. Relationships could be a little endeavors are favored. Your own personal creative will also have to find solutions to some of your challenging. Mantra: Inspired Action vision will be strong, so engage in activities that more challenging partnerships, particularly at allow you to express your inner artist. A new friend work. Pisces is often more comfortable doing all or love relationship may enter your life. Mantra: the giving when it comes to others. But this can Enjoyment lead to exhaustion and depleted emotions. Strive to find the balance with give and take, and invite more generous people into your life. Mantra: Reciprocity
TOP Lesbians On Location
Golden Crown Literary Conference 2019
Nat Burns, Chris Sally, and Anne Monti Lesbians On Location
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Anna Burke and Ann McMan Carol Poynor Fay Jacobs
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Anna Burke and Ann McMan Karen D Badger and Patty Schramm
Anna Burke and Ann McMan Reading group GCLS2019
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ORDER NOW Rose Masterpol Gallery Rose Masterpol Gallery n her work of the past three years Rose models, and their influence is readily apparent. examples of De Kooning, Picasso, et al, as just Masterpol has been oscillating between Masterpol recapitulates that influence with that – examples of spirit, more important to a drawn line, animated by color as well remarkable intelligence and sensitivity: these her for their attitude than for their manner. She as its own flagellating trail, and a more are genuine, unabashed Abstract Expressionist has learned from them, for instance, to pace painterly stroke that provides given works right down to their Surrealist reliance on herself across a visual field – but the pace she expanses with texture as well as hue. The the impulsive mark and their Cubist articulation maintains is entirely her own. She has learned drawn line assumes a rhythmic animation akin of space. to segue strategically from color to color rather to graffiti writing and on occasion even cartoon than simply dump paint in various areas – but caricature, seeming almost choreographed. The irony is that Masterpol’s more “historic” the colors result from her own perception, and IHere Masterpol, deliberately or not, proposes painting is, if anything, less studied than her her segues embody her own sensibility. With a translation of hip-hop and other urban dance more “contemporary” work. When she responds every lesson learned, Masterpol finds herself into non-objective painting, perhaps even a kind to the bold moves and bright contrasts of more profoundly as a painter. of notation; certainly, she is re-purposing the today’s pop idioms she picks up on their energy of the “street” to painterly effect. stylizations no less than on their power; she Rose Masterpol would seem to be two painters in reflects the fact that, even while they depend one. In fact, she is one painter paying attention That level of energy carries over into Masterpol’s on boundless invention, the popular arts allow to two modes of expression. Both those modes larger, even more ambitious canvases; but in their artists limited freedom. Like any good pop are urgent and convincing, and she responds to these, she puts aside the self-conscious project artist, Masterpol capitalizes on such restraint by both with insight, conviction, and unmistakable of contemporary reflection and allows herself playing off it, letting restricted modality amplify personality. Those two modes would seem to the luxury of pure painting. If the “drawn” her inventiveness. For truly liberated painting, have little to say to each other; but, like someone paintings manifest a vigorous but studied however, she turns to a tradition of liberty that brought up bi-lingually, Masterpol speaks both response to pop culture, the “painted” paintings she can only inherit from fellow painters. In this with poetic fluency and effortless translation, embody Masterpol’s equally fervent but entirely regard, Masterpol proceeds in the wake of her finding – and building – vivid connections spontaneous response to artists who have come influences with voluble confidence, studying and between them. before her. She cites Joan Mitchell, Pollock, “feeling” rather than simply imitating their imagery De Kooning, Kline, Gorky, and Motherwell as or their method. Indeed, she comprehends the Twisted Roots Vineyard
Happy New Year! Well we are officially into the and cannot be done by machine. Ross, who end up killing the old vines. While only 4 acres New Year and that means a fresh new start, with spent his entire life on the vineyard and learned remain of the original vineyard from 1918, we new goals and expectations of what is ahead from his father on how to properly prune our always struggle with wanting to maximize the of us this year. Well the vineyards of Twisted vines, so that just the right amount of grapes number of bottles each year, we always want Roots are no different, we too are eagerly would be produced and the best quality would to protect our family history and want to make awaiting a new start to our growing season. be achieved. sure that the vines are going to be around for Currently the vineyard is pretty bare, so much so the future as well. that one might not see the future as too bright, If we leave too many buds, which means lots given the almost dead look to the vines. This of grapes will be produced, then our wine will So next time you are out and about, and happen time of year, the vines are completely dormant be light and flabby, too few buds and we lose by a vineyard, remember that while it might look and bare, with all the leaves falling off and the tonnage and don’t have enough great wine to like nothing but twigs, there is a lot more going canes all over the place. That being said, this go around. on out there. Someone, somewhere is focused is a very important time of the year, a time that and concerned about how to handle this mess can determine the production and quality of the When it comes to our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel of twigs. grapes that will ultimately become our 2015 vineyard, the entire situation of pruning changes. vintages. Even though our family has been at As you can see from the picture here, these this for three generations now and almost 100 vines are wild and twisted by their very nature, Cheers, years, it is still the time of year that causes us so pruning becomes very difficult. The key to concern. Pruning is an art of delicate balance; our rich, bold, yet soft flavors in our “1918” Old Josh Ruiz too much will cause small, uneconomical crops; Vine Zinfandel wines, is pruning these vines Co-Owner/Winemaker too little will cause over-cropping and low- so that they don’t over produce and over work quality fruit. Pruning also facilitates cultivation, these old vines. With most of thewood on these disease control and harvesting, when the vines vines being dead and hollow, if we leave the For more info: are trained to a grow in a particular shape. It is same number of buds as the rest of our vines, twistedrootsvineyard.orderport.net/wines/ a skill that requires experience and judgment we would end up over working the vines and Current-Releases Susan St. Thomas Gallery
“Stardust Reveries”
An exhibit of celestial abstract art by Susan St. With over 40 years as a professional astrologer, precision painting and loose free flowing washes, Thomas at the Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N Main Susan combines her fascination with the language she integrates avariety of innovative techniques St. Sebastopol, CA 95465. of the stars and her lifelong expression as an to express her imagination. www.sebastopol-gallery.com artist. This collection is inspired by the images 707 829-7200 captured by the Hubble telescope of deep space Reception for the artist plus 14 other gallery – a boundless realm of ever changing form. member artists: October 11, 4-6pm.
Susan uses layered glazes of acrylic to create Free artists talk, “Art and Astrology” at the depth and a dance of light and color, sometimes gallery: October 22, 7pm. mixing media and collage. Capable of both
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