Monday, July 23, 2012

Public broadcasting under attack

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — PBS President Paula Kerger said Saturday she's disappointed public TV's federal funding again is under attack by lawmakers.
The move is ironic, she said, given the impressive number of Emmy Award nominations earned last week by PBS programs, including the popular drama "Downton Abbey." PBS received 58 nods, second only to HBO and CBS.
Public television gets 15 percent of its money from the federally funded Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with the rest largely contributed by viewers, Kerger told a meeting of the Television Critics Association.
But some stations would lose more than half their money if funds are cut, and a number of them will be forced to "go dark," she said.
A loss of federal dollars "would eliminate public broadcasting in areas I know it's tremendously used," Kerger said. She cited a small Cookeville, Tenn., station that has done "an extraordinary job at being an archive for the culture in that community."
U.S. House Republicans have unveiled legislation aimed at cutting off federal funding for public TV television and National Public Radio. Both have been targets before, with Republicans saying PBS could get along just fine without taxpayer help.
Kerger said it's "disappointing to me when you look at the value the American public places" on PBS.
While she and other PBS executives try to be eloquent defenders of public TV, she said, it is ultimately the audience that can help protect it by making their support for PBS known to Congress.
Rep. Norm Dicks of Washington, a top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said last week the "extremely partisan proposal" stands little chance of being brought up on the House floor and will be disregarded by the Senate and President Barack Obama.

By LYNN ELBER Posted: 07/21/2012

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Lasagna

My wife makes wonderful lasagna. When I went to wash the pan this is what I found.


Monday, July 9, 2012

The Sculpture of Steve Palmer

  The sculpture of Steve Palmer will be on exhibition in our Gallery from July 2 – 30. For years Palmer worked in fused glass until he was drawn to the unique form of wired wall sculpture. He says, “The pieces frequently take the shape of fish made from old wooden crutches, boxes, found objects, and wrapped wire.
  Each name creation has unique form. Features, and character.” His first fish included saw blades for the mouth and screwdrivers for the fins. Palmer lives in Commerce Township, MI. His work has been shown in many galleries, including Ann Arbor Art Center, Battle Creek Art Gallery, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, and Five-Fifteen, Royal Oak. In April 2011 he placed 3rd in the Michigan Fine Arts Competition and was awarded a $1,000 prize.
  Please join us in the Gallery at reception for this fine artist on Thursday, July 12 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Palmer will discuss his work with us beginning at 5:30.from 5 – 6:30
p.m. Palmer will discuss his work with us beginning at 5:30.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Lands of In-KO-8 Trilogy

Pages from my recent book available at the Bookshelf on Mission in Mt. Pleasant.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

One cool dude

A very hot squirrel sought a shady spot under our burning bush on the patio, to cool himself, spread-eagle on the concrete.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Crescent Street work nears completion




Crescent Street, between Watson and Highland Streets is nearing reconstruction, including new curb and gutter, and storm sewer replacement. City Inspector Jen Flachs indicated the work will be completed within the week.