The Uprising, Honoré Daumier, ca. 1860
Browsing posts in the ‘Current Events’ category
Return of Stolen Painting and Art for July 30th
Poland has recovered a treasured painting, stolen by Germany during World War II. I had posted Gierymski’s similar painting as my Art-for-the-Day on March 22nd.
From the Guardian: Polish painting returned to Warsaw after 67 years on missing list: Aleksander Gierymski’s Jewish Woman Selling Oranges retrieved after turning up at Hamburg auction house
A valuable 19th century Polish painting missing since the second world war has been returned to Poland after being removed from auction in Germany.
Aleksander Gierymski’s Jewish Woman Selling Oranges was unveiled in Poland on Wednesday by culture minister Bogdan Zdrojewski, who said the return came after many months of negotiations with lawyers representing a German who had possessed it for more than 30 years.
“During those long months, my main thought was to have this picture returned to Poland,” Zdrojewski said.
The work – sometimes referred to as the Orange Vendor – dates from 1880-1881 and is one of several Gierymski works showing Jewish life in poor parts of Warsaw.
The oil on canvas shows an old woman in a cap and with a thick shawl over her shoulders knitting as she holds two baskets, one filled with oranges. She has shrunken cheeks that give her an impoverished look, and is set against a foggy Warsaw skyline.
It has been returned to its original home in the National Museum in Warsaw, where it will undergo many months of renovation.
Museum director Agnieszka Morawinska described it as a “priceless masterpiece” that pleased the painter, rarely content with his own work.
Its return is a “very special day and a true gift for the museum”, she said.
The picture went missing from the museum in 1944, five years into Nazi Germany’s occupation of Poland.
It was among a huge numbers of cultural artefacts stolen by German and Soviet forces during their joint wartime occupation of Poland. The country’s government is making efforts to find and bring the works of art back.
The painting resurfaced last November among items offered for sale at a small auction house near Hamburg.
Poland’s chief insurer, PZU SA, paid an undisclosed sum in compensation to the German who had acquired the painting.
Of note, Gierymski painted two similar works: “Żydówka z cytrynami” and “Żydówka z pomarańczami” literally “Jewess with Lemons” and “Jewess with Oranges.”
Gazetta Wyborcza notes in Pomarańczarka w areszcie from November 2010, that Gierymski’s “Jewish woman with oranges” was looted from the National Museum in Warsaw during the war. His other, similar work, “Jewess with Lemons” is on display at the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom. Both paintings have different details, but express the same emotions and situations: toil, the bitterness of existence, persistence in spite of lost illusions, a lonely, tragic, damaged figure pushed down but not broken, and ultimately beautiful.
An example of oranges and lemons together in today’s painting: “Pomarańcze i cytryny,” “Oranges and Lemons” by Edward Okuń.
Oranges and Lemons, Edward Okuń, 1928
Telling the story, supporting the story tellers
From KICKSTARTER: Wisia’s Story, A Documentary project in Warsaw, Poland by Karina Wielgosz & Paul Barry
In 1944, twenty-three year-old Jadwiga (known affectionately to her family as ‘Wisia’) had been living in her native Poland under the yoke of German-occupation for almost five years. Unbeknownst to the invaders, an underground force was mobilizing with the aim of reclaiming at least part of its homeland. The ‘Armia Krajowa’ (‘Home Army’) operated in secret, received its orders from the exiled Polish government and employed the skills of many young people like Wisia to aid them in the uprising.
A select group of youth, including Wisia and her brother, had been secretly selected and trained in running messages and administering medical aid. This group of young civilians supported and sometimes even fought alongside the Armia Krajowa. Their jobs were extremely dangerous but they carried out their missions with remarkable bravery. Our documentary will explore not only the historical details of Wisia’s experience but just as importantly, the composition of her courage, to be able to survive – and ultimately escape – when so many were imprisoned or perished at the hands of these violent intruders.
On the 1st of August 1944, led by the Armia Krajowa, the proud people of Poland united in an attempt to repel the invaders from the city of Warsaw. Through a series of operations and concerted attacks, the civilian-supported Armia Krajowa devastated the German occupiers in the short-term and formed the backbone of what history remembers as The Warsaw Uprising. The uprising’s subsequent failure, eventual slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Polish soldiers and citizens and Hitler’s vindictive destruction of 90% of the city, does nothing to bury the bravery of all who fought during this period for the basic privilege of a peaceful life.
Countless other stories of bravery by soldiers and civilians alike also remain untold, but the selfless actions of one particular twenty-three year-old woman remain a timeless demonstration of heroism in the face of tremendous adversity. This young woman, Wisia, is now a great-grandmother approaching her 90th birthday with a spring in her step and glint in her eye. She is our grandmother and we can no longer allow her sacrifices to remain simply a page on an historical website. For decades her full story has remained untold, but with your backing we will travel back in time with Wisia. She will acquaint us with the locations, walk us through salient events and introduce us to the survivors of such an unforgettable time in her life, in Warsaw, Poland…
Lend your support to the project. They are 65% of the way there. You can help tell this story before it is too late.
Charities and tax status – update
In follow-up to an earlier post from October 2010 –
From the IRS: IRS Identifies Organizations that Have Lost Tax-Exempt Status – Special Steps Announced to Help Revoked Groups
The Internal Revenue Service announced that it has released a listing of approximately 275,000 organizations that under the law have automatically lost their tax-exempt status because they have not filed annual reports as legally required for the past three years. If an organization appears on the list of auto-revoked organizations it is because IRS records indicate the organization has a filing requirement and has not filed the required returns or notices for 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The IRS has issued guidance on how organizations can apply for reinstatement of their tax-exempt status, including retroactive reinstatement. In addition, the IRS announced transition relief for certain smaller tax-exempt groups – those with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less for 2010 and eligible to file Form 990-N, the e-Postcard. The relief allows eligible revoked groups to gain retroactive tax-exempt status and pay a reduced application fee of $100 rather than the typical $400 fee. More information, including FAQs and a Fact Sheet, can be found on the IRS website.
Tornado in poetry
From Dr. John Z. Guzlowski:
I’ve been watching the Joplin news and posted a poem that I wrote years ago about a tornado that hit a small central Illinois town we were living in.
I’m posting as an additional reflection on the recent tornado in nearby Springfield, Massachusetts which touched down about one mikle away from St. Joseph’s PNC Parish.
Here are the first two stanzas of this powerful poem. As a parent, it tore through me.
My Daughter Lillian is Outside Playing
In the quiet space of the dining room
My wife and I lay out the place settingsThe forks beside the Wedgwood plates
The spoons and knives in their places…
Caroline Wozniacki featured at Sony Ericsson Open
Caroline Wozniacki is Now # 1
By Raymond Rolak
South Miami hosts the WTA and Celeb’s
MIAMI– The new glamour-gal of world-wide tennis is 20 year old Caroline Wozniacki. The blonde native of Denmark is also the world’s ranked number one woman and is now set for center stage at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Florida. All the fashion, glitter, nightlife and celebrity party activities that South Beach is noted for will be center stage.
Currently, Wozniacki is the top talk of Danish and Euro sports media. She also has a great following in Poland because of her heritage. Her mother and father were born in Poland but decided to stay in Denmark after her father retired from playing Danish professional soccer in Odense. Her mother Anna had previously played volleyball for the Polish National Team. Her older brother Patrik got her started in tennis.
The Women’s Tennis Tour and the South Florida community combine for the next two weeks in what is known as the peoples, ‘Party Tour’. The players along with the Sony Ericsson Open folks made appearances at the famed CocoWalk in Coconut Grove. This area, known for its boutiques, restaurants, and night clubs transformed into a tennis and musical extravaganza. It offered a chance to get up close with the players and be part of the activities. The Ritz Carlton Hotel is ground zero for most of the glitter activities and also offers great chances to see the players up close and casually.
Photo courtesy of Sony Ericsson Open
Other than the U.S. Open in New York this event has the most off-court celebrity appeal. Belgian Kim Clijsters last years champ returns as the second-ranked player in the world and the No.2 seed. She has been nursing a recent shoulder injury.
At the Sony Ericsson Open preview, Wozniacki said, “I’m a different player for sure… more experienced.” “I feel like I’m on a roll right now,” said the top seed. She added about her special training regimen. “I do a lot of boxing training. It’s a great way to stay fit and relieve stress.” There will be 46 of the world’s top 50 ranked women participating here.
Jelena Jankovic, the No. 6 seed, has had a solid string of results after losing in the second round of the Australian Open and believes she’s on the right track to success. “I’m feeling pretty confident. I’ve played a lot of matches the last month. My game is coming back and I’m working hard.”
Jankovic, a finalist here in 2008, knows that court conditions vary on a day-to-day basis. When I made the finals, it was sunny all week. The players and fans all enjoyed the weather,” Jankovic said. “Last year, it was quite windy and rainy, so it can be different each time.”
During the ‘Players Party’ at the Paris Theater in Miami Beach, Sony Ericsson executive Stefan Croix said, “Tournaments are about the stars and fans, so you need things to go well. There’s good energy this year so far but you always want to improve upon the previous event.”
The world class tennis performers were front and center on the ‘Red Carpet’. Another Sony Ericsson representative, Steve Walker added, “We have a lot of new products coming out, so this tournament is a great platform to introduce them.” Consumer electronics and phones were showcased and new video games were highlighted practically everywhere at the gala.
The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open will be played thru April 3, at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG of Cleveland and is considered the most glamorous event on both the ATP and WTA tours. Over 300,000 in attendance are expected and the finals will be broadcast on CBS.
The first tournament was in February, 1985 with Tim Mayotte and Martina Navratilova crowned singles champions.
36th Year of Tennis in Palm Springs
Wozniacki had the young strong legs and her side to side ease defeated Marion Bartoli 6-1, 2-6 and 6-3 to win the BNP Paribas Open. The victory kept Wozniacki at the number one world ranking. After the match she was jubilant, as Wozniacki was runner-up here to Jankovic a year ago.
It was her 14th Women’s Tennis Association title and her second this year. She had also won at Dubai. She has appeared in the finals for her third consecutive tournament.
“This is such an amazing event and everyone loves playing here. I’m already looking forward to playing here next year,” Wozniacki said post match.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden had its best attendance ever during the 36th year of the event. “I can keep playing out there for hours and hours,” Wozniacki said smiling. She won the tournament by running down her opponents.
The victory allowed Wozniacki to improve her results for the fifth straight year in the popular Palm Springs area tournament. She earned $700,000 for the title.
Near the end, Wozniacki asked for her coach, who is her father. Piotr Wozniacki came courtside and gave advice. She responded by holding serve in the next game before Bartoli double-faulted to fall behind 4-1. “He said, ‘You’re playing great. Just keep it up. It’s just one break in the second set. Just hang in there,’” she said afterwards. “My dad calmed me down.”
She rolled through the first set, breaking Bartoli three times with and having the runner-up going from side to side.
Wozniacki got to the final after besting Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2, in a quick hour and twenty minutes. “It’s pretty much a two-week event, and you have days in between like in the Grand Slams. It’s a big tournament, and I’m very, very happy,” said Wozniacki.
She was a sponsors dream, as Wozniacki concluded the ABC Television broadcast with gracious statements for her opponents, spectators and supporters. She finished by saying, “I played very, very well, I thought, actually in the whole match, it was in the first set, I felt like I had the most control. I just love playing matches. I like winning. I like holding the trophy.”
Wozniacki now has two WTA titles this season, having won at Dubai earlier in the year. She now has 14 career titles. She also got a lot of post match attention about her conventional style but very denim-blue colored tennis dress with a ruffled neck strap. She wears adidas apparel by Stella McCartney.
(Lars Hjelmroth of Denmark contributed)
Meet my Bishop
My new diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. John E. Mack, took the helm of the Central Diocese of the PNCC, as well as the mother church of the PNCC, St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cathedral, on February 1, 2011.
Bishop Mack has served for the past four years as the auxiliary bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese and has been longtime pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Mack was born and raised in the Polish National Catholic Church in the greater Detroit area and attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton.
Bishop Mack and his wife Sherry have three children, aged 17, 20 and 23.
May God grant him many years. Welcome and Sto Lat! Bishop Mack.
Giving thanks for a helping hand
From the Los Angeles Times via the Press Democrat: Man repays jobless benefits, 46 years later
LOS ANGELES — California’s budget crisis has eased a bit, thanks to a South Carolina man grateful to the state for helping him 46 years ago.
Dennis R. Ferguson wrote a check for $10,000 to the state treasury Nov. 23 as “repayment for what California did for me” when he was laid off from his aerospace engineering job in 1964.
Ferguson, a 74-year-old retired computer programmer who lives in the Atlantic coastal community of Fripp Island, S.C., said the four months’ worth of unemployment benefits he collected after losing his job with Douglas Aircraft allowed him to re-train for a new career in computers.
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer said Ferguson’s money will be spent on schools, as required by state law.
That’s appropriate, Lockyer said, “because there’s a lesson to be learned here about what it means to have a sense of shared sacrifice and commitment to the common good.”
Ferguson was 26 and living in a rundown, $25-a-week West Los Angeles motel when he collected state aid. Officials of the state Employment Development Department estimate that his total benefits during the four months totaled about $1,100.
Ferguson said he wanted to show his appreciation for the assistance by adding “interest” to his repayment. He said he picked $10,000 because it is a “nice round number.”
“Anyone who is helped out when they are down ought to give something back, especially now that California has budget problems,” he told state officials.
The jobless benefits helped him go back to school, Ferguson said. He enrolled in computer programming at the now-defunct International Tabulating Institute in Los Angeles.
According to Ferguson, the school had one IBM 1440 series computer with 4K of memory that was shared by 10 students. That room-size data processor sold for $90,000 at the time.
But Ferguson learned programming on it, creating 21 programs during the three-month class. He earned an A grade and a certificate of completion.
After that, Ferguson went to work as a computer operator for Belmont Savings and Loan in Seal Beach. A year later, he landed a better-paying job as a programmer at Honeywell in Los Angeles.
Later, Ferguson worked in the Atlanta area before settling in South Carolina.
In the note to Sacramento officials that accompanied his check, Ferguson thanked the state for letting him collect unemployment while studying at the storefront computer institute.
“This allowed me to have a great career, and I’ve been ever thankful,” he wrote.
Tom Dresslar, a spokesman for the state treasurer’s office, said Thursday that Ferguson’s check cleared and has been deposited in the public schools fund.
In a statement, Lockyer expressed his appreciation of Ferguson’s gift.
“I hope that as we work together to meet our budget challenges, we keep in mind his act of generosity and the spirit it embodies,” he said.
Reading this story, I was impressed by the real difference a helping hand can make, and the beauty of Mr. Ferguson’s attitude of thankfulness. He provides an excellent example of gentlemanly/gentle-womanly conduct. May he be blessed for his thankfulness.
Thanks to those supporting the unemployed, still more to do
Several days ago, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a tax compromise measure that includes a 13-month reauthorization of the federal unemployment insurance programs. The bill, which passed the Senate Wednesday, was signed into law by President Obama on Friday, December 17th.
After a 16-day lapse of crucial federal benefits, which had expired at the beginning of the holiday season, millions of current and future long-term unemployed workers can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that benefits will be restored and the program will be in place for the entirety of 2011.
With the reauthorization made retroactive to December 1, 2010, those whose benefits had lapsed will have them restored. And millions of unemployed workers and their families will have the basic security of knowing these benefits are available for between 34 and 73 weeks if needed, beyond the 26 weeks of regular state-funded unemployment insurance. Workers who had already been eligible for additional federal benefits will have those benefits available once more. Those workers who have been receiving regular state benefits will have the security of knowing that extended federal benefits are available to help sustain them during their job searches should they still lack new employment after six months of looking for work.
The legislation also includes significant improvements to the Extended Benefits program, which provides the final 13 to 20 weeks of federally-funded unemployment benefits—thereby averting severe benefit cuts that would have hit nearly half the states with the highest unemployment rates. These states would have dropped off the EB program due to a provision requiring a state’s unemployment rate to have increased over the past two years in order for the state to remain eligible for the program. Currently, 977,000 workers are receiving extended benefits.
The legislation also creates an opportunity for an additional ten states—Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming—to add the EB benefit into the support package they offer to jobless workers, if they pass state legislation.
These benefits produce a real stimulus affect since the money is spent on basic needs like housing, food, and clothes. UI benefits are a tremendous benefit to local economies. For every dollar spent on unemployment benefits, two dollars are generated in return to our economy.
Much more is needed to address the jobs crisis, however. Our economy is in deep trouble: We have fewer jobs today than ten years ago, the unemployment rate has remained above nine percent for 19 months, and most recently, unemployment rose while job growth slowed. An economy that is not adding enough new jobs to bring down a 9.8 percent unemployment rate is in need of serious new initiatives to create more good jobs. The fact that a key argument favoring extended unemployment benefits is their significant stimulative effect is indicative of the fragile state of the economic recovery. Moreover, growing numbers of long-term jobless workers are exhausting all available benefits. Policies to help address the needs of those exhausting all benefits need to be pursued alongside effective job-creation and workforce re-entry initiatives.
Our nation faces many serious challenges in the months and years ahead, but none is more vexing or crucial than the question of how we will rebuild an economy with good jobs that restore the promise of opportunity and economic security to working families in every corner of America. Winning the full-year continuation of the federal unemployment insurance programs was an important first step: It will help sustain millions of unemployed job-seekers, give a boost to the economy, and provide the space and time needed to focus on additional efforts to build a sustained jobs recovery.
For more information visit the New York State Department of Labor and Unemployedworkers, a project of the National Employment Law Project.
