The cookbook publishing business hasn't been real lucrative lately, so I decided to get a real job. While I could sit around the office and play on the Internet all day, my creditors have this pesky attitude that I should actually PAY my bills. Not only that, but I have a jones to deal with. It's called food. I admit it. I eat every day. Sometimes several times a day.

I need cash.

I tried whoring myself on the street corner. Didn't work. My only prospect was a Moms Mabley look-alike who said something like, «Oooooo baby! I be lovin' some o' that young stuff!» I gave HER money just for calling me 'young'.

Being a printer, I thought maybe I could print up some 10s and 20s, but the U.S. Treasury Department frowns on anyone other than the government printing money. What the hell is wrong with a little competition? That's the American way, right? Those silly boys at Treasury don't look at it as competition. They seem to think it's a crime or something, so they fight tooth and nail to keep it all for themselves.

I'd probably get caught if I counterfeited anyway. I'm not a very good liar. I can see me in a store somewhere, trying to pass a bill I printed that morning…

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None. Both would like to be our moral police and force their extreme views on society. The tali-bigots from Missouri and on down to Tupelo are working to set straight the immoral residents of Eureka Springs. And yes, that includes our artists!

An article in a newsletter that I wrote for the artist registry was published in a local newspaper. It was a rather lengthy «year in review» story about events and accomplishments of Eureka's art community during 2007. A letter was written to the editor of the paper questioning why «I (Zeek) hoped that art would bring Peace and joy to the world in 2008.»

Although the author of the letter said he was bothered by the statement, it seemed to me like a rather harmless wish that no one would possibly object to. However the author of the letter responding to my writing did object. He apparently feels that some public art, primarily at the Artery, is and has been offensive to Christian families visiting Eureka Springs. How then could I possibly think art could bring Peace and joy?

You know what? I do not have any say so on what hangs at the Artery and I don't want to make those selections. And heck, I haven't a clue as to the response of Christian families to the art there or to any art. They, Christian families, certainly haven't told me how they feel. I do know that my own artwork has been purchased by many a good Christian and I am thankful for that.

The letter writer went on to accuse the art community of being hate-mongers and of being intolerant. He did this after prefacing his viewpoints by saying he hadn't attended the events, etc. mentioned in my article. I'm doubtful he even knows an artist. How dare he paint us all with his broad brush of prejudicial assumptions. And too, I know lots of artists that are Christians and many of them are my friends.

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Fayetteville writer and cable talk-show host Richard Drake gives a no-star rating to the American Family Association's hate-based travelogue about Eureka Springs on his Arkansas Times blog.

«They're Coming to Your Town» tells the story of this small Christian oriented community that was invaded - invaded, I say! - by hordes of godless folk in the 1960s and 1970s. Little by little, they stepped out of the closet and wrenched control of this sleepy burg out of the hands of the holy and into the hands of those who worship at the altar of «diversity.»

Read the entire review here:

Today Eureka Springs - tomorrow Fayetteville and Bentonville?

Popularity: 23% [?]

*** UPDATED 1/31/08 - WEATHER CHANGES ***

» Click for details

Eureka Springs, AR: Simply, The Place To Be...Really!

The Eureka Gras - Mardi Gras Extravaganza is without a doubt the most outrageous event in Eureka Springs, second only to Diversity!

Eureka Gras has requested the Gay Community be part of this Wild and Krazy celebration!

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The Eureka Springs City Council seems to have been afflicted with collective amnesia regarding the Domestic Partnership Registry.

Despite deliberately setting aside time during a January 14 meeting to review its 2007 accomplishments, the council made nary a

mention of last year's historic enactment of the only Domestic Partnership Registry in the state. Having approved the measure unanimously on three separate occasions, the council was more than happy to take credit for it at the time.

Although Gay News Bureau gently reminded the council of its oversight immediately after the January 14 meeting, no mention of the DPR was made at the January 28 meeting, either.

The silence on the subject has become deafening. And disappointing.

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The dedicated corps of bedroom police at the Arkansas Family Council have announced their petition drive to put the Arkansas Adoption and Foster Care Act on the ballot. If passed, the initiative will prevent Arkansas adoptive and foster children from being placed with unmarried couples. As the act puts it:

... a minor may not be adopted or placed in a foster home if the individual seeking to adopt or to serve as a foster parent is cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage...the foregoing prohibition applies equally to cohabiting opposite-sex and same-sex individuals.

That's right, all you «One Man/One Woman» folk. The Arkansas Family Council means you. Just when you thought choosing heterosexuality would keep you safe from the prying eyes of Dr. James Dobson, here comes the Arkansas Family Council. «They're coming to your bedroom,» straight people... with a pair of binoculars and a clipboard. And we don't care what you're doing in there but, whatever it is, you'd better have a license to practice.

If you've spent your life as a member of the heterosexual majority, it may take you a while to get used to the idea that your personal life requires supervision. You may think that maturity, a stable relationship, a responsible job and a 700+ credit score are sufficient evidence of good character. No. Sorry. The Arkansas Family Council (AFC) knows better.

According to the AFC, the only criteria for successful parenthood is marriage... unless you're single. Married couples can adopt. Single people can adopt. The only people who are too incompetent to raise a child are the folks who cohabit «with a sexual partner outside of a marriage.»

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After ranting last week like a banshee gone wild, this week I will rave concerning the promise of co-operative efforts by all segments of the community to promote the arts of Eureka Springs.

Don't get me wrong, as I do not apologize for speaking out against the blatant discrimination that has reared its ugly head in our town. However, I am encouraged any time all fractions of Eureka work together in a positive manner.

A fine example of «working together» occurred last Tuesday night when approximately 150 guests attended the art reception at the Bank of Eureka Springs. The purpose of the event was to present the quality and diversity of the art and artists of our community to the executive staff of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and an associate editor of American Style Magazine.

More than 30 artists had work beautifully showcased in the bank. From the remarks of the esteemed guests, it was evident that they were very impressed. The selection of art was outstanding and made me proud to be part of one of the most vibrant art scenes in the nation.

My spirits were lifted as representatives from the chamber of commerce, the artists registry, and the honored guests took turns at the mike lauding the importance of the arts of Eureka and the contributions artists have made to enhance the image of the city. The chamber «did it up right» with a lavish food presentation, wine from Keels Creek, and a fine mix of invited guests.

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Every day Eureka Springs neglects to market its off-beat charms to gay travelers--as well as its traditional demographic--it falls farther behind in its quest for a thriving tourist economy.

Why? Because competition for the rainbow dollar is becoming downright intense. Now, Pittsburgh, of all places, has launched a campaign to get a piece of the $65 BILLION gay and lesbian travel pie.

«Statistics tell us there is a lot of money to be had . . . ,» Beverly Morrow-Jones of Visit Pittsburgh told WTAE TV news yesterday. « . . . Just like everybody else, the gay and lesbian community wants to be welcomed,» she said.

Well, duh. Eureka Springs has been a welcoming gay and lesbian destination for decades. And we have at least two advantages Pittsburgh doesn't--a Domestic Partnership Registry (with no residency requirement) that has already drawn visitors from 11 states and four Diversity Weekends a year. Not to mention a superior climate.

And, apparently, Pittsburgh's Best Western motels think it's just fabulous that the city is actively marketing itself as «this friendly or that friendly . . .»

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(EUREKA SPRINGS, AR) – Members of The Royal Barony of All Oklahoma will venture from their own realm to make multiple appearances on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2 at the Eureka Gras Extravaganza weekend events.

Friday, Her Regal Highness Czarina I Kris Kohl and her royal court will be delivered by Eureka Springs Limousine to the Grand Kostume Masque Ball at the Basin Park Hotel. Eureka Springs TV will be on hand to record for later broadcast the 7:45 p.m. arrival of the royal procession, including Grand Marquis Roger Francis, Grand Marquesa Dominique LaRue, Lord Knight Protector Marc Acuff and First Lady in Waiting Miranda Ray.

On Saturday at 2 p.m., members of the Barony will «dress-out» in royal garb and crown jewels and join the Krewe of Wobniar («rainbow» spelled backward) for the Eureka Gras Parade at 2 p.m.

At 9 p.m. on Saturday, members of the Barony will entertain the gentry with music at song at Jack's Place, 37 Spring St.

The Royal Barony of Oklahoma is a not-for-profit social and community service organization which each year raises thousands of dollars for local, national and international charitable organizations. «Our membership,» says a spokesperson, «is made up of every aspect of society--lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and heterosexual» individuals.

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Nursing homes unprepared to nurture lesbian and gay elders

Thanks to radio journalist Jacqueline Froelich, KAUF National Public Radio has been the only mainstream media outlet in Arkansas to report on the American Family Association's anti-gay video about Eureka Springs, «They're Coming to Your Town.» Here's a link to her KUAF podcast on the subject:

Ozarks at Large: The American Family Association's take on Eureka Springs

This week on her Ozarks at Large program, she breaks more new ground, reporting on the dilemma of elder gays and lesbians facing the prospect of residing in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. Here's the podcast link:

Ozarks at Large: The Final Installment of our Elder Mental Health Series

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