Hotmail blues...

Hotmail has been down all day... since I get about 300+ emails a day there, if you've sent me something, then I'm not ignoring you - and you should all be using lenny at lennycampello dot com anyway...

Talk: Cracking the critics' code

Tomorrow, Saturday, from noon-2PM I will be giving a talk at the Art Gallery of Potomac about getting attention from art critics and writers in general and getting some press out of your art exhibits.

Free and open to the public 
www.theartgalleryofpotomac.com - 9945 Falls Road, Potomac, MD
(Potomac Village Shopping Center, next to the bike store)

Hope to see ya there!

Wanna go to a party tomorrow night?

On Friday March 22, 2013 from 5:30 on for Swag Funk sponsored by Twins Jazz at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in DC.

Originally formed in the winter of 2008, SWAGFUNK has since hit numerous milestones. In addition to performing shows all over the DC; MD; VA; and the Baltimore area; SWAGFUNK has also performed regularly in the northeast over the years. SWAGFUNK has developed a very loyal following globally. They have been adopted by the locals and have paved the way to a great music scene.

The Closing Party will continue from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Come join them for wine and beer with the Closing of the International Glass and Clay Exhibition at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th street NW. 

Sen. Dick Durbin: The Taxman

 "If you take a walk...
I'll tax your feet...
   - Lennon & McCartney

For many years, large national corporate retailers, big business and many hungry state tax collectors have hoped for new Internet sales tax collection policy. They want Congress to pass a federal law that would allow tax agents from one state to enforce their sales tax laws on retailers based in other states, even when a business is based thousands of miles away. Nearly everyone that I know opposes this misguided idea that goes against everything that the Internet stands for, and I (like millions of others worldwide) believe that small businesses selling via the Internet should only be subject to the tax laws of the states in which they operate.

The news from Capitol Hill is clear and just like the economy... it's grim.

Internet sales tax supporters are convinced that 2013 is their year, and they are determined to pass a new Internet sales tax bill when our out of control "tax everything" Congress (that refuses to face real financial austerity) tackles "corporate tax reform" in spite of the fact that "corporate" and the millions of small American businesses that operate on the Internet seldom share the same anything.

In December, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), the misguided idiot who smells more and more sources to suck money out of the economy and is the sponsor of Internet sales tax legislation, publicly announced that he had a commitment from the Senate Finance Committee to "take it up early next year and move it to the floor."  Why Durbin wants to lead an effort to bleed more and more taxes is something between himself and his big money donors...

Your opinion matters. If you oppose giving state tax collectors new powers to impose and enforce out-of-state sales tax burdens on small businesses that sell via the Internet, now is the time to make your voice heard.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue - but an issue that deals with the freedom of the worldwide web and the never-ending appetite for some Democrats in Congress to try to tax any and everything that moves.

Take the time to email, call or write to your two Senators and your Congress person... feel free to use, edit and adapt the letter below, but DO SOMETHING!

 

Dear Member of Congress,

As your constituent and one of the millions of Americans concerned with this issue, I'm asking you not to impose any new sales tax laws on small businesses operating on the Internet.

In the 1992 Quill Decision, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to allow state tax enforcement authorities to impose their sales tax laws on small businesses located in other states.  However, an effort backed by giant retailers and a group of state legislators is trying to push Congress to overturn the Quill Decision and establish an unfair tax regime that would force small online businesses to be subject to sales tax laws all across the country, regardless of where the small business is actually located.

Millions of American small business retailers, would be directly impacted by any new Internet sales tax system. It would increase the cost of doing business and shopping on-line, which would hurt sellers and buyers alike. I believe that small businesses selling via the Internet should only be subject to the tax laws of the states in which they operate. Instead of imposing new tax burdens on small businesses, I would encourage Congress to do EXACTLY the opposite and look at new policies that encourage small business growth and development on the Internet, which in turn will spur job growth and increase consumer choice.

As your constituent, I would ask that you please oppose any efforts to impose new tax burdens on small businesses operating on the Internet.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

This is what a real hero looks like

Cuban Dissident Blogger Yoani Sanchez Visits Washington D.C.

Everytime that this hero blogs, she puts her life on the line in the Castro Brothers' Workers Paradise... she's a real hero in a place where heroes usually end up dead. 

And she's in DC today meeting with members of Congress!

Opportunity for Artists

Deadline: April 12, 2013

Southern Regional Technical/Recreation Complex, Public Art Project #3 - Inter-active Technology Artwork
Project budget: $50,000

Eligibility: Individual artists or artist teams from Maryland, Washington, DC or Virginia are eligible to apply. All must be 18 years or older. An onsite pre-application briefing will be held March 25, 2013 from 10am to 11am at Southern Regional Tech/Rec Complex 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744

Contact Person:
Alec Simpson, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division
Alec.Simpson@pgparks.com; 301/446-3232 (VOICE)

Affordable Dental Care for Artists!

Maryland Art Place is partnering with students of the dental hygiene program at The Community College of Baltimore County – Dundalk Campus. Patients pay $20 for a professional checkup and cleaning (no insurance required). X-rays available at an additional cost. Please ask about discounts for current students and senior citizens.

Take advantage of this special opportunity if you are an artist in need of:

•      dental checkup
•      teeth cleaning
•      x-rays

For more information visit mdartplace.org or contact Julie Smith, 443.717.1617,
jsmith791@hotmail.com