AOL released a list of “Oprah Top Blunders of 2007.” Number nine on the list was her endorsement of “The Secret” – a prosperity themed book and visualization technique.
I won’t get into the hairy details here, but you can find plenty of dark, ugly things that have surfaced about THE SECRET since it was released. I am not a fan of these abundance visualization systems. They are fun things to dabble with, but not something to get too deep into. It can lead you to make very bad decisions based on fantasy.
Isolation and greed are the fuel for these systems. It is nothing new and very common in the New Age mind sciences. It’s gobbledy gook.
Think I’m being negative? Look how the people that create these things make their money. It’s usually off the courses themselves. Show me a Bill Gates or a Donald Trump who made their money in a real industry – that’s someone I want to listen to.
There are better uses of our time.
AOL writes:
Winfrey endorsed the controversial self-help program ‘The Secret’ in 2007.
Despite amazing sales, partly thanks to Oprah’s endorsement, critics argued that Winfrey’s stamp of approval was irresponsible given her power.
Critics argue that ‘The Secret’ trivializes important decisions and promotes a quick-fix material culture.
Inside cover of Bye Bye Birdie Program – November, 2007
For two and a half years, local music and theatre communities have benefitted from the talents of Conrad Askland. Conrad is the consummate professional: creative, precise, able to balance high expectations with encouraging words and humor.
“Bye Bye Birdie” will be Conrad’s final show in the Skagit Valley for the next few years as he heads out to the far horizons of another continent and culture.
“Friends of Conrad Askland” contributed to a co-sponsorship of “Bye Bye Birdie” as a tribute to the man who has given so much to our community.
Alex Hollingsworth
Andy and Donna Golub
Barbara Askland
Bryan and Kathryn Kay
Cally Johnson
Carol Ann Askland
Clarence Holden
Dan Denny
Dr. Gary Brown
Elfa Gisla
Geoff and Susan Arthur
Kate Kypuros
Kyle Blevins
Jerry Moa
Lindsey and Joe Bowen
Lynette McCormack
Lynn and Frank Handi
Stewart and Lacey Woods
One of Ann Margret’s breakout roles was playing Kim McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie (1963). She’s still touring and going strong. Visit her official website at http://www.ann-margret.com .
Original lobby card for Bye Bye Birdie:
Ann Margret with Elvis on the set of Viva Las VegasÂ
ANN MARGRET DISCOGRAPHY
And Here She Is
Ann-Margret’s first long-player from RCA, 1961. Jazzy orchestra conducted by Marty Paich.
On The Way Up
On The Way Up, her second album, was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville on RCA in 1962. It has one “rock” side, and one “ballad” side. Produced by Chet Atkins and Dick Pierce.
The Vivacious One
Recorded in 1962 on RCA, the album compiles the best of Ann-Margret’s two early albums. Produced by Dick Pierce, arranged and conducted by Bob Florence and H.B. Barnum.
3 Great Girls
A compilation on RCA recorded in 1962. Ann-Margret, Kitty Kallen and Della Reeves do four songs each.
Bachelor’s Paradise
Recorded on RCA in 1963. Orchestra conducted by Hank Levine, produced by Steve Shoals.
Beauty And The Beard
Recorded in 1964 on RCA. Ann-Margret teams up with New Orleans trumpeter Al Hirt. Orchestra arranged and conducted by Marty Paich, produced by Steve Shoals.
Songs From The Swinger And Other Swingin’ Songs
Recorded on RCA in 1966. Songs from the film “The Swinger”. Arranged and conducted by Marty Paich, produced by Al Schmitt and Neely Plumb.
The Cowboy And The Lady
Country LP from 1969 recorded in Nashville. Produced by Lee Hazlewood.
Hits And Rarities
A great danish compilation album developed in 1990 on Teenager Records.
Hits And Rarities Vol. 2
Danish compilation album developed in 1992 on Teenager Records.
Lovely Ann-Margret – Hits and Rarities
A Belgian compilation CD developed by Marginal Records in 1995.
Let Me Entertain You
A rather mellow American CD compilation from 1996. 21 of Ann-Margret’s early “sexy” hits.
Ann-Margret 1961-1966
A fantastic 5-CD boxed set from German re-issue label Bear Family. This has it all, really. Everything she recorded with RCA including some never before realeased tracks. Also included are some songs from various soundtracks. It comes with a 72 page deluxe 4-colour book the size of an LP. It has full session details and lots of great pictures. A must!
Viva Rock Vegas
As Fred Flintstone might say, “Let’s Rock!” The Flintstones in “Viva Rock Vegas” is an over-the-cop family comedy but its soundtrack is a rock ‘n’ roll archeologist’s Olduvai Gorge. From the blues of B.B. King to the scorching rockabilly of Johnny Burnette & his Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio, from Bill Haley and his Comets and Jimmy Cavello and his House Rockers to long-forgotten honky-tonker Moon Mullican, The Flinstones In Viva Rock Vegas (Hip-O Records) released April 25, 2000, is a rock ‘n’ roll mammoth.
But the Viva Rock Vegas is hardly dinosaur rock. Also featured are ’90 artists such as rockin’ eccentric Rev. Horton Heat, country rocker Robbie Fulks and blues belter Susan Tedeschi. Add ’80’s roots rockers Nick Lowe and Donnie Iris and Viva Rock Vegaa qualifies as a lesson in musical geology.
Also included are selections performed by score composer David Newman (1998 Academy Award nominee for Anastasia) and one of the film’s stars, Alan Cumming (Tony Award winner for Cabaret).
Yet, the highlight may be Ann-Margret’s “Viva Las Vegas (Viva Rock Vegas).” Originally sung by Elvis Presley for the 1964 film “Viva Las Vegas,” the song has been reworked for this film for Ann-Margret, the voice and inspiration for the character of Ann-Margrock in the original “Flintstones” animated TV series of the ’60’s. The track also spotlights a special performance by James Burton, Elvis’ greatest guitar player.
ANN MARGRET FILMOGRAPHY
Ann-Margret has dazzled screen and stage audiences as few entertainers in our time. With her film debut in Frank Capra’s final classic, “Pocketful of Miracles,” in 1962, to the soon to be released Oliver Stone directed “On Any Sunday” with Al Pacino, Ann-Margret’s film career has spanned four decades. Displaying a versatility that few actresses can match has earned her love and admiration, not just for her beauty and her legend, but for herself. Come behind the scenes for glimpses into over 50 films, including “Viva Las Vegas” with Elvis Presley, her Academy Award Nominated roles in “Tommy” and “Carnal Knowledge,” and many memorable moments.
“10th Kingdom, The” (2000) (mini) TV Series …. Queen          Cinderella
“Perfect Murder, Perfect Town” (2000) (mini) TV Series          Patsy’s Mother
10th Kingdom: The Making of an Epic, The (2000)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cinderella
Last Producer, The (2000) Not Released Yet
Any Given Sunday (1999) …. Margaret Pagniacci
Happy Face Murders (1999) (TV) …. Lorraine
Limey, The (1999) (uncredited) (scenes deleted)
Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story (1998) (TV) …. Pamela Harriman … aka Life of the Party: Pamela Harriman (1998) (TV)
“Four Corners” (1998/I) TV Series …. Amanda Wyatt
Blue Rodeo (1996) (TV) …. Maggie Yearwood
Seduced by Madness (1996) (TV) …. Diane Borchardt
… aka Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story (1996) (TV)
Grumpier Old Men (1995) …. Ariel Gustafson
… aka Grumpy Old Men 2 (1995)
Following Her Heart (1994) (TV) …. Lena
“Scarlett” (1994) (mini) TV Series …. Belle Watling
Nobody’s Children (1994) (TV) …. Carol Stevens
“Queen” (1993) (mini) TV Series …. Sally Jackson
… aka “Alex Haley’s Queen” (1993) (mini)
DHTML and JavaScript menus are available for download at http://www.milonic.com – They are a quick way to add a “Web 2.0” look to static HTML websites without having to mess with databases.
My question would be – why give the look of web 2.0 and give up all the functionality available that you get from databases and php? There are many free platforms available that will give multi-user functionality to websites. Using MySQL databases and php content management gives you much for flexibility for growth. And much easier to add depth over time to a website. Give your surfers the content they want and archive in databases rather than messing with static HTML, or facades that “look” like they are database driven. Just my two cents.
Eleanor Powell & Fred Astaire: The Beat Is Rocking
Mount Vernon, WA – Our own (dare we admit it?) Roger Ragusa has made good on his promise and strolled the length of Downtown Mount Vernon in his costume to generate donations for the Theater Arts Guild. He was a good sport about it and did not try to weasel out of it in anyway. By doing so he has earned $500 for the TAG general fund.
Roger Ragusa – Modern day superhero and defender of good citizens against evil. Do not let outward appearances fool you. Mr. Ragusa is rumored to be a highly trained Navy Seal and international martial arts expert. Here we see him undercover on a secret mission. He blends in with his surroundings so as to not give away his identity.
Can you spot him in this photograph? Look carefully. I’ll give you a hint – he might be between the trees.
This is not just a picture of a street corner. Roger is also camouflaged in this picture. Hint – Look between the cars. If you don’t see him at first, try blurring your eyes a bit and look deep into the picture.
Two women walking a dog on a rainy day. Or is it? Yes folks, Roger is also in this picture. This time I give you no hints, you are on your own.
During our walk a local shop owner says hello. Or is it? Yes, tricked you again. That’s no shop owner, that’s Roger Ragusa. The “invisible man” and “man of a thousand faces”.
Another street shot. Roger might be in this photo and he might not be. I’ll let you decide…
Last stop at the Lincoln Theater with a lady working at the ticket booth – HEY WAIT! That’s no ticket lady, that’s Roger again? How does he do it? We do not know…
We saw a surprising video tonight – Celine Dion and Anastasia singing “You Shook Me All Night Long” – quite different from everything else we’d ever heard Celine sing before! (Quality of video is poor, but holy cow, talk about two power voices) Apparently most people hate it, but we loved it. I know it’s not the type music you usually listen to, but we’d like a pro’s opinion!
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Watch the video on YouTube at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TytsReHWoRI
Or search YouTube for “Celine Anastasia Shook Me”
Politically Correct Answer:
This song works well in live performance and is an easy crowd pleaser most bar bands do late in the night. It pumped up the audience so that’s a keeper for the live Vegas show. I don’t think it’s something that would get a lot of radio play because it’s a straight cover – no remix or new rendition.
The OTHER Answer:
Hey, this is a DUDE song. Get your grubby hands off our AC/DC memories. If they ain’t gonna be singin it, ain’t NOBODY should be singin it. They made it into a chick song? EEGADS! Ok, when you go to Vegas, you all can do the girls night out with that stuff and then watch Sleepless in Seattle. Me and the guys will be waiting for you at the blackjack tables. Take your time…
*MEN STOP READING HERE*
PS – Celine, you know us men love you too, we just can’t admit it in front of the women. It’s a guy thing. You’re in good company, we don’t admit to liking Streisand either.
Lynden, WA 2007 – Lynden Performing Arts Guild will be performing Disney’s High School Musical November 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 & December 6, 7, 8, at 7:30pm – November 24, 25 & December 1, 2, 8 at 2pm at the Claire vg Thomas Theatre – 655 Front St. #13, Lynden Washington 98264
Within the Dutch Village Mall.
Book and Lyrics by: Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Music by: Galt MacDermot
Produced for the Broadway stage by: Michael Butler
Originally Produced by: The New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre
SYNOPSIS
Hair takes rock music and the culture that went with it from the streets onto the stage with an energy and excitement that reflects the dynamic time that was the late 1960’s. It introduced the world to such phenomenal musical numbers as Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine, I Believe In Love, Hair, What a Piece of Work Is Man, and Hippie Life. This show has a vitality, a timelessness, and a meaning that outlives the late 60’s and early 70’s in America, and in our current unsettled times, speaking again to us about the need to make a choice about what truly matters in our lives.
ON RETAINING SCENES AND SCRIPT
Pat Allegritti is a board member of the Historic Everett Theater. Allegretti supported staying true to the script of “Hair” and not changing the nude scene, or any scene, for that matter. She said that given the choice, she would have opted to not do “Hair” rather than deviate from the script.
“Don’t mess with it,” Allegretti said. “It’s almost libelous, messing with somebody’s work. It’s free speech and a piece of art that shouldn’t be tampered with.”
