Month: March 2019

Photos of the Week (03/31/19)

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A pictorial week-in-review posted every Sunday.

1) Special counsel Robert Mueller leaves church with his wife Ann on March 24 in Washington, two days after delivering his report to the attorney general about the conclusions of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Photo: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images

2) President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on March 28, 2019. Grand Rapids was the final city Trump visited during his 2016 campaign. Photo: Scott Olson / Getty

3) People attend a rally in support of President Donald Trump near Trump Tower in New York City on March 23, 2019. Local grassroots pro-Trump organizations throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania called on supporters to gather, rally, and network. Photo: Stephanie Keith / Getty

4) Actor Jussie Smollett leaves court after charges against him were dropped by state prosecutors in Chicago, Illinois.  Photo: REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski

5) Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer for adult film actress Stormy Daniels, exits a New York court after being arrested for allegedly trying to extort Nike for up to $25 million on March 25 in New York. Avenatti is also facing possible embezzlement charges in a separate case in California. Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty Images

6) Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are parked at Southern California Logistics Airport on March 27, 2019 in Victorville, California. Southwest Airlines is waiting out a global grounding of the MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft at the airport.  Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images

7) People trapped inside a burning office building gesture to firefighters for help in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on March 28, 2019. A huge fire tore through an office block on March 28, killing at least five people in the latest major inferno to hit the Bangladesh capital. Photo: Munir Uz Zaman / AFP / Getty

8) Destroyed vehicles line a road in Baghouz, Syria, the last ISIS enclave, on March 24. The group once controlled vast areas across Syria and Iraq, a population of up to 12 million, and a “caliphate” that drew tens of thousands of foreign nationals to join its ranks. Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images

9) Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki looks on as a new name and temporary sign for the former Cousins Center were made public. The archdiocese removed the names of former Archbishops William Cousins and Rembert Weakland from its headquarters complex and cathedral center as an “act of repentance” for its role in covering up the abuse of sex crimes against children. Photo: Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal

10) Britain’s Prince Charles laughs with Peter, a blue iguana, at the Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, March 28, 2019. Photo: Reuters

11) Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, sit on a bench at John Lennon Park in Havana, Cuba. Photo: Reuters

12) People take photographs of the pink lake at Westgate Park in Melbourne, Australia, on March 27, 2019. The inland lake turns pink in warmer months due to a natural phenomenon. The pink hue happens in response to high salt levels, lots of sunlight, and a lack of rainfall. Lake algae, which grow in the salt crust at the bottom of the lake, produce a red pigment as part of their photosynthesis process. Photo: Scott Barbour / Getty

13) Syrian actor Walid Abu Rashed (yellow wig) and a fellow actor entertain children through a makeshift puppet theatre set up among the rubble of collapsed buildings in the town of Saraqib in the rebel-held northern Idlib province. Photo: AFP

14) A Confluence Museum employee checks the last details on the restored skeleton of a whale in Lyon, France, on March, 25, 2019, ahead of its exhibition to the public. Photo: Jeff Pachoud / AFP / Getty

15) Olympe, the latest creation by artist Aspencrow, is unveiled at JD Malat gallery in London. It is a sculpture of Cara Delevingne based on the Greek mythological monster Medusa. Photograph: Anthony Harvey/Rex/Shutterstock

16) Zookeepers in Victoria, Australia hatch nine critically endangered Plains wanderer chicks. Photograph: Zoos Victoria

17) A man is lying with pigeons on the ‘Promenade des anglais’ on the French Riviera’s city of Nice. Photo: AFP

18) A southern koala grazes on eucalyptus leaves at a new enclosure in Longleat safari park, Wiltshire. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

19) In Minsk, Belarus, a bat is fed a grub after waking at a rescue centre, where it spent the winter months hibernating inside a fridge. Photograph: Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images

20) Chris Pratt gets slimed while accepting the Best Butt-Kicker award for Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom at the 2019 Kids’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 2019. Photo: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

21) A golfer hits off a fairway at Whitnall Park Golf Course in Franklin on Saturday, March 23, 2019. Warm sunny weather lured many enthusiasts outside to enjoy the game.  Photo: Scott Ash/Now News Group

22) As warmer weather melts a dwindling snow pile on UW-Madison’s Bascom Hill, junior Nic Koerber relaxes between classes on campus. Photo: JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL

23) A celebration open to the public for UW’s national champions in NCAA winter sports was held Monday night at the Kohl Center. Hockey player Annie Pankowski brings out the championship trophy, won by the women’s team in last Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Minnesota in the Frozen Four final in Hamden, Conn. Pankowski scored in the final and had two goals in Friday’s 5-0 semifinal victory over Clarkson. Greg Dixon Photo

24) Brian Kasperek (left) of Milwaukee and his grandmother Carol Nauertz of Menomonee Falls, who said she once dated former Brewers manager Harvey Kuenn, and her daughter Kim Kasperek (right) enjoy tailgating at Opening Day Thursday at Miller Park.  Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

25) Tyler Sommerfeldt (left) looks on as Jaryd Wink checks the progress of the grilled steak and chicken kebabs. Both men are from Fond du Lac.  Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

26) Matt Tyler of Boston built this Miller Park grill while living in Brown Deer. Evan Olson of Rhinelander now keeps the grill at his home for the group’s trips to Miller Park. At right is Josh Jenswold of Madison.  Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

27) Fans stand for the national anthem at Miller Park before an Opening Day baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Milwaukee. Photo: MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

28) Former Milwaukee Brewers’ Rollie Fingers and Robin Count throw out ceremonial first pitches before an Opening Day baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Milwaukee. Photo: MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

29) Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich hits a three-run home run during the third inning of an Opening Day baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Milwaukee. Photo: MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

30) Milwaukee Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain catches a ball at the wall hit by St. Louis Cardinals’ Jose Martinez during the ninth inning of an Opening Day baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Milwaukee. The catch ended the game and the Brewers won 5-4. Photo: MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

31) Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks hugs 11-year-old Lily who gave the star a folder full of artwork she made for him over the last year and a half. Lily began to cry when Antetokounmpo got up to give a her hug and looked through her artwork. “I’ve wanted to give this to you for a very long time. You’re my favorite athlete,” said. 1st photo courtesy of Pete Stauffer. 2nd photo: Twitter

Bach’s best?

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Image result for image, photo, picture, johann sebastian bach

On this date, March 31,  Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Germany in 1685.  He’s one of the greatest composers of all-time.

It’s not easy describing the history of “Ave Maria.” In 1853 French Romantic composer Charles Gounoud took a melody and superimposed it on Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C major that Bach composed around 1722.

“Ave Maria,” a prayer, is heard frequently at weddings and funerals. Bach’s best? You’ll get disagreement. But it certainly is Bach’s most universally recognized piece of music.

On this Sunday watch and listen to Eumir Deodato at the keyboard and orchestra performing at Estival Jazz Lugano 2010.

It’s so important that you vote for Judge Brian Hagedorn on April 2

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In just a few days, the future of the Badger State will be decided at the polls. AFP-WI is putting its support behind Judge Brian Hagedorn, the best choice for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Here’s why:

·        Judge Hagedorn believes in an independent judiciary that decides cases based on the rule of law, not partisan politics.

·        Judge Hagedorn understands that power rests with the people, not government.

·        Judge Hagedorn will uphold the Constitution and interpret the law as written.

·        Judge Hagedorn recognizes that all people have constitutional rights and will apply the law fairly to everyone.

As our state’s most powerful court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has the power to shape the laws that govern and affect the everyday lives of millions of Wisconsinites.That’s why it’s so important that you vote for Judge Brian Hagedorn on April 2.

The AFP-WI team will be vigilantly monitoring the results of this election. Make sure to connect with us on Facebook, if you haven’t already, to keep up-to-date on what’s happening in the Badger State.

For Freedom,

Eric Bott
Wisconsin State Director
Americans for Prosperity

Paid for by Americans for Prosperity. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s agent or committee.

Week-ends (03/30/19)

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A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of  This Just In…

HEROES OF THE WEEK

Nina Martinez

Girl Scouts

Naperville girls

Sanitation workers

Lorenzo Cain

VILLAINS OF THE WEEK

Jake Patterson

Kim Foxx

Michael Avenatti

Ellen Connally

Celebrities

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“If Mexico doesn’t immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States throug [sic] our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING…the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week. If they don’t stop them, we are closing the border. We will close it and keep it closed for a long time. I’m not playing games.”
President Trump

 “If the bully gets close, I’ll punch the bully in the mouth.I don’t think getting into a kicking and screaming match with the president does any good. I don’t think anyone can beat the president in a kicking and screaming match. What I am aiming to do is make sure reason prevails, that empathy prevails, that equality prevails, and that we can have a discussion.”
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló blasting President Trump

“So funny that The New York Times & The Washington Post got a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage (100% NEGATIVE and FAKE!) of Collusion with Russia – And there was No Collusion! So, they were either duped or corrupt? In any event, their prizes should be taken away by the Committee!”
President Trump called for the Pulitzer Board to revoke the prizes awarded to The New York Times and The Washington Post for coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 election and the links between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign.

“Well, I read the quotes ‘no obstructive conduct’ so, clearly, they’ve concluded no obstructive conduct. I’ll take that verses ‘Collusion! Collusion! Watergate! Watergate!’ of the last two years. So I sort of like our odds today.”
On the Mueller report, White House advisor Kellyanne Conway responding to a reporter who asked how we know, for a fact, that no obstruction took place

I found my way to the holding room for the speakers, where everyone was chatting, taking photos, and getting ready to speak to the hundreds of voters in the audience. Just before the speeches, we were ushered to the side of the stage where we were lined up by order of introduction. As I was taking deep breaths and preparing myself to make my case to the crowd, I felt two hands on my shoulders. I froze. “Why is the vice-president of the United States touching me?”

I felt him get closer to me from behind. He leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified. I thought to myself, “I didn’t wash my hair today and the vice-president of the United States is smelling it.  Why is the vice-president of the United States smelling my hair?” He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused. There is a Spanish saying, “tragame tierra,” it means, “earth, swallow me whole.” I couldn’t move and I couldn’t say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me. My name was called and I was never happier to get on stage in front of an audience.
Lucy Flores writing in thecut.com about her encounter with Joe Biden in 2014 when she was the 35-year-old Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in Nevada

“Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes. (Biden) believes Ms. Flores has every right to share her own recollection and reflections, and that it’s a change for the better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so.”
Biden spokesman Bill Russo

“As Vice President, Biden was relatively non-controversial, but he did make a number of embarrassing gaffes, which added to his reputation as someone who regularly makes cringe worthy comments. Running against Biden will be very easy as his opponents will be able to highlight his long history of bloopers.

“He also has a history of being very touchy with women and young girls at public events. This inappropriate behavior might become a major issue in this #MeToo generation.”
Jeff Crouere is  host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,”  WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station

“In the events of September 11, 2001, thousands of Americans died in the largest terrorist attack on US soil and our national response, whether we agree with it or not, was to go to war in one then eventually two countries.  3,000 Americans died in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Where is our response?”
Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez compared the nation’s swift response to terror attacks with its slow reaction to natural disasters

“This case is going to crumble.”
R. Kelly’s Chicago attorney, Steve Greenberg.  Kelly, 52,is being prosecuted by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, in what will be his second round with county prosecutors after being acquitted of child-porn charges in Chicago in 2008.

“Americans don’t respect sleep. As much as 40 percent of us say that we don’t sleep enough, according to Gallup. Perhaps we have too much to do or work more than one job, preventing a normal sleep routine. Whatever our reasons, sleep is often not a high priority. We shouldn’t take it so lightly: there is a growing mountain of compelling evidence that our casual disregard of healthy sleep is downright dangerous.”
Jonathan Fielding, M.D., is a professor of public health and pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles

“Broken necks, broken backs, dislocated and open-fractured elbows, shoulders. They’re all catastrophic injuries.”
Don McPherson has coached gymnastics for more than 40 years. Since 2011 he’s been an expert witness in more than 200 plaintiff cases against trampoline parks. He said the injuries they can cause are life-altering. CBS News has confirmed at least six people have died from injuries at trampoline parks.

“What I am doing is opening up the door. The times are different, and it’s gonna be hard but I know someone will be able to do it, and I’ll give enough interviews to tell you what to do.”
Stevie Nicks at Friday’s 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, becoming the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock Hall twice, first with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and this year for her accomplished solo work

OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK

Prosecutors dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett

MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK

Average Americans can’t afford a home in 70 percent of the country

MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK

No collusion, but what about obstruction?

MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK

Denim underwear

The WI Supreme Court; the media owes an apology; and babies

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Here are this week’s highly interesting reads:

Today’s highly interesting read (03/29/19): Save the world, have more babies

Today’s highly interesting read (03/28/19): Dirty Deal – WI Supreme Court candidate’s husband wrote legislation to benefit his company

Today’s highly interesting read (03/26/19): Mainstream media should be apologizing to the American people

 

Franklin residents, when Alderman Dan Mayer knocks on your door this weekend…

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Consider asking him any of the following:

1) What do you consider your greatest achievement while in office?

2) Why have you consistently voted for property tax increase budgets?

3) After you voted in favor of the approved Kayla’s Playground site, why did you suddenly stop voting in favor of proposals the playground needed to move forward?

4) Why have you failed to support Ballpark Commons? It seems vocal Greendale residents  have gotten to you.

5) Why did you verbally abuse a volunteer Franklin parks commissioner at a public meeting?

6) Why have you stood in the way of Mayor Steve Olson’s pro-growth attempts to build the city’s economy?

If he fails to answer with specifics, re-state the question and ask him to answer directly.

Then on Tuesday go out and vote for Mayer’s opponent, Michelle Eichmann.

The Barking Lot – America’s Finest Dog Blog (03/30/19)

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The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me.  It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!

THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.

TODAY: Cloudy and windy. High of 44. “C”

SUNDAY:   Mostly sunny. High of 40.  “D“

Now, here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer, with this week’s main blog.

I know a meteorologist could give me historical facts as to what was the coldest winter in history.  I’m not interested in what happened 100 or so years ago.  I wasn’t around so I don’t care.  The 2018-2019 was the worst in my personal history and quite frankly I don’t care to ever repeat it.  Sure, I got a few days off with Kyla.  We had enough food and beverages to last, our furnace is in good shape, and all electronics were in working order.  But if I would have to endure that on a regular basis I can guarantee I would move to a permanently warmer location.

Winter Meme

Still, there was one small blessing of this infernal winter up until now:  I had no seasonal allergies to deal with.  I’d rather take a daily OTC antihistamine and decongestant than don boots, gloves, earmuffs and a scarf just to run to the mailbox.  (It seems like our area of Wisconsin will be lucky for the rest of our spring.)    I can’t believe I’ve already felt some effects of blooming things.  Yes, I’ve gone from winter cold a-choo’s to seasonal sneezes in a matter of weeks.

Kevin and Kyla are fortunate that they don’t have to battle sneezing, itchy & watery eyes, and congestion.  With any luck, our future dog will be as lucky as they are.  “Wait… what?  You’re saying DOGS can have allergies too?”  Oh yes they can.  And they can be just as annoying for them as they are for their human counterparts.

If you have noticed the family pooch scratching more, or sneezing uncontrollably then chances are he/she is suffering from seasonal allergies.   Fortunately there are ways to cope just like there are for humans.  Antihistamines are a possible source of relief with the guidance of your veterinarian.

It might seem hard to believe that a warm spring & summer truly are just around the corner.  But before you know it, those little tree buds will show and bits of daffodils will peek their heads out of the ground.  Quickly following will be the first symptoms of the Sneezin’ Season.

This year if you are itching & scratching, rubbing your eyes, sneezing and dealing with a raspy voice and scratchy throat; please don’t dismiss your dog may be suffering the same ways you are.  Get Fido some help so that your entire family can enjoy the great outdoors this all-too-short upcoming spring and summer season!
—Jennifer Fischer

Thanks, Jennifer.

Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.

Related image

This 1999 column was re-posted this week. Agree or not? Scared of Pit Bulls? You’d Better Be!

Want to rescue a dog from overseas? It might carry a new strain of disease, researchers say.

‘Dog Suicide Bridge’: Why Do So Many Pets Keep Leaping Into a Scottish Gorge?

Prize-winning show dog lost at Atlanta airport found.

‘Job well done’: Virginia police dog needs just 15 minutes to find two lost children.

Blind dog gets his own ‘seeing eye’ dog.

Dog-proofing your car: How to keep your pups safe and secure.

Inquiring minds want to know: Should You Flush Dog Poop?

Matt Thompson is a genius. Here’s why.

THAT’S IT FOR DOGS IN THE NEWS.

HERE’S OUR DOG PHOTO(s) OF THE WEEK.


A groomer washes a dog at a pet beauty salon in Tunis, Tunisia, March 27, 2019. Photo: Reuters

And check out Dogs Before Instagram.

We close as we always do with our closing video.

At this very moment, with their noses to the ground, four-legged heroes are actively defending our planet.

ALSO, HAVEN of Milwaukee operates dog training classes that are truly unique. Started by expert trainer Linda Bobot who has been training service dogs for decades, HAVEN is a small non-profit organization serving combat veterans facing difficulties adjusting to life after war. CBS 58’s Amanda Porterfield reports. Click here for the video.

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Please consider passing this along to other dog lovers you know.

See ya, BARK, next Saturday morning!

The Best Cartoons of the Week (03/30/19)

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MUELLER REPORT

Steve Kelley

Sean Delonas

Tom Stiglich

A.F. Branco

Tom Stiglich

Lisa Benson

Mike Lester

A.F. Branco

Gary Varvel

Robert Ariail

Bob Gorrell

A.F. Branco

Michael Ramirez

A.F. Branco

Pat Cross

SMOLLETT

Glenn McCoy

Lisa Benson

Mike Lester

Tom Stiglich

Michael Ramirez

THE CONWAYS

Michael Ramirez

ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Chip Bok

VOTING

Bob Gorrell

BETO

A.F. Branco

AOC

Michael Ramirez

GLOBAL WARMING

Henry Payne

DINNER

Steve Kelley

Goodnight everyone, and have a wise weekend!

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Every Friday night we smooth our way into the weekend with music, the universal language. These selections demonstrate that despite what is being passed off as art today, there is plenty of really good music available. Come along and enjoy.

Beware. April 1 is almost here.

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How did April Fools’ Day originate? Some reports indicate it began as far back as 1582. France had changed from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. No radio TV, or Internet back then. So a lot of folks didn’t get the news and failed to realize the start of the new year was now January 1. They were celebrating during the last week of March through April 1 and became the butt of jokes.

Elaborate hoaxes have continued through to modern times. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. In 1984, Sports Illustrated ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour. In 1996, Taco Bell announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and  planned to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich.

This week, a fun musical theme. There are plenty of songs with “fool” in the title or lyrics and we’ve got a few. Really. No foolin.’ Let’s get started.

Elvis was a great American hero. Here’s a perfect example.

In the late 1950’s Congress gave its approval to the construction of a memorial in Pearl Harbor to honor the crew members entombed when the USS Arizona was sunk during an attack by the Japanese that sent the United States into World War II. It was the job of The Pacific War Memorial Commission to raise $500,000 to build the USS Arizona Memorial.

By the end of 1958 more than $95,000 was raised. However fundraising began to lag and at the start of 1960, only $155,000 had been collected.

Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, read about the slow progress in the Los Angeles Examiner. Elvis was already in Hawaii to film his next picture and agreed to do a benefit concert for the memorial.

On March 25, 1961, the 26-year-old Presley went onstage before a packed, screaming crowd of 4,000 fans at the Bloch Arena who paid anywhere from $3 to $100 a ticket.

Admirals and generals who hit Parker up for complimentary tickets were rejected. Parker insisted everyone pay, including the performers. Elvis bought a $100 ticket for himself and then bought dozens more to give to staff and patients at a military hospital.

elvis-pearl-flyer

The concert raised $60,000, well short of the goal. But the show created a new excitement about the construction project and donations started to pour in.  The $500,000 goal was reached by September, 1961, just 5 months after the concert. Construction on the memorial was completed by the end of the year. Elvis saved the USS Arizona Memorial.

Audio from that show…

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Image result for image, photo, picture, elvis, us arizona memorial

Image result for image, photo, picture, elvis, us arizona memorial

When Elvis served in the Army many other teen idols emerged and took advantage of the King’s absence. At the age of 8, Ricky Nelson and his older brother, David joined their parents’ radio show, ”The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” that eventually became a TV show in 1952 where viewers watched the Nelson boys grow up. Watch and take note of the lead guitarist.

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Now, about that lead guitarist…

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That’s James Burton who toured with Elvis for many years.

Ricky Nelson had a slew of big hits that essentially stopped, guess when?

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Nelson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He was killed  along with his fiancee and five other people when his DC-3 plane crashed in flames near De Kalb, Tex. on December 31, 1985. Nelson was 45.

Next, one of the most popular Brazilian artists, Sergio Mendes and his group, Brasil ’66.  Their popularity was due in large part to an ability to find favor in pop, easy listening, bossa nova, and jazz circles.

Mendes played keyboards, and was backed on vocals by Lani Hall (Herb Alpert’s wife) and Karen Philipp.  This successful single reached #6 in late September 1968.

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Karen Philipp is the blonde. Trivia time: Philipp played Lt. Dish in a few early episodes of M*A*S*H. in the pilot Hawkeye convinces  Lt. “Dish” to agree to be the nurse who will accompany the winner of  a raffle to Tokyo, but he promises that she’ll be able to get out of spending any time with the winner.

OK. Let’s recap. So far we’ve had Elvis, Ricky Nelson, and Sergio Mendes. How about we move on to a group that continues to hold Billboard / Nielsen SoundScan’s record as the top-selling American band for albums and singles, and they are also the American group with the most Billboard Top 40 chart hits (36). The original members were Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.

This song was originally recorded by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers in 1956, and was the flip side of “Fun Fun Fun” in 1964.

Image may contain: 5 people, people smilingAll of our selections have been rather short so we can squeeze in another. This was a #3 hit in 1972.

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Lead singer Cuba Gooding Sr. was found dead in his car on April 20, 2017. Tony Silvester died after a six-year struggle with multiple myeloma on November 26, 2006, and original member Luther Simmons retired shortly thereafter.

That’s it for this week.

Goodnight.

Sleep well.

Have a great weekend.

Lots of choices for the closer. What could it be?

“What a Fool Believes”/ The Doobie Brothers

“Won’t Get Fooled Again”/ The Who

“What Kind of Fool Am I?”/Sammy Davis Jr

Nope.

Let’s go back to this TV classic.

No photo description available.

A modern stone-age family and friends.

In the animated series real-life celebrities were characterized and sometimes provided their own voices:

Hoagy Carmichael

Cary Grant

The Cartwrights from Bonanza

Alfred Hitchcock

Ed Sullivan

Elizabeth Montgomery & Dick York from Bewitched

Gene Barry from Burke’s Law

James Darrin

Jimmy ‘O Neil, host of “Shindig” and The Beau Brummels

This famous actor played himself…

Which brings us to a memorable 1963 episode that starred…

No photo description available.

Ann-Margret voiced Ann Margrock who is brought by circumstance to Fred Flintsone’s house. She’s not recognized. To our heroes she’s just Annie, Pebbles Flintstone’s babysitter who helps prepare Fred and his neighbor Barney Rubble for an appearance at the Bedrock Bowl.

Fun and cute…

The studio recording was eventually released in 1998 as part of a 5-CD 133-track boxed set, “Ann-Margret 1961-1966.”

Friday Night Forgotten Oldie: They needed a few lyrics

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This week, another in our series of recordings from 50 years ago, 1969.

Any idea who this band is?

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Members included Rod Prince and Todd Potter on guitars, Roy Cox on bass guitar, and David “Fuzzy” Fore on drums.  Their gimmick was dual lead guitars.

The group’s name was based on a 1932 novel by Alduous Huxley, “Brave New World.” Huxley imagined a utopia that found peace and stability by banning monogamy, privacy, money, and family. He wrote about a fictitious children’s game, Centrifugal Bumble-Puppy.  The above-pictured psychedelic rock band changed the name to “Bubble Puppy.”

Now Bubble Puppy needed a hit and some catchy lyrics.

Our featured oldie was inspired by an unlikely duo:

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting

Image may contain: 1 person, sitting

Granny (Irene Ryan) and Jethro (Max Baer) from the immensely popular TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” that aired on CBS from 1962 to 1971. After striking oil on his Arkansas property Jed Clampett moves with his family to ritzy Beverly Hills, California.

While in the stuido Bubble Puppy came up with a composition that still required some work.

“We came home after playing the song, and we needed some words,” recalls Fore. “We were watching The Beverly Hillbillies. Granny was berating Jethro for something, and she goes, ‘Hot smoke and sassafras, Jethro, can’t you do anything right?’ That’s where it came from.”

“Hot Smoke” was released in December 1968 and was immediately embraced by stations Bubble Puppy’s home state of Texas. By the spring of 1969, Bubble Puppy was lip-synching their hit on American Bandstand. The single was being played all over the country, but not in two big cities. “To get airplay in L.A. and New York, you had to pay the guys that controlled those markets,” said Potter. “You had to cut ’em in.”

While practicing in an International Artists recording studio some businessmen stopped in to remind the band of its responsibility “to cut ’em in.”

“It was like a cartoon,” said Fore. “These guys came to our studio in a black limousine wearing black suits, white ties, and black bowlers, right? They came in and they demanded payola for the record or they’d stop it dead in its tracks. International Artists just laughed at them and told them to get out.”

“Hot Smoke and Sasafrass” peaked at #14, the group’s only hit.


In the mist of sassafras
Many things will come to pass
And the smoke shall rise again
To the place above where it beganTime will bring the fire and flame
As surely as it brought the rain
But in the gardens of the moon
Time is held within the silver spoonIf you’re happy where you are
Then you need not look too far
If you’ve found your place at last
Then you need not use the looking glass