Letters From An American June 12th, 2022

Heather Richardson : Letters From An American

Why We Choose To Wear Orange June 3 - 5

Details at this link

In Case You Missed It...

Booker T. Jones played in Mill Valley recently. Legend.

 

Hear Ye!  

Save the date - September 11th in Mill Valley. Mari Mack and Livin' Like Kings on the Plaza : 1:00 pm 

Booker T. Jones is not in our lineup (although I was honored to meet him once,) but Richard Wood will bring his B3, and I figure that since he sent me this link in the first place, I ought to mention the gig! 

Here's hoping you have your best possible day so far. 

May Love Reign. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Civic Engagement and The Media

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/april-11-2022

Teachable Moments at The Oscars pt. 5

Teachable Moments at The Oscars pt. 4

 

 Not April Foolin' All the best lessons in my life have come through music.

 -- mt 

Teachable Moments at The Oscars pt. 3

Teachable Moments at The Oscars, pt. 2

Teachable Moments at The Oscars

Words to Live By

"Until we can forgive the person who harmed us, that person will hold the keys to our happiness; that person will be our jailor. When we forgive, we take back control of our own fate and our feelings. ... We forgive for ourselves." Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

bell hook

I'm going to put this here for all of us:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2021/12/15/five-bell-hooks-quotes-to-carry-with-you-while-trying-to-create-a-more-equitable-world/?sh=5e25c8336f29

Mask Mandate Returns to California

Please do the right thing. 

Wear the mask. 

Ox,

Mari 

Rhythm of Happiness

On occasion, I enjoy the facebook memories. 

i wish you a joyful day.

Ox, 

Mari 

Reads and Rocks

I am singing tonight at The Sweetwater Music Hall. Please join us if you can. Music heals. 

-- M

A Ted Talk About Inclusivity

I found this TED talk very informative, so am sharing. 

It demonstrates that more often than not, when when we work to help someone else, we help ourselves. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2115c0GL4a8

Have a wonderful day! 

ox,

Mari 

Effort to Take Back Local Planning Control

You may have already seen this, but if not, and if you have an interest in retaining neighborhood "sense of place" visit this link: 

https://ourneighborhoodvoices.com

As for me, I enjoy the feel of a neighborhood. The way to increase diversity is by increasing educational and economic opportunity for everyone, not by jamming high density housing into suburban and semi rural neighborhoods. That housing often ends up market rate, not "affordable." 

Most people want to be able to afford a nice little house in a safe neighborhood. If not, they can move to a city. By all means, build along the transit corridor, but don't take away a citizen's right to a say in the planning process. 

Thank You, 

Mari

The Joy of Being

Greetings! 

If you haven't seen the film "Mully" yet, please take some time to do so. I found it hard to watch at times, but it left me feeling hopeful and inspired. 

Also, after many requests for The Plant Studios' Records t-shirts, we had more made and opened up an online store. At first, we had it in preview mode, but decided to just ditch the password and open it up to all.  The shirt is super soft. Here is the link - https://the-plant-studios-records.myshopify.com

That is all for now. May you have a wonderful day! 

Ox, 

Mari 

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu

Bicyclists, Pedestrians, and Music

Just got wind of this bill Governor Newsom vetoed, which has to do with bicyclists being able to yield at stop signs and allowing pedestrians to cross the street without a crosswalk. As is my usual habit, I search the topic and review all the various viewpoints. Headlines help me to discern the journalism from the opinion. 

I am still amazed at the lengths people will go to push an agenda. This whole fantasy that if we change laws and build sidewalks where we don't really need them is going to make more people trade in their cars for bikes is just that - a fantasy. What is going to reduce driving is more work from home options and better city planning - where schools and services are within walking distance. And say what you want about Amazon - there are may reasons they are successful. When their Prime delivery fleet goes to zero emissions, we will be getting somewhere. 

I thought I would share a couple of articles, 

this article 2014 BBC article, about jaywalking: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26073797

and a more recent one from the LA ist: 

https://laist.com/news/transportation/jaywalking-pedestrian-ab-1238-traffic-safety

Do yourself a favor and read more. 

About music: 

I have a private party gig coming up and Arne is almost done recording a great album by a new artist. 

I miss being in a recording studio. 

Hope you create a great day! 

ox, 

Mari