Signs Of Equality From Iowa 2 Vermont & A Silent Summit City; Fort Wayne: Room For Dreams & Desires To Play Down Town; Remembering Bea Arthur

As marriage equality has been proven victorious in a recent decision by the Iowa State Supreme Court and an major majority vote by the Vermont legislature which overturned a veto by the Governor, another religious right hate group the National Organization for Marriage started to rear its head and put out a commercial citing old cases which have long since been proven inaccurate to stifle the conversation. They also began a campaign Two Million For Marriage (2M4M), which sent Rachel Maddow over the edge of her desk trying to hold back the laughter). Above is a video by Rob Tish which combats the misconceptions presented by NOM's advert.

Meanwhile in the Summit City, a small group gathered on the north side of Fort Wayne @ IPFW on the 17th to commemorate the National Day of Silence with a rally in the afternoon. On the 18th Fort Wayne PRIDE Committee held its 1st all ages PROM. On the 2nd of May United Sexualities of IPFW will be hosting "A Touch Of Pink" Dance Party @ Walb Ballroom starting at 8p with a general admission of $3 and free for IPFW students.

Random Observations: Driving Along Our Three Rivers

I was driving to my secret source for cheap cigarettes this evening and almost hit a jack rabbit that decided to bolt between the Court House and the City County Building. Every time you think Fort Wayne is a bustling metropolitan area you are reminded that no matter how big we get we are still a small farm community town at heart. Even though we have a thriving downtown area that is both dedicated and ready for future expansion to make the Downtown area truly a source of arts, entertainment, culture and diverse expressions, it is also within a fifteen minute bike ride of most of the urban areas of town. Now we just need to make it more accommodating to non vehicular traffic flow as that would improve both the access to and enjoyment by more citizens as a whole.

One of the things I noticed is that the capillary streets like Calhoun between Washington and Jefferson Boulevards should probably have a police officer directing traffic in all lanes as this is the major wrap around for traffic wanting to leave the Embassy Theatre, Grand Wayne Center, and Harrison Square, and head west instead of east. If they simply cut off this one block stretch of Calhoun to southbound traffic as people are leaving these venues and then allowed all three lanes to be used as a wrap around it would reduce congestion after these well attended events.

Room For Dreams But Nowhere To Rest Your Sore Feet

The other recommendations I would give is that as we are becoming more of a pedestrian - non automotive based economy in the Downtown area having a few courtesy officers on duty for out-of-towners and people not familiar with downtown to help guide people to their next destination would be the next appropriate step in improving the Downtown area. We need to establish crossing guards at key side street intersections as people return to their vehicles, which are typically parked a couple of blocks away from the venue they attended.

One of the more refreshing things I saw was that people were just hanging around by the hundreds outside the Grand Wayne and the Embassy Theatre, after the events had ended. We need to do more to install benches and flowers, plants, and fruit trees, along our main thoroughfares and direct arterial streets.

I do agree with City Council President Tom Smith, we need to reestablish a sit down diner or two in the direct area; however we also need to consider, adding City certified street vendor at these locations to provide a quick beverage or sandwich as people linger and enjoy a strangers company or make new friends and reacquaint with olde ones. If the goal is to get people to not just come to the Downtown area but make our inner urban area a lifestyle choice and actually play downtown, we need to be more accommodating to allow people the leisure of staying downtown for several hours after an event and not just saying, "Thanks for coming and spending sixty dollars for a twenty dollar show, now go home where it is safe." by our lack of post event hospitality and recreation opportunities.

Refreshing News; Reminders Of The Little Things

Last week when I was leaving this same secret location I noticed we had a new taxi company in town. The Yellow Taxi Cab Company Phone: 260-422-1010 headquartered off of East Pontiac Street was started approximately 9 months ago which is about the same time that the recession we are currently in hit full swing. So there is yet another sign that no matter how crappy the economy is getting Fort Wayne's entrepreneurial spirit is alive, well, and kicking ass. The reason I bring this up is one thing we seriously lack at most of our entertainment venues, especially the three previously mentioned, is a dedicated taxi lane. Having a dedicated taxi lane and disabled person drop off area and escort service (perfect job duty for the previously mentioned courtesy officers) would better serve guests and people who didn't want to drive to an event personally. On a green note and taxis, the Mayor of Seattle has ordered all taxis in the city to be high mileage hybrids by 2013.


Thank you for being a friend. Traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant....

As most have heard or read by now the incomparable Bea Arthur, who weaved her way into the fabric of American social political commentary and back in April 2005 graced the stage of the Scottish Rite Theatre with Billy Goldenberg to perform her show "Just Between Friends", has finally greeted her last curtain call at the age of 86.

She was introduced to America on the small screen back in the 1970's as Maude in All In The Family where she challenged America by discussing the issues surrounding abortion and sexuality. Again she would change the hearts and minds of another generation of gay men young and old everywhere as part of the Golden Girls cast for seven years. If you ever witnessed a group of gay bois try to assign each other to their role of Blanche, Rose, Sophia, and Dorothy, you begin to understand the impact one voice and a woman with strong character can have on the hearts and minds of a generation.

Bea Arthur is within her own lifetime a legacy and in her own right a saint. No worries there is one slice of chocolate cheesecake left at the banquet table for you Dorothy.


Star Wars Holiday Special - Cantina Song

Rest In Peace Fr. Skip! May you find rest in the green pasture beside the still water before returning to work in the vineyard of the LORD. Thank you!

It is with great sorrow that I write this morning.

The News Sentinel has confirmed reports that Most Reverend Father Earl Paul Brian Carsten, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Orthodox-Catholic Church in America has crossed into eternal pastures this past Friday at the age of 65 due to a childhood defect of his heart that had recently surfaced and caused the stroke which caused him to fall into a coma and pass from his mortal flesh with friends and colleagues surrounding him in prayer and praise to GOD our almighty Father, ABBA!. Archbishop Carsten is survived by his mother, Isabelle, of Auburn.

Funeral Services and Divine Liturgy of Commendation (aka Mass of Christian Burial) will be celebrated by Archbishop Alfred L. Lankenau on Friday the 3rd of April at 4P with calling from 1-4P. The Divine Liturgy and Commendation will be hosted with graciousness at Fairview Missionary Church 525 East 200 North in (MAP) Angola, Indiana.

DIRECTIONS: You may arrive at Fairview Missionary Church via Interstate 69 by taking the Crooked Lake interchange number 150 @ County Road 200 West turning left if from Fort Wayne or right if from Michigan and proceed (north) approximately a half mile, turning right (or East) onto West County Road 200 North and then proceed 2.5 miles down the road and the Church will be on your right hand side. If you intersect with State Road 827 North you are sitting right next to it. Please look behind you before you back into somebody when trying to turn around.

There is more sorrow in this untimely loss of Fr. Skip's boisterous at times but contemplative presence, which was compounded by the horrendously inaccurate article written by Aaron Organ and published in the News Sentinel, that both defamed the character of this humble Servant Shepherd and the Orthodox-Catholic Church in America [website], which he guided for the last nine years with great respect and responsible stewardship.

I can only reflect the albeit massive loss and tears shed that the members of the three congregation local Community of the Cross and my fellow clergy and friends in the OCCA are feeling at this moment in their 100 year plus history. This is also a time of joy and peace knowing that it will be alright and that he can do a lot more from where he is now. This following link MY ARCHBISHOP is a commentary by Father Roger Vaughn whom knew him better than I did and much longer. Please enjoin this sharing of a man, a mission, and the mysteries celebrated by workers in the LORD's vineyard that joined all together, even me, for the last many years under Fr. Skip's leadership (2nd from left in purple @ St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, Crosswood Centre, Auburn)

Now if y'all don't mind the Western Rite within me from bubbling up, allow me to say this simple prayer for all of you: "May all of us and many others whom loved Father Skip and those whom he loved, find the Holy Ghost as their Comforter; and the Holy Mother of God, their Consolation! As we all struggle on our path to live that Indwelling presence, that he so diligently taught us to look for, may we find that peace that is GOD with us! AMEN!" Father Skip, thank you for the fellowship and challenging me to find new ways to live my commissioning as a Servant Shepherd also!

Bona Pascha! Feast Well At The Banquet Table!

Fr. "Fozy Bear" Jude Thaddeuss of Prompt Succor
MRev. Kenneth R. M. White, Jnr., Bishop, OIRCC