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Bad Decisions, Golden Girls, a Bacon Wallet

UPDATE, 9/18/09: THE GOLDEN GIRLS TRIVIA CONTEST HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13TH. PASS THE WORD.

What a combo! It all comes together next Tuesday, September 22nd at one of Fell's Point's best neighborhood bars. Bad Decisions - you've got to love the name - is a warm, friendly, corner bar at 1928 Fleet Street. Here's a great description of the place from Metromix.

Bad Decisions is also sort of famous for their Bacon and Beer Happy Hour and why wouldn't they be?

 
They're having a Golden Girls Trivia contest next Tuesday evening... which, I'm guessing, may go late into the night. The Twitter chatter has been growing. Crack teams are preparing. And, it's all good.

I may have to recuse myself from the competition tho, I knew Bea Arthur well. She loved to play trivia about her series. Especially Maude, she adored that show and could remember minutiae like no other.

I've donated a prize for the trivia contest and it's one that seems perfect for Bad Decisions. A super-duper, deluxe, NIB, Bacon Wallet.

It's going to be a fun night. Let your friends know. See you there. (I'll be thinking of you, Bea.)

Screen Actors Guild - Message for Members in VA, DC, MD and other states

Remember Rule One

Important Information to Clarify the Status of the Unions’ Agency Franchises and Union Members’ Obligations.

Because of the inherent complexities of agency relations today, SAG and AFTRA (the “Unions”) have received numerous requests from members in both the Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. areas to clarify the status of the Unions’ agency franchises, and Union members’ obligations there under.  

Pursuant to SAG and AFTRA Agency Regulations, Union members who choose to secure the services of an agent are, generally, required to choose from a list of franchised representatives [i.e. those that are bound by the Unions’ Agency Regulations, SAG’s Rule 16(g) and AFTRA’s Rule 12-C, respectively]. However, in some areas of the country, such as Virginia, SAG and AFTRA do not have a brick and mortar presence. In such limited circumstances, we are aware that some Union members may sometimes secure representation from agents that are not franchised, with the understanding that they have voluntarily chosen to enter into those arrangements at their own risk. In the latter scenario, SAG and AFTRA nonetheless strongly encourage members who are desirous of having Union protections to seek out franchised agents in the next nearest area where SAG and AFTRA do have a physical presence (such as Washington, D.C., for example). The Unions can only protect you when you are represented by franchised agents. 

If you have made the decision to seek out non-franchised agents in areas such as Virginia, the Unions urge you to proceed with extreme caution before entering into any contractual relationship with an entity that may be operating under divided loyalties. For instance, a production company in a position to hire you that also bills itself as a “talent agency” wishing to represent you, should be thoroughly vetted before you sign on the dotted line. Union members are strongly encouraged to fully investigate companies that sell themselves as so-called “one stop shops” to ensure that there are no inherent conflicts of interest in their business models which could ultimately damage an actor’s long term career development/goals/earning capacity. e.g. if a producer you have worked for suddenly announces that it can also “represent” you as a talent agent, ask yourselves, “is this an irreconcilable conflict of interest? Is the production company more interested in keeping the costs of production down, or negotiating the highest possible wages and working conditions for my services as an actor?”  

Other warning signals that should be closely heeded include, but are not limited to:

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to charge you upwards of 15% commission;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that encourage you to abandon your Union status in order to try to secure “non-Union” work;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that try to tether you to automatically renewing contracts;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that purport to own any of your work product or property as an artist in perpetuity;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to have you indemnify them for the  cost of doing business or litigation;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” who attempt to get you to agree to non-compete clauses in their contracts, essentially prohibiting you from auditioning for other employers with which they have a pre-existing relationship.

Remember: Simply signing with some entity for the sake of securing an “agent” may, if not done cautiously in conjunction with your Union office/branch and with your long term business interests in mind, cause you and your career possibly irreparable and irreversible damage. In most instances, it is just not worth the risk.

Should you have any agency-related questions, or are unclear about the status of entities with which you are seeking to work, please do not hesitate to contact SAG’s National Agency Departments at: (in LA) (323) 549-6729, AFTRA’s National Agency Department (in NY) at 212-532-0800, or the SAG/AFTRA Local Branch office (in Washington, D.C.) at (301) 657-2560. We can also be reached by email at zino.macaluso@sag.org, mcapuano@aftra.com and, locally, at jlove@aftra.com. Thank you.

And, to Screen Actors Guild & AFTRA, your members thank you!

Baltimore / Washington Screen Actors Guild Members

An important reminder. Your vote on SAG's tentative TV/Theatrical contract is important. And, your ballot must be received by the tabulators by 5PM (PDT) on June 9th 2009.

My Referendum Packet arrived today.

The packets contain four pieces: 1. A Summary Document and Voting Instructions Booklet, 2. A green coded Ballot, 3. A green secret Ballot envelope, and 4. A green, postage-paid, Business Reply envelope.

When you receive your packet -- and, if you're still unsure how to vote -- head to the District and learn more. May 28th 2009, 12:30PM. Details & Links.

Keith Olbermann on CA's Prop 8

Invest just six minutes. Watch, think about, and share this powerful voice.

Summer in Baltimore & Natty Boh Memories

When I first moved to Baltimore in 1988, I was introduced to Natty Boh by way of picking crabs in the dog days of summer. I wasn't a big fan of beer then - I'm even less of a beer fan now. But somehow, the National Bohemian brand sparked my interest and hooked me forever. It was icy cold, crisp, fizzy, pale, and seemed just right to cool the bite of Old Bay. Now Jacob and I live 26 floors above Baltimore 21201 and we see old MR. BOH winking at us every night. Enough said, enjoy! And, have a cold one.

Sing it Sister: "Pigtown Will Shine Tonight, Pigtown Will Shine..."

If you've ever thought, even for a brief second, that John Waters' depictions of Baltimore life were a tad over the top this video shows that he may actually have been a tad bit reserved! This is a 1978 Evening Magazine television segment that was shot at Sid's Bar in Baltimore's Pigtown and produced by Tom D'Antoni, a Baltimore native who lives in Portland, Oregon. Tom, if you have any more of these time capsules, please post them. For the next generation and beyond, this is museum stuff.

It's not just the video that's amazing. Turns out that Tom D'Antoni is amazing in his own right. The Huffington Post says, "I'M A FAN OF THIS BLOGGER..."

D'Antoni is also the author of a book: Rabid Nun Infects Entire Convent. Yep, the man must be from Baltimore. And, he's one of the most astute political writers that I've come across in years. Did I mention that he has a radio show on KMHD FM? Yep. A radio blog also. And, on it goes. What a find.

Me, a Secret Service Agent? No, But I Played One on TV

A couple of weeks ago I was reading my favorite Baltimore Blog: Dining @ Large written by the Baltimore Sun's Food Critic, Elizabeth Large. I noticed that one of the chores she had on her calendar for the 4th of July holiday this year was to clean her closets.

While we don't go to the Inner Harbor for the 4th Fireworks either (hot, steamy, crowded, tourists, truly crazed waiters, and such...) I thought closet cleaning in the Dog Days of Summer might be a bit over the top.

Jacob and I were, however, tossing around going back to Artscape with a couple of friends this year until all of the weather forecasts read pretty much the same: hot, steamy and maybe a code red heat-day. For the most part, we stayed in and I discovered a closet that needed some serious attention. (A note to EL: Thanks for plugging that closet cleaning chore into my subconscious.)

In my troubled office closet I found a Baltimore video from exactly 20 years ago that parallels today on several levels... FYI, I'm the Secret Service guy in the sunglasses to the left of the principle actor in this commercial. 

Like 2008, 1988 was a Presidential Election year. Cars were deeply discounted in 1988 because few folks were buying American. Less than a year earlier the NYSE dropped like a rock on Black Monday. Oil prices were headed for a huge spike. And, spike they did. In less than a year the United States would be in a Gulf War. In 1988 George H W Bush was elected President. It was an Olympic Sports year. Before he left office, President Reagan increased the budget for the war on drugs. (Yep, that also worked really well.)

When this spot was taped in Baltimore on June 15th 1988, it was as hot and humid as our 2008 July has been.

Of course, there were differences also: I just can't think of any right now.   

Once in a While... You Just Have to Cry.

I can't imagine Sunday mornings without Russert.

And, I don't want to.

How Our Inner Harbor Changed the World's Port Cities. No, Really! I'm Serious.

If you missed this last night, be certain to set your Tivo or DVR to record Maryland Public Television at 9PM July 22nd. (Channels 22 and 67)

Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance is an outstanding piece of documentary work.

Baltimore Sun's architecture critic, Edward Gunts writes, "In many ways, Global Harbors is the Un-Wire. It doesn't deny the existence of crime and poverty and dysfunction in the city, but it starts with the premise that the glass is half-full. It shows Baltimore as a place where good things can happen when people put their minds to it. It dares to suggest that 50 years of rebuilding may be paying off."

I think Global Harbors' premise is that the glass is way, way more than half-full and that 50 years of rebuilding started paying off 50 years ago. It certainly did for the urban pioneers who, decades ago, bought their homes in Otterbein for a dollar.

In the Examiner, Michael Olesker notes, "What most of us didn’t know — but learn from the documentary — is the profound effect Harborplace has had on urban harbors around the world, with municipal leaders having taken their cues from the Baltimore model." I like Olesker's take, as I usually do, best.

Like all good documentaries should, this one has a website. And, if that Tivo crashes or Comcast goes down you can buy the DVD online. Trust me, it's a keeper. Spend the twenty-bucks.

WMAR - Honored by BMI for 60 Years in Broadcasting

The Baltimore Museum of Industry is hosting an exhibit of artifacts, vintage television cameras and TV sets, film and tape to celebrate WMAR's 60th year. (First a little background from the official WMAR website: In 1997 WMAR-TV celebrated 50 years of broadcast excellence. It is Maryland's first commercial television station and the 11th in the nation. The station was the site of many technological breakthroughs: first with a color film processor for television news and production, and first Zoom camera lens for film and tape cameras. It has also had a noteworthy staff, including Janet Covington, the first woman director [1948].)

The exhibit, Charm City TV: Sixty Years of WMAR, opens to the public tomorrow, October 26th. While at first glance it seems to appeal to old-time radio and TV buffs, it could actually be a great deal of fun by way of this example of a WMAR original production -- The Collegians. Collegians was a local talent show that aired in the 1960s. Note: You must have your audio turned on to truly enjoy these clips. And check out the curmudgeon MCing this program.

There are two more clips from this show.... If you want more visit YouTube.Com and search for WMAR.

I'm thinking that anyone who has ever wondered how John Waters was inspired, should visit this exhibit. And, check out this camera man standing on a chair. You've gotta love it.

MPT - Television Worth Watching - Presents an Auction Worth Visiting

Maryland Public Television is off to a great start in promoting their 2007 Spring into Summer Online Auction. The bidding begins May 3rd.

Visit their auction website an take a look at the wide variety of great lots and items. Unlike many of the PBS affiliates around the country, MPT has items in price points for everyone, for every budget. Here are just a couple of examples:

Dinner for two at John Shield's restaurant, Gertrude's at the Baltimore Museum of Art and a copy of his Coastal Cooking cookbook - Bidding begins at $44.

A Weekend Escapade at St.Gregory Luxury Hotel & Suites - Bidding begins at $250.

While you are looking at all the goodies visit MPT's Membership page and, if you're not a member, JOIN. If you are a member, try to up your membership level. Remember, IT'S TELEVISION WORTH WATCHING.