Theater Review - Life on the Moon Detroit Repertory Theater November 18 - December 18, 2022

The world premiere of a dramatic living room play about the family dynamics of having a disabled child as the parents age and the child is no longer a child.. 

 

Piper is never labeled as autistic (the word autism appears once in an ad for a tracking device). But it is obvious she has severe autism, and will never be able to support or care for herself. Or even adequately express her needs. 

The acting is superb, and the script is very tight with no wasted lines or scenes. Just the right balance of drama, outbursts, and even humor.  

Aimee K. Bryant and Peter Knox do an excellent job as the parents, aware of their mortality, and just trying to do the best for both of their offspring. They perfectly capture the honest differences, and bickering of two people trying to deal with a situation that has no guidebook.

Piper (Kelly Eubank) is realistically in her own world, doing her monologues, eating separately, and ready to explode if anything happens that she does not expect. The violent outbursts and head butting are very realistic and effectively grab the audience’s attention. 

Dan Johnson as the son, holds the story together and very successfully sets up the intense finale.

Director Leah Smith  did an excellent job with the competing dialogue and direction.  The action is as tight and realistic as the script.

Writer, Anna Tatelman, is an award winning young playwright that has obviously "walked the walk". 

The ending is intensely emotional, but not saccharin. Highly recommended. 

https://www.detroitreptheatre.com/lifeonthemoon

Life on the Moon

I just saw the best play in Detroit.  Full review forthcoming.

Hey, I'm back.

What with this long, long election season I'm finding more and more folks don't know the difference between a non profit, a foundation and a charity.

I'm here to help educate us all.

Mara

Inside the hidden world of thefts, scams and phantom purchases at the nation’s nonprofits

An investigation by the Washington Post looking for nonprofits where money had gone missing started from the simplest possible place: The reporters looked for those organizations which had checked the box on their 990 form confirming that the organization had a “significant diversion of funds.” (“Significant diversion” is defined as anything more than $250,000 or five percent of the organization’s gross receipts or net assets.) This question was quietly added in 2008. The question was phased in and reportedly was only asked of larger public charities, although not consistently. Private foundations and smaller nonprofits did not get the question, although it is unclear why.

Crafty non profit executives can drain money into their personal accounts using a variety of methods. Auditing is rare, and the general sense of entitlement evidently covers most sins. - MM

Read a report here, http://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/23144-washington-post-investigates-significant-diversions-of-nonprofit-funds-as-reported-to-irs.html and then go to the source here... http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/inside-the-hidden-world-of-thefts-scams-and-phantom-purchases-at-the-nations-nonprofits/2013/10/26/825a82ca-0c26-11e3-9941-6711ed662e71_story.html

Clinton Foundation Rife with Fraud and Cronyism

What does being a non profit even mean? It's increasingly obvious that many foundations and not for profits are simply a place to park money and spread benefits to insiders.

The Clintons use their foundation to keep staff members well paid between political gigs. They can fly around the world, act important, and have an unlimited expense account.

Of course, we're all supposed to bow down and worship people who work for non profits, as they are so much better than us.

Time for me to declare my family a non profit! We help more people than many of these big names, and why should they not pay taxes, while I have to? - MM


Read one of many stories here... http://www.1800politics.com/clinton-foundation-rife-with-fraud-and-cronyism/

Autism Awareness Founder Guilty of Two Felonies

One or our first posts was about these guys. Glad to see justice being done.

Of course, it is very hard to judge whether a charity is just having start up costs, or is actually just scamming the public. More government control may not be the answer. - MM

"We just learned that the long and exhausting journey with our organization and the illegal activities of Joseph Searles has reached an end with the conviction of Searles for theft in the first degree and operating without a gambling license, both felonies."

Read the whole article here  http://www.autismsocietyofwa.org/2013/09/autism-awareness-founder-guilty-of-two-felonies/

we're moving  wisdomwithaheart.org

Former CEO who fled country jailed

Man charged with embezzling $200K from adoption agency returned from Germany

The former head of a Naperville adoption agency who authorities said fled the country last year on the eve of a grand jury indictment for embezzling has been returned to the U.S. from Germany, according to the Illinois attorney general's office.   read more....

 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/naperville_lisle/ct-met-naperville-embezzle-0828-20130828,0,6895544.story

Northwest musician pleads guilty to bogus charity recording

A popular Northwest musician and record producer has pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to lure investors into bogus music projects, including a charity album he allegedly said would feature songs by Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Lady Gaga.  Read the whole story here ... http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/08/northwest-musician-pleads-guilty-to-bogus-charity-recording/

At one time I thought I would have a hard time finding stories, but it appears I could devote this blog to just stories from my Pacific Northwest. This person might have even gotten away with this if he had actually started the recording. There's no law that you have to succeed at everything you do, incompetence could be an excuse. One more thing, read down to the end, and you see that the "investors" were promised returns of 500%!. Seems like they weren't thinking only about charity either. - MM

A Personal Note

I'm really humbled by the sudden popularity of this blog. Please don't fret if I don't post on a regular schedule. This time of year is really busy for me - Prepping for the new school year (I'm a Special Ed teacher), garden is in full bloom (see above photo of today's harvest), and I'm just a single Mom living in the woods with a slow internet connection and lots of responsibilities.  - MM 

wisdomwithaheart.org  

Group use false claims of combat service and injuries to elicit donations from the public

A group called the "Cow Harbor Warriors" may be posing as a legitimate veterans group. Read the full story here..... MM 

http://northport.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/american-legion-continues-allegations-against-cow-harbor-warriors

Disabled workers at Goodwill paid pennies an hour

This is exactly why I created this blog. Executives have cushy jobs, with lots of perks and adulation, while the little people  get the leftovers.When challenged, we're told that non profits pay the equivalent to private employers. Well, most of these people couldn't get jobs in the private sector. It's not like there are tons of six figure jobs available. - MM

A national charity whose executives earn six-figure salaries used a legal loophole to pay disabled workers as little as three and four cents an hour, according to documents obtained exclusively by NBC News.

continue reading.... http://www.wncn.com/story/23100275/disabled-workers-at-goodwill-paid-pennies-an-hour

What a great start it's been.

Thank you dear readers. I see by my Blogger stats that I'm already getting readers from around the world, including Russia.
More importantly, you are starting to send me emails giving me tips about things that concern you. In the next few weeks, I'll be posting the redacted tips, after researching them.

We may not be able change the world, but we can do something.   MM

State cracking down on illegal use of disabled parking permits

This annoys me almost as much as those fake service animal permits. - MM

SEATTLE -- Our state is cracking down on drivers who illegally use disabled parking permits to cheat those who need them out of a space.

Office workers at one Seattle building say they can watch what appear to be perfectly able people take advantage of handicapped spaces outside their building. 

 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-cracking-down-on-illegal-use-of-disabled-parking-permits-218770271.html

Nonprofit Hospice Settles Whistleblower Suit for $1 Million

Two brave employees had enough and actually got rewarded for going public. If you have a story to tell, I guarantee complete anonymity.

http://nonprofitquarterly.org/policysocial-context/22642-nonprofit-hospice-settles-whistleblower-suit-for-1-million.html

Intricate family connections bind several of America's worst charities 

Carol Smith still gets angry when she remembers the box that arrived by mail for her dying husband.

Cancer Fund of America sent it when he was diagnosed with lung cancer six years ago. Smith had called the charity for help.

"It was filled with paper plates, cups, napkins and kids' toys," the 67-year-old Knoxville, Tenn., resident said. "My husband looked like somebody slapped him in the face.

"I just threw it in the trash."

Over the past decade, tens of thousands of people have donated nearly $100 million to Cancer Fund of America. In telephone calls and letters, the Tennessee-based charity touts the direct financial aid it gives to people like the Smiths.

continued in link below....

Granted it's hard to define legally how a "charity" should spend it's money. But shining a light on things is the first step. - MM

http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities3.page

A Warning about the Autism Outreach Foundation

I see questionable donation tables often around my old home town of Seattle. This was forwarded to me from a local chat room  - MM

June 20, 2013

Dear Autism Community:

I'd like you to be aware of the Autism Outreach Foundation – http://www.autismoutreachfoundation.org/

This group has been setting up in front of large stores such as Wal-Mart, QFC and Fred Meyer soliciting donations to "help families pay for counseling and therapy services". The Foundation's written materials and website state that the funds raised through community donations are given to local families in the form of grants, eliminating the middle man.

Please be advised –
• We have found no evidence that this Foundation has been designated a charity by the Internal Revenue Service.
• The Foundation's website does not disclose the amount raised or how the funds are being used.
• They have used for promotional purposes the names of both Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington Autism Center in solicitation materials. We have verified that there is no affiliation or relationship between Children's, the U.W. and this organization.
• Parents have reported it's very difficult to reach members of the organization to inquire about grants.
If you are concerned about the Foundation's activities, please consider reporting it to the Washington Attorney General's office: http://www/atg.wa.gov/Default .aspx
Call centers are open Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 1.800.551.4363 (in Washington only)

Enclosed is an article about a group in Washington and Oregon that was shut down for similar reasons. http://s.oregonlive.com/2nwwK8H

Based on our experience and investigation, we do not think the Autism Outreach Foundation is using the contributions it receives to benefit families dealing with family members with autism. We do not want to see citizens concerned about the challenges of autism make contributions they may later regret. If you have questions, please call me at 206 987-6213

Jim Sawyer, CPP, CHPA
Security Director
Seattle Children's Security Services

This was a response

I found this group’s approval to operate as a fundraising charity in Washington State at
http://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/search_detail.aspx?charity_id=33721
They are listed by the Secretary of State as an active nonprofit Washington Corporation based in Lynnwood, UBI 603260726. They filed for corporation status on 12/16/2012. On the Washington State Charitable Solicitations Program Charity Profile Report, they claim they “will apply” for federal tax-exempt status, but Guidestar.org does not list them as an IRS-approved tax-exempt charity. This MIGHT be because they haven’t yet received final 501(c)(3) designation – it can take months.
However, it’s odd that their website claims they have made large donations to both the UW Autism Center and Seattle Children’s Autism Center, yet they list no 2012 assets in their Washington State Charitable Solicitations Program Charity Profile Report.

Incredible series exposes charity fraud.

Every year, Kids Wish Network raises millions of dollars in donations in the name of dying children and their families.

Every year, it spends less than 3 cents on the dollar helping kids.

Most of the rest gets diverted to enrich the charity’s operators and the for-profit companies Kids Wish hires to drum up donations.

In the past decade alone, Kids Wish has channeled nearly $110 million donated for sick children to its corporate solicitors. An additional $4.8 million has gone to pay the charity’s founder and his own consulting firms.

Read more, link below.

I can think of nothing worse than taking money that is meant for the disabled. - MM

http://cironline.org/blog/post/americas-worst-charities-series-has-people-talking-4989