Sen. James Brochin (Handout photo)

Sen. Brochin, Amazon headquarters, Chelsea Handler and the return of ‘Roseanne’

Brochin’s ready for a change

After three terms and nearly 15 years in the Maryland State Senate, Sen. James Brochin (D-42nd) says he’s ready for a change. A Baltimore County native, Brochin has announced that he is running for Baltimore County executive. If elected, he will replace current Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who announced in September he is running for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Read our interview: Sen. Brochin Officially Launches Bid for Baltimore County Executive

Calling Mr. Bezos…

Inc.com has published an article citing the many reasons why Amazon should seriously consider Baltimore for the location of its second headquarters. The Oct. 18 article states: “The competition to woo the company is fierce, given the absolutely massive scope of the business, but there are compelling reasons why Jeff Bezos and his team should cast a serious eye of consideration on Charm City, otherwise known as Baltimore, Maryland.” Among the reasons listed are: Geography: “Baltimore is a hub of the East Coast, planted right between other major centers such as Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York City.” Quality of Life: “Museums, markets, parks, and three separate arts and entertainment districts and a nationally-recognized culinary scene further ensure there’s plenty to do.” And Port Covington: “The peninsula itself is surrounded by 3 sides of water  — allowing Amazon to have a self contained urban campus on the water. You’re not going to find a better campus anywhere else in the country.”

Read more: Everything Jeff Bezos Could Want for Amazon Can Be Found in This Often-Overlooked City

Kevin Wilshaw
Kevin Wilshaw left the British neo-Nazi movement, announcing that he has Jewish heritage and is gay. (Screenshot from Channel 4)

British Neo-Nazi comes out as gay…and Jewish

A prominent British neo-Nazi and white supremacist has come out as gay and revealed his Jewish heritage. Kevin Wilshaw, 58, a former National Front organizer, announced Tuesday on Britain’s Channel 4 news that he is leaving the far-right movement. Wilshaw was active in white supremacist groups as recently as this year, including speaking at events. He told Channel 4 about how he wrote of his hatred of “the Jews” on an application form to join the National Front as a teen even though his mother, whose maiden name was Benjamin, was part Jewish. “I didn’t have many friends at school, I wanted to be a member of a group of people that had an aim, and I thought getting involved in that kind of thing would be comradeship,” Wilshaw said of his decision to join the National Front. Wilshaw said he has been the subject of abuse recently as people began to suspect he was gay. “It’s a terribly selfish thing to say but it’s true, I saw people being abused, shouted at, spat at in the street – it’s not until it’s directed at you that you suddenly realize that what you’re doing is wrong,” he said.

Read more: British Neo-Nazi Comes Out as Gay, Reveals Jewish Heritage

White supremacist leader Richard Spencer
White supremacist leader Richard Spencer after the “Unite the Right” rally was declared unlawful, in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 12, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Richard Spencer to speak at University of Florida

The University of Florida, home to the largest Jewish student body in the country, is bracing for an upcoming speech on campus by white supremacist leader Richard Spencer. Only six weeks after Hurricane Irma wrought destruction in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott declared another state of emergency, this time ahead of Spencer’s speech in Gainesville on Thursday afternoon. The university allowed Spencer to speak after initially declining his request, saying that as a public institution it must uphold the principles of free speech. He was a promoter of the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., in August that turned deadly. Spencer, the founder of a white supremacist think tank, has advocated a white ethno-state that would exclude non-whites and Jews. The Anti-Defamation League said he has become “more openly anti-Semitic in recent years.” Although the event is not sponsored by any groups affiliated with the university, the public university must pay over $500,000 in security for the event. In 1992, the Supreme Court ruled that the government cannot charge a speaker for security costs due to potential protesters. Some 9,400 Jewish students attend the university, which has an enrollment of 52,000.

Read more: Richard Spencer to Speak at the University with the Largest Jewish Student Body in U.S.

 

Chelsea Handler getting active

“Chelsea,” Chelsea Handler’s weekly talk show, will not be returning for a third season on Netflix, the comedian has announced with a statement on Twitter, according to Mashable. Handler said the presidential election and the dramatic events that followed “galvanized” her and persuaded her to scrap the show in favor of a renewed political activism. “From the national level down to the grassroots, it’s clear our decisions at the ballot box next year will mark a defining moment for our nation,” she wrote in the post. Handler said she’s planning to travel the country and visit areas and people she doesn’t know about to get a better understanding of the U.S. political divide. She’ll also continue her partnership with Netflix, working on a documentary “where I’ll engage with people I don’t talk with enough — people of different ethnicities, religions and political philosophies.”

Read: ‘Chelsea’ will not return to Netflix — but Handler has more in the works

‘Roseanne’ reunion?

EW.com has exclusive pictures from a “Roseanne” cast table read on the eve of the show’s 29th anniversary. In the photo, star and executive producer Roseanne Barr (Roseanne) is joined by original cast members John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Michael Fishman (D.J.), and Lecy Goranson (Becky) on the set, which appears identical to the original Connor home. The iconic sitcom is set to return in 2018 on ABC with an eight-episode revival.

Read more: Roseanne cast cracks up during revival’s table read

The Parkway
The Parkway in Station North (Photo by Amanda Krotki, Jmore)

‘Sylvio’ at The Parkway

One of the more peculiar and touching films from this year’s Maryland Film Festival is gaining traction on the national stage. Written and co-directed by Baltimore artist and Gilman School alum Albert Birney and actor Kentucky Audley, “Sylvio” tells the story of an eccentric, cubical-bound debt collector struggling with his job and fantasizing about a more fulfilling career in the performing arts. It will begin a weeklong run at the Parkway Theatre on Oct. 27. “Sylvio” is a film about remaining true to yourself — a remarkable feat when the “self” in question, the film’s hero, Sylvio Bernardi, happens to be a silent, six-foot-tall gorilla who looks suspiciously like a man in disguise. “Sylvio” actually began as a popular Vine series, “Simply Sylvio.” The project was scaled up for a film that was shot entirely in Maryland, a decision the film’s makers are proud of.

Read more at Baltimore Fishbowl

Go to facebook.com/JMORELiving every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. to watch Need to Know with Editor-in-Chief Alan Feiler. Join the discussion on the week’s news and current events.

Top photo:  Sen. James Brochin (Handout photo)

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