gigs:: hmt

Hundred Monkey Theory (HMT), featuring Terra Nova's own Patty and Scott Womer, Rachael and Dennis Gardner, Steve Mooradian and Dave Bremer, plays at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday at The Great Escape as part of the region's Glory Day festivities.

In Scott's words, "Come out, enjoy the park, listen to some good music, buy really expensive
hot dogs, and support your best friends, HMT."

fiction:: elizabeth berg book reviews

Last week, I read not one but two books by Elizabeth Berg, my latest favorite author. (This fall, she is coming out with a fictional account of the young Mary and Joseph called "The Handmaid and the Carpenter." Look for it November 7, 2006.)

"The Year of Pleasures" paints a genuinely felt account of the anguish found after a woman loses her husband to cancer: how she sees the world, finds traces of her late husband around the house, weeps silently for no good reason, and learns to move on, if that is even possible. What I loved about this book was not only the story itself but also Berg's writing style. She is so candid, so honest, so up-close about the character's feeling and sense of self: walking in certain neighborhoods is painful, having awkward moments when the protagonists's friends ask her how she's doing and she erupts into tears but doesn't want to cry and apologizes for doing so. This is honest grief; there is no romanticizing here. And because of that truth in storytelling, you believe every word and cry with the main character, hoping that something good will happen. And it doesn't necessarily.

What bothers me so -- or compels me to want to be this book's heroine, just for a moment -- is this: how she has found herself to be so alone, a changed woman not only from her husband's death but also her life as a married woman, then a widow. She realizes she has not held on to her friends -- she doesn't know whom to call when she starts feeling the need to reach out to someone to start talking again -- because she and her husband had become everything to each other. While I admire that they are lovers and best friends, spending all their time together while also having their own careers (he was a child psychiatrist and she a children's book author) and passions (he wasn't a fan of her musical preferences), I am sorry that she has lost touch with her girlfriends from college. But again, that is the beauty of this book and of life: to be able to try again, to have another opportunity to move forward. It starts when the protagonist calls directory assistance to find her long-lost girlfriends.

Okay, I'm giving away too much of this book; suffice to say, I appreciate literature that, while taking creative license, also tells the truth in a believeable way.

That's what Berg does again with "Open House," another story about a woman who has lost her husband. This time, it's not death. He has left her. And she wants him back, no matter how much they have lost ground or fallen apart. She hopes all the time that he will come back and tell her he made a mistake, he's moving back in, he will gladly come back and love her and raise their 11-year-old son together.

And the surprise is this: he does say such things. He dumps his little rebound girlfriend and asks to come home to his wife. It's all we have been waiting for... and the protagonist, too. However, she doesn't take him back. Why not? Because she wants him to appreciate her -- not what she DOES for him, the routine she gives to his life, but who she truly is, the birthmarks only she has, the uniqueness of who she is -- and he seems to miss that point. He wants her back to give him a sense of stability and grounding again, and he can't bring himself to find any words affirming what it is that he misses about her CHARACTER.

It's the most gutting climax, because we, the readers, have been waiting for redemption and beauty to take place, or perhaps that is what we crave as Jesus-followers: for things to be made right and new and good again. But the reality is this: it's not always like that. Love between a man and woman, though created to reflect the union between Jesus and his church -- unconditional, patient, kind, forgiving -- is not always like that. And it's disturbing. But it's realistic. This is Elizabeth Berg: life is not always what you hope for, but then again, it might be surprisingly better somehow because it reminds you of who are you and the compromises you refuse to make about yourself.

shabbat

Last week, I went on vacation. It was truly a vacation. No to-do lists. No phone calls or e-mail messages to return. No responsibilities. Not even sight-seeing. I was more interested in complete shabbat.

What can I learn from taking three hour-naps each day, rising early to watch my daughter chase seagulls by the ocean, and reading books on the balcony, by the pool, or on the beach? I'm tempted to want to stay there and never come home.

But what I did learn is this: I was reminded of a sermon given by Tim Keller, my pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC when I was a student at NYU. He reminded his listeners that Sabbath is a command. That means we're to take it as seriously as being faithful to our partners, honoring our parents, loving our neighbors. If we don't, we sin.

Keller wasn't saying "this is sin, otherwise" to laud it over the workaholics among us (myself included). Rather, he was reminding us about the point of rest, Sabbath, shabbat: to encounter God and be reminded of who we are in Christ. When we get that -- when we get that who we are is NOT equal to how we perform, how we dress, where we work, or how put-together we are, but rather, that we are children of God -- we are ready, then, to face the rest of the week with that truth in tow.

So, then, here I sit on a Wednesday morning. My office space around my desk is a mess, papers are everywhere, my blackboard list has remained the same for the past day "Deposit checks. Call Amy, Dave and Mea. Look for Sheila's book." I'm hungry, tired and pre-occupied with the to-do lists in my head. I want to say, when my husband comes home, "I did this and that. Here's dinner. Look, a clean sofa cover, for once! Look, I mopped the floor, too!" And while I'm sure he'd appreciate those little touches of domesticity, I'm sure he -- and God, too -- would appreciate it more if I remembered who I am and stopped trying to earn my merit or sense of self.

(Reader's note: This blog entry originally appeared at Erika's personal blog: erikabai.livejournal.com)

what some terra creatives are up to this week...

Phoebe Henry, solo vocalist and Terra-ist, is busy recording her third CD this week. She's down in NYC to do so.

Thursday evening, stop by the University Art Museum at UAlbany to view the:
2006 Artists of the Mohawk-Hudson Region
Juror: Lilly Wei, independent curator and critic

University Art Museum
University at Albany
State University of New York

June 29 through August 5
Artists’ Reception:
Thursday, June 29, 5:00 – 8:00PM
University Art Museum
Fine Arts Building

Sharon Bates, Troy artist and friend/neighbor to the Groffs, will be among those whose work will be displayed. Hers consists of six sculptural forms titled Cluster.

Sunday, July 2, marks the beginning of a photography exhibit by Terra's own Nancy Noble. (The coffeehouse closes at 2 p.m. Sundays.) Her work will be displayed at Samuel's Coffeehouse,258 Alplaus Ave, in Alphaus through the month of July.

After church Sunday afternoon, consider stopping by Troy's River Street for a Lebanese Mahrajan Festival put on by Albaraki Restaurant. Not only will there be delicious Lebanese food, but come enjoy the sights and sounds of belly dancers (maybe you can try it, too!) and other entertainment.

Next Tuesday is the Fourth of July. Which traditions do you observe? BBQ? Fireworks at the Empire State Plaza in Albany? If your answer is the latter, you'll groove this year to The Temptations...

new photography center

At Troy's recent River Street Festival one Saturday afternoon, I noticed a new exhibition of photographs... and an announcement about the opportunity to become a charter member of the Photography Center of the Capital District, a new venture sprung by recent state retiree, Nicholas Argyros. I met him the following week at Ekologic's "Boutique for a Week" opening at Pi Naturals in Troy.

He has a wonderful vision for this center, the primary purpose of which is to "offer to those interested in the photographic arts opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in all aspects of photographic activity." He's hoping to do that by providing facilities that include a library, equipment such as film recorders, film scanners, printers, projectors, computer workstations and even film processing equipment. He hopes also to provide workshops, tutorials, exhibitions and even a salon night in which peers critique each other's work.

The center is set to open in the fall of 2006 at 404 River Street (right across the street from Revolution Hall in the former nut/cheese building) in Troy.

To become a charter member for $35, which means you'll get invited to special events and be able to renew membership at low rates, contact Nicholas himself at 518-273-0100 or pccd404@att.net.

hundred monkey theory

Hundred Monkey Theory [electric band] @ Samuel’s Coffeehouse, Clifton Park, NY

Friday, June 23 at 7pm

phoebe henry, live

Sixteen-year-old singer/songwriter Phoebe Henry will be performing at Black Sheep Coffee House (Good Shepherd Lutheran, Albany Shaker Rd Loudonville) at 7pm Saturday June 24. Phoebe's original acoustic sound blends the influence of Jewel, Jennifer Knapp and Fiona Apple. Phoebe's big break as the opening act before the Paul McCartney concert last fall captured the attention of local media and fans. $5.00 donation; refreshments available.

www.phoebehenry.com

contact info: Ruth Henry 434-2704

what to expect

Today, my friend and fellow writer Lyrysa Smith (former writer for the Times Union) will read from her work on WAMC. Tune in at 10:45 a.m.

This weekend, check out Troy's Riverfront Arts Festival on Saturday.

Join The Arts Center this week and display some of your work at their annual Fence Show, which begins this weekend and continues later with a selected jurors' show. If you'd rather sit on the fence than display your work, you can volunteer this week to help hang art at the center. If you know how to use a power tool -- or want to learn, this is for you (Gina, the gallery director, will be grateful).

recycled clothes

Boutique for a Week - `
e ko logic @ Pi Naturals, Inc., 2217 Fifth Ave, Troy, for one week only.
Opening June 23rd from 3:30 - 9:30 pm.
`e ko logic designer Kathleen Tesnakis will be showcasing her Summer 2006 collection, handmade from recycled cotton shirts (tees, dress and polo). All made right here in Troy, NY and all one-of-a-kind. Lots of new experimental items made especially for this event.
Doors open at 3:30 pm. Be selfish and come early to get first dibs on truly unique clothing and accessories. You can always invite your friends to come later, after you've amassed your bounty. Music and munchies to follow later in the evening.
> > Feel free to donate your pre-loved 100% cotton tees, dress shirts and/or polo's at the drop off bin located in Shake Shake Mama's, 258 Broadway, Troy ( http://shakeshakemamas.com/) by June 20th. (If you haven't been yet to Shake Shake Mama's, its a great place for a healthy lunch or fresh fruit smoothie.)
View Julie Rose, Troy Pilates instructor and Erika Groff's next-door neighbor, modeling the summer line at: http://www.ekologic.com/ or visit Pi Naturals, Inc at http://www.pinaturalsinc.com to see this beautiful floral shop.
> > Email any questions to info@ekologic.com or ty@pinaturalsinc.com.
Of course, please feel free to forward this email to all your friends.
We look forward to seeing you at the opening event Friday, June 23rd.

uncle sam

Troy, Home of Uncle Sam. And there's always a reason to throw a parade here.

This coming weekend, check out the city's annual Flag Day Parade on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation will be there.

the new york times magazine

My favorite magazine in the world is none other than a weekly one in every Sunday New York Times newspaper, tucked away... The New York Times.

Did you read this week's issue? If not, go to: www.nytimes.com/magazine

This week, I enjoyed the skeptical look at what it means when Wal-Mart (aka "The Evil Empire") puts on a yuppy face and starts selling organic food. What does it mean to you?

when religion and economics mix

Just read this in today's Times Union, about a local church that's assisting "family-class" cars in buying gas on one specific Saturday at one specific place...

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=488238&category=SARATOGA&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=6/3/2006

Of course, this church is showing Jesus' love in a practical way, especially in light of high gas rates.

It's an act of kindness, not out of environmental concern. If that were their case, they would be boycotting amendments that allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for example; encouraging congregants to buy hybrid cars, commute to work, or ride bicycles instead of cars; and reminding parishioners to buy EnergySmart appliances or signing up for wind power or solar energy (my husband and I use Green Mountain Energy Company as our energy supplier, which means we pay more but our energy is from wind and hydro fuel sources).

If you're serious about your commitment to care for creation and be a better steward of energy sources, for example, become a member of the Evangelical Environmental Network, and you'll get their quarterly magazine, Creation Care, edited and published by Jim Ball (I met him a few years ago when I went to the national Religion Communicators Conference in Indianapolis; he has teamed up with unlikely alliances -- a Jewish liberal, for example, to lobby and inform the public and the church about the need to be better environmentalists).

But back to the Saratoga church wanting to help people pay for gas. That's another issue entirely (sorry for the tangent), and I admire their desire to want to help people in a practical way. Kudos to their vision.

Now, who's going to help the truly poor -- the widows and the orphans -- as James 1:27 invokes us to do?

and so?

Random things to do this weekend:

1. Go to the drive-in. While they are extinct in other regions, the Capital Region has at least four drive-ins that I know about: Jericho in Selkirk, Hollywood in Averill Park, Malta in Malta, and Hathaway in Hoosick. Last weekend, X-Men 3 was playing. (If you have seen it, can you write a review for me? If so, send it to: artsblog@terranovachurch.org)

2. Go take a hike or swim... at Grafton State Park, for example.

3. Go to the farmers' market in Troy. (Okay, I know this is yet another shameless plug for the market, but how can you pass up fresh tomatoes, greens, onions, garlic and even some homemade curry and freshly baked bread?) It's on Saturday at the Troy Marina from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4. Pay your rent. It's the first of the month today (Thursday) so don't forget to pay the bills!

What else? You tell me...