Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Fallingwater Trip
We will be taking a spectacular field trip to Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater" on Sunday, September 14, 2008. We have reservations at 2pm for a guided tour and will leave Dormont about noon. Bring beverages and food - there is a picnic spot within 1/2 mile from the house where we will stop weather permitting. It will be fascinating to experience the architecture of one of the most prominent and reknowned artists of our time. Fallingwater is considered to be one of the most important architectural designs of the 20th century. Look forward to seeing everyone.
Home Facts
Description: A mountain retreat for the Edgar J. Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh, owners of Kaufmann's Department Store
Residents: Edgar Kaufmann Sr. (1885-1955), Liliane S. Kaufmann (1889-1952), and their son, Edgar Kaufmann jr. (1910-1989). The home was owned and used by the Kaufmann family until 1963, when it was entrusted by Edgar Kaufmann, jr., to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Design and construction: Designed in 1935 by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) The main house constructed 1936-38, followed by the guest house construction in 1939
Final cost: $155,000 (Included $8,000 architect’s fees, and $4,500 for installed walnut furnishings)
Square footage: The main house uses 5,330 square feet. (2885 sq. ft. interior; 2445 sq. ft. terraces) while the guest house uses 1,700 square. feet.
Visitation: 4 million people since opening our doors in 1964, with 145,470 in 2007
Preservation: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has preserved Fallingwater since 1963, with a major structural repair in 2002 strengthening Fallingwater’s cantilevers to prevent collapse and future deflection.
Preservation: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has preserved Fallingwater since 1963, with a major structural repair in 2002 strengthening Fallingwater’s cantilevers to prevent collapse and future deflection.
Fallingwater was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, January 1938
Fallingwater is the only major Wright-designed house to open to the public with its furnishings, artwork, and setting intact. Frank Lloyd Wright once suggested that the house’s concrete surfaces be coated in gold leaf.
Fallingwater is the only major Wright-designed house to open to the public with its furnishings, artwork, and setting intact. Frank Lloyd Wright once suggested that the house’s concrete surfaces be coated in gold leaf.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Next Meeting
The date of our next meeting has been changed to August 28, 2008 at Debbie's.
We will choose books for the next three months based on our fall theme of 19th century female authors.
We are planning a trip to Falling Waters near Ligoner for September 14, more information will follow.
We will choose books for the next three months based on our fall theme of 19th century female authors.
We are planning a trip to Falling Waters near Ligoner for September 14, more information will follow.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
What do you think?
Bookstore and poet in war of words over reading
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
By Bob Hoover, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jan Beatty's sexually explicit poetry led to some problems with a scheduled reading at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers on the South Side welcomes a steady flow of authors to its store, from porno-film actors such as Ron Jeremy to prize-winning novelists such as Michael Chabon, but it imposed a different set of rules for Pittsburgh poet Jan Beatty.
After the store initially rejected a reading because it found her poetry too "erotic" for its family-friendly store atmosphere, it then offered compromises to permit her to visit.
Beatty said yesterday she has rejected the store's recent offers because the conditions amount to censorship.
What's making the Cincinnati-based chain hot and bothered is Beatty's new poetry collection, "Red Sugar," published by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Some of the poems are sexually explicit.
Maria Sticco, publicist for the press, said that after she sent a copy to the South Side outlet's marketing and events coordinator, Maureen White, to set up a reading, she was told the poetry was inappropriate for the store's "family-friendly atmosphere."
"They said children might hear it over the store's sound system," Sticco said.
Although Beatty has previously read her work at the store, she would not be granted a reading from "Red Sugar" unless the store chose the poems, the publisher was told.
Beatty rejected that offer earlier this month. Friday, Michael Link, Joseph-Beth's publisher relations and event manager, proposed two more options to Sticco:
• A book signing without a reading.
• A reading with the sound system turned off.
Beatty turned those offers down as well.
"Look, I know about readings and how to behave in a professional manner," said the poet. "Plus, I've read there before and there was no problem.
"I don't understand them. I like the store and they say they support writers. Now they are censoring me."
Beatty added that Joseph-Beth is presenting best-selling author David Sedaris next month, "and he's pretty raunchy. Nobody's telling him he can't read there."
Joseph-Beth also held a signing event last year for porn-film actor Jeremy -- an occasion Neil Van Uum, founder of the bookstore chain, said he regrets. "I was terribly concerned about Ron Jeremy, and that decision came right down to the wire," he said Friday.
"But the fact is that [Beatty's] book is of a sexual, erotic nature that made our people uncomfortable. Their sentiment was that the reading was not appropriate for our audiences."
Also troubling Van Uum is a complaint about the Beatty ban from a Pittsburgh attorney, Leone Paradise, a student of the poet's Madwomen writing workshop.
"When an attorney is threatening me, that absolutely gets my attention. That's the fly in the ointment."
Paradise denies making any threat of legal action against the store and of being retained by Beatty.
"Certainly, I would make no threat," Paradise said. "There was no intent about any legal action. I called them as a person, not a lawyer."
When she called the store manager to learn more about the ban, Paradise admitted she identified herself as an attorney. "When I say I am a lawyer, I know people will answer my call," she said. "I just wanted information."
She added that Joseph-Beth has "every legal right to do what they are doing."
The author of three collections, Beatty, 54, of Wilkinsburg, won the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's $15,000 creative achievement award in 2000 and the Agnes Lynch Starrett poetry prize from the Pitt Press in 1994.
She is director of creative writing at Carlow University and appears regularly on the city's poetry reading circuit, including Joseph-Beth, where she appeared with another Pittsburgh poet, Gerald Stern, two years ago. Since the book release party April 18, Beatty has given a series of readings in Pittsburgh and at several Pitt branch campuses and has appeared on KDKA-TV.
"My position is that the store needs to contact me to apologize and to let me read with no strings attached," Beatty said.
New poll on website-what do you think??
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
By Bob Hoover, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Jan Beatty's sexually explicit poetry led to some problems with a scheduled reading at Joseph-Beth Booksellers.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers on the South Side welcomes a steady flow of authors to its store, from porno-film actors such as Ron Jeremy to prize-winning novelists such as Michael Chabon, but it imposed a different set of rules for Pittsburgh poet Jan Beatty.
After the store initially rejected a reading because it found her poetry too "erotic" for its family-friendly store atmosphere, it then offered compromises to permit her to visit.
Beatty said yesterday she has rejected the store's recent offers because the conditions amount to censorship.
What's making the Cincinnati-based chain hot and bothered is Beatty's new poetry collection, "Red Sugar," published by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Some of the poems are sexually explicit.
Maria Sticco, publicist for the press, said that after she sent a copy to the South Side outlet's marketing and events coordinator, Maureen White, to set up a reading, she was told the poetry was inappropriate for the store's "family-friendly atmosphere."
"They said children might hear it over the store's sound system," Sticco said.
Although Beatty has previously read her work at the store, she would not be granted a reading from "Red Sugar" unless the store chose the poems, the publisher was told.
Beatty rejected that offer earlier this month. Friday, Michael Link, Joseph-Beth's publisher relations and event manager, proposed two more options to Sticco:
• A book signing without a reading.
• A reading with the sound system turned off.
Beatty turned those offers down as well.
"Look, I know about readings and how to behave in a professional manner," said the poet. "Plus, I've read there before and there was no problem.
"I don't understand them. I like the store and they say they support writers. Now they are censoring me."
Beatty added that Joseph-Beth is presenting best-selling author David Sedaris next month, "and he's pretty raunchy. Nobody's telling him he can't read there."
Joseph-Beth also held a signing event last year for porn-film actor Jeremy -- an occasion Neil Van Uum, founder of the bookstore chain, said he regrets. "I was terribly concerned about Ron Jeremy, and that decision came right down to the wire," he said Friday.
"But the fact is that [Beatty's] book is of a sexual, erotic nature that made our people uncomfortable. Their sentiment was that the reading was not appropriate for our audiences."
Also troubling Van Uum is a complaint about the Beatty ban from a Pittsburgh attorney, Leone Paradise, a student of the poet's Madwomen writing workshop.
"When an attorney is threatening me, that absolutely gets my attention. That's the fly in the ointment."
Paradise denies making any threat of legal action against the store and of being retained by Beatty.
"Certainly, I would make no threat," Paradise said. "There was no intent about any legal action. I called them as a person, not a lawyer."
When she called the store manager to learn more about the ban, Paradise admitted she identified herself as an attorney. "When I say I am a lawyer, I know people will answer my call," she said. "I just wanted information."
She added that Joseph-Beth has "every legal right to do what they are doing."
The author of three collections, Beatty, 54, of Wilkinsburg, won the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's $15,000 creative achievement award in 2000 and the Agnes Lynch Starrett poetry prize from the Pitt Press in 1994.
She is director of creative writing at Carlow University and appears regularly on the city's poetry reading circuit, including Joseph-Beth, where she appeared with another Pittsburgh poet, Gerald Stern, two years ago. Since the book release party April 18, Beatty has given a series of readings in Pittsburgh and at several Pitt branch campuses and has appeared on KDKA-TV.
"My position is that the store needs to contact me to apologize and to let me read with no strings attached," Beatty said.
New poll on website-what do you think??
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
A few weeks ago I attended City Theatre's production of The Vagina Monologues with a few close friends (for a great review see Dawn Papuga’s Lyrique Tragedy Reviews). Since I was familiar with the play I was also aware of the controversies surrounding The Vagina Monologues. From social conservatives who oppose the play on ‘moral’ grounds and even, more surprisingly, to some feminists who fault the play “ as having a negative and restrictive view of sexuality and an anti-male bias” The Vagina Monologues will evoke strong reactions in most people. Even during the play when one of the actresses said "No matter how many times you say it, it never sounds like a word you want to say” the audience smiles, nods and agrees. But later as the actresses begin telling the funny, sad, uplifting, heartbreaking and horrifying stories from women around the world, we suddenly find parts of ourselves in their stories and realize we are all sisters, united, sitting there in the tiny Hamburg Theater.
You are probably wondering what this has to do with Valentine's Day.
Ten years ago Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues founded an organization called V-Day. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery. V-Day also works to raise money and to increase awareness of the problems facing women and girls in the world today. V-Day's message is simple; the violence must end. Ensler's organization has declared Valentine's Day as V-Day until the violence against women ends.
Eve Ensler
The feeling of sisterhood that swept over me at the Hamburg is still strong and growing even stronger. Eve Ensler calls on each of us to become a Vagina Warrior in this fight against violence against women and girls. Eve and her group of volunteers have raised over $50 million for education surrounding the issues of violence against women and girls through the media and PSA campaigns. V-Day has also opened shelters and safe houses in Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and the USA and funded over 5,000 community based anti-violence programs around the world. From each dollar donated .94 goes back into the programs sponsored by V-Day.
Unfortunately most of us will come into contact with violence directed at women during our lifetimes. Perhaps with our help, our daughters and granddaughters will celebrate Victory Over Violence Day on February 14th when violence against women and girls will be a thing of the past.
You are probably wondering what this has to do with Valentine's Day.
Ten years ago Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues founded an organization called V-Day. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery. V-Day also works to raise money and to increase awareness of the problems facing women and girls in the world today. V-Day's message is simple; the violence must end. Ensler's organization has declared Valentine's Day as V-Day until the violence against women ends.
"Ending violence against women is actually about each of us being willing to struggle to be a different kind of human being. It means not accepting force as a method of coercion and oppression — in our homes and in our world. But really it means examining what is at the root of that need for force. Why are women still muted, controlled, silenced, weakened, and contained? What would happen if they were safe and free?
Ending violence against women means opening to the great power of women, the mystery of women, the heart of women, the wild, unending sexuality and creativity of women — and not being afraid."
Eve Ensler
The feeling of sisterhood that swept over me at the Hamburg is still strong and growing even stronger. Eve Ensler calls on each of us to become a Vagina Warrior in this fight against violence against women and girls. Eve and her group of volunteers have raised over $50 million for education surrounding the issues of violence against women and girls through the media and PSA campaigns. V-Day has also opened shelters and safe houses in Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and the USA and funded over 5,000 community based anti-violence programs around the world. From each dollar donated .94 goes back into the programs sponsored by V-Day.
Unfortunately most of us will come into contact with violence directed at women during our lifetimes. Perhaps with our help, our daughters and granddaughters will celebrate Victory Over Violence Day on February 14th when violence against women and girls will be a thing of the past.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Our Next Book Club Selection
Getting Rid of Matthew is an August 2007 Book Sense pick!
Learn more!
For once this isn’t a novel about the heroine getting the guy. It’s about getting rid of the guy, and in the process, finding herself.
Helen is nearly forty, and has, for far too long, had an affair with Matthew, a high-powered, much older, attractive, married man who was once, of course, her boss. After years of being disappointed by missed dates, out-of-the-way restaurants where there’s no chance of them being caught, broken promises, and hushed phone calls, at last Helen realizes enough is enough—it’s time to dump Matthew and get on with her life.
This, of course, is the exact moment when Matthew decides to leave his wife for her. He appears on her doorstep, announcing, “I’ve done it! I’ve left her! I’m yours!” and proceeds to move in. Helen then discovers how much she can’t bear him. But she can’t just throw him out—after all, she’s been begging him to do exactly this for years. The only thing to do, she decides, is to convince his wife, Sophie, to take him back.
So after a “chance” meeting in the park, Helen befriends Sophie and hears all about her lying, cheating husband. But then, the unexpected happens—Helen really starts to like Sophie, and thinks she’s way too good for a selfish bore like Matthew. And then there’s the other small problem of Matthew’s handsome, charming son…
Jane Fallon turns the conventional love story on its head in this irresistibly delicious, ironic debut for every woman who has ever realized, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Jane Fallon is an award-winning television producer in England. Several of her shows, including This Life and Teachers, air in this country on BBC America. She lives in London with her longtime partner, comedian and author Ricky Gervais.
Learn more!
For once this isn’t a novel about the heroine getting the guy. It’s about getting rid of the guy, and in the process, finding herself.
Helen is nearly forty, and has, for far too long, had an affair with Matthew, a high-powered, much older, attractive, married man who was once, of course, her boss. After years of being disappointed by missed dates, out-of-the-way restaurants where there’s no chance of them being caught, broken promises, and hushed phone calls, at last Helen realizes enough is enough—it’s time to dump Matthew and get on with her life.
This, of course, is the exact moment when Matthew decides to leave his wife for her. He appears on her doorstep, announcing, “I’ve done it! I’ve left her! I’m yours!” and proceeds to move in. Helen then discovers how much she can’t bear him. But she can’t just throw him out—after all, she’s been begging him to do exactly this for years. The only thing to do, she decides, is to convince his wife, Sophie, to take him back.
So after a “chance” meeting in the park, Helen befriends Sophie and hears all about her lying, cheating husband. But then, the unexpected happens—Helen really starts to like Sophie, and thinks she’s way too good for a selfish bore like Matthew. And then there’s the other small problem of Matthew’s handsome, charming son…
Jane Fallon turns the conventional love story on its head in this irresistibly delicious, ironic debut for every woman who has ever realized, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Jane Fallon is an award-winning television producer in England. Several of her shows, including This Life and Teachers, air in this country on BBC America. She lives in London with her longtime partner, comedian and author Ricky Gervais.
“Fallon delivers the goods in a believable and scathingly funny voice. She gives
Helen and Sophie the human bumps and curves that make them so alive, you’ll
find yourself wishing you could ring them for lunch.” —Cleveland Plain
Dealer
“Fallon’s conversational and deeply descriptive writing style—and
witty dialogue—make the novel thoroughly readable…For those longing for
another lighthearted beach read as summer draws to a close, Getting Rid of
Matthew is a solid option.”
—San Francisco Chronicle
“Fallon makes Helen’s twisted mind pathetic, hilarious, and relatable all at once. Her story is a gritty look at the madness of never knowing exactly what you want.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Sparkling and unpredictable, a brilliant first novel.” —Elle (U.K.)
“A clever, sophisticated debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew…is a
juicy caper…painfully funny…[and] satisfying. Along the way, Fallon’s heroine
climbs out of her rut and launches a life of her own.” —LadiesHomeJournal.com
“Brit TV producer Fallon takes ‘careful what you wish for’ to hilarious heights in her debut novel…The surprising and rewarding treat is a bright, grown-up story of two women who discover friendship and trust in one another.”
—Publishers Weekly
Helen and Sophie the human bumps and curves that make them so alive, you’ll
find yourself wishing you could ring them for lunch.” —Cleveland Plain
Dealer
“Fallon’s conversational and deeply descriptive writing style—and
witty dialogue—make the novel thoroughly readable…For those longing for
another lighthearted beach read as summer draws to a close, Getting Rid of
Matthew is a solid option.”
—San Francisco Chronicle
“Fallon makes Helen’s twisted mind pathetic, hilarious, and relatable all at once. Her story is a gritty look at the madness of never knowing exactly what you want.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Sparkling and unpredictable, a brilliant first novel.” —Elle (U.K.)
“A clever, sophisticated debut novel, Getting Rid of Matthew…is a
juicy caper…painfully funny…[and] satisfying. Along the way, Fallon’s heroine
climbs out of her rut and launches a life of her own.” —LadiesHomeJournal.com
“Brit TV producer Fallon takes ‘careful what you wish for’ to hilarious heights in her debut novel…The surprising and rewarding treat is a bright, grown-up story of two women who discover friendship and trust in one another.”
—Publishers Weekly
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
A Special Book Club Event - "Chihuly at the Phipps"
One of the amazing displays created by Dale Chichuly for the Phipps gardens that can be seen during these last few weeks of the "Garden-Glass" exhibit through February 24, 2008.
AN EVENING AT THE PHIPPS: "GARDENS & GLASS"
For all book club members, family, and friends, I am putting together a special evening event for anyone who is interested in visiting and viewing an amazing "once in a lifetime" exhibit that features a studio glass exhibit by world renowned artist Dale Chihuly (who revolutionized studio glass exhibits around the world) at the Phipps Conservancy in Oakland. This opportunity is only available through February 24 when the exhibit closes and will never be exactly the same again - the glass is designed and created on-site and is a one of a kind display. It is promptly destroyed and reused by the artist to create new, unique exhibits around the world. Currently, visits to the Phipps are by "appointment only" because of the crowds who are visiting the Phipps regularly during this last month of the Chihuly display. I would be happy to make advance arrangements for tickets ($15.00 each), if I can get a count of those who are interested. The dates that I am considering right now are:
- Thursday, January 24
- Wednesday, January 30
- Tuesday, February 5
We will also need to decide on a time (6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm or 8:00pm) so please leave your preferences regarding time and dates at the comment section of this posting. I will also have flyers to take to the January 15 meeting in order for people to express their interest and their preferences. This is an exciting opportunity for our region and for our club members. (There are discounts for 15 people or more so friends and family are welcome.)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Shadow of the Wind Discussion - Tuesday, January 15 2008
We will be discussing our latest book selection The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon at our next book club meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7pm at Maureen's house in Bethel Park. I will send a separate e-mail to give people the address and directions - please contact me, Patti, or Kathy if anyone needs a ride and we would be happy to make arrangements for you to be picked up. Kathy has offered to facilitate the discussion since the book was her selection and she has found some readers guides that will provide additional insight to our discussion. Remember to BYOB and try to be on time so that we can start our discussion precisely at 7:30pm and finish at about 9pm.
I just finished the book and I found it to be a romantic, gothic novel, with lots of mystery, history and intriguing situations that really kept me interested until the very end when "all is revealed" through some very dramatic events. The characters in this book, I thought, were very likeable and the story was engaging - as events unfold, you become more and more intrigued by the sad and disturbing storylines that include not only the lead character, Daniel Sempere, but also his friend Fermin, his nemesis Fumero, and other characters from the past like Juilian and Penelope.
It would be interesting to have people post their comments here about their impressions of the book so far and whether or not book club members think it was a good selection. Let us know what you think.
We also have some other business to discuss related to the locations for future meetings - so be prepared to bring you ideas to our meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at 7pm. See you then!
I just finished the book and I found it to be a romantic, gothic novel, with lots of mystery, history and intriguing situations that really kept me interested until the very end when "all is revealed" through some very dramatic events. The characters in this book, I thought, were very likeable and the story was engaging - as events unfold, you become more and more intrigued by the sad and disturbing storylines that include not only the lead character, Daniel Sempere, but also his friend Fermin, his nemesis Fumero, and other characters from the past like Juilian and Penelope.
It would be interesting to have people post their comments here about their impressions of the book so far and whether or not book club members think it was a good selection. Let us know what you think.
We also have some other business to discuss related to the locations for future meetings - so be prepared to bring you ideas to our meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at 7pm. See you then!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)