Monday, June 23, 2008
June 23, 2008
George Carlin left us on Sunday, June 22nd. I don’t have to tell you his importance to what we used to call the “counter culture”. Look, I’m not going to review the same issues that will be used in just about every eulogy. I saw Carlin in (I believe) 1974 at the Front Row Theater, and he was rude, funny, brilliant, animated and extremely insightful. You may also recall that he was the very first host of “Saturday Night” as it was called when it first went on the air in 1975. He appeared on the “Mike Douglas Show” with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and it takes a lot to get those two to laugh but he succeeded. Carlin is also a footnote in legal history with his “Seven DirtyWords”…several of which have since become common radio and TV fare.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
FILM FANS UNITE!
FILM FANS UNITE!
It seems we don’t appreciate the treasures we have in our own back yard…or even a little south. My bride, Janice, and I have arranged for a house sitter (a burly fella who drinks a lot) and we’re heading to Columbus for the annual Cinevent, the classic film convention. Steve Haynes has been putting this show on for many years and it is one of the premiere events of its type nationwide. You should make plans, too. And check out the website.
One of the reasons Cinevent is so popular is the Vintage Poster Art Auction. Morrie Everett and Marty Davis have been staging this auction for years. Morrie owns the Last Moving Picture Company right here in Northeast Ohio, and he and Davis are among the most respected people in the world when it comes to movie posters. Plus, they’re nice guys.
At any rate, I’ll se you at Cinevent. Stop by and say “hi” to Steve Haynes, Morrie Everett and Marty Davis. And if you need a house sitter, I’ve got one…but he’ll pry the lock off your liquor cabinet.
It seems we don’t appreciate the treasures we have in our own back yard…or even a little south. My bride, Janice, and I have arranged for a house sitter (a burly fella who drinks a lot) and we’re heading to Columbus for the annual Cinevent, the classic film convention. Steve Haynes has been putting this show on for many years and it is one of the premiere events of its type nationwide. You should make plans, too. And check out the website.
One of the reasons Cinevent is so popular is the Vintage Poster Art Auction. Morrie Everett and Marty Davis have been staging this auction for years. Morrie owns the Last Moving Picture Company right here in Northeast Ohio, and he and Davis are among the most respected people in the world when it comes to movie posters. Plus, they’re nice guys.
At any rate, I’ll se you at Cinevent. Stop by and say “hi” to Steve Haynes, Morrie Everett and Marty Davis. And if you need a house sitter, I’ve got one…but he’ll pry the lock off your liquor cabinet.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Cleveland's Favorite Sons
Okay, let me get on a soap box here. Cleveland wants to embrace winners, but too many times it fails to see the obvious. Why don’t we have a statue to Superman in this city! Sure, there are plenty of other ways to spend that money, and I don’t endorse the use of public funds. But keep this in mind: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created one of the five most recognized literary characters in history, alongside Robin Hood, Tarzan, Mickey Mouse and Sherlock Holmes. Pretty heady company, eh? The character was born from two Glenville High teenagers who never saw the true rewards from their creation. Michael Sangiacomo made that point several times in his columns in the Plain Dealer. Fortunately, someone has taken the challenge and we could see the problem rectified as early as this summer.
Positively Cleveland has assembled a group of civic boosters planning a yearly celebration of Krypton’s…make that Northeast Ohio’s…favorite son. More importantly, the campaign is planning a yearly celebration of Siegel and Shuster, who loved their home town dearly until their final days. The plans are still in the discussion stages, so I’m not going to tip any hands right now but trust me…..this campaign is in the right hands and will be something that will bring a lot of well deserved attention to Northeast Ohio, the Glenville neighborhood, and most importantly, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. And if you want to be a part of the effort, keep an eye out for the call for volunteers. We owe it to a couple of Glenville alumni.
Positively Cleveland has assembled a group of civic boosters planning a yearly celebration of Krypton’s…make that Northeast Ohio’s…favorite son. More importantly, the campaign is planning a yearly celebration of Siegel and Shuster, who loved their home town dearly until their final days. The plans are still in the discussion stages, so I’m not going to tip any hands right now but trust me…..this campaign is in the right hands and will be something that will bring a lot of well deserved attention to Northeast Ohio, the Glenville neighborhood, and most importantly, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. And if you want to be a part of the effort, keep an eye out for the call for volunteers. We owe it to a couple of Glenville alumni.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Greatest Generation. For Real!
My uncle, Vic Pruchinski, lives in Garfield Heights. He was like my other uncles, entertaining all the nieces and nephews at family gatherings, telling jokes, and generally showing everybody a good time. He also served in World War II, like my other uncles and a lot of other very special people, but never really spoke about it.
A few weeks back I met up with a good friend, Tom Swope, who told me about the Veterans History Project. Tom and a group of volunteers have been recording oral histories for the Library of Congress, asking vets about their experiences. I put him in touch with my Uncle Vic who, surprisingly, said he would sit down with Tom for an interview.
We all met on a Saturday, and I have to admit that I sat there in awe as Uncle Vic told Tom about the Battle of Bulge, liberating Germany, and his time overseas. He didn’t hold back, and I couldn’t help but think how brave he was, not only to fight in that war, but to recall it as vividly as he did. At the end of the interview, Tom asked about the end of the war. Uncle Vic shrugged and said, “We had a job, we did it. I came home and got another job.” It turns out a lot of returning vets felt the same way.
Now keep in mind that these interviews are being archived and will be studied for hundreds of years. It’s important work, and it‘s people like Tom who are keeping that history alive. You should, too. Here’s how:
If you know a WWII vet, contact Tom at: swopetunes@ juno.com
It’s absolutely vital to get these first hand experiences recorded for future generations. In fact, the men and women who fought in World War II are called “the greatest generation”, and they proved it. These were people who lined up to serve, even if they were a day short of high school graduation or married just a few weeks. They had a job to do, and they did it. I’m really proud of Uncle Vic. Oh, and one more thing….
At the end of the interview, Vic let loose with a few jokes. Hey…it’s in the blood line!
A few weeks back I met up with a good friend, Tom Swope, who told me about the Veterans History Project. Tom and a group of volunteers have been recording oral histories for the Library of Congress, asking vets about their experiences. I put him in touch with my Uncle Vic who, surprisingly, said he would sit down with Tom for an interview.
We all met on a Saturday, and I have to admit that I sat there in awe as Uncle Vic told Tom about the Battle of Bulge, liberating Germany, and his time overseas. He didn’t hold back, and I couldn’t help but think how brave he was, not only to fight in that war, but to recall it as vividly as he did. At the end of the interview, Tom asked about the end of the war. Uncle Vic shrugged and said, “We had a job, we did it. I came home and got another job.” It turns out a lot of returning vets felt the same way.
Now keep in mind that these interviews are being archived and will be studied for hundreds of years. It’s important work, and it‘s people like Tom who are keeping that history alive. You should, too. Here’s how:
If you know a WWII vet, contact Tom at: swopetunes@ juno.com
It’s absolutely vital to get these first hand experiences recorded for future generations. In fact, the men and women who fought in World War II are called “the greatest generation”, and they proved it. These were people who lined up to serve, even if they were a day short of high school graduation or married just a few weeks. They had a job to do, and they did it. I’m really proud of Uncle Vic. Oh, and one more thing….
At the end of the interview, Vic let loose with a few jokes. Hey…it’s in the blood line!
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