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World premiere 12 September on the Skövde stage.
With laughter as his weapon he challenged those with power. Now we tell the story of Charlie Chaplin in his own way.
Music Theatre by Leo Cullborg. Music by Charlie Chaplin.
"... a histrionic achievement of distinction." (Lars Hjertner as Chaplin) GP
On a beautiful autumn day in 1952 the Queen Elisabeth left New York's harbour. Alone on the afterdeck stands an elegantly clad gentleman who sees the mighty city disappear into the heat haze. His name is Charlie Chaplin.
He reflects on all that has happened since he came to the land of opportunity forty years ago. Then he was an unknown English vaudeville artist, now the entire world knows who he is. However, few people would recognise him there as he stands; without his bowler hat, his stick, or his shoes that were too big for him, and especially, without his little moustache. Who then, was this Charlie Chaplin? While millions of people all over the world loved him, he was hated by others.
Perhaps because in every part of his artistic life he challenged power and stupidity. His weapon was laughter and ridicule and this led to his acquisition of enemies of great distinction: Adolf Hitler, J.Edgar Hoover and Joseph McCarthy were a few of them. With the help of Chaplin's own imaginative moves, and not least his own music, we would like to tell his story. Our Chaplin takes us with him to as greatly different events as Hitler's birth, an evening at the Music Hall and the Wall Street Crash, that was depicted by Chaplin as a dance number! We get to see how to deaden a loudspeaker with the help of a violin and to witness the incipient romance between Chaplin and the transatlantic liner's women's orchestra – The Adorables.
Charlie Chaplin on tour.
- 24 Sept / Steneby / 0702-71 78 62
- 25 Sept / Ånimskog / 0532-220 86
- 26 Sept / Hermansby / 0303-22 55 13
- 27 Sept / Nossebro / 0512-503 29
- 1 Oct / Seglora / 0320-183 00
- 2 Oct / Vrångö / 0706-87 50 02
- 3 Oct / Ulricehamn / 0321-59 59 59
- 4 Oct / Sätila / 0301-421 12
- 7 Oct / Torsö / 0501-212 48
- 8 Oct / Korsberga / 0503-403 73
- 9 Oct / Moholm / 0506-207 23
- 10 Oct / Grolanda / 0705-23 31 94
- 13 Oct / Hjo / 0503-105 90
- 3 Nov / Hova / 0506-300 89
- 4 Nov / Ljungstorp / 0511-606 79
- 7 Nov / Fredsberg / 0703-34 27 37
- 8 Nov / Rackeby / 0510-160 28
- 12 Nov / Hunnebostrand / 0523-66 46 54 / The performance is canceled
- 13 Nov / Eggvena / (helabonnerad) / The performance is canceled
- 14 Nov / Vårgårda / 0322-62 06 24
- 15 Nov / Åttersrud / 0737-47 16 61
- 18 Nov / Hjärtum / 0706-55 01 72
- 19 Nov / Strömstad / 0526-623 30
- 20 Nov / Bokenäs / 0522-65 08 55
- 21 Nov / Ekby / 0501-310 42
- 25 Nov / Sventorp / 0500-42 60 53
- 27 Nov / Undenäs / 0505-170 30
- 28 Nov / Härja / 0502-100 58
Looks good in Chaplin's suit.
Cine genius, composer, satirist, ladies' man. Persona non grata in the US – acclaimed all over the world. In a newly written production we go for a rollercoaster ride between the extremes in Charlie Chaplin's life.
Without being aware of it, Lars Hjaertner, musical performer at GöteborgsOperan, has lived with Charlie Chaplin from childhood.
– As a child I heard a piece of music, a tune that got stuck in my head. I had no idea what it was. Many years later I heard it again, on the radio, but there was no mention of what it was. When, during the spring, I received the script for the production, I also received an exceptional gift: there was the piece of music! It proved to be Eternally, by Chaplin. It makes me think that somehow I must be meant to do this.
– Charlie Chaplin undertook a tremendous life-journey, from the verge of poverty to unparalleled wealth. At one point in time he had an annual salary that exceeded what all the senators of the United States earned together.
– He was a born entertainer and was passed at an early age, through fortunate circumstances, into the world of cinema and came to change that world. Without any previous technical knowledge, he applied his experience from his years as a young stage actor. He was convinced that he did everything best himself. This might very well be true but he rode roughshod over many people on the way.
Carin Arell
Excerpt of article from GO nyheter no. 4 © 2009.
The playful person – a public danger?
In the autumn of 1952, on his way to Europe, Chaplin receives the message that he is no longer welcome in the US. What was it that scared certain social circles in the US so awfully? What did they get so worked up about? How could a little silly comedian be a danger to a social system? Is it the playful person who is dangerous? Who, by his/her attitude, challenges the powerful in such a way that the powerful are unable to respond? Power never plays. When Chaplin was threatened with an interrogation before the Senate in Washington he sent a message to say that he would willingly appear but demanded to be permitted to come as The Little Tramp. He was never called. Is it perhaps so that the playful person constitutes a serious threat to power and order?
So, does Charlie Chaplin have anything to say to us today, apart from making us laugh? He urges us to constantly revolt against power, stupidity and oppression!
Leo Cullborg
The collapse of the stock market on Wall Street and the depression.
The collapse of the stock market on Wall Street and the subsequent depression was one of the greatest economical collapses of all time. While Europe was badly wounded by the First World War, The US could produce in peace and quiet and, after the war, export to a Europe whose economy and production had been totally shattered. The rebuilding of Europe during the 1920s was to a great extent financed by loans from the US. In the United States "The Roaring Twenties" prevailed, belief in the future was unimpaired, the economy prospered and there was a firm view that the times of prosperity could never come to an end. Speculation in shares and land was extensive and the gaps in income increased. Many people earned enormous amounts of money during the financial boom of the 20s. In 1929 5% of the population earned 33% of the income, while 42% of the population had an annual salary of 1,500 dollars or less, which scarcely covered the most basic needs. Agriculture expanded and the US could export a great quantity of grain to Europe, where food production had in many cases almost ceased entirely. Meanwhile, this optimistic view of progress rested on an increasingly shaky foundation.
Europe recovered after the war and imports from the US decreased. This caused problems for American farmers who no longer had a market in the same way as before. At the same time interest had to be paid on loans taken during the expansion. The American economy was beginning to run out of steam. The economy had been structured in such a way that it could only function through continued development. The price of shares tumbled, the farmers could not pay off their loans, prices were kept up and salaries down. But the slump could not be staved off and in the end wheat was cheaper than sawdust. "Grain was burnt up. It was cheaper than coal. Maize was burnt up. In South Dakota the granaries put maize up for minus three cents a bushel. If you wanted to sell a bushel of maize to them you had to have three cents with you."
"... in the end wheat was cheaper than sawdust."
Many farmers went bankrupt and the banks were given land as security. The US was running out of money. The loans to Europe were cut and they began to demand the repayment of old loans, but the European banks could not pay. Germany in particular also had to effect considerable payment for war indemnity. The major European banks collapsed like houses of cards and spread the crisis back to New York. On 24–25 October 1929 there was a formidable outbreak of panic on Wall Street. Some support purchases curbed the trend for a few days, but on 29 October the bubble burst. Total panic broke out and the slump was tremendous.
The consequences were dramatic. Over the next three to four years US production sank by 50% and unemployment increased by 25%, which meant 16 million people. During this period 9,000 banks had to close down in the US alone for the simple reason that there was no more money. The unemployed were referred to the help they could get from family and friends. Social insurance and unemployment funds were non-existent. "I used to get up at five in the morning and go down to the harbour. Outside Speckle's sugar refinery, outside the gates, there were a thousand men. You knew damned well that there were only three or four jobs."
"...unemployment increased by 25%, which meant 16 million people."
A worker's salary at this time could be about 2–3 dollars a day, which was the equivalent of around 10–15 Swedish kronor. Exclusion from the employment market was considerable and queues to the soup kitchens and bread handouts were long. The depression also led to an increased crime rate. "This epoch led to crime when old ways of thinking and conceptions collided with the reality of the time. When a policeman or fireman did not get paid, how on earth could he be expected to maintain what he knew to be law and order?" When Roosevelt took office as president in 1933 he initiated a programme of measures to deal with the crisis – the New Deal. The programme included a number of, for the time, drastic measures: the banking system was secured; unemployment benefits and retirement pensions were implemented. Minimum wages, maximum working hours and the prohibition of child labour were promulgated.
A number of employment opportunities were introduced in the public sector and a national agricultural policy that, among other things, would guarantee minimum prices for farmers was implemented. The content of the New Deal was the same as was propounded by the economist J.M. Keynes. For the first time in the US the government went in and regulated parts of the market. In times of economic crisis the government must work with a budget deficit in order to ensure a high level of employment until such time as the economic situation turns. The effect of the New Deal was that unemployment decreased and the economy stabilised and began to grow. However, in 1938 more than 9% of people were unemployed in the US. The depression would not be completely over in the United States until after the Second World War.
The above citations are taken from Studs Terkel: Hårda Tider, Norstedts 1970.
Niklas Fahlén
Chaplin's life in point form.
- 1889 Charles Chaplin is born in London on the 16th of April. Adolf Hitler is born on the 20th of April the same year.
- 1898 begins to perform with the Eight Lancashire Lads in Manchester.
- 1908 signs his first contract with Fred Karno's vaudeville ensemble.
- 1910 signs his second contract with Fred Karno American Company
for a tour in the US.
- 1912 participates in a second US tour with Fred Karno.
- 1913 signs his first film contract with Keystone Film company for
a salary of $150 per week.
- 1914 signs a contract with Essanay for a salary of $1,250 per week.
- 1916 at the age of 27, signs a contract with Mutual Film Corporation for
a salary of $10,000 per week plus a bonus of $150,000.
- 1918 gets married to Mildred Harris.
- 1920 gets divorced from Mildred Harris.
- 1924 gets married to Lita Grey.
- 1925 Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr is born.
- 1926 Chaplin's second son Sidney Earle Chaplin is born.
- 1927 gets divorced from Lita Grey.
- 1936 gets married to Paulette Goddard.
- 1942 gets divorced from Paulette Goddard, meets Oona O'Neill.
- 1943 gets married to Oona O'Neil.
- 1952 travels to Europe. Finds out during the trip that he will not be
issued a new visa for the US.
- 1953 settles in Vevey in Switzerland.
- 1975 is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
- 1977 passes away in his home in Vevey in Switzerland.
A selection of Chaplin films.
- 1917 "Easy Street" and "The Immigrant"
- 1918 "Shoulder Arms"
- 1921 "The Kid"
- 1925 "The Gold Rush"
- 1928 "The Circus"
- 1931 "City Lights"
- 1936 "Modern Times"
- 1940 "The Great Dictator"
- 1947 "Monsieur Verdoux"'
- 1952 "Limelight"
- 1957 "A King in New York"
- 1967 "A Countess from Hong Kong"
All in all Charlie Chaplin participated in 80 films during his career.


text: These sites are provided to give you additional information with regards to your loans. You may be directed to other related World Wide Web Internet sites and resources. Bloomsburg University assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any errors or omissions in the materials or information contained in these other links.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wabash To Host Summer Soccer Campsby Brent Harris • April 20, 2011 Share:
Wabash College head soccer coach Roberto Giannini will once again offer two summer training camps for boys and girls from four-year-olds to high school.
The Little Giant High School/Team Soccer Camp will run from Monday, June 6 through Thursday, June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. The camp is open to boys and girls who will be enrolled in high school in the fall of 2011. The cost is $115 per player for a team, with a minimum roster of 14 players. Individuals or teams with less than 14 players will be charged $135 per player. Those enrolling after April 30 will be charged $135 regardless of the size of the team.
The Little, Little Giants Soccer Camp will begin on Monday, June 6 and run through Thursday, June 9 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and is open to boys and girls ages 4-13 (students enrolled in the eighth grade as of the fall of 2011). Early bird registration begins immediately with a cost of $69. Registration costs increase to $79 after May 31, and those registering after this date will not receive a camp T-shirt.
Both camps will take place at Hollett Little Giant Football Stadium. All players need to bring a water bottle, shin guards, a properly inflated soccer ball, proper athletic attire, and shoes for either indoor or outdoor training based upon the weather.
Camp coaches will include Coach Giannini and former Wabash assistant coaches David Lopez, Jeff Oleck, and Aaron Blessing.
Please contact Coach Giannini by email or phone (765-361-6208) with any additional questions.


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Tell your story with pictures.
The way you see them. Unadulterated and pure. These images tell the complete story and make captured moments so unforgettable, portraying exactly what the photographer sees. As Leica's first compact camera with full-frame sensor and fixed focal length, the Leica Q gives you everything you need to capture your take on the world in perfect images. Unleash all your ability – with the new Leica Q. It's up to you.
Make the Q your camera
Touchscreen or buttons, viewfinder or monitor, AF or MF – the Leica Q has been specially developed for a particular kind of photography: your own.
Expand your possibilities
With its significantly simplified user interface, the Leica Q allows you to explore new creative freedom.
Always ready
Some moments in life arrive completely unannounced. Capture them completely. With the Leica Q.


text: In a statement released today via its Facebook page, Chick-fil-A has made it clear that while it stands behind the anti-gay statements president Dan Cathy made earlier this week, the company is going to "leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena." Reiterating that the company "appl[ies] biblically-based principles to [its] business," Chick-fil-A also wants you to know that while it hates the gay lifestyle, it loves gay money, and would like to continue to serve chicken to all dirty sinners "regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender." [Facebook]


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Mayor Don Wesely today announced that the city is seeking responses to a Request for Information (RFI) from providers interested in providing ambulance service in Lincoln. The RFI was mailed to 14 potential respondents throughout the United States on Wednesday, March 15, 2000. The city is asking that responses be returned by April 28, 2000.
The current Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity held by Rural/Metro Medical Services expires December 31, 2000. The RFI process will result in the awarding of a new certificate by the end of June.
"City Council members and I have discussed the process surrounding the expiration of the current certificate for several months," Wesely said. "We determined that in order to ease any necessary transition between providers, a decision should be made at least six months before the expiration of the current certificate."
A review committee comprised of representatives of the city administration, the City Council and the Lancaster County Medical Society will review the responses and make recommendations to the Mayor by June 1, 2000. The Mayor expects to make his recommendation to the Council by June 5, 2000. (A complete timeline is attached.)
Interested providers may obtain a copy of the RFI by calling City Clerk Paul Malzer at (402) 441-7426 or contacting his office on the first floor of the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Timeline: March 6 Mayor presented draft RFI and proposed time line to City Council March 13 Ambulance Services pre-council meeting to address City Council questions March 15 Release of the RFI March, April Review recommendations of the Mayor's EMS Task Force and the EMS, Inc. Certificate Review Committee April 28 RFI responses on file with the City Clerk will be forwarded to Review Committee May 1-31 Review of responses by Review Committee June 1 Review Committee recommendations forwarded to the Mayor June 5 Mayor presents recommendation to the City Council. All certificate applications will be forwarded to the City Council. June 12-26 City Council holds public hearing and takes action on issuing the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for ambulance services in Lincoln


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You now have the ABCs under your belt, but there's a whole confusing world of scrapbooking out there. What do I do now??? Take the DEFs of scrapbooking with Hazel and learn about the various embellishments, colour choices and photo arrangements. This is a class to inspire you. Bring a note book, pen and your camera.
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Cost: $20.00


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5.0 Mustang & Super FordsEvents
Ford Motor Company Produces Two Millionth EcoBoost Engine
EcoBoost sales are soaring due to its great combination of fuel efficiency and performance. Ford Motor Company just reached quite the milestone – two million EcoBoost engines built! More than 100,000 EcoBoost engines are produced every month with a target of 1.3 million for just this year alone, an increase of more than 60-percent from 2012.
A Ford Escape featuring a 2.0L EcoBoost engine was the two-millionth vehicle to roll off of the assembly line in Louisville, Kentucky, just last week.
"Ford EcoBoost delivers great performance with lower fuel bills, a recipe that is proving incredibly popular with consumers around the world," said Joe Bakaj, vice president, powertrain engineering for Ford. "EcoBoost engines are attracting new customers to the Ford brand every day, and our plants are working hard to keep up with demand."
The EcoBoost lineup consists of a 1.0L three-cylinder; 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L four cylinder engines; and a powerful 3.5L V-6. EcoBoost technology is available in every region that Ford serves worldwide and will likely be offered on about 80 percent of the company's global nameplates by the end of the year. The combination of smaller displacement and turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing deliver performance while maintaining great fuel economy. In fact, the Ford EcoBoost delivers up to 20-percent better fuel economy than any of the higher displacement gasoline engines.
Just a thought here, an average annual fuel bill is $3,400 for a 2009 Ford F-150 2WD with the 5.4L V-8 engine and that drops to just $3,000 for a 2013 F-150 2WD sporting a 3.5L EcoBoost engine. That means that the average consumer would save $4,000 in gas alone over the 10-year life of the vehicle and 150,000 miles.
Over in Europe, Ford is doubling the production capacity at its Cologne, Germany, engine plant to produce more than 1,000 engines in a single day. This move was made due to the demand for the 1.0L EcoBoost engine, which will be fitted to 11 models by 2014. Three-cylinder sales are also growing with 43-percent in B-Max sales, 32-percent of Focus sales, 26-percent of Fiesta sales, and 24-percent of C-MAX and Grand C-MAX sales. Starting in 2014, the Ford Fiesta will be the first 1.0L three-cylinder available in the U.S. and is expected to be the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car available here in the states.


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With J1 season in full swing and the U.S. awash with Irish student desperate for a slice of American life we asked our resident J1 expert DAIRE O'DOWD to explain what attracted her to the U.S.
1. There are far more options
Whether it's going to a musical on Broadway or a free open air movie night in Central park there are far more activities for us Irish students to do in America.
The options are limitless in comparison to those back home especially where I am from which is quite remote in the country. Looking at endless fields all day can get quite tiring.
2.Shopping spree
Most students especially us 'lasses' come in the hopes of getting the American look at a good price rate. Although the designer clothes here may seem a bargain buy, most of us fail to take into account the reality of the cost-price situation of living here for three months and what that will entail. So when it actually comes to going shopping …Window shopping often has to make do!
3.Abercrombie and Fitch
This label is a reason in its own in relation to shopping. The obsession with the American clothing brand has spread out from the inner Dublin 'd4' area and has now hit most parts of Ireland. With the new store opening in Dublin seeing extremely high prices and raising the popularity of the clothing many vow to save and bring home suitcases full of the clothes.
4.The craic
Many J1 students come out with groups of friends as it seems like the fun thing to do. It's more or less a black or white situation for them. Stay at home and be miserable listening to endless new reports on the economy and jobs or go to America which has been made far more appealing by the ads by sponsors, are what Irish students are let to decide over.
The hopefulness instilled in us from pop culture music such as Jay Z and Alica Keys' "Empire State of mind" and movies centered on 'The American Dream' makes us believe that by spending a summer in America we will have far more opportunity than on the labor market back home.
Read More:
Job-hunting in New York as an Irish student
Top ten tips for Irish J1 students coming to the U.S. for the summer
Summer in the city for Irish students
6. Success stories
Most of us have heard the tales of how numerous people have made it 'big' over here with little more than they had when they first came over. Our recent Moneygall trip by U.S Irish American president Barack Obama has been yet another marker to visit for in the joined words of Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny 'for anyone who doubted their countries where the greatest that ever lived.'
7.The sense of the unknown
The idea of going to a country where nobody knows you and you can make your own destiny is quite appealing . Unfortunatly some J1'rs then tend to stick in Irish Bar's and mingle in their own groups or house hunt in Irish communities.
8.The food
The American westernization of fast food has spread to most parts of the world by now. Many find the grub here a relatively safe enough reason to come. The quantity of the portions makes it a rather cheap and cheerful basic cost-of-living factor to come.
9 Multi-cultural society
America's ability to overcome religious and ethnic differences is one which can be marveled at particularly by us Irish which have witnessed the impact of the religious divide between Protestants and Catholics and Glasgow Vs. Celtic fans on holidays abroad in Europe.
10.The crossroads of the world
This is my own personal reason for being in New York.The most amazing random and cultured people I continue to come across at the crossroads of the world –Times Square. Sometimes it's people playing a piano, other times it's naked cowboy??!! Who knows!!!


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Tyrone Barnett is looking at his Ipswich move as a new start.
The 27-year-old striker joined the Portman Road outfit on a two-month loan deal from npower Championship rivals Peterborough on Monday after he was placed on his parent side's transfer list for allegedly breaching club discipline.
"I got a phone call on Monday saying Ipswich wanted me and it was a nice surprise," he told the Tractor Boys' official website.
"It's been a difficult week, with what's gone on so I'm looking at this as a new start and the chance to get back to playing football and enjoying my football as well.
"I've not done that as much as I would have liked this season. Ipswich have given me a chance to come here and play some games and hopefully score some goals and that's what I'm looking to do.
"It's a fantastic football club. I have some good memories of the place after scoring here last season in one of my first games. Now I want to score goals for the club and I can't wait to get going."


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There's never been a better time
to apply to Otterbein University.
Apply online today!
Download a printable version of our campus map, or check out a list of campus addresses.
You can get to Otterbein by car, bus or airplane. And we know that once you're here, you'll want to stay. (So check out these places to stay!)
From the NORTH, take I-71 south to Gemini Place. After the exit, turn
left on Gemini Place, follow the road as it turns to the right. Turn
left on Polaris Parkway toward Cleveland Avenue (2 miles). Turn right on
Africa Road, which becomes West St. Travel approximately 1.5 miles on
Africa Rd./West St. Turn left on Main Street, travel .2 miles.
the SOUTH on I-71, Route 315, or Route 23, take I-270 East (Wheeling)
on the North side of Columbus. Follow I-270 to OH-3 north (exit 29)
toward Westerville. Travel 2 miles and turn left on College Avenue.
Travel .2 miles.
From the EAST or WEST on I-70, take I-270 North
toward Cleveland. Travel 8 miles on I-270 and exit on OH-3 north (exit
29) toward Westerville. Travel 2 miles and turn left on College Avenue.
Travel .2 miles.
By bus: Columbus is served by Greyhound Bus Lines. For information call (614) 221-2389.
air: If you are flying, most major airlines service Columbus. The
nearest major airport is Port Columbus International Airport,
approximately 15 minutes from Westerville.
Visitors must contact the Police Department to obtain a visitor parking
permit. The Police Department can be contacted in person at 194 West
Main Street, by phone at 614-823-1222, or by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com. The visitor parking permit can be picked up in person during regular business hours, or e-mailed to an address provided.
Visitors may park in the Campus Center West Parking Lot, the Cowan Hall
Parking Lot, the Psychology House Parking Lot, Davis Hall Parking Lot,
25 West Home Street Parking Lot, the Arts and Communication Building
Parking Lot, and the Collegeview Center Parking Lot.
Citations issued for unregistered vehicles should be returned to the
Otterbein University Police Department. They should be signed and dated
by the visitor, explaining the situation. However, any citations issued
for parking in fire lanes, handicapped spaces or otherwise illegal
parking will be charged to that person.
The Office of Admission is located in Clippinger Hall, 102 W. College Ave.
Office Hours
M-F: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
p / 614.823.1500
e / email@example.com
Otterbein University, 1 South Grove Street, Westerville, OH 43081 614.890.3000
Otterbein University is a private, non-profit, United Methodist affiliated, regionally-accredited institution.
© 2019 Otterbein University. Otterbein University is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer


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Watch Jack White's Full New York City 'Unstaged' Video
In the production of the sick viral concert film viewable below, Jack White enlisted the help of one of the few artists around as weird and brilliant as he is—master chameleon Gary Oldman. Upon seeing the actor, White did what many of his fans would do to him: tackled the genius to the ground. "That's real blood," Oldman laughed after. Beyond the bloodshed, the collaboration resulted in a two-hour, two-set, old school rock n' roll film ready to go viral--and make sponsor Amex very happy.
The April 27 show, recorded at Webster Hall in New York City, begins with Jack all prim in a peak-lapeled paisley suit, surrounded by an all-female band dressed out in daguerreotype ready 19th century garb -- check out that Jane Austen-esque drummer smashing those skins. Jack and the ladies crushed 'Hotel Yorba,' 'Freedom at 21,' and more from 'Blunderbuss,' his new solo record, and his White Stripes catalog.
Between the two sets is a cutaway to the 'Blunderbus,' where director Gary Oldman introduces his web audience to the crew in the van. He is clearly stoked to be directing, and making it up as he goes along -- rather well.
The second set, this time backed by an all-dude band, begins with screaming single 'Sixteen Saltines.' Decked out in his customary all black, White seems a bit short of breath, not getting as much muscle into the vocals live as on the album. White included tracks back from the White Stripes days, with 'We Are Going To Be Friends' midway through the second set and closing the video film with the colossal 'Seven Nation Army.'
Watch Jack White's 'Unstaged' Concert


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Exploring Wakehurst with children
- Adventurous Journeys natural play spaces
- What's on
- Family fun leaflet
- Visitor map
- Millennium Seed Bank
- Shopping
- Eating and drinking
- Toilets and baby changing
- Bags and buggies
- Helpful hints
- Walking times with young children
- Footwear
- Bicycles and games
- How to find us
Adventurous Journeys outdoor play
Pick up a passport from the Visitor Centre and go on a really wild adventure around the grounds of Wakehurst. Look for hidden seed capsules, complete challenges and play, climb and balance your way along the natural play features.
See all the Adventurous Journeys natural play spaces
What's on
To find out what's on for children over the school holidays and other seasonal events, visit our What's on pages.
Family Fun leaflet
Packed with great activity ideas, you can download the leaflet below or pick one up from the Visitor Centre.
Visitor map
This map of Wakehurst shows the paths, picnic spots, play spaces and garden highlights. You can download the map below or pick one up from the Visitor Centre.
Download the Wakehurst visitor map
Millennium Seed Bank
Take a fun photo of your family dressed as scientists, peek through the spy holes in the Seed Wall and follow our seeds as they journey through the seed bank
Visit the Visitor Centre shop - we offer a range of books, toys and fun gadgets for imaginative minds.
Eating and drinking
There are two cafés and restaurants at Wakehurst.
The Stables
The Stables restaurant is our largest catering outlet and serves freshly-prepared main meals, including children's portions and cooked-to-order pasta dishes, along with homemade cakes and children's boxes. There are family-friendly tables with colouring sheets and activities in the top section of the restaurant. The Stables is near the Mansion.
The Seed Café
The Seed Café is the smaller catering outlet at Wakehurst and is perfect for a cup of coffee, sandwich or cake. The Seed Café is inside the Visitor Centre.
Facilities for warming baby's bottles are available at the Stables and Seed Café.
Feel free to bring your own food to Wakehurst. Picnics are allowed anywhere except in the cafes and restaurants or on the two formal lawns in front of the Mansion. Picnic benches are provided near the Visitor Centre, and at the following Adventurous Journeys play spaces: Tunnels and Tents, Unexpected Endings, SightSeeing and Root Route (marked on the visitor map).
Rubbish and recycling
Please take all your rubbish away with you. There are recycling facilities for paper, plastic bottles and cans near the Stables and also on the way to the Visitor Centre.
Toilets and baby changing
There are four sets of toilets through the upper parts of the Garden - please see our visitor map for details. There are no toilets in the woodlands areas of the estate. Baby changing facilities are available in the Visitor Centre, the Stables, the Millennium Seed Bank and by the Walled Garden (marked on the visitor map).
Bags and buggies
Wakehurst's landscape has many paths and most buildings have ramped access. Although they are hard-surfaced, the paths down into Bloomers Valley and into Westwood Valley are very steep. Elsewhere in the woodlands many of the paths are surfaced with wood chips and may be uneven. See our visitor map for details of areas that may be unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Helpful hints
Wakehurst is a botanic garden. Many special plants live here – some are very old, some are very rare but all are very important and need your help to look after them.
Please do
- talk with your children about why Wakehurst is such a wonderful place
- be gentle and kind to our plants and flowers
- collect fallen petals, leaves, seeds and small sticks
- be kind and gentle to our animals
- explore and discover
- have lots of fun
- find open areas to let off steam
- try out the fun activities in the Family Fun leaflet
- be aware of hazards such as water and moving vehicles
Please don't
- harm our trees or trample our flowers
- pick anything that is growing or pick up really big sticks
- chase the ducks
- climb the trees, run through the flowerbeds or go into the hooped areas
- disturb other visitors
- play ball or throwing and catching games
- bring scooters, bicycles, rollerskates, rollerblades or heelies into the gardens
- leave your children unattended
Walking times with young children
- from the Visitor Centre to the Mansion about 15 minutes
- from the Mansion to the Water Gardens 15 to 20 minutes
- from the Visitor Centre to the Millennium Seed Bank about 10 minutes
- from the Mansion to Westwood Valley 20 to 25 minutes
Visits involve plenty of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Please note that rollerskates, rollerblades and heelies are not allowed in Wakehurst.
Bicycles and games
To protect our rare and valuable trees and plants we do not allow bicycles, scooters, ball games and tree-climbing at Wakehurst. Please do go wild at our Adventurous Journeys play spaces and try the activities in our Family Fun leaflet!
Download the Wakehurst Family Fun leaflet
Adventurous Jouneys outdoor play spaces
How to find us
There is a limited weekday bus service to Wakehurst and we encourage you to visit via public transport for environmental reasons. There are cycle racks near the Visitor Centre for those who wish to cycle to the gardens. For more detailed information visit the Getting to Wakehurst page.


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I never cease to be inspired by the fortitude of plants as they always seem to shine despite what the weather throws at them. Here are a few that are currently lifting my spirits even on the glummest days.
Santolina, Cotton Lavender. This herb is a native of Southern France and the Northern Mediterranean area. It was used medicinally for many centuries and historically, during the Medieval period, it was used both as an insect and moth repellent and as a wormer. There are many forms, my favourites are:
Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lambrook Silver'
Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles'
This herb needs to be cut back hard after flowering to prevent the plant becoming woody or splitting . Unlike its common name sake Lavender, this herb will shoot from old wood, which makes it ideal for growing as an edging plant or as a hedge.
Perilla frutescens var purpurascens Purple Shiso has, unlike its cousin Basil, thrived this year. The purple variety has come into its own in the garden as its deep colour makes the constrasting green leafed herbs seem more vibrant.
Another herb which has truley been spectacular throughout these dank days is Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver Queen'.
I took this photograph at The Organic Garden on a particularly showery day, yet it still shone at the front of the border; it's attractive silver foliage reflecting the light of the day.
These plants are currently available on the farm and if you also wish to be inspired please join us at our next Open days on Friday 20th, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd. You will be able to browse our whole collection and, for those of you with exotic taste, I will be giving two free talks a day on 'Oriental Herbs.' Please visit the Open day link for more information and I look forward to seeing you next weekend, whatever the weather!!!


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Adorama Belle Drape Scenic Series, 10' x 12' Painted Muslin Background, Style #904. Color: Window wi
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Create the photos of your dreams! With different backgrounds, all your portraits will be a custom photograph. With several backgrounds in your arsenal of photo equipment, you can pick the background that best fits the special outfit the sitter brought in. Young or old, male or female, individual or a wedding party, the right background can mean the difference between an average photo and an award winning, family treasured portrait! Adorama has studied for many years the needs and wants of the beginner, advanced and professional photographer. All the equipment that bears the Adorama name meets these essential qualifications, equipment that is dependable at a fair price. The Adorama Belle Drape Muslins are no different. High quality fade resistant paints and dyes are matched with fine muslin material by background artists. The result, a beautifully painted muslin background at a price that allows all levels of photographers to own several. The "Scenic" Series consists of painted pictures of sports, landscapes and dreamscapes, designed to give your portrait a very personal touch. Controlli ng the backlight will give you different effects.
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011
If The Pants Fit...
A great party conversation starter is the question "If you could be in a movie, what movie would it be?"
Contrary to what some might think, my automatic answer would not be Pride and Prejudice. First of all, it's a television series, not a movie (at least the correct version is). Secondly, Mr. Darcy only has eyes for Elizabeth Bennet, so what would be the point?
No, my pick would be for Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Surprised? You don't think I have much in common with a clique of whiny, self-centered, teenagers, out looking for fun? Well, I might, but that's not the reason I picked that movie. You see, I'd be in the opening scene where they're shopping in the thrift store and they find the amazing pants that magically fit any body. You would spot me in the background as the girls are walking in the door; I'd be the one at the cash register BUYING THOSE JEANS BEFORE THEM!
I hate jeans shopping more than I hate going to the dentist. I get weary of taking pants on and off and on and off and looking at myself in the mirror with all of my bumps, lumps and bulges prominently displayed. And my panty line, too, if they're particularly tight jeans. I get so tired of the process that I end up grabbing a pair and saying, "Fine, these are the least loathsome. I'll buy them."
Then I take them home and the minute I put them on I realized I've made a huge mistake. Again. That's why there are 12 pairs of jeans in my bedroom, but when it was time to run a jeans load in the washer, I took off my jeans and walked around the house in my socks and a jacket. It's a longish jacket, but my son still covered his eyes with his hands. (Too much information?)
Anyway, the point is that I want magic jeans. Awesome jeans that fit right no matter what time of the month it is. Jeans that don't sag in back, making me look like a plumber's helper. Jeans that don't bunch at the top of the legs. Jeans that don't allow strangers to know what brand of underwear I buy. Is that too much to ask for?
You see, if I had magic jeans, I'd be able to eat as much of these wonderful bars as I like and still be able to have pants to wear. That's saying a lot because these bars are addictively good. Trust me, just one will not suffice. One is like the prelude. You'll come back again and again for that hit of shortbread, nuts, and chocolate. And then you'll be fighting me at the thrift shop for that pair of magic jeans!
Toffee Squares
Adapted from Very Merry Cookie Party
Yield: 48 squares
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
7 to 8 ounces milk chocolate, broken into pieces
1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and salt. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until mixed. The dough will be stiff. Pat the dough evenly over the bottom of the baking pan. The dough might be a bit sticky. Use the butter wrapper to press the dough down into the pan.
3. Bake in the center of the oven until pale gold on top, about 20 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the oven and scatter the chocolate pieces evenly over the crust. Return the pan to the oven for 1 minute. Remove the pan again and, using a knife, spread the chocolate evenly over the crust. Sprinkle evenly with the almonds.
5. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Using a sharp knife, cut into small squares, then carefully remove from the pan with a small offset spatula or an icing spatula.
15 comments:
- Zoe said...
I need a magic pants too...especially with these toffee squares.
- February 9, 2011 at 7:46 PM
- MommaMindy said...
I'll take one pair of those magic "you-look-awesome-after-having-six-kids" jeans and one batch of toffee bars. Thank you very much.
- February 9, 2011 at 10:47 PM
- Elizabeth said...
At least you end up buy a pair of jeans. I get so disheartened that I come home empty handed and still needing new jeans.
I haven't seen that movie but I want magic jeans!! And some of those toffee squares too, of course.
- February 10, 2011 at 7:30 AM
- Caroline said...
Magic jeans... if only *sigh* Life would be wonderful! I thought the title was going to be "If the jeans fit..."
...then you aren't eating enough of these! But seriously, these bars look amazing. I love toffee and chocolate!
- February 10, 2011 at 8:23 AM
- Susan from Food Blogga said...
I'd be in P&P only if I could be Elizabeth. ;) As for the traveling pants movie, I've never seen it, but it sounds like a dream come true for all women!
- February 10, 2011 at 4:16 PM
- grace said...
one of the saddest days in my life was when my favorite pair of jeans emerged from the dryer with a hole at the butt cheek. it was hard.
on a brighter note, toffee is one of the loves of my life--great bars!
- February 11, 2011 at 2:07 AM
- Abby said...
Such a cute post! I've never thought of it that way, but I hear ya. (However for me it would be the traveling bathing suit. Egads.)
And I have to say that I ADORE the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. Once when I had the flu I watched it five times in a row - and cried every single time. I also have the soundtrack. (But to be clear I don't turn away ANY Jane Austen by any director!)
- February 11, 2011 at 8:19 AM
- hobby baker said...
Lol, that's why I usually only have one or two pairs at most and wear them until they fall apart. You walk around in a house coat; I don't even wash mine until they can stand up on their own! :) Of course evey one else's laundry comes before mine anyway... But those yummy bars won't help me fit into mine any better. :D
- February 11, 2011 at 9:56 AM
- Sheryl said...
Um,......I'd fight you for them! And then I'd race you to those bars, lol. I. Love. Toffee.
- February 11, 2011 at 7:22 PM
- Lisa said...
Haha, I love your post. I'd love to find magic jeans that fit too. But, even without magic jeans, I'd eat your bars anyway. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog called "Sweets for a Saturday" and I'd like to invite you to stop by this weekend and link your bars up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/02/sweets-for-saturday-4.html
- February 12, 2011 at 12:43 AM
- Baking Soda said...
I hate to spend lots of money on clothes (especially since I know I can sew,no pants tho) but a fitting flattering pair of pants? Can't hand over my money quick enough!
Now just pass that plate of bars until then
- February 12, 2011 at 4:34 AM
- Brilynn said...
I think we could all use a pair of magic jeans and at least two of those squares...
- February 12, 2011 at 5:22 PM
- Libbie said...
As I sit her in my monster sized maternity jeans I think...I might have to fight you for those jeans :) & then have a bar after :)
- February 12, 2011 at 7:52 PM
- breadchick said...
I LOVE those toffee bars. They are one of my favorites. I miss baking with you as a Babe but I am so happy you are finding a bit of balance in your life.
- February 16, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Oh stop -- these are SO DELICIOUS LOOKING -- I can't stop myself from making them. I'm gonna need you to post some celery recipes or something to make up for this.
- March 1, 2011 at 4:49 PM


text:
Nov 02, 2010 | 832 Pages
"Top Five Books of the Year 2010: Friedwald chronicles the Great American Songbook, its creators, and its interpreters—a body of work that stands at the apogee of this nation's civilization. Quirky, opinionated, shaped by exquisite taste and judgment, this feat of musical and cultural criticism offers an exuberant glimpse into the American character."
—Benjamin Schwarz, The Atlantic
"A perfect holiday gift . . . An authoritative, comprehensive and oft-amusing guidebook that leads readers through the lives and recordings of hundreds of singers, from Louis Armstrong to Hank Williams."
—The Wall Street Journal
"Incisive and useful . . . In this mammoth volume, jazz critic Will Friedwald does for jazz and pop vocalists what David Thomson has done so brilliantly in his New Biographical Dictionary of Film. . . . The author also acts as a consumer guide, steering the reader toward particular songs or albums. . . . Vastly entertaining."
—Dennis Drabelle, The Washington Post
"In this passionately opinionated encyclopedia of the old-school virtuosos of the American songbook, music writer Friedwald celebrates 200-odd performers of jazz and pop standards, from the mid-20th-century titans to latter-day acolytes, with a raft of unjustly obscure singers in between. . . . [Friedwald] accords each a substantial career retrospective, selected discography and wonderfully pithy interpretive essay. His tastes are wide-ranging and idiosyncratic . . . However unconventional, his judgments are usually spot-on . . . Friedwald's exuberant medley is that rarest of things: music criticism that actually makes you sit up and listen."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A fun reference book to dive into, get lost in—and use to add more songs and singers to your collection. . . . When it comes to the Great American Songbook, Will Friedwald is the keeper of the flame. He's written some of the best books on popular song of the past quarter-century, from his engaging Jazz Singing to . . . his Sinatra! The Song is You [which] is one of the best studies of a singer's craft ever written. With A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, Friedwald gave himself a daunting task: put together essays on every singer he can who made a career singing those great songs. 'Every' is a lot, but Friedwald doesn't miss too many, from the early 20th century to the cabaret singers of the post-swing revival. The essays—more than 200 in all, including pieces on multiple artists—are part biography, part career overview, focusing on the singers' highs and lows while tossing in bits of fun trivia."
—Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"I think Will Friedwald's Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers will be of real interest to anyone who cares about the music."
—Hugh Hefner, editor-in-chief of Playboy
"If there were such a volume as the Great American Songbook, this book should be right next to it on your shelf. It is truly the definitive work on those who sing and swing those songs."
—Alan Bergman, Grammy and Academy Award–winning songwriter
"Will Friedwald has created an instant classic reference tome with his Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers, the wealth of information and the breadth of knowledge being quite staggering. It is written without academic posturing but with wit and warmth and accessibility, covering in fascinating detail the careers of everyone from Jolson and Sinatra, of course, to Lee Wiley, Noel Coward and Marlene Dietrich; from Armstrong to Doris Day, and everyone in between. It will surely be considered an essential text."
—Peter Bogdanovich
"This extensive work is essential and comprehensive. In opinionated, sometimes witty essays, Friedwald sorts out the lives and careers of more than three hundred singers, some of the greatest vocalists of the twentieth century including such giants as Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Bessie Smith. There are also dozens of unexpected inclusions. For example, Martha Raye merits almost seven pages and her entry helps dusts off her historical reputation as not just a zany character but rather an incredibly gifted and complex artist. . . . Friedwald spent ten years researching this magisterial reference book and it is certain to delight and inform anyone with a passion for the iconic music of America."
—Larry Cox, Tucson Citizen
Stardust Melodies
"The closest thing we have to a standard text on American pop from the first half of the twentieth century . . . Friedwald is a deeply attentive and emotionally attuned listener. His descriptions of performances are so precise and detailed that Stardust Melodies could serve as a primer for how to listen to prerock music."
—The New York Times Book Review
"Excellent . . . [With] good humor and lively anecdotes, Friedwald brings an open mind to the kaleidoscope of musical stylings that these songs have been treated (or subjected) to."
—The Wall Street Journal
"Friedwald's writing, both erudite and funny, complements the standards he so clearly loves, like a melody set to the perfect lyric."
—Entertainment Weekly, "A"
"Informative and witty . . . So full of good stuff that I kept being distracted and forgetting what I was looking for."
—Chicago Tribune
Sinatra! The Song Is You
"The most important book published about Frank Sinatra to date."
—The New York Times Book Review
"Indispensable . . . A man with unexcelled knowledge of American popular song, Friedwald looks intensively at [Sinatra's] career . . . Sinatra! hits a welcome high note . . . Excellent."
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Blithe, respectful, snappy, and smart, Friedwald catches the creative fire of the singer . . . This is the best book ever written about Sinatra's deepest secret: his craft."
This table of contents includes an alphabetical list of all the artists featured in the dictionary: individual artists, the five "extras" (iconic singers in other genres), and those included in multiple artist entries. These multiple artist groupings, which are in more or less chronological order, are also listed below for your reference.
Individual Artists
Lorez Alexandria
Ernestine Anderson
Ivie Anderson
Julie Andrews
The Andrews Sisters
Harold Arlen
Lil Hardin Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Fred Astaire
Gene Austin
Harry Babbitt
Mildred Bailey
Pearl Bailey
Chet Baker
Josephine Baker
Tex Beneke
Tony Bennett
Andy Bey
Connee Boswell and the Boswell Sisters
Al Bowlly
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Hadda Brooks
Cleo Brown
Michael Bublé
Jackie Cain
Ann Hampton Callaway
Cab Calloway
Eddie Cantor
Una Mae Carlisle
Hoagy Carmichael
Barbara Carroll
Betty Carter
Ray Charles
June Christy
Peter Cincotti
Buddy Clark
Rosemary Clooney
Freddy Cole
Nat King Cole
Natalie Cole
Russ Columbo
Perry Como
Eric Comstock
Harry Connick, Jr.
Chris Connor
Barbara Cook
Sam Cooke
Sir Noel Coward
Bing Crosby
Jamie Cullum
Vic Damone
Bobby Darin
Sammy Davis Jr.
Doris Day
Blossom Dearie
Matt Dennis
Johnny Desmond
Marlene Dietrich
Alfred Drake
Jimmy Durante
Bob Dylan
Ray Eberle
Bob Eberly
Billy Eckstine
Cliff Edwards
Kurt Elling
Skinnay Ennis
Ruth Etting
Alice Faye
Michael Feinstein
Gracie Fields
Ella Fitzgerald
Helen Forrest
Aretha Franklin
Judy Garland
Eydie Gormé
Robert Goulet
Buddy Greco
Adelaide Hall
Annette Hanshaw
Mary Cleere Haran
Allan Harris
Marion Harris
Johnny Hartman
Dick Haymes
Bill Henderson
Woody Herman
Al Hibbler
Billie Holiday
Shirley Horn
Lena Horne
Helen Humes
Hutch (Leslie Hutchinson)
Betty Hutton
Marion Hutton
Alberta Hunter
Mahalia Jackson
Eddie Jefferson
Herb Jeffries
Clarence Johnstone
Al Jolson
Etta Jones
Jack Jones
Louis Jordan
Sheila Jordan
Kitty Kallen
Howard Keel
Richard Kiley
Teddi King
Eartha Kitt
Irene Kral
Roy Kral
Diana Krall
Cleo Laine
Frankie Laine
Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross
Dorothy Lamour
Turner Layton
Steve Lawrence
Barbara Lea
Julia Lee
Peggy Lee
Abbey Lincoln
Julie London
Nick Lucas
Nellie Lutcher
Gloria Lynne
Gordon MacRae
Kevin Mahogany
Andrea Marcovicci
Dean Martin
Mary Martin
Johnny Mathis
Susannah McCorkle
Audra McDonald
Ray McKinley
Carmen McRae
Johnny Mercer
Mabel Mercer
Ethel Merman
Helen Merrill
The Mills Brothers
Guy Mitchell
Matt Monro
Joe Mooney
Helen Morgan
Lee Morse
Mark Murphy
Rose Murphy
Anita O'Day
Patti Page
Jackie Paris
King Pleasure
Elvis Presley
Louis Prima
Arthur Prysock
John Raitt
Lou Rawls
Johnnie Ray
Martha Raye
Della Reese
Dianne Reeves
Irene Reid
Ann Richards
Jimmy Rushing
(Little) Jimmy Scott
Daryl Sherman
Dinah Shore
Bobby Short
Nina Simone
Ginny Simms
Frank Sinatra
Carol Sloane
Bessie Smith
Kate Smith
Jeri Southern
Jo Stafford
Kay Starr
Dakota Staton
Barbra Streisand
Maxine Sullivan
Sylvia Syms
Jack Teagarden
Shirley Temple
Teri Thornton
Martha Tilton
Mel Tormé
Sophie Tucker
George "Bon Bon" Tunnell
Rudy Vallee
Sarah Vaughan
Bea Wain
Fats Waller
Helen Ward
Dinah Washington
Ethel Waters
Elizabeth Welch
Margaret Whiting
Lee Wiley
Andy Williams
Hank Williams
Joe Williams
Cassandra Wilson
Julie Wilson
Nancy Wilson
Edythe Wright
Multiple Artists
The Birth of the Croon: Cliff Edwards, Nick Lucas, Rudy Vallee, and Russ Columbo
Torch Singers and Flappers: Marion Harris, Ruth Etting, Helen Morgan, and Annette Hanshaw
African Americans Abroad: Adelaide Hall, Josephine Baker, Elisabeth Welch, and Alberta Hunter
There'll Always Be an England: Hutch, Layton & Johnstone, and Gracie Fields
Female Band Singers I Benny's Babes: Helen Ward, Martha Tilton, and Helen Forrest
Sing a Song of Ellington: Ivie Anderson, Herb Jeffries, and Al Hibbler
Sing a Song of Miller: Male (Mostly) Band Singers I—Bob Eberly, Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, Johnny Desmond, Tex Beneke, and Ray McKinley
Singing Songwriters: Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, and Johnny Mercer
Female Bandsingers II—Big Bands into Pop: Edythe Wright, Bea Wain, Ginny Simms, Kitty Kallen
Male Band Singers II—Exceptional Boychicks: Harry Babbitt and George "Bon Bon" Tunnell
Hollywood Divas: Alice Faye, Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Temple, and Betty Hutton
Two Inimitables: Sir Noel Coward and Marlene Dietrich
Fats's Femme Followers: Lee Morse, Ramona, Cleo Brown, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Una Mae Carlisle, Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher, Rose Murphy, and Hadda Brooks
Big Pop (Male): Frankie Laine, Johnnie Ray, Guy Mitchell, Johnny Mathis, and Andy Williams
Hipsters and Bopsters: King Pleasure, Eddie Jefferson, Jackie Cain, Roy Kral, Irene Kral, Ann Richards, and Cleo Laine
Lee Wiley's Boston Connection: Teddi King and Barbara Lea
Leading Ladies: Barbara Cook and Julie Andrews
Leading Men—In Defense of the Broadway Baritone: Alfred Drake, John Raitt, Gordon MacRae, Howard Keel, and Robert Goulet
Dinah's Daughters—Soulful Ladies and Local Favorites: Etta Jones, Gloria Lynne, Teri Thornton, Irene Reid, and Lorez Alexandria
Two Soulful Gentlemen: Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls
Blossom's Buds and Dearie's Daughters: Barbara Carroll, Daryl Sherman, and Ann Hampton Callaway
Rock Goes Standards!: From Connie Francis to Rod Stewart
Dynasty: Freddy Cole and Natalie Cole
Contemporary Male Jazz Singers: Allan Harris, Kevin Mahogany, and Kurt Elling
Contemporary Cabaret: Andrea Marcovicci, Mary Cleere Haran, Michael Feinstein, and Eric Comstock
Harry Connick Jr. and the Retro Crooner Boychicks: Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum, and Peter Cincotti
Folk-Rock: Bob Dylan
Gospel: Mahalia Jackson
Rock 'n' Roll: Elvis Presley
Blues: Bessie Smith
Country and Western: Hank Williams


text:
Black-eyed peas have such a distinctive flavor that they may seem like an odd base for hummus, but I was so intrigued by a recipe for Black-Eyed Pea Hummus in our local paper that I decided to give it a whirl. I totally ignored the recipe, of course (it contained 2 cups of olive oil and was topped with fried black-eyed peas; I felt my arteries hardening just looking at it) and gave my hummus a sort of Louisiana spin by adding pecans, hot sauce, and a generous shot of smoked paprika. The resulting hummus was thick and smokey and flavorful. Even my daughter, who isn't wild about black-eyed peas, loved it enough to take the leftovers to school for lunch.
I'm not a fan of canned black-eyed peas; I find that they have an off flavor and odor. So I started this hummus by cooking dried peas in my electric pressure cooker for 10 minutes and then letting the pressure come down naturally. Since I was making the peas from scratch, I was able to add a little flavor by throwing in some onion with the peas, which then got blended into the hummus. If you want, you can make this with canned beans, but please, put them into a colander and rinse them well to get rid of as much of the canned taste as possible. Using canned beans makes this a Ridiculously Easy recipe, but if you've got the time (and a pressure cooker) I really recommend using the dried beans.
A thick, smokey dip with Southern charm, this black-eyed pea hummus goes well with thick slices of crispy bread, crackers, or raw vegetables.
Blackeyed Pea Hummus
This is one of those dishes that tastes best after "resting" for a while to allow the flavors to blend, so try not to eat it right away.
- 1 cup dried blackeyed peas (or 2 cups canned and well-rinsed and drained)
- 1/2 medium onion, coarsely chopped (omit if using canned peas)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or other nuts (see note)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 -2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (see note)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- If using dried peas, rinse and pick over the peas and place them in a pressure cooker or large saucepan. Add 3 cups of water and the chopped onion. In the pressure cooker, cook at high pressure for 10 minutes; allow pressure to come down naturally. For regular cooking, bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook covered until peas are tender, about 45 minutes, adding additional water as needed. Drain peas well.
- Place the pecans in the food processor and whiz them until they are powdered. Add the drained peas and all remaining ingredients except salt and process until fairly smooth. Add salt and additional lemon juice to taste.
- Scrape into a covered container and refrigerate until chilled.
I use pecans to round out the Southern flavor of this dip, but you can use any nuts (or two tablespoons of nut butter) you like, or leave them out completely for a lower-fat hummus.
I use a mild hot sauce (Cholula), so if you use something hotter, adjust the amount to taste.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s) | Cooking time: 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 6
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving, with pecans and salt): 133 calories, 31 calories from fat, 3.7g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 458.5mg sodium, 365mg potassium, 19.2g carbohydrates, 3.7g fiber, 2.7g sugar, 7.2g protein, 3.8 points.
Nutrition (per serving, without salt or nuts): 102 calories, 4 calories from fat,


text:
Last week, The Outhouse's Has DC Done Something Stupid Today counter experienced a record week of activity, with counter resets coming multiple times a day as DC drove J.H. Williams and W. Haden Blackman off of Batwoman and then released an ill-considered, context-less page from what would have been a fine in-context Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Connor Harley Quinn script as part of a contest. You can read our Saturday recap right here for all the details.
Go ahead, read it so you're up to speed. Ok, now we'll fill you in on what went down after that. At the bottom of this article, you'll find a list of all the stories in the order they broke, so you can relive the thrilling experience of DC's stupidest week on record.
Almost immediately after we published the recap, DC Co-Pubilsher Jim Lee took to Twitter to lecture fans about the contest, carefully explaining that the problem was that readers weren't considering the script in context. The Outhouse helpfully explained that the issue wasn't comic book readers not understanding the context of a comic book. It was DC's paid PR people, whose job it is to make sure DC is projecting a positive image that makes people want to buy their comics, choosing to take that page of all pages out of context and release it into the wild where anyone who even gave it the slightest forethought could have predicted it might turn into a publicity disaster in the mainstream media and the greater internet, where most readers are not familiar with the work of Palmiotti and Connor, Harley Quinn's cartoonish nature, or even necessarily comic books in general. All they saw was "DC wants people to draw a female character committing suicide while naked," and no matter how much would like to blame it on them, that's not the fault of the readers. It's the fault of DC's publicity department.
But DC didn't see it that way, because this week they've had Jimmy Palmiotti making the rounds, taking the heat, and apologizing for the controversy caused by the script. The fact is, people like Palmiotti, and he didn't do anything wrong, so if DC can direct the heat at him, they know it will blow over. It's cold. It's calculated. It's the first good PR move they've made in a week.
As fans turn on each other, screaming about whether or not it's okay for suicide to be depicted in comics in a joking fashion, DC gets away with having everyone believe that was always the issue, when the real problem is their stunning lack of ability to recognize when they are putting themselves in an unflattering situation, and their resolve to double down on stupidity when they get called out on it instead of ever doing anything to change it. Palmiotti doesn't deserve to be the scapegoat, but we already know DC doesn't care about hurting creators, so, as far as DC is concerned, crisis averted.
Backing up a bit, on Monday we got confirmation on the story we ran Saturday about new writer Mark Andreyko taking over on Batwoman, beginning with issue #25. Williams and Blackman had planned on staying until #26, but they found out (over the internet like the rest of us) that their run would be cut short by two issues, causing it to end on a cliffhanger.
Meanwhile, in response to both these controversies, the hashtag #FireDidio started trending on Twitter, causing a lot of blogs to feel bad for Dan Didio and say nice things about him. The hashtag is still alive, and many of its users are insisting that they don't actually intend or expect to get Didio fired, but just want their voices to be heard. While it's easy to look down on fans who seem to take comic books way too seriously, what people should take away from this is the fact that DC's attitude toward its fans, belittling them, dismissing their concerns, condescending to them, and often blatantly teasing them over issues like the availability of characters like Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, and Wally West, has created an entire culture of dejected fans so desperate that they devote a considerable amount of energy into expressing their hatred and disappointment with DC publicly on a regular basis.
DC makes picture books about superpowered people in their underwear beating each other up. When the primary reaction to their every move is rage, while there might be some blame for the fans sometimes, it's a sure bet that DC is doing something severely wrong from a public image perspective. You can't blame all of that on "haters" and call it case closed.
In any case, things have calmed down and DC seems to be regrouping. Through it all, people have been tweeting us, asking when we're going to reset the counter again, and pointing us to all of the latest developments in these stories, but there's no double jeopardy with the HDCDSST counter. I wouldn't expect any major drama out of them for the next week or two, as is the pattern after a meltdown like this, but we're sure they'll do something mildly stupid a few times before then. They can't help themselves, after all.
So don't despair, dear readers. Keep watching Has DC Done Something Stupid Today and follow The Outhouse on Twitter and Facebook. We'll keep you up to date, and when a justified counter reset comes, it'll be that much sweeter for waiting.
It has been 5 days.
UPDATE: DC begrudgingly apologized for the Harley Quinn contest.
Reading Order for Week of Stupid:
DC Producing Photoshopped 3D Cover for Villains Month Omnibus
DC Shocker: DC Fails to Credit Creators on Villains Month Covers
Midnight Shocker: W. Haden Blackman and J. H. Williams III Walk Off Batwoman
Dan Didio Ignores All Calls While Preparing for Fantasy Football Draft
DC Runs Low on Talent to Drive Away, Holds Open Search for More
DC Releases Script for Harley Quinn Contest, Internet Outraged
Dan Didio Responds to Williams/Blackman Controversy
DC Shocker: Marc Andreyko Takes Over Batwoman, Williams and Blackman's Run Not to Finish? Updated: It Won't.
What? No! Aquaman is not Married to Mera! Why Would You Think That?
The Week in DC Stupidity: When You Can't Decide Which Article Should Go On the Counter
Jim Lee Speaks on Harleygate, Teaches Fans About Context
DC Shocker: Dan Didio Doesn't Know Difference Between Batwomen
5.2 Reasons Not to Fire Dan Didio
- And then this article, and you're all caught up.


text:
While Mr. Campbell was busy being an American scholar during
the 20th century, he could have very easily been referring to
most of the owners in the room on fantasy draft day regarding
their stance on rookie running backs. Incoming college players
have pedigree and potential, but no pro track record. Is it the
absence of NFL stats, the fear of the unknown or a lack of information
that leads fantasy owners to pass on most rookie rushers until
the middle rounds so we can draft them as a RB3 and not risk too
much? Is it really worth it to take a veteran rusher with a track
record over a young buck who could take the league by storm?
Without a doubt, I don't have enough time or space to answer
these questions because, most often, they can only be answered
on a case-by-case basis. For example, in 2007, I had the good
fortune of landing Adrian
Peterson in the fifth round in one of my money leagues. However,
in another re-draft league, one owner had the guts to roll the
dice on him at the end of the second round after selecting LaDainian
Tomlinson in the first. Believe it or not, that owner did
not win the league, but his strategy caused me to re-consider
my stance on how I evaluated "fantasy talent" and my stance on
rookie rushers. Like many others, I didn't need much convincing
to draft Peterson after about one quarter of his first preseason
game, but rather than using a higher draft choice to get him on
the majority of my teams, I essentially played not to lose rather
than play to win.
I'm not going to tell you it is always advantageous to be a risk-taker
as a fantasy owner – one of the great thrills of fantasy drafting
is being in the position to select a player who is falling in
your draft for one reason or another (some of last year's best
examples were the suspensions that helped Brandon
Marshall and Steve
Smith come a bit cheaper) and nabbing him a full round or
more after when they really should be off the board. But in the
absence of that "obvious" pick, if you feel really good about
Matt Forte
(like I did last year), I have learned that it doesn't matter
if I draft Forte in round four or round five, so long as I end
up with him. And that is really what fantasy football is all about;
taking what you see with your own eyes and applying it to your
fantasy draft. Whatever you do, don't begin and end your fantasy
draft preparation with a magazine!
After supplying a couple handfuls of fringe fantasy players for
the upcoming season last week,
I will be providing some players this week who figure to play
a prominent role in deciding which fantasy teams take home the
championship in 2009. It should come as little surprise that six
of the 10 players are - you guessed it - running backs. For as
much as the draft analysts whined about the overall talent in
April's draft, this year's class could easily match last year's
class in sporting three 1,000-yard rushers (Steve Slaton, Matt
Forte, Chris Johnson).
For as bad of a rap as they get sometimes, rookie RBs have put
together a rather impressive streak over the years - at
least one rookie rusher since 1993 has rushed for over 1,000 yards
each season. (You can blame "Touchdown" Tommy
Vardell, Vaughn Dunbar and Amp Lee among others for the streak
not being a few years longer...) Certainly, when 15-20 rushers
are being chosen each April, it is not the easiest thing to discern
which one will be the player to extend the streak, however, there
are only about 4-5 likely candidates in a given class, so sometimes
it is all about identifying which player walked into the best
situation and taking an educated leap of faith. Although last
year was something of an exception with Slaton, Forte and Johnson
all excelling, this draft figures to boast at least one thousand-yard
rusher and add another year onto the streak.
Note: The rankings below are for the 2009 season only and
are ranked in order of likelihood of fantasy impact. (For example,
QBs like Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez may accrue more fantasy
points given their position, but the chances of them impacting
a fantasy team are slimmer than say, a potential fantasy WR3 in
a three-WR league, because the WR could be an every-week starter.)
10. Bernard Scott, RB Bengals
Since getting bashed by many media outlets for being just another
"crook" that the Bengals decided to bring aboard, Scott has done
nothing but impress Cincinnati's players and coaches. Last year's
first-round draft pick, WLB Keith Rivers, even went so far to
compare him favorably to 2008 rookie sensation Chris Johnson of
the Titans. Before I get that giddy about his prospects, however,
I will be taking a long look at him during the preseason and on
HBO (hey, the Bengals are on Hard Knocks). But I think at the
very least, he should serve as an excellent complement to Cedric
Benson's more physical style, much as Cincinnati hoped Chris
Perry would on a more regular basis. All things being equal,
I am generally the first to shoot down college numbers, especially
those posted at Abilene Christian. But Scott's were otherworldly
- 2,165 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2008, including 292 yards rushing
(353 total yards) and seven touchdowns in his team's Division
II playoff win over West Texas A&M. And while he isn't in the
class of a Knowshon Moreno, Scott was a second-or-third-round
talent who fell in the sixth round of the draft based on five
arrests, all of which have been dismissed or are about to be expunged.
Of the 2009 draft's post-first-round RBs - and this is key
when considering his spot on this list - Scott probably faces
the least amount of competition for a starting job. Benson, who
signed a two-year deal in March, finished last season out strong
and will enter the season as the starter. Reports out of Bengals'
camp have Benson showing a level of determination and maturity
he never displayed with the Bears while Kenny
Watson and Brian Leonard should provide quality depth. But
even the Bengals can't believe the group of Benson, Watson or
Leonard are long-term options and the contract that Benson agreed
to hardly locks him into the lead back role should a better option
emerge. Cincinnati boasts one of the league's most accomplished
RB coaches in Jim Anderson, who did as much research on Scott
as any player the Bengals considered in the draft. For those that
believe in karma, Anderson also put himself on the line about
12 years ago for an even more troubled RB named Corey Dillon,
the man whose uniform No. 28 Scott will be wearing. I want to
see how this talent handles a few preseason assignments before
I give him too high of a grade but I will suggest that Scott should
assume Perry's role in this offense. He should also be the back
to own if Benson were to go down for any length of time.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 95 carries, 410 yards, 2 TDs; 25
catches, 175 yards, 1 TD
9. Matthew Stafford, QB Lions
Just like his draft buddy, Mark Sanchez, the odds are fairly
high that Stafford will be running the offense in Week 1. But
if the Lions truly want to do what is best for their young QB's
future, they will sit him in favor of Daunte
Culpepper at least through the bye week - allowing him to
avoid Detroit's tough early schedule - and let him start after
giving him two full weeks to prepare for a home game against the
Rams on November 1. Unlike Sanchez, Stafford will not have the
support of a top-notch defense and a proven running game, but
his options in the passing game figure to be better at this point
than his classmate's. The good news for Stafford and Lions fans
is that the building blocks for a good, complete offense are starting
to come together in the Motor City. Calvin
Johnson is already a top-five WR in the league, a notion that
can only speed up Stafford's development while giving him the
surefire playmaker he can count on when things are breaking down
around him. While rookie TE Brandon
Pettigrew doesn't project as a gamebreaker, he will be another
solid pair of hands in the short-to-intermediate passing game,
something of a luxury in today's game. Bryant
Johnson was miscast as a WR1 in San Francisco last season,
but should benefit from playing over half of his games on turf
as well as all the attention Johnson figures to draw from the
secondary on a weekly basis. Finally, with the Lions' hiring of
OC Scott Linehan, Detroit will make opponents account for the
running game, so Stafford is set up for future success as long
as the line play improves.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 175-300, 2125 yards, 10 TDs, 8
INTs (10 games)
8. Mark
Sanchez, QB Jets
Shortly after Sanchez announced his intentions to declare for
the draft, a few draft "experts" had the USC quarterback
going in the late first round or even early-to-mid second with
many - including NFL personnel people - citing his lack of starting
experience and a college coach who didn't believe his QB was ready
for the next level quite yet. Just over two months later, Sanchez
was the must-have prospect, with many of those same people citing
his leadership ability and intangibles. (Once, just once, I would
like to go into the interview for my dream job being considered
a product of the system with a perceived lack of experience and
come out of said interview with each interviewer raving about
my knowledge of the industry, the idea that I was a building block
of the company for the next 10-15 years and an eight-digit signing
bonus.) And the Pete Carroll incident at Sanchez's presser? Apparently,
the coach was just showing his competitive side...as if he didn't
have a few days to prepare his response??
Be that as it may, Sanchez enters the lion's den that is New
York and, thankfully, he actually appears to have the mental makeup
to be up to the challenge. It will help his cause that he will
have two solid pass catchers in Jerricho
Cotchery and Dustin
Keller to throw to, just as long as he beats out Kellen
Clemens for the right to start the season. Considering that
HC Rex Ryan made his "I think I know how this (the QB competition)
will play out..." comment right after the draft, it makes me think
he probably will. Along with his poise, Sanchez has enough arm
and accuracy to succeed at some point, however, the track record
for underclassmen QBs to thrive in the NFL is not great - as many
more complete talents than Sanchez have failed – and especially
in the player's rookie year. And to be painfully honest, even
if he does buck the odds and succeeds immediately, Sanchez is
unlikely to be a good fantasy option in 2009 as Ryan has already
gone on record stating he wants to bring the Ravens' 2008 offensive
model over to the Jets and run the ball around 37 times a game.
Since the average team figures to run 60-65 plays on a good day,
it doesn't give Sanchez much of an opportunity to accrue the numbers
necessary to be a fantasy starter. Unlike the Ravens' Joe Flacco,
who added to his value by getting some yards and scores on the
ground, Sanchez will not be able to make up those fantasy points
with his scrambling ability. Long story short, let Sanchez take
up a roster spot on somebody else's team in 2009.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 250-420, 2900 yards, 14 TDs, 14
7. Shonn Greene, RB Jets
Whether he will be anywhere near as successful as Marion Barber
or not is up for debate, but new HC Rex Ryan envisions the Iowa
alum to be a "fourth-quarter weapon". Another claim that Ryan
has made is that he will target 37 carries/game from his rushers,
a blueprint that he saw executed quite nicely last season by Baltimore's
offense while he was running the Ravens' defense. That average
works itself out to just under 600 rushing attempts (Baltimore
had 592 carries last season, 531 spread amongst non-QBs.) While
I think Ryan will do his best to use his three backs like Baltimore
did, I have a hard time seeing the new coach choosing to take
the ball out of the hands of the AFC's top TD scorer from last
season (Thomas
Jones) or one of the league's most exciting playmakers in
the open field (Leon
Washington). Therefore, barring injury to Jones or Washington,
it is hard to imagine much more than 100 touches for the rookie.
The good news, though, is that if his role is fourth-quarter and
some short-yardage situations, he may not need to see the ball
all that much to be a fantasy asset. Still, while Greene will
drop Jones and Washington's overall production, the veterans warrant
the most consideration from the Jets backfield, and rightfully
so. For now, Greene should be considered insurance for Jones and
little more, keeping in mind that Doug turns 31 in August. Granted,
Jones keeps himself in excellent shape, but he is only 51 carries
shy of the 2,000-carry mark for his career, about the time when
most runners hit the wall. Combine that with the rumors that Jones'
contract demands may lead him to get traded at some point in the
offseason and there may be enough reason to target Greene as a
breakout candidate. If Doug does in fact get moved, Greene should
be expected to assume at least 80% of Jones' carries last season
and challenge for Rookie of the Year honors. Unfortunately, Greene
is such a poor receiver that he will he have next-to-no involvement
in the passing game, so most of Jones' 36 catches from last season
would fall onto Washington's shoulders.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 120 carries, 500 yards, 4 TDs
Fearless Mid-June Prediction (if Jones
is traded): 275 carries, 1150 yards, 9 TDs
6. LeSean McCoy, RB Eagles
McCoy: Necessary mid-round handcuff.
With Brian
Westbrook now questionable to go during training camp, McCoy
goes from potential late-round handcuff to necessary mid-round
handcuff and maybe more. Past and present Westbrook owners already
know the drill: get 10-12 high-quality, No. 1 overall-fantasy-pick-production-type
games, 2-4 games missed and about 14 weeks worth of headaches
caused by his questionable status on the injury report. But give
Westbrook credit for this: he is incredibly resilient, generally
willing his surgically-repaired body through each game while performing
at a very high level. While McCoy is unlikely to ever reach Westbrook's
lofty standards, "Shady" has a couple of things going in his favor
that no RB drafted by the Eagles since Westbrook have enjoyed:
experience in a West Coast offense (under Matt Cavanaugh at Pitt)
and an all-around game. Even though his blitz pickup could use
a bit of work, McCoy - like Westbrook - plays bigger than his
frame and is a fine runner in between the tackles although he
isn't quite the breakaway threat the two-time Pro Bowler is. In
the event Westbrook was shelved for any significant length of
time, McCoy would have the benefit of operating behind what will
be a rebuilt, but improved, offensive line in a fantasy-friendly
system. Lorenzo
Booker would likely steal some third-down touches and Leonard
Weaver could work his way into the short-yardage mix, but
the rookie would be on the hook for the majority of the running
game's success in such a scenario. More likely, however, Westbrook
starts about 14 games, leaves early in two and allows McCoy to
showcase himself in 2-3 full games in 2009, giving Philly a brief
look at the rookie in real-game action. How impressive he is in
that limited action may give the Eagles' brass a chance to contemplate
if they should transition to a time-share situation in 2010 before
handing McCoy the starting job outright in 2011. For now, I'll
project McCoy to get a bit more of the workload than ex-Eagle
Correll Buckhalter as Philly attempts to back off ever so slightly
on Westbrook's touches.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 125 carries, 590 yards, 3 TDs;
30 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD
5. Brian Robiskie, WR Browns
Announcers grow quite fond of saying something along the lines
of "he has a high football IQ, just the thing you expect
from a son of a coach." While there is certainly some merit
with that line of thinking, the son still needs to possess a fair
amount of talent. Brian, whose dad Terry is a longtime NFL offensive
assistant coach, is different from many other football coaches'
sons in the sense that he grew up to be a WR instead of a quarterback.
The more and more the ex-Buckeye played, the more apparent it
became that he is more than just a product of some good coaching
at home - Brian Robiskie is a cerebral but talented receiver with
great hands, just the thing the Browns need opposite Braylon Edwards.
All these characteristics figure to make him a steady NFL player
from the get-go and a much-needed dependable complement to the
erratic playmaking abilities of Edwards. His ceiling is more limited
than most of the other receivers on this list, but he is one player
who I believe could hit the ground running from the first snap
in training camp. I believe Robiskie will be a solid real-life
#2 WR from the get-go who should also excel on third down. Even
better, he will come without the drama that so many receivers
seem to bring to the table nowadays. For fantasy purposes, he
warrants late-round consideration in 12-team leagues as a WR who
will be startable - depending on the matchup - in PPR lineups
that require three starting receivers.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 50 catches, 630 yards, 5 TDs
4. Percy Harvin, WR Vikings
One thing is clear: Harvin is going to test the offensive creativity
that Minnesota (and HC Brad Childress) is sometimes accused of
lacking. While I believe injuries - if not immaturity - will always
limit Harvin from maximizing his vast talent, it's hard not to
be just a bit giddy over the excitement he will create (not including
the buzz he has already generated amongst players and coaches
in Vikings' OTAs) when everything is right with him. Expect Minnesota
to find a way to get the ball in his hands at least 12 times a
game (including returns) and line up all over the field, including
with Adrian
Peterson at QB in the Wildcat. With that many possible touches
and his game-breaking ability, he is definitely worth targeting
in the later rounds, maybe even higher if a healthy Brett
Favre makes his way onto the team. I doubt the Vikings will
put him in the starting lineup opposite Bernard
Berrian if only in an effort to keep him healthy, but he should
bump Bobby
Wade from the slot and steal most of his work in the passing
game (something that shouldn't be overlooked because Wade has
topped 50 catches and 600 yards in his two seasons as a Viking).
Where things could get really interesting is if Sidney
Rice suffers through another injury-plagued season. In that
case, Minnesota would probably push the return duties back into
the lap of Wade and make Harvin arguably the most valuable rookie
fantasy WR in this class. Ideally, Minnesota will let Rice start
opposite Berrian and move Harvin all over the field to create
mismatches but keep him in the 12-14 touches/game range. This
kind of use would probably cap the rookie's fantasy value as a
mid-level WR3 in 2009.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 45 catches, 650 yards, 4 TDs; 30
rushes, 200 yards, 2 TDs; 1 Kickoff Return TD, 2 Punt Return TD
3. Donald Brown, RB Colts
If Joseph
Addai found it difficult to out-produce Dominic Rhodes, he
is really going to have his hands full now. Except in the areas
where one would expect a rookie to be behind a veteran (blitz
pickup and knowledge of the playbook), Brown is quite possibly
superior to Rhodes in every other area already. What's more, Colts
GM Bill Polian - not one to praise a player just to hear the sound
of his own voice - favorable compared the rookie to another back
he drafted while he ran the Buffalo Bills' personnel department,
Thurman Thomas. While I feel Addai is the more talented back,
I get the strong sense that Brown will prove to be the most durable
and most dependable. As a result, expect something close to a
60/40 split (and that is assuming that Addai has no lingering
problems from his recent arthroscopic knee surgery) in Addai's
favor when both players are healthy. As stated in Part 2 of my
Offensive Coordinator Changes piece last week, Polian may have
inclined to draft another RB anyway (beside just to replace Rhodes),
wanting to rely just a bit more on the ground game and knowing
that his team was headed toward one of its biggest transitions
in franchise history. Brown should make for a solid RB3 selection
in fantasy drafts this summer as one of the first "handcuff RBs"
off the board and probably a player who should be the first or
second pick in keeper and dynasty league rookie drafts.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 160 carries, 740 yards, 6 TDs;
20 catches, 170 yards
2. Chris
"Beanie" Wells, RB Cardinals
Even though he is not #1 on this list, Wells is quite possibly
the most intriguing fantasy possibility in this class. Will the
Cardinals use him strictly as a between-the-tackles banger as
they slowly transition to a play-action offense or will they continue
to spread opponents out and run the rookie relentlessly against
six in the box? Will they allow the 240-pounder an opportunity
to flash his receiving skills in the flat? There's little doubt
that Arizona would like to be able to lean a bit more on the running
game than it has in recent years while also doing its best to
continue featuring the talents of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald,
Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. And that is exactly what I expect
to happen, that is, for the Cardinals to remain a passing team
first, but find a way to cut into the 65-35 pass/run split from
last season. Even if Arizona only runs the ball 5% more than last
year, it would allow Wells to comfortably hit the 300-carry mark
while getting another back like Tim
Hightower almost 100 carries. The thing that troubles me about
Wells' fantasy prospects for 2009, though, is his offensive line,
which is not one of the better run-blocking units in the league.
Fifth-round selection Herman Johnson was the closest thing to
an upgrade the Cardinals added in the offseason but his final
position will likely remain in limbo through training camp. FB
Dan Kreider should help a bit, but it should be noted that Arizona's
failures in the running game for most of 2008 had less to do with
the lack of explosion from Hightower and Edgerrin
James and more to do with the Cardinals' inability to open
up holes on a regular basis. However, Wells should be able to
do with more with those few holes he does find than his predecessors,
so expect his yards/carry to be a bit higher than the team average
of 3.5 of last season. Want another reason to consider Wells?
Although both defenses figure to be improved from last season,
Arizona plays Detroit and St. Louis in Weeks 15 and 16.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 305 carries, 1155 yards, 8 TDs;
18 catches, 115 yards
1. Knowshon
Moreno, RB Broncos
Moreno: Rookie of the year?
Readers of this column already know my stance on Moreno's talent;
however, my question about his ability to ascend into NFL stardom
quickly lies in just how much emphasis HC Josh McDaniels will
put into the running game. With the highly regarded Rick Dennison
entering his ninth season handling the instruction of the club's
offensive line, expect the Broncos' front five to remain one of
the best in the business. It's too easy to say Denver will become
more of a running team this season based solely on Jay Cutler's
departure (as many in the media would have you believe) as the
2008 edition of the Broncos was ravaged by injuries to the RB
position - the team was also done in by a pathetic defense - leading
to a 61-39 pass-run split, well above the norm for a Mike Shanahan-coached
team. (Just as a comparison, McDaniels' supposed pass-heavy offense
in New England last season had a pass-run split of 51-49.) Moreno
also should benefit from the experience of RBs coach Bobby Turner,
who like Dennison is in his 15th season with Denver and has a
long track record of success. Even without Shanahan, the Broncos
know what they are doing when it comes to running the ball and
when one factors in that Moreno is already well ahead of the game
in receiving the ball and blitz-pickup, the only thing that can
keep the rookie off the field full-time is if veteran free agents
LaMont Jordan
or Correll Buckhalter show themselves to be better short-yardage
backs. Considering I feel he could one day be in the same class
at LaDainian Tomlinson and Steven Jackson, I'm betting he picks
up those goal-line duties as well. As the rating suggests, Moreno
is my pick for Rookie of the Year honors and the best keeper of
the bunch, at least until Donald Brown has the Colts' backfield
gig all to himself.
Fearless Mid-June Prediction: 280 carries, 1225 yards, 8 TDs;
46 catches, 340 yards, 1 TD
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text: Notebook: Feb. 18, 2002 By Harriet Barovick, Elizabeth L. Bland, Victoria Rainert, Roy B. White and Rebecca Winters Monday, Feb. 18, 2002 Subscriber content preview. Log-In Share Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn StumbleUpon Reddit Digg Mixx Del.i.cious Google+ [This article consists of quotes and a photograph--see below]... To continue reading: Log-In Want the full story? Subscribe Now Get TIME the way you want it One Week Digital Pass — $4.99 Monthly Pay-As-You-Go DIGITAL ACCESS — $2.99 One Year ALL ACCESS — Just $30! Best Deal!Print Magazine + Digital Edition + Subscriber-only Content on TIME.com Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriberIf you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!


text:
I still can't see this page or the comments. But I can edit and post articles. Weird. From what I've gathered this is a mysterious problem affecting certain users in Los Angeles. Until it's fixed, I'll just be posting blindly like now.
At any rate, if you're in San Francisco BE AT THE VIRGIN MEGASTORE TONIGHT!!!! This is an ORDER. You are compelled to OBEY ME!!!
I've never done a gig at a record store before and I'm really wondering how this will go. I know my publishers pushed hard for this one and if I don't get a good turn out everybody's gonna be mucho disappointed. My friends in SF keep telling me I have a following up there. So all of you must show up to this one. It's really important. I want people to show up for the other stuff too, of course. But Virgin is the most "commercial and heavy" (to quote Neil from The Young Ones) of the gigs up North, so they're the ones who are gonna be most pissed off if nobody shows up. Though you folks in Santa Cruz and Petaluma are also ordered to come to the gigs there.
I'm planning to do a pretty generalized punk-rock-Godzilla-and-Zen talk at Virgin, while at the San Francisco Zen Center I'm going to go into more depth about Dogen and his philosophy. As always I encourage people to come up and corner me after the talk with questions and invitations to cool places. I'm not much of a party animal. But I don't know too many people in SF. So if you know the cool record stores and stuff in town and feel like showing 'em to me I'm always most obliged. Same goes for Santa Cruz and Petaluma.
Here's the list of where I'll be again:
Tuesday June 12th at 6PM at the VIRGIN MEGASTORE in San Francisco
Thursday June 14th, 7PM at GATEWAYS in Santa Cruz
Friday June 15th After Dinner Talk at the SAN FRANCISCO ZEN CENTER Talk at 7:30 PM, Dinner at 6:30 PM (Zazen from 5:30PM)
Saturday June 16th 7 PM at COPPERFIELD'S BOOKS 140 Kentucky St., Petaluma, CA 94952
Sunday June 17th at San Quentin Prison (this isn't open to the public, but all inmates reading this are invited!)