The historic home to poets and hell-raisers has closed its doors: No More Artists Will Live Or Die Here. On my first trip to Manhattan, sans parents, out of curiosity I stayed there for a few days. It was not for me. I had already met A.W. in L.A.Presumably curious about the new person on the scene, Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe came there to meet me. I must have left quite an impression: I never saw them again!

Congress on vacation ’til after Labor Day. They skipped out after the uber-contentious debt ceiling vote, before finishing a deal for the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Because of this nearly 80,000 workers are now not being paid, and the government will lose nearly a billion in fees – AS EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WEAK JOBS RATE AND LACK OF REVENUES. If Congress was a public corporation, shareholders would be screaming and picketing! Obama gave a speech today, suggesting they return to DC to finish this matter. If you ask me he should have demanded, not suggested! Stay tuned.

Shot in head in a January massacre (19 wounded, 6 fatally) Rep. Gaby Giffords (D-Arizona) appeared publicly for the first time since the catastrophic event, to cast her vote to raise the debt ceiling. Enduring multiple surgeries and tortuous months of therapy, it was uncertain if she would ever walk or talk, yet alone play a role in politics.This valiant survivor received bipartisan cheers as she appeared among her brethren – easing for that brief moment the dangerous contentiousness that now haunts Congress.