1 AM Friday here: click on post title for link, then click "viewers", then click "NATV Ch 53"
This is part 2 of the broadcast "Remembering Gabby Pahinui" -- with MC Skylark Rossetti and guests Cyril & Martin Pahinui, Peter Moon Jr. and Palani Vaughan.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Gabby All Night
Housekeeping!
Be sure to check out the bottom of this page for the latest RSS feeds from WWOZ in New Orleans and the Mt. Washington Observatory. Good stuff!
What This Country Needs Is A Good 5-Cent Joke
"The world's oldest recorded joke has been traced back to 1900 BC and suggests that toilet humor was as popular with the ancients as it is today.
It is a saying of the Sumerians, who lived in what is now southern Iraq and goes: "Something which has never occurred since time immemorial; a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap."
Kaua'i Helicopter Crash: Mechanical Flaw
"A mechanical defect caused the fatal March 2007 Inter-island Helicopter crash near Tunnels Beach on the north shore, a National Transportation Safety Board report said."
This was the same crash that seriously injured two people from here in New Hampshire, who settled for $9.5 million...
Jelly
Not Jelly Roll Morton or jelly donuts (sorry, Homer), but a flotilla of box jellyfish has closed Hanauma Bay...
Come And Get It!
Here's an interesting story about Joey Molland, the last remaining member of the first band signed to Apple Records, Badfinger. I saw Joey live last summer at "Hippiefest", and will be going to see him again tomorrow night.
All That Jazz (and Folk!)
National Public Radio has announced that they will offer webcasts of portions of the upcoming Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festivals.
Thursday Music Digest
Looking back at some forgotten 45's
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/olyfilmgirl/archives/144841.asp?from=blog_last3
Great band name that Neil Young would love-Lionel and the Big Trains!
http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/news/x1542103438/Lionel-and-the-big-trains
Walter Trout sings the blues:
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/469974
A look at the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame-
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977410143
And yet another music fest this weekend-Gathering of the Vibes in Stamford CT.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/livingandhealth/ci_10051188
Legal Tales From Gilligan's Island
As a character from another 1960's teevee classic would say, "Fascinating!".
Includes the story of how 30 thousand people once signed a petition to change the island name of Mau'i to "Gilligan's Island".
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Water on Mars?
"In a discovery that could qualify as one of the most important in the history of space exploration, NASA’s Phoenix Mission may have confirmed the presence of water ice on the planet, Popular Mechanics has learned. The scheduling of a press conference for Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern by NASA and the University of Arizona has raised hopes in the space community that scientists will announce the breakthrough."
Yet More Lowell Fest Pictures
Click on the post title for another photog's work on Flickr. Over 200 of them!
Wednesday Music Digest
A profile of a lady who dresses African musicians:
http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/Arts.asp?id=987
The Minnesota Orchestra gets jazzed up!
http://www.minnpost.com/pamelaespeland/2008/07/29/2750/a_big_step_for_jazz_and_the_minnesota_orchestra
RIP to legendary African music producer Faisal Helwani
http://dailyguideghana.com/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=6412
Saving folk music in Berkeley:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_10036895
And Ringo and Paul have stopped the DVD release of "Let it Be"...
http://www.list.co.uk/article/10681-beatles-cant-buy-dvd/
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mobile!
One of the marauding bands of musicians (these were from Mexico) who held guns to our heads and forced us to listen to their music at Lowell Saturday.
Voyage to the Bottom of Lake Baikal
(Courtesy photo)
"The two Russian submersibles which dived to the sea-bed beneath the North Pole last year are now attempting to reach the bottom of Lake Baikal in Siberia. Mir One and Mir Two will try to measure the maximum depth of the world's deepest lake."
Tuesday Music Digest
60's bebop flashback:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/arts/music/28smok.html?ref=arts
A Japanese jazz artist discovers Boston's jazz music scene...
http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2008_07_28_Hofbauer_jazzed_about_Hub_s_scene_/srvc=home&position=also
Widespread Panic to celebrate Halloween in the Big Easy:
http://www.relix.com/Features/Daily_News/Widespread_Panic_to_Celebrate_Halloween_in_New_Orleans_During_Fall_Tour_200807283060.html
Speaking of NO, it's almost opera season down there!
http://blog.nola.com/marklorando/2008/07/new_orleans_opera_lovers_look.html
Norman Thompson and the Smokestack Lightnin' gang keep the blues streaming on the internet-
http://www.smokestacklightnin.com/
And a nice George Carlin story...
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/07/28/carlin.album.ap/index.html
Monday, July 28, 2008
2008 Lowell Fest Crafts
Here are a few of the nice wood decoys made by Massachusetts craftsman Bob Brophy. Click on my post title for his story.
We Travel the Spaceways
SDSSJ1430: A Galaxy Einstein Ring
Credit: A. Bolton (UH/IfA) for SLACS and NASA/ESA
Explanation: What's large and blue and can wrap itself around an entire galaxy? A gravitational lens mirage. Pictured above on the left, the gravity of a normal white galaxy has gravitationally distorted the light from a much more distant blue galaxy. More normally, such light bending results in two discernable images of the distant galaxy, but here the lens alignment is so precise that the background galaxy is distorted into a nearly complete ring. Since such a lensing effect was generally predicted in some detail by Albert Einstein over 70 years ago, such rings like SDSSJ1430 are now know as Einstein Rings. SDSSJ1430 was discovered during the Sloan Lens Advanced Camera for Surveys (SLACS) campaign, an observation program that inspected lens candidates found by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) with the Hubble Space Telescope's ACS.
Strong gravitational lenses like SDSSJ1440 are more than oddities -- their multiple properties allow astronomers to determine the mass and dark matter content of the foreground galaxy lenses. Given these determinations, SLACS data has now been used, for example, to show that dark matter fraction increases with overall galaxy mass. The inset images on the right depict, from top to bottom, a computer reconstructed image of what the background blue galaxy really looks like, just the white foreground galaxy, and just the lensed blue background galaxy.
RIP Jazz Guitarist Joe Beck
(Guitar Specialist photo)
DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — Joe Beck, a jazz guitarist who collaborated with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and James Brown, has died at a local hospice after battling lung cancer. He was 62.
Artificial Wildlife
Back in the mid 1990s, the fine folks of Northfield, NH created the state's first "Artificial Wildlife Sanctuary" just off of Interstate 93. This was in protest of the state removing a small hill and its trees near the Northfield exit, in order to create an "artificial wetland". They decided that an artificial wetland required artificial wildlife, and the rest is history. Click on my post title for the whole story.
I took this picture of another Artificial Wildlife Sanctuary a few weeks ago. This one is located in West Plymouth, but there is no info about it online yet.
Off to the Races
"Australian Jamie Mitchell easily won his seventh straight QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race crown on Sunday."
More Lowell Pictures
Another photographer has posted a nice set of pictures from early Saturday afternoon on Flickr. Click the post title to see them.
Monday's Music Digest
Pink Floyd's David Gilmour gets his own guitar
http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2008/07/david-gilmour-gets-signaturemo.html
Wolfgang opens the vault to some vintage shows by It's a Beautiful Day!
http://tinyurl.com/6bjnno
Who's Johnny Griffin? Read about him here...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2463604/Johnny-Griffin.html
Review of a new jazz book by the Boston Globe's Bob Blumenthal:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30029
And a Randy Newman sighting:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jul/28/popandrock.usa
Sunday, July 27, 2008
From New Orleans to the World?
Back in the early 1980s, a local radio station in New Orleans, WRNO, decided to push the envelope. They got a government license and fired up a station on the shortwave bands.
Their signal, at least early on, was huge here in the New England Area. They also had great programming, including Louisiana music programming and also New Orleans Saints NFL footie.
When the inventor of this concept, station owner Joe Costello, kicked the bucket, 'RNO was sold to religious broadcasters. The station had experienced a major transmitter fire earlier, so the station has been MIA for years.
Breaking wireless news from Glenn Hauser-click on my post title to get to GH's SW radio report in full!
"WRNO New Orleans has finally started testing under new ownership with new transmitter, first heard July 18 at 1938 on 15590.4; later also on 7505, but only for brief periods with a variety of music, no IDs.
George Jacobs and WRNO HQ in Fort Worth confirm they have started on-air testing. Programming expected to start August 1. Not like the original WRNO, but now just another religious station."
NH Tornado Update
Wow!
"The tornado that hit New Hampshire Thursday traveled 40 miles through 11 towns, creating a swath of destruction a third of a mile wide in some areas, while lifting off the ground and skipping over others, a National Weather Service expert said today after completing a review of the damage."
The End of the Hawaiian Pineapple?
With a major layoff this week, Hawaii's pineapple production may be nearing a close...
"High land and labor costs have made Hawaii pineapple growers less competitive with producers in places like Costa Rica, Mexico and Ecuador."
Eclipse Time
Friday, August 1 is a red-letter day for eclipse enthusiasts. On that date, the sun will be partially eclipsed over an immense area that includes western and central Asia, parts of northern and central Europe, all of Greenland and even a small slice of northeastern North America
Northern Lights Mystery Solved
"A flotilla of NASA probes has solved the 30-year mystery behind the most colorful aurora displays on Earth and the explosive magnetic "substorms" that spawn them."
Sunday Music Digest
Students embark on a music caravan to jazz up the Big Easy:
http://www.americanprofile.com/article/27742.html
The San Francisco Tape Music Center
http://www.latimes.com/features/printedition/books/la-bk-bernstein27-2008jul27,0,116337.story
Guitar Fest-Nils Lofgren offers instruction by computer!
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/ART16/878728480/-1/ART
As rock legends age, the concert era is drawing to a close. Or so they say.
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-commentarydemaio0727.artjul27,0,4966071.story
And Beatles guru Neil Aspinall left 7 million pounds in his will.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/mailonsunday/article-1038882/Beatles-8217-business-guru-Neil-Aspinall-leaves-7m-will.html
Stupid Music Picture of the Day
The current cream of the crop as far as Texas stupid music guitar players go these days-Cindy Cashdollar and Redd Volkaert at Lowell, 7/26. Photo by yours truly.
Highight of Redd and Cindy's set? An unbelievable circa 2008 reading of the Allman Brothers Band's intrumental classic "Jessica", featuring Cindy on electrified lap steel guitar. Gabby Pahinui would surely approve of her style.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Looks Tasty!
Armenian Relief Society Food Tent, JFK Plaza at the Lowell Folk Fest.
These are a combo of beef and lamb, and occupy a tiny space inside a pita with delicious Armenian salad. In other words a meal to go.
Pass the Salt Fish, Ackee and Jerk, Please.
Legendary Jamaican musical inventors The Skatalites at the Lowell Folk Festival, Saturday July 26, 2008. Photo by yours truly.
Lowell Bound!
It's off to the Lowell Folk Festival for some tasty music and even tastier food. As a result, blog entries today will be nonexistent until later tonight.
Click on the post title for a schedule of the performers. Among the highlights this year are legendary Jamaican group The Skatalites, gospel/soul shouter Sister Marie Knight, and a couple of mighty fine guitarists from the Lone Star State, steel guitar great CIndy Cashdollar (late of Asleep at the Wheel) and Telecaster master Redd Volkaert.
Here's a sample of Redd and Cindy at work. Now I must go, as it's curried goat and sweet potato pie for lunch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY8AFtlAykA
Saturday Music Digest
Royal Hawaiian Band sighted:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/GETPUBLISHED/80725068/-1/SPORTSFRONT
News from the Grand Ole Opry!http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/TUNEIN/807250380/1005/ENTERTAINMENT
25 years of folk-
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/FEATURES02/807250305/1011/FEATURES02
Music-club hopping in New Orleans...
http://www.worldhum.com/weblog/item/applause_on_planes_flag_waving_and_new_orleans_20080725/
And RIP to original Jeff Beck Group drummer Mickey Waller:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/may/28/obituaries.mainsection
Friday, July 25, 2008
Just March
Some of the unknown and un-ID'ed New Orleans victims of Hurricane Katrina will get the traditional Jazz Funeral...
"New" Randall Hall Update
Taken between the monsoons Thursday, we see the rigid yellow foam insulation in place.
After the Monsoon
It's official-the NWS has confirmed that New Hampshire WAS hit by a tornado Thursday. First one in 60 years?
No link to this story yet, be patient!
Exhibit by NYC Waterfalls Artist
Looking at works by Olafur Eliasson and other Icelandic artists in NYC.
Chinese Grand Canyon Opens
Located in the counties of Mainling and Medog of Nyingchi Prefecture, the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is the world's deepest and largest river valley...
Koloa Plantation Days
The very cool little town we stayed in on Kaua'i is having their annual Plantation Days this weekend.
Transpac Sailing Race Has a Winner
"Al Hughes on Dogbark has taken line honors (first to finish) for the 2008 Singlehanded Transpac, crossing the finish line at Hanalei bay..."
After the Monsoon
"Crews are working to restore power and clear roads this morning in a section of New Hampshire that was hammered by a violent tornado-like thunderstorm Thursday that killed one person in a house collapse.
Jim Van Dongen, a spokesman for the New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, said that all state roads in the area between Epsom and New Durham are "at least passable." But crews of workmen armed with chainsaws are still working on clearing local roads."
Click the post title above for the rest of this story. More coverage at the links below (this has "gone national", as they say in the news biz):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/25/AR2008072500668.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-nhstorm5-2008jul25,0,683176.story
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN24311563
Friday Musical Digest
Review of some new albums, including releases by Buddy Guy and Joe Cocker
http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/07/more_kevin_ohare_album_reviews_1.html
Hawaiian music fest in Oregon:
http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1216682728310420.xml&coll=7
More reviews, this time of new DVDs, including the new CSN & Y concert film-
http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-et-capsules25-2008jul25,0,6267186.story
Another folk fest is running this weekend besides the Lowell one-in Calgary:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/swerve/story.html?id=d8620dab-cda1-49e8-9991-73af40e7fc4f
That city will also have a blues fest in early August-
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/swerve/story.html?id=389ce0e5-17d3-4065-af07-4727e926c5c3
And Taj Mahal plays Pittsburgh...
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08207/899336-42.stm
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Selecting a State Rock Song for Oklahoma
OK already has an official "pop" state song ("Oklahoma!" by Rodgers and Hammerstein), an official country song (the Bob Wills tune "Faded Love") and an official folk song (Woody Guthrie's "Oklahoma Hills"). Now the rockers get their turn.
State of Emergency
From the Boston Herald (click post title for complete story)
"New Hampshire’s governor has declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard after a freak flurry of wild weather and powerful wind damaged hundreds of homes, knocked out power and left residents shaken.
In Epsom, N.H., where a tornado warning was issued over the lunch hour, powerful winds damaged 50 to 100 homes and knocked down power lines and trees, said Mary Frambach, a volunteer at the Epsom Fire Department. A shelter has been set up at a town elementary school.
Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency in five New Hampshire counties after they were hit by severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. The declaration affects Belknap, Carroll, Merrimack, Strafford and Rockingham counties. Lynch also called out the National Guard to help in the storm recovery."
Climate Change Update
07/24/2008 1150 am
Barnstead, Belknap County.
Funnel cloud, reported by public.
Possible tornado. Multiple houses collapsed near Barnstead.
"Dogs Flew Spaceships!"
"FORMER NASA astronaut and moon-walker Dr Edgar Mitchell - a veteran of the Apollo 14 mission - has stunningly claimed aliens exist. And he says extra-terrestrials have visited Earth on several occasions - but the alien contact has been repeatedly covered up by governments for six decades."
Climate Change!
The National Weather Service in Gray Maine has issued a Tornado Warning for... southeastern Belknap County in central New Hampshire... northwestern Strafford County in central New Hampshire... until 1215 PM EDT* at 1138 am EDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated asevere thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado 13 milessouthwest of Farmington... or about 6 miles northwest ofNorthwood... moving northeast at 45 mph.*
Some locations in the warning include but are not limited to Farmington and Alton.In addition to the tornado... this storm is capable of producing destructive straight line winds.
The National Weather Service in Gray Maine has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... eastern Belknap County in central New Hampshire... northwestern Strafford County in central New Hampshire... eastern Merrimack County in central New Hampshire... southern Carroll County in northern New Hampshire... until 1230 PM EDT at 1133 am EDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located 9 miles south of Barnstead... or
about 8 miles west of Northwood... and moving north at 51 mph. Some locations in the warning include but are not limited to Barnstead... Gilmanton... Alton... Wolfeboro and Ossipee.
Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday morning... The Flood Watch continues for portions of central New Hampshire and northern New Hampshire... including the following areas... in central New Hampshire... Belknap... Merrimack and Sullivan. In northern New Hampshire... northern Carroll... northern Coos... northern Grafton... southern Carroll... southern Coos and southern Grafton. Through Friday morning expect a total of 2 to 4 inches of rain to fall in the watch area through Thursday night. Showers and thunderstorms will continue through the day... with the flood potential increasing as showers continue through Thursday night. Heavy rain from showers and thunderstorms may cause area streams to rise quickly... with small stream and urban flooding possible.
Nani Lee Meadows Funeral
Back in April I mentioned that Hawaiian singer Nani Lee Meadows, who was married to the immortal singer and composer Kui Lee, had passed away. Her funeral will be this weekend in Kaneohe.
Thursday Music Digest
When Betty Davis (Miles' ex) met Hugh Masekela:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=20960
Beaglemania!
http://www.bakersfield.com/142/story/504412.html
Lowell Folk Fest preview part 297:
http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/07/24/lowell_folk_festival
Ukulele U.
http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2008/07/22/news/news04.txt
Derek Trucks, guitar hero:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-derek-trucks-fill-0723jul23,0,1869765.story
And speaking of guitars, it's the Hitchhiking Guitar Man!
http://www.star-telegram.com/869/story/761883.html
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Turtle Love
"A popular oceanic visitor of Laniakea Beach, Hawaii paid his respects to his murdered Hawaiian Sea Turtle friend."
Click post title for the video.
Happy Birthday Telstar
On this date in 1962 the first TV transmission across the Atlantic was relayed by the satellite above. Telstar 1 was developed by Bell Labs (in fact, my Grandpa Wally worked on it) and the gigantic US ground station was built in Andover Maine, which is just to the east of Berlin, NH.
The first broadcast on July 23 was to have been President Kennedy, but signal acquisition came before JFK was ready, so they showed a baseball game!
Telstar later became the name of a hit song. The satellite is still up there, and the earth station at Andover is still standing.
We Travel the Spaceways
High Cliffs Surrounding Echus Chasma on Mars
Credit: G. Neukum (FU Berlin) et al., Mars Express, DLR, ESA
Explanation: What created this great cliff on Mars? Did giant waterfalls once plummet through its grooves? With a four-kilometer drop, this high cliff surrounding Echus Chasma, near an impressive impact crater, was carved by either water or lava. A leading hypothesis is that Echus Chasma, at 100-kilometers long and 10-kilometers wide, was once one of the largest water sources on Mars. If true, water once held in Echus Chasma likely ran over the Martian surface to carve the impressive Kasei Valles, which extends over 3,000 kilometers to the north.
Even if initially carved by water, lava appears to have later flowed in the valley, leaving an extraordinarily smooth floor. Echus Chasma lies north of tremendous Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the Solar System. The above image was taken by the robotic Mars Express spacecraft currently orbiting Mars.
50 Peaks in 50 Days
"Zach Price and Mike Haugen hoped to reach the summit of Mount Rainier Monday.
That accomplishment help the men close in on their goal of scaling the highest peaks in each state in less than 50 days."
In Search of the Lusitania
"It is the best known shipwreck lying on the Irish seabed, but it is only today that the owner of the Lusitania will finally begin the first extensive visual documentation of the luxury liner that sank 93 years ago.
Gregg Bemis, who bought the remains of the vessel for £1,000 from former partners in a diving business in 1968, has been granted an imaging licence by the Department of the Environment. This allows him to photograph and film the entire structure, and should allow him to produce the first high-resolution pictures of the historic vessel.
The RMS Lusitania sank off the coast of Cork in May 1915 when a German U-boat torpedoed it. An undetermined second explosion is believed to have speeded its sinking, with 1,198 passengers and crew losing their lives."
Remembering "Pops" Pahinui
From Auntie Maria:
"Thursday Jul 24 and Thursday July 31, go online to enjoy the two-part broadcast "Remembering Gabby Pahinui" -- with MC, Skylark Rossetti and guests Cyril & Martin Pahinui, Peter Moon Jr. and Palani Vaughan. 7pm (HST): http://www.olelo.org Click "viewers", then click "NATV Ch 53"
7 PM HST = 1 AM EDT
Missing Goat Hunter Found on Kaua'i
"After being released from the hospital, Kimura went to Hamura's for a bowl of saimin."
Wednesday Music Digest
Keeping jazz alive in the Arkansas Delta
http://www.helena-arkansas.com/entertainment/x223014787/Myers-keeps-Jazz-alive-in-Ark-Delta
An ukulele maker in Wisconsin
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-news_local.asp?id=BH79Q3K4E22
A preview of New Brunswick's upcoming Fredericton Blues Fest:
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/362816
Former Hanapepe resident Taj Mahal is about to kick off his 40th Anniversary Tour:
http://tajmahal.shop.musictoday.com/Default.aspx
This weekend in New Orleans, it's the annual Satchmo Fest
http://top40-charts.com/news/Jazz/Free-8th-Annual-Free-Satchmo-Summerfest-Celebrates-Louis-Armstrong-In-New-Orleans/41826.html
And speaking of the Big Easy, the NO Opera will explore Mahalia Jackson's music in its new season!
http://blog.nola.com/arts/2008/07/new_orleans_opera_announces_20.html
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
More World Travel Rankings
Includes hotels and airlines. The Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele, ranked #15 in the world's top 100 hotels. Last year it was #60!
Hawaiian Airlines was #5.
As for the islands, in the world's top 10:
Mau'i = #3
Kaua'i = #4
Big Isle = #7
Artie Traum RIP
(Flickr photo)
"Artie Traum, a veteran songwriter and guitarist who came out of the Greenwich Village folk music scene, has died. He was 65.Traum died Sunday at his home in upstate Bearsville, near Woodstock, from cancer that spread to his liver, said manager Jeff Heiman."
Rest of obit below; click on the post title for an appreciation...
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/news/ny-traum225772763jul22,0,2438510.story
Rest of obit below; click on the post title for an appreciation...
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/news/ny-traum225772763jul22,0,2438510.story
Top 10 Music Books
Selected by Simon Napier-Bell, who discovered Marc Bolan of T-Rex and has himself written several music books.
Rock Drummers = Pro Athletes?
NRBQ's drummer Tommy Ardolino, shown at right, could not be reached for comment.
"Playing the drums for a rock band requires the stamina of a Premiership footballer, research suggests.
Tests on Clem Burke, the veteran Blondie drummer, revealed that 90 minutes of drumming could raise his heart rate to 190 beats a minute."
Kaua'i Surf Claims Another Swimmer
"A 26-year-old Murrieta former high school homecoming queen who was studying to become a teacher and coaching softball died last week after being pulled from the water in Kauai, according to police and a family friend."
Lava Update
Latest on the most recent volcanic escapades on the Big Island; one of the Honolulu teevee stations even sent their helicopter over...
Tuesday Music Digest
New Orleans music, after the flood:
http://www.list.co.uk/article/10245-after-the-flood/
A profile of southern-born saxophone player John Ellis-
http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles/53700/john-ellis-son-of-a-preacher-man.html
The California-based online Hawaiian music station is back on the air after being shut down by a forest fire.
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/16/business/engle.html
RIP jazz bassist Dave Carpenter-
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/valley/la-me-carpenter30-2008jun30,0,7724153.story
And some Hawaiian musicians look back fondly at a childhood staple, cracked seed! Pass the li hing mui!
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8288/40/
Monday, July 21, 2008
Latest Saddle Hill Crop Pickin'
Can't remember the exact name of this summer squash variety, but The Dirty Worm replaced their longtime standard variety, "Multi-Pick", with it this year. I must admit it's better than MP, with less blossom end rot. Sliced and boiled gently for 12 minutes, then topped with a little butter and salt-that's tasty eating!
And many folks don't know it, but summer squash flowers are also edible!
Brah Jake
"With Arthur Godfrey and Tiny Tim gone, Jake Shimabukuro might just be the best ukulele player on the planet."
New Hawaii Culinary Website
From Cindy Cha at KHNL:
"Hawaii's culinary scene is going digital. It may not be the Food Network but it's a way for local chefs to gather online and share their tasty secrets.
It's called Share Your Table, and it cooks up a mean recipe, giving food lovers a taste of the island's favorites."
Click the post title for Cindy's story on the background of the website, and click below to go there!
http://www.shareyourtable.com/
Monday Music Digest
A Hawaii doctor treats his patients by playing them classical piano music!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/19/health.classicalmusicandopera
I keep meaning to post Auntie Maria's Hawaiian music calendar, here 'tis...
http://www.mele.com/resources/events.html
McCartney plays George's ukulele in Canada:
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=3c124897-aaf2-49ce-bc68-75cc321e3a48
Meanwhile, George's ex-gardener is in big trouble with the law-
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/justice/article1447275.ece
And a Martin Short sighting
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1AqH299p3r2jwGAWsW-uv5WVpFw
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Lazurus!
Remember this one?
"The Alternative Factor" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. It is episode #27, production #20, and was broadcast on March 30, 1967. The episode was written by Don Ingalls, and directed by Gerd Oswald.
In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise encounters a reality jumping madman. This is the first Star Trek episode to deal with parallel universes."
Lost in Space?
39 years ago today, we sat in my grandparents' living room in New Hampton and watched as the first men landed on the moon. Needless to say, they were amazed, as they were 10 years old when the Wright Brothers took off in the first airplane.
A lesser-known story from the Space Race was this mystery story about missing Russian cosmonauts. A fascinating read!
Hot Tomalley
Maine State health officials are urging lobster eaters to avoid the greenish innards known as the tomalley because of risks of shellfish poisoning
Elvis Sings Stupid Music
"Bob Wills wrote “Faded Love” and Patsy Cline made it a hit. Elvis gives this country classic a mellow vocal performance ..."
New Kaua'i Mayor Goes to Work
"Kaua'i Mayor Bill "Kaipo" Asing promised hard work on tough issues such as property tax reform..."
Sunday Music Digest
The new sounds of Mardi Gras:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=20767
The 38th ukulele festival in Hawaii
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080718/GETPUBLISHED/80718049/-1/SPORTSFRONT
NY school teacher sings "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at Yankee Stadium:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/new-york-school-teacher-wins/story.aspx?guid=%7BCF98A5FF-274A-4CC8-AA28-AFCDAD834D4E%7D&dist=hppr
Race and the birth of jazz in New Orleans
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30047
And there is a guitar shortage in Kalamazoo!
http://blog.mlive.com/kalamazoo_gazette_extra/2008/07/three_guitar_businesses_quit_k.html
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Tiki Bar Lawsuit
"Attorneys for the elderly owner of one of Hawaii's last tiki bars are working on a settlement to regain control of the business."
Saturday Music Digest
Guitar solo 101:
http://www.macleans.ca/canada/features/article.jsp?content=20080717_112922_3924
"Diba Diba"
http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/news/n06_18072008.htm
Buddy Cage's ride with the pedal steel guitar...
http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20080719/ASPENWEEKLY/300677035/1060
Bobby Charles sighting
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/saturday/act2/ny-blurbboxedno5768835jul19,0,3350171.story
And a review of a new blues up-and-comer, Janiva Magness, whom I think will be playing here at the White Mountain Boogie and Blues Fest next month:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/07/18/115700.php
Friday, July 18, 2008
Traffic Jam
"A freaky detour for Windward Oahu drivers who had to maneuver around whale remains that fell onto the road as they were being transported Thursday.
The whale removal on Oahu's North Shore was a big, stinky job on its own, but moving the bones actually created another big mess in Kaneohe. The scooped remains were taken for burial in Kahuku, but the bones were given to Hawaii Pacific University for students to study, but on the way to campus one of the drivers lost part of the load."
Old Jazz
"In the 1930s, people danced in New Orleans night clubs to the sweet and melodic jazz of Creole singer and trumpeter Lionel Ferbos.
Now they sit at tables and sip cocktails, watching the 97-year-old perform as one of the city's oldest working jazz musicians.
Born July 17, 1911, Ferbos started playing professionally during the Great Depression. He still performs regularly at French Quarter clubs and has appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival annually since its beginning in 1970.
A birthday celebration is planned Saturday night for Ferbos at the Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. Recently, he sat with friends at a Canal Street restaurant to reflect on his life and his music."
In Search of Steve Fossett
Adventurer Steve Fossett disappeared in a plane in the Nevada mountains a year ago, and was legally declared dead in February. Now a group of mountaineers are conducting the first of two planned on-foot searches of some of the more rugged areas where he may have gone done. Click the post title for their website, which includes a day by day summary and also some video.
Free Music!
Click the post title to be taken to Alligator Records, where you can get free downloads of some new music, including "Watermelon Time" from the new Marcia Ball album and "Hypnotized" by the great Eddie Clearwater. Koko Taylor is also there...
"I Feel Like Singing..."
Human ballads, bird songs, and croaky frog serenades are all controlled by a common brain circuit that first appeared in animals hundreds of millions of years ago, a new paper reveals.
Guitar Fest
A few guitar-related stories...
Hendrix coming to "Guitar Hero":
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hFAATNSXFYS2daBqiiAAI5hpdl8AD91VTKP80
Leo Kottke sighting-
http://www.telluridenews.com/entertainment/x2050101481/Leo-Kottke-and-his-enduring-guitar-love-affair
Frank's son Dweezil is a Zaapa off the old block!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-abbott1808jul18,0,2213420.column
And from a couple of weeks ago, a story about Johnny Burns, son of the late great Jethro.
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/entertainment/1033804,dn-burns-070308-s1.article
Friday Music Digest
George's sister Louise Harrison is planning a Beatles Museum in Branson
http://www.kbsradio.ca/news/music/87/756604
Love Festival Hawaii
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/18/features/story05.html
More Beatles news-Paul will play Israel soon:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2306615/Sir-Paul-McCartney-to-rock-Israel-43-years-after-ban.html
Preview of September's San Francisco Blues Festival-
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/17/DDMN11Q7S3.DTL
And a preview of next weekend's Lowell MA Folk Festival, which I will be attending for the 21st straight year!
http://www.patriotledger.com/entertainment/x2109420910/JUST-THE-TICKET
Thursday, July 17, 2008
SF Bay Area 2008 Radio Hall of Fame
Some worthy nominees didn't get in.
"Seventeen local broadcasting legends, including longtime favorites Alex Bennett, Rosie Allen, Renel Brooks-Moon and Dave Sholin, are members of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008.
Four of the Bay Area’s most popular sportscasters — Bob Fouts, Russ Hodges, Don Klein and Roy Storey — are members of the latest class, as is the “World’s First Airborne Traffic Reporter,” Hap Harper."
R.I.P. Jo Stafford
Another classic vocalist leaves the building...
"I never made it with the critics," she once told Gene Lees. "I think what the critics didn't like was that it was simply singing."
Here she is doing one of her standards:
Music in Motion
from the New Orleans Times-Picayune (click on post title for whole thing)
"A refurbished 1927 train car will depart from New Orleans today on a fundraising tour for two area charities, promising those who raise the most money a chance to win a trip to the Video Music Awards in Los Angeles or a red-carpet event in New York City.
The car, known as the Patron Tequila Express, is part of a national fundraising initiative called the "Music in Motion" tour. The purpose is to collect donations along the way for two New Orleans area charities: the St. Bernard Project and Preservation Hall."
Latest Saddle Hill Crop Pickin'
As kids in the 1960s, we always looked forward to vitising "Grampy Smith" at Linnacre in New Hampton, not least of all for a chance to eat fresh raspberries straight off the bush. Especially delicious were the "orange" variety he grew on a limited number of plants. Even our dog Sandy would eat those right off the bush.
Sadly, the Linnacre berry patch (now owned by my Uncle Dan) has died off of old age. In the spring of 2007, I bought a "Gold" raspberry plant at Wal-Mart, and stuck it in a container to see what would happen. A year later, here is one of the results.
Bering Strait Land Bridge Theory Challenged
"Research by a Valparaiso University geography professor and his students on the creation of Kankakee Sand Islands of Northwest Indiana is lending support to evidence that the first humans to settle the Americas came from Europe, a discovery that overturns decades of classroom lessons that nomadic tribes from Asia crossed a Bering Strait land-ice bridge"
Thursday Music Digest
A classic site for music in Philly (as well as sports), the Spectrum will go the way of Randall Hall soon
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/NEWS01/807160367/1006
Uncle Tom is gabbin' music from Kaneohe:
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/utg_article/uncle_toms_gabbin124/
The Harvest Blues and Jazz Festival in Canada
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Heritage-879094.html
Pete Best, who preceded a guy named Starkey, releases his first album in 40 years.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2303581/Fifth-Beatle-Pete-Best-releases-first-solo-album-40-years-on.html
And a group named after the ghosts of the Hawaiian warriors, called the Night Marchers...
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/07/16/entertainment/music/z291bab10133e6768882574860057dc5a.txt
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
American Airlines Testing Anti-Missile Technology
"Developed in New Hampshire by defense contractor, BAE Systems, the cross country passenger jets are now equipped with a laser deterrent system mounted on the plane's belly. It can identify and misdirect an incoming missile. It's being tested for Homeland Security."
Hugh Masekela Changes His Tune?
"Musician Hugh Masekela — who made scathing remarks about Nelson Mandela last week — is to perform at a Mandela birthday festival.
Masekela told The Times last week, when asked to record a birthday message for the Nobel laureate, that he was “tired” of Mandela’s birthday.
But it seems Masekela has made an about-turn and will be performing at a Mandela birthday festival planned by Eastern Cape’s OR Tambo municipality."
Hanalei Bay Closed
HANALEI, Kauai (KHNL) - Hanalei Bay is closed until further notice due to a shark sighting in the area.
Another Nick Danger Sighting
Phil Austin's latest: "The Regional American Surrealist Cookbook".
One of the recipes:
"KANSAS CITY OYSTERS
Submitted by: Big "Chief" Tom of Kansas City, Kansas
INGREDIENTS:
Cab fare
1 doz. oysters
1 gal. bourbon whiskey
Get oysters drunk on whiskey. Put them in a cab. Give driver cab fare and tell him to take them to Kansas City."
50 Bands, 50 States
The Boston Phoenix readers pick 'em. I never even knew Ronnie James Dio came from New Hampshire! He was named best solo artist, and naturally the best band from here was Aerosmith.
Alltime best solo artist from Hawaii? Don Ho, of course!
Apparently, the voting continues at the link.
The Gathering Place
A true New England classic, the New Hampton NH Town House was built in 1798, and is shown here on July 1, 2008. 3 days later, the annual July 4th shindig was held here, which included the planting of a new disease-resistant "Freedom Elm Tree". Later that night, the annual giant Square Dance took place.
This is where the Town of New Hampton holds its annual town meeting, and also where the residents vote. It's located in "The Old Institution", so named because it was the original site of New Hampton School when it began in the 1850s. This is about 2 miles from downtown New Hampton, off of NH Rt. 104.
In fact, Randall Hall, which I have shown here several times, was originally built across the street to the right of the Town House, and then a few years later it was taken apart and moved brick by brick to the current campus, where it remained until being demolished a few months ago.
Click this post title to be taken to "The New Hampton Connection", the town newsletter. And click the link below to go to my Randall Hall blog:
http://solongrandall.blogspot.com/
"Dog" is Back
Dog the Bounty Hunter (and wife Beth) start their 5th season tonight on A & E. As most folks know, the show has been "on hiatus".
Hendrix Guitar to be Auctioned
A guitar Jimi set on fire in London some 40 years ago is going on the block.
Yet More Housekeeping
All the Weather Underground graphics are back, and I also fixed the BBC Music RSS feeds at the bottom of the blog.
Stupid Music Post of the Day
A look at country fiddler extraordinaire Buddy Spicher, who's played with everyone from Bob Wills to Bob Dylan!
Wednesday Music Digest
Assorted new music releases
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=772662
Music from Mau'i:
http://www.mauiweekly.com/features/story7226.aspx
Ben and Jerry's name a new flavour after Sir Elton John-
http://www.accesshollywood.com/article/10350/ben-and-jerrys-honors-elton-john-with-new-ice-cream-flavor/
Hybrid rhythmic engine!
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/64707-Hybrid-rhythmic-engine/
Gibson Guitars go 3-D
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/gibson-guitar-enters-virtual-world/story.aspx?guid=%7B212D2470-7B91-4553-88F0-8BDD322848F9%7D&dist=hppr
And some fiddling around by a bevy of female players from around the world-playing country music...
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/14/country-strings-attached/
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Blues in the Whites
The 12th annual White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival is set for the weekend of August 15-17 in Thornton, NH, which is about 20 miles up I-93 from Saddle Hill. Click on the post title for this year's stellar lineup, which includes Marcia Ball, Coco Montoya and Roomful of Blues. It's held in a huge pasture fronting the Pemigewasset River, with nice views of the surrounding mountains.
More Housekeeping
All of the weather link graphics have disappeared due to technical issues with Weather Undergound. This started earlier tthis afternoon...
UPDATE-apparently WG is moving to a new web server and encountered some problem...they should be back tomorrow.
Channeling Johnny Cash
"Discovered singing on a Seattle street, Vince Mira, 15, is a somewhat shy kid who looks uncomfortable during a TV interview. But when he steps up to the microphone to sing Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire," the result is downright spooky. He performs the song in this Good Morning America segment."
Hawaii Blog Recommendation
Just came across this blog, looks ono!
http://luckywelivehawaii.blogspot.com/
News From the "Pineapple Island"
Not much news comes out of the island of Lanai, but here's one about a possible wind energy project:
"A draft habitat conservation plan and environmental assessment are available for public review as part of an application by Castle & Cooke Resorts for the construction and operation of seven meteorological towers on Lanai.
The towers will be used for as much as two years to collect data on wind patterns to assess whether sites could sustain a wind power generation facility."
Housekeeping
A couple of slight changes to this blog are underway-for most of the posts, clicking on the post title will now bring you directly to the story link, meaning the URLs will no longer be shown at the bottom of each post. This however will not apply to the daily "music digest" posts, which will still have each link below their respective descriptions.
A couple of the BBC RSS feeds at the bottom of the page have moved. I will be trying to get these fixed as time permits.
Hawaii Software Millionaire's Body Found
Apparently he jumped off of the Pali:
"HONOLULU, July 14 (UPI) -- A missing millionaire software designer was found dead in Hawaii Monday, two weeks after he was last seen at a Honolulu hotel, authorities said."
Click on the post title above for the main link to this story; link below has video:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8182/245/
Tuesday Music Digest
New guitarist discovered on youtube
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ent-life/youtube_generation_discovers_beaumont_r_b_guitarist_07-13-2008_17_59_01.html
Hugh Masekela disses his old bud Nelson Mandela?
http://www.modernghana.com/music/7560/3/happy-birthday-nelson-mandela.html
A primer on blues music web sites
http://www.telegram.com/article/20080714/EWORCESTER/447555229/-1/eworcester&template=eworcester
Speaking of the blues, BB King will start hosting his own show on XM Satellite Radio soon:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/music/20080714/NEM01314072008-1.html
Billy Joel will play the final live concerts at the soon to be shuttered Shea Stadium (or as The Rutles called it, "Che Stadium")
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/news/ny-etshea5763985jul15,0,3272176.story
And the grumpy music critics in the Midwest don't seem to like Ringo's latest All Starr Band:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-starr-0vn-0715jul15,0,4055418.story
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/25454414.html?location_refer=Health%20+%20Wellness
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/OSH05/80714042
The Wounded Are Walking!
I was knocked out in the wee hours of Monday morning by either a stomach flu or food poisoning, and was basically comatose for about 30 hours. Posting should resume today at a more "normal" rate!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Belated Monday Music Digest
Wrapup of the Johnnie Johnson Fest
http://www.timeswv.com/intodayspaper/local_story_195235206.html
Tributes to the Who and Sir George Martin
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-sixties14-2008jul14,0,7665607.story
Canada crowns its air guitar champ
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Air-Guitar-Championships-878398.html
And a real guitarist, Wes Montgomery
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/07/14/042415.php
And Jimmy Buffett sighted
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/ENT03/807140320
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Looks Like a Big Fried Egg
Scary stuff, kids!
"Radar data obtained by MUFON confirms that there were Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) flying above Stephenville, Texas, January 8th, 2008, just as many eyewitnesses had reported and which made headlines worldwide.
MUFON's analysis of the radar data obtained through freedom of information act (FOIA) requests to the National Weather Service and the FAA show that unknown flying objects were on a direct course to President Bush's Crawford ranch and were separate from the known F-16 jets the same radar data confirmed were flying in the area that night."
http://www.pr.com/press-release/94809
New Web-Based Sci-Fi
The Sci-Fi Channel is launching a new series that will not be on the telly!
http://scifipedia.scifi.com/index.php/Sanctuary_(web_series)
Now Hear This...
Enjoying music isn't possible without ears.
"Berkeley Lab scientists have for the first time pieced together the three-dimensional structure of one of nature’s most exquisite pieces of machinery, a gossamer-like filament of proteins in the inner ear that enables the sense of hearing and balance."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080710131216.htm
Lady MacBeth Visits Jupiter
"Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!—One; two: why, then'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky.—"
Macbeth Act 5, scene 1, 26–40
Jupiter's Little Red Spot got destroyed this week:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/24453169.html
It's Not Easy Being Green
A turtle on Mau'i survives with a missing flipper!
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/13/news/story06.html
Doing a Train?
"LAGUNA NIGUEL -- More than 50 law officers were breaking up an estimated 8,000 people drinking alcohol and mooning passing trains late Saturday, as an annual "Moon Over Amtrak" party was shut down due to complaints about public nudity.
The event drew a crowd of about 8,000 Saturday along the tracks near Mugs Away Saloon, 27324 Camino Capistrano, but things got out of hand as businesses and residents called in complaints, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.
California Highway Patrol officers were called in to assist Orange County sheriff's deputies shut down the impromptu event, where thousands of people bared their rear ends to passing Metrolink and Amtrak trains."
http://www.knbc.com/news/16865249/detail.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fePk3GSduhc
http://www.moonamtrak.org/
Chain Gang
Metal chain fencing from a 250 year old cemetery in New Hampshire vanishes...
http://www.wmur.com/news/16856835/detail.html?rss=man&psp=news
Honolulu Oasis
A visit to Dr. Hildebrand's garden...
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/13/travel/tsutsumi.html
Sunday Music Digest
Traditional Japanese music re-invented...
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/rock-candy/rock-candy/2008/07/roundup-june-indie-releases/
The burgeoning Miami jazz scene
http://www.miamiherald.com/1213/story/601677.html
NABF in Maine
http://bangornews.com/news/t/?a=167042
Remembering Janis
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2008-07-12-voa2.cfm
And a new music club in Maine with a Big Easy twist
http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15567&Itemid=86
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Hanapepe Dream
Here's the sleepy Old Main Street of the artists' colony of Hanapepe, where there were still opium dens as late as the 1930s.
Not seen to the right is the famous Swinging Bridge, and the building on the near left is home to a couple of great artisans, "Uncle Eddie" the Angel maker and Al Lopes, who makes koa wood cabinets.
"Careful With That Twang Bar!"
The new iPhones let you tune yer guitar. Looks hard at first...
http://www.macworld.com/article/134420/2008/07/guitartoolkit.html
Where's the Beef?
Hawaii beef production tumbles...
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/07/07/daily47.html
Gone Fishin'
Haven't been out myself yet, but here's the latest fishing news from the Granite State:
"Coldwater anglers on the big lakes are reporting the thermocline (the water "layer" where warmer and cooler waters meet) is rapidly setting up at 25-30 feet; once the insect hatches settle down, look for action to really pick up over the next two months.
I have caught some decent 14-18 inch rainbows in Winnisquam, at 30 feet on the downrigger and 4-5 colors of lead core line.
DB Smelts and Guide Specials (you name the color -- it works) have been productive. Balls of baitfish (smelt) are beginning to show up on the bottom in 40-60 feet of water. This is the critical time of year when one-year-old landlocked salmon feed voraciously on young-of-the-year (YOY) smelt."
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/fishing.htm
For the Birds
Here on Saddle Hill we have a couple of cat birds, related to the mockingbird (which we also get on occasion) that do the same thing as this blackbird in England:
"A blackbird has learnt to mimic the sound of an ambulance siren and has taken to waking families at 5am each day with the noise. The bird can also recreate the sound of a car alarm, a mobile ring tone and can even wolf whistle at passers-by. But the calls - thought to be an attempt to attract a mate - are driving its human neighbours to distraction."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/07/10/eablack110.xml
Dog Days
Folks on the Big Isle, the Valley Isle and Oahu are being asked to conserve water:
http://www.khon2.com/home/ticker/24407004.html
Saturday Music Digest
Gee, this one should be called a Beatles digest
Beatles myths:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/views/liverpool-columnists/echo-columnists/2008/07/10/myths-of-the-beatles-100252-21317221/
And a Beatles quiz:
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/capital-of-culture/capital-of-culture-liverpool-news/2008/07/10/are-you-a-fab-fan-take-our-beatle-tastic-quiz-100252-21318942/
How jazz evolved
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92456200
More on the new HBO "Treme" show about New Orleans:
http://blog.nola.com/davewalker/2008/07/more_on_david_simons_treme.html
80 year old stripper in Vegas uses a Ringo clone as her drummer!
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/247861.php
And Sir George Martin goes "on the record"
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1126106320080712
Friday, July 11, 2008
First Victims of NYC Waterfalls
2 kayakers almost drowned and had to be rescued after getting too close...
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nyfall0712,0,3737945.story
Lightning Strikes!
"ANTRIM, N.H. (WBZ) ― A 21-year-old Antrim woman is recovering after being struck by lightning Wednesday night. The bolt hit her feet and came out through her nose ring."
http://wbztv.com/local/newhampshire/lightning.nose.ring.2.767868.html
Another "Forbidden Island"
Restoring birds to Lehua, the tiny uninhabited island off the north side of Niihau.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/BREAKING01/80711060/-1/LOCALNEWSFRONT
"I Don't Think We're in Kansas Any More"
Funnel cloud over the Gathering Place!
http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=8652152
Save a Lighthouse!
Well, actually it's an online contest being run by Jeld-Wen windows and doors. The winning light will get all new (what else?) windows and doors.
Vote here:
http://www.jeld-wen.com/lighthouse/index_vote.cfm
"Here Come the Girls"
37 years after its original release, a song by the late great New Orleans singer Ernie K-Doe (best known for "Mother in Law") has come back to life. "Here Come the Girls" became a hit in a British tv ad last year, and now the original K-Doe album the song came from will be re-released.
The CD release party is Saturday night at the New Orleans Rock and Bowl (better known as the Mid City Lanes). Admission is $10, but all ladies in evening gowns get in free!
"Taking place on the seventh anniversary of Ernie K-Doe’s internment, the event will include 101 formally attired ladies, dozens of gentleman clad in black and white tuxedos and K-Doe’s band, the Blue Eyed Soul Revue."
http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/music/24344184.html
Voyage to the Bottom of the Canyon
Driving to the bottom of the Grand Canyon? Yes, it can be done!
http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/features/articles/0710travelqa0713.html
Cara-Mac Price to Rise?
The 50th State's macadamia nut harvest is down 38% over last year. Auwe!
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/07/07/daily50.html
Kaua'i Beach Gets Lifeguards
Kee Beach on the north shore...
http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/11/news/story06.html
Friday Music Digest
Remembering "Johnnie B. Goode"
http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=3334
A foreigner visits the Montreal Jazz Fest:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20080710-147587/Starting-young
HBO to shoot music TV pilot in the Big Easy
http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2008/07/10/HBO_to_shoot_TV_pilot_in_New_Orleans/UPI-14661215721532/
Edgar Winter, currently a member of Ringo's All Starr Band, has a new CD out!
http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2008/07/11/sidetracks/sounds/doc48765bacdfed0501885672.txt
And Ringo admits he's "getting high" at the gym these days:
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/the-gym-not-drugs-gives-ringo-starr-a-high-these-days_10070079.html
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Incredible Shrinking Island
O'ahu's population goes down for the first time in 7 years.
http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=15329
When Woodie Met Bob
What would have happened if Woodie Guthrie and Bob Wills had met?
http://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/spot/article.aspx?articleID=20080710_270_D6_WOYGTR112276
RIP Jazz Drummer Bobby Durham
Jazz drummer Bobby Durham, who actually started out playing with doo-wop legends The Orioles as a teenager and later played with such jazz legends as Lionel Hampton and Count Basie and was Ella Fitzgerald's drummer for 10 years, left the building on July 6.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09fexqqjldje~T1
Makaha Sons Northeast Tour
Uncle Moon, Uncle John and Uncle Jerome, better known as The Makaha Sons, will make a return visit to New Hampshire in September, and will also be playing at the Triad in New York City.
Their opener for this tour will be the very talented Daniel Ho, who won a Grammy for his part in assembling (and playing on) the "Legends of Slack Key" albums.
Buy tickets here! Or, "Be there, Aloha!"
http://www.sharleneoshiro.com/makahasons/eastcoast.html
Thursday Music Digest
Punk rock's 10 mightiest guitar gods:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/punk_rocks_10_mightiest_guitar_gods.html?200807100731
Guitar Legends Tour
http://www.guitarjamdaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1666&Itemid=73
Keef Richards a Vampire?
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i37985
Preview of the WC Handy Blues Fest...
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20080710/NEWS/807100327/-1/searchxml
The return of Les Paul's godson, Steve Miller:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08192/895942-42.stm
And more on 22 year young New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty...
http://www.projo.com/music/content/wk-trombone_shorty_07-10-08_6CAPSG3_v10.2ba0552.html
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Software Millionaire Goes Missing
Steven Thomas, the creator of WebRoot Software (who make Spy Sweeper and Window Washer), has disappeared on O'ahu. He was last seen at a hotel in Waikiki, although he and his wife own a home in Lanikai (the exclusive little burg next to Kailua).
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS06/807090399/1010/LOCALNEWSFRONT
More on the Eruption
Webcam, updated every 15 minutes.
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam/
And more from our friends at Hawaii Magazine:
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2008/7/9/100_foot_burst_Kilauea_volcano_magma_meets_ocean
Hoboken Ferry
Back in the days when we lived on Governors Island, we could see the famous "Hoboken Ferry" make its daily crossings of the Hudson River between New Jersey and lower Manhattan. This was as I recall run by one of the railroads, and stopped running in 1967. The Coast Guard bought one of the boats and used it briefly on the Governors Island run.
After 22 years, ferry service between Hoboken and NYC resumed, and for one day only on July 26th, a boat will make a day trip from Ho-Ho to GI:
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2008/07/free_ferry_to_governors_island.html
Shark Bait
A 10 ton whale carcass is attracting sharks on O'ahu's north shore...
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8065/40/
Lake Winnipesaukee Digest
New Hampshire's Governor signs a new law putting a speed limit in the Big Lake, effective in 2009:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20080709-0009-statespotlight.html
Idiots have been running their snowmobiles on the lake this summer:
http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/GJOPINION02/259574443/-1/CITNEWS08
And also in the tough sledding department, the real boats are feeling the pain of high gas prices...
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080707/FRONTPAGE/807070335
Wednesday Music Digest
The Joy of Jazz Festival will pay tribute to "The Union of South Africa" this year. That's an early Hugh Masekela band...
http://www.sowetan.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=798270
Another great band name-Primal Scream.
http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5575
Uncle Tom Moffatt is a Honolulu radio legend-he's gabbin'
http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/utg_article/uncle_toms_gabbin123/
George Harrison's sister Louise keeps his memory alive!
http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1467273/louise_harrison_nurtures_fab_fours_legend/
And Click and Clack are honored by Martin Guitars
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2008/07/matin_guitar_ho.html
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
LAX Waterfalls
The NYC cascades, as seen from Nick-Danger land...
http://art.blogging.la/2008/07/seeing-new-york-waterfalls-from-los-angeles/
Ulupo Alert
Yet another work alert fot the gigantic Kailua sacred site Ulupo Heiau, this one for more restoration. Be there! Aloha...
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/GETPUBLISHED/80708067/-1/SPORTSFRONT
Sacred Ground, The Sequel
Here's an enhanced rendition of the shot I took of the Royal Heiau above the Wailua River on Kaua'i. As previously mentioned this is above the Fern Grotto...
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