Progressive Reading Series

988 Valencia

2009-01-19T09:48:00.001-08:00

The war against American Apparel has begun.

2008-12-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

2008-11-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Mission Local

2008-10-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Progressive Reading Series gets a writeup in Mission Local.

The Progressive Reading Series Goes Out With A Bang (or does it)?

2008-10-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

The final Progressive Reading Series of 2008 (and maybe ever) gave all it had and nobody walked away unsatisfied even though it was definitely the least organized of them all. Lisa Margonelli told us how she went to Saddam Hussein's birthday party in 2001, with pink hair no less! Bucky Sinister read a classic, Michelle Tea was the Progressive Darling, Ishmael Reed owned it! Nobody could see what Zuniga was doing, (but we love you, Todd.) Justin Chin:stellar as always. Will Durst and Nato Green cracked us up. Ellen Sussman made us love and respect her (even more than before.) Chris Cook made us not want to lose our hands. The All Star Minstrels played their swan song. And Stephen, the real Maverick, Elliott told us, "Everything belongs to us except for Texas and that's because it belongs to Mexico."

And that’s it for 2008. Thanks to the Makeout Room for being such gracious hosts; Ellen Gould, our fabulous poster designer; Liz Worthy; Sonya Worthy; the kind folks of Dublit; the authors, many of whom traveled far to read and their publishers who donated books to sell; everyone who came clapped, cheered, drank and tipped well. And while this was the last Progressive read for a while (and maybe ever), this site won’t go totally dark, so stay tuned). Next all we have to do is go forth and vote. Here’s hoping for a progressive 2009.

The Progressive Reading Series October 8

2008-10-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Just added: Michelle Tea, Justin Chin, Bucky Sinister, and Nato Green

Announcing

The Last Progressive Reading of 2008 (ever?)

Wednesday (Yes! Wednesday!) October 8, 7pm

At The Makeout Room- 3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888

$10-20 sliding scale

This event is being co-sponsored with Litquake. Get your advance tickets here.

If you were at the last reading you know getting advance tickets is a good idea. And don't forget to bring your own small folding chair or a pillow for sitting on the floor

Featuring

The Politics of Poetry with Ishmael Reed author of Reckless Eyeballing

The Politics of Prison with Joe Loya author of The Man Who Outgrew His Prison Cell

The Politics of Oil with Lisa Margonelli author of Oil on the Brain

The Politics of Food with Chris Cook author of Diet For a Dead Planet

The Politics of Sex with Ellen Sussman editor of Dirty Words

with political comedy by Will Durst

and the final performance of The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Oil on the Brain: From the Pump to the Progressive Reading Series

2008-10-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

Lisa Margonelli is the author of Oil on the Brain, the product of “3.5 years of furious travel and writing.” In her book she interviews oil industry folks the world over, uncovering oil’s journey from the ground to the gas pump. She reads next Wednesday, October 8, at the Makeout Room, which may be the last Progressive Reading ever. Ms. Margonelli is currently an Irvine Fellow at the New America Foundation. We met in her office, a stylish sliver in an old downtown Oakland office building. I made myself at home in a comfy thrift-store variety green upholstered slipper chair. While admiring the maps and books that adorned the walls, she surprised me with a glass of super cold water served in a fancy yard-sale-score emerald green goblet. Our conversation touched on her book as well as termites, Thoreau, There Will Be Blood, and who she might be for Halloween.- Liz Worthy

LW: Oil on the Brain begins with a great fiery scene of you observing an oil clean up experiment in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. What in the greater scheme of things got you to Alaska?

LM: If you tell me I can’t get in somewhere, I really want to get in there. What happened with oil was once I looked into the Prudhoe Bay oil facility I said ‘Oh my God, I want to get in there. Getting access is a powerful emotional drive for me. It’s also what got me into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

I’ve also been really interested in cultural and economic history and how big things affect people’s individual choices and how we are a product of our time and the empires that we’re born into.

And then there’s another little thread and that is that my parents were hippies and moved to Dover-Foxcroft, Maine an hour north of Bangor, to go back to the land. The energy crisis hit in 1973 and we in addition to going back to the land also stopped using oil to heat our house. So we were heating this old farm house with just wood from the woods and we actually had a horse to pull it out. Thoreau said that wood warms you twice – once when you cut it and once when you burn it. But my Dad was like wood warms you thrice. So he had to do Thoreau one better. It’s once when you cut it from the trees, once when you cut it and stack it for the house and then once when you burn it. So we spent an enormous amount of time stacking wood and carrying it into the house . . .. When my parents left the house sometimes my sister and I would actually turn on the oil heat because it was so fun. We’d stand over the heat grates and let our clothes puff up [hearty laugh]. So for me oil had a visceral aspect that it might not for other people where it was more ubiquitous.

LW: In writing the book you wanted to hear stories from the people who oversee oil’s journey to our cars. Who was the most remarkable person you talked to?

LM: I love hanging out with people and watching them do their work and absorbing their world view so I can’t actually choose one person. There were just a lot of different people who were just really compelling. C.D. Roper the Texan is just one obvious person. But there were a lot of other people. . . .As far as bizarre oil characters, definitely Ali Rodriguez Araque from Venezuela, the former guerilla who lives in the woods plotting how to blow up oil facilities and then becomes head of one the world’s largest oil companies and then goes on to start this new oil diplomacy under Chavez as the Foreign Minister. Definitely, that’s the sort of crazy transformation that is afforded by oil.

LW: In your article "Gut Reactions” in September’s Atlantic Monthly you talk about termites and how their digestive enzymes could be borrowed to turn wood, grasses, and paper products into fuel. Can you comment on the feasibility of this as well as how far into the future you think these things might be possible?

LM: In the under 10 year time span we really need to focus on energy efficiency, we need to make our cars and our transit system much much more efficient. It can start with things like eco-driving where you can reduce the amount of gas you use by 15% just by changing the way you drive. Then the next thing would be car pooling or van pooling or not driving your car, followed by much more efficient cars, not necessarily a Prius. In the '80s I had a Toyota Starlet that got 50 miles to the gallon and cars with mileage like that just aren’t for sale in the U.S. anymore and they could be. So we need to really work on reducing the amount of oil that we use. When we switch to another type of energy, say we go to bio-fuels or more into electric cars, we’ll need to be using a lot less fuel. . . .We could reduce the amount of gas we use by 1 or 2% simply by re-timing traffic lights.

Bio-fuels are somewhat promising but what we need are policies that reward the cleanest best bio-fuels, not the ones that pay the biggest political dividends. What we have now is a system of rewarding corn growers for this corn ethanol, but the greenhouse gas improvement is really minimal, like 13% and in some cases it’s equal to using gasoline. It’s not a good ratio. So what we need to do is figure out a pricing scheme for all of these different bio fuels and electric cars so we’re paying closer attention to the impact they have on the environment so that they can compete.

So in the movie There will be Blood what we all took away from it was the greed connected to oil but what you don’t think about is how important the greed was in the oil. It’s productive greed that got us a gas station on every corner and an oil well on every hill in Bakersfield. Because it’s one obsessed person or a couple of obsessed people who can say there’s oil there, I’m going to drill a hole and I’m going to build a pipeline and I’m going to ship it somewhere, and I’m going to sell it. It’s something you can suck out of the ground relatively easily and you could sell it for money. Right now it’s not clear how you make money on a lot of these fuels –if you produce solar power can you sell it to the grid for a fair price, for example, so we need to set things up. Often times when we talk about limiting greenhouse gases we talk about these complex systems, but basically we need to make greed pay off, just, in the place we need it to and then let the crazy smart people go to work. It’s not so much the question of punishing Daniel Day-Louis’s [character] because they’re greedy bastards, it’s a question of setting up a maze so that the Daniel Day-Louis types do what we want them to do.

LW: You recently presented a brief you wrote as part of your fellowship at the New America Foundation called "Energy Security for American Families" where you lay out policy that could help working families reduce their energy costs. Are any of the ideas in the brief represented by any propositions on the ballot this November?

LM: No, that’s an early stage proposal. We’ll work on it with other non-profits and politicians and anyone else who’s interested and then re-release it in something that’s closer to something that can become legislation.

But if I could just back up, the cool thing about working for a think tank, especially this think tank at New America that is non-partisan and interested in big different ideas, is that when you’re a reporter you spend a lot of time looking at bad policies and shrieking outside the system that’s a bad policy, that’s a bad policy, that’s bad, that’s bad! When I was asked to start thinking about what would be a good policy, I had to become a reporter on policy. I actually had to take my reporter skills and apply them to productive use. It’s definitely risky because as a reporter you say I don’t have dog in this fight and now you have to say I have a policy suggestion that has some good points, but inevitably someone else is going to criticize it. You have to stick your neck out because basically all policies have pluses and minuses. There is no perfect thing. . . . as far as the politics of energy go, we need to really push for big changes in policy and we can’t get those big changes done unless we let politicians know they aren’t going to get creamed for telling us the truth.

LW: If you had to be a political candidate for Halloween, who would you be and how would you spend your evening?

LM: [Laughs] Well, I guess I’d have to be Sarah Palin. I’ve actually gotten letters from friends saying I should be her. You know, the thing about Sarah Palin that just blows me away is if you’re a serious Christian and you really believe that your time praying is a red phone to God, why on earth would you spend that time asking for a gas pipeline? There are so many things that are of deeper concern to God and humanity and all of us than a gas pipeline. Commerce and capitalism will take care of a gas pipeline if it makes any sense at all, and even if it doesn’t (laugh). You don’t need God for a gas pipeline. So I guess that’s the thing that really blows me away about this. There’s something where oil just takes a turn right into some weird spiritual hole in American psyche. . . . somehow Sarah Palin praying for the gas pipeline is a little riddle I haven’t quite worked out. How is that okay? And it’s not that I’m anti-pipeline. We all live by pipeline, and pipelines screw up the Earth, there’s no question about it. This is our world. We are pipeline people. But asking God, it just freaks me out.

LW: So you’d spend Halloween dressed as Sarah Palin praying for a pipeline?

LM: Yes. I should do that. That would be fully scary.

LW: The poet Toni Mirosevich read her poem “Pinball” at last year’s Litquake, which grew out of something a friend told her: "I'm lonely when I pump gas." Would you care to comment on that?

LM: The loneliness of pumping gas. That’s really sweet. It’s also really heartbreaking. It’s that weird reality of our lives that you go to the gas station and you stand there for two and a half minutes and you fill your tank and you’re in a little envelope by yourself. The weird thing about it is we try to be really numbers based. So if it’s four cents a gallon cheaper on the other side we do the four point turn, get over there, fill up. We’re really rational about gas but we’re really irrational and emotional while we’re standing at the pump. One researcher told me that apparently if they stick a picture of a croissant above the pump, croissant sales inside the gas station rise by 15%, which is pretty high. Alone at the pump we’re in this strange malleable space where we can be persuaded to buy a croissant. Not only that-- It’s a croissant in a gas station! A donut I can almost see or one of those stupid big strawberry cheesecake muffins or corn nuts of course . . .. filling your tank seems to be one of those moments that doesn’t matter in your life, but actually matters a lot. However much dolphin safe tuna you eat and whether you use corn recyclable implements when you get food to go, or buy local organic produce or whatever-- ultimately, who you are in the world is determined by your foot on the gas pedal. We really are what we pump.~

Lisa Margonelli with her Petro-Pet someone found for her at a yard sale.

Photos by Liz Worthy whose ceramics show about oil, Light Sweet Crude, opens the evening of November 22nd at Ruby’s Clay Studio. Thanks (again) to the Dublit.com folk for being so sweet and so generous.

Second to Last!

2008-09-23T12:43:00.000-07:00

It was a rough week in the worlds of politics and literature. We lost Peter Camejo and David Foster Wallace practically on the same day. Wallace’s death hit me particularly hard, it being so unnecessary. Andrew Foster Altschul led us in a cheer in Wallace's memory. Still it brought a lump to my throat. There will never be another like him. And then surprise guest Keith Knight kicked off the penultimate Progressive Reading Series by reading us his comics. Unfortunately miscommunication between him and Stephen resulted in no visual effects. No matter thought Keith still made us laugh, made us think and next times we’ll be better prepared.

Litquake co-founder Jane Ganahl read us two short pieces, one about how her mother once bit off the nose of Richard Nixon. Only a candle likeness of Tricky Dick, still I bet it didn’t taste very good. Her other piece was about dating a man who wore creased jeans and typed up a book report for her on some PoMo artist expecting her to study up. Can you believe that?

The next reader of the evening (on her birthday!) was Katie Crouch. First we sang, then she read us story whose topic is familiar to many: what it’s like to date Steve Elliott. Course Stephen denied every word of it. Typical. Write a story everyone wants to know if it’s true, write a non-fiction piece everyone accuses you of fabricating. Not that that hasn't happened, but still, what's a writer to do?

Dan Weiss, half of our All Start Minstrels was up next. Catch his other band The Yellow Dress at Dog Eared books Thursday, September 25, at 7:30p.m. as part of Dog Eared's Sweet Sixteen celebration. Next we had Glen David Gold who read from page 515 of his forthcoming novel which is set during the 1918 U.S democratization of Russia (in winter of course, is there any other season in Russia?) and didn’t surprisingly, didn’t need any set-up at all. Or did it? Thanks to Michelle Bronson for setting the record straight on that one.

Next Mariel a la Mode sang a naughty burlesque song. We’ve really been going too long without burlesque. More Mariel! The singular Aimee Bender was up next. Here’s a true confession: Sometimes I read a sentence of hers and think this: I wish I had written that. And tonight’s piece was no exception, it was chock full of superlatives and I was green with envy.

Daniel Handler read a short story “Why I’m Pro Life.” I’m pro-life too. Pro keeping food in everyone’s stomachs, that sustains life. Pro protection from the elements aka housing, that’s good, right? Keeps the species going. Pro literacy because let’s face it, a literate society is a healthy and productive one . . .see what I mean.

And that was it for September. Unfortunately for literature, some brass has come cracking down on our mad postering so you won’t see as many around town for our next (and final) reading of 2008, but it’s October 8th, that's a Wednesday night, as part of Litquake and features national treasure, Ishmael Reed; reformed bank robber, Joe Loya; the woman who knows everything about gasoline, Lisa Margonelli; Diet for a Dead Planet, author Chris Cook; self-proclaimed bad girl, Ellen Sussman and comic relief by Will Durst. There’s also going to be an interview with Lisa Margonelli by Liz Worthy on this very site. Stay tuned.

Progressive Reading September 20

2008-09-17T12:59:00.001-07:00

Announcing The Ninth (Second To Last!) Progressive
Reading of 2008

Saturday, September 20

7pm At The Makeout Room

3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888

Featuring

Daniel Handler, author of Adverbs

Aimee Bender, author of The Girl
In The Flammable Skirt

Glen David Gold, author of Carter
Beats The Devli

Katie Crouch, author of Girls In
Trucks

Jane Ganahl, author of Naked On
The Page

with burlesque songstress Mariel a la
Mode

and music by The Progressive Reading Series
All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Click
here for advance tickets

www.progressivereadingseries.org

What Happens When?

2008-09-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Are we ready for President Palin?

The Daniel Handler Interview (Cameo by Howard Junker)

2008-09-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

Daniel Handler is the author of The Basic Eight, Watch Your Mouth and Adverbs and also occasionally plays the accordion with The Magnetic Fields. His alter ego Lemony Snicket has written a series of books for children titled the Unfortunate Events. We sat down to talk before Handler was a participant (with Lynn Breedlove) in Michelle Tea’s Radar Salon Series at the Three Dollar Bill Café where you can get a decent Caesar Salad for under five dollars. Daniel answered my questions and gave me updates on the characters in the Unfortunate Events series. This interview would have been damn near impossible without the kind folks of Dublit.com.

Sona Avakian: So you’re Daniel Handler?
Daniel Handler: Yes.
SA: Or you’re Lemony Snicket.
DH: Yes
SA:Or you’re his representative.
DH: Yes.
SA: You’re both. All three.
DH: Well it depends on how you look at it I guess.
SA: I saw a little clip on the Internet on YouTube of you doing a pitch for Obama. Is it true though, that Lemony Snicket is campaigning for McCain?
DH: No, I haven’t heard that. I can’t think of anyone decent and noble who would campaign for McCain.
SA: So Snicket is not campaigning for McCain.
DH: No, that much I know.
SA: That is so good to know. Now, about Beatrice, how close were you to Beatrice?
DH: Me? Not very close at all.
SA: Do you happen to know which First Lady she most admired?
DH: Which First Lady she admired?
SA: Yeah, it’s a political blog, so . . . Bess Truman?
DH: I am so far away from that question. Well I would guess Dolly Madison because she had unusual relationships with men in power and so did Dolly Madison. But whethether or not Dolly was technically a first lady is always open for debate.
SA: Why do you say that?
DH: She wasn’t married to James Madison. I think she was his niece. But she was the first lady in that she was the hostess of the White House.
SA: I think we can call her the First Lady.
DH: I think Madison was the only bachelor.
SA: No, That was Buchanan. I know that from ‘Welcome Back Kotter.’ I think Dolly Madison was the one who carried the stuff out of the burning White House.
DH: Then James Madison was a widower. Most of what I know of Dolly Madison is from the work of Miss Manners who is either Judith Martin or the representative of Miss Manners depending on how you look at it.
SA: Are the Baudelaire kids okay?
DH: Last I heard. I mean okay is kind of a relative term.
SA: Yeah, okay could just mean in perpetual . . . sleep.
DH: Right.
SA: An eleven-year-old girl recently said to me, “When you are reading Lemony Snicket book, the words on the page are like magnets to the eyes." Did Snicket intend to write books that are magnets to kids eyes?
DH: That’s such a difficult metaphor to unpack. That’s why I like it that’s a talented eleven-year-old girl.
SA: Isn’t she though?
DH: Because I’m sure that magnets don’t have any affect on the eyes.
SA: Unless they’re magnetic.
DH: Or metal.

Suddenly I’m aware that someone has been shouting my name and ‘Caesar Salad’ for a quite a while.
SA: [To the counter] I think that was my salad! I’ll be there in a minute.
DH: I don’t think anything is going to happen to that salad.
SA: I hope not.
DH: So the question was did he intend for them to be magnetic? I think the magnetism could be attribute to the same kind of magnetism when there’s a car wreck or a really embarrassing moment on television that you can’t stop looking at. That wouldn’t necessarily mean they’re magnetic or appropriate for your age.
SA: If the conflict of good versus evil finally resolves itself, what do you think will happen to the state of literature?
DH: I think if conflict between good and evil resolves itself, we’ll have so much on minds that I don’t think the state of literature will make the top one hundred thousand even among the literary fanatics.
SA: That sounds like you’re thinking evil is going to triumph. I was sort of hoping for the other way around.
DH: I think it was Borges who said that heaven is a kind of library.

At this point silver haired man wearing a pastel apricot sweater came into the café and caught Daniel’s eye. Daniel waved.
SA: Is that your Dad?
DH: No, that’s Howard Junker of ZYZZYVA Magazine.
Howard Junker made his way through the crowded café to our table.
HJ (to me): Were you at the gym at Koret this morning?
SA: Me? No. I was not at the gym at Koret this morning.
HJ: Okay, I’m Howard Junker. May I join you?
SA: Sure.
DH: Yes of course.
SA: Nice to meet you.
Howard sits down.
DH: We were just doing a brief interview.
SA: Esme Squalor? Can you give us an update on her life?
DH: An update on her life?
SA: Yeah, how’s she’s doing?
DH: Well Esme Squalor strikes me as the kind of person who would say she’s doing well regardless of how she’s doing. So out of loyalty to her own worldview, I would have to say she’s doing well.
Howard gets up to leave.
SA: Sorry Howard.
HJ: May I take a picture of you guys? I’ll take it from far away.

Then kind young man employed by The Three Dollar Bill Cafe brought my salad to the table. I really should’ve tipped better.

SA: So who’s going to show up at the Makeout Room? Daniel Handler or Snicket?
DH: For me the most important thing about the Makeout room is that I’ve heard it’s where Prince plays his after-shows, whenever he’s in town so the question about the Makeout room from my point of view, is if Prince is going to play?
SA: What is the relationship between Lemony Snicket and Count Olaf?
DH: Nemeses.
SA: They’re nemeses to each other? Is that the correct plural, nemeses?
DH: I’m pretty sure.
SA: I hope most people don’t have more than one.
SA: Do you remember this? I've been avoiding ice cream cones.

DH: It was a promotional set of magnets released by Harper Collins in 1999, and you are encouraged to take the magnets apart.
SA: No, I would never do that. I think this is going to be worth money on eBay someday.
DH: Maybe someday.
SA: The foresight I had to purchase this at Clean Well Lighted.
DH: In 1999? [Clue that Prince will be at the next Progressive Reading.]
SA: I think it was 2001. [Clue that he might not.]

Then Daniel looked at my sheet of paper where I had scribbled some questions.
SA: I’m not going to ask you all of these. I have to save some for the Q&A. Michelle said.
DH: I wasn’t looking at them.
He was. Probably begging for the end and I really didn’t want to take up too much of his time, Howard Junker waiting to talk with him and all.
SA: So Interview officially over. Will you sign my book?
RECORDER: Click

We chatted for a few minutes about these topics: Daniel’s first appearance at The Progressive Reading Series, JT Leroy (he never shows up!), and Manhattan hipsters before Daniel excused himself to go talk to Howard Junker and I dug into my salad.

Daniel Handler will be at the Progressive Reading Series on September 20th. Also hitting the stage during the course of the night will be Aimee Bender, Jane Ganahl, Glen David Gold, Katie Crouch, Mariel a la Mode and maybe Prince.

Mariel a la Mode

2008-09-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Mariel a la Mode is joining the September 20 Progressive Reading with her unique blend of singing and striptease!

West of Kabul, East of New York

2008-09-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Tamim Ansary's book, West of Kabul, East of New York has been chosen to be San Francisco's One City One Book read for 2008. Here is some praise West of Kabul, East of New York has garned:

“A book that steadies our skittering compass...It speaks with a modesty of tone and is all the more resonant for that reason....[It] sees things we cannot make out, and need to.” —The New York Times

“[An] emotional and moving memoir, driven by passion and intelligence...It breaks the heart.”
—The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

In conjunction, the San Francisco Public Library has many events lined up. Please join us for a book mob at the Ferry Building on September 6, 11:45 am. Bring your copy of West of Kabul, East of New York. And if you can't make that, check here for more events.

Larry Kissel

2008-08-21T13:50:00.001-07:00

The September 20 reading features Aimee Bender, Daniel Handler, Glen David Gold, Jane Ganahl, and Katie Crouch. Funds raised at the door will go to support Larry Kissell, running for North Carolina's 8th District congressional seat against pro-torture incumbent Robin Hayes. We're going to have to collect everybody's information at the door: Name, address, and employer, unless you pay in advance, in which case you can go right in and grab yourself a seat.

Cities Helping Each Other

2008-08-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

So many sterling moments at last night’s Progressive Reading it’s hard to know where to start. It was great to see so many former Progressive readers in the standing room only Makeout Room (bring your own chairs, for god sakes!), Starlee Kine in town from New York made it a point to stop by, and Rachel Howard, Caroline Paul, Sarah Fran Wisby were all there; mutual love all around. Stephen read his letter (see it below and Stephen’s post on The Huffington Post) from Mayor Bill White of Houston. Thanks goodness for progressive thinking.

Tom Barbash kicked off the reading with a story from his forthcoming collection, about a divorced mother and her son who was being hit on by an easy restaurant hostess, an older woman. About the age the women’s ex-husband is dating and she’s not happy about it. He still collects rare stamps the mother told the easy hostess. He’s a baby. “No he isn’t.” the easy hostess replied. Poor Mom. Next Matthew Eck cracked us up with a story whose narrators bluff his way into a teaching position at an Ivy League university using Chekhov’s CV. Made me wonder if any of my own professors had tried something like that.

We love April Sinclair. First she was willing to pinch-hit at the last minute, then she honored Bernie Mac, then she read a story about trying to be a cool mom and hearing about girl kissing! And then she read about her no-good nephew who had to be pried off the couch and was banned from the house. My sides were splitting, but it was just another day in the Sinclair family, apparently.

Ali Wong cracked us up. “Oh Progressive Reading Series, you’re all so serious. Girls with bangs and glasses, Rainbow Grocery employees smelling of hummus and privilege!” Her story of Disneyland rides that simulate the landscape of California reminded me I’ve never been to Disneyland/World and I’m going to keep it that way. Like most horrible things, they're hilarious to hear about.

All Star Minstrels sang an ironic version of a folk song made popular by the Pogues. Davy Rothbart read a story about pulling pranks on his deaf mother that were so horrible and devious I was embarrassed for him, yet very impressed. What a terror that kid was. In the end, though, his mom got the last laugh and Davy grew up to be one of the kindest people you’d ever be lucky to meet.

In his third (third, people!), Progressive Reading appearance and proving that recycling in Houston is as important as Shakespeare in Santa Cruz, Jonathan Franzen railed on technology and how it can actually make life more difficult. I knew just what he meant. My cell phone had been beeping at me all day for absolutely no reason. Stephen ended the night by telling us we raised $1,729, which equals 276 bins for Houston. Next month on September 20th: Daniel Handler, Jane Ganahl, Aimee Bender, Glen David Gold, and Katie Crouch. Don’t forget your chair or cushion.

The Huffington Post

2008-08-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Last night's Progressive Reading on the Huffington Post.

2008-08-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

The Tom Barbash Interview: He has substance and style!

2008-08-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Tom Barbash is the author of On Top of the World: Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick and 9/11: a Story of Loss and Renewal and The Last Good Chance. He is from Manhattan, lives now in San Francisco and I'd vote for him.

PRS: Tell me about the first time you voted in a presidential election.
TB: My first voting experience was for Walter Mondale who I so badly wanted to beat Reagan. Mondale was decent, honest, a bit on the dull side and would have made an infinitely better president.
I recall being amazed at what a landslide it was considering that virtually everyone I knew in my New York City and Haverford College circles mocked Reagan, and Nancy's reliance on psychics, etc. I never saw his appeal, and never did until George Bush came around and made Reagan seem regal in comparison.

PRS: What, if any, was the first political scandal that had you glued to the television, or that you followed pretty closely? Can you explain your fascination with it?
TB: Watergate, though I didn't entirely understand it. I remember being at my uncle's beach house over the summer and everyone was watching these hearings and I knew it was great drama, and I knew the bad guys were getting in trouble, and that pleased my parents and pleased me. We all hated Nixon and Agnew. My fascination had to do with the concept of an evil president, titillating stuff for a kid raised on stories of Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.

PRS: You've seen the Paris Hilton fightback? What do you think of the mixture of celebrity in politics? I have to admit I found the line "I'll see you at the debates, bitches" funny.
TB: I think celebrity is being used as a substitute for attractive, and well-liked. The myth promulgated by people as ill at ease in their own skin as McCain is, is that the smoothies like Barack must lack substance. But maybe its their substance that makes them so attractive.

PRS: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington? Have you ever seen that? Do you think there is place for a decent and honest politicians in American politics, and that they'll prevail?
TB: I think there's a place for an ESSENTIALLY decent and honest person, but it seems as though if you want to win you have to play tough, and compromise occasionally, and you have to raise money. The trick is not to bend so far in the opposite direction that you become unrecognizable - as the cranky old senator from Arizona has this campaign season.

If YOU have any questions you'd like to ask Tom Barbash or any of our August authors, come to the Makeout Room Saturday night, August 16 at 7p.m. The rest of the lineup includes last minute and very exciting addition April Sinclair, all the way from Ann Arbor, Davy Rothbart, author of The Farther Shore, Matthew Eck and headliner Jonathan Franzen! All for the low price of ten to twenty dollars. Plus we're helping Houston with their recycling issues. What more could you really ask for a on Saturday night?

Late Addition!

2008-08-13T23:12:00.000-07:00

As if you needed more incentive to solve Houston's recycling problem, we were able to set up a late additon to Saturday's already kick-ass line up of readers: April Sinclair, author of the critically acclaimed (and award winning) bestseller, Coffee Will Make You Black. April has been confronting—and making fantastic literature from—issues like race, gender, and sexuality for years. Not to mention, she's from Chicago, which automatically makes her the coolest reader on the bill (sorry Davy, Ann Arbor's OK too).

As always, you can buy tickets in advance right here.

2008-08-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVY ROTHBART

Davy Rothbart makes FOUND Magazine, contributes stories to This American Life, and wrote a book of stories called The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas. He also writes frequently for GQ, SLAM, and The Believer. If you've found something cool, please send it to him at his parents' house -- details at foundmagazine.com

This interview was conducted despite jetlag (at least two time zones apiece), technical difficulties (both of us), and a misremembered password (me). Davy Rothbart will be reading for Houston's recycling program on August 16th at the Makeout Room, along with Tom Barbash, Michelle Tea, Jonathan Franzen, Matthew Eck and with comedy by Ali Wong.

SA: Has anyone ever bribed you for your vote?

DR: In 4th grade, my friend David Pfeiffer spent weeks circulating a petition among our schoolmates, trying to finagle more recess for all of us. About half of our school had already signed it, and David believed that if me and another friend of ours named Blair Austin got on board, the rest of the kids in school would follow suit. I'm not sure it would've worked out like that, but that was David's thought at the time.

He stayed overnight at my house one weekend, and spent the whole time hectoring me to sign the petition. What kind of red-blooded American boy could possibly be opposed to such a proposal? Me, I guess. I mean, recess was cool and all, but our teachers were pretty cool, too, and I liked the shit they were teaching us. I didn't really think we needed more recess. I was in a tight spot. On one hand, David Pfeiffer was bound to keep haranguing me until I signed the damn thing; he even offered me bribes -- a dollar, a Jolly Rancher, a 1979 Topps Carlton Fisk. When the bribes didn't budge me, he tried threats, which had a bit more power to melt my convictions. But on the other hand, more recess meant more opportunities to be pummeled by the big kids in Dodgeball, and ultimately, I couldn't in good faith sign the petition. So I did the only thing I could do... I did, in fact, what many other policy-makers might've done if Congress was held in their basement. I snuck the petition out of David Pfeiffer's backpack, ripped it to shreds, and tossed it in the bathroom trashcan. Then an hour later when he started freaking out thinking he'd lost the thing, I led him to the bathroom and sheepishly pointed out to him what I'd done with it.

On Monday, at lunchtime recess, he made good on his threats and beat me up with cement-filled nunchuks. There's two morals to this story. One, more recess is always good. Two, if anyone offers you their 1979 Topps Carlton Fisk to sign a petition, take the catcher and run.

SA: Wow, that's a great story. Do you know what sort of career David Pfeiffer has had? How did that experience affect what you learned about policy?

DR: Ya know, I'm not really sure what happened to Pfeiffer, and I can't say it affected my policy education. but I remember one other thing about David Pfeiffer...My last name, Rothbart has the unusual property that you can change a single consonant and end up with either Rothbarf or Rothfart, and plenty of my grade school classmates made that discovery; as far as invoking those nicknames goes, they voted early and often. But David Pfeiffer, after the petition incident, always called me a new name, which to this day I still marvel at for its catchiness and cleverness despite being so unclever. He simply called me Rothcrap.

SA: This money raised at this month's Progressive will raise funds to donate recycling bins to the city of Houston. Have you ever been to Houston? Did you find anything interesting there? What's the best thing someone has sent you from Houston that’s ended up in the magazine?

DR: Houston is like home to me! It’s awesome that this event will benefit Houston’s recycling program. We've received a ton of amazing finds from Houston over the years. I fear, though, that once we hook up all these new recycling bins, the kinds of notes and papers that folks used to find strewn in the street will now be more properly disposed of and the Houston finds will dwindle!

One particularly memorable find was given to me in Houston by a 120-year-old man. I was doing some radio reporting after Hurricane Katrina, talking to storm refugees at the Astrodome in Houston. This old guy - the oldest guy I’ve ever met in my life - we started talking for a while, and he gave me a stack of papers he'd carried with him from New Orleans. He'd mistakenly believed he was rescuing his own treasured mementos and letters, but they turned out to have belonged to this neighbor whose home had been washed away. It was a series of love letters between a woman in New Orleans and her husband, an air force pilot stationed in Korea. Months later, I managed to track down the woman, this old guy's former neighbor, and return the letters.

SA: I’m sure the good people of Houston will continue to send in their finds and that you’ve received many items from cities that do recycle. What sort of sense of place do you get from places you've never been to based on what people have sent you?

DR: The thing I'm most often struck by is the similarities between the
finds we receive, even from vastly different places. Whether someone's in Madagascar, Maine, or Mississippi, they seem to be
dealing with the same kinds of general issues in their lives --love, family, work, and the new Dilated Peoples record.

SA: Did you find anything interesting on your recent trips, to 29 Palms or in Pittsburgh?

DR: My friend Nikki Kemp in Pittsburgh gave me this pretty awesome find yesterday. It's some torn up pieces of a typed letter between friends; she only found enough scraps of it to piece together
certain fragments of the letter. Most of them seem to deal with some questions about a home mortgage, but then out of nowhere there's an invitation to come to D.C. for Thanksgiving and watch porno flicks! Like the best found notes, the actual story is elusive, just out of reach, but there's enough hints there to spark our curiosity and let our imaginations run wild.

SA: Can you give us hint of what we're going to be hearing you read on the 16th?

DR:I’ll either read a piece of mine that's already aired on This American Life called "Nibble, Lick, Suck, and Feast" (those critical words were bleeped out when the piece aired) or this other new piece called "Bigger and Deafer" that is due to air but hasn't yet aired, depending how much time we have. One is about pulling pranks on local morning TV hosts during the Found tour; the other is about pulling pranks on my deaf mom when I was a kid.

SA: I'm pretty sure Dublit puts up a lot of readings and doesn't bleep anything out so people will be able to access it online in its full glory.

DR: Rad, will do!

SA: Anything else you'd like our audience to know?

DR: Come find me and talk to me before, during, or after the show so I can tell you the details of our super-secret after-party on August 16th, the night of the reading!

SA: You heard it here first folks.

Making Progress

2008-08-04T18:20:00.001-07:00

I spoke with someone from Houston Waste Management. It looks like they are going to accept our donation of 200 recycling bins. Hooray Houston!

Now we have to see if we can get matching funds, perhaps from Exxon, a Houston company. Houston needs 25,000 more recycling bins.

The Progressive Reading Series For Houston

2008-08-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. There was a piece in this week's New York Times about recycling in Houston. One of the problems Houston is having with recycling is a lack of recycling bins. Apparently, some people have to wait years for a recycling bin. With that in mind, a portion of the funds from the August 16 reading will go to purchasing recycling bins for Houston. We're hoping to purchase 200 bins, but we're waiting to hear back from the city on the bins' specifications. Hopefully we'll be able to contract with a factory in Houston to make the bins. Here's the original article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/us/29recycle.html.

Comedian Ali Wong is joining the August 16th bill. And there will be music from The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels, along with readings from Jonathan Franzen, Davy Rothbart, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, and Tom Barbash.

Jonathan Franzen to headline the August 16 Progressive Reading

2008-07-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Announcing The Eight Progressive Reading of 2008
Saturday, August 16th

7 PM at the Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street
San Francisco
415.647.2888
$10–20 sliding scale

Featuring

Jonathan Franzen, author of The Corrections

Matthew Eck, author of The Farther Shore

Michelle Tea, author of Rose of No Man's Land

Tom Barbash, author of The Last Good Chance

Davy Rothbart, This American Life contributor and editor of Found Magazine

and music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Proceeds benefit progressive congressional candidates

Click here for advance tickets

First there were grapes, then a dinosaur

2008-07-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

The first reader was Tara “Who’s that hot chick walking down Valencia Street?” Jepsen. Before reading she told us a story about being a kid in San Francisco with her father. They’d visit Tara’s uncle, who lived on Fell Street in the original Grotto location. All the residents were all a little Cu-koo (her words, not mine) thanks to the punk bands they were in and the heroin they were on; the two go hand and hand. Her father used to shield young Tara’s eyes from all the riff-raff going in and out of the building. It was good to hear that her uncle is now sober and living in Green Bay. And Tara ending up completely unsullied by the events. Happy endings all around. Anyway Tara read this wicked piece about Paloma and Irma, two young women causing a ruckus while demanding respect for the girls at a strip club in North Beach. If you need more Tara catch her show Getting In on the Ground Floor and Staying There at The Center for Sex and Culture.

Before introducing Frank Portman, Stephen told us we were free to bring our own folding chairs, “so you’ll always be guaranteed a seat.” Also the floors had just been cleaned. So what’s your problem? Frank read a piece from his novel King Dork about how shockingly little French Tom Henderson knew even after years of classes. He could only discuss the activities of his friends, Claud and Jean, in present tense. I’m sure they were your French class friends too. I myself remember them fondly, if a little dimly. Au revoir, Claud and Jean. Au revoir.

Upon his arrival at the Makeout Room Neal Pollock told me how much he enjoyed being back in San Francisco, where writers are actually appreciated. “In LA," he said, (where he lives now) "writers are considered to be one notch above drug-addled pan handlers.” But he and his wife wanted to raise their son in a place that’s calm and quiet and that has good values and clean air. I think it’s working because Elijah Pollack’s insightful maxim upon being told nobody’s perfect: Everybody’s perfect. Neal also told us a story about his very open-minded SF cab driver. Judging by the groan from the audience I’d say the squick factor was about an eight. Up on Dublit soon. And don’t say you weren’t warned.

Next we had W. Kamua Bell. He’s voting Obama. McCain: the name just sounds like he’s already been president. He thinks we should just build McCain a library and send him on his way. Sounds like a good plan to me. Minus the library actually. The All-Star Minstrels were up next and sang about watching the tall grass grow. Looks like these two have already quit their day jobs.

Po Bronson, co-founder of the Grotto, illuminated the stage next and in a quiet voice read from a work in progress, which came out of this article in New York magazine. He’ll be finished in a long time or two weeks depending on how you look at it. His piece had to do with why white parents don’t talk about race to their children. When he was finished he got a rock and roll scream like he was Ringo, Paul, George and John. Even the rowdy Pentecostals next door got drowned out.

Ethan Canin, the other Grotto founder, concluded the evening reading and by then we were just stunned by the talent in the room. Ethan urged us all to vote yes on the ballot measure to name the sewage treatment plant after George Bush and then read from his just-out novel, America, America, which is about a liberal senator running for president in 1972. Sound familiar? It should. But remember, this is fiction, not truth, so don’t expect Nixon in the White House at the end of that book, or maybe do. I haven’t finished it—please nobody spoil it for me. Next month on the 16th we’ll welcome Jonathan Franzen, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, Tom Barbash and Davy Rothbart. It’ll be just two days after I come back from an east coast visit, so I won’t have as much time to fulfill my life’s mission of putting posters up on every pole in San Francisco. You guys will have to pay extra attention to those emails Steve sends out. Thank you to Vivian for giving me the dinosaur, to Eric Tang and to my homonym twin for the pictures.

THIS SATURDAY!

2008-07-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ethan Canin will be headlining this weeks Progressive Reading. His new book, America America, is getting tons of great attention so don't miss this opportunity to see this legendary writer.

Announcing The Seventh Progressive Reading of 2008

Saturday, July 19th

7 PM at The Makeout Room

3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888

$10–20 sliding scale

Featuring

Ethan Canin, author of America America

Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad

Tara Jepsen, author of Sister Spit

Frank Portman, author of King Dork

Po Bronson, author of What Should I Do with My Life?

Plus, comedy by W. Kamau Bell, named best comedian by the SF Weekly

and music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Proceeds benefit progressive congressional candidates.
This month: Tom Perriello.

Click here for advance tickets

2008-07-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tara Jepsen is a busy woman

2008-07-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

On July 19th we'll welcome Tara Jepsen to the Progressive Reading stage. She's a busy person; a writer and performer living in San Francisco, she’s been featured at the Porchlight storytelling series, the RADAR Reading Series and Litquake. She is co-host of the long-running, beloved queer open mic, K’vetch. Her work has been published in the anthologies, Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache and It’s So You. She toured extensively with the original Sister Spit’s Rambling Road Show in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Her most recent short film, Diving for Pearls, won the Most Innovative Short award at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in 2005 and was selected for the Best of Newfest screening at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. She is at work on a novel, Like a Dog, as well as a new film. Her two-woman show, written and performed with Beth Lisick, “Getting in on the Ground Floor and Staying There” opens at The Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco on July 24th, and she holds down a day job as a landscaper. Luckily Tara found some time to answer some questions via e mail.

Sona Avakian: When was the first time you got excited about a political candidate?
Tara Jepsen:Well, I remember the fever around my family in Wisconsin about wanting to re-elect Reagan for a third presidential term because he had been just that incredible. My mom's friend worked on his campaign. I don't know how my parents felt about it; they've both become far more liberal as they've gotten older. I remember thinking if they thought it was a good idea, it probably was. Experiments in blind faith! I don't remember thinking anything else they did was a great idea so why the election carried any weight with me, I don't know. The first time I remember getting excited about a political candidate was when Matt Gonzalez ran for mayor. He came to Beth [Lisick’s] birthday party and we did shots of tequila. I thought, "I like this guy." I know that's late in life to get politically excited but better late than never. I do remember when Geraldine Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale in 1984. I knew it was exciting that a woman was running but I was in a nest of conservatism in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, a factory town about halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay. I wasn't aware of local politics at all growing up. Now I think about it a lot more.

SA: Are there any other politicians you've done shots with? Now's your chance to tell.
TJ: I remember only a small fraction of the people with whom I've shared tequila shots (I was just reminded about a tequila spaz-out in NYC that I had completely forgotten...), and I assume there are no more people who would outwardly identify themselves as politicians...? Now if we're talking non-profit employees, unsung talents or karaoke enthusiasts, pull back the sash and let the list unfurl.

SA: Is there any book in particular you read growing up that informed your sense of community?
TJ: God, my sense of community. I do not recall feeling anything that I would label a sense of community. That language was not part of my world!! Nancy Drew books made me excited to be a smart, investigative woman. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret made me aware that girls/women wrestle with Issues. And that a contemplative life is in my future. And being tortured and indecisive. All the Madeleine L'Engle books made me want to be smart too. So maybe I just new I wanted to be a smart woman among smart women. So far so good.

SA: Is there any book you'd recommend to the two presidential candidates, or one you hope either of them have read?
TJ: Well, if any candidate has time to read a book, and I am asked to evaluate their needs, I guess I would say that I would hope they read any book that expanded their knowledge of all the different kinds of people who live and breathe in the country they are governing. Or would it ultimately benefit us more if they just went deep into a Danielle Steel novel and relaxed for a moment? I guess it feels too arrogant for me to say what book anyone should read. I don't think they would like the same shit I do, and I don't think I can conceive of their burden as president well enough to know what would make an impact. Maybe something that got them excited about green building materials, vehicles, whathaveyou! Composting for Presidents! Feminism: It's Good for All of Us! Maybe a PFLAG parenting book? Homelessness and Drug Addiction: Not Just Issues for Underpaid Socially Minded Folks! And of course, Deenie, by Judy Blume.

SA: You run K'vetch, you've toured with Sister Spit, can we look forward to something of yours in print?
TJ: I have a couple short stories published and I'm shopping a novel around right now.

SA: Who would you rather take care of your pet goldfish, a magician or politician?
TJ: Obviously a magician should take care of my goldfish, they will have waaaay more time.

SA: How does it feel to be the first author interviewed for the Progressive Reading Series blog?
TJ: It feels amazing to be the first author interviewed here, and naturally it makes me think I am an expert on absolutely everything.

Tara can be found hosting K'vetch the first Sunday of every month at Sadie's Flying Elephant (491 Potrero @ Mariposa.) She will grace the Progressive stage on July 19th along with Neal Pollock, Doug Dorst, Frank Portman, Ethan Canin and Po Bronson. Don't miss it!

Title TK

2008-06-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

The first reader in our June event to support Victoria Wulsin's run for congress in Ohio's second district was Sarah Fran Wisby. She read a crazy surreal story called "Who Will Walk Through Fire." It was awesome and I don't mean that just in the pyromaniac sense. She said she couldn't have written it without rent control, so give yourselves another pat on the back for that victory. Sarah Fran's story is proof that San Francisco needs rent control. We're looking forward to her first book, Viva Loss, out from Small Desk Press later this year and you should be too.

Then came Helena Echlin, a British author who teaches us all about manners and etiquette in her column for Chow. She's like a latter-day Jane Austen, Dear Abby and Miss Manners all rolled into one. But she did fall prey to fast food when she first moved to America, particularly Dunkin Donuts' Omwhich, which is an omelet/pizza/breakfast sandwich all rolled into one. I am definitely going to track one down on my next visit to the east coast. It sounds delish. She's trying to get them to make a donut/hamburger and assures the brass at DD that it will revolutionize the concept of the breakfast sandwiches and the Brits will be all over it.

We were lucky enough to have Wells Wulsin, son of Victoria with us. Wells spoke about his mother and how her increased disillusionment with the direction the country is heading led to her decision to run for congress. It's not going to be an easy race, he admitted, so please tell all your friends and relatives in Ohio about Victoria Wulsin. If you want to go to Ohio this summer and help out, that can be arranged too. Sign up here.

Daniel Alcaron was up next and it's true, as Andrew Altschul said in his intro, Suzanne Kleid has been pushing his book Lost City Radio on everyone she knows. I'm one of those people and I should've have listened to her sooner. This book is so purely crafted, it deserves every glorious accolade it has garnered in the year since its publication. Anyway, Daniel read from a novel in progress and I felt privy to a secret literary masterpiece. It doesn't have a title yet; he's taking suggestions. Also, his parents were in town. We clapped for them too and believed him when he said the parents in the piece weren't based on his own. Behold the power of the imagination! The All Star Minstrels were next. What can I say? We gladly filled in as the horn section per Dan's request and Adam took a stage dive (sort of) at the end of their set. No need to worry about the future of music with these two on the scene. During intermission, a fierce game of Rock Paper Scissors broke out. And paper takes it again.

Lorelei Lee was up next, reading a story about a day on the set of an adult film set. I for one couldn't tell that her flats (as in shoes) were inhibiting her confidence. Can you?

And finally, the nicest guy in the writing world, Andrew Sean Greer, wearing a mime shirt, but thankfully speaking. He read a scene from his new novel The Story of a Marriage that brought me chills even on that warm night. You should go out and buy it as soon as possible. Suzanne says so.

At the end of the night Evan Rehill stacked himself up with glasses.

And that wraps up June. Thanks to Sonya Worthy and Liz Clinkenbeard for the photos. Next month we welcome Po Bronson, Neal Pollock, Tara Jespen, Doug Dorst, Ethan Canin and Frank Portman. Also stay tuned for our first Progressive Reading Series featured author interview. Q&A with Tara Jepsen.

New Poster

2008-06-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

Click for full-size printable poster for the June 21 Progressive Reading.

The June Reading!

2008-06-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Announcing the Sixth Progressive Reading of 2008
Saturday, June 21

7 PM at The Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street
415.647.2888
$10–20 sliding scale

Featuring

Eileen Myles, author of Chelsea Girls and Cool For You

Andrew Sean Greer, author of The Story of a Marriage and The Confessions of Max Tivoli

Daniel Alarcon, author of Lost City Radio and War by Candlelight

Helena Echlin, author of Gone

Sarah Fran Wisby, author of Viva Loss

and Lorelei Lee, author of Doublefisted

Music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels
Hosted by Stephen Elliott

Proceeds benefit Victoria Wulsin, running against Jean Schmidt in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District

Click here for advance tickets

**

And stay tuned for next month's event, happening July 19, featuring Neal Pollack, Tara Jepsen, Doug Dorst, Ethan Canin, Po Bronson, and Frank Portman

Wulsin Update

2008-06-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting update concerning the Wulsin-Schmidt race in Ohio. Once again we are supporting the forces of good against the forces of evil, because that's how we roll. Come out June 21 to support Wulsin's candidacy.

Whoops! L#009 is missing!

2008-06-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

I'll slip it back in November. Promise.

Victoria Wulsin

2008-06-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone. For June we're going back to supporting awesome progressive challengers running against particularly evil conservative incumbents. In June we're raising money for Victoria Wulsin. Get your advance tickets here. Find out more about Victoria here. Victoria's running against Jean "I love what we've done in Iraq" Schmidt. Schmidt is famous for calling war hero John Murtha a coward.

Come on out June 21 at 7pm and show your support.

61-39!

2008-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it - all of us: We saved rent control!

Proposition 98 failed spectacularly - 61% to 39%. At the same time, Proposition 99, real Eminent Domain reform, passed handily - 62% to 38%.

We can all breathe a sigh of relief - for once the reactionaries who put regressive and discriminatory initiatives on the California ballot did not get their way.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who pays rent in San Francisco, to everyone who attended the March, April, and May Progressive Readings, and to all our wonderful readers. Thanks, too, to George Nixon and Ellen Gould for their contributions to the cause, and to our volunteers, who make these events run so smoothly.

Check back here for announcements about the June 21 Progressive Reading, featuring Eileen Myles, Andrew Sean Greer, ZZ Packer, Helena Echlin, Lorelei Lee, and of course the Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels!

Writers and Rent Control

2008-05-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Like books and the writers who produce them? How about low rent? If you responded at all in the affirmative, I urge you to check out Jen Sullivan Brych's op-ed piece in the SF Bay Guardian.

Remember to VOTE ON TUESDAY, or else you won't be seeing Steve at Tartine for much longer, and his roommate will have sleep somewhere other than the living room. That'd be one Unhappy Baby.

The Progressive Reading Slate

2008-05-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

OK, time is coming up. June 3 is election day and all the hard work we've been doing around here will pay off if we defeat Proposition 98. That's the most important thing, to save rent control. But there are some other important things on the ballot as well, so here, for the first time, is the Progressive Reading Series Official Endorsements for you to print and take to the polls.

No No No on Proposition 98!!!!!!
Yes on Proposition 99. Proposition 99 fixes eminent domain laws without destroying the state's infrastructure. It also takes the issue out of Howard Jarvis' evil hands so he won't try to end rent control inside mis-named eminent domain reform bills. Also, if prop 99 and 98 both pass but 99 has more votes then it negates prop 98.

Yes on F. We have to insist that all major new developments in San Francisco have at least 50% truly affordable housing. We've seen what happens when you build a bunch of fancy rental units South of Market. All those new apartments but rent didn't go down at all. A lot of good people are against F, but we have to stop giving away our land. It's great to raise money, but the money will get spent, and we'll be left with what's left. There's no point in improving neighborhoods if the result is displacing poor residents. More information from Supervisor Chris Daly here.
No on G. More information here.

Yes on A. More information here.

Nicole Rivera for Democratic Central Committee. This is the kind of position most voters don't pay attention to, but it's actually really important in setting the agenda for the local Democratic Party. For the record, the Progressive Reading Series is not affiliated with a party, but Nicole Rivera is awesome.

You're Not in Kansas Yet (part 2)

2008-05-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

I know some people like Kansas. Dorothy Gale for one. Kansas was her home and we all know there’s no place like it. And what about your home? Your neighbor's home? The guy who hands you your coffee every morning--what about him? So it was nice to see so many people at the Makeout Room to keep rents (relatively) low despite the fact that it was a rare balmy night in San Francisco, one where you could actually sit outside and watch The Wizard of Oz, which was playing for free a few blocks over in Dolores Park.

First up was poet David West, who wrote Evil Spirits and Their Secretaries. What a great title. One of the poems featured the deer head on the Makeout Room walls who was regular here when this place was a swamp. As if that thing didn’t creep me out enough already, thanks David. The lovely Rachel Howard was up next and read a story called "Dogsitting." Part of it is set in the Presidio pet cemetery. More dead animals. At least those aren't looking at me.

Mark Pritchard took the stage next. He’s the author of How I Adore You. Mark read a story about Garrison Keillor whose tales of loneliness and isolation we can handle because they're told gently. Keillor, he read, is the Walter Cronkite of our time. Adam Mansbach was up next saying he only had a few minutes; he had a new baby daughter at home (congratulations, Adam) and read a great piece from his new novel, The End of the Jews about Risk and Zone a Jewish boy and black boy who were popular as disc jockeys on the bar mitzvah circuit in suburban Connecticut on their way to the big time.

Next we had a short commercial break from Nicole Rivera who has been a volunteer for the Progressive Reading Series practically from the beginning. She’s running for a Democrat County Central Committee and you would be hard pressed to find a better person for the job. She also belted out the phrase "98 we hate, 99 is fine," a few times so we her love even more. Vote for Nicole on June 3rd. More info on Nicole and the Democratic County Central Committee
here.

Nato Green came up next saying he was glad the gay marriage ban was overruled, but that we should take it one step further and make it mandatory, otherwise what’s the point? On another note, his wife is pregnant (congratulations Nato) expecting twins, and he’s letting them pick the gender! It doesn’t get more SF than that. Next up: The All Star Minstrels, Dan and Adam. I swear these two keep getting better and handsomer. Dan sang Woody Guthrie's If You Ain't Got the Do Rei Mei." My how little things have changed in California.

Starlee Kine hit the stage next, one-upped Bucky Sinister who took a heckling last March, and read right off her laptop. Strangely, no one booed her. Is there a bit of a double standard going on with the Progressive audience? She read a story about how she had the chance, but refused, to hug a very cute baby panda bear in China. She has principles.

And finally, Pam Houston read a story called the "Other Woman" who was having something called a lightbulb relationship with the narrator's husband. I have no idea what that means, but neither did her narrator. Maybe you do though. Next month come check it out for yourself. We'll be at the Makeout Room again on June 21st. You’ll hear Andrew Sean Greer, Frank Portman, ZZ Packer and the one and only Eileen Myles. And one more time: Vote No on 98, Yes on 99 if you don’t want to buried under your house.

May 17!!!

2008-05-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 17
A Special Literary Benefit To
SAVE RENT CONTROL

Featuring Authors: Rachel Howard, Pam Houston, Adam Mansbach, David West, Mark Pritchard

Plus: Sticky Notes from This American Life's Starlee Kine
Josh Bearman's Multi-Media Extravaganza
Comedian Nato Green
and The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott
7pm At The Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888 $10-20 sliding scale

2008-05-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Just for Fun

2008-05-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

I found this recently, brought to you by our friends at Smith Magazine, Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser who published six word memoirs in a book called Not Quite What I Was Planning and were with us back in February. It's called Six Words for Bush and is just as much fun. Here's one of my favorites from Marcus in St. Louis, MO. What six words would you like to say to Bush? Send them to Smith Magazine here.

You're Not in Kansas (yet)

2008-04-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

It’s been a busy week since we last convened at the Makeout Room, at least for me. I don’t know about the boys, but I suspect they’re always busy. You know, saving rent control, wrestling gladiators, whatever. So I offer you here a twitter-like version of the events with help from the talented and lovely Michelle Richmond who wrote the unputdownable Year of Fog.

* Laura Fraser planted a Redwood in the Haight (How cool is that?) and does not want to be wearing her Save Rent Control T-shirt next year when she’s living in Kansas.
* Jeff O’Keefe: Thank you for making us feel okay for wanting to have an ice cream sundae in lieu of sex.
* Stephen Elliott does dishes! Hello Stephen, my house?
* Ross Mirkarini has a deep and sexy voice and is the kind of pol we like in SF. That is, one who is in a bar on a Saturday night for a cause he believes in. Thanks for coming out and showing your support, Supervisor.
*Michelle has been hearing strange noises in her house lately and wonders if it’s Charlie’s fault.
* Regarding the All-Star Minstrels: Adam Krefman looks like Joaquin Phoenix and sometimes a young Woody Harrelson. Which movie star does Dan Weiss most resemble? I will be putting up a survey, probably on Facebook, soon. Soon Dan, I promise. In the meantime, check out the song he wrote to save rent control. (Hey, every little bit helps.)
* Message to Yiyun: Just keep writing fiction. Keep it coming. Okay? Thanks.
* Andrew Altschul's book, Lady Lazarus is out now, on the shelves of finer bookstores everywhere and Stephen loves him (in a bromantic way) 9 days out of 10.

Next month is the last chance you’ll have to combine good literature and saving your roof, which reminds me June 3rd: Vote No on 98, Yes on 99, which is the real eminent domain issue. I learned a slogan: it may be silly, (okay, it is silly) 98 we hate, 99 is fine. But if that’ll help you remember, chant it all the way to the voting booth. We’ll see you next month for Mary Roach, David West, Pam Houston, Adam Mansbach, Mark Pritchard, and from This American Life, Josh Bearman and Starlee Kine. Same deal: buy your tickets here and when you’re not living in Kansas this summer you’ll be glad you did.

Poetry For Water

2008-04-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

Straight from friends of the Progressive Reading Series . . .

POETRY FOR WATER

THURSDAY, MAY 1ST, 7:00 PM

An incredible evening with Dave Eggers, Maxine Hong Kingston, Roger Housden, Elizabeth Rosner, Nina Wise, and great music to Bring Clean Water to the Samburu People of Northern Kenya

COWELL THEATRE, FORT MASON
$30 tickets at Fortmason.org/boxoffice
Phone: 415–345–7575

Dave Eggers, best-selling author of What is the What, reading by acclaimed author Maxine Hong Kingston, poetry readings by Roger Housden (author of the Ten Poems series) and poet-novelist Elizabeth Rosner, live music, and performance artist extraordinaire, Nina Wise.

Host/MC: Beth Lisick, author of Helping Me Help Myself

All money raised goes toward building the second of a series of water catchment areas along the migration route of the Samburu people of Northern Kenya, near the border with Ethiopia. The water will save their children from the fatal diseases of polluted water sources, and will also help to sustain the Samburu's fragile nomadic way of life. The groundwork is administered by a global charity, Wherever The Need. David Crosweller, the founder, will be here from London to give a brief talk and slide show on the project.

Photos From March

2008-04-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

Check out these amazing photos from the March Progressive Reading, taken by Alex JB.

Coming Up!

2008-04-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 17
A Special Literary Benefit To
SAVE RENT CONTROL

THE PROGRESSIVE READING SERIES

Featuring Authors: Mary Roach, Pam Houston, Adam Mansbach, David West, Mark Pritchard

Plus: Sticky Notes from This American Life's Starlee Kine
Josh Bearman's Multi-Media Extravaganza
Comedian Nato Green
and The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

Hosted by Stephen Elliott
7pm At The Makeout Room
3225 22nd Street 415 647 2888 $10-20 sliding scale

www.progressivereadingseries.org

The Progressive Reading, April 19

2008-04-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Announcing: The April 19 Progressive Reading

When: Saturday, April 19, 7pm

Where: The Makeout Room- 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco, (415) 647 2888

Price: $10 - $20 sliding scale

Advance Tickets: $20. Paypal to 'tribe AT stephenelliott.com'

All Funds Go To Saving Rent Control!

Readers:

Jane Smiley author of Ten Days In The Hills
Yiyun Li author of A Thousand Years Of Good Prayers
Charlie Anders author of Choir Boy
Michelle Richmond author of The Year Of Fog
Laura Fraser author of An Italian Affair
And Jeff O'Keefe

With special guests- The Progressive Reading Series All Star Minstrels!

And Extra Extra special Guest- Board Of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin!!

Hosted by Stephen Elliott author of Happy Baby

The progressive reading series happens on the third Saturday of every month though the 2008 election at 7pm at the Makeout Room in San Francisco.

We strongly recommend getting tickets in advance as these events sometimes sellout. Advance tickets get priority seating.

On June 3 there will be an initiative on the state ballot disguised as a proposition for eminent domain reform. Hidden inside this bill is a ban on all rent control in the state of California. All funds from the March, April, and May readings will be going to efforts to save rent control.

get on the Progressive Reading email list by sending an email to:

steves_list-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Sacto + Nicole Rivera

2008-04-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

Even in Sacramento, Prop 98 is no good.

On another note, The Progressive Reading Series endorses Progressive Reading volunteer Nicole Rivera for Democratic County Central Committee.

2008-04-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Click here for a high res pdf version of our new poster you can print out. If you would like a full color 11x17 poster to hang in your store or window please send an email to tribe AT stephenelliott.com.

Amy Tan is my new BFF

2008-03-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

What a great time at the Makeout room last Saturday night. Amy Tan rocked the house and apparently gets free clothes just like any other great rock star. Oh wait. She is a rock star. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The event started with Rabih Alemeddine reading from his forthcoming novel, The Hakawati. I can tell you the high praise it’s receiving is no hype. It is some seriously good writing. Rabih read about Osama and his gay uncle, Jihad. I’m not making this up. Only Rabih could. Also in the literary mix were pigeons, the sky of Beirut, magic, locusts, sorcery, Shiites, and an old building with no elevator. Like all cities, Beirut has many layers and Rabih read to us about the Beirut of its people. Which reminds me: Rent control. Let’s keep San Francisco of the people as much as we can. Rabih will be on tour (like any good rock star) in April to support the publication of The Hakawati. Keep your eyes open.

Peter Plate was up next, reciting Chapter 18 from his latest novel, Soon the Rest Will Fall from memory. We cracked up at Peter’s story. Santa, in a stolen suit, three days out of San Quentin and fresh off a tiff with a hooker on Geary, robs a medical marijuana club at Seventh and Market. Only in San Francisco, folks.

Stephen introduced the next writer, Jerry Stahl, by saying it was his book Permanent Midnight that made him want to be a writer and isn’t sure he’ll ever forgive him for that. Jerry read us a love story (despite the “hardass intro”) because sometimes "you have to show your heart a little." The first sentence of that love story is, “I did not mean to sodomize Dick Cheney.” It is the opening story in Sex for America. If you want to find out how it unfolds, pick up a copy. Apparently it only took him six hours to write. Six hours well spent. Also, kudos to Jerry for braving the dizzying lights of the Makeout room. He gave the front row (I was one) a vomit alert. Thanks Jerry, for not getting sick on us and I’m sorry you’ve been audited every year since that story came out. You deserve better. Then Peter Plate came back and gave a brief history of rent control in San Francisco. I swear, that man is a walking library. Basically what it boils down to is, San Francisco adopted rent control in the 70s and money-grubbers have been trying to overrule it in this overpriced city ever since. If any of you happened to be at the meeting hosted in part by the SF Tenants Union at the library that afternoon, you noticed that more than half the people in the room were elderly. And I’m not talking about elderly who are hobnobbing with Barbara Bush either.

Next up was your friend and mine, Bucky Sinister. Poor Bucky took some heckling from the crowd when he read his first piece off his iphone. He defended himself by saying he no longer had the brain cells he used to and certainly not ever as many as Peter Plate. He also set it up for those born in the eighties, “There used to be this thing called the Berlin Wall.” For his next piece he returned to paper and read from his most recent book All Blacked Out And Nowhere to Go, a poem called Elegy for the Old Hunts, about the donut shop in the Mission that used to stay open twenty-five hours and it was a tear jerker. If that seems like a contradiction, you just haven’t read it.

One half of the All Star Minstrels, otherwise known as Dan Weiss, sang to us about missing his dog, his cat, everything. Next month, both halves of the All Star Minstrels. Then Justin Chin hit the stage. I'm embarrassed to admit I had a scuffle with Stephen which caused me to miss the first few minutes of Justin's reading. I had to hide my head in shame and laughter. Sorry Justin, we’ll try to be better behaved next time. It’s hard to fix a mike and a rug at the same time. What I did hear though, I loved. What I learned: you shouldn’t ask Gertrude Stein for directions because eventually you will need to get there. Wise words.

And then came Amy Tan, the only Progressive author (so far) who has also been on the Simpsons. Amy gave us insight into her mind via her closet— things that she wouldn’t normally disclose unless under hypnosis (her words—not mine). Upon the straightening of her clothes she realized “I buy the same things over and over again,” and suddenly my mind flashed on the three black cardigans in my own closet. Later at the Uptown, it was revealed to me (by Rabih) that Amy Tan carries a whole medical kit in her fancy evening bag and if someone came up (theoretically) and stabbed me, Amy could suture me up in a second. I asked Amy if that was true, “Well, I’d snap a quick picture first,” she quipped. Let it be known that Amy Tan has many skills, writing being only one of them, but I hope she never has to stitch me up.

Stephen Elliott closed the evening by saying, “You all just participated in democracy. Wasn’t that easy?” It was, so we’ll see you next month when we’ll welcome Jane Smiley, Michelle Richmond, Yiyun Li, Charlie Anders, Jeff O’Keefe and don’t forget, both halves of the All Star Minstrels.

In closing, I’d like to take a moment concerning the rumors that a certain reclusive and perhaps curmudgeonly author from New England will be gracing the Progressive stage this season. At this point I can neither confirm nor deny, but you are well advised to stay tuned to this station for more information.

Anthony Swofford and the IVAW

2008-03-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

Anthony Swofford, whose read for the Progressive Reading, attended the Iraq Veterans Against The War Winter Soldier event and wrote it up in Slate.

The March 15 Progressive Reading

2008-03-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Announcing: The March 15 Progressive Reading

A Special Benefit To Save Rent Control In San Francisco

When: Saturday, March 15, 7pm
Where: The Makeout Room – 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco
Price: $10 - $20 sliding scale ($5 if you make less than 25K)

EVERYBODY ATTENDING GETS A SAVE RENT CONTROL T-SHIRT! (different from last months)

Readers

Amy Tan author of Saving Fish From Drowning and The Joy Luck Club
Jerry Stahl author of Love Without and Permanent Midnight
Justin Chin author of Gutted
Bucky Sinister author of What Happens In Narnia Stays In Narnia
Peter Plate author of Snitch Factory
Rabih Alameddine author of I, The Divine

Hosted by Stephen Elliott

We strongly recommend getting tickets in advance as these events sometimes sellout. Advance tickets get priority seating. Purchase tickets in advance by sending $20 per person through Paypal to tribe@stephenelliott.com. If you can't afford $20 but want to buy advance tickets send me an email.

NPR and the SF Tenants Union

2008-03-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Michael Krazny at KQED did a whole show on rent control recently. Take a listen while you read below...

Straight from the San Francisco Tenants Union website:

Save Rent Control!

Learn About Prop 98 & How You Can Help Defeat The Rent Control Repeal Measure On The June Ballot

Citywide Tenants Convention
Saturday, March 15, 1 PM, Main Library, Koret Auditorium

Tenants from across the city will be coming together on March 15, 1 PM at the Main Library, Koret Auditorium to learn about Prop 98 and to get plugged into the campaign against Prop 98. If you want to save rent control, please come--we need your help!

June Election: Save Rent Control!

Vote NO on 98 to Save Rent Control!

Proposition 98 on the June ballot is disguised as a measure to reform eminent domain laws. The measure's real target, though, is rent control. It would repeal and ban any rent control, as well as other measures promoting affordable housing such as inclusionary affordable housing laws. The competing measure to save rent control—Proposition 99—lets voters choose real eminent domain reform, without any hidden agenda like rent control repeal. Proposition 99 also takes the eminent domain reform issue away from right-wing groups, which have been trying to use the eminent domain reform issue as a mask to attack consumer and environmental regulations. Plus Prop 99 has a poison pill, invalidating the rent control repeal measure is 98 wins.

Click here to get to the SF Tenants Union homepage for more information.

And...

2008-03-05T07:22:00.001-08:00

Hey, I know it's a Rabih love fest going on. But don't forget Amy Tan is reading March 15. Amy Tan! When was the last time you got to see Amy Tan for the price of a very good looking, politically meaningful t-shirt? And Jerry Stahl is coming from Los Angeles. Have you read Permanent Midnight? It's a classic. Add to that Justin Chin, Bucky Sinister, and Peter Plate. I think this will be one of the best readings we've had since Jonathan Ames and Jennifer Traig took out Andy Greer and Daniel Handler in full contact jello wrestling at the June, 2006 reading.

You might want to consider getting advanced tickets...

Also, something to look forward to. Yiyun Li will be joining us for the April 19 reading.

Dublit, More on Rabih Alameddine, and don't forget you're getting a new shirt this month

2008-03-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our good friends at Dublit, you can hear all the Progressive Readings here. Listening to them will make you want to come out on March 15th for Rabih Alameddine. I don't know what he'll be reading from, but I got my hands on a copy of his book, I, the Divine and I can't believe how great it is. How did I not know this book existed? And don't forget you'll score yourself another shirt as well as see Jerry Stahl, Justin Chin, Amy Tan, Peter Plate, and Bucky Sinister in person.

Next event in the Progressive Reading Series: March 15

2008-02-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

Get ready for a spectacular March reading, that includes novelist Rabih Alameddine. Rabih's fourth novel, The Hakawati, comes out in April, and it's already getting rave reviews. Kirkus calls The Hakawati "a dizzying, prodigal display of storytelling overabundance" and Publisher's Weekly says "Alameddine's storytelling ingenuity seems infinite."

Then there's Junot Díaz, who says of The Hakawati, "Here is absolute beauty. One of the finest novels I’ve read in years."

Don't miss Rabih—along with Amy Tan, Peter Plate, Jerry Stahl, Justin Chin, and Bucky Sinister. Another great Progressive Reading, coming March 15. Below is the poster for that date, in all its glory.

Rebecca Lichtenfeld

2008-02-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

Great news. Rebecca Lichtenfeld has decided to join us and play a couple of songs at the August reading. She's a musician and human rights advocate, working closely with Peter Gabriel and his Voice Of Witness foundation. She's performed with Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, and the B-52s. None of that tells the story of Rebecca's magnatism and commitment to progressive causes. You'll have to come see it for yourself.

Even more great news, Matthew Klam will be joining us for the September reading.

Save all rent control (not just Steve's)

2008-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone, homeowners and renters alike, who came out to support rent control last Saturday night. Our brave host, Stephen Elliott, gave us his reason for supporting rent control; I believe it was a flat at 19th and Gurerro, but let me make it clear: We all have a stake in this. If Prop 98 passes in June I might not end up seeking shelter in a doorway on Market Street, but that’s just me. Not only does a rent control repeal threaten to overpopulate doorways everywhere, it aims that threat at the city’s most vulnerable populations: the elderly, the disabled, those without support systems in place. The exodus of renters that Prop 98 would facilitate would make all of San Francisco look like the Marina. (And who wants to live there? Not me. Seriously, it’s so far away from everything.) And aren't there enough people being forced out of their homes already?

With that in mind, Colm Toibin took the stage and told us how renters in his native Dublin lost the battle and well, nobody can afford to live there anymore. Oh, and his glasses weren’t broken; they came that way. He unfolded them, popped them on and read a story about a juvenile detention center, with one gruesome scene relating the pulling of a tooth using a pair of pliers. Now, you may or may not remember, my teeth hurt when Tobias Wolff read last month— that was sheer anxiety. This month it was sympathy pain. While Toibin read, I could actually feel my gums tightening around my incisors. I’m not kidding.

Next up was Vendela Vida, co founder of 826 Valencia, which always deserves a link. In between reading her story, Soleil, available in a new collection edited by Zadie Smith, called The Book of Other People, (proceeds benefit 826NYC, which also deserves a link) and also has stories by Nick Hornby and George Saunders. Vendela told us the genesis of the story; a teenage girl growing up in California had wayward Swedish au pairs invading her bedroom— someone to look up to, who was cooler than mom—and who steered her wrong, very wrong, in important matters, such as hair and fashion. Beware the au pair!

Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser came up next and showed up how to do the Six Word Memoir Slam from their new book Not Quite What I Was Planning. (They also got a nice write up in this week's New Yorker Talk of the Town.) Local literati including Daniel Handler, Joe Loya and Elizabeth Bernstein shared their six word memoirs with the crowd. Stephen Colbert’s six-word memoir: Well, I thought it was funny.

Next came, all the way from Canada, by way of New York, Michelle Orange. She read about her recent trip to Beirut. Yes, Beirut. Here’s a bit of gallows humor, a joke told to her by her tour guide— an Israeli general threatened, at the beginning of the 2006 war to turn Lebanon’s clock back twenty years, but that was the best news the women had heard in decades. Why not go for thirty? Also toward the end of her piece when our heroine was last seen exiting a museum, a large plume of smoke begins rising in the air. A U.S. Embassy car had been blown up. The bomb was detonated a breath too soon, and only injured the car’s passenger and driver. But the three people who happened to be passing by were dead. A soldier from a nearby checkpoint came to search Michelle’s bag and asked where she was staying. “You should go back now,” he said. “I would leave here if I were you.” I have to say also, that the usual bar chatter, which can be annoying, was absent while Michelle was reading. We were all listening very closely.

Steve Almond, who quit his teaching job at Boston College, thanks to Condi Rice’s invitation to speak at commencement, (which he said was not really an act of conscience, rather a spasm of disgust) read a series of letters he received as part of the fallout. Here’s an excerpt from Nathan’s, a young pen pal: Hey asshole, maybe you’re just upset because Rice has bigger balls than you. Steve read his replies in a dry voice: Dear Nathan . . . Check out the podcasts for the (almost) full effect. What I mean is, you had to be there; luckily we have the podcasts for the next best thing (and posterity). Lest you think Steve Almond is only full of glib commentary, he ended his reading on a poignant note. It's not all fun and games at the Progressive Reading Series, folks. The full story of Almond's decision, er, spasm of disgust, can be found in his new book, Not That You Asked, from which I feel obligated to quote these two sentences, “I had quit my part-time job. It was a testament to the political lethargy of the country that such a pissant gesture would excite adulation in the first place.”

Charles D’Ambrosio read two short pieces of nonfiction, One about the halfway house in Seattle where his brother, Mike, who is schizophrenic, has lived in for 12 years— it’s closing. The house is, according to D’Ambrosio, a shithole. However, it’s where his brother’s friends are and upon the closing, they’ll be scattered. What he read was letters Mike would write to the whole family like this: Dear______ and just fill in the names. One especially lovely line from Mike, “I am fine as a blade of grass,” which made think of this from the Talmud, “Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘Grow, grow.’”

If you missed it, you still have your chance next month to raise even more money to save rent control. We will again convene at the Makeout Room, on March 15th and it’s the same deal—you can get your tickets in advance by sending twenty bucks to tribe@stephenelliott.com or take your chances at the door (good luck with that). You’ll also score yourself another (different) groovy shirt. We’ll be hearing from the lovable, the irascible Bucky Sinister; the charming Peter Plate; the fabulous Justin Chin; the one and only Amy Tan; mastermind Jerry Stahl and Rabih Alameddine, about whom I know nothing, but Junot Diaz, whom I trust, says this about his book The Hakawati, “Here is absolute beauty. One of the finest novels I’ve read in years.” See you there.

Event Number 3

2008-02-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

Announcing: The March 15 Progressive Reading
A Special Benefit to Save Rent Control in San Francisco
www.ProgressiveReadingSeries.org

When: Saturday, March 15, 7pm
Where: The Make Out Room – 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco
Price: $10 - $20 sliding scale

On June 3 there will be a proposition on the state ballot disguised as Eminent Domain reform. Hidden inside this bill is a ban on all rent control in the state of California. All funds from the March, April, and May readings will go to efforts to Save Rent Control.

EVERYBODY ATTENDING GETS A SAVE RENT CONTROL T-SHIRT!
(A different one from last month's event...)

Readers

Amy Tan author of Saving Fish from Drowning and The Joy Luck Club
Jerry Stahl author of Love Without and Permanent Midnight
Justin Chin author of Gutted
Bucky Sinister author of What Happens in Narnia Stays in Narnia
Peter Plate author of Snitch Factory
Rabih Alameddine author of The Hakawati

Hosted by Stephen Elliott author of Happy Baby and editor of Sex For America

The Progressive Reading Series happens on the third Saturday of every month though the 2008 election at 7pm at the Make Out Room in San Francisco.

We strongly recommend getting tickets in advance as these events sometimes sell out. Advance ticket holders get priority seating. Purchase tickets in advance by sending $20 per person through Paypal to tribe@stephenelliott.com.

Get on the Progressive Reading email list by sending an email to:
steves_list-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

More information on the Hidden Agenda Scheme

Photos

2008-02-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to our Flickr page, where we have photos from the last event and will continue to post pictures in the future. It can also be found in our "Links" section to the right. Enjoy!

Andrew's Lady Lazarus

2008-02-10T08:20:00.001-08:00

Progressive Reading Series co-host, Andrew Altschul, has a website and a hot new novel coming out in April.

Event Number Two

2008-02-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here is the poster (designed by Ellen Gould) for the second event on February 16th. Click it, print it, post it, hug it, love it. And then, of course, buy tickets and come to the event!

Why We Love Ellen

2008-01-31T17:21:00.000-08:00

Here's what the t-shirts we're giving away February 16 are going to look like. Feel free to use this image for your own purposes. Designed by the amazing Ellen Gould.

This Progressive Life

2008-01-31T16:37:00.000-08:00

We are working on posting some of the recordings from the first reading as embedded doohickeys for your clicking pleasure, but in the meantime, here is a link to Tobias Wolff reading Say Yes. This link is also listed in the "links" section, oddly enough. There will be more readings posted here and there as the fine people at Dublit clean them up a bit.

Also, read Steve's post below for a very important heads-up about rent control, evil developers, and t-shirts.

Feb. 16 Event

2008-01-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

Special Announcement:

All funds from the February 16 reading will be going to efforts to save rent control in San Francisco. Didn't know that was an issue? Well, that's exactly the problem. On June 3 there will be an initiative on the ballot disguised as a proposition for eminent domain reform. Hidden inside this bill is a ban on all rent control in the state of California. The people behind Proposition 98, aka "the hidden agenda bill" are a particularly evil group of developers and big property owners along with the malicious Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association. If this proposition passes it will effect 350,000 residents in San Francisco. The time to start raising awareness is now. With that in mind we'll be making t-shirts, buttons, posters, etc. I'm advancing the money myself and paying myself back out of the door take.

EVERYBODY ATTENDING FEBRUARY 16 GETS A T-SHIRT!

For advance tickets please paypal $20 per person to "tribe AT stephenelliott.com". Or you can pay at the door, $10 to $20 sliding scale. But we always recommend getting tickets in advance because we often sell out (especially with this month's incredible lineup) and it makes it easier for us so people with advance tickets are let in first.

Where: The Makeout Room
When: 7pm, Saturday, February 16

The February 16 Progressive Reading features:

Vendela Vida author of Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name
Steve Almond author of Not That You Asked
Colm Toibin author of Mothers And Sons
Michelle Orange author of The Sicily Papers
Charles D' Ambrosio author of The Dead Fish Museum
and The Six Word Memoir Slam with Larry Smith

The progressive reading series happens on the third Saturday of every month though the 2008 election at 7pm at the Makeout Room in San Francisco.

get on the Progressive Reading email list by sending an email to:
steves_list-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

***

One more thing. The June 3 is a particularly poorly attended ballot, which is why they snuck their proposition onto this date. To make sure you vote in this crucial election please register to vote by mail. You're not going to believe how much easier it is to vote once you do this.

Announcing the February 16 Lineup...

2008-01-25T12:29:00.002-08:00

Don't miss the second event in the 2008 Progressive Reading Series, Feb. 16 at the Make Out Room. Catch readings by Charles D'Ambrosio, Vendela Vida, Colm Toibin, Steve Almond, and Michelle Orange.

In January, we raised close to $2,000 for Charlie Brown. Help us raise even more at the next event!

The First

2008-01-21T16:41:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Progressive Reading Series kicked off at the Make Out Room on January 19th, in support of Charlie Brown who is running for congress in California’s Fourth District, (that’s east of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, and all the way up to the Oregon border). The first reader was Adam Johnson, who read a Casablanca-like story set in North Korea, which ended with a chilling sentence about having to build a fence to keep people from throwing themselves at the electric one. Thanks for that image, Adam.

Next up, Ali Liebegott. Ali began by telling a story how she had to replace her social security card recently (her dog ate it and I believe her). Anyway, and I didn’t fact check this, because it’s a blog, not real journalism, but what Ali found out is that Americans are allowed to lose their social security card 10 times before the government cracks down on them. Ten times! Pretty liberal for a government that often makes getting a doctor’s appointment for a simple checkup a red tape KGB nightmare. But what happens on the eleventh? Can they refuse you a new card? Are you forced to move to Canada? Ali and I pondered this during the intermission, but came up with no answers. As for her piece, from her novel The IHOP Papers, it was great. Ali has a charming presence and let us know just because you request a book at the library on famous gay people throughout history doesn’t make you gay. Really. I also asked Ali what it was like to have a book dedicated to her (Michelle Tea’s fabulous Rose of No Man’s Land in case you didn’t know). “Really sweet,” was her answer. I asked her if she was like Trisha Driscoll, the main character in Tea’s book, or like Francesca, the main character in The IHOP Papers. Answers: No and no. Should you read either book? Yes and yes.

Nato Green took the stage next as the official comedian of The Progressive Reading Series. He’s also the official comedian of the Vegan Cooking Series by the way. What we learned from him: Hilary isn’t a progressive and having the the Burning Man vote doesn’t really mean anything. Witness Matt Gonzalez, the man who should be our mayor.

Our host, Stephen Elliott was up next stating that Caroline Paul is hot and she is. He left out the part about her being a great writer though. She is. Stephen read a story called Any Soldier. What we took away from it: War is not a video game. Why do some people persist in treating it like one, though? A question to ponder. Jami Attenberg came up next, on tour from New York to support her new novel, The Kept Man. Jamie read an excellent piece from Sex for America: Politically Inspired Fiction, edited by Stephen, set in the future where cars are illegal (except for in Los Angeles, with the condition they still crank out the entertainment.) “Sometimes,” her character muses, “I miss oil,” On the up side though, her character hadn’t ever been caught in rush hour traffic.

Walter Kirn, former Mormon, stated he never thought he’d see someone he saw in church as a kid within striking distance of the presidency. In addition to his own piece, and stating that “Hilary is not a progressive,” he read The Crowd at the Ball Game, by William Carlos Williams, likening the experience described in the poem as similar to the Nevada Primary.

And finally, the Bard. Tobias Wolff. Andrew Foster Altschul gave a fitting introduction for Wolff saying there is no equivalent to Poet Laureate for fiction writers, (and just why is that anyway?) but if there were, Tobias Wolff would surely deserve the honor. And so Vietnam veteran, sterling writer, high commander of the short story and man with charisma, Tobias Wolff took the stage. He read Say Yes, a story about a husband and wife washing the dishes together that was wrought with so much tension my teeth started to hurt. Husband and wife washing the dishes. Mundane, yet the foundation of their relationship has been shattered with an offhand question asked over the sink.

If anything, and I mean anything, written here makes you wish you were there, come out to the next Progressive Reading on February 16, again at the Makeout Room. On the bill will be Michelle Orange, Vendela Vida, Charles D’Ambrosio, Steve Almond, Colm Toibin, Jeff O’Keefe, plus the Six Word Memoir Slam. What could be better than that? Not much. Advance tickets available at actblue.com.

2008-01-11T16:43:00.001-08:00

Below is our beautiful poster for the first Progressive Reading Series event of 2008, designed by the amazing Ellen Gould. The first event takes place on January 19th at the Makeout Room. Click it for a larger image which you can print out. Please check out our links section for more info on tickets, the venue, and coming soon, more writers' information.

2008-01-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

The Progressive Reading Series is a monthly literary reading which raises money for progressive candidates in the 2008 elections. Though most readings are in San Francisco the contributions made at these events go to candidates all over the country who are challenging right-wing incumbents.

The San Francisco series happens on the third Saturday of every month through the 2008 elections at 7pm at the Makeout Room. It is a Party Progressive event, hosted by Stephen Elliott author of Happy Baby and editor of Sex for America.

For advance tickets, visit Act Blue.

Here is the San Francisco 2008 Schedule:

Jan 19: Tobias Wolff, Walter Kirn, Jami Attenberg, Ali Liebegott, Adam Johnson

Feb 16: Charles D'Ambrosio, Vendela Vida, Michelle Orange, Steve Almond, Colm Toibin—plus, The Six Word Memoir Slam

March 15: Amy Tan, Jerry Stahl, Justin Chin, Bucky Sinister, Peter Plate, Rabih Alameddine

April 19: Michelle Richmond, Jane Smiley, Yiyun Li, Charlie Anders, Jeff O'Keefe—with music by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

May 17: Pam Houston, Adam Mansbach, Mary Roach, David West, Rachel Howard, Mark Pritchard, with multi-media by Josh Bearman and Starlee Kine

June 21: Eileen Myles, Andrew Sean Greer, ZZ Packer, Helena Echlin, Lorelei Lee + The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels

July 19: Neal Pollack, Tara Jepsen, Doug Dorst, Frank Portman, Ethan Canin, Po Bronson

August 16: Jonathan Franzen, Davy Rothbart, Tom Barbash, Michelle Tea, Matthew Eck, April Sinclair

September 20: Daniel Handler, Aimee Bender, Glen David Gold, Jane Ganahl, Katie Crouch

October 8: Joe Loya, Chris Cook, Lisa Margonelli, Will Durst