Move aside Burger King, we have new royalty in town.
Not even Impossible Burger can keep up with this bad boy. Two kinds of cheese, jalapeños, and bacon all on a pretzel roll? I think this might be the best vegan beef burger recipe out there.
Six Telling Signs that a Car Has Been in An Accident
If you’re looking to pick up a used car for a cut-down price, then you might investigate the thriving market for private sellers. There are certainly bargains to be found by those willing to look for them. With that said, it’s worth attaching a note of caution. What might appear to be a good deal may, in actuality, be a liability that’ll prove expensive in the long-term: expensive to maintain, and difficult to shift.
In many cases, it’s worth paying more up front to avoid the risk of being saddled with a wreck. Online lenders like Go Car Credit specialise in this sort of thing, and they may help to provide a cash boost at the time of purchase that’ll save you in the long-term if you decide to purchase a car from a dealership.
If you still like to proceed with from buying from a private seller, then it’s worth looking for a range of signs which might indicate a car that’s been involved in an accident. If you spot any of these, then walk away from the deal. At the same time, if the seller does not want to even show you the vehicle, don’t think twice about pulling out.
Paint issues
If the paint job is uneven, then the chances are that the car has had some body work done to repair a dent (or something even more severe). What might look seamless when viewed head-on might look inconsistent when viewed from the side, so don’t be afraid to take a closer look.
Replaced parts that look different
Cars which have been involved in collisions may need to be replaced using parts which do not match the rest of the vehicle. And even those that do match may be visibly newer looking than the surrounding car.
Cracked windscreen
Some windscreen cracks are so tiny that they might not be noticed by the person doing the selling – but they’ll still evidence that a car has been involved in a collision. Where the damage is minor, it might be used as leverage to get a better deal.
Strange sounds
When you’re going for your obligatory test-drive, you should be listening out for sounds that might be out of the ordinary. Squeaking, tapping, knocking, or grinding sounds might indicate a whole range of underlying problems, which will need to be fixed in the future.
Panel misalignments
If panels are misaligned, it’s a sure-fire indication that they’re taken a hit. The doors, boot and bonnet should all sit flush with one another. If they don’t, then beware.
Uneven tyre wear
No-one’s car tyres are worn perfectly even. But severe inconsistencies may be taken as a sign of an underlying problem. If every tire is worn excessively on one side, for example, it might indicate that the wheels are misaligned – and this in turn might have been caused by an accident.
Here’s the NoHo News for August 27
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NoHo News: BLAQHAUS Staycation Giveaway. Grinch Who Stole Summer. #KeepNoHoArtsy. Couch Theatre. Fashionably Safe. CHEAP Vegan Recipes.
Here’s your NoHo arts community update! We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.
Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>
This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>
Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.
Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!
Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
Funding Your Feature Film
So how are you going to pay for your project?
I’ve been on hiatus for quite a while now…it’s been a tough few months, not just for me of course, and nothing seems to be getting better any time soon, unfortunately.
But all this space has given me some time to think about what my next move will be as a filmmaker.
I’ve made a lot of short films…more than 60, so I need to step it up a bit. I feel ready.
I have a feature film that is pretty much ready to go and even though I could try and shop it, and I may still do that, I really think I could shoot it myself for very little, or at least I did think that until SAG released their 80-page COVID manifesto.
So this changes everything really and now I know I absolutely could not shoot this film without real money. And by real money, I don’t mean what my friends and family can find in their sofa, although I may need that too. I mean tens of thousands of dollars…or probably closer to one hundred thousand. Which is peanuts for a film. This film is set in one location and neighborhood, which I have access to. It’s a smallish cast, no stunts, no fights, no crazy makeup and it’s set in the present day. I think I can shoot it in 20 days if I’m clever, without cutting corners and while I haven’t actually put a budget together yet, that 100K is a number that even with the new and expensive SAG rules I feel pretty comfortable with.
But I don’t have 100K and even if I did, would I use all my own money? Smart people will always tell you not to, but many, many people before me have done just that I can tell you.
Now that I am embarking on this crazy enterprise I thought I might write about it…share my pain so to speak. Every film I have made up until now I have self-financed because it didn’t cost that much, or have been hired to direct, so that’s someone else’s budget. We do have a lot of our own equipment, just got a new camera in fact, a Pocket Black Magic no less, so that takes a huge chunk out of the budget, no camera rentals, no glass rentals, etc. But I will definitely need a DP, a sound guy, and some grips. The rest of the departments speak for themselves, MUA, set design, wardrobe, PA’s, I’ll be producing, along with my filmmaking partner for life…husband. There’s obviously a lot more to budget for of course, like insurance, etc, but that will do for now.
How do I raise my money?
Good question…I have no idea! Right now I am doing a lot of research. I’m looking for grants because basically I’m pretty sure I won’t get actual investors for a low budget feature film set in North Hollywood…
There is a ton of information out there on the interweb…and I’m not planning on even attempting to film before the end of next year at this point. So I’m giving myself about 12 months to raise the funds before I begin preproduction. Which sounds about right.
First-time feature film writer/director. And a woman. Although being female might actually help me a little these days and I have certainly never considered being a woman to be a disadvantage, in life or in film. But then I have never tried to get people to give me large amounts of money, purely on the bases of my vision before.
So if you are happy to be along for the ride I will document my process, my failures as well as my successes, and along the way, we will all learn something. Hopefully, that something will be, that we can make our dreams realities if we just decide we can…here’s hoping!!!
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-grants/
https://www.raindance.org/10-routes-to-finance-your-film/
https://adventurefilmschool.com/filmmaking/finding-funding-for-your-film-projects/
https://nofilmschool.com/massive-list-winter-2020-grants
Staycation Giveaway: Blaqhaus NoHo
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August is usually the world’s vacation time – day trips, long weekends and big trips. Since we can’t really travel because we are on global punishment for not wearing masks, we are forced to stay home. So to make our mandatory staycation more enjoyable, we’re doing a giveaway! We want you to explore the neighborhood more.
This week’s feature giveaway is Blaqhaus NoHo. We are giving away two, $25 gift certificates.
Check their Instagram for their weekly specials, like Wing Wednesdays!
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You can’t miss their Saturday and Sunday Brunch – fine southern cuisine accompanied by bottomless mimosas on their patio.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CELhV7mAZxE/
Just an FYI, Happy Hour is Monday -Friday from 3-5PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD4bSpdA0vd/
What do you have to do? Fill out this quick form and make sure to “follow” NoHoArtsDistrict and Blaqhaus NoHo on Instagram. Easy!
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**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
“The Best Laid Schemes O’ Mice an’ Men…”
On August 8, principal photography commenced on the L.A. episode of, “Ten Films/Ten Countries: A Cinematic Journey.”
The crew was in place, along with my 1st AD and producer, we had come up with a safe and responsible plan for shooting that followed safety mandates from the California Health Department’s recommendations. I employed a small crew of five, including a brand new cinematographer and gaffer to assist us. We had plenty of preparation and were even lucky enough to have rehearsals before the shoot. All was going so well and we managed to film three out of the six days until we stopped.
What happened?
On August 13, 2020, we halted filming because one of our crew members was exposed to an acquaintance that tested positive for the virus. The most responsible and correct thing to do is inform the rest of the cast and crew and let them know that I was postponing the shoot until my production team deemed it safe to return. I am happy to say that as of this writing, everyone that tested immediately after the shutdown, tested negative.
My immediate concern was for the health and safety of all involved in this production.
It wasn’t until about a week later that I felt the disappointment of not being able to finish shooting, but something equally disappointing occurred to me. My mistake was in shooting the film in the first place. No matter how well we planned and all the precautions that we believed would make it safe for us to shoot, there was one factor that we could not control. We wore masks, we kept social distancing, we all have our own reusable water bottles and individually wrapped snacks. Our lunch break was separated into two areas, one in the back yard and one in the front garden. So, what was the factor I could not control? Everything outside the set. Everybody arrived to the set prepared for a safe working environment, but we don’t have that same control with friends, acquaintances, or strangers at a grocery store that walk or rub past us in a crowded aisle, or that had just picked some oranges leaving the others that were touched, waiting for our hands to grab them and take them home.
I have to admit that the prospect of working on a film with the people that I respect and love, to make art again, and collaborate with my peers, may have blinded me to the fact that we are in the middle of uncertain times. And with the news seeming to be more and more dire day by day, the most important thing is, people’s well being must take priority over my artistic endeavors.
When will I be able to return to shooting? I don’t know. Honestly, that is not a possibility at this current time. But what is possible, is to take this opportunity to take the time to revise another draft, finish an outline of another story, and finish the postproduction on a couple of projects that have fallen to the way side. In other words, I don’t have to stop creating, I just have to stop and think for a minute, that when the time comes around again and it is safe to resume, we will all be better informed and perhaps a treatment and cure are on the horizon. But at this point, I cannot look forward to that time. I must seize the moment of the now and take this opportunity to remember why I am in this business and what fuels my soul.
To create, to be inspired, and to roll up my sleeves and do the work.
How To Choose the Best Items For Your Kitchen
Choosing the look and layout of your kitchen is essential when you move into your first home. How can you know that you’re going to be prepared for everything and be able to deal with issues as they arise?
The fact is, there are a lot of great ways to make sure that your kitchen is filled with the right things and ready to go. Are you looking for tips that can help you to find the best items for your kitchen? We’re here to help with some of the things you should ask when choosing the best items for your kitchen.
- Is it useful?
Usefulness is one of the most important things that you need to consider in regards to buying items for your kitchen. The amount of space you have in there is at a premium, so the last thing you want to do is fill it up with useless junk.
Research the items that you’re considering for purchase. As you look at what they do (if they do anything at all), you will want to be certain that the items are useful and that you’re actually going to use them on a regular basis.
- Do you like the look?
Enjoying the look and feel of the products you use in your kitchen is essential. For example, we love the modern and clean aesthetic of Mary’s Kitchen Towels product line—plus all the colorful flour sack tea towels. That’s why we decided on them for both use and décor.
Get colors that you like and that are going to give you joy and energy while you’re making meals or cleaning up. That’s why many individuals choose to use yellow as a big décor color in their kitchens – it makes it bright and sunny in there.
- Does it all match?
You don’t want to end up in a situation where nothing matches. Your bright red stand mixer is not going to go very well with a baby blue toaster. You need to be aware of what is already in your kitchen and, when you purchase new items, get ones that help the aesthetic of the space. The better that all of it matches, the more satisfied you’ll be with the look.
- Will it fit?
As mentioned above, kitchens typically don’t have a lot of space to work with. Even if you’ve been blessed by the gods that oversee countertop space, you’ll find that there is only so much space for you to work with. Figuring out whether or not something is going to fit from day one forward is important to consider before you drop the money on it.
- How many functions does it have?
One of the most important rules related to buying kitchen tools, appliances, and other items is whether or not it has multiple uses. Even towels have multiple uses – you can use them for décor and for cleaning up any sort of mess that you may be dealing with!
If you’re looking to purchase any sort of appliance or tool, you’ll want to see if it has multiple functions. There are very few things that you’ll want to give space in your kitchen that only have one function, because it helps you to get things done more quickly and you don’t need to rummage through drawers as often.
- How long will it last?
Kitchen supplies and appliances need to have some longevity behind them. You don’t want to purchase cups and plates that are only going to last you a couple of weeks! Instead, you want to put a little bit of extra money into items that will last.
Be conscious of what you’re buying and how long you expect it to serve you. Then, when you look at reviews for those items, you want to be sure to look for information related to its longevity. Also look for warranties related to that longevity, so that you can ensure that the item can easily be replaced if it does break earlier than it should.
As you can see, there are a number of considerations that you’re going to want to look at here. You need to have a fully functional kitchen and, in order to do that, you need to start with the very best items. See what is out there and learn as much as possible about products. In the end, you’ll put together a kitchen that works for all of your specific purposes.
NoHo Local Alex Garza Lands Coveted Television Academy Fellowship
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We always say the NoHo motto should be: “NoHo is only as great as its people.”
We like to share positive news about our local folks and showcase their talents. We are, afterall, the NoHo ARTS District.
Meet North Hollywood local Alex Garza who has been selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s prestigious 2020 Summer Fellows program.
Alex, a 2020 graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) majored in Animation and Digital Arts. He will be an animation fellow this summer. Garza attended North Hollywood High School.
“It’s truly an honor to have been chosen for the 2020 Summer Fellowship Program by members of the Television Academy,” said Garza. “I have always been interested in animation and TV from a young age. Some of my favorite cartoons were “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Ren & Stimpy Show.” Just imagining I could be the showrunner or visual director on a show someday is what inspires me.”
Check out Alex’s thesis trailer.
Normally, the Television Academy Foundation’s annual Internship Program provides 50 paid internships, at top Hollywood studios and production companies, to college students nationwide. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Television Academy Foundation has had to re-imagine its internship program this year offering the 50 students selected from across the country the chance to either intern remotely or enroll as a Summer Fellow.
The Summer Fellows Program includes virtual one-on-one visits with professionals in a student’s field of study, online panels with leaders in the television industry, and customized seminars covering personal brand building and navigating the job market ahead. Fellows also become life-long members of the Foundation’s alumni family giving them access to events and networking opportunities as they build their careers in the industry.
The program includes a series of professional development webinars for students with top industry professionals including writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Old Guard”); Amazon Studios executives Albert Cheng, (Chief Operating Officer and Co-Head of Television) and Vernon Sanders (Co-Head of Television); and the executive producer of the Apple TV+ series “Little Voice” Sara Bareilles and series star Brittany O’Grady.
Internships at the Television Academy Foundation>>
About the Television Academy Foundation
Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. For more information on the Foundation, visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
Manic Castle Hash | Kristin Posehn
In the throes of a pandemic, where near everything seems closed or suspended, what if we had an art exhibition that was open 24/7?
What if we could safely view an installation at any time of the day (or night) and socially distance – even drive-by – a perpetually open gallery exhibit?
Manic Castle Hash is an Outdoor painting installation by Kristin Posehn. Extant on a 30 ft x 9 ft cinderblock wall, Manic Castle Hash channels skyrise reflections as a vessel for commentary on cyclical and engrained financial disparity. In city finance hubs, such as DTLA, we can observe as spectators/citizens how skyscrapers reflect back on one another through their mirrored composition. This reflection can likewise be figuratively viewed in corporate bailouts, stock buybacks, and painfully discernable inequality.
The ‘Manic Castle’ can be interpreted as this never-ending (even accelerating) income inequality. The “Hash” portion of Manic Castle Hash refers to the mathematical method for compressing information. In a departure from encryption, hashed information can’t be returned to its original form. From contracts to password storage, hashing is used for a variety of tech means. The almost step-and-repeat-like form of skyscrapers reflecting on one another is a lucidly interpretable visual of the artwork. Located at 5601 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016, Manic Castle Hash is available for a drive-by gallery viewing any time of day from August 15 – November 15, 2020 at Open Wall Salon.
Open wall Salon is a delightfully innovative art gallery which interrogates the very nature of how we conceive of (and perceive) art galleries (formal spaces to view artist’s works). The gallery space? A steel picket fence safeguards two mature fan palms and a lengthy thirty-foot cinder block wall. This cinder block wall is the rotating gallery which flouted traditional gallery hours long before the pandemic’s restrictions. Made possible by Stiftung NRW and support of the Open Face Food Shop, Open Wall is an open investigation into the ephemeral, and possibilities of continuous change.
Artist:
Kristin Posehn
When:
August 15 – November 15, 2020
Open for view at all times
Gallery: Open Wall Salon / Binomial Nomenclature
Where:
5601 W. Adams Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Incredible and Quick Hoison Tofu Stir-Fry | Plant Based
I adore this stir-fry. Probably one of the best bang for your buck meals out there.
Super easy to make, dirt cheap, tastes amazing and also works really well for meal prep. I hope you guys enjoy and subscribe for more awesome content!
The Whitefire Theatre Solofest Presents “Rudy, Get Up”
Written by Dallas Bancroft
Adapted, Directed and Performed by Luella Wagner
I miss live theatre so much and Solofest was cut short this year. But this Streamfest was a stroke of genius by the good folks at my beloved Whitefire.
It’s a tough genre, the online play, and nowhere is better prepared for it than the Whitefire. They have been streaming shows for the past couple of years as an addition to the live performances they produce and sending it out for audiences all over the country and the world.
I was lucky enough to catch Luella Wagners solo show, “Bloom Where You Are Planted” in last year’s Solofest. The show was centered around her experiences teaching at a reservation in Montana and I absolutely loved it. So I was very happy to see that she had created a new show for the Whitefire Theatre’s Streamfest.
This time Luella performs a piece written by Dallas Bancroft and adapted by her for this unique streaming genre. The central character, Esther, the Italian mother of the teenager Rudy, stands in her Boston kitchen giving us a running monologue as the mother of a classic underachiever determined to stay in bed.
We enter their lives on the morning of Rudy’s SATs with Esther trying her best to keep him focused on what’s most important, getting up and her own magical life sequence – go to school, graduate, get a job, get a car, get a girlfriend, get married, have kids, go to Disney World. The perfect life. But after she finds a letter from a bartending school in her morning mail that Rudy sent away to, she loses it just a little, as she tries to convince Rudy to become an engineer, join the Army, build rollercoasters, hydroelectric plants… literally anything to get him out of the house, or at least her house and not become a bartender.
I must have had conversations something like this with my son about a hundred times, although I like to think I didn’t yell as much! Trying to fill the heads of our children with as much ambition as we can while not going crazy is a hard path to walk at times. Esther has the added pressure of her firstborn “Carlo” who ended up in prison, regardless of her efforts to help him forge a better path.
It’s a very funny piece and Luella is brilliant as this slightly wrung out Italian mother – pushy, loving, loud and in the end, victorious. Rudy is perfectly played by Brandon Loeser, mostly poutingly and from off stage, although he does turn up at the end and is hilarious.
I am pretty passionate about solo theatre, although Rudy’s role doesn’t make it exactly a solo show, Luella gets a pass since she is so wonderful! This play is funny, poignant and absolutely believable. A mother standing in her kitchen, yelling at her teenager to get up and get to school is seared into most mothers’ memories…especially those of us who have sons, although my daughter was almost as bad at getting up if I remember rightly. Luella is vivid in this role. Charmingly emotional, brutally honest and sweetly tender, the way only a mother can be whilst screaming….I loved it!!!
YouTube link is: Luella Wagner
Facebook: Luella Wagner
Instagram: Luella Wagner
Here’s the NoHo News for August 20
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NoHo News: #KeepNoHoArtsy. Staycation Giveaways. At the Fridge Again. Couch Theatre. Fashionably Safe. SPF11. Grinch Who Stole Summer. Vegan Nachos.
Here’s your NoHo arts community update! We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.
Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>
This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>
Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.
Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!
Follow NoHo News with Bloglovin
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
#KeepNoHoArtsy: NoHo Utility Box Program
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Let’s brighten up the NoHo Arts District! Apply for the NoHo Utility Box Program.
Dear Artists,
I’m excited to announce the “NoHo Utility Box Program” and welcome local artists to submit their design concepts for North Hollywood! The theme for this artist call is “movement.”
I’m proud to sponsor the program in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and MURALism.org. The program will be directed by renowned San Fernando Valley-based muralist Levi Ponce.
Applications are now open at www.nohostreetart.com! Please download the application package and review all submission details. Participating artists will be compensated for their work and materials. Submission deadline is end of the day, September 18.
Please be sure to forward this email to anyone who may also be interested! We look forward to seeing your creative submissions and the vibrant new additions to our community!
Very truly yours,
Paul Krekorian
Los Angeles City Councilmember, Second District
#KeepNoHoArtsy
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
The Group Repertory Company at Lonny Chapman Theatre Presents “Tuesdays With Morrie”
Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom
Directed by L. Flint Esquerra
Starring Larry Eisenberg (Morrie) and TJ McNeill (Mitch)
Online only from August 14 through August 30. https://thegrouprep.com
“Tuesdays With Morrie” was a hugely successful book by American author Mitch Albom about a series of visits Albom made to his former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz, as Schwartz gradually dies of ALS.
The book was adapted by Albom and the playwright Jeffery Hatcher and ran to great acclaim on Broadway, winning multiple awards. Since then there have been many revivals and a movie with Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria. It’s a tragic story made poignant and funny and meaningful by Albom’s obvious and deep love and respect for his former professor and his need to show him his profound presence in his life.
It’s an interesting pick for an online play, especially given why we are all still only able to take part in public performances at a digital distance at the moment, for fear of a deadly disease. The irony of this however only seems to add gravitas to this artful and ambitious production.
The performances are purposeful and sensitive, finely crafted and yet still realistic and vulnerable. These two actors seem to have a connection that transcends the difficulties of this meagre genre – the online play – and we are very fortunate that they do. Oh how I miss live performances. If I’m honest, the thought of sitting through a play, with all the measure and importance of this, without the ability to actually be there in the room where is happens as if where, is a bit grim.
But the good folks at The Group Rep have created something magical for us. L Flint Esquerra directs with compassion a beautifully written play with roles most actors would give their right arm for. The themes are of love, gratitude and the fortune of knowing when someone is important enough, when they changed your life enough, that you would change yours for them when they needed you the most…and you consider it a privilege. These are big themes, timely themes, themes that are brutally required.
Larry Eisenberg as Morrie is wonderful. Funny, thoughtful, believable and riveting to the end. TJ McNeill as Mitch is his perfect foil. Sweet, conflicted, heartbroken and truthful.
Together they allow us into their characters,and the very private and personal time together as they tenderly unfold this truly brilliant play.
I highly recommend “Tuesdays With Morrie” produced by the Group Rep. It’s online, so it will feel different. But since we have all exhausted Netflix and the like, give this a chance will you? Theatres are struggling to survive, actors are bereft without the promise of performing. So at least, for the time being, we can all help each other out. Support your local NoHo theatres, their fabulous actors, directors and producers, and spend a couple of hours pretending you are actually there. Darken the room, snuggle on the sofa, unwrap your sweeties before curtain up and believe!!!!
The play has a limited run through August 30. There is a free streamed talk-back with Mitch Albom, director L. Flint Esquerra, and cast members Larry Eisenberg and TJ McNeill, hosted by the Artistic Director of the Group Rep Doug Haverty available at https://www.facebook.com/TheGroupRep A Pay-Per-View Show Pass is $20. To buy a pass and for information please visit www.thegrouprep.com or call (818) 763-5990.
Chasing Waterfalls and Wine in the Finger Lakes
In upstate New York, the Finger Lakes region brings together two fabulous experiences for an active traveler like me who likes a tasting reward at the end of a hike – numerous trails that lead to waterfalls (literally hundreds of them!) and a wine region with lots of vineyards for tastings.
And get this – many of the wineries also produce their own craft beer, so if you would rather go that route to quench your thirst after a day of hiking, that is an option too in the Finger Lakes.
There are several of these long (yet deep) Lakes in the region – the main ones to focus on if you have just a few days for exploring are Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. You can literally drive around the lakes and expect a winery every 5 minutes or so. Both lakes are situated close to many of the beautiful state parks that feature hiking trails to all the waterfalls.
I stayed at The Showboat Motel, which is on the west side of Seneca Lake, about halfway up. It was a perfect central location for everything I wanted to do, without having to pack up and move to different accommodations each night. The Showboat, which opened in 1958, has a dynamic history of stars and celebrities who have stayed there, including Michael Landon and Rod Sterling. The Showboat’s new owner: Mark Cronin, is sprucing up the property, while still maintaining its rustic – cottage type charm. Get one of the waterfront rooms and experience some of the most amazing sunrises over the lake to start your day.
So, here is a 3-day itinerary you can follow for an adventure in the Finger Lakes:
For your first hike, I’d suggest heading over to Watkins Glen State Park, just south of Seneca Lake. Here you can do the 1.5-mile Gorge Trail that features 19 waterfalls. It’s an enchanting setting and the spectacular stone trails you’ll walk on were crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. There are over 800 steps on this trail, but plenty of places to stop, rest and enjoy the views along the way. There is a decent amount of shade as well in the canyon.
Afterwards it’s time to hit up the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. There are roughly 40 wineries on this lake (Seneca) so taste away (safely)! I stopped at Wagner Vineyards and Ventosa Vineyards first. Both were great with amazing views. Another awesome feature of the Finger Lakes is the creameries scattered around that you can do tastings at. I made a stop at Muranda Cheese Company where they let you taste about 10 of their cheese varieties. The last winery of the day I went to was Miles Wine Cellars. It’s a beautiful and scenic winery with an elegant and majestic mansion Consider dinner this evening at the century-old historic Belhurst Castle overlooking Seneca Lake.
Head out the next morning to Robert Treman State Park and get warmed up doing the .5 miles round-trip loop on paved flat surface to view Enfield Falls. (But if you are feeling spunky today you can do the 2 miles Rim to Gorge Trail.) Not far away is Buttermilk Falls State Park and you can do the 1.5 mile Gorge and Rim Trail Loop to their falls.
Today’s tastings will be on Cayuga Lake, which touts itself as having America’s first wine trail. There are about 20 wineries on this lake. I visited Varick Winery . They have a nice little country store there also. Lucas Vineyards is a good stop as it is the lake’s oldest winery. Most of the wineries have docks, so you can do a Cayuga Lake Boat Cruise Wine Tasting Tour. Captain Matt with Bianconi Tours can take you around for that.
If you have time after your tastings, consider visiting the Corning Museum of Glass and dinner afterwards both in Ithaca
On your last morning in the Finger Lakes, go to Taughannock Falls State Park and do the Gorge Trail. It is a 2 mile out and back hike to the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains!
You will definitely “Falls” in love with the Finger Lakes and once you get a “Taste” of it you will want to go back again. If you are visiting during the health crisis, please adhere to all mask and social distancing requirements. You will still have a great experience.
I will be hosting a Waterfall Hiking and Wine and Craft Beer Tasting Tour in the Finger Lakes in the Spring of 2021. Let me know if you would like to come along with us on a small group tour and experience this splendid region in upstate New York.
9 Potential Head Injury Dangers
Head blows can occur in many different ways. No one wants that to happen to them, but if it does, then you would hope the injury is not too severe. In time, perhaps you’ll be able to recover with no adverse effects.
In some instances, with more serious head injuries, your entire lifestyle can change. Let’s look at ways that your life might be different following this type of incident.
Infections
If you fall and hurt your head or something strikes you, you can sustain a skull fracture. Any blow to the head can damage brain tissue, and it can also tear the membrane that surrounds your brain. When that happens:
- Bacteria might enter the wound, causing an infection
- It can threaten your life or cause lasting damage
If you suffer an external head wound, it’s critical that you keep it clean. Doctors might also give you antibiotics to prevent infection.
Sensory Changes
Brain damage can lead to sensory changes as well. Those might include:
- Taste loss
- Smell loss
Because of the brain’s neural connections, any head blow can throw off these processes. You might start to have vision blind spots.
You may also not be able to regulate your body’s temperature as well as you once could. You’ll often feel either too cold or too hot.
Mental Problems
Because the brain is the thought nerve center, your every mental process and way of dealing with the world take place there. You might not be able to solve problems as well after a head blow, even relatively simple ones.
You may not be able to process information as well as you once could. Even simply thinking about something and making determinations about it might be a struggle.
You might have been a great mental tactician, but you can lose that ability after a serious head blow. It’s possible this ability could return in time, or you may never get it back, depending on the injury severity.
Depression
People who suffer head and brain injuries sometimes feel depressed as well. Even if you always had a cheerful disposition before, that might not be the case after this type of accident. Your family and friends may find that you are different than you used to be.
It might be almost impossible to return to the person you once were. Things like therapy can help, but the old version of you might be gone forever, and you’ll only be a poor facsimile of that individual.
Emotional Problems
You also might have trouble containing your emotions following a head injury. You might cry or laugh easily, even when it’s not appropriate to do so. You may not know why you’re reacting that way, and it could be embarrassing for you and those around you.
In time, these outbursts might die down, or you could learn to control them. It’s also possible, though, that they’ll never go away if the injury is bad enough. That will make it tough to be in social situations where people expect a particular decorum.
Insensitivity
You also might lose your empathy capacity. When someone else hurts themselves, you might not find yourself capable of sympathizing with them. If they’re upset, you may not be able to understand why.
This is not you being cruel. You may have damaged the brain part that allows you to be compassionate, through no fault of your own.
Even though you’re not doing it intentionally, some people might find it difficult to be around you because of this. You could lose friendships or not feel as close to some individuals as you once did.
PTSD
Following a head injury, some people also develop post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a condition that some soldiers develop or individuals trying to get over robberies, assaults, or natural disasters.
You might remember how the injury occurred, or you might not recall it at all. PTSD is possible in either situation.
You might need medication or therapy to work through it. With a little luck, it’s possible that your symptoms might lessen in time.
There are support groups you might go to where you can talk about what’s happening with you and listen to people who are going through similar things. Having someone to commiserate with can be beneficial.
Memory Loss
You also might have either short or long-term memory loss with a head injury. Either one is challenging to get past.
With short-term memory loss, you might not be able to remember what someone just told you. They can tell you about what’s happening in their life, and then, moments later, you will have lost that information.
If they tell you to pick something up from the grocery store, you won’t be able to remember what they needed. You may need to jot things down on paper or use your phone’s memo function to help you.
If you’re losing long-term memories, that can be just as bad. Perhaps you can’t remember things that happened in your childhood. Maybe you can’t remember how you and your spouse or significant other met.
That can be distressing for you and your loved ones. Your memories might return in time, or you may have to learn some techniques to try and retain whatever information you can.
Hormonal Regulation Problems
You might even have to deal with hormonal effects since certain head injuries damage your pituitary gland. This gland regulates the thyroid.
If the head injury damaged this critical gland, then it might cut back your hormone production. This could lead to an underactive thyroid, which doctors call hypothyroidism.
Head injury effects can be wide-ranging and frightening. You must get together with your doctor and other medical professionals to talk about your options. You can explain your symptoms to them, and they can tell you your best path moving forward.
A serious head injury can be the most significant challenge you will ever face. Ideally, your family and friends can help you get through it with their patience and love.
5 Ethical Principles in Student Life
Several development theories involve principles that are common among students in tertiary institutions.
As a scholar, understanding these principles can greatly enhance the way you work with relationships. Success outside college often comes down to how great you are connecting with people. Instilling yourself with these principles sets you on the right path to making better decisions and being professional.
As a student, there are several ways you can get information centered around ethical questions. When they arise, referring and reading through ethics essay examples is a great idea. Most of these essays describe principles that help students stay on track and find the right solutions to their ethical issues.
Reading free ethic essays of high quality can greatly equip you with the knowledge required for you to answer your questions on several societal issues. Student life usually involves a large number of controversies and ethical dilemmas that need solving. In this article, we will talk about some of the top ethical principles students can implement to work their way toward independent adult life.
Top Ethical Principles in Student Life
You can find several ethical principles in student life which you can follow in an attempt to prep yourself up for great adult life. Below, we will take a look at an overview of some of them that provide answers to ethical questions for college students. Here’s the deal:
Good Deeds
As a scholar, there are several ways to accomplish good deeds. Usually, these come as various opportunities for you to do good including leadership, direction, and positive modeling. If you are looking for some of the best ways you can do so, you can start by joining groups or volunteering some of your time to special events.
Usually, doing good doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wait for something bad to happen and you try to fix it. It involves you going to areas you know would need your help and you helping out in every way you can. This is a great way to start building a foundation for your life as an adult based on college student ethics.
Independence
Another one of the many student ethics you should follow is the act of anatomy. Being independent is an important factor that you must consider to handle ethical issues in your life as a student. By doing this, you get the chance to settle matters directly on your own and this is something being an adult solely relies on.
Independency is a very crucial character that you can possess once you secure certain things in your life. Usually, some of these things include a stable source of income and a better sense of self-confidence and direction. Acquiring the ability to live on your own means you can easily answer questions on what it takes to become independent and responsible.
Prevent Harm
Preventing harm is another ethics for students. This should involve you keeping yourself and others far from dangerous activities or any kind of threat. Sometimes, you can do this by keeping to public safety rules and also using public safety materials in case of emergencies.
Looking into the general welfare of people around you is a critical move for preventing harm. Doing this will surely prepare you for what lies ahead and help you stay on the right track toward adult life.
Justice
Students should value justice every day. As you grow, ensuring you retain the right form of justice is crucial. Always remember to treat everyone with equality and retain objectivity in your view of everyone.
Faithfulness
Trust is an essential factor that defines relationships. With your faithfulness, you can easily retain loyalty towards your duties as a student. You can always see this in yourself when your actions reflect your commitment toward your skills and limitations.
As a student, there are certain duties you have. Ensuring you handle them with genuine interest and loyalty will greatly spark positive results.
Conclusion
Avoiding unethical practices should be one of your priorities as a scholar. To educate yourself about ethics, you can check out some paper samples that base their topics on ethical issues. This should give you some useful information.
From the above-listed ethical principles for student life, you can equip yourself with knowledge on how you can start working on dealing with some ethical issues and dilemmas. Good luck!
Heat Wave Indoor Exercises
This time of year for many is tough. It’s so hot you can’t even walk your dog after 9am! This is really difficult for higher energy breeds so I wanted to give you all some ideas you can do with your dogs indoors.
FIRST…just a little word of caution. A common misconception is that if you are okay with the heat, your dog is. This just isn’t true. Dogs do not sweat all over like we do, have thinner skin, need more frequent breaks in the shade and they have flesh for feet! Because of all these things, they are often less tolerant to humid heat and direct sun when doing activities. Please take those things into consideration during these hot weeks.
Now back to the fun part. You might be surprised how a little extra work during the day can help keep your dog mentally drained. I’m going to list a few ideas for everyone.
Come, sit, break for breakfast!
This is an excellent obedience drill to do with a dog any age! Use their breakfast if they eat dry kibble and walk around the room giving them a few pieces randomly. Just say your dogs name and then say “good” and give a piece of food. 3-5 repetitions and your dog should be following you around some. Once that happens have your dog sit, then say break and drop 5-10 pieces of kibble on the ground. Once your dog eats that food, say dogs name and come as you take a few steps back and repeat verbal commands “sit”, “break”, drop food. When your dog is doing this easily, when you drop the food, start to move away while your dog is eating. Once they eat the last piece of kibble, call them to you, come, sit, break. After 2-3 sessions you will be able to drop their kibble and move clear across the room. If they RUN to you, say sit and do a long pause before that “break” command with food. If they are slower, then they will need more encouragement and less distance between you and them. You can also do this with treats. 10 minutes tops and your dog will be getting physical exercise while working for their food! WIN WIN!
NOTE: this is a great foundation to build before teaching hide and seek where you drop food, then hide. Call your dog to you in a closet and give them food. Pretty soon you won’t need to call them, they will just seek you out.
Trick training!
I usually suggest sticking to one trick until it is really solid before mixing it up. Just head to youtube and find a trick that will be easy. If your dog already paws at you a lot, do something that involves their legs like high five. If your dog is great at “down”, then look for a roll over video tutorial. Practice this 5 minutes a day, once or twice a day.
Brush up an old command that has gone stale! One of the MOST common one I hear about is “off” from the couch. Grab 10 treats. Put your dog on the couch. Just say “off” and move back and hold out food like you are saying “come”. “Good” and reward with food. Guide them back on the couch. Repeat 10x. The next day, do the same thing, but only 5x. Then sit next to your dog and try pointing on the ground and saying off with food lure. “Good” and reward with food. The next day repeat the same sequence and start to give food randomly.
Get out some puzzle toys or some old boxes. I personally like to always save some old amazon boxes. I’ll pull them out occasionally and dump dog food or treats in them and my dogs dive in. This is great mental stimulation and builds confidence. I still have one dog that is a little shy of the noises the boxes make. So we always go slower and I make it easier on her. My other dogs I stack them oddly and really make it challenging.
Finally, the most important one that is the most ignored is some slow obedience training.
I know that one is NO fun, haha, but the reality is when we only do these higher drive exercises with our dogs, it nurtures too much pushy and forward motion work with food and we MUST slow them down. Take about 3 commands the dog knows. This could be place, down and let’s go, just for example. Put a leash on your dog. For 5-10 minutes anytime of day or after a fun and higher excitement exercise, go through a slow routine with your dog to help them calm down and to make sure you are also associated with calm behavior, not just food and fun. This is SO important! For example, say “place” and guide them on their dog bed (this needs to be commands they know already to start with, otherwise teach them some new ones!). Count to 3 in your head slowly while standing next to them. Then say “down”. Repeat the count once they are in a down. Then say “let’s go” and calmly walk in a small circle back to place. Say “place” and once they are on the dog bed count to 5 slowly. Get the idea? Mix up how long they stay, but never faster than that three count or you are just building excitement again. Hopefully your pup will do so well and calm down so much they will start to lay down automatically and/or not want to even do the “let’s go”. The goal is they do this slow and boring routine where they just want to nap, so let them!!!
I hope everyone takes this heat wave as an opportunity to get creative inside with your dog, challenge them and deepen your bond with them.
Fringe from Home
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The Hollywood Fringe Festival introduces the ongoing, and totally virtual: FRINGE FROM HOME program.
“While the 2020 festival may be cancelled, the community is not; Fringe will continue to expand virtual programming until we can be together in person again” says HFF Festival Director, Ben Hill. As an open access, community derived event, programming is designed for all artists and arts lovers in L.A., around the country (or even around the world).
FRINGE FROM HOME ongoing virtual events in August 2020:
In addition to the above virtual programming, The Hollywood Fringe is offering their ticketing platform to all artists free of charge. In addition to selling tickets, registered participants on the virtual Fringe will receive free advertising on our site.
Check out all of the above programming on their website.
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
“2020: The Year of the Solo Artist”
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
-Toni Morrison
2020 is precisely the time for artists to go to work.
This is especially true of Solo Artists because we possess a unique bravery and vulnerability that incites inspiration and triggers transformation.
Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize winning novelist Toni Morrison’s powerful quote above contains the medicine that our world needs to truly heal. A vaccine may kill the virus, but how will we kill the bigotry, eradicate the divisiveness, and murder the ignorance and passivity that has brought us to this point as a civilization?
One of the most powerful healing serums that I know of is Art, and more specifically, Solo Art.
There are so many deep wounds and agonizing issues in our world that desperately need illumination and a call to action from artists and audiences alike.
Yet, in all of the chaos, pain, and loss that this year has brought, many solo artists have become completely disconnected with the artist within.
If you are a solo artist who feels separated from your artistry due to the trials and tribulations of this year, then I hope that this article will aid you in finding your way back to creative connection.
To begin, let’s take a moment to accept what is .
“Accept-then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it…This will miraculously transform your whole life.”
-Eckhart Tolle
There is great empowerment to be found in Echkhart Tolle’s quote above. Yet, it can be so deeply painful and wildly terrifying to be here now in this present moment that many solo artists are looking back at 2019 with nostalgia and grief. Others are fantasizing about the saving grace that 2021 may bring. The very last thing that many of us want to do is accept the reality of 2020.
However, if we forgo the present moment to reminisce on the past or dream of the future, then how can we possibly create and share art that brings healing and transformation into this current circumstance?
Yes, we are in a tumultuous and uncertain time. That is our current collective reality. And it is true that as solo artists, our artform looks nothing like it used to because audiences can no longer safely sell out theatres and hear our stories in person.
That is a painful reality to accept, indeed. Therefore, allow yourself to acknowledge the creative losses you have endured this year. Have grace for yourself in the artistic actions you took or did not take in the months since the pandemic struck. And, most importantly, allow yourself to really feel your feelings about all of this.
If we feel it, we can heal it, and then we can truly move forward.
Once we step into this present circumstance and accept what is, the next step is to acknowledge what is unacceptable in our world.
“Apathy is the acceptance of the unacceptable.”
-John Scott
As solo artists, we are not meant to be in a codependent relationship with our art or our audiences. We are not writing, creating and performing in order to people please and play it safe. No. We are called to shake things up, to say the hard things that need to be said, to speak our truth, and to boldly shed light on what is unacceptable.
One of the gifts in disguise that 2020 gave us was an acute awareness of just how many things are unacceptable in our society and in this world. Use this moment in time to acknowledge for yourself what those unacceptable things are from your unique point of view as a solo artist.
Once you have allowed yourself to accept what is, identify what is unacceptable, then the next step in this New Normal is to take meaningful creative action as a solo artist.
Be still and ask yourself…
What can I do as a solo artist in this present moment to illicit transformation of what is unacceptable to me? What do I have to say as a playwright and performer that will contribute to this important conversation?
“In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
After you sit in silence listening for the answer, really trust the inuitive answer that comes up for you, and be silent no more.
Breaking your silence as an artist can take many forms as you start to find your voice again, so take it one meaningful step at a time.
The answer could be as simple as researching an online solo theatre class and beginning to educate yourself on this genre so that you can one day powerfully perform your show.
Maybe you already have a show written and the answer for you is applying to a festival or other performance opportunity to share your story with the world.
Perhaps your answer is that you need more time to be in a creative pause, but you want to support someone else who is livestreaming their solo show about a subject matter that you want to raise awareness.
Whatever the answer was for you, just remember to trust your inner artist and know that “This is precisely the time when artists go to work.”
To conclude, please find encouragement and inspiration from this list of resources below of upcoming solo theatre related events and opportunities.
Let’s keep LIVE theatre ALIVE!
Jessica Lynn Johnson
Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com
Submit to and Support the WORLD PREMIERE of the BLACK VOICES FESTIVAL!
A livestreaming festival at the whitefire theatre this Fall season featuring the solo shows of black solo artists. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE BLACK VOICES FESTIVAL
Submit to and Support the WORLD PREMIERE of the SOARING SOLO SALON!
Award winning Director & Developer, Jessica Lynn Johnson, hosts an evening of brand new solo show excerpts. This enticing program will be livestreaming from the Whitefire Theatre and will rotate 6 superb Solo Artists in and out throughout the night. This event will be monthly and solo artists are encouraged to submit to future salons by emailing SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com or CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE SOARING SOLO SALON.
Start every Hump Day off right with FREE Guided Meditation and Writing Prompts with “Isolate Meditate Create”!
Join BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST WINNER Jessica Lynn Johnson EVERY HUMP DAY @ 9AM (PST) on ZOOM for ISOLATE. MEDITATE. CREATE!
This is a 100% free guided meditation & writing prompt experience is designed to keep you healthy, connected and creative EVERY HUMP DAY during STAY AT HOME and who knows, maybe you will even write your one person play with the content you create.
CLICK HERE TO ATTEND ISOLATE MEDITATE CREATE and obtain the Zoom link and password.
Attend the Soaring Solo FREE One Person Play Development class ONLINE!
No matter where you are in the creation of your solo show, idea phase, curiosity phase, full draft written, touring the festival and college market,BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST & Founder of Soaring Solo, Jessica Lynn Johnson, will meet you where you are at and take you to the next level! All that is required to attend is a willingness to explore, a pen, and some paper. No previous writing or performance experience necessary, and no need to have written anything to bring to class. Each week Jessica will guide you in exercises to help generate and stage NEW material! So come and meet other creatives in a supportive space for expression and exploration! The class is ongoing and so you may pop in and out as you please as long as you RSVP by clicking here for this FREE ONE PERSON PLAY CLASS.
Watch a slew of sensational solo shows this month!
The best way to CREATE a solo show is to SEE solo shows! Jessica Lynn Johnson has proudly Directed & Developed over 100 solo shows in her solo theatre career and is still going strong! She would absolutely love to have you join her and the rest of the Soaring Solo Community at any of the following upcoming LIVESTREAMING solo shows she has had the honor of creatively collaborating on.
CLICK HERE FOR A ROSTER OF UPCOMING LIVESTREAMING SOLO SHOWS
Attend the 7th Annual VIRTUAL Empowerment Weekend by the LA Women’s Festival!
The 7th Annual Solo Performer Empowerment Weekend is an extended week-end of workshops and panels tailored to empower and enhance the careers of solo performers in particular, and an event full of information to benefit all performers.
The event is presented by the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival (LAWTF) via Zoom, Friday – Sunday, August 28 – 30, 2020.
Tuition for the weekend is $25. This discounted tuition is made possible in part by support for this program provided through the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Arts Development Fee Program.
A Zoom link will be sent to those who have completed registration.
CLICK HERE TO FOR MORE INFO & TO RSVP FOR THIS EVENT!
Schedule an Online Coaching Consultation with Jessica Lynn Johnson to discuss the possibilities for your solo show!
Jessica brings her 15+ years of solo theatre expertise to work privately with solo artists from all over the world on an as needed basis.
1 on 1 coaching and consultation is for you if…
-You are curious about creating a solo show, but you need writing prompts to help you generate material.
– You are tossing around ideas for your solo show, but you need some accountability and encouragement to commit those ideas to the page.
-You have already written some material, but you need expert feedback on editing, story structure and play formatting.
-You have a great first draft, but need guidance on how to utilize multimedia and solo theatre technique in order to make your show a dynamic piece of solo theatre.
-You already premiered your solo show and now you want some tips on how to tour colleges and festivals, and garner accolades and great reviews!
-You have heard great things about Jessica’s work and you’re curious about hiring her as a Director & Developer for your solo show, but first, you want to feel her out and see if she is the right fit for you and your project.
Wherever you may find yourself on your solo journey, Jessica will help you overcome whatever immediate obstacle stands between you and your solo success.
If you resonated with many of the things on this list, then take the next step by emailing
SoaringSoloArtist@gmail.com for more information.
How to Travel with Your Bike by Car
Riding a bike can be a thrilling experience, especially when you are just peddling for short distances.
However, exploring farther places by peddling can be very tiring. Therefore, you will want to transport your bike by a car. But how possible is this?
Well, relax and read on. Folks who like cycling will do whatever it takes to transport their bikes on far or near trips.
Here are some ways to carry your bike when traveling by car:
- Use of Roof Racks
Most people use the roof rack to transport their bikes. When using a roof rack, you can remove the front wheel or carry it without removing any wheel.
Some people choose to remove the front if their roof rack has a fork grabber. In this case, the bike is locked with the fork grabber to evade any possible theft.
This method is convenient because the trunk is accessible, and the interior stays available for your gear and passengers. Besides, the bike will not sway as you drive.
However, you will have to stretch up to get your bike onto the roof rack. The car is also likely to consume more fuel due to the wind resistance caused by the bike.
- Use of Trunk Mount Racks
These are affordable bike rack systems that cost about $50 to $200. Trunk racks are created to rest on the rear part of a car trunk, and they have fastenings to adjust it in place.
The trunk-mount racks have arms and cradles that support the bike keeping locked in place.
This method is liked by many because trunk racks are adjustable and can be used in different vehicles. They are portable enough and highly storable when not in use.
The downside of trunk racks is that they impede the trunk access and can only carry a maximum of three bikes.
The efficiency of the trunk rack depends on whether you fasten the straps tightly. If this is done poorly, the bike may keep swaying or even fall when you are still driving. Thus, you have to be careful when using trunk racks.
- Use of Hitch Mount Racks
This is the most popular way of carrying bikes used by many cyclists. Although it is a bit expensive than trunk racks, it is a more secure method that is suitable for frequent users.
Hitch mount racks are made with an advanced design as they can carry two five bikes. When carrying your bikes with this method, you can use either the hanging cradle style or platform style.
Hanging cradle style is whereby the bikes are supported by the frame of the mast in these racks. In this case, the bike hangs from the rack.
While this style is cheaper than the platform style, the bikes are usually not held securely and can sway when you drive.
On the other hand, the platform style is where the bikes sit on the rack’s platform. This style is more beneficial since the bikes are kept firmly in place, reducing any abrasions and damages.
Generally, hitch racks are incredible when compared with other types of racks. They are simple to install and still more secure. Most hitch racks come with a lock. Hence security is not a problem.
If you want to buy a hitch rack, https://www.thrillappeal.com/best-hitch-bike-rack provides you with a review of the best hitch racks available today.
- Packing the Bike
Finally, you can pack the bike in a bag or box and put it at the backseat of your car. If you want to pack the bike, you will have to remove certain parts like pedals, wheels, and handlebars. Packing your bike in a bag will make it easy for you to put it inside the car.
TIME TO TRAVEL – AT LEAST THROUGH THE MOVIES
If this were a normal summer, I’d be traveling (when I’m not reviewing films, I teach high school English so I have a relatively free summer), but since we are still dealing with the pandemic, there are places that are beyond my reach at this moment—for all kinds of reasons.
Maybe you feel the same way and yearn to either go somewhere—or like me, partake of some cinematic excursions that will either remind you of places you’ve been or perhaps inspire you to venture where you haven’t. So in no particular order, I offer some suggestions both domestic and foreign, that might satisfy or whet your appetite. This is a purely subjective list—goodness knows there are many more, but I hope you’ll find it a good starting point—arranged by region.
The American West: So much that one can discuss, from the Badlands of South Dakota to “pick a canyon” in Utah, to Sedona, Arizona but the films of John Ford and his use of Monument Valley certainly to inspired me to visit there at least a few times (I’ve been to the aforementioned regions as well). The Searchers and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon are probably the most beautifully filmed depictions of that region (and they’re tied to some pretty riveting tales starring John Wayne). I will say that after you visit Monument Valley in person and travel the length and breadth of it, you may wonder why it takes The Searchers’ John Wayne/Ethan Edwards so many years to find captive Natalie Wood, but it’s a magnificent place to see.
France: So much to explore, so I’ll begin with Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, one of his most charming films and one that makes ample use of the Paris locations (the way Funny Face starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn had fifty years earlier). Before Sunset, the second in the Ethan Hawke/Julie Delpy/Richard Linklater trilogy is also a delightful romance that allows you to take in the wonders of Paris while the two leads figure out where their relationship will take them. And if your French tastes are more Riviera-bound, what better than To Catch a Thief, a Cary Grant/Grace Kelly/Alfred Hitchcock romp that remains effortlessly entertaining (Be sure to catch Grant and Hepburn in Charade, which also makes good use of Paris, in terms of romance—and menace.)
Italy: Again, many to choose from, but for relatively light and picturesque, it would be hard to go wrong with either Under the Tuscan Sun, starring the luminous Diane Lane among its many charms (she also did the more recent Paris Can Wait, where she is grand but her supposed romantic partner is a bit of a bust, charm-wise). The underrated Avanti! directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Juliet Mills is a beautifully filmed (if slightly overlong) comic romance, while The Trip to Italy will make you want to take the same journey that Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon made (hopefully with their dining-out budget).
Austria: My wife Barbara and I have a fondness for Austria, having been to Salzburg and Vienna on different jaunts in the last five years. Where to start…of course The Sound of Music, filmed largely on various locations in Salzburg (when you go, take The Sound of Music tour!) and which remains as beautiful as it was over fifty years ago. And what can one say about Vienna? Before Midnight, is a more than suitable finale to the Before…series, where the city takes an important role in the further exploration of the Hawke/Delpy relationship. The Third Man will make you feel as if you were part of the infinite arrays of shadows in post-war Vienna along with Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) and the mysterious (then but not so much now) Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Note to travelers: There are some good Third Man walking tours when you’re there—take one! Finally, if you want to see Austria in all its splendor (along with the equally glorious Romy Schneider), then you must see the Sissi trilogy (or see the first at the very least), about the early, more idyllic stages of the marriage of Princess Elizabeth (“Sissi”) and Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. The movies are among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, both to watch to and to listen to (the score is ever present and always lilting and melodious).
Greece: My family is Greek, and my father from Rhodes specifically, so The Guns of Navarone, filmed largely on the island of Rhodes, was held in great affection by my father, and subsequently by me—and it will make you want to visit Greece (as it caused star Anthony Quinn to purchase a home there!) My Life in Ruins starring Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss, is no great shakes as a movie, but it does show off some Greek treasures and is pleasingly lightweight and picturesque. And leave us not forget The Trip to Greece which provides the viewer with fine scenery and good company (even if the movie is the slightest of the trilogy).
Back to America, I’ll leave you with a movie you might not have thought of: The Big Year starring Steve Marin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson, received little love at the box office, but it’s a very pleasing entertainment about bird-watching (and the competitions inherent in a “big year”) that has the added benefit of depicting many of the scenic wonders of America, either through the actual locations (the Yukon, Florida’s Keys, California), or through British Columbia doing a fine job of standing in. For the armchair traveler, it’s a film of many delights (and I think it’s currently on HBO).
Finally, apropos of nothing, if you’re looking for a good read, University Press of Mississippi is having a special anniversary sale with all books on sale for $19.70 through August 23. www.upress.state.ms.us. Why mention that, you ask? (shameless plug coming). It’s because my second book JOSE FERRER: SUCCESS AND SURVIVAL, the first biography of the famed Puerto Rican actor/director/producer whose career spanned five decades on stage, film, and television, is coming out August 19. You probably know that Ferrer won a Tony and an Oscar for his portrayal of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, but he also scored in such films as THE CAINE MUTINY (“Here’s to you, Mr. Keefer!”), LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, MOULIN ROUGE, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S SEX COMEDY—and that’s not to mention his stage work, his many television appearances, a stint or two in opera (and ballet). And he led a pretty eventful life as well (married five times, including actress Uta Hagen and singer Rosemary Clooney, a tense appearance before House Unamerican Activities Committee, and a pretty dramatic career trajectory. And in other news, my first book DAN DURYEA: HEEL WITH A HEART, which spotlights the Film Noir icon of smooth and silky villainy (and off-screen family man) is being released in paperback. Isn’t Christmas coming soon??
Serinity “U and Me” Single Release
Syrupy sweet summery pop. Just the thing to get us out of this funk.
Whisper light, cleverly rhythmic, full of the hope of youth and deceptively simple. A blend of 90s air pop and 80s electronica, with a little twist of future pop. Singer Songwriter Serenity Lynn breaths life into this dusty dry world we are all trapped in right now. Singing about a lost love, fantasizing about being with a boy she misses, imagining how thing could turn out if only he would call. When haven’t any one of us been where she is, pining, trying to figure out what went wrong, stuck in a loop of regret?
We need some lightness, don’t we? We need some hope and some sweetness and some gentle yearning. This is such a catchy, mournful pop song. But uplifting too, with its quirky layers of electronica and soulful vocals. It grows on you, pulls you in, and keeps you in the groove….love it!!! Cant wait to see what comes next from Serenity!!!
“I’ve had some real bad days, but when I’m with you they just go away.”
Pre-save the single at your chosen streaming platform.
Serinity Online
Official Website: http://www.serinitymusic.com
Facebook: Serinity Lynn
Instagram: @SerinityLynnMusic
Spotify: Serinity Lynn
Soundcloud: Serinity Lynn
Youtube Channel: Serinity Lynn
Producer: Cameron Nadler
Here’s the NoHo News for August 13
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NoHo News: Staycation Giveaways. Beach Savings. Fashionably Safe. SPF11. Grinch Who Stole Summer. Vegan Cookies. Virtual Theater.
Here’s your NoHo arts community update! We look forward to sharing lots of fun and unique news, events, profiles and updates on what’s happening in the NoHo Arts District.
Every Thursday we send out our NoHo e-News. Do you get it? It takes 30 seconds. Make sure you sign up, it’s FREE. Sign up HERE>>
This issue of NoHo e-News is about what’s going on in North Hollywood and a selection of some theatre shows. But we have a ton of them. Did you know that the NoHo Arts District has the highest concentration of theatres outside of New York City? Just check out the NoHo Arts District Theatre Guide>>
Here’s a glimpse at what’s going on in North Hollywood.
Click on the image and to see the online version of our NoHo News…ENJOY NOHO!
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**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
Best Loaded Nachos (With Homemade Queso!) | Vegan
Today I show you an absolutely incredible loaded nacho recipe; using my own vegan queso and beef chilli recipes.
This is probably one of my favourite recipes. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on anymore amazing recipes!
The Whitefire Theatre Streamfest Presents “Emotional Garage Sale”
Written and Performed by Jacqi Bowe.
Part of the Whitefire Theatre Solo Streamfest. https://www.whitefiretheatre.com
The show opens with a song…and just keeps on going. Funny, poignant and very, very clever, Jaqi Bowe unpacks her life on stage, surrounded by a quite literal garage sale. Piles of stuff, signifying her life, are all around her as she narrates, using one item after another, like a not-so-private tour of everything of importance to her.
It’s such a brilliant and entertaining way of unveiling a life. We all have stuff we carry around, literally and figuratively, and certainly emotionally. How perfect would it be to lay it all out, dust and all, to sell off cheap what we need to get rid of and having thinned it all out to then identify what really means something, what we need to keep, what we need to remind us who we are?
The writing is so excellent and Jaqui is hilarious – classic comic timing, wonderfully constructed jokes, heart piercing self depreciation, the kind of comedy that stays with you. It’s all from her heart, you can tell. It all works like a well-oiled machine in fact. Like the very best kind of comedy writing always does. Disarmingly simple, deceptively charming and then it hits you on the head or pierces your heart a little with something poignant and raw and meaningful.
With each fantastic character she unearths from her life piles, using slippers and hats and the flotsam and jetsam of her world, we discover more about her. Through these characters and her interpretations of pivotal and always funny stories, she releases trauma, lets go of ancient tics and annoying memories, just the kind that keep us all up at night, she unravels and lets go and it’s inspirational to watch. Each brilliant character an opportunity to showcase her outstanding talent and her creativity.
She skewers perfectly the ties that bind us, unwillingly or otherwise. These people she embodies – Irish nuns, crazy neighbors, country singers, life coaches, and on and on – are all little pieces of what seems to be quite a very eventful existence, they are all beautifully created in front of us, achingly honest, important and real. Nowadays we might easily forget that other people actually exist. Locked away as we are, afraid to touch, unable to meet most peoples eye even, cloistered beneath our masks.
Thankfully this absolutely brilliant solo show reminded me how vital it is to have each other, in all our crazy, annoying, loud, embarrassing and human glory. Thank god for these brave souls who continue with their art online and for the Whitefire Theatre who helps them do it. I loved “Emotional Garage Sale.” It’s the very best kind of solo work. Vivid, intimate, shockingly honest and very very funny. Bravo!!!
“The Stay-At-Home Variety Show #Lockdown Day 157″
*** August 15, 22, 29 and September 5 at 7pm
Live streaming theater in the NoHo Arts District to keep the live vibe going.
“The Stay-At-Home Variety Show #Lockdown Day 157”
The Actors Forum Theatre brings you the first in a series of independent, live, virtual theatre productions. Join us on August 15, 22, 29 and September 5 at 7pm for the world premiere of “The Stay-At-Home Variety Show #Lockdown Day 157” with Brandon Scott and the Actors Forum Players.
An interactive, virtual show streaming live to theatre audiences at home. This one-man show interweaves improv, comedy magic, music, black-light illusions and virtual sketch guest artists into a fun and innovative theatrical presentation.
#Lockdown Day 157 takes place in an artist loft in NoHo. After 100 days in pandemic lockdown, and in order not to go out of his mind: a magician and improvisational actor, establishes relationships with his make-believe friends. A robot dog, Alexa, stuffed animals, a mannequins and spirits from the other side. With no sign of a date to when audiences can return to theatres in person and passionate for supporting the continuation of live theatre, he organizes a team of supporters and technicians to live stream future shows to the theatre going communities directly from the theatre. This is that show.
There will be two ways to see the show.
1.) A limited number of a few hundred guests will be able get complimentary tickets to join the show on Zoom and interactively participate, offering suggestions for improv sketches and be volunteer participants in the magic show. So sign up today to secure your virtual seat in our virtual theatre.
2.) The show will simultaneously steam live on Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Instagram and other platforms. You will receive links by email to all the feeds to choose your favorite after you sign up to receive your ticket. These streams will not offer interactive participation, only Zoom. Entrance for both of these ways is FREE for this one-time, world premiere of “The Stay-At-Home Variety Show.”
WHEN: August 15, 22, 29 and September 5 at 7pm
TICKETS>>
#SaveNoHoTheatres
Support for this program was provided through the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Arts Development Fee Program and the Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian.
How did you come up with your show concept?
I created the virtual production of the “Stay-At-Home Variety Show” as a survival reaction to the pandemic lockdown. An interactive virtual show, streaming live so as to keep the live theatre vibe going. There’s nothing that can replace being live with your audience. But connecting to them virtually live is a great alternative. I am grateful that we are in the 21st century and technology can bridge the gap and bring us together during these times.
With the threat of live theatre disappearing as a result of extended shutdowns, I wanted to give an opportunity to talent that would ordinarily be performing live in the theatre, a place to continue presenting their work in a platform that allowed them to see and hear their audiences. This would also offer audiences an ongoing opportunity to interact with actors. These days, it’s the new and only way to do live theatre. Also during the first weeks of the lockdown quarantine, I found myself at home working on my music, my acting, my comedy and magic. Next thing I knew I was performing for Alexa, Siri and every inanimate object around me. So I turned it into a show.
The Stay-At-Home Variety Show is a combination of my covid-inspired new comedy and magic routines and the improvisations that I did with the Actor Forum Players in our Audrey M. Singer’s Zoom Actors & Workshop. These sketches and scenes turned out to be fascinatingly intimate and funny. I wanted to share this with our theatre community. I have created many shows for theatres and for top Las Vegas venues and I have a facility to understand streaming technology. All this combined with my experimentations with state-of-the-art chroma key, offered the opportunity to create set changes live on the fly. Technical Director Nathaniel Singer and Graphic Specialist Winston Clark have been amazing in bringing their learning curve up to speed with the new streaming technologies; designing lighting for a stream and making things work across different cyber platforms. Marlan Clarke and Elizabeteh Ruch have been great minds in helping adapt our traditional theatrical concepts to a streaming audience . People may be watching on their computers or pocket devices but I hope, still feel that they are at the theatre with us when we stream live.
This is a historic era in the future of theatre. We are living in a Renaissance of a new way to connect to audiences and share our art to everyone in America and around the World. I am very excited about this and totally enjoying creating interesting, innovative and fun virtual entertainment experiences.
As a professional actor, magician and voiceover artist, I have been delivering performances and auditions online before Zoom got popular during the pandemic lockdown. I have been a member of Audrey M. Singer’s workshop at the Actors Forum Theatre. She has kept her workshop going since she founded it in 1975. As a matter of fact, the Actors Forum Theatre was one of the very first theatres in the NoHo Arts District. I joined several years ago. We do scenes and monologues, dramatic and comedic improvisations as well as musical theatre pieces. Every year we put on a show for the public which, is kind of like a theatrical variety showcase. To avoid any interruptions in the continuity of this legendary workshop, I orchestrated conducting the workshops on Zoom. When I realized that theatre goers may not be able to physically take their seats at the theatre until an undetermined future. I wanted to bring the theatre experience to them and share this opportunity with the fabulous talents that I have had the pleasure to work with.
“The Stay-At-Home Variety Show #Lockdown Day 157” is the first in series of a four-weekend run where we will be streaming shows on Saturdays at 7pm and possible matinees in the near future. I will be the only member of the Actor Forum Players that is physically at the theatre. I will be your host. I will present a segment of my one-man magic show, introducing black light theatre, musical guests and integrating virtual improv sketches with Forum Players zooming in from home. This first show will feature Forum Players, Robert Peters and Don Striebner along with surprise guests and other members of the Actors Forum Players in future shows. We are envisioning presenting original short act plays, one woman/man shows and musical artists maybe even a poetry night and more.
We are on the ride with all surviving theatres that are concerned about live theatre extinction if there is a prolonged stay-at-home continuation. I personally hope that all theatres facing this situation embrace the potentials in going virtual and hope that my show and the future shows presented by the Actors Forum Players will inspire audiences to turn off their TV for an hour and participate in a virtual live theatre experience. This will send the message out that we, as a society will not let live theatre go away. We want to be able to go back to the theatre and that those theatres will still be there. With costs of rent and insurance and upkeeps, but no tickets sold, we don’t want our theatre district to end up like Detroit after the car industry left.
Shakespeare lived his entire life in the shadow of bubonic plague. Such outbreaks did not rage on forever. With the help of strict quarantines and a change in the weather, the epidemic would slowly wane, as it did in Stratford, and life would resume its normal course.
How now?
Even so quickly may one catch the plague?
Methinks I feel this youth’s perfections
-Shakespeare
Photo by Winston Clark
How did you keep yourself occupied during the 157-Day Lockdown…not imaginary friends right?
I’ve never been busier, besides time seems different. Weekends seem to have disappeared and days blend into weeks and go by so fast. You blink and it’s another day. You’d think time would have slowed down having to stay at home seemingly with nothing to do? But it’s been the opposite.
During the lockdown I have been completing projects, attending Zoom workshops and conferences, learning new skills and software programs, writing, organizing, exercising, re-inventing myself, catching up with friends and family and enjoying not having to be on the freeways that normally suck up valuable time.
Although 99% of my pre-booked live engagements were canceled, since the lockdown I have been booked to do virtual magic shows, lectures and workshops many of them on Zoom. I have entertained at virtual corporate events, anniversaries, birthdays, camps, educational assemblies and charity events online. That said, I am looking forward to things going back to normal. Thought wouldn’t be nice If the freeways stay lean somehow.
I once heard Joseph Campbell, the great American mythologist say something along the lines that, if it wasn’t for art and artists, society would go mad.
We artists have an important role in the community especially during challenging times. We offer the counterbalance to reality which helps others experience laughter and a whole rainbow of emotions that can be soothing and healing in many ways. We offer a bit of entertainment which is a distraction from the daily sorrows. Yes, in many ways I agree with Campbell and we artists need to do this.
Is this Actors Forum first virtual show? What do you like about doing a virtual show and what do you dislike about it in comparison to a live production?
Well, first of all, nothing replaces a live audience. Sharing space with living breathing beings, connecting to them, listening to their responses, hearing them breath, their laughter, the gasps. Being with them in the same room is irreplaceable. Theatre is a two-way street, the audience contributes to the experience as much as the performer.
The way many Zoom type shows work, the audience is muted throughout the show to avoid sound interruptions.
It was a bit difficult at first to get used to not hearing reactions. You hear no applause, no laugher. What that did for me, is that it allowed me to separate my performance from needing to receive a reaction and shifted my focus to just giving. Of course, it’s also great when they are unmuted to hear their virtual applause and laughter. Doing virtual shows has inspired me and forced me to develop new effects. Effects that have specific interactions with the audience with whom, because we are in each other’s living rooms, we create a nice human social bond. Virtual shows offer the opportunity to create intimacy with my presentations since you’re face to face, close up with your audience. So they may be at home, down the street or 100 miles away but we are interacting live together and for now, it’s the closest thing to the real thing.
What is like being a magician and the world-famous Magic Castle?
I have been so lucky to have been performing at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood home of the Academy of Magical Arts ever since I was in college. It is truly a real magical place. Many of the most talented magicians from all over the world make The Magic Castle they’re second home. This was Milt Larser’s vision when he created it, and this is exactly what it became. Every day, every week, there is new amazing magical talent. We see all styles and cultures from all over the world. It really is an academy of magical arts. I have sat and learned so much form some of the greatest minds in magic that I have met there. It’s not just a cool Victorian building. It’s an epicenter for the art of magic and the hub that continues the precious history of this form of art. Like all entertainment venues during the pandemic, The Academy of Magical Arts with over 5 theatres inside its walls, is also a theatre suffering the impact of the lockdown. But we theatres can all continue to do what we do in this virtual suspended time. There are ways to make it work while we hang in there and hopefully be sustainable for the day, we can all say, Open the house, it’s time for the show!
Have you seen any ghosts?
Yes. but that’s another story.
What do you like about working in NoHo theater?
Working in a NoHo theatre is great. The entire area is surrounded by theatres and artists of all kinds of disciplines that create a neighborhood style artistic support system. On top of that there are many supply stores nearby that make it eco-friendlier to only have to drive a few miles to get what you need. Although nowadays you can order stuff online, some props and costumes you got to see in person.
**** For information on Los Angeles theatre, tickets to theatre in North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, theatre reviews, the NoHo Event Calendar, restaurants, news and local businesses in NoHo, or anything and everything about the NoHo Arts Community, bookmark nohoartsdistrict.com. Follow us on Twitter @OfficialNoHo. On Instagram @NoHoArtsDistrict and Facebook @NoHoArtsDistrict.
Financial Survival After a Job Loss
You may have lost your job already, or it’s something you’re concerned about. Either way, the keys to surviving a job loss financially are to plan ahead, take stock of your income, and cut your expenses.
Plan ahead
If you haven’t been laid off, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for that possibility. It’s hard to know how long you’ll be out of work, so to be on the safe side, prepare for at least six months of unemployment. You might find a job much sooner, but you don’t want to be forced to take the first opportunity that comes along, especially if it isn’t suitable.
Come up with a financial plan for unemployment, and design your plan with some flexibility to allow for adjustments if your situation changes. Circumstances can vary based on how long you’re out of work, and whether unanticipated expenses arise while you’re unemployed.
Prepare a survival budget
A big part of your unemployment plan is a survival budget. Start with a list of all your income and expenses. You might already have a budget that you can use as a base, but your survival budget should be a bare-bones version of your regular budget. Include only expenses that are necessary. The goal of your survival budget is to have a good idea of what income you need to actually survive.
Your plan also should include an emergency fund that’s equal to at least six months of living expenses from which you can draw to supplement other sources of income. If you haven’t set up an emergency fund, you may still have time to do so. You’ll be amazed how fast you can deplete your regular savings if your unemployment lasts more than a couple of weeks.
If you lose your job, find some income
Start by checking with your former employer. Are you eligible for severance pay? Whether it’s available depends on your employer’s policy, but if you’re offered severance pay, you might have the option of taking it in a lump sum or as a continuation of salary for a fixed period of time. Taking severance pay in a lump sum gives you control over your money, but you may lose some employee benefits such as group health insurance. If you take your severance as a continuation of salary, you may be able to keep your benefits, but you’ll be dependant on your former employer’s ability to make payments to you.
But don’t stop there. Check with your local unemployment office to find out if you’re eligible for unemployment benefits. You can receive at least 26 weeks of benefits (more in some cases). Generally, to qualify for unemployment benefits you must have been laid off. You may even qualify if you’ve been fired, so long as it’s not for misconduct. You probably won’t qualify if you quit your job, however.
Reduce your expenses
If you’re unemployed, you may find that your income won’t support your current expenses. Aside from reducing your debt by selling big-ticket items like your car or house, there are other things you can do to minimize your living expenses.
One of your first considerations should be to identify and discontinue discretionary expenses. Such items as magazine subscriptions, health club memberships, extra phone services, credit cards you don’t use that have an annual fee, dining out regularly, and extra pay services on your cable television are examples of some of the expenses you can trim from your budget. You also may have to put off that planned vacation until you’re back on your “working” feet.
Talk with your creditors
Another way to cut your expenses is to try negotiating with your creditors to lower interest rates on your credit cards, defer a payment or two on your car loan, or reduce your monthly payments temporarily. You also may be able to lower your home mortgage monthly payments by refinancing to a lower rate (if you can qualify in spite of your job loss), or by negotiating a longer repayment period. You’ll have to admit that you’re facing some financial difficulty due to your job loss, but if your credit is good, now’s the time to make the calls–not when you fall behind in your payments.
Along those same lines, check with your mortgage company or credit card companies or look at your billing statements to find out if you have credit insurance. Credit insurance will make your bill payments when you’re unemployed. However, you may have to wait a while before receiving benefits.
While technically not an expense, you can also decrease your spending by reducing your contributions to retirement or education funds. However, the less you contribute now, the less you’ll have for retirement or college, so this option should be a last resort. But you might be able to make up for the reduction in contributions by increasing payments to those funds when you’re back on your feet financially.
Increase your income
You’ve cut your expenses and spending as much as possible, but you still don’t have enough income. Here are some ideas that might help you meet your expenses while unemployed.
Consider a part-time or temporary job. This will provide another source of supplementary income while you search for your next full-time job. And your part-time job could turn out to be your next full-time job–or at least it might lead to another opportunity with another potential employer. Also, your spouse or partner may be able to get a job if he or she is not already working, or pick up more hours at a present job.
Another income-generating option is borrowing from the cash value of your life insurance policies. But you’ll be limited as to how much you can borrow by the amount of cash available and other policy restrictions. And you’ll be charged interest on the borrowed funds, so if you don’t repay the loan, it can reduce your death benefit or even cause the insurance to lapse.
If you’re really strapped
Your home is another source of savings you may be able to tap into. If you have enough equity in your home, sometimes you can obtain a home equity line of credit even if you’ve lost your job. You’ll only pay interest on the portion you use. But you’ll still have to make a monthly payment, so make sure you’re able to afford the new loan payments before you put your house on the line.
If you’re still strapped for cash, consider withdrawing from your tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement Any money you withdraw from these types of accounts likely will be taxed as ordinary income for the year in which you make the withdrawal. Also, you may have to pay a 10% penalty tax for early withdrawal if you’re under age 59½ unless an exception to the penalty applies.
If you’re considering taking funds from your IRA or retirement plan, you should consult a tax advisor regarding the specific tax treatment of your withdrawal, because not all of it will necessarily be taxable. For example, if part of the withdrawal from your traditional IRA or employer’s retirement plan represents nondeductible contributions, you may not be taxed on that portion of the withdrawal.
If all else fails
If money really starts getting tight, be prepared to take more drastic steps. You might consider moving from your home and renting it temporarily. Obviously you’d have to find cheaper alternative housing, but the rental income from your home may be enough to cover your rental expenses while your tenants pay for most of the home costs, such as utilities and even real estate taxes. However, any decision you make in this area should be made with careful consideration, and only after evaluating how much you can actually get out of the deal.
As a last resort, you may have to consider selling bigger items like your car or even your home. Since these larger possessions usually carry a debt, by selling them you’re not only generating some cash, but you’re decreasing your expenses by ridding yourself of the debt attached to the item sold.
All is not lost
A job loss is not the end of the world, even though it may feel that way. Mapping out your priorities and drafting a bare-bones budget can help you come up with your own financial strategy for job loss survival.
A job loss is not the end of the world, even though it may feel that way. Mapping out your priorities and drafting a bare-bones budget can help you come up with your own financial strategy for job loss survival.Rest In Power Emitt Rhodes. You Will Be Missed.
Growing up as a teenager on the Sunset Strip back in the middle/late 60s had a lot of perks in that being a Go Go dancer at the Teen Fairs in Hollywood for their “Battle Of The Bands,” the LA Music Scene had many opportunities to meet up with and hang out with a lot of musicians.
Of all of those musicians that have crossed our path, one stood out from the rest…Emitt Rhodes. My first Sunset Strip crush.
He played the drums with “The Palace Guard” at The Hullabaloo which was across from the Hollywood Palladium where the Teen Fairs took place. We used to say “hey drummer boy” as he passed by and would always beg Rhodes for a drumstick if we were lucky enough to get onto the dance floor. We say lucky because you had to be 18 years old to dance back then at that end of The Strip and there was no way 18 years old played into our scenario. More like 14 years old.
Back then “The Yellow Payges” would also play at The Hullabaloo and Daniel Horter, frontman to the “Yellow Pages,” was a good friend at the time. In those early friendships that you form in your youth can become a double edged sword because of the crazy crap we would all pull off, but are also the most welcome because in a sense we all came up together. Those that came up with Rhodes have so many wonderful things to say about him.
Even now it is hard to say Rhodes passed away in his sleep July 19, 2020 in Illinois at the age of 71. He had been suffering from ill health for quite sometime. Diabetes will do that to you. Our brother had the same problem and had a heart attack which he succumbed to.
Of Rhodes’ passing Horter said “An old friend from the 60s departed for that “Rock N’ Roll Train” in the sky. RIP Emitt. You were the most prolific talent I have ever known. My favorite of all your work is “Live.”
Another friend of Rhodes is photographer Harold Sherrick whose photo of Rhodes in this column is Sherrick’s from his 2019 book “Stolen Moments.” Rhodes is standing in front of a guitar and is resting on it while inside of a broken down old building. Sherrick was hoping to capture the feel from his first solo album cover from 1970. The photo was taken December 2011 in Moorpark, CA while working on some music with a small circle of musician friends.
Sherrick was really taken by Rhodes and when Rhodes played “Dog On A Chain” for Sherrick it knocked him out and thought it was a very well assembled tune. “Dog On A Chain” is a Countryish- Rock tune that was released in 2016.
Reflecting on Rhodes’ career Sherrick shared “I remember first hearing The “Merry-Go-Round” (Rhodes’ group after leaving the “Palace Guard”) and then buying his first solo album in 1970. His endless talent and songwriting which I thought would go on for years but with the ups and downs of the music business he became very bitter. When I met up with him in 2009 it was nice to say hello and chat after so many years.”
Sherrick felt that Rhodes had his demons, but underneath all of that, he still had crafted so many beautiful songs. In addition Sherrick adds that when he did the photo session with Rhodes in 2011 Rhodes had arrived “he was very pleasant” and the two of them began working on a photo Session. Rhodes picked up a guitar and started playing “Dog On A Chain” “Which just floored me,” Sherrick remembered.
Sherrick reflected on Rhodes further by adding, “The talent was always there, but there was just no direction for his music. Very sad because he was a gifted singer and songwriter, but was a very tortured soul.” More on the tortured soul aspect of Rhodes later in this column.
Sherrick does have a new book that he is working on titled “A Pig’s Tale” due out next spring. The book is said to be about the first bootleg label in LA and is set to be published by Galleon Books. Another hard core fan is the proprietor of “Record Safari” who had posted “I have allll of his (Rhodes) records and cannot imagine myself without any of them.”
Another fan named Craig Hammons posted “I played this album (self titled solo) till the grooves wore out.” Fan Michael Sandbach posted a photo of Rhodes playing a gig five years ago (and in this column) and lamented that “It’s very sad. Extremely underrated musician, singer and songwriter. Saw him a few years ago in El Segundo, CA.”
Well-known musician John Beland put it most eloquently, “I’m shocked and saddened at the news of Emitt Rhodes’ passing. I was such a big fan of his. A totally unappreciated artist whose eccentricities and reclusiveness prevented his commercial recognition. Damn…so sad.” When Beland was playing with Linda Ronstandt they recorded the “fussily” arranged piece of Rhodes’ baroque-pop version of “You’re A Very Lovely Woman” in 1971, which Beland highly praised and was happy to record. Ronstandt’s version sounds a bit folkish.
Many consider Rhodes an “overlooked consummate musician, cult hero, far from obscure, but underappreciated.”
Prior to the “Palace Guard” Rhodes had been in a high school band called The Emeralds, which later morphed into the Palace Guard. Still In his teens he drummed with them until realized that he could come up front of the stage and be the lead singer and then there was the “Merry-Go Round” where he came out swinging with “Live.”
Rhodes’ insisted on doing everything himself when recording material which would take him up to nine months to do which is what caused the friction with his then record company. Rhodes just wasn’t able to put out the amount of product the label’s contract called for.
In addition to Ronstadt recording a song by Rhodes, Fairport Convention’s first single “Time Will Show The Wiser” and “The Bangles” recorded “Live” on their “All Over The Place” album from the 1980s.
In 2009 Rhodes filmed a documentary titled “One- Man Beatles” with Director Cosimo Messeri and is described as “A portrait of unfulfilled ambitions and loneliness that smacks of Chekov.” It was unveiled at the International Rome Film Festival to a standing ovation. Rhodes’ first band The Emeralds played a lot of Beatles tunes.
In January 2010 Rhodes did an interview with WFMUs Michael Shelly where he lets it all hang out. Shelly asked great questions of Rhodes and he reciprocated with some amazing answers. In the interview Rhodes tells his fans that about drug use at recording sessions, how he inherited his talent from his mother, he’s been married twice and that his three children hate him.
He also added that divorce sucks and that he was living on borrowed time due to his diabetes which affects many aspects of a person’s life. Rhodes allowed that he “doesn’t do well on the road and is disappointed in the world and in me.”
Rhodes confessed that he liked to take apart radios and other electrical things as a kid. He likes order, music and living things. In addition, Rhodes spoke about all the lawsuits that came raining down upon him in 1973 due to his penchant for doing it all for himself. Rhodes called himself naive when he was young and said that he had trusted people at his record label to stand behind him which they did not.
When discussing his time with the Palace Guard he brought up the band’s signing to Orange Empire Records and how the record company took advantage of the youngest member of the Palace Guard in a very unsavory way.
From the way that Rhodes spoke about it, it sounded like this unsavory treatment of the youngest member of the band haunted him to the present because as he explained he was just a kid himself and did not know what to do about it. Could this be what added to the tortured soul that Sherrick had alluded to?
Hearing this from Rhodes took us back to the Sunset Stip and our early days at “The Hullabaloo” and explained an incident that we had experienced with the “youngest” member of the Palace Guard which at the time seemed rather peculiar.
Keep in mind that we were all very young at the time and naive as Rhodes had put. We all counted on the adults around us to have our back and keep us safe from the sharks that sought to rip off our innocence to enrich their perverse appetites.
The Palace Guard singer and tambourine player Dave Beaudoin published a book in 1997 titled “The Hullabaloo: A Little Bit Of Heaven …A Whole Lot Of Hell.” Priced at $495.00 plus $3.99 for shipping on Amazon puts it out of our price range. But, we do wonder if the contents further divulge what Rhodes had alluded to in this interview back in 2010.
Rest In Power Emitt Rhodes. You will be missed.
On July 28, 2020 well known “groupie” from Pamela De Barres’ book “I’m With The Band” Mercy “GTO” Peters slipped away to the mythical land of “nod” at the age of 71. Mercy was quite a fixture on the music scene in LA for decades and upon her passing Miss Pamela said that Mercy was “A carnival in progress and she never let me down.”
The pair were soul sisters for sure and shared a lot. Mercy had entered our orbit when LOVE co-founder and frontman Johnny Echols was asked to play out with Mercy’s son Lucky Otis at the valley nightclub Paladino’s/Theory which hosted many Monday night gigs by them as well as friends who came to jam with the two legendary musicians.
Anyway, Mercy was introduced to us and by all appearances wasn’t all that impressed. That didn’t didn’t seem to change over time, but that’s ok because Mercy was a class act unto herself with a flair for dressing to the occasion and as Miss Pamela put it “She never let me down.”
Rest in power Miss Mercy and I’m sure you’ll be in good company with people that could use your flair for fashion. And of course our old friend Frank Zappa could use your presence in his avant garde renderings.
Sports Betting in California: Everything You Need to Know
Sports betting was legalized in 2018 and this has featured a total of 22 States with an exemption of California.
There have been several hindrances towards California sports betting, such as in betting.us/california/ and all that remains is the awaiting of the November CA sports.
The proposed bill seems to have an interesting twist towards the legalizing of betting on sports in California. Of course it is expected to have pros and cons and the climax of all this is what will outweigh what. The bill will cover tribal casinos, card rooms and racetracks with main controversy lying between card rooms and casinos. Card rooms will not have sports betting but tribal casinos won’t affect them as they have protection from the government.
The controversy arising between the two is that, casinos blame it on card rooms that the games ae not according to rules and laws. Card rooms try to bend the rules so that they have more games. It means that if the proposed bill sails through, card games could possibly bend these rules more without facing legal issues. The issue therefore is where the mobile sportsbook apps will fit at the end. Racetracks have the go ahead of having sportsbooks but no horse betting racing on the go. They will therefore find themselves in either tracks or casinos.
Betting on Sports Timeline in California
Betting on sports in the state started in 2016 when Adam Gray, a Democrat, brought in a sports gambling legislation CAAB1573. The legislation did not even reach informational hearing. The Assemblyman made a come-back in 2017 and this time he came with ACA 18. This legislation by Adam Gray was to make amend on the constitution of the state so that betting on sports could be made legal. The legislation however could not make further progress as it needed the approval of voters in the election year.
In June 2018, there was a petition that was filed by Californians for Sports Betting. The group needed 623,211 with a deadline set for February 2019 so that this could be on a ballot. It had no signature at all and it just collapsed in the early stages. The intention of the petition at the time was to allow cardrooms have sportsbooks. It was not what tribal casinos would favor.
Adam Gray was at it again the same year this petition failed in the early year of 2019. This time the Assembly man came with the bill ACA 16 in June and was backed by Senator Bill Dodd. Senator Bill Dodd introduced the legislation through SCA6. The bills lacked specific information and were to be put on hold until the beginning of 2020.
By November 2019, 18 state’s tribes united together with the sake of filing a petition so that they could have sports betting on the ballot on November the following year. The terms contained in this petition doesn’t fully favor bettors as it dictates that the sportsbooks can also be in tribal casinos. It restricts mobile or online sportsbooks in California. The tribe required to get 997,139 signatures towards the end of April 2020 so that the petition could appear on the ballot paper of 2020.
Come March 2020, the tribes had made a milestone in getting needed signatures with an effort of getting this petion on the ballot. The measures required a two-thirds majority for it to pass in state legislature. State legislature members were against the terms of the tribes and as the events were to unfold, the coronavirus pandemic made the progress to come to a hold. In fact the coronavirus pandemic has caused much harm in all areas. For instance, you need to be on the look-out and watch out for coronavirus scams.
The 8 January 2020 Hearing
In May 2018, PAPSA ruling did not sail through and by then, just few states were for sports betting for the best time. California found itself in these states and a year later there wasn’t any change. Things took a twist in the state late in 2019 and it has since then moved forward to have a hearing for the first time in 2020 in regard to legalizing sports betting.
There has been light at the end of the tunnel for the state when the Senate and Assembly Governmental Organization Committees held a joint meeting on 8 January 2020. The joint meeting was held at the state capital. The agenda of holding the meeting was for industry experts to expose the exact face market of betting on sports.
The state has a wide range of sports teams and the population is quite outstanding. This implies that the market is poised to be an amazing thing in the country and could grow rapidly. With the inclusion of the mobile version, statistics suggests that the market can be worth $2.5 billion every year in California alone.
The January hearing meant that California had made a step forward and was moving in the desired direction. With that aside, it is worth noting that the absence of racetracks, card rooms and tribal casinos during the hearing raises question marks to whether there is a possibility of this not sailing through.
For any gambling bill to pass in California, it requires the two-thirds supermajority threshold. This is because the bills are related to law. Racetracks and card rooms might be on the disadvantaged side if betting on sports is considered and will be in favor of tribal casinos. The 2019 November proposal by coalition of state’s tribe seems to be a better deal if it is to be adopted. The idea could provide legal betting on sports exclusivity in the state.
There has been multiple attempts to legalize gambling in California. The state has however made legal the daily fantasy sports with DFS not being any near of being under online betting. This issue has experienced progress but despite all these attempts, it hasn’t gone up to the expectations. It is quite unclear what will befall this issue taking into account that California is faced with hard politics.
The residence of California are however allowed to play on off-shore casino sites. This is not a good thing with the government as they are losing a lot in terms of revenue. Some states are benefiting a lot from sports betting while California drags itself behind. Online sports gambling is a great source of revenue generation and this has been adopted by several states.
Due to COVID 19 outbreak, it has become difficult for the plans to move forward. In fact, corona has been recently termed as the American dream killer. The lockdown has restricted tribes from collecting more signatures. The legislatures can’t vote on any bill either. Everything has been put in the air at the moment but there is still some hope and all we can do is wait and see.