FREEDOM!!!!

The Shadow has just learned within the past few minutes that American journalist Jill Carroll has been freed unharmed.

Freed American Journalist Jill Carroll in an interview after her release
(Photo Courtesy CNN.com)

Ms. Carroll was dropped off at the Iraqi Islamic Party offices in Baghdad. She identified herself to personnel there and was immediately taken to the main compound. At that point, she asked to speak to a Washington Post reporter, the U.S. Embassy, and her family.

The Carroll family, in a written statement, said, in part, "Our priority now, of course, is helping Jill to recover from her ordeal. We ask that the media respect our privacy and desire to focus on Jill's well-being. When we feel the time is appropriate, we will release more details about her experience." The Shadow will respect the family's wishes.

The Shadow is happy that this crusade has come to a final conclusion.

The Shadow will post a final statement on this matter once the Carroll family has reunited with Jill and a report on her condition has been made public.

A Plea for Jill Carroll From Her Sister

Katie Carroll, the twin sister of captured American Journalist Jill Carroll today issued a plea for Jill's captors to "Let my sister go."



Jill Carroll (left) and twin sister Katie in 1999 photo
(Photo courtesy CNN.com)

To quote Katie Carroll: "We would be grateful for any new sign that Jill is well."

The Shadow, who has joined at least 200 other bloggers and the Christian Science Monitor, again calls for the unconditional release of Jill Carroll.

The Shadow is "Lost and Found"

Many readers of this blog knows that The Shadow is a major supporter of the arts in San Francisco. Most of the postings you have seen here have featured art gallery openings sponsored by ARTworkSF. Today's entry will be from another opening The Shadow attended last night.

The Shadow had the opportunity last night to visit Backstage Salon & Gallery in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood. The opening last night was for a new exhibit: "Lost and Found", curated by Sandi Ippolito.

Curator Sandi Ippolito with Three Absences by artist David Zuttermeister

Featured artists in this show are:

• Rob Jenkins
• Jeannie Dougherty
• David Zuttermeister
• Lori-Marie Jenkins

Ghost by artist Rob Jenkins

Artwork in this show was made from a combination of recycled and raw materials. Judging from what The Shadow witnessed last night, there is beauty in everything!

Tea for Two by artist Lori-Marie Jenkins

Along with the usual wine, crackers, cheese and cookies (all very good), there was also a raffle. Two artists offered one of their work as a raffle prize. Yes folks, you guessed it -- The Shadow was one of the prize winners.

The Shadow with the First Prize winner with our new artwork

Backstage Salon & Gallery is located at 2134 Polk Street (cross street Broadway) in San Francisco.

For more information on the exhibit, you can go to their website.

For more pics from the reception, click here.

Where is Jill Carroll???

The Shadow was elated to hear that three Christian workers who were kidnapped in Iraq were freed yesterday unharmed.

The three men -- 2 Canadians and a British citizen -- were found bound but unharmed yesterday in an ungarded house in Baghdad. The Briton is now on British soil with the 2 Canadians due home shortly.

The Shadow only has one question -- Where is Jill Carroll????

American Journalist Jill Carroll
(photo courtesy CNN.com)
Ms. Carroll is still missing and her fate is still unknown. The Shadow once again calls for her unconditional release.

The Shadow will continue providing information as it is received.

A New Restaurant Opens in San Jose, CA

The Shadow had the opportunity last night to dine in one of the fine establishments in San Jose, CA (about an hour south of San Francisco). He was accompanied by his beautiful date, the Lovely Russian Lass (yes I stole this from Critical Cloud for readers of that blog).

The Lovely Russian Lass accompanied The Shadow last night in his dining experience

The restaurant is Stratta Grill & Bar, in the heart of downtown San Jose. It features an American menu with very good prices.

Calamari with a fantastic sauce -- our appetizer

The Lovely Russian Lass' entree -- seared Ahi Tuna

The Shadow's entree -- St. Louis Style Ribs with Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob
The bar area was very elegant. The restaurant also boast beautiful hardwood floors -- and the restrooms are definitely worth the trip.

Bar Area

Dining Area

The Shadow's drink of choice -- Grey Goose Martini -- shaken, not stirred -- in elegant glassware

Stratta is located at 71 East San Fernando Street in downtown San Jose. It gains The Shadow's seal of approval.

Plans also call for an outdoor smoking area in the near future. Fine cigars can be purchased at the bar as well.

For more infomation on Stratta, go to their website.

A New Public Service Announcement Video on Behalf of Jill Carroll

The Shadow, as many of you are aware, has been campaingning for several weeks now for the unconditional release of American journalist Jill Carroll.

American journalist Jill Carroll of the Christian Science Monitor
This blog, along with other blogs around the world, will now begin distributing a link to a PSA video from the Christian Science Monitor (Jill's employer) asking Iraqis to help secure her release.

To view the video, click here and look for the Monitor's article. Click on the words "public service announcement" and you will be led to the video.

Should this link change in the coming days, The Shadow will update it.

Jo Farrell Opens in London!

And speaking of artists:

One of The Shadow's good friends, artist and photographer Jo Farrell, sent The Shadow an email earlier today to tell him of her latest news.

She has an exhibit that will show at Hoopers Gallery March 22 through April 1, 2006. The gallery is located at 15 Clerkenwell Close in London. If you are in the London area, there will be an opening reception at the gallery on March 23, 2006 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. If you make it to the reception, tell Jo that The Shadow sent you.

Also accompanying this exhibit will be Jo's new book, Jo Farrell Photography: 1. The book contains 136 original Black & White photographs of Jo's travels to Cuba, China, and Tibet. The book will be available for purchase beginning April 1, 2006.

For those of you who will not be in London, Jo does have a current exhibit open entitled "Cuba". This exhibit is at the Alamo Square Seafood Grill, 809 Fillmore Street (at Grove Street), in San Francisco. Viewing hours are 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. nightly through April 17, 2006.

The Shadow Sounds It Out!

This past week, The Shadow had the opportunity to view another art exhibit from ARTworkSF.

The title of this exhibit is "Sound It Out! The Use of Language or Text in Art" and featured the following artists:

• Ann Simms
• Pauline Crowther Scott
• Dean Gustafson
• Suzun Hughes
• Jennifer Mack
• Eric Bohr
• Taiko Fujimura

In God Wet Rust by Suzun Hughes

This is a much smaller, but very vocal, exhibit. But its message comes out loud and clear!

Why in San Francisco by Taiko Fujimura

The Shadow and artist Taiko Fujimura

The exhibit will be shown 24/7 at the Hotel Triton Mezzanine Gallery, 342 Grant Street in San Francisco. It is definitely worth a look.

As always, all artwork on exhibit in this show is available for purchase or rental (for a three month period). Visit ARTworkSF's website for more details.

To view more photos from the reception, click here.

Also, be sure to visit the websites of the following participating artists:

• Eric Bohr
• Taiko Fujimura
• Suzun Hughes
• Jennifer Mack

And the Oscar Goes To......

That time of year has now come upon us. It is time for the Academy Awards.

The Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2006 at 8:00 P.M. ET. This will probably be one of the best shows in years, mainly because of the Best Picture Category.

There were several categories that were voted on for this year's awards. The Shadow will now give you his predictions for Sunday's Awards:

1. Best Actor -- Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote)
2. Best Supporting Actor -- George Clooney (Syriana)
3. Best Actress -- Felicity Huffman (Transamerica)
4. Best Supporting Actress -- Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener)
5. Best Art Direction -- Memoirs of a Geisha
6. Best Cinematogography -- Batman Begins
7. Best Original Score -- Memoirs of a Geisha
8. Best Original Song -- "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" (Hustle & Flow)
9. Best Adapted Screenplay -- Brokeback Mountain
10. Best Original Screenplay -- Crash
11. Best Director -- Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain)
12. Best Picture -- Crash

Check in next week and let's compare notes!

Still No Word on Jill Carroll

The Shadow is still monitoring the fate of kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll.

The last time Ms. Carroll was seen, there was a February 27 deadline looming to free all female Iraqi prisoners. That deadline has now come and past. But no word has yet come on the fate of Ms. Carroll.

The Shadow again appeals for Ms. Carroll's kidnappers to release her without any further conditions.

The Shadow will continue to monitor this situation.