March/April

Two of our favorite people, award-winning editor Kenji Yamamoto and director, Nancy Kelley of Motherlode Productions have been working on a documentary to be aired on PBS stations soon. According to the filmmaker's, the documentary "Downside Up," challenges the notion that art and culture are a waste of taxpayer money. This first person documentary is about America's largest museum of contemporary art, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), which opened in 1999 in an enormous abandoned factory in the filmmaker's home town-North Adams, Massachusetts. We'll be looking forward to this film from Nancy who has also produced and directed "Thousand Pieces of Gold," "Cowgirls," "Sweeping Ocean Views" and "A Cowhand's Song."

& Associates has been working on a 3D animated heart all through February --the month of Valentine's.

KCSM's Saturday Jazz show with Kathleen Langton plays an eclectic mix of Bebop and other jazz, the likes of which could perplex even the most studied jazz snob. Check it out.

Baring weather is almost here.
Two drops of peppermint oil dropped in an ice cold bottle of water can help you quit the caffeine habit naturally and is also a natural antiseptic against colds. This according to Health Guru Charles "Whitefox" an ex KQED employee and Certified Massage Therapist. Charles swears by "Chuck's Minty Fresh Elixer," and he says "that it's good for the constitution and the complexion". You can find out more at this number (510) 546-1459.

Buddy can you spare a dime?
Don't forget that if your stocks have plunged, don't complain too loudly at least you aren't being turned away from a soup kitchen. It's all relative.

And remember you must never try to silence the & Associates.

December - January

Director/Photographer Bruce Brown won an award in the Photo District News Pix 7th Annual Digital Imaging Contest with his director reel feature, a short: "I Am."

The Apollo Jazz Band, led by Robin Hodes on trumpet, will be playing December 29th 4-8PM at Jelly's: Pier 50 in San Francisco 415-495-3099 (near the Espirit Outlet). The band will also be playing January 26th 4-8PM. In fact they play the last Saturday of every month at Jelly's. We recommend heading to "The Connecticut Yankee" in Portrero Hill afterwards for dinner and more festivities.

First peek at the "Ocean's 11" remake of the old Rat Pack film has disappointed most of us "Packophiles." We're out. However on a separate note, "Harry Potter" has many returning to the theatre for more.

Author S.P. Faure ("Satellite Steve") appeared on the Amateur Bastard's Hour 93.7 FM on your radio dial on December 21st at 6:00 PM. This radio broadcast to promote his book: "Satellite Steve" can be heard as a MP3 File on the web site http://www.amateurbastard.com. If you see a gorilla downtown during rush hour handing out flyers for the book, yes it is part of SP's global marketing strategy. The book is also available at the Book Passage and Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. You can also ask for it at your local bookstore or check out the web site http://www.satellitesteve.com to order from the author.

John Lennon's "So this is Christmas" song is eerily relevant these days. The chorus: "Let's hope it's a good one without any fear!" with Yoko's squeaky voice accompanying him seems to be strangely topical.

Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to all!