S: Is for the political backlash of speaking out

From the beginning of time artists have been the barometers for political viewpoints. If you couldn’t or more importantly wouldn’t speak out you could always count on a playwright, singer/songwriter or actor to do it for you. During Vietnam you had John Lennon. During the McCarthy area the number of voices that were silenced were deafening. In the era of Bush you have Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks. Phenomenal musicians and singers who had the world behind them until their world came crashing down in March of 2003 when Maines spoke her peace in London. On February 12th after releasing their album “Taking the Long Way” they won an unbelievable 5 for 5 awards including album, record and song of the year. Finishing off they also won best country album and best country performance by a duo or group. They’re day in court had arrived so to speak but to quote “Not ready to make nice” “Its too late to make it right. I’m not ready to back down. I’m mad as hell” And as well they should be. I actually bought this album in November but misplaced it and finally found and listened to it and the honesty and boldness that assaults you is invigorating. My favorite tracks are 1, 7 and 8. Track 8 is really the reason I bought the album. I heard "Silent House” which examines the emotions that come from watching someone struggle with Alzheimer's. “And I will try to connect. All the pieces you left. I will carry it on and let you forget.” Exploring themes both deeply private and resoundingly political they have truly pushed themselves to new heights both as writers and as performers. . "It's So Hard When It Doesn't Come Easy" addresses infertility, an issue that both Robison and Maguire have faced. "I think we feel a responsibility to break down some barriers," says Maguire. "It's much more of a common problem than people realize." Other performers jumped at the opportunity to speak on this including Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, session hero Larry Knechtel, Heartbreakers Benmont Tench, Bonnie Rait and they are matched with blistering guitar solo’s by John Mayer. Maines states "It's much harder to put yourself out there, but believes they've grown as a result of the incident. "I learned I was ready to put my career on the line for something and that nothing is as important as standing up for what you believe in. In a world trying to silence its people in political corruption it is nice to know that artists have not lost thier edge nor their voice. As a public we need to be less ready to condemn and more eager to be willing participants. They will be appearing live at Madison Square Gardens Aug 1st and I can assure you it is a F.A.C.T. that I will be there lending my support and listening to truly great musicians whom I applaud.

T: Is for pampering at the Townhouse

My favorite way to pamper myself is a good manicure and pedicure When I need a pick me up or have had a bad day or just want to celebrate, this is my idea of nirvana. I have turned many a person into an addict. A spa to me should not be a luxury but a way of life. It is the most calming way to ease stress, pick yourself up and feel like a new person. I could never understand therapy when you can have someone luxuriating over your body and come out looking terrific. Call me superficial but nothing makes you feel better than looking your best and not trying. So you can imagine my delight when I was invited to an event that brought a tropical spa to Manhattan on a snowy winter night. I stepped up to 39 West 56th a 6,000 square foot 3 story townhouse located between 5th and 6th. Could this be the place? The doors were opened and a paradise awaited me. Owned by the famed Acqua Beauty Bar a place I already considered heaven for its use of Eastern philosophy of healing Townhouse Spa offers a more extensive and serene environment. On the first floor as you walk past the waiting area a bar of holistic food and aromatic drinks await. The green tea elixir is meant to detoxify while energizing your system. Once nourished a state of the art manicure pedicure room beckons. For the 1st time my manicure lasted longer than a week and when they had finished my hands felt softer than they ever had. Making my way to the second floor is a male haven in which women are invited to attend. Complete with a barber for hair and facial maintenance, scalp massages, shoe shines, manicures, pedicures and mini-facial. There's even a steam room with a waterfall. Keeping a Man's serenity in mind there are over sized leather couches an XBOX and plasma TV to keep an eye on the score. On the bottom floor is the Women’s area. The most interesting portion of this visit was a new state of the art “Spa Oceana” or “Peace in a Pod”: This space age all-in-one treatment includes a 53-gallon personal hydrobath with over 20 massage jets operating simultaneously with Vichy water. A charka digital LED lighting system will put your soul in alignment while offering a combination of radiant heat and steam finishing with a cooling mist, which can be infused with vitamins, natural essential oils and herbal aromas. This was the one thing I haven’t tried and I am so looking forward to cooconing myself. I did however have a facial with a product called aqua-collagen gel by Dr. CI: Labo. This product was in my gift bag and I can tell you now I will never be without it. This moisturizes your skin while leaving it looking younger, toned and glowing. Since using it I have gotten more complements on my skin then ever before. I have never been so blessed as to discover a product that does so much. I highly recommend it. To finish off my experience at Townhouse I visited the Phoenix Suite with a working fireplace, LCD TVs, desks equipped with phone and Internet access, massage beds, private shower and dining menu service. This is the perfect getaway or gathering place. In a world that rushing is a state of mind Townhouse makes it a F.A.C.T. that a little pampering makes for a blissful soul.

C: Is for Cartagena or the little house that needs our help

We hear about the ir-responsible and
ir-reprehensible things countries, companies and people do in the name of God, yet why is it we never hear the good? President Bush is supposedly a Christian yet his policies belay that. Today’s column was meant to be frivolous and about how to improve oneself, however yesterday afternoon a story came to my attention that warrants pushing aside self for the greater good. I urge you to read this column because help is needed and we have the ability to make a difference. There are a lot of F.A.C.T.S. here and I even left some out in order to make it easier to read. There is a saying that says it takes a community to raise a child. I think that it takes people coming together in a unit to get things accomplished especially if you are going against a government. America has spent since 2002 an excess of over $2 Billion (and that is a low estimate) to Columbia to stop the drug wars.
There are as in most wars those lives that are caught in between. They became apart of the system and government that finds them indisposable. In Cartagena, Columbia there exists such a tragedy. The largest city is called Villa Hermosa. This city which in all respects is more of a squatter village exists because of the effects of the on going drug wars. These people flee for their lives and arrive with only the clothes on their backs in need of food, shelter, education and medical care. The things we take for granted such as a birthing center, emergency room and a clinic to get medical care are denied because these people are not considered important enough. It was not their country but ours who stepped in. In 1970 a group called Christians in Action (C in A), a Californian 501C3 non-profit agency saw a need and in 2004 raised and built a clinic and sent two containers with equipment for a clinic and a school. These containers arrived at The Department of Emergency Services under Juan J Yacaman Torres who took responsibility and released them. In fact Torres even had the military come and unload the containers for them. Well received and moving forward in 2006 C in A raised over $300,000 and the clinic was ready to become a hospital, with the encouragement of the Colombian Government. On December 10, 2006 C in A sent another container full of equipment for an emergency room, a birthing room and an ambulatory unit. This equipment was for the
most part donated or bought with money donated from those who care about others. Arriving in the port of Cartagena on January 14, 2007. The federal customs office of Colombia took possession of the container. After 5 weeks of trying to identify the problem, custom officials stated that that the container didn’t have the proper licensing and that it would take a minimum of 25 additional days to get the licensing. The fact is it could take much longer. Since it was deemed that there was no “emergency need” for the equipment, the container would not be released to the Department of Emergency Services. A C in A staff member confirmed someone opened the container, which causes concern about the safety of the contents. This concern is reinforced by the fact that C in A discovered that two other ministries have never been able to secure possession of their containers and no explanations have been given. To add insult to injury the contents of their containers were auctioned off by the government. This is a group of human beings who put other human beings 1st regardless of race, religion, color or origin. They don’t expect praise or commendations they do it out of unconditional love, but because they are a Christian organization they are being shaken down and put up against the wall and need our help to help others. Those who originally helped and the Colombian government state that it will cost an undisclosed amount to release the containers. Though they cannot come out and state this I can. This is a shake down by a government that feeds off the weakness and the kindness of others. Senator Hatch and Boxer have been informed of this injustice lets see if they will put their Republican and Democratic values where they belong. Where is the Ambassador to Columbia when his people need care? Where are all the major news channels when something as heinous as this occurs? And more importunately what will you do after you read this? Lets bond together, send others to read this article and maybe somebody who reads this will be able to correct this error and make a reality out of a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for man and nature becoming one

I remember the first time I saw the work of Toshio Iezumi. I had been gallery hopping with Sarah and we had been assaulted by some really bad art. Intrigued by a photograph in Art in America I was determined to see a show at The Chappell Gallery located at 526 West 26th right in the heart of Chelsea’s art district. Sweaty, hot and exhausted we made our way there and when we reached the doorway the sight that awaited our eyes was breath taking. Water like glass sculptures were reflecting a sun filled room. Prisms of color and iridescent light surround the space. As we entered it encompassed us in a spinning world of beauty that was so glorious. I have since been a big fan and dream of day when one of his pieces will adorn my home. Inspired by Donald Judd and Brancusi, Japanese glass sculptor Toshio Iezumi currently teaches his craft at Kurashiki’s University of Arts and Science. He bases his creativity on mathematical equations perfecting light. Born in 1954 he studied in Japan, Scandinavia and Czechoslovakia. Winning several prestigious awards along the way. Featured in some of the greatest glass museums of the world they include the Museum of Glass in New York / Tokyo Glass Art Institute, Kawasaki / The Corning Museum of Glass and Kunst museum , Dusseldorf, Germany. He is represented in NY by Chappell, The Johanson Collection and SOFA. Toshio’s work evokes the surface of gently flowing water, scooped up into a blue-green disc. The soft, morphing glass surface bears a dynamic component suggesting the surface tension of water, yet remains static at the same time. The work does not repel the viewer’s gaze but draws it in, guiding it into the deepest inner reaches but never allowing it to focus onto a set image. The external space that surrounds the work is reflected within, and yet the way it appears changes in accordance with the glass’ complexities of thickness and distortion, as well as the point at which the viewer’s gaze is directed. The same things can be seen in every "work of art". But considering that glass has a property of being split into appearance and existence Toshio Iezumi has found limitless beauty in the property of this material and his work is a phenomenon of nature blending with man. You can find his work and or see his lectures in 2007 at The Glass Art Society convention in Pittsberg in May, Habatat Galleries in MI and at SOFA in NY June 1-3. I recommend highly that you see this impressive display of what one can do with glass and the transformative qualities it can have on one's soul and then you too will know this is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for food that is out of this world

There are times you discover a jewel in the raw and you want to shout the news to the rooftops but you also know in doing so that once the word gets out that special place will become mobbed. That is how I feel about this writing this article. I was invited to an event given by someone whose events for the most part leave me cold. The restaurants that are chosen serve foods that leave me on the brink of extreme disapointment. Deciding to give his events one more try imagine my surprise when I arrived at Planet Thailand 212 otherwise known as PT212. Owned by former fashion designer Anna Pop who was on hand and is most gracious, this establishment pleases the moment you walk into the door. From the hand-painted green floors that are surrounded with pink lotus flowers and lily pads to the hanging lamps covered in sphere’s you are in a space of tranquility even when the DJ is pumping out an eclectic blend of house music. A mural of a lion roars as he spouts out a hidden temple.
Supporting a local artist she discovered at the Whitney Jon Kessler’s video installation is reminiscent of Andy Warhol. The camera’s strategically placed show the dinners adding another dimension of artistic taste, recently Kessler’s work was well received at PS1. The bathrooms are also elegantly done while maintaining code for the handicapped. Rounding off the scenery the kitchen is on display right in plain view and the sushi chef shows off his culinary arts. In a world where restaurants are being charged with unsanitary conditions this is a place that puts your mind at ease while creating entertainment.
Planet Thailand opened in Williamsburg in 1995 and quickly became an established neighborhood cornerstone. Offering fresh affordable Thai cuisine and sushi in a comfortable space. It didn’t take Planet Thailand long to rank as Brooklyn's number 1 Thai eatery and hotspot. PT212 announced its official opening in NYC York City at the end of May 2006, after a decade of successful business. Located at 30 West 24th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues it is in the perfect location to enjoy a wonderful meal before hitting the Cutting Room.
PT212 affordable sushi and Thai delights range in abundance and with lunch specials at $9, after work specials and soon a brunch I am surprised this has not been truly discovered. My 1st time there I dinned on Carpaccio done to perfection, duck spring rolls, chicken satay in one of the best peanut sauces, fried tofu that was so delightful it melted like custard in my mouth and the freshest sushi I have ever tried. Later that week I decided to go back with my business partner Tom. Tom is great to bring along because of his expertise in wine and food enhances what I can share with my reader. Tom is a serious food channel junkie and loves fish. We started out with a Lycee lemonade $8 and a rum and coconut drink served in it’s own fresh shell $12 both refreshing. Starting with the traditional appetizer Mee Grob $6 and the special Tuna Tataki $10 Tom could not stop raving about how amazing it was. Both dishes were beautifully displayed and done to perfection, no spice or flavor overpowering the other and it continued to be like that for the entire meal. I am a Tom Kai Gai lover, which means chicken coconut soup, and this one was light, refreshing and cleansing. Tom tried the shrimp lemon grass soup and found it to have the same result. For dinner I had the special Duck Panang $16 which melted in a curry sauce. This was served with sticky rice in a banana leaf and green beans still crunchy. I could not stop sighing in contentment. Tom was brave and had Buffalo Ragu. Now I admit home, home on the range is not my idea of a meal so when he ordered it I was stand offish but he made me take a taste and I was pleasantly shocked at how much I liked it and went back for a second and third bite. Rounding off this meal was flourless chocolate cake and the most delightful ginger crème brule $6 and Thai ice coffee. By the end of this scrumptious meal all I needed was a rickshaw to cart me away into the night. Anna Pop has a passion for food and says we eat with our mouths and our hearts. I can say that Tom and I and the rest of the dinners did do just that and you can take that as a F.A.C.T.