Johniene Papandrea LESBIAN 8 • MarchNEWS 2016 Windows to VOL. 41 • NO. the Unseen
Phyllis Nagy On Writing the Script for ‘Carol’
Michaela Mendelsohn A True Transgender Champion
LN Contributors
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 Unifed 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 flm, music, theater, and culture. His monthlymovie column, Eye C, is currently the longest consecutive- running 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, fve 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. Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netfix, 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 has written for and edited regional and niche publications. She has authored over 100 published articles.Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids.
Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a pa- rade, 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 Elyaf has been writing celebrity magazine profles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Hufngton Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards.Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyaf 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 is the Nom de Plume of R.J. Birmingham, a local attorney. Winner of an essay competition in 1993 “Trial by Media,” she also has a published case as co-counsel with Lambda Legal (2008) which beneftted gays and lesbians. She is a monthly contributor of Poetry for the LN. Ms. Birmingham practices Estate Planning and Serious Personal Injury at Long Beach Law, Inc. and is working on a book of essays about the practice.
Nat Burns is a professional writer and editor who retired from an editorial systems career in Virginia to relocate to New Mexico. She is an award-winning author and journalist and a book editor for several publishers. Burns has published eight novels to date and her work has appeared in more than thirty anthologies. She has worked for this magazine for six years and is a proud grandmother.
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.In July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his partner of 48 years, by Los Angels 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.
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: Pilot- Godless- 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 frst ‘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 frst lesbian plaintiffs to fle the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to California and were the frst 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 frst 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 Terrifc 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 frst non-proft clinic to serve the lesbian community. She then went on in 1984 to launch Pacifc Reproductive Services to provide sperm bank, fertility and insemination services primarily to 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 week- long dates with her partner, Sara.
Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director of the 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. Teresa DeCrescenzo is a social worker, activist, teacher, and writer. After 25 years of advocating for LGBT youth through her work at GLASS, Teresa is adjunct professor at CSUN where she has taught Sociology of LGBT communities, Social Policy, Social Work Practice, and other courses designed to inspire and prepare future generations of social work activists. She is also the Director of Social Services at one of the largest acute care hospitals in California. As Arts & Culture Editor and Book Reviewer, Teresa brings the best of lesbian writing and cultural events to the community-at-large.
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 web site at www.astrologervic.com March 2016
CONTENTS
LESBIAN NEWS COVER STORY Michaela Mendelsohn This Beauty Dove Right in to the Important Mission By Michel Khordoc
INSIDE LN FEATURES Spirituality HOTSPOTS Life is Never just THIS or THAT Ready for spring Hotspots? They’re here. By Dr. Dina Evan PhD POETRY Politically Speaking Angles & Tits 2016: important election for lesbians or the MOST FEMASTROLOGY important for lesbians? This is a Better Time to Follow By Beth Shipp Through on Projects that have Already Begun. Earth Talk LOL Global warming is real so why aren’t we doing anything Olivia Caribbean Cruise to save the planet. By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss Last Word The Other Woman By Robin Tyler Johniene Papandreas Explores the Hidden Self By Mona de Crinis Phyllis Nagy Therese’s Love - Fueled, Lust - Filled Odes to CAROL By Sara Jaffe Follow Us Online Kate Moennig & Camila Grey X-Names Travel the World to Play a Variety of Clubs LESBIANNEWS.COM and Parties By Michel Khordoc Let us know what Tahitian Adventure you think. Enjoy Colleen and Dana’s Tahitian Adventure By Lesbian News
LIFESTYLES Comic Of The Month This is all about the color Red. By Linda Montgomery
Movies Eye C Indie a Go Go for Film at Sundance By John Esther Notes from Nat Cool meets heat and condenses into musical moonshine. By Nat Burns
Travel Take any exotic vacation in the Redwoods. By Stephanie Papadakis
Party In The Desert Raises Over $13,000 For Hillary Coachella Valley Shows its support for Hillary By Anne Winchester
COLUMNS Words That Make Sense After retirement - your talents are still needed. By Toni Hart
Living Out What happens when you say “Yes!” to unexpected offers? By Sally Sheklow
Positive Refections Stressful ordeals can lead to experiencing miracles. By Dian Katz, MS
Queerly Questioning It was an opportunity for Filipinos to come out and expand social possibilities in a country politically dominated by Catholic doctrine on sexuality. By Juno Parrenas, PhD
Gay USA Watch the Gay USA Video.
Theorhetorically Speaking When to break habits By Nikki McCauley Up Close and Personal with Trans-activist Michaela Mendelsohn | By Michel Khordoc fter competing working transwomen through her Michaela. in the Ms. efforts with various California Congratulations on joining the S e n i o r trade associations. Her personal board of the Trevor Project. C a l i f o r n i a mission is to help transwomen fnd Pageant and employment, social acceptance and Can you tell us a little about how serving as a a path to raise families of their own. this partnership came about? consultant to Keeping our youth safe is also on her I received a call about 8 months ago Jenji Kohan in the development busy agenda as she recently joined from the Trevor CEO, Abbe Land. Aof Laverne Cox’s character on the board of the Trevor Project. I had been referred to her by an “Orange is the New Black,” most Michaela is focused on outreach to associate at the LALGBT Center. I people would be content to rest youth, speaking on issues specifc met with Abbe and was subsequently on their laurels. But not Michaela to the transgender community and interviewed by several members of Mendelsohn. This beauty dove informing the community about the the Board and staff. right in to the important mission of work of Trevor. making a difference in and for the It was quite an in depth process. transgender community. Michaela was born in New York With each interview I learned more City, and moved to Southern about their impressive organization. A transgender activist, public California as a child, where she I think it says a lot, how thorough speaker and businesswoman with has lived since. She was married they are in whom they bring onto over 40 years of entrepreneurial for over 30 years and is the proud their board. leadership experience, Michaela parent of three, grown children. In Mendelsohn is the CEO of Pollo West As a transgender how do you 2008, she legally changed her name Corp - one of the largest franchisees hope to help The Trevor Project’s to Michaela Irvi Mendelsohn and for El Pollo Loco restaurant in the mission? What message do you her gender to female. She now lives Western Region of the United States hope to convey? with her partner, Carmel and their - and the founder of the California two-year old son. They do have TG staff members Transgender Workplace Program to and volunteers and have devoted An incredible woman, to say the promote transgender employment considerable efforts over time to least, LN is beyond honored to meet opportunities. the issues faced by trans youth. I She passionately advocates for am please to be their liaison to the trans community. It is a weighty at Trevor, as it should be. Their As part of the 40 hours I did six role- responsibility, which I gladly training is based on sound practices plays with experienced counselors. embrace. and research in accordance with The counselors use actual case National Suicide protocols. The histories and act as the caller. You’ve completed intense weeks in ‘Class of 32’ as we are called, During my sixth role-play I had a Trevor’s 40 hour crisis training. became very close knit as we caller who was ready to complete Can you talk to us briefy about that opened ourselves up to the immense suicide and had the means at hand. experience and what the program responsibility we were about to take Their partner had done so the day consists of? on. I was impressed that they had before. She was calling not so much Intense indeed! I am so honored attracted such a quality group of to ask for help as to not be alone to be a part of this process. I talented, creative loving individuals and to make certain her story got volunteered for the training as who were willing to give so much of told to her parents. The forty hours I felt it was important for me to themselves to the cause of helping of training had provided the tools fully embrace the core of Trevor’s LGBT youth in crisis. They have I needed to validate this caller’s work. I wasn’t prepared for what a thorough on boarding process to feelings of pain and hopelessness was the start of a truly life changing make sure their volunteers are right and do what was needed to save her experience. Along with 17 other for this kind of work. life. I was crying throughout the volunteers, I spent 40 hours in just call but could not let her know. How has that transformed you? Is 9 days with a talented group of there a specifc story you can share Trevor is all about suicide dedicated counselors and trainers. that has particularly moved you? prevention for LGBT youth. Do you Saving lives is taken very seriously think the transgender community is the most affected group when it come further out into the open, at Universal Studios. She had led comes to suicide attempts? And which is a great thing. This is writers there and for several what would you attribute that factor true not only for the issues still to hours I answered their questions to? Bullying? Depression? be resolved but also in highlighting and offered insights into various the success stories of people living aspects of the TG experience. I There continues to be a crisis successful, joyous lives as their true also spent time on the phone with for the entire spectrum of LGBT and authentic selves. the writer who was later assigned youth. A disproportionate amount to the development of the Laverne of high-risk calls does come from Before Jenner, Laverne Cox was Cox character. The info appeared trans youth. They face a different already receiving some amazing to be instrumental into building the set of triggers largely caused media attention for her role on backstory of the character. by their personal experiences with OITNB. You’ve consulted with Jenji gender dysphoria and how others Kohan on the development of Cox’s I did not ask for credits for my treat them. character on the Netfix hit show; consulting, instead I made two what was that collaboration like? requests. First that they get the Last year Caitlin Jenner made Can you give us insights into your story right and second that they hire a very loud and public coming contribution? a trans-actress for the role. To my out, revealing her transitioning greatest pleasure, they did both. The from man to woman, do you think It was great fun and a real treat TG community as a whole, I’m sure the amount of publicity garnered for me. One of her writers was is appreciative to Jenji and Laverne. by Jenner benefted the overall an acquaintance of mine and It was one of the few times this had transgender community? reached out to me at her request. I been done and helped us so much as spent several hours at their offces Her very public story along with a community. in The Johnny Carson building others has helped the TG community With the majority of the media community, it is not reaching down difference in and for the community. zooming in on the transgender fast enough to many who are in Who was your role model and community and with TV shows the most need, most notably to trans what inspires you everyday to keep focusing on transgenders whether people of color. This is the niche I going? as leading characters or supporting most want to help through my work So many people have done far more roles, do you think the “T” in with CTWP. than I could ever accomplish. I just LGBTQ is now more accepted and We are currently working with the follow their examples. facing less discrimination? California Restaurant Association What are some of the upcoming In other word are transgenders now on a pilot project of “workplace projects you’re working on? part of the new normal or not quite diversity” for trans people. These yet? entry-level service positions We are working on bringing the frst with room for advancement into TG Convention to Los Angeles. Yes and no. As I said before, it management are key. They put us TransConLA is set to be held at pulled the covers off. But there front-and-center with the public the Universal Hilton in April of have been consequences. So for “all our lights to shine.” We are 2017. I am acting as Board Chair much internalized homophobia/ working with our contacts in the and Strategic Planning Partner. It transphobia exists in this hotel industry as our next working is shaping into what should be a truly country. The rate of violence against group. spectacular conference. Important our community and suicide rates are national and international LGBT at an all time high. Trans people are I have been CEO of a restaurant organizations have expressed twice as likely to live in poverty. group the last 29 years. We have interest in the planning process. All of this is especially true of trans hired a number of trans employees, Youth, labor, education and politics people of color. four of which have successfully will be the mainstay of our strategic made the move into management. What other progress do you wish to agenda. A number of them experienced see happen for your community? negative working environments We have Hollywood studios My dream is that in my lifetime I prior to coming to us. They are now interested as well. We will be giving see the TG community reaching shining stars in our organization. them a chance to showcase their a level playing feld on a We get so many customers calling trans positive projects. I am excited socio-economic level. This in to compliment them! to be part of this event, which needs to translate into opening up will move forward the agenda of Overall what do you hope your the narrow view too many of us our community. legacy to the transgender community still face, of day to day survival. I will be? What is the one question I haven’t will be excited when it is the norm asked you and you wish I had? to see the broad spectrum of trans I don’t really think in terms of a people living fulflling lives raising legacy but more in terms of dreams Just that I’d at times like to take the families of their own. and goals. emphasis off us trans people and on to our families who have supported You’ve founded the California And my dream is to see, sooner us through our transitions. It is not Transgender Workplace Program rather than later, the dreams of the an easy road for them. to promote trans-friendly job community come true. I would also conditions. How does that work? like my four children to be proud of Follow her at: @MichaelaIvri what I have accomplished. I wish to Can you elaborate a bit on the Watch her reel: https://youtu. be a positive role model for them. program and how it is implemented? be/7d2RbnL-GM4 You’re quite an inspiration for Though the increased exposure and many us - always working to make a fne work by major LGBT based groups is improving the lives of the a community celebration supporting
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YOUTH ICON AWARD: Judah Peralta
COMMUNITY ICON AWARD: AIDS Food Store
POLITICAL ICON AWARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Supervisor Don Knabe
GOLD SPONSOR Party In The Desert Raises Over $13,000 For Hillary | By Anne Winchester
eam Hillary hosted a kick-off party for the entire Coachella canvassing, voter registration, Betty Bender created a beautiful Valley. Two organizing rallies and parties, and DVD to play spotlighting the warm wonderful guys, Tom people who would travel to other side of Hillary. Wine, beer, soft Tand Chuck offered their gorgeous states to assist in primaries. In drinks and water were provided by home in Mission Hills Country fact, four people hopped a bus to Tom Dreher and Chris Francisco. Club, where the Dinah golf event Las Vegas the following weekend And the twenty–woman Appetizer is held each year. When you say, to work the caucuses, and they Brigade fashioned enough food “It takes a Village.” how true it personally met HILLARY. Voters to keep everyone fueled for the is. Three women who had worked were registered on site and the party. This group of folks funded for Hillary in 2008 met a month Democratic Headquarters of the the entire event. Desert brought bumper stickers, ago and responded to inquiries You can check out Team Hillary at buttons and tee shirts for people to about what was going on in the gmail: [email protected] buy. Palm Springs area for HILLARY. or join us on Facebook: Coachella Planning resulted in over 200 The leadership for this event Valley for Hillary. As this article people responding and $13,000+ had worked for Hillary in 2008: is being written another event is dollars raised to assist HILLARY Meredith Hardy, Anne Winchester in the works for March 1, Super FOR AMERICA. and Chris Voelz headed up a team Tuesday: Happy Hour for Hillary. Information forms were handed of seven people to pull off this HILL YES! out as people entered to provide event in such a short time. Lynn people-power for phone-banking, Worley provided the greeters;
Comic Of The Month: | By Lynda Montgomery
red anymore, did you know that red heads don’t go grey. Also my freckles have faded, just in time for liver spots! Given a choice of hair colors, I’m glad I got the rarest color. I really think it was character building as a kid to come up with clever arch is the best fnd red headed people creepy come backs to the endless freckle month to have with their speckled skin and pale jokes. Some classics that come red hair!. Yes, faces. Others said they did not to mind. March 17th is mind red headed people, but “What would you get if you “Saint Patrick’s would never date them. This connected all those dots?” I’d MDay” the best place to be is in made the fellow even more get myself a therapist was an Irish Pub, drinks should be on desperate to get a date, and at my snappy come back …”What the house. This of course would one point in the documentary he would you get if you counted your never happen in Ireland because wore a cardboard sign, asking freckles?” was also the perfect set the Pub would go bankrupt, but if anyone would like to date him. up to reuse the therapist answer. here in the US of A, it should Through all of these antics he be a mandatory law. This is to seemed to think his red hair was My Mother used to tell me that make up for the grief that comes the problem, but really he should freckles were Angel kisses, with being a “ ginger” the other have been asking if anyone which made me feel better, until 364 days of the year. Honestly wanted to date an insecure nerd. I realized that some of the places , I have not suffered much being Is that mean for me to say, it I had freckles made those Angels a ginger, so I was surprised seemed only obvious that he had pretty kinky. when I saw a documentary on stalker tenancies, and his red Now that I think about it, lots Netfix, all about what a curse hair was the least of his worries… of comedians have red hair, having Red Hair could be . The now I’m ginger bashing. Can “Lucy”, Kathy Griffan, Joan documentary was written by a you be a ginger basher if you Rivers at times. red headed fellow, who felt that are a ginger? The name of the his entire existence was affected documentary, which I’m sure Could there be a connection, by the color of the red hairs that you now want to see for yourself, maybe only with woman, because were spouting from his head. is called “Being Ginger”. the guy who did the documentary His hope, was to get a date, by didn’t have much of a sense of As a kid I was teased about my producing this documentary, humor about it..Try watching it bright red head of hair…”Carrot which he used to walk up to cute with a red headed friend headed Top” was a popular taunt, which girls, with a microphone to ask friend…I’m sure you have at made no sense given carrot tops them, if they liked red headed least one , and see what they are green. Over the years my men? Their answers were think..are Red Heads more fun? hair has faded, it’s not bright interesting, one claimed to © Candonyc | Dreamstime.com
EarthTalk®
Why is the Arctic such a crucial area to focus on in efforts to stem global warming?
| By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss
he image of a polar largest block of ice in the Arctic anyone about melting glaciers bear standing on a and intact for some 3,000 years, in the Arctic. And warming in shrinking iceberg has fnally cracked in 2000, and the Arctic also affects weather become one of the within two years split all the way patterns vital for food production most iconic symbols through. all over the world. Cold water Tof global warming, yet few of us from the melting ice could also These changes up north are realize just how important the potentially halt the Gulf Stream, already starting to have ripple Arctic’s ice is, wherever we may which brings warm weather to effects elsewhere. For starters, live on the earth. Researchers Europe. This would result in a the entire Arctic ecosystem is consider the Arctic to be an steep drop in temperature for being forced to shift with the “indicator region” for the rest of much of northwestern Europe and changing climate. Animals like the planet, given that even small would affect weather patterns far polar bears, whales and seals are differences in temperature there beyond. changing migration patterns, in can have profound ecosystem turn impacting native people who While it may seem futile for us impacts and can give us a better depend on them for sustenance. to try to stop Arctic ice melting, idea of the types of problems we Meanwhile, other organisms are we do in fact have the power. can all expect down the road. overpopulating, given all the We can all work to reduce our Of course, the effects of global new habitat opening up. Rising carbon footprints by fying and warming have been under temperatures have allowed the driving less, turning down (or scrutiny in the Arctic for decades spruce bark beetle to add an extra off) the heat or air conditioning, already. Since 1979, the extent of reproduction cycle each year. As speaking up to our elected the Arctic’s permanent ice cap has a result the pesky little beetles offcials, and even divesting shrunk by upwards of 20 percent. decimated 3.4 million acres of from companies that support the Even worse, the remaining ice Alaska’s forests over just 10 continued development of fossil has thinned by as much as two- years. fuels. thirds in some parts of the Arctic. And then there’s the issue of sea CONTACTS: NOAA Arctic Recent models suggest this ice level rise. Thanks in large part to Change website, www.arctic. loss will only accelerate in the melting Arctic glaciers, sea level noaa.gov/detect/climate-strat. next several years due to a global is expected to rise some three shtml; EPA Carbon Footprint warming feedback loop called feet on average around the world Calculator, www3.epa.gov/ the “albedo effect,” whereby in the next century, fooding carbon-footprint-calculator/. less ice means less refection over 22,000 square miles in of the sun’s radiation back into EarthTalk® is produced by Doug the United States alone. This space and thus more warming Moss & Roddy Scheer and is a pressing issue threatens island at the Earth’s surface. And not registered trademark of Earth nations especially. Countries only is the ice shrinking—parts Action Network Inc. like the Maldives, precariously of the ice cap are also rupturing: perched just six feet above The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, the sea level, are as concerned as ID 38325369 © Solarseven | Dreamstime.com
HOT SPOTS By Dian Katz, MS |
that’s available this weekend. Let me give you a little idea of what to expect... when you arrive, attend your frst cocktail reception and your brain says,“holy hell! Look inter is behind of southern California. I mean at all of these hot women showing us and spring we are talking hordes of beautiful up. So THAT’S what caused all of has sprung! women from all around the globe. the massive traffc, driving here. Can’t you smell We must be referring to CLUB Ah, it’s okay because it’s a party it in the air??? SKIRTS presents THE DINAH and party traffc mean major fun! WI never really knew what exactly on March 30-April 3 in Palm I’m down, let’s do this!!!” The next I was supposed to be sniffng Springs California baby!!! “The thing you know, you have stayed but there is something defnitely Largest Girl Party Music Festival up a little later than you expected in the air. I like to call it pollen. in the World,” says CS! Look, I’ve but who cares, you’re here to have Hahahah... okay on a serious been going to The Dinah for years a blast. Then you wake up in the note, it’s the smell of fowers and let me tell ya, it’s a girlfest. morning and head to one of the blooming... love in the air
Windows to the Unseen Artist Johniene Papandreas explores the hidden self and the expressions of moments in between light and shadow, before the walls go up
| By Mona de Crinis hen the universe side. Her arresting large-scale her in its direction, dusting off the opens a window paintings capture the unseen residue of years spent in corporate later in life, essence of expressions, those America and shining the beveled offering a second fragments of emotion we hold glass of an innate talent few chance to follow in our souls but rarely allow full possess, and fewer yet fnd the Wyour heart and honor your passion, breath. courage to convey through visual many people glance at the view language. briefy before returning to the “The idea is not what you’re seeing dingy interior of their present on the canvas, it’s what brought that While both women shared an lives; others may keep the window moment to the canvas,” Johniene artistic background — Johniene open but dare not look; and those says during an interview from her as a scenic designer for theater plagued by fear often plaster the home in Provincetown, Mass. “It’s and corporate events and Hillary window with layers of doubt, what brought that expression to (“like the President,” Johniene forever shutting themselves off the face. And it’s what brings the says with prophetic intent and a from the sunlight of the spirit and reaction to the viewer, so all the sly grin), a former scenic artist the fresh air of inspiration. baggage that we carry around with who later became a veterinarian us informs our perspective on what — both denied their true creative Artist Johniene Papandreas did expression we see coming back at selves in pursuit of more steady none of these things when the us from the eyes of the painting.” employment. Then in 2002, window appeared. Not only did Hillary cracked open the window. she throw back the curtains, she But Johniene did not fnd the opened the window as wide as window that enriched her life “I had this great corporate career possible so others could see the solely on her own. Her partner of and was doing very well,” Johniene beauty and mystery on the other more than two decades pointed remembers. “And one summer Hillary said to me, ‘You have this alters our perception of it. The way feature four distinctive series: space (I had bought a space in the eyebrow will be cropped right Fixation, a series focusing on Provincetown as an investment), at the edge of a painting or the fact human expression; Botanica, in and you’ve always wanted to that not enough lip is shown can which the artist explores what paint. I’ve been listening to you transform the whole expression she calls “the secret life of plants for 30 years say, ‘Gee, I should and make it much more intimate — lush, mysterious, and sensual have been an artist. Maybe I took a and immediate and provocative.” things that are happening in nature, wrong turn.’ Just do it this summer. in the dark, in the undergrowth, Paint something. Not for sale, not Johniene pursued this style of that we’re not even aware of”; for any product, just to do it. Do instinctive cropping, creating Body Language, a series designed something you’re familiar with.’” windows and freezing parts to elicit a visceral rather than of larger images until she felt emotional response from the So Johniene pulled out her casein compelled by the crop to paint. viewer; and a fourth series the paint, which is derived from milk “I don’t analyze it,” she explains. artist says is yet to be categorized. or soy protein and primarily used There’s no scientifc method, no in set design, and old brushes she formula to the shape or perspective. The show, called “A Space used for painting scenery fats and I take these adjustable cardboard Between Breaths,” explores the struggled with what to paint. One windows and move across the unsaid and the unseen, much of day, while fipping through books painting like one would divine for which was inspired by Johniene’s at a museum book store, she water. You know how they say you career in theater and corporate came across a book of paintings can take a stick and run it across design. “In theater, it’s not so by the Italian Baroque master the land, and it will pull it down much about what’s happening Caravaggio, whom Johniene when you fnd water? When I fnd on the stage as about what has adored, and the window beckoned, a window that triggers something happened, what will happen, and then insisted. that I think I can make more potent what is happening off stage,” she by painting it, I stop right there and says. “It’s all about subtext. And “I thought ‘Maybe I’ll try copying build a canvas to ft the scale and it’s the same with my paintings. something just to loosen myself up, proportion of the window I want Like Miles Davis says, ‘You play and maybe then I won’t be so afraid to paint. I will paint and paint and the notes between the notes.’ of this big canvas.’” She took the paint for a while, saving the eye And that’s what I’m trying to do. book to the register and threw her until the absolute last. As I’m It’s about freezing those feeting credit card on top, which landed in painting, that character is evolving micro-expressions that you don’t such a way that it cropped part of in my imagination. “When I get to see, but you sense.” the face of a painting on the cover. the eye, that’s when I start really “I felt the hairs on the back of connecting with the character on BREAKOUT my neck go up,” she recalls. She the canvas.” grabbed another credit card and “A Space Between Breaths started playing with the window Today, Johniene’s work is — The Paintings of Johniene of the face she was creating on featured in shows, in her own Papandreas” the book’s cover. “The triggering Provincetown gallery, and in the March 18-April 25, 2016 started getting stronger and homes of collectors for whom the stronger. What if I could take this paintings were created long before Opening reception & Meet the tiny section of face and paint it big they were purchased. “I took an Artist, Friday, March 18, 4-8pm. on canvas?” attitude early on that every one of On Saturday, March 19 from 10am- these paintings has its own home,” 4pm, the artist will be available to She trotted back to her studio she says. “It has a person it belongs discuss commissions. and started painting. “I painted with, so paintings can hang on the for something like eight hours Gallery Lazzaro, 41801 Corporate gallery wall two, three, even fve Way, Suite 13, Palm Desert straight,” Johniene says. “It years, and I don’t worry. When was remarkable to see that I had CA. 310.246.8090 / www. that person walks in the door, that gallerylazzaro.com captured something different person will take it home.” out of this very famous painting, For more information on Johniene an essence that I had never On March 18, Johniene Papandreas Papandreas, visit www.voy-art. seen before. So I started paying present pieces from her body of com. attention to how the window work at Gallery Lazzaro in Palm through which we see something Desert, Calif. The show will
KATE MOENNIG & CAMILA GREY aka The X NAMES BRING THEIR ‘A’ GAME & TURNTABLESTO THE DINAH 2016 | By Michel Khordoc
amila Grey and the Dinah dance foor with high Hanson, founder and producer Kate Moennig voltage vibes taking the epic all- of The Dinah. “This year we are are bringing girl party to a whole new zenith. really zooming in on charismatic their trademark Together they are the X Names. DJs that are not only bringing tomboyish style, their talent & originality to the “Showcasing Kate and Cam at the Csexy swagger and killer turntables Dinah but also dropping their event to DJ is beyond exciting for to the Dinah Shore Weekend in exceptionally unique & hot sound us and our customers. Palm Springs, CA, adding their to the turntables.” names to an already phenomenal They both bring the same Of course the community icons are 2016 Entertainment line-up. dedication and passion to their no strangers to The Dinah. Grey DJing art as they have to music Uh Huh Her’s lead singer, Camila and Moennig have both attended and acting,” comments Mariah Grey, and L Word iconic star, the event on numerous occasions Kate Moennig, are about to pack in recent years, the frst with the electro-pop band Uh Huh Her, and the latter as one of our most requested celebrity guests. However, this will mark the frst time the beloved ladies will team up under their X-Names moniker to showcase their spinning skills at the largest lesbian event on the planet.
entertaining A-List clients such based party called The Bassment, Stella McCartney and Amour Vert, where they all DJ. to name a few. Acting wise, Moennig is of course most well known for her Camila Grey brings with her a famed role as Shane McCutcheon strong musical background. She on Showtime’s hugely popular was educated at the prestigious lesbian-themed drama series, The Berklee College of Music where L word. She also currently stars she studied Jazz and majored in on Ray Donovan as Lena (Ray Music Business. From there she Donovan’s assistant) – another has gone on to work and tour with Showtime television hit show. the likes of Adam Lambert, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Tricky, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Kelly Osbourne, Mellowdrone, Big Black Delta, and her own band UH HUH HER A not to be missed Dinah premiere! (UHH). She currently promotes Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend and Dj’s an exclusive Dance Party delivers another roof-raising in Los Angeles, CA called LUC celebration with a steamin’ hot alongside DJ KIM ANH. lineup that will most defnitely What started as “dabbling” for this Moennig started her DJ career back blow the lid off Palm Springs! electrifying pair quickly spiraled during her NYC days when she into a DJ partnership that has been For more information and/or to would spin music at house parties successful beyond anything they purchase tickets go to: www. and clubs in the East Village. She both could have ever imagined. TheDinah.com has been honing her spinning chops for several years and is now Now together X-Names - who quickly becoming one of the most spin a blend of Indy, Deep House, sought after celebrity DJs on the Darkwave, Nuwave, Nowave, circuit. She, Camilla and Sam Electro, Disco, Hip-Hop, 70’s and Ronson have a new monthly LA 80’s - travel the world to play a variety of clubs and parties Cynthia I. Miles Certified Public Accountant
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THE OTHER WOMAN | By Robin Tyler
K, I thought them throw everything they can But if anyone is capable, she is. Diane would be make up about her? I wish we could stand in front of it. But I need the blows she takes. I have never seen a candidate hit to be honest. I with so much from so many, and She doesn’t show it, but when have fallen for Hillary not only survives, but she hurts, we who love her hurt. Oanother woman, fights back. Can a woman be so And then we get The same one Diane has fallen threatening that for decades lie Angry and do what we can do. for. Actually, I think hundreds after lie has been Write articles, correct the lies, of thousands of us have been Whispered (and then shouted) send in money, anything from smitten. about her? Is she trustworthy, $1.00 up, volunteer, vote, and Her name is Hillary. And yes, you bet! She had been working always cheer, cheer, cheer, so come hell or high water, she is on women’s, children’s and that our voices drown out the going to be our next president. racial issues for decades! Who negativity of those who fear her. the hell has more experience, Hillary, you are not alone. You I am addicted to following her more knowledge, more guts have an army of women warriors every word. I don’t care that she then this warrior woman? Is she standing beside you, ready to was late coming to the marriage becoming more progressive? help fight any battle. You will equality party. She is here now, Yes, of course. She gets be our next president, and only and we are all on her dance card. it. Period. She doesn’t over when you are sworn in, will we We watch everything she is on promise. And she shouldn’t. It be able to rest for that one day. from C-SPAN to KNBC to Fox! is not going to be easy turning And then, we will stand with Actually, we don’t watch her on the USS Right Wing Ship totally you, while you turn the pages of Fox. Why do we need to see around. history.
Living Out Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star | By Sally Sheklow
ver walk into a greeted by adoring throngs. That’s fnd ourselves recipients of roaring crowded theater and gotta feel good. My guess is that approval? Especially all of us who have the audience go Ellen and Pope Francis, ego-less aren’t particularly glamorous. Or wild, cheering their as these two icons of love and holy. lungs out . . . all for kindness seem to be, must enjoy Oh, when I was a kid my folks EYOU? Especially if you’re a big passionate public praise. At least a would make an effort to applaud fat lesbian of a certain age, it’s not little. I mean generating that much the shows I’d perform on the that likely. Yet that’s exactly what elation, exhilaration, and joy has freplace hearth. Of course now I happened to me Saturday night. to be at least part of the appeal of know they were just glad it was I’m still trying to take it in. living life in the Big Time. over. Even so, I ate it up. The really big stars, someone like But for us little people, the relative When lesbian comic Karen Ellen, say, or maybe the Pope— nobodies of the world, leading our Williams performed in town some arguably the two most admired small, more or less inconspicuous twenty-fve years ago, she offered a people on earth—are always lives, when are we ever likely to “Healing with Humor” workshop. in our press release we agreed play improv games and to plan The production company, two to identify ourselves as an all- and practice for any gigs we might local dykes who were friends of lesbian troupe, the ffth rat jumped have in the works. It’s pretty much ours, asked me and Wifey to attend ship. That’s not really fair, she down to once a year now, so our (for free) because not many people was working in the public school little local following has a long had signed up. As a favor we said district and, well, you remember wait between performances. Last yes and played along as Karen led the 90s. weekend’s show sold out. us– about a dozen local lesbos – in We re-did our photo and the four The stage manager knocked improv games. Fun! of us performed for the women’s with the fve minute call and the We all got together again to coffee house. The audience four of us lined up in the dark play the improv games Karen laughed a lot and we had a ball. In wings. The houselights went out, taught us. Lots of silliness and the green room during intermission I did my intro bit, “Ladies and laughing and every now and then Wifey said, “Well, I guess we’re gentlemen, and everyone beyond a moment of actual creativity. We an improv troupe.” Away we the gender binary, please welcome, met once a month just to play. went, performing on stages large WYMPROV!” and the crowd went Then in December of 1991, the and small, mostly local shows and wild. We made our entrance, took two-dyke production company fundraisers to fght the anti-gay a bow, applauded the audience, needed entertainment for their ballot measures that plagued our and they kept cheering. next women’s coffee house. They state back then. It was the longest opening applause asked if our group would perform All these years later WYMPROV! I’ve ever experienced, except for improv games. Like rats feeing a Is still together. We’ve amassed the time Ellen brought her “In the sinking ship, all but four of us ran two overfowing scrap books Beginning” show to town, the year in terror. stuffed with photos, event posters, after she came out. We gave her a About this time, a woman I’d publicity clippings, and reviews. ffteen-minute ovation. known from my college theater We never hit the big time, although We might just be little stars, but department, caught wind of our we tried to get ourselves booked we still get to shine in the glow play group and asked tp join. on the Olivia Cruises. That ship of unbridled audience affection. It Yes!. Now we were fve, named has sailed. sure feels great to be part of that ourselves WYMPROV! and a We still get together weekly to much happiness. friend took publicity photo. When LESBIANS ON LOCATION Olivia Caribbean Cruise
Christin And Ashley Commitment Ceremony Olivia Cruise to Caribbean
Ella and Gladi Olivia Commitment Ceremony Ella and Tisha
Gladi on Las Olas St. Grand Turks Island Olivia Caribbean Cruise
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Meryl at Gran Forno Las Olas St. Olivia Commitment Ceremony
Olivia Commitment Ceremony Olivia Cruise Ashley, Gladi and Karen Olivia Caribbean Cruise
Olivia Commitment Ceremony Towel animal from Caribbean Cruise
Ella in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Olivia Caribbean Cruise
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Diane and Meryl Donna and Annie
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Joanne and Rose Linda and kelly
Michelle Balan Olivia’s Caribbean Cruise
LESBIAN NEWS Vendange Carmel Inn | By Lillian Jensen
endange is the drinking a glass of wine around the for a honeymoon or romantic perfect getaway fre pit, or stopping by the lobby getaway. destination located for nightly hors d’oeuvres, will The Inn offers breakfast daily. in the village of make your trip more memorable. Carmel-by-the- Wine Themed Rooms: are Dawn’s There are 18 rooms in the Inn Sea. It is the frst wine themed Dream, Galante, J. Lohr, Joullian, V which is owned and operated by Inn in all of Carmel and Monterey. Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, the Lee family. Sleeping areas are Each room is named after a local Pierce Winery, Tudor, Twisted appointed with memory foam- winery. These partnered wineries Roots, Ventana, Cima Colina. top beds, deluxe linens, WiFi, design their own rooms in their and high-defnition fat screen own creative manner, providing televisions. guests with a memorable and fun experience. Carmel Beach, The separate Cottage Suite offers has exquisite shops, world class a generous 650 square feet of restaurants and beautiful beaches. living space. With a California You’ll see what makes Vendange King bed, 50” high defnition fat a once in a lifetime stay. Their screen television, gas freplace and gardens, the grand pergola, kitchenette, it’s the perfect place You can watch all the Gay USA video’s by clicking the video above. Internet Connection required. MOVIES EYE C
Indie a go go for film at Sundance 2016 | By John Esther
nce again, in Utah, but I was fortunate to see were two teenage girls who were the Sundance some of this year’s selections via raped, violated and vandalized by Film Festival remote. Keep an eye out for the boys the girls knew from school. kicked off the following flms -- coming to a Further exposed and humiliated new year in screen near you. via social media without consent, independent cinema from around one of these girls took her own life O Audrie and Daisy – Fortunately the globe. Running Jan. 21-31, while the other one fought back picked up at Sundance, co-directors the Park City-based flm festival against a society where female Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk’s offered a plethora of flms made victims are often systematically feisty, enraging and riveting by non-Hollywood flmmakers blamed for being violated. While documentary should be seen by as (although there were plenty of the aftermath of the young girl’s many American adolescents and studio selections) which often suicide has its own disturbing parents as possible. The titular challenged the status quo narrative. merits, what happens to the other subjects of the documentary girl who takes on a poisoned For the frst time since 2003, I was society flled with misogyny and unable to attend the flm festival sexual frustration (but I repeat enough, highly unfriendly during paints his family as one where myself) and fueled by excessive the formidable years of today’s the father is a “public jackoff” alcoholic consumption is yet youth. who is abusive in private while another all-too-familiar illustration his mother has incestuous desires Dinner with Brett Gelman and of America’s war against females. for her son. To their chagrin and Brett Gelman’s Family – The I write kudos to the families who horror, his parents, especially the next in an Adult Swim series, the stick up for their girls and a pox father are not amused. But the son flm starts off with a young man on those who side with sexual is only beginning. While this short (Brett Gelman) putting on a live predators (which are often times flm may not be everyone’s flthy show and dinner for his parents on other adolescent females). When cup of tea, I found it to be one of their anniversary. Set in a theater, this documentary comes to your the smartest, funniest (laugh out Brett hires Tony Roberts and Patti town, I strongly urge viewers to loud) short flms I have seen in a Lupone to play his father and go with as many adolescents as long time. mother, respectively. Rather than possible. Just be prepared to have a nice, pious picture of adoration Fuckkkyouuu – Peppered with a long conversation afterward; and for the life his parents provided excerpts from Sylvia Plath’s I am not talking via social media, for Brett and his brother, the son “Elm,” Eddie Alcazar’s short which has proven to be, often experimental flm explores a young person’s identity through gender a love interest for Paul! Gina has in an embarrassing dance numbers (literally and metaphorically) as a brother, Anton (Noël Keulen), with the entire cast to the tune of the protagonist travels in time. who is a bit slow, but perfectly “The Mafa Twist” (I think). Featuring full nudity, gouging, scary to use as a bodyguard to Sand Storm – Written and directed and distorting images and sound frighten anyone who would dare by Elite Zexter, the patriarchal design, the music and sound design mess with Rikki. Meanwhile, the world of Bedouin culture receives by Flying Lotus are not bad, but nosy, comical neighbor who used a solid stern look in Zexter’s debut. the short flm is pretty boring. to be cop, Fred (René van ‘t Hof), The flm starts off innocently is determined to see his criminal The Little Gangster – “A cool enough. Layla (Lamis Ammar) neighbor put in jail (even if Fred father is strong,” says a Dutch and her father, Suliman (Haitham has to break a few laws and bones boy named Rik Boskamp as he Omari) are on their way home. in the process). Naturally, this is ‘bench pressed’ by a strong Layla has just returned from façade Rik has created is about man. “He has tattoos, drives a school. Dad is teaching daughter to get so big it will get out of his sports car…but my dad is none of how to drive. However, he is not hands and, perhaps, into the hands that.” Indeed, Rik’s father, Paul happy with her performance at of some real mobsters. Directed (Henry van Loon), is the epitome school. Once the two arrive, we by Arne Toonen and written of pusillanimous, a target for any learn the family reunion is about by Lotte Tabbers, The Little bully at the offce. Like father, to, shall we say, expand. Suliman Gangster bends its credulity to like son, Rik is constantly bullied is about to take on a second wife the breaking point on more than at school as well. Seemingly and Suliman’s mother, Jalila (Ruba a few occasions. But thanks to destined to be a punching bag, Rik Bial-Asfour) is in charge of the the quirky, elaborate screenplay discovers a mob flm just about the marital ceremony. Already boiling and fne acting these fights from time his dad gets a promotion. The with rage beneath the surface, the reality are forgivable -- for most promotion leads to a move where orthodox Jalila rages against her of the flm. Unfortunately, in the “Rikki Boskampi” is the new daughter after discovering she end, the narrative cannot sustain kid in town, to be feared because has a secret boyfriend at school. itself, eventually freeing itself his father is a chief mobster. The According to tradition, daughter from any pretense of plausibility. neighbors are at once afraid and must live and be loveless as mother. Moreover, the flm’s message intrigued by their new tough guy But once father fnds out, that is about bullying is a double edge neighbor while Rikki becomes when the real problems begin. sword. On one hand, some of the the cool kid in school. Through Not only does the flm display the bad guys get their just desserts. bravado and circumstance, Rikki banality and oppression behind On another hand, the flmmaker’s does not need to fght to win systems where gender determines adoring eye toward the mafa – battles. After school, Rik befriends superiority (in terms of power), bullies by exercise and defnition – the local Italian shop where Gina it also illustrates the vulgarity is unfortunate. To drive home this (Merel Polat) runs the place. Ah ha, behind mass conformity. unfortunate theme, the flm ends Maybe it’s time to write him off - and make this year’s returns far less taxing. And far more rewarding. One of the fnest accountants in town, with over 20 years of experience, Cathy Wilson is the most accessible. And knows every individual tax return starts with the individual. Whatever your needs, whatever your schedule, Cathy will make you feel comfortable. And secure in knowing, at last, you’ve come to the right place.
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enerally, I like release. Chairlift then went on their play album (EP). Called Bombastic, synthpop and frst international tour, opening it’s pretty well described by the electropop. Just for other bands. Patrick Wimberly title. There are only four tracks but about everyone took over for Pfenning in 2010. there’s not a bad one in the bunch knows about The album I received, Moth, was and each has a distinct sound that my crush on the released this past January. The separates it from the other three. GSwedish electropop artist, Robyn. album won’t be for everyone, but This is McKee’s second EP and I’m a bit undecided about this new if you think you might like a more she classifes it as a more creative, group called Chairlift, though. upbeat Mazzy Star, a band whose visual release and the music videos Their works defnitely classify as music is similar, then you may bear this out. think pieces but I do wish there like this more modern work. Here’s “Bombastic” with could be more defni-tion to each I liked the videos a lot, especially its ‘80s exercise motif: of their songs. After listening to “Amanaemonesia”. Talk about https://www.youtube.com/ them a while, they all sort of blend coordination! Watch it here: watch?v=LYgHiwTxe94 together into one non-ending song. https://www.youtube.com/ Style is one thing but monotone Warning—You may not want watch?v=98XRKr19jIE another. to watch “Bombastic” if you’ve “Romeo” is nice, as well. taken a vow of celibacy. Made up of Caroline Polachek https://www.youtube.com/ and Patrick Wimberly, the group And “Wasted Youth”: watch?v=CncbXK6vURA was originally formed, with Aaron https://www.youtube.com/ Pfenning instead of Wimberly, This track, “Ch-Ching” is one watch?v=HQ3ZwvohOkI of their more popular songs: to provide background music This isn’t Mckee’s frst rodeo. https://www.youtube.com/ for haunted houses. That sort of She’s been writing music for stars watch?v=nWSFlqBOgl8 explains a lot. Well, it was college, such as Katy Perry and Britney after all. That version of Chairlift It’s very similar to “Bruises”, Spears for years and fnally, she released a full-length album in which I think I might like better: now has executive creative control 2008, Does You Inspire You. https://www.youtube.com/ of her albums and EPs. I’m looking “Bruises” from that album, was watch?v=ZQ9hLOHj8ag forward to more from her. featured in an Apple commercial that launched the fourth-generation © 2016 Columbia Records http:// © 2015 Bonnie McKee Nano. Another single “Evident chairlifted.com/ Music http://www. Utensil” was nominated for an bonniemckeeoffcial.com/ award at the 2009 MTV Video n the other side Music Awards. This album was of the synthpop ‘Til next month— rereleased by Columbia Records spectrum, try out after the band signed with the Nat Bonnie McKee’s label. The rerelease included two new extended additional tracks not on the original O Home Ownership Financial= Freedom REFINANCE OR PURCHASES FHA / FHA 203K LOANS Put your CONVENTIONAL LOANS Let me help money to REVERSE MORTGAGES you get into work for you! the home you Stop renting! JUMBO LOANS deserve VA LOANS
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fter I saw Carol, flm had simply transported depth. But as a fction writer, I’m I couldn’t stop me. This was due, I’m sure, to a always ultimately most interested thinking about it. whole constellation of factors: in narrative, and how a particular “Thinking” isn’t the gorgeous cinematography, the story gets told. Screenwriter and entirely correct—I actors’ nuanced performances, playwright Phyllis Nagy took Acouldn’t stop feeling it. Defying Todd Haynes’s amazing ability Patricia Highsmith’s classic novel my usual tendencies toward to equally value surface and The Price of Salt and boiled over-intellectualizing and hyper- down the romance at its core to criticism, something about the a perfectly orchestrated micro- drama of nervous glances and brief everything from the coming-out coexisting narratives that do not exchanges loaded with subtext—a tale, to the lack of psychologizing join up in neat packages. taut, subtle, heady mix. about the state of one’s sexuality, So when you’re speaking about to what makes a good mother. All Nagy began adapting Highsmith’s flm logic vs. novel logic, are you of those things are what really novel in 1997, and spent many talking about an assumed need make that novel astonishing, still years going through the wringer for that kind of simplifcation in today. of rewrites and false starts. flm? Throughout the long and often But of course there’s novel Yes. People who fnance flms disheartening process, Nagy logic, there’s flm logic, there’s about lesbians are often straight fought to tell a different kind of emotional logic, and these things white men, not always, but lesbian love story. often don’t meet. It’s very easy to often, who in some way require get lost in the rabbit-hole of flm One of the few bright spots on the a pat on the back, a nod to their logic when you’re having to write list of Academy Award contenders own understanding of what the something that will attract money, this year is Nagy’s deserved psychological process is for actors, directors, you name it. nomination for Best Adapted women who choose to love other And so it’s very easy to give in to Screenplay. I spoke on the phone women. Many times I had to do the flm-logic notion that people to Nagy about narrative possibility, a little song and dance about how have to suffer for any number of queer vernacular, and the fantasy what is extraordinary about this their “affictions.” Suffer for their that fueled Carol. project is the lack of such logic— love, their art. And the single and would you ever expect that One of the reasons that both most important thing to me was kind of logic now from a gay male Highsmith’s novel and your the lack of banal psychologizing flm that you were producing? In adaptation feel transgressive about any of it. And once you some bizarre way we’ve moved to me is because they tell the have a director like Todd who beyond it to a certain extent in story of a young woman’s is equally committed to those flms about gay men, and gay men attraction to another woman things, it allows the whole thing are allowed to be hatched from an without following the shape to exist in the mainstream while egg, just gay. But lesbians require we’ve come to expect of a being outside of it—it is, actually, a very particular sort of self- conventional coming-out story; outside of the mainstream, still, I refection—which nobody I know the plot doesn’t follow that arc think. has actually ever gone through. from secrecy to openness, shame And what’s interesting to me is to acceptance. Can you talk But also the novel has such a that it’s not as if the characters about what it was like to write different temporal structure than don’t suffer—it’s just that they with both an awareness of that the flm. People who read the novel don’t suffer in the expected ways conventional arc, and the liberty are often convinced that they have or about the expected things. to ignore it? read stuff like that in Therese’s There’s room for different types sometimes Joycean passive- One of the reasons I wanted to of stories to get told. aggressive internal monologues continue to push on and try to That’s absolutely true. And they’re about the way she feels—but it’s get the flm made was because all happening, happily, at once. not in the book. It just isn’t there. of that very frst sense upon Another thing that often doesn’t And it’s such a bold choice not to reading the novel that there’s an make it into the screen—the do [that kind of psychologizing] extraordinary forward-thinking in the book, as well. about Highsmith’s position—on Just recently rereading the In this case it was actually quite they’re queer actually allows you novel, it’s so interesting to freeing. There was no way that to explore it much more deeply in think about the ways in which the scenes could be anything—at terms of the moment-to-moment the flm both feels similar and least in my version—other than dialogue. So I’m not carrying different, both temporally and just full of subtext. The drama around on my shoulder constantly, temperamentally—there’s so comes from the observing rituals, “Oh, but they’re gay, they have to much anxiety in the book, which and small gestures, and learning to be careful.” feels like a slightly different tone read a code. I like to think of it as As I understand it, The Price of from the movie. the queer vernacular of the time— Salt was, in a sense, the spinning for example, to say “Bon appétit” I think actually the flm is full of out of a fantasy of Highsmith’s to someone who you really want anxiety. It’s a visceral anxiety. In about Kathleen Senn, a woman to take to bed [as Carol says to the novel we get Carol, who is she encountered when she herself Therese at their frst lunch]. And quite a depressive, melancholy, was working in a department of course it can’t play like that, and anxious person—snappish, in store. While certainly there are otherwise it’s Bette Davis in the book—but because we have complications to the plot, the Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte or these long stretches of Therese’s novel and the flm are so seductive something. But there is a way in love-fueled, lust-flled odes to to me in part because that sense which I imagine these women— Carol, we lose sight of that. And of a fantasy remains—that especially Abby, Abby is the one what the flm allowed me to do the beautiful woman glimpsed who I think gets this much more is actually put that anxiety front across the department-store strongly—she knows what she’s and center in a way that Therese counter would be into women, listening to. And Therese doesn’t doesn’t understand. So the anxiety into you. Did you think about know what she’s listening to. is of a different sort, but it’s there. this as a fantasy at all? The air of strange menace, strange I really like how you put it, that Yes, of course there’s that level Highsmithian menace, it’s in the Therese doesn’t know what of fantasy. And it’s a clever flm in terms of how people are she’s listening to. And that adds one at that. I know that Pat saw looking at each other. The gaze, another layer of tension for Kathleen Senn across a crowded always. It’s diffcult because it viewers who do think they know foor and she wrote the book in a is, after all, Highsmith. But it is what they’re listening to. fever dream, and then added the also a book that is about every Yeah. That’s hopefully the way it details of other friends who went permutation of love. And that was works, when it flters down. through custody battles. But at its one of the things that I wanted to heart, it is a fantasy. Of course it really hold on to, and not make it This may sound counter-intuitive is. We’re inundated in fction, and into a persecuted lesbian tale. or self-defeating, but I never movies, with romances that are all thought of Therese and Carol as Thinking about your work fantasy. But we take them much being queer. Therefore, it was as a playwright—in several more seriously when they’re easy to write a firtation scene or a of your plays, you’ve created heterosexual fantasies. The flm love scene or whatever it happens queer characters who live in Love Story, which is one of my to be, a scene in which people are queer worlds, speak in a queer favorite guilty pleasure flms, is a in a situation where they’re being vernacular. How was it different fantasy that’s clothed in tragedy. monitored, or feel like they’re to write characters who don’t But it’s taken very seriously being watched. To forget that have access to those worlds, that because that whole fantasy of a language? poor girl who goes to Radcliffe, meets the richest man on campus– probably say that Therese is “on the at all. There’s an elevation of it’s exactly Carol, in a funny way. spectrum,” because she’s actually physical beauty that—and I But the way that people view it unable to lie, about little things, understand, it becomes a weapon and think about it is very different. big things. And we’re not used to in fghting oppression, and that’s seeing characters who actually tell fne, but there are so many people One of the things the book does the truth, basically, with no sense who will never talk about it, that frees the screenwriter is that of self-ironizing. You just don’t will never put themselves in the there is no Carol there—she’s know how to take it. So she is an position of saying “Wow, I know not a character so much as an odd creature, defnitely. And that’s I’m supposed to look like that, apparition, glimpsed in shards, by certainly true of the character in maybe I don’t want to.” So little Therese. And I was very conscious the book. Though I think I’ve taken things like that have a resonance when writing that character— many more liberties, actually, for me that are useful sometimes. in my mind she was actually a with the character of Therese fctional character. She was Grace And in Carol’s case, it was funny, in the flm. Because the book is Kelly in Rear Window, very I had to actually beg Todd to keep problematic in what it saddles her specifcally. Right down to the that line in, and have them actually with—she picks an isolationist sort of dirty-mindedness cloaked talk to each other in bed. I said, profession [set design], which by an icy wit. The fact that the “I don’t know about you guys, seems collaborative, but it’s not. flm works on that level is due to but women talk to each other, it’s It’s a little dull. And then we’ve several things—everybody behind just part of the thing.” It’s also got her on the road, again, getting the camera understanding that debunking the mythology of love over Carol with a series of odd jobs that’s what’s going on. And then scenes in general, of what makes in odd places. So I felt completely Cate Blanchett who is very aware, a good sex scene. And it certainly emboldened–and privileged–to I think, that she is performing a isn’t the setting, or the four-poster be able to differently adapt the dual task, in that she is playing a bed, or whatever people generally character for flm. I can’t think of character who is real, and yet she pull out of a hat. anyone who could have done the is also very aware of Therese’s flm better than Rooney. (This article is reprinted with idea of her. And those two things permission from Lambda are different. And I think that in This may be a stretch, but I Literary and LambdaLiterary. this case it’s in the script, and also was struck by the moment in org, where it originally appeared. in the actress giving the writer and your play Weldon Rising when The Lambda Literary is a director a huge assist. I think it’s Natty says of the Boy, “I never nonproft organization dedicated very diffcult to pull off, but she looked like that.” It’s the same to promoting LGBT literature.) does. thing Carol says to Therese the frst time she sees her naked. Is Interview: Sara Jaffe/Lambda I saw the flm twice, and the frst there something of particular Literary time I couldn’t take my eyes off interest to you about the queer Cate Blanchett—but it was so Photo credit: Kristina Harrison experience of aging/youth— interesting to see it the second especially as it’s played out on time and be able to shift my the body? attention to Therese, and think about how the flm allows the Yes. This did not used to be true fantasy to go both ways. of lesbian culture, but it’s always been true of gay male culture. Yes, absolutely. People now would You’re not allowed to age, not Politically Speaking
What Checks and Balances Look Like In Real Life | By Beth Shipp, Executive Director of LPAC
merican democracy one year, to the June 25th decision following Justice Scalia’s passing is remarkable. Our to legalize same-sex marriage, for that the Senate will not confrm an founders structured evidence of the importance of the Obama nominee. a genius system Supreme Court. And, we must only Senator Elizabeth Warren said it of government imagine what might happen if the best: Athat would thrive and evolve court were to uphold the onerous to facilitate the creation of restrictions in Texas on a woman’s Senate Republicans took an oath a fast growing country. And reproductive rights. just like Senate Democrats did. today, we’re living through a Abandoning the duties they swore The power to appoint justices to critical era that demonstrates the to uphold would threaten both the the court, an enumerated power brilliance of our system – as the Constitution and our democracy held by the president, remains one campaign for President marches itself. It would also prove that all of the most important powers he towards November, along with the Republican talk about loving or she has. And, it highlights why Congressional elections, in the Constitution is just that — we must work so hard to elect conjunction with the fnal year of empty talk. Hillary Clinton to the Presidency. the Obama administration, AND With the average age of a supreme As the campaign season intensifes a newly opened seat on the U.S. court justice at nearly 80, the next and shifts from the fght for the Supreme Court. It is the confuence president will likely have a few Democratic nomination to the of these milestones that makes for opportunities to appoint justices to general election battle, it’s easy a once-in-a-lifetime election with the highest court in the land. to ignore what is said every four historic consequences. years: this is the most important But, we must also remember that Coming before the court this term election of our lifetimes. However, the power to confrm a justice to are cases challenging public sector this year that oft repeated phrase the Supreme Court is held by the unions, race-conscious admissions is truer than has been the case, U.S. Senate. Beyond working to policies at a state university, at least in my lifetime. From the elect Hillary Clinton as the 45th voting rights, the Affordable Care U.S. Senate to the Presidency and president, it is critical to support Act’s contraceptive mandate, and thereby to the courts, the 2016 and elect more U.S. Senators who a critical abortion rights case from election marks the most crucial will vote to confrm the judicial Texas. And, the Supreme Court election of our lifetime as our candidates who are nominated. is tasked with interpreting and rights hang in the balance. Join Under the obstructionist GOP deciding the constitutionality of Team LPAC to help protect our senate, judicial confrmations have these cases, the results of which rights by electing candidates who slowed. Nothing demonstrates have real and direct impact on will be outspoken champions for the Republican’s abdication of American lives and the rights of LGBTQ women and our allies. their responsibility more than women. We must look back only the pre-emptive statements made ID 36774869 © 4snickers | Dreamstime.com PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS ADDRESSING YOUR NEEDS AND RIGHTS Mediation • Divorce • Child Custody & Visitation Pre-Nuptial Agreements • Adoptions • Wills Domestic Partnerships • Durable Power of Attorney LAW OFFICES OF KATE M. SCHREURS 12395 Lewis Street, Suite #201 Garden Grove, CA 92840 (714) 621-0628 • Fax (714) 621-0623 www.ocdivorceattykate.com E-mail: [email protected] Please call for a free ½ hour consultation. POSITIVE REFLECTIONS
THE DAY I ALMOST LOST MY CHIHUAHUA | By Dian Katz, MS
bout this chihuahua down the street looking back at chasing a miniature dog and I adopted!!!! No one me. She glares at me as if she were looking like an idiot! told me having a saying, “ha ha, look at me!!! I’m Neighbors start coming out of dog was like raising free!!! It’s like the Gingerbread their houses. Lovely! Everyone a 2 year-old!!@! So Man singing that little, “ha ha, knows my Little Dog who barks Aone day, I open the door to some you can’t catch me, I’m the at everything 10 times her size. construction workers and my tiny Gingerbread Man.” Ack! Little All of the neighbors have joined dog tears out the front door past me Dog, you are so in trouble when I forces and are running after a tiny and runs like a race horse during the get my hands on you!! The thing dog who is mocking us al! She opening gate. Oh no!!!! I thought about this chihuahua is just as I gets further and further away and she was safely upstairs with the get close to her, she zips off again. my anger turns to fear. My heart doggy gate up. Apparently not! It is like trying to catch a greased sinks. Ugh. As I turn around, she Once she gets out, she is almost pig!!! And what’s worse, I think comes back and taunts me some impossible to catch. I can almost see her laughing as more and then runs off again. I just I am out running down the street Off I go after her as she jets way don’t want her to get hit by a car. Then the most interesting thing saying he will help anytime and is walks toward me… Suddenly… happens. A man on a bike with glad to be of help. I discover why this man with the a Rottweiler, stops his bike and golden heart is just so special. I I was just so taken by this says he and his dog can help catch notice he can barely walk and is kind hearted man. He exuded my chihuahua. I’m thinking to disabled… compassion and seemed like an old myself, “oh sure, I can’t catch her soul. I knew there was something Do you mind telling me what but some stranger with a huge dog special about him and a reason happened to your leg? He proceeds that looks like it can eat my dog for beyond catching my dog as to to tell me he had an accident on a lunch, is going to catch her.” Sure, why we crossed paths. But I just fshing boat and hit his head which please do. The gentleman stays couldn’t put my fnger on it. He caused cerebral palsy. He lost on his bike holding his dog on its helps save my dog and thanks ME his job and is still fghting to get leash. My dog came running like for allowing him to help!!! That’s disability and is currently living a freight train. She charges over a rare trait these days. A few days with his elderly mom. He is going near me and is barking her head later, I DO fnd out why he is so through some immense struggles off at the monstrous dog and man special… but keeps a smile on his face. to protect me. His dog on the other Usually, those in the greatest pain hand, just stands there patiently as I text John asking when he is or have gone through horrendous if to say, “let me know when you available. “How about now,” he trauma, are the most genuine are done Little Dog.” I quickly replies. He seems thrilled and kindest people. scoop up my chi and game over! explains how he has waited for this Or is it? opportunity. Why? Is he interested My heart sank. Here he was in me romantically? Or is there wanting so badly to help me when Something unique comes out of another reason? Are there really it was he who deserved the help this stressful ordeal. The man people out there that just want to more. He had no attraction to with the dog, (in his late 30’s, help? me. He simply wanted to make a early 40’s) introduces himself and difference. We walked a block and says he is my neighbor. He lives He met up with me on his bike near said goodbye. He texted me a few at such and such and said he can my house with his dog. Of course times afterward thanking “me” help train Little Dog. “You can?” Little Dog went berserk. He tells again for allowing him to help. I I say with excitement. “I adopted me, don’t look at her and keep told him he was one of the kindest this senior dog and it is very my eyes on him. He obviously and gentlest men I have met in a diffcult to train her now at her knows I want to nurture my dog long time. Again, he thanked “me” age.” The gentleman, John (not because she seems frightened but for saying that because he needed his real name), goes on to tell me he insists I don’t look at her. I also the reassurance he said. So we that he will use his trained service desperately want to tell her to stop were mutually helping each other.. Rottweiler dog! I wondered why barking but he tells me just keep he has a service dog but that’s looking at him and don’t look A scary ordeal of losing a dog, neither here nor there, I was just down at her. I realize, this guy is turns into a golden moment of thrilled I had someone interested training “me,” not the dog. John meeting a guardian angel. There in helping me with her. I would is so gentle with Little Dog AND are no accidents… love that and ask him how much me. Little Dog eventually calms are his services? “Oh no charge. I down and starts walking with me, just love helping others,” he says. an unknown man on a bike, and a Wow!!! How amazing is that!!! huge Rottweiler. John tells me he We exchange numbers, I thank would like to walk with us but can him again, he says goodbye and only walk a block. Um, sure, okay. rides off on his bike with his dog. We stop off at his house to drop off A short time later, he texts me his bike. He gets off the bike and ID 36044493 © Pafy1969 | Dreamstime.com LAWLAW && MEDIATIONMEDIATION OFFICEOFFICE OFOF DIANEDIANE M.M. GOODMAN,GOODMAN, APCAPC
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17043 Ventura Boulevard Encino, CA 91316 Tel: 818-386-2889 www.goodmanmediation.com Mendocino: Where Redwoods Meet the Pacifc | By Stephanie Papadakis
endocino frst and found that Mendocino is a Maps search, you have to drive fagged my charming historic town (and a through the Anderson Valley to radar when I was town it is) of less than 1,000 people get to it (score!) and that’s always working for a with a lot of heart and soul. It a plus on any good long-weekend wine magazine was founded in 1850 as a logging getaway. Five years later, my Min Northern California. I had the community, and many of its partner and I fnally made the trip opportunity to go to many industry settlers were from New England, up. tastings, and the wines I most as well as Portugal and China (as Getting There enjoyed happened to be from the a result, you feel as if you are in Anderson Valley, on Mendocino’s a beach town in New England). Getting to Mendocino is a bit of coastal ridge. Around the same Today, Mendocino is a bustling a trek for those who don’t live time, I signed up for Groupon and artist’s community, known for its in the Bay Area – it’s a three- kept seeing discount offers for music festival and many galleries hour drive from San Francisco, bed & breakfasts in the town of sprinkled throughout town. so plan accordingly if you have Mendocino. Not really knowing to fy in and rent a car (you can I also realized, upon a Google much about the northern coast of fy into San Francisco, Oakland California, I did a little research or Santa Rosa). But it is so worth it! Depending on how much time If you get hungry on the way, We stayed at the MacCallum you have, it’s best to drive up in there are many great restaurants House, built in 1882, complete the morning to maximize your (trust me, wherever you stop you with rooms in the main house, time. Once you get past Santa won’t be disappointed), or you rooms in the lighthouse, rooms Rosa, you’re on an open road of can pick up some local cheese and in a renovated barn, and vacation farmland as far as the eye can crackers made from cracked red rentals (off-property). Regardless see, and Route 128 is flled with wheat grown in the area (this part of which room or rental you stay wineries, breweries, local cheese of the state gives a new defnition in, they offer a full complimentary shops, and fantastic restaurants, of hyper local) at the only corner breakfast (drinks not included) in as well as redwood forests and the store in Yorkville. their award-winning restaurant. beautiful Pacifc Coast. One of Where to Stay We stayed in the vacation rental a the best known breweries in the few hundred yards from the main There are many great places state, Anderson Valley Brewing hotel, which comes equipped with to stay in town, and you have Company, is located in the town two bedrooms (one with a king your choice of intimate bed & of Boonville and defnitely worth bed!), a freplace, full kitchen, two breakfasts or vacation rentals. stopping at. bathrooms, and a hot tub. It was a
little big for just two people, but sauvignons of Napa. Foursight For those that don’t want to get all the amenities made it worth it. Wines specializes in pinot noir, into your car, you can always a food-friendly varietal great for walk along the tide pools looking What to Do pairing. for sea anemone and starfsh. Mendocino is flled with day Pro-tip: in the winter, you’ll see For the active woman, Mendocino activities just waiting to be done. whales swimming south towards is surrounded by fve state parks If you like to drink wine, head warmer waters. When we were so if you like to hike or bike, this back on Route 128 and take your there in February, we saw almost is a great place for you. Russian pick of wineries. My personal 20 whales! Gulch State Park is just four favorite is Navarro Vineyards, miles north and offers a plethora Of course, if you just want to where they have something for of beauty, with both shorter and stroll around town, there’s plenty everyone. They specialize in longer hikes depending on your to see. There are two main roads cool-climate, Alsatian varietals preference. You can also rent with restaurants and galleries, (gewürztraminer, viognier, pinot kayaks in Little River (a fve- Main Street and Lansing Street. gris, and pinot noir), which is minute drive south of town) and Main Street faces the bay, with a nice difference from the big- paddle upriver or into the bay. buildings on one side and iconic boned chardonnays and cabernet coastal bluffs on the other. There and cheese and jalapeño cheddar restaurant has a fantastic prix fxe, are plenty of kitschy shops selling are buttery goodness, and the size with local and organic ingredients locally made jams and fruit of them will keep you satisfed from the owner’s garden. On a cute butters, and lots of art galleries to for hours. The coffee is also fair side street sits Cafe Beaujolais, wander in and out of. Be sure to trade and organic so you can’t go a wonderful French-inspired check out the nature stroll along wrong there. restaurant featuring locally the bluffs - you’ll learn a lot about sourced and organic products, For lunch (or snack), stop by the marine life below. as well as fsh and game sourced Corners of the Mouth Health within a 20-mile radius. The leg Where to Eat Food Store (it’s in an old church) of lamb and the duck two ways and grab something from the For a town with such a small are particular favorites. salad bar or a sandwich from the population, Mendocino’s cuisine counter. Harvest Market is also All in all, if you’re looking for a rivals some of the best of big cities a good choice, and they have a place to celebrate an anniversary, along the West Coast. The Good great selection of local wines to or just to be around nature, Life Cafe & Bakery features baked pair with it. choose Mendocino. You won’t be goods of all sorts - with plenty of disappointed! gluten-free options, but the real Dinner is the time when Mendocino winners are the croissants. Ham shines. The MacCallum House QUEERLY QUESTIONING
Hashtag Activism Fights Homophobia and Wins
| By Juno Parreñas, PhD
oxer Manny Pacquiao homophobic; people would within 24 hours of the petition has long been an get outraged; Pacquiao would going live. Counter-petitions went outspoken homophobe apologize, then everyone would around, including one asking the who speaks strongly forget and carry on. This time, Philippine government to make against same-sex he didn’t want it to be forgotten. Aries a persona non grata, which Bmarriage. In 2012, he directed a Chatting on a Facebook discussion would be very tricky for a diasporic message towards Obama to try group with other LGBT Filipinos Filipino doing research in the to change the president’s mind based in New York, the group Philippines. He’s since received on gay marriage on the grounds wanted to issue a public statement. so many angry messages, he had that it “adultrate[d] the alter of Aries agreed and he wanted to to take himself off the student matrimony, like in the days of take it a step further and hit it directory of his department’s Sodom and Gomorrah.” Again, where it hurts: the pocketbook. website. Still, for Aries, it was in 2016, he said the following in Suggesting something for Aries worth it: it was an opportunity for Tagalog, but translated to English: means following through instead Filipinos to come out and expand “Do you see animals mating with of letting it hang there for someone social possibilities in a country the same sex? Animals are better else to take on. So he took fve politically dominated by Catholic because they can distinguish male minutes before one of his seminar doctrine on sexuality. from female. If men mate with classes to write the petition itself In the aftermath, some point out men and women mate with women on change.org with the hashtag that Nike was quick to drop a they are worse than animals. But #DropPacman. homophobe, but was not so quick I am not condemning them. Just The point for Aries in writing the to drop sweatshop labor practices. their marriage and committing sin petition was not to force Pacquiao Seeing the list of the 50 highest against God.” to issue an apology. Rather, paid athletes, anyone can see how This time, however, resulted in writing with sensitivity towards a corporate endorsements perpetuate Nike dropping their endorsement Christian ethics, Aries wanted to gender inequality in professional of the athlete. Such endorsements offer redemption. As Aries said to sports. The top paid female athlete from corporate sponsors had me in a chat recently, “The goal is Nr. 26: Maria Sharpova. The hitherto earned Pacquiao the Nr. 2 was to get Pacquiao to meet with other woman on the list is none spot on the 2015 list of highest paid activists and to give him a chance other than the greatest athlete athletes in the world. Between to redeem himself.” alive: Serena Williams at Nr. 47. 2012 and 2016, what changed? When we buy Nike gear, we buy Aries hadn’t thought much of it as the technical expertise of wicking Aries dela Cruz, a PhD candidate in he went on with the seminar, being fabric, designers who determine Anthropology and coincidentally the exemplary student-scholar that aesthetics, and a pantheon in one of my personal acquaintances, Aries is. The petition then went which who gets what and how felt that this incident threatened to viral within the 2 hours of class much seems to be simply unfair. become a pattern for Pacquiao: time. Nike dropped Pacquiao Pacquiao would say something ID 62364384 © Marcin Wos | Dreamstime.com
Spirituality
Embrace it All | By Dina Evan, Ph.D.
n my twenties, while siting the things you love, for instance, my monkey. The awareness that in an old Italian restaurant, my sixty-year-old toy poodle, we each get to learn at our own I noticed a couple of people Gracie. Years ago, I learned from pace, in our own way is freeing. wandering around from table the love of my life that food can I respect that and know it’s not to table. One was selling be satisfying and not just fuel. my job to fx anyone. My job is Iroses and the other a fortune Hence, I have no shame having simply to be truly present, offer teller, dressed as a gypsy, who just fnished the other half of the the best of what I have, and it’s eventually approached our table. very satisfying hamburger that I not my business what people do She quietly saddled up beside couldn’t eat last night...and it’s with it. each of us and when she got to me, only ten am. I love non-slip socks One of the things I value the most one thing I still remember that she and slippers. I love lingering is the truth that life is never just said,” You will have a long life. hugs, an occasional Diet Pepsi this or that. It’s all of it. There is You will live to be seventy-six.” and popcorn. Most of all I love a bit of truth in every lie. There is Something inside resonated with learning. In a close second, is my a bit of pain in every joy. There that. On the 12th of this month, I cashmere coat, my down quilt and is a gift in the center of every turn seventy-four. my car with bells and whistles. challenge. At this age I offer you In seventy-four years, you learn a And then there is the soul work, that truth so that you, more quickly lot, especially what you love and the gifts you can’t touch or live than I, can stand, arms and heart what you don’t. I hate injustice, without. I treasure the many truths wide open, bravely unafraid to let the misuse of power, the inequality I have learned and look forward all of life in. of women and minorities and to sharing with you. The kind Dr Dina Evan kale. I love life and the lessons that sear a path up your spine and I created this time around. As rattle your teeth, such as there For more information, tools and you become less able to jump really is life after death and the contact visit DrDinaEvan.com or off tall buildings and solve the truth that I create my own reality. email at [email protected] world’s greatest problems, you I love the truth that sometimes it’s start smiling quietly inside about not my circus and therefore, not
© Nicolas De Corte | Dreamstime.com THEORHETICALLY SPEAKING
The Rope | By Nikki McCauley
ystem of the shame- parts Chain of events that make her afraid - fear You saying you love me and me unlocking my whole got me on value trades, like I’m for sale on heart the markets of exchange opportunities for the two of these as if the proposed could ever be as good as until they tire of doing their best routines Sthe gain then arguing over little things because now I’m crawling on scraped knees…can’t see, they refuse to face the truth … they are mirroring befriending foes bone to street - longing for love notes - prose repeat behold the abortion of a pregnancy of a brilliant being and it’s my blood she drinks - vampires frenzy that whose touched heaven but loves to crawl on the feeds on the fall of kings ground with flthy things now an ant in a line with marching orders, serving Sail… blame it on my A.D.D. the purpose of this position when once upon a time my hand was on the Twelve embittered by the poison in love with the love bite living a new day in a conscious stream that itches no need to read the signs ambition my addiction-and publicly swearing, baby, I was reading minds sharing, speaking with philosophies no really I mean it —trust me-this time it’s different… the philosophers were quoting me upped my energy… frequency at a level where I Ignoring the blood pouring having another Jesus could frequently, frequent between moment the perceived and reality- in the garden, transforming from naked engaging communications with the minds of time, she was laughing so now I am in stitches… times, time in love with what’s in the mirror , my fashion the ancestors answer, cause they are all witnesses of Instagramming but Gd’s out the picture the witnessing… stuck on pause, in love with the position of living on of those who can manifest the envisioned into the my needs… seen cause it’s all I can see while in denial so the scene is released free Arrested in rest - real life - true confessions from the hand of thought of a failure to stay ascended, self betrayal, relationships off the page of the scribe, and is, lived and acted out anonymous blipped by a deja vous despite how much I donate because I encountered a memory of a corrupted my sleep, my time, my breath thought left hung over and forgot the pain of a twisted plot a pound of fesh lost in the pleasures of going down … needy…is what echoes thinking of the escalator and heard it but I rejected this misplaced the miles, I crawled to mountaintop offended by mere mention of its share existence living on my knees because of neediness… got me I’m tripping bound to the comfort zone middle fngers extended of orgasmic bliss mind fucking betrayal from the prettiest lips Thus, I woke up in places - can’t face - look away while staring in the mirror drawn in to sleep - can’t stay awake projections from a broken lens phases we make love in the parks - unable to procreate used love light now only done after dark in the tunnels remain- remnants of trains of thoughts a mask for the headless- habitual- skipping to favorite
ID 29652796 © Mikphotographer | Dreamstime.com POETRY Angles & Tits | By Morag Hillsinger
She’s a Barbie Hard and plastic
But I like her Because she worked hard To get that way
Rocking profle, molded by Artisan hands
She chose Angles and tits that Look good in a sweater
You can see Her shadow If you squint your eyes
As long as you don’t get To close.
© Margaritavasina | Dreamstime.com COLLEEN & DANA’S TAHITIAN ADVENTURE
Words That make sense Never Too Old To Find Your Way | By Toni Hart
s we age, we may how you are going to spend the may have to try several different believe we’re post retirement years, you may be organizations until you fnd a good getting to old to in for a rude awakening. ft. Decide what you like to do and do the things we who you like to do it with. You wake up the next week full used to do.Younger of excitement and delight to have When I frst retired, I took a course friends tease us because from A on how to work with seniors. They all this time to do whatever you time to time we may forget dates, please. Let’s see...what frst? The were people much older than I occasions, phone numbers or the frst few weeks may be spent was. I found the ones assigned to like. Actually, everyone forgets in delightful pursuit of fun and me to be grumpy, abusive and not “stuff” from time to time and not friendship - going to lunches, at all nice. Of course all seniors all of it is the fault of advancing movies , shopping etc. Some of aren’t that way, I was just unlucky. years. your closest buddies may not yet So, then I turned to the elementary Some of “forgetting” that we have retired yet. However, there schools, hoping I could work with experience as we age is due to are still so many things that you’ve young children and help them in disinterest in the subject. If you neglected all these years. their studies. The schools I went to have a meeting coming up that didn’t have any program set up but Then, slowly but surely, you grind you are not particularly interested they could use me to fle, paste and to a halt and feel like you have in, you may put it into the back of cut out pictures. NO THANKS. fallen into a hole. You need to fnd your memory bank and forget it something meaningful to do...but Luckily for me, I heard of a temporarily or even completely. what? You search the volunteer program where I could travel Also, as we age, we may decide feld to fnd something where your from class to class and read to to discontinue the career path talents will meet the requirements elementary school children every we’ve pursued for the last twenty of the volunteer venue. Sometimes week. It was a dream come true. or thirty plus years in favor of this is easy and sometimes not. You I have been working at the same retirement. Ah...... retirement. may sign on for a position with an school now for over 22 years and That time later in life where you organization that has no idea what read to eight classes a week. I truly can do anything and everything to do with volunteers - or they love it and I know the children you desire. However, it’s not all may put you into a position that love it because they tell me so in that it’s cracked up to be. If you is years below your abilities. You the sweet and loving letters they retire without some thought on never know until you start. You write to me.
ID 41497620 © Sepy67 | Dreamstime.com FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden
he Wheel of Fortune is in Pisces will be in opposition the year. Take time to reconnect spinning, with Eclipses, to Jupiter in Virgo, making this to your goals and intentions now. Spring Equinox, and eclipse much grander in scale. We are fnished with the frst important planetary There is a theme of healing quarter of 2016 and there’s still a shifts in the offng. and compassion here, since the lot more excitement to come! TPisces energy will highlight planetoid Chiron, the wounded The Full Moon on March 23, creativity, but make reality a bit healer, is also part of this mix. 2016 is also a Lunar Eclipse slippery. Fiery planetary energy East Asia and Australia are in the at 3 degrees Libra. Events that will push events forward towards “target zone” for the height of the were set in motion at the time the end of the month. eclipse. There may be key world of the Solar Eclipse on March 8 events and/or increased seismic Mars in Sagittarius brings an may take on deeper signifcance activity around this time. If your energetic thrust to our personal now. The Aries/Libra polarity birthday falls near to this eclipse, desires. It can also make some highlights relationships and the you will be in for an important people a little pushy, too. Use this need to balance autonomy with and eventful year ahead. It would vibration to tackle projects that interdependence. be best to back off from extreme require action and enthusiasm. activities and major life decisions Opportunity Days: March 2, 4, The Quarter Moon in Sagittarius around the time of the eclipse. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25 on March 1, 2016 will make Mercury and Neptune hook up and 26 compelling aspects to many in Pisces just after the eclipse, planets for a few days. But take which is great for psychic energy For all the Signs: Pisces note: this is a better time to follow and creativity, but not so good for individuals born around March 8 through on projects that have cold, hard logic. will be experiencing a major shift already begun, not to start new in consciousness as the Solar ones. Spring Equinox arrives on Eclipse comes into focus. Aries Saturday, March 19, 2016 at born around March 23 will get There’s a Total Solar Eclipse at 18 9:30 pm Pacifc Time. The Sun’s the second wave of change from degrees Pisces on March 8, 2016. entrance into Aries heralds the Lunar Eclipse. And everyone It’s also a Supermoon, which in Spring in the Northern will have these eclipses lining will ratchet up the energy even Hemisphere, Fall in the Southern up somewhere important in their more. Eclipses tend to be rather hemisphere. This is one of the birth charts. Suffce it to say, “fateful” and this one will not four major “turning points” of March will not be boring! disappoint. The Sun and Moon
Aries (March 21-April 19) You’ll feel like Libra (September 23-October 22 ) Put energy moving ahead, but you might not have a clear into activities that produce stability at this time. idea of where to go! Take some time to tune in to your Enhance your sense of inner balance by getting in higher, deeper self now. Focus on healing and going tune with your physical being. Clear out unwanted within. Listen to your intuition. Embrace activities clutter in your personal space, and at work. You need that help you elevate your spirit. Attend to health your strength, as there are many changes coming in needs. the months ahead. Recalibrate.
Taurus (April 20-May20) Your personal and Scorpio (October 23 to November 21) worldly goals are favored. This is a time of Enormous spiritual and creative energies are fertility and abundance for you, so enjoy it. Love is at your disposal. Healing energy is enhanced. Use in the air. This is a great time for networking and all the insights you have now to plan for future success. social activities. Connect with others who share your interests and beliefs. Don’t make excuses to be reclusive, now is Gemini (May 21 to June 20) Important not the time for solitude. developments unfold in your career zone. Pay attention and be ready to act upon opportunities, but Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Be ONLY if they look solid. You must balance your patient and channel your energy into productive need for change with some stability now. Let go of activities at this time. Focus on home, family, and baggage about old relationships. your personal life. Balance your inner world with your career goals for the best results. Do not sacrifce Cancer (June 21 to July 21) Lot’s of important one for the other. information is coming to you. Things you learn about now will help you make solid plans for the Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Create rest of the year. Get into a good groove with daily a fow in your daily activities and commit activities and health. Legal matters will be highlighted to learning and progress. Take care of loose ends for some Cancers. in business and resist the tendency to scatter or procrastinate. Follow through on projects that have Leo (July 23-August 22) Take a good look at all fallen by the wayside. Bring order to your chaos. matters concerning money and resources. You may have an opportunity for fnancial gain, possibly Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Get your through a partnership. There are old cycles ending priorities in order and put some energy into at this time, and this will lead to progress and more your fnancial stability. A clear and realistic attitude freedom. will ensure gain. No fuzzy thinking or speculation allowed now. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Powerful insights arise concerning important Pisces (February 19-March 20) Its time to relationships. Single Virgos could fnd romance. be strong and let people know who you Align yourself with your true allies and let go of are. Relationships with important new people are connections that are not getting you anywhere. You developing. Put energy into all things that will help could be lucky with both love and money now. Focus you learn and advance. Find the balance between on existing plans and projects rather than starting your personal desires, and the need to take care of new things. work and responsibilities.
© Starblue | Dreamstime.com L e s b i a n N e w s Gift Guide
© Anphotos | Dreamstime.com WET FOR HER
Get a free bottle of Lube with order. Details on last page. Twisted Roots Vineyard
Happy New Year! Well we are offcially into the New Year and that means a fresh new start, with new goals and expectations of what is ahead of us this year. Well the vineyards of Twisted Roots are no different, we too are eagerly awaiting a new start to our growing season. Currently the vineyard is pretty bare, so much so that one might not see the future as too bright, given the almost dead look to the vines. This time of year, the vines are completely dormant and bare, with all the leaves falling off and the canes all over the place. That being said, this is a very important time of the year, a time that can determine the production and quality of the grapes that will ultimately become our 2015 vintages. Even though our family has been at this for three generations now and almost 100 years, it is still the time of year that causes us concern. Pruning is an art of delicate balance; too much will cause small, uneconomical crops; too little will cause over-cropping and low-quality fruit. Pruning also facilitates cultivation, disease control and harvesting, when the vines are trained to a grow in a particular shape. It is a skill that requires experience and judgment and cannot be done by machine. Ross, who spent his entire life on the vineyard and learned from his father on how to properly prune our vines, so that just the right amount of grapes would be produced and the best quality would be achieved. If we leave too many buds, which means lots of grapes will be produced, then our wine will be light and fabby, too few buds and we lose tonnage and don’t have enough great wine to go around. When it comes to our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard, the entire situation of pruning changes. As you can see from the picture here, these vines are wild and twisted by their very nature, so pruning becomes very diffcult. The key to our rich, bold, yet soft favors in our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel wines, is pruning these vines so that they don’t over produce and over work these old vines. With most of the wood on these vines being dead and hollow, if we leave the same number of buds as the rest of our vines, we would end up over working the vines and end up killing the old vines. While only 4 acres remain of the original vineyard from 1918, we always struggle with wanting to maximize the number of bottles each year, we always want to protect our family history and want to make sure that the vines are going to be around for the future as well. So next time you are out and about, and happen by a vineyard, remember that while it might look like nothing but twigs, there is a lot more going on out there. Someone, somewhere is focused and concerned about how to handle this mess of twigs. Cheers Josh Ruiz Co-Owner/Winemaker
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n her work of the past three apparent. Masterpol recapitulates of De Kooning, Picasso, et al, as years Rose Masterpol has that infuence with remarkable just that examples of spirit, more been oscillating between a intelligence and sensitivity: these important to her for their attitude drawn line, animated by color are genuine, unabashed Abstract than for their manner. She has as well as its own fagellating Expressionist works right down learned from them, for instance, Itrail, and a more painterly stroke to their Surrealist reliance on the to pace herself across a visual that provides given expanses with impulsive mark and their Cubist feld but the pace she maintains is texture as well as hue. The drawn articulation of space. entirely her own. She has learned line assumes a rhythmic animation to segue strategically from color akin to graffti writing and on The irony is that Masterpol¹s to color rather than simply dump occasion even cartoon caricature, more ³historic² painting is, if paint in various areas but the colors seeming almost choreographed. anything, less studied than her result from her own perception, Here Masterpol, deliberately or more ³contemporary² work. When and her segues embody her own not, proposes a translation of hip- she responds to the bold moves sensibility. With every lesson hop and other urban dance into and bright contrasts of today¹s learned, Masterpol fnds herself non-objective painting, perhaps pop idioms she picks up on more profoundly as a painter. even a kind of notation; certainly, their stylizations no less than on she is re-purposing the energy of their power; she refects the fact Rose Masterpol would seem to be the ³street² to painterly effect. that, even while they depend on two painters in one. In fact, she boundless invention, the popular is one painter paying attention That level of energy carries over arts allow their artists limited to two modes of expression. into Masterpol¹s larger, even more freedom. Like any good pop artist, Both those modes are urgent and ambitious canvases; but in these, Masterpol capitalizes on such convincing, and she responds to she puts aside the self-conscious restraint by playing off it, letting both with insight, conviction, and project of contemporary refection restricted modality amplify her unmistakable personality. Those and allows herself the luxury inventiveness. two modes would seem to have of pure painting. If the ³drawn² little to say to each other; but, like paintings manifest a vigorous but For truly liberated painting, someone brought up bi-lingually, studied response to pop culture, however, she turns to a tradition Masterpol speaks both with poetic the ³painted² paintings embody of liberty that she can only inherit fuency and effortless translation, Masterpol¹s equally fervent but from fellow painters. In this regard, fnding and building vivid entirely spontaneous response Masterpol proceeds in the wake connections between them. to artists who have come before of her infuences with voluble her. She cites Joan Mitchell, confdence, studying and ³feeling² For more information on Rose Pollock, Picasso, De Kooning, rather than simply imitating their Masterpol’s works, please Kline, and Motherwell as models, imagery or their method. Indeed, visit her website and their infuence is readily she comprehends the examples SUSAN ST. THOMAS GALLERY
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Domestic Abuse / Violence - Get Help Domestic abuse and violence have been front-page news lately, and a topic of discussion throughout the country. The US Department of Justice defnes domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” It can be: Physical Sexual Emotional Economic Psychological
If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there is help out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) LESBIAN NEWS
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