Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

Paula Deen Cookbook Sales Skyrocket After Racism Scandal + OJ

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
PAULA DEEN COOKBOOK SALES
PAULA DEEN COOKBOOK SALES

Re-post from huffingtonpost.com
Posted: 07/03/2013 4:16 pm EDT | Updated: 07/03/2013 4:50 pm EDT
joe.satran@huffingtonpost.com

Ballantine Books may have been put off enough by Paula Deen’s racially insensitive history to cancel the October release of her next cookbook, Paula Deen’s New Testament, despite enough receiving pre-orders to briefly make the book the bestselling item on Amazon. But the cancellation hasn’t stopped Deen’s fans (some, perhaps, brand-new converts to her cult) from snatching up copies of the Savannah chef’s other cookbooks in the wake of the scandal. Au contraire!

Sales data provided to The Huffington Post by Nielsen show that sales of Deen’s recent cookbooks have exploded since the scandal.

On the week ending June 30, which immediately followed the Food Network’s decision to drop Deen from its lineup, Americans bought a total of 2,950 copies of Deen’s last nine books at the bookstores participating in Nielsen BookScan, which currently covers approximately 85 percent of the print book market. That’s nearly seven times as many copies as were sold in each of three weeks before the National Enquirer unearthed a videotape showing Deen making controversial statements about race Read more…

——————————————————————————————————————-
Published on: July 3, 2013
by NATIONAL ENQUIRER staff
Photography by: The National Enquirer
WORLD EXCLUSIVE! O.J. SIMPSON: “LEAVE PAULA ALONE!”

O.J. SIMPSON: “LEAVE PAULA ALONE!”
O.J. SIMPSON: “LEAVE PAULA ALONE!”

PAULA DEEN has been widely blasted for admitting she used the N-word and worse and as The ENQUIRER predicted when we broke the scandalous story, her business empire has now crumbled.

But the now former Food Network star has an unlikely champion – O.J. Simpson!

In a bombshell world exclusive, The ENQUIRER reveals that the disgraced football great reached out to Paula from his prison cell in Nevada to declare: “Leave Paula Deen alone!” Read more…

California Information, Colorado Information, Miscellaneous

Johnny Depp, LaDonna Harris, The Lone Ranger, and the Comanches

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Fantasy Indian
Fantasy Indian

Johnny Depp, LaDonna Harris, The Lone Ranger, and the Comanches
Repost from David Yeagley · June 9, 2013

July 3, 2013, the new movie, The Lone Ranger, will appear in theaters across the country. The special effects film, long in making, stars Johnny Depp as “Tonto.” The constellation of irony and controversy about the film and the star is stunning, and continually growing.

Perhaps the easiest solution is to recognize that the film has nothing to do with history, with Comanches, or with reality. It is a fantasy film, using some historical figures in a creative way, but having nothing to do with historical reality. The film should not be evaluated on authenticity of any kind. There isn’t any such authenticity.

The Lone Ranger, a 1933 radio show, later feature a Patowatami Indian named “Tonto.” The story became a television series, and feature a Canadian Mohawk Indian by the name of Jay Silverheels. So, in this fictionalized entertainment series, Comanches never had any association.

So, how is it that Comanches are now associated?

The one authentic historical element employed in the film is the Texas Rangers and their attack on the Comanche Indians. The Texas Rangers were created as a state agency to protect invading settlers from the Indians of Texas–mainly the Comanche Indians. The Texas Rangers became infamous for adopting ruthless Comanche war tactics and using them against the Comanches. This was unprecedented.

Now, in 2013 Lone Ranger movie, Tonto is a Comanche, but in name only. There is nothing in the character that is derives from Comanche people or Comanche ways. Especially the unique costume worn by Johnny Depp (as the Comanche “Tonto”) is utterly aberrant. But, remember, it is not intended to be authentic. It is the clear indulgence of stereotypical Indian images, all thrown together with Hollywood creativity.

Of course, Disney producers hired William Voelker, an enrolled Comanche, as their Comanche adviser. Voelker, whom media now says is William “Two-Ravens” Voelker, assured Depp that his costume was not far-fetched. Voelker talks about a ‘bird culture,’ but, this was never part of Comanche tradition, least of all was the vulture part of it. If the bird on Depps head is a raven, it bears no semblance of Comanche association, other then William Voelker’s new media name, “Two Ravens.” Voelker is a bird expert, and created a non-profit for the care of eagles, especially, called SIA. But the program is not funded by the Comanche Nation. See more

Miscellaneous

Tony Ps: Italian Imagination with a Side of Marinara

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Tony Ps
777 East 17th Avenue
Denver, CO 80203
303.839.3200

Tony Ps
Tony Ps

We were driving down 17th in Denver (not 4th Street in San Raphael, CA, where American Graffiti was filmed.) Huh?

Saw a pink building which immediately made me think of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

I was familiar with the building, I had been there before, and have seen it’s many incarnations over the years. In fact the building had quite a rep: it was jinxed, so to speak. Some also say that the place is haunted. Tony Pasquini says it.

I saw the name Tony Ps and knew immediately this was another Italian restaurant by Denver pizza king, Tony Pasquini. Tony now operates a number of restaurants in and around Denver. We decided to stop even though we had to circle the block several times before we found a place just in front of the restaurant on E 17th.

We went in, felt a good vibe and sat at a cozy table on the lower level. High back booths, Pasquiniesque inlaid tables: this one had gears, bottle-tops, and other assorted guy’s stuff sunk into hard resin-topped table tops. There was a view south across 17th. through a lot of glass and a – sort of yellow-hue Tuscan shadow thing going on on the other side of the room.

Tony Ps lower level
Tony Ps lower level

I saw several very hip ladies of the staff walking about. Tony Pasquini is attracting some very hip people with this latest incarnation of the Tony Ps brand, formerly Pasquinis – not just staff, customers as well.

We enjoyed a house, Happy Hour vino with bites of a Pasquini staple: soft, buttered pizza-dough twists served gratis, with a red dipping sauce, shaker-cheese and red-pepper-flakes. The cheese and pepper are up to you. Well we sat there enjoying the vibe for awhile.

The indomitable Tony Pasquini stopped at the table and engaged us. We talked a bit about the old days; I remember him when he was just starting to bar-tend at the first Pasquini’s on South Broadway. I remember when it was The Pizza Queen. I was traveling in a motor home and would periodically check in to a small motel down the road a piece from the restaurant.

Time flies squared!

I mentioned that several restaurateurs failed in this location, he countered that the building was also haunted. I had heard that.

He asked if we had been upstairs, we had not but I had been eyeing the stairs. He invited us to go up, and that he’d meet us upstairs. Very cool. The walk up the stairs was about dark wood and a promise of something good. The promise delivered. A dance floor, long bar and little booths, tables and crevices where one can hide, or show off

Tony introduced us to a nice couple who were planning a swing-dance event. It was cool, reminded me of Vegas’ Four Queens when they were doing Jazz upstairs. We signed off leaving an email address and left the premises. I’m sure we will come back. Did I feel so comfortable because this was my hood, or is it really that cool?

Formerly, JR’s Bar & Grill as well as several others, like a New Orleans themed club, 777 East 17th Avenue has seen owners come and go as other venues seemed to click. There have always been rumors that the building is haunted.

I’m bett’n that this is a hit; it will be one of Denver’s places to see and be seen this summer, especially with the upstairs bar, to say nothing of the second floor balcony overlooking 17th. Ave. It’s a Denver thing.

Balconies overlooking 17th Ave
Balconies overlooking 17th Ave

Tony Ps serves excellent NY style pizza and classic Italian entrees and more. Click the website link for full menus. There are two bars and two levels of restaurant seating.

Tony Ps official website

Miscellaneous

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
US Memorial Day
US Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women’s groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, “Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping” by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication “To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead” (Source: Duke University’s Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860’s tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all read more from usmemorialday.org

Miscellaneous

Full Flower Moon: May 24 at 10:27 P.M. Mountain Time + Lunar Eclipse late tonight

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Full Moon
Full Moon

May’s Full Flower Moon, also called Mother’s Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon, marks a time of increasing fertility with temperatures warm enough for safely bearing young, a near end to late frosts, and plants in bloom.

——————————————————————————————————————–

Lackluster Lunar Eclipse: Full Moon Dips In Earth’s Shadow Tonight
by Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching ColumnistDate: 24 May 2013 Time: 07:57 AM ET

North America will be well positioned to see a lunar eclipse late tonight (May 24), but it might not be worth waiting up for.

During this penumbral lunar eclipse, the moon will only pass into the Earth’s outer shadow — the penumbra — which is much fainter and more diffuse compared with the much sharper and darker shadow known as the umbra more from Space.Com

Miscellaneous

The History of Mother’s Day

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Mother and Baby
Mother and Baby

The History of Mother’s Day
by Lucille J. Goodyear
Source: The 1972 Old Farmer’s Almanac

While the Mother’s Day that we celebrate on the second Sunday in May is a fairly recent development, the basic idea goes back to ancient mythology—to the long ago civilizations of the Greeks and Romans.

The Greeks paid annual homage to Cybele, the mother figure of their gods, and the Romans dedicated an annual spring festival to the mother of their gods.

Mothering Sunday
In 16th century England a celebration called “Mothering Sunday” was inaugurated—a Sunday set aside for visiting one’s mother. The eldest son or daughter would bring a “mothering cake,” which would be cut and shared by the entire family. Family reunions were the order of the day, with sons and daughters assuming all household duties and preparing a special dinner in honor of their mother. Sometime during the day the mother would attend special church services with her family.

Julia Ward Howe
Here in America, in 1872, Julia Ward Howe, a famous poet and pacifist who fought for abolition and women’s rights, suggested that June 2 be set aside to honor mothers in the name of world peace. This happened not long after the bloody Franco-Prussian War after which Howe began to think of a global appeal to women

The idea died a quick death. Nothing new happened in this department until 1907, when a Miss Anna M. Jarvis, of Philadelphia, took up the banner.

Anna M. Jarvis
After her mother died in 1905, Miss Anna Jarvis wished to memorialize her life and started campaigning for a national day to honor all mothers.

Her mother, known as “Mother Jarvis,” was a young Appalachian homemaker and lifelong activist who had organized “Mother’s Work Days” to save the lives of those dying from polluted water. During the Civil War, Mother Jarvis had also organized women’s brigades, encouraging women to help without regard for which side their men had chosen. At the time, there were many special days for men, but none for women.

On May 10, 1908, a Mother’s Day service was held at a church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Anna’s mother had taught. Thus was born the idea that the second Sunday in May be set aside to honor all mothers, dead or alive read more from Old Farmer’s Almanac

Visit the main pages of LasVegasBuffetClub.Com

Miscellaneous

Pioneering Promoter Barry Fey Dead At 73: “some Denver media reporting an apparent suicide.”

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Barry Fey
Barry Fey

Barry Fey, one of the pioneering promoters in the U.S., and highly influential in building Denver into one of the most robust live concert markets in the country, died at his home yesterday, with some Denver media reporting an apparent suicide. Fey was 73, and had recently undergone hip replacement surgery that kept him hospitalized for a month, and sources say he had been despondent about the pace of his recovery read more from Billboard.Com…

Miscellaneous

Barry Fey, legendary Colorado concert promoter, dies at 73

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Barry Fey in Denver on Monday, November 14, 2011.
Barry Fey in Denver on Monday, November 14, 2011.

By Joey Bunch and Ricardo Baca
The Denver Post

The colorful promoter who made Colorado a destination for the biggest names in music died Sunday. Barry Fey was 73.
The cause of death was not immediately available, but an unusually downtrodden Fey told The Denver Post last week that he was recovering from hip-replacement surgery.

“Barry Fey is one of the giants of a generation,” said William Dean Singleton, chairman and publisher of The Denver Post and a close friend of Fey’s. “He brought the music scene to Colorado, and every part of the music scene you see here today has his fingerprints on it.”

Fey promoted tens of thousands of concerts and other events from the 1960s until he retired his Feyline corporation in the late-’90s. (He even dipped his toes back into the waters with a consulting gig with House of Blues in the 2000s.) He was friends with acts he promoted, a list that included the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Led Zeppelin, the Grateful Dead, the Who, the Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other big-time acts read more:

Visit the main pages of LasVegasBuffetClub.Com

Las Vegas Information, Miscellaneous

Full Pink Moon – May 25th at 12:59 Las Vegas Time

facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather
Full Pink Moon
Full Pink Moon

From The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. This month, learn about the Full Pink Moon, and the Best Days to do certain activities based on the Moon’s phases.

BACK EAST
Historically, the Native Americans who lived in the area that is now the northern and eastern United States kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to the recurring full Moons.

Each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred.

These names, and some variations, were used by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

April’s moon is called the “Full Pink Moon”
This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.

OUT WEST
From Western Washington University:
American Indians gave names to each of the full moons to keep track of the passing year. The names are associated with the entire month until the next full moon occurs. Since a lunar month averages 29 days, the dates of the moons change from year to year. Here [is the information from one tribe.]

Apache, Southern Plains
According to WWU, in the Apache language the name for April’s Moon is: “Moon of the Big Leaves.”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Western Washington University