Notes on a Song

I wasn’t planning to watch the American Music Awards but when the show started, I felt too lazy to dig around for the remote.  The result? I got an education. 

 

 

My critical mind fired into action as I watched Lady Gaga

perform.  Her act seemed like a bad burlesque wrapped in nothing more than panty hose and  nude-colored sanitary napkins, crowned  with deer antlers. But then Gaga broke a glass wall with a mike stand to reach a piano. That’s when I heard her beautiful voice.

Now I will never go gaga for Gaga. I like my music performerd by long-haired males in button-up shirts, whose craziest move is to smash a guitar into an amplifer.  

But further research has led me to learn that Gaga is a highly educated song writer.  Plus, the girl who sold millions of albums worldwide can perform for millions.

That is a feat in itself. Whether I like to woman’s music or not, she’s found her niche.

My second big surprise of the evening came when Whitney Houston took to the stage. I always loved this beautiful, glamours and talented woman.

I was sad as anyone to see her downfall displayed so openly on her reality show. But the reality is that I enjoyed laughing at Miss Houston as much as the next person. Just shout out, “Bobby!” and the world knows you are laughing at Whitney.

Tonight Lady W. was beautiful, glamorous and deserved all the applause the audience lavished on her.

 

News?!?

Ah!  The good old days. How I miss those days filled with “news” of the bad behavior and juicy divorce details of celebrities.  Stories I just couldn’t live without. Not!

Today, salacious stories such as these have been replaced by stories that are just plain stupid. The top stupid story talked about this morning  comes to us thanks to Governor Schwartzenegger and Maria Shriver who both show plain old fashioned bad taste.

Maria, a lady who sees herself above the law, can’t  keep from  yacking on a cell phone while driving. Mrs. Terminator, when caught thrice,  exhibits behavior that causes me to wonder if English is indeed her first language.

Shriver said that to atone for her sin, she would donate her favorite old cell phone to a womans’ shelter. First of all, if it’s one of your old phones, the punishment is probably barely equal to a slap on the wrist.

Secondly, the point was not for you to get rid of a cell phone, but instead it was to fix your phone so it is legally used while driving.  Don’t make your faux  paux an excuse to play the martyr, Drive  that Hummer down to a Fry’s Electronics and get a hands-free device.

Hell! If I so much as quibble about licensing my cat, I get an avalanche of threatening letters from the county that claim the right to take over ownership of any of and all real property I may own or think of owning.

Ah-nold commented that to stop Maria from her jaw-flappinng offense could cause him to lose his right to “action.”

Ah-nold, listen up. You are bilingual, you have a college degree and you are a world traveler. Go and buy some class.  You make this joke about “action” when you get caught with your pants down. It’s not funny. You just prove my point that the rich and famous can live in the lap of luxury and still lack decency, common sense and couth.

You are the representative of a state, not a smoke-filled bachelor party.

 

Bracher Elementary Grows a Teaching Garden

By Tricia Chambers

Santa Clara sure loves a beautiful garden. And that’s a good thing because now city residents have a brand new garden to enjoy.

Located at the corner of Bracher Elementary, where Bowers Avenue and Chromite Drive intersect, now sits a beautiful low-water garden of succulents and native plants, where there once was a terrible eyesore.

It all started with Allison Olson, mom to a third grade Bracher student and owner of Dreamscapes, Landscape Design. About three months ago, the application for a grant that Olson sent to the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) San Francisco Chapter, was accepted.

“I’m very impressed with the generosity of all the community coming together,” Olson said, “particularly since most of us feel the economic crunch.”

And as Olson explains, the 40 ft. by 100ft. Bracher garden is more than just a pretty site.

The “teaching” garden will show the students how to conserve water and garden organically.

“We will also build an outdoor learning area from sustainable materials,” she said. “In the fall I’ll teach the kids how to propagate succulents.”

A sculpture donated by John Lamos, co-owner of Studio Replica, was placed along the street side of the garden. The piece consists of stacked concrete blocks with a circle leaning against the blocks.

Apparently Olson has thought of everything. Other plans for the garden included a project for their students that involved them digging up a plant and offering it as a Mother’s Day present. The garden will present a pleasant setting for this year’s graduating class, especially since large flat “blocks” will provide seating for parents.

According to Olson, the Bracher garden will continue to involve the community since the YMCA will come in once a week to take care of the maintenance.

The community comes together to build the Bracher garden.

CLCA is a nonprofit trade organization comprised of licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors. Their mission is to serve and protect the interest of its members, promote professionalism and advance public awareness of the landscape industry. Each year CLCA picks the application of one nonprofit’s proposed project and then volunteers their time and equipment to that project for one day.

Vendors donated the materials while contractors paid their workers for the three weeks that it took to prepare the garden. PTA parents, area landscapers and Foothill College horticulture students also donated their time. The garden is estimated to cost about $60,000.

For more information about Bracher Elementary located at 2700 Chromite Drive, call (408) 984-1682. To learn more about the CLCA, visit http://www.clca.org or call James Walker at (650) 333-2020.

 

SC Players True to Life in “True West”

By Tricia Chambers

June 10, 2009 Santa Clara Weekly 

If you prefer your plot lines as thin and tasteless as store brand white bread, then the Santa Clara Player’s current production is not for you.

But if you prefer to be electrified from the edge of your seat, and harbor a secret fetish for small electrical appliances, then Sam Shepard’s “True West” is one play you surely will not want to miss.

Director Larry Barrott and Producer John Rutski, use a superb layering of emotions in a story that reveals a charged relationship between two brothers that makes Cain and Abel come to life in the age of modern AC/DC wattage.

Older brother Lee (Joseph Axiaq), a bully and lone-adventurer with a chip on his shoulder bigger than a bread box, spends his days getting toasted in response to his screenwriter brother’s success. Axiaq admitted that he did get a little bruised as a result of the wrestling scenes but had healed by the next performance.

The siblings display a vast array of emotions when Lee comes to visit his mother’s house and finds he must deal with brother, Austin (Mikey Schott), who is already there and busy working on a project.

In “True West” Axiaq makes his debut performance with the Santa Clara Players after having last been seen at Broadway West in “The Importance of Being Ernest.”

Schott makes his third Santa Clara Players appearance with this production. Previously he’s appeared in “Let’s Murder Marsha” and the tear-jerker “Waiting for Godot,” where he briefly displayed his acting skills while on roller skates.

Sheila Ellam makes her return Santa Clara Theater appearance as the duo’s mom who returns from Alaska to find her happy home in a shambles. Recently Ellam was honored to train with Alan Arkin.

Also appearing is Bruce Blau who plays movie producer Sal Kimmer.
Blau has appeared in 10 independent film productions and does voice-overs.

Shawn Andrei, previously seen as Lucky in “Waiting for Godot” served as assistant director for this production. Stage manager duties were handled by Melinda Marks, a UCSC theater graduate. The set was designed by SJSU graduate Lauren Smith.

A community-based theater group, the Santa Clara Players are always in need of volunteers to carry out tasks such as set up refreshments for intermission, paint sets or make phone calls.

Since their founding in 1962, the Santa Clara Players have held to the mission of providing anyone with the desire to work with experienced producers in the production of high quality family theater.

Auditions for the 2009-2010 season production of “The Fisherman and His Wife” (a retelling of the Grimm’s fairy tale) will be held June 22 and 23.

The Santa Clara Players perform in the dome-shaped theatre on Don Avenue, located behind the Triton Musuem at 1515 Warburton Avenue.

For more information about the Santa Clara Players, visit http://www.scplayers.org. You can also call (408) 248-7993 or send an email to santaclaraplayers@gmail.com. Tickets can be purchased by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.

 

Usual Suspects Rock Central Park as Usual

Story and photo by Tricia Chambers

 Aug.  8, 2009

If there’s one thing you can expect from the Usual Suspects, it’s a classically good show and Sunday’s performance was certainly no exception. These guys let nothing; including technical difficulties, get in their rocking way of tearing the roof off a place. After a quick trip back to their van, the fun continues without missing a beat.

Lord of the Strings, Jeff Rippin never fails to give it his all.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to do a good show,” said newest member and lead vocalist Dave Muhoberac, “set up drums, do standup, whatever.”

But be forewarned: another probability is that if you don’t arrive before the show starts, you will find yourself driving in circles in a full parking lot against the backdrop of a Rolling Stones classic. But then who can blame the other Santa Clara residents for recognizing a good thing when they hear it?

The six-member Suspects waste no time churning up the heat with a nonstop repertoire of classic rock. Seriously, these six consummate performers roll in on a frenetic energy and don’t let up they will finish what they started.

Muhoberac’s hard-rocking vocalizations and writhing movements provide the hard-driving force behind the band’s sound.

Hard to see, but another integral part of the band is San Jose’s own, hero with a drumstick John Castignati. If any musician has a right to have carpal tunnel, it’s this dude. ‘Nuff said!

And then there’s the contributions of percussionist Eddie Jimenez, fresh from a gig at the San Jose Jazz Festival. A guy like Jimenez with 26-years of self-taught musical experience that includes performances with members of Santana has got to be hot.

Rounding out vocals are lead guitarist Jeff Rippin, bass guitarist Jerry Heeschen and keyboard-player Rich Gamba. You’d need to glue Rippin’s feet to the floor to keep him still, but watching the “Lord of the Strings” bounce around the stage is part of the fun. Hard to believe Rippin’s biggest influence isn’t Jagger, but according to the electronics entrepenuer, it’s Stevie Ray Vaughn and Joe Satriani.

Heeschen definitely pulls his own with rowdy renditions of such classics as “Bad to the Bone.”

Original band member Rich Gamba’s talent are nothing to sneeze at either. The Chicago-born keyboard-player does triple duty as a vocalist who knows how to wield a guitar.

A special treat materialized as a rollicking rendition of “Mustang Sally” in the form of guest vocalists, Valerie Heeschen and Roxanne Kohlin (the other half’s of Heeschen and Jimenez, respectively).

Santa Clara residents Mark and Patty McCaul staked out a table where they enjoyed the music over homemade sandwiches and chips.

“We love this band,” the couple said.

Even a few miniature doggies (some in ruffled dresses, some not) pranced on hind legs to the soulful beat of “Black Magic Woman.”

And if all this wasn’t enough to delight the audience, Usual Suspects made Concert in the Park history by accepting the invitation to light into an encore of “Radar Love.” A majority of the audience stuck around.

Next week the Concert in the Park series will feature Red Beans and Rice (Blues/Cajun). The Rippin Band (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal) takes to the stage the following week and closes the 2009 series.

To learn more about The Usual Suspects, visit http://www.usualsuspectsrock.com or send an email to info@usualsuspects.com.

For more information about the Concert in the Park series or to view the City calendar of events, call 408-615-2200 or visit, http://santaclaraca.gov.

 

 

Red Beans & Rice Cures Summer Blues

Story and photo by Tricia Chambers

Published Aug. 19, 2009

Santa Clara Weekly

 

 The City’s Concerts in the Park can be a good catalyst for many activities; meeting or making friends, barbecuing and dancing. But I wouldn’t suggest that anyone turn out to the Pavilion expecting to take a nap, at least not when Red Beans and Rice is the performing band.

I can’t imagine that any music lover would want to miss the tight soulful tunes of a band voted “Best Local Band” by Monterey County Weekly readers for 12 of the 13 years. The hoots and howls that emanated from the audience lead me to believe that nobody at last Sunday’s 16 song nonstop RB and R show was getting any shut eye.

Thanks to the composing skills of founding member and guitarist, Gil Rubio, the band offers a wide menu of original songs ranging from saucy Chicago style and Texas Swing to Louisiana rhythms. Even when you’re giving it on the dance floor, you’ll hear lyrics that will make you think like those of “Choose a Side” and “Love One Another.”

According to Rubio, the band recently changed their performance venue to encompass family-friendly atmospheres.

“We used to play clubs about four times a week,” he said. “But I prefer to play in family atmospheres.”

One of the main ingredients of RB and R is drummer and former Chicanos All Stars member, Karl Stearns who keeps the beat rocking at a steady pace.

John Tindrel, formerly of the popular Santa Cruz band RST knows how to sing for his supper by taking up background vocals and jamming on a double deck of keyboards.

Lead vocalist and harmonica-extraordinaire, Jon Gorman showcases his own booming set of pipes that belies his size and stature.

Leave it to saxophone player Tamas Marius and his impressive lung span to spice up RB and R’s danceable blues tunes. Marius has been known to lift at least three saxes per performance and often two at a time.

Former Los Lobos manager and bassist player Brian Shaw, rounds out a cohesive rhythm section.

 Since their founding in 1993, RB and R has self-produced four CDs that include arrangements and original compositions by Rubio. “Hot n’ Spicy” their latest CD receives regular airplay on KPIG radio in addition to many internet sites. Look for the release of their newest CD this fall.

 Music can also be a great backdrop for blowing bubbles and knitting. Little girls in bright sundresses sprinted across the Pavilion lawn waving bubble wands. City resident Linda King took advantage of a nearby shade tree to knit a scarf.

“I love these concerts, the fresh air and relaxation” said the Mom with two jobs and twin teenage daughters. “I’m here every week. This is my only day to relax.”

For more information about RB and R or to buy one of their CDs, visit http://www.redbeansandrice.com.

Next week, The Rippin Band will close out the Concert in the Park series from 2:30 to 4 P.M.

The Concert in the Park series is sponsored by the City’s Cultural Advisory Commission. For more information, call 408-615-2200 or visit, http://santaclaraca.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Lead vocalist Jon Gorman (L) shakes a mean tambourine while John Tindel tickles the keyboard.

 

 

 

City Shows Up for National Night Out

 

By Tricia Chambers Photo by C.Kinney

Published Aug.  12, 2009

Santa Clara Weekly

While city residents were firing up barbecues and setting out tables and chairs in preparation for National Night out, Community Service Officer Jamie Caron was handing out assignments to 26 teams of two officers each.

“This is an event that makes people aware of the importance of crime prevention,” Officer Caron said. “These are friendly people who want to see us tonight. Thanks to National Night Out, burglaries in the city have decreased by 50%. Go have fun. ” 

In addition to police officers, city officials also make appearances in some neighborhoods.

Sponsored nationally by National Town Watch since its inception 26 years ago, participants include communities of all 50 states and U.S. territories as well as many Canadian cities.       

National Night Out encourages residents to lock their doors and go out to meet their neighbors for the purpose of strengthening neighborhood spirit and forming police-community partnerships.

Also on hand was Chief of Police Stephen Lodge who would tour the city  with Vice Mayor Jamie Matthews. “Every year I make a special effort to visit different neighborhoods,” said Lodge.

Barbecued hotdogs was on the menu over at South Park Lane where a large group of neighbors turned out to show support for their neighborhood.  Residents like Mary Patrick participated in the event.  “This is a great way to get to know your neighbors,” she said.

Nine-year-old shutterbug Max and his four-year-old  sister Ava were also eager to be a part of the event. Max clutched his camera and ran off with the other children  when  a fire truck  with a 105-ft. ladder  and a ‘tiller” pulled up.

“We’ve lived here five years,” said Lisa, the duo’s mom. “But because of work and everything we haven’t had time to meet many neighbors.”

Fire Captain J.D. Madden stood near by, ready to answer questions. “The tiller controls the direction of the trailer,” he explained of the second steering cab in back of the rig. 

A pool-side ice cream social was on tap at a condominium complex on Kiely Boulevard.  According to Rebecca, the group’s Safety Committee Chairperson, a steady stream of 70 people ate through five tubs of ice cream.  Previously, the neighbors had put out their own newsletter and hope to do so again. 

“We should make it a point to know each other and to make each other feel safe,” said Barbara, a committee member, “especially the single women.”

Residents of Flannery Street took the event just as seriously while enjoying  a potluck dinner in the middle of the road. According to the buzz around this neighborhood, two homes were broken-into in the past two months. Residents here distribute a handout that includes a directory of their names and phone numbers in addition to contact info for city services.

Paramedics made an appearance at the Heatherdale neighborhood to the delight of 40 squealing children and 70 adults.

For more information about SCPD, call 408-615-4700 or visit
http://www.scpd.org.

To learn about the services provided by the city of Santa Clara, call 408- 615-2200, or visit http://www.santaclaraca.gov.     

 

 

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Riven like a Raven

This spanking new word came to me while I was in my boudoir.  If you know me, you know that I save reading materials as well as everything else!

In the Oct. 20, 2008 issue of TIME MAGAZINE, of which I had only saved this one page, writer Claire Suddath penned a story with the headline, “The Brief History of: The Weathermen.”     

Suddath’s story features her “disputation”  in way of answering Sarah Palin’s claim that President Obama used to  ”pal around with terrorists.”  

Suddath writes, ”Riven by infighting, it (The Weather Underground) disbanded by 1976.”

 

Disputation

The day before last, I was watching two political pundits  talk on a cable show and I mistakenly thought I was a genius.

“Well,” said the pundit in an authoratative tone. “The Right Wing  has continued to have the same disputations for generations.”

And there it was! I had caught a man, not just any man, but a man y more educated than I, and he had made a terrible mistke.

The entire cable-viewing world caught this guy making up funny-sounding words.  Could I really be that smart?

Well, I had to check.  The truth was revealed after I’d spent a few breathless minutes with “Websters New Edition of the English Language.” 

DISPUTATION is just one of a zillion English words I’ve never heard. I don’t under stand the point of another noun that stands in for the noun “dispute” and that also needs four extra letters…

I can imagine that you could side-track an argument by saying, “You don’t know what you are talking about. I am tired of your disputations!” 

 

 

Alphabet Soup

Actually, I was too immature for  “VOCAB” class the first time I went to college. This was way back in the 1970s when we thought it was cool to get smacked in the head with a pair of glass balls called “clackers.”

Anybody remember those?  Talk about stupid! It was as if somebody swiped those fake glass grapes from my Mom’s coffee table, tied them to a string and said, “Here kid, here’s a fun game. Hit yourself in the head with these.”  And we did!

Anyway, I spent the 70s doing  too many stupid/illegal/immoral  things to mention here or anywhere else for that matter.

But one stupid thing I don’t mind mentioning, is that I snub my nose at VOCAB class.  My friends took it and swear it was a great experience.  Sure, I thought, I’ll take it later. Well, we know what happened to me later: I dropped out!

Eons have gone by and the old lady has wised up enough to realize that a person can never know enough words.  So I’m setting up this exercise for myself. If I can fool my feeble mind into thinking this is fun, then I can actually maybe remember a new word every day, or almost every day.

God knows I hear a new word almost every day!

But it takes Mr. Webster to remind me that I have yet to hear every English word ever spoken.