Jane Russell Dies at 89

She was a very popular WWII Pinup. Jane Russell was "discovered" by Howard Hughes while she was working as a receptionist in a dental office.

This picture is probably the most famous image of Russell. Hughes was pushing the envelope in 1943...we just weren't used to seeing movie posters like this one! It truly was a different time.

 Jane Russell died peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family. She was 89.

Is This Logo Racist?

The question is: Is the logo, on the right, racist? Some people in Iran think that it is. They are encouraging all Muslim states to boycott the London 2012 Olympics.

Because of the logo?

In case you don't see it, some say that it "spells"" Zion. This bothers the Iranians, a lot.(...)
When I look at the logo, I see...and this is a stretch ..."2012 London Olympics"  or "ZOI? London Olympics" or "ZOIR London Olympics"

It is a stupid logo.  It looks like it was damaged by an earthquake.

Stupid, yes!  Racist?  Nope.  Racist would be.....refusing to allow your athletes to compete against a particular country.  Racist would also be when your leader calls for the destruction of another race of people.

If you think that this logo is racist, then you are dumber that we thought.

Baby Gaga "Breast Milk" Ice Cream Off The Market

I was avoiding this because I thought that it was stupid...too stupid even for this blog. (Now, that's saying something!)

There's an outfit in England that is making ice cream from human breast milk. They market it as "Baby Gaga Ice Cream" at The Icecreamist ice cream parlor.

The dish was introduced last week.   Now we hear of (2) complaints about safety concerns over edibles being made from other people's bodily fluids.(...)
 The Westminster City Council is waiting for the Food Standards Agency of OK the dessert. Meanwhile, local government officials have confiscated the ice cream. The ice cream parlor claims to have "sold out" of the stuff.

It's easy to "sell out" inventory when it has been confiscated!

I'll stick with my Breyers Butter Pecan.

Monday Foto - Anne Hathaway

This week, we start off with actress Anne Hathaway. I am told that she hosted the Academy Awards, last night. (I didn't watch).

It may be interesting to know that Anne, 28 years old, is a Brooklyn girl who uses her real name. I mention this because we all know that William Shakespeare was married to a woman named Anne Hathaway.

If you click the image, you'll get a very nice image... have a good week!

Girl Scouts' Cookie Sales Barred At Founder's House

Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts Of America in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Her house still stands - as an historic landmark!  Until recently, Girl Scouts could always be found selling their famous Girl Scout Cookies on the sidewalk in front of the Low home.

A complaint last year ended this. Peddling on a public sidewalk is a violation of a city ordinance. (...)

Savanah must be one of the perfect places in the world! The city fathers, there, have no crime or corruption to deal with!  And if they do, it doesn't get in the way of hassling little girls.

UPDATE:  On 3/3/11, the Girl Scouts were given permission to sell their cookies on the sidewalk in front of their founder's home.

Duke Snider Dies At 84

The "Duke Of Flatbush", "The Silver Fox", Baseball Hall Of Famer Edwin Donald Snider has died.

Duke played with the Brooklyn (and Los Angeles) Dodgers (1947–62), New York Mets (1963), and San Francisco Giants (1964).

He was the Brooklun Dodgers' centerfielder at the same time that Mickey Mantle roamed center for the Yankees and Willie Mays for the Giants. (...)

As I remember, baseball in New York was magic during this era.

Duke was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1980, thge same year that the Dodgers retired his number 4.

Galyna Goes Amid Qadhafi Woes

It's apparent that Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi is "toast." The situation has gotten so bad that there are reports that his head nurse, Galyna Kolotnytska, has bolted for her native Ukraine.

Like I always say, "You can easily identify your real friends, once your dictatorship is being toppled!"

Don't feel bad for Galyna. I'm sure she can find some work in, say...North Korea?

Football's Ricky Bell Dies @ 36

Ricky Bell, a retired cornerback who played in the NFL, NFL Europe, CFL and AFL has died at the age of 36. Cause of death is being held private. For an athlete to die young is disturbing. The shroud of mystery makes it worse...(...)

We do know that he died on February 17, 2011 in Columbia, South Carolina. He went to North Carolina State University and played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chicago Bears, the Barcelona Dragons, the Orlando Rage, the Calgary Stampeders, the Ottawa Renegades, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montreal Alouettes. He won a Grey Cup championship in 2001 with Calgary.

He was signed by the Georgia Force of the AFL on March 20, 2008.

Bell was working in the real estate field. He leaves a daughter, Nyla.

Coke Sign Splits 'Frisco Neighborhood

Ya know, some people should GET A LIFE!

There's a case in San Francisco, where Richard Modolo has a 15'X7' Coca Cola sign on the side of his house. His house was a small grocery store, back when people bought their food in small grocery stores. Now it's a house in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The sign is an obvious violation of the neighborhood's anti-billboard laws. It must go!(...)

The sign has been there for 20 years! You see, in '91, Modolo said he discovered it when he removed asbestos siding from his home. A friend touched it up and the sign remained.

City Supervisor David Campos says, "We're trying to fight childhood obesity...we don't want to promote kids drinking Coca-Cola."

There is a possibility that the sign, which dates back to the 1930's, could be saved. Campos says that he may introduce legislation that would create a special "historic sign district."

So, some gavone complains about a billboard in a residential neighborhood, which has been there for 20 years, and probably for another 20 years - beginning in the '30's. It has been restored and is not an eyesore.  Historic value of the sign is being ignored, as the billboard was found to be illegal.

Modolo may soon face a $100 - a - day fine until he removes it.

Kelsey Grammar Marries #4

Yeah, he's 56 and she's 29. Kelsey Grammar and Kayte Walsh made it "legal," today, on Broadway in New York City. I'm trying to shy away from Hollywood news like this since most of us cannot relate to people like Kelsey Grammar. Viewing his marital track record, I'm wondering which is worse for a marriage, not having enough money or having too much?

I guess the answer depends on who you are marrying...

Friday Foto - Amber Heard

This week's Friday Foto comes to us from Austin, Texas. Amber Heard is a successful Hollywood Actress. She's 24 and has done some TV and a few movies. Look for her to team up with Nicholas Cage in a new movie.

As usual, click the image to get the total picture...and have a nice weekend!

2 1/2 Men Production Done For Season

CBS has announced that production for "Two And A Half Men" has been cancelled for the remainder of this TV season. The network said that they made this decision because of Charlie Sheen's recent words and actions.

Sheen responded in an open letter which was delivered to TMZ. Here's part of the letter...(...)

What does this say about Haim Levine [Chuck Lorre] after he tried to use his words to judge and attempt to degrade me. I gracefully ignored this folly for 177 shows ... I fire back once and this contaminated little maggot can't handle my power and can't handle the truth. I wish him nothing but pain in his silly travels especially if they wind up in my octagon. Clearly I have defeated this earthworm with my words -- imagine what I would have done with my fire breathing fists. I urge all my beautiful and loyal fans who embraced this show for almost a decade to walk with me side-by-side as we march up the steps of justice to right this unconscionable wrong.

Remember these are my people ... not yours...we will continue on together...

Charlie Sheen

Charlie, your TV show is only a TV show...nothing more. Based on the longevity of other successful sitcoms, 2 1/2 Men's run is almost done.

New Jared Loughner Mug Shot

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. On the right is a new mug shot of accused mass shooter, Jared Loughner.

Judging from his left eye, his crooked nose and the bump on his head, it looks like young Jared doesn't "work well with others!"

Wednesday Foto - 2/23/11

I was looking for a Wednesday Foto and I thought that this one would do nicely!

This is probably a picture of somebody famous, but I don't have a clue.

Click the image to get the full effect...

Financial Planning

Alaska State Rep. Opts For 12 Hr. Boat Ride Over TSA Pat Down

TSA goons in Seattle chose Alaska State Representative for a pat down after seeing her mastectomy on the airport scan

State Rep. Sharon Cissna refused the pat down and chose to take a 12 hour boat ride from Seattle to Juneau.

Cissna was on her way home after receiving treatment for breast cancer.(...)
 She has not offered an official comment other than saying that the pat down would have been "intrusive."

We at the blog applaud this brave lady. While battling cancer, bothering with TSA twerps is not what she needs!

Potty Putter

This struck me as interesting. It's the Potty Putter. Not exactly my cup of tea, but if you know a golfer, who seems to have everything...this may be a possibile gift idea...only $19.95 from Baron Bob!

Monday Foto - Sabrena Hope

Is it Monday, already? I guess it is.

Let's get the work week started with a special Monday Foto! Sabrena Hope is a librarian in Florida. I hear that she has thousands of followers on Facebook and Twitter and Myspace. She was in Playboy Social and has her own web site, OfficialSabrenaHope.com.

Thanks, Luke!

Daytona Surprise

He just recently turned 20. He shaves once a week. He just won the Daytona 500! Trevor Bayne says that winning was "...too easy."

The race had a record 74 lead changes among 22 drivers, and a record 16 cautions that wiped out many of the leaders, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the first attempt at NASCAR's version of overtime. It put Bayne out front with a slew of unusual suspects.

The winning car, owned by struggling Wood Racing, gives them their first Daytona win in 35 years.

Wounded Vet Unwelcomed @ Columbia University

We all have our opinions. Sometimes they differ. When they do, what do we do?  Is it your way or the highway?

At a recent town-hall meeting at the Columbia University, the topic was whether ROTC should be allowed back on campus. (It's been gone for 42 years.)

At the meeting, 28 year old freshman Anthony Maschek spoke. Maschek is an Army veteran, he was a staff sergeant who was awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008.(...)
 Here's some of what he said, "It doesn't matter how you feel about the war. It doesn't matter how you feel about fighting...there are bad men out there plotting to kill you."

He was called a racist, and was hissed and booed by his fellow students.

Maschek, an Idaho native, a 10th Mountain Division infantryman, spent two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington recovering from grievous wounds to his abdomen, arm and chest. Both of his legs were broken.

This meeting was the second of three hearings. Concerns were voiced over the number of females being sexually assaulted in the Army and the Army's current ban on transgender people.

The University is polling 10,000 students for their opinion on allowing ROTC to return. So far 1,300 have responded. Preliminary results are not being revealed.

Why the Army wants an ROTC program at Columbia is beyond me!  Does the Army really want to recruit officers from among a pool of rich, spoiled, self centered Ivy League weirdos?

(Fire away, preppies!)

I Remember Rosie

It's Saturday night and after an extremely busy day on the car lot, I'm pooped. Network TV is airing re-runs of shows that they ran earlier in the week. So, I pick up my laptop (and headphones) and (please forgive my honesty) listen to some classic doo wop.

That's when I find "Rosie & The Originals" on You Tube.

It would be cruel to call Rosie a "One Hit Wonder." John Lennon told Life Magazine in a 1969 interview that Rosie Hamlin is his favorite female singer! He recorded "Angel Baby" for his  "Rock & Roll" album. (Not bad for a One Hit Wonder.) Led Zeppelin made reference to her in their Houses Of The Holy album liner notes.(...)
A little bit about Rosie. She was born in the Pacific Northwest, spending much of her youth in Alaska. She and her family moved to southern California where she attended Mission Bay HS in San Diego. When she was 13, she faked babysitting jobs to sing with a local band. She got the gig by auditioning over the phone! She also sang in a group with her cousins. She wrote "Angel Baby" when she was 14 years old! In the summer of 1960, she and her friends traveled from San Diego to San Marcos, CA where they recorded "Angel Baby." It wasn't really a recording studio. It was actually the corner of an old airplane hanger. They used a two track recorder. This meant that when somebody made a mistake, they had to "take it from the top." Rosie says that they did more than 30 "takes" before they got it right. Listening to the record, you'll notice a somewhat quirky (I'm being nice) sax solo. The saxophone player, Alfred Barrett, was unable to attend the recording session as he was forced to mow the lawn at home. (Alfred had a strict mother.) The lead guitar player, Noah Tafolla, had some experience with the sax, so...in a pinch...he taught the bass player, Tony Gomez, how to play the sax solo! Well, it kinda worked.

They had a record, but they didn't have a record label. They took a 45RPM of their song to Kresge's Department Store where Rosie convinced the manager in the record department to play the song. At that time, you could listen to a song, in booths, before you bought it.

The song caused a sensation among the teenagers, that day. A record promoter happened to be in the store which led to Rosie signing with Highland Records. The song was a hit, reaching #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 in December 1960. Legendary DJ Alan Freed would play this song 6 - 10 times every night on K-Day Radio!  It was also a hit in Canada on Zirkon Records and in the UK on London Records. Sounds like a Cinderella story, right? Well, not exactly. Rosie was only 15 years old. Credit for writing the song went to David Ponci - the oldest member of "Rosie The Originals." It took Rosie years to get this straightened out. This means that Rosie lost a ton of money.

The song was and is special. It is universally known. As a former radio DJ who has played crap (relatively speaking) for years, "Angel Baby" is a crisp, raw, simple, real, emotional masterpiece. Yes, the recording has flaws, but when Rosie sang that song, she was singing directly to me....and you, and any guy who was listening. She was singing for any girl who shared similar feelings.

Rosie still sings the song - 50 years later. This is a video of her singing "Angel Baby" in 2002.

Hell of a song! Thanks, Rosie.

http://www.rosieandtheoriginals.com/

Sleeping In Church

This is something of which I am not particularly proud. It has no reflection on the importance that I place on religious worship, but the fact is, it is common for me to doze off in church. The fact that the sermon is delivered in a monotone voice from a source who may need a new set of dentures and is speaking over a crummy sound system and is difficult to understand, is no excuse for my behavior. The only excuse that I can come up with is that my batteries are low at this time of the week. You see, I work six days a week and just as I get hungry at dinner time, (...)
I get sleepy at church time. It happens. Much of this blog is edited late at night (late for me)and I often find myself dozing at the keyboard.

There is one unwritten rule involved in dozing off in church. Under no circumstances should you ever, ever allow yourself to snore! If you do, well, let's just say, this is one of the reasons that nature has suggested the need for a wife.

Missing Cactus, Found

First, the giant fiber glass cactus figure was vandalized, then it was stolen. Now, we know that the missing cactus was picked up by Albuquerque city workers who picked it up, as trash, and took it to the dump. The workers had been sent to a local park which had been vandalized and they mistook the cactus for useless debris.
Since being taken to the dump, the cactus has been crushed and buried. The sculpture was created by "at-risk" high school kids of the Working Classroom, for the city, with $50,000 in state funds.

$50,000?    $50,000? 

There's a little bit of irony, here.  The sculpture was made by "at risk" kids....at risk of becoming the kind of kids who destroyed it.  The $50,000?  The money is only the icing on the cake.

Friday Foto - Hannah Shine

This week's Friday Foto features Hannah Shine. She's a popular model from Bristol, England.

As usual, click the image to get the "full picture!"

Have a nice weekend!

New Wonder Woman - Adrianne Palicki

Wonder Woman is being recycled for TV. David E. Kelley has come up with a pilot for NBC with Adrianne Palicki in the title role.

Adrianne is best known for her role on "Friday Niglt Lights." The Wonder Woman story line will continue as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, a vigilante crime fighter, does her best to balance her life as Wonder Woman and as a successful corporate executive.(...)

As I remember the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman TV series, it seemed a little corny to me. But, watching Lynda Carter, who cared?

Two TSA Thugs Busted

I don't have a problem with authority. Really, I don't!

I just don't like the TSA. I don't think they are professional nor effective. I think that their judgement is often questionable.

Well, two TSA officers were arrested and charged with stealing $160,000 in cash from checked baggage at NY's Kennedy Airport.(...)

Seven year TSA agent Davon Webb, 30, and Couman Perad, who turned 36 today and has been with the TSA since 2002, were arrested after admitting they had regularly stolen from checked bags, sources said.

The men will be charged with grand larceny, possession of stolen property and official misconduct.