Robert & Susan Cole participate in Mid City Artists Open Studios

Mid City Artists are a diverse and talented group of nearly 40 professional artists who have come together for the purpose of promoting their art, and the Dupont/Logan neighborhoods they call home. It is an opportunity to integrate their art with the fast growing retail and commercial concerns that are located in this area. They are here to let you know that “there is more than a real-estate boom in Mid City - there is a group of extraordinarily talented artists who have quietly made a name for themselves by offering great art at affordable prices to the insiders who know them. The local Community has discovered this treasure, and you can discover it, too.

Over this Veterans Day Weekend, more than 30 Mid City Artists are participating in the 11 - 12 November 2006 Open Studios campaign, including Robert and Susan Cole of Robert Cole Studios who I would first meet as members of the Blue Judy Band during the 16 September 2006 Penn Quarter Arts on Foot.

Learn more about Robert Cole by visiting his galleries or his studio.

12th Infantry 1968 Vietnam Combat Loss Vigil @ 'The Wall' Veterans Day Celebration

The A Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Vietnam 1968 was deployed to Vietnam in September 1966 and served under the 4th Division flag under August 1967 when it was transferred to the 25th Infantry Division.

Of the estimated 400 men who served under its flag during 1966 - 1967 forty-five would lose their lives. It is to these honorable men pictured (1, 2, 3) and listed (1, 2) that this 12th Infantry Vietnam 1968 Vigil pays respect to.

It is also the reason why that in commemoration of Veterans Day 2006 at The Wall that Porter Harvey from Elberton GA and Jim DeLuco from Rhode Island and 5 other 12th Infantry Vietnam comrade who served from 1966 - 67 would travel to WDC. In fact, it was at their suggestion and after I had photographed and briefly interviewed them, relaxing on the grassy knoll just east of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that I would then visit the 12th Infantry Vietnam 1968 Combat Loss Vigil.

10 November 2006 Friday's Photo of the Week

Waterfront Station - WMATA . 9 November 2006

WMATA: An Ongoing Documentary Project

2006 Friday's Photo of the Week

2006 Rolling Thunder WDC (Born To Run) Video

Having first captured Veterans Day Celebrations at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC in November 1992 I would return to The Wall in May 1993 for my first documentation of Rolling Thunder. Since then, few years have gone by that I have not captured Veterans Day and/or Rolling Thunder celebrations at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which I prefer to refer to as the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.

Until last September (2005) I was using 35 mm cameras and film. Since many of those negatives have not yet been processed, in the future, I will curate Never Before Seen exhibitions of those images.

Rolling Thunder, by far, is one of my favorite events to capture. In commemoration of Veterans Day 2006 may I bring your attention to the launching of my Born To Run 2006 Rolling Thunder video which reflects images that I took, specifically, of Rolling Thunder scenarios in the Washington DC area over Memorial Day Weekend 2006 that have been sampled with Bruce Springsteen's song Born To Run.

I have been a big fan of Bruce Springsteen but in recent months have become an even bigger fan of Bruce.

Colton Ford, Centaur Music's featured artist of the week

Sultry, seductive, hip swinging' all words that have been used to describe Colton Ford. However, this time, the reference is not toward the man but to his music.

Fans of Colton Ford may be surprised to learn of his gift of song. In the late eighties, under the alias Glenn Street , he released a hit dance single "Hardline" and performed throughout the US, China and Mexico with the likes of Salt'n Pepa and Vanessa Williams.

In 2002, Colton began filming Naked Fame, a documentary that features Colton as he refocuses his pursuit towards pop/dance stardom with the release of his dance single, Everything and subsequently the release of his Top 10 Billboard charting dance hit, Signed, Sealed, Delivered featuring dance diva Pepper MaShay. The film aims to explore Colton Ford's journey into the music industry, and provides a true life glimpse at the club music subculture through interviews with major players including producers, songwriters, agents, managers and deejays.

Visit Colton online at www.coltonfordmusic.com.

Colton Ford is a perfect subject for my ongoing NAKED TRUTH Documentary Project.

PULP on 14th Presents ... John Herron's "Scan Art"

"Scan-Art" The Art of John Herron. Scan Art is a new art form where as the computer and scanner are used as the main tools of expression. But it's these tools in the creative hands of John Herron that set the bar for this 21st century art evolution. With a background in both computer graphics and 40+ years in photography, Mr. Herron work may mystify the viewer, but will be a delight in the visual experience.

On Saturday evening, 11 November 2006, Pulp on 14th Presents will host a 7 - 9 pm Wine & Munchies Art Reception for the opening of "Scan Art" - The Art of John Herron. Also on display will be an unique collection of Shrine Art.

Shrine Art or Our Lady of Guadalupe Art is a collection of family shrines involving a mix of religious imagery with either family photos, most often wedding or hooded wrestling heroes in the same frame. Folk Art from the early 20th Century, these pieces usually held at a respected place in the home of its original owners and are now contemporary treasures.

Pulp on 14th is located at 1803 14th Street NW, WDC. Telephone number is 202-462-7857.

Gallery Hours : Mon-Fri 11am-7pm Sat 10am-7pm Sun. 10am -5pm

SLDN's Honor Every Veteran Campaign

One million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans have served in our armed forces. Yet, the Pentagon fires 2 people each day for being gay. Join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and help end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

This Veterans Day weekend, November 10-12, Honor Every Veteran! campaign is a national outreach, education, and visibility effort to publicly honor the service of the more than one million LGBT American veterans. We need your help to get the word out!

Here are some ways to participate in the campaign:

Support businesses participating in the Honor Every Veteran campaign

Or ask your favorite business to participate!
Wear an Honor Every Veteran t-shirt
Hang an Honor Every Veteran sign
March in your local Veterans Day parade
Hang an American flag next to a Pride flag
Write about LGBT veterans and service members on your blog
Thank the veterans you know for their service

For more information contact David Hall, Major Gifts Officer by email at dhall@sldn.org or by phone at (202)328-3244 ext 119.

MySpace/ElvertBarnes launched

MySpace.com/ElvertBarnes

Civilian Arts Projects' DARFUR/DARFUR previews @ Provisions Library

DARFUR/DARFUR, a traveling exhibition of digitally-projected changing images that provide visual education about the richly multi-cultural region while exposing the horrors of the ongoing humanitarian crisis will preview at the Provisions Library, in NW, WDC on Thursday, 16 November.

Civilian Art Projects co-sponsors with G Fine Art, Provisions Library and DC for Peace in Darfur a benefit for Oxfam, this exhibition will be a preview event for Darfur at the Holocaust Museum - Nov. 20-26.

The event will present photographs taken in Darfur by former U.S. Marine Brian Steidle and photojournalists Lynsey Addario, Mark Brecke, Helene Caux, Ron Haviv, Paolo Pellegrin, Ryan Spencer Reed, and Michal Safdie accompanied by traditional Sudanese music. Clips from several documentaries in current production will be shown throughout the event.

A photography exhibit and discussion with Congressman Donald Payne, International Crisis Group's Colin Thomas-Jensen, and photojournalist Mark Brecke DARFUR/DARFUR previews from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, 16 November 2006, at Provisions Library which is located at 1611 Connecticut Avenue in NW WDC.

Minimum donation $20.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Please RSVP by 12 November at 323.634.2602.

Taken in Darfur of Mihad Hamid the above photo is the work of Brain Steidle.

Warehouse's 5th Peace Show (Shock & Awe) Election Night Opening Reception

For many years now, the Warehouse Galleries on 7th Street in Washington, DC, have been the capital region's bastion for political, activist and progressive art exhibitions focused on themes such as war, peace and how artists view the world around them.

From 3- 26 November 2006 Molly Ruppert brings us her Fifth Annual Peace Show, and this year's show, Shock & Awe, which offers a worldview of disturbance and destruction features the work of 32 plus artists is on display throughout the Warehouse's eight distinct galleries.

The exhibition includes Gabriela Bulisova's photographs of the ongoing clusterbomb devastation in Lebanon, paintings by Tom Drymon, a DC artist who moved to New Orleans before Katrina, a house wrap installation for peace by Laura Elkins, and the other artistic peace efforts of many artists.

See the art, meet the artists and watch the returns at tonight's Election Day 6 - 9 pm opening at the Warehouse Galleries located at 1017 7th St, NW, WDC. Contact Molly Rupert at 202 783 3933 or Molly@warehousetheater.com.

Entitled Collateral Damage (Living Hell) the above photo represents the work of Matt Sesow.

The exhibit features the work of 32 plus artists including:

John Aaron, Sondra Arkin, Paul Bishow, Laura Elkins, Gabriella Bulisova, Tom Drymon, Dana Ellyn, Garth Gardner, Seth Gomoljak, Jason Gottlieb, Ken Gwira, J. Gavin Heck, Michael Janis, Mark Jenkins, Joroko, Joanne Kent, Karl Kressbach, Heather Levy, Carolina Mayorga, Paul Notzold, Piero Passacantando, Dino Paxenos, Mark Planisek, Rima Schulkind, Matt Sesow, Erwin Timmers, Ruth Trevarrow, The Scroll Project*, Joanne Wasserman, Ellyn Weiss, Andrew Wodzianski and Peter Wood.

*Scroll Project- curator-Mary Walker - Scrolls from Iraq and the US - DC Scroll artists Jim Innes, Lucy Clark, Ellen Weiss, Richard Dana, Mark Planisek, John Aaron, Daniel Penzoloza, Roger Cutler, Angela Schanau, Henry Gallucio, Scott Brooks

ROBERT COLE :: OPEN STUDIO :: NOV 11-12

It is definitely Fall and thus, we once again present our Fall OPEN STUDIOS at the carriage house on Nov. 11 -12 from 12pm - 5pm. Robert has 2 new commissions that will be on display- the Reclining Buddha, and Moto Man. Each are destined for 2 new clubs on K St. opening before the New Year. Never one to be idle, Robert has created a number of new pieces that are small and mid-range in size, suitable for gracing interior spaces. Visit studiocole.com to see some of the new work.

Robert Cole Studios is located at 1714 (Rear) 15th Street, NW, WDC. Telephone at 202 387 3568. click for map.

In addition, there will also be 30 neighborhood artists hosting OPEN STUDIOS the weekend of 11 - 12 November. For more information, and a downloadable map visit midcityartists.com

Former President Bill Clinton makes surprise appearance at NGLTF Miami fund-raiser

MIAMI, Nov. 6 — Former President Bill Clinton made a surprise appearance at Saturday’s 10th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner, a benefit for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force , where he wowed the 650-plus-crowd. Clinton, who was in South Florida to campaign for Democratic candidates, arrived at the event around 8 p.m., where he proceeded to greet NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, one of the evening’s honorees, and then shake hands with numerous attendees.

Photo credit: Brett Hufziger at www.bhuf.com.

Lottery for first 20 workforce homes @ Capitol Quarter - Saturday, 18 November @ 9 am

The workforce housing program is designed to allow working class households the ability to purchase a home in a neighborhood that they otherwise may not would have been able to afford. This program is an integral part of a mixed income community such as Capitol Quarter, which aims to provide housing options to people of varied economic means.

Capitol Quarter is an exciting new mixed-income community located just steps from the Navy Yard Metro, the new Washington Nationals Baseball Stadium, 8th Street (Barracks Row) shopping and retail and Capitol Hill. When complete, Capitol Quarter will be home to 323 homes that include a vibrant mix of market rate rowhouses, workforce homes, and affordable rental homes. Located in the blocks bound by Virginia Avenue to the north, 3rd Street to the west, 5th Street to the east, and M Street to the south, Capitol Quarter is part of a HOPE IV redevelopment of the former Capper/Carrollsburg projects.

The lottery for the first 20 workforce homes will be held on Saturday, November 18th, at 9:00 am. These 20 homes will be located in the blocks south of K Street and between 4th and 5th Streets. The lottery will be held on site at the Capitol Quarter sales office, located at 1023 4th Street, SE. If you are selected at the lottery, you will then be given an appointment time based on your order drawn in the lottery. Appointments will begin immediately following the drawing, so you must 1) be present at the drawing, or 2) if you are unable to attend the drawing, you must have someone present with a power of attorney who can make a selection for you.

You must also have your initial earnest money deposit (2 1/2% of the base price of the home) available, as if you are selected you will need to provide that check at your reservation appointment. If you miss your appointment time, you will lose your priority.

And as a reminder, to participate in the lottery, you must be certified by George Mason Mortgage as eligible prior to November 18th. George Mason Mortgage will be on site on November 16th and November 17th, or you may send them the required information prior to these dates. The required information to be eligible to participate in the lottery is:

1) Last 2 paychecks for all household members verifying current income

2) Copy of 2005 tax return to verify household size

3) Should household size be different from that indicated on last years tax return due to divorce, separation, or child birth, legal documentation of change in household status is required

4) Proof of funds available for deposit

5) Loan pre-approval from Lender

The length of a loan pre-approval can vary greatly depending on your financial circumstances, so if you have not yet begun this process, you should start it now. And as a reminder, for full details about the workforce housing program, please visit www.eyacapitolquarter.com.

For more information contact Philip Salin, Capitol Quarter Sales Manager, at capitolquarter@eya.com or 202-484-0360, or stop by our sales office at 1023 4th Street, SE.