You're Terrific.

Lynda barry, telling my life with her words, killing me softly.

Do Writers, with a capital W, look down on her students? “Absolutely. I have a real chip on my shoulder about that — the idea that some things aren’t art. It’s from growing up poor. You run into that your whole life — people of my background and education can’t participate.

“Why does it matter?” she asked. “It’s like me saying, ‘I’m beautiful.’ Compared to other women, I’m not. But who does it hurt for me to say so?”

Who will run California libraries if not librarians? Will volunteers be able to keep up with upcoming technological changes; will they know how to make relevant information easily accessible to patrons who desire to be fully informed, literate citizens? Will less-educated staff know how to conduct high-quality programs; will they know how to provide appropriate reading materials and recommendations that will spark the interest of young minds?

Shoppers and visitors at Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction on Saturday were met with the sights and sounds of a bulldozer that mowed down a row of storefronts and, along with them, a piece of gay neighborhood history. In 1979,  Norman Laurila and George Leigh opened a gay book shop called A Different Light in the vaguely Tudor-style storefront at 4014 Santa Monica Boulevard. A Different Light eventually added locations in West Hollywood, San Francisco and New York, becoming one of the nation’s largest gay-owned booksellers.  Gregory A. McVey-Russell, who publishes a blog called The Gar Spot, recalls a visit to the Silver Lake book shop:

Earlier generations have weathered recessions, of course; this stall we’re in has the look of something nastier. Social Security and Medicare are going to be diminished, at best. Hours worked are up even as hiring staggers along: Blood from a stone looks to be the normal order of things “going…

Americans have always trusted in God, and even today atheism is little more than a quiet voice on the margins. Faith, working calmly in the lives of Americans from George Washington to Barack Obama, has motivated some of America’s finest moments. But when the faith of so many Americans becomes an occasion to embrace discredited, ridiculous and even dangerous ideas, we must not be afraid to speak out, even if it means criticizing fellow Christians.

Karl W. Giberson and Randall J. Stephens, authors of “The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age.”

5feet12inches:

Occupy Wall Street Library Blog

Read our: CALL FOR LIBRARIANS You can help us in two ways: Volunteer your time or Donate books, supplies or other resources To Volunteer, come down to Liberty Plaza and join the occupation! Email us to let us know when you’ll be there, or just stop by. If you have an afternoon free every week and want to spend it at the library, that’s great! If you are occupying the park and would like to join us, come say hi! We need all the help we can get, especially people who are willing to be at the Library, keep it open and be prepared to close and cover it in case of rain. And of course, everyone is welcome to contribute their ideas to the WordPress.  Getting added to email and WordPress We are accepting ALL books. No need to email us asking if we’re interested in your books, please just bring them to the library! To Donate, please bring books, plastic bins, and other supplies to Liberty Plaza, at the corner of Liberty and Broadway in New York City or mail them to: The UPS Store
Re: Occupy Wall Street
Attn: The People’s Library
118A Fulton St. #205
New York, NY 10038

Weho is making its love of hoochies official:

Go-Go Dancer Appreciation Day will consist of the City working in conjunction with local businesses to stage an amateur Go-Go dancer competition on Larrabee Street north of Santa Monica Boulevard. Clubs along the Sunset Strip will also participate and businesses Citywide will be hold special events and offerings on Go-Go Dancer Appreciation Day.

I hope they have a Hookah Hall of Fame.