#John Finkbeiner

[burlveneer-music]

Lisa Mezzacappa Six - Cosmicomics - second album I’ve come across this week inspired by Italo Calvino (the other one being Memotone’s Invisible Cities)

Aaron Bennett, tenor saxophone John Finkbeiner, guitar Mark Clifford, vibraphone Tim Perkis, electronics Lisa Mezzacappa, acoustic bass Jordan Glenn, drums This set of music is what happened when I let Italo Calvino and his Cosmicomics stories fully inhabit my mind for a year. I found his fictional universe an ideal place to hang out in as a composer—it’s a space of boundless imagination, infinite generative possibility, fierce intellectual curiosity, and just the right amount of irreverence and weirdness to rescue it from being cute. He reminds me over and over again of the wonder and playfulness of the creative act, and I tried to transfer some of the intoxicating energy of his prose to my music, and to how the musicians in the band interact. Calvino’s stories about the cosmos, the origins of the universe, and the evolution of humans and creatures geek out about Big Ideas, but they also freak out when those Smaller Human Impulses—our neuroses, desires, silliness, pettiness—get the better of us. His words are delicious and his imagery sets all your neurons firing at once. The more I read and re-read, and composed and re-composed this music, I realized the Cosmicomics were feeding me new ideas about musical form, proposing new relationships between instruments and musical personalities, suggesting novel structures we could all navigate together as an ensemble.

[catsynth-express]

David Pate & Steve Cohn / Manul Override / Ornettology at the Make-Out Room

As we busily prepare for the next Vacuum Tree Head show this coming Tuesday, I find myself looking back at my last show with a very different band, Manul Override earlier this month at the Make-Out Room in San Francisco.  It was the subject of a recent CatSynth TV episode.

The evening began with an improvised set featuring saxophonist David Pate with keyboardist Steve Cohn.

Then it was time for Manul Override’s debut show.  This was a new group I put together with my friend and collaborator Serena Toxicat on voice and former Surplus-1980 bandmate Melne on guitar.

var quads_screen_width = document.body.clientWidth; if ( quads_screen_width >= 1140 ) { /* desktop monitors */ document.write('<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:600px;height:100px;" data-ad-client="pub-5176416568130778" data-ad-slot="2974773354" >'); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); }if ( quads_screen_width >= 1024 && quads_screen_width < 1140 ) { /* tablet landscape */ document.write('<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:600px;height:100px;" data-ad-client="pub-5176416568130778" data-ad-slot="2974773354" >'); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); }if ( quads_screen_width >= 768 && quads_screen_width < 1024 ) { /* tablet portrait */ document.write('<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:600px;height:100px;" data-ad-client="pub-5176416568130778" data-ad-slot="2974773354" >'); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); }if ( quads_screen_width < 768 ) { /* phone */ document.write('<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:600px;height:100px;" data-ad-client="pub-5176416568130778" data-ad-slot="2974773354" >'); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); }

We had a lot of fun on stage, and the energy spread to the audience, with dancing and meowing all around (all of our tunes had at least some connection to cats).  I was particularly happy with the opening incantation, which featured a French rendition of Serena’s ode to the goddess Bast, and our 1980s-pop-style tune “Goodnigobbles”, which also featured Serena seductively delivering lyrics and spoken words in French.  Melne had a chance to show her versatility throughout the set, including our extended funky jam in the middle of the set.  As with all new musical projects, this is a work in progress, figuring out what works for us and what doesn’t, and how to make each show better than the previous one.  But it was also fun visually, with our fashion statements, cat ears, and Melne’s lighting.

The final set featured Ornettology, a project led by guitarist and composer Myles Boisen.  As the name suggests, the group is inspired by the music of Ornette Coleman, and reimagines many of his compositions.   He was joined by a stellar cast of local musicians including Steve Adams and Phillip Greenlief on saxophones, John Haines on drums, Safa Shokrai on bass, and John Finkbeiner.

The band delivered a truly dynamic performance that featured some of Ornette Coleman’s more familiar tunes, including “Ramblin'” and “Mob Job” There were some great solos from each of the members of the group as well.  You can hear some of Philip Greenlief and Myles Boisen soloing in our video.

The last few shows I have played at the Make-Out room always have a great audience – full houses that seem to appreciate having live music, whether they came to hear the specific artists or just happened to drop by.  A few in the latter category seemed to quite enjoy our Manul-Override set, signing Serena’s leg cast (she had an unfortunate accident a couple of weeks before the show) and taking selfies with us.  It was a fun night of music all aroundl.

David Pate & Steve Cohn / Manul Override / Ornettology at the Make-Out Room was originally published on CatSynth

[epaulesdegeantes]

"[La physique] a longtemps été dominé par les hommes, mais il y a de plus en plus de femmes qui entrent dans la discipline. Je suis ravie de pouvoir être un modèle pour les jeunes femmes qui envisagent de se lancer" - Andrea Ghez (1965), Prix Nobel de physique 2020

Passionnée d’astronomie et par les nouvelles technologies dans ce domaine, l’américaine a étudié les trajectoires des étoiles proches du centre de notre galaxie à la recherche d’indices de la présence d’un trou noir supermassif. Et ce qu’elle a découvert a été encore plus surprenant. Effectivement il y a très probablement un trou noir supermassif au centre mais il semble bien plus jeune (moins de 10 millions d’années) que ce qu’on pensait.

Pour en savoir plus sur les recherches de Ghez, je vous recommande son TED Talk : https://www.ted.com/talks/andrea_ghez_the_hunt_for_a_supermassive_black_hole?language=fr#t-966835

Bibliographie :

Ann Finkbeiner (2013) Astronomy: Star tracker Nature 495, 296–298 (21 March 2013) doi:10.1038/495296a https://www.nature.com/news/astronomy-star-tracker-1.12622

Sa page personnelle à l’UCLA : http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~ghez/

Sa fiche wikipedia en anglais : https://www.nature.com/news/astronomy-star-tracker-1.12622

Musique par Aaron Kenny

Photos :

Andrea Ghez - John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation - CC By SA NC - https://www.macfound.org/fellows/798

Buzz Aldrin et le drapeau des USA sur la Lune (NASA / Neil A. Armstrong) - Domaine public - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buzz_Aldrin_and_the_U.S._flag_on_the_Moon_-_GPN-2001-000012.jpg

Sièges par johnyksslr- Pixabay License -  https://pixabay.com/fr/photos/chaises-s-asseoir-architecture-1814602/

Formules par seb-agora - Pixabay License - https://pixabay.com/fr/videos/motiondesign-technologique-mol%C3%A9cule-42312/

Image du trou noir supermassif M87* imagé par l'Event Horizon Telescope, ESO (2019) - CC By - https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1907a/

Amas d'étoiles près du centre de notre galaxie entre 1995 et 2003 par AdmiralHood  (2009) - CC By SA - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Star_Cluster_near_SgrA.gif

Médaille de Prix Nobel sculptée par Narve Skarpmoen - Domaine Public - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nobels_fredspris,_medalje_-_no-nb_digifoto_20160310_00042_NB_NS_NM_10016.jpg

[floridaprelaw-blog]

Marriage Rates Falling By The Minute: Is Love Going Extinct

By Matthew Ginsberg, University of South Florida, Class of 2021

May 21, 2020

Being in love is so rewarding. The emotional bond that manifests over time creates a sense of eternal unity, elevating mutual motivation to succeed in all categories of life. To find a lifelong partner, people nowadays turn to a variety of platforms, spending countless hours using social dating apps. These apps, like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge to name a few, allow people to advertise pictures and basic information about themselves, with the hope of matching with others that seem compatible. All dating apps follow a simple model: two people match, instant messaging is initiated, and if both parties are interested in one another, a date ensues. With over 1,500 dating apps available, it seems that people now have more opportunities than ever before to find their perfect match. So why is it that marriage rates per year in the United States are at an all-time low? 

The perception and symbolism of what love represents has changed over time. For Baby Boomers (born between 1944-1964) and Generation X (born between 1965-1979), marriage rates spiked year-after-year and divorce was rarely seen while they were growing up. But for Millennials (born between 1980-1994) and Generation Z (born between 1995-2015), divorce became the social norm in their adolescent years, jeopardizing the purity of love. The fantasized portrayal of two people falling head over heels and living happily ever after was abandoned when divorce rates dramatically spiked in the early 1970’s, sparking a movement. The social perception of divorce being shameful transitioned into an act of nobility by women, to escape a man that failed to respect her. Rather than getting married to express mutual love and devotion, “there has been a clear shift, where people are waiting till their mid-20’s to commit to serious relationships, extending the average duration of dating from one year to nearly three years. In 1950, the average age of marriage was 20 years old, but by the beginning of 2020, the average age of marriage had spiked to 29yearsold.” With people waiting longer now than ever before to get married, is it fear from high rates of divorce that are influencing the decision to wait, or are other factors contributing? 

There is a clear correlation between increased divorce rates per- year in the United states and citizens waiting longer to get married. Based on a research study conducted by the Wilkinson and Finkbeiner Law Firm in 2018 on why marriage rates are declining, the results found that the main factor causing reduction isfear of divorce. With an estimated “50% of first marriages ending in divorce, 60% of second marriages ending in divorce, and 73% of third marriages ending in divorce,” couples understand that they are more likely to get separated than stay together. These percentages equate to “one divorce getting finalized in the United States every 13 seconds, 277 divorces per hour, 6,646 divorces per day, 46,523 divorces per week, and 2,419,196 divorces per year.” These statistics indicate that many people fall into the trap of bringing their problems from past relationships into future relationships, explaining why the percentage of divorcesis higher for second and third marriages. No wonder Millennials and Generation Z are waiting longer to get married than previous generations; they have learned from their parents’ mistakes. But while there is clear evidence to suggest the correlation between increased divorce rates and waiting longer to get married, other factors also contribute to resisting marriage. 

Beginning in the early 1970’s, more women than ever before entered into the workforce. As society slowly embraced strides toward gender equality, the “traditional” perception of women staying home to cook and clean, while men got jobs to help make ends meet permanently changed. A new era came to fruition by the middle of the 1980’s, where citizens realized that if gender equality was encouraged in the domestic workforce, relationship dynamics needed toalso work in an equal manner.By the end of the 1980’s, most women understood that they did not need a partner because they could be self- sufficient. With transitions in the dynamic of relationships, men were forced to accept that failure to behave in an appropriate manner would result in their wives potentially leaving them.

Another important factor to consider is how societal norms and standards have changed based on age demographics. For Baby Boomers and Generation X, who were born before the 1980’s, premarital sex and living together with a partner was shameful, until after marriage. By the middle of the 1980’s, however, there was a clear shift that challenged pre- existing societal norms. As divorce rates exponentially rose in the ‘80s, acceptance grew toward couples moving in together prior to marriage, to determine if the relationship is realistic and desirable for the long hall. Rather than rushing to get married and have children, Millennials were the first generation to consistently hold off on marriage until their late 20’s. By waiting longer to get married than previous generations, the idea of physical engagement without emotional intimacy also became more prominent in the 1980’s, but this came with serious repercussions. The mass spread of HIV and AIDS became a threat to the health and safety of all citizens, peaking in reported cases in 1993, but the spread was important because it showed that societal beliefs, norms, and practices were quickly changing in America. With increased acceptance toward pursuing sexual temptation and living together with your spouse prior to engagement, are societal factors causing marriage rates to decline… or are financial restraints to blame? 

In modern society, the cost to get married is higher than ever before. According to a study done by the Earnest Research Group in 2018, “the average wedding costs $35,329- and that doesn’t include an engagement party or the honeymoon.” With the engagement party and honeymoon included, “the average wedding costs $45,000.” To put these numbers into perspective, the average wedding is only $10,000 less than the average household's earnings in an entire year. When you factor in the cost of an engagement ring ($6,163 on average), reception hall ($16,107 on average), flowers and decor ($2,500 on average), catering ($71 per person on average) and all other expenses, it’s possible that the high costs of an average wedding force many couples to wait, so they can have the wedding they desire. When comparing these numbers to Baby Boomers (born between 1944-1964), the average cost of weddings has increased by nearly $40,000… That’s right, Baby Boomers paid $5,000 on average for a wedding. Even if these numbers were adjusted for inflation, people today are still paying over $15,000 more for their weddings than Baby Boomers, signifying that the cost of marriage has exponentially risen. With such a dramatic spike in wedding prices, many couples have no choice, but to wait until they can afford it. 

While the financial burden forces many couples to hold off on their weddings, Millennials and Generation Z will on average outlive previous generations. This factor needs to be taken into consideration when analyzing why people are waiting longer now than ever before to get married because it shows that with longer lifespans comes more time to explore independence beyond the early 20’s. According to a study done by Duke University in 2017, “Baby Boomers on average live to 78 years old. With advances in medicine, however, it’s projected that Millennials and Generation Z will live to 87 years old on average.” Isn’t it ironic that there is a 9-year difference between the average age Baby Boomers and Millennials get married (20 vs. 29 years old) and average lifespan (78 vs. 87 years old)? Well… not really. As awareness and technological innovation exacerbate progress in the medical industry, the average lifespan will continue to increase. With more opportunities to maintain quality health for longer periods of time than previous generations, there is less of a rush to find somebody to settle down with. 

Based on the data, there are several factors influencing marriage rates per year in the United States declining. Although dating apps create more platforms for people to interact, time constraints from busy schedules make it extremely difficult for the average bachelor or bachelorette to find the time to meet face to face. Unlike Baby Boomers, who were eager to marry by their early 20’s, Millennials and Generation Z recognize how common divorce has become and would rather wait longer to find their perfect match,than feel like they are settling. Since the average age to marry increased from 20 to 29 years old within the last 50 years, I predict the average age of marriage will be at least 38 years old by 2070. The three main reasons people will continue to hold off on marriage until their mid to late 30’s is due to trust issues from high divorce rates, costs of weddings continuing to rise, and a lack of time making it challenging to get to know new people. The actions of previous generations affect the behavior of future generations, which can be seen in the transition from Generation X (1965-1979) to Millennials (1980-1994). Not wanting to recreate the same mistakes as their parents, who are statistically more likely to get divorced than stay together, Millennials and Generation Z have resisted any urgency toward marriage. This shows that love might not be going extinct, but the average age of marriage will likely continue to increase, while annual marriage rates will continue decreasing moving forward. 

________________________________________________________________

Anderer, John, et al. “Why Are Marriage Rates Down? Study Blames Lack Of 'Economically-Attractive' Men.” Study Finds, 5 Sept. 2019, www.studyfinds.org/why-are-marriage-rates-down-study-blames-lack-of-economically-attractive-men/.

“FastStats - Marriage and Divorce.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Jan. 2017, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/marriage-divorce.htm.

“Is Marriage in Decline?” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 7 Mar. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-prime-life/201503/is-marriage-in-decline.

McCarty, Randy. “Marriage and Divorce.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, 13 Oct. 2018, www.apa.org/topics/divorce/.

Parker, Kim, and Renee Stepler. “As U.S. Marriage Rate Hovers at 50%, Education Gap in Marital Status Widens.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 14 Sept. 2017, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/09/14/as-u-s-marriage-rate-hovers-at-50-education-gap-in-marital-status-widens/.

Photo Credit: 

https://www.bonobology.com/why-are-we-so-close-to-each-other-and-yet-so-far-apart/

Riper, Tom Van. “The Cost of Being Married Versus Being Single.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 13 July 2012, www.forbes.com/2006/07/25/singles-marriage-money-cx_tvr_06singles_0725costs.html.

Wheeler, Brian. “Why Is the US Marriage Rate Falling Sharply?” BBC News, BBC, 9 Jan. 2012, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16274740.

Photo Credit: David McCandless

[realcleargoodtimes]

Expect "a lot of yelling" in the race between Biden and Sanders and in the eventual contest with Trump, wrote Nicole Hemmer. Anger "helps explain how we ended up, after winnowing the most diverse primary field in American history, with three white men grasping for the presidency. They're the only demographic whose rage is considered legitimate." The presidential contest is taking shape amid growing concern about the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, prompting health fears and economic reverberations that all of the campaigns have to consider. Foremost among those is President Donald Trump's reelection bid, premised largely on the strength of the economy. "Until now President Donald Trump has been lucky," wrote Peter Bergen. "During his first three years in office there was no major crisis on his watch of the type that has challenged every president in the half century before him ... nothing comparable to the Cuban missile crisis (John Kennedy); no Vietnam War (Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon); no hostage crisis in Iran (Jimmy Carter)..." Presidents can rise to the occasion of a great crisis, Bergen noted. But "there are reasons to worry about whether he can do so, as the crisis underlines eight of his key failings as a leader." Among those: "Trump doesn't do any homework ... He always believes he knows more than the experts about any given subject ... Trump trusts his own gut." At the epicenter Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

[brackishbrooklyn]

LISA MEZZACPPA: SOLOS, DUOS, QUARTET Live @ Brackish #31 Thu 7/18 8PM 304 Bond St., Gowanus Chris Welcome, guitar John Finkbeiner, guitar (SF Bay Area) Shayna Dulberger, acoustic bass Lisa Mezzacappa, acoustic bass (SF Bay Area) A new musical assemblage, 20 strings strong. Visiting from the San Francisco Bay Area, bassist Lisa Mezzacappa and guitarist John Finkbeiner join forces with Brooklynites, bassist Shayna Dulberger and guitarist Chris Welcome for a set of spontaneously composed solos, duos and quartet music. New musical relationships emerge in the moment as decades-long chemistry provides the glue, in sonic explorations that span free jazz energy, experimental textures, and chamber music sonorities. Lisa Mezzacappa is a San Francisco Bay Area-based composer, acoustic bassist and bandleader, an active member of California’s vibrant music community for nearly 20 years. Mezzacappa’s music encompasses ethereal chamber music, electro-acoustic works, avant-garde jazz, music for groups from duo to large ensemble, and collaborations with film, dance and visual art. In addition to leading her own projects in the US and abroad, she has performed with Fred Frith, Rhys Chatham, the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Mark Dresser's SIM Bass Ensemble, Nicole Mitchell, Ned Rothenberg, ‪Vinny Golia‬ and many others.  www.lisamezzacappa.com Guitarist John Finkbeiner has performed and recorded with the best and brightest in the Bay Area music scene — as a member of Darren Johnston’s United Brassworkers Front, the Smith Dobson V Quartet, Lisa Mezzacappa’s Bait & Switch, Aaron Bennett’s Go-Go Fightmaster, Sheldon Brown’s Distant Intervals, Scott Larson’s Franco Nero and the Vijay Anderson Quartet. He co-leads the Caribbean folk band Les Gwan Jupons, and is co-founder of New, Improved Recording, a creative music recording studio in Oakland, CA. Chris Welcome is a guitarist, composer and electronic musician living in Brooklyn, NY. He has performed throughout North America and Europe with groups such as: HOT DATE, Chaser, Sand, W-2, Mothguts, Mike Pride's Drummer's Corpse, The Flying Luttenbachers, and his own quartet. He has released his own music and been featured as a sideman/co- (at Brackish - music & art series) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz0dGfSgs3n/?igshid=rtl0vfg5eea

[damajority]

DaMajority Fresh Article https://www.damajority.com/calvary-baptist-church-gros-islet-celebrates-50th-anniversary/

Calvary Baptist Church, Gros Islet, celebrates 50th Anniversary | Saint Lucia

Calvary Baptist Church, Gros Islet, celebrates 50th Anniversary

  The Calvary Baptist Church at Massade, Gros Islet, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a number of events that begin on Friday 8th February. The theme chosen for this milestone is “Keeping the faith.”

The guest speaker for the anniversary services is Dr. Glendon Thompson.

Dr. Thompson serves as senior pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church, Toronto, Canada, president of Toronto Baptist Seminary, professor of Biblical Studies, and editor of the Gospel Witness. He was born in Jamaica and studied education at Church Teachers’ College, Mandeville. He completed a Ph.D. in theology and postmodern philosophy at the University of Potchefstroom. He has also pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Oxford, England. Dr. Thompson has authored numerous theological articles and spoken at conferences in Canada, Africa, India, the USA, and the Caribbean.

The church was established at Massade in 1969 though the work of church-planting had begun some years earlier. It was first situated on Notre Dame Street. As the work progressed, a group of three women missionaries, Marjorie Mitchell, Audrey Finkbeiner, and Iris Castle, came to the island in 1953. They laboured faithfully to keep the work going by conducting Vacation Bible School, Bible Club and other activities. Eventually, in 1955, the small church was established as Calvary Baptist Church, with six (6) charter members.

In 1969, a parcel of land at Massade was purchased and a church built to accommodate about sixty (60) persons. The church building was dedicated in 1970 with approximately twenty (20) members. A transportation ministry serving the nearby communities helped the church to grow and believers took encouragement as the prospects got brighter. Five years later the church called Pastor Hilcious Hippolyte as its first Pastor. Four years later Pastor Hippolyte resigned and Pastor Cyril Hilton was called. He served for twelve (12) years. From 1997, the Calvary Baptist Church has been administered by Elders who pastor the church together. The present Elders are Joseph Charles, John Robert Lee and Lincoln Auguste.

While the work was started in 1955 as Calvary Baptist Church, the church uses 1969 when it moved to its present site at Massade, as its official anniversary date.

Many of its members come from outside of Gros Islet. The congregation includes many young persons who have grown up in the church and many who have joined as young adults. Many of these young persons play leading roles in the work and services of the church.

The church was destroyed by Hurricane Allen in 1980 but was rebuilt with the help of a Canadian church.

The 50th Anniversary celebrations begin with a youth rally on Friday February 8th. The main services start on Sunday 10th from 10 am with an afternoon service at 3 pm. From Monday to Wednesday, at 7 pm, preaching services will be held. On Friday 15th a special Awards service and dinner will take place at the Bay Gardens hotel where pioneer founders of the church will be recognized and honored.

The public is invited to join the church for its celebratory services at Massade from Friday 8th to Wednesday 13th.

[jazzworldquest-blog]

USA: Lisa Mezzacappa Six : CosmiComics(2020)

Lisa Mezzacappa Six : CosmiComics

My latest suite of music for jazz sextet is inspired by Italo Calvino's nerdy, hilarious, lewd, poignant collection of short stories, the Cosmicomics. I've written nine or so pieces inspired by Calvino's stories that humanize and personify far-out and beautiful phenomena that defy human perception—the expansion of the universe, the origins of the planet, the mysterious relationsihp of the earth to its moon, the evolution of humans and creatures. We developed this music over the course of 2018, in a series of work-in-progress salons at the spectacular Glen Park mainstay, Bird & Beckett Books & Records, and recorded it in 2019. The recording is released on Queen Bee Records on February 3, 2020, and is available through Bandcamp on CD and as a digital download. The CD features stunning original artwork by Oakland's own, Dan Nelson!

Aaron Bennett, tenor sax John Finkbeiner, guitar Mark Clifford, vibes Tim Perkis, electronics Lisa Mezzacappa, bass Jordan Glenn, drums

via Blogger https://ift.tt/3h6YWHw

[delicatelysublimeforester]

His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy, O.C., S.O.M., Q.C., LL.B, LL.D. Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan and Paul Hanley, author Man of the Trees. Richard St. Barbe Baker, the First Global Conservationist. By Paul Hanley Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales Introduction by Jane Goodall,

His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy, O.C., S.O.M., Q.C., LL.B, LL.D. Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan hosted at Top of the Inn Ballroom, Sheraton Cavalier Hotel the Saskatoon Book Launch November 20 of Paul Hanley’s Biographical book, Man of the Trees. Richard St. Barbe Baker, the First Global Conservationist. By Paul Hanley Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales Introduction by Jane Goodall.

His honour was the 12th Chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan in 2006 – 2007 and is now Chancellor Emeritus, as well he was on the board of the Meewasin Valley Foundation where he first heard of Richard St. Barbe Baker.

“I am very pleased to join with the University of Regina Press in launching this exciting new book about an extraordinary man.  I want to thank Paul Hanley for writing about Richard St. Barbe Baker…Although he was a  pioneering environmentalist who’s helped to save billions of trees, not many people have heard of him before.  This book is a welcome tribute to an internationally important figure who has very strong ties to our province…As you know Prince Charles has been a life long proponent of conservation and was such a big fan of St Barbe, he planted an avenue of Lime Trees at High Grove in his memory.” His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy

“Baker inspired many outstanding figures in the forest conservation and reforestation movement, including Felix Finkbeiner (Founder, Plant-for-the-Planet), Scott Poynton (Founder,The Forest Trust), Sunderlal Bahuguna (Founder, Chipko), Tony Rinaudo (Founder, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration), Vance Martin (President, WILD Foundation), and Hugh Locke (President, Smallholder Farmers Alliance). Through the ripple effect of his indefatigable efforts to promote conservation and reforestation, billions of trees have been planted. He has been recognized as one of the outstanding figures of the conservation movement by environmental leaders such as Prince Charles, Jane Goodall, Wanjira Maathai (Green Belt Movement), Philippe Cousteau (EarthEcho International), Richard Leaky (International Centre for Research in Agroforestry), Sir Ghillian Prance (International Tree Foundation), Elizabeth Dowdeswell (Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, UN Under Secretary General, UNEP), and Peter Wohlleben (forester, author The Hidden Life of Trees). In 1969, The World Wildlife Fund appointed Baker its first Member of Honour.” Office of His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy

Just days before his death Richard St. Barbe Baker planted his last tree on the grounds of the University of Saskatchewan near the gravesite of his friend, The Right Honourable John George Diefenbaker PC CH QC who was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.  At the time Richard St. Barbe Baker was working on his thirty-first book. This last tree can be seen from the window of the Top of the Inn at the Sheraton Cavalier when you look towards the University of Saskatchewan.  A memorial marker dedicated by Meewasin Valley Authority and the Saskatoon Baha’i community honours Baker’s last tree planting which took place on World Environment Day June 5, 1982 and the interpretive sign pays tribute to the legacy of tree planting initiated internationally by Richard St. Barbe Baker. Saskatoon City Council in 1979 celebrated the achievement and distinction of Baker naming the afforestation area preserved in perpetuity in Saskatoon [south of the CNR station] in his honour ~ the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.  Richard St. Barbe Baker’s papers, manuscripts, personal correspondence, forestry and conservation activities, photographs and fonds are preserved at the University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections room. Baker Road in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344 is located near the two homestead lands of Richard St. Barbe Baker and his brother James Scott St. Barbe Baker.  St. Barbe Baker died on 9 June 1982 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.*

For more information: Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′ Addresses: Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063 Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map Facebook: StBarbeBaker Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Facebook: South West OLRA Contact the Meewasin Valley Authority at 402 Third Avenue South Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G5 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The MVA has begun a Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund. If you wish to support the afforestation area with your donation, write a cheque to the “Meewasin Valley Authority Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area trust fund (MVA RSBBAA trust fund)”. Please and thank you! Twitter: StBarbeBaker Please contemplate joining the SOS Elms coalition or make a donation to SOS Elms ~ leave a message to support the afforestation area  😉

1./ Learn.

2./ Experience

3./ Do Something: ***

“On asked if he would become a patron of the United Nations Year of the Tree, he replied, “I will accept only on condition that it becomes the first year of a Decade of the Tree. You’ve got to have ten years of urgent tree planning to become effective. Our felling has been ruthless over the past 50 years – as we have felled, so we must plant.” ~Richard St. Barbe Baker

Tribute from His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy, O.C., S.O.M., Q.C., LL.B, LL.D. Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan His honour, W. Thomas (Tom) Molloy, O.C., S.O.M., Q.C., LL.B, LL.D. Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan hosted at Top of the Inn Ballroom, Sheraton Cavalier Hotel the Saskatoon Book Launch November 20 of Paul Hanley's Biographical book, Man of the Trees.

[podilatokafe]

Lisa Mezzacappa – Glorious Ravage (2017) awesome jazz 2017 New World Records Lisa Mezzacappa, acoustic bass, conductor Fay Victor voice Nicole Mitchell flute Kyle Bruckmann oboe Vinny Golia woodwinds Cory Wright woodwinds Darren Johnston trumpet Michael Dessen trombone Dina Maccabee viola John Finkbeiner electric guitar Myra Melford piano, harmonium Kjell Nordeson vibraphone, percussion Mark Dresser acoustic bass Tim Perkis electronics Jordan Glenn drum set, percussion 1. I. Veta 4:06 2. II. Make No Plans 6:16 3. III. Heat & Hurry 7...

[furynewsnetwork]

LISTEN TO TLR’S LATEST PODCAST:

By Jonah Bennett

Progressive groups cheered the removal of White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon from the National Security Council principals committee, saying that Wednesday’s decision constitutes a win against white supremacy and extremism.

One of the groups, Jewish Voices for Peace, said that Bannon’s removal comes just in time for Passover, which means that Jews have one more victory to celebrate.

“Jews around the world are about to celebrate the festival of liberation, Passover,” said Rabbi Joseph Berman of Jewish Voice for Peace. “This year our celebration will now include the removal of a white supremacist and anti-Semite from the NSC. May it be a first step in moving us away from tyranny and suffering towards true freedom for all.”

Bloomberg reported Wednesday that National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster pulled Bannon from the principals committee of the NSC. As such, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will again be required to attend all meetings.

A White House official told Bloomberg that the decision is not a demotion, but rather constitutes a natural end to Bannon’s role on the principals committee. Bannon’s purpose on the committee was to keep a close eye on former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and since Flynn no longer serves on the NSC, Bannon no longer needs to sit on the principals committee, the official said.

A second White House official said Trump never particularly liked having Bannon on the committee, but that his removal does not mean Bannon has lost favor or influence with Trump.

Regardless, progressive groups are still elated.

Win Without War, an organization dedicated to promoting a progressive approach to national security, said that the NSC is no place for a “white nationalist” and “political operative.”

“Steve Bannon’s removal from the National Security Council will not only make America safer, but it’s also a victory for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who took action and said a white nationalist, warmongering, political operative with no credentials shouldn’t be anywhere near the epicenter of U.S. national security and foreign policy making,” said Win Without War Director Stephen Miles in a statement.

A progressive group called MomsRising, dedicated to issues affecting women and mothers, also got in on the action.

“Stephen Bannon has a history of promoting anti-semitism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, transphobia and white supremacy – and has dedicated his life to dividing Americans,” said Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, executive director and CEO of MomsRising. He was wholly unfit to serve on the National Security Council and his removal from the council makes us all safer.  For months, moms across the country have spoken out against Bannon’s appointment to chief White House strategist and his position as a political appointee on the National Security Council – and today they applaud his removal from that post.”

The Rainforest Action Network was also incensed at Bannon’s appointment to the NSC in the first place and blamed him for policies enriching corporate cronies.

“Steve Bannon and his white supremacist ideology should not be anywhere near the White House,” said Lindsey Allen, Executive Director Rainforest Action Network. “Donald Trump’s continued campaign of lies and distraction as he eviscerates environmental protections, rolls back social justice reforms, and pushes through policies to enrich his corporate cronies at the expense of low-income communities can be directly traced to Bannon.”

Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND), a group focused on reducing militarism and re-allocating Pentagon spending, said Bannon’s removal is a major victory, but others with nativist views on the NSC should be removed, as well.

“However, let’s be clear that if Stephen Bannon’s white nationalistic views have no place on the National Security Council, they also have no place in the White House,” Megan Amundson, executive director of WAND, said. “His worldview jeopardized our national security while on the National Security Council and continues to have very serious consequences for American interests as long as he remains part of the Trump administration. Further, White House staff who share Bannon’s nativist perspective  remain on the National Security Council. Their views will continue to politicize the National Security Council in ways that put American safety and security at risk.  They, too, have to go.”

Progressive groups were also joined Wednesday by various hawkish Republicans in the Senate, namely GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham and John McCain, who applauded the move.

“Nothing against Mr. Bannon personally, but having a political operative on the Security Council was always a bridge too far for me,” Graham told Yahoo News. “I think this is a good move for the president.”

Follow Jonah Bennett on Twitter

Send tips to jonah@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Click here for reuse options! Copyright 2017 Daily Caller News Foundation

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

WATCH TLR’S LATEST VIDEO:

The post Progressive Groups Cheer Bannon’s Removal From National Security Council Committee appeared first on The Libertarian Republic.

via Headline News – The Libertarian Republic

[catsynth-express]

Outsound New Music Summit: neem and Sheldon Brown's Blood of the Air

The third concert of this year’s Outsound New Music Summit was truly a study in contrasts between minimalism and large-ensemble exuberance.

First up was neem, the duo project of Gabby Fluke-Mogul (violin) and Kelley Kipperman (double bass).

[neem (Kelley Kipperman and Gabby Fluke-Mogul). Photo: peterbkaars.com.]

This was minimalism in its truest form, starting with the deliberate silence led by Fluke-Mogul before the first note was intoned. The music unfolded in a similarly sparse manner, with plenty of room to observe the details the sounds from both artists’ extended techniques. Although open and spacious, there was also an intimacy in some sections where the two closely followed one another musically, bouncing sounds from one instrument to the other. Whether intentional or not, one could envision the music unfolding in a natural landscape.

By contrast, Sheldon Brown’s Blood of the Air, was large and exuberant, and featured a ten-piece ensemble. In addition to Brown, the group featured Darren Johnston on trumpet, Lorin Benedict on voice, Andrew Joron on theremin, Dave MacNab and John Finkbeiner on guitars, Dan Zemelman on piano, and Vijay Anderson and Alan Hall on drums.

[Sheldon Brown’s Blood of the Air. Photo: peterbkaars.com.]

The work centered around “speech melodies” created from readings by the Beat-era poet Philip Lamantia. Each piece began with a recording of Lamantia reading his poetry, and one of the musicians (often Brown himself) responding in a melody that matched the prosody of Lamentia’s speech. The melodies served as points of departure with the ensemble responding with rhythmic vamps, countermelodies, and solos. When I wasn’t watching Brown’s solos or drawn into Lorin Benedict’s frenetic scatting, I found myself captivated by Zemelman’s virtuosic piano playing, both comping and solo. It was both musically and technically impressive. But the group functioned together as a unit, even in a setting that featured a lot of improvisation, and remained tight.

It is interesting to note that despite the musical contrast, both groups were very much focused on listening as a central element. For Blood of the Air, it was listening to the melody of the rhythm and poetry, and then to one other to form the tightness and musical phrasing of the ensemble. In neem, it was also listening and responding to one another, but was also “deep listening” to the individual sounds of the instruments, and especially to the spaces between the sounds. Yes, all good music requires disciplined listening, but sometimes it’s good to step back and take note of it.

Outsound New Music Summit: neem and Sheldon Brown’s Blood of the Air was originally published on CatSynth

[presenting-at-17]

[April Gertler : 16 October 2016]

Guided by Gertler’s conversation, images, and energy — we go with her —within a enlarging circle tracing the fullness of her practice and its life. 

Gertler ready, smiles back...

As the room gets crowded, I’m in the hallway looking through the open door.

Artists on the street during the walk, In Search of the Miraculous

...one of the timed meeting and here some history of Berlin’s musical past

...a record is played.

A gathering.

Picture Berliners riding through the Tempelhof once an airport 

----------some of what we saw:  portfolio & programs----------

THEY ARE WHAT THEY SEEM 

Collage and text work ongoing for over ten years.

G 2 G

She/[G] Gertler & me/[G] Gardella have been exchanging Polaroids (its reincarnations) since 2001. We shoot in response to the one received, Then send it through the post office. 

Gertler described the unique hybrid residency program she founded in 2009 and continues to direct. It’s mission intense and rigorous—dynamically and deliciously. Meals together are as integral as the studio visits, curatorial marathon. The city itself shapes the program and the artist walk is an introduction. 

IN SEARCH OF THE MIRACULOUS a 10+ hour walk through Berlin. Like a relay the PB artists are guided into neighborhood by a local artist and passed to their next guide. So the day continues - with moments when food or drinks seem miraculously to appear at just the right time. Among stories and history - the sense of place and awareness of each other emerges.

The title for the walk in homage to Bas Jan Ader's last work of that name. In 1975, he set sail in a 13 foot boat with the intent of crossing the Atlantic. He was never seen again.

ARTIST BOOKS / CAKEHOLE

In these photographs and collages, Gertler uses images of fragmented women’s bodies. This is the second book in a series of three printed on a Risograph machine. 

H  E  A  T

Parading (and more) through the streets of Berlin. Sometimes with many, sometimes solo.

A social sculpture created monthly by Gertler & Schiesser. They invite an artist to install their work in an apartment in Berlin (mostly) and alternately in other cities. Then for this Sunday afternoon reception they bake the artist’s favorite dessert and serve it with coffee/tea to the guests. 

http://sonntagberlin.tumblr.com

BERLIN ART LINK— 

http://www.berlinartlink.com/2016/03/25/home-sonntag-at-home-in-berlin-an-interview-with-april-gertler-and-adrian-schiesser/

[below, from August 2014 The New York Times : T Magazine blog]

.......................................If you are in Berlin don’t miss it. 

TRAVERSED LANDSCAPES

A series of works with thread sewn into found black & white photographs.

WALL DRAWINGS

Gertler stated making large wall pieces after she had been using string sewn and across walls. She was interested in the ephemeral quality of the chalk and the work itself. 

A metamorphic and hidden neighborhood speakeasy. Each time it pops-up the atmosphere, the cocktails, and personas of the bartenders —familiar yet new. 

TAKE THE CAKE

“...my favorite C-word     cake.”

With these Lecture Performances Gertler shares her passion for baking while riffing on feminism. She showed a clip from Take the Cake performed as part of a six night series: 6 Women, 6 Nights, 6 Performances at the project space tête in Berlin. 

Then when the clip ended....and to the delight of us all.

She reached behind the curtain and brought out her Hungarian Cherry Cake!

We eat cake.

Hungarian Cherry Cake baked for us on Sunday by April Gertler. The recipe as remembered from her mother’s baking. 

As we said good night.

So happy you were here. 

A very special thanks to April Gertler.

[our secret, sort of]

In the summer of 2012 we were together, when she invited me as visiting artist for PICTURE BERLIN. As old friends and collaborators we talked into many late nights and picked up the beat in the early morning over tea and coffee. We talked about community, art, friendships, and making things happen. In the fall of 2012 came Sonntag that Gertler co-initiated with Adrian Schiesser & :::::Presenting at 17::::: at my apartment on East 4th Street. Both have continued on the same third Sunday of the month. 

To make this night possible, April & Adrian postponed their October 2016 date so April could be in the East Village for P17.

Thank you.

Yours, Elise G

:::::Presenting at 17::::: is  

Cecilia Dougherty, Angie Waller, Bobby Abate, Christopher Carroll, Julia Shirar, Megan Michalak, Dana Hoey, Robert Appleton, Shanna Maurizi, Diane Cook & Jonathan VanDyke, Christine Heindl, Guillermo E. Brown, Bill Johnson, Jennifer Hayashida, Branden Koch, Laura Napier, Sarah Rushford, Brittney Hollinger, Matthew Morrocco with Shaun Fletcher, Boo Boo Cousins & Diana Cherian, Jessica Watson, Amy Finkbeiner, Mary Patten, Jane Weissman, Betsy Alwin, Mary Walling Blackburn with Danny Hammond, John Zhao, Michelle Handelman, David Mramor/Enid Ellen with Greg Potter, Frank Meuschke, Samuael Topiary, Alexandra Phillips, Charles Eladio Beronio, G Todd Haun, Chuyen Huynh, Erin O'Brien, Sara Galassini with Yukio Tsuji, Tara Ruth, Sanford Wintersberger, Alexandra Chasin and April Gertler.

The poet or revolutionary is there to articulate the necessity. James Baldwin

In October 2015, at the 3 year anniversary of  :::::Presenting at 17::::: we celebrated — 39X17 a group show/readings/performances at La MaMa Galleria.

39X17  http://presenting-at-17.tumblr.com/post/132534189823/39x17-october-2015-group-show-performances

[tinymixtapes]

♫ Listen: Lisa Mezzacappa - “Ghosts (Black and White, Then Blue)”

Talk about appropriation? No, come inside instead. Hang coats by the homemade Voodoo staff from last year’s Halloween costume. The Baron Semedi hat’s farther down the hall atop a book shelf, but not the one housing tomes on Judaism and witchcraft. On the right, past the entrance, Buddha holds car keys, facing a wall decorated with three masks; one each native to America, Africa and Asia. Vishnu’s in the kitchen, Arabic statuettes oversee the sleeping, and every night all the icons’ Ghosts decry their surroundings, like a UN committee of the inanimate. “Ghosts (Black and White, Then Blue)” is the second to last track on avantNOIR, the latest album from bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa, who’s joined here by Aaron Bennett on tenor, John Finkbeiner on electric guitar, William Winant on percussion, Tim Perkis on electronics and Jordan Glenn on drums. http://j.mp/2ky3JTO

[withywindlesdaughter]

Lawyers say dozens of travelers from countries named in President Trump’s recent executive order were held at John F. Kennedy International Airport and other airports Saturday amid confusion about whether they could legally enter the country. At least two of the detained were legal U.S. visa holders who were not allowed to speak to their attorneys for several hours.

“Both recipients have approved visas, got on a plane before executive order was signed, arrived and were then detained,” says Lara Finkbeiner, deputy legal director for the International Refugee Assistance Project, which represents two of the twelve detainees. “We have no idea how they’re doing.”

As of early afternoon on a Saturday, one of the detainees, Iraqi citizen Hameed Khalid Darweesh, 53, was released. Darweesh worked as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Iraq, which caused local militia to threaten his life.

Julie Kornfeld, a lawyer working to secure the release of the other known detainee Haider Sameer Abdukhaleg Alshawi, 33, said that he arrived Friday around 8:30 p.m. from Sweden. Kornfeld says his wife had been “very emotional,” and had not slept since her husband was detained. Alshawi’s family members had worked for a U.S. security contractor in Iraq.

No details are yet known about the other detainees.

(Read More)

[jazzworldquest-blog]

USA: Lisa Mezzacappa-avantNOIR(CleanFeed 2017)

  Aaron Bennett tenor saxophone | John Finkbeiner electric guitar | William Winant vibraphone, percussion, Foley | Lisa Mezzacappa acoustic bass, samples | Tim Perkis electronics | Jordan Glenn drums San Francisco Bay Area bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa draws inspiration from a wide range of sources in her music, from film to visual art to science. Her newest release, avantNOIR, is a suite of compositions for jazz sextet based on noir crime fiction—classic works by Dashiell Hammett set in San Francisco, and later works by Paul Auster that are part of his New York Trilogy. Mezzacappa probes the psychological depths of these stories, creating musical profiles of characters like Big Flora from Hammett’s The Big Knockover, and Daniel Quinn from Auster’s City of Glass. She also uses clues from detective’s cases—addresses, aliases, phone numbers, hotel rooms—and translates them into musical structures, melodies and rhythms, in a kind of postmodern jazz serialism. The result is a contemporary jazz gem influenced as much by Charles Ives and Pierre Boulez as by Eric Dolphy and Henry Threadgill. Mezzacappa’s partners in crime couldn’t be better suited to the challenge of navigating her sometimes gnarly, sometimes spacious but always imaginative music. Guitarist John Finkbeiner and tenor saxophonist Aaron Bennett were regulars in the California edition of Adam Lane’s Full Throttle Orchestra, and have been part of Mezzacappa’s Bait & Switch quartet for nine years. Jordan Glenn, of Fred Frith’s current trio, is one of the Bay Area’s most in-demand and versatile drummers. Tim Perkis is a pioneer of laptop improvisation, and adds a supremely sensitive layer of sound to the compositions. And veteran percussionist William Winant, well known in contemporary music circles and a longtime associate of avant-jazz heroes John Zorn, Fred Frith, Roscoe Mitchell and others, plays vibraphone and Foley sound effects—rotary phone, typewriter, hotel desk bells—as part of the record’s rich and mysterious sonic landscape. CleanFeed

via Blogger http://ift.tt/2lz991k