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Month: October 2010

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Art at ASU – “Open for Business”

Arizona State University Art Museum & Downtown Tempe Businesses under curator John D. Spiak presents “Open for Business” from October 8, 2010 through January 29, 2011.

Open for Business calls attention to the importance of local artists, businesses and organizations. Simultaneously taking place in downtown Tempe businesses and an interrelated exhibition at the ASU Art Museum, this project features the work of sixteen Valley artists who address the purpose of each business, providing opportunities for audience members to interact with the physical space of each location and to discover, or rediscover, new aspects of their own community.

Individuals will be guided by maps available at the ASU Art Museum to art installations at downtown Tempe business including La Bocca, Rula Bula, Caffé Boa, The Shoe Mill, Brand X Custom T-Shirts, Monti’s La Casa Vieja, Mood Swings Salon, Fascinations, Cartel Coffee Lab, Buffalo Exchange, The Bicycle Cellar, The Headquarters, and Downtown Tempe Community, Inc.

The list of Valley artists participating in the exhibition include both internationally established and rising stars of our community, including Peter Bugg in collaboration with Ryan Peter Miller, Cyndi Coon, Wendy Furman, Jon Haddock, Saskia Jorda, Tania Katan, Mary Lucking, Matthew Mosher, Adam Murray, Marco Rosichelli, Erin V. Sotak, David Tinapple, Chris Todd, Jen Urso, Nic Wiesinger, and Whitney Zamá.

To insure the success and outreach of the project, the ASU Art Museum has partnered with Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Tempe Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Tempe Community (DTC), Local First Arizona, Valley Forward Association, Creative Connect, Comerica Bank (Tempe, Mill), Scottsdale Public Art, and Volunteer Legal Assistance for Artists (VLAA).

Free public lectures, conversations and tours throughout the run of the exhibition

  • Lecture: Trademark Law for Arts/Business (VLAA): Thursday, Nov. 4, 6pm @ Monti’s
  • Friday Conversation @ 11: Tania Katan: Fri., Nov. 5, 11am @ ASUAM
  • Panel Conversation: Open for Business: Tues., Nov. 9, 6pm @ ASUAM
  • Friday Conversation @ 11: Mary Lucking, Saskia Jorda & Erin Sotak, Fri., Nov. 19, 11am @ ASUAM

Tours to be scheduled – look for announcements through the ASUAM blog.

Scottsdale Public Art is organizing the store front project IN FLUX in Downtown Scottsdale that will occur during the same time period. Through this collaboration, both institutions will combine efforts to create cross-over audience and awareness. A map showing all participating locations will be available at locations in Tempe, Scottsdale, the ASU Art Museum and online.

This project is generously supported by a grant from the Tempe Municipal Arts Commission, ASU Art Museum Advisory Board, and the Wilhelmine Prinzen Endowed Fund for Emerging Artists. In-kind support provided by Phoenix NewTimes, Ben Franklin Press, Inc., Melissa McGurgan Design, and Mannington Commercial.

The Arizona State University Art Museum is located at Mill Avenue at 10th Street, Tempe, AZ. More information may be obtained by contacting the museum at 480-965-2787 or by E-mail

Media, Perspective, , , ,

The business cycle – what happens to the entrenched

From the New Yorker: Blockbuster, Netflix, and the future of rentals in The Next Level by James Surowiecki

An interesting read. In a few paragraphs he captures how companies can become entrenched and beholden to a model whose day has passed. Will Netflix be next?

In the nineteen-eighties, a new kind of chain store came to dominate American shopping: the “category killer.” These stores killed off all competition in a category by stocking a near-endless variety of products at prices that small retailers couldn’t match. Across America, independent stores went out of business, and the suburban landscape became freckled with Toys R Us, CompUSA, and Home Depot superstores. But the category killers’ reign turned out to be more fragile than expected. In the past decade, CompUSA and Circuit City have disappeared. Toys R Us has struggled to stay afloat, and Barnes & Noble is in the midst of a boardroom battle prompted by financial woes. And, last month, Blockbuster finally admitted the inevitable and declared Chapter 11.

The obvious reason for all this is the Internet; Blockbuster’s demise, for one, was inextricably linked to the success of Netflix. But this raises a deeper question: why didn’t the category killers colonize the Web the way they colonized suburbia? That was what pundits expected. Companies like Blockbuster, the argument went, had customer expertise, sophisticated inventory management, and strong brands. And, unlike the new Internet companies, they’d be able to offer customers both e-commerce and physical stores—“clicks and mortar.” It seemed like the perfect combination.

The problem—in Blockbuster’s case, at least—was that the very features that people thought were strengths turned out to be weaknesses…

Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , , , ,

Upcoming events – activism, authors, food, and more

At Good Shepherd PNCC in Plymouth, PA: Potato-Cheese Pierogi Sale on Sunday, October 31st from 3-5 p.m. at the Parish, 269 E. Main St., Plymouth, PA. To place pre-orders, please call 570-690-5411.

At All Saints PNCC in Rome, NY: Parish Dinner and Food Sale: All Saints will be holding a fund raiser to raise money for a new heating system for the Parish on Sunday, November 7th from 12 noon to 3pm, or until sold out. A choice of Chicken Riggies or Pork Chops will be served with tomato basil soup, and salad. Appropriate side dishes will be served. Homemade desserts will be included. Orders for Thanksgiving pierogi and galumbki will also be taken. Cost for the dinner is is $10.00 per person. For more information, please call 315-337-2382 or send an E-mail.

From IWJ: National Day of Action Against Wage Theft: A National Day of Action Against Wage Theft is being scheduled for Thursday, November 18th. November 18 is one week before Thanksgiving, a time when we celebrate our plenty at feasts throughout the nation. But workers who have had their legal wages stolen will be struggling to provide for their families this season. IWJ and workers across the country whose wages have been stolen need your help.

A Conference Call discussing the event will take place next Thursday, November 4th where you can learn what you can do in your community on that critical day. Please join in at 2pm EST. The call-in number is (760) 569-0111 and the Participant Access Code is: 1085004#. Groups across the country are organizing rallies, bus tours, prayer vigils, educational forums and legislative visits to highlight the ongoing crisis of wage theft and the many ways that workers and communities are fighting it.

From Duke University: An evening with Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk: One of Poland’s best contemporary writers, Olga Tokarczuk, will be reading from her work at The Perkins Library, Duke University on Thursday, November 11th at 7:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about contemporary Polish culture, the literary scene, and to meet the author of Primeval and Other Times. Please E-mail Beth Holmgren for more information.

Olga Tokarczuk was born in 1962 in Sulechów near Zielona Góra, Poland. A recipient of all of Poland’s top literary awards, she is one of the most critically acclaimed authors of her generation. After finishing her psychology degree at the University of Warsaw, she initially practiced as a therapist. Since the publication of her first book in 1989, a collection of poems, Tokarczuk has published nine volumes of stories, novellas, and novels. In English her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, as has her novel House of Day, House of Night. In 1998 Tokarczuk moved to a small village near the Czech border and now divides her time between there and Wroclaw. For her latest novel, Bieguni [The Runners], she received Poland’s top book award, the Nike Prize, in 2008.

Perspective, Political

Labor Law Enforcement

From the AFL-CIO Now Blog: Obama Labor Dept. Stresses Law Enforcement—Big Change from Bush Era

The U.S. Labor Department is committed to stronger enforcement of labor laws and is determined to reverse a “culture of noncompliance’’ that developed during the anti-worker years of the Bush administration, Labor Solicitor Patricia Smith said.

Smith told a labor law conference at Suffolk University Law School last week that the Bush administration emphasized voluntary compliance by employers while investigations and enforcement of labor laws declined, according to the Daily Labor Report (subscription required).

They relied on trickle-down enforcement; it doesn’t work any better than trickle-down economics. [As a result of reduced enforcement] many employers developed a “catch-me-if-you-can” attitude. Our challenge is to change that attitude.

To strengthen enforcement, the Labor Department plans to step up criminal prosecutions against violators, file more actions across industries, especially for wage violations, and seek damages in wage and hour cases.

Another Labor Department agency, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), also is making enforecement a top priority, as the agency acts on its new tougher targeted inspection program for mines with troubling safety records.

Like MSHA, all Labor Department agencies also are working on potential cases that affect entire industries or enterprises, Smith said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) operations prompted the Department of Labor to file the first-ever complaint seeking corrections at USPS workplaces nationwide. To date, OSHA has fined the USPS a total of $5.1 million for electrical safety violations at various facilities across the country.

OSHA also has launched a severe violators enforcement program and is vigorously pursuing egregious cases, Smith said.

Wage and hour enforcement “took a back seat to opinion letters’’ during the Bush administration, Smith said. Now the department is seeking damages in addition to back pay; focusing on industries, such as janitorial services, that are “prone to violations”; and considering a rule to require employers to furnish information on how pay is calculated, she said.

Other initiatives under way at Labor, Smith said, include:

  • Working with states on efforts to curb employee misclassification—when employers treat workers as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits and following legal requirements.
  • Resurrecting enforcement of the Family and Medical Leave Act, “which ground to a halt’’ in the previous administration.
  • Lifting the Bush administration’s one-year limit on Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) lawsuits. The agency has filed six OFCCP cases in the past few months.

Good, and about time. My experience, those who see fit immediately push toward the least common denominator, taking advantage of whatever pennies can be gained by cheating workers of their wages, depriving employees of adequate safety protections, and burden shifting to compliant taxpayers. Under the Bush Administration, an employer could cheat workers, paying them sub-minimum wage or not at all, and when caught, still pay less then they would have if they had paid the proper wages on-time (also see recommendation 1 here).

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , ,

Happy Name day Generał

October 28, is a Special Names Day Celebration
By Raymond Rolak

October 28, is Name Day for people named Thaddeus and thus, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a good reason to celebrate for sure. His ideals were lofty and he prized honor and liberty for all.

In Poland, Names Day celebrations are customary. Like a ‘Birthday Party’ in America, one would celebrate with friends and family on the feast day of the Saint one is named after. On October 28, because of his cherished celebrity and honored courage, everyone considers themselves ‘Tad.’ Tadeusz Kosciuszko, that is.

After his exploits in the American Revolution, Kosciuszko returned to Poland to help restore the Polish borders.

After Poland passed the May 3, Constitution in 1791, it was attacked by Russia, Prussia and Austria who wanted to stop these democratic reforms. King Stanislaw Augustus created the Virtuti Militari medal to honor the Polish soldiers, who had fought to defend the first democratic constitution in Europe. But the Poles lost the war, and the Russians demanded that these medals not be worn or displayed.

While the officers who received this honor took the medals off their chests, they sent the blue with black ribbons from these honors to their wives and girlfriends, who used them to tie their hair in ponytails.

On Oct 28, 1792, Prince Czartoryski held a Names Day party (imieniny) at his palace for the name’s day of Tadeusz. General Kosciuszko was celebrated. The women wore white dresses with black and blue sashes and tied their hair in ponytails with the medal ribbons. The women also made a garland crown of leaves from an oak tree planted 100 years earlier by King Sobieski, and placed it on Kosciuszko’s head to honor him.

General Kosciuszko was described by Thomas Jefferson as the “Purest son of Liberty”. When Kosciuszko died he left his money and property in America for the freeing and education of slaves. George Washington commented, “He served America with courage and distinction.”

Because October is Polish Heritage Month in America, remember to be Tad that day. Wear a blue and black ribbon. Remember parents, grand-parents and all those who came before us. Remember the sacrifices of veterans, teachers, mentors and most of all, remember the examples of Kosciuszko. “Happy Names Day- Tadeusz.”

PNCC

God bless you and Sto Lat!

Two anniversaries were celebrated in Scranton, PA. last week.

The Rt. Rev. Anthony Rysz, Bishop Emeritus of the Central Diocese, celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood with Holy Mass at St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Cathedral.

Prime Bishop Emeritus, Robert Nemkovich, celebrated his 16th anniversary of consecration as Bishop on Monday, October 18th, at the National Church Center.

May God bless you both for your faithful service, your answer to His call, and grant you many more years!

Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Harvest Dinner at St. Valentine’s

From WWLP: Polish church holds ‘Harvest Dinner’

Harvest Dinner is a time honored occasion at St. Valentine’s Polish National Catholic Church in Northampton, Massachusetts.
 
Parishioners filled the Church’s social center to celebrate what’s become a tradition at Polish National Catholic Churches everywhere.
 
“It’s a celebration of all the wonderful gifts that God has given us through the growing seasons. And we always gather together as a church family,” said Father Senior Joseph Soltysiak.

And as part of that longstanding tradition, the St. Valentine’s spiritual leader told 22News, parishioners invite members of other churches to share the celebration.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , ,

Of your prayers for health and healing

I ask of all my readers your prayers for two priests of the Polish National Catholic Church, Father Augustin Sicard and Father Amaro Rojas of Saint Marin and Saint Rose Parish in San Antonio, Texas.

Father Amaro, together with his wife Rosie, and their children Fernanda and Regina, have prayerfully considered a great and generous gift to Father Augustin. By the grace of God, Fr. Amaro felt the call to donate one of his kidneys to Father Augustine. Both priests underwent the transplant procedure this past week.

The generosity of the Puerto Rican community in San Antonio, and a number of parish members, has also become evident in that they have gathered to help raise funds for both priest’s costs.

Father Augustine made a promise to Our Lady, to shave his head completely when the final decision was made for the transplant.

O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, everlasting God, who by pouring the grace of Thy blessing upon sick bodies, dost preserve by Thy manifold goodness, the work of Thy hands; graciously draw near to us as we call upon Thy name, beseeching Thee to behold, visit, heal and deliver from sickness Thy priests Augustine and Amaro, and according to the multitude of Thy tender mercy, look with favor upon them, grant unto them patience, strengthen them by Thy might, defend them by Thy power, cast out from them all pain of mind and body, and mercifully restore them full health both inwardly and outwardly, that having recovered by the help of Thy loving kindness, they may be enabled to return again to their daily ministry and glorify Thee in Thy Holy Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. — A Prayer for a Sick Person from A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Christian Witness, Events, PNCC, ,

Our Savior PNCC celebrates 80 years

From Mosinee Today: Church celebrates 80 years

Starting out truly as a “church in the wildwood” by a few Polish families in the town of Ried, this month Our Savior Polish National Catholic Church in Mosinee is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

Newly elected Bishop Anthony Kopka will visit Saturday to celebrate with the parish at the 5:30 p.m. Mass. Following the service, an evening meal, prepared by the members, will be served. The public is welcome.

For the past 20 years, the leader of Our Savior’s flock is The Rev. Marion Talaga, who is originally from Poland… Talaga is also is the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Lublin and Holy Cross Mission near Pulaski.

Our Savior has been growing aggressively to meet its needs. A home next to the church building was purchased for use as a rectory, new classroom area and handicapped accessibility added, the church worship area renovated and the lower level social gathering space updated.

According to the Polish National Catholic Church website, the church was founded in 1897 in Scranton, PA. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, people who are divorced and remarried are openly welcomed to receive the Eucharist, a priest can choose to be married and all [baptized] believers are invited to partake in the reception of Holy Communion.

Our Savior’s is at 804 Jackson St., one block south of the high school and two blocks east of the Rec Center.

Weekend masses are at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A social hour follows all Sunday masses.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political, , , ,

75th Anniversary of the Unemployment Insurance Program

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Unemployment Insurance Program. On the afternoon of August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. This groundbreaking piece of legislation marked the beginning of the federal-state Unemployment Insurance program. During the past 75 years, millions upon millions of workers who lost jobs through no fault of their own have received temporary unemployment benefits.

Unemployment continues to play a major role in supporting workers when layoffs occur. It is important to recognize the key role that the program plays in economic stabilization. For 75 years Unemployment Insurance has been there when times turn tough, not as a handout, but as a help in the form of weekly paychecks to workers who are ready, willing, and able to work; who are actively seeking employment. Today, with one job for every five people looking, it remains vital in ensuring economic stability for working families, allowing workers to continue to support their families while they get back to work.

The State of Wisconsin had long been known for its progressive attitude toward labor relations and its advocacy for improvement in the socio-political system of the early 1900’s. The state’s leadership embraced the “Wisconsin Idea,” a philosophy proposed by the University of Wisconsin, which holds that the boundaries of the university should be the boundaries of the state. It advocates for the application of research conducted in the University of Wisconsin System to improvements in health, quality of life, the environment, and agriculture for all citizens of the state. As part of these reforms, Wisconsin enacted the nation’s first unemployment insurance law in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. Six other states enacted UI laws prior to the Social Security Act of 1935 – California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Washington.

Wisconsin issued the first unemployment check in the amount of $15 to Neils B. Ruud of Madison, Wisconsin on August 17, 1936.

A close examination of the check reveals that among the 4 signatures authorizing payment was the signature of Peter Anthony Napiecinski, a member of the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, and the son of Polish immigrants.

Peter A. Napiecinski (AKA Napieczinski) was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin on May 21, 1892, the son of Thomas and Julia (nee Lewandowska) Napiecinski, Polish immigrants. He was one of eight children in his family, and one of two who went to college.

After graduating from high school, Peter was accepted to the University of Wisconsin — Madison. He worked as a telephone operator on campus to pay his tuition. He was later a starting forward for the University of Wisconsin Badgers basketball team and was also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity.

Following graduation, Peter served as a Captain in the United States Army in Europe during World War I. Leading a platoon, he encountered a German contingent. He studied how his men looked at the enemy, and noted their fears. He knew that he needed to say something to prepare them, so he told them, “Work for a cause, but fight for your dreams.”

Following the war, Peter attended Law school. Upon graduation he practiced for 11 years during the Great Depression specializing in rescuing businesses on the verge of bankruptcy. One of the businesses that he was able to save was Acme Galvanizing, which upon re-opening provided jobs for 100 people.

Governor Albert George Schmedeman appointed him to the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin where he served from 1933 to 1937.

Peter lived to be 100 old. He credited his work in the Unemployment Insurance Program as among the greatest accomplishments of his life. He passed on December 26, 1992 in Milwaukee.

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