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 We welcome your feedback.
Nolan,
I thoroughly enjoyed your article on the controversy surrounding the public
funding of the arts. (Re: "Art Wars", PCR #160, last issue. Thank you, Will --N) I particularly enjoyed how you presented the dual
perspectives from both your and Terence's standpoint.
The public funding of the arts has been, and will continue to be, an item
of great controversy and contention. Based upon your personal outlook, one
must ask themselves the following questions:
1. Are the arts an essential public service?
My own take is, no, they are not. Keeping schools open, building and
maintaining transportation facilities, and keeping courthouses, fire and
police functions operating is. This should not cloud the matter at hand,
however. The matter at hand is that trust funds were set up by law for
specific reasons. If essential government services can not continue to be
operated unless additional funding is procured, then our politicians need
to quit borrowing from trust funds never meant for such a purpose. and
finally bite the bullet on doing what's right by raising revenues-- but
that means MORE TAXES and the politicians would just as soon stick steel
rods in their eyes than to have the courage to admit that you can not
provide services without paying for them. especially in the anti-tax,
anti-government era we're in today. If raiding trust funds is the only way
they can hope to pay for a part or all essential services in order to raise
revenues, a.k.a. TAXES, then there is truly no sense in having trust funds
at all.
2. Are the arts necessary to the public well-being?
Absolutely! It was initiatives by local arts and historic preservation
activitists that have paved the way for private business ventures to breath
new economic life into our communities. This is evidenced by the vitality
of the Art Deco community of Miami Beach which was all but D.O.A. in the
late 70's until the arts and historic preservation communities fought to
showcase the value of the history, architecture and art of this gem. Once
the people know that it is there to be found, they will come! This is now
an internationally recognized community. Although the examples city by city
are numerous and astounding, notable examples of the value of the arts,
history and architecture in Florida would include the City of Winter Park,
where the Charles Hossmer Morris Gallery houses the world's largest George
Comfort Tiffany collection, the arts communities in West Palm Beach, the
John Ringling Arts Museum in Sarasota, St. Armands Key, the City of St.
Augustine, and restoration of grand hotels such as the Vinoy in St.
Petersburg and the Breakers in Palm Beach.
These cultural icons generate billions of dollars annually in revenue in
Florida. Therefore, ignoring the impact that public funding can have on
what the arts can bring in state revenue becomes more critical and less of
a "essential" versus "nonessential" matter.
3. Is there a dearth of artistic talent in the State of Florida?
Absolutely NOT! There may be a lack of culture interested in supporting it,
but Florida is gifted with excellent artisans of every type of art
conceivable. If you need evidence of this, simply to a visit to the Tampa
Art Museum. Take in a Florida Orchestra concert at the Performing Arts
Center. Visit the Maitland Art Center in Maitland. Visit the Loch Haven
Arts Complex in Orlando. Visit the Cummer Gallery in Jacksonville. Visit
the Bass Art Museum and the Holocaust Sculpture in Miami Beach. The list is
endless on the value of the art communities in Florida and their worth to
our economic vitality. Instead of sending money out of state we need to
continue to concentrate on cultivating and nourishing the artistic
resources already located within the state as it repays itself in big
dividends.
Raiding trust funds is yet another example that our legislators will always
take the path of least resistance and easy way out rather than weigh the
options on the wise distribution of funds based on facts needs and social
value, even during a period of economic malaise like now. It's too easy to
demonize and sound byte what the trust funds stand for rather than question
if all "essential" services are being managed and funded properly first.
In regards to Ms. Lauren's column, I admire the stand you took. Although
the contents of her column do not personally interest me, they are
nevertheless a mainstream form of our society's pop culture and this is a
pop culture publication. Even if different facets of pop culture do not set
well with our writers or readers they are a contribution nevertheless and
do have their place in this publication's history. One of my personal
favorite "inflammatory" set of articles that created a hullabaloo with our
staff and writers was Matt's "Last Days" series last year. Although it was
basically a conjectural theological work, I believe that it was also
something that our mainstream popular culture has had and still has a
definite and deep interest in.
I was glad to see Ashley's work reappear this week on several levels. First
and foremost, she was not kowtowed or discouraged to keep writing even
after the published strenuous objections by some of our finest writers,
readers and heavyweights. Second, her Catherine Zeta-Jones article was
already a marked improvement over her first article (as you pointed out she
is not a middle aged well-polished author--she's learning the ropes now,
just like Terence did-- and I consider him to be one of the finest writers
I've read in either amateur or professional circles ), and third, her
articles contribute to the diversity of this publication (Florida
memorabilia, tacky movie reviews, movie reviews, the paranormal, comics, CD
reviews, mystery novel reviews) which is its strongest suit and keeps it
fresh and vital.
Will [Moriaty]
Nolan
Awesome issue! (Re: PCR #160. Thanks, Steve!---N)
Personal high points for PCR #160:
1. Dedication to Barbara Castellano and the inclusion
of Auburndale, FL City Manager, Uncle Bruce Canova (as a matter of
fact, I'd like to see an issue dedicated to your dad,
and don't tell me it's too late. He contributed to Pop
Culture waaaay before the term was coined). (Agreed--N)
2. Cypress Gardens closure....I went there many times
and believe it is yet another nail in the coffin we
all know and love as Old Florida. I like to refer to
it as Pre-Disney Florida.
3. Will's St. Pete Times interview about Florida
wildflowers along the interstate system.
4. Ashley's "Hollywood". I agree that people of all
ages read this site and should be able to write from
their own perspective. Besides, PCR is already made up
of Baby Boomers, Generation X'rs and what have you.
It's still Pop Culture regardless of whether it's
geared to our age group or others. Besides, when
necessary, she has her own Baby Boomer human
encyclopedia in the form of her father, John.
5. Having followed PCR since it's inception, I believe
you are well on track with the e-zine....and no, I'm
not just saying it 'cuz we're friends, but you've always told me about
your goals and target demographics (which I agree
with) and you're steering a straight course towards
that goal.
6. The sad death of Duck Tours....which to me is very
reminiscent of an old-time Florida attraction. I
suppose it's not hi-tech enough in this day and age.
The State Insurance Commissioner has never done a
thing about high rates and/or cost control (a part of
job description). I've complained about that for
years.
7. The article about Arts Funding was interesting and
tho it pains me, I'm not surprised local government
hasn't an interest in art. Since Florida has a poet
laureate, maybe Jeb Bush could create a new position
for Clyde Butcher....photographer of Natural Florida
laureate.
Excerpt from Andy Lalino's "Letters to the Editor":
** On a critical note, we geekfans aren't particularly interested in Catherine Zeta-Jones' new baby or the surprise success of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". I'd much rather read about what Barbara Steele and Roger Corman are up to. **
No disrespect to Andy but.....Nolan, I would prefer to read about Roger Corman's exploits as well, however PCR has fans of all ages and besides, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is an independent film by a newbie in the film biz....and even if that (romantic comedy) isn't your favorite genre, it should be allowed on PCR. PCR is not here to help the sci-fi/action genre only. It's very unfair for Andy Lalino to discount particular independent films just because he would have preferred another genre. Having said all that, I don't believe I'm stepping on YOUR toes Nolan because you and I have discussed many times the content of this website before you began it as well as in recent months and years....so I believe I know what you want. Andy should read the CFB Mission Statement (Ha, ha, the little known and little read(?) original homepage of Crazed Fanboy, now in the Archives--N) before making such a statement. I have never really been a fan of Catherine Zeta-Jones, however that was because my first big news about her was due to her marriage to Michael Douglas. I figured, "Here it goes, Michael marrying a young cute wannabe actress and she's getting a millionaire husband and using him to get plum roles". Mutually beneficial, which it is. I have no problem with that. However, having looked into her roles prior to and since their wedding, must say that she is an excellent actress as well, so she deserves the accolades.
Steve Beasley,
reporting from Middle Earth
Here it is, folks...appearing by insane popular demand....
Terence Nuzum responds to Mike Smith, Andy Lalino, and Ashley Lauren
(Very slightly edited for inflammatory content. DO NOT write to me, write to him)
Prologue -- Mike's personal email to me two weeks ago regarding Ashley's column went online barely edited. Altho Mike consented, he felt the published letter, which appeared last week, painted him in a very bad light and was misleadingly negative. I thought the original letter represented what many fans might be thinking, so I left it largely intact to inspire/provoke more fan discussion on the topic, which was successful in that regard, but was, in the larger picture, a mistake: We almost lost Mike. I've apologized about any miscommunication and hurt feelings, and he is staying but we will continue to disagree about this.
Filmmaker Andy Lalino wrote to express praise for the 'zine, but also expressed similar concerns about including a Hollywood-style reporter. I appreciate Andy's input and regard his talent and contributions as an asset to the Bay-area community. Ashley's current column is more to his liking, and as I said before it will get better and better.
I have already made my feelings clear on the matter. 18-year-old Ashley Lauren will continue to develop her chops here as long as she desires to.
Clicking on the title link above will take you to Terence's letter. I have said all I need to say, so please DO NOT WRITE TO ME, WRITE TO HIM!!!
Nolan,,
Wanted to let you know that I'm already addicted to Mr. Cerrato's fine column. The use of the skulls as a ratings system and the slogan "I Frighten My Family" are great. I also enjoy the "bios" of the "plastic people".
Keep up the good work Matt!
Will [Moriaty]
Nolan,
Looks like Ashley won me over in one fell swoop! Scheider! Saxon! Zombie! Black! She even mentioned "Curse of the Living Corpse" (which I remember watching on "Creature Feature")!!! That's the kind of gossip column the geekfans need. Ashley should really find out what went on behind-the-scenes in schlock such as "Last House on Dead End Street" and "Bloodsucking Freaks"! That would make for some worthwhile column-reading. I think we're on to something here...
...I'm gonna get back to the "Humanoids from the Deep" review...
- Andy Lalino
Glad to hear it, Andy! I hope she will eventually win everyone over, altho it looks like we certainly have our work cut out for us.
Watch out for those Giant Salmon from the Deep! Thanks for writing.--Nolan
Hello Everyone:
It's the "Creature from Clearwater", John Lewis, here. (This is Ashley's father everyone. John was one of the first singers for Blade, and also wrote for this magazine a couple years ago.--N) It's been a while since I've graced
these hallowed halls but I promised Nolan I would return with "Creatures Corner" so I will
keep my promise. (Installment #1 for 2003 appearing next week --N)
First a quick note about all the buzzing that I've taken in since I've
returned to this small, but extremely active piece of cyber-real estate. I guess Ashley Lauren
has poked a stick into the beehive and rustled it up a bit. I haven't seen so much restless
homopteran activity since the Monster From Green Hell. "New Hollywood" is still "Hollywood"
so it surely has a place in this forum. After all, new movies are reviewed constantly on this
site so why not new "Hollywood." It's a crazy, zany world in that community which feeds us our
culture so I think it will be refreshing to see it covered from a young person's point of view.
Heaven forbid it actually attract a new demograhic of readers.
We have to remember that
we were all young at one time (I still am, one of the perks of being the "Creature") and for
that reason alone we should welcome youthful vigor into the house. To ignore their feelings
and dismiss what they have to say is a crime against humanity and you all know how we deal with
that. Who is to blame for the thousands of teenagers who have never heard of Lon Chaney,
Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Can't blame 4E because he brought those people
and their achievements to a youthful audience which we were lucky enough to be a part of. I
talked to him about this in 1998 and we agreed it was a shame. It's up to us to teach the new
generation about the things we hold dear and not turn our backs on them. Many won't care and
that's okay. That's what makes us all free-thinking individuals. Rather than say "what we
like is better than what you like, can't you see that? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU DAMN KIDS ANYWAY!!!"
We can say "This is what we like and we think you'd like it to. Oh, by the way, Scream and
Final Destination are cool, too."
Cheezy movies are cheezy movies, no matter what year
they're made in. The Devil Bat is just as cheezy as Jeepers Creepers and I like them both.
Then again, I have learned to enjoy movies with a bit of dairy product in them.
Like ants who go nuts when their Pheromone trails are blocked by a twig, get over it and
move on.
It's good to be back!!!
John Lewis
P.S. Everybody keep up the good work.
To send an email to Letters to the Editor write to: Crazedfanboy1@aol.com. Any emails sent to this address will be assumed intended for publication unless you specifically instruct me not to. I can and do respond privately, if that is your preference. Frequently, it's both ways.---Nolan
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