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Arts & Life
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- Written by: Ted Kooser
I have irises that have been handed down through my family over the generations, being dug up again and again, moved to another house, another garden.
Here’s a poem about that sort of inheritance, by Debra Wierenga, who lives in Michigan.
Chiller Pansies
Your pansies died again today.
All June I’ve watched them scorch and fall
by noon, their faces folding down
to tissue-paper triangles.
I bring them back with water, words,
a pinch, but they are sick to death
of resurrection. You planted them
last fall, these “Chillers” guaranteed
to come again in spring. They returned
in April—you did not. You who said
pick all you want, it just makes more!
one day in 1963,
and I, a daughter raised on love
and miracles, believed it.
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 ©2011 by Debra Wierenga, whose most recent book of poems is Marriage and Other Infidelities, Finishing Line Press, 2007. Poem reprinted from the Nimrod International Journal, Spring/Summer 2011, Vol. 54, No. 2, by permission of Debra Wierenga and the publisher. Introduction copyright © 2012 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. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
BRAVE (Rated PG)
Indeed, 13 is a lucky number for Disney and Pixar, as the mystical legend of a courageous princess in “Brave” represents the 13th full-length animation feature coming from the collaboration of two studios known for animation.
“Brave” is an unusual combination of “Braveheart” and “The Hunger Games,” in which the main protagonist is a high-spirited Scottish girl, skilled in archery, with a wild mane of untamed red hair and a fiery disposition to match.
Determined to carve her own path, Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) is the headstrong daughter of the physically imposing King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and cultured Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson).
Her independent streak was evident from a childhood interest in becoming a proficient archer, developing the same kind of unladylike talent perfected by Katniss Everdeen.
Merida is the product of her father, King Fergus, a loud, boisterous Highland warrior of immense size and unbridled passion, who lost his leg to the demon bear Mor’du during a fierce fight.
Fergus delights in endlessly regaling his daughter and her younger triplet brothers (all with bright red hair) with stories of his wild outdoor adventures.
By the time Merida reaches her teen years, she’s a chip off the old block – sword fighting, scaling cliffs and shooting arrows while riding her trusty steed Angus through the woods.
But as far as mother Queen Elinor is concerned, Merida’s destiny is not galloping through the rugged Highlands with her bow in tow.
The Queen’s plan for her lovely but obstinate daughter is to uphold age-old royal custom and accept an arranged marriage to one of three suitors representing the kingdom’s unruly clans.
The clans are summoned to Castle DunBroch to compete in the Highland Games, but the lords are soon outraged when Merida defies a sacred tradition.
The offspring of the lords are lacking in many ways. In a contest for Merida’s hand, they compete in an archery tournament, but are disgraced by the princess’ nimble marksmanship.
As the clans revert to their history of fervent feuding and brawling, Merida gallops away from the castle on Angus, heading for the darkest reaches of the forest where a Stonehenge-like plateau leads to the home of an ugly old sorceress.
Moving into the familiar territory that comes with animated stories involving royalty, “Brave” turns to the supernatural sorcery that comes when a spell is cast by a hideous, toothless ancient witch (Julie Walters).
At this point, I would rather not reveal the outcome of the magic spell, but the story pivots even more to the difficulties of the conflicted mother-daughter dynamic.
Human actions and desires often have unintended consequences, a truism which becomes painfully obvious and a thorny dilemma for a regretful Merida.
Not only did Merida’s earlier exploits unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, the witch’s grant of an ill-fated wish compounds the troubles that the rambunctious red-haired princess is unable to avoid.
The charm of “Brave,” apart from celebrating the appealing heroine’s pluck, is the heartening message of the importance of loyalty to family, overcoming the rough patches of fleeting discord and hardship.
The exuberant Merida appears destined to enter the pantheon of great Disney animated characters, a spirited heroine equipped with physical talents unmatched by any of the other female royal figures.
“Brave” is visually complex, with Scottish Highlands beautifully illustrated. It’s a period piece with historical references, and as such, the film is anything but formulaic.
While “Brave” involves great storytelling and humor, it has its dark, violent moments that might be a bit too bleak and scary for really little kids. Otherwise, it is, as they say in the vernacular, all good.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
It’s been mentioned several times before in this space that the detective drama “Mannix” was one of the best of its kind on network television.
Now being released in a DVD set is “Mannix: The Seventh Season,” an action-packed series in which the episodes are as fresh and original as the first season.
Mike Connors is the hard-boiled and gritty private eye Joe Mannix, who defies all the rules and protocols as he fights crime on the streets of Los Angeles.
While he gets help from his pals at the LAPD, Mannix’s most loyal secretary Peggy (Gail Fisher) is a key player in running his investigation business.
Another classic 1970s police drama starring Hollywood icon Michael Douglas returns to DVD with “The Streets of San Francisco: Season Three, Volume One.”
In addition, “Season Three, Volume Two” is also being released on DVD, so you have to buy two sets to get the full season.
The extra expense may be worth it considering that Douglas, playing a young, college educated Inspector Steve Keller, was tutored by Karl Malden’s veteran detective Lt. Mike Stone.
“Mannix” and “The Streets of San Francisco” make a great combination of thrilling TV crime dramas from a golden age of this genre.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Audiences were reminded it's never too late to quit on Friday night, June 22, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Kelseyville and again on Saturday, June 23, at the Lucerne Senior center.
The play “Second Chance” was performed by a new group of actors called Pollett Players in Lakeport.
June 22 was a benefit for the Kelseyville Methodists, the Unitarians and Meals on Wheels from Lucerne. June 23 was a benefit for Meals on Wheels.
The play was performed by Sheryl Murphy and Beatrice (Lue) Ward. It was directed by Linda Schreiber and Deon Pollett.
Characters Evelyn and Rita show how it is never too late to follow your dreams in this 45-minute play about the elderly.
Audiences reacted favorably with comments like, “Every Senior should see this show” and “I loved the interaction of the performers.”
The last performance of “Second Chance” will be on Friday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 10th and Country Club Drive.
The cost is $20 for dinner and the performance, or $10 for the performance only.
The dinner will take place at 6 p.m., before the show.
The menu will include chicken Parmesan, rice, vegetables, soup and dessert.
Reservations are required for the dinner so the cook knows how many meals to fix.
This last performance will be a benefit for Meals on Wheels.
For reservations call the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 707-274-8779.
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Singer and songwriter Jim Scott will perform in Kelseyville on Friday, June 29.
The performance will take place at 7 p.m. at Kelseyville Methodist and Unitarian Universalist Church, First and Main streets.
Tickets cost $15 per person at the door, and will benefit the Methodist and Unitarian congregations.
Scott’s lyrical melodies, well-crafted words, guitar mastery and humorous surprises moved Pete Seeger to call him “some kind of magician.”
From his work with the Paul Winter Consort where he co-wrote the celebrated “Missa Gaia” – “Earth Mass” – and many other pieces, Scott has gone on to create an extensive body of work, recording seven albums of original music, and creating “The Earth And Spirit Songbook,” an anthology of 110 songs of earth and peace by many contemporary songwriters plus some of his own.
For more information call 707-256-8134.