This touching poem by Dan Gerber, who lives in California, captures the memory of a father’s advice, but beneath the practical surface of that advice we can sense a great deal of emotion, which shows through a little crack at the moment the father clears his voice before continuing.
Advice
You know how, after it rains, my father told me one August afternoon when I struggled with something hurtful my best friend had said, how worms come out and crawl all over the sidewalk and it stays a big mess a long time after it’s over if you step on them?
Leave them alone, he went on to say, after clearing his throat, and when the rain stops, they crawl back into the ground.
American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2012 by Dan Gerber, from his most recent book of poems, Sailing through Cassiopeia, Copper Canyon Press, 2012. Poem reprinted by permission of Copper Canyon Press. Introduction copyright 2014 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – Symphony of the Redwoods is proud to offer two performances of beautiful and stirring music this weekend.
The Winter Concert, scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, presents Sibelius’ Symphony No 1 and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor with Stephen Harrison, cellist.
Jean Sibelius’s first symphony is filled with the enthusiasm and passion of youth – a soaring tribute to his beloved homeland, Finland.
His love for his country’s people and its spectacular, glacially-carved landscapes were the inspiration for this lovely, lyrical piece of music.
Richer in depth and tone, Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor is generally considered one of the most beautiful cello concertos ever written.
The symphony is pleased to have Stephen Harrison, principal cellist for the Mendocino Music Festival, join them from the Bay Area for this performance.
With its three movements offering vibrant, warm melodies, it has been a concert favorite of American symphonies since its first publication in 1896.
The Symphony of the Redwoods is generously supported this season by North Coast Brewing Co. and the Westport Hotel.
This weekend’s concert will be held at Cotton Auditorium, in Fort Bragg.
Tickets are $20 each at Harvest and Tangents in Fort Bragg, and at Out of this World in Mendocino, online at www.SymphonyoftheRedwoods.org and at the door. Those age 18 and under are always free.
For further information, contact Alex Pierangeli at 707-964-0898 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Sometimes you get an awkward feeling when viewing certain kinds of movies. That happened to me when, against my better judgment, I attended screenings for both of the “Sex and the City” films, an experience I would prefer to forget.
Well, that same sense of discomfort came back again when viewing “That Awkward Moment,” but for different reasons. The ostensible press screening was packed with young females who appeared to be sorority sisters from either UCLA or USC.
Mind you, that’s a much nicer and prettier audience than the usual gaggle of wrinkled old film critics who are largely cynical about everything, particularly any movie starring Zac Efron, the apparent darling of young women.
The awkward part is that many jokes involving the male anatomy are a big part of “That Awkward Moment,” whether it is the crudely funny effects of Viagra for healthy 20-something playboys or one character’s most inappropriate “costume” for a cocktail party attended by his girlfriend’s parents.
“That Awkward Moment” is a flimsy, almost innocuous comedy, unless, of course, you factor in the all-too-often crude anatomical references that make one wonder if Judd Apatow or the “Hangover” crew were involved.
The premise is also relatively thin. The story is about three buddies in Manhattan who make a pact to remain unattached, opting instead for an endless string of meaningless one-night stands.
The motivating element for this agreement is that young doctor Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) has just been blindsided by his wife Vera’s (Jessica Lucas) affair and request for a divorce.
Mikey’s best friends, Jason (Zac Efron) and Daniel (Miles Teller), are carefree bachelors who believe that the best way to deal with this betrayal is to avoid romantic commitments, and so they agree not to fall for any woman.
That’s easier for Jason and Daniel, both of whom work at a publishing house designing book covers, because they are essentially self-centered louts who hang out at bars and remain constantly on the prowl for easy pick-ups.
Of the three, the biggest player is Jason, because after all he’s played by Zac Efron, who has the good looks for the part and may come off as slightly vulnerable to a prospective partner even though he is far from it.
Daniel is the most animated of the bunch, talking a good game with a breezy patter, but mostly he’s helped by Chelsea (Mackenzie Davis), his apparent “wingman” on the social scene, guiding a few eligible women his way.
Reluctant to return to the dating game, Mikey may have the best chance to remain uncommitted, but this is complicated by mixed signals from Vera, who may be having second thoughts about her romantic entanglement with her divorce lawyer.
The best laid plans of mice and men often get derailed. The promise to avoid commitments at all costs and to stay single together is quickly strained to the breaking point. There’s something vaguely Shakespearean about the unfolding deceptions.
Funny enough, director Tom Gormican observed that the inspiration for his comedy came from Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” where a group of guys swear off women but then they all meet girls and they start lying to each other about it.
Aside from Mikey pining for getting back with Vera, Jason, the most unlikely of the trio to commit to anyone, meets the girls of his dreams in Ellie (Imogen Poots), though his initial hookup is that of a one-night stand that ends badly.
After meeting Ellie at his favorite bar, Jason later mistakenly believes she’s a hooker, a not unwarranted view considering that a box of condoms and an envelope full of cash sit in plain view on top of her nightstand. So he slinks away in the early morning.
Imagine Jason’s surprise when Ellie shows up a few days later for a pitch meeting at his office. She’s a potential client and he’s got egg on his face. What’s more, she’s sweet, smart and sexy, an irresistible combination for any sentient young professional guy.
For a guy trying to avoid commitment, Jason goes out of his way to try to repair the self-inflicted wounds on what was a budding relationship. And Daniel is finding it harder to keep his friend Chelsea at a safe distance.
In the end, there’s nothing terribly original about “That Awkward Moment,” a standard fare, but somewhat crude, romantic comedy where the scenery of Manhattan is more than a supporting player.
“That Awkward Moment” has its share of humor, though often the jokes are awkward, and yet there is a feeling that a better movie could have been realized.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
UKIAH, Calif. – Be part of a live filming of Ailura Fate's new music video at Ukiah Brewing Company this coming Friday, Feb. 7.
Ailura Fate is a Lake County band, consisting of vocalist Kayla Bell, guitarist Lindy Day, and bassist/keyboardist Kevin Village-Stone.
The group won the Rock 2 Category at Rising Stars Music Competition in 2013 and recently signed with international management through KaseQTR Productions joining an organization of world-class performers.
“To show our thanks to our awesome fans, we have door prizes and giveaways all night long” says Lindy Day. “Everyone who shows up will receive a free raffle ticket at the door. You could win an iTunes gift card, Ukiah Brewing Company merchandise, official Ailura Fate merchandise, CDs, or other gifts. We're also giving away glow sticks and other party favors. It's going to be a rocking party. And everyone gets a special gift just for attending.”
“This looks like a show to attend for music fans, these local folks won big at the 2013 Rising Stars Music Competition and have signed with an international booking agent. Chances are they won't be around here much longer. Awesome for bragging rights like 'I saw em when' type stuff,” said John Jensen of Konocti Broadcasting Co., who will be filming the event with his crew.
Ukiah Brewing Co. has the distinction of being the first certified organic brew pub and the second certified organic restaurant in the United States. All meals are prepared from scratch with organic and non-GMO ingredients.
Come enjoy drinks and dinner at Ukiah Brewing Co. on Feb. 7 and then be a part of Ailura Fate's performance from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. You must be 21 or over to attend.
This year’s brutal winter surely calls for a poem such as today’s selection, a peek at the inner workings of spring. Susan Kelly-DeWitt lives and teaches in Sacramento.
Apple Blossoms
One evening in winter when nothing has been enough, when the days are too short,
the nights too long and cheerless, the secret and docile buds of the apple
blossoms begin their quick ascent to light. Night after interminable night
the sugars pucker and swell into green slips, green silks. And just as you find
yourself at the end of winter’s long, cold rope, the blossoms open
like pink thimbles and that black dollop of shine called
bumblebee stumbles in.
American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2001 by Susan Kelly-DeWitt, whose most recent book of poems is The Fortunate Islands, Marick Press, 2008. Poem reprinted from To a Small Moth, Poet’s Corner Press, 2001, by permission of Susan Kelly-DeWitt and the publisher. Introduction copyright 2014 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
