Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Steve Grand Performs "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Openly gay singer-songwriter, Steve Grand, released this lovely, melancholy video to his singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

Monday, December 14, 2015

Call For Submissions!

I'm pleased to announce I'm now the business manager of Benicia Literary Arts, which is in Benicia, California.


Our forthcoming book is Donnell Rubay's With A Dream So Proud: The Life of Stephen Vincent Benet. You might know Benet wrote Devil and Daniel Webster, which won an O. Henry Award in 1936. In his youth, he lived in Benicia.

Be sure to check out Joan Gefland's book of poetry, The Long Blue Room, published in 2014. You can purchase it at Amazon or request a copy at your local bookshop.

Call for Submissions!

Benicia Literary Arts welcomes submissions of manuscripts of previously unpublished fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. No matter what the genre, we value focus and clarity of vision, deep thinking, good writing, and a sense of orientation in time and place. We encourage submissions from both experienced and emerging writers. Only complete, or nearly complete, works will be accepted. Simultaneous submissions are not accepted.

Submission guidelines:

Please send a letter of inquiry to Mary Eichbauer, Editor-in-Chief, via email or by mail to

Mary Eichbauer, Editor-in-Chief
Benicia Literary Arts
PO Box 1903
Benicia, CA 94510

Please include a synopsis or description of the work in 500 words or less. Do not send unsolicited manuscripts. We take no responsibility for unsolicited material.

City Park in Benicia, California

Benicia Literary Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to the belief that our lives and communities are enriched when we remember our stories and art; when we chronicle our past, present, and hopes for the future. And when we create lasting records that celebrate who we are and what we dream. In essence, we work with and support the works of writers, book authors, and those who wish to be. We support educational events that bring literary arts to the visibility of eager readers.

You can send 100% tax-deductible contributions to

Benicia Literary Arts
PO Box 1903
Benicia, CA 94510

I like to ride my bike to Benicia Literary Arts.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Joey Graceffa on the Cover of the Trinidad Issue of 360 Magazine

Volume 25 of 360 Magazine is now available at Magzter and Blurb!

The Trinidad Issue features Joey Graceffa, Talia Rose, ESKA, Alex Honnold, Lulu Scout, Cornbread, Anna Chromy, Futuristic, Louise Bourgeois, and much more.


In this issue, YouTube phenomenon Joey Graceffa discusses how he got his start making videos, what it's been like growing up with an alcoholic mother and autistic brother, how his life has changed since coming out earlier this year, and what his upcoming projects are.

On his birthday this year, as part of his coming-out process, Joey released this music video to his song, "Don't Wait."

Saturday, December 5, 2015

San Francisco's Cadillac Hotel Needs You

I recently saw this news segment that San Francisco's Cadillac Hotel was hit with an unexpected $300,000 bill to repair its electrical system.

The non-profit, single-residence occupancy (SRO) hotel must raise $300,000 by December 31, 2015–or face closure and eviction by the city of San Francisco.

Cadillac Hotel, built in 1907, a year after San Francisco's great quake.

The Cadillac Hotel –
                          – houses 158 low-income residents, who otherwise would likely not be able to afford to live in San Francisco.
                          – leases space (formerly its grand ballroom) to a federal Head Start program administered by San Francisco State University.
                          – is where the offices of Doan M. Khong, MD are located. The doctor provides medical care to the Tenderloin's Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants.
                          – is where the non-profit Clean City and Bay Area Women's & Children's Center  are located.
                          – is the home of the Tenderloin Museum, which highlights the amazing and often wild history of one of San Francisco's most colorful neighborhoods.


Everyone faces eviction if the Cadillac Hotel cannot raise $300,000 by December 31, 2015.
The Cadillac Hotel is owned by Reality House West, a non-profit 501(c)3. Its EIN is 94-1722478. Your contributions are 100% tax deductible. I encourage you to mail your check today to


Reality House West/Cadillac Hotel
380 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94124


When musician Rebecca Roudman heard of the Cadillac Hotel's plight, she jumped into action with a Crowdrise benefit concert, featuring several musicians to help raise money for the Cadillac Hotel.



The concert did raise money, but much more is needed.

The Cadillac Hotel is Historic San Francisco Landmark No. 176.

For many years, its grand ballroom was leased by Newman’s Gym, a legendary training facility for boxers. Muhammed Ali and Mayor Willie Brown are said to have worked out there. Below is a photograph of Miles Davis at the gym.

Miles Davis against the ropes at Newman's Gym in the Cadillac Hotel.
The day after I saw the news segment, I met with the Cadillac Hotel's executive director, Kathy Looper, who somehow found time to give me a tour of the hotel and the non-profits it houses.

Executive Director Kathy Looper and I in the Tenderloin Museum.

Please visit the Cadillac Hotel's site to learn more about this non-profit in one of San Francisco's poorest neighborhoods. You can donate online at its Crowdrise page or mail your tax-deductible contributions directly to


Reality House West/Cadillac Hotel
380 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94124

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

This is what I've been waiting for! There's no doubt I'll be seeing Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice in the theater, since the superhero genre is my favorite. But what makes this trailer for the film due out in 2016 really stand out for me is the first solid appearance of Wonder Woman.


In case you missed it, The New Yorker wrote an amazing article on the origins of Wonder Woman in the comics.