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Usually, this time of the week I post my “Favorite Looks of the Week,” but as I’m sitting here watching CNN coverage of the chaos and devastation in Haiti (that I admittedly feel so far removed from here in our safe and beautiful little bubble world), I have a hard time posting something so insignificant when I could be doing something else.  It’s literally the absolute least I can do….but nonetheless…

DONATE HERE

for more information, visit www.pih.org

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THIS IS GONNA BE THE PARTY OF THE DECADE!!!  CLICK BELOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!!

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Let me just start this off by saying that I love Barack Obama.  I cried tears of joy when he was nominated, and even more when he was elected.  I believe in his platform, his values, and his intention and ability to make some desperately needed changes in our country and overseas.  I also want to add the obvious fact that he did not “apply” for this honorable prize, but was awarded it by people who clearly saw in him what I, and millions of other people around the world, see. 

I don’t disagree, persay, with the award.  I guess the first thing that came to mind for me when I heard the news were the words that seem to have been permanently associated with Obama’s campaign and now his administration: CHANGE and HOPE.  These are powerful words that I feel he is qualified to fulfill.  However, I guess I think of these words as representing a FUTURE that Obama is striving diligently to create, and I therefore see the granting of the Nobel Peace Prize at this somewhat delicate point in his presidency as being a bit premature. 

photo courtesy of cnn.com

In his true nature of humility, however, Obama seemed to acknowledge this notion…

“”I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership. … I will accept this award as a call to action” he said in his acceptance speech this morning in Washington. 

I believe that Obama will live up to this immense honor, and my hope is that when future generations look back on Obama as a recipient, they will see him as a fit choice based on the fulfillment of his own ideals of instilling a renewed sense of peace to some extent during his presidency.

I certainly dont mean to undermine the extraordinary qualities and qualifications of Barack Obama as a leader.  However, I suppose what I find to be most ironic about the series of events that have led us to electing the first African American President to office, and furthermore one who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is that it could be argued that none of this would have ever manifested if it weren’t for the 8 embarrassingly horrific years of George W. Bush.  It was through that suffering, fear, and distrust in our government that the desperate need for somebody like Barack Obama was created.  Call me fatalistic, but I can’t help but allow this retrospective realization to further strengthen my faith in a sense of order and balance in the universe.  Call it fate.  Call it collective human karma.  Call it the big picture, or call it the silver lining.  Whatever words you’d like to use, it’s hard to deny the feeling that things are as they should be, and that maybe those cliche’ phrases of hope we throw around during difficult times have some solidity to them after all.

Here’s hoping…and all criticism and questioning aside, congratulations to our President, Barack Obama, for being offered this extraordinary award.

Filed under: Current Events, Thought by cassietregellas
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SF-based musician, Chiara Angelicola, played her final Bay Area performance last Tuesday at the DNA Lounge before heading off to New York to further build upon her music career.  As usual, Chiara blew everyone away with her undeniable and unmistakable talent and presence.  Check out some photos from the show…

Filed under: Current Events, Music, My Photography by cassietregellas
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Most people living within the foggy bubble of San Francisco don’t often realize the close cultural ties our beautiful and eccentric city may share with our fellow American urbanites.  SF prides itself for slightly side-stepping the mainstream flow and short-lived trends that form the cultural foundation for other major cities like Los Angeles, while remaining one of the most influential cities in the world when it comes to contemporary and urban art.

Having a notorious rivalry with what we may as well call our “evil step-sister,” Los Angeles, San Franciscans tend to keep our heads down when it comes to making close ties with neighboring cities.  We see ourselves as unique, hard-working, and unpretentious.  However, while we may not realize it, another western city flanking our borders is brewing, and its cultural recipe is one that might just evoke a newfound friendship with our beloved City by the Bay…that is, if we take the time to see beyond the fog…

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While Phoenix culture has a distinctive style all their own, it seems the creative counter-culture that is growing quickly there is straight from our hearts.  Harking on the skateboarding/tattoo/urban-art roots that have re-emerged as a slightly more sophisticated and authentically creative hipster culture, Phoenix, AZ may as well be deemed the long-lost Sister City of San Francisco.  

Deep in the heart of gritty Downtown Phoenix, two young entrepreneurs have honed in on this rapidly emerging scene.  AZ natives, Jeff Mann & Kyle Simone have set out to build an empire of sophisticated and culturally-attuned creative individuals through their brand new retail store/art gallery, Phoenicia Association.

Jeff Mann & Kyle Simone – founders of Phoenicia Association

And build they did…

From hand-stenciling business cards to stripping paint and laying down wood flooring, Mann & Simone have literally built their company from the ground up.  The company name is derived from the native indigenous civilization of the region, and all of the branding for the company pays tribute, including the company logo which is a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Phoenician alphabet.

The retail store will be selling men’s apparel from brands previously unseen in Arizona including: 3sixteen (NYC), April 77 and HIXSEPT (both from Paris).  The goal is to offer a newer, more sophisticated flavor to the Phoenix fashion scene, and target the incoming youth of the city’s growing population.

(April 77)

Along with the retail store, Phoenicia will be featuring local and national artists in their adjacent gallery on a monthly basis.

Phoenicia Association will open its doors THIS FRIDAY, AUG 7 from 7pm-11pm.  The event is free and open to the public, and will feature art by Travis Cota, and live music by William Reed, Issa, & The Ghouliez.

Kyle Simone (owner) and Travis Cota (first featured artist)

Phoenicia Association is located at:

821 N. 3rd St., Suite 13

Phoenix, AZ

(corner of Garfield & 3rd, one block south of Roosevelt)

For more information, and to stay informed on the store and gallery, visit the official website at www.wearephoenicia.com

You can also find them on facebook

Filed under: Culture, Current Events, Fashion by cassietregellas
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Dash Snow, a somewhat controversial contemporary documentary photographer, who summed the likes of the greats such as Goldin & Arbus, died today at the auspicious age of 27…much like some of the legendary artists who have come before.  Here are some of my favorite pieces by Snow that, true to his style, keep it real.  RIP.

Filed under: Art, Culture, Current Events, Other Photography by cassietregellas
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The 5 en route southbound…

The best coffee in LA….Intelligentsia in Silverlake (there’s one opening in Venice Beach as well)!

An amazing brunch at Casbah Cafe in Silverlake

A little ride along the beach on the fixies to do some perusing at the Promenade

Oh, LA…..

Cutest little Frenchie…

Heading back to SF…

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