Become BullyWise – Bullying Tips and News

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., May 9, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ — Elevate, Inc. (ELEV.OB), today announced plans to introduce Serifym™, the first voice enabled, cloud-based residential and mobile family security service.

Serifym™ meets the security needs of the modern family by providing protection against attacks that happen outside the home as well as inside the home. Serifym™ extends both home security management and device protection to iOS and Android-based mobile devices through a seamless, voice-enabled cloud-based delivery platform.

Serifym™^{Features for Home}

• Infrared Motion Detection
• Streaming IP Video Surveillance
• Remote Energy Management
• Intrusion Detection
• Push to Talk Voice Control
• Push to Talk Help Desk
• iOS/Android Mobile App
• 24 Hour Central Station Monitoring
• 24 Live Concierges

Serifym™^{Features for Smart Phones}

• MotionLock – Disable smart phone features like text messaging while driving
• ContentWatch – Monitor for inappropriate messages and web searches
• GPSTrack – Locate smart devices using GPS
• SmartLock – Create geographical boundaries for smart device use
• SmartConnect – Voice enabled virtual assistant
• SmartHost – Live Concierge

“Our families are facing a whole new set of threats,” said Bryan Ferre, Elevate Chief Marketing Officer. “Threats have evolved and protection means a lot more than it did even 5 years ago. Sexting, texting while driving, and cyber stalking or bullying are just some of the new ways that our peace of mind can be intruded upon, and traditional home security is just not able to address them. Elevate Serifym™ promises to answer these challenges with one integrated service.”

Elevate plans to begin activating trial accounts as soon as September 2012. The company has expanded relationships with technology partners and has acquired proprietary intellectual property, which is being used to complete the development of Serifym™.  ”We recognize the need to expand our current offerings to include protection for emerging threats to the family. It is a part of our core values as a company to be actively engaged in developing new solutions for old problems and new threats,” said Wright Thurston, CEO.

Serifym™^{will be managed and deployed by the newly formed Product Innovation Team at Elevate. Bryan Ferre, Chief Marketing Officer will head the team. Elevate will be making some changes to its management team to help support the new innovation role assumed by Mr. Ferre.}

Press Contact Coby Bush cbush@goelevate.com (801) 918 9952

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements, included in this release such as: “we have implemented an aggressive expansion plan that is already bearing fruit” and “Summers are a big time for us, even though we sell year round” other than purely historical information, including: estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are identified by the words “believes,” “project,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “strategy,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a materially adverse affect on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, availability of capital, interest rates, competition, and changes in generally accepted accounting principles. These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in evaluating forward looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further information concerning our business, including additional factors that could materially affect our financial results, can be found at our website www.goelevate.com, and in our filings with the SEC.

SOURCE Elevate, Inc.

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/09/4477365/elevate-unveils-plans-for-smart.html

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 9, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ — Sears has announced the launch of Team Up to Stop Bullying, an anti-bullying initiative designed to bring solutions quickly and effectively to bullying victims, families, educators and communities.

Sears is urging anyone touched by America’s bullying epidemic to join Team Up to Stop Bullying by visiting Sears.com/TeamUp and taking the “Power Pledge” to actively stand together against bullying. By back-to-school season, Sears will launch an online portal that will feature a nationwide consortium of organizations, exhaustive resources and trusted information. The portal will allow users to easily find specific solutions to their unique bullying problem.

“Sears has a long history of supporting American families and the communities in which they live,” said Lana Krauter, Senior Vice President of Sears Holdings and President of Apparel for Sears. “Children deserve to be protected and learn in a safe place. Our goal with Team Up to Stop Bullying is to provide access to the hundreds of solutions available to the parents, kids and communities who most need them as well making it easier to find those solutions. We urge everyone interested in ending the bullying epidemic to take the Power Pledge today.”

Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian Odom are among the first “Team Up to Stop Bullying” ambassadors who have voiced their support and involvement in the program.  Additional ambassadors will be announced closer to the site’s full launch.

Coinciding with the launch of Team Up to Stop Bullying, Sears also became a lead sponsor of “The BULLY Project: 1 Million Kids,” a  collaborative national education initiative with the filmmakers of the hit documentary BULLY that assists children and schools in a better understanding of bullying and fosters sustainable bullying prevention.

About Sears Holdings Corporation: Sears Holdings Corporation is one of the nation’s largest broadline retailers with over 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands” End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at www.searsholdings.com. | Twitter: @searsholdings | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SHCCareers

Media Contact Sears Holdings Brian Hanover | Brian.Hanover@searshc.com (P) 847.286.6080 Fingerprint Communications Taryn Deane | Taryn@fingerprintcom.net (P) 310.276.7500

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/09/4477338/sears-launches-team-up-to-stop.html

As it turns out, Andrew Luck is going to have to dial up his own travel agent if he plans on hop-scotching the country to work out with any of his new Indianapolis Colts teammates.

Despite an offer by owner Jim Irsay to make his private jet available to Luck, that is prohibited by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. ESPN first reported the restriction.

Shortly after the Colts used the first overall pick in the April 26 draft on the former Stanford quarterback, Irsay mentioned he would be “creative” in helping Luck get together with his teammates.

“I would help facilitate that if need be with planes or helicopters or what have you to get these guys together,” Irsay said. “We do what we can do within the rules . . .”

The rules leave it up to Luck to get to wherever he has to go.

Luck participated in the Colts’ three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend, then returned to finish classes at Stanford. League rules do not allow him to return to the Northwestside complex until he takes his final exam at Stanford, which is June 7. That means he will miss the 10-day organized team activity phase of offseason workouts.

To compensate, Luck hopes to arrange throwing sessions with a few of his teammates, primarily Austin Collie and Reggie Wayne. Collie has a residence in Sacramento, Calif., a two-hour drive from Palo Alto.

Wayne, however, lives in Miami and Luck talked of traveling across the country to get in some work with him.

Article source: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120508/SPORTS03/205080313/League-says-Irsay-can-t-help-Luck-until-he-s-through-school?odyssey=nav%7Chead

DEAR CAROLYN: My brother-in-law, husband to my husband’s sister, has been verbally abusing my husband for over a year now (actually, through email to him and rants to other relatives). His sister will not intervene, since her husband has proceeded with her knowledge and approval.

This mess is the result of a family business situation; neither is at fault.

The dilemma: We are often invited to family events these two will surely attend. Our non-attendance is noted. So, how to handle these situations? Parents-in-law say not going would be “politically” loathsome (allowing bro-in-law and sis to “win”); ignoring bro-in-law seems childish; small-talk seems abhorrent – unless it’s to call him out as the ass he is, which would be rude. I am in a quandary.

– Anonymous

DEAR ANONYMOUS: There’s a lot going on here, adding up to a classic bullying scene. Your brother-in-law is the bully, your sister-in-law is his validation – mean people generally think they’re justified – your husband is the victim, their parents and other relatives are underoutraged bystanders, and you’re watching it all, saying, “Isn’t anyone going to do anything?”

Whoever thinks to ask it is the one stuck with acting on it. So talk to your husband about how you and he can handle this in a way less reminiscent of rolling helplessly onto your backs.

You can, for example, explain to his parents that this has nothing to do with politics, everything with decency. Skipping encounters with the brother and sister-in-law is your right, and if the rest of the family misses you, then they can take it up with the brother.

If they don’t like that (or you don’t, or your husband doesn’t), then you can say you’ll gladly take your place at family gatherings, but do so feeling no obligation to pretend all is peachy. Perhaps: “Whenever you’re ready to have a civilized conversation, BIL, I’m here. Until then, please understand I have nothing to say to you.”

In-your-face approaches? Yes. But not gratuitously, and not with the intention of returning the abuse. Instead, it’s a quiet, calm stand to deny this denial, thereby removing the cover under which the bully operates.

To operate effectively, bullies need people to have some other objective than exposing them: avoiding the bully’s wrath, say, or preserving the appearance of normalcy, or covering one’s own culpability, or enjoying a shared enemy’s takedown.

But when a bully’s at work, few objectives have sufficient weight to justify shrugging and saying, “Well, I don’t have all the details,” or whatever else people shrug and say when witnessing an attack.

If your husband refuses to rock the boat, remind him that all he does or doesn’t do is a statement; it might as well state what he wants to say.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Reach Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com or chat online with her at 9 a.m. Fridays at www.washingtonpost.com.

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Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/08/4472335/carolyn-haxverbally-abusing-my.html

BOSTON, May 7, 2012 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Rational Games and the JAMS Foundation is proud to announce that the free, interactive, children’s video game “Cool School: Where Peace Rules” is now available at http://www.coolschoolgame.com.

Named among best in family-friendly media, products and services by Momʼs Choice Awards, this altruistic, free, interactive, and educational video game teaches children ages 4 to 8 valuable skills in sharing, and how to avoid bullying and conflict.

Created by the U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Cool School: Where Peace Rules is a collaborative effort between the federal government, Rational Games, JAMS Foundation, game designer F.J Lennon, Realtime Associates, Inc. and a dedicated team of researchers led by Dr. Melanie Killen of the University of Maryland. Cool School: Where Peace Rules gives children the skills they need to avoid conflict and bullies, and promote peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

Rational Games, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by Dr. Mark Young, provides grants for conflict resolution programs, and is proud to lead the effort of improving Cool School. With the generous, continued support of the JAMS Foundation, Rational Games has dramatically improved access to Cool School by placing it on a free, easy to use, globally available website, and improved how children can interact and learn from Cool School.

Play Cool School at http://www.coolschoolgame.com.

About Rational Games.

Rational Games, Inc is a consulting, training and coaching service organization founded by Dr. Mark Young, and is dedicated to the employment of games and game-like simulations to resolve conflict. RGI makes financial grants to projects demonstrating innovative and effective approaches to the use of games in conflict resolution. Rational Games has been the driving force behind bringing Cool School: Where Peace Rules to children the world over.

About JAMS Foundation

The JAMS Foundation provides financial assistance for conflict resolution initiatives with national or international impact, and to share its dispute resolution experience and expertise for the benefit of the public interest. Funded entirely by contributions from JAMS, JAMS neutrals, and employee associates, the Foundationʼs mission is to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution, support education at all levels about collaborative processes for resolving differences, promote innovation in conflict resolution, and advance the settlement of conflict worldwide.

Inquiries may be directed to Jonathan Posey, +1-202-379-1653, jposey@coolschoolgame.com.

SOURCE Rational Games, Inc.

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/07/4472357/cool-school-where-peace-rules.html

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 7, 2012 — Profound 9/11 documentary and involved safety expert provide school emergency planning and recovery insights

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Center for Safe Schools today announced that nearly 500 stakeholders from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond will convene in Harrisburg for the fifteenth annual Safe Schools Conference May 8-9, 2012. The latest research in school safety and youth violence prevention; as well as effective program models and practices from state and national experts will be presented.

The conference provides school leaders and personnel, law enforcement and community partners with the tools to create a positive school climate; one that supports academic success, learning and teaching in a safe and nurturing environment.

“Specifically, the event includes practical resources and information to deal with safety issues that schools face daily –  bullying prevention, conflict management, emergency response and crisis management, and initiatives to address student mental health issues,” said Lynn Cromley, Center for Safe Schools director.

“The 9/11 documentary ‘REBIRTH’ is included as a tool to inform, enlighten and help professionals prepare for future disasters and better understand the impact of trauma on lives, schools and communities,” Cromley said.

The film is a riveting journey into living history – an act of personal witness to one of the most profound events in American history and the healing that has come in its wake. The result of a decade-long process by director Jim Whitaker, the inspirational story of “REBIRTH” follows the nearly ten-year transformation of five people whose lives were forever altered on September 11, 2001 – and simultaneously tracks via unprecedented multi-camera time-lapse photography the minute-by-minute evolution of the space where the Twin Towers once rose. Both a singular cinematic and human experience, “REBIRTH” is deeply intimate and uplifting – providing a moving portrait of how trauma and grief metamorphose into hope and rebuilding as the human spirit transcends the unthinkable over time.

“The entire Project Rebirth team, especially our five film participants, are pleased and grateful every time educational professionals use our film and film content in advancing their own missions. Applications to date have ranged from teaching the history of 9/11 to advancing the conversation about the need for improved disaster preparation and response in our schools,” said Brian Rafferty, Project Rebirth board chairman.

Following the screening, Project Rebirth’s Advisor for Public Safety and Education, Gregory Thomas, will lead a QA discussion about the film including school emergency preparedness and trauma. As the Executive Director of School Safety for the New York City Public Schools during the terrorist attacks, Thomas worked closely with federal, state and local officials to address security and disaster related issues that arose for the many schools in the lower Manhattan area.

“The educational mission of Project Rebirth has been its main driver since filming began six months after the 9/11 attacks: to educate future generations about the suffering of those left behind, and to highlight the strength of the human spirit in the face of the challenges they faced and met over the years,” Rafferty said.

The 2012 conference is presented by the Center for Safe Schools in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Equity Assistance Center; with sponsorship support from the Highmark Foundation.

Press inquiries: Aylissa Kiely at 717-903-0129 (c), 717-763-1661 x117 (o), akiely.tyndale@csc.csiu.org

About the Center for Safe Schools For over two decades, the Center for Safe Schools has been committed to serving as a statewide resource for schools, law enforcement, parents and others communities on school safety and youth violence prevention. For more information, go to www.SafeSchools.info.

About REBIRTH Rebirth had its World Premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and will be a permanent exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial Museum. For more information, go to http://projectrebirth.org.

SOURCE Center for Safe Schools

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/07/4471890/pennsylvania-safe-schools-conference.html

The three-day crash course in Indianapolis Colts 101 ended in fitting fashion Sunday morning.

Quarterback Andrew Luck scanned the field on the final play, saw wide receiver Jabin Sambrano cut to the right corner of the end zone and dropped the football into his hands.

Touchdown. End of rookie minicamp.

“That was a good way to finish,” Luck said.

Next, an unwanted break. The first overall pick in the draft, along with a few other new Colts, are trading their football classroom for the more conventional one.

NFL rules prohibit Luck, former Stanford teammate/wide receiver Griff Whalen and Ohio wide receiver LaVon Brazill from further activity at the Colts complex until they have taken their final exams in early June. Luck finishes up June 7, and will miss the 10-day organized team activity (OTA) slate that begins May 15.

Another Stanford standout, tight end Coby Fleener, is allowed to return later this month because he’s in graduate school. Fleener was trying to nail down the details of what will be permitted before he returned to Palo Alto, Calif., Sunday afternoon.

“I’ll figure that out,” he said.

The immediate future for Luck, Fleener and Whalen involves classes at Stanford.

Luck is finishing up two classes in pursuit of an architectural degree. He has classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Fleener already has earned a bachelor’s degree in science, technology and society and is 10 units shy of a master’s in communication. He’s specializing in media studies.

“I have a communications test (today),” Fleener said.

He boned up on the midterm exam before reporting to the Colts’ three-day rookie minicamp.

“Not too much studying while I was here,” he said, adding it won’t be too difficult to get back in school mode. “I really want to finish everything I do, finish it well.”

Luck has had his head buried in coordinator Bruce Arians’ playbook. He admitted it’s going to be difficult to refocus on classes at Stanford.

“I have a job now. This is what I love to do,” Luck said. “If I could, I would devote 100 percent of my time right now to be the best football player I can be, the best quarterback for this team.

“But I’m not going to let 31/2 years of school go to waste. I’m going to try to finish strong.”

Stanford’s June 17 commencement ceremony is circled in Luck’s date book.

“It’s a symbolic finishing, sort of closing the chapter on that part of your life,” he said.

When his class schedule allows, Luck will continue to digest his playbook and work out on campus with Fleener, Whalen and whomever else is available.

Although Luck cannot be at the Colts’ complex until after June 7, the lines of communication undoubtedly will be open with Arians and quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen. Luck also plans to arrange throwing sessions with his veteran teammates, most notably Reggie Wayne, who spends his offseason in Miami, and Austin Collie, who owns a home in nearby Sacramento, Calif.

Owner Jim Irsay has offered use of his private jet to facilitate workouts, particularly if they take place in Miami.

“I’ll definitely use whatever means of transportation,” Luck said, smiling, “especially if it’s Mr. Irsay’s stuff. Absolutely.”

Article source: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120507/SPORTS03/205070329/Indianapolis-Colts-Andrew-Luck-s-orientation-over-s-back-school?odyssey=nav%7Chead

California is in a moral crisis – and it’s up to churches to lead the way out.

The latest assault on good parenting comes by way of Senate Bill 48, a 2011 law mandating the positive instruction of alternative and controversial sexual lifestyles – including “transgender Americans” – to children as young as 5.

Many of my fellow Christians are livid at Sacramento for forcing such blatant indoctrination down our collective throats. My fellow conservatives are apoplectic at government for mandating propaganda about lifestyle choices better left to consenting adults.

What’s puzzling is how many Christians and churches don’t grasp that they could play vital roles in overturning this most immoral of laws. For some reason, they don’t grasp that they also have the right to engage in the political process.

Many Christians have mistakenly told me that their churches would lose their tax-free status if they got involved.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Churches have great freedom to engage in the political process. They can host political speakers, register voters and circulate petitions. They have a right to fight in the court of public opinion when dealing with issues of morality – which, after all, is what religion is about.

About the only political activity churches can’t do is endorsing candidates.

The Pacific Justice Institute, a Sacramento group fighting for the rights of Christians, has published extensive

information detailing how churches can engage in the political process without endangering their tax-free status. That web site is http://stopsb48.com/churches/.

Thankfully, Senior Pastor Don Wallace has boldly gone public and offered his Redlands Christian Center as a place where opponents can obtain and sign petitions. His church was among the first petition centers in the Inland Empire, according to the Stop SB 48 website. About a dozen churches within 50 miles of Redlands have since stepped forward.

Also encouraging are the Christians leading petition drives. Throughout the Inland Empire and California, Christians are collecting the 800,000 signatures needed to qualify this repeal for the 2014 ballot.

A similar measure in 2011 fell 8,000 signatures short of qualifying for the 2012 ballot.

(On a personal note, I was stationed in Afghanistan in 2011 when I first learned of the California Legislature approving this measure. At that time, I was unsure whether I was angrier at the Taliban for firing rockets at us or at Gov. Jerry Brown for signing this law. Regardless, I vowed then to do whatever I could to help bring its repeal before voters.)

I am encouraging Christians and parents to download petitions, visit a petition center or collect signatures. The petition deadline is July 11.

I am also asking supporters to read the law and its analysis: leginfo.ca.gov.

And please don’t skip this paragraph: “This bill adds sexual orientation and religion to the list of characteristics for which instructional materials must not reflect adversely, and adds lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans and others to the list of groups of people whose role and contributions must be accurately portrayed in instructional materials and included in social science instruction.”

It’s beyond galling that the bill’s sponsors cloaked themselves in religion as a means to gain legitimacy for constituents choosing alternative sexual lifestyles; the fact that laws protecting religion from discrimination were already on the books was an apparent oversight for legislation authors.

Oops.

To deflect attention from the real issue – indoctrination – law supporters are claiming all sorts of nonsense ranging from fighting bullies to sexual freedom. This is all part of an ongoing and politically correct effort to deter people from signing petitions. Supporters have no merits to their arguments, so they spew epithets instead.

By demagoguing the issue, indoctrination advocates are bullying Christians and parents into silence and inaction. To paraphrase the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke, advocates are, in effect, ensuring that good people stand by and do nothing so evil can triumph.

Christians must engage in the political process to repeal SB 48 – because we cannot just sit back any longer and pray the law away.

Article source: http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_20561250/churches-can-lead-way-sb-48-repeal

Capt. Bruce Horton, president of the San Francisco Bar Pilots, is responding to Dan Walters’ April 29 column “Democrats help some get richer,” which stated that “during 2011, the ‘average net income’ of those pilots was $451,336, up nearly $60,000 from the previous year and twice as much as they received in 2002.”

Powerful foreign shipping interests that profit from San Francisco Bay are attacking the state-licensed bar pilots who are helping them make millions, and it’s important to set the record straight. Sunday’s column was one-sided and missed important points relevant to Californians who love and depend on the bay.

Shippers make millions on each vessel that offloads goods at ports such as Oakland and Sacramento. The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, which is run by these powerful companies, is engaging in bullying tactics to seek even greater control and less regulation. Meanwhile their ships are getting larger, meaning even more profit.

A prime example of this is MSC Fabiola, the largest container ship ever to visit North America. She is nearly a quarter-mile long, almost as tall as the Empire State Building, and as wide as a 10-lane freeway.

As a precaution, bar pilots placed a second pilot aboard with portable GPS navigational gear. These independent “eyes and ears” are crucial considering that the Port of Oakland’s turning basin is 1,500 feet, just 300 feet more than the ship’s length.

State law on pilot rates predates these mammoth ships, so Alameda Assemblyman Sandré Swanson is authoring Assembly Bill 2287. The bill would authorize payment of a partial pilot fee in circumstances where a second pilot is needed for safety’s sake. We’re talking about less than 10 ships annually out of more than 9,000 that enter the port.

The pilots’ compensation is a fraction of that of the shippers. For example, Matson Shipping’s CEO earned $1.7 million last year. So if there are concerns about compensation, the public need only look to the ledgers of the mostly foreign-owned shipping companies who put profit before safety.

The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association has gone on the attack because it has lost the factual debate. An independent study funded by the Port of Oakland last year concluded that a second pilot was critical to safety, and the State Board of Pilot Commissioners agreed.

Pilots are well-paid for one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. And shippers benefit from that expertise.

We don’t begrudge shippers for looking to line their pockets; they’re insured. But who is looking out for California? One accident can paralyze the economy, destroy the environment and mean criminal prosecution for the pilot. We accept these risks and the responsibility on behalf of Californians who rely on the ports for goods and a good job.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Article source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/06/4467272/bar-pilots-get-fair-income-for.html

Image by: Kati Garner

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus delighted their audience with “Glitter”, their 27th annual spring show on Friday evening. The men delivered a generous helping of glitz and glamour from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond in their surprising new performance venue at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento.

Artistic Director Paul Jones, in his final season on the podium, led the men through a solid repertoire featuring the music of gay composers, and the selection meandered from the tender to the raucous to the hilariously campy. Jones will rejoin his chorus on the risers for the coming season.

Jones on his podium, half-way between the chorus and audience.
(Image by: Kati Garner)

Opening with a medley of show tunes, from “Let Me Entertain You” to the “Broadway Ladies Medley: The Gold Diggers Song, Big Spender, and Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets” the chorus set the tone for an evening of familiar hits despite the distraction of two young dancers at the foot of stage right.

Image by: Kati Garner

Among the choral performances, standouts included “Sometimes When We Touch”, a Top-40 ballad from 1977 which was imbued with a moving tenderness by the 40 men on the risers. “Children Will Listen” was very well sung, and “The Prodigal” was a poignant end to the first act.

Image by: Kati Garner

Immediately following a lovely arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” in the second act, the audience was delivered a rare and wonderful treat. SGMC commissioned a song this season and its world premier was a showstopper.

Local poet Jovi Radtke is well known to fans of spoken word performance. She read “Voices Carry”, her work about the power of song and voice to free people from the pain and indignity of the closet, the metaphorical refuge and prison of LGBT citizens. Her poem spoke of the crimes of violence, bullying, shame, and self-hatred which are so common in the gay community. She suggested that one day, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people would no longer sing because it is the only way to be heard in the fight against injustice and ignorance, but because it would someday be a reclaimed expression of joy.

Parts of the poem were incorporated into a stirring, energetic song by local composer and performer Graham Sobelman. When the chorus performed the piece, the surging movement of the various voice parts was the perfect vehicle for the theme of release through song and the power of the human voice to carry the weight of change forward through the ages. The song was challenging both for the chorus and for the listener; in contrast to the relatively naive show tunes of times gone by, its 21st century rhythms and the subtext of layered musical themes was engaging and far beyond the toe-tapping simplicity audiences often expect.

Graham Sobelman and Jovi Radtke ham it up with Jones (middle) at intermission.
(Image by: Kati Garner)

The chorus handled it masterfully, and brought the audience to its feet in recognition of a major new collaborative songwriting team. The show concluded not with the traditional “Rhythm of Life” singalong but with a musical primer on “How to End a Show”—sure to be a new audience favorite in the next season and beyond.

Principal accompanist Kay Hight, resplendent in the most glittery of sequined gowns, coaxed wonderful music from the Yamaha keyboard, and sign language interpreters Drea Atkinson and Vanessa Jet added their ownsparkle with elegance and sparkle.

The performance space, sequestered from the high-ceilinged, hangar-like museum displaying hundreds of vintage vehicles , was surprisingly comfortable and acoustically sound. The ample off-street parking, the spacious area available for refreshments and raffle sales, and the easily accessible seating made the choice of venue a pleasant change from the unforgiving pews and crowded anterooms of the churches where SGMC usually performs.

Image by: Kati Garner

This may be the dawn of a new chapter in the life and direction of SGMC.After 27 seasons, they are certainly good at what they have been doing,and it will be a delight to see what’s next.

“Glitter” will be presented once again, at the California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento at 4:00 pm on Sunday, May 6th.
 

Tickets are available through the website, http://www.sacgaymenschorus.org, or at the door.
  

A few more photos from “Glitter”:

Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Image by: Kati Garner



Director Paul Jones
(Image by: Kati Garner)

Article source: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/67446/Sacramento_Gay_Mens_Chorus_Glitters