Sedona's ST.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan SEDONA AZ–Hollywood Jim Franckowiak will be in Jerome Arizona on Saturday, September 4th 2010, to meet and greet Art Walkers and Gallery Gams as he continues his Out and About in Arizona series. Be prepared to give a New Yorker-style opinion and share your insights with the dapper Hollywood Jim, Man about Town! The... 

A Man In Pink Does Heal!, a salute to Dave Graybill and his men in pink. Jim Franckowiak at the Jerome AZ Pink Heals! Kick-off event, August 5 2010   I had the pleasure of attending the Guardians of the Ribbon “Pink Heals Tour 2010 Kick-off Event“ in Jerome Arizona last week and what a time it was. From the Men in Pink Heals! Facebook site, the  Guardians of the Ribbon state: ... 

Writing this week’s story caused much thought.  First off, though, I’m sitting at a coffee shop as I write this which for me is really coloring outside the lines, but here goes… Last Sunday, my friend asked if I wanted to go for a drive and visit a labyrinth.  She said it was nearby and since nothing was on my agenda, I was game and off we went.  We eventually turned off Hwy 89A... 

Hi Peeps.  I know, I know…you’re asking what’s going on with the Gripe Guy now.  And since you know me so well, I am going to tell you. I’ve been a dog owner and friend to my canine buds for forty-six years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how many people take pet ownership responsibility for granted. My girls are always leashed and under my control when we take our daily... 

Last night while I was watching that TV show about the married couple that has 19 kids, a balloon went up on the screen saying that the average family spends $7,800.00 a year on food.  That got me to thinking about what it costs me in food every year as a single man! I figure that I spend maybe $350.00 a month to feed myself, and that doesn’t include things like laundry soap, household... 

Jim “The Gripe Guy” is getting older, and since dieting does not work like it used too, he is going to start jogging. I remember the day when I could just stop eating cookies and ice cream and the weight dropped off.  Not anymore.  Even the over-the-counter diet pills are not working.  I’m not looking to drop much weight… maybe fifteen pounds but it’s a beast to unload. What’s... 

Common Sense, PLEASE!  I’ll pass on the second helping because I already have plenty, thank you, but why are so many out there lacking even a healthy dose of it? I should start by giving you my definitions of common sense:  Common sense says that if I play with a loaded gun, I might get shot.  Common sense says that while taking something out of the oven without an oven mitt, I will get burned. ... 

Litter Anyone? Are you as tired as I am of seeing litter on the side of the road?  Does it ever end? With recycling on everyone’s mind you would think there would be less and less litter to see, but not so.  How can anyone be as selfish as to throw something out a car window and leave it for someone else to pick up? When I lived in Denver I went out to pick up the mail and stopped to talk...