S: Is for the silencing of English

For years I have been stating that Americans are being displaced in their own country. I have been called prejudiced, which I am not. I do however think that if you go to live in a country you should have to learn the language, pay into the system, and become a part of what you have claimed to have deserved. I am horrible at language's which is why I turned down a career in Opera. Hey, I crucify standardized English, but when I went to France to visit I learned enough French to get by. In Germany the same thing. It was out of respect and wanting to fit it that I did so. Had some one told me that I was going to need to speak Spanish in order to get proper medical care and assistance I would have studied it in school. No one warned me or prepared me to live in world where English is becoming extinct.

In my heart and mind I know we stole this country from the Indians and treated them inhumane. I completely understand giving them the advantage and making amends. We should! Yet with what is going on, this is not the case. Why am I up in arms ? Let me state three examples of why we need to wake up!

1: Let me start with the most recent. I cracked my tooth and my health insurance is in flux. So I went to the health clinic to get help. Spanish not English was the language most commonly spoken. I could hardly understand the intake worker. When asked to fill out forms it took a good 15 minutes to find one in English. Since when did clinic's become the right of the Spanish population?

2: When I got to the hospital not only were there more posters in Spanish but when I was asked to fill out forms, the what and how it was asked gave me more proof to my overwhelming concern. When asked my language, English was 3rd on the list. 1: was Spanish. 2: Chinese. When asked my nationality it was no longer Caucasian. Now it was 1: Spanish 2: Asian 3: African American 4: American Indian 5: White and 8: Unknown. Since when did I become white and not Caucasian? I am actually rather pink. Where was that choice?

3: Because my insurance is in flux I went to get temporary assistance. Now my eyes get the biggest shock of all. In order to get assistance it would have been a snap if I was an immigrant or a migrant worker. You think I'm kidding ? I'm not, it's in black and white. If I were pregnant I wouldn't even have to show my documents. Society wonders why there are so many pregnant teens and why Hispanic families have so many kids. It pays to keep having them, plus you never have to show if your legal. Again in black and white. It is harder to get help if you are white, born in this country and have lived here all your life.

The health care system has broken down. Tom's insurance won't let him have eye care because he paid a lot of money last year to get help. If he were illegal and needed eye care, no problem. Caroline and Robert just went $200 over their allotted income because Robert was given a bonus for working hard. Now they have been dropped and have to find new insurance.

There are no pictures in this column because this is important. We need to wake up or we will be Americans in search of a country and help. And that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for the craft of theater

Last Sunday at the Weston Hotel there was an Entertainment Industry Expo presented by Zachary Lezberg and Brian Blattman. Both these men have impressive credits yet like most actor expo's in New York it missed the key ingredients that participants in the industry need. Nowhere were the unions, the relevant participants ie: doctors, businesses, organizations or the teaching professionals that could demystify the blur that this field causes within. Having been involved in producing, writing, acting, casting and teaching I was confused at who this was for. The professional or non? There is a difference in needs. Sadly I learned nothing. They had auditions for Hairspray (did not see or hear this and easily done if you are union), Blue Man Group, Model Management Group (which you can do every Wednesday from 2-4) 2xist (what is this?) and YRB. From what was there, here is the best:

Photography: www.imageworksnyc.com normally $450 for headshots the show special is $100 off. The portraits are clean, expressive with natural lighting and a real feel to them. In a time where the breakdowns are asking for real people this helps the actor convey that.

Seeing shows: www.theaterextras.com for a $65 members fee you can get tickets to shows for just $4. Not only does it include B'way but off B'way, concerts and games. This offer also includes a 20 day money back guarantee this helps an actor stay on top of his or her craft.

Not exhibiting but whose flyer's were included in the bag, Theater Resources Unlimited. TRU(run by long time friends Bob Ost and Gary Hughes) is a must for any professional in the theater. Their vast knowledge and resources is unprecedented. They know everybody. They also run a play reading series that is FREE! The 1st one was June 4th but you can catch the next three on the 11th, 18th and 25th at the Players Theater 115 MacDougal. For reservations call 212 714-7628. You can also log onto www.truonline.org to see what they can offer you.

Acting or getting trained: The Network is another legit group, people from the industry make money from doing their job and you pay their salary gig. As you can tell I think having to pay an agent or casting director for allowing you to audition is a joke. This is definitely a trend that has expanded. The thing that impressed me about this is at least they are honest about what they are looking for. They don't however give the whole name so you know who it is. That leaves me a little skeptical but check out www.thenetworknyc.com

Who to thank for attendance: www.amp3pr.com this is one PR company that this industry should know. They are polite, inventive and they know how to entice you to join in. They are the reason you are reading this and that's a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for the French Bubble Connection

Prior to the French ambassador speaking out against war, good Champagne was considered to be only French. After that incident the french market suffered a loss due to their outspokenness. Sometimes American's can be petty and they even for a brief moment called French Fries, American Fries. Since then the French have been trying to improve their PR image. This week The French Embassy Trade Office launched the first French Bubble event. Members of the trade met with producers of sparkling wines from all over France: Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire, and Rhone to display their wares.

Ayala, owned by Bollinger, the brand favoured by James Bond as well as Patsy and Eddy of TV's Ab Fab fame, Cuvée Rosé Nature, a pink champagne has no added sugar and is around 65 calories. I personally liked the Brut Majeur which has 8 grams of sugar. Much more palatable! The pricing isn't bad either it's around $39.

Another winner H. Blin producing high caliber, award-winning Champagnes. The French are constantly dispelling the myth that Co-op's can't turn-out fine quality fizz. Dry, rich, fresh and fruity with the flowery elegance of ripe Pinot Meunier. Well-balanced with good, lively acidity. From the vineyards in the Marne Valley. All the growers tend their vines with passion, and it shows! Yields are restricted and grapes are carefully selected to maximize flavour and character. The winery's virtuosity lies in their use of Pinot Meunier grapes that, though difficult to handle, produce splendid flavours that give the wine a rich, fast maturing style. What makes them a winner at this event was their packaging.

My 3rd choice was CAVES DE BAILLY from Burgundy, France. 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay & 20% Aligote, hand picked from 20+ year old vines, and aged in 12th century quarries makes this a winner. With a hint of of pear & pippin apples, there's a touch of toastiness, along with flavors of almonds as well. What makes this even more of a choice is that it can be bought for under $20 making champagne affordable. Champagne is no longer a luxury except in the enjoyment and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for walking the Chelsea Art Scene

If your looking for a wallet friendly cultural experience that's date appropriate go no further than than Chelsea art scene. Though you can catch an opening most days of the week Thursday is the day that is most abundant. You will have to sort through several galleries until you find your taste, but that's half the fun. Another part of the journey is the people gazing. You will feel as if you are cast in a Christopher Guest film and the other viewers your cast members. This week I joined my friend Sarah on an excursion into the affluent world of art.

We started at Stefan Stux's gallery located at 530 West 25th for Markus Wetzel's new show "I would like to see the Wolf as an Island". Stefan a long time friend walked me through the show and we compared insights. Almost holographic Markus work is building an image within an archetype. Surreal it is like looking into a living comic book that gives the illusion of reality. A type of visionary sculpture with an end of the world theme these photographs tell a story. You can catch this visionary until July 7th.

Another show I enjoyed was Coke Wisdom O'Neal's "Please Mr. Bowie come to my show" at Mixed Greens 531 West 26th Street. This artist fuses photography with sculptural concepts and installations. He shoots the subject front and back and then adds Lucite onto wood pedestals creating a great dividing unit. I am confused at how you can sell a photograph for $3,200.00 when it is in a series of 5 and it isn't someone you know or who is even remotely interesting. The concept is unique and makes this show a must for New Yorkers in a space that is in need of dividing without closing it off.

A show I didn't get to see was one I saw a postcard for in the lobby, Peter Bely's "Danger Zone" at Daneyal Mahmood Gallery 511 West 25th Street 3rd Floor. When I research him I discovered he is one of St Petersburg's most sought-after and promising young artists. He finds special beauty in industrial ruins, abandoned construction sites and other forms of burn-out. I know his work caught my eye and I will be discovering it for myself and that is a F.A.C.t.

F: Is for fashion ports of call

The brains behind the most timeless and feminine line is designer Tia Cibani for Ports1961.
Marrying old world romance with modern day needs Ports1961 is headquartered in Toronto. Next stop, New York City. Already taking the fashion shows at Bryant Park by storm , this is a company to be reckoned with. If you have heard of this company before, it is because it keeps reinventing itself. What built this brand was a classic white Egyptian cotton shirt. Ports1961's target is the 35-? woman looking to build her wardrobe. The 2007 collection is comprised of some 500 pieces. Included: evening wear, coats, sportswear, career wear, bags, shoes, and sunglasses. Tia Cibani was recruited at 22 to relaunch the brand. Now 30, she and her sister Fiona, 37, co-designed the spring and fall men’s and women’s wear collections, which exclusively uses Italian fabrics. From metallic jerseys made up into little T’s, to weatherized cotton, these fabrics contrasted with the simple shapes. Natural fabrics like wool gauze, wool tweed, and cotton twill complimented the techno ones, and, evoke the organic nature theme. There are a lot of neutral colors throughout, with color names like Peat, Concrete, Ink, Birch and Lava. I love this classic white boat neck dress. Tia also gives back, and along with Amy Sacco and Zac Posen she helps raise money for "Free Arts NYC" an organization that dedicates itself to bringing the healing powers of the arts into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families. Free Arts help children and families express emotions, gain self-confidence and develop positive methods of communication and that is a F.A.C.T.
www.freeartsnyc.org