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Author: Alfredo Casuso

Verses vs Virus

Verses vs Virus

And it came to pass that a plague was visited upon the people of earth, a sickness the likes of which the people had never seen. 

They looked to their leaders for direction, but not only were there no leaders, there were anti-leaders, the unreal chosen people who lied for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   

Each day I awake, wishing it’s a dream

And hoping the world is not what it seems

But when I have to leave

I feel like such a thief.

If I didn’t have a mask on, I would scream!

Old blotus said you needn’t wear masks

His base found it too onerous a task.

“Do what you want,” he urged

They did and the flu surged.

Was “Stay Home, Wash Your Hands” too much to ask?

As wethepeople endureth the eighth month of a virus made worseth by the cantelope-colored fuhrer, who ignored the first three months, thinking he could bully the plague away as easily as he bullied everyone else, including Gold-star moms, Lying Lindsey and BarBar, the sycophantic elephant.

The confluence of tar-boilingly hot summer days on the beach, no face masks, no six-feet apart, and way too much beer were the perfect recipe for Covid combustion. The people played while the pandemic enveloped the country, while the president did what he does best  — he refused to talk about it and then he lied, Lied, LIED.

The curve flattening suddenly reversed

People weren’t healing, they were getting worse

The truth brought Fauci down

“You’re fired,” said the clown.

Who soon was the joke of the universe.

California conflagrations came next

Creating a whirling, flaming vortex

Which mask is best to wear

When I’m out in the air?

The decisions to make are too complex.

The trumPlague continued its assault on America, while the fires and smoke in the West showed signs of slowing. And, verily a new affliction was cast upon the land. “Unsurvivable” was how the meteorological seers described a massive hurricane working its way north, rearranging or destroying everything that was in its violent path. 

Earth, air, fire and water – the four elements essential to life – were in disharmony, which made the people feel vulnerable, especially those already vulnerable. The people took to the streets to protest a second plague: the killing of innocent, unarmed people of color by police. Out of these despicable deaths and senseless shootings, mostly of Black men, Black Lives Matter was born . . . 225 years after the U.S. was born. Shame. 

To cap this list of horrible events

The republicants met under their tent

Where white was the main hue

And lies were number two.

Vote Joe Biden for our next President!

Lights Up San Francisco Landmarks Red to support Live Events Industry

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE
TUESDAY – 1 SEPTEMBER

Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc., David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

WHO/WHAT: #RedAlertRESTART Campaign Lights Up San Francisco Landmarks Red to support Live Events Industry Devastated by COVID and Economic Downturn

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1: 8pm  – midnight PDT *
* most buildings lighting up at 8pm; optimal viewing and special events TBD at 9pm 

WHERE: San Francisco City Hall, Coit Tower, the War Memorial Opera House and other San Francisco landmarks, buildings and many hotels will be illuminated RED and members of the general public are encouraged to put RED LIGHTS in their windows 

(link below lists confirmed locations)

https://sites.google.com/view/wemakeeventsbayarea

WEB: www.wemakeevents.org 

#WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART  #ExtendPUA  

WHY: In solidarity with the millions of unemployed special event workers and to urge Congress to pass the RESTART Act of economic stimulus

DETAIL:  On Tuesday, September 1 it’s a RED ALERT for the special events industry – with millions of people now unemployed with no end in sight. To call attention to this, buildings all over San Francisco including City Hall will be lit in solidarity and to urge Congress to pass the RESTART Act as a vital national stimulus. This Tuesday night, make EVERY neighborhood a “Red Light District.” Please document your own videos, photos and efforts with the hashtags #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART  #ExtendPUA  

The live events and entertainment industry contributes over $877 billion into the economy. At 4.5% of the GDP, Arts and Entertainment is second only to retail. A collapse of this industry would ripple into restaurants, travel and transportation, hospitality, vendors, suppliers, landlords… that list goes on and on too.  

For every $1 spent on a ticket at a small music venue, $12 are spent in the local economy on related services.

In San Francisco, nightlife isn’t just a cultural benefit for the City; it is also a major economic driver. According to a 2018 update of the Controller’s Office economic impact study, over 3,850 nightlife establishments in San Francisco employed over 63,000 workers, and generated an estimated $7.2 billion.

Red Alert

Red Alert

On Tuesday, September 1, from 9pm-midnight, theaters and event venues across North America will be asked to light ghost lights on their stages, light their buildings in red and use hashtag #WeMakeEvents to symbolize the struggle of the industry, which has been shuttered since March, 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

By the Numbers

The live entertainment industry is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy. It employs over 12 million people and provides upwards of $1 trillion in economic impact – more than the transportation, agriculture and tourism industries. However, due to the global pandemic, the live events industry is in grave danger. A devastating number of arts professionals are currently out of work and will be for some time, with the pandemic having shut down nearly all entertainment functions in all sectors. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the industry has been completely shattered reporting that:

A picture containing outdoor, light, night, dark

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95% of entertainment events have been cancelled.

62% of entertainment workers are fully unemployed.


94% of entertainment workers have lost income. 

The average arts worker reports $23,500 in losses thus far.

• 66% of entertainment workers are unable to access spaces, staff, resources, or supplies needed to do their jobs.

* According to AmericansForTheArts.org

How You Can Help

As theatres, concert tours, festivals, opera houses, trade shows, and other live events as well as film and television production remain closed, or open on a very limited basis, the entire industry is impacted. You can help by: 

  1. On or before September 1, capture dark sets and stages with ghostlights (as seen in Red Rocks photo above)
  2. On or before September 1, light your venue red (for RED ALERT)
  3. On or before September 1, display #WeMakeEvents with your changeable lettering or our pre-created graphics below on your marquee or electronic billboard
  4. On or before September 1, anytime from 9pm-12am, station crew outside your venue wearing #WeMakeEvents 

t-shirts (wearing masks & social distancing)

  1. Contact redalertrestart@brownnote.com to coordinate pickup of free #WeMakeEvents t-shirts your team

Capture & Share Content for Your Venue

Make sure to capture impactful photos and videos of your venue’s activation! You can start sharing content immediately to show you are participating as well as on Sept 1st (Share THIS POST from We Make Events North America)

  1. UPLOAD ALL PICTURES AND VIDEOS: Shared Venue Google Drive
  • (Include your venue name in each photo/video file example: RedRocks-1.jpg)
  1. SHARE ON YOUR SOCIALS using #WeMakeEvents

BEARBOX Launches Online and in Palm Springs August 17

Media contact: David Perry / news@davidperry.com / (415) 767-1067

BEARBOX  Launches Online and in Palm Springs August 17

Designers Nicholas Clements-Lindsey and Grant Barrett Create Lifestyle Brand Celebrating Diversity and Positive Body Image

www.bearboxworld.com

12 August 2020 – Palm Springs, CA: It takes more than a pandemic to keep down designer Nicholas Clements-Lindsey, the first and youngest African American male to debut his collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in New York and Los Angeles. Including an international collection debut at Versailes in Paris, Along with design partner Grant Barrett, the fashion-forward pair want everybody to know that every body is beautiful. That’s why they created BEARBOX (www.bearboxworld.com) a line of sexy, size-friendly intimates that celebrates diversity in all its fabulous shades.

“I’m a big boy and I want big bodies to know now there’s sexy shades and shapes for them,” said Clements-Lindsey, 36, who will debut his new line online and in Palm Springs on Monday, August 17. “Big is beautiful and I’m here to make it proud.”

Created in 2019, BEARBOX is fashion with a mission: to create a lifestyle brand that celebrates inclusivity, diversity and togetherness within the community. The brand started on Instagram and within six months had garnered international attention and over 4300  followers and more than 38,000 weekly visitors.

“It’s all about social engagement,” said Barrett 34, noting that their business model is based in online subscriptions. “This is fashion for the Instagram generation.”

The line has garnered support from various celebrities in the LGBTQIAA+ community; including Jaida Essence Hall and Tatianna (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Jonny McGovern (Hey Qween) and Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls).

It was when Clements-Lindsey was a student at Texas Christian University (where he garnered a quadruple major) that his life took a turn towards fashion – and overseas – when he grabbed chance to study Italian culture and literature in Italy. While there, he took in a summer preview of Chanel in Perugia, Italy, an experience that led to his strong desire to design and dress men and women around the world. In the summer of 2008, Clements-Lindsey successfully presented a collection to 35 elite stylists, designers, and socialites in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He was then in constant demand.  He has presented at Los Angeles Fashion Week and received praise by networks such as E! Entertainment and publications such as Italian Vogue and Essence Magazine

With Barrett’s fifteen years of experience in the business and finance industry, the challenge of building a brand based on principles that hadn’t been catered to was incredibly appealing.  After spending years working with internationally renowned fashion house COACH and almost a decade with the Walt Disney Company, Barrett was able to use his experience in both the sales, marketing, management and business development to implement the necessary strategies to begin a brand from the ground up.  Residing in California, Barrett is excited to expand on the idea of mixing inclusivity and accessibility with the “California Cool” vibe that BEARBOX evokes. 

Shear Madness

Shear Madness

Darryl Forman

Poodles and mixed-offspring are taking over the world. You can’t walk half a block without tripping over a Schnoodle, Cockapoo or Goldendoodle, or slipping on  Maltepoo poo or Bernedoodle doo .  There are obvious reasons why wethepoodlepeople love our pups. Whether they were pre-owned – like my Romo, who is an unintentional ¾ poodle and ¼ Bichon Frise mix, or they may have been bought new, they are wonderful pets. 

Poodles are the second-smartest dogs, just below Border collies, according to people who test such things. It’s said that you can almost see poodles think. I watched my Romo figure out how to move not just through a stationary hoop, but through a moving one. At first she refused to do it, but after watching it for a few moments, 

She leapt like the circus dog she was meant to be. Whether circus, service, therapy, or just plain wonderful, there is one thing all these doodles need to do. . .  and that’s get groomed.

I learned early on that I couldn’t spell groom without r-o-m-o.  I love it when her black and white dog-fro gets Angela Davis-big, but she attracts more shmutz than a new Swiffer mop.  I am happy with the groomers we use, but thought a mobile groomer might work better during the pandemic. Kind of like grooming–in-place. 

The groomer had some new-age name that I couldn’t understand through her mask. I told her I wanted Romo’s hair to be real short, except for the flounce on her tail and her little puppy ears. 

Be careful what you ask for. An hour later, the new-ager texted me and I went to get the princess. After we had a contact-less exchange of card, she opened the van door and out popped a pup who looked so different that I thought it wasn’t my Romo. She looked like a Chihuahua and a hairless toy poodle had mated, and it was clear why Poohuahuas never became popular. 

I couldn’t stop laughing. I’d always said that Romo was so cute that she could never get a bad hair-cut, but this was the worst Doodle ‘do ever. Even I was embarrassed for her.

The day after her shearing, the temperature in usually mild San Francisco reached triple digits. I knew Romo was lots more comfortable with her short hair and this helped to mitigate my previous day’s thoughts that I had been a bad dog mom.  As to Romo, this is a dog that hoovers the floor for food bits and then licks her nose or toes or you know. That said, there’s no embarrassment emoji in her dog world.