USA & Other Regions
STATESIDE STORIES: DEMS DEBATE WHILE TRUMP DEEMS SYRIA’S FATE »
Twelve Democratic hopefuls faced off in Ohio in mid-October in the largest US presidential primary debate in history. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has withdrawn US military personnel from the war zones of Syria. The New York Times quotes Aleksandr Shumilin, a Middle East specialist at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, as saying, “This is an unexpected gift for Putin.”
NEW YORK: A TREAT FOR MOVIE BUFFS »
The fifth annual Ecuadorian Film Festival is on from October 18 to 20 in New York. It’s a lively festival that always surprises, what with its riveting themes. Some of the films have already won Latin American film awards. All are in Spanish with English subtitles. This year’s festival will have two venues: The Queens Museum and the Syndicated Bar Theater Kitchen in Brooklyn. The Queens location is excellent because it also offers a walk through Flushing Meadow park if you choose to get there by the famed 7 train. The multi-faceted Bushwick, Brooklyn location, in an old factory building, is an experience in itself.
STATESIDE STORIES: TRUMP Names New Security Advisor and Eyes Homeless Crisis »
The National Security Advisor works directly for the President, leading the NSC staff that researches military and diplomatic options. Working with Cabinet-level officials such as the defense, state and treasury secretaries, Robert O’Brien will be expected to present the President with the best policy recommendations.
THE TRUFFLE MAN, MASSIMO VIDONI OF ITALTOUCH »
Massimo Vidoni: When I was a child, I had discovered the art of truffles when I accompanied my uncle. The early morning preparation and going to the mountains, with the dogs, is where my profound interest really started. Once the dog pointed to the location where there could of been a possible truffle, it was like a gold rush for me, being well versed in how difficult it was to find truffles. I had started to think of the commercial business end of trading, buying and selling this bespoken gift of Mother Nature and I had gotten hooked !
A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “GO FLY A KITE!”, 21 JULY 1978 »
A witty and incisive look into the innovations in art today — that is, in the 1970s. After a savvy’s critique, the author concludes: ” Often, the work [of an artist] can only be supported by institutions or museums, and there is literally nothing to sell, but that seldom happens. More often than not, some manner is contrived in order to get the product or by-product into the hands of the consumer. Idealism can only go so far. I mean, anyone who digs holes or flies kites had to eat also. Be an artist, go fly a kite!”
A SECOND OPINION: BREATHE — How many Rainforests are there left in the World? Fewer and fewer… »
In Brazil it almost seems that forests are being cleared for ranching and other purposes. Forests are a pain in the neck to people who see nothing but profit and progress. But forests fill a basic need for human life: O2. We breathe because of the oxygen produced by trees and plant life and especially the rainforests of the world. Bolsonaro may just have to deal with the world on the issue of the wildfires in the Amazon.
A Second Opinion: Dis-Respect for the Forces… »
Candlelight Vigil, Police Week, National Mall, Washington DC, May 2019 At the 31st Annual Candlelight Vigil two Deputy United States Marshals
A SECOND OPINION: Trump Not Fully Exonerated »
If you've been keeping up with the news, you may have realized that in the Congressional Hearings with Special Investigator Robert Mueller, President Trump was not fully exonerated from wrongdoing by Mueller's report. But although he may not be removed from office through impeachment, the President could be prosecuted after he leaves office for Russian collusion and obstruction of justice, both of which the he vehemently denies ever occurred.
New Age Spain: Motocross in Las Ventas? »
I just happened to catch it on TV: They were holding a motocross spectacular event in the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid! The crowd was oohing and ahhing over the head-over-heels jumps and stunts the riders were exhibiting. Maybe Las Ventas will have another motocross exhibition in the future for you all to check out! In the States, dirt biking is the rage. In fact, anything to do with mechanical mayhem is very, very popular. That includes Monster Trucks. The trucks do their best to smash themselves to pieces and the spectators roar.
TWO FILMS FROM SPAIN FEATURED AT LINCOLN CENTER DANCE FILM FESTIVAL: (1) “FROM KNEE TO HEART” »
Lincoln Center’s Dance on Camera Festival (July 12-15, 2019), celebrating its 47th year, featured 11 programs of documentaries over four days, including films from 17 countries, which were screened at the Walter Reade Theater on West 65th Street in Manhattan. Two films from Spain, “From Knee to Heart” and “Siete Leguas” (“Seven League”) were both intimate portraits of dancers facing challenges in very different ways and circumstances.
