In 1957, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet and owner of the City Lights bookstore in San Francisco and another employee were charged with obscenity for publishing and selling the collection Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg. Specifically, the prosecutors charged that the poem "Howl" itself, due to it's use of vulgar language, was obscene and unfit for the public's consideration. (Judge for yourself if it is by clicking here.)
Starting today, I'm beginning a new, semi-regular, series of reviews on Beat Literature. I'll be covering the various works (novels, poems, essays) of Beat Generation writers and artists like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs and Gregory Corso, among others, as well as writers who either influenced them (like Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Miller) or were themselves influenced by the Beats (Bob Dylan; Ken Kesey). Various manifestations (critical; artistic) of Beat Culture, like the recent 2010 film Howl, with James Franco as Ginsberg, will also be covered. First up for review is the previously long awaited 2007 release of Jack Kerouac's On The Road: The Original Scroll.
The state of Connecticut has had the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) set up to "safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut". P&A helps persons with disabilities understand and exercise their rights on any disability-related issue or situation. For more details, click here to access their site.
State and federal tax forms and booklets will no longer be mailed to taxpayers this year due to the high number of people filing their returns online (according to the IRS). The State of Connecticut, according to this article, will not be sending out forms and booklets in order to be "more efficient with taxpayers' dollars".
Human Resource Executive Online has an article on a new service set up to assist job hunters that starts today. Called StartWire, the new service is designed to allow job seekers to touch base with contacts that can help them set up interview, as well as devise a list of target companies to aim for. StartWire basically allows job seekers to create their own private social network with contacts ("real friends") for help in finding the right postions. For more information, read the article here.
Sometime in the 21st century, Earth's atmosphere has fallen prey to an extreme case of global warming, making it impossible to live outdoors. The United Nations now runs Earth and has colonized various moons and planets in the solar system, "drafting" settlers from Earth to populate these colonies. Meanwhile, the P.P. Layouts corporation has the interplanetary concession to produce bizarre "Perky Pat" doll sets which, in conjunction with the ingesting of a substance called Can-D, can allow colonists to "transfer" themselves into the dolls (Pat for females, Pat's "boyfriend" Walt for males) and imagine a more happy life than the one they're actually leading in their respective communities.
The Connecticut Behavioral Health Network of Care has posted an online directory of services that are set up to assist people with disabilities in the state. The directory can be accessed by clicking here. Services listed are grouped under various headings like Issues, Parking Permits and Support Groups, among others. Check them out if you get a chance.
Dress For Success is a non-profit organization that provides business attire, a support network and career development resources for women either entering or re-entering the work force. The organization, whose local affiliate is in Fairfield, assists and "promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women" from all walks of life. Their web site can be found here.
