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Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 10:56:56
The Jori Costello Sound
I wrote this profile of a popular local artist several years ago. If you haven’t sat down and listened to Jori Costello yet, maybe it’s time you did. If you want more recent information on Jori, including her recent gigs, and to read her blog, go to:
The Jori Costello Sound
Area Artist Releases New CD
"I'm counting some days
Maybe one day, make it Tuesday
I'm puttin' off deadlines
Ignorin' the headlines
Hold society at bay
Give in to the pressure
Brought on by stressin'
And the things I've left undone
bet I'm not the only one . . ."
"Easier Said Than Done"
- Jori Costello
Although Jori Costello has been compared to Joni Mitchell, one has no doubt that in the near future, such comparisons will be forgotten, as the "Jori Costello Sound" takes solid hold in the region. Her strong voice takes command of her audience and refuses to let go; her jazzy tones mingling
with an equally strong blues background never fails to impress those listening.
December marks the debut of Costello's first CD, entitled Homegrown. This is a collection of original pieces, and the works of others, such as Amanda Broom, and Amanda Grimes.
Costello discovered her love of music while growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, singing in church. Though it might be difficult for those who appreciate her to imagine, the young Jori also enjoyed singing the ballads of Barbra Streisand, who she cites as one of her musical influences.
Later, while living in Kansas City, she was one of the founding members of the trio Harmony, a group which appeared in concerts and live performances on the radio, and was interviewed on the radio program Woman Song (based in Kansas City). Her musical odyssey led Costello to Lawrence, Kansas, where she played in a number of restaurants, coffeehouses and bars. She especially likes the relaxed atmosphere to be found in so many coffee shops. During her stay in Lawrence, she appeared on Lawnchair Review and Wild Women Don't get the Blues, two Lawrence-based radio shows. Costello's music is the deeply personal kind, with themes touching upon love and meaning of what it means to be human. Her favorite song on her CD is "The Way You Move," a song about the importance of love and lust.
The CD was recorded at Kelly Mulhollan's Termite Tracs studios. Mulhollan, best known as a member of the popular group Still on the Hill, also has added his musical influence to the collection, recording his parts after she had left the studio.
She says that his input "added a whole new dimension to the CD." In addition to Mulhollan's efforts, Donna Henschell (also of Still on the Hill) plays fiddle on one track, "Mountain Song/Kentucky Woman."
In addition to the influences of Joni Mitchell and Barbra Streisand, Costello is strongly moved by the music of the Indigo Girls and Tracey Chapman. She has respect for women whose voices are well-trained, women like Annie Lennox, and she has a particular fondness for Carole King's "So
Far Away."
Costello pens most of her own material, such as the popular "The Way You Move," "Past the Pain," and "Freedom Connection." Writing music takes several forms for her. At times, a tune will simply play around in her head, while at other times, verses may take shape, even without a tune to lay claim to them. Sometimes, she uses a writing process she describes as "journaling." Suddenly, one day what she has written leaps to grab her attention.
In 2001, Costello appeared at the Eureka Folk Festival, and Fayetteville's Springfest. In the past, she has appeared at the 1997 and 1998 Women's Festival and Conference, held at the University of Arkansas, and in the summer of 1997, sang during the open mike presentation at the prestigious
Michigan Women's Festival. Costello has appeared on Fayetteville's Community Access Television, which still plays some of her music videos.
Jori Costello is living proof that music is an integral part of each of us. Through the magic of her tunes and lyrics, she hopes to inspire healing, action, and serious reflection about our lives and the choices we make every day. Those who seek out Costello's strong voice and powerful words
will have an experience they are not likely to soon forget.
"Now you see the powers within you
You just have to give it a chance
Your strength and your wisdom
will carry you through it
Freedom from pain here at last . . ."
"Past the Pain" - - Jori Costello
Ozark Gazette - December 10, 2001
Friday, September 28, 2007 - 09:29:06
Those who control city purse strings often have no vision
I took part in a roundtable discussion on the Government Channel last night on Wi Fi, and its implications for Fayetteville. Moderated by KUAF’s Kyle Kellams, participants also included Bill Ramsey from the Chamber of Commerce, Shelli Bell from the Telecomm Board, Dale Riggins of the Fayetteville Fire Department, Bill Phelan of the Fayetteville Police Department, and James Grigsby, a Wireless network consultant.
I think the folks I was sitting with did an admirable job of making a technical subject easy to digest. The roundtable will be run again on Monday at 9am, and next Saturday at noon. Those living outside Fayetteville can call 444-3434 for a copy.
The program will no doubt also end up on being replayed on Community Access Television. For that matter, it should probably be played on the Jones Network.
As I was sitting there, one inescapable conclusion seemed to arise from it all: the ones most comfortable with the emerging technologies, and most likely to show us all how to benefit from it, are not the ones with their hands on the purse strings. No, all too often, the ones controlling the money are those who have no vision or imagination.
While other cities contemplate city-wide Wi Fi - as many in Fayetteville are - there are real fears that Fayetteville may limit itself to the square, or Dickson Street, and fondly imagine that it is “cutting edge.”
******
According to the Morning News, the Green Party submitted signatures to the Secretary of State’s office this week, hoping to have Rebekah Kennedy placed on the ballot against Mark Pryor. Like Blanche Lambert Lincoln, Pryor is the occasional Democrat who represents Arkansas in Congress.
2008 may be the year for the Greens in Arkansas.
******
Watching “CSI Miami” this week, and a scene played itself out which has been played out hundreds of times before on the CSI shows - and the Law and Order franchise, plus other cop shows. Without attorney present, a criminal confesses to a murder.
After which, a legal pad is usually thrust in their direction, and they are instructed to write out their confession - all without an attorney being present. As much as I enjoy the show, I can’t help thinking, “Boy, I bet you don’t have a very high conviction rate.”
Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 11:11:16
Peter Harkins has been gone an entire year?
Maybe it’s just me, but the quest for “affordable housing” in Fayetteville - or any city, for that matter - doesn’t stop at buying houses. A lot of folks complain that rents are too high, but their complaints seem to fall on deaf ears.
What are reasonable rents in Fayetteville?
Some are proposing (not at the city council level, sad to say) that if folks are evicted to make room for development, that they shouldn’t have to come up with the dreaded deposit/first month/last month rent on a new place. Or perhaps the folks doing the evicting should come up with some of that money, in order to ease the financial burden?
******
Willard L. Bratton Jr. had a wonderful letter in the Northwest Arkansas Times today about my friend, Peter Harkins, who wrote for us at the Ozark Gazette. Peter died a year ago this week, and his absence on the letters pages in still keenly felt.
Peter was one of those writers who could write about anything, and his subjects ranged from his experiences writing juvenile detective stories to the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
One of his best pieces was about a veteran character actor, the sort whose name you don’t remember (he played the druggist in It’s a Wonderful Life) but bring life to the parts they play, and strengthen the whole storyline.
Peter was like that; his writing made whatever publication he was in, whether it was the OG or the Grapevine, a better paper. His call-in show on Fayetteville Open Channel, when he took calls on anything the audience wanted to talk about, was the inspiration for my own show, so many years ago.
******
Kind of a clumsy transition here, but what can you do?
And speaking of public access television, on my show next week, we are rerunning an interview with C.A.T. manager Sky Blaylock. Those interested in public access may learn a lot from the interview. Play times:
Monday - 7pm
Tuesday - noon
Saturday - 6pm
******
Did you know that C.A.T. offers a free orientation every month, which includes a tour of the station and a brief introduction to just what they offer the public? For more information, call, 444-3433.
You don’t have to live in Fayetteville to take advantage of this great service.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 10:57:35
If the city won't do it, Jeff Erf will
Jeff Erf, Fayetteville’s Internet Yoda, has created a blog to display the tentative agenda for the next Fayetteville City Council next meeting:
http://council-agenda.blogspot.com/
According to Erf, those who visit the site can also post their own comments under any of the agenda items. IN an email he sent out, Erf wrote, “ The purpose of this feature is to encourage communication between city council and city residents. If there is interest in the site, I will add new agendas as they are released.”
******
I answered a knock at the door a few days ago, only to see a young man carrying a large over-the-shoulder bag, a box held out in front of him. Turns out it was a new Chinese meal that was in stores, and he had been hired to walk through neighborhoods, passing out free samples.
Yeah, right, I thought. Here’s a chance to see if the Internet is good for more than just posting comments under the Fayetteville City Council agenda. I typed in the name of the product and found many (!) Entries extolling its virtues - all except for one cynical entry.
“General Mills is undeterred by the toll taken of American dogs and cats by poisoned Chinese Pet Food. One of General Mills food brands . . .”
http://www.soundentistry.com/blogodontics/2007/5/24/poison-chinese-toothpaste.html.
But when I clicked on the site?
Access Denied
You may not access this site at this time.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Monday, September 24, 2007 - 12:19:17
Some interesting stuff about Wal-Mart you won't see on local news
A couple of passings to notice.
Wilda Lee Hardin, who ran Rock Bottom Bookstore for so many years on Dickson Street, has died at 73 years of age. Talking to Wilda was half the fun of going to Rock Bottom, back in the 70s and 80s.
Sandra L. Stokes - this has to be mentioned. Sandra, who was murdered earlier this year, had some accomplishments that were unreported on by the general news media.
She appeared in at least one production for Fayetteville Open Channel, in a film by Robert C. Nelson. A freelance writer, she was published in Grapevine, and was for a short time the Living Editor at the Northwest Arkansas Times.
The night they caught her killer, I flicked through channels, to see what the coverage was like. Two local stations covered it early in the broadcast, while one - infamous for plugging non-news items on the air - found 1001 ways to say “Football Weekend!” in the first five minutes of their broadcast.
******
And finally, I noticed this online - something else that the “Wal-Mart Press releases are like manna from Heaven” local news media may not report on. The fact that Wally World is teaming up with GE Money Bank may enough to send shivers down the spines of many in our midst. The Internet is rife with complaints about GE Money Bank, from unhappy individuals who have dealt with them in the past.
http://www.digitalmoneyworld.com/wal-marts-digital-money-card/
Wal-Mart’’s Digital Money Card
by Mark on June 12th, 2007
This sums it up,
““……there is no supply chain, product chain or merchandise management issue there. It is just cash and digital cash.
There’’s money to be made in money.””* bbcamerican.blogspot.com
’’’’Wal-Mart is the world’’s largest retailer. It is also the largest corporation and private employer in the United States. Everyone walking into a Wal-Mart store and every shopper that buys merchandise will now be offered the store chain’’s new prepaid card solution.
That translates into a LOT of new potential card holders and deposits. This card is not only being heavily marketed in stores but it is also available from the Internet.
““We got these new Wal-Mart MoneyCards at our store this weekend —— and they’’re insidious. They parked a huge display at the main door —— immediately as you enter the store by Register 1 —— and small displays in front of every Customer Service register.”” * bbcamerican.blogspot.com
This Card is issued by GE Money Bank, pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Card services provided from Green Dot Corporation.
Recently declined for a banking license in the US, Wal-Mart is looking to expand their financial operations beyond no fee ATMs and check cashing. Prepaid cards are a perfect way to capture customer and non-customer deposits. Especially the ‘‘low end’’ of the market, the immigrants……..the unbankable crowd, better known as the Wal-Mart shopper.
Back in early 2005, Wal-Mart was cornered with an application to open a so-called ‘‘industrial bank’’ in of all places Utah. But after much uproar the application was withdrawn. Now, here they are hammering their daily customers for pay check deposits and ATM transactions.
Loading their card can be done in stores using cash or your paycheck. The card is basically identical to the other Green Dots products you may find hanging on a rack in just about any convenient store or grocery in the States. However, considering Wal-Mart’’s retail marketing advantage……..their fees are pretty hefty. Paycheck loading will cost you $3.00 per load and cash loads are $4.64 each, but that’’s not the half of it, visit the ATM with this card and the card fee is $1.95 per use. You might think Wal-Mart, the largest employer in America, could shrink their card fees down to a nominal amount unlike every other prepaid card thief issuer in the US.
With the offering and marketing of this card, there is no doubt that Wal-Mart is reaching out for customer’’s non bank deposits.
““Also, and this is what customers find the most annoying - there is a prompt after cashing EVERY paycheck - ““Would you like to load your check onto a Wal-Mart Moneycard?”” That’’s right - every cashed paycheck. Every time. All day I had to keep telling people ““Do you want a MoneyCard? Then hit NO.”” * bbcamerican.blogspot.com
There was a big movement 3-4 years back to get local Wal-Marts to happily accept the very Libertarian Silver Liberty Dollars but that faded after an extraordinary effort to penetrate the hard shell of the corporate giant. It is obvious now with the issuing of this card and Wal-Mart’’s sneaky attempt at a US banking license the idea of providing value behind their word is already half way down that slippery slope.
Our blogger friends over at Behind The Counter say it best. …….if it looks like a bank, walks like a bank, and quacks like a bank, is it a bank? With the Wal-Mart, you never know. (Note to readers, I don’’t shop at Wal-Mart, not even the ones near by in Costa Rica and Mexico.)
JJJ
Friday, September 21, 2007 - 11:14:16
Lunch with the Lemurs
Ten years ago a show made its debut on Fayetteville’s Community Access television, and life has never been the same.
All right, that’s hyperbole, -but the Lemurs have provided some fascinating programs over the years. This coming Saturday is the tenth anniversary show, midnight Saturday night. The musical gusts will be Liquid Courage. I wrote this piece about “Abbey of the lemur” a few years ago. Some might find this an interesting look at some fascinating and creative people.
Lunch with the Lemurs
Fayetteville's "Abbey of the Lemur" entertains, educates and rocks sensibilities
The flickering world of the "Abbey of the Lemur,"a program on Fayetteville's public access channel, has gone through a startling metamorphosis over the years. Sometimes looking like an underground film from the 1970s, sometimes using a call-in format, other times just using video footage the crew have shot around the area, or simply one person looking into the camera, ABTL covers a broad spectrum of subjects.
Sometimes risque (showing a fake penis being a case in point), sometimes satirical skits - both risque and not - and often coming forth with straight political and social commentary, the show has captured the imagination and loyalty of many late night viewers.
Along the way, of course, it has also garnered its share of detractors. Such is the show's reputation, that political activists have used the show to educate some viewers. Sitting down with any of the folks responsible for "Abbey of the Lemur" (shown late Saturday nights on Fayetteville's Community Access Television) can be an intellectually intensive experience.
Between jokes and talk of politics - both local and national - even a casual observer would be forced to conclude that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Between mouthfuls of food, coffee, water and wine, the conversation is sprinkled with cultural, pop and political references covering the events of the past few decades. For seven years, the Lemurs have entertained the viewers of late night television. And over the years the show has evolved into a potent forum for satire and political comment.
When those in the city administration disparage content on C.A.T., it is invariably this program that they choose to criticize - on all too many occasions, taking things on the show totally out of context.
"I couldn't believe what I was watching," seems to be a major theme of several of the complaints about the show. Oddly enough, many of those complaining about the late night show seem to watch it in its entirety. There is a certain sameness to some of the complaints, almost as if some coaching has been going on behind the scenes.
Created by Chuck Roberts and Andrew Lucariello, "Abbey of the Lemur" the has been at the forefront of late night programming on C.A.T.
There is little programming actually generated by C.A.T. itself; public access programming is largely produced by members of the community. Roberts says that he and his video partner, "Just ran around and taped things for about six months before we decided to do a show. We really had no idea of what we wanted to do, and this thing just kind of evolved as we ran around taping."
Roberts goes on to say, "Andrew and I were sitting around in our apartment watching lots of movies. We'd be watching everything from old classic movies to avant garde cutting edge stuff to Z grade 70s zombie flicks."
All of that and more fell into their filter, and ultimately influenced the program. "A video Hamburger Helper," Roberts says. Jet Black, another Lemur conspirator, laughs as he adds, "A casserole of crap culture." A good analogy, someone else at the table agrees. The name of the show itself is play on words, based on a misunderstood lyric from a Marilyn Manson song.
Roberts laughs when he says, "It sounds like a church based around these little big-eyed monkeys. We laughed and joked about creating this ‘Abbey of the Lemur," and revolving a show around a fake cult, and the fun that they encounter on their road to world domination. "That was only ever a nebulous idea, and the show became a polyglot of anything that fell into our filter."
Shannon Caine, another of the on air Lemurs, adds, "That's why it's so difficult when they ask, ‘What is the Abbey of the Lemur about?'" She says that it varies from day to day, and month to month.
When asked if the shows follow a basic theme, Black says, "If not a theme, more of an aesthetic. Probably a follow through from the Dadaesque art movement into the underground 60s psychedelia movement. And continuing on through the underground funk movement of the 1980s, with various artistic and counter-cultural concerns."
But are they surprised when viewers don't recognize the style they using at any particular time? Roberts says no. "Not everyone in the world is going to be versed in the Dada movement or have seen the early films of John Waters, or know what sitituationism is."
Imagine "Laugh-In" with a much harder edge, and you can come close to ABTL. But the format seems to change as often as the subjects it tackles. Like Chuck Roberts and Andrew Lucariello, Shannon Caine and Jet Black are solidly working class. And like those involved in the early modernist movement, the Lemurs are everyday people creating art for their own reasons.
Black points out that "Those who make ‘Abbey of the Lemur' are average citizens, factory workers, people who work in retail, the average Joe, creating their own programming from their own hearts and minds, in a desire to create art."
Speaking of the complaints, which seem to crop up on a regular occasion, Roberts says, "That opens up a whole can of worms." A Fayetteville police officer once came down on a regular basis to complain on the air about the show, taking advantage of a service C.A.T. offers called "Short Takes" - in which citizens can talk for up to five minutes about anything of their choosing.
At least one complaint made it all the way to the city prosecutor's office, but to no avail. The show has also been attacked in newspapers, most notably by a columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and a former C.A.T. board member.
Some see the attacks on ABTL as not so thinly veiled attacks on public access itself, which has been a powerful tool in the hands of political activists over the years. Others dismiss the sometimes lurid coverage of the show on "slow news" days.
Caine says, "What is so truly surprising about the complaints, besides just witnessing stupidity in motion, is that some of the things that we put on thinking that they might offend people, were not the things that offended anyone. It is the little stuff we don't even think about, the small references. The things that should have gotten people up in arms just float right on by."
The Lemurs as a group (at least those attending lunch this day) agree that most complaints about their program are taken out of context.
Jet Black says, "I have a slightly different take on it. I'm not so surprised at the people who get bent out of shape who are just regular citizens. But I am always surprised at the sort of media attention it gets, and from the people in government or police department. "It's not surprising to me that people get bent out of shape about adult humor, or adult activity. I mean, there are people who stand out on Dickson Street in sandwich boards, who are completely upset in 40 degree weather because people are having adult fun in the bars. But people on the city council aren't talking about that. But if you have it on TV, of course some may get bent out of shape about it, but I am surprised that they are doing stories about it."
As a result of the various attacks on the programs, most of those responsible for the show have become adept at defending their efforts, using both their forum on C.A.T., and letters to newspapers. As a result, they have become more knowledgeable about First Amendment issues. One public critic posited the question: "What if a young executive and his family were staying at the Radisson, and they saw this? What would they think of Fayetteville?"
Shannon Caine's response? "They might see there was art in this damn town! That argument has always struck me as blatantly bogus. What if somebody saw it? Well, they might think that gee, we're not a one horse cow town." And Roberts feels that a lot of people might be attracted precisely because of the art scene in Fayetteville.
"A lot of executive types are also attracted to cutting edge music and counter culture." Caine says, "Nobody wants to move to a town that doesn't have an underground art scene." "Alternative venues don't raise the value of the real estate," Black says.
The Lemurs have also been especially critical of the administration of mayor Dan Coody, who has risen to the bait by occasionally criticizing Community Access Television for content reasons. Roberts says that he has been told that some higher ups in the Coody administration were behind one of the most recent complaints.
Black says, "Reporters will focus on a couple of details within a particular work so therefore anything could be taken as pornographic by those standards, out of context." Caine adds, "Thy don't understand that not everybody has to watch shows suitable for five year olds. There is a population that enjoys adult shows."
Criticism of the show has worked to the benefit of those who might prefer to see public access - which celebrates 25 years on the air in April, 2005 - replaced by an "arts channel." This despite the fact that public access serves as an arts channel already, as well a medical channel, political channel, et al.
Some fear that such an arts channel would be much blander fare, and emphasize the work of better known artists, and not avant garde or working class efforts. Several of those involved with ABTL are also involved with other video efforts.
Shannon Caine, for example, also hosts an interview program on C.A.T., "The Caine Interviews," in which she has talked with a wide range of guests, including religious leaders, artists and politicians.
Chuck Roberts works nights in a local industrial plant, and also has some experience in publishing small literary magazines.
Jet Black plays in a band, The Rude, and has made independent films. They all agree that the world has changed for artists since September 11, 2001. Caine says, "Free speech is seen as more dangerous than ever before. You are suspect if you don't do things exactly as the Joneses do."
Fayetteville is symptomatic of the changes in the country, they all feel, and that the criticism of some of the adult content on public access television reflects a desire for sameness, and a fear of the different. Many feel that public access television is a tapestry of the community, showing the community in all of its diversity.
And part of that diversity is the underground art scene, which utilizes public access very well indeed. If critics of programs like "Abbey of the Lemur" ultimately have their way, the art shown on television in Fayetteville might be "prettier" and safer, but far less dangerous and far less interesting.
Little Rock Free Press - 2004
rsdrake@nwark.com
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 23:20:02
The Return of Doctor Death?
Maybe it's just me, but a chill went down my spine as I read this entry in Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
Simmons seeks to save with clinics: Poultry producer says on-site treatment cuts absences, insurance costs
For the $10 co-pay, the company's employees can visit a doctor at their plant in Siloam Springs, or with the nurse practitioners found at their other plants.
I guess if you haven't spent much time in factories, this seems like good news. And maybe I am giving in to the cynical side of my nature. But I remember too many experiences with "company doctors" over the years. The role of a company doctor often seemed to be to get you back to work as quickly as possible.
Sometimes the needs of the company took precedence over the health of the workers.
At one time there was a doctor in Fayetteville whose clinic was utilized by many factory workers; he was usually the one we were sent to. He was often referred to as "Doctor Death" behind his back, because you might end up well in the short term, but less healthy in the long-run.
My point being this - if a nurse/practitioner or clinic works for the company, and isn't independent, who gets priority - the worker who shouldn't be at work, or the factory that needs people on the assembly line? Where do their loyalties lie?
I found a great article on the subject at:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=990CE5D81038F932A15756C0A963958260
"EARNING IT; Can a Visit to the Company Doc Help a Cold but Hurt a Career?"
The article is from the 1990s, but still highly relevant today.
So the question remains: Who gets the loyalty? The man or woman who is sick, or those who own the clinic?
******
It's official - Tracy and I have gone through the process of a non-binding resolution (oh, those wacky folks in Congress!) and have resolved that "Trog," starring Joan Crawford, may be the worst movie ever shown on Turner Classic Movies.
The plot - such as it is - involves the discovery of a Troglodyte." and the efforts of the very unscientific scientist played by Ms. Crawford, to teach him to catch a ball, play with a doll, and say the word "Blue."
In one scene a reporter asks the scientist, "Is this creature dangerous?"
To which she replied, "I let my own daughter feed him."
At which point I yelled at the screen, "Of course you would, you're Joan Crawford!"
I only know the parts of the Bill Of Rights that will guarantee me campaign contributions?
The Nightmare of September 11
Let's broaden the meaning of "infrastructure"
Silly remarks live on, long after they are uttered
A little political independence wouldn't kill you, you know
So Stupid a TV network would do it again?
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