I had on my calendar at work that there was to be a jazz concert in downtown Clearwater last night. So I got on the City of Clearwater web page to look at the calendar. There was mention of an arts festival on Cleveland street this weekend, but nothing about a jazz concert. So I called the phone number and what did the voice say?

"Welcome to AMC." Yes, AMC Publishing, the Scientologist run company that Lisa McPherson worked for. Bennetta Slaughter, one of the owners, is very active in community activities here.

So I found out there would be a latin band playing last night right on Cleveland Street, which was closed from Ft. Harrison Ave. to the railroad tracks. All weekend the arts festival will be on Cleveland Street.

I went to the concert about 6pm (it was scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30pm). I was shocked to see perhaps 50 people listening to a great 9-piece band. There were a few food vendors looking dazed at the low turnout. I talked to a few of them and they were disappointed. So I ate twice :) I hung around listening to the great music and watching the "crowd." Rev. Al Buttnor was there lurking on the edges of the throng. Ben Shaw came by and gabbed with Al a bit. Bennetta Slaughter was walking around here and there, much more interested in schmoozing than listening to the music. The Scientology photographer was around taking pictures of the band and the crowd. One woman in Scientology staff uniform was there the whole time talking to different people. So I got the impresssion that the Scientologists I know were NOT there to listen to the music but to work the event somehow. Meanwhile I enjoyed the music and the food.

I left and came back about 8:30pm and the band was thanking everybody for coming out and goodnight. There were probably 100 people max. there.

I have no idea who organized this event but it must have been horribly advertised for such a low turnout for such a good band. And the city must be pondering what happened to make them close the main artery through downtown Clearwater for so few people. We'll see how busy the arts festival is today....
When a Scientology staffer used a syringe to force a mixture of aspirin, Benadryl and orange juice into McPherson's throat while others held her down, it was "spiritual sustenance," the church argues.

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