San Jose, CA

Actor Michael Keaton and many others graced San Jose, California with their presence on March 1, 2008. Michael Keaton was presented with the 2008 Maverick Spirit Award at Cinequest 2008.

There’s actually more to celebrate in the world of maverick films and technology. The festival showcases independent films demonstrating the qualities of individuality, innovation and intelligence.

Camera 12 and several other local theaters will be playing films from noon till 9:30 P.M. until March 9, 2008.

A film festival would not be what it is without special events. On March 7, 2008 Cinequest 2008 will present a Day of The Writer. Writers or budding Writers are able to attend classes and forums.

At The San Jose Repertory Theatre San Jose State University professor Scott Sublet will be presenting Prepare to Succeed: The Right Idea for the Right Writer. Professor Scott Sublet heads the screenwriting program at San Jose State University and has directed two feature films.

After the professor is done, the Director of Film Production at Spartan Film Studios will be speaking on Structure. Barnaby Dalias teaches screenwriting at DreamWorks Animation and is an instructor for The San Jose State University Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre.

Writers may want to choose to learn from screenwriter Robert Phelps. When this Attorney is not at his Santa Clara County office then he’s probably off writing magazines and local newspapers.

Robert Phelps has written for ScreenTalk Magazine. He has also written stories on skysurfing, the San Jose SaberCats and The San Jose Mercury News.

If great movie scenes are your think then check out the 90 minute forum with Author James Dalessandro. You may know him from his best selling novel 1906 and the Warner Brothers epic.

To end a full day, Cinequest and The San Jose Rep present A Conversation with Academy Award Winner Michael Arndt. Michael Arndt is known for many things but most recently is known for Little Miss Sunshine.

Alcatraz Island may not be the looming prison that millions of tourist and San Jose residents flock to each year in the coming years. There is an organization that wants to wants to demolish the prison and turn it into an island of peace.

What is the social and political backing of The Global Peace Foundation?

The Global Peace Foundation started out as a political party actually. The man known as Da Vid organized The Light Party and entered the primaries in New Hamshire in 1992.

The Light Party is a collection of Republicans, Democratics, Libertarians and Green Parties working on a wholistic, educational and empowered society.

Da Vid lost the primaries but continued to create what The Global Peace Foundation is today. DaVid’s continues to create a network of progressive individuals and groups worldwide with the goal of a spiritually awakening society.

I have to wonder what will be better for San Francisco, the state of California and the United States. If my numbers are correct Alcatraz tours brought in an estimated 2.4 million dollars last year from tour visits alone.

I wonder if The Global Peace Center can do the same? Plans for the conversion consist of a convention center and Harmonium to promote peace and enlightenment. A medicine wheel will be constructed and a Labyrinth to provide sacred ritual locations.

We can’t forget the brothers and sisters of the city who believe in saints. A statue of St. Francis is to be built on the island to welcome people into the city. Since San Francisco is the city of St. Francis.

Last but not least the Global Peace Foundation plans to run the whole place on solar, wind and ocean generated energy systems to promote peace with the earth.

Will an island that once housed murderers and gangsters become what the natives call “Turtle Island” again?

I have to admit that I would probably visit the center if it were ever built. It will take an act of Congress and a lot of money to construct the island but it’s something that would peak my interest at least once.

On the other hand it sounds too much like the “One Religion” that Nostradamus wrote about.

What will you be encouraging your San Francisco friends and family members to vote for on the ballot? I’d like to know.