Monthly Archives: January 2011

Winter Quick Draw 2011 – Jackson Hole

Posted on January 28, 2011 by randysrules

On Thursday evening, January 27, 2011, the National Museum of Wildlife Art hosted the annual “Winter Quick Draw” in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  Sixteen chosen artists were deployed around the vast Lobby of the Museum, while chili from the Rising Sage Cafe … Continue reading →

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Walled In or Walled Out – A Community Planning Lesson from Venice

Posted on January 28, 2011 by randysrules

Many write about and speak to the glorious open views across the Venetian Lagoon, the extraordinary scenes down every canal and rio, the sunny expanses of campos surrounded by cafes and glorious architecture —The City of Light, The City of … Continue reading →

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Streets Are Flooded – Please Advise

Posted on January 26, 2011 by randysrules

Yes, Venice, but NOT aqua alta.  Upon arriving in Venice, English humorist Robert Benchly cabled home, “The streets are flooded!  Please advise!”  Since the only “street” in Venice is the relatively newly constructed Strada Nova, and acqua alta is more … Continue reading →

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Tuscany – Badia Coltibuono – The Good Harvest

Posted on January 25, 2011 by randysrules

High in the Monti del Chianti, looking out across the Val d’Arno to the villages on the Pratomagno far to the east, Badia Coltibuono (Abbey of the Good Harvest!) occupies a unique place in history, and yet has a welcoming and contemporary uniqueness today.  The stewards of … Continue reading →

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Tuscany – Bagno Vignoni

Posted on January 24, 2011 by randysrules

Rising high on a bluff above the Val’Orcia in Tuscany, Bagno Vignoni lies about five kilometers south of San Quirico d’Orcia and just off the historic Via Cassia (now highway S2), the ancient road from Rome to Siena, Firenze and Fiesole.  Some … Continue reading →

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ILLUMInations – Venice Biennale Arte 2011

Posted on January 22, 2011 by randysrules

The 54th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia will take place from June 4th to November 27th this year.     International Modern Art has been displayed in Venice for 108 years!  Although the primary venues will be the multitude of … Continue reading →

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Community and Opportunity

Posted on January 21, 2011 by randysrules

Over twenty-five centuries ago, the Greek philosopher Alcaeus accurately observed, “Not house finely roofed or the stones of walls well-builded, nor canals and dockyards, make the city, but men able to use their opportunity.” The “slums and slurbs” to which we … Continue reading →

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Campo San Stefano

Posted on January 14, 2011 by randysrules

“Wow!” said the tourist to his companion as they passed through Campo San Stefano, “This is like being at the food court in the Mall”.  That is about as accurate a simile for the place as remarking while in your bathtub, “Wow, this is like kayaking … Continue reading →

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Timely vis-a-vis Expedient

Posted on January 13, 2011 by randysrules

“Timely” does not allow “expediency”. (Author Unknown) An interesting statement!  Is it an absolute, a propositional maxim, or situational?  I am deeply concerned about situational ethics.  The quote addresses a facet of that problem.   After ruminating on it, I decided to … Continue reading →

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The Piazza Obsession

Posted on January 12, 2011 by randysrules

More words have probably been written about Piazza San Marco than any other urban outdoor space on earth!  The Piazza of Venice, there are no other ones in La Serenissima.   We Have Met the Enemy and He is … Us!  (Pogo) Do not let over … Continue reading →

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