Herban Sprawl

21 April 2008

Yesterday the Cubs moved ahead of the miserable Cardinals in the National League Central. For most fans, this is great news. I know my nephew Matt is probably tickled. But I’ve been a fan for so long that when this kind of thing happens, I just get nervous.

As Lil Linda would say, we’ve been let down before. But, as she also said, this is our 100^th Anniversary. It’s time. Lil Linda ought to know. She and her dad, the late great Seymour (Sy) were bleacher bums during the debacle with the Mets, when the New Yorkers got religion.

I remember when the late cartoonist Jeff MacNelly moved to the Tribune and the Perfesser and Skyler became Cub philosophers. He captured the essence of us so perfectly that we felt validated. Even Southsider fiction character V.I. Warshawski is a Cub fan with the same attitude as the rest of us. We are quite the tribe – I never met a stranger at Wrigley. We’re always hopeful, but we are anxiously so. We’re like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football.

On a more positive note, another triumph took place yesterday here in the Star City. Opera Roanoke’s Maestro Steven White brought about a concert version of Beethoven’s Fidelio that was superb. There were some grumblings in the audience that they had expected a fully staged opera and were disappointed it was a concert. The issue is the cost. Opera is expensive and contributions haven’t kept up with their overhead. Want a fully staged opera? Ante up and he will happily do it.

This morning’s paper noted the contributions that the non-profits make to our valley, and it’s time for me to get on my soapbox.

For too long, area residents have left support of the non-profits in the hands of a group of people who need the tax write-offs. This is not to diminish their financial support, but rather to point out that whenever giving is left to only those who will routinely write checks, then the pool of contributors becomes rather inbred and incestuous.

People, the non-profits are grateful for whatever you give, and they never, ever look down their noses at contributions of less than $25. They are going to send you a lovely thank you that you save for tax purposes and you will have the satisfaction of knowing they know you care about their continued existence.

Many people will contribute to the programs that help the needy, but they often overlook how badly the arts need support and how much the arts contribute to the overall health and well-being of the community.

Case in point is Opera Roanoke. A few years ago, Maestro White instituted a program of free tickets for students. Called Sempre Libera, always free, it enabled students to call up and reserve a seat. (Sempre libera was one of the songs from La traviata and that was the first opera for the free seats.) Area high school music teachers had been bringing groups for a long time, but now they only needed to cover the cost of the bus. This is a huge thing, but area residents are probably ignorant of it.

If people want a first place city, then they have to pony up. And they’d be wise to start watering down that murky pool of “big donors.” The big donors get put on the non-profit boards and to be honest, they aren’t necessarily the best stewards of these entities. Some are especially hard working and helpful to the non-profit staffs. Others are the opposite extreme, micro-managing and harassing staffers. The only way to create a balance is for you, the everyday citizens, to chip in and share the burden. Volunteer your time, send small checks, and become season subscribers. Talk up the great performances you’ve enjoyed to everyone and invite your friends.

I’m already trying to get Uncle Doc organized to fly down for the November 2^nd Handel and Mahler program – his favorite, Elizabeth Futral (our very own local diva!), will be singing. And I bet I can get him to part with a big check, too.  He saw her as Violetta at the Lyric Opera in Chicago and fell in love. We are so lucky to have Steven and Elizabeth, but if we don’t show our appreciation by financially supporting their art, then they will have to go elsewhere. That would be a sad, sad day. Every bit as sad as the Cubs losing yet another World Series.