S: Is for Global Warming

We live in a World where Global Warming isn’t just a threat but a reality. “An Inconvenient Truth” as stated by Al Gore. How can you doubt the reality when our winter didn’t even start till January? The Mid-West and Europe are being pounded as I write by killer ice storms and torrential floods. When will we open our eyes? A week after I saw the film an ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields snapped free from Canada's Arctic Shelf. 10 years ago scientists assumed that when global warming occurred it would be gradual but the truth is, that it is happening at an accelerated rate. We are crossing climatic thresholds, and it is signaling change ahead. Our scientists are trying to tell us El Nino is to blame. According to NOAA this just is not true. Here’s the link to read and decide for your selves. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html
From “An Inconvenient Truth” I learned that Al Gore is thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, relaxed, inspiring and funny. Hey any friend of Carl Sagan has my vote. I wish I had known before. I didn’t! The critic’s state this film is a political rally for Gore because he goes over the lost election. I disagree! In watching this film I can unfortunately say the reason he wasn’t elected were all the reasons I like him. Had he been our president he would of put the corporations on notice and in this country that just won’t do. I wish to God I had voted that year but I was so feed up with the lies I didn’t vote at all. Who knew a politician could put humanity in the forefront. Thank-you Al Gore for at least letting me know it exists.
There is hope if only we’d wake up, stopped being frightened and start to prepare. Go see “An Inconvenient Truth” learn what is happening. Read and sign petitions such as http://www.thebreakthrough.org/files/GWPreparedness.pdf. Prepare your home with a supply of fresh water, canned goods and things to get you by in case. This isn’t a doomsday article but one of knowledge. Don’t be caught off guard in the face of staggering and foreseeable human tragedies. Some times the F.A.C.T.S are hard to face.

T: Is for 20th Century Fox

When you’re a child raised in Hollywood the back lots of 20th Century Fox become your playground. It is not uncommon to have Natalie Wood, Tyrone Power or Norman Rockwell sit at your dinner table. Drinking root beer floats and watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers is a weekend past time. And while young girls dream of their first kiss, I was getting mine by Cary Grant.
Last night these memories and more flooded my senses as I walked into Swann Gallery located at 104 East 25th Street. 80 years of Fox’s memorabilia lined the wall and more were listed in the catalog. At 17 I sang, “Put the Blame on Mame” in a tribute to Rita Hayworth at the Hollywood Palladium. Here were pictures and documents signed by a 16-year-old Margarita Canisno and her parents. Her name would later be changed to Rita Hayworth. In junior high I was a part of a group and was picked to sing and dance on the last Bing Crosby Christmas special. Here was Bing’s life documented by contracts. Bogart, Elvis, Clark, Grable, Hepburn and Tracy all legends that need only one name glistened on the walls becoming alive again. This was the golden era of film.
20th Century Fox Film Corporation is auctioning off today at 2:30 an assortment of their archives to benefit the Motion Picture and Television Fund. To learn more about this generous charity that gives to it’s own log onto www.mptf.org.
Highlights include Marilyn Monroe’s name change and contracts. In 1946 she made $150 a week. In 1959 she made $100.000.00 per film. Now that’s a raise! From the catalogue you learn she wanted a role in “Guys and Dolls”, had to be bailed out of jail for unpaid traffic tickets, did not have the studio behind her as she sang “Happy Birthday" and more. Bette Davis was not originally cast in “All About Eve” and filmed the role in 16 days as she went through a divorce. Brando was considered for the King in the "King and I" and got fired off the set of the “Egyptian” for his bad behavior. John Steinbeck had a bit role as well as being signed as a writer and Norman Rockwell did the poster for Stage Coach. The original is in the Denver Museum. I could go on and on about this wonderful exhibition but will end with Judy Garland. Signed for “Valley of the Dolls” at $75,0000.00 on February 15. 1967 she was dismissed on May 29, 1967 for $37,500.00. Why? For drugs and alcohol abuse. Ironic considering the film and that is a F.A.C.T.
To purchase a catalogue go to www.swanngalleries.com

C: Is for Glass

I was invited to attend a party at Glass located next to the Marquee at 287 10th Avenue. From the begining things went wrong. The people at the door instead of being welcoming could of use some class. When the guest gave their names they acted like it was a huge inconvenience to find them. I watched as this happened several times before I experianced it myself. Once inside you are struck with the coldness of space age décor. The seats are constructed out of a shinny smooth plastic type material, over sized so if you are wearing anything but jeans you slid right off. Which makes for an interesting ride considering my feet and those around me did not reach the floor. The most unique part is the bamboo garden but the weather was cold and it’s a smoker’s paradise. My experience was so bad that I came back to check it out a second time especially after checking out their web site www.glassloungenyc.com . I add it because we were charged $14 for a martini $10 for a rum and coke and $8 for beer yet according to the website we were overcharged. Also on the website is a dress code which is subject to the doors discretion. My friend David was on the guest list twice (my friend Laura and I both RSVP'd for him). David is a film producer, writer and director. His film “My Brother” won the Florida Film festival, is currently showing at Sundance and will be opening at selected theaters March 16. This movie is a wonderful coming of age film Staring Vanessa Williams. Check out www.mybrotherthemovie.com. This is someone you would think they'd let in, right. Wrong! They didn't stating a dress code. Maybe he wasn’t outer space enough! F.A.C.T or fiction?

A: Is for the memory of Manny Duran

When a musician passes on their contemporaries harmonize together in tribute. Last night was no different. Vibrating in melodic improvisation, St Peter’s Church a venue Manny Duran so often played watched as others celebrated his spirit. Manny was considered a Jazz great along with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Kenny Dorham. His trumpet and flugelhorn improvisation were only surpassed by his skill as a consummate musician. His encouragement, kindness and generosity were well known through out this community. True to form he left all his instruments to the musicians that could carry on his legacy. As a leader in the Be-Bop and Afro Cuban Jazz circuit he played in all the top venues and the musicians who played with him were out in force. Standing out were the hearty tones and shuddering vibrato of Lew Tabackin. When he plays his body movements melt into his tenor sax making them seem as one. Former band member Joe Magnarelli trumpet lead the way on Manny's composition "Andruline" and it was hard to sit still to the Cuban rhythms. But it was Ray Vega and Claudio Roditi's sweet, controlled passion on "What's new" that sent chills.
I had the chance to sing with Manny at many a Gary Key's party. Gary has the ability to bring the top jazz musicians into his home and gives them the freedom to create. Manny was the conductor of many a magical night.
Up until his death Manny could be found running the late night jam sessions at the Blue note, or Saturday Night sessions at Cleopatra's Needle. His regular gig was Tuesday nights at BB Kings. On April 3rd for 5 hours at BB Kings you can catch some of the essence of these amazing musicians coming together in honor one last time. Manny Duran was 80 when he died in October and we are still morning the dimming of this radiant light and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: is for forward movement

Originally I was asked to write a column for a New York based newspaper. I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about until I came up with the anagram F.A.C.T. I started to take notice and realized that even being at the top of your game doesn't get you into the trendiest clubs, especially if your over 30 and male. Sometimes money isn't even enough. This city is about attitude and the right clothing choices. How do you know what's hot or in is unless someone tells you? But don't take my word. Discover it for yourself?
Complications arose and I ended up not working for the newspaper. I had however written columns that I read to friends who constantly asked why I didn't start my own on-line-column. According to them I write like Carrie Bradshaw. This is the creation of that.
I couldn't secure the domain F.A.C.T so my friend Tom and I came up with Xplorefacts. That is what this is a journey, an exploration through the jungle we call life. Below is what you will find on the days you log in starting tomorrow.
Monday: Food or Fashion
Tuesdays: The Arts
Wednesday: Clubs, Clothes or Cabaret
Thursday: Theater and Things I find interesting
Friday: Social Consciousness
Since this is the beginning Please realize changes will be occurring as I learn the formatting and all the ends and outs of this. After all I am in a process of moving forward.
May this column give you insight and help shed light upon your way