There and back again...

It Gets Better Campaign: Putting an End to Bullying in 2012

2012-01-16T17:08:00.000-05:00

A busy year...

2011-12-23T12:57:00.003-05:00

Hard to believe, but the year has come and gone in what seems like a flash. Lots of changes, lots of work accomplished, and lots of new challenges coming ahead. Larry and I ended the year going for a long overdue vacation. We ended at Disney World, staying at the Swan on the Disney property. The time zipped by, but we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, taking in as much as we could. Here are some of the shots from the trip.

Winter at the Balsams

2011-01-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

Here are some shots I took at the Balsams Grand Hotel Resort in Dixville Notch, NH. Last year I created a film festival in the region and we are now locking in planning for 2011. The temp. was 11 degrees, but the snow was breathtaking.

Shots from our annual Summer Party in Newport

2010-10-20T19:13:00.004-04:00

Larry and I hosted our annual Summer By the Sea Party in late July at our new home. This was really our first "Party" and we saw more than 70 friends join us to salute the summer -- and to discover my family home which Larry and I now share. It was a wonderful event and a nice way to head into the Film Festival in August.

Fall: 2010

2010-10-19T22:08:00.005-04:00

Marlyn Mason at the Flickers North Country Film Festival, Jon Berberian at the VMA in August,and our little home in Newport:

At Brimfield, MA for the Spring Antiques Show

2010-06-10T09:40:00.001-04:00

The Colbert Report and Rhode Island's Governor

2009-11-17T15:31:00.000-05:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Word - Skeletons in the Closet

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

U.S. Speedskating

Life is all about movement

2009-11-02T08:55:00.002-05:00

While Larry and I have been moving, it doesn't mean that life stops. Last week RIIFF hosted its 10th Annual Horror Film Festival. While scaled back to allow breathing space, the event turned out quite successfully and was a hit with fans who attended. Thanks to Richard and Don at the Bell Street Chapel, Lisa Miller at the Providence Public Library, author Christopher Rondina, Paul Ruggeri, and Barbara Barnes at the RI Historical Society, everything flowed like clockwork.

And of course, while all this was going on, we continued to pack...

Moving forward at the family house...

2009-09-12T10:36:00.007-04:00

Larry and I had a new kitchen counter installed in the family house this week. We've had a summer full of work including a new roof on the garage, repairs to the main roof and gutters, plus painting, cleaning and wallpapering. I've planted perennials in our front yard around the house and removed the overgrown bushes. Let's say, we've had a fair amount of work.

Now with the kitchen near complete, it's touch up and locking in a date for the move.

It is actually exciting as we build our lives together and seeing the future that lies ahead.

Fall is in the Air and shots of the summer...

2009-09-06T10:22:00.005-04:00

The summer zipped by so quickly this year. The bulk of it the time seemed to be spent avoiding getting wet as we had record rain storms. Only now, with Fall approaching, has the weather been pleasant and dry.

Larry and I have spent our free time working at the family house. We've made lots of progress, but as with any old house, have had to make a number of repairs. From gutter leaks, to ceiling damage to a wet basement, we've had our adventures. This week we'll finally see our kitchen ready with a new countertop we are having installed. From there, I'll finish the wallpapering in the dining room, and the downstairs will be ready for us to move in furniture.

It's been a lot of work, but every day brings results and it's been a great thing for Larry and I to do as we bond and work together.

Here are some shots taken over the summer; definitely only a glimpse of all we did.

RIIFF WINS A NEW ENGLAND EMMY AWARD FOR ITS 2008 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS / FESTIVAL PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN

2009-06-02T23:03:00.002-04:00

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) – is very proud to report that it has once again won a New England Emmy Award. RIIFF was presented the award by The Board of Governors of the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at their annual Awards Gala on Saturday, May 30th. The location for the Awards program was the Boston Marriott Hotel, Copley Place, Grand Ballroom, 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston. RIIFF won the award for Best Community/Public Service (PSA) Campaign.

The campaign featured two spots. Entitled "Canisters," the PSAs were written by Duncan Putney; produced by Demetria Carr; directed by William Smyth; and featured original music composition by Miraj Berry. The Executive Producer for the campaign was George T. Marshall, who along with Mr. Putney, accepted the award.

The spots featured the talents of Richard Donnelly and Phyllis Kay of Trinity Repertory Company and cameos by Peter Manfredo, Jr., Michael Corrente, Monique Barker, Simon Liu, Francesca Simone, Mayor David Cicilline, Dr. Stephen Carr, Ellen Tedeschi-Moran, and Olivia Carr. They aired in July and August 2008 on WJAR TV, an NBC affiliate.

This marks the fourth time PSAs produced by RIIFF have gone on to be

Fun with Arianne and Charles

2009-01-20T10:23:00.004-05:00

We had a wonderful evening with our friends Arianne and Charles up in Belmont, MA. Larry and Arianne cooked together, which always results in an exciting meal. On hand was Arianne's co-worker, Ian, who shared his upcoming career plans and provided excellent company.

Larry made a point of given our hosts a cheesy battery operated water fountain he found at Walgreens. (Yep, we have one as well).

It was a memorable evening and one that zipped by far too fast. It was a hit. Of course, that might have been impacted by the amount of wine served...

Celebrating my brother's 61st Birthday

2009-01-20T10:08:00.002-05:00

Who would have thought that we would be celebrating my brother's 61st birthday. It seems only yesterday that we were kids together. Last Saturday, we met my brother, his wife Tina and their son, Matt at the Eleven Forty Nine Restaurant in East Greenwich. We had an exceptional meal and of course, excellent company. Larry and I gave Joe a Flip camera which we hope he'll use when he and Tina are on their 19 day cruise to New Zealand. It was a wonderful evening and it's just so great to spend time with family.

Film Music by John Barry: "Chaplin"

2008-12-28T15:14:00.001-05:00

<a href="http://www.joost.com/135c56m/t/John-Barry-Smile">John Barry - Smile</a>

Great Film that's escapist, fun entertainment...

2008-12-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

<a href="http://www.joost.com/072b38g/t/The-Fifth-Element">The Fifth Element</a>

A nice film to watch and remember Paul Newman...

2008-12-27T15:23:00.000-05:00

Fun link to a great film!

2008-12-27T15:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas Eve 2008

2008-12-26T12:24:00.006-05:00

Larry and I spent Christmas Eve with my bother, Joe, sister-in-law, Tina and nephew, Matthew. They have a beautiful home in Greene, RI, which is about 35 mins. from our place. The house is definitely in the country and sits on about 20 acres of woodland property. They had about 15 inches of snow from the weekend storm which made for a major clean up for my brother.

Tina prepared a traditional Italian meal for Larry--seven fishes--and we all spent a leisurely evening trading stories, catching up, and of course, having a most pleasant time.

George & Larry's Wedding Redux... Shots by Paul Ruggeri

2008-12-14T15:54:00.003-05:00

We just received our wedding album from Paul, which included a DVD back up. It was a special afternoon as we looked over our day, October 13, 2008.

At the International Film Festival Summit

2008-12-10T12:37:00.005-05:00

Demetria Carr, Adam Short and I attended the 2008 edition of the INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SUMMIT (IFFS) in Las Vegas, NV. This is the annual conference and trade show for professionals from the film festival industry. I was a panelist and my topic was "Building a Culture of Community Outreach." Other panelists included Mark Steele, former Director of Operations, Tribeca Film Festival; Lee Ann Kim, Executive Director, San Diego Asian Film Festival; and Randy Levy, Director, KIDS FIRST! Film Festival. The Panel was hosted by Robin Laatz, Director, San Diego Film Festival.

The International Film Festival Summit provides a platform for the community to explore ways to collaborate and promote the advancement of the film festival industry. This is a place to dialogue with your peers, share insights and gain knowledge that will help you grow your film festival and keep it thriving.

THANKSGIVING 2008

2008-12-03T10:39:00.004-05:00

Larry and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving that was shared with my brother, Joe and his lovely wife, Tina along with close friends, Arianne and Charles. We made a 25 lb. turkey, which we "brined" the day before, a standing rib roast on the grill,which Charles prepared, plus a number of unique speciality dishes from each of our guests. I made the pumpkin pies.

Larry and I felt like whirlwinds cleaning the house. Over the weekend, we had an issue with one of the radiator pipes bursting. The radiator, which is kept under a wooden cover, was being cleaned when we spotted corrosion on the pipe that came from the furnace. We called our heating company to inspect it and were told that the rust near the joint (which leaked) was the only thing preventing it from blowing out. We covered it with a towel to stave off potential damage, but hours later, as the pressure built when the heat went on--the rust fell off and the water blew out. We witnessed our second floor being flooded in hot water, and of course running down the pipes to the first floor, right into our coat closet.

The house was a mess. After cleaning up the water, we had to empty out the closet, wipe down what had been hit with water, and generally spread things across the house. It would take another two days before the heating company could make the repairs as the had to order parts. We have older radiators (pre-1935), and the valve had to be replaced along with the piping.

This put us at Tuesday for the repairs--with the job being completed at 6:00 p.m. Needless to say, we were busy on Wednesday.

Yet, in the end, even with the little drama, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As with any sort of "event" it all came out well in the end and what a pleasure spending the day with people who mattered so much in our lives.

Ariane and Charles do Newburyport with L &G

2008-11-16T13:39:00.002-05:00

After I spoke at the annual RUFF CUTZ Film Conference in Waltham, MA, Larry and I picked up our friends Ariane and Charles and headed north to the lovely seaport town of Newburyport. We had a bit of excitement on the drive up as a warning light on my car dash indicated an issue with my tire. I pulled off 95 North to the shoulder and found a very flat tire. Charles and I did the change, putting on the "donut" from the trunk. The tire had been punctured but seemed to be a large piece of metal, which I would find out later came from an older car--it was part of the car's metal body that had simply fallen off on the highway. It was random chance and the right impact with angle that catapulted this little gift into my new tire.

We were able to use the spare without incident for the rest of the day and were only put off our trip by about 15 min. for the change.

Newburyport was charming as usual. It was quite and we spent some time strolling through the stores. I was able to get Larry a few items for Christmas and it was nice to have such a relaxing afternoon.

Dinner was at the Plum Island Diner, which was pleasant. Spending time with dear friends was nice for both Larry and I as well as having a opportunity for a little R&R.

It was a wonderful day all around.

George & Larry Get Married

2008-11-06T10:34:00.008-05:00

Hard to believe, but it actually happened: Larry and I were married in October.

We have been together now almost for five years, and with the option for marriage available to us in Massachusetts (and soon this month, neighboring Connecticut), it was something we felt we wanted to do.

We held our event at the beautiful Granite Links in Quincy, which overlooks Boston. The service was held at sunset and it was rather magnificent. We invited 32 of our closest friends and family members; making for a small, and intimate service.

Both Larry and I have been in long-termed relationships in the past (his was 17 years, mine was 15 years), and marriage was never an option available to us. Given who we are, what we share and the bonds we have, this was something we both wanted. The politics against this are frankly misguided, foolish and ignorant. To those who quote Leviticus, my response is to either do the entire code or admit to your bigotry: you cannot cherry pick what you like and discard what you don't. For Christians, the biblical code was made irrelevant when Christ stated that He was the law. With divorce at an all-time high among heterosexual society and adultery and ongoing issue (which of course has a severe punishment in Leviticus), the gay marriage political wedge issue is nonsense. This seems to be the last bastion of sanctioned hate (for now) in our society. It wasn't long ago that interracial marriage was taboo or women did not have the right to vote or inherit.

None of these thoughts were on our minds that day. We were both nervous and anxious. It was an amazing day. I wish the blessing we have with each other to all of you. LIfe is far too short and it is filled with uncertainty. Finding the person who will share your life with you is a singular achievement and one that should be exalted. This we have done.

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Tina for sharing these wonderful images!

Updating Our Lives and Moving Along

2008-11-06T09:44:00.004-05:00

It's been a wild ride this year. So many changes. So many things happening. Time has simply drifted away. Each day has been filled with activity.

Here are pictures from our annual summer party that took place in late July. You can see that the house is in the midst of being painted (slowly). We had over 60 people attend and it was a wonderful event. Adam celebrated his birthday with us and old friends were on hand to share what was happening with their lives.

Larry of course did the cooking with help from my brother, Joe. Larry and my sister-in-law, Tina, have formed such a special bond that it is fun to see them together.

Needless to say, our annual "Summer by the Sea" party was a nice success!

The Bennington, VT Art Series

2008-08-27T11:30:00.007-04:00

While in Bennington, VT, we discovered this exceptional art display that was located throughout the downtown area.

We had fun tracking down each of the sculptures.

RIIFF Board Mixer & Summer Staff

2008-08-27T11:17:00.004-04:00

Our annual board and member mixer held at the Ladd Observatory at Brown University was a pleasant success. Director Michael Corrente came along with several of our new Board.

Summer interns were all on hand, and what an amazing group! This is the first year we've had international interns from France and from Turkey. Each of these students bring a wealth of knowledge which will only make the Festival stronger.

Once again off to the Berkshires

2008-08-27T10:48:00.004-04:00

Larry and I headed back to the Berkshires and Williamstown in July. It's become somewhat of a tradition for us to take a break around the 4th and unwind before we hit the time demands of the Festival. This year we have been ahead of the curve re. acceptances and even our online calendar, which bodes well for a bit of sanity as we head into the month.

Larry and I approached this mini-vacation from the perspective of no advance planning, leaving open options for just discovering each day and doing what we wanted to do, when we felt like it.

Naturally, the time went by far too fast, but we enjoyed ourselves and took in quite a bit.

It's always great to travel with someone who is up for little adventures; which we tend to undertake frequently.

Richard Gere at the Japan America Society

2008-05-30T07:41:00.003-04:00

Larry and I had were invited to an amazing evening on Wednesday in Boston. The Japan America Society of Boston was honoring our friend, Vernon Alden for his years of visionary service. The event was at the Boston Westin Waterfront Hotel. The speaker for the evening was actor, Richard Gere.

The event was packed. It was such a pleasure to see Vernon acknowledged for his dedication and commitment. Our dear friend, Ineko was on hand to share in the accolades.

Larry and I sat with Vernon's family in the front and had a wonderful time. I spoke at length with the Japanese Counsel General about our film and cultural programming. Peter Grilli, the Executive Director of the Japan America Society Boston, was especially forthcoming with offers of support and collaboration.

The room buzzed when Richard Gere spoke. He presented 5 mins. from his new film, "Hachiko: a Dog's Story" that his friend, Lasse Hallstrom is directing in Rhode Island. The film is based on a true story that took place in Japan in the 1920s.

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

2008-05-27T09:09:00.009-04:00

Larry and I spent the Sunday with his family for a barbeque and quite respite from general craziness in the world around us. I have been recovering from lithotripsy for kidney stones; and doing quite well. The procedure took place on Friday and at this point, I feel like I should have frequent flyer miles. Larry channeled Louise Fletcher, doing his best Nurse Ratched impression.

At the family gathering, Larry did the food prep and cooking. It was pleasant to spend time with his family, but sad to realize that both of his parents having been facing health issues.

On Monday, we worked at our house and the family house then went to the Veteran's cemetery in Exeter, RI. My parents were buried there.

The cemetery was a sea of American flags. My dad would have appreciated it, though he had less than kind things to say about the space, which is rather stark with minimal plantings.

Funny, while the cemetery is a physical reminder of where my parents are, the reality is that they are still a part of my life and influence my daily actions.

This weekend, I start the first in a year long series of events that are geared to raise money for a scholarship in their name. They gave me much in my life and I am grateful.

RIIFF WINS A NEW ENGLAND EMMY AWARD

2008-05-11T19:28:00.004-04:00

It was quite a night for Larry and I as we went to the New England Emmy Awards in Boston. I was there to represent the Film Festival and wear my hat as the Producer of the promotional pieces that had been nominated. Here's what happened:

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) won a New England Emmy Award for its promotional campaign that showcased the Oscar-qualifying event. The trophy was presented in the packed ballroom of the Boston Marriott Copley Place for the 31st Annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards.

The Board of Governors of the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences notified RIIFF in April about the nomination for the Community/Public Service (PSA's) Campaign. The nominated categories were judged by industry peers from the Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-America Chapters of the National Academy.

The promotional campaign featured two spots. Entitled "No Excuses," the PSA's was created and directed by Providence resident, William Smyth. Miraj Berry wrote the script and composed the score, while George T. Marshall, Executive Director of RIIFF served as the Producer. The campaign featured the talents of Richard Donnelly and Phyllis Kay of Trinity Repertory Company. The spots aired in July and August 2007 on WJAR TV, Rhode Island’s NBC affiliate.

This marks the third time Public Service Announcements produced by RIIFF been nominated for Emmy Awards. This marks the second win. All spots were created and directed by William Smyth.

Also winning an Emmy that evening was Rhode Island director, Cherry Arnold. Her film, “Buddy: The Rise and Fall of America’s Most Notorious Mayor,” which aired on WJAR, had its World Premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2005 where it won the Viola M. Marshall Audience Choice Award.

Dinner at Sagres in Fall River, MA

2008-03-31T00:35:00.003-04:00

Larry and I had a pleasant afternoon and evening with Eric's partner, Vaughn. We had dinner at a charming Portuguese restaurant in Fall River, MA called "Sagres."

The meal was exceptional, as was the conversation.

We learned a great deal about Vaughn, which only solidified our thinking what a nice match he was for Eric.

Larry was in rare form and he and Vaughn seemed to have hit it off. On my part, Vaughn likes gardening, so I have someone who I can give cuttings from the yard for the yard at the house he and Eric just purchased.

Easter and Larry's Birthday

2008-03-29T10:10:00.003-04:00

It was a warm Easter Day as we celebrated Larry's 44th birthday with my brother, Joe and sister-in-law, Tina, at their home. This was the first time since 1913 that Easter came this early and overlapped with Larry's birthday (not that Larry was around back then.) We had a wonderful time and Tina went all out to make the day special for Larry. She arranged a clever Easter egg hunt which ended up being a way for Larry to "find" his birthday presents. Larry was in awe at her ingenuity and the love she showed in making the day so memorable.

Larry of course believes in extending his birthday as long as he can. On Thursday the 20th, we held our 4th annual birthday bash at the Theater and ran an amazing documentary on jazz/blues singer Anita O'Day. About 60 people attended and saluted our birthday boy.

On Saturday, Larry's family took us to dinner to one of our favorite Portuguese restaurants in Fall River. My brother joined us and we had a wonderful time.

Yes, family is important and it is a true blessing we should never take for granted.

Family Again

2008-02-22T17:29:00.002-05:00

Since Larry is the more photogenic of the two of us (and I'm usually behind the camera, anyway), I'm posting two shots of my brother Hoe and his wife Tina. We have all made an effort during the last year to spend more time together and nothing works better than sharing a meal.

These shots were taken in Providence at Shula's where we had a great meal and a very fun evening.

Larry, of course, is quite handsome...

A Milestone and a Birthday

2008-02-22T16:58:00.011-05:00

It's hard to believe but my 54th birthday came so quickly and without warning. Wrapping my brain around the fact that I've reached this golden age is not as easy as I'd thought it would be. When I was in my 20s, you knew who the old farts where--and now I'm irreversible part of that group. The good thing is that teaching on a college level at least keeps me tied to the younger generation; so I know what is happening around me.

The day was actually uneventful, though the evening turned out to be quite special. Larry brought home a parve cake from a bakery in Brookline and my brother, Joe, his wife, Tina and my nephew, Matthew and his girlfriend, Sarah, joined Larry and I for dinner. Larry decided to treat us to a local restaurant called the Rhumbline. It was an excellent meal and we all had a great time. Larry played with his Flip camera, so there is a great deal of silly video of us eating and chatting. Somehow I think Larry has some good blackmail material.

Arianne and Charles sent me a beautiful orchid which is now in our kitchen as that room has the best light. This is the first time I've ever been given an orchid and it is quite special.

Now let's hope that the year leading to age 55, doesn't come quite so quickly.

Celebrating my brother's birthday

2008-01-13T10:17:00.000-05:00

Larry and I had a rather special evening celebrating my brother's 60th Birthday. My sister-in-law, Tina's family were there, many coming from Philadelphia where she hails from. Tina's mother, Peg, also made the trip which meant a great deal to my brother as she has been in declining health.

Dinner was at a restaurant in nearby Connecticut at a place they had been frequenting for the past 27 years, then cake and presents at their home in Greene, RI. The meal was outstanding.

Larry took video with his new Flip camera that I got him for Christmas, so it should be fun to post what he shot. There may be more to come.... Maybe. He's just learning how to play with cameras--which means that eventually I might might make some cameo appearances on the blog. Maybe.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-03T08:56:00.000-05:00

The holidays came and went this year in a blur. So much to do and again so little time. Last year we were facing issues with my dad and his declining health, This year, Larry's dad was hospitalized with a number of health issues and we were on pins and needles through most of December. Thankfully as of this writing, he has stabilized and was released on January 2nd. While not out of the woods, he is doing much better, and will be better able to face some of his other health concerns. Needless to say, this has been very stressful for Larry as he has attempted to keep his family level-headed and calm.

We spent Christmas Eve with my brother, Joe and his wife, Tina at their home in Greene, RI. It was a first for us and a pleasant new tradition. Larry and Tina have become real chums and it's fun to see them cook together. Tina was funny when she told Larry that we have to get married so that she can become his favorite sister-in-law.

I had taken a nasty fall the day before on black ice in the driveway, so along with my back being out of whack, I was also a bit sore and uncomfortable. But with 600 mgs of Motrin, it's amazing what you can accomplish.

We had a brunch on New Year's Day for Joe and Tina, which was equally pleasant. Larry outdid himself and he made waffles (non-dairy no less) in the press that Tina Had given me for Christmas. The shape was a Mickey Mouse head. We were treated to some amazing food. Needless to say, both Larry and I are going to be watching our weight now that the holidays are over!

So, here it is, January 3rd and it's 9 degrees outside. The wind is intense and it feels like -5 degrees. Welcome to winter in New England...

...And the New Year!

Celebrating Music in Bristol, RI

2007-12-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

Larry and I recently attended a concert by my former partner of 15 years, Eric Bronner. Nancy Nicholson was at the piano and it was a splendid afternoon of music and song. Larry and Eric have become good friends and we try to support all of Eric's musical events when we can. He is enormously talented and his programs are such a gift.

Apple Picking at Cook's Orchard

2007-09-24T20:03:00.000-04:00

Back in School Again... as Summer begins to fade

2007-09-18T09:59:00.000-04:00

Here are some of the images from this summer. Larry and I were kept busy, to say the least. Actually, it was a whirlwind. We were talking about it on Sunday and suddenly realized that it had been a full period; we were always on the go. And what's amazing is how much actually got done.

We are now heading into our fourth year together, with October being our anniversary. So much has happened during these past years. And, we've grown quite close.

This weekend we are in the Poconos in PA for Adam and Alyssa's wedding, which should be quite fun. On the way home, we'll stop in Brimfield, MA to do our annual apple picking. With the colder nights quickly coming upon us, we want to get here before the frost. Next weekend, we celebrate my sister-in-law, Tina's birthday. It looks to be a full family gathering. Larry and I want to do something special for Tina; she's become a very important part of our lives.

Have you ever noticed that as you get older things tend to move faster? Strange isn't it.

Catching up on the Summer

2007-08-20T08:49:00.000-04:00

The summer of 2007 has zipped by. It's been a busy time with most energy focused on the film festival. It has been non-stop as we set out to make the Festival the best it could be and notch up what we had already built. The work paid off with record crowds in attendance and a solid opening at the Providence Performing Arts Center which saw us almost triple our usual audience.

For this entry I thought I'd simply post some photos I've taken over the past few months,

First up: the trip Larry and I took in the early summer to the Strawberry Park Music Festival in CT. with my brother, Joe and his wife, Tina.

Lost April..

2007-05-19T18:50:00.000-04:00

It's been a long couple of months as we spend our weekends cleaning out the family home and go through my parent's belongings. It gives one pause as to what is important in life.

Next week we plan to have what we hope will be the first of a series of yard sales to address 40 plus years of accumulation. My brother and I are very carefully going through everything in the house to make sure that nothing is discarded that really matters to us.

Larry has been great. He and my sister-in-law, Tina, have bonded and it is a joy to see everyone working together.

At the end of each day when we wind down, Larry has pulled together some amazing lunches. These have given us a nice way to bond, catch up and get to know each other better. A great deal of healing has occurred as we clean the house.

One of the neat photos we found of my dad was buried in his dresser. I've never seen the photo before. It appears to have been taken when he was 17. Isn't it amazing how life shapes, changes and alters us. To see a life collapsed in photos: who we were and who we become...

It gives one pause.

RIIFF Goes to the Big Apple...

2007-03-27T09:32:00.000-04:00

RIIFF went to New York for the 7th year to be at the annual Gay & Lesbian Expo. Located at the Jacob Javitts Center in mid-town, the Expo drew over 10,000 people on its first day alone! We went through eight large bags of candy, three boxes of Pink Pages, two boxes of RI promotions and we gave away over 50 tees and hats. We caught with up Rodney Davis of RI Pride, (also from Newport) who is a great guy. What a small world we live in!

At our booth were Erin Short, her brother, Adam; Marc Olechnowicz and Larry. We were on our feet for 9 hours each day, making for an exhausting weekend. What an interesting experience in human behavior. The Expo is defnitely ripe for a dissertation.

Larry and I did escape to the Empire State Bldg and did the very touristy thing by going to the 106th floor. It was an expensive endeavor. The tickets were $66 for us both, parking was $34 and buying the photo they took when we were there was another $22.50. Larry had never been there, nor had he been in the city since 2001. So doing the Empire State made for a great conversation piece. Now we can say, "been there, done that!."

A Birthday Bash in Providence...

2007-03-27T09:22:00.000-04:00

We held our third annual First Look Premiere and Birthday Bash on March 23rd at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival’s’ third annual “First Look” Birthday Blow-Out Benefit drew 76 film buffs to the historic Columbus Theatre Arts Center on Broadway and raised over $2,000 for the festival’s 11th season. The multiple award-winning Canadian film, “Mémoires affectives” (“Looking for Alexander”) was given its US Premiere courtesy of le Dèlègation du Québec à Boston. Catering was by the Tazza Caffe, Providence. Wine was donated by AGM Distributors.

For the past three years, RIIFF has held an unusual fundraising event: a First Look at new and cutting- edge film work, while hosting a party to celebrate staff and friends who have made the Festival what it is today. Call it cake meets film with a champagne toast along the way.

This year, RIIFF saluted Jon and Betty Jane Berberian, owners of the Columbus Theatre; RIIFF Board members, Larry Andrade, from Pawtucket and Dr. Gerald Lamoureux of Woonsocket; and Marc Olechnowicz of Newport.

A Weekend Away and Catching Up with the Past...

2007-03-12T20:18:00.000-04:00

Larry and I headed to the Berkshires for a brief respite. We stayed at The Orchards, a lovely hotel in historic Williamstown. It was a needed escape to recharge our batteries and to spend time together. I have been dealing with a number of issues revolving around my father's death and it's been somewhat draining. I had been on what turned out to be death watch since December and seeing my dad drift away was not a easy thing. I had been his caregiver since 1979--that's 28 years--and we had grown very close over the years. I know that I will need time to process emotionally what happened; plus the loss of someone who had been a friend , buddy and confidante.

At the same time as Larry was planning this brief get-away (we left on a Saturday morning and returned on Sunday evening), I heard from an old grad school friend, Connie. Her husband was planning to be in town to visit their daughter at Brown. Connie and I go back to 1977 when I was at USC. I had not met her husband, Dance, but had caught up with Connie in 2006 when she and Masumi were looking into colleges.

Dance stayed with us over the weekend in Newport and I gave him my CRV to drive when Larry took me up to Wlliamstown. (The shot is of Larry and Dance in our kitchen.)

It was a whirlwind weekend actually. I had done a speaking gig on Friday night at Borders in Cranston of "Filmmaking Magic in RI" (no, I didn't create the title), with the head of the RI Film Office, Steven Feinberg; plus filmmakers Michael Corrente and Jon Raben. Estimates were that over 250 people had attended. It started at 6:00 p.m. and I wasn't able to leave until almost 11:00 p.m. as I was hit with questions. It was a good evening.

And it was a nice weekend overall.

IN LOVING MEMORY: JOSEPH MARSHALL

2007-02-23T07:56:00.000-05:00

Newport, RI - Retired Lieutenant Commander Joseph Marshall, 90, of 36 Rhode Island Avenue, Newport, died peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones, Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at Heatherwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the husband of the late Viola Mildred Beck Marshall with whom he shared his life for 57 years.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on 23 September 1916, he was the son of the late George Thomas and Elizabeth Marshall. He left home at the age of 17 to join the military where he would build a prestigious career advancing from enlisted to commanding officer. Known as a “Mustang,” his career growth was unique in its day.

Lieutenant Commander Marshall entered the United States Navy on 5 March 1934, as an enlisted serviceman and completed Recruit Training at Norfolk, VA. He was assigned to the Scouting Force Flagship, U.S.S. Indianapolis, CA—35 on 7 July 1934. After progressing through the Boatswain-Mate rating, was promoted to Warrant Officer on 29 August 1942. On 16 December 1942, was transferred to the Navy's Deep Sea Diving School, Washington Navy Yard for advanced training.

Some of his notable assignments included: Diving Officer on the U.S.S. Normandy, an Ocean Liner that was converted to a Troop Transport. The ship caught fire and capsized at Pier 88, in New York City; Diving and Salvage Officer, U.S.S. Tekeska, ATF—793; Diving Officer, ASR—9; Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Utina, ATF—163; First Lieutenant, U.S.S. Yosemite, Ad—19; Movement Report Officer, Commander Naval Forces Far-East, Yokuska, Japan, Hull Superintendent, Ship Repair Facility.

Other memorable experiences included: On 24 November, 1936, with the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt embarked, the U.S.S. Indianapolis CA—35, proceeded to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Montevideo, for the Pan American Peace Conference, Prior to this cruise, the Indianapolis, while undergoing an overhaul at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, saw an attempt at sabotage which involved driving nails into the cable system. A blaze was started but quickly extinguished. A communist plot was suspected.

He was an active deep-sea diver and arrived at Pearl; Harbor two days after the bombing on December 7, 1941 to search for survivors. Another notable experience was diving on the Japanese Aircraft carrying Submarine I-7, at Twin Rocks, Kiska, Alaska.

He participated in the following military actions: During the period of February—March 1942, the U.S.S. Indianapolis CA—35, was continuously underway for 55 days. During this period, this vessel participated in a defensive action against enemy bombing planes during the Battle of Bougainville, in which 18 enemy planes were shot down.

He also participated in the occupation of Kwajalein and Enewetok Atolls (Marshall Islands), Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa.

While in the service, he was awarded the following medals and commendations: National Defense, American Theatre; Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (6 battle stars); five letters of Commendation for diving and salvage operations.

On 31 June 1959, he retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, following twenty-five years of Active Duty. He began a second career when he joined Raytheon Corporation’s Submarine Signal Division in Portsmouth, RI, where he commanded their research vessel, the “Sub Sig.” He retired after eighteen years.

He was a member of the Retired Officer's Association, the U.S. Naval Institute, and the Navy League, the Naval War College Foundation.He was active in community affairs in his later years and was a founding member and board officer of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, producer of the annual Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Jubilé Franco Américain, the Jamestown Chamber Music Series, the RI Film Forum, ScriptBiz and numerous community artistic events.

He is survived by two sons and their families, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Marshall, Jr. and son Matthew J. of Greene, RI; and George Thomas Marshall and his partner, Lawrence J. Andrade of Newport, RI; as well as close family friend, Eric R. Bronner of Bristol, RI.

A Memorial Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, February 26th at 12:00 NOON. It will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway Newport, RI. Burial with Military Honors will be at Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter, RI at 2:00 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to a special scholarship fund established in his name to help children of military families pay for college or higher education expenses: The Joseph and Viola Marshall Fund. Contributions may be may sent to PO Box 162, Newport, RI 02840.

A rather tough day...

2007-02-21T00:03:00.000-05:00

My father's health has been in rapid decline and on Monday I spoke with his doctor who told me that he had reached another plateau. His lungs have been filled with congestion and his breathing has been forced and labored. He was put on morphine and I was told he could have a few days to a week. At about 1:00 p.m. today, I received a call from the day nurse at the Nursing Home that my dad had taken a turn for the worse and it could be a matter of an hour or two.

I quickly called close friends, plus Larry and Eric, and headed to the facility.

My brother was there whom I have not seen since July of 2003. I had been told that he came in that morning after awaking in the evening and deciding he had to see my father. The last time he came to visit was before Chrismas-- in early December. Since I have the power of attorney and oversee my father's medical concerns, I had left specific instructions that I would be the one to call him should my dad be near the end. His arrival precluded that. If this sounds a bit strange, it's simply that he and his family have been estranged from my father and I. My father very clearly laid out what he wanted me to do years ago regarding my brother and I have followed that per his wishes.

In the end of the day, none of this is about my brother or myself. It is about my dad and he's the one who matters.

My dad rallied during the day as they gave him more narcotics and we spent the evening playing him some of his favorite music on a CD unit. I'd like to believe that he was able to hear it; but that was hard to really tell given his condition. He did seem to relax a bit and when "Sentimental Journey" came on, both of his eyes opened up. I'd like to believe that he heard it as it was "The Song" most beloved by my folks.

My brother left during the late afteroon, but my mom's close friend, Kaycee Saxon was there and both Larry (who left work early) and Eric came to support my dad and be with him. We stayed until I was advised that I needed to take care of myself, get rest and take some time to relax. That was close to 11:00 pm.

Right now, I am a bit wired. Larry is getting some sleep and I called Eric to make sure that his is alright. I was concerned about him being alone. He and my dad were best friends and my dad considered him a son. Eric visited my dad every week and of course was always there for him with his hospitalizatons over the course of the journey we took after my mom died in 2002. And it has been quite a journey. I have stayed as close to home as I could over the years and even when I went to Spain in 2005, I only went when I knew he was stable. I had my cell phone altered for European calling--allowing me to speak with him and the staff on a daily basis.

I did a computer slide show of the trip for my dad which at least allowed him to travel vicariously. I did the same for our 3 day trip to Disney last year and called him to let him hear the fireworks at the close of the day.

So, tonight may or may not be the end of his journey and ours togeher. I have been blessed to have been able to have such an amazing man in my life and to have been able to know him as my friend in my adult life.

What comes to mind is a song from Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town," it's called "Some Other Time" and ends with this refrain:

Just when the fun is starting,
Comes the time for parting,
But let's be glad for what we've had
And what's to come.
There's so much more embracing
Still to be done, but time is racing.
Oh, well, we'll catch up
Some other time.

VALENTINE'S DAY 2007

2007-02-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

The weather here is treacherous and the roads dangerous. It's by no means the storm of the century. Actually, it's simply an inconvenience. I had planned to dine with Larry tonight in Boston, but it makes no sense to run the risk of having an accident with the slippery roads.

I sent him flowers today which he received at work. We've had a nice exchange of phone calls and emails and we'll just save our Valentine's for the weekend: something that become such a special time for us both. I had just had surgery for kidney stones, so the trip was a needed opportunity to rebound and restore my health.

I was with my dad last night (something I do as frequently as I can--normally 4-5 times a week), he's holding his own though sleep is his major adventure these days. I'm now playing him music I recorded that was important to him during his life. It's nice to see that it touches him and he always wakes up and is there for me when I visit. I am so grateful for the bond we forged over the years. My dad is quite a special person.

Funny how he and Larry are so much alike and it's a bit sad that they never really got to know each other. Oh, Larry visits my dad every weekend; but he's only known my dad since he has been at the nursing home (over two years now). But as I've pulled out old photos and gone through family slides taken in the 50s and 60s, Larry has started to discover what an amazing and dynamic individual my father was and is.

Birthdays come and birthdays go...

2007-01-30T21:50:00.000-05:00

The 26th of January rolled around must faster than I ever thought it would. Of course, at my age, I know that time seems to move faster. The more I do, the less time I appear to have.

It was an uneventful day, which was perfectly fine. Larry and I had a nice dinner at a local Thai restaurant then came home for cake. Larry had found a Jewish bakery in Brookline that did pareve cakes (non-dairy), so I was in heaven. It's been ages since I could even consider eating such a thing, so I knew I'd be consuming a ton of calories. But what a reason for that consumption. (OK, so I ate too much and it's a lean week with the cuisine; I also cut the cake and froze smaller wrapped pieces of it in the freezer for later treats during what I will consider times of stress...)

Over the weekend we met up with Larry's childhood friend, Brenda and her friend, Meg whose a Providence policewoman. We had a wonderful meal at Trinity Brew Pub. I was eating light (or trying to after more cake than I will admit to eating) and Larry had a shepherd's pie made with lamb that smelled wonderful. We had a very pleasant visit and caught up with the events that have been happening in our lives. Brenda is an RN, and was very helpful in answering questions I had about my Dad's care.

The small ball of brown you see on the plate, with Larry posing, is a Turfurky dinner he made recently. It's a vegan meal and the fake turkey is made out of soy. It was an interesting meal, although I liked the real meal (real Turkey) we had at Christmas a bit more. But Larry and I are experimenting with different foods and exploring healthy alternatives. It makes for a bit of excitement in dining and that's something we both enjoy.

So, now I'm another year older, a bit wiser and a long ways from my 20s. Things could be a lot worse...

It's a period of transition and change...

2007-01-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

For the last several weeks I've been on pins and needles as my dad has taken a turn for the worse.

He's been in a nursing home ever since he suffered a compressed fracture from a fall. That was late March of 2005. It's been a rollercoaster since. He has reached a new plateau and on Monday I signed off on Hospice care for him. He's having problems speaking and breathing. My goal is to make him as comfortable as possible. I visit daily and I'm grateful he recognizes me.

My dad is an amazing person and at 90 he has lived longer than anyone else in his family. I have learned so much from him and he has been such a wonderful friend. As his caregiver, this has been a difficult journey; but I am grateful that I have been able to take it with him.

Larry visits on weekends and my former partner, Eric, has visited my dad weekly since 2005. He has never been alone since he went into the facility and other friends are been steadfast in visiting as well. Since I'm there usually 4-5 times a week, I've gotten to know the nursing staff rather well.

I've posted some photos of my dad and my mom. They were married for 57 years and inseparable. She passed in 2002 from a fall and my dad had a rough time adjusting to the loss. They were that close.

It gives me pause to think about the power of relationships and their importance in our lives. So often it's easy to lose sight of what's most valuable and the one thing I've had made clear to me is that life is meant to live and enjoy; friendships are meant to nurture and support; and we are fools if we squander these blessings that we've been given.

Is it Spring Yet?

2007-01-05T17:16:00.000-05:00

You'd never know it by the weather that we are having these days that it's the middle of winter. Driving down from Quincy the temps were in the 60s. Many crocus are coming up and blooming and buds are on trees. It's January 5th.

Last year the same thing happened and two large English oaks in the family yard were fooled; then the temps dropped. Both trees are now dead.

While I enjoy the fact that my heating bills are less; it is very spooky to see such an alteration in weather patterns. The shots here were taken on New Year's Day. The location was just around the corner from my house. Note how green the grass in the one shot.

Is this El Nino, global warming or just screwy New England weather?

Christmas 2006

2006-12-27T01:24:00.000-05:00

The holidays came and went, albeit far too fast. Larry and I were kept busy with work and family commitments; making for a last minute dash to get everything done. In the end, we pulled it off and had a really memorable holiday. The tree was a bit of effort, but worth it. Larry was a great help and we got it up in quick order. I'm not used to this endeavor being as easy as it was; so I knew that Larry and I had a very special bond.

We had our "official" Christmas dinner on Tuesday the 26th as Larry worked the holidays at the hospital to give others time off to be with their families. We did a turkey and we split responsibilities. I did the bird, stuffing, the rolls, and pie. Larry did the carrots and potatoes. I like to cook as does he so working together to make our meal was great fun.

We've decided to spend New Year's Eve at home and spend time with each other, which I think is wonderful. Nice to know that after two years the magic is still there!

Odds and Ends...

2006-12-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

Larry and I recently were up in the Berkshires and you can see the North Adams valley stretching below. It's always peaceful and relaxing to spend time in this area. We did some shopping for Larry's new job; buying some more formal work clothing and then we stopped in Northampton for dinner at Paul and Elizabeth's, a remarkable organic restaurant. They even had a dessert I could eat, given my lactose intolerance, which definitely put a smile on my face.

I was also able to get my dad some of his favorite candy at a small local confectionery store; and that put a smile on his face.

A few days after we got back, I came home from work and found a large box on the front porch. Larry had sent me flowers, for no other reason than because he felt like it. Two dozen roses.

We hit our two year mark in mid-November and it just seems that time is flying. Larry has been a great shoulder to lean on as I have a number of concerns handling my father's needs. After he broke his hip and went into the Nursing Home, he's been slowly slipping away. It's tough to see the decline and my main concern is that he is comfortable and has his needs met. I visit frequently, at least 4 times a week and on weekends I see him during the day, He always seems tickled to get gifts, so I make a point of always bringing him something. When Larry left his last job, we brought him a large slice of cake from the send-off party. While he didn't eat much of his dinner that night; he went through the cake in short order. I also made him a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving which was also a hit. Yes, there is a pattern here with sweets.

I am so grateful that I've had the time I've had with my parents. Since my mom passed away in 2002, I've been my dad's caretaker. They had been married 57 years and her loss was devastating. We've had quite a journey together and I've learned so much about this amazing man who gave me a terrific life.

Upcoming Holiday Benefit Screening

2006-11-22T00:41:00.000-05:00

ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY “THREE WOMEN AND A CHATEAU” COMES TO NEWPORT FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SCREENING
THE RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND FLICKERS ARTS COLLABORATIVE TO PRESENT BENEFIT SCREENING FOR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN NEWPORT

NEWPORT, RI (November 22, 2006) Every year for 36 years, the citizens of Newport County have been fortunate to welcome the holiday season with programming presented by the internationally recognized "Christmas in Newport."

What most fail to realize is that Christmas in Newport is not just holiday programming, but a unique non-profit organization composed of community members whose mission is to bring all the elements together that have flavored the holidays for so many years with such a distinct spirit.

At 4:00 p.m., Saturday, December 2nd at the Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue, a special benefit film screening will be held to help raise money to offset the expenses incurred undertaking production of the exceptional programming that is showcased throughout Christmas in Newport.

As part of its community outreach effort, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) and its creator, the Flickers Arts Collaborative, are pleased to present a “First Look” Premiere of a new documentary entitled “Three Women and Chateau," to benefit Christmas in Newport. The film won the Grand Prize for Best Documentary at this year’s Rhode Island International Film Festival. Admission is Adult $10, Senior $8, student $6. 849-6454. Tickets may be purchased online at www.RIFilmFest.org or at the door.

ABOUT THE FILM
The Heiress. The Countess. The Doctor. Although they never met, these three women shared a place and a passion: Chateau Carolands, a 100-room architectural masterpiece in Hillsborough, California, the second largest private home in the United States, and a three- dimensional window into the last 100 years of American history. It is a story of fabulous wealth and financial ruin, great loves and bitter betrayals, earthquakes and murders, and an insider’s look at the struggles of the ultra-rich in America, where even limitless money cannot guarantee that dreams come true. The story of the Chateau is like a Greek tragedy with a twist, with the house in the role of an enchanted magic mirror, so grand that it encourages the hubris of those who fall under its spell. We watch the drama of three generations of owners of Carolands as they fall into failure and near-ruin until the current restoration brings about an artistic triumph for the house and its current owner.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg have been personal and professional partners since 1980. They specialize in documentary programs that address issues to make the world a better place. Their projects celebrate the diversity of the human experience. They also make historical programs and portraits of ordinary people with extraordinary lives. Recently, they have begun supporting non-profit organizations through making videos for fund-raising, awards events, and outreach. Their films, and films they have worked on, have won Emmy Awards; have been nominated for Academy Awards; and have been seen and won "best of" awards in festivals around the world.

THE FILM'S BACKSTORY:
The Carolands Chateau is a 65,000 square foot mansion in Hillsborough, California. Its 75-foot-high atrium holds the record as the largest enclosed space in an American private residence. The architecturally significant Chateau, of American Renaissance design, is a California Historical Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built between 1912 and 1915 at a total cost of $3,000,000, The Carolands Chateau has lain unoccupied for much of its existence. The design and construction were commissioned by Harriet Pullman Carolan, heiress to the Pullman sleeping car fortune. Harriet Pullman Carolan, born in 1869, was the daughter of George Pullman, the 19th Century American industrialist who became the wealthiest man in Chicago after he created the Pullman Palace railway car. Perhaps because her father was the very inventor of modern "luxury" or "first class" travel, Harriet Pullman came to expect perfection and beauty in her surroundings, and her particular tastes revolved around the French. The mansion originally occupied a 544 acre plot of land, situated at the highest local geographical point in order to "look down on the Hearsts and surpass the Crockers." The Chateau exterior was inspired by the 17th century designs of Mansart, while the interior was designed by noted San Francisco architect Willis Polk who was working from the inspired designs of landscape architect Achilles Duchene and the renowned French designer of prestige private homes Ernest Sanson.

It is often claimed that the Chateau was modeled after the French chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte although the resemblance is remote apart from the shared circular room featured in both buildings. More accurately, it can be said that both share an authentic Beaux-Arts tradition. The gardens on the property were patterned after those at Versailles and originally consisted of 32,000 trees and shrubs (Rhodes,1985). Sometimes the Chateau is called the last of the great homes in the U.S., a reference to a spree of mansion building that began with the residence of W.K. Vanderbilt in 1881 and ended with Carolands just after the national income tax was enacted in 1913. However, in 1917 the Carolans separated and moved out of the Chateau; Harriet married Colonel Arthur Schermerhorn in 1925, and the new couple re-inhabited the Chateau in the year 1927. Most of the property was subdivided and sold by 1929. Harriet sold the remnant parcel of 25 acres along with the Chateau in 1945. In 1948 the Burlingame High School Senior class held its prom at the Chateau, reviving the glittering candlelight setting of past grandeur.

Countess Lillian Remillard Dandini purchased the Carolands Chateau in 1950 and, in so doing, saved it from demolition by developers more interested in the land than in the historic architecture. The 20 years she lived in the chateau were a period of parties, of entertaining and being entertained. Her generosity in sharing the house resulted in her receiving a "Woman of the Year" award from the city of Hillsborough. Sadly, when the Countess died in 1973, the Chateau was in greater risk of demolition than ever before. The Countess left the Chateau and its remaining 5.83 acres to the town of Hillsborough to be used as a French and Italian musical, artistic and literary cultural center. The city fathers ruled out any such use, saying they could not afford to pay the necessary maintenance expenses, and sold the building.

Oil and real estate heiress Roz Franks bought the Chateau in 1976 for $313,000, but lost title three years later to land developer George Benny in a legal battle. Benny in turn lost the property when he was indicted on racketeering charges in 1982. Robert Clayton offered to spend $10,000,000 to remodel the Chateau and use it as a corporate think tank, but the Hillsborough city fathers turned down the proposal on zoning grounds. In 1986 an Environmental Impact Report was conducted for a proposal to further subdivide the parcel and build additional homes thereon.

Historically the Carolands Chateau has been known variously as: Carolands, Chateau Remillard, or simply the Chateau. In 1939, the U.S. Government evaluated the purchase of the Carolands Chateau to be used as a Western White House. In 1985, David Allen Raley, a security guard, kidnapped, tortured, and sexually assaulted two teenage girls after giving them a private tour of the mansion, killing one.

The special screening is open to the general public. Tickets may be purchased online at www.RIFilmFest.org or at the door.

Admission: Adult $10, Senior $8, student $6. For more information, call 401/849-6454.

This special "First Look Screening" serves as a benefit for Christmas in Newport and is sponsored by the RI International Film Festival & the Flickers Arts Collaborative. Presentation sponsors include Amtrak, WJAR TV10, and Clear Channel Communications,

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (a production of the non-profit Flickers Arts Collaborative) presents year-round programming that celebrates the culture and art of the moving image through filmmaking and film-going experiences. Its misson is to showcase work of exceptional merit and diversity that inform, educate and entertain. In addition to the annual August International Film Festival, the RIIFF is active with educational film programs including KidsEye, ScriptBiz, Take 1-2-3: Filmmaking with the Pros, and RIIFF in the Schools. RIIFF's Cinema RI Group hosts special series such a "First Look," and screenings throughout the year for its membership and the general public. Additonally, RIIFF presents sidebar cinematic showcases including the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival, the Providence Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, the Rhode Island Doc Fest, and Vortex Sci Fi & Fantasy Fest. The 11th Rhode Island International Film Festival is scheduled for August 7 through August 12, 2007.

RIIFF NETWORKING FUNDRAISER PARTY

2006-11-12T14:40:00.000-05:00

RIIFF WELCOMES BOTH ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES OF FILM WITH A NETWORKING FUNDRAISER PARTY

The Rhode Island International Film Festival’s annual fall fundraiser features regional players in the film industry and celebrates Rhode Island Filmmaking...

PROVIDENCE, RI (November 12, 2006) The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) now in its 10th anniversary year has come up with a unique fundraising idea: celebrate Rhode Island’s recent growth as a filmmaking hub and provide an opportunity to meet the movers and shakers in this cinematic Renaissance.

RIIFF’s “Film Industry Networking Party” will take place on Thursday, November 30th from 5:00-8 p.m. at Gallery Z, located at 259 Atwell’s Avenue on Providence’s West side. The event is open to the general public and is a great way for area film-lovers to meet and greet with members of the industry. The party will feature a business card drawing plus a silent auction. Tickets cost $30 and include wine and hors d’eovres.

Already scheduled to appear are Michael Corrente, director/producer; Steven Feinberg, director of the RI Film & TV office; Curt Columbus, Artistic Director of Trinity Repertory Company; Scott Levine, unit publicist based in Providence (Underdog and Dan in Real Life); producer/directors Jon Raben, “Italian Americans and Federal Hill,” Eugene Celico, “The Tournament,” and Eric Latek, “Sweet Dreams; and Anne Mulhall of LDI Casting. On hand for the evening will be filmmakers, actors, press, make-up artists, promoters, production and casting companies; each reflecting different areas of the industry.

“We are really excited by this event,” said George T. Marshall, RIIFF Executive Director “This is a great opportunity for discovery by both fans and filmmakers.”

Marshall is entering his eleventh year running the film festival and has watched RIIFF grow since it was launched in 1997. "It started as this small event in the Blackstone Valley and is now considered a prominent and internationally recognized film festival," said Marshall.

In the years since RIIFF’s debut, thousand of films have been screened; and many of the independent films have found national audiences, including "Walt Disney Animation’s Destino,” "Favella Rising,” “Nice Guys Sleep Alone,” “Big Eden,” “Bonhoeffer,” “Kiss the Bride,” “Amargosa,” “No Turning Back,” “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin,” “Washington Heights,” and “Unknown Soldier.”

Among those who have appeared at the festival or festival events include film icon Julie Andrews, Patricia Neal, Cicely Tyson, Seymour Cassel, Andrew McCarthy, Michael Showalter, Michael Corrente, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, and Woody Harrelson.

Fully 90 percent of the films screened each year come from entries, “Given that this year RIIFF received over 2,000 entries from over 60 countries, I’d say that the festival has a solid reputation and an impact,” added Marshall.

“RIIFF provides an opportunity to be discovered; something unusual in the current festival environment where work is curated from other festivals to ensure ticket sales and an audience.” Marshall said. "I think the festival has had a profound effect on filmmakers and the filmmaking community.

"With both our AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) and Grammy affiliations, RIIFF has gained prominence that adds a bit of luster to our state as a film-friendly location. We are at heart a filmmaker’s festival and that’s a great mission, which also explains our upcoming fundraiser.

AT A GLANCE:

What: Rhode Island International Film Festival fundraiser.

When: Thursday, November 30th, 5:00-8 p.m.

Where: Gallery Z, 259 Atwell’s Avenue, Providence

Tickets: $30 apiece. Call 401/861-4445 or visit www.RIFilmFest.org to learn more or purchase a ticket.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic interaction and exchange among independent filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, backers, and the film-going community. Now heading into its eleventh year, the Festival is produced by the Flickers Arts Collaborative, an organization with 25 years of experience presenting major artistic events as well as independent and foreign films to the public. For more information, contact the Festival at PO Box 162, Newport, RI 02840 or call 401/861-4445.

Weekends in New England

2006-11-07T15:07:00.000-05:00

Larry and I have kept ourselves busy this Fall. Along with taking care of the family property and our Newport home, we've tried to take little travel excursions around the region. From LL. Bean in Freeport, Maine to the annual Harvest Fair at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI. While the weekends seem to zip by, I'm grateful we have the time we have with each other. Larry told me last week how luck we were to have one another, which was not only nice to hear; but could not be truer. We hit our two year anniversary, believe it or not, this week. Wow, does time fly.

The days get shorter and the nights get longer...

2006-10-14T09:18:00.000-04:00

Larry and I are finding the days tend to be speeding by. Work is constant, though always challenging and interesting. We've been spending time do a bit of housework; prepping the house for a much-needed painting; pulling out the summer garden and otherwise getting things ready for the winter. Since we have a longer growing cycle in Newport, with frosts coming late, it's nice to see the yard styill have flowers in bloom.

This weekend we look at new cars, go to a harvest fest, see both sets of parents, visit with a friend Larry has seen in three years, and play domestic. I have my infamous apple bombs in the oven right now--using apples we picked a few weeks ago in Brimfield, MA.

Next weekend Larry works and I'm up in Montreal for a film festival. The following weekend we go to Williamstown for Steve Lawson's film fest.

We're also planning a fundraising soiree for RIIFF which will be in early November. Larry and I both like to cook together, so it should be a fun evening.

Fall in New England...

2006-10-08T22:45:00.000-04:00

Larry and I have spent a lot of time since the August film festival exploring New England. In early September, we went to Ogunquit, Maine for the weekend. It was a bright, warm weekend and we ended up at LL. Bean in Freeport before heading home. We had a great time and continue to discover more about each other. We're heading into our 2nd year anniversary in October. It's been a neat adventure and one that I'm glad I took.

June leads into July...

2006-07-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

Larry and I have been fairly busy of late. I'm in the midst of preparation for the film festival and also recovering from recent surgery for kidney stones. The latter was not the most pleasant of experiences, but I am happy to report that I am now "stone" free. Larry played nurse, which was most appreciated. The shots of are Newport and Watch Hill, a very quaint Rhode Island community. We are off to the Berkshires, with a stay in Williamstown for the next few days. I always try and take time to relax and catch my breath before the Festival. Larry is joining me for some R&R, biking, theatre, music and hiking.

RIIFF PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARDS

2006-07-02T21:52:00.000-04:00

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO HONOR COMMUNITY & BUSINESS LEADERS • PRESENTATIONS OF THE FIRST ANNUAL PRODUCER’S CIRCLE AWARDS TO TAKE PLACE JULY 20TH

PROVIDENCE, RI (June 27, 2006) – The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Year. What started in the Blackstone Valley as an offshoot of the Jubilé Franco-Américain, a regional arts festival that celebrated the region’s rich French Canadian heritage, has now blossomed into an internationally recognized cinematic event. To commemorate its first decade, RIIFF will present the inaugural Producer’s Circle Awards to community and business leaders who have helped to nurture and build the event. The Awards program takes place on Thursday, July 20th at the Federal Reserve in Providence and will feature a preview of this year’s Festival.

According to George T. Marshall, RIIFF’s founder and Executive Director, “It began as a dream: to create in Rhode Island an event that for the first time underscored film as an art form. The initial discussions began in 1994 and took place all over the state with arts and business leaders to make this dream a reality.

“By 1996, the prototype was ready to launch - a series of films from the archives of the Québec Consulate General-Boston and the former Union Saint Jean Baptiste. The location was humble: the Woonsocket Library and two senior hi-rises. It proved an exceptional test run and laid the foundation for what was to come.

“In 1997, the Stadium Theatre Foundation secured rights to acquire Woonsocket’s faded and long-closed movie palace. After being approached by former Mayor Francis Lanctot, the decision was made to officially launch the Rhode Island International Film Festival at the Stadium. The Festival sprang from the Jubilé Franco Américain, an award-winning cultural event that showcased the best of Franco-American culture. The first Rhode Island International Film Festival was born.”

Fast forward ten years later and the Rhode Island International Film Festival has now become one of the leading film festivals in the United States. It is recognized within the industry as New England’s largest annual film event. It was recently cited as one of the “Top 12 Film Festivals” in the US by Travel Smart Magazine and it has been called one of the “Best Short and International Film Festivals,” by film guru, Chris Gore.

Out of over 2,500 film festivals worldwide, RIIFF is one of only 60 that has an award affiliation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Oscars). In nine years, 11 films that have had their premiere at the festival have been nominated for Academy Awards; four have won. RIIFF is the only film festival in the United States which also nominates music score and composers for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (aka - the Grammys).

“In short, the Rhode Island International Film Festival has become a world-class event,” added Marshall. “RIIFF has developed a solid international reputation which could explain the record number of submissions—this year over 2,000 from across the globe.”

The success of the Rhode Island International Film Festival would not have happened, according to Marshall, had it not been for the strong community support it received during its first decade. To honor those who selflessly supported the Festival’s mission inspired the creation of the Producer’s Circle Awards.

The community and business leader to be honored are ~

• Hon. Lincoln Almond, Former Governor, State of Rhode Island
• Jon & Betty Jane Berberian, Columbus Theatre Arts Center
• Bob Billington, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
• Eric Bilodeau, Cable Car Cinema
• Winifred Brownell, Dean of Arts & Sciences, University of Rhode Island
• Louise Champigny, USJB/Catholic Family Life
• Lisa Churchville, CEO/President, NBC10
• Hon. David Cicilline, Mayor of Providence
• Michel Coutu, President/CEO, Brooks Pharmacy
• Mark & Lynnette Daponte, Mirage Design
• Michael F. Drywa, Jr., Esq., Legal Counsel
• Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Lamoureux, Jubilé Franco-Américain
• Hon. Francis Lanctot, Former Mayor, City of Woonsocket
• Michele Palmieri Maker & Tim Gaulin, Clear Channel Communications_
• Don Manley, Wiggleroom Design
• John Palumbo, RI Monthly
• John Rule, Rule Broadcasting
• Jim Vickers, Motif Magazine_
• Cliff Wood & Lynne McCormack, Providence Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism

THE WHO, WHAT AND WHERE OF IT
The RIIFF Producer’s Circle Awards will take place at the Federal Reserve located on Dorrance Street in Providence, RI. The date is Thursday, July 20th, and will run from 5-7:00 p.m. The event is open to the general public.

A donation of $35.00 per person is suggested and includes admission, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast to the honorees and two tickets to a Festival screening (excluding opening and closing night.)

Tickets are available by calling the Festival’s office at 401-861-4445. An RSVP is requested.

All proceeds generated by the Producer’s Circle Awards presentation will be used for the planning and production of RIIFF’s 10th Anniversary Season.

RIIFF is a production of the Flickers Arts Collaborative, a Rhode Island-based 501-c non-profit arts and educational organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is generously supported by WJAR TV 10, the CW, The Providence Biltmore, The City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council, Clear Channel Communications, the Feinstein IMAX, Rule Broadcast Systems, Sony, Motif Magazine, Amtrak, Southwest Airlines, and individual contributions. The Tenth Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival will take place August 8-13, 2006. For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org Updates are posted regularly on the Festival’s website, www.RIFilmFest.org

RIIFF Japanese Film Festival 2006

2006-07-02T21:33:00.000-04:00

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT 23RD ANNUAL JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL IN JULY • SPECIAL SIDEBAR TO CELEBRATE NEWPORT’S BLACK SHIPS FESTIVAL

(NEWPORT, RI • JULY 2, 2006.) In 1984, a dedicated group of civic and community leaders were drawn together to help create an event that celebrated the arts, culture and Rhode Island’s historical friendship with Japan. One of the founding members of this group was Flickers—The Newport Film Society, which participated by creating, curating and presenting the Japanese Film Festival. Now, 24 years later and as many years of screening this festival, Flickers has evolved into the Flickers Arts Collaborative and produces the Annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) which is now celebrating its 10th Anniversary Year.

As a prelude to its August event (August 8-13 2006), the Rhode Island International Film Festival, through Flickers, is proud to again continue to salute the Black Ships Festival in Newport. On Saturday, July 22nd, and Sunday, July 23rd, RIIFF will present its annual two-day celebration of the best of Japanese filmmaking in collaboration with the newly restored Redwood Library at 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Along with 16 United States Premieres, this mini-festival will feature award-winning shorts, cutting-edge anime, and several feature-length films. It is also free to the general public, with seating at a first-come, first served basis. James Hinsey of Portsmouth curates the program.

“We feel that this is a great way for the general public to discover how Japanese cinema has influenced so many of the world’s leading filmmakers and artists,” said RIIFF Executive Director, George T. Marshall, founder of both Flickers and RIIFF.

“We began screening Japanese films for the Black Ships Festival in 1984,” added Marshall. “Thanks to the worldwide reputation of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, we have access to major new work that is submitted. This year alone, we had over 2,000 entries and about 53 came from filmmakers in Japan. Since RIIFF is the only New England Film Festival that is a qualifying festival for the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, (aka, the Oscars), is has seen its entry base grow exponentially on a yearly basis.”

The Black Ships Festival commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, of Newport, Rhode Island. The "Black Ships," or "Kurofune," refers to the Japanese term for foreign ships, which, with one exception, were excluded from Japan for two hundred years until 1854. Commodore Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the United States and Japan, thus ending two centuries of Japanese isolationism. The Black Ships Festival celebrates the signing of the treaty, which brought the two countries together as trading partners.

The Black Ships Festival is presented by The Japan-America Society Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc., a non-profit, non-partisan organization. For further information, contact The Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, 28 Pelham Street, Newport, RI 02840, call (401) 846-2720 or their website at www.BlackShipsFestival.com.

The special film program being presented this year by RIIFF will take place at the historic Redwood Library and Athenæum, 50 Bellevue Avenue Newport. The dates are July 22 –23rd. Programming will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission charge to the general public. A full schedule of films tom be screened will be available on the RIIFF website: www.RIFilmFest.org.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is generously supported by WJAR TV 10, the CW, The Providence Biltmore, The City of Providence, the Providence Tourism Council, Clear Channel Communications, Rule Broadcasting Systems, Motif Magazine, the State House Inn, Amtrak, Southwest Airlines, and individual contributions. The tenth annual Rhode Island International Film Festival will take place August 8-13, 2006. For more information, write RIIFF, P.O. Box 162, Newport, RI 02840. Telephone: 401-861-4445. E-mail: info@film-festival.org Updates are posted regularly on the Festival’s website, www.RIFilmFest.org

AT A GLANCE:

Who: RIIFF and the Black Ships Festival
What: The 23rd Annual RIIFF Japanese Film Festival
Where: The Redwood Library, 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
When: Saturday, July 22, 2006 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 23, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How: Free to the general public
Contact: www.RIFilmFest.org

RIIFF Does a Casting Call--Show Your Talent!!

2006-05-25T23:18:00.000-04:00

CASTING CALL FOR MODELS/TALENT FOR THE
2006 RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
AUGUST 8-13, 2006

The Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) will be holding an open casting call for models, male and female to be used for the theatrical trailer, poster and general promotional image of this year’s festival.

The open casting call will be held on both Friday, June 2nd, 2006 and Saturday, June 3rd 2006, from 10:00am to 12 Noon.

The location will be the RIIFF Offices at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center, 268 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903

The Festival is looking for the following types:
• Men:
Between the ages of 19 to 40; athletic and toned; height/weight proportional

• Women:
Between the ages of 19-35; height/weight proportional; dancer’s build.

You can mail in a submission or drop off a photo at our office.

For those attending the Casting Call, please bring a current color photo. Photos can be candid, digital, 35mm or Polaroid, they do not have to be professional.

If you are unable to attend the open casting call you may mail in a photo; and please include the following information.
Name, Address, Home Phone, Work Phone, Cell Phone,, Pager & Emergency Contact, Height, Weight, Coat size, Dress size, all measurements & shoe size; plus Special abilities and experience.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival runs Aug. 8 to 13th, 2006. The Festival Web site is www.rifilmfest.org and the phone is (401) 861-4445. The Festival is based at the historic Columbus Theatre Arts Center, 270 Broadway, Providence, RI

A Disney Break...

2006-05-24T00:25:00.000-04:00

Larry and I took a much needed break and headed south for a few days. We found sun, a bit of relaxation and a little pampering. Larry told me that while not the sort of holiday he'd pick for himself; it was just the right tonic he needed. We had such a great time and as with all things you enjoy; time itself seemed to fly by far too fast. It seems that the more we are together, I have become a better judge of what makes Larry tick and how to make him happy--and of course, vice versa. We stayed at the Dolphin Hotel and took advantage of the "heavenly beds" they promote--usually getting up quite late and totally relaxed for the day. We travel well together and we both like adventures. It's nice that we are so well matched and I look forward to the day that we no longer have two addresses (he in Boston and me in Rhode Island) but just one. That day is coming... and it cannot be soon enough for me.

Moving the Mustang...

2006-03-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

It was a biting, raw day as we moved the 1966 Mustang from the local service center and home to Newport. The car is in pristine shape with only 25,000 original miles. Larry and Adam were on hand to help and we had a fun afternoon. Larry and I intend to clean the car up next week and take it for a spin.

Larry is sporting his winter beard which I find amusing. He looks like a lumberjack. Me? I'm sporting more grey hair.

Larry just celebrated his 42nd birthday. We went out for a romantic dinner at the Bay Voyage Inn located in Jamestown. It had a spectacular view of the Bay and the Newport Bridge. We had an intimate and leisurely meal then meandered home for a more private celebration.

Another birthday bites the dust

2006-02-02T07:18:00.000-05:00

I look in the mirror and am hardpressed to believe that I just hit 52 years. When I think about it, I know where the time has gone, but it is still hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I am "that" old.

School is back in session and I've required two of my classes to start their own blogs. I figured since these were communication classes, it made sense. That means a bit more reading for me, but at least my students are learning something they can use after the class is over.

Things are going well. Both Larry and I are dealing with a cold that doesn't want to leave: mine left me with a sinus infection and his inner ear issues. But we're on the mend.

We already have lots of planning done for the film festival and for the first time ever have enough capital for paid staff to be on board--and we are making payroll. Of course, lots of fundraising still needs to take place, but moving from a volunteer modality to a more professional model, gives us the legs and stability to grow and expand. I'm very proud of this accomplishment.

And despite my desire to slim back my teaching this semester so that I could focus on the fest and family matters for my dad; I've just been roped into an independent study at RWU with three students who want to make a documentary. It sounded fun and something I couldn't pass up. Now to limit my time and keep the project manageable.

Festival News of Note...

2006-01-25T17:14:00.000-05:00

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
RATED AMONG TOP 12 FILM FESTIVALS IN US BY
TRAVELSMART MAGAZINE

(PROVIDENCE, RI) January 19, 2006. What do the Sundance Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and the Rhode Island International Film Festival have in common? They've all been rated among the top twelve film festivals in the country by TravelSmart magazine.

Since 1976, TravelSmart has been delivering insider advice each and every month to thousands of savvy travelers around the globe. It is the nation's oldest consumer travel newsletter. TravelSmart is unbiased, carries no advertising and is independently owned and operated.

According to RIIFF's Executive Director, George T. Marshall, "RIIFF has been cited as one of the Top Ten Short Film Festivals in the United States; thanks to our affliation with the Natonal Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This latest accolade is very heartening as it came as a complete surprise and ranks RIIFF with some of the top film festivals in the country.

"Our festival is fast becoming one of the largest film events in New England and recognized as such. The number of entrants for this year's festival has quadrupled, as the popularity of the festival with filmmakers has grown steadily over the years. We have been recognized for the quality of our event and the attention we give to filmmakers."

This year's Rhode Island International Film Festival will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The dates are August 8-13, 2006. For more information go to the RIIFF website at www.RIFilmFest.org or call 401.861.4445.

The Holiday Season of 2005

2006-01-08T18:15:00.000-05:00

Here are a few shots I took this year with Larry and I and scenes of Newport. Things did seem to breeze by, though it was a pleasant time with our families and friends, and each other. I hope the same was true for those reading this blog as well.

December and a year gone by way too fast...

2005-12-10T13:13:00.000-05:00

I'm here in front of computer doing a bit of procrastination. I have a deadline due today for my monthly column in a regional arts publication: The New England Entertainment Digest. I have the copy points laid out; I just haven't been able to mentally stitch them together. So, I roamed the internet. When I settled on my friend Matt's blog (I try and read his entries on a weekly basis) I simply did a jump to my blog from his link and realized it's been a month since my last entry.

Frankly, it's been a busy month.

From Thanksgiving to final classes, I've been going flat out. I don't think I've had any "down" time as I've either been working late, taking care of my dad's needs (he's in a nursing home), handling his financial issues, planning events for the film festival, and of course spending time with Larry.

Actually, I spent Thanksgiving with Larry and his family. I enjoyed myself, but was having a bit of a reaction to an antibiotic for a sinus infection, so my stomach was saying saltines vs. The exquisite and rich menu I was presented. Larry and I have been together almost everyday now; more often than not with me spending the night in Quincy. He played staff photog last week when we screened the North American premiere of an excellent documentary on the life of author, Karen Blixen. (see photos).

We were fortunate to have the filmmaker fly in from Copenhagen and attend our presentations. It was a terrific opportunity to test the mettle of our new staff and to successful pull off a fundraising effort.

Larry works the holidays, so we need to plan around his schedule. He's had a job since high school as a med tech and works monthly at a local South Shore hospital. This year, he's volunteered to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so those with families can be at home with their loved ones. With my dad no longer home, this will be a major transition year for me, so the time I spend with Larry will count even more.

My, how this year has flown. And I'm not even going to address the age thing here...

At a Recent RIIFF Benefit Screening

2005-11-10T00:57:00.000-05:00

Here's a shot of both Larry and I at a recent benefit screening for the Festival.

Off to Williamstown

2005-11-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

Another weekend and Larry and I are off to the Williamstown Film Festival to attend their annual Gala. This year, the guest of honor is Patricia Clarkson. The event takes place at the Clark Art Museum. It's always a classy event and I have a fondness for this fest, which is why the yearly support. The director, Steve Lawson, is a really nice guy and he's done a remarkable job with this event.

Lar and I will be staying at The Orchards, a bit of luxury, but as I've learned, he's worth it.

This is an unofficial first anniversary celebration--we physically met a year ago this weekend. And what a year it's been.

On the homefront, things are going as well as can be expected with my dad. Saw him last night and brought him a baked apple I made earlier. I gave my contact info to the nurses station so they can reach me if there's any issue.

I've been looking forward to this weekend and always treasure the time I spend with Larry.

PHOTO: actress Patricia Clarkson with Larry at the Williamstown Film Festival's Annual Gala at the Clark Art Museum.

Larry & I Take a Bike Tour of Spain

2005-10-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

Here are a few shots of the countryside and sites we encountered on our recent tour of Spain. It was an unusual type of adventure for me and one worth sharing with Larry. Yes, that's Larry heading up one of the many hills. It was a small group that went on the trip. The other people actually knew each other and were a bit of a clique; but no loss. One fellow was such a boorish cliche as he channeled both Jack and Karen from "Will & Grace," in what quickly became a tired patter that seemed on a perpetual loop. But I didn't take the trip for these strangers--it was an opportunity to learn more about Larry and to share time together. We went from Seville to Granada--about 200 miles--and it was amazingly beautiful. This was my first real vacation longer that 3 days in 15 years, and is one I shall long remember.

Back to the salt mine...

2005-09-16T02:06:00.000-04:00

School started at the end of August and we are heading into week four already. I've been going flat out with lots of festival planning and a bit of clean up from this past season. None of this takes into account a full teaching load.

It was a great year over all, though as we grown we've found that expectations are higher and certain behaviors are no longer a match. This is the first year that we actually officially terminated someone and it was a tough call. My lesson here is to make such actions quick and decisive. We dragged it out a few weeks as we had meeting on meeting trying to come up with a way to stave off the inevitable. In the end, we opted to do a formal letter and keep it as business-like as possible, without getting personal. The problem was that the core issue was removed from the letter, which was significant in itself to remove the individual. Let's say it had to do with mean-spirited gossip for which the party had been reprimanded the previous year. I received the information first-hand, so I know exactly what was said and done and when. Unfortunately, it happened the day before the festival opened and I had to address its impact on opening night. Hindsight is always 20-20, but the termination should have occurred then and there. We let it drag out so as to not impact on other staff.

While I like to view all of these experiences as learning exercises, it is always sad when someone you like behaves like an ass and crosses boundaries. The only good thing that came from this was solid staff support for the action taken and the establishment of new systems to stave off such nonsense in the future. I was saddened to learn how many staff had a high negative of this individual and to discover that there was more than I had witnessed. With a quarterly review system now in place, this should not happen again.

*******

On another front, Larry and I are biking every weekend. I was up to 26 miles last week. We rode from Quincy to Weymouth and back. Our goal is 30+ this weekend. We see each other now almost daily (tonight being one of the few nights away as I had laundry and work at home to do.) I've met his parents and many of his relatives now and his close friends have been very supportive. I am having a ring sized that my dad gave me a while back and have kinda sorta popped the question--to which he answered yes. OK, well, he actually asked me then I asked him to "try on" my dad's ring. I then said "do you mean it?" and he said "yes." I still keep pinching myself.

We are off on a rather romantic vacation in early October--details later--and I'm arranging for subs for my classes. This is something I've never done before--taking time off during school season. But Larry's the guy I want to spend my life with and I think this will be an excellent way to seal our bond. We are coming up to being together almost a year, which is pretty amazing. I am so very lucky to have him in my life, and I cannot say that enough.

Here's where I sigh....

Photos from RIIFF 2005

2005-08-21T13:02:00.000-04:00

The lines were long. The press and coverage were solid and consistent. Going to RIIFF was a must-see event. From parties at the lovely Villa Toscana to a Waterfire private VIP party, the event was seamless and solid. Lots learned for our 10th Anniversary that's coming next year. Kudos to all those who made small miracles become big ones and made this year a reality!

Summer's Near an End

2005-08-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

The Film Festival came and went. It was like a whirlwind. Lots of amazing things. Lots of lessons learned. Larry took the entire week off and helped me keep on track and stay focused. It was the first time that I can recall that I actually felt relaxed during the event and very little bothered me thanks to his influence. We grew very close during that week and I think a lot of trust and understanding developed because of the time we spent together. Staff loved him and he confirmed what I already knew: he's bright, a quick study, intuitive, and just a good guy. I'm convinced he needs to hang around more with artists--he definitely fits in.

I'm adding photos taken during the fest. The first is of Scott Levine, who helped with planning and PR, and Larry. Scott's an amazing guy! There's also a shot of Michael Showalter, Danny Trejo, the large crowds we had during the fest (one film drew almost 2,000 for three screenings) and Larry with Stephen Collins. I'll throw in a few of me that I just received. Less worn out this year.

Can you believe school starts in a week! The summer has just sailed by.

Larry and I are having dinner tonight with my former partner, Eric, and his new companion (of about 2.5 years--so not so new), Vaughn. It should be an interesting evening. Larry and I are heading into month 11. This will be a big night for us both.

God, he is so amazing. I don't know how I got so lucky!

Summer (finally) in Little Rhody

2005-07-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

Time seems to be speeding by so fast. The film festival is just over a week away and every day seems to feel like it's last 48 hours. Thank god for Larry. He told me that he wanted to throw a party for my friends. This he did on the 16th and about 30 people showed up. Larry did the catering and had an amazing menu that he prepared. The party lasted until the wee hours of the morning and it felt so good to be able to thank people who have been so supportive over the years. Larry is such a treasure and it was nice to be able to introduce him to my friends. Everyone adored him (no surprise) and a comment that kept coming back to me was how relaxed everyone thought I was. Now that's a first!

BTW: In the shot are Jim, Larry, me, Nancy and Joce.

Larry plays Speilberg

2005-06-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

Larry plays Speilberg
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Taken as we headed to the ferry at the end of our all-too-brief weekend. Larry looked all the professional carrying my DV cam.

Larry on Saturday night

2005-06-20T22:57:00.000-04:00

Larry on Saturday night
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

At the end of a great evening, following a day of film overload. Larry and I were just about to eat dinner at a exceptional local pub when I took this shot.

Larry at the B&B

2005-06-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

Larry at the B&B
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

On our way out to dinner on our first night on the Island.

Larry on the Hi-Speed to Nantucket

2005-06-20T22:51:00.000-04:00

Larry on the Hi-Speed to Nantucket
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

OK, so I know I'm lucky....

Larry in Nantucket

2005-06-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

Larry and I finally were able to break away from our busy work schedules and share time with one another in Nantucket. We went for the annual film festival and while we saw some exceptional work, we found time to just find out more about each other. I keep learning so much about him, and I find I want to learn even more. He amazes me and never ceases top surprise me. I feel so blessed and lucky to have him in my life.

Larry on his Bike

2005-06-10T02:20:00.000-04:00

Larry on his Bike
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Larry is an avid biker and I'm looking forward to sharing his passion. Not sure how I'll look in such an outfit, but I can at least live vicariously through Larry.

Slow Sunday

2005-06-05T18:54:00.000-04:00

I spent the better part of the day just playing catch up with things and lining up my schedule for the week. My dad took another fall on Saturday morning and I just saw the labwork. Nothing broken, but there was blood in the urine. Additionally, he had a glazed look when I visited and could hardly keep his eyes open. The nurse said it could be due to sleep depreprivation since his roommate made noise all night. I'm concerned that he may have had another TIA. He had problems recognizing who I was--though it seemed like he was medicated given his lack of focus. I have a family nurses meeting on Friday and I know I will be hearing how he will be needing longterm care. If he had a TIA, then we're looking at another level of rehab, which is an unpleasant thought.

At least he has been able to retain his dignity and personality through all of this. I was told he is considered quite the gentleman and very giving and generous. The lead nurse told me today that is always thinking of others, not himself and that was refreshing for them since he was the opposite of many in his position who due to fear or disorientation become nasty and self-involved.

I knew from the descriptions given that I was indeed my father's son and I felt a real sense of pride. It explained a lot about how I deal with people and where it came from.

Larry is working at the hospital today as he does once a month in his role of med tech. I'm popping by his place a bit later to place some ant traps I purchased. It's that time of year again in New England when the little buggers look for new lodging. I had the problem about a month ago, but my ants were tiny. Larry's are real mothers. Must be the Boston environs.

I am very proud of Larry and am so grateful I have him in my life. He's been a balance for me in dealing with my dad's issues; though he's sweet to tell me that he is learning from me as to how he'll address similar issues concerning his parents.

Finally summer...

2005-06-04T19:27:00.000-04:00

The weather could not have been more delightful today. The sky was a rich blue and the sun was warm. No wind. No gusts. No remnants of winter.

Larry and I went to the marina in Quincy for lunch at a place called Siro's. Very pleasant and relaxing. We then sat on a bench at the Boardwalk and watched as the boats came in and out of the sheltered harbor.

The night before we met at Asgard in Cambridge after work then went to a Caribbean restaurant nearby for dinner. His friends Sonya and Janet joined us and we had a fun evening swapping stories and catching up. I don't think I'm one of Sonya's favorite people--no one is good enough for her friend Larry--and I've made an extra effort to be pleasant and friendly with her. There just seems to be an edge I cannot shake.

Larry works this weekend at the hospital, so I'm home doing laundry and other fun stuff. I do so enjoy spending what time I have with him and building a relationship. Yes, it's a work in progress, but that's a good thing.

Work is already heating up with several major deadlines looming. My free time is going to get tighter and tighter. So, I'm glad that I am bringing in balance by having a personal life. Larry and I will have been seeing one another for 8 months. That's rather amazing.

Some changes afoot...

2005-05-13T14:50:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy and draining week.

A number of changes are taking place in my life and the question boils down to how I handle and absorb what is going on. My father has not responded well to his recent hip surgery and it is becoming increasingly clear that he will have to move into some sort of assisted care facility. Actually, since he needs help to even get off a chair or bed to use a walker, we are looking at 24 hour care. The odds for him to return home are not good. I've spoken with his doctor, met with a financial planner, and even checked into various facilities. Currently his needs are covered while he undergoes PT, but that is time-limited. I was hit with the economics on Thursday of last week and explored different levels of coverage which would require a hefty advance pre-payment. Basically, I am looking at taking a mortgage out on the house. Since I only started managing the family finances after the death of my mom in 2002, it was too late to arrange for long term care insurance. My dad is now 88 and not a good risk for that type of program.

The weekend was busy for me as I tried to pull some answers together and on Sunday I sat down with my dad to tell him what needed to be done. He understand the implications, but it was still a hard piece of news to deliver. I've asked the doctors to revisit the surgery and see if removal of the pins from the hip might help him heal better. Of course, the risk of another operation is equally scary.

Funny how life seems so much different when you are confronting such issues. Having experienced the death of my mom, I know how it forced me to see everything around me differently. Our time is so limited on this planet and so fleeting. I think I have much more tolerance and patience than I used to have. I also know that I've opened up more than I ever had in the past with my interpersonal relationships. What I've been able to share with Larry has been far from perfect; but I saw something inside of him that kept me with him as I focused on Larry as a human being; warts and all. This is a cliche, I know, but confronting the death of people you love makes you appreciate just what a gift love is, with all its imperfections. Death centers you and puts so much of the nonsense we go through into perspective. The physical is so ephermeral. Beauty is fleeting. Love is the one thing that always remains and it transcends all that we endure.

A funny incident...

2005-05-06T01:57:00.000-04:00

As you'll note, I've posted our call for screenplay entries below. This is one of several competitions we run with RIIFF. We even have a new gay and lesbian screenplay competition introduced this year.

Recently, Larry was contacted by a regional screenwriter who saw his yahoo.personals profile and recognized his photo from our RIIFF site. Long story, but Larry and I have had issues with yahoo where our profiles and billing mysteriously come and go. I cancelled a limited service right after I met Larry, months ago, and frankly thought nothing more about it. Then two weeks ago when reviewing a credit card bill--a card I had not used in months and had almost paid down--I spotted a bill from yahoo. Seems I've been billed for months. I cancelled again and this time saved the email confirmation.

At any rate, Larry had done the same thing and had similar billing issues. His profile going up unannounced didn't please me one bit, but frankly, I trust Larry enough to believe him when he says he didn't do it. With the billing issue revealed, it proved my faith was well placed.

So back to the screenwriter.

Larry gets an email from this guy--Gary or Greg--who recognized him and thinks he can go through Larry to have his work accepted into the festival. Wrong move. Wrong thinking. Larry's photo that's below was on our site pushing a fundraiser in March that I threw celebrating his birthday and raising money for the theatre restoration. My tag line was "Toast Larry on his birthday," so the photo was apt.

Larry told him that he was dating me and hopefully, that's that. But I thought the guy had crust playing a dating card to get his work into our festival. Naturally, all I can say to Gary or Greg (and yes, I know which name it is) I will look forward to personally reviewing your application--and hand's off.

PS. Due to this, Matt and I reposted my profile as an inside joke and tweak. Larry's headline reads "Does Anyone Still Date?" Mine now reads "Yes, I date...." The copy in the profile essentially repeats and answers Larrys. It's been amusing to be sending each other smart ass and salacious postings this past week.

Larry as a bon vivant

2005-05-06T01:54:00.000-04:00

Larry with Joe's wine glass
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

A New Film Program Announced

2005-05-06T01:45:00.000-04:00

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE
NEW ENGLAND STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL

PROVIDENCE, RI (May 4, 2005): Finally, students in Communications and Film Studies in New England Colleges and Universities have a film competition that is geared strictly for their work. The Rhode Island International Film Festival is pleased to announce the inauguration of the first annual New England Student Film Festival. This competition-based event will be launched in August this year as part of the annual RIIFF, August 9th – 14th and from there expand into year round programming, with screenings, classes and forums.

According to John R. Quackenbush, Creative Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, “We are very excited to introduce this exciting new sidebar to our Festival. Given the number of students in the region who major in Communications and Film Studies, our goal is to provide a solid platform that honors and encourages their work, while promoting networking and professional growth.”

Cited as one of the “Best International Film Festivals in the United States,” by Chris Gore of Film Threat, the Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) is the largest film festival in New England screening a record 265 films. Now, in its ninth year, RIIFF celebrates the independent spirit in filmmakers throughout the world. We are dedicated to the creation of opportunities for artistic exchange among filmmakers, distributors, movie-lovers and the film community at large. Of special note, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has elected to recognize the RIIFF as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the Annual Academy Awards. With more than 1,950 film festivals worldwide, only 47 have this distinct recognition. Also, in 2004, RIIFF became a nominating festival for best score and composer through its affiliation with the Grammy Awards.

The deadline for entry to the New England Student Film Festival is June 1st. RIIFF is offering a special reduced entry fee of $20 to this competition. Student Filmmakers can down load application forms at the Festival’s web site (www.RIFilmFest.org) Filmmakers chosen as part of the festival will be in early July by the Festival’s program director. Special screenings of accepted work will take place on Saturday, August 13th at venues throughout the city of Providence. All applicants must either be registered at a New England institution of higher education or a recent graduate (within the last two years.)

The Rhode Island International Film Festival, sponsored in part by SONY, Rule Broadcasting, Clear Channel Communications, the Goethe Institut-Boston and NBC10, has gained a widespread reputation for its dedication to the interaction between the filmmakers and the audience.

More information on Rhode Island International Film Festival, the newly inaugurated New England Student Film Festival and other RIIFF events through out the year may be found on the web: www.RIFilmFest.org; by phone: 401-861-4445; by mail: PO Box 162, Newport, RI 02840

Call for Screenplay Entries

2005-05-06T01:39:00.000-04:00

Call for Screenplay Entries to the 9th Annual
Rhode Island International Film Festival™
August 2005

(Providence, RI ) The Rhode Island International Film Festival™ for independent film and video, is calling for Screenplay Entries for its 9th annual festival, to take place on August 9-14, 2005 in historic Providence, Rhode Island.

The Festival is accepting screenplays in all genres. Screenplays must have been written after 2002. The Rhode Island International Film Festival is one of only three broadly focused, independent festivals in New England accepting works of any type (dramatic, documentary, experimental), on any subject matter, and in any genre.

RIIFF is one of 47 festivals worldwide that is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival in the short film category.

Screenplays will be judged by a jury of distinguished panel of industry professionals, educators, peers and film fans. The Grand Prize winner will either have segments of the work produced during Take 1-2-3: Filmmaking with the Pros, RIIFF's annual Master Class on Production which features the participation of a noted industry director, or become the central focus during ScriptBiz™, the annual screenplay pitch forum. The Grand Prize winner will also receive prizes valued at over $10,000. This includes software from Final Draft, a subscription to Scr(i)pt Magazine, promotion through Ink Spot (Writer's Script Network), travel, lodging, a full screenplay evaluation, an opportunity to work with a noted director, casting, and a final demonstration tape of that part of the work that has been produced.

Screenplays will be judged on creativity, innovation, vision, originality and the use of language. The key element is that of communication and how it complements and is transformed by the language of film.

The deadline for 2005 screenplay submissions is June 1, 2005. Winners will be announced by September 8,2005.

For hard copy Guidelines for Submission and an entry form, please contact:

Adam, Short,
Screenplay Competition Director
Rhode Island International Film Festival™
Screenplay Competition
P.O. Box 162
Newport, RI 02840 USA
Phone: (401) 861-4445 ~ Fax: (401) 861-4422
Email info@film-festival.org

Larry & I

2005-04-28T01:20:00.000-04:00

Larry & I
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

The two of us at a local CVS following an afternoon walking tour of Newport. I'm the old fart of the two, coming in at 51 with Larry 10 years my junior. It would be fair to say that we both have good taste. And considering how much we are alike and share in common, we were both very lucky to have found one another.

Just me

2005-04-28T01:10:00.000-04:00

Just me
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

A recent shot taken with my new "toy" atop my Imac. The background is my upstairs living room which also doubles as an office meeting space.

Larry being Larry

2005-04-28T01:07:00.000-04:00

Larry being Larry
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Here's a casual shot of Larry at the Newport Creamery on Bellevue Avenue.

Larry celebrates his birthday with a film party

2005-04-28T00:47:00.000-04:00

RIIFF_FR012
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

We screened "Wings of Desire," to a house of over 100 festival supporters and generated $2,000 for the theatre restoration fund. Larry suggested the event and asked for theatre donations in lieu of presents. We held a private screening for Larry's favorite film, "The Parent Trap," a bit later.

The guy I love...

2005-04-28T00:16:00.000-04:00

The guy I love...
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Here's a shot of Larry with the flowers I sent him at work. We've been seeing each other now for over six months.

ScriptBiz™ Takes Place this Summer

2005-04-17T10:03:00.000-04:00

ScriptBiz™: The Art and Business of Scriptwriting
A complete day of Fabulous Workshops
Tuesday, August 9, 2005
10:00 AM to 11 PM

RIIFF Annual Scriptwriting Workshop to Focus on the Written Page:
The Rhode Island International Film Festival will host its daylong seminar devoted to the words that make the movies. Kicking-off the main festival that runs August 9-14, 2005, writers, filmmakers, and those interested in the written word will gather for a series of workshops and events that highlight what is often the first step in the motion picture process: the screenplay.

Spotlight on the Art of the Creative Process:
Developing Dynamic Characters & Dialogue through Improv
Join Actor, Improv Artist, Filmmaker, Workshop Instructor, and Writer Tim Dennis as he takes us through a series of Improv exercises designed to help us create characters who listen to each other, write dialogue that implies its meaning rather than stating it “on the nose,” and incorporate interesting conflict to heighten the dramatic action of individual scenes. We’ll also learn how to keep the dialogue flowing forward; some common pitfalls to avoid that often stop the momentum dead, and how to keep an ear open for redundancies in speech.

Spotlight on the Artists:
Meet the Screenwriters
Hear what RIIFF’s award winning scribes have to say on the art of scriptwriting and the trials and tribulations of their everyday writing life. A Q&A session will give you an opportunity to hear the answers to your most pressing inquiries.

Spotlight on the Business:
Making it in New England
Films are shot everyday right here in New England—from the short or feature length independents to studio features. And that’s not all—turn on the television and you can watch local programs and ads created throughout the Super Six States. Meet some of the people behind the scenes and hear what they have to say about the business of filmmaking and video production right in our backyard.

Spotlight on the Art:
A Script Reading
Professional Actors will take to the stage as they read the works of the Finalists of the First Annual ScriptBiz Short Script Competition, plus a scene or two from the 2004 RIIFF Grand-Prize Winning Feature Screenplay. Join us for a Meet-N-Greet of the actors and the featured writers after the reading, which will allow workshop participants the opportunity to meet their favorite performers and scribes one-on-one.

Spotlight on the Mini-Masterpiece:
A Screening of Short Films
Every ending is a beginning, and so we’ll conclude our ScriptBiz day by joining the Opening Event of the Rhode Island International Film Festival: the screening of Festival Short Films.

Spotlight on the Wrap:
The Art of the Schmooze
Technically we can’t end until the fat lady joins us for a nightcap. Meet up with RIIFF filmmakers, volunteers, and fellow workshop attendees at a swanky after-screening party.

Workshop Fees:
ScriptBiz 2 $199

(Lunch and snacks included in both workshop fees.)
Extra Early Discount—Deduct $25 off the price to attend BOTH Programs, or $10 to attend ONE program, if postmarked by May 7, 2005.

Former ScriptBiz Participants, Students, Faculty, RIIFF volunteers, Stay at Home Parents, and Short Script Contestants deduct ten percent.

Director: Dana Biscotti Myskowski

Consultants:
George Marshal, John Quackenbush

Spring Finally

2005-04-03T23:07:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I did a post. With midterms and a slew of personal obligations, my time has been limited.

We've completed our first fundraiser for the Columbus and it went fairly well. More are planned in the future. I was flattered how supportive my friends were and the contributions they made.

We begin our "You Be the Judge Nights," in a few weeks and it's a great way to meet people and to participate in the festival. I created the events last year as a sort of benign date night. Didn't do much for me, but I know it worked well for others. I'll post the information shortly.

A busy month ahead...

2005-03-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

Things are moving full throttle with the film festival. As I write this blog, I realize just how much work we have accomplished this winter and equally, what lies ahead. Our new programing manager, Lori Donnelly, is amazing and a tremendous asset. She already has a handle on where we are programmatically and this weekend we fleshed out an events time line. Nice to see what lies ahead and we've set realistic deadlines.

Meetings will become more frequent as we go after sponsorships and begin our special programming for the spring.

So far in March we have a preview for the Horror Festival that was made by a local filmmaker. Proceeds will benefit the popular October event. The title? Die You Zombie Bastards! The date is March 12th!

On Sunday, March 20th we'll be screening a special film presentation that will benefit the Columbus Theatre Arts Center Restoration Fund.

In April, we begin our "You Be the Judge Nights" to help wean down the plethora of films entered into the festival and gain feedback from the community. So far, we have more than 400 entries on hand and expect that to peak at about 1500 in June. From there, we'll select about 175 titles for screening and then add in programming from fest partners like the Goethe Institut-Boston and the National Center for Jewish Film.

More interns start later this month and we expect a full complement by mid-April. It's a major undertaking, but it looks like we have our organizational planning on track. Time of course will tell, but I am very heartened with this year's staffing and the high level of energy.

The month wanes...

2005-02-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that February is almost over. It's been a busy month, actually. Applications to the fest continue at a brisk pace and our special programs are picking up speed. The KidsEye™ summer filmmaking camp us receiving inquiries from all over the country. My guess is that it will fill quickly. We just brought on a new programming director and I couldn't be happier. Lori has a solid background and a personality that is the right match for our organization.

We are planning a series of fundraisers for the upcoming months and actively going after new sponsorships. With the new team in place, 2005 looks to be a solid year.

A Weekend of Note

2005-02-13T23:54:00.000-05:00

What a pleasant weekend! It was the first time in weeks that the weather was decent: no rain or snow. The temps were bearable and it was a perfect time to head north catch some films and hang with friends. Mattie was good enough to play host to me (http://matty03.blogspot.com) and we were able to spend a relaxing few days together. This was the first time in longer than I can remember that I didn't work through the weekend. Friday night, John Quackenbush, our Creative Director, and I finalized some new programming and discussed new personnel. Great session and made pleasant by meeting at Koreana in Cambridge. Really neat place and turned out our waitress had a RI connection having attended RISD. She was a sculptor and we traded Providence stories.

Mattie and I went to see the new doc. "Inside Deep Throat" at Kendall Square. Good house and a well crafted film. I had met Harry Reems back in college when he was touring raising money for his legal defense. It was fascinating seeing what happened to him. Good film that I would recommend.

I screened a number of RIIFF titles for Matt and brought him up to speed on some of our programming. Nice to see that we enjoyed similar things, though his Asian collection amazes. I am humbled by his organization.

We talked until the wee hours of the morning about politics, film, theory and our personal lives. I've not had such a relaxing time in years--since the evenings spent with my best friend, Steve, before he moved to Seattle.

Thanks Mattie for the hospitality and the opportunity to recharge my batteries.

Larry in December

2005-02-02T02:38:00.000-05:00

Larry in December
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Here's Larry in December with the roses I had sent him. He had been having a bad day--actually, stressful given his work in cancer research--and I sent the flowers just to get him to lighten up. I was able to achieve my goal.

RIIFF 2004 Poster

2005-01-28T02:20:00.000-05:00

RIIFF 2004 Poster
Originally uploaded by There and back again....

Here's a shot of our 2004 poster designed by Zak Harpur from Dublin, Ireland. It's cutting edge and a clear statement about film. It's visual, striking and appealing.

The week comes to an end...

2005-01-28T01:06:00.000-05:00

Frankly, I'm glad this week has come to an end. Everyday seems to have been centered on snow removal. With the high winds, no matter what is cleaned up one day, it comes back and drifts the next morning. I've given up on my driveway. After clearing everything out and creating an opening to the street, I woke up this morning to find I was plowed in by the City. That put me about 20 mins. late for an appointment as my CRV could not get through the pile and I had to dig out once more. Please, I'm not complaining; I've always felt that snow is quite lovely around Christmas and that's it. Great for greeting card photos. Give me a mild, temperate January. I love my garden in my yard and privacy, but me against the elements has its limits particularly since I'm doing two houses right now (mine and my dad's).

I've been steadfast in coddling my cold and lots of fluid with doses of vitamin C (along the old standby--chicken soup) did the trick. With luck, I won't be communicable and can relax on the weekend. I also have some ulterior reasons for being in good health...

Nice weekend, actually. I was nominated and will be receiving an Alumni achievement Award on Saturday morning. I was very flattered when I received the congratulatory letter. Would have thunk? At any rate, it's for the arts, according to what I was sent, these awards are presented to alumni who have achieved excellence in the arts, business, community service, education, humanities, professions, research, and science and technology. A $1,000 scholarship in each recipient’s name will be awarded to a student on the basis of merit and need.

That's pretty neat.

Here's what they wrote about me:

For Contribution to the Arts
George T. Marshall ’76
Newport's George T. Marshall has made an art out of giving Rhode Island a starring role in movies. He is the executive director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival and founder and director of the Flickers Arts Collaborative. Now in its ninth year, the festival is the only one in New England that qualifies films for the Academy and Grammy Awards. Moviemaker magazine lists it as one of the "Top 20 Festivals" worldwide and Chris Gore of the "Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide" calls it one of the "Top 10 Best International and Short Festivals in the United States." In addition, Marshall has launched KidsEye™, a children's filmmaking workshop held at URI for the past four years. He is also a sponsor of the URI Film Festival, Visualizations.

I'm not boasting. This type of thing is a novelty for me and it is very touching that my work has meant something to others. My mom, who passed away in 2002, would have been tickled. I'd really like the scholarship to be put in her name. That would be more appropriate.

So, my family and friends will be there. The Dean of the College of Arts is my official host (she's actually a very dear friend whom I truly adore) and it should be a neat day. The college's winter ball is that night, but Larry is taking me out to celebrate my birthday (51 -- scary! -- on the 26th), so that's a festivity I'll forgo. Larry has promised to pamper and baby me, so I'll hold him to his word. I will not grouse if that happens. With the snow and me being sick, we haven't seen each other in almost two weeks--though we've been in touch daily. (I'm glad I have 2500 hrs. a month on my cell phone and unlimited evenings and weekends.) I've had some wonderful and sweet revelations with Larry and cannot tell you how grateful I am to have him in my life. Yeah, I've received some mixed signals, but I think that had to do with shields being put up, as we got closer. Now everything now is very direct and clear. So, I think this weekend will be very nice all the way around.

It will be nice to introduce Larry to more of my friends. I know my staff is dying to meet him. We had a great time at a Christmas party held by the owner of the Columbus, Jon Berberian, and his wife, Betty Jane. Now Larry wants me to give him a private screening at the theatre (OK, it was originally my idea) since it would be really romantic. I did mention that I could run 35mm!?! Not sure what I'll play for him since I have access to a number of titles--or I'll bring in one of the tech staff to do the projection. Hey, this gives me something to be creative about, maybe even have it catered with an appropriate meal if the title is foreign.

Maybe something appropriate for Valentine's Day... that would be very sweet.

Oh, on another note: really proud of the Oscar nomination for "Sister Rosa's Passion" which plated RIIFF this summer. It's a truly powerful and thought-provoking film. This makes number 6 coming out of RIIFF in 8 years that have been nominated--we've had two wins. Promised Matt a copy and anxious to hear his opinion. Just received titles from Siberia and from the Czech Republic that have his name on them. I am so impressed with his knowledge and passion for film. I want to bring him to the theatre so he can go through our poster collection (dating back to 1962). And Mattie, I know you'll be reading this--we can even negotiate on what title(s) you'd like to keep (unlike eBay, no charge... but you also don't get a watch either.)