Tag: www.riovida.net

  • Global Warming, to be or not to be

    Making America Great Again
    Coal Powered Power Plant
    Coal Powered Power Plant

    Trump has recently decided that a number Global Warming skeptics and people hostile to protecting the environment should be part of his new “Making America Great Again” administration.  Just great!

    The Plan is to Shut Up all the People who care

    Scientific American wrote about Jeff Sessions the Alabama politicians that wants to join the “Making America Great Again” team.

    “Sessions has also sought to restrict the Justice Department’s investigations of people who oppose the mainstream science on climate change. In May, he signed a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch along with four other Republican senators—Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, David Perdue of Georgia and David Vitter of Louisiana—arguing that inquiries into private companies about climate change violate First Amendment rights to free speech.”  Article

    This is downright funny in its audacity.

    The Missoulan reported that corporations in Montana have a long history of being supported by the state to pollute as much as they wish.  It sais: “Certainly Montana has a long record of doing so – excusing industries while they’re operating and bending over backwards to keep the jobs going. But then, as with Smurfit-Stone, a corporate board makes a decision to shut down the operation and Montanans are left with the toxic mess and the inevitably expensive cleanups which may or may not actually clean up the sites.  For the good of future generations, it’s time to quit listening to corporate polluters and stop the damage before it happens. Either we realistically regulate polluting industries or, as at Smurfit-Stone, the EPA will step in after the fact and use its Superfund authority to try and remediate our ongoing environmental disasters.” Article

    What does Myron Ebel stand for?

    Trump chose Myron Ebel to head up the certain ruination of our environment. Myron Ebel has devoted decades to fight legitimate efforts to hold corporate polluters accountable.  He is director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and chairs the Cooler Heads Coalition, which comprises representatives from more than two dozen non-profit organizations based in the United States and abroad that challenge global warming alarmism and oppose energy rationing policies.  He proudly defended the Automotive Industry’s right to pollute.   He believes that the public land belongs to rangers and should be able to use it in anyway they see fit without any concern for the public and their right to have endangered species of plants, birds and animals protected.  Ebel’s organization CEI also proudly states on its website:  “Yesterday CEI filed a lawsuit against New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman for refusing to disclose the legal agreements his office made with other state attorneys general and environmental activists as part of his “AGs United for Clean Power” campaign against climate skeptics.”

    Myron Ebel is know to say:  “Carbon pollution is CO2, and that’s really not a pollutant. It’s a plant food, and it doesn’t really harm anybody except that it might include temperature increases,” he said in a 2015 hearing of the Environment and Public Works Committee, where he mocked EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.   The links above will allow you to read Myron Ebel’s attitudes in his own words and those of his hirelings at CEI.

    The earth is still here for the moment and not all is lost

    The Economist frames their reaction by stating: “Even if Mr Trump honors America’s commitment to the Paris accord, it is unlikely that his administration will galvanize action. Many in the Republican establishment think that climate deals are examples of global regulatory over-reach. The world has relied on American Leadership for too long.  China’s carbon emissions may already have peaked. Improvements in cars’ fuel efficiency cut oil consumption by 2.3m barrels a day in 2015, even when petrol was cheap. China, India, the European Union, Canada and others have strong incentives to embrace cleaner technologies. If they work together they can make a difference—with or without the United States.”  Economist Full Article

    Not all countries around the world have sold their soul to the “Mighty Mammon” the way so many US politicians and US corporations have over the past 30 years.  In case you don’t remember what that means. It originated in England in the 19th Century where in various publications it is described as: “An intense spirit of selfishness that pervade the entire system of society.” or “Every man for himself and the devil may take the hindmost.” or as in the Cambridge and Oxford Review:  “But Mammon had penetrated the country side, where cottage destroying land lords denied that they were their brother’s keepers.

    So hopefully The Economist is correct and as the US will go through a few years of decadent self loathing and irresponsibility the rest of the world will pick up the slack.

    To read Myron Ebel’s latest musings and misbegotten “Mighty Mammon” rationalizations that there aren’t any environmental problems and that to say so would take coal out of the bathrooms of poor people you can read it in his own words. click here.

     

  • Do you remember how exciting it was to listen to Peter and the Wolf the first time?

    Kids inspired by Music - Music Appreciations is a gift for the entire lifetime of a child.
    Kids inspired by Music – Music Appreciations is a gift for the entire lifetime of a child.

    Music is one of the genuine joys in life

    Learning about music early in life will bring a lifetime of joy.  Developing a taste for dramatic stories, lovely music, the sound of such a variety of instruments allows kids to literally develop their brain.  So it is enjoyable and it is healthy.  Music enhances the quality of our lives.  This Black Friday Educents has an amazing offer of the top  musical stories for kids. All of them including:

    • Peter & the Wolf
    • The Nutcracker
    • Merry Pranks of Master Till
    • Carnival of the Animals
    • The Tortoise and the Hare
    • The Story of Swan Lake
    • Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
    • My Name is Handel: The Story of Water Music
    • The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
    • Casey at the Bat
    • The Soldier’s Tale
    • Juanita the Spanish Lobster

    You and the kids, the grandkids will enjoy this collection for many years to come.  Or, you can donate the collection to your favorite teacher.

    Consider giving gifts that matter.
    Consider giving gifts that matter.

    Maestro Classics music recordings are of the highest audio quality of any children’s music product available.  In addition to the title track, each music CD contains tons of extras including guest artists performing in different musical genres, the title track with and without narration and educational tracks with information on the composer, piece and musical score designed to increase listening skills in children and also adults. With the purchase a Free curriculum guides in math, science, music, art, language arts, history and geography accompany each CD and are available.

    http://www.educents.com/best-sellers#bettered
    Check out the best sellers for the Black Friday Sale NOW!
  • Dec. 3rd, Joyce Gordon Gallery holds special X-mas Family and Professional Portrait Event with Jim Dennis, Photographers for the Stars

    Pete Escovedo Family Portrait by Jim Dennis
    Pete Escovedo Family Portrait by Jim Dennis

    Question: What does Pete Escovedo, the Dalai Lama, Joyce Gordon and you have in common?
    Answer: A portrait by Jim Dennis.

    Well, you will if you attend the Saturday, December 3rd Joyce Gordon Gallery opportunity to have your professional portrait taken by the internationally renown artist Jim Dennis. This summer, Jim Dennis celebrated his illustrious 50th anniversary of his photography career. Joyce Gordon asked him then to offer portraits to her loyal art fans at a stark discount. There was so much demand for this special treat that Joyce Gordon and Jim Dennis decided to select Saturday, December 3rd to offer this special Holiday Treat to you, again.

    Go have your portrait taken by Jim Dennis and enjoy the current Joyce Gordon Gallery show.

    Right now the Joyce Gordon Gallery presents “The Art of Aziz Diagne” a collection of Theissoise paintings and multimedia works by Senegal born artist, Aziz Diagne.

    the-art-of-aziz-diagne
    the-art-of-aziz-diagne

    Theissoise, reversed painting on glass, is a process that involves applying color to the glass in the exact reverse process involved when painting on any other surface. The process is a detailed and a painstaking method as each color is applied separately. Brushes and various other tools are used to give continuity, contrast and texture to the finished work. Rich in symbolism, the artist’s work captures the spirit and ambiance of the universal experience. Aziz Diagne is a multi-media artist from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up in the city of Thies, amid the traditional art forms of his homeland. These art forms include rock carving, ceramic and wood sculpture, murals, tapestry, and Thiesoise (reverse painting on glass). Aziz, a self-taught painter, through his unique and dynamic talents, quickly established himself as one of the premiere contemporary glass painters. Before coming to the United States, Aziz studied in Dakar and Thies, Senegal. He then pursued art for several years in neighboring countries Mauritania and Morocco. Aziz traveled extensively throughout Africa, Europe, and South America, absorbing the art and cultures of diverse environments. These experiences have greatly enhanced the artist’s seemingly limitless repertoire and creative energy.

    About the Gallery

    Joyce Gordon has long been hailed as the heart of Oakland’s vibrant arts community. Ms. Gordon is all about making art accessible to everyone, from the New York collector flying in for a $25,000 piece to the curious teenager peeking in the front door.  Some of those artists participated in Gordon’s inaugural exhibition in 2003, a star-studded event with actor Robert Redford, a longtime friend of Gordon’s, kicking off the festivities. Since then, the gallery has been the scene of international photo competitions and exhibits by emerging local artists, book signings, poetry readings, music and film events. There’s been a tribute to Michelle Obama, giant trampoline sculptures that took up the whole gallery floor and a look back at the Occupy movement. Join us in celebrating art, portraits, and kick in the holiday season in style.  Create a long term memory you and your loved ones will cherish for many years to come.

    Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 Fourteenth St. Downtown Oakland, CA 94612 
    
    







  • Bob Weir’s new album “Blue Mountain” introduced on Late Show

    Bob Weir in younger days
    Bob Weir in younger days

    After his success with steady-rolling new folk-rock tune, “Only A River,” that features the Aaron Dessner, on electric guitar, and Scott Devendorf on bass and vocals, alongside Josh Kaufman, Ray Rizzo and Rob Burger. Bob Weir now announced his new CD.  Blue Mountain is a solo album by former Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Bob Weir, released on September 30, 2016. The album was inspired by his time working as a ranch hand in Wyoming when he was fifteen years old.  Musicians on the Blue Mountain album include Ritter, Nelson, Josh Kaufman, Scott Devendorf, Joe Russo, and The Walkmen’s Walter Martin, along with lyricists Gerrit Graham and Barlow. Josh Kaufman is producer along with Bob Weir himself.