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Deana
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realized it was going to take money to
accomplish the things we have to do." For
Deana, the things we have to do include
taking care of those who can't provide for
themselves.
A former dancer, model and actress, the
elegant mother of five speaks with sincere
conviction to human rights of all people.
"We must provide for those who need
us-straight and gay, male and female, young
and old," she proclaims, estimating a total of
fifty benefits under her sponsorship in just
the past two years.
"We have to help each other," she pleads,
modestly noting her new-found
commitment to political involvement as a
means toward success in combating the
effects of AIDS. "We all have to get
involved."
Deana's latest involvement is
spearheading the acquisition of local
residences to house PWAs. "People who
are sick need healthy environments-homes,
not institutional walls-to nourish
themselves," she explains. "If we work
together, we can provide PWAs a place to
live where they can maintain their
dignity ...with windows and gardens and
space to live.
"We're not just talking about gays,"
Deana disclaims bigotry. "Screw gay
rights...we're talking about human rights.
These homes will be for straight people with
AIDS, too."
Although Deana has always supported
and assisted in organizing activities to
benefit the community, it is through her
current business venture that her efforts
have begun to magnify. Using her lounge
as headquarters, she has hosted benefits for
Atlanta's Gay Pride Day, the National
March on Washington, the Leigh VanderEls
Defense Fund, and local political gay
candidates to name just a few.
Currently, weekly variety shows are held
each Sunday to support the PWA housing
project and Deana daily meets with
organizers of similar fundraising and
support programs.
"There are a lot of things that need to be
changed," Deana predicts, "and we, as
people, have to change them. These are the
rights we have...and we don’t use them." In
addition to her concern for PWAs, she
speaks loudly to other community issues
such as drug and alcohol addiction.
"Most people think drug problems get
started in bars," she observes. "Not in my
bar. I hate drugs. I lost a son-in-law and
almost lost a daughter to drugs. These
people need help, too."
Named after her two-and-a-half-year-old
grandchild, little Deana, Deana's One Mo'
Time is a lot like the fairy tale of the woman
who lived in a shoe. However, Deana knew
what to do.
-John Blizzard
Brecht’s Good Woman A Prophetic Battleground
At the center of Bertolt Brecht's play The
Good Woman ofSetzuan lies the ancient
Chinese symbol for the relationship between
eternal opposites, Yin and Yang. Carl Jung tells
us that without these "inexorable opposites -
birth & death, joy & misery, night & day, male
& female - existence would come to an end".
Brecht wrote his play while in exile from Nazi
Germany, about the contradicting forces at
work during that time, yet its relevance to our
lives today can only be called prophetic.
The hysteria that has followed the AIDS
epidemic, the rise of Neo-Nazism, the riots in
the Atlanta Penitentiary and in Miami - have all
risen from issues explored in The Good
Woman fifty years ago.
Shen Te, the good woman of Setzuan, is
faced with similar dilemmas when she is given
the divine injunction to remain good, no matter
what the cost. But the realities of survival
dictate Shen Te’s actions. The very people she is pledged to help move in swiftly and tear
away at her goodness. To protect her interests and good deeds, the former prostitute creates
an alter ego, a male, who will take on the dirty deed of evicting the homeless and hungry from
her tiny tobacco shop.
Why can't the Gods help us out of our troubles; seems like that's why they're there. Why
are bad deeds rewarded, and good deeds punished? It is these contradicting forces that make
every day of our lives a battleground.
Brecht's disdain for religion and his Communist affiliation are reflected in the Gods'
unwillingness to get involved with economics; his call for positive action on the behalf of his
audiences is found in his refusal to "finish" the story. The solutions to these problems are
found, not on the stage, but in the audience.
The Actor's Express presents its production of Brecht's classic The Good Woman of
Setzuan, January 31 through February 19, in the traditions of Brecht's "epic" theatre.
-Max Welting
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Floral Ideas For
Valentine’s Day
If your special someone likes flowers,
there are many selections to choose from as a
gift on Valentine's Day.
The traditional long stem roses are always
a favorite. They are, however, perishable and
the most expensive of a wide variety of flora
from which to select Many florists offer cut
flower arrangements, some even have hardier
roses in them, like miniature roses.
Florists with Teleflora services offer many
arrangements. FTD services have
arrangements in crystal, ceramic and other
attractive containers.
Plan to spend $25 and up for this and other
flower arrangements from the florist
A hardier and more economical suggestion
would be a flowering potted plant. Many
garden centers in Atlanta cany good
selections. If you and your sweetheart have
been on the rocks lately, how about a Peace
Lily (Spathphyllum) to smooth things over.
So now that you have your beautiful
flowers, how do you take care of than for
long lasting beauty?
A flower arrangement from a florist will
have all the flowers in green foam at the base.
Make sure this stays moist to keep flowers
fresh.
Long stem roses and loose cut flowers
should have their stems cut to fit the vase. All
leaves should be removed below the water
line.
The water should be changed every day for
roses, every other day for flowas. Cut
flowers and roses should not be kept in an
extremely warm atmosphere, such as near a
heat vent.
Potted plants in general need light from a
south, east, or west window. Water potted
plants once a week. Feed your potted plant
once a month, using a water soluble fertilizer.
This will promote growth and flowering.
A gift of a flower arrangement or plant is
always an appropriate way to be remembered
and also a good way to say to someone, 'I care
about you.'
- Claire Snyder