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HCA Today

April 2012

 

 Dear Friend of HCA,    
 

HCA is moving forward on several fronts.  In this issue you will find stories of new art & culture (A&C) initiatives brought forward to grow and give venue to HighlandsCounty's A&C community.  Another front we are engaged in is to eliminate the impediments the Tourist Development Council (TDC) has put in place that inhibits the A&C community from promoting the county's assets to cultural tourists.

 

 It is the job of our county commissioners to oversee the TDC.  Four out of five commissioners are new and inherited the TDC's controversial management of public funds.  We do not hold the new commissioners responsible for the past TDC actions.  We do, however, expect them to bring the TDC into compliance with the state statutes and county ordinance set up to govern it.

 

County records show that The TDC has received $2,576,767.00 tourist tax revenues from 2002 through the first two months of the current year. At 17% provided by county ordinance there should be $438,050 available to promote A&C, minus $91,294 spent on A&C (for this same time period) according to the Tourist Development Fund check register and minus$29,000 the most recent TDC balance available for A&C. This leaves $317,756.00 unaccounted for!  Where is the money?

 

The county's response is "that would be too costly to research." This is intrusting considering it took me a couple hours to look over the TDC check register and public records. The missing money has largely been spent on TDC administrative salaries and fringe benefits!   These costs are now at 42% of tourist tax income.  This does not leave much for promoting the county.

 

How do they get the money for TDC's bloated administrative costs? They siphon from the 17% of funds designated for art & culture (historically and currently). But that isn't enough. It appears that tourist tax revenues are being diverted from all mandated tourist tax funding categories to feed unauthorized administrative costs.

 

By whose authority we ask? That question is met with silence.  There are no public records showing who authorized, and continues to authorize, the transfer of funds from the A&C budget.

 

"We have a separate budget for art & culture now". The commissioners say. "Let's move forward."  And so they are!  TDC just took $18,900, about 1/3 of this years A&C budget, to ad to their administrative costs!

 

County ordinance # 02-02-20 limits the percentage of tourist tax dollars used for salaries to 28% for a good reason. TDC administrative costs, even though they moved to a government building with no rent or utility costs, went from 28 to 42% with no end in sight. The county as a whole is suffering because of it.   If you want to put a stop to this misappropriation of funds and start growing our county as a cultural destination please let me know.   [email protected]

 

FredPix2011


At Your Service, 

Fred Leavitt, President 

Heartland Cultural Alliance  

www.heartlandculturalalliance.org 

 

 

 

Lost Art Found
By Art Lefkowitz, Photography by Travis Garcia

   It doesn't take long to realize Peter Powell Roberts' personality matches his room at the Sunny Hills Assisted Living Facility. Both are bright, warm and inviting. But this was not always the case. Last year he lost his wife (of 45 years), home, car ... and lifelong passion for painting. He found himself penniless, depressed, ailing and in assisted living.

PeterRobertsPixRecently, Fred Leavitt, president of the Heartland Cultural Alliance (HCA), brought his therapy dog, Sheba, to Sunny Hills to help cheer up the residents. The Activities Director of the facility knew Leavitt as an artist and asked him to visit Peter Powell Roberts and look at his paintings. 
     Roberts, age 86, was delighted to meet Fred and his dog, and Fred was just as delighted to see the quality of the art work crowding the small room. Original oil paintings hung on the walls, some were stacked along the floor, and others were stuck between pieces of furniture.  
  
Leavitt recognized the importance of this body of Florida art hidden away and in jeopardy of being lost forever. He urged Roberts to exhibit some of his paintings at the HCA Gallery in the Kenilworth Lodge. Roberts had been asked a number of times by the Sunny Hills staff to show his work in the lobby, but each time he refused. Everyone was pleasantly surprised when he said yes to Leavitt's invitation to take his work public.
  
As it turned out Mr. Roberts was a nationally recognized artist who had been the head of the Ringling School of Art in Sarasotafor over two decades.  His work is represented in the Florida Masters Collection.
  
When Leavitt returned to photograph the paintings, he found a different Peter Powell Roberts. "His health was improving and his eyes sparkled." Leavitt said,  "And - I couldn't believe it -- he started painting again. Sunny Hills bought him supplies and even set up an easel for him." 

(More and a look at Peter Powell Roberts' work)

HCA Today sponsor
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Singer Songwriter Night @ Brewster's
Story & photo by Larry McCandless
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Brewster's Coffee House, has, for some time now, been sharing it's walls with the local          photographer's and painters of the area, as well as hosting a "Scribe's Night Out" for poets and writers to share their work. 

    But Brewster's has also been hosting various musical events, from concerts to open mic nites.  But on Feb. 18th, 2012, a new kind of musical offering broke ground at the little cafe on US 27 North in Sebring.
 
 Singer/Songwriter Night was an opportunity for musical artists to come and share a few songs with a very appreciative audience of fellow musicians and friends.  Hosted by Larry McCandless, a total of 8 musicians performed their music and told the stories behind them. 
  
The idea originated after McCandless hosted a regular open mic in January to a very meager audience.  After searching on YouTube.com for ideas to improve it, he came upon some documentary videos about Nashville's world famous "Bluebird Caf�".  Many famous musicians have gotten their start at one of their "Bluebird Caf� Writers Nights".
  
 McCandless met with Bruce Rogers, the proprietor of Brewster's, shortly thereafter and he agreed that it sounded like a great idea.  A public invitation went out over Facebook for musicians to sign up.  The result was over two hours of totally original music in a very intimate setting.
  
  The line-up included McCandless, Zachary Heston, Ryan Smith, Kim Offhaus, Adam Martin, Ben Wysokowski, Darte Ahlbrandt and Gabriel Colladay.  
  
  All of the musicians were very well received from the standing room only crowd that had gathered.  Many of the patrons were anxious to know when there would be another such evening.
 
   They won't have to wait long.  Singer/Songwriter Night will take place on April 21st, and May 19th at 8:30 PM.

Framing for a Cause, by Art Lefkowitz
Big Al 

Big Al

    As president of the Toby the Clown foundation, Al Pelski is making a kind gesture to all local residents, painters and photographers.

  Al has two passions, one is The Toby's clown museum in Lake Placid and the other is framing and matting pictures. He has taught himself framing and matting and has purchased his own matting machine. With just over two years of experience, Al recently purchased the inventory of Coutour's frame shop in Sebring that was about to go out of business. A huge assortment of Frames and mats are available. The frames will be sold at a very fair price and the profit will be donated to the non-profit Toby the Clown foundation and Museum.

    You are welcome to call for more information about framing or the clown foundation and museum. The best way is to call Al for more information by calling his cell, 863 243-9473. 

 
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HCA(2012 Flash Fiction Writing Contest
By Larry Levey, Photo by Travis Garcia
   Grab your pen and ink: Writing contest underway

Local writers are invited to submit one or two original, unpublished stories to the Heartland Cultural Alliance's (HCA) "2012 Flash Fiction Writing Contest")."Flash fiction" is a brief form of writing complete with a beginning, middle and end that typically centers on one event or one time period in a character's life.  

   In the HCA contest, each entry can be no longer than 650 words and must be inspired by a "prompt photograph" selected from submissions by HCA artists. The winning "prompt photo," taken by local artist Travis Garcia, is on display at Brewster's Coffee House, just south of Home Depot; or on the HCA website, [email protected]., which also contains submission forms and contest rules.  

   No entry fee is required and prizes will be awarded: First place, $100; second place, $50; and third place, $25. Major sponsors for the contest are the News-Sun, Alan Jay Automotive Network and Carmelita Lim, M.D.

Supporting sponsors include Heacock Financial Group, Palms of Sebring, Temple Israel of Highlands County, Highlands Community Church. Dr. Luck - Optometrist, and IDA/EDC.  

   Judges for the contest are Romona Washington, publisher and executive editor of the News-Sun; Charlotte Pressler, Ph.D., professor of English and Philosophy at South Florida Community College; and Maria Chenique, librarian at the Lake Placid Public Library.

Contest organizers include Fred Leavitt, HCA president; and HCA members Arthur Lefkowitz, Millie Richmond and Larry Levey.  

   Deadline for entering is midnight, May 7. Brewster's Coffee House will host the  award ceremony at a time and date to be announced. Family and friends of sponsors and judges are not eligible to enter. "We are pleased to expand the HCA umbrella to cover writers as members of our cultural community," Leavitt said. "They, like all artists, deserve a voice." For more information, call
Art Lefkowitz at 385-1554 or click 
www.heartlandculturalalliance.org and push the button "Flash fiction Writing Contest Guidlines". 

  

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Letters 

 

Send letters to [email protected].  All letters for publication must be identified with the writer's name.

 

Recent Letters 

 

   I am a product of Southern California socialization. In both San Diego and Los Angeles, I was exposed frequently to lots and lots of art and "stuff" that people claimed were art. I have a cousin who is a successful artist in Santa Monica with his own gallery and print shop. Most of the print artists in West LA, Venice and Santa Monica come to his shop to have their prints made. I helped him in managing the gallery for a short time.
   Every Friday night found us making the gallery opening circuit. Wine, cheese, hot chicks, paintings, etchings, sculpture, performance art, more wine and cheese, etc. etc. My cousin and I were the self-proclaimed ArtPolice!! We loved to get filled with free wine and check out the people as well as the art. For the most part, we saw fake art, fake people and fake conversations about fake art. People were insecure in a place that showed giants. The art museums and galleries in LA County are some of the best in the world.
   So, to get to my point. What was incredibly different about this opening is that I saw some very good art, real art! And, I met a lot of artists. And they were real people. Amazing, it was!! Really amazing. People that created beautiful and thought-provoking pieces of art and everyone of whom I spoke with were really genuine human beings who could converse and, lived on earth.
  I found it strikingly refreshing and motivating. Nice people, I'm telling you. Nice approachable people with very positive friendly attitudes and I don't think I saw one beret or anyone dressed in black. Not even an entourage in the place.
This place we happen to live, no matter what its faults has a lot of beauty to it. I also think it's pregnant. Something really good is gestating in
HighlandsCountyand the community found in the Heartlands Cultural Alliance is a vital element in a new birth on the way. 
 
Mike Pirkkala

  

Bravo -- and Thank You!!

Sunny Serafino

 

So enjoyed reading in this morning's paper, the article about the artist and how you inspired him. Good work, Fred. You were just the right angel there at the right time.

Benny (Alice Malloy)

 

Hi Fred:

I was so surprised and pleased to read the account of you and your therapy dog helping artist Peter Roberts. What a wonderful thing to do. I will look forward to your show to see some of his work. What a difference you have made in his life.  Harriett Porter

  

Hi Fred,

It sounds to me like thins are going great for you Fred. Think haw boring life would be without Passions to pursue!  You are fighting the good fight.  Hang in there.

Liz,  Elizabeth Wills, Grant Writer and Arts Consultant

 

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The content of this publication is copyrighted by Heartland Cultural Alliance Inc. and the respective contributors. All rights reserved.  For more information email [email protected]

In This Issue
Lost Art Found
Singer Songwriter Night @ Brewster's
Framing For a Cause
HCA Flash Fiction Writing Contest
LETTERS

HCA MEMBERS CALENDAR OF EVENTS  

 

April/May

  

GRAB YOUR PEN AND INK - The "2012 HCA Flash Fiction Writing Contest" is now underway. Click on the "Flash Fiction Writing Guidelines" button on the home page of HCA for details. Contest deadline is May 7.

   

 HLT HAPPENINGS 

 

 

April 2012

 

1    PLAYHOUSE 230 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

2     Board Meeting. All interested parties welcome & encouraged to attend. 515 PM

4    PLAY SELECTION MEETING - Pavilion schedule

PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

 5   GENERAL MEMBERSHIP Potluck 6 PM, Meeting 7 PM

 6    PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

 7    PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

8     PLAYHOUSE 230 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. 

9    AUDITIONS: How the Other Half Loves 6:30 PM   

11    PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

  

12   MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING 230 PM

PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

 14   PLAYHOUSE 230 PM - NUNSENSE COMMAND PERFORMANCE for the Lake Placid Women's Club

PLAYHOUSE 8 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

 15  PLAYHOUSE 230 PM - NUNSENSE Doors open 1 hour before show time. Blackman Stage

 16   515 PM Board Meeting. All interested parties welcome & encouraged to attend.

  18 - 29 ADMIN OFFICE CLOSED

Vanessa out of the office.  Internet service will be infrequent. Messages will be returned when possible.

 30    BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

630 PM LaQuinta Inn Conference Room

                

MAY 2012

  

Pavilion:

3    GENERAL MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL MEETING ELECTIONS & POTLUCK

25    

 
Doubt - McCollum Stage in the Drs. Thakkar Pavilion. Doors open at 7 PM
 

26    Doubt -  McCollum Stage in the Drs. Thakkar Pavilion.

 

Doors open at 7 PM

 

  

   

 Introduction to Percussion  

 

Drum1

Primal Connection will be offering a free interactive workshop at Uptown Music in Sebring.  The workshop will introduce you to a number of world hand drums and percussion instruments.  You will learn about, and experience, the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of hand drumming. For more information email fred@primalconnection.org

 

   Primal Connection, Sebring, FL 

 Community Drum Circle 

3rd Sunday 

 3-5pm behind the

Sebring Civic Center on Lake Jackson
Free Event- some

instruments available

Contact

 Fred: (863) 402-8238, 

 mail

 

 Brewsters Logo

 Scribes' Night Out 

Meets the second and fourth Sundays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at BREWSTER'S COFFEE HOUSE, just south of Home Depot. Schedule -- April 22 (Verwayne Greenhoe, Featured Reader); May 13 (yes, Mother's Day -- Ben Oswald, Featured Reader); May 27 (Suzanna Crean, Featured Reader). For published and non-published writers ... even for non-writers. Each session offers an "Open Mike."

What You Might Have Missed: On March 11, Christopher Tuffley (News-Sun newswriter) was our Featured Reader, reading from his "novel-in-progress." On March 25, seasoned adventure writer Jack Everett occupied the Featured Reader spot.

Call Larry or Elaine at 385-8618 for more information

 

 Scribblers & Scribes 

First Wednesday of every month at Beef O'Brady's

Meeting at 7 pm

 Come one hour early for dinner. 

 

Members Links

 
BillDaileyPromoPix

Photo by Bill Dailey

www.displaycreation.com

Anne Watson, Artist

Weekly painting and drawing classes with Anne Watson are available in Sebring, Avon Park and Lake Placid.  For additional information, please contact Anne at anne@annewatsonstudio

 
  
HCA members, this is your space for announcing events.  It is a free membership perk. 

HCA is your voice to the creative community.