Category Archives: THE ROAMING RUMINATOR

Chang Chaotang : 1943-2024 : In Memoriam

Michael Mehl Posted on by

Chang Chaotang : 1943-2024 : In Memoriam 張照堂先生已於2024年4月2日晚間十一時於台北遠行離世，在此附上訃聞等相關訊息供參照，如有打擾還請見諒。（家屬代發） ▍張照堂追思靈堂 開放時間：2024/4/11（週四）～ 4/16（週二）每日13:00～18:00 地點：金寶軒會館四樓．寶華廳 （台北市民權東路二段158號、行天宮旁） 現場懇辭奠儀花籃 ▍張照堂 告別式 2024/4/26（週五） 地點：台北市立第二殯儀館．景仰樓一樓．至真一廳 時間：09:00（家祭）、09:30（公祭） 現場懇辭奠儀 Mr. Zhang Zhaotang passed away in Taipei at 11 pm on April 2, 2024. The obituary and other relevant information are attached here for reference. We apologize for any inconvenience. … Continue reading →

2022 : Michael Mehl : Will Musician Bongo Joe, Who Entertained Downtown San Antonio For 2 Decades, Be Lost To Obscurity? : Bill Baird : San Antonio Current

Michael Mehl Posted on by

Will Musician Bongo Joe, Who Entertained Downtown San Antonio For 2 Decades, Be Lost To Obscurity? Bill Baird  for the San Antonio Current “Ask longtime San Antonians who recall George “Bongo Joe” Coleman, the street musician who was a downtown fixture for nearly two decades, and their eyes often light … Continue reading →

Home Is Where The Art Is Where The Money Is Not

Michael Mehl Posted on by

If you are not a city, state, or federal employee, odds are these days, you stand a good chance of losing your job, your home, or your pension; or all three. If you are a retiree, you probably don’t have a job –yet, your home is paid for, and your … Continue reading →

Snitches

Michael Mehl Posted on by

We are snitches. Yep, that’s right. We are just friggin’ snitches. According to recent numbers from Crime Stoppers USA, due to the rough times many folks are experiencing trying to make ends meet, there has been a substantial increase nationwide in calls with tips for rewards. Turning in perps for … Continue reading →

Recession-Proof

Michael Mehl Posted on by

We are officially Macondo.A recent report published by Forbes, concluded that San Antonio is in effect, the second most recession-proof city in the United States, right behind the gangbuster bastion of enterprise and compelling travel destination that is Oklahoma City. On the one hand it is good to know that … Continue reading →

210 Chillin’

Michael Mehl Posted on by

210 CHILLIN I saw these words the other day, decalled onto the rear window of a souped-up, black, late-model Suburban -Westbound on Highway 90, just off the I-35 South intersection, near downtown San Antonio- layered over a silver silhouette of our downmarket city’s unprepossesing skyline. The semiotics -hard at work … Continue reading →

Easy

Michael Mehl Posted on by

easy | achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties. Easy is good. Unless it’s bad Easy. Then it’s not good. I’m sure that somewhere, there’s a mathematical formula for this. But it eludes me at this time. Which is a shame. Because with a good formula at hand, the probabilities … Continue reading →

Window Dressing

Michael Mehl Posted on by

Simply said: Engaging artists as window dressers for civic boosterism is always a losing proposition, both for the artists and for the city. Even though it may be well intended, it is unfortunate when political leaders –furthering assumptive notions of cultural relevance, or trying to generate tourism dollars to pick … Continue reading →

On Philanthropy (From 2004)

Michael Mehl Posted on by

What is the single, most fundamental problem facing the development of art programs and the long-term stability of cultural organizations? If you answered Lack Of Funding, congratulations; your choice reflects sentiments shared by approximately ninety-five percent of cultural organizations and administrators, whom although altogether comprising a small and elite segment … Continue reading →