Posted inUncategorized

The Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen

Tea Krulos interviews cartoonist Denis Kitchen

“Why don’t you publish comics by women?” they said sternly. “There aren’t very many good women cartoonists,” I stupidly responded. They inched their chairs toward me again. “I’ll look harder,” I promised. The intimidation continued. Finally, one of them, I believe it was Jennie Orvino Sorcic, a local poet with prominent breasts, produced a copy of Mom’s Homemade Comics. “Why do you draw women with large breasts?” she demanded. I wanted to say with a smirk, “I draw what I see,” but was scared shitless and instead apologized for the error of my ways.

Posted inCommentary & Opinion

Police Against Peace: An Open Letter to Chief Jones

by Dasha Kelly

I am writing you this letter to make you aware of an egregious insult and disservice your officers of the 7th District levied against the City’s young people last week. . . . In support of their efforts, Mecca assisted with media relations for the event and extended our venue for an under-21 “after party” and fundraiser later that evening. When I arrived to unlock the building for Teen Poetry at 7 p.m., however, a police officer (Sgt. Marshall) was waiting for me. He said that Cpt. Ruzinski had instructed him to “make sure this [event] doesn’t happen.”

Posted inNeighborhood News

Bikes for Tykes Program Launches

The kid rode up to the back of the shop every day, looking to fill up the tires on the Barbie bike. For weeks it continued, until Mario Costantini realized the little girl with a brightly-colored forest of beads and little braids on her head was a nine-year old boy named Tyrese, just desperate enough for a bike that he’d risk the taunts and teasing for riding a girl’s bike in his Riverwest neighborhood.