Remembering Steven Wells, 1960-2009
Today is PW’s tribute issue, and also the memorial service for our colleague. I won’t be blogging today, but go here for some incredible memories and tributes.
Liz | 10:17 AM | celebrities, philadelphia
Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Steven Wells
It’s funny — sometimes celebrity deaths hit me really hard. It seems they’re often celebs who were important to me in my youth, so for instance when Lauren Bacall dies, I might have to take a few days off from work. But despite Hollywood’s two losses of yesterday, I feel almost nothing. This isn’t because I’m a callous person but because having a friend and colleague die the day before really puts a fine point on how absurd it is to be crushed by celebrity deaths. Or not absurd, exactly, but how different it is — how remote. Who were those people to me? As No Minister says, “Fuck Michael Jackson … Steven Wells is dead.” And oddly, on hitched.co.uk, in the off-topic forum section, one poster says they’re more unhappy about Wells than MJ/FF. Another writes:
I’ve had near enough double the number of texts and phone calls about Steven Wells than I have Michael Jackson. One from a school friend I haven’t spoken to in almost 10 years. She remembered me going on and on about how bloody sexy his writing was and that despite my general dislike of NME I’d buy it regardless and read no only read his stuff.
Always controversial, always passionate and incredibly funny.
The world will be a duller place without him.
Isn’t that the truth. Not only that, but I’d love to hear what Steven would have to say about the Michael Jackson stuff — and especially about the BBC comparing his death to Princess Di’s. The fact that I have no idea what he’d say — except that it would be incredibly funny — is exactly what made him so special.
Liz | 10:18 AM | celebrities, philadelphia
Goodbye, Anti-Sacred and Profane Writing Machine
After a long battle with cancer, PW staff writer, Guardian columnist, punk-rock novelist, NME gadfly, gender-twisting rebel comedian and poet Steven Wells has gone on to other things. Well, not really. According to Steven, there’s no such thing as the afterlife, and if there is, I guarantee he’s really, really pissed off right now. I can just picture him at St. Peter’s Gates, saying, “Fuck me! This shit actually exists?”
We’ll all miss Steven so much, and I’ll say more about that later. For now, I’m wishing the best to all family and friends who are hurting. That’s what Steven really cared about in the end, though he was very passionately annoyed by knitting, as well.
Steven was often told he was anti-American. I loved his passion, and he cracked us the fuck up every day. This video was part of a series he did for PW called Steven Wells’ America, in which he took sacred cows and basically grilled them for dinner. Below, he reflects on the religiosity of an America that voted for Bush a second time (Steven was a staunch atheist). Toward the end he smiles a bit, so you know that he knows he’s being ridiculous. And that’s part of what was so cute about Steven — he’d rant, but then laugh at himself.
Liz | 10:41 AM | BIG PHARMA, Funny or Offensive?, GLBT, Song of the Day, alternative treatments, anxiety, celebrities, children, cute fix, depression, hospitals / hospitalization, media, meds, military, philadelphia, phobias, politics, random, religion, suicide, violence
OMG — New Twitter Feed You Might Love to Hate
I say that because one of my favorite pastimes is hating Twitter feeds, so no offense meant to the newest launch: a Twitter feed from Mental Health America. So far, the updates are about their current conference:
1. Check out photos from the Centennial Conference at www.flickr.com/photos/menta…!
2. Check in during the Conference (June 10-13) to see what George Stephanopoulos, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and more had to share with us!
3. Mental Health America’s Centennial Conference is 2 Days away!
Pretty scintillating stuff. That’s the problem with Twitter. It brings out the boring in everyone.
Everyone, that is, except for the guy who’s listening the classic rock station WMGK and has a Twitter feed called mgkadnauseum. As ‘MGK is one of my guilty pleasures, I find gems like this — “WMGK is giving away free J. Geils Band tickets. Do you think they will play Centerfold?” — endlessly entertaining. (Thanks to Philebrity for the find.)
Liz | 10:42 AM | media, philadelphia
You Don’t Have to Walk Alone
Come on, peeps. Don’t forget about the NAMI Walk. If you’re in Philly this weekend, the info is below. To register go to the website here.
Location: Memorial Hall
Date: May 30, 2009
Distance: 5 K
Check-in: 7:30 am
Start Time: 9:00 am
For more information about this event, please contact:
Neen Davis
neendave@aol.com
Phone: 215.886-0350
You may also contact:
Greater Philadelphia NAMIWalk | CCaruso@NAMI.org
Phone: 215.886-0350 | Fax: 215.886-6974
Family Team Chair: Neen Davis
610.584-8464 | neendave@aol.com
Honorary Chair: Joseph A. Rogers, Chief Advocacy Officer, Mental Health Assn of SEPA
215.751-1800 | jrogers@mhasp.org
Business Team Chair: Bob Waters
Liz | 12:42 PM | Song of the Day, philadelphia, stigma
The Naked Party: Not Naked
A few years ago I wrote for PW on the experience of going to a nudist camp. At first, I thought I wouldn’t take off my clothes. But being there made me realize that clothing is actually quite artificial. I turned into Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon in about five minutes, and visited other nudist retreats thereafter. In fact, I would go again—I think it’s especially freeing for women, who aren’t even afforded the possibility of throwing off our tops in the puritanical U.S.
So though I’m not a nudist, or naturist, I sympathize with the cause. That’s why I was intrigued to see a “Naked Party” invitation in my mailbox at work. There were, however, problems that quicklys surfaced. First of all, the event was being held in Old City. If you’re from Philly, you’ll understand why that’s problematic: Nothing creative or culturally unconventional happens in an Old City club. Second, the advertisements for it featured women who looked like Victoria’s Secret models in exquisite lingerie. What, now? That’s not naked. That’s just a level of hotness most Philadelphians could never hope to achieve. And what about men? Do men not get naked?
The photos of the event taken by Irina Zhorov are here. They have confirmed my suspicions. You’ll see that people are not naked, though the women are dressed scantily. The guys? Clearly just there to ogle. Depressing.
Liz | 10:39 AM | philadelphia, random
More Good News: Congratulations to James Sugg
Oh, James, sweet boy. When we met at Oberlin you were just a curly-headed, pink-cheeked virginal boy who still wore a signet ring with a cross on it. We briefly shared the stage together in a Noel Coward play, in which you excelled and I … spoke. You introduced me to Pet Sounds, for which I’m forever grateful. Your muscial The Sea was — and I’m being only mildly hyperbolic here — just as stunning. And now, after years of sound design, composing, acting, musicifying and otherwise distinguishing yourself in every way across the globe, you’ve won an OBIE Award!
James’ performance in Chekhov Lizardbrain was incredible. He acted so tortured, it was like he and I were one. I think it was the best play about mental health that wasn’t about mental health that I’ve ever seen.
Liz | 11:19 AM | philadelphia, random
Voting in PA If You Have a Disability
Activist extraordinaire Fran Hazam has sent much info on the challenges to voters with disabilities. If you need any of the forms mentioned herein, let me know by emailing me: lspikol@philadelphiaweekly.com, and I’ll get them out to you.
One thing to keep in mind, Fran says: “a voter in the hospital will need assistance from a friend to complete an Emergency Absentee Ballot. The process can be complicated to use for someone who is ill, since the completed ballot has to be hand delivered to the County Election Board….not to your local polling place.”
She also says, “In Philadelphia Remember to Vote the 2 Questions First…..so easy to forget them after choosing candidates. But important YOU be heard on these changes to the City Charter !” This is especially good advice to us with cognitive difficulties.
The below is from Paul O’Hanlon, Esq., of the Disability Rights Network:
Election Day Survival Kit for Voters with Disabilities
Pennsylvania registered a record numbers of new voters last year. If the poll worker cannot find your name on the list of registered voters, ask them to look at the list of “inactive voters.” Voters who have not voted for a few elections, or who did not receive or respond to official election mailings have been placed on a list of “inactive voters.” The act of voting will be sufficient to transfer your name from the ”inactive” to the “active” list. If your name cannot be found on either list, and if you are sure you are at the correct polling place – ask for a provisional ballot. Federal law requires that you be provided with a provisional ballot in such a case. Do not leave the polls without casting a vote!
How do I verify that I am registered to vote?
Go here.How do I locate my correct polling place?
Go here.Will I be required to show I.D. to vote?
All first-time voters, and all voters who are voting for the first time in a precinct, can be required to show an acceptable form of I.D. You can find a list of acceptable forms of I.D. here.If you do not have I.D. when you go to vote, and if returning later with proper I.D. is not an option, you have a right to vote by a Provisional Ballot. Provisional Ballots receive greater scrutiny than other ballots. However, if you are registered to vote, and if your signature matches the signature on your voter’s signature card, then your Provisional Ballot should get counted. If necessary, casting a Provisional Ballot is much better than not voting at all.
Can I get assistance in the voting booth if I need it?
Voters with disabilities have the right to have the person of their choice provide assistance in the voting booth. The person providing assistance can be almost anyone — a friend, a family member, or even a poll worker. However, the assistant cannot be: (1) the voter’s employer; (2) the voter’s union representative; or (3) the Judge of Elections.
When a voter with a disability requests assistance in the voting booth, the poll worker should look up your registration card to see if it has a notation indicating that you require assistance. If there is no notation on the card, you will be required to complete a written statement explaining the nature of your disability. Some voters may be offended at intrusive questions like asking for the name, phone # and address of their doctor. But the poll workers are required to enter all this information, along with the name of the individual who provided assistance, into the “Record of Assisted Voters.” The voting process is a very formal process with many safeguards.
What if I find my polling place is not accessible on Election Day? How can I vote?
Voters with disabilities, as well as seniors 65 and older — who are assigned to inaccessible polling places — are eligible to cast an Alternative Ballot. It is called an “Alternative” ballot because it is a method of voting provided to the voter as an alternative to having an accessible location. (Some deal!)
An Alternative Ballot looks exactly like an Absentee Ballot, but a different colored envelope is used to distinguish it from an Absentee Ballot. The normal deadline to file an application for an Alternative Ballot is the Tuesday before Election Day. However, if you did not know that your polling place is inaccessible, or if you had some good cause for not being able to file by that deadline – you can still vote! The Pennsylvania Department of State created procedures for an Emergency Application for an Alternative Ballot, which may be filed as late as Election Day at 8:00 p.m. A voter with a disability who discovers on Election Day that their polling place is not accessible can file an Emergency Application for an Alternative Ballot. This Emergency Application must be filed on Election Day, before 8:00 p.m., at your County Elections Office.
What if you can’t get to your County Elections Office on Election Day?
If you are unable to travel to the County Elections Office on Election Day, you can get a friend or relative to act as your agent to travel back and forth to the County Elections Office.
You will need to prepare three forms: (1) the Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot; (2) the Designated Agent Form; and (3) the Certification of Designated Agent Form.
What if my right to vote is challenged on Election Day? What if someone says I’m not competent to vote?
In Pennsylvania, we have only 3 qualifications for a person to register and to vote. The individual must be:
• A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election;
• A resident of Pennsylvania and the election district for at least 30 days before the election;
• At least 18 years of age on or before the day of the election.
Pennsylvania does not have any laws that restrict the right to vote of people who happen to have developmental, mental health, or physical disabilities. In rare instances, Courts issue orders depriving people of the right to vote. But, so far , “electors” in Pennsylvania cannot be challenged on competence, ability or worthiness to vote.
Persons convicted of felonies (or any other crime) are eligible to vote – only individuals currently incarcerated in penal institutions for felony convictions are denied the right to vote.Who can I call on Election Day if I’m prevented from exercising my right to vote?
Call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OURVOTE (1-866-687-8683)
Voters who speak Spanish can call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
or
Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania1-800-692-7443
1-877-375-7139 (TODD)
Voting is your right. Don’t leave the polls without voting!
Your vote matters — but only if you use it!
Liz | 12:58 PM | DISABILITY, philadelphia, politics
You Have the Right to Vote. Today.
I’m pulling the lever for Dan McElhatton for D.A. and Brett Mandel for controller, as well as a few judges, including Dan Anders. Not that you care. But you should vote. Many people in other countries don’t have this right. And women and African-Americans didn’t have the right until shamefully recently. And many formerly incarcerated people don’t have the right. And people with language barriers often don’t vote because they can’t. People who are disabled are often turned away from non-accessible polls. People in poverty are routinely disaffected from the voting process.
The ACLU’s Voting Rights Project webpage details all kinds of cases in which voting rights are compromised, even in the U.S., even in 2009. I vote because I feel privileged to be able to do so. I’m one of the lucky ones, is how I think about it.
For information on Election Day if you live near me, go to the Committee of Seventy’s website.
Liz | 10:17 AM | philadelphia, politics
Nightmares Do Come True
Don't let me blow away
Pretty much every night I have a dream that something horrible has happened to Hannah (pictured above), my sweet Chihuahua. Turns out, I have reason to worry. From ABC News:
Bystanders at a Detroit-area flea market were stunned this weekend when high winds from a passing storm picked up a couple’s Chihuahua puppy and blew her out of sight.
After two days of searching and consulting with a pet psychic, Tinkerbell was found almost a mile away in the woods dirty but unharmed. …
“We were shocked when we found her,” Dorothy Utley, 72, told The Detroit News. “You don’t know how happy we were. We love her so much.”
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a … Flying Chihuahua?
Liz | 2:09 PM | cute fix, hospitals / hospitalization, media, philadelphia, random, violence
