A Second Post of Paul Fearn Photos

Here's a second post of theatrical pictures featuring our dear friend, Paul Fearn. Pictures are from Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC), unless otherwise noted. Some of the pictures are duplicates from my first post, but that's okay.

I always thought Paul was the epitome; the best of what community musical theater could make.  He was skilled at his craft, always in good spirits, with funny stories and a warm heart.  He will be missed!

Adelaide (Sharon Dozier Adams) and Nathan Detroit (Paul Fearn), "Guys and Dolls," Woodland Opera House, October - November 2001.

"Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," "Guys and Dolls," October-November 2001, Woodland Opera House. Left to right, Lexi Kenyon, Charlotte Hartshorne, Marc Valdez, Chris Taloff, Kyle Hadley, Megan Meier, Frank hardin, Aaron Clemens, Betsy Taloff, Ryan Gordon, Dan Bello, Scott Adams, Paul Fearn, Bruce Wallace, Jerry Sullivan, Timm Danska, Mark Henderson, James Henderson, Marina Campaña, and Elizabeth Henderson.

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," rehearsal, March 20, 2008. Lucas (Joshua Smith), Val (Paul Fearn), Kenny (Brennan Cull), Carol (Lauren Miller), and Milt (Darryl Strohl).

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008. Lucas (Joshua Smith), Val (Paul Fearn), Ira (Jeff Labowitch), Carol (Lauren Miller), and Milt (Darryl Strohl).

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008. Val (Paul Fearn), Milt (Darryl Strohl). and Lucas (Joshua Smith).

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008. Val (Paul Fearn), Brian (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell), and Kenny (Brennan Cull).

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008. Val (Paul Fearn), Brian (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell), and Kenny (Brennan Cull), Max (Kevin Caravalho), and Ira (Jeff labowitch).

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 19, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod, with Nikki Nicola Nancy Longo and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 19, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod, with Nikki Nicola Nancy Longo and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 19, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus, clockwise from left, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 22, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod, with Nancy Longo, Nikki Nicola, Wendy Mumolo, and Julia Leone.

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 22, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod, with Nikki Nicola and Wendy Mumolo.

Rehearsal for "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 22, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus, clockwise from left, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus from left; Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Nancy Longo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, and Wendy Mumolo. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus from left; Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Nancy Longo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, and Wendy Mumolo. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus from left; Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Amanda Yount, and Jennifer Berry. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

King Herod (Paul Fearn), "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

King Herod (Paul Fearn), "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

"Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus, from left, Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Amanda Yount, and Jennifer Berry.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ, plus Nikki Nicola and Pamela Kay Lourentzos (Wendy Mumolo obscured). "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod, and David Holmes as Jesus Christ, plus Nikki Nicola, Wendy Mumolo, and Pamela Kay Lourentzos. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009

"Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus, clockwise from left, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

"Jesus Christ, Superstar," May 17, 2009. Paul Fearn as King Herod. Chorus, clockwise from left, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Jennifer Berry, Amanda Yount, and Pamela Kay Lourentzos.

Paul Fearn in the ensemble for "The Secret Garden," June 11, 2008.

"The Secret Garden," June 12, 2008. Bridget Maguire, Karina Cruz, Scott Sablan, and Paul Fearn.

"The Secret Garden," June 12, 2008. Foreground, Kaylynn Rothleder and Dannette Vassar. Background, left to right, Anne Marie Pringle, Norma Jean Russell, Bridget Maguire, Karina Cruz, Darryl Strohl, Scott Sablan, Jabriel Shelton, and Paul Fearn.

Paul Fearn in the ensemble for "The Secret Garden," June 13, 2008.

"The Secret Garden," June 14, 2008. Left to right: Anne Marie Pringle, Norma-Jean Russell, Darryl Strohl, Karina Summers Cruz, Scott Sablan, Paul Fearn, and Bridget Maguire.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 15, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Ashley Hickman in bacground.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 15, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 15, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009.

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009.

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009

Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too, along with Ashley Hickman.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

Paul Fearn in "Shipoopi," "The Music Man," July 11, 2009

Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," July 12, 2009.

Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn, Laura Wardrip as Marian Paroo, and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," July 12, 2009.

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn), Maya Rothman as one of the Tommys, and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn), Sabrina Schloss as one of the Tommys, and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn) and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn) and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn) and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," September 11, 2007.

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," September 15, 2007

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," September 16, 2007

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn) and Frederick (Travis Nagler), amongst the ruins at Tremorton Castle. "The Pirates of Penzance," September 15, 2007.

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," September 30, 2007

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," October 7, 2007

THIS Was The Ideal!

the leading edge of the Baby Boom and the apotheosis of the mid-century vision. I love the statistics section at the end. Baby Boomers were going to buy a ton of things, and the editors of Seventeen Magazine knew it, and wanted their advertisers to know it. Then, about five minutes after the end of this film, the Sixties resumed and everything went sideways.

 

Reception After Paul Fearn’s Memorial Service

Mt. Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA, Monday afternoon, May 12, 2025.

Friday Afternoon At The Playground

I went to the Montessori School as I occasionally do and watched over the kids on Friday afternoon. The older kids were rather placid, and watching them was tedious, but, as usual. it was the kindergartners (and TK kindergartners) that were the most fun to watch. 

It was even harder to understand the kindergartners than usual. The kids were always talking, but never clearly to an older adult like me, and so I barely understood what was happening. Manic energy! Everybody usually runs wherever they go, but at least half the kids chose to sit down on Friday afternoon. I noticed one of the other teaching assistants was sitting down and gathering the kids to her, and maybe that's where the idea came from. 

One girl told me, "You must tell me where to go." She was apparently a robot and needed very specific instructions in order to pass among obstacles in a classroom, in order to pass through a door into the playground. So, I needed to give her exacting instructions and do some programming there. Another girl was sitting listlessly on the concrete and nursing her hand. There was maybe some swelling there, but not extreme pain. She didn't seem interested in running around, but rather in being the first to line up for "car line." I worried about her. Tired, and too quiet. 

A boy walked up and announced, "I'm going to be a kindergartner next year!" I replied, "Oh, so you're graduating from TK? Congratulations!" I was a bit alarmed when several girls came over said one of the other girls was eating plastic. I went over to investigate, but what she was trying to do was cut into a plastic juice box, in order to - I don't know, maybe get a few remaining drops. I distracted them by practicing a turkey gobble I perfected a few years ago. The kids seemed skeptical about my gobble and responded by trying to punch my cheeks. A boy came over and insisted that I sit down with him. He offered a new treat I hadn't seen before - barbeque-flavored, jerky-like chicken cubes. I helped some of the other kids open snack packages. 

I ran over to investigate why a boy was crying. He was blocking a tubular passage in the playground equipment. It was hard to understand him. He said one of the other boys was rolling up his coloring paper, but all I could see was that he was the one rolling up his own coloring paper. A mystery. 

Two kids were playing roles of some sort. "I'm Horsey, and this is Cutie," a girl announced, pointing to her friend. Then, a long-running squabble erupted between two other kids. A girl narrowed her eyes and relentlessly pursued her nemesis around the playground, until the other kid started crying. I went over to reassure the other kid. "Look, apologize," I told the girl. "You're scaring him." The girl looked at me, narrowed her eyes again, and replied, "She's a girl." I was surprised - the kid always has a hoodie on and so I didn't realize. 

Then the kids began playing another game.  They gathered behind me, pulled on my shirt's tail, and hid from my view.  As I turned to scan the horizon, they shifted quickly so as to remain invisible.  I had an entire train of kids behind me.  Kids seemingly vanished in front of me, yet every time I turned, I heard shuffling and giggles behind me.

And so it went, for an hour. 

At the end of the school day, I saw one of the kindergartners leave school with her mom. Surprisingly, ten minutes later, when I was leaving school, the mom and girl returned. Maybe they accidentally left something behind that they needed to retrieve. The girl waved at me, and I replied, "Time to go to school!" The girl said "NO!" I repeated, "Time to go to school!" The girl smiled, dropped her mom's hand, and again shouted "NOOO!" 

The last thing I saw Friday afternoon was a crow fly past, with a barbeque-flavored, jerky-like chicken cube in its mouth. Score!

"Parade" - Broadway Sacramento - May 6, 2025

Rachel and I saw this show Thursday evening. An interesting recounting of the Leo Frank lynching.

(more)

 

Eat It Tesla!

One of my new signs.

It's interesting to watch people's reactions to our protests at the Tesla dealership. There are many people who honk in support as they pass by, but there are a fair share who throw fingers too. I'm always amused by the people who throw fingers but honk anyway. There are a surprising number of people who honk in support but also clearly work at or have other business at the Tesla dealership. I make a point of staring down people driving into the dealership. Some people don't care, but others look down and refuse to meet my eyes. The Trump guilt is palpable. 

As the protest was winding up today, it was just me and this other guy - same as last week. We both immediately noticed a MAGA truck pull into the dealership. The truck had driven past several times and when it entered the dealership parking lot it proceeded to make an indeterminate ramble. It appeared as if they were deciding whether or not to *do something* against us two remaining protesters. Ultimately they drove off. A strange couple of people. The driver looked like Curly from the Three Stooges. The woman in the passenger seat looked like a corpse - Gothish makeup with a splash of green on her chin that made gangrene look healthy. 

Make America Great Again, ya'll! Bring Moe next time!

An Old Crow's Miracle

My neighbor told me about an old crow that visits her sidewalk garden. I finally caught a glimpse of the crow today. 

My neighbor placed a small bubbling fountain in her garden. The crow seems to regard the fountain as miraculous and gathers small bones (from KFC discards and other sources) to leave as an offering. 

In other bird news, today (May 6th) is the third day I’ve seen the bright-yellow budgie show up for dinner. The escaped pet seems in no immediate danger. I hope it’s well-fed. 

 [UPDATE: I saw the bird three days in a row and then it vanished. I’m not despairing though. If it was hanging out with triple crowned sparrows it might have moved around or even migrated. I’m anticipating seeing the bird again.]

Climbing A Tree

I worked as a substitute teaching assistant at the Club M afterschool at the Montessori school on Thursday afternoon. It had been two weeks since I had last been there. This time, I didn't see any kindergartners until quite late in the afternoon. Instead, I mostly watched 6-to-9-year-old kids. 

As it happened, there were too many assistants and not enough kids to watch. Too many helicopter-parenting assistants for the air space. I was sent to watch a fairly-sparsely-inhabited patch of playground, where nobody but two girls, about nine years old, were whiling away the afternoon. The girls were talking about the coming summer. 

"I'm going to have a babysitter this summer. She's thirteen. I don't like her," one girl said. "What's wrong with her?" I asked. "She's got too many beauty products," the girl replied. "She's thirteen?" I asked. "You should get her a gift card," I said. The girls started imagining revenge against the supposedly-vain babysitter. "I can take all her makeup, crush it together, and put it in a shower head, so when she takes a shower she'll get covered in her makeup," the girl said. "Even better," her friend suggested, "you could delete her YouTube channel!" 

This sounded too horrible - YouTube channels are sacrosanct - so I moved across the playground. When I returned, the one girl was climbing into a tree on the playground. She was climbing just a short height - just enough to exercise those monkeylike instincts all kids have - but high enough to attract the attention of one of the senior teaching assistants, who told her to get out of the tree. Not wanting to undermine his authority, I reluctantly followed up with a request: "I am going to have to ask you to stay out of the tree." 

The girl was indignant. "What kind of place is this? This isn't a school, it's a child detention facility!" The girl's friend began imagining that nothing on the playground was actually real - the swing set was fake and the playground equipment too. Just props for the police state. They should use spray paint to post messages for help on the playground tarmac that might attract the attention of passing aircraft. I replied, "Kind of like several weeks ago, when there was paint all over the pavement, from celebrating the Indian holiday, Holi Day." "Oh, but that was a powdered paint," the girl replied. "I painted my friends faces with that!" 

The treeclimbing girl got nostalgic for daycare days, back in the distant past, maybe as far back as 2019. "We could do whatever we wanted. We could have as many snacks as we wanted. We could climb in all the trees too." I replied, "This sounds like a scary daycare! But then I guess you got too old and ended up here." Both girls nodded. Things used to better back in the old days. 

The treeclimbing girl began climbing into the tree again. This time, I let her. Just then, one of the Deputized Girls happened by. "Wait. Whoa! Is that allowed now?" she asked. "Absolutely not!" I replied, as the treeclimbing girl dangled from a branch a short distance above the ground. 

It was late. Playground activities were halted and we joined the kindergartners in the portable classrooms. The littles are always so much fun! The older kids were harder to please, though. I discouraged the pursuit of rodents - you never know, with hantavirus - in favor of pursuing lizards, of which a few were present outside. 

The treeclimbing girl was among the very last to go home. She shared what amounted to Dad Jokes. "Where did the pig rest? - In the hammock! How does the corn plant feel? - Amaizing! What did the chick say after running back and forth forty times? - It's egg-sausting!" 

As everyone went home from the child detention facility I talked to one of the senior teaching assistants. "I think I'll do it different next year. I'm here every day, all day. I get really picky about every little thing, and the kids push limits hard, all day long. Next year, maybe part-time." I replied, "Yes, maybe a good idea. I'm not here very often, so when I'm present, it's pleasant."

Knocking

As my father aged he became quieter. It wasn't that he stopped communicating; it was that he was talking more and more to the voices in his head. He conceived of these voices as a college of warlocks. They told him stories from early 20th-Century northern New Mexico, particularly from the hills all around Santa Fe, told him jokes, and generally buoyed his spirit. 

I'm now at the age where I should be hearing voices too, but so far it's just a grim, voiceless sanity late at night. 

Nevertheless, I've started hearing knocking sounds in the wall of my kitchen. There's a small door there that's been painted shut. Behind the door is an old chimney. I need to open that door. I note that the chimney is open at the bottom, in the basement, and for all I know, it's open above the roof too. It's quite plausible that a rat, a possum, or some other small mammal has taken refuge there. 

Last night at 1 a.m., I brought out the battery-powered megaphone. I was yelling loudly at the knocking in the wall and generating harsh, loud feedback to scare the perpetrator in the wall. 

I was reminded of "Breaking Bad": about Jesse's story regarding his cancer-addled aunt, who called the police concerning a possum (an O'Possum) she called Scrabble that she heard making noise in the basement. The prequel "Better Call Saul" showed police detective Roberts taking her call. The general consensus was that there was no possum; it was just her. 

Perhaps there is no knocking in the kitchen wall late at night. Maybe it's just me. 

My father dwelled in silence. I dwell in noise. Anyway, it's time, you know?

A Budgie?

Dang! Feeding my various wild birds (near 21st St. and Second Ave.) I see a domesticated bird too!

David Cronenberg’s "Shrouds"

I went to see David Cronenberg’s “Shrouds,” because I liked his “Crimes of the Future,” a novel concept about the near-future, where people get plastic surgery more-readily than they get tattoos today. It’s all facilitated by great drugs. Get your abs scalloped on the way to the market. That sort of thing. 

Unfortunately, I don’t think “Shrouds” is as clever. Various implausible conspiracy theories about surveilling the dead are layered upon one another until you stop caring about the outcome. 

Still, Cronenberg has a unique viewpoint. He’s fascinated by the grossness of the human body, which helps explain how he ended up making horror movies.

 

It’s Fun to be in a Protest Where Public Opinion is on Your Side!!

If It’s a Day Ending in “Y” it’s Time to Protest This Shit

Tate McRae - "Sports Car"

This tune, from the wonder of Calgary, is getting lots of air play these days on the radio. I can see why.  (The tune is reminiscent of the Pussycat Dolls.)

 

In Honor of Paul Fearn: "Heart of Gold" - DMTC - April 30, 2011

R.I.P. - Remembering a fine actor, Paul Fearn, upon his passing. 

Here's a song from "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," as presented by Davis Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) on April 30, 2011. 

World Wide Wicket Company President J. B. Biggley (Paul Fearn) sings "Heart of Gold" with his love interest, Hedy LaRue (Brittany Bickel). Present near the start is J.B.'s nephew, Bud Frump (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell).

White Cat II

To close out Jasper’s birthday, it was time to do the late-night walk. 

When we walk, I prefer to carry a pooper scooper - scoop and putter - to deal with exigencies. 

On the return leg, Jasper abruptly stopped and spun around. We were being stalked - by a White Cat! This was a different cat from the White Cat who stalked us several years ago. I found this omen to be portentous. A White Cat! 

I wanted to introduce myself to the White Cat, but as we approached the cat arched its back in cautionary alarm. Jasper’s forthright canine approach was scaring the cat. I needed to tie Jasper to a tree or pole, but none was available. So I laid the pooper scooper down on the sidewalk and tied Jasper’s leash around the scoop and putter, hoping that would hold Jasper, and I approached the cat. 

Jasper wasn’t deterred, and continued approaching the cat. His leash wrapped around the pooper scooper putter, which clattered noisily on the pavement. Jasper panicked at the noise, and bolted. Lashed like Ahab to the White Whale, Jasper fled a block down the street, pursued as if by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by the Pooper Scooper putter. Meanwhile, the cat withdrew a cautionary distance, in order to observe - whatever this was. 

Well, so much for diplomacy. Maybe another night. Jasper eventually returned, and we continued home.

Shoplifting, in Bulk

Tonight, I was in a Walgreens drug store just before closing time - in this case, 9 p.m. (some Walgreens are open 24-hours). Significantly, this store had not locked up the more-expensive personal care items they sell, like shaving items and shampoo, as has become common in many California stores. 

Walking through the aisles, I noticed a man with an unusual shopping style. He was taking bottles of shampoo off the shelves and stuffing them into a large garbage bag. The bag was so heavy he could hardly move it. "Hmmm...," I thought. 

I wandered along on my own business. I almost forgot about the guy with the bag. Then someone spoke on the store intercom with a mix of sarcasm and wonderment: "The guy is in the back stuffing his bag!" Indeed! Plus, he was not alone. There were at least three, maybe four men, hauling bags out of the store. They were very businesslike in demeanor, and uncommunicative, as they made a big raid on the merchandise. They did not mask themselves but they averted their faces from cameras likely present in the store. There were no outward signs of guns. 

And the store employees did not interfere. They continued along with their tasks. Among them, I could sense an undercurrent of fear, yet they displayed a lackadaisical insouciance. I noticed one of the employees come in from outside, He was likely a security guard, perhaps catching a car's license plate number in the parking lot. 

"Was that a theft?" I asked an employee. "Oh yes." she replied. "It happens often." "It occurred to me I should interfere, " I continued. "Oh no, don't do that," she replied. Referring to her fellow workers, she said, "We're not security guards. Interfering is against corporate policy. The product is just product. We'll have some more product later this week." 

Reflecting, I think I've barely missed similar shoplifting episodes at other stores. One of the most controversial features of California's Proposition 47, passed in 2014, was the reduction of penalties for shoplifting, as long as the stolen goods have a value no more than $950. Criminals have taken this lenience as license to brazenly take whatever they want from stores. 

I favor reducing that $950 limit, but the resistance necessary to enforce that lower limit will put customers and employees alike at risk of violence. Insouciance won't be enough. 

Closing time is a risky time.

[UPDATE:  Jenny informs me that last year's Proposition 36 reduced the $950 limit.]

Happy 7th Birthday Jasper!

Happy 7th birthday, baby dog Jasper! To celebrate, we walked all the way to Safeway (my former dog Bella’s favorite place), in order to search for Bella’s favorite shocking discovery, rotisserie chicken hidden in the bushes.

R.I.P., Paul Fearn

R.I.P. Various pictures of our good friend, and excellent actor, Paul Fearn, at DMTC.  Paul was active in so many theaters over the years.  He really left a mark on Sacramento-area theater!

Davis Enterprise picture of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," March 2008. Val (Paul Fearn), Kenny (Brennen Cull), Max (Kevin Caravalho), Lucas (Josh Smith), Brian (Jason 'Clocky' McDowell).

“The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” July, 1992. Erin Renfree-Davis as Molly Tobin Brown and Paul Fearn as Johnny Brown.

Merlin (Paul Fearn) waits backstage ("Camelot" - February 20, 2007).

Nimue Dancer (left, Meg King) ensnares Merlin the Magician (right, Paul Fearn) to the eerie song of Nimue Singer (off camera right, Bridget Maguire). ("Camelot" - February 21, 2007).

The Enchantment of Merlin. Nimue Dancer (Meg King), Merlin (Paul Fearn), and Nimue Singer (Bridget Maguire, background). "Camelot" - March 17, 2007.

"Laughter On The 23rd Floor," March 30, 2008.  Lucas (Joshua Smith), Milt (Darryl Strohl), Val (Paul Fearn), and Kenny (Brennan Cull).

King Herod (Paul Fearn), "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus from left; Juliana Leone, Wendy Mumolo, Nikki Nicola, Nancy Longo, Pamela Kay Lourentzos, Amanda Yount, and Jennifer Berry. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod, plus Nikki Nicola and Pamela Kay Lourentzos (Nancy Longo obscured). "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

Paul Fearn as King Herod and David Holmes as Jesus Christ. Chorus too. "Jesus Christ, Superstar," April 23, 2009.

The cast of "The Secret Garden," in "Come Spirit, Come Charm," June 12, 2008. Karina Cruz, Scott Sablan, Bridget Maguire, Paul Fearn, Maya Rothman, Joshua Smith, Kaylynn Rothleder, Andrew Lampinen, Caitlin Kiley, Christian Salmon, Linnea Lampinen, Jabriel Shelton, Emily Jo Seminoff, Anne Marie Pringle, Darryl Strohl, and Norma-Jean Russell.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 15, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

"The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl," with Paul Fearn as Marcellus Washburn and Rand Martin as Harold Hill. "The Music Man," June 17, 2009.

"Shipoopi", featuring Ethel Toffelmeyer (Wendy Young Carey) and Marcellus (Paul Fearn). "The Music Man," June 17, 2009. Zaneeta (McKinley Carlisle) and Tommy (Matthew Kohrt) are here too.

Concert version of "Tommy," July 22, 2007. Captain Walker (Paul Fearn) and Mrs. Walker (Kat DeLapp).

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn) and Frederick (Travis Nagler), amongst the ruins at Tremorton Castle. "The Pirates of Penzance," September 15, 2007.

Major-General Stanley (Paul Fearn), "The Pirates of Penzance," October 7, 2007.

The cast of "The Secret Garden," in "Come Spirit, Come Charm," June 12, 2008. Karina Cruz, Scott Sablan, Bridget Maguire, Paul Fearn, Maya Rothman, Joshua Smith, Kaylynn Rothleder, Andrew Lampinen, Caitlin Kiley, Christian Salmon, Linnea Lampinen, Jabriel Shelton, Emily Jo Seminoff, Anne Marie Pringle, Darryl Strohl, and Norma-Jean Russell.

Kacey Musgraves - "'Slow Burn"

I like this contemplative, psychedelic country tune from 2018 (Pam uses it in ballet class).

 

Jack White - "Archbishop Harold Holmes"

Pop music is such a strange place! "Archbishop Harold Holmes" appears to be heavily-influenced by "Trouble," from Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" and is now getting radio air play. I like how Jack White features his 18-year-old rocker daughter Scarlett here.

 

"Prom" - Woodland Opera House - April 26, 2025

Saw Woodland Opera House’s “Prom” Saturday night. Saw lots of familiar faces, including, most remarkably, Scott Martin, who was in my first WOH show, "Fiddler on the Roof," twenty-eight years ago. Good times!

"Chicago" - Sheldon High School - April 25, 2025

I caught "My Own Best Friend," and the rest of Act 2. I liked Nate Demers, the fellow who played Billy Flynn.

 

Deterding Elementary "Pinocchio" - Missoula Children's Theater - April 25, 2025

Jack R. as the villain puppeteer "Stromboli" (top right).

 

So, I Guess He's in Rome

(h/t Andrew)

Speaking In Fake Accents

Overheard - two women walking past on the sidewalk: “Speaking in fake accents is an ADHD symptom.” 

I don’t know if that’s true, but it would explain some things about theater.

This Virga Bomb Sounds Amazing!

Texan weather can be astonishing!

 

Nice Tesla Dealership You Have There

Stood across the street from the Tesla dealership today, carefully watching the path of the security guard, and dreaming big dreams.

Target Boycott Forever

I've been a big Target customer for years - I think I was spending more than $300/month there - but like so many others, I was dismayed by Target's immediate abandonment of DEI initiatives after the election. So, along with many others, I boycott. 

I was optimistic that Target CEO Cornell's recent approach to Rev. Al Sharpton might yield fruit; perhaps a surrender, a recommitment to DEI goals, and a rebuke to Donald Trump. I sure would like to shop at Target again. 

That doesn't seem to be what's going on, though. Instead, it looks more like Cornell is trying to use half measures to split the Black leadership on the boycott. After all, Rev. Sharpton is not the leader of the boycott - Rev. Jamal Bryant in Georgia is. Maybe someone from Target should talk to Bryant. They could ask Sharpton for Bryant's phone number. 

So, the Target boycott will continue, perhaps indefinitely. The Tesla-ization of Target continues. Costco booms and Target sinks. 

We will shop where we are welcome.

Rev. Al Sharpton held a meeting with Target CEO Brian Cornell on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in New York, NY, concerning the retailer’s decision on removing DEI. Sharpton says the meeting was “very constructive and candid” and intended on meeting with Rev. Bryant on where they “will go from there,” notes The Guardian.

Bryant appears to be underwhelmed by the outcome of the meeting, according to The Christian Post. He stated that Target only fulfilled one of the four demands the Target Fast campaign had set out, which was to complete its $2 billion commitment to Black businesses “through products, services, and black media buys.” The other requests were for the retailer to commit “250 million amongst any of our 23 Black banks”; restore “the franchise commitment to DEI”; and “pipeline community centers at 10 HBCU to teach retail business at every level.”

“If in all of these years we have been loyal customers and clients and then in the moment of ‘dis-ease’ you turn your back. And so, I had to share with Target that we gave you 40 days to answer four, not one. And they only came back with one. So I told them what I’m getting ready to tell you. We ain’t going back in there. And so, the fast shifts to a full out boycott,” he asserted.

Libertarians Think They Are Back In Fashion

The author here has a much-brighter view of Libertarians than I do, and imagines that they are now poised to fight Donald Trump's tariffs. I see no reason for such optimism. Libertarians don't labor under the burden or inspiration of religion, which just makes them depraved Republicans. They will fall in line and do just as Donald Trump tells them to, no matter how far he veers from their ideology.

This rejection of the far-right elements in the Libertarian Party, combined with the urgency of President Trump’s tariff schemes, has created an opportunity for Americans —particularly those leaning Republican — who support free people and free markets to rejoin the Libertarian Party and join the opposition to the Trump administration. 

Tariffs are taxes Americans pay. The libertarian position is that we should be fighting for zero tariffs, and we certainly shouldn’t let a president unilaterally usurp the constitutional authority of Congress to impose taxes.

Recess and Club M

As a substitute teaching assistant, today I went to the Montessori school for recess supervision and afterschool Club M activities. 

It's been two weeks since I've been at the school, due to Spring Break. Thus, I was surprised when I saw the TK kindergartners. Almost all the kids seemed larger than last time I saw them. They probably were larger - kids grow fast - but there was one girl who seemed smaller. I don't know why. It's always Alice in Wonderland with the littles. 

The kindergartners were full of energy - the most I've ever seen. They were running everywhere. I tried to insert myself in their play in order to cool the temperature and avoid accidents. One kid cried that another kid had bent his thumb back. Another kid was crying because he stepped on his own finger - which happens, I guess. The littlest girl began bullying the littlest boy, and seemed surprised when he got upset. The kids got excited when they located a beetle in a bin of corn feed. Numerous times they engaged me in fantastical conversations that I had trouble following. 

The kids began to play a Zombie game. They started to eat their victims. I flinched when the kids ate my fingers, which they found amusing, so they proceeded to consume me entirely. I'm sure it looked strange to the other teaching assistants. 

After TK recess it was time to find the older kids at Club M. Apparently Club M is now located in several of the portable classrooms rather than focused in the school cafeteria, which looked as if was now dedicated for theater rehearsal. I was a bit at loose ends, but I ended up supervising play in the Gaga Pit, a kind of small octagonal space used for kickball activities. My supervision didn't go particularly well. The overheated yelling and screaming eventually attracted the attention of one of the other assistants, who decided to shut down the game. 

(I'm pretty tolerant of yelling kids, but not everyone feels the same way.) 

At loose ends again, I found several kids engaged in a dubious activity; riding plastic boards with casters attached (resembling large skateboards) down a cement wheelchair ramp leading from one of the portable classrooms. The ramp ended just short of a metal picnic table and it was easy to see how someone could sail into it and get hurt. 

Now, I suppose I should have just shut down this activity, but I chose to stand in front of the picnic table as a barrier of last resort. The kids played and had fun. Despite their yelling and screaming there was no interference from the other teaching assistants. 

Through repeated trial and error I could tell this activity was safer than it appeared. Provided the kids didn't stand up on the boards, or start at speed, they couldn't get enough momentum to reach the metal picnic table and hurt themselves. I banned racing so as not to encourage collisions and tried to keep the pathway clear.

It all worked out. No one got even the slightest bit hurt and everyone had fun. Towards the end of play a girl approached (no doubt a Deputized Girl of long-standing) and said, "Mr. Marc, I don't know if you know, but this is Against the Rules!" I thanked the girl and told her I wasn't surprised - it certainly looked dubious - but by that time it didn't matter. 

One of these days I need to learn the rules. I don't know if it's because I'm from a distant generation or if I'm just indulgent, but provided the situation is safe, I seem to tolerate greater play and noise from the kids than others do.

Sparking Wires

This is near Rachel's house. The sparking wires look scary.

Ash Bricky - "We Protect Us"

At Sacramento's Southside Park 50501 protest on Saturday, several musicians played. I got there late, so missed seeing some, but there was a "folk punk mixtape" CD for sale that featured various artists. As you can imagine, this is a great time for new protest music. This song is first on the mixtape: