Everything in the River Region
I got into some hot water several years ago in this very space for a column titled, “Fat is the New Thin”. At the time (2007), the film HAIRSPRAY was in theaters and it seemed that every character in the film was overweight, with nothing ever being said about it. Finally, I thought, we’ve entered an enlightened era where fat guys like me can be welcomed at beaches, served without pity in Continue Reading …
Once upon a time, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the world’s largest retailer. The call letters for WLS radio in Chicago stood for “World’s Largest Store”. The Sears Tower loomed large as the tallest skyscraper in the world. And, for nearly a century, Sears was the only department store that mattered, as their Christmas Wish Book catalog became a staple in seemingly every American Continue Reading …
As we approach the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 (don’t get me started on the end of the world thing), let us look back on an eventful 2011. · ROYAL WEDDING: Prince William and Kate Middleton captured the attention, and the hearts, of the world with their fairytale wedding in April. For a moment, it seemed as though we weren’t all faced with horrifying economic crises and were invited Continue Reading …
A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS in 1965. In the 46 years since, it has rightfully become a cultural icon. The “Peanuts” comic strip, created by Charles Schulz, had been around for a decade before he had the idea to move his characters to television. Though not exactly light and carefree, the “Peanuts” kids did have a certain darkness to them; they struggled with Continue Reading …
“We wanted to give back to the community,” said Southside Middle School cheerleader coach Ms. Kelly Luker. Ms. Luker, a graduate of Auburn University and a native of Vredenburgh, Alabama, is currently in her sixth year at the Tallassee middle school and in her third year of serving as cheerleader coach. She recently became interested in the Angel Tree program and discussed the possibility Continue Reading …
I recently finished reading a biography, Billy Joel: the Life and Times of an Angry Young Man by Hank Bordowitz. The author interviewed many of the movers and shakers in Billy’s world through the years: managers, band members, record label execs, and the book has much new information on its subject. After some success in the NYC area with The Hassles, a late-60s bar band, Billy and friend Jon Continue Reading …
My daily duties at Zion Chapel High School included assisting librarian Marcus Howell with showing “Channel One” on every television in the school. The program was videotaped overnight, and had to be rewound each day before being played on the school TVs. After the program, we would raise the American flag in front of the building. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 began like any other school Continue Reading …
By Michael Bird (BUZZ) - Summer has ended again, and school is starting for another year. A member of the senior class has said, “this is the last school year ever,” because of the rumors that 2012 will bring the end of time. If this student’s theory is true, there won’t be another senior class. So, let us celebrate the beginning of a new year while looking back over the summer we just Continue Reading …
By Michael Bird (BUZZ) - For my generation and beyond,Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles was the opening salvo for a new way to appreciate and enjoy music, MTV, which then stood for Music Television. Music, and television, would change forever. This past weekend, VH1 Classic ran a best-of-ancient-MTV marathon, and it was quite a kick to see those original VJs back on the air again: Nina Continue Reading …
By Michael Bird - 12 records for a penny. Last Christmas, BMG Music Service – the last remnant of what was the RCA Record Service – stopped selling CD’s, something that its longtime competitor Columbia House ended several years back. These days, one finds music whenever and wherever it is wanted or needed: an iTunes download, live streaming audio, digital music TV channels, satellite Continue Reading …
By Greg Bonney - Have you ever known somebody who coached a kids sport for one or two seasons and then quit? More than likely it was because the parents drove them away. Coaching can be a very rewarding experience. Dealing with parents, however, can drive a good coach to distraction. Many parents who never offer to help suddenly become back-seat coaches at game time, yelling constant Continue Reading …
By Michale Bird (BUZZ) - Montgomery native Nat “King” Cole sang it back in 1963: ‘Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer/ those days of soda and pretzels and beer / Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer / you’ll wish that summer could always be here…’ Songwriter Charles Tobias, whose brothers Harry and Henry wrote music as well, also wrote a famous tune performed Continue Reading …
(HealthDay News) - Drinking and water sports are highlights of summer fun for many Americans, but mixing the two can be hazardous, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns. Alcohol is involved in half of all water recreation-related deaths of teens and adults, according to the NIAAA, which outlined a number of potentially dangerous scenarios: Alcohol can impair swimmers' Continue Reading …
(HealthDay News) -- Scorching heat and oppressive humidity continued to grip much of the United States Tuesday, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees -- and in some cases 100 degrees -- from the Southwest to the Northeast. The heat wave is prompting doctors to warn that high temperatures can cause serious -- and potentially fatal -- health problems. "The body has ways of keeping itself Continue Reading …
By Michael Bird - The inaugural episode of Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” aired the weekend of July 4, 1970. The show featured the best-selling and most-played songs in the United States for the week of July 11, according to Billboard magazine. That format hadn’t changed much by the week of July 11, 1981, 30 years ago this week. Back in those days, my father acquired the AT40 record Continue Reading …
