Ann Cefola's Blog, page 9

your valentine's annogram

Free Ferry half-price!
Upper Hand Press has a sweetheart of a deal for you:  Free Ferry is half price now through February 14. Order now and you'll receive it in April, which is right around the corner. Thanks to cultural pundit Natasha Nesic for the first online review of Free Ferry, and to everyone who has preordered my book to date. I can’t wait to sign it for you.
Matters of the Heart
Thanks again to Dr. George Kraus for convening an extraordinary poets last month for Sundays at the J with George and Friends at the JCC on the Hudson. In addition to Michael Carman, Susanna Case, Ruth Handel, Ann Lauinger, Natalie Safir, and Meredith Trede, I loved the science-inspired poetry of Loretta Oleck, co-owner of the Muddy Waters Cafe; and lyrical work of Michelle Seaman, whose husband Benjamin Dauer provided tasty bass rendering as part of their musical duo, the Dwindlers.

Sarah Bracey WhiteFebruary is African American History Month
Annogram celebrates great African American poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Countee Cullen, Audre Lorde, June Jordan, Langston Hughes, Phillis Wheatley, and two fabulous writers I am privileged to know—Sarah Bracey White and Petra E. Lewis. Sarah, recently interviewed in the Journal News , is author of the award-winning folk tale The Wanderlust ; and Petra wrote a scarily prescient novel on gun violence, The Sons and Daughters of Ham: Book I: A Requiem . While exploring, be sure to see Blavity's young black poets you should know.

Feeling Blue and Lonesome
If you've been following annogram, you know the blues hit me like lightning last year. About the same time, the Rolling Stones, feeling stuck in a recording session, decided to "cleanse the palate" by returning to their musical roots.
Little Walter JacobsThe result is Blue and Lonesome , an album whose soulful purity honors originators of the American blues canon, such as Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf and Lightnin’ Slim. In the classic shuffle, "Just Your Fool," Jaggerskillfully executes traditional blues harmonica, once performed in a simpler fashion by Brian Jones in the band's early days. Jagger’s harmonica can only be matched by his vocals, which excel in this leaner blues forum—especially in the Chicago-oriented "I Gotta Go."
Willie DixonThe band also pays homage to Delta blues, with "Hate to See You Go," "Little Rain" and the Willie Dixon standard, "I Can't Quit You Baby," widely performed by everyone from Jeff Beck to Zeppelin. Recording next door, Eric Clapton was invited in and performs slide on "Everybody Knows About My Good Thing" and guitar on “I Can’t Quit You Baby.” If you love authentic blues, this album is a keeper.
Thanks to my favorite blues rock guitarist Michael Cefola for his input on this review.
Herbert Hadad: Jewish and Arabic

Writers Terry Dugan, Herb Hadad and
Ann celebrate Herb's theater debutThe Jewish Women's Theatre in Los Angeles, which "celebrates truths that connect all people," plans to dramatize a piece Herbert Hadad wrote for the New York Times. The original op-ed, "Both Jewish and Arabic," concerns Herb's efforts to keep Arabic heritage alive for his three children in a Christian-Judeo household. A freelance writer, Herb authored Finding Immortality: The Making of One American Family and teaches at the Hudson Valley Writers Center. The play will debut in March.
Ruby Sketchley as
Mary E. Gregory of
Old SacramentoMy Great-Great Grandmother on Facebook
Imagine my shock to find my great-great grandmother on Facebook! There she is, talking about life in Sacramento during the Gold Rush. Mary E. Gregory is none other than Ruby Sketchley of the Old Sacramento Underground Tours. Ruby, an accomplished actor, filmmaker and director, is a tour guide for the Sacramento History Museum. 

Mary emigrated from England and loves the international flavor provided by her diverse neighbors. Later she would become a real estate magnate, successful business woman and close associate of Leland Stanford. Her son would become mayor of Sacramento, and grandson a master architect. I would tell her that immigrants still make America great!
Brunch at Fork Food Labs
Outdoor community event at ForkWish I was in Maine for the Fork Food Labs brunch February 25! I know how good their food is—as a Kickstarter donor, I received melt-in-your mouth toffee from Rosanna's Ice Cream, Whoopie Pies from Cape Whoopies, and a Brown Butter Brownie from Fat Pants Bakery. Congratulations to Eric Holstein and Neil Spillane for creating commercial kitchens where entrepreneurs can fulfill their gourmet dreams. If in Portland, you can sample their fine culinary products in the Fork Food Labs Tasting Room.
Gluten-free Amaretti di Roma
A long time ago, as newlyweds, Michael and I enjoyed a meal al fresco in Rome. The waiter, enchanted by young love, kept bringing little cookies and plenty of Frangelico on the house. He got a big tip, and we returned to our pensioneto sleep for hours until the sound of revelers at the Piazza Navona woke us up. And this recipe, like Proust's madeleine, reminds me of that magical night.
3 cups of finely ground blanched slivered almonds1 1/4 cup of sugar, finely ground in a blender or food processor3 egg whites1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using blender, food processor or handheld beater, mix almond grounds and sugar. Add extracts and egg whites, and mix until smooth. Place teaspoons of dough on papered baking trays and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 24-30 minutes or golden grown.
Calls for work / creative opportunities
J. L. Witterick, keynote,
Unicorn Writers Conference First Literary Review – East welcomes poetry submissions year-round
Learn to translate literature from Intralingo
Sign up for the March 25th Unicorn Writers Conference 
Lines + Stars requests your poetry of resistance and dissent
Lines + Stars seeks chapbook manuscripts
Readings at AWP
AWP Offsite Readings, February 7-11

Diana BoltonBusboys and Poets, February 9, 10pm, Cindy Hochman, Alexandra van de Kamp, Lissa Kiernan, Kim Peter Kovac
Poets House at AWP, February 9, 4:30pm, J. Mae Barizo, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Monica Youn, Kevin Young
Bossa Bistro, February 10, 6pm, Lines + Stars’ Diana Bolton, Megan Atwood, Beth Konkoski-Bates
Dos Madres Press, February 11, 12pm, Owen Lewis, Nancy Kassell, Geoffrey Woolf, Daniel Shapiro, Anne Whitehouse
Readings
Maryam Mortaz
HVWC, February 3, 7:30pm, Mike Lala, Cynthia Manick ($10)

KGB Bar, February 7, 7pm, David Katz, Nemo Hill, Rick Mullin

Poets House, February 18, 3pm, Brad Gooch, Maryam Mortaz on Rumi ($10)
The New School, Wednesday, February 22, 7pm, C.K. Williams Tribute, Jonathan Galassi, Edward Hirsch, Yusef Komunyakaa, Paul Muldoon, James Richardson, Alan Shapiro, Chase Twichell, Susan Wheeler, Adam Zagajewski 
Mónica de la TorreCornelia Street Café, February 23, 6pm, and HVWC, February 24, 7:30pm, Spree MacDonald ($10)
Poets House, February 25, 3pm, Timothy Donnelly, Margo Jefferson, Mónica de la Torre on legacy of African American poetry ($10)
Zinc Bar, Saturdays at 4:30pm – Feb. 4, Cecilia Corrigan, Wendy Trevino; Feb. 11, Maryam Monalisa Gharavi, Jennifer Scappettone; Feb 18, Ryan Dobran, Wendy Lotterman; Feb. 25, Christian Hawkey, Himanshu Suri ($5)
’Round the Net
Thanks and/or congratulations to the following:
William Shakespeare Poets and Writers for “Muslim Americans Take the Mic”
Poets and Writers Daily News for new information on Shakespeare, that social climber!
Faculty advisor Hugh Behm-Steinberg on issue #23 of eleven-eleven , his final as advisor

Writer and arts educator Sarah Bracey White on her innovative writing workshops for kids
Suzanne ClearyPoet Suzanne Cleary on her Fierce Friday interview and poem featured in Editor Cindy Hochman on the latest issue of First Literary Review-East
Lines + Stars on its newest issue, Low Tide, High Tide
Poet Linda Simone on her poem "The Transformation" and interview in The Phoenix Soul
The annogramblog has surpassed 30,000 views! Shouldn’t I win an Amana freezer? Thank you for being part of a vibrant global artistic community. People are now sending me blurbs, which I appreciate. Alert me if you have an upcoming book, reading or performance. If you know anyone who would enjoy annograms, send me that person’s email address.
Until next time,Ann

your new year's annogram

Jimmy Santiago Baca and Free Ferry
Jimmy Santiago Baca, subject of the extraordinary documentary  A Place to Stand , and poet of  Singing at the Gates , has endorsed my new book,  Free Ferry :
Jimmy Santiago Baca
“Compelling and timely, a journey across the lake of the mind where her language floats up like medieval sirens and archetypal creatures that lure us into another world, a haunting and magical world—highly recommended.”
I am thrilled to have a New Mexican poet comment, as my book references the first atomic explosion at White Sands. My publisher, Ann Starr, reports pre-orders are impressive. Thanks to everyone who is generating buzz by ordering my bookprior to its April debut.
Matters of the Heart – A Meeting of Poets

Once again, Dr. George Kraus is convening an awesome group of poets for Sundays at the J with George and Friends at the JCC on the Hudson on Sunday, January 22 at 1:30pm. Come hear me read with poets Michael Carman, Susanna Case, Ruth Handel, Ann Lauinger, Loretta Oleck, Natalie Safir, Michelle Seaman and Meredith Trede.
Chasing Shadows

Rick BriaAmateur astronomer Rick Bria will discuss the astrophotography of asteroids occulting distant stars on January 13 at 7:30pm in Lienhard Lecture Hall at Pace University in Pleasantville.  Bria, a founding member of the Astronomical Society of Greenwich, operates the Stamford, Bowman, and Mary Aloysia Hardey Observatories. He's a superb astrophotographer whose work is truly out of this world!
Gluten-Free Molasses Ginger Cookies
Before we bid the holidays adieu, let's warm a cup of tea and bake one more batch of cookies...courtesy poet and painter Linda Simone:
1/4 tsp salt1 1/4 cup almond flour[image error]1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp ground ginger
1/4 cup coconut oil (warmed to liquid)
1/8 cup organic blackstrap molasses[image error]
1/8 cup agave
1/4 cup crystalized ginger (diced)
Preheat 350° oven. In mixing bowl, whisk first four ingredients. In separate bowl, combine coconut oil, molasses, and agave. Add liquid ingredients to dry, and stir until dough is sticky. Fold in crystalized ginger. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving space between cookies as they spread while cooking. Bake for 6-8 minutes depending on altitude.

Petra LewisCalls for work / creative opportunities
Blogging Intensive Workshop, email petraelewis@gmail.com
Cathy's Comps and Calls for January 2017, literary calls
Development and Marketing internship at P&W
The Studios at Mass MoCA, residency deadline January 10
Austin International Poetry Festival Anthology, submission deadline February 14
ModPo, UPenn's acclaimed global online poetry course, September 2017
 New releases
Marcela Delpastre, The Blood of The Stone, trans. Nicole Peyrafitte and Pierre Joris, (Mindmade Books)
Candace Habte, ed.,  Theories of HER  (Mercurial Noodle)
J. Chester Johnson,  Now and Then: Selected Longer Poems  (St. Johann Press)


David MillsReadings / presentations
Hotel Andaz, January 10, 7pm, poets Stella Padnos-Shea, Matthew Thorburn, Christina Cook 
McNally Jackson Bookstore, January 10, 7pm, poets Joshua Bennett, Jennifer Kronovet
Greenlight Bookstore, January 12, 7:30pm, Glen David Gould, Mar Cólon-Margolies, Brad Wetherell, Mallory Imler Powell, Andrew Mangan, and more
HVWC, January 13, 7:30pm, Stephen Massimilla and Myra Kornfeld on food and poetry ($10)
Cervantes HVWC, January 16, 7:30pm, David Mills's One-Man Show about MLK Jr. ($10)
Center for Fiction, January 17, 7pm, William Egginton on Cervantes inventing fiction; translators Edith Grossman, Natasha Wimmer; author Álvaro Enrigue
HVWC, January 22, 4:30pm, publishing panel with Michael Pietsch, Hachette Book Group CEO ($10)
Katherine Hepburn exemplified
the 1930s "Mid-Atlantic" accent'Round the Net
Editor John Amen for the 16-year anniversary issue 79 of the  Pedestal Magazine
Editors Adam Berlin and Jeffrey Heiman for J Journal's new website
The NEA for a link to "How a Fake British Accent Took Old Hollywood by Storm"
UPenn Professor Al Filreis for free PennSoundaudio recordings, PoemTalk podcasts, critical essays in Jacket2 magazine
The Divine Thirst
Quencher by Sasha MeretArt historian Beth Gersh-Nesic for curating  Sasha Meret: Select Works  at the Rafael Gallery in Manhattan through January 23
Poet Gary Glauber on his Pushcart nomination and poems in  First Literary Review - East , translated work in International Poetry, and  Verse-Virtual
Poet Cindy Hochman for reviews of Marylen Gringas's SHIFT,  Amy MacLennan's The Body, A Tree and Jordan Rice's Constellarium 
Poet Janet Kaplan on sharing this thought-provoking lecture, "Being Imagination, Being Love"
Translator C.M. Mayo for Yiddish translators Ellen Cassedy and Yermiyahu Ahron Taub on translating Blume Lempel's Oedipus in Brooklyn and Other Stories  Laura Morelli talks Murano glass
(link at left)
Art historian and novelist Laura Morelli on this fascinating history of Murano glass
Actor Celia Pilkington on her upcoming role in Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me at the Studio Theatre at Theatre Row in Manhattan
NYPL's Christopher Platt on encouraging readers to tweet or post what they are reading at #ReadersUnite
Fantasy writer Paul Russell on his Indie-a-Go-Go campaign to fund his new book,  The Will of the Magi
Bass player Larry Schwartzman for this all-star performance of “Why I Sing the Blues”
Music archivist Jay Shulman for this article on Stevie Wonder's talent as a harmonica player; I also recommend Big Leon Brooks
Big Leon BrooksPoet and painter Linda Simone for Frida Kahlo dressed as a man, Angelica Dass's diversity-inspired TED talk, interview with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch on WCW, Paterson and poetry, and poets picking their favorite words
Filmmaker Frank Vitale for sharing Episodes 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 of "The Metropolis Organism"
Westchester Amateur Astronomers for great lectures, after January 13, first Fridays through June—see website for details
Zoomorphic for its newest anthology,  DriftFish
Happy new year from snow-covered New York!  Digging out today.  While I might prefer to be a bear hibernating about now, January is great for writing, reading, and creating. Use it to your advantage and joyfully begin to fulfill your creative intentions and adventures….
Until next time,
Ann

your december annogram

No snow yetWishing you joys of Christmas, Hanukkah, or your own tradition in this season of lights. I’m celebrating work in poetry anthologies Polterguest (Main Street Rag), Realms of the Mothers (Dos Madres), Our Last Walk (University Professors) and Theories of HER (Mercurial Noodle); journals Opossum Lit and St. Petersburg Review; and next year, my second book Free Ferry (Upper Hand) that you can pre-order now, and an untitled Main Street Rag anthology on bars.
Fall Festival of Writing
Join me at Scarsdale Library, Sunday, December 4, at 11:45am for readings by novice and seasoned local writers.  I will be selling my books and sharing with the day’s readers and attendees about the literary life and craft. Thanks to novelist Barbara Josselsohn and her talented student Mary Wasacz for inviting me to this lovely event. Hope to see you there!
Joe BonamassaJoe Bonamassa at Westbury
Bonamassa, one of the best blues guitarists today, gave a soulful two hour plus concert last month. While his wide range of blues is inspired by the Three Kings (BB, Freddie and Albert), he is rooted in the British translation of Delta blues evidenced in his Beck-like “Going Down” and Zeppelin’s “How Many More Times.”
In trademark gray pinstripe suit and sunglasses, Bonamassa opened with a Fender Stratocaster which he also used in his tribute to Leon Russell. He dazzled on a Gibson ES-335 (like BB King’s Lucille); vintage 50s Les Paul, Explorer, Firebird, and 335 variants with and without Bigsby vibrato.  And Long Island welcomed him warmly, with one fan exulting, “Joey Bag-o-Donuts!”
Bonamassa and band Also impressive—drummer Anton Fig, formerly on Letterman; keyboardist Reese Wynans, formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble; ACM 2016 Bass PlayerMichael Rhodes, trumpeter Lee Thornberg, formerly with Tower of Power; Paulie Cerra, touring sax with R&B greats such as Stevie Wonder; and backup singers Lisa Richards and Susan McKinnon of Miami.
Thanks to my favorite blues guitarist, Michael Cefola, for help with this review.

New York Botanical Garden at Night
Enjoy the Holiday Train Show , 7-10pm, with cocktails, ice carving under starlight, pop-up acts by NYC street performers, and live music. Inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, model trains zip over bridges and past replicas of New York landmarks.  December 2, 3, 16, 17, 23, 30; January 7, 14, $35 nonmembers/$25 members (adults 21 and over). Advance tickets recommended.
Sasha Meret at Rafael Gallery
Sasha Meret: Selected Works, an exhibit curated by Beth Gersh-Nesic, director, New York Arts Exchange, will be at Rafael Gallery in New York from December 2-22 and opening reception take place December 12, 6-8pm.  The gallery, normally open Monday-Friday, 11:30-6:30pm, will be closed for the holidays. Call Rafael Gallery (212-755-4888) for hours and times after January 5.
High-energy universe
On Friday, December 2, Westchester Amateur Astronomers will host Dr. Reshmi Mukherjee, an astrophysicist and professor of physics at Barnard, who will speak on high-energy processes in the universe. You can look forward to more monthly talks next year by noted astronomers and free star parties held at Ward Pound Ridge. In the meantime, enjoy this amazing photo of the Pac Man nebula by WAA astrophotographer Olivier Prache.
Create your own video

Frank VitaleIn one weekly class for 10 weeks at the School of Visual Arts, Manhattan, you'll receive hands-on training from Frank Vitale, 30-year film instructor as you script/shoot your first promo video. Equipment provided and 25 hours instruction is $340, which would buy a mere 45 minutes in professional studio. Sign up at http://bit.ly/2gnpi8Z or contact Frank (vitaleproductions@me.com). Frank is a great teacher! Only a few spaces remain.
Unicorn Writers
Want to get your writer game on next year? Attend the Unicorn Writers Conference at Manhattanville College on March 27. If you can't wait for feedback from editors and agents, the conference is offering a pre-conference special for $150 to have 40 pages of writing reviewed by an expert. Send a check to PO Box 176, Redding CT 06876 and your manuscript and summary to unicorn4writers@gmail.com.
Last minute shopping?
Consider two fantastic Nashville organizations:  FashionAble for distinctive women's jewelry, leather handbags and wallets made by craftswomen worldwide seeking financial independence; and Thistle Farms, for natural oils, balms and soaps made by women who have come off the street and are building new lives in a safe community setting.

Holiday Coffee Cake
This has to be the ideal breakfast cake, perfect for house guests to help themselves with a cup of tea or coffee: not too fattening, easy to make ahead, delicious. You probably have all the ingredients, save the lovely green apple. 

2 cups all-purpose organic flour2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon salt1/4 cup white sugar plus 2 tablespoons sugar1 teaspoon cinnamon10 tablespoons unsalted organic butter, softened2 eggs, beaten1 cup whole organic milk1 organic green apple, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thin slices
Topping 4 tablespoons brown sugar4 tablespoons organic flour1/4 teaspoon cinnamon1 tablespoon organic butter, cut into small cubes
Preheat 375°F oven. Grease 9-inch pie or square pan. In bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In separate bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sugar with cinnamon, set aside. Using electric mixer, blend butter with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and eggs. Add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with milk, beating until just combined. Pour half of batter in bottom of pan, cover with apples, then cinnamon-sugar, and rest of batter. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon; sprinkle over cake, dot with butter, and bake 30-35 minutes.
Poetry readings / book launches
Ruby Silvious, artist of 363 Days of TeaRiverrun Books and Manuscripts, December 2, 6pm, 363 Days of Tea book launch
HVWC, December 2, 7:30pm, Columbia, Manhattanville, Rutgers MFA poets ($10)
Zinc Bar, December 3, 4:30pm, Natalie Diaz, t’ai freedom ford ($5)
HVWC, December 3, 7:30pm, Michael Cunningham ($10)
Scarsdale Library, December 4, 12 noon, Fall Writing Festival—Ann sells her books
Mercantile Library, December 7, 6:30pm, Realm of the Mothers book launch
HVWC, December 9, 7:30pm, Amy King, Camille Rankine ($10) Eamon Grennan
New York Botanical Garden, December 10, 2pm, Billy Collins, Eamon Grennan ($25)
Zinc Bar, December 10, 4:30pm, Chialun Chang, Cecca Austin Ochoa, Tommy Pico, ($5)
National Arts Club, December 15, 7pm, Natalie Diaz, Ross Gay, Aimee Nezhukumatahil
Zinc Bar, December 17, 4:30pm, Alex Quan Pham, Ronaldo V. Wilson ($5) 

New releases
A Tibetan Grammar , by Bénédicte Vilgrain, trans. Keith Waldrop (Burning Deck Press)

Our Last Walk  (University Professors Press)

Polterguest  (Main Street Rag Press)

Realms of the Mothers  (Dos Madres Press)
ʼRound the Net
Thanks and/or congratulations to the following for these links and good news:
Walt Whitman,
photograph by Matthew BradyTranslator Neil Blackadderfor telling us about Theater in Translation
Actor Josh Brolin on a masterful reading of Whitman in this Volvo ad
New York Times columnist David Brooks on the incandescence of Gwen Ifill
DJ Bill Flanagan for asking if rock 'n' roll is dead or merely old
Translator Isabelle Fuller for this musical take on a difficult election
Poet Gary Glauber for work in  Third Wednesday Fall 2016 Issue ,  Rivulets and Tributaries ,  Directionless Decade ,  Interior Motive ,  Now You See It, Now You Don't ,  Lex Loci ,  Ghost City Review
Poet Cindy Hochman for her latest reading at Cornelia Street Café

DV Activist David Kroenlein for sharing this veteran's story of sexual assault
The late Sir George MartinPBS for the extraordinary George Martin-produced documentary series on rock and pop music, Soundbreaking
Actor Celia Pilkingtonfor receiving funding for the play Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me
Music archivist Jay Shulman for noting the loss of Mose Allison, Raoul Coutard, Leonard Cohen, Mort Okun, Leon Russell, and Robert Vaughn

Linda Simone and her lovely watercolorsPoet Linda Simone on discovering  Black Lives Matter: A Poetry Reader  and on her first art exhibit in her new hometown of San Antonio
Signature  for 10 books to read and know about the late poet-songwriter-musician Leonard Cohen
Executive Coach Trish Taglefor interviewing Greenburgh Arts & Culture Executive Director Sarah Bracey White about her amazing achievements in growing community art
The UK’s Zoomorphic on its marine life-inspired anthology, Driftfish
We close this year by celebrating the strength and diversity of our creative community, and our mandate to bring our individual gifts into the world for healing, for joy, for wholeness.
Until next time,Ann

your november annogram

Ann works hard on her pumpkinAll Hallows’ Eve
Sculpted my way into it at my friends’ house, and received the ultimate compliment at home from seven-year-old trick-or-treaters, a witch and baby bear, who pronounced my pumpkin “Very cool!” “Carved it myself,” I beamed. Costumes seem traditional this year, with a renaissance princess and Oz scarecrow my favorites. On the Internet, I found a treat—a poem of mine from last summer.

My "very cool" pumpkinLit Crawl Portland
Opossum Lit  made its debut yesterday at an evening reading during the Portland Lit Crawl.  I'm excited that two of my favorite poems devoted to music, "Revolution," and "Ring of Fire," will appear in the inaugural issue.  Break a leg, or as my friend Meredith Trede says, break a line, Opossum Lit!
Audrie and Daisy
Concerned about the prevalence of sexual assault? Come see the documentary Audrie and Daisy, at Scarsdale High School’s Little Theater, November 30 at 7 p.m. A panel discussion, moderated by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, will feature Kristen Bowes, General Counsel, Mercy College; Katie Cappiello, activist, founder of The Arts Effect NYC; and Anna Utsinger, activist.   Reserve your seat online at bit.ly/audriedaisy.
Ruby Silvious at Riverrun
Come see Ruby’s painted tea bags—yes, you read that right.  Curated by New York Arts Exchange, Ruby Silvious’s art will be at Riverrun Books and Manuscripts to celebrate her book, 363 Days of Tea: A Visual Journal on Used Tea Bags.  Opening reception, December 2, 6-8pm; artist talk, December 3, 3-5pm; December 4, 2-4pm, talk on collecting by bookseller Tom Lecky.
Realms of the Mothers  Dos Madres Press will inaugurate its anthology celebrating its first decade of poetry, Realms of the Mothers (Dos Madres Press, 2016), on December 7, 6:30pm, at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati. Dos Madres published my first book of poetry, Face Painting in the Dark (Dos Madres, 2014) and will include “Dance in the City” and “Velocity” in Realms.
Calls for work / workshops
AMP, Hofstra’s digital literary journal, is open for submissionsThe Manhattanville Review is open for submissionsKatonah Museum of Art, poetry/drawing workshop, November 13, 10am – 12noon, $50
Readings / events
Laurie Ann GuerreroNational Arts Club, November 9, 7pm, Max Ritvo Tribute, Kaveh Akbar, Timothy Donnelly, Dorothea Lasky, Sarah Ruhl, Jean Valentine, Cynthia Zarin
Book Court, November 10, 7pm, Amanda Nadelberg, Anselm Berrigan
Fordham Lincoln Center, November 14, 7pm, Beth Bachman, Laurie Ann Guerrero
Paul MuldoonHVWC, November 11, 7:30pm, Poets on War and Peace ($10)
Zinc Bar, November 12, 4:30pm, Rickey Laurentiis, Miller Oberman ($5)
HVWC, November 13, 4:30pm, Paul and Anna Nugent in Seamus Scanlon's "The Long Wet Grass"
Irvington Public Library, November 13, 3-5pm, Homer’s Odyssey, poetry in the round
Fordham Lincoln Center, November 14, 7pm, Beth Bachman, Laurie Ann Guerrero
Camille RankineLillian Vernon Creative Writing House, November 17, 7pm, Patrick Rosal
Zinc Bar, November 19, 4:30pm, Sasha Banks & Alex Cuff ($5)
Katonah Village Library, November 20, 4pm, Paul Muldoon ($10)
HVWC, December 2, 7:30pm, Columbia, Manhattanville, Rutgers MFA poets ($10)
HVWC, December 9, 7:30pm, Amy King, Camille Rankine ($10)
Spanish Shrimp and Rice
This recipe comes highly recommended from our resident music archivist, Jay Shulman, via the Food Network.  Sounds delicious. Olé!  3 tablespoons vegetable oil1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, chopped1/2 teaspoon turmeric1 medium tomato, chopped1 small carrot, diced1/2 red bell pepper, dicedKosher salt and freshly ground pepper1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined1 1/2 cups converted white rice1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley1/2 cup frozen peas, thawedHot sauce (optional)
Heat oil in deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, turmeric; cook until onion is soft, 3 minutes. Add tomato, carrot and bell pepper; cook, stirring until tender, 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Add shrimp and cook, stirring, until they begin to turn pink, 1 minute. Add rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 tablespoon parsley; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat; sprinkle in peas and remaining 1/2 tablespoon parsley. Cover 5 minutes. Fluff with fork; add peas and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with hot sauce.
’Round the Net
Congrats and thanks to the following for links and news:
Poet Joel Allegretti on the new Wikipedia reference to Rabbit Ears (NYQ Books, 2015) and his quotes at length in The Writer on the anthology
My friend Donna for this hilarious video of a cat watching horror flick
Fast Company on why creativity requires community and a scientific look at creativity
Art historian and curator Beth Gersh-Nesic for a great part 1 intro to the NYC fall art scene, and part 2 too
Poet Gary Glauber for work appearing in  Leaves of Ink  and  Scarlet Leaf Review Dylan
DV activist David Kroenlein on the outing of the Harvard male soccer team
Huffington Post for these cool Scottish murals and how making art reduces stress
Poet Mary McCray for article on Amy King’s urging Dylan return his Nobel
Bassist Larry Schwartzman for sending me more authentic blues in the form of Buddy Guy, who NEVER gets "old"

Buddy GuyMusic archivist Jay Shulman on Dylan releasing his 1966 tour recordings on November 11 after November 1 release of his lyrics
Jay, also our resident undertaker, on passing of Phil Chess, Zacherly, and Bobby Vee
Poet and artist Linda Simone for this fascinating article on dreams

Poet Meredith Trede on her reading today at the Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library
Filmmaker Frank Vitale for releasing Episode 26, "Skin," and Episodes 27-30 of the Metropolis Organism on YouTube
Poet Neal Whitman and photographer Elaine Whitman on the joint publication of Elaine's photo, "Sand Dollars," and Neal's haiku "I-Ching and Change: Sand Dollar Cinquain" in Poets and Artists Around the World (Imagine & Poesia, 2016)
While this annogram promised to herald a new US president, I decided to get it to you beforehand.  Instead, I leave you with the enormous creativity of poets, artists, and musicians we salute here, and challenge you to contribute to this world--with your heart, your genius, your original soul.
Until next time,Ann

your october annogram

Free Ferry available for preorder
I am excited to share that my second poetry book, Free Ferry , is available for preorder.  Ray Peckauskus, Sarah Lawrence Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, calls it “a fascinating take on the plutonium story,” and Nathalia Holt, best-selling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us From Missiles to the Moon to Mars , says it is “a time capsule, sublimely combining the experience of a suburban family with the production and isolation of plutonium.” Intrigued? Order now for delivery next spring.
Kickstart She Can Find Her Way
You can put UPPER HAND PRESS and twenty-four women authors on the map by kickstarting a special publishing project. In  She Can Find Her Way: Women Travelers at Their Best , women from several generations tell true stories of their most memorable and challenging travel experiences.  Discover the many unusual gifts in exchange for your Kickstarter donation, while helping a wonderful indie press and fantastic publisher.

Boo at the Zoo

Gigi and adoring fans at the zooThere’s one more weekend to see Gigi and the Lend-Me-a-Hand Band at the Bronx Zoo’s Halloween event.  This adorable family band features songwriter/vocalist Gigi O’Keeffe Schwartzman, husband Larry on bass, son Evan on electronic drums, my husband Michael Cefola on guitar, and longtime friend Paul Rutkowski on sax.  See them, and amazing magic performed by David Levitan, at three daily shows on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30.  Bring li’l ones yearning to sing and dance!
Let All Voices Be Heard
Writers of different faiths share their stories Saturday, October 15, 7-9 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ.  The Writers Circle and Tiferet Journal co-host this interfaith panel moderated by Linda K. Wertheimer, author of Faith Ed (Beacon Press, 2015). Panelists will explore how writing and other creative pursuits can lead toward a more compassionate perspective on religious and cultural differences.
Jay Milder's WHITE LINES

You are invited to the opening reception of Jay Milder’s WHITE LINES at the Bogardus Mansion, Tuesday, October 18, 6-8pm.   The exhibit, curated by Beth Gersh-Nesic, PhD, features Old Testament and Kabbalah-themed work by Milder (born 1934), an American artist and a figurative expressionist painter of the second generation New York School. 
Vegetarian Chili
I made this recipe this week—a wonderful meal to welcome the cool weather!  You may have seen this in an earlier annogram. This is my version of Chili con Elote in The New Laurel’s Kitchen (Ten Speed Press, 1986), my first vegetarian cookbook.  We ate the chili in bowls the first night, and the second, spooned it onto corn chips, covered with cheddar cheese and popped them under the broiler for memorable nachos.  Tastes better the next day as flavors meld.  1 organic onion, chopped1 organic clove garlic2 tablespoons oil1 or 2 organic green peppers, diced1 teaspoon chili powder1 teaspoon cumin powder2 cups V-8 Juice2 tablespoons ketchup2 tablespoons salsa1 cup frozen organic corn3 cans Trader Joe’s Organic Kidney Beans1 1/2 teaspoons salt1 teaspoon oregano  Sauté onion and garlic clove in oil until onion is soft. Crush garlic clove. Add green pepper and spices. Sauté another 2 or 3 minutes. Add V-8 Juice and corn. Drain all three cans of beans and add whole beans from two cans to the pot.  Mash beans in the third can with a knife until you have a thick paste; add to pot along with salt and oregano. Simmer 30 minutes or more; stir to avoid bottom burning.
New releases
Bearing the Mask: Southwestern Persona Poems (Dos Gatos Press, 2016)
“Bridge of Sighs,” a new short story by Laura Morelli, available on Amazon
Cadillac, Oklahoma (Upper Hand Press, 2016) by Louise Farmer Smith
Conversion Table (Mindmade Books, 2016) by A Maxwell
Eyewitness(Dos Madres Press, 2016) by Natalie Safir
Calls for work / classes
Presence, a Journal of Catholic Poetry is seeking poetry and book reviews by December 1
Tarpaulin Sky Press is accepting submissions for its annual book prize contest by November 1
The Hudson Valley Writers Center offers one-day intensives with high profile writers
Cindy Beer-Fouhy’s Writing Workshop for 50+  continues through December 7
Ruth Zaporah workshop on physical theater improv, October 21, 22, 23, in Brooklyn
Readings / Events
CD Wright (1949-2016)HVWC, October 15, 7:30pm, Jim Tilley ($10); October 16, 7:30pm, Amy Dryansky, Jennifer Franklin, Aideen Henry, Jack Powers; music by Mike Latini ($10)
The New York Public Library, October 18, 7pm, Rebecca Solnit, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Garnette Cadogan, Suketu Meht, Luc Sante on their project Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas.
Queen’s College, October 18, 6:30pm, Kaitlyn Greenidge
CUNY Graduate Center, October 19, 6:30pm, CD Wright Tribute: Lee Ann Brown, Peter Cole, Monica de la Torre, Carolyn Forché, Brecht Gander, Brenda Hillman, Ben Lerner, Deborah Luster, Frances Mayes, Jane Miller, Michael Ondaatje, Brenda Shaughnessy, Arthur Sze, Jean Valentine, Anne Waldman, Michael Wiegers, Richard Leo Johnson, Toni Hall, Eiko Gregory Rabassa (1922-2016)
Saint Mark's Church, October 19, 8pm, Garrett Caples, Hoa Nguyen
CUNY Graduate Center, October 21, 6pm, Celebration of Gregory Rabassa: Edith Grossman, Peter Constantine, Earl Fitz, Ezra Fitz, Esther Allen, Ilan Stavans, Mauricio Font, Elizabeth Lowe, Harry Morales, Daniel Shapiro, Nora Glickman, Declan Spring, Ammiel Alcalay, Stanley Barkan, Catarina Cordeiro, David Draper Clark, Clara Rabassa, Kate Rabassa Wallen
HVWC, October 21, Open Mic, 7:30pm; October 22, 7:30pm, Beth Hahn ($10); October 28, 7:30pm, Michelle Hoover, Patricia Park ($10)
Pulitzer Prize-winner Vijay SeshadriCooper Union, October 27, 7pm, Rae Armantrout, John Ashbery, Peter Balakian, Carl Dennis, Stephen Dunn, Jorie Graham, Yusef Komunyakaa, Sharon Olds, Gregory Pardlo, Philip Schultz, Vijay Seshadri, Natasha Trethewey, and Charles Wright. ($15)
McNally Jackson Books, October 30, 5pm, Kimo Armitage, Alicia Upano
Orchard Cove retirement community, October 30, 2pm, Jacqueline Lapidus, Susan Mahan, Joanne Seltzer, Christine Silverstein, Ellen Steinbaum
Tappan Hill, November 4, 6:00pm, HVWC gala honoring Yusef Komunyaka and Sylvia Nasar
’Round the Net
Congrats and/or thanks to the following for news and links:
Essayist Jeanette Briggs on the nomination of “City Stories” in Diverse Voices Quarterly for a Best of the Net Award

Edinburgh Poet Laureate (2009-2014) Ron Butlin on the nomination of Ghost Moon (Salt Publishing, 2014) for the 2016 International Dublin Literary Award
Guitarist Michael Cefolafor recalling “Dance Hall Days” enjoyed at the Ritz
Novelist Regi Claireon having a short story selected for the Weekend Read
Poet Gary Glauber for two poems in Verse-Virtual
John Malkovich as PicassoUnicorn Writers Conference Founder Jan Kardys for this funny articleon www.historygossip.com
Host Phil Pochoda on winning the Complete Hoot2016 Owl Award for Best Literary Festival
Writer Mike Reiterfor this article on “Why Fidgeting is Good Medicine”
Bassist Larry Schwartzmanfor another bluesman recommendation—James Armstrong
Photo by Joe VerickerPoet and watercolorist Linda Simone for sharing Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal acceptance speech and this funny Malkovich-inspired art
Photographer Joe Verickerfor recalling his dream assignment a year ago following the Pope
Filmmaker Frank Vitaleon completion of his new work of docufiction, “Anorgasmia”

Next annogram we will finally have a new president here in the US, and believe me, it's been painful! Let's focus on our glorious creative drives to create a better world.

Until next time,
Ann

Bo DiddleyWelcome to sultry, stormy September! I am...

Bo DiddleyWelcome to sultry, stormy September!  I am celebrating three poems that will appear in the anthology Theories of HER and two in the upcoming  Opossum Lit 's debut issue on music. Of course, you may have the blues because summer is fast coming to an end….
Across 110th Street
How I’ve enjoyed Saturday errands listening to “Across 110th Street”! The Columbia University radio program features blues, funk and soul, noon – 2pm. I had a religious experience hearing Bo Diddley’s “Pretty Thing”; I stared open-mouthed at my car radio as if it were radioactive.  But so hard to find authentic blues: try the Record Company and Lisa Mann, discovered online by bassist Larry Schwartzman, and Jack Broadbent, recommended by poet Linda Simone after Jack’s recent San Antonio concert.
Beth Gersh-NesicBeth New York performance and lecture
Multitalented Beth Gersh-Nesic invites you to see her performance piece, “Word Exchange,” at Saunders Farm, 863 Albany Post Road, Garrison, NY on September 3 at 2pm.  Hers will be one of four performances staged in the farm’s open field. Beth, also an outstanding lecturer on art history, will speak on “The Jewess in Art from Medieval Times to Today,” 10:00am on Thursday, September 10, at the JCC of Greenwich; register online.
©Deborah Coulter 2016Deborah Coulter collage and exhibit
Artist extraordinaire Deborah Coulter celebrated my last poetry reading with this amazing collage.  She writes it is "inspired by one of my favorite poets,  Ann Cefola, and the exquisite poems from her book Face Painting in the Dark." Thank you, Deborah!  And now you can see her work in a Faculty Art Show at the JCC of Mid-Westchester September 6 - October 14.  
Celia PilkingtonBigger than you, bigger than me
Celia Pilkington will perform in an Off-Off Broadway production of Kathryn Coughlin’s searing new play Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me , a riveting study of our shared anxieties in the age of terrorism.  Working with longtime collaborator, director Adam Thorburn, Celia promises this drama will be “one of the most exciting undertakings in our artistic partnership.” To help bring this important work to the stage, please make a fully tax-deductible donation to Fractured Atlas.Treasures of the night sky
Few people know the thrill of looking through a telescope at the night sky.  You can have this experience on September 24, at Ward Pound Ridge with members of Westchester Amateur Astronomers.  If daytime is more to your liking, see outstanding photos by astrophotographer Scott Namacher on exhibit at the Greenburgh Public Library through September 9.
Dogs and ghosts, oh my!
Poet Linda Simone and I are thrilled to have poems in respective anthologies To Unsnare Time’s Warp and Polterguest from Main Street Rag Press.  You can pre-order Unsnare, the dog-poem collection, and Polterguest, from the publisher now.  These anthologies make great gifts—especially for dog lovers, and the ghost collection is perfect for Halloween, or treat yourself to both!
What mistakez? How to prep your manuscript
Learn from literary proofreader Cindy Hochman in my Ragazine interview with her.  The delightful Cindy shares common errors to avoid, and winning attitudes that help nudge writers into the limelight.  The interview is chockfull of useful information and a sprinkling of Cindy's trademark humor—be sure to take a look!
You wrote a book, now what?
Learn essentials of pitching, selling and marketing your book at the Mini-Unicorn Writers’ Conference on Saturday, September 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton, CT 06340. The $49 cost includes a light breakfast and lunch, and access to wisdom of publishing insiders.  Register online or email unicorn4writers@gmail.  See this video for more details.
 Follow Ronit and Jamil
Get to know  Ronit and Jamil , the Palestinian-Israeli Romeo and Juliet who will debut in a book of verse by Pamela Laskin from Harper Collins in early 2017 and keep up with them on Twitter @RonitandJamil.
Poetry readings / opportunities
HVWC – Friday, September 9, 7:30pm, David Kutz-Marks and Justin Boening, $10
The Y Writers’ Voice – 8 Saturdays starting September 10, Poetry Workshop with Estha Weiner, $252
Natalie Safir's new book from
Dos Madres PressThe Spectrum- Sunday, September 11, 3pm, Patricia Brody, Philip Fried, David McLoghlin, Bertha Rogers, Neil Shepard, Estha Weiner
HVWC – Friday, September 23, 7:30pm, Anya Silver and Sally Bliumis-Dunn, $10
HVWC – Saturday, September 24, 7:30pm, Noah Warren and Joshua Bennett, $10
JCC on Hudson – Sunday, September 25, 1:30pm, Natalie Safir
Katonah Village Library – Sunday, September 25, 4pm, Kathleen Ossip, $10
HVWC – Friday, September 30, 7:30pm, Steph Burt and Craig Morgan Teicher, $10
Gluten-Free Zucchini Brownies
This King Arthur Flour recipe is wowing friends and family. Its not-so-secret ingredient is fresh zucchini, which reduces the sugar and makes for a delectably moist brownie.  Chill in the fridge for a cool chocolate treat.  
8 oz zucchini (one 8" fresh, trimmed), cut into chunks3 tablespoons butter, melted3 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract3/4 cup sugar2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1/2 teaspoon espresso powder or 1 teaspoon strong liquid coffee1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup gluten-free flour3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Frosting1/4 cup heavy cream or 3 tablespoons milk3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Lightly grease an 8" square pan. Combine zucchini, butter, eggs, and vanilla in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Add sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, salt, and flour; process briefly until well combined. Add chips, pulse to break up them a bit. Pour into pan. Let rest for 15 minutes, while you preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until toothpick in center comes out clean, or with a few crumbs; you shouldn't see any wet batter. Remove from oven, and cool completely before frosting.  Frosting: Combine chocolate chips and milk or cream in microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan. Heat until milk is steaming, and chips are soft. Remove from heat, and stir until smooth. Spread frosting atop brownies. Place in the refrigerator for an hour or so, to set; then store at room temperature, covered, for several days.  Yield: 16 brownies.
'Round the Net
Al FilreisPhotographer Jeanette Briggs and watercolorist Randy Briggs on having work in the Art Society of Old Greenwich's Midsummer Night's Dreaming Exhibition
Architect Fred Cox on his Hollywood-inspired natorium featured in  Westchester Magazine
UPenn Professor Al Filreis for reminding us to sign up for ModPo
Poet Gary Glauber for work in Verse-Virtual , Sick Lit , Your Daily Poem, Public Pool, Red Rose Review, and Panoply Eric Holstein and Neil Spillane
The Guardian  for advocating for creativity
Entrepreneur Eric Holstein for this great article on his Maine Fork Labs Food Kitchen
Translator Sylvia Kofler on having work in the 24th Annual Poet's House Showcase this month
Actor Tony LoBianco on winning an Emmy for Just a Common Soldier
Jimmy Santiago BacaPoet Mary Ladd McCray for her latest Big Bang Poetry newsletter and this extraordinary trailer for a film on poet Jimmy Santiago Baca
Cellist Jay Shulman for this performance of a Bach aria; and for remembering the late Jack Davis, a lovely Southern gentleman, friend of my parents, and one of the original Mad Magazine artists Celeste Barber spoofs model
Poet and artist Linda Simone for this article highlighting a Japanese word we could use in English; this art exhibit for dogs; this article on tidying up your writing, and this hilarious parody of Instagram poses (see at right)
Photographer Joe Vericker on being inducted into the Hall of Legends by the International Live Events Association
Filmmaker Frank Vitale for sharing "Bench Experiments," episodes 21-25 of The Metropolis Organism

In New York, we're awaiting Hurricane Hermine...stay safe everyone!
Until next time,Ann

your almost summer annogram

With George Kraus for our readingWhat a great reading at the JCC on Hudson!  Thanks to co-reader George Kraus and an impressive audience, including poets Myrna Goodman, Ann Lauinger, and Natalie Safir; George's wife Juliana Kraus, writer Jean O'Leary and genealogist Mark Gaffney; art historian Beth Gersh-Nesic; visual artist Deborah Coulter; and my favorite guitarist and one-and-only Michael Cefola. Everyone especially loved the intro to Free Ferry, my book forthcoming from Upper Hand Press in January. 
AMP—Always Electric
So thrilled to be in inaugural issue of  AMP , Hofstra University's new online literary journal.  Editor Janet Kaplan has selected a fantastic diversity of poetry, including work from EJ Antonio, Jim Daniels, Kristin Prevallet and Edwin Torres.  I'm lifting my Prosecco to toast the editor and her poets!

ApollinaireApollinaire in Paris
Congratulations to Beth Gersh-Nesic, PhD, on her Bonjour Paris review of the Apollinaire Exhibit at the Musee de l’Orangerie. Beth, director of the New York Arts Exchange, is a scholar on a key member of Picasso’s “gang,” Andre Salmon. The perfect person for this review, she inspired me to read Peter Read’s book about Apollinaire and Picasso, The Persistence of Memory (University of California Press, 2010).
Coney Island at the McNay
Linda Simone and the Coney IslandersAt a June 5th poetry event in San Antonio, Linda Simone represented New York well at the McNay’s Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861-2008. Linda read her own work beside Nieman Studios, Inc.’s Shackles the Great and Marie Roberts’s A Congress of Curious People. Joining Linda, native New Yorkers Evelyn Golden Schneider, Jim Lavilla-Havelin, Bonnie Lyons, Sharon Olinka and David Simon also read Coney Island-inspired poems and remembrances.
Fork Out the Food in Maine
Chefs at Ancestral Path in MaineThe most delicious foods often originate in artisan kitchens, and that’s what Fork Food Labs will allow food entrepreneurs to do in Portland, Maine. A Kickstarter campaign is helping the Labs create a $30K community tasting lab—and they’ve already halfway there. Don’t you prefer American-made products? I happily donated and you can too, even $5 or $10, by July 10.
Star-gazing with WAA
Everyone longs to see the universe from a different angle...try a telescope.  Westchester Amateur Astronomers holds a monthly star party at Ward Pound Ridge.  No telescope necessary...WAA members bring their own for public viewing.  WAA also hosts a monthly lecture at Pace University in Briarcliff, with notables from NASA and the world of advanced astronomy.  
Summer of poetry

View from the Poetry BarnPSA Chapbook Reading –June 22, 7 pm, National Arts Club, Sarah Trudgeon, Amanda Turner alongside Marilyn Chin, Jane Hirshfield, A. Van JordanLast Saturday at the Barn – June 25, 1-5 pm, a full afternoon of poetry at the Poetry Barn, a rural literary center in West Hurley, NY in the Catskills--20 minutes from iconic Woodstock.  
Hudson Valley Writers Center – June 26, 4:30 pm, Veils, Halos & ShacklesAnthology Reading
W. H. AudenBorderline Poetry Café – June 26, 3-5 pm, Irvington Public Library, War in a Time of Love: Verses from the Iliad and other poems of war; poetry-in-the round reading led by poet Michael Carman
Cornelia Street Café – June 26, 6 pm, Why Auden Matters: J. Chester Johnson, Graham Fawcett, Charlotte Maier, Matthew Aughenbaugh, Lindsey Nakatani
Canaan (NH) Meetinghouse Reading Series –Thursdays, 7:30 pm, July 7: Ellen Fitzpatrick and Mary Gaitskill; July 14: Sy Montgomery and Diane les Bequets; July 21: Vievee Francis and Dawn Tripp; July 28: Pagan Kennedy; Tommy O'Malley and Doug Purdy
Writing opportunities
Poetry Fellowships at Poets and Writers in New York – paid, part-time editorial positions; deadline June 20.
Poetry Workshop with Estha Weiner: Let’s Lose the Muse. Open to all levels. Four weeks start July 9 at the Y Writer’s Voice; $176 Member; $205 Non-Member; enroll here. See Estha read from Transfiguration Begins at Home (Tiger Bark Press, 2009) and take a look at In the Weather of the World (Salmon Poetry, 2013).
Gemini Ink Writers Conference – The State of the Book – July 21-24, El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, features Janet Kaplan, Reyna Grande, Tim Z. Hernandez, and Tim Seibles; Janet will lead  “Serious Play for Poets and Other Grown-Ups”; panels, discussions, and more.
ModPo students at San Fran meetupHudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art invites writing on its current art exhibit. One typed page; caliber 11 font; contact info, title, artwork, artist; free to members; non-members, $25 with complimentary membership; email mmills@hvcca.org and jbrody@hvcca.org by July 20.  
ModPo — Al Filreisand the ModPo team are preparing the liveliest season of ModPo ever to start September 10—with improved site, new poems, supplemental syllabi, Teacher Resource Center (TRC), and Crowdsourced Close Reading videos by global ModPo'ers. For an extraordinarily scholarly and fun experience, enroll now.
New releases
33 Flat Sonnets (Mindmade Books) by Frédéric Forte; translated by Emma Ramadan. Released from traditional constraints, the 14-line shape unspools into a compact rectangle comprised of a single, unbroken line: we experience the sonnet conceptually or aurally yet are denied it visually.
Clyde Doesn't Go Outside (Upper Hand Press, 2016). Arresting art and wit track a cat's eccentric and sometimes dark odyssey at the window.

Death of the Reader (Mindmade Books) by Alan Loney. Paraphrasing Barthes, Alan Loney implicitly asks us to consider this hybrid text blending the poetic and essayistic, and exploring the fiction of the universal (or generic or neutral) reader and its relationship with the author. Memory Marries Desire (Finishing Line Press, 2016) by Gary Glauber. Nature and nostalgia dominate the dreamy narratives of subtlety, sadness, glimpses of passing enlightenment and truth; these poems face fears and transcend into solace and understanding.
Of Things (Burning Deck, 2016) by Michael Donhauser, poetry translated by Andrew Joron and Nick Hoff. A thicket, a manure pile, a marigold, gravel, a tomato, a cypress — award-winning Austrian poet Michael Donhauser engages in a “close reading” of natural things, tracing the movement from object to language.
Time Trials (L+S Press, 2015) by Jessica Lynn Dotson. Observant, incisive forays into family, love, and disconnectedness that speak in a low pitch that both coolly scrutinizes pain and wholly understands its lasting power.
Easy Quesadilla
This is often supper these days—a little protein, some healthy fats and gluten free.  Gooey, dripping, delicious.  

Alfalfa sprouts2 Trader Joe's Brown Rice Tortillas1 avocado, peeled and cut in thin wedges1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded from block cheese*1 Tablespoon olive oil
Heat oil in frying pan.  Rinse one rice tortilla with water lightly, and carefully place in pan to avoid oil spattering.  Tortilla will brown quickly; turn to avoid burning. Add a half-handful sprouts, one-half of avocado wedges, and one-half cup or more shredded cheese. Cover frying pan to melt cheese, or transfer with a spatula to a toaster oven to broil until melted.  Remove, fold in half, and serve.  Repeat for second tortilla.  Serves two. Vary vegetables to include sliced cremini mushrooms or switch sprouts for leafy dark greens. *Block cheese avoids additives like cellulose (wood) or natamycin (mold inhibitor).  

’Round the Net

Thanks and/or congratulations to:

Herman HessePoet and filmmaker Terry Dugan for finding Maria Popova's article on Herman Hesse's impassioned defense of reading, and Emma Converse's astropoetics

Poet Gary Glauber for work in  'Merica Magazine  and Verse-Virtual (May) and (June)

Poet Mary Ladd McCray for this article on the disappearance (gasp) of the period
Bassist and ancient astronaut theorist Larry Schwartzman for this discovery of a new Peru petroglyph

Music archivist Jay Shulman for Warhol's screen auditions, 50th anniversary of Dylan's Spine Poetry by San Antonian Librarians"Blonde on Blonde", and documentary trailer on Muddy Waters's musicians

Poet and artist Maxine Silverman on the June exhibit of her collage at the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood, New Jersey

Poet and artist Linda Simone for sharing this "spine poetry" created by librarians at the San Antonio Public Library

Linda again for sharing this great story of astronomers cracking the secret to Sappho's poetry

Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in the BronxPhotographer Joe Vericker for one of his first published photos, Muhammad Ali with Joe 
Frazier visiting the Bronx

Poet Estha Weiner on having In the Weather of the World reviewed in  American Book Review

The NYC Public Library for this history of the New York City commuter


‘The week that became forever’

We close this annogram with a poem by Greek poet Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) to honor our LGBT brothers and sisters martyred in Orlando this week.
The Afternoon Sun
BY C. P. CAVAFYTRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY
This room, how well I know it. Now they’re renting it, and the one next to it, as offices. The whole house has become an office building for agents, businessmen, companies. 
This room, how familiar it is. 
The couch was here, near the door, a Turkish carpet in front of it. Close by, the shelf with two yellow vases. On the right—no, opposite—a wardrobe with a mirror. In the middle the table where he wrote, and the three big wicker chairs. Beside the window the bed where we made love so many times. 
They must still be around somewhere, those old things. 
Beside the window the bed; the afternoon sun used to touch half of it. 
. . . One afternoon at four o’clock we separated for a week only. . . And then— that week became forever.


Until next time,Ann

your may annogram

Happy May!  Finally warm and full of dogwood blossoms. Also blooming:  poetry—my second book, Free Ferry, forthcoming from Upper Hand Press in January; poems on Brian Wilson and Johnny Cash for Opossum’s music issue; work accepted for Our Last Walk, anthology on pet loss; and my translation of Section 9 from Le Héros (Flammarion, 2008) by Hélène Sanguinetti in St. Petersburg Review . 

Sunday @ the J with George—and Ann
Come hear me read on Sunday, May 22, at 1:30 pm, with poet and translator Dr. George Kraus.  George is the affable host of Sundays @ the J with George and Friends at the JCC on the Hudson in Tarrytown. This popular poetry series features the best local talent, and I am honored to join George for the reading.  Hope to see you there!
Rabbit Ears editor Joel Allegretti Rabbit Ears at the Writers Center
What a pleasure to meet poet Joel Allegretti, charming editor of Rabbit Ears: TV Poems  (NYQ Books, 2015) last month at the Hudson Valley Writers Center!  Joel read with Austin Alexis, Jeanne Marie Beaumont, Susana H. Case, Suzanne Cleary, Amy Holman, Lynn McGee, Mervyn Taylor, Estha Weiner, and me from this anthology which has received high praise in The Huffington Post, Rain Taxi, and the Independent Tower.

Meredith Trede Tenement Threnody launch      Meredith Trede’s TenementThrenody (Main Street Rag Press, 2016), debuted at a recent Sundays @ the J with George and Friends event.  Her innovative sonnets capture the voices and landscape of mid-century Inwood; Meredith’s husband Brad, daughter Nicole, grandson Lucas, and good friend Judith Lane brought them to life. You can see Meredith this Sunday, May 15, at 2 pm at the Warner Library.  Don’t miss her!
Linda Moot directs altos, including
dear friend Carol Booth (far right)Border Crossings: A Concert Devoted to Migrations
Mindful of immigrants, Temple Beth Shalom Choir Director Linda Moot and her choir took us on a global musical journey earlier this month. Covering medieval Judeo-Spanish songs to tangos, the event featured guitarist Steve Bloom, pianists Jonathan Faiman and Cheryl Seltzer, and the mesmerizing drumming of Youssif Sheronik. Even the audience danced like Miriam—led by composer Elliot Z. Levine.
Mo’ Bros at Tavern 489
More joy, more music, hearing John and Bill, the intrepid Moses Brothers, play Tavern 489 recently.  A blend of folk, blues, and Everly-like close harmonics, the Mo’ Bros also lay out fine guitar and fiddle. Always a pleasure to hear this talented duo.

Landscape with Rocks (1892)Edgar Degas: A Strange New Beauty
When Degas discovered monotype—drawing in ink on a metal plate that is then run through a press—he was captivated. This exhibition includes 120 rarely seen monotypes and 60 related paintings, drawings, pastels, sketchbooks, and prints—that show Degas at his most modern. Through July 24. Fee:  $23
Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas
This New York Botanical Garden exhibit, May 14-September 11, honors iconic artists such as Childe Hassam and John Singer Sargent who captured the ephemeral quality of light observed in the natural world.  The garden-wide exhibit is further complemented by 20 impressionist paintings and sculptures in the Art Gallery. Fees: $20 weekdays, $25 weekends.
Meg Lindsay A Painter’s Night Journal
Congratulations to poet-artist Meg Lindsay, whosechapbook, A Painter’s Night Journal, will be published in August by Finishing Line Press.  NEA recipient Cortney Davis calls her language “inventive and playful” and her images and metaphors “vivid and precise” in “this compelling debut.” This is a limited edition collection, so please order your copy by June 17.
Writing workshops
Poet Estha Weinerinvites you to join her poetry workshop, Let’s Lose the Muse.  Cut through myths to get the tools you need to sculpt poems. Open to all at the West Side YMCA, Saturdays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, through June 26. Register online. Fees: $252 Member, $410 Non-member.

Art by Bjorn BraunThe Katonah Museum of Art exhibit,  The Nest , will springboard the May 15 workshop, When Artists Are Birds, 1-4 pm, with artist Sheila Hale and writer-in-residence Pamela Hart. Participants will begin in museum galleries then travel to Hale’s studio.  Register online or call 914-232-9555 ext. 0. Fee: $60.Poetry and other readings
Cindy Beer-FouhyMay 12, 6 pm – Annual Independent Publishers Book Party, Zieher Smith & HortonMay 12, 8 pm – Louis Erdrich, Anne Enright, 92nd Street YMay 14, 6 pm – Janice Lowe, Tyehimba Jess, Alissa Quart, Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry ShopMay 14, 7:30 pm – Otto René Castillo, 543 W. 42nd St.May 15, 2 pm – Meredith Trede, Warner LibraryMay 15, 4 pm – Gerald Stern and Cindy Beer-Fouhy, HVCCAMay 15, 4:30 pm – Emilia Phillips, Cecilia Stormcrow Llompart, HVWC, $10May 20, 6:30 pm – Sueyeun Juliette Lee, Douglas Kearney, Center for Book ArtsMay 20, 7:30 pm – Open Mic Night, HVWC, $5May 22, 1:30 pm – Ann Cefola and George Kraus, JCC on Hudson Otto René CastilloMay 22, 4 pm – Mary Jo Bang, Katonah Village LibraryMay 22, 4:30 pm – Grace Schulman, HVWC, $10May 25, 6 pm – Salgado Maranhao, Alex Levatin, Poets House, $10May 25, 7 pm -- Constance Renfrow, Tiffany Ferentini, Jared Shaffer, Carolyn Drake, Angus McLinn, Angela Sloan, Katherine Sloan, KGBMay 31, 7 pm – Joe Okonkwo, Book CultureJune 10, 6:30 pm – Stephen Motika, Jill Magi, Center for Book ArtsJune 26, 4 pm – Vicki Iorio, Susan Lewis, Katie Longofono, Janeen Rastall, Christina Rau, BookMark Shoppe
Golden Vegan Ice Cream
This comes from my poetry pal, Linda Simone of San Antonio, who found it on the Internet. An ice cream machine is required and I have not tried this recipe yet—so be brave and let me know how it goes!
2 14-ounce (414 ml) cans full fat coconut milk4 quarter-size slices fresh ginger1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup, plus more to tastePinch sea salt2 tsp ground turmeric1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/8th tsp black pepperoptional: 1/8th tsp cardamom, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract,  2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped candied ginger
Day before, chill ice cream churning bowl in freezer. Whisk and simmer coconut milk, fresh ginger, maple syrup, salt, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom in large saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Adjust flavor. Transfer to mixing bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover and chill in refrigerator overnight, or 4-6 hours. The next day remove ginger. Add olive oil for extra creaminess.Add to ice cream maker and churn per manufacturer instructions – 20-30 minutes until like soft serve. In last minutes, add optional candied ginger. Once churned, transfer to large freezer-safe container (or parchment-lined loaf pan) and smooth top.  Cover securely and freeze 4-6 hours or until firm. Soften 10 minutes before serving, and use a scoop warmed in hot water. Best eaten within seven days. ’Round the Net
Sarah Bracey White (lst row, far left)Congratulations and/or thanks to the following:
Memoirist Sarah Bracey White, keynote at the Greenburgh Library’s Women and Culture event, reading from her new book, The Wanderlust
Poet Llyn Clague on having six poems in Bindweed Magazine
Masako Inkyo's opening receptionArt historian Beth Gersh-Nesic on curating Masako Inkyo’s exhibit at the Anderson Chase Gallery
Poet Gary Glauber on having poems appear in Two Cities and Verse-Virtual
Author Herb Hadad for attending the May 5 Latino Victory Project Gala in Washington, D.C., dedicated to registering Latinos and supporting Latino candidates

Diane Guerrero, Herb Hadad,
Eva Longorio at Latino Victory GalaActor Tony Lo Bianco on becoming a Saint Pio Foundation Goodwill Ambassador
Poets and Writers for this fascinating articleon crowd-sourcing new covers for old classics
Music archivist Jay Shulman for honoring late music greats Merle Haggard, Sonny James, Lonnie Mack, Sir George Martin; New Yorker cartoonist William Hamilton, poet-violinist Kate Light, and the loss of the Long Island Philharmonic Prince's Yellow Cloud Guitar
Jay once again for this article on Walt Whitman’s Paleo-eating habits
Poet Linda Simone on having “Walking the River’s Edge” appear in the San Antonio Express News
The Smithsonian for preserving Prince’s guitar and other personal items
In this season of budding beauty and new life, may you be massively creative and joyful!
Until next time,Ann



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your poetry month annogram

Free Ferry
For National Poetry Month, I am thrilled to announce my second book of poetry, Free Ferry, will be published by Upper Hand Press on January 16, 2017.  Thanks to publisher Ann Starr, whose commitment to innovative work includes outstanding sleeper novels such as One Hundred Years of Marriage and The Naming of Girl .  Stay tuned for more on Free Ferry, which combines mythology, 1960s suburbia, and the story behind plutonium.
Rabbit Ears reading
I will read with poets from Rabbit Ears: TV Poems (NYQ Books, 2015) on Friday, April 29, at 7:30pm at the Hudson Valley Writers Center.  Come join editor Joel Allegretti, poets Jeanne Marie Beaumont, Susana H. Case, Suzanne Cleary, Philip Fried, Amy Holman, Erik LaPrade, Lynn McGee, Mervyn Taylor, Angelo Verga, and Estha Weiner as we read about the cultural impact of television.
Linda Simone and poem Poetry on the Move
Congratulations to Linda Simone, a poet selected for San Antonio’s Poetry on the Move, and for the city bus system in Norwalk, CT.  Linda’s work also was chosen for the Love Poems to San Antonio anthology and launch event.  Congrats to Kevin Pilkington, whose poetry was also selected for Norwalk.


Tenement Threnody
Join poet Meredith Trede this Sunday, April 17, for her book launch of Tenement Threnody (Main Street Rag, 2016) at Sundays with George, 1:30pm, at the JCC on Hudson.  annogram congratulates Meredith on her second exceptional book of poetry.  Sundays with George, a monthly poetry series, is hosted by poet and translator Dr. George Kraus.
Maggie and Jim SinocchiView from the wife
So many of you responded positively to Jim Sinocchi’s blog, View From The Chair.  Jim has posted a great article by his wife Maggie, written decades ago, on being married to Jim. They continue to be extraordinary people and help us all remember what’s most important in life, in love, and yes, in marriage.
Writing workshopsNatalie Safir hosts “Stories I Tell My Friends,” a writing workshop, free, 1-3pm, at the Warner Library on Wednesdays, April 13 and 27; May 11 and 25 and ending June 15.  Cindy Beer-Fouhy also offers “More Life Stories: Writing Workshop for Ages 50+,” Fridays, 12:30 –2:30pm, Fridays May 27 - June 24; register at Sarah Lawrence College Writing Institute.  

Eamon GrennanPoetry readingsApril 13, 6:30pm – Eamon Grennan, Godwin Ternbach Museum April 14, 6pm – Carla Carlson, Cynthia Cruz, J. Chester Johnson, James Fujinami Moore, Maya Pindyck, NYU BookstoreApril 14, 6:30pm – Fanny Howe, CUNY, Room C202 Jo PitkinApril 14, 7:30pm – Ruth Handel and the Poetry Caravan, Dobbs Ferry LibraryApril 15-17 – Sarah Lawrence Poetry FestivalApril 15, 6:30pm – Panel on June Jordan’s Life and Work, CUNY, Room 9207April 16, 4pm – Panel with poets Jo Pitkin, Will Nixon, Molly McGlennen, and Lucia Cherciu, Butterfield LibraryApril 17, 1:30pm – Meredith Trede, JCC on Hudson Angelo VergaApril 17, 4pm – Robert Pinsky, Katonah Village Library, $10April 17, 4:30pm – Jessica Greenbaum, Peter Marcus and Gary Whitehead, HVWCApril 20, 7:30pm – Ruth Handel and the Poetry Caravan, Greenburgh LibraryApril 24, 4:30pm – Christopher Bakken, HVWCApril 27, 7:30pm – Ruth Handel and the Poetry Caravan, Scarsdale LibraryApril 28, 6:30pm – Rhina Espaillat, David Ferry, Robert Pinsky, Ellen Doré Watson, First ParishApril 29, 7:30pm – Joel Allegretti, Jeanne Marie Beaumont, Susana H. Case, Ann Cefola, Suzanne Cleary, Philip Fried, Amy Holman, Erik LaPrade, Lynn McGee, Mervyn Taylor, Angelo Verga and Estha Weiner, HVWCApril 29, 8pm – Irish poets Louis DePaor,Theo Dorgan, Eamon Grennan, Belinda McKeon, Susan McKeown, Paul Muldoon, Leanne O'Sullivan, The Great Hall at Cooper Union
Creamy Onion SoupThis recipe is courtesy of artist Angela Virsinger and her husband Mike, who celebrated birthdays last month.  Happy Birthday!
4 large onions, roughly sliced½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar1 Tbsp maple syrup4 cups chicken or vegetable stock½ cup coconut milk4 Tbsp ghee or cooking fatSea salt and ground black pepper
Melt ghee or cooking fat in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, saute until tender and golden, about 20 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup, and stir. Pour in stock, bring to a boil, and simmer 15 minutes. Puree soup using a blender or immersion blender until smooth. Add coconut milk, season to taste, and serve warm.
‘Round the Net
Congratulations and/or thanks to the following:
Jeanette Briggs's winning photoPhotographer Jeanette Briggs on first place at the Art Society of Old Greenwich’s Sunlight and Shadows Exhibit
Novelist Regi Claire for a wonderfully supernatural short story in The Literari Quarterly
Professor Al Filreis for Jeff Marmer’s essay on poet Charles Bernstein and letting us know ModPo 2016 is open for registration
Ross GayPoet and fellow Sarah Lawrence MFA Ross Gay on receiving the National Book Critics Circle Award
Art Historian Beth Gersh-Nesic for alerting us to this episode in the NPR “Infomagical” series
Poets Eric Greinke and Glenna Luschei on their 2017 Pushcart Prize for “Lone Bones” in the annogram-praised Zen Duende (Presa Press, 2016)
Poet Ruth Handel who read at AWP last month and signed books at the Dos Madres booth
Poet Cindy Hochman on Linda Simone’s review of Habeas Corpus (Glass Lyre Press, 2015) in Red Paint Hill
Author Marilyn Johnson for alerting us the acclaimed Lives in Ruins (Harper Perennial, 2015) is now available in paperback
Poet Kevin Pilkington for this discussion of his influences at HVWC
Literary journal LINES+STARS for new spring issue on Time Travel
Poet Mary McCray for recommending The House of Eternal Return on your next Santa Fe visit
Actor Bill Murray for this unexpected and powerful poetry reading of Lucille Clifton on Kimmel
Poets & Writers for this app which provides access to local readings
ADA activist and pioneer David Schwartzkopf on his interview in StoryCorps
Bassist Larry Schwartzman for this global version of “Stand by Me”
Music archivist Jay Shulman for ‘Noir at the Bar’ on the community of crime fiction writers, rare Gene Kelly footage, and Bob Dylan’s secret archives
Francophile and dog-o-phile Susan Seligman for these ‘model’ dogs in spring attire
Poet and artist Linda Simone for this Anne Carson essay and writing while translating
Poet Grace Schulman on being selected the PSA Frost Medalist Aretha Franklin by Joe Vericker
Poet Tree Swenson on work to develop Hugo House
Poet Meredith Trede on her second book, Tenement Threnody (Main Street Rag, 2016)
Photographer Joe Vericker for this great photo of the Queen of Soul
That’s all for this edition.  Hope you are loving spring—here in New York, some April showers, but temperatures on the rise.
Until next time,
Ann

your groundhog annogram

Today, annogrampeeks above ground and declares six more weeks of winter!  Fine.  Bring on the hot chocolate and fat novels.  February also heralds news of upcoming publications for me—from the anthology, First Encounters with One’s Own Femininity, to poems in digital journals Zoomorphic and Amp.
Kevin Pilkington at Writers Center
Award-winning poet Kevin Pilkington will read this Friday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hudson Valley Writers Center.  Kevin is the author of many books including his latest Where You Want to Be: New and Selected Poems (Black Lawrence, 2015).  Learn more about Kevin in this blog interview.
Low: The Power of Bass
Discover the integral role of bass at the Museum of Music Making, now through July 31. This exhibition introduces aspects of the low register—bass—experience. Open your eyes, ears and imagination to this sonic realm! We appreciate MoMM’s Mike Hendrickson for letting us know about this fabulous exhibit.
Love Poems for San Antonio
Linda SimoneSan Antonio’s Poet Laureate, Laurie Ann Guerrero, will read two poems by Linda Simone as part of the opening reception for Love Poems for San Antonio on Thursday, February 4, at 6 p.m. at Culture Commons.  The text-based art installation of 30+ poems celebrating San Antonio will be on display through February 28.
Ruth Handel at Scarsdale Library
Poet Ruth Handel will read at the Scarsdale Library Thursday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m.  Ruth’s latest book is No Border is Perennial (Dos Madres Press, 2015).  Also reading will be novelists Asif Ishmael and Barbara Solomon Josselsohn, and poet Deborah Skolnik.
The Bridge at Trinity Wall Street
Thanks to poet J. Chester Johnson for alerting us to The Bridge, an art exhibition showcasing 47 contemporary artists from 15 countries. The Bridge focuses on what they hold in common through their Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures.  Now through February 28 at St. Paul’s Chapel in Trinity Wall Street.
Poetry readings
Rachel Eliza GriffithsThursday, February 4, 7 p.m., Tribute to James Tate (1943-2015), New School Auditorium

Saturday, February 6, 4:30 p.m., Liz Howard, Lanny Jordan, Zinc Bar

Thursday, February 11, 7 p.m., Tribute to Ruth Stone (1915-2011), Thirteenth Street Repertory Theatre

Saturday, February 13, 4:30 p.m., Sandeep Parmar, Cody Rose Clevidence, Zinc Bar

Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m., Patricia Spears Jones and Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, BookCourt

Tina ChangSaturday, February 20, 4:30 p.m., Myung Mi Kim, Joey Yearous-Algozin, Zinc Bar

Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m., Eileen Myles, Alice Quinn, Lillian Vernon House

Saturday, February 27, 4:30 p.m., Ian Heames, Kathleen Fraser, Zinc Bar

Friday, March 4, 7:30 p.m., Rachel Eliza Griffiths, Hudson Valley Writers Center

Saturday, March 5, 4:30 p.m., Anne Boyer, Lara Mimosa Montes, Zinc Bar

Rosmarie Waldrop,
photo by Anneli DufvaSunday, March 6, 4:30 p.m., Laurie Sheck, Hudson Valley Writers Center

Friday, March 11, 7:30 p.m., Tina Chang, Hudson Valley Writers Center

Saturday, March 12, 4:30 p.m., Aaron Kunin, Rae Armatrout, Zinc Bar

Saturday, March 19, 4:30 p.m., Dawn Lundy Martin, Rosmarie Waldrop, Zinc Bar 

Skillet-Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread
The recipe from The Lost Road Project: A Walk-in Book of Arkansas (University of Arkansas Press, 1994) by the late poet C.D. Wright (1949-2016), is a tribute to her most delicious poetry.  I made this mouth-watering cornbread recently and can attest to its near sacred, buttery crumb. For southerners, this may be akin to taking the Eucharist.
Vegetable oil cooking spray1 cup unbleached white flour1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal1 tablespoon baking powder¼ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon baking soda1¼ cups buttermilk2 tablespoons sugar1 egg¼ cup mild vegetable oil2 tablespoons butter, or mild vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 10-inch cast-iron skillet with oil and set aside. Sift together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. In smaller bowl, stir baking soda into buttermilk. Whisk in sugar, egg, and ¼ cup oil. Put prepared skillet over medium heat, add butter, and heat until butter just starts to sizzle. Tilt pan to coat sides and bottom. Pour wet ingredients into dry and combine quickly, using as few strokes as possible. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool a few moments, and slice into 8 wedges to serve.
’Round the Net
Thanks and/or congratulations to the following:
Peter Chelnik,
photo by Roxanne HoffmanPoet Joel Allegretti on his Huffington Post interview

Writer Christopher Brisson for link to these hilarious dog collages

Amateur Astronomer Michael Cefola on his letter to the editor in this month’s Astronomy Magazine

Poet Peter Chelnik on his upcoming poetry book, Hey Girl

Poet Terry Dugan for video of professional actors recently reading her war-protest poems

Poet Gary Glauber on publication of his poem, “The Other” in Verse-Virtual

Poet Eric Greinkeon Forge Journal interview, and Adastra Press broadside, “Trout,” $20 through Gary Metras (16 Reservation Rd., Easthampton, MA 01027)

Cindy HochmanPoet Cindy Hochman on her selection as the Grand Prize Winner in the Long Island Light Verse Contest

Editor Pamela Laskin on the publication of It’s All About Shoes: A Collection of Essays, Poems and Stories About Women and Their Unusual Relationship to Shoes(Plain View Press, 2015)

Actor Tony Lo Bianco for offering acting classes at Symphony Space (email TonyLoboActing@gmail.com)

Author Laura Morellion her recent participation in The New York Times Travel Show

Poets and Writers for highlighting this new unusual way for literary lovers to hear book reviews

Music archivist Jay Shulman on the Baltimore Sun’s reviewof his father’s work

Dagmar Stansova (left)Poet Linda Simone for this amazing recording of Stephen Hawkings reading a poem on relativity, and great take on who a contemporary Emily Dickinson might be

Actor Dagmar Stansova on starring in American premiere of Mario Diament's "Land Of Fire”

Poet Arthur Vogelsang on offering one-on-one online workshops

Westchester Amateur Astronomers for passing along this NASA video on the size of the universe
Happy Groundhog’s Day!  Remember, whenever you see your shadow, it’s time to make some art.
Until next time,Ann