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 05/23/07 The latest issue of Radical Teacher is out with my short article on pedagogical strategies for approaching Walt Whitman's, "I Sing the Body Electic." Go to Issue 78 and scroll down for Teaching Notes.

 "Have you ever loved the body of a woman? / Have you ever loved the body of a man? / Do you not see that these are exactly the same to all in all nations/
and times all over the earth?"  - WW                                                                                 

 05/22/07 I am happy to announce that my good friend Andrea Slattery McCracken has just given birth to her second child, a healthy baby boy named Callum Connor McCracken, whom they will call Cal. (Sorry Dre to have recycled this picture so many times! It's not so current.)

  05/11/07 - 05/20 Theo's seventeen year old sister Tempest came to stay with us for the week.  We had a wonderful time going to Mary Poppins on Broadway, eating Ethiopian, watching movies, and just hanging out. Theo sure loves his big sis (as do I.) Tempest also had an immersion in the college experience, spending the week with me at BCC. I already miss her!

P.s. Tempest had a thing for Kobe...

Sometime on Spring 07 BCC had it's bi-yearly poetry slam and, dang, there is some great talent at this campus.  We have also started a Creative Writing Club with colleague Professor Sandra Tarlin as my co-faculty advisor.  Our president is a wonderful student from my Honors English 12 class named Shanell. I look forward to the club and our literary magazine taking off and taking shape in '07 - '08.

  04/04/07 A couple days ago Dave was a talking head on MSNBC defending freedom of speech and, to quote a friend, "pounding the drum of democracy."  He was called in last minute to speak about a "controversy" of a chocolate Jesus and a Barak Obama Jesus featured in small galleries over the Easter holiday.  It was a short segment, but he did us defenders of civil liberties proud with his sane, calm, clear talk. I will try to find a link or some quotes.  The exhibit of the chocolate Jesus was, sadly, cancelled.  A very Christian friend of mine joked, "What's the problem? My two great loves finally coming together!"  (Pictured above it looks as if Chocolate Jesus is melting.  He has a very long torso.

  03/17/07 An article about my mother, Gigi Bolt, from Theater Communications Group, can be read here.

  02/24/07 I'M 40 BABY! What a fun bash at The Havana Room. We had an open bar and way too many appetizers. Dave arranged for a yummy cake through The Art Institute.  I had one or two representatives from many of the eras of my ever-lengthening life (though no one from LA, alas...)  Both my parents came and had a nice time catching up with each other, which was a rare and satisfying treat for me.  Gigi at one point held my paternal little sis Lila, and remarked enthusiastically how lovely and delightful she is, which of course is apparent to all. The Youngmans and The Thorntons traveled from Philly.  My old professor Mary Wolf came from New Mexico, where I did my second Masters degree. A college pal from Bard, Randi, was there along with her husband and kids. A few of my lovely new co-workers from Bronx Community College made appearances, as well as a couple of my mom's friends. Donna was there of course, as well as several people from The United Nation International School, where I attended from 6th through 12th grade. Naturally, Faridoun was the DJ -- though these days he uses an iPod. Caitlin, my friend since third grade was there,and brought her hubby, both kids and her daughter's friend. Theo and Sean (Cat's son) hung out at the bar, drinking pop, and later helped Donna with a treasure hunt for the various little ones.  Van Youngman gave a toast detailing my two Nobel Prizes and insisting I had another on the way.  Below are some more pics.

                                 The Havana Room outside and in:         

Theo makes it through the velvet ropes with a big smile.  Lila and Dave.  Lyn and Dave solve world peace. Or not.

A ponderous pops. This guy has a daughter who is forty and another who is four! No wonder... Ryan and Lyn take in the sounds and sights.

 . Moi with Rich, etc.  What is Randi thinking?

                                                                              The above pictures are courtesy of Van Youngman

                                                     Click here for excellent large scale party pictures taken by Rich Faron

02/21/07 For my "real" birthday Dave and Theo surprised me with cards, tulips, very creative signs, and a videotaped message on the computer.  (Also, a jar of icing -- always the most worthy party of any birthday cake!) A few days later Dave took me to The Daily Show, where Al Sharpton was a surprise guest.  But the real blowout was Feb 24, at The Havana Room, a private party room in Manhattan.

 02/12/07  This is always a big day. It is the birthday of three important people in my life. My mom. My childhood pal's hubby Rich Faron. And another childhood friend Natalie Dorset.  For my mom's birthday, Dave, Theo and I took her out to dinner.  Rich and Natalie both turned 40, so had bigger blowouts.  Hopefully photos will follow before too long. We just celebrated Natalie's this past weekend (March 3rd) since she spent most of February in Carnival.  Rich's party was themed -- white trash or 80s.

11/21/06 A couple weeks ago I flew to Atlanta to spend the weekend with my cousin, her hubby, and their new baby: Alexander Gibson Sandhaus.  Gibson is the maiden name of our mothers.  So below you can behold Alex.  My tiny family now has three in the younger generation.  This one is another looker!

Here's the new Mom:   The new Dad helps Alex discover his hands:   And cuteness abounds:      

             Proud Aunt Julie administers a feeding:  And generally dotes:        

Picked this up at the airport, so the l'il guy can represent:  Seems the maternal fam had the same idea about their alma mater,

i.e. Jayhawk socks:

 10/25/06  Meet Bobby the Scarecrow, thusly named by my l'il sister Lila Bolt.  Bobby, as you no doubt glean, is a randy chap, with derelict tendencies, and an obvious lush. I'm afraid that Donna, Theo, Lila, and I are responsible for unleashing Billy and his inevitable tomfoolery onto the unsuspecting good folk of Bloomfield, NJ. 

  10/06/06 I have been truly derelict in updating this site!  I'll start with my trip to Sweden, where I spent six days with my old friend Aisha, her dad Carl, her daughter, and their extended family.  Sweden is an admirable country both socially and politically.  The government has been pro-immigration over the last couple decades, and has excellent social services. The city of Stockholm is a lively cosmopolitan city, without the extremes of poverty and wealth.  Apparently, in the elections since my visit, there has been conservative backlash.  I hope the country doesn't regress since it really is a model social democracy. 

    Anyway, back to my visit, it was a beautiful time of year -- and being with old friends is good for the soul.  We mostly hung out, but also took a boat trip to the gorgeous island Holmvox.  We went to a great nightclub, barbequed, celebrated Carl's 72nd birthday, eat at some great Middle Eastern joints, shopped -- and I discovered Lingonberry jam.  Yum!  As icing on the cake, I was bumped to first class on the flight back, and let me tell you, I was pampered.  As much as I dislike flying, I very much like first-class on Scandinavian Air!

Since returning, I started the Fall semester at Bronx Community College.  I was glad to get back to work, since I am sometimes less productive when I have more time on my hands.  I struggled with some poems, including a rather ambitious one inspired by Afrika Bambaata and New York City in the 1980s. (I’ve temporarily put it aside.) I also wrote another short article for Radical Teacher -- this one about strategies for using Whitman's poem "The Body Electric" in the classroom.  It should come out in about a year.