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The Roundtable
Reports
Creative Minds
Converge on a Crisp Manhattan Eve 8 December, 2003, New York City--The Comen Roundtable was a bit abbreviated on Monday night, but all the more warm and cozy as New York City was in the midst of digging out of an early winter blizzard that kept some of us away. Richard and Jana had just returned from the Czech Republic, where they went so he could meet her family, excited and bursting forth with all the details of their first meeting, love at first sight, and now... the wedding, which is a week from Sunday in Connecticut. Sandy presented the couple with an original painting for their home, which Jana described as a beautiful, old Tudor... and Howie laughed, "It was so romantic, I fell in love with myself just standing there!" And we were fascinated by Jana's story of how she came to America from the Czech Republic and how she ran fashionable dress shops for 17 years. Right off the bat, our Roundtabler radio star, Barry Farber popped his head in for a moment to lend his support and let us know he was on his way to his now regular radio show. We're so thrilled to see Barry back on the air on a regular basis! Barry has taken over Behind the News on the Talk Radio Network for a still-ailing Roy Masters. (We wish Roy a speedy recovery!) For those of you who'd like to know more about Barry, here is a link to a story that really shows his style... and, of course, sometimes you'll hear his marvelous voice over the airwaves on commercials and you'll find yourself saying, "I know that voice!!" Barry's got a lot of support in New York City and from NewsMax!! Here's a recent Page Six (NY Post) by Richard Johnson:
Just as I was running out to catch the LIRR to the wildly delightful Times Square, our NY Times bestselling author and one of our fave Roundtablers, Carl Limbacher, was called in to be a guest on the also legendary talk radio host, Bob Grant show... and still digging out of the massive blizzard couldn't make that 5:20 out to the city! We sure did miss Carl and his wonderful witticisms - he's a fun guy and always a fascinating conversationalist! We're really hoping to get Bob Grant to join us at the Roundtable early in 2004! What fun that would be! We were charmed and honored by the presence of first-time Roundtabler, Tobi Zausner, a marvelously talented painter (at her Web site, you'll find gorgeous photographs of her paintings, each with an inspirational story to tell), art historian and teacher of the psychology of art. Her paintings feel like the echo of a melody you once may have heard long ago... and Tobi was a familiar presence to us all. Sandy's mother, Elizabeth, had e-mailed Tobi, saying that she found her art to be "very unique and fascinating." Elizabeth added, "I have been painting for forty years and your art expresses what I am trying to say," and for Tobi, Sandy and her mother, it was a spiritual connection. Howie hit it off with Tobi, too, and filled her in on the story of how it all started in the first place. It was a snuggly bunch on a cold winter's eve... and Tobi noted later that the smaller group felt good and she looks forward to the next gathering. Sandy found it a great relief to talk to Tobi about art and, of course, Richard being an art connoisseur, himself, spiced up the conversation as Howie and Sandy recalled their recent trip to the Met and how appalled they were at Jackson Pollock... not necessarily his paintings, but his personality! It was such a treat to visit the Metropolitan with Richard, who really knows art! Tobi suggested Sandy might read a book about Vincent van Gogh that is the most recent scientific research on his condition; and Sandy mentioned her review of "Vincent and Theo: A Dual Biography" on Amazon.com. The lively art conversation included John Rewald's fascinating, dramatic life and his books on the Impressionists and especially Cezanne. Howie and Sandy noted that the stories of such famous circles as the original Algonquin Roundtablers, the Lost Generation and the turn-of-the-century artists, Impressionists and Post Impressionists, are an endless source of inspiration to we new circles of the 21st century. Tobi suggested Sandy and other creative artists submit their work to Mode Eleven, a broadcast screensaver that allows artists to communicate and interact with their online audiences via an interactive screensaver. Here is a note from Sergio Caplan, the guy in charge: "As many of you already know, there will be a printed article on my company in next weeks PC Magazine. We need any type of artist to submit their work to be shown on our public channel(s). If you know anyone who is an artist, photographer, movie maker, etc. please pass on this link: www.warptv.com/flier.htm." You will already find some of Sandy's paintings floating out there on PCs of the world! Since last we met, our youngest Roundtabler and webmistress, Tamara "Zerofische" Carter, went back home to Charleston, SC, but left her inspiration for Sandy to start her own photography page and Sandy presented Howie with her first original photograph as a Christmas present. Sandy is exhibiting a piece at the new Art League of Long Island - 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills, NY - December 13, 2003 - 6:00-8:00pm ET. ...and then flying off to New Orleans for a Western Caribbean cruise on a boat that was, ironically, designed after the Impressionists! We missed the LaMagras who are fighting the flu! (We wish them a speedy recovery, too!!) ... and Fr. Mike Reilly who e-mailed us his support and mentioned he had a field trip with his class on Monday night ... and the ever charming Steve Kivlen whose mother was celebrating her 85th birthday! (We wish her many more...) ... AND we were pleased to welcome two new Roundtablers, Bill and Sandy Lehman, and were delighted that they attended. Dr. Samuels and Dr. Braak who were traveling (update on the Afghanistan book project to come in January) sent their best. Howie filled in the Roundtablers on the new ideas they'd come up with to join forces with Dr. Braak and the Afghans and mentioned Dr. Braak is trying to come up with a way to get the books past the Taliban and Al Qaeda and how difficult that can be, to say the least! On the way back to Long Island, I talked to charter member, John Frazier, who's suffered a few setbacks (his condominium was flooded)... and so he's in the process of reorganizing and rebuilding his studio... We wish him and his little son, Austin, the best for the New Year!
Below is a reprint of the letter from Howie to all the Roundtablers this month: Our goal is for everyone that we break bread with at O'Lunney's to be successful. We want this success to translate into more public doings as well. Keeping that in mind, I suggest we showcase our talents at these gatherings in various creative ways. 1. Sandy, her sister Tami, and her mother Elizabeth are excellent artists. The LaMagras are very musically inclined. Sandy has a CD out. We'd like to have a sort of concert one evening and have the LaMagras perform... and turn O'Lunney's Roundtable room into an art gallery for Sandy and her mom at another gathering. 2. Father Mike's School could be the focus of one of our gatherings - in order for us to learn about his work and how maybe some of us could get involved in helping out in charitable endeavors. 3. Barry Farber is a famous radio personality. His career spans many interesting events. We'd love to hear from him one evening perhaps as an informal keynote speaker - to talk about his unique and fascinating life. 4. Carl Limbacher is a NY Times best-selling author. We'd like to have a book signing to promote him... or maybe just have him speak on what's going on in his world of news reporting. 5. James Barron of the NY Times is involved in a wonderful project recapturing the history of the Princeton Club. This could be the centerpiece of one of our gatherings. 6. Both Steve McGuire of the Queens Trib and Lincoln Anderson of the Villager in Greenwich Village could give us their unique perspectives of what it's like keeping neighborhood newspapers alive and vibrant in the largest city in world. I am sure there are many more talents to expose... we welcome your ideas and suggestions. We're featuring all of you and your talents and projects in each Roundtable Report with clickable links to your Webs or organizations with which you are involved. Please forward the Roundtable Reports to as many of your friends as possible who you feel might want to attend our Roundtable gatherings. Sandy is our correspondent, so if you have anything to add to the reports, please e-mail her at: sandy@mystic-art.com We're planning New Year's Eve at O'Lunney's if any of you would like to attend. Let Howie know via e-mail at: ComenDetec@aol.com I would like to begin the January dinner giving the Elizabeth Baron Extra Mile Award at every meeting. Please submit any recommendations. HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A WONDERFUL 2004 to all of you from the Comen Roundtable!! [View Pictures from the 12/08/2003 Dinner] The Comen International Roundtable will meet the third Monday of every month. For more info on the Roundtable, contact Howard Comen at 843-571-2667, www.comeninternational.com or Sandy Frazier at 516-735-5468, sandy@mystic-art.com |
