Friday, March 29, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
Observations

DECEMBER 26, 2004 --

Ralph Returns …


Ralph Nader returned to his hometown, Winsted, Connecticut, for fundraising appearances, December 22 and 23, to reduce his presidential campaign debt of
$400,000. Requested admission to these appearances was five dollars. LPR was on hand both evenings and here offers proof that Mr. Nader does, in fact, smile -- from time to time. More on Mr, Nader's
campaign-debt reduction appearances
next week.

Ralph Nader, fund raising in Winsted, Connecticut on December 23rd.


LPR Recommends ...

A visit to the Torrington, Connecticut Christmas House -- open through January 15. Take Route 8 to Exit 44. Left on
East Main to Main Street. Right on Main Street to Pearl St. for parking - the house is on Main Street just up from the corner. Inside from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Outside: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The outside of the house is remarkable. The inside is just
amazing.

The outside of the Torrington, CT Christmas House.


Santas in all shapes and sizes inside the Torrington, CT Christmas House.


After Ralph …

When for fighting big business I had a hanker

Working for Ralph Nader was a lot of fun

Now that my aim is to be a tv anchor

I wish he'd not make another presiidential run


The NYIIFF Awards …

A large crowd assembled at Gallery, on 27th Street in Manhattan, December 18, for the New York International Independent Film and Video Festivals awards. Grand
jury honors for best feature went to "Black Prince," based on the life of Russian poet Alexanxder Pushkin, directed by Anatoli Ivanov starring Levani (Uchaneishvili) as Pushkin, with Tamar Kagan as Idalya Poletika.

Also honored were Luis Pedron and Mark Levitt, directors of "Party Games," "Sakenara" -- best short film -- directed by Alan Chan, and "What Goes Around,"-- best urban-setting feature -- directed by
McClinton Karma Stanley.

For the complete list of NYIIFF award-winners, see the festival's website: www.nyfilmvideo.com.

"Sakenara" featured cast member Nella Vinci who did not put the lipstick on director Alan Chan's cheek.


Luis Pedron high-fiving after receiving his award.


Mark Levitt and Luis Pedron.


McClinton Karma Stanley, pictured with Deborah Pointer, showing his award.


The cast of "Sakenara."


Black Prince Director Anatoli Ivanov, Levani (Uchaneishvili), Tamar Kagan.


 

 

 

DECEMBER 19, 2004 --

Will Defections Depress De Fans?

Major league baseball players

The country's new royalty?

Not even sooth-sayers

Can predict their loyalty

With players eagerly engaging in defection

Why should fans stay steadfast in affection?


Getting to sound a lot like... the season in Rockefeller Center.


Federalist 57 at the Pump …

Gas prices at this Torrington, Connecticut Mobil station (where LPR learned of that 777 mid-day number) are a lot more in sympathy with motorists than New York prices. Perhaps because of higher taxes in New York to not keep roads maintained?



A [Wear] White Christmas Party…

Veltis Harratan and Renata Lorenc hosted a [Wear] White Christmas Party at Suede, December 11. Here are photos of Renata, Veltis, Laura Fay Lewis, Ariot Myrtaj, Emily Fitzgerald among others wearing white for this Christmas (not Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings) party. See, also, Veltis' website --www.angel503z.com -- for more party photos and party information.

Veltis Harrattan


Ariot Myrtaj, Emily Fitzgerald, Al Burgo (rear), another party coif, and Jerry.


Laura Fay Lewis, coiffed for the party.


Emily Fitzgerald, Jerry Lopez, Veltis, Renata Lorenc.



Another Establishmentarian Pundit Is
Born


If only Senator Kerry had been elected

Richard Holbrooke may well have been selected

to succeed Colin Powell as Secretary of State

Did Amb. Holbrooke once write as VIP's ghost

How nice to read that the Washington Post

Is giving him a column on a consolation plate


MERRY CHRISTMAS from LPR!

Note: Photo is from the
2004 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.



LPR asks clicksters to pause

At this moment of winter's arrival

And raise a glass to Santa Claus

Annually brightening our survival

Joyeux Noel

Correction Corner …

UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun threw out the ball on Patriots' Day in Fenway Park, April 19 -- Red Sox
against New York; not opening day as stated here, last week. To read the corrected article in full, please check out the Archives.


DECEMBER 12, 2004 --

A Freee Press Rap …

When a prosecutor investigates an unauthorized leak

Government, to the media, should never respond with pique

The First Amendment doesn't permit duress

To be applied to any in the establishment press

Surrounding the public's right to know is a border

Erected to allow us to ignore a court order

Investigate Republicans and all their papers seize

We can help, but naming names--on that don't force us, please


Carolee (Mamma Mia) Carmello and Gregg (Wonderful Town) Edelman, just before the Broadway tree lighting, December 8. These Broadway stars are husband and wife
for real.


HoSec Can You See …

So Bernard Kerik will never be

Secretary of Homeland Security

Is it possible this decision to withdraw

Somehow has made Rudy Giuliani sore

A Kerik cave-in (because of an immigrant nanny?)

Means President Bush must now go to Plan B

Maybe in looking for the new HoSec top bureaucrat

W should look to appoint a leading Democrat

Looking into the Washington political satchel

Here are two Dem names: John F. Kerry --and Tom Daschle


Independent Film Quarterly's Renata Lorenc (at right) and singer/filmmaker Emily Fitzgerald (at left) with friends, at the December 5 party held at Suede, marking the release of the latest IFQ, which includes interviews of Brad Pitt, Vincent Gallo, John Travolta and Milla Jovovich.


Now occupied -- these windows at Variazioni, 88th Street and Broadway, in Manhattan. (Shown waiting in last LPR)


 

DECEMBER 5, 2004 --

Pre-Lighting …

The Rockefeller Center tree was lit on Tuesday, November 30th. LPR happened to drive by on November 29th -- and snapped this photo of the tree the night before the lighting. Maybe later in the season LPR will get photo of lighted tree.

The 2004 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree - a 71-foot-high, 40-foot wide Norway spruce, which comes from Suffern in Rockland County, north of the city.


The ice skating rink at the base of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center.


Twas the night before lighting the Rockefeller Center tree

And this writer did not notice much holiday glee

But perhaps that's because he was parked on the street

And rushed for some photos lest a PVB person he'd meet

DECEMBER 4, 2004 --

Calling Senator Schumer…

Now that we are warned on the risks of being fat

How soon until a lawmaking Democrat

Rushes to the microphones, to announce with a grin

He will propose legislation to make us all thin


Another LPR Milestone

Lonely Pamphleteer Review got visit No. 15,000 on December 1, its first anniversary. Thank you LPR clicksters.


DECEMBER 3, 2004 --

Getting Ready For The Season …

Snowflakes on Saks …


… and Waiting Windows.


LPR Looking Back …

This photo of Homeland Security Secretary Thomas J. Ridge appeared in LPR last May, when he testified before the 911 Commission in Manhattan. Secretary Ridge, who announced his resignation last week, just might be a Republican presidential candidate in 2008. If he campaigns on a Federalist No. 57 platform, he could be hard to beat for the GOP nomination.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Thomas J. Ridge.


Bernard Kerik (left), new Homeland Security Secretary (And Rudy Giluiani's man in Washington?) pictured here with former Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, taken during the 911 Commission Public Hearings in New York this past May.


A Possible Dream?

Is there in New York City a regulatory scheme

The brainchild of officials holding this dream:

That everyone driving in the NYC thicket

Should be lulled into getting a parking ticket --

This dream enhanced, wouldn't you know

If every ticket led to a PVB tow


Thinking ahead to 2005 …

Thoughts of warmer weather … although LPR took this photo November 25, 2004.


When Thursday is a New York City Holiday -- Part 2

Another week of sidewalk garbage, this time because of Thanksgiving Day (this photo taken six days later!)

More curbside trash …


On the Protest Front …

United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) sent out an e-mail December 2: "Our Resistance Continues" UFPJ wants
protesters to go to Washington for the Inauguration demonstrations, January 20, organized by the DC Anti-War Network, and a group called Turn Your Back on Bush.

The Network has this acronym: DAWN. LPR did not notice an acronym for the second group but offers this possibility: TYBOB.

UFPJ earlier indicated it is working on plans for a really big protest next May.

Think of them not as merchandise, but as mementos.

LPR mugs, caps, T-shirts, coming soon. Also on the horizon - LPR photos as photocopies suitable for framing, and blank cards with photos on cover.