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The clouds cleared up just enough to see most of the eclipse,it was beautiful.Hope some of you got the chance to view it.

Just a mid week blast from the past.What a line up~Crosby,Nash,Stills and Young~who with his wife founded the school to send your child to if they have any dis-abilities.Both of Neil's sons have C.P.,this is the school I wanted to send Kelsey to.Also preforming is Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty,Nils Lofgren,Eagles Tim Schmidt,Don Henley,their friend JD Souther , Dan Federici on accordion and yes Robin Williams. From the 1986 Benefit.

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One of my favorite WW2 movies is The Train, with Burt Lancaster and Jeanne Moreau from 1964. The private art loot of a Nazi Col. being moved out of France on trains and the citizens who stop it from happening~ more for the hate of the Nazi’s than the love of art and antiquities. As always, the true story is so much better.

Harry Ettlinger sat shivering in the back of a truck bound from France to the Battle of the Bulge. A sergeant ran to the truck and said, “The following three guys get off the truck and come with me”. His name called, he got off and felt very lucky, and it was his 19^th birthday. The Army needed interpreters for the Nuremburg trials and Ettlinger spoke like a native. He was, one of the lucky German Jews who escaped with his parents in 1938, just before Kristallnacht or the Night of the Broken Glass, that night that made the Jews future clear under Hitler. His Nuremburg mission evaporated, without explanation, and he found himself assigned to the “Monuments Men”.

This group of 350 unsung heroes, a mixture of art historians, museum curators, professors and regular soldiers and sailors made up the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives section. They had a simple task, find, secure and return millions of pieces, looted by the Nazis and hidden all over. The “Venus men“, as their scoffing comrades called them, learned to hustle , be sneaky, “appropriate” as needed~ in short become part pirate and part Robin Hood. Entire churches stained glass windows, alter pieces, bells, paintings, tapestries, ceramics, statues, coins, Torahs, entire libraries and even furniture were missing. The Versailles palace furniture was easy enough to find, Gen. Eisenhower’s staff was decorating with it. James Rorimer famously demanded it back and got it, thereby becoming the pattern, fearless and inventive for the monument men who followed him.

There are only 12 known survivors of the “Monument Men” and they are finally being honored and recognized, collectively having returned around 5 million cultural items between 1945 and 1951. The shame is the stories these few left tell are so inspiring, more is the pity for those who died with their stories. One, Kenneth Lindsay, tells of the moment the 18^th Dynasty “Painted Queen Nefertiti” is removed from her crate, some 3,000 years old, and “every man in the room fell in love with her”. One tells of the orphan room, the room he could not pass without shuddering. That room contained what the Nazis planned use to build their museum “on the Jewish Question”. Hundreds of Torahs, other religious items, mountains of archival material, and personal letters…”You knew what circumstances brought these thing to that room”. Another “Venus Man” Seymour Pomrenze, responsible for 2 million items of paper that found their way to their home countries, says, “There was something mournful about these volumes“….as if hope whispering, had been obliterated." Bernard Taper was left the job of finding what the German citizens had looted from the Nazis at the wars end. He often took to the countryside, disguised as a peasant and hiding behind a pipe that shrouded his identity, to root out those pieces. He still dreams of Raphael’s Portrait of a young Man that was never recovered. The painting is always in color, even though all he had was a small black and white photograph. He takes a long pause and says “I still think I should have found that d*** thing”.

We owe a retired Texas oilman a debt for it was he, Robert M. Edsel, who made it his mission to see these men honored. He has petitioned Congress to pass a resolution honoring their service, has written a book Rescuing Da Vinci and made a documentary The Rape of Europe. The philanthropist established the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art to safeguard artistic treasures during times of war. As one generation dies more art emerges from attics, Russia has confirmed items the nation “saved”, including the so-called Trojan Gold of King Piram. One hopes for Raphael’s young man to return, in all it’s color.

Two Weeks

I am starting this review by something I rarely do~ giving the critics opinions first. At rotten tomatoes.com, the critics trounced this film ~a dismal 16%. However, filmgoers gave it a rousing 80%. For me there were some sloppy points, but as one who has lost my mother and two sons, there are also some moments of pure truth. The other caveat is my youngest's birthday was Saturday, so my grief glasses are on.

This film is loosely based on the writer/director, Steve Stockman’s experiences during his mothers death. The cast highlights Sally Field as the mother, who does some of her best work here. The adult children arrive one by one and each has their own way of dealing~ or not dealing with their mothers impending death. The daughter tries to “self-help” her way by reading all the how to die books~ an excellent Julianne Moore. The Hollywood writer son tries to “Zen” his way through the loss, a portrait of denial by Ben Chaplin. Tom Cavanaugh portrays Ben, the workaholic with just the right pathos and comedic touch, especially when he finds work does not need him as much as he needs it. Mathew, Glenn Howerton, the baby and emotional heart of the family in the end, gives a portrayal of disengagement with much of life let alone death. The family dynamics of the siblings and their roles in a family structure ring true. These subjects are difficult to watch at times and at others beyond hilarious. Just like real life as one watches a dear one die.

I saw myself many times, in many characters and this resonated with me on several levels. There is a scene in the local grocery store that is so me, and a scene at a dining room table that had me rolling in laughter… and I confess a few tears to.

This is a subject we, as a society, do not like to discuss, let alone place ourselves in. Yet one will find oneself as a participant, observer or as object of dying eventually. If you have already had the experience of losing a parent, rent this movie. If your parents still live, rent it anyway. If you are older, younger, rent this movie. In human experience there are two events that are pure ~birth and death. They are equally important.

The DVD also has some resources for those who are ill or dying, a director’s commentary and an interview with the actors. I recommend this film.

http://people.bakersfield.c... 700, 620 )"> larger view

02/09/1988~12/17/2004

 never forgotten..each year, a bit more of me is reborn,but the loss of you lessens not one bit

 till soon, son ~~~~~

Love is in the air, isn't it? Or is that pollution? Never mind….When it comes to love, what do you find most attractive?

It's all in the eyes!

Make me laugh, and I'm yours! (sense of humor)

I get weak in the knees for a nice mouth!

I go "gah gah" for Intelligence

I like a hottie with a good body

I melt for sweetness

I'll be honest -- integrity

Not too picky -- does this person breathe?

I go for integrity myself ,you? Feel free to add write ins,what ever. Time for some fun,after Super Tuesday...

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If you are of a certain age, the creeping horror of the zodiac killer hangs over a portion of your life. From the 1966 on into the 1971 murders, shocking senseless , random, and unsolved were committed in the Bay area. We tend to forget one horror, move on to the next horror de jour. ZODIAC; a film by David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club) brings back to focus that particular madness. With outstanding performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey, Jr. and Mark Ruffalo as the reporters and detectives surrounding the case.

The story is told from the perspective of the victims that includes both the actual victims, the police, the reporters, a hand writing expert and a cartoonist turned detective. As the killer continues to murder, taunting both the police and reporter with letters, lives are ended both quickly and by slower means. The case slowly grinds on; finally, both the detectives who work the case , the reporter and the cartoonist suffocate under the desire to know who the killer is.

This film slipped right past many and I highly recommend it as a thriller without thrills. There are no car chases here, no glamorized police work, the violence is horrifying only in its chilling coldness. It is a more insightful look into the mind of a killer than the usual Fincher movie. Not a film for children. The directors cut is out now. It contains the real case files, crime scene photos, interviews with the police, actors and the director’s commentary. Even though the movie is long (160 min.), I wanted more, so the extras on the DVD would be desirable.

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You all have heard of Karma.” Karma literally means "deed" or "act" and more broadly names the universal principle of cause and effect, action and reaction that governs all life. Karma is not fate, for man acts with free will creating his own destiny. According to the Vedas, if we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil. Karma refers to the totality of our actions and their concomitant reactions in this and previous lives, all of which determines our future. The conquest of karma lies in intelligent action and dispassionate response. At the least, you have heard of “what goes around comes around”. Well maybe you have caught Earl on NBC.

A recent blog brought back my memory of my first few weeks back in my hometown.

Funny story~ being spit on. I move back home, having been living on the west coast, been in my Central Valley hometown for about 4 weeks or so. I am walking to downtown when two gentlemen, in a pea green gas-guzzler, pull over ask if I would like a ride. I politely say no thank you and keep walking. They circle back and say “come on, get in” and I decide my best option is to ignore them, surly they will stop ~I ain’t that good looking. Sure ‘nuff there they are thinking the third time is the charm. They kept circling as if I was a tuna and they were the sharks. They pull over, open the door and before they get a word out, I say "No way!!! But the High School is that way, go find someone your own age! "Okay I was rude, but then they suggested I'd never marry, like an idiot I said, "If you two are my choices, get me to the nunnery." Time slows down; it feels like you are watching a movie, not your real life. Spittle flies straight into my eyes, drips down all over my face, they speed off in a puff of smog. Now just do not make me mad, I can take a lot but…. I note the license plate number with a coldness I hope to never feel again.

I turn around, walk home and after a long involved discussion with the police, they agree to look for these bozos and ask them politely to not spit on women. The officers show up at my door and want to know what “outcome” I expect…well to scare them real good. Did I realize I have to stay by my phone waiting to ID them if they were found? Gladly. Not real sure of me, they left to patrol the neighborhood and within 30 minutes or so, the phone rings, a patrol car is picking me up to identify these guys. Okay, but I am wondering why, I just wanted them “talked to”. They had pulled them over at a local high school; there they were on their knees, handcuffed. As one officer discussed the projectile spittle, the other “ran” their names. One small problem; they had warrants, one a felony. I felt bad, but too bad. Hot water and stir. Instant karma.

Short and sweet this week, but remember kids! ~ The morale of this tale is we all pay a cost for our lives. Look to your bank account.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/ap_on_en_tv/hollywood_labor;_yl t=AhLt5nVjkxGEG.a4QDYWhJas0NUE

Finally! tenative agreement has been reached according to "insiders".

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Did you catch Benham's column on New Orleans? If not here's a link http://www.bakersfield.com/...

I like Herb's columns most times,folksy,warm,funny.This one really struck a cord with me,because of my fondness for New Orleans,good food and good times. Having never visited the city(it is on my bucket list) I despaired after the hurricane. Could that city ever be the same? Would it even be rebuilt? Would it match what I had read? Word is,in short,yes.

This column also spoke on hope, a favorite theme of mine.Like taking a pile of good ingredients,applying some heat and waiting with patience and hoping in the end a good gumbo or a good city will result. We could use that recipe here.

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longest walk(1978~2008)

On Feb.11th,Longest walk participents will begin a 5 month journey. Led by Dennis Banks,AIM co-founder, the southern route will begin in San Francisco and arrive in Washington D.C. on July 11th.This is a walk for awareness,to bring attention to sacred sites issues and Mother Earths enviromental disharmony. All slots for walkers are filled. You can go to http://longestwalk.org/inde... for information. They will ,with a 3 day window( due to the nature of walking) be walking through Oildale and Bakersfield on or around Feb. 26th and 27th.. Everyone is invited to walk a pace with the participants.

The Mission Statement:

We walk with the message: All Life is Sacred, Save Mother Earth.

We shall walk for the Seventh Generation, for our youth, for peace, for justice, for healing of Mother Earth, for the healing of our people suffering from diabetes, heart conditions, alcoholism, drug addiction, and other diseases.

Through the elements of the seasons, we shall walk through the rain, snow, over mountains, high winds, through the heat and cold, nothing shall deter us from completing our mission: All Life is Sacred, Protect Sacred Sites.

Let those who doubt, hear our pledge. Let those who believe, join our ranks. As we walk the final miles, by our side will be elders, families, children, people of all races, from many walks of life, the old and the new America. All Life is Sacred, Clean Up Mother Earth.

OUR GOAL:

The Clean Up America Campaign is an effort to clean up our country’s highways and roads by collecting debris found along the Longest Walk route. This monumental task will engage Walkers in a global effort at a grassroots level to promote harmony with our delicate environment.

Longest Walk participants will carry specially marked trash bags to separate the collected refuse into trash bins and recycling bins. A rotating team of walkers will pick up trash along the way with trash pokers leaving a health trail of earth in their path.