Actor Michael Parks passes away at 77

   POINT RICHMOND, Calif. - I have television and film actor Michael Parks to thank for my moving to California in 1970.
     No, he didn't offer me a job, cash, or even talk me into to fleeing the Rust Belt Village of Lakewood, NY.
     What he did do was star in a television program called Then Came Bronson that probably launched thousands of guys like me on wandering trips around the country.
     I just happened to land in California.

     The opening episode actually begins in San Francisco - not that far from where I am writing this today.
     His character was emblematic of a generation of young men who were convinced that something out on the road was calling them. It certainly grabbed my attention from the first episode.
     But at the time the program was getting underway, so was my young family.
     Married with a three-month-old infant son, a motorcycle like the one driven by Michael Park's character was an unlikely vehicle for the three of us.

    So the compromise was another icon of the era - a beat up VW microbus, complete with a peace symbol painted on the front in place of the metal VW symbol. That peace symbol was painted over just before we left NY for points west.
    Watching the iconic film Easy Rider convinced me a slightly less 'in-your-face' vehicle might get me through some of places that sported signs in those days that said things like "NO HIPPIES ALLOWED" and "YOU WANT EAT HERE? GET A HAIRCUT."
     The details of that sojourn will take an entire book to tell.
 
     Michael Parks died earlier this week. He was 77 and had a fabulous film and television career acting in many great roles.
     But for me, he will always be Bronson on his motorcycle.
     In the video clip below (at about 1:12), a tired commuter driving a station wagon pulls alongside at a stoplight and asks Bronson where he's going.
     "Oh, I don't know," Bronson says. "Wherever I end up, I guess."
     The commuter responds, "Man, I wish I was you."
     "Really?" Bronson says. "Well, hang in there."
     Well, hang in there, Michael Parks, wherever your celestial motorcycle is taking you.
     I'll hang in here.
     Maybe someday we'll meet up going down that Long Lonesome Highway.

'The Battle for Veterans' Health Care' subject of talk Friday night at Kaleidoscope Coffee

   POINT RICHMOND - Health care journalist - and Richmond author - Suzanne Gordon will be unveiling her book, The Battle for Veterans' Health Care, Friday at Kaleidoscope Coffee.
     The event is open to the public and runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Refreshments are available to purchase.
     Gordon will be leading a discussion of veterans and caregivers at the book party, focusing in good part on why Donald Trump's plan to outsource medical treatment for veterans is a manifestly bad idea.
     The book was published by Cornell University this year.

Artist Jim DeWitt's work at El Sol restaurant

Jim DeWitt at El Sol

   POINT RICHMOND - Selected pieces of art by well-known Point Richmond artist and sailor Jim DeWitt are now on display at El Sol Restaurant on Park Place.
    DeWitt recently joined the Arts of Point Richmond.
 
   "Art has always been my first love," he says.
    El Sol is open Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays.
    A link to his website - with an online gallery of his work -  can be accessed at this link: The Art of Jim DeWitt.

A look at Oscar-nominated movies & race

(Editor’s Note: The following narrative and free verse was submitted to The Point by Point Richmond resident Cornel Barnett, a native of South Africa.)

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By Cornel Barnett

Point Richmond

These snippets in free-verse focus on the Oscar-nominated movies on race as we understand it in the U.S. Jim Crow and Civil Rights context. They are indispensable in understanding our historical and social context in order to help our nation towards its stated principle of liberty and justice for all. 

2017 Oscar-nominated Movies on Race*

The 2017 Oscar collection of movies on race

Is the antithesis of last year’s minimal line-up.

It shows that Black lives matter – enormously!

In “Hidden Figures” numbers emerge

From brilliant brains hitherto hidden

And a race and rocket reach new heights

In “Fences” old wounds of discrimination in baseball

Fester in an old pro who finds solid work in garbage

And fences grow while his gifted family is wasted

In “I Am Not Your Negro” James Baldwin articulates

Along with movie clips and real life past and present –

And race in the United States is decisively dissected

In “O. J.: Made in America” football turns farcical

In a harrowing journey of ambiguity and contradiction

And O. J. and the U.S. are radically exposed and wrung out

In “13^th” the law that abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude

Except as punishment for a crime, becomes a loophole that sends

Civil Rights to jail – and modern-day slavery and servitude spikes

In “Loving” interracial marriage is considered crime

In the State of Virginia and love in its many manifestations

Weaves a magical web through courts of the country

* Best picture: “Hidden Figures”, “Fences”

   Documentary feature: “I Am Not Your Negro”, “O. J.: Made in America”, “13^th”

   Best Actress: Ruth Negga, “Loving”

A poetic look at some Oscar-nominated movies

Editor's Note: The following bit of commentary and verse was submitted by Cornel Barnett, a Point Richmond resident.
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By Cornel Barnett

Point Richmond

     These thoughts on the Oscar-nominated movies on refugees do not give away their plots. They are mere indicators to encourage you to see the movies. 

     The films capture the refugee crisis like no other, except if you have actually been there. 

     It’s painful. 

     Thanks to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, we get an inside look that will open wide your heart.          

     Let’s hope it turns policy and encourages peace in the pertinent councils of power.  

2017 Oscar-nominated Movies on Refugees *

Six 2017 Oscar-nominated movies

Address the global refugee crisis.

Each is tragic as hell – yet hopeful

In “Fire at Sea,” a Nigerian laments aloud

His harrowing flight and death walk

Through desert, Libya, jail and escape to the sea

In “Silent Nights,” Denmark houses diverse communities

And everyone discriminates, nationals on transnationals,

Refugee on refugee – and silently, love emerges

In “Watani: My Homeland,” a Syrian warrior is killed

And his wife and three children find refuge

In a welcoming, aging, medieval German town

In “Ennemis Interieurs,” a French officer interrogates

For authenticity the loyalty of a Muslim in France

And Arabs no longer feel safe and at home

In “4.1 Miles,” the Greek island of Lesbos is swamped

As thousands of men, women and children are rescued

Or they wash ashore – and Europe is overwhelmed

In “Joe’s Violin,” Joe buys a violin in a ghetto

During his flight from World War II and Nazism.

Seventy years later, the violin soothes others

Addendum

(A precipitating event):

In “White Helmets,” brave men save hundreds

From buildings blasted and bombed in Syria

And a baby is pulled from the rubble and cries

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* Documentary feature: “Fire at Sea”

   Documentary short: “”4.1 Miles”, “Joe’ Violin”, “Watani: My Homeland”, “The White Helmets”.

   Live-action short: “Ennemis Interieurs”, “Silent Nights”.

Head to the 'Flight Deck' for new local plays

   OAKLAND - An evening of plays - including work written by Point Richmond's David Cole - will be performed Weds. March 8 at the Flight Deck in Oakland, beginning at 7 p.m.
     The performances are open to the public - admission is free.
     The short plays are part of an advanced playwriting class, which operates as part of the Performing Arts Institute for older adults.

Inside the Flight Deck

   
    For the Wednesday performances, professional actors and directors have been hired to perform the staged readings.
    The four playwrights whose work will be featured include Cole, Michael Dougan, Joan First and Mary Spletter.

    Cole says attendance at the showcase of plays - besides the entertainment value - supports the playwrights and gives interested people an opportunity to see if they would like to try their hand at writing a play.
    "You will laugh, cry, and everything in-between," he says.
 
    The Flight Deck is located at 1540 Broadway in Oakland. Doors at the theater open at 6:30 pm. Tickets can reserved by calling 510-444-4755.

Fundraiser for Masquers Playhouse Sunday

   PINOLE - A fundraiser for the Masquers Playhouse in Point Richmond will be held Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. at the Pinole Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Ave. Pinole.
     The performance is called What's Not to Love about Love, and is presented by the Masquers Envision program.
     The cost is $15 at the door. Reservations are recommended and can be obtained by calling 510-232-3888.