Archive

  • Locations: Columns Published

    Geeking out over astronauts and art

    Any space geeks out there? As an independent artist and illustrator (living and working here in Carbondale) I find the subject of space fascinating. I suppose I “geek out” on it occasionally through my artwork since astronauts, constellations, and rockets make semi-frequent appearances in my paintings. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Seeking Higher Ground: Mending fences versus building walls

    Last week, lured by abnormally-early spring weather, I started repairing the stone walls that enclose my raised garden beds. This spring task was memorialized by Robert Frost in “Mending Wall,” a poem that talks about two neighbors rebuilding the wall between their farms. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Chicago Cubs fan in Carbondale

    Spring training is here and I can finally get into my favorite sport. That’s right, you pigskinheads. This is one Coloradan who loves baseball and doesn’t care much for football. What’s more, I’m a life-long, die-hard, true-blue Cub fan, 2016 was the best year of my life, and I’m so looking forward to 2017. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    P's & Q's: Name the frightening futuristic tale

    All right, since no one’s gonna come right out and say it, I will; Trump has a bromance with Putin. I believe Rosneft (Russia’s state oil company) sold 20% to the Trump Organization on the condition that sanctions would be taken care of. Soon. And then Flynn took the fall for the whole deal. What a Moe. Is it pretty much understood that Moe is the dumbest stooge? read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    ‘Misery makes strange bedfellows’: The magically contemporary message of ‘The Tempest’

    At the Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), “The Tempest” begins with a roar and a crash. While Prospero, played by Jeff Carlson, magically conjures up a storm, Prospero’s ocean-tossed enemies are disgorged from the bowels of the theatre itself, appearing through a trap door. As they writhe and struggle to hang onto their sinking ship, cries ring down from dark catwalks encompassing the ceiling. Thunder crashes from all sides, the darkened theatre rumbling and shaking the audience. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Seeking Higher Ground: Of painting, pikas and politics

    Right now, I’m pursuing two long-deferred callings: writing a personal column and becoming a fine-art painter. Those two activities feel like yin and yang, emotionally balancing the scales: painting is a right-brain activity, writing is left-brain. When I’m writing, my mind is full of words. I never miss a publication deadline. While I’m painting, mind chatter disappears. I lose track of time. I sometimes even miss meals. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Purple Haze Retirement Homers remember Bundy

    He was the stuff of nightmares if you were a young woman, back in the day. A crocodile id concealed by the comfortable face of a guy who looked like the picture of the guy who was “Salesman of the Month” at a moderately successful automobile dealership, where you almost bought a car. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Resolutions in 2017: keep with climate change fight

    New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the Babylonians, according to Wikipedia. My resolution is to put more effort into putting a dent in climate change and global warming. And so, I’m starting 2017 by writing this column. read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    The time is now for Carbondale schools

    The moment is upon us for profound change in our local educational system. What do we really want kids to be gaining from our schools? Of course, we want them to learn how to calculate math problems, how to write coherently, to know some history and understand scientific concepts, but what else? read more →
  • Locations: Columns Published

    Ps & Qs: A hitchhiker’s guide to Highway 133

    One of my favorite books of all time is “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” It contains truths that I’m certain are universal. And yes, I believe in aliens. Mostly because I find it incredibly arrogant to think we are the only life forms out there, but also because it’s lonely and sad to think that we’re as good as it gets. (And I am not alone in my belief. Astronaut Gordon Cooper believed in aliens, probably because he went to space, where they live, as does the Hon. Paul Hellyer, former Canadian minister of national defense. Believe in aliens, I mean; I do not think that the former Minister lives in space). read more →