Thursday, February 24, 2011
Enid Blyton Update
Yahoo! News UK: "A previously unknown novel by British children's writer Enid Blyton has been discovered, according to a charity which bought a collection of the bestselling author's manuscripts at auction last September.
'Mr. Tumpy's Caravan' is a story of around 200 typed pages which was initially believed to be a version of 'Mr. Tumpy and His Caravan,' a picture book made up of newspaper comic strips, said Kathryn Row of the Seven Stories children's book gallery.
But the charity's archivist looked in more detail and called in an authority on Blyton.
'They (the experts) are fairly confident it's an undiscovered piece of work,' Row said."
'Mr. Tumpy's Caravan' is a story of around 200 typed pages which was initially believed to be a version of 'Mr. Tumpy and His Caravan,' a picture book made up of newspaper comic strips, said Kathryn Row of the Seven Stories children's book gallery.
But the charity's archivist looked in more detail and called in an authority on Blyton.
'They (the experts) are fairly confident it's an undiscovered piece of work,' Row said."
She'll Be at Home Taking Care of Her Lawn
Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "SHADY SHORES — It wouldn’t be quite accurate to say Olive Stephens has been a Shady Shores mayor or a councilwoman for as long as the North Texas lakefront town has existed. She actually won her first council election in 1962, two years after the Lewisville Lake community incorporated to keep neighboring Denton from gobbling it up.
But at 94, Stephens says 48 years in municipal government, the last 38 as mayor, is enough. She says she won’t seek a 20th term as mayor in the May municipal election."
But at 94, Stephens says 48 years in municipal government, the last 38 as mayor, is enough. She says she won’t seek a 20th term as mayor in the May municipal election."
Gator Update (They're Everywhere Edition)
iWon News - Brazil firefighters find alligator behind couch: "Firefighters say they have removed a 5-foot-long (1.5 meter-long) alligator who was hiding behind a couch after floodwaters washed it into a home in northern Brazil."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Forgotten Music -- Girl Groups
Girl group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production values and backing by top studio musicians. In later eras the girl group template would be applied to disco, contemporary R&B, and country-based formats as well as pop."
Girl groups are still around, of course, but the ones I remember flourished in the late '50s and early '60s. The Chantels had what I think of as the greatest Girl Group slow-dance song of all, "Maybe."
One of my all-time feel-good Girl Group songs is by the Angels, "My Boyfriend's Back."
And for a darker feeling, it's hard to beat The Shangri-las and "The Leader of the Pack."
But back to feeling good, and the best Girl Group song of all, I'd go with "Da Doo Ron Ron" by the Crystals.
For you readers interested in rock 'n' roll history, I'd recommend the first three titles on this page. As for me, I'm going to listen to the Crystals some more.
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
HPD: One ton of marijuana found on lettuce truck: "A Houston Police Department officer thought he was just making a routine traffic stop Sunday night, instead he found what sounds like the Cheech and Chong of the produce world. Talk about veging out dude!"
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Don't Laugh. You'd Have a Hard Time Adjusting, Too.
Man Stops Car in Road, Tells Police He's From 33 A.D.: "The man said 'he was busy talking to God' and that God told him to go to a dance club in the area.
When asked if he knew where he was, the man told police he was in Columbus.
He then said he was having a tough time adjusting because he was actually from the year 33 A.D."
When asked if he knew where he was, the man told police he was in Columbus.
He then said he was having a tough time adjusting because he was actually from the year 33 A.D."
Here's the Plot for Your Next Nordic Noir
Femme Fatale Robbers Target Men in Swedish Nightclubs: "It's becoming a familiar story: Boy meets girl. Boy brings girl home. Boy wakes up feeling dizzy and disoriented. And his apartment has been cleaned out.
At least three young men in Malmo in southern Sweden have reported being drugged and robbed after meeting a comely woman in a nightclub, according to TheLocal.se, a website publishing Swedish news in England."
At least three young men in Malmo in southern Sweden have reported being drugged and robbed after meeting a comely woman in a nightclub, according to TheLocal.se, a website publishing Swedish news in England."
No Comment Department
Cops: Shoplifter Stuffed a Chainsaw Down His Pants [VIDEO]: "Oklahoma police say a shoplifter stuffed a chainsaw down his pants and tried to sneak out of the Ross Seed Co. in Chickasha."
Do You Write Westerns?
Dear fellow Western Writers, Poets and Historians,
A good friend of mine would like to put out an anthology ofthe cowboy. So I said what do you want? She said short stories, real or fictional, historical articles about the west, western poems, cartoon, and even cover art. I'd like to limit them in size to not larger than 5,000 words max That's like 20 pages, We want unpublished works with first time North American rights to them. I'm not restricted to only frontier stories - you have a good story about something western try me. You can write funny stories that make me
laugh, send them. You write tough fiction send it.
Keep the cussing minimal, no erotica,. Also include a bio and small picture. You don't send one, I may write a stem winder of one you won't like.
If there is a market for such we will consider doing them more often. Don't
forget I also want cowboy poetry, cartoons. And if you do cover art try me.
If you are published in one you can buy copies of the issue at a good discount. If we hit a demand market, we will talk about paying for them. Right now it is get a good product out there and try like heck to sell them.
I'd like to make it easy to submit. If you have email, mark them as Cactus Country Publishing Anthology Entries. Either paste them in an email or I can open Word files. If I can't get them open I'll let you know.
Deadline August 1st. 2011.
Send to dust@ipa.net You can submit them by snail mail to Dusty Richards, PO Box 6460, Springdale AR 72766
Want to Help the FBI?
FBI — New Tools to Find FBI's Most Wanted: "Now, thanks to a recent redesign of the FBI.gov Most Wanted section, the public has more tools to help us close open cases of suspected murderers, terrorists, bank robbers, and kidnapped and missing individuals.
Search for fugitives and missing persons.
For the first time, web visitors can go beyond just scanning pages of mug shots—and use search criteria like location, gender, crime type, reward, and even ZIP Codes to help narrow and focus their searches. For example, you can search for fugitives wanted for murder in California. Bear in mind, we have about 600 open cases featured on the website, and cases are removed soon after they are solved."
Search for fugitives and missing persons.
For the first time, web visitors can go beyond just scanning pages of mug shots—and use search criteria like location, gender, crime type, reward, and even ZIP Codes to help narrow and focus their searches. For example, you can search for fugitives wanted for murder in California. Bear in mind, we have about 600 open cases featured on the website, and cases are removed soon after they are solved."
Dino Update
'Thunder Thighs' dinosaur Brontomerus discovered | News.com.au: "A NEW dinosaur named 'Thunder Thighs' has been identified by British and US scientists who said its huge, muscular legs would have given it a fierce kick.
Researchers retrieved bones from two incomplete skeletons - an adult and a juvenile - from a previously looted quarry in Utah in the western US."
Researchers retrieved bones from two incomplete skeletons - an adult and a juvenile - from a previously looted quarry in Utah in the western US."
Day Keene Update
Ramble House is reprinting all Day Keene's pulp stories in several volumes with short introductions by people like, well, me. Is that cool, or what? You know you want 'em.
Henry Melton Branches Out
Idle Thoughts: New Blog, Just for Stories: "As I type, there's a totally empty blog over here. But within hours, it will start to show serialized fiction. With more enthusiasm than good sense, I've decided to see how well I can keep stuff coming.
Already cued up are two stories, "Patterns," a Young Adult short story that surprisingly isn't even science fiction. Second is "The Attorney for Passenger Pigeons," which is straight SF. Both of these are never before published, but I will be tapping into my collection of previously published stories as well. Expect short fiction, novels, old and new. If I can make it fit the short serialized fiction format, I'll be giving it a hard look.
So, add the bookmark. If you use RSS, add it's link. Share the information around. And come by to read."
Already cued up are two stories, "Patterns," a Young Adult short story that surprisingly isn't even science fiction. Second is "The Attorney for Passenger Pigeons," which is straight SF. Both of these are never before published, but I will be tapping into my collection of previously published stories as well. Expect short fiction, novels, old and new. If I can make it fit the short serialized fiction format, I'll be giving it a hard look.
So, add the bookmark. If you use RSS, add it's link. Share the information around. And come by to read."
175 years ago, Texas Rebelled
175 years ago, Texas rebelled | Life | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Here is a quick refresher of Texas events in 1836:
Feb. 23: Siege at the Alamo begins. Santa Anna's forces arrive in Bexar to enforce government policy. The Mexican general sends a courier demanding the Alamo's surrender, and William Barret Travis replies with cannon fire."
Feb. 23: Siege at the Alamo begins. Santa Anna's forces arrive in Bexar to enforce government policy. The Mexican general sends a courier demanding the Alamo's surrender, and William Barret Travis replies with cannon fire."
More at the link.
Nicholas Courtney R. I. P.
The Register: "Nicholas Courtney, who starred in Doctor Who as Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart opposite no less than eight incarnations of the famous Doctor, has died aged 81.
The Egypt-born actor first appeared in the popular BBC sci-fi drama in the 1960s, but his Brig role wasn't his first casting in for Doctor Who.
In The Daleks' Master Plan he played space security agent Bret Vyon. But he later took on the role of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, whose character was quickly promoted to Brigadier status in The Invasion episode.
As noted by Doctorwhonews.net, Courtney was associated with his role in the show for over forty years."
The Egypt-born actor first appeared in the popular BBC sci-fi drama in the 1960s, but his Brig role wasn't his first casting in for Doctor Who.
In The Daleks' Master Plan he played space security agent Bret Vyon. But he later took on the role of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart, whose character was quickly promoted to Brigadier status in The Invasion episode.
As noted by Doctorwhonews.net, Courtney was associated with his role in the show for over forty years."
Cat Burglar
Woman charged with burglary allegedly trying to get her cat back from Friendswood residence | abc13.com: "A woman is accused of breaking into a Friendswood residence and assaulting a man in order to get her cat back.
Friendswood police say officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Whitehall on February 15 regarding a burglary. The resident reported that Katherine Nicole Morrow, of Santa Fe, forced her way into the residence and assaulted the resident.
Police say Morrow arrived at the home, seeking a cat she reportedly abandoned at the residence a week or so prior. Instead of knocking at the door, Morrow allegedly kicked in the front door and punched the male resident in the face. Morrow left before officers arrived."
Friendswood police say officers were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Whitehall on February 15 regarding a burglary. The resident reported that Katherine Nicole Morrow, of Santa Fe, forced her way into the residence and assaulted the resident.
Police say Morrow arrived at the home, seeking a cat she reportedly abandoned at the residence a week or so prior. Instead of knocking at the door, Morrow allegedly kicked in the front door and punched the male resident in the face. Morrow left before officers arrived."
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Full List - Top 10 Pets in Power
Full List - Top 10 Pets in Power - TIME: "Larry the tabby has been appointed the official cat of 10 Downing Street, British Prime Minister David Cameron's residence. TIME takes a look at other politically powerful pets."
Hat tip to Jeff Segal.
Charlie Stella Branches Out
First Reads: First Reads ... our first post ...: "I'm Charlie Stella, author of 7 crime novels, several short stories, a few plays and one screenplay. My books have been published here in the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom and Russia. I've just started (as of today - 2/14/11) a new business for aspiring and professional authors alike ... a first read with basic and/or indepth commentary on manuscripts seeking representation/publication. Please read below."
Link via Patti Abbott.
First It's Girl Scout Cookies, Then It's Popcorn, and Now . . .
Bangor Daily News: "A Corinth woman was charged Sunday evening with assault after she bit a security guard at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Monday.
Amber Henriksen, 23, was signing paperwork at the hospital and “she wouldn’t give the pen back,” he said. A security guard attempted to get the pen from Henriksen and “she bit him in the arm,” the sergeant said."
Amber Henriksen, 23, was signing paperwork at the hospital and “she wouldn’t give the pen back,” he said. A security guard attempted to get the pen from Henriksen and “she bit him in the arm,” the sergeant said."
Paris Hilton Update
Paris Hilton and Cy Waits were spotting shopping for engagement rings - NYPOST.com: "Wedding bells may be just around the corner for Paris Hilton and her beau, Cy Waits. The two shopped for engagement rings yesterday at Jacob & Co., where they examined an array of baubles, including a 30-carat rare blue diamond. The couple couldn't decide on a ring, but Paris didn't leave empty-handed. She walked out sporting a $25,000 black diamond-encrusted ring for her 30th birthday. Hilton celebrated with Charlie Sheen's ex, Denise Richards, at Asellina on Thursday."
Once Again, Texas Leads the Way
News Radio 1200 WOAI San Antonio Texas: "A measure filed by State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) would allow any law enforcement agency that has custody of an illegal immigrant to take the illegal to 'the office of a U.S. Senator or Representative' and leave them there."
No Comment Department
'The Great Gatsby' 3D Movie Set For Australia: "What some consider The Great American Novel is now set to get the Great American Multiplex treatment, as director Baz Luhrmann's upcoming big screen version of 'The Great Gatsby' will be filmed in 3D -- and in Australia."
First It Was the Thin Mints Melee . . .
. . . and now this.
The 43-year-old man was attacked in a movie theater in Latvia on Saturday when he asked a particularly loud popcorn-munching member of the audience to keep it down.
The offending eater, 27, was apparently so insulted that he opened fire with a 'legally registered' weapon, the Guardian reported."
Max Allan Collins Has a Deal for You
Hey Kids – Free E-Books!: "starting March 1 and going through March 3rd (my birthday), you can get a free download of the first Trash ‘n’ Treasures mystery, ANTIQUES ROADKILL at all e-book retailers. Those of you who have ignored these books because they are not hardboiled now have an opportunity to see what you’ve been missing, and for free.
AND…you can get a free download of the first J.C. Harrow “Killer TV” novel, YOU CAN’T STOP ME, also from March 1 through March 3rd (did I mention that was my birthday?). Again, those of you who ignored this novel when it was published, because it was a CSI-type book and not a Quarry or Heller, can get a free look."
AND…you can get a free download of the first J.C. Harrow “Killer TV” novel, YOU CAN’T STOP ME, also from March 1 through March 3rd (did I mention that was my birthday?). Again, those of you who ignored this novel when it was published, because it was a CSI-type book and not a Quarry or Heller, can get a free look."
They Couldn't Track Him by His Smell?
Alleged Deodorant Thief Busted | NBC Connecticut: "A Bridgeport man wanted for stuffing 58 containers of deodorant down his pants has finally been busted.
[. . . .]
Mingollello thought he made a clean getaway, but police identified him in surveillance tapes and put out a warrant for his arrest ."
[. . . .]
Mingollello thought he made a clean getaway, but police identified him in surveillance tapes and put out a warrant for his arrest ."
I'll Just Have a Chicken-Fried Steak, Myself
Bug-Eating Ladies Speak Out for Insect Cuisine: "'There is no shortage of good logical science behind the idea of insects as food,' she said. 'They're a good source for animal protein and can be easily implemented in regions where it's hard to grow crops."
Here's the Plot for Your Next Legal Thriller
Reuters: "When picking a jury, lawyers always try to stack the panel with people likely to take their side. Now, some are taking the vetting process to a new level: they're quietly trawling social networks and other sites to ferret out the most intimate details of potential jurors' lives, from their sexual orientation to their income level and politics."
And Who Can Blame Her?
ABC-7.com WZVN News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida: "A Naples woman was arrested Sunday after deputies say she attacked her roommate over a box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies."
Overlooked Films: Boxcar Bertha
Based on a true story! It's the Great Depression. Bertha (Barbara Hershey) loses her father in a plane crash. She can't support herself on the family farm, so she hits the road. She meets a union organizer called Big Bill (David Carradine), and together they take on the railroad barons all across the south. Sort of like Bonnie and Clyde taking on the banks, with pretty much the same result. It's a lot of fun along the way, with plenty of violence and some good performances. There's a nice confrontation scene between David Carradine and his father, John, representing the railroads. Bernie Casey is pretty good, too, and when you have Barbara Hershey in the '70s, you don't even need acting. Not that she's not good. She is.
Maybe it's set in the '30s, but Boxcar Bertha is very much a '70s movie. Dig the poster, which is as '70s as you can get in its own way. The tagline. The heavy-handed symbolism. Great stuff.
Martin Scorsese directed, so you might guess that this was before he became the "name" director he is today. You should see it just to say you've seen his exploitation flick.
Monday, February 21, 2011
And Keep Off His Lawn!
Wyoming uphill skier gets busted: "A 78-year-old retired doctor was handcuffed and hauled away on a toboggan for skiing uphill in Wyoming, but he won't face charges."
Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.
Seattle Leads the Way
KOMO News | Local & Regional: "As the bus moved along, Gray told the dispatcher the crime was happening in front of her eyes. But the dispatcher told her he wouldn't send a deputy.
911 dispatcher: 'You cannot report a theft that did not occur to you. The person who the items were stolen from has to report this.'"
911 dispatcher: 'You cannot report a theft that did not occur to you. The person who the items were stolen from has to report this.'"
No Comment Department
Barcode-to-Bibliography App Makes College Ridiculously Easy | Fast Company: "Sometimes a technology comes along that is so great it seems almost unjust to former generations. Aviation. The personal computer. The polio vaccine.
One gets the same feeling today when considering a new app out for iPhone and Android. Quick Cite, a 99-cent app, automates the task of putting together a bibliography--that arduous list of books, articles, and other sources consulted that goes at the end of a master's thesis of PhD dissertation. The first thought you have is, 'How much time scholars will henceforth save!' The next thought you have is, 'Anyone who got a PhD before the year 2011 was a poor sucker.'"
One gets the same feeling today when considering a new app out for iPhone and Android. Quick Cite, a 99-cent app, automates the task of putting together a bibliography--that arduous list of books, articles, and other sources consulted that goes at the end of a master's thesis of PhD dissertation. The first thought you have is, 'How much time scholars will henceforth save!' The next thought you have is, 'Anyone who got a PhD before the year 2011 was a poor sucker.'"
Michael Connelly -- The Fifth Witness
Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is back at work in this one. He's now specializing in foreclosure defense, and as you might expect in the current economy, business is good. But then one of his clients, a woman named Lisa Trammel, is accused of the murder of a mortgage banker, and Haller agrees to defend her. It's not a job he relishes. He doesn't like Trammel. She's abrasive, and everything seems to indicate that she's guilty.Connelly walks us through the intricate legal and procedural details with his usual sure hand, and in the meantime brings in things about the personal lives of Haller and his team. I don't want to spoil too much, so I'll just say that in this one Haller moves out of the Lincoln into an office. More changes seem to be on the way, too. As always with Connelly, the plot is tangled, suspenseful, and likely to surprise you.
I had the wrong idea about the title of the book, but I'd figured it out by the time it came up in the book. If you're a fan of legal thrillers or a defense lawyer yourself, you probably know already.
The first Lincoln Lawyer movie is due in theaters before long with Matthew McConaughey as Haller. I'll bet you a dime there's a scene where he gets to remove his shirt.
Dead Man: Face of Evil -- Lee Goldberg and William Rabkin
I'll be writing an episode of this new series. Check it out.From Lee Goldberg... bestselling author of THE WALK and the MONK novels...and William Rabkin, author of the wildly successful PSYCH books... comes the first in an exciting new series of original short novels that blends the horror of Stephen King's THE GUNSLINGER with the action/adventure of Don Pendleton's MACK BOLAN: THE EXECUTIONER...
Matthew Cahill is an ordinary man leading a simple life...until a shocking accident changes everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld of unspeakable evil and horrific violence that nobody else does...
For Cahill, each day is a journey into a dark world he knows nothing about...a quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and a fight to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil.
This book includes a bonus excerpts of THE WALK by Lee Goldberg and DESERT PLACES by Blake Crouch.
And coming soon...more all-new adventures in THE DEAD MAN saga by some of the most talented and successful mystery, western, horror and sci-fi authors out there today.
Matthew Cahill is an ordinary man leading a simple life...until a shocking accident changes everything. Now he can see a nightmarish netherworld of unspeakable evil and horrific violence that nobody else does...
For Cahill, each day is a journey into a dark world he knows nothing about...a quest for the answers to who he is and what he has become...and a fight to save us, and his soul, from the clutches of pure evil.
This book includes a bonus excerpts of THE WALK by Lee Goldberg and DESERT PLACES by Blake Crouch.
And coming soon...more all-new adventures in THE DEAD MAN saga by some of the most talented and successful mystery, western, horror and sci-fi authors out there today.
No It's Not
Baltimore Sun: "For Baltimore County police, said spokesman Bill Toohey, 'It's a sign that we're all a little nervous in the post-9/11 world.'"
It's a sign that we're surrounded by total goobers.
Giants in the (Irish) Earth
Legends of Irish Giants Are More Than Tall Tales: "Although the Irish legend of leprechauns is probably just a load of blarney, there's scientific evidence suggesting that the fabled stories of giants living on the Emerald Isle aren't just tall tales."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I Knew I Retired too Soon
Texas Poised To Pass Bill Allowing Guns On Campus: "Texas is preparing to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus, adding momentum to a national campaign to open this part of society to firearms."
This Explains a Lot
NYPOST.com: "The story of McArthur Wheeler was told by social psychologists Justin Kruger and David Dunning in a brilliant paper entitled “Unskilled and Unaware of It.” In a set of clever experiments, Kruger and Dunning showed that people with the least skill are the most likely to overestimate their abilities."
St. Peter, Open Your Pearly Gate
Harry Fogle, Golden Gate, Bay Bridge worker, dies: "Harry Fogle, who is believed to be the last survivor of the men who worked on the construction of both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, died at a Roseville hospital of natural causes Feb. 10.
'He was 97 and he was tired,' said his daughter JoAnn Tripp. 'It was time.'"
'He was 97 and he was tired,' said his daughter JoAnn Tripp. 'It was time.'"
French with a Texas Accent
POLAR NOIR - Bill Crider - Speed- nouvelle: "Une nouvelle hard-boiled de Bill Crider.
Charlaine Harris Conquers another Medium
Charlaine Harris has Vampire Dahlia Dying for Daylight | Gothic.net: "Enter the Dark Vampire World of Charlaine Harris in I-play’s newest PC Game, Dying for Daylight"
There's Good News and Bad News
Chicago Sun-Times: "Life expectancy on the rise, but obesity rates climbing in America"
Isn't This about What You'd Expect from Billy Jack?
HeraldTribune.com: "Last April, a veteran Sarasota Police homicide detective went to the courthouse and tried to secede from the United States of America.
The detective, Tom Laughlin, filed a convoluted document declaring himself a 'sovereign citizen.' The filing included a thumb print on each page and a photocopy of 21 silver pieces — the price to become a 'freeman.'
In doing so, Laughlin, 42, joined a small but growing group of U.S. citizens who claim they are not subject to federal law, that they no longer have to pay taxes and that their homes are their embassies."
The detective, Tom Laughlin, filed a convoluted document declaring himself a 'sovereign citizen.' The filing included a thumb print on each page and a photocopy of 21 silver pieces — the price to become a 'freeman.'
In doing so, Laughlin, 42, joined a small but growing group of U.S. citizens who claim they are not subject to federal law, that they no longer have to pay taxes and that their homes are their embassies."
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Malice Domestic Lifetime Awards
Malice Domestic Lifetime Awards | Cozy-Mystery.Com: "2011: Lifetime Achievement: Sue Grafton
Poirot Award: Janet Rudolph"
Poirot Award: Janet Rudolph"
Will the Persecution Never End?
Who Stole Paris Hilton's $3,200 Absinthe-Spiked Birthday Cake? - E! Online: "It's one thing to crash someone's party.
It's a whole 'nother thing to make off with their pricey, custom birthday cake!
But that's what happened to Paris Hilton during the first of her multiple 30th birthday bashes in L.A. on Tuesday night..."
It's a whole 'nother thing to make off with their pricey, custom birthday cake!
But that's what happened to Paris Hilton during the first of her multiple 30th birthday bashes in L.A. on Tuesday night..."
I Want the Collector's Edition
Yahoo! News: "To mark the 40th anniversary of H. R. Pufnstuf, Vivendi Entertainment is releasing the entire trailblazing Saturday morning cartoon series on DVD.
'H.R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series' will be released April 12 in both a regular three-disc set and a special collector's edition, which comes with an exclusive H.R. Pufnstuf bobblehead."
'H.R. Pufnstuf: The Complete Series' will be released April 12 in both a regular three-disc set and a special collector's edition, which comes with an exclusive H.R. Pufnstuf bobblehead."
Here's the Plot for Your Next African Adventure Novel
Houston Chronicle: "A Houston diamond dealer with a sketchy past is one of four businessmen being held in the Democratic Republic of Congo after being stopped shortly after arriving on a private jet with more than $6 million in cash that apparently they were to exchange for gold under the protection of a general indicted for war crimes.
Edward Carlos St. Mary, a former standout quarterback at MacArthur High School and cadet at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, is being detained in Goma, a city of 500,000 near the border with Rwanda, along with two Nigerians and a French citizen. The U.S. State Department confirmed the men are being held along with the flight crew that brought them on a chartered Gulfstream. At least one crew member, Kelly Shannon, also is from Houston. The group was detained Feb. 3, reportedly after a car chase. The businessmen are being held under close guard, and the flight crew is under house arrest at a hotel. The cash was seized by the government and the plane, owned by Dallas-based Southlake Aviation and apparently leased for the trip, was impounded."
Edward Carlos St. Mary, a former standout quarterback at MacArthur High School and cadet at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, is being detained in Goma, a city of 500,000 near the border with Rwanda, along with two Nigerians and a French citizen. The U.S. State Department confirmed the men are being held along with the flight crew that brought them on a chartered Gulfstream. At least one crew member, Kelly Shannon, also is from Houston. The group was detained Feb. 3, reportedly after a car chase. The businessmen are being held under close guard, and the flight crew is under house arrest at a hotel. The cash was seized by the government and the plane, owned by Dallas-based Southlake Aviation and apparently leased for the trip, was impounded."
Lawsuit of the Day
New Jersey Woman Tova Gerson Sues for $5 Million Over 80-Cent Coupon Dispute: "How far would you go over 80 cents?
One New Jersey woman is going all the way to court, suing Century 21 for $5 million for allegedly depriving her of 80 cents on a coupon, The New York Post reported.
The department store 'unjustly enriched' itself with the coupon, Tova Gerson alleges in a class-action suit filed in federal court in Manhattan."
One New Jersey woman is going all the way to court, suing Century 21 for $5 million for allegedly depriving her of 80 cents on a coupon, The New York Post reported.
The department store 'unjustly enriched' itself with the coupon, Tova Gerson alleges in a class-action suit filed in federal court in Manhattan."
There Will Always Be an England
Mail Online: "Whining burglar locked up after HE dialled 999 to complain he had been shot with air rifle after breaking into family home
The Decline of Western Civilization Continues Apace
Libraries replace Dewey with bookstore merchandising - chicagotribune.com: "A handful of pioneering suburban libraries are transitioning from the librarian-loved but misunderstood Dewey to the type of organization system used by booksellers. The new layout groups books by subject rather than number, uses signs to highlight contemporary, popular categories, and displays books by their covers.
Critics say the new system is a nightmare for anyone trying to find a specific book that doesn't fit into an obvious category. Supporters counter that the system does what libraries should be doing: encourage people to read more books."
Critics say the new system is a nightmare for anyone trying to find a specific book that doesn't fit into an obvious category. Supporters counter that the system does what libraries should be doing: encourage people to read more books."
Friday, February 18, 2011
Paging Art Scott
World's hottest chilli grown in Grantham - Telegraph: "But now the market town of Grantham in Lincolnshire has produced an even fierier export after a local producer grew the world’s hottest chilli.
Measuring 1.17 million on the Scoville Scale - an official measure of spicy heat - the Infinity chilli is so hot that it carries a health warning."
Measuring 1.17 million on the Scoville Scale - an official measure of spicy heat - the Infinity chilli is so hot that it carries a health warning."
Monster Update
Mystery Photo of 'English Loch Ness Monster' Taken in Bowness: "If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words do you suppose will be used to describe the first-ever image captured of 'Bow-Nessie,' a lake monster that reportedly lives in England?"
Photo at the link.
Paging Tod Browning
Drew Freidman Turns Sideshow Freaks Into Fine Art: "Go ahead, stare at the freaks.
That's what artist Drew Friedman wants you to do in his new book, 'Drew Friedman's Sideshow Freaks' (Blast Books), featuring full-color paintings of 50 unique individuals from the sideshow world. Each includes a brief biography on the subject."
That's what artist Drew Friedman wants you to do in his new book, 'Drew Friedman's Sideshow Freaks' (Blast Books), featuring full-color paintings of 50 unique individuals from the sideshow world. Each includes a brief biography on the subject."
Slideshow at the link.
Crossroad Press Update
The Crossroad Press Store has been redesigned. We are now using Zen Cart...there is no longer a Paypal glitch when ordering audiobooks ... everything is better, faster and nicer. Stop by and check us out. If you have never shopped with us use the coupon code FIRSTBOOK for 20 percent off your order.
The Dangers of Facebook
Woman Breaks Lamp, Boyfriend Bites Her Over Facebook Post, Police Say: "“The victim stated in the report that he spit on her,” Wooten said. “She picked up the lamp and hit him in the head with the lamp, breaking the lamp. During this physical alternation, he bit her on the shoulder.'"
Hat tip to Doc Quatermass.
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