The Challenges Facing Northwest Alaska

By Allen Bacon, The Daily Bosco

Today I met an outstanding individual during my visit of the Village of Kotzebue, up above the Arctic Circle in Northwest Alaska.

Siikauraq Martha Whiting is the Mayor of the Northwest Arctic Borough which covers a wide area of Northwest Alaska including many towns and villages in the region. She grew up in Kotzebue, Alaska and is an Inupiaq . 

Whiting went to Kotzebue High School here in Northwest Alaska and fully participated in as many activities as possible while being taught by her parents in the traditions of the Inupiaq. She was a standout volleyball and basketball player with Kotzebue High School. After going to college in Southern Alaska and earning a degree in Nature Development, Siikauraq returned and started to give back to the region where she was born and raised. First, she was an outstanding coach for many years at Kotzebue High School.

Whiting started at the Northwest Arctic Borough ten years ago. Last year she was voted the Mayor of the Borough.

As I visit here, I am learning more and more about the complexities of the issues that the residents and the people who serve this region in a postition of leadership face. 

This region of the United States needs somebody in leadership positions who are part of the rich heritage.  Siikauraq is. She gets it. 

Before she even ran for the office of Mayor, she asked for the blessing of the Inupiaq Elders. Make no mistake about it.   Whiting is a tough person which belies her beautiful and petite exterior but she almost tears up when she talks about how her tribal elders got behind her and supported her run for the mayorship. This is important to her and it should be important to anybody that is in a position of leadership here.

The other thing I like about Siikauraq is that even though she is steeped in the tradition of the region, she also is saavy enough to know that the new technologies need to be utilized to make sure the word gets out about the people in this region. 

One thing that I learned in the past few days is that the Inupiaq have been traditionally a people that kept the history going by verbal communication. As the Elders  pass on, there is a concern that this history may get diluted or even forgotten by the newer generation. 

One of the things that Siikauraq as well as others in the community are doing is to make sure that there is a recorded history. This is a touchy subject with many of the elders in the Inupiaq community but with their blessing, tools such as the internet, videos and radio programs are being used to make sure that the true stories and voices are carried down to the next generations.

One of the interesting things that is being done here is a weekly radio show on local KOTZ radio which is produced by Willie Goodwin called the Inupiaq Hour which features the music, history, and language of the Inupiaq community which is such a big part of the region. And since KOTZ is on the internet this message can literally go out to the whole world.

Siikauraq also has surrounded herself with some very good people. Not only do these people know what they are doing in their particular fields and bring great ideas to the table, they are more importantly from Kotzebue and the surrounding villages so they have a deep knowledge of the issues facing the region.

People like D'Anne Hamilton, the Director of Economic Development, who grew up and has spent most of her life in Kotzebue. Hamilton also is knowledgable in the area of multi-media and is a big asset when it comes to effectively getting the word out about the region. She also works closely with longtime Kotzebue resident Cyrus Harris at the Manilaq Senior Center. 

Harris, as Whiting, is big on the idea of the Inupiaq tradition of Subsistence Living. Harris actually does the hunting, fishing, and gathering for the Elder Inupiaqs which reside at the Senior Center. The selection of Annabelle Alvite in Grants and Community Development was also a wise choice. Alvite is working hard on writing grants to cover such tough issues as waste management in Kotzebue. With no roads leading in and out of Kotzebue, the waste can not disappear from the area magically she says.

I will be thinking a lot about Siikauraq and the good folks in Kotzebue as well as the other towns in the Northwest Arctic Borough as they face the unique challenges of the region. But I also believe the region is in good hands as long as people like her are in charge. So I wish for her a successful term and another term, if she needs it, to meet her goals. 

Sports: Mushing, Basketball, and Hockey in Alaska

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

I want to be Cyrus Harris when I grow up. Or John Baker. Harris and Baker are my new friends and they are Mushers. And they both live in Kotzebue, Alaska where I am staying this week.

Harris is a sprinter in Mushing Circles. His race with his 16 Siberian Huskies will be about twelve miles. John Baker is a long distance musher. Baker is a consistent top five finisher in the famous Iditarod Race in March. Last year another Kotzebue resident actually finished number 2. Eddie Eaton is one of seven Kotzebue residents that will be competing in the Iditarod in March 2008.

I've learned a lot about mushing this week. First of all, the optimum age for the dogs is around three years old. And actually a lot of the dogs are not pure Siberian Huskies. "I like to mix in some hound when I am breeding dogs," says Harris.

Dog mushers are unique because when their dogs can not complete anymore they either put them out to stud or they remain with the musher until they die....becoming part of the family. As a last resort they will place them with a family that is going to take care of them.

Saturday is going to be a very cool and exciting day for this sports fan. First of all in the morning two dog sled races are going to start in Kotzebue. These races are actually going to take place on the frozen ice in the ocean. The first race is a distance race that runs from Kotzebue to Noatak and back (about 120 miles) The second race is a sprint which is about 12 miles.

In between that and Sunday, the Kotzebue City Basketball tournament will be into it's Semifinal games. This has been interesting to watch for me so far. I went to the first two nights. This is where teams from other villages and small towns come in to play at the Kotzebue High School Gym. In case you are wondering, Noatak beat Norvick in the women's division. Then the Noatak Men's team beat Maniilaq in the B Division (30 and over) The main event featured two teams from Kotzebue namely FBX and TNT. TNT ended up winning.

Then I get on a plane and fly into Anchorage and I will be going to an Anchorage Ace hockey game. The Anchorage Aces are a minor league professional team and they will play the Utah Grizzlies. After that I will go over to Carlson Arena to see the interstate NCAA Division I Hockey Game between University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Alaska Anchorage.

Movie Review: Romance and Cigarettes: Please Leave Being Coen Brothers to the Coen Brothers

Romance & Cigarettes
Directed by John Turturro
Produced by The Coen Brothers and John Turturro
Actors: James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Elaine Stritch, Eddie Izzard, Aida Turtorro, Amy Sedaris
Rated R for sexual content, strong language and dialogue
3 teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Note to: John Turturro. Just because the Coen Brothers put up most of the money as executive producers for your latest film project Romance & Cigarettes doesn't mean you have to copy their style line for line. In fact I went in to the movie not even realizing John Turturro was involved. I really thought it was a Coen Brother Film. Turns out Turturro was the writer, producer, and director. This is his third turn as a director and even though he's had the experience, he still has a little ways to go.

This is an insane, crass, and mean-spirited musical. It's quirky and fun at first but it just becomes more annoying as the movie progresses. And note to James Gandolfini. If you want to shake your Tony Soprano image, this character you are playing is a guy not too far from the region of the fictitious mobster. This vehicle does nothing to stretch Gandolfini's image.

The guy I did laugh at was, as usual, Christopher Walken, who plays the Elvis-impersonating brother to the Susan Sarandon character. Kate Winslet is totally forgettable in her role as the love interest. She sleep walks or I should say sleep dances through her performance.

In other words, wait for the DVD in early 2008. Don't waste your hard earned money at the theater on this.

Letters: Nordstrom Letter Writing Campaign Seems To Be Working

Hi all!
I first want to thank each one of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to call or write to Nordstrom about their piano policy. Here's the latest news...it seems the Orange County region will keep their pianists for the time being! Wow! This couldn't have happened without all your support! Local stores have apparently been bombarded with protest calls and letters. We pianists owe all of you a major THANK YOU!

Of course, who knows what will happen a few months from now...but for now, it seems the Orange County stores are choosing to keep live piano music in their stores, unlike most all other Nordstrom stores nationwide.

We'd like to keep the pressure on, however. So please continue to leave comments with individual store managers about the importance of having live piano music at Nordstrom. There are so few victories for live music these days...but it seems you all have helped to make that a reality thus far in Orange County.

Many blessings to each one of you, and have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!!!


Ron Kobayashi
www.myspace.com/ronkobayashi
www.carpetcat.com

Comedy Review: Sharon McNight Goes On The Offensive

Sharon McNight
Songs To Offend Almost Everyone
The New Conservatory Theatre Center
San Francisco
Through December 30, 2007
4 Teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

There were no preconceived notions going into The New Conservatory Theatre Center (25 Van Ness in San Francisco) on Wednesday night to see a show by Sharon McNight entitled "Songs To Offend Almost Everyone". The title itself should give a clue and even though I tried not to be offended I still don't like "I see London, I see France, I see......" So I was a bit offended.

So you got exactly as advertised....McNight used all of George Carlin's seven words (squared) and then some. The, Quick Witted, Cabaret singing, former dance instructor was raunchy, nasty, sexy, bawdy, naughty (sometimes simultaneously)....but right on the money and entertaining. Fronted by an excellent jazz trio of Daniel Fabricant (bass), Michael Grossman (Piano), and Randy O'Dell (percussion) the silver-tongued McNight moved effortsly through all the numbers.

My biggest thrill was to hear again the works of satirists Tom Lehrer, Ray Stevens, and Randy Newman interpreted fresh and new by McNight. Her rendition of Lehrer's Vatican Rag and Masochism Tango as well as Ray Stevens/Chet Atkins Would Jesus Wear A Rolex? was the best stuff of the evening and even better than the recorded originals. The sing alongs were good fun especially on an old Bessie Smith number. The list of songs was an interesting history of the most offensive songs in the period of recorded music and a lot of it you would probably know if you have ever listened to Dr. Demento's radio show. The San Francisco State educated McNight, by the way, does a dead-on Mae West imitation and has even played her in past shows.

McNight wants to take this to Off Broadway and she shouldn't have any problem doing it. This is a fun and entertaining show. Her website is http://www.sharonmcnight.com/ for more information.

This show runs until Dec. 30

Trip In Progress: Coast Starlight to Seattle: Day 1

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog


Editor's Note: My son Felix and I are traveling to the Bering Strait of Alaska to shoot a documentary on a Northern Alaskan town along with friend Kelsy Franklin. We are taking the Coast Starlight Amtrak service from Fullerton to Seattle with stops in San Francisco and Eugene. I will be providing photos and a diary of our trip as we go.

Day one of our journey is in the books. Felix and I have successfully made it to San Francisco. We arrived at our hotel around 11:30 on Tuesday night. The first day was wonderful and a day I will not soon forget.

The driving rain did not stop from Fullerton until we hit Salinas. Somehow, this did not dampen the spirits of Felix and I and our new friends on the train. The wonderful coastal scenery came in gray tones, but it was still nevertheless beautiful and breathtaking. The scenery on this line is supposed to be one of the most spectacular in the country next to the Empire Builder (Seattle to Chicago) and Zephyr (Chicago to San Franisco via the Rockies.) and certainly the rain did nothing to persuade me from that claim.

One thing I must say is that the service on the train has come down considerably since I was aboard last year. Now, this just may be the team on board the Coast Starlight. But I was endlessly hounded by one of the attendants as she tried to exercise her authority over a guy who was just trying to get to San Francisco. First of all, she was on Felix and I for sitting in the lounge before the trip started rolling. Then she got on us for sitting downstairs, saying that these seats were reserved for the handicapped. We saw no such sign...there were two empty seats...and everybody in the section looked able-bodied! When I asked her if we could just hang out until somebody else needed to use the seats she then told us to go back to our assigned seats. And it got better...Somewhere around Pasa Robles I decided to take a walk the length of the train to stretch my legs...I ran into her again as she said in a loud voice, "Sir, sir do you know where your seat is?". Well Felix and I finally went back to our seats as we were getting ready to disembark in Oakland. She again confronted us...in our seats mind you...."Where do you think you two are going?" "Uh, Oakland", I said. "Where are you supposed to be sitting?" "You assigned us to these seats, " I said, "And stop riding my ass!"

An Appreciation: Dan Fogelberg

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Editor's Note: One of my favorite singer/musician/songwriters died today at his home in Maine of prostate cancer. Dan Fogelberg was only 56. He is survived by his wife Jean.

I always thought Dan Fogelberg was underappreciated. If you think he is only defined by his hits such as Power of Gold or Leader of the Band and Same Old Lang Syne you would only know a part of the story. His musical resume was large and vast.

I was first introduced to Fogelberg's music by my good friends Jim and Michelle Clements back in the mid 70's. I was visiting them in Nashville and they were telling me about this guy who was playing the Nashville clubs that they really enjoyed. Jim let me listen to his first album titled Home Free and I was hooked. I was a big fan of the Southern California Country Rock Sound and even though Fogelberg was from Colorado and sounded as if he can straight out of Nashville he fit right in with the likes of the Eagles, Poco, Linda Rondstadt, Jackson Browne and Souther, Hillman, Fury. His style also lent itself to James Tayor.

Whenever Fogelberg would come out to Southern California I would try to go. My favorite show was one that I saw at the Anaheim Convention Center in 1979. Fogelberg played the first half of the show unplugged. It was just him and his piano or guitar depending on the song. Then his band came out and he rocked the house despite the poor acoustics of the Convention Center.

I liked Fogelberg most when he was at a faster pace and singing angrily of heartbreak and unfulfilled love like The Last Nail, As The Raven Flies, Love Gone By or Someone's Been Telling You Stories If you ever have gone through a breakup and cranked these songs up...somehow it just made you feel better.

The Bosco TV Music Channel is preempting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a tribute to Dan Fogelberg including some priceless live performances of Old Lang Syne and The Leader of the Band

Rest in peace Dan...I'm getting my Netherlands album right now. This one's for you.

Concert Review: The Sessions Make Successful Debut as Quartet

The Sessions with ALS
and Danny Montoya
The Ugly Mug
Orange, California
December 9, 2007
5 Teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)


By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

It has been a real pleasure to see the development of the Southern California-based folk rock group The Sessions. I first saw The Session's in October at The Chapman Coffee Shop in Orange along with Nam Ninja. At that time the group was a duo featuring frontman and songwriter Daniel Wolf along with an accomplished 19 year old lead acoustic guitarist Brandon Light. The group was totally unplugged due to the noise restriction of the CCS.

The sound was rich and textured and the original songwriting and music is well crafted. They also mixed in covers of songs from Gnarles Barkley and Justin Timberlake. I try to search for a good example of what Wolf's voice sounds like and I am hard pressed to find one. He is a truly unique voice with the only caviat being that even by his own admission he is good for a maximum of seven songs. That situation is going to resolve itself as he continues to sing more and his vocal chords get stronger. In other words, he knows his limit and knows when to walk away when he is finished.

While the duo of Wolf and Light continued to do their weekly show at the CCS, they were busy behind the scenes auditioning and searching for a bassist and drummer. The search led to adding two more accomplished musicians - a drummer Shem Dahoud, and bassist Peter Alison. With Alison, Wolf got a bonus...the young man plays a mean cello.

The Sessions actually debuted in Hollywood on Saturday night Dec. 8 to a full house. They were supposed to play at Plush in Fullerton, Southern California on Sun. Dec. 9 but the club bailed at the final minute leaving The Sessions stranded. Wolf made some phone calls and moved the show to The Ugly Mug in Orange, CA. Somehow, the word spread fast and the place was packed for the impromptu concert.

Danny Montoya, a strong-voiced energetic solo blues singer and guitarist opened with a wonderful set. Then the four Sessions took the stage and launched into a seven song set. All songs were original save for the Gnarles Barkley cover, a slowed down, gritty version of "Crazy" with the lead-in being Wolf's original "A Penny Saved". The Sessions were joined on stage by rap artist ALS (Jason Frerking) for "Goodbye" and "It Happened". The set ended with the energetic rocker "The Chase".

The Sessions are featured on this month's selection on the music channel of Bosco TV. The website is myspace.com/iheartthesessions . Danny Montoya can be found at myspace.com/dannymontoya. ALS can be found on the web at myspace.com/als

Letters: Nordstrom Piano Players Facing Layoff

Editor's Note: Ron Kobayashi is a long-time friend and a Jazz pianist. (See Bosco Music Links). He emailed this letter to BOSCO today.

There is a strong possibility that the Nordstrom Department store chain will be discontinuing all live piano music in their stores nationwide beginning in 2008. As Nordstrom pianists, we would like to encourage all Nordstrom customers to contact the corporate headquarters in Seattle, WA to let them know how valuable you feel the live piano music is to your shopping experience.

Many of the Nordstrom pianists make their sole living as piano performers, and needless to say, this change would severely impact their livelihood. Furthermore, live piano music sets Nordstrom apart from every other department store, creating a mood and ambiance that is an integral part of customer satisfaction at Nordstrom.

The official notice to discontinue the piano program has not been made yet, but we’d like to preemptively head-off any such change. So we are asking you to please contact the Nordstrom Corporate offices below:

Nordstrom1617 6th Ave. Ste. 500Seattle, WA 98101(206)628-2111www.nordstrom.com (write a message on the customer feedback link)

Many thanks to all of you…

Ron Kobayashi (Pianist at Nordstrom since 1988)
www.carpetcat.com
www.myspace.com/ronkobayashi

Comedy Review: This Show is So BLANK, Bosco laughed His Ass Off

The Match Game Live
Upright Citizens Brigade
Hollywood, California
First Friday and Saturday of Each Month
10 PM (Reservations A Must)
Rating: 5 teaspoons of Bosco (out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Gene Rayburn would be very proud. Comedian extraordinaire Jimmy Pardo and his buddies are doing a live sendup of the old television game show the Match Game and the results are hilarious; the funniest stuff I've seen in a long time.

The Match Game Live, is an actual game. Two contestants, one man and one woman, are picked from the audience to participate and have the chance to win up to $100 or, as was the case the night I was there, Jimmy Pardo's old leather jacket. The interaction between the Chicago-born fast talking Pardo (a regular on Comedy Central shows) and the audience, the two contestants and the all-star panel is hysterical. The show even comes equipped with the funky old Match Game music, which is worth the price of admission itself.

And the six member panel is nothing to sneeze at either. On the night I was there, Comedy Central star Paul F. Thompkins, Late Night with Conan O'Brien's ex-sidekick Andy Richter, Madmen star John Hamm were among the six on the panel. I understand the night before that Janine Garafalo was on the panel. And that's part of the attraction of the show...you never know who is going to be on the panel...and it is usually the top comedy talent.

Make it an evening by going to one of the great restaurants along Franklin Ave. in walking distance from the UCB Theatre (Partly owned by Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler) and be sure to make on line reservations before going down to see the Match Game Live. Show starts at 10 PM on the first Friday and Saturday of each month. Next shows are on Fri. Dec. 7 and Sat. Dec. 8.