Friday, September 5, 2008

S: Is for a Speech just a Speech?

A speech is just a speech, until it is one that decides the way a country votes, then it is up for scrutiny. Sarah Palin's speech last night was so derogatory against her opponent, one has to wonder what she was concealing, Where were her views? We know them because others have stated them. What we got were empty words that were misleading. Where was the substance? What we got was a cheerleader from the 50's acting like daddy's little girl. Tonight we add the substance, The missing links to the statements. In bold are Sarah Palin's words. In regular type the F.A.C.T.S.

Strongest storms linked to global warming Palin rejects the scientific consensus, and states to the conservative Web site NewsMax, "I'm not one ... who would attribute it to being man-made." This may help explain why Palin announced this year Alaska would sue the Department of the Interior over its decision to add the polar bear to its list of endangered species. People are "over-reacting" to global warming states Palin.



Our son Track is 19. And one week from tomorrow - September 11th - he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country. My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.
Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." Stating "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq," yet she sends her son and lets the world know when, putting her son, her nephew and those in combat with them in danger. The information she broadcasted went against OPSEC and is considered Illegal. She also was misleading about the date. He is not leaving September 11th!

Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys. Palin also had a 20% ownership in an Anchorage car wash business, according to state corporation records filed in 2004. Palin failed to report her stake in the company when running for governor in 2006; in April 2007, the state issued a "certificate of involuntary dissolution" because of the company's failure to file its biennial report and pay state licensing fees.

And children with special needs inspire a special love. What a low blow to use a disabled child to win votes. As a Mayor, or as Governor she never helped those with 'special children.' The only reason she knows those problems is because of her own child! The question of paternity also needs to be addressed as the rumors are flying that Trig is not Sarah Palin's child but Bristol's and McCain adviser Mark Salter announced the daughter's pregnancy to rebut those rumors. This was reported to Time.com

when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network. I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere. And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources. During her second term as mayor, Palin hired the Anchorage-based lobbying firm of Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh to lobby for earmarks for Wasilla. The effort were led by Steven Silver, a former chief of staff for Senator Ted Stevens, and it secured nearly $27 million in earmarked funds. The earmarks included $15 million for a rail project linking Wasilla and the ski resort community of Girdwood. Some of the earmarks were criticized by Senator McCain.

Our state budget is under control. We have a surplus. And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes. Palin racked up nearly $20 million in long-term debt as mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla. That amounts to $3,000 per resident. She argues that the debt was needed to fund improvements."


And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.
In March 2007, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) as the new legal vehicle for building a natural gas pipeline from the state's North Slope. This negated a deal by the previous governor. On January 5, 2008, Palin announced that a Canadian company, TransCanada Corporation, was the sole applicant allowed thus creating a monopoly. In August 2008, Palin signed a bill into law giving the state of Alaska authority to award TransCanada Pipelines $500 million in seed money and a license to build and operate the $26-billion pipeline to transport natural gas from the North Slope to the Lower 48 through Canada.

There is more to rebut but this is a lot to take in, even for me as I researched into the words of Sarah Palin. I will continue this next Friday. Let me end with what Sarah Palin said and may God bless America.
For it is a F.A.C.T that if she and McCain are elected, we need help.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

T: Is for Taking a Stand!

Where are the tabloids when you need them? Jamie Lynn Spears and the students of Gloucester High School were thrown to the wolves with their teenage pregnancies, yet Bristol Palin is considered off limits according to the McCain campaign . Since when did people in politics become off limit? We have been kept in the dark about McCain's involvement with the "Keating Five Scandal." As economics and the loss of homes drive this election, shouldn't this be discussed? It is bad enough the press has been down playing McCain's age, if elected he will be the oldest president coming before Reagan. Considering that 62 is the age of social security and when president Reagan was in power lead the federal budget into deficit with a significant increase in public debt, shouldn't this be a consideration? Taken from McCain's website he states "he sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation"? Most mothers have a hard enough time raising one kid, keeping the family intact and holding down a job. Sarah Palin is raising 5 children and is obviously according to her own stance on abstinence, failing.
According to several respected experts abstinence counseling is ineffective and money must be spent on sex education. Yet Palin opposed funding to prevent teen pregnancies. "The explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," are her words. Maybe if she has counseled her daughter in safe sex her daughter would not be a statistic. " The United States is facing a teen-pregnancy health-care crisis. 40 percent of teens who get pregnant do not graduate from high school. Less than 2 percent earn a college degree and are likely to live in poverty, with welfare and the much indebted health care system footing the bill. The statistics for teen pregnancies in 2006 were 4,265,996.00. Experts state a 15 percent rise since then, what will it be in 2008?
Also on the McCain website it states:
"self-sacrifice and the defense of innocent life are at the core of John McCain's value system and will be the guiding principles of a McCain Presidency." Is Bristol Palin being sacrificed by marrying Levi Johnston? After all he did state on his MySpace site "I don't want kids." What a shock, that all of sudden it has been removed. Statistically, Eighty percent of teenagers who are pregnant never marry, and they will get almost no support from the fathers. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that even if teen mothers do marry, the odds they will be divorced is highly probable. 48 percent of marriages by brides under 18 have ended, increasing those odds having a baby within the first seven months of marriage. In Palin's speech tonight she stated "I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau" she should of finished that statement with and my daughter Bristol took on the role of Juno. Though this election is certainly is not about teen pregnancy, it is about judgement calls, economics and standing by your beliefs. When you tear a country apart by your inconsistencies and have a whole nation debating your choice, how can you lead?

A President for this day and age needs to address the problems it faces. In order: The US economy (more specifically the mortgage and the bank melt downs, unemployment and outsourcing) the Iraq war and global warming are what are on our minds, our hearts and in our votes. These all need to be address and that is a much needed F.A.C.T.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

C: IS FOR CLOTHES THAT RECYCLE!

Before Fashion Week starts I wanted to highlight the world of eco-friendly clothing. We have a responsibility to our world and buying clothing that aids in that cause makes you not only socially aware but a great fashion statement. The designers are from Canada, California and Atlanta, Georgia. Maybe New York will someday catch on.


California has banned plastic bags. The fish in the ocean are chocking on the plastic and islands of plastic trash are forming. Plastic waste is a big concern. Finally Ecopurna, has created an entire line of urban outer and atheletic wear made from recycled plastic bottles. Canadians Mark Trotzuk and Steve Saldebus, manufacturer and designed a completely sustainable and truly chic way to help the environment. Using Blue Sign, a new type of rating system to ensure that the entire production system from the zippers to the dyes to the very threads are sustainable. The tiered Swing Coat and the urban Mandarin should be in stores soon. Ecopurna is ready to take on the world of eco friendliness.

The Santa Cruz company Kate Organics is soft and feminine for their Spring and Summer 2009 collection. From the simple Essential Tunic, to the long and elegant Mustique with sassy ruffle accent, to the cross-backed Picnic dress, the new collection is comfortable and casual with just enough ornament and detail to make each piece special. Crafted from organic cotton, the palette is all solid for now. But coming later this summer, Kate plans on launching some of the pieces in organic printed toile from India made with low-impact dyes. Look for their lovely frocks and adorable tops at Fred Segal.

Pelli Cha, the world’s first eco friendly demi-couture eveningwear line, was founded in 2008 by entrepreneur and designer Lindsey Pelliccia. Lindsey became interested in sustainable fashion after falling in love with Brazil. While studying in Rio de Janeiro she was moved by the sharp contrasts, the natural beauty and the pollution, the human potential and the poverty. She then decided to research the environmental impact of the textile industry. Her findings inspired her to act. What resulted is an environmentally responsible collection of gowns, each as exceptional and lovely as their wearer. Pelli Cha, as a brand, is about strength and individuality. Described as young contemporary and classy chic, each gown is made to be comfortable and unique, with luxurious textures that are delightful to wear. Our pieces are made in limited numbers, almost entirely by hand. Custom dye work, creative stitching, and unexpected details render pieces that are one-of-a-kind. Pelli Cha wants you to feel more like yourself… because nothing could be more beautiful!

Fashion can make a difference and so can you and that is a F.A.C.T.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

A: Is for an Abundance of Art!

As Memorial Day ends New York City's art scene begins. For those of you who have never been apart of this, you can tour openings nightly. The biggest nights are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, in that order. This Thursday will feel like a giant block party with all ages participating, If you do not like crowds this is not for you. I am enclosing the list for this weeks goings on in Chelsea. If you notice they are intense. It is next to impossible to make all the openings but it is great fun trying. This is more of a social event than an appreciation of art. Art in NY is an experience and it is about the people who inhabit this land as much as it is the work.


THURSDAY:
Dov Lederbeg, Yael Avi-Yohan "Inspired by Kabbalah" at JKlaynberg Gallery 121 W 19 street 6-9pm
Photography: Bill Durgin "Figurations" at Merge Gallery 205 W 20 street at seventh avenue, 6-9pm
Photography: Kay Hassan, Shimon Attie "Racing Clocks Run Slow: Archaeology of a Racetrack" plus recent photos by Kay Hassan at Jack Shainman 513 W 20 street
Mario Naves "Postcards from Florida" at Elizabeth Harris 529 W 20 street
529"Surviving the Darkness: Urban Fragments" at ACA Galleries 529 W 20 street
Shigeru Oyatani "Third Plane" at Kim Foster Gallery 529 W 20 street
Amanda Means "Glass + Light" at Ricco/Maresca Gallery 529 W 20 street 3rd floor
Sokey Edorh: " Metamorphosis " at Skoto Gallery 529 W 20 street, 5th floor
Sydney Chastain-Chapman "Modulous" at Kravets|Wehby Gallery 521 W 21 street
Peggy Preheim, Ryan Gander at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery 521 W 21 street
Nathan Carter "Radio Transmission Contraptions" at Casey Kaplan 525 W 21 street
Roland Flexner, Demetrius Oliver at D'Amelio Terras 525 W 22 street
Corinne Wasmuht at Friedrich Petzel Gallery 537 W 22 street
Cosima von Bonin "The Pierres at the Petzelette" at Friedrich Petzel Gallery 537 W 22 street
Keith Tyson "Fractal Dice" at PaceWildenstein 545 W 22 street
Diana Al-Hadid "Reverse Collider" at Perry Rubenstein Gallery 527 W 23 street
Mark Wagner "My Portfolio" at Pavel Zoubok Gallery 533 W 23 street
Photography: Jonathan Calm "Projects" at Caren Golden Fine Art 538 W 23 street
Sabhan Adam "Painting with Smoke" at Cavin-Morris Gallery 210 Eleventh avenue, 2nd floor
Andy Warhol "Warhol's Politics" at DJT Fine Art 231 Tenth avenue
Allison Schulnik "No Luck Too" at Mike Weiss Gallery 520 W 24 street
Phoebe Washburn "Tickle the Shitstem" at Zach Feuer Gallery (LFL) 530 W 24 street
Diana Al-Hadid "Reverse Collider" at Perry Rubenstein Gallery 534 W 24 street
Photography: Jesse Chehak " Western Views " at Silverstein Photography 535 W 24 street
Patricia Berube at SoHo 20 Gallery 511 W 25 street, 5-7pm
Derek Buckner "Marshmallows" at George Billis Gallery 511 W 25 street
Carol Heft, Geraldo Perez, Nancy Prusinowski "Ensemble" with music by Bill Warfield Quartet at Blue Mountain Gallery 530 W 25 street, 4th floor
Danielle Julian-Norton at Reeves Contemporary 535 W 25 street, 2nd floor
"Entre chien et loup" at Kent Gallery 541 W 25 street
"More Than Words" at Von Lintel Gallery 555 W 25 street, 2nd floor
Olivier Blanckart "MoMA Don't Preach" at P.P.O.W. 555 W 25 street, 2nd floor
Peter Mallo "Odyssey" at Walter Randel Gallery 287 Tenth avenue, 2nd floor 2, at w 26 street
Photography: Paul Fusco "RFK Funeral Train Rediscovered" at Danziger Projects 521 W 26 street
521Chun Kwang Young at Robert Miller Gallery 524 W 26 street
Michal Chelbin "Strangely Familiar" at Andrea Meislin Gallery 526 W 26 street, 2nd, floor
Larissa Bates "Just Hustle and Muscle" at Monya Rowe Gallery 526 W 26 street, 6th floor
Nicoletta Agostini "Portraits" at LMAKprojects (chelsea) 526 W 26 street, #310
Photography: Kevin Cooley "At Light's Edge" at Massimo Audiello 526 W 26 street, 5th floor
Lill Tschudi, Cyril Power, Sybil Andrews "British Linocuts" at Mary Ryan Gallery 527 W 26 street
Adrienne Farb at Mary Ryan Gallery 527 W 26 street
Photography: Jane Hammond "Photographs" at Galerie Lelong 528 W 26 street
Joseph Smolinsk at Mixed Greens 531 W 26 street, 1st floor
1Alexey Kallima at Lehmann Maupin 540 W 26 street
"All Cut Up" curated by Rita de Alencar Pinto at Roebling Hall 606 W 26 street
Photography: Polixeni Papapetrou "Games of Consequence" at Foley Gallery 547 W 27 street, 5th floor
"The Form Itself" curated by Michael Buhler-Rose at Priska C. Juschka Fine Art 547 W 27 street, 2nd floor 6-9pm
Photography: Josef Koudelka "Invasion 68: Prague" at Aperture Foundation 547 W 27 street, 4th floor
Mike Bayne "Roadsides " at Morgan Lehman Gallery 317 10th avenue, 28 & 29 street


FRIDAY
Tam Van Tran at Cohan and Leslie 138 10th avenue b/w 18 & 19 street
Alix Pearlstein "After The Fall" curated by Debra Singer at The Kitchen 512 W 19 street
Melodie Provenzano "Debutant" at Lyons Wier & Ort Contemporary Art 175 Seventh avenue, at W 20 street 6-9pm
"Paradox Lost and Found" at Spark Art Center 161 W 22 street, 6-9pm"
Ronnie Bass" at I-20 Gallery 557 W 23 street
Gary Simmons "Night of the Fires" at Metro Pictures 519 W 24 street
Photography: Joel Sternfeld "Oxbow Archive" at Luhring Augustine Gallery 531 W 24 street
Baker Overstreet "Follies" at Fredericks & Freiser 536 W 24 street
Thilo Heinzmann at Bortolami 510 W 25 street
"Every Man's Life is a Fairy Tale" at Larissa Goldston Gallery 530 W 25 street, 3rd floor
3Kyung Jeon "a story" at Tina Kim Fine Art 545 W 25 street, 3rd floor
Phyllis Bramson "Kerffules" at Claire Oliver 513 W 26 street
Ivan Witenstein at Derek Eller Gallery 615 W 27 street
Jeronimo Elespe at John Connelly Presents 625 W 27 street
Yevgeniy Fiks "Adopt Lenin" at Winkleman Gallery 637 W 27 street
Alicia Ross "Sacred--Profane" at Black and White Gallery (chelsea) 636 W 28 street
"Iran do Espirito Santo" at Sean Kelly Gallery 528 W 29 street
Closing party: "Opportunity as Community" closing reception at Dieu Donne 315 W 36 street
"In Residence: Recent Projects from Sculpture Space" curated by Patterson Sims, Christa Erickson at EFA Gallery 323 W 39 street, 323 2nd floor

SATURDAY
"The Somnambulists" at Bellwether Gallery 134 Tenth avenue, at w 19 street
Sally Smart "Decoy Nest" at Postmasters Gallery 459 W 19 street
Camille Rose Garcia "Ambien Somnambulants" at Jonathan LeVine 529 W 20 street, 9th floor, 7-9pm
Meredyth Sparks at Elizabeth Dee Gallery 545 W 20 street
Mona Vatamanu "Appointment with History" at Lombard-Freid Projects 531 W 26 street, 2nd floor
Martha Colburn, Folkert de Jong, Xu Zhen at James Cohan Gallery 533 W 26 street
Martha Rosler at Mitchell - Innes & Nash ((chelsea)) 534 W 26 street

It is a F.A.C.T that art abounds.

Monday, September 1, 2008

F: Is for another Project Runway Sighting!

Another Project Runway contestant is making news and sightings have been seen. Season Four contestant, Jillian Lewis, will be gracing the globe with her fall collection. There had been rumors of a new collection, with an opening in July at SHANE & SHAWN on Mulberry Street. For those who are fans of the show will love what I just discovered. I had gone to the Apple store off 5th and while coming home at 60th and Madison n the window of Searle was an announcement. It seems Jillian will have a trunk show September 6th at their store. This comes as no surprise considering she started as a designer at Searle. Ms. Lewis has been making headlines since the Las Vegas trade shows for her relationship with Brother International. Lewis was recently a keynote speaker at Brother's annual Back to Business event, where she explained how her own Brother sewing machine helped in developing her dream to become a fashion designer. She started sewing at the age of 16, on a Brother Pacesetter 2300. Through her collegiate career at Parsons School of Design, and onto u her first complete line shown on "Project Runway." Her new clothing line, which she calls "ultra-feminine, sexy, colorful and unique. Inspiration for the line came from many avenues, including graffiti. Lewis comments that her designs transform an irrelevant art form, making her collection abstract, sophisticated and chic. Designs should express individuality, personal style, comfort and point of view. As long as the intended wearer feels great in the design, it will look great too. This busy girl is also following fashion week coverage for Spring 2009 designer collections online and in magazines. There is a lovely artsy trend in fashion right now. Experiment with an airbrush,
creating a Georgia O'Keeffe-inspired watercolor wash on clothing and add layers of embroidery. Having worked as a concept designer and illustrator at Rugby by Ralph Lauren Jillian learned the skills of the fashion trade. Ultimately, Jillian's designs are her visual poetry of the things she loves and a reflection of the world around her. Not satisfied with being just another name on the tag of another dress, it's her ambition to be revolutionary, fashion forward and to one day create a fashion empire of her own. To learn more about Jillian Lewis' new line, set to hit stores in August, visit http://www.jillianlewisny.com.

Fashion is abounds in NYC especially in the coming weeks and that is a delightful F.A.C.T.