Veterans' Cemetery, Seoul

I've spent a lot of time in South Korea on various projects dealing with the Korean War and the history of this magnificent country. South Korea is usually not anyone's priority as a significant travel destination - and that's a shame because America's ties with this important outpost of Democracy on the Pacific Rim run deep. The people of South Korea have a lot to teach us about our own democratic ideals and you can add a lesson in Family Values, too. There, family values hold the whole social structure together and it's not just some throw-away platitude like here in the U.S. Our veterans and the war veterans of South Korea have shared the deepest bond - the sacrifice of life and blood for the continuity of Freedom. Remember them this November 11th, 2009 and if you ever get the chance, visit South Korea. One of the most advanced, modern countries in all of Asia, a trip to the Republic of South Korea will not disappoint. 

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Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue, 1988

The Central Gate (looking toward the Song Huong - Perfume River -) as it appeared in 1988 before the influx of international tourism. Photo by Ed Henry, June, 1988.

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Trail of Our Vinyl

October 23, 2009 - San Francisco

A fascinating place, an interesting book produced by archivists Roger Bennett and Josh Kun. We recently browsed the exhibit Jews on Vinyl at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and I couldn't get past the Museum Gift Shop without picking up a copy of the above. Bennett and Kun were concerned that an important part of American Jewish history was being lost in people's old 33 rpm and 45 record collections, so they began rummaging through attics, yard sales, and neighbor's houses to find the rich sources of material that comprise the current exhibit Jews on Vinyl at the Museum. The book is a rare collection of 40's, 50's, and 60's album covers from both the U.S. and Israel and covers a broad range of issues concerning the history of Jewish music production in the recent past. Bennett and Kun continue the search for more material with the establishment of  www.trailofourvinyl.com and in collaboration with www.rebootstereophonic.com hope to re-release some of these lost classics.

also:  www.thecjm.org   

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Magic Dan

"Magic Dan" Sneider's popularity keeps calling him back to the Excelsior Branch Library

29 October 2009: San Francisco (on the Left Coast)

After numerous entries concerning either Bluegrass music or the latest Chopin concert, why would I concern myself with writing about a children's magician who shows up at a local library? Dan Sneider (AKA "Magic Dan") is not your average children's entertainer, so I discovered last week as we trundled our little grand daughter off to the Excelsior Branch Library in San Francisco. I expected the usual, another adult talking down to kids, maybe somebody dressed up in the obligatory Ringling Brothers clown suit. Who was I to think that "Magic Dan" could entertain me, or the rest of the adults and some 60 or 70 giggling little munchkins who crowded the meeting room of the Excelsior Library? Before I get into what Magic Dan accomplished that beautiful San Francisco morning, let me state that Magic Dan allowed me to experience the joys of being a grandfather as I witnessed our own little one being transported (if only for a moment in precious time) away from the cares of her own little universe. The amazing thing is Sneider's talent for controlling a room full of rambunctious kids with so much genuine caring for his audience, and to witness the children's response in return. I howled with laughter right along with everyone else as Magic Dan sometimes purposely failed at some of his tricks, fumbled about, and showed the kids that it's OK to laugh at one's self. This is no fool. It reminded me of the "Rocky the Flying Squirrel" kind of humor, enjoyable for all audience age levels. Magic Dan did all the usual tricks you see a magician perform, but he always stayed focused on entertaining his intended audience. It was a little over an hour of pure fun and games - but if you think this kind of a job is a cake-walk, then try it yourself. Dan's got the gift for it and it's obvious he loves his work. 

This is truly a talented guy and it shows in his scheduled bookings of 300 to 400 performances annually. We had a great conversation after the kids had departed and he was packing up his bag of tricks. He told me that his talent takes him outside the state to annual children's learning and teaching conferences in the midwest and other venues. Thanks, Dan, for a wonderful time.

See more about Dan Sneider:  www.magicdan.com  

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Arata Farms Art

Actual overview of the amazing "Hay Maze" constructed annually at Arata Farms,

two miles south of Half Moon Bay, California. The maze is built with thousands of hay-bales.

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Midsummer Night's Dream (1)

October 8th 2009

2009 is passing into a blur toward the beginning of True Autumn here in the Piedmont. The leaves have barely begun to change except for up in the Blue Ridge. The nights and mornings are getting colder. I'm still picking tomatoes and the Snapdragons out back are still blooming. It will soon be winter. We haven't had any snow to speak of for three years. We're lucky in that respect. But winter is winter whether you're in San Francisco or Virginia. The end of lush green-ness. The beginning of the dead season and having to wear socks again. I'm afraid to look and see if the moths got to my favorite collection of Korean tailor-made wool suits and topcoats. That's the downside of living at my geographical location and the smell of moth-balls is pretty hard to take. Two nights ago I saw a Christmas commercial on television (October 6th) and all the financial pundits are predicting the worst Christmas shopping season ever. Good. Maybe they'll finally realize that Malls have worn out their capitalistic purposes with the American public, and never really appealed to any American male worth his salt. Save the planet. Stay away from shopping malls - and tell your wives and kids to stay away, too. When you think about it, there's nothing there you really need. 

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The Bonfire is Back Art (2)

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Poolside - 1 Aug 09

Summer's End, 2009

What a wonderful life! If you wait around long enough it pays you back in spades. Who would have thought at my age I would have to worry about "baby-proofing" the house again? Rig up gates - worry about covering electrical outlets - put up barriers to all the sets of steps - fix up a box of toys for when she visits again. Chloe, our grand-niece, the little world traveler, is currently in Costa Rica and will be back soon. Then we'll be spending extended time with our grand-daughter Evie out on the Left Coast. I can't wait to see them both, but especially Evie, who always has something funny to tell me and comes up with such profundities while we're reading books together. Such a beautiful, little genius - but hey - that's my grand-daughter! To be a grandfather - to be an older uncle - You wait. You haven't a clue until you've experienced it for yourself.

EVatcraterlake

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26 September 2009: Herndon, Virginia

"Please fasten your seatbelts!"

Pulled out all the stops - Roared in like a freight train - Brought down the house - Nonstop Excitement - Your money's worth and more - Blasted into another atmosphere - probably the best act I've seen and experienced in 2009. And we've only just entered into the 2009 Fall season of Bluegrass. Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen appeared last night at Herndon's Holy Cross Lutheran Church Bluegrass series. I almost missed it. After several months of "bluegrassing" we decided we wouldn't go anywhere for the weekend - just stay home and meditate. Besides, the weather had turned colder and it had been raining all day. A sure sign that Autumn is on our doorstep. A last-minute e-mail from Bob (the Holy Cross promoter who keeps the series running,) convinced us to get in the car and drive out to Herndon. We've attended other Bluegrass concerts at this venue and knew the ropes. Metro D.C. Bluegrass Die-hards know this place, right along with the Birchmere and the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse. If a band is playing at Holy Cross, you're probably going to get a worthwhile night of entertainment - especially if you enjoy hardcore Bluegrass. I had never seen or heard this band except that after receiving Bob's "last gasp" message I got on CDbaby and the Band's website and checked out their audio uploads. Sounded very tempting - forget about staying home.

What amazes me is the lack of people who attend this concert series. I counted 34 people in the hall at 7:30 but fortunately more showed up after start-up. It's a beautiful performing space, the acoustics are top-notch, the hall would probably hold 200 to 250 people, and by D.C. suburb traffic standards it's relatively easy to get to. The price is also right for the proffered level of professionalism. Last night I would have gladly paid more for the experience.

The first thing you need to know is Frank Solivan II is another alumnus of the U.S. Navy's Country Current. The group he's put together has only been performing officially since May, according to Bass-player Stefan Custodi. Mike Munford on banjo, is a local legend here in our neck of the woods, and the line-up includes Lincoln Meyers who hails from Durham, New Hampshire. This is a dangerous combination - fair warning to every other bluegrass band out there who thinks it's an easy ride to the top of the music business. Each of these guys approach the bluegrass-style with such a level of professionalism that it's easy to understand why they caused such a stir at last year's annual Bluegrass Conclave in Nashville. Experiencing Frank's group last night I thought of Dan Tyminski, Audie Blaylock, Darren Beachley, the early Seldom Scene, the musicianship of Tony Rice and Kenny Smith, the ethereal banjo-style of Mark Johnson. The song-list was a mind-blower: original works, blues, old bluegrass chestnuts, and even an old Kate Wolf number. Frank and his group were out to convince everyone that they 'could do it all' and they did. It's rare when a group can take over a room and cause this kind of energy. Driving home we were still talking about the event. My final thoughts were, we're going to be hearing a lot more about Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen. (Mike Munford also contributed to Sue Tice's CD. See story below.)

Dirty Kitchen (1)

Frank Solivan (1)

Lincoln Meyers - Dirty Kitchen

Mike Munford

www.franksolivanii.com

Dirty Kitchen:  Frank Solivan II (Mandolin, Fiddle, lead vocals)  Stefan Custodi (Bass, vocals) Mike Munford (Banjo) Lincoln Meyers (Guitar).

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German Project 1

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