The article goes on to explain that the Humane Society in Lynchburg, VA ( the humane society is not affiliated with the No Kill Advocacy Center) is asking the city to more than triple its animal control subsidy to $396,000 by 2015. Seems mighty steep, which leads us to question where the money given to The Humane Society is actually going. Doesn’t it seem highly possible that No Kill Shelters can exist with donations and fundraisers and volunteer workers without the community and tax payers having to shell out more than what is economically feasible?

One short year ago The Humane Society and various other animal protection organizations were accused of corruption, bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice and money laundering. In article published by www.ammoland.com, February 23rd 2010, the purpose of the lawsuit is explained;

“The nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) unearthed the lawsuit in federal court records. CCF is making the lawsuit available online at its newest website, www.HumaneWatch.org.“America’s farmers, ranchers, hunters, fishermen, trappers, research scientists, fashion designers, and restaurateurs have seen for decades watched how the animal rights movement can behave like a mobbed-up racket,” said CCF Director of Research David Martosko.“But it’s still shocking to see the evidence laid out on paper. In a treble-damage lawsuit like this, a jury could actually do the humane thing and finally put HSUS out of business completely.”

Seems harsh, but not when they are being compared No Kill organizations that are doing it the ethical way. The usatoday.com article touches on the new practices of Allegany County, MD, which became a no-kill community a year ago without increasing government spending by relying on volunteers and donations. The interesting comparison lies solely in the treatment of the animals. Ironically the organizations receiving the largest government subsidies are finding themselves in more scandals regarding the treatment of the animals being housed.

Mark Batty Publisher is publishing long awaited title; Animal Shelter Portraits. In “Shelter Portraits,” photographer Mark Ross turns an unflinching eye on the animals stranded at kill shelters resulting in deeply compassionate and haunting portraits of our furred friends. Every picture is paired with the subjects name and story making Animal Shelter Portraits an important book for animals lovers everywhere.

Amongst the artists having their work donated off is Mark Batty Publisher author Remo Camerota’s book Graffiti Japan and Drainspotting. The graffiti featured in Graffiti Japan replicates the calligraphic intricacies of the Japanese language with spray paint, depicting how anime and manga characters, national pride, as well as foreign influences, are integral parts of the country’s scene. From sprawling, legally sanctioned murals to illegal throw-ups hidden in alleyways, this work could not exist in any other country.

Tokyo-based Remo Camerota is an award-winning artist, filmmaker, and animator. He is the author of Drainspotting: Japanese Manhole Covers. His work is often political and social, attacking government issues, flash-in-the-pan fads, and censorship, aiming to create interesting concept-based communications indicative of contemporary visual trends occurring locally and globally.

The event will be held at Con Artist Gallery located at 157 Suffolk Street, New York, NY:

Opening reception on March 8, 2012: 8pm-Late
Special musical performance:
8:30PM – Naomi from Me&Mars
9:00PM – Nao Katafuchi

March 9, 10 by appointment
Closing event on March 11, 2012: 3pm-8pm
Special guest performances:
4:30pm – New York based dancer / singer Hitomi Nozawa and drummer Arei Sekiguchi
5:30pm – New York based Butoh performance artist Ximena Garnica & composer Jeremy Slater

Participating Artists will be announced soon.

This event is organized and produced by [Beau·ti·fied Ta·boo] with support by Superglorious and Con Artist NYC.

http://beautified-taboo.com/
http://conartistnyc.com/
http://superglorious.com/
http://www.japansociety.org/page/system/earthquake

Mark Batty Publisher received a letter from the Kansas Department of Corrections  stating that Tart Cards had been rejected by the KDOC. According to the KDOC, the book contains several photographs that show nudity. The option to appeal is suggested and if the appeal is not considered or acted on the book will be mailed out at MBP’s expense or destroyed. As much as this seems like a small issue it in fact speaks huge volumes on the nature of  our legal system. While no one’s arguing that prisoners should be reading books that instruct them on, say, picking locks or tunnel digging to help them escape, imposing bans on what they can read does a disservice to them and to society generally. Keeping prisoners “ignorant” of life outside of the prison bars that hold them or uninformed of the lives of others almost guarantees a uncorrected prisoner. The whole point of being in a corrections facility is to correct the prisoner, not to castigate to the point of blind obedience. Although these prisoners have committed crimes and some unfairly  prosecuted, does not mean they have lost their human quality. Research shows the best predictors that a prisoner will be able to return to the community and live a productive life depends on whether they’ve maintained connections to the outside world. Allowing prisoners to receive books, newspapers and magazine helps them engage and its very important from a public safety standpoint.

Yes, there should be to some extent censorship of what is read but if the books are merely mirroring what is already happening in society how is it in anyway harmful to these men who use them as entertainment and escape from such a harsh and unforgiving environment. Before judging, one should first consider that these men are victims themselves, being  subject from a young age to crime, abuse, poverty and many other ills that infect society. How could we continue to keep them imprisoned without out any view of the world? Its inhumane and will prove to be a failed method of correcting the ways of these so called menaces of society.

We sometimes forget the true objective of publishing books. Yes it is to publish great books and do it well, but it is also to create a stronger connection with our community, to pass on the knowledge of our species to those who may be less informed for the purpose of providing information and the various ways it is expressed. Recently I had the opportunity to view a youtube video that truly changed my scope on books and education; Biblioburro. There is also a documentary that aired on PBS Biblioburro: The Donkey Library, directed by Carlos Rendón Zipagauta, that takes a much deeper and more poignant view into the life of Luis Sorian Bohorquez, the traveling librarian.

We are fortunate enough to live in a country where books are easily accessible in libraries, book stores, flea markets, book trade sites and we have the convenience of finding books simply laid out in front of homes to be taken by any passer-by. Some countries are not as fortunate to have books so easily at their disposal. Luis Sorian Bohorquez is a teacher at the mixed school in La Gloria, Colombia, a small farming town known for its growing fishing industry. Though La Gloria, “The Glory” is plagued by poverty and crime, Bohorquez is determined to instill strong values in the children of his town. Luis’s home is a storage site for over 3,480 books (respectively), everyday Luis travels by donkey with a bushel of books for children, with the unwavering bravery to fight, what is called; “the farmers ignorance.” He is also in the process of building a library in La Gloria, but for the time being he rides miles into town as a traveling librarian with a sign reading “Biblioburro,” encouraging the already enthusiastic students about reading. The children light up with excitement and curiosity as Bohorquez rides into town.

Luis speaks with great urgency about the need for books in La Gloria, Colombia; “In a book we can find cities, cultures, rights, duties. Teaching the child rights, duties and commitments. A child who knows his rights is a child informed to say no to war.” Luis’s main purpose is to provide a stronger sense of self worth to the “future of Colombia.” Bohorquez truly demonstrates that true education is not only the absorption of facts and memorization but the creation of a critical mind and a noble citizen, who leads as well as listens, and desires to create a better life for their community. This humble act of courage has the power to transform the the perception of education and uplift those who may feel helpless in communities that have been torn apart by war and violence. Luis Sorian Bohoquez truly gives a face to the true purpose of literature.

The festival was a great chance to get some amazing book deals and at the MBP table The Hot Knives Vegetarian Cookbook: Salad Daze was one of the crowd favorites. I’m guessing reading and walking around works up quite an appetite because by the end of the day we had totally sold out of the book. Our chocolate truffles also disappeared pretty quickly. It’s safe to say that food and books make a good pair–except in libraries, of course.

DJ Spooky talked about climate change and The Book of Ice in a panel, and a few passersby commented on how impressed they were with his work. It’s always nice to get feedback directly from readers. Some other authors that stopped by were Garth Risk Hallberg, author of A Field Guide to the North American Family, Manami Okazaki, author of Kicks Japan, and Olga Ast, author of Infinite Instances.

In short, it was an awesome day.  But don’t be too disappointed if you couldn’t make it because this weekend we will be at the NY Art Book Fair at booth O06, Thursday night through Sunday, for all of your most urgent visual books needs. Check back for a full list of all the goodies we will be offering.

–Melissa Obando, Publicity Intern

Alright, The Hot Knives Vegetarian Cookbook: Salad Daze drops today, and it’s the perfect weather to stay home in the kitchen and get sloshed while making some hearty + delicious vegetarian grub. Authors and kitchen masters Alex Brown and Evan George showed up on KCRW’s Good Food to show you how and why to make your own condiments, including Sriracha and how to turn your $5 Trader Joe’s olive oil into the gourmet stuff.

You’re going to need a copy of Salad Daze right away, but check out a taste with some boozy recipes over on The World’s Best Ever. Rarebit on toast, anyone?

Brooklyn Book Festival this Sunday 10am-6pm: come to Borough Hall and check us out at booth #123 with our friends at Purgatory Pie Press. We’ll have some sweet deals and some special super author guests.

But this Friday, to get yourself pumped for the fest, Garth Risk Hallberg, author of  A Field Guide to the North American Family, will be moderating  Hot Authors–a panel and launch party for Canteen Magazine’s new issue at 3rd Ward. Should be pretty steamy.

And on Sunday at the BBF, Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky, author of The Book of Ice, will be on the mainstage at 2pm talking about sustainability and the changing environment with Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

Then next week gets crazy: Paul Miller will be opening Climate Week NYC with Andrew Revkin and talking with Donavan Hohn at McNally Jackson, Simone Lueck will be showing off Cuba TV at Clic gallery, and Olga Ast and Infinite Instances contributors will be celebrating at the Robert Miller gallery. And stay tuned for info about the NY Art Book Fair the first weekend of October.

Come out!

The LA release party is this Saturday, August 6, 6-9pm. Simone made an awesome video invite:

You’re Invited from Simone Lueck on Vimeo.

Unfortunately, we’ll be stuck in Brooklyn, hiding out at the office 24/7 to take advantage of the air conditioning. But West Coasters should get to Kopeikin Gallery early for the cocktails and Cuban food truck delights.

We won’t be too bummed this weekend–lucky us, Simone is going to make a stop in New York this fall. Hopefully, she’ll bring mojitos.

Make sure to come by!

You’re Invited from Simone Lueck on Vimeo.

Saturday, August 6 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Kopeikin Gallery

2766 S. La Cienega Blvd.