Jun 28, 2013

G Money Turns Five!

Our little girl is turning into a big girl...boo hoo hoo!  



Bloody nose birthday

 Georgia had her first big dance performance this week.  She's been dancing with her two pals, Maddie and Makayla at Billy Clower this year.  They all love it and got their moment on the big stage.


Maddie and Georgia putting on makeup before their number

Sassy and photogenic
 Georgia had the most fantastic dance teacher, Ellie.  She was Billy Clower's protege starting at age 23.  She was a gifted teacher and developed a wonderful relationship with the girls.
Laura, Georgia and Teacher Ellie


The Class:  Georgia, Darby, Madeliene, Makayla, Irie, & Amy
Birthday dinner in our backyard

Jun 4, 2013

It's Over Johnny


Blog Post #400 brings some saddening news to local music fans.



The full text of the article is below.


Vincent Valcone
Associated Press

The Ventura music scene is reeling after news from The Magnificent Fantastic’s management that the band is no more.  Citing interpersonal differences and work/family challenges, Scott Powers, one of its founding members has decided to call it quits. “I’ve come to a point where it’s time for this rock and roll Samurai to re-sheath his blade and walk away” he exclaimed yesterday afternoon at his local bar “Gigi’s”. Powers confirmed the news and made it clear that the band name was protected under copyright. “I’m not going to let happen to me like what happened to Roger Waters and Pink Floyd in the early 80’s. If Jeff thinks he’s going to reform the band, use our band name and rake in tons of money on a nation-wide stadium tour, he’s got another thing coming! I’ll get one of those Jew lawyers and sue his Portuguese ass!” He later rescinded this remark and stated his lawyer probably wouldn’t be Jewish because they charge more for their services. 

Speculation had been rife that the band was no more. As each musical project ensued, the drama would as well. Powers expounded further his dissatisfaction, The duo of Barroca-Powers had been playing music in different incarnations for the past 28 years starting with Page 3, Aspiring Skies, Inclitorotti, Ultra Penguin 3000 (UP3K) and finally with The Magnificent Fantastic. He later exclaimed in the interview, “I have always enjoyed creating and playing music with Jeff and if only that that could occur in a vacuum, but in reality it can’t.” Towards the end of the impromptu interview Powers, visibly emotional cried out “take me out of the oven and let me sit on a plate covered with aluminum foil for 10 minutes before eating cuz this piece of meat is done.” He then collapsed to the floor holding his daughter's favorite blanket quietly singing "her name is Seasquirt and her's my best friend" while in the fetal position.  

MagFan’s last performance was in March of 2012 at the Hollings Street Leap Year Birthday Bash. Powers briefly discussed the stress and external drama that came with each musical project. “I felt like I was in Game of Thrones playing the part of Robb Stark at a wedding hosted by Walder Frey, it was terrible”.  When asked about the commitment he made to his wife to get the band together for her 40th birthday party in 2016, Powers exclaimed “I’ve already booked young Katie Wicks and her electric ukulele. We’ll serve cake, play games, it’ll be a blast”. 

 "I'm done with it, it's time for me to go 
solo cuz let's be honest 
I was Hall and he's Oates."

Mr. Barroca was contacted by phone for a response to the news. When told of the news the introverted collaborator in MagFan muttered “oh.” After a minute of uncomfortable silence Mr. Barroca mumbled some indiscernible syllables then eventually hung up the phone.



When asked about his future in music, Powers opined “my wife has always thought I should be a singing coach for the vocally impaired, I intend to follow that dream and have chosen her to be my first student. I know she’ll be excited to hear this”.