A Very Real Plea for Assistance

The week before Thanksgiving is a time for introspection. What have you done beyond the turkey or donation for homeless and poverty stricken folks in your immediate community. One can only hope that someday, we will make giving thanks the rule instead of the exception in our lives.

I am writing this blog for two purposes. The first is to encourage you to reach out and help someone less fortunate than yourself. If you are in need, reach out a hand during the next few months and I will do what I can to help you....

The second purpose is for those who love art as I do and hopefully many people do. In the Philadelphia area, I am pleased to belong to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and to the Brandywine River Museum. Both worthy institutions... I am looking at losing my own job before the end of the year so perhaps what I am going to propose is only self-interest.

Here it is... Pay two years of museum dues instead of one. As museums across the country have seen their endowments shrinking like my 401k, it becomes increasingly apparent that normally fiscally conservative institutions are going to need more support not less this year. So Brandywine Museum, I paid two years of dues in advance hoping that by this time next year, I've have changed jobs and I am in a position to pay another two years. If not, I still know I will belong to a great organization with an outstanding collection of art.

For the Philadelphia Art Museum, I am going to pay four years dues in advance. Again the same principle that perhaps I can consider it a donation next year and if not, I will belong to the museum for the foreseeable future.

During the next six to twelve months, much will be asked of each of us in terms of sacrifice and hope. I hope that you all have a great Thanksgiving. I hope that you take the time to tell love ones and friends and family that you love them. "I love you, mom!" I hope that you will consider both the people and institutions in need as you make plans for gift giving this holiday season.

Thanks for listening. Phil

Support Wikipedia in their efforts to raise funds

The Wikipedia Foundation is trying to raise funds for continued efforts to expand Wikipedia. Anyone who has googled around at one time or another in search of information on an artist or a museum or even a business topic or two has probably used the site.

It is entirely non-commercial in nature although a few unworthies slip through the cracks because of the nature of their business. Let's give Wikipedia a hand (I gave ten bucks: you give what you like including $0!)

I 4 ONE WILL BE GLAD WHEN TOMORROW IS DONE

So tomorrow is election day and I will be glad that it is over at least as far as the deciding goes. Regardless of the reader's political affilation, I congratulate everyone that ran a "clean" campaign for expressing their views and trying to get the representatives they wanted elected.

I am less proud of those intrusive telephone robots which called me over the weekend. I would have thought if you really wanted my vote in one direction or the other, you might take the time to place a live telephone call. Hopefully we can opt out of such calls in the future.

The real work will start in the new year for our elected officials to come together where there are commonalities (are there any?). I guess I would not be writing this blog if I wasn't a tad bit social but hopefully a few folks out there are reading and following it.

There has been some great art up on eBay recently. I will try and put up some pictures as auctions are still running on pieces that I consider good value. If you see one, please send me the item number or a URL so I can check it out.

Everybody please vote if you are able tomorrow and good luck to all the candidates!

Phil