Johnny Preston, 71, Singer of ‘Running Bear,’ Dies - NYTimes.com: "Johnny Preston, who had a No. 1 hit with the song “Running Bear” in 1960, died here on Friday. He was 71.
His death was confirmed by his son, Scott, who said Mr. Preston had bypass surgery late last year and suffered from lingering health problems.
Born Johnny Preston Courville in 1939, Mr. Preston spent most of his life in Port Arthur, Tex. He first performed in a group called the Shades at Lamar University, in Beaumont, in 1957 and was brought to the attention of Mercury Records by the disc jockey and singer J. P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper.
Mr. Richardson wrote “Running Bear,” which told the story of an ill-fated romance between Running Bear, an “Indian brave,” and Little White Dove, an “Indian maid.” It became a million-seller for Mr. Preston the year after Mr. Richardson died in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Mr. Preston’s follow-up single, “Cradle of Love,” reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart."
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Some Great Photos
Shackleton’s Antarctica in colour, 1915: "These are Frank Hurley’s famous early colour photographs of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated ‘Endurance’ voyage, as part of the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917. Hurley was the official photographer on the expedition.
Early in 1915, their ship ‘Endurance’ became inexorably trapped in the Antarctic ice. Hurley managed to salvage the photographic plates by diving into mushy ice-water inside the sinking ship in October 1915."
Early in 1915, their ship ‘Endurance’ became inexorably trapped in the Antarctic ice. Hurley managed to salvage the photographic plates by diving into mushy ice-water inside the sinking ship in October 1915."
Roller Derby Update
Austin Texas Roller Derby | Texas Rollergirls | News, training tips, events, and other information from the Texas Rollergirls: "Austin born and bred, Texas Rollergirls was formed in 2003 as the only sports league of its kind. Eight years later, the sport of flat track roller derby has grown exponentially and is now played by more than 450 leagues worldwide. In its current incarnation, roller derby is a genuine athletic competition complete with standardized rules, divisions, annual tournaments and an international governing body: the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) — Texas Rollergirls is one of the founding members. With four home teams bursting with talent and the all-star Texecutioner squad consistently in the national rankings, Texas Rollergirls – the “godmothers of flat track derby” – are an admired and highly visible presence in the roller derby world. Their year-round bouts are regularly covered by local, national, and international media."
No One Will Hear You -- Max Allan Collins and Matthew Clemens
This is the second in the Collins/Clemens series about J. C. Harrow and his Killer TV team, the stars of a TV reality show called Crime Scene. You might think it would be hard to top a first season that featured Harrow calling out the killer of his family on national TV. You'd be wrong.As he and some of the team members are thinking about calling it quits after the season ends, they find themselves involved in tracking down not one but two serial killers, known as Billy (or Billie) Shears and Don Juan. One attacks men; the other targets women. It's obvious almost from the start that their plan is to become stars on Crime Scene, and Don Juan e-mails videos of his kills, demanding that they be put on the air. If they're not, he says, he'll kill more. And more.
There are plenty of grisly details and some CSI stuff. There's romance. There's humor. The result is a highly entertaining package that's guaranteed to keep you turning pages past your bedtime. Check it out.
Bonus: The book is dedicated to our cop and blogger buddy, Paul Bishop.
No Comment Department
What Every Man Thinks About Apart From Sex: book of blank pages become surprise bestseller - Telegraph: "“Professor” Sheridan Simove has produced a 200 page book entitled “What Every Man Thinks About Apart From Sex”.
The work has sold out online on Amazon following heavy promotion in student unions across Britain."
The work has sold out online on Amazon following heavy promotion in student unions across Britain."
Hat tip to Fred Zackel.
Here's the Plot for Your Next Prison Break-in Thriller
Thieves break-in to New Zealand prison: "A New Zealand prison suffered a reversal of the norm when it became the victim of a break-in.
Police said Saturday that thieves had broken into the prison at New Plymouth, on the west coast of the North Island, just before midnight and stolen a large plasma television.
'If any members of the public saw anyone carrying a big TV at that time of night, or heard or saw anything in the area of the prison, let police know,' Sergeant Thomas McIntyre said."
Police said Saturday that thieves had broken into the prison at New Plymouth, on the west coast of the North Island, just before midnight and stolen a large plasma television.
'If any members of the public saw anyone carrying a big TV at that time of night, or heard or saw anything in the area of the prison, let police know,' Sergeant Thomas McIntyre said."
No Comment Department
ABC casts a sexy Edgar Allan Poe -- PHOTO | Inside TV | EW.com: "ABC promised the casting of Edgar Allan Poe in its fall drama pilot would be a physically nontraditional choice for the role, and it sure is."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
Austin cop healing from coffee burns | KXAN.com: "An Austin police officer is healing from burns to his face after a woman threw a cup of coffee at him.
Police said Laura Lee Moore, 45, was harassing customers outside a Starbucks in North Austin.
An officer tried to walk her away from the coffee shop, when she allegedly threw hot coffee in his face."
Police said Laura Lee Moore, 45, was harassing customers outside a Starbucks in North Austin.
An officer tried to walk her away from the coffee shop, when she allegedly threw hot coffee in his face."
Where I Am Today
Take190West.com: "Killeen Salutes the Arts • March 5, 2011
The City of Killeen is now accepting applications for the 2011 Artists celebration, an event of the Take 190 West Art Festival. Take 190 West is Killeen’s week long salute to the arts. This year’s events include:
• The invitation-only Take 190 West Preview Party
• A host of Texas and national authors and illustrators conducting book signings and story times;
• A juried art show featuring artists from across the state displaying and selling their works.
• A sculpture contest featuring the works of national sculptors; and
• The KISD student Art Show."
The City of Killeen is now accepting applications for the 2011 Artists celebration, an event of the Take 190 West Art Festival. Take 190 West is Killeen’s week long salute to the arts. This year’s events include:
• The invitation-only Take 190 West Preview Party
• A host of Texas and national authors and illustrators conducting book signings and story times;
• A juried art show featuring artists from across the state displaying and selling their works.
• A sculpture contest featuring the works of national sculptors; and
• The KISD student Art Show."
Remember the Alamo ... Gift Shop
Houston Chronicle: "The Alamo's gift shop sells plenty of T-shirts, mugs and other commemorative tchotchkes bearing its iconic facade and marking the 175th anniversary of its historic siege. Dig a little deeper and you'll find more kitsch than you can throw a rubber Bowie knife at.Not just novelty coonskin caps either. Alamo-shaped lollipops, Old Betsy rifle pens and pistol-shaped shot glasses are just some of the curios that pay tongue-in-cheek homage to the Shrine of Texas Liberty."
Friday, March 04, 2011
Cy Watts, Hero
Mail Online: "But it seems Paris Hilton has finally found her knight in shining armour, revealing that boyfriend Cy Waits 'saved my life'.
The 30-year-old reality star and business woman sat down with Ellen DeGeneres yesterday to talk about Waits and how he rescued her from a knife-wielding intruder."
The 30-year-old reality star and business woman sat down with Ellen DeGeneres yesterday to talk about Waits and how he rescued her from a knife-wielding intruder."
Hat tip to John Duke.
The Decline of Western Civilization --- ah, the Hell with It. We're Done.
Sirius XM to Launch Tiger Blood Radio - TheStreet: "Sirius XM(SIRI_) announced plans to launch Tiger Blood Radio, a 24-hour channel dedicated to the ongoing controversy surrounding Charlie Sheen.
Tiger Blood Radio will launch on Sirius channel 108 and XM channel 139 on Saturday, March 5, at 6 a.m. EST. The station will be on the air for 24 hours, and conclude on March 6 at 6 a.m. EST."
Tiger Blood Radio will launch on Sirius channel 108 and XM channel 139 on Saturday, March 5, at 6 a.m. EST. The station will be on the air for 24 hours, and conclude on March 6 at 6 a.m. EST."
Here's the Plot for Your Next Meth-Dealer Thriller
Accused Meth Dealer Faces Loss Of His Beloved 18,753 Comic Books | The Smoking Gun: "A large-scale methamphetamine dealer who allegedly laundered drug profits by purchasing valuable comic books is in danger of forfeiting his 18,753-volume collection to Uncle Sam, according to a new court filing."
Blair River, R. I. P.
Blair River, 575-pound spokesman for Heart Attack Grill in Arizona dead at 29: "The nearly 600-pound man who gained fame as spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill –a Phoenix-area restaurant that prides itself in serving excessively unhealthy food – is dead at the age of 29."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Mug Shots of the Day
Couple arrested for running meth lab out of day care center: "Snack time could have been terrifying at a North Carolina day care center that was discovered to also house a secret meth lab."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
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