The Shadow Comments on the Jill Carroll Series

As The Shadow reported recently, Jill Carroll, the Christian Science Monitor reporter who was held hostage for 82 days in Iraq, wrote an 11-part series on her ordeal. The series ended today.

Jill Carroll
(photo courtesy The Christian Science Monitor)
There are no words that The Shadow can add to this. To read the horror that this woman went through is unreal. Jill was a woman of real courage.

The Shadow will not elaborate on the series except to say that you need to read it to really understand what goes on when a person is taken hostage.

There are two footnotes that The Shadow wishes to bring to everyone's attention:

* When Jill was kidnapped, her interpreter and good friend Alan Enwiya was killed by the kidnappers.

Alan Enwiya (left) and surviving family
(photo courtesy Christian Science Monitor)

His wife, Fairuz, two children, Martin and Mary Ann, and his parents have left Iraq and hope to settle with an extended family here in the United States. The Christian Science Monitor has established a fund to help Alan's surviving family settle here in the United States. Donations can be sent to:

The Alan Enwiya Fund
c/o The Christian Science Monitor
One Norway Street
Boston, MA 02115

* Jill's driver on that fateful day, Adnan Abbas, is the only witness to the murder of Alan Enwiya. He has left Iraq with his wife and four children (one of the children is a newborn) for their own safety. A fund has also been set up for Adnan Abbas. Donations can be sent to The Adnan Abbas Fund at the address above.

When Jill was released, she was given $800 and a gold necklace by the kidnappers. Jill has donated the $800 to the fund and will sell the necklace and donate the proceeds to the fund as well.

It is our hope that this will never happen again. But if it does, The Shadow will be here.

If you have not read the series, you can read it here.

Do a "One Night Stand" for a Good Cause!!

As The Shadow mentioned last week, on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, ARTWorkSF will have its annual "One Night Stand" art exhibit. This promises to be a show not to be missed.

There will be over 60 works of art for sale by the following artists:

• Eric Stampfli
• Ericka Yanina
• Harvey Weinman
• Robert Gepford
• Catherine Merrill
• Big Al Lopez
• Andrew Juris
• Richardo Angel Norte
• Vivian Giourousis
• Teresa Moore
• Jennifer Morris
• Heather Hanan
• Jennifer Mack
• Maria Bartola Mejia
• Alisa Lowden
• Michael Childs
• Scott Tracy
• Suzun Hughes
• Aisjah Hopkins
• Natasha Dikareva
• Maja Saphir
• Stephanie Cunningham
• Taiko Fujimura
• Christine Cianci
• Geoffrey Rosenblatt
• Jeff Cordori
• Shawna Scarpitti
• Dan Cope

In addition, there will be cabaret seating in the theatre with a silent auction, artists drawing nude models, paint wrestling and bondage performances. Also, don't miss the following:

• Voodoo Cabaret - A Shamanistic, ritualistic theatrical musical experience
• Bast, Director of Temple Yoga in San Francisco, brings you "Tantric Tea Party," a ritual performance piece of enlightened eye candy, inspired by the philosophy and practice of tantra yoga. Blessings will spill over.....
• The Culprits -- Electro-Orchestral-Jazz-Classical voices and harmonies over big, fat beats.
• Chaotron -- a Pagan electro-industrial/spoken word duo entertaining Bay Area audiences since 2003. This special performance will be a functional invocation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.

One Night Stand is a benefit for San Francisco Sex Information, the Center for Sex and Culture, and the San Francisco Artists Resource Center. Admission is $10++ (as an incentive, "Goodie Bags" from bettersex.com and Good Vibrations are being provided for "Generous" guests).

All the events will take place at SOMARTS Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street (between 8th and 9th Street) in San Francisco. This is one night only so don't miss out.

Romantic, sexy and fetish wear is highly encouraged for this. The Shadow will be in attendance.

ARTWorkSF Continues Heating Up the Art World!!

Many of you have written to The Shadow asking what is going on with ARTWorkSF these days. Unfortunately, The Shadow has been very tied up in day-to-day activities and has not been able to blog as much as he would like to. Everything will be up soon, we promise.

But The Shadow needs to bring a couple of things to your attention happening within the next seven days.

Tonight will be the closing party for the 4th Annual Cafe Show. This show is not only an art exhibition, but it also includes live performances and a silent auction. The closing night party for the Cafe Show will be held from 5-9 p.m. tonight at SOMARTS, 934 Brannan Street (Between 8th & 9th Streets). A suggested donation of $5-$10 at the door (to benefit SOMARTS) is requested. The theater opens up into the gallery for live performances with special appearance byVOODOO CABARET, The Krelkins, Christina Simpson, Svetiana Jovanovic and a surprise special guest. There will be a hosted Hangar One Vodka and wine bar at the event as well. And don't forget the silent auction -- there are 200 works of art for sale.

The second event The Shadow has to mention will be even more exciting.........

On Wednesday, August 23, ARTWorkSF presents its annual "One Night Stand" show. This show, which will also be held at SOMARTS, 934 Brannan Street, is not one to miss. And, as the name states, it will be ONE NIGHT ONLY!!

One Night Stand is a benefit for the San Francisco Sex Information Center and the Center for Sex and Culture, along with the SF Artists Resource Center. The show is from 5-9 p.m. Admission is $10+ Donation (the more you donate the more "Goodies" you are promised). Sexy, romantic and fetish attire is recommended and encouraged. The Shadow will have more on this show next week. For now, be sure to add it to your calendar -- you will regret missing this.

Pictures from the Cafe Show will be available soon. Stay tuned!

Jill Carroll -- In Her Own Words

The Shadow would like to bring to the attention of all that Jill Carroll, the Christian Science Monitor reporter who was held captive in Iraq for 82 days earlier this year -- is now recounting in her own words her ordeal. It is a fascinating series detailing what dangers she encountered and how she was treated while she was in captivity.

The Christian Science Monitor is publishing an 11-part series written by Ms. Carroll. You can read each installment here. As of this writing, the series is at Part IV.

The Shadow will give his analysis of this once the series is completed.

The Beginning of Justice for Jill Carroll

Many readers of this blog knows of the tireless campaign that The Shadow was engaged in with other bloggers around the world for the release of Jill Carroll from her kidnappers in Iraq. Last March, that came to a successful conclusion and Jill is now in the Boston area recovering from her 82 days in captivity.

Christian Science Monitor Journalist Jill Carroll
(photo courtesy CNN.com)

The Shadow received word earlier today that four of her kidnappers were captured by U.S. Marines about a month ago. Thanks to the efforts of a Marine lieutenant, the kidnappers have been apprehended. The names of the kidnappers have been withheld while officials decide how to prosecute them.

The Shadow will keep you informed of developments.

ARTWorkSF New Gallery Opens!!!!!

Last month, ARTWorkSF opened new gallery space at 49 Geary Street, Suite 215, in Downtown San Francisco. The premer show was the annual "Best of Show" exhibit, which exhibited all of the public juried works of art from the previous year.

In God Wet Rust by artist Suzun Hughes

This show featured the following artists:

• James Albert
• Janet Allinger
• Sue Averell
• Genea Barnes
• Richard Bolingbroke
• Sylvia Buettner
• Sherri Cavan
• Dusty Cox
• Bryan Davis
• Rachel Davis
• Jamie Erfurdt
• Jo Farrell
• Jack Freeman
• Lynn Friedman
• David Harriman
• Suzun Hughes
• Mike Kendall
• Lois Llewellyn
• Alisa Lowden
• Jennifer Mack
• Lenea Maibaum
• Maggie Malloy
• John McCarthy
• Bruce Meisner
• Jennifer Morris
• Les Phillips
• Fernando Reys
• Phyllis Rockne
• Ed Shelton
• Rachel Simone
• Nicolas Smith
• Joseph Sobiesiak
• Rich St. Cyr
• Marius Starkey
• Scott Tracy
• Blake Tucker
• David Verba
• Vladimir Vitkovsky
• John Wilson
• Nick Wightman
• Pat Wipf

As you can see from the above picture, a good time was had by all. It was non-stop people all night.

The new space at 49 Geary is beautiful -- The Shadow recommends that you see it shortly.

To see other pictures from the reception click here.

The next show at 49 Geary opens tonight and is entitled "Lost in Translation". More on this tomorrow.

Next up for ARTWorkSF -- the 4th Annual Cafe Show and Benefit. More on this tomorrow.

The Shadow Returns From Vacation

The Shadow has returned!

The Shadow decided that a vacation was in order. He is now back fully refreshed and ready to give you more of the dark side of San Francisco culture.

Even though The Shadow has been on vacation, he has visited several art receptions since this blog's last entry. They will now be recorded.