text:
Tag Archives: Sheldon Patinkin
Blog 2014: The Fifth Year In Review.
2014 was the fifth year for this blog — and though I have to admit I was a relatively infrequent blogger this year — there were a handful of events I could not let pass without trying to say something. Most important was the loss of two iconic figures who granted me (and many others) the privilege of their invaluable friendship and mentorship. The passing of Sheldon Patinkin and Ray Shepardson made 2014 a year I will always remember.
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. has attracted 189,401 viewers since it began — 24,929 in 2014. The busiest day of the year was September 21st with 505 views. The most viewed post that day was O Captain! My Comedy Captain! — my post on the passing of Sheldon Patinkin.
This is not the real subscription sign up box. The real one is further to the right. And up a little…
I continue to be honored that 179 subscribers have now signed on to have my posts automatically delivered to them via e-mail. (And 59 more who follow this blog on Twitter.)
Are you a subscriber?
If you're not — then look to your right at the photo of the saluting Matey and follow the simple instructions to "Hop Aboard!"
What follows is a list of The Top Ten Most Popular Posts of 2014.
Just click on the title of each post to access the original article.
1. The Top Ten Rock & Roll Singers of All Time
There's nothing like a Top 10 list to promote discussion on a blog – and this December 5, 2011 post did just that. It's one of the posts that has generated the most comments. A lot of people feel I've left one of their favorites off the list. Check it out – and then weigh in with your own opinion. Just realize that your opinion on rock & roll singing cannot possibly be as informed as my own.
2. O Captain! My Comedy Captain!
I don't know where my life would have gone if the great Sheldon Patinkin had not walked into a small storefront theatre on Howard Street in Evanston — and took my silliness seriously. Sheldon didn't just change my life. He changed generations of lives. I will miss him every damn day. But, in essential ways, he will always be with me — and with all of the thousands of creative people whose lives he touched. (Posted on September 21, 2014.)
3. My Book Report: "The Battle of Midway"
What a great book! What an amazing chapter of world history! On January 23, 2012, I wrote this review of a book that captures all the incredible heroism, good luck, and turns of fate that made this epic World War Two naval battle an overwhelming victory that turned the tide of the war against Imperial Japan. In 2013, I wrote another report on an excellent World War Two book, The Day of Battle, about the campaign to liberate Italy. A few weeks after I wrote that post, my family and I visited the American cemetery in Tuscany and paid our respects to the soldiers whose valor, sacrifice and victory are recounted in Rick Atkinson's fine book.
4. Farewell to Ray Shepardson, the Visionary Who Saved the Theatres
I honestly had no idea how to headline this tribute to the great Ray Shepardson, who died suddenly and shockingly in Aurora, Illinois in the spring of 2014. The man who saved dozens of great old theatres and movie palaces from the wrecking ball was a man of prodigious energy, drive, and "can do" creativity. He is greatly missed by many. This was posted on April 16, 2014 — my birthday.
5. Victory at Pearl Harbor
Originally posted in 2010 on the anniversary of the "day that will live in infamy" – this post has become an annual event. A lot of military history fans visit this blog, but I think Pearl Harbor fascinates and resonates with Americans whether they have an interest in military history or not. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks took more American lives – but Pearl Harbor was the shocking opening act in a drama that ultimately made the United States the world's preeminent superpower.
6. The Occupy Wall Street Movement Doesn't Need Black Bloc Buffoonery
Though we didn't hear much about it in 2013, the Occupy Wall Street movement has inspired a lot of posts on this blog since 2011. This post, written on November 2, 2011, has proven to be the most popular. Maybe that's because people agree that we don't need a bunch of foolish, immature anarchists screwing up a noble movement that ultimately helped to put Barrack Obama back in office. Without Occupy Wall Street, would Romney's attack on the 47% have evoked such a profound and spirited response? Without Occupy Wall Street, would the concept of the 99% and 1% have ever entered the Zeitgeist? And can Occupy Wall Street — or something even more effective yet peaceful — please come back in 2o15?
7. Happy Birthday Bill of Rights!
On December 15, 2010 – the 215th birthday of our Bill of Rights – I wrote this basic primer on the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution and it's become one of the most-read posts in the history of this blog. I guess that's because Americans still give a damn about their rights and are keen to understand their Constitutional foundation.
8. Bazooka Joe, Jay Lynch & Me
One of the first posts I wrote for this blog back on January 9, 2010 celebrated my brief but soul-satisfying collaboration with the legendary underground comix artist, Jay Lynch, who gave Vic and me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write a series of Bazooka Joe comics. It was one of the coolest chapters in my creative career. The Practical Theatre Company, Saturday Night Live, Behind the Music, The Vic & Paul Show and Bazooka Joe. Classics all. Can I retire now?
9. Paul McCartney & The War of 1812
This was originally posted on June 18, 2012. That day was not just Paul McCartney's 70th birthday – it was also the 200th anniversary of The War of 1812. 130 years after the young upstart United States declared war on Great Britain, Paul McCartney was born. I thought that was a real fun fact.
10. LeBron: The King Moves On
As a Cleveland native, I've often been asked my opinion of LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers several years ago — and my friends and co-workers are usually shocked that I'm not upset or indignant or jilted, etc. And while the blogosphere hardly needed one more commentary on LeBron James' move to the Miami Heat, I wrote this post on July 9, 2010 to explain that LeBron James didn't owe me anything. He's a professional basketball player who wants to win and be remembered as the best to play the game. The two NBA championships he's won in Miami since I wrote this post have given LeBron all the scoreboard he needs. in 2014, The King came back to Cleveland, which is doubtless the reason for renewed interest in this post.
So, that's the best of 2014. Stay connected. Subscribe. And please keep posting your comments!
Here's to a worthy, adventurous voyage in 2015!
And here are the All-Time Top 10 Blog Posts from January 2010 up to today:
5. History & Honeymoon: Part Three
This post was the #3 post in 2010. 24 years ago, my wife Victoria and I went to Gettysburg and other Civil War battlefields on our honeymoon! I needed no other assurance that I had married the perfect woman. On our 20th anniversary, we returned to Gettysburg. Now both students of the battle, we walked the battlefield on July 1, 2 and 3, 2010 on the 147th anniversary of that critical conflict. My four-part account of our battlefield tramping became one of the most popular items on the blog. (Originally posted July 20, 2010)
6. A Childhood Memory of Kent State, May 4. 1970
On the May 4, 2012 anniversary of this very dark day in America history, I posted this personal remembrance of a young Ohioan's earliest memories of that terrible day. Unlike the Pearl Harbor post, I haven't re-posted this article every year — but readers still find it. "Tin soldiers and Nixon coming." The shootings at Kent State should never be forgotten.
7. Aliens Among Us?
I've always wondered where singular, epochal, "out of this world" geniuses like William Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci and Bob Dylan came from. So, on January 26, 2011, I wrote this speculation on the possible alien origin of such monumental minds. Evidently, my curiosity (if not my Erich Van Daniken "ancient astronaut" fantasy) is still shared by a lot of people who read my blog in the past year.
8. Growing Up in the Space Age
The last American space shuttle launch inspired this July 14, 2011 remembrance of my personal connection to the Space Age. This popular post salutes my fellow Ohioan, John Glenn, who served as both the first man to orbit the Earth and as a Senator from my home state. I wish that my three daughters had grown up experiencing something half as exciting and inspirational as The Race to the Moon.
10. Bazooka Joe, Jay Lynch & Me
Filed under Adventure, Art, Comedy, History, Politics, Sports
Tagged as aliens, Bazooka Joe, Bill of Rights, Chariots of the Gods. aliens, Civil War, Civil War sesquicentennial, Jay Lynch, Kent State, Kent State Massacre, Lebron James, Occupy Wall Street, Occupy Wall Street Movement, Paul Barrosse, Paul McCartney, Pearl Harbor, Ray Shepardson, rock & roll, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Sheldon Patinkin, space race, space shuttle, The Practical Theatre, The Practical Theatre Company, War of 1812
O Captain! My Comedy Captain!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/chi-sheldon-patinkin-dies-20140921-column.html
I don't know where my life would have gone if the great Sheldon Patinkin had not walked into a small storefront theatre on Howard Street in Evanston — and took my silliness seriously. Sheldon didn't just change my life. He changed generations of lives. I will miss him every damn day. But, in essential ways, he will always be with me. And he'll be with Victoria and all of the thousands of creative people whose lives he touched.
Sheldon polished our routines, sharpened our satire, laughed when we needed a laugh — and always expected our best.
We worked to meet his expectations because he was Sheldon. And we did not want to disappoint him. His laughter was the coin of the realm.
Sheldon Patinkin was funny and wise and warm and the very best humanity has to offer.
And now he's gone?
Sheldon would have something funny to say about this.
I am at a loss.
We'll always love you, Sheldon. And we'll never forget you.
Filed under Comedy, History, Improvisation
Tagged as Sheldon Patinkin
A Mid-Year Celebration!
If nothing else worth celebrating happened today, June 30th would still mark the mid-point of 2011 — reason alone to pop a cork. But there are some very good reasons to mark this day with fanfare and hoopla.
The newlyweds and our comedy guru, Sheldon Patinkin, on June 30, 1990. A picture of perfect harmony in our universe.
The first reason to party today is personal. On June 30th, 1990, I was wise enough to wed the lovely, brilliant and talented Victoria Zielinski. Today is our 21st wedding anniversary. Whatever else I have done in my life to this point, marrying Victoria has been my shining accomplishment. Ultimately, my marriage to Vic will stand as the pinnacle of my achievement.
Now, from the sublime to the ridiculous…
The other reason to celebrate today is something we all can share with equal joy. Tonight, Glenn Beck will make his last appearance on Faux News before going off the air. Beck was banished by progressive activism that pushed more than 400 advertisers to pull their commercials from his show. Of course, Beck will not be going away entirely. He's setting up his own Internet network so that he can live-stream his ravings for two hours a day starting in September – for just $9.95 a month! (Can you think of a bigger waste of an Alexander Hamilton?)
Today also marks the end of the first year and a half of this blog. And, thanks to all of you, 2011 has been going gangbusters for Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. Consider that this blog attracted 22,389 total views in 2010 – and the fact that there have been 23,845 views in the first half of 2011 alone. We've more than doubled our site visits from 60 daily views in 2010 to 133 per day this year. That says a lot for the growing community of friends and readers, including 70 stalwart subscribers, that make this blog worth blogging.
So, what are all these readers reading on this blog? Of the 177 posts I've put up since I began this personal experiment in new media back on January 1, 2010 – the following are the Top Ten Posts. (You can access the original post by clicking on the title.)
(Posted 12/15/10.)
Though it's a relatively recent post, this primer on one of America's most misunderstood founding documents has gotten just over 6,000 views. Clearly, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann and Glen Beck were not among those 6,000 readers.
(Posted 1/26/11.)
The most recent post on the all-time Top Ten, this celebration of my favorite geniuses has attracted more than 2,000 views. (Which shows just how strong popular interest in the Bill of Rights is. And that's somewhat comforting.) Were Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and John Lennon aliens sent from another world to show humanity the light? Or just really, really, really cool…
(Posted 7/20/10. #5 post in 2010.)
1,623 viewers have perused my account of battlefield tramping through the Second Day's fight at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and the heroism of Joshua Lawrence and the 20th Maine's desperate defense of Little Round Top. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of The Civil War (Fort Sumter in 1861), which may be part of why this post has gained in popularity.
4. Baseball Season Opens: Of Mud Hens & More…
(Posted 4/6/10. #4 post in 2010.)
This article was the 4th most viewed post in 2010 – and it still holds that spot today. That's because Baseball is eternal. (Though some games may seem interminable.)
5. The Practical Theatre Co. Part 1
(#3 post in 2010)
If you don't know anything about The Practical Theatre Company, here's a good place to start your education. (Many of you have already lived this history – in which case, you may not learn anything new, but you'll enjoy the photos.)
6. All About The Rockme Foundation
If you don't know anything about Riffmaster & The Rockme Foundation, here's a good place to start your education. (Many of you have already lived this history – in which case, you may not learn anything new, but you'll enjoy the photos.) Wait! Did I already say that somewhere?
7. The Saints Come Marching In…
The second sports post on the Top Ten: an ode to my daddy's New Orleans Saints and their Cinderella victory in the 2010 Super Bowl.
(Posted 1/9/10)
One of the first posts on this blog makes its first appearance in the Top Ten. Than can only mean one thing: it's Jay Lynchmania!
9. "I have not yet begun to fight!"
This post is one of my personal favorites. Please forward it to all of your local Democratic politicians well in advance of the 2012 elections.
10. Le Salon de Crawford
Anchoring this list and first in our hearts, the fabulous Crawfords round out our Top Ten. If you haven't already checked this post out, do it now. You will be introduced to the coolest and most talented family I know. They invented the word "groovy" to describe The Crawfords.
So, there you have it. A snapshot of Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc at mid-year, 2011.
Don't click here. Click on the icon that looks just like this on the right hand column.
Thanks again to all of you for making this so much fun. And thanks for your 751 comments over the past 18 months. This blog is so much better when it's a two-way street.
And, if you aren't a subscriber yet – click on the image of the saluting Matey (at right, where it says "Hop Aboard) — and get on the bus. Or the blog. Or both.
Filed under Random Commentary
Tagged as Bazooka Joe, Beatles, Bill of Rights, Chicago, Civil War, Damn the torpedoes, Democrat, Gettysburg, Ghandi, Glenn Beck, improvisational comedy, Jay Lynch, Mud Hens, New Orleans Saints, Obama, Oliver Hazzard Perry, Practical Theatre, rock & roll, Rockme, Ron Crawford, Sheldon Patinkin, Toledo Mud Hens
The Chicago Theatre Symposium & Other Cultural Treasures
My wife Victoria and I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Chicago and Evanston. It was a perfect weekend: a blissful mix of business, pleasure, family and friendship — right up until (almost) the very end.
On Friday morning, May 20th, Victoria and I boarded our Spirit Airlines flight bound for Chicago. The next day, we were scheduled to make a presentation on the history of The Practical Theatre Company at the first Chicago Theatre Symposium at Columbia College.
We'd never flown Spirit Airlines before, but Vic had given me the job of booking our travel – and swayed by Bill Shatner's performance as "The Negotiator" in all those Priceline commercials, I used that service for the first time. Spirit looked like the cheapest way to go. But cheapest, I would later learn (once again) is not always best.
We had a 90 minute layover in Las Vegas, and spent our idle time doing the kind of thing the devil encourages in idle minds: we gambled. With poker machines right there in the airport – how can you resist? It was an omen of a great weekend-to-be when I put $5 in a machine – and moments later, walked away with $82.50! We were leaving Las Vegas ahead of the game. It doesn't usually go that way.
When we arrived in Chicago at about 2:30 in the afternoon, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the low 60's: the kind of spring weather that requires sweaters and jackets in Los Angeles. But as we drove east on Dempster Street toward Evanston, teenagers in t-shirts drove by in top-down convertibles like it was a hot summer day in Malibu.
We picked up our daughter, Emilia (a sophomore at Northwestern) who said this was one of the few sunny days all spring – and that kids were losing their minds, running around in shorts, halter tops and sandals as though basking in a heat wave. That we'd come to town on one of the few sunny days was another good omen. Alas, the forecast was for rain the next two days. But, for the moment, the sun was shining and Evanston was picture postcard pretty. You'd never know it had all been frozen tundra not long ago.
Steve and Bea Rashid, our good friends and hosts, were preparing a barbecued pork loin feast as we pulled up to their warm, wonderful home. Steve is our longtime musical director, and the music man for The Vic & Paul Show. Steve's wife Bea, a dancer and choreographer, is the Director of Dance Center Evanston – one of the town's cultural treasures. We couldn't imagine a better way to start our weekend than to enjoy a backyard BBQ with the gracious and talented Rashids, including their son, Daniel, a senior at Evanston Township High who'll attend The University of Southern California in the fall.
The next morning, Saturday, we drove downtown to get to Columbia College by 9:00 for the start of the final day's sessions of The Chicago Theatre Symposium. As Vic and I walked up to 1104 South Wabash, home of the Columbia College Chicago Film Row Center where the symposium was being held, the first person we saw was the most auspicious sign yet that our weekend was blessed.
Sheldon (Photo by Anita Evans)
Crossing the street and headed in our direction was none other than Sheldon Patinkin – our beloved, legendary comedy guru! Those who have read my history of The Practical Theatre on this blog know the impact that Sheldon has had on our lives. If there was one person we wanted most to see that day, it was Sheldon. And here he was! We greeted him with genuine joy and walked into the symposium at his side.
The sessions that day were being held on the 8th floor, and Vic and I sat down in the auditorium to await the day's first presentation, when Mary Carol Riehs walked over to say hello. Mary Carol was a contemporary at Northwestern – and it was she who told me about the symposium and suggested that The PTC should be represented. Mary Carol was, quite simply, the reason we were there. She sat with us as we took in the 9:45 presentation, entitled "Beyond the Method: Chicago Teachers and Their Impact on Chicago Theatre – From the South Side to the North Shore."
The first speaker was Kathleen Perkins, an Associate Professor at Columbia College, who spoke about "Inspirational and Influential Chicago Teachers and Leaders," including Winifred Ward, the late Bella Itkin – and our own Sheldon Patinkin, who has made an indelible mark on comedy and theatre, from his work with the original Compass Players, Second City, SCTV and the PTC – to Columbia College, The National Jewish Theatre, Steppenwolf and on and on and on.
Then, the session really began to feel like Old Home Week.
Kathleen Sills (Photo by Anita Evans)
Kathleen Sills spoke next. Another NU contemporary, Kathleen founded Lifeline Theatre in 1982, along with four other NU pals of ours, Meryl Friedman, Suzanne Plunkett, Sandy Snyder and Steve Totland. Kathleen gave a presentation on one of Northwestern's most famous and influential theatre professors, the venerable Alvina Krause.
Kathleen's presentation, "Alvina Krause, Humanities, and the Anti-Conservatory", added rich detail to a theatrical legend that Victoria and I had been aware of since our days at Northwestern. Krause had retired years before I arrived at NU in the fall of '76 – but long after she left the theatre department, her presence was still powerfully felt.
Krause established herself in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania in 1971 and many NU students made pilgrimages there for master classes with their guru. In fact, one of Victoria's closest NU friends, Elizabeth (Betsy) Dowd, was among those students who, in 1978, founded the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, with Krause (then 85-years old) as artistic director. Krause passed away in 1981, but Betsy and her husband Rand Whipple (another NU pairing) are still making the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble a vital part of their community.
Victoria is ready for the symposium.
The next presentation, "Robert Breen and the Rise of Narrative Theatre in Chicago", also hit close to home. Northwestern professor Paul Edwards gave a spirited account of Breen's seminal work with Chamber Theatre – a theatrical form in which short stories, novels, and other prose works were brought to life onstage, incorporating the narrator as a central character. This was a technique I'd learned from one of Breen's students, Frank Galati, whose brilliant class "Interpretation of Prose Fiction" was a must for aspiring actors and directors during by days at NU.
Victoria was an Interpretation Department major, and among her most inspirational teachers was Breen's colleague Wallace Bacon, whose essential "Interpretation of Shakespeare" class was affectionately known as "Shake and Bake".
In our era at Northwestern, the creative excitement, energy and ideas emanated from the Interpretation Department, with teachers like Galati — and his estimable predecessors Breen and Bacon – inspiring a generation of artists to think way, way outside the conventional theatre box.
This was the creative soup we were swimming in at Northwestern in the late 1970's – and combined with our exposure to Second City style improvisational comedy through the Mee-Ow Show – provided the inspiration for four NU students to establish what became the Practical Theatre Company: a story Victoria and I were due to tell next in Room 801C as part of a session entitled, "Comedy and Improv, Part 2."
The session began with a presentation on "Del Close, iO, and the Development of Long Form Improv" by Kim Johnson, author of The Funniest One in the Room: The Lives and Legends of Del Close, and Del's longtime business and creative partner, Charna Halpern, who is still the producer of iO (Formerly Improv Olympic) which she and Del founded in 1981.
The late, great Del Close is a genuine American improv comedy legend: a veteran of the Compass Players in St. Louis (with Mike Nichols and Elaine May), Second City in Chicago, The Committee in San Francisco, Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, Saturday Night Live – and finally Improv Olympic.
Brad Hall and I met Del when we shared a dressing room with him during the 1984 Goodman Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol" – and Rush Pearson and I planned a show with Del (to be called The Secret Show) in which Rush and I would act as assistants/acolytes to Del's mad comedy scientist. The Secret Show never went beyond one memorable appearance in Irv Rein's class at Northwestern in 1985 – where Del explained the basic roles of comedy as he saw them, as his two clownish henchmen acted them out. That same year, Del became an honorary member of The Practical Theatre Company in a ritual during which a watermelon was disemboweled – and Del's red-painted footprints were enshrined on the sidewalk in front of The John Lennon Auditorium.
Jeffrey Sweet (Photo by Anita Evans)
After Kim and Charna finished their talk about Del, it was our turn to make good on the program's promise that, "Members of one of Chicago's most popular comedy theatres recall their experiences as part of the storefront theatre explosion of the 1980s." Victoria and I presented the brief, blessed history of The Practical Theatre to the assembled students, writers and Chicago theatre luminaries (including our guru Sheldon, playwrights Jeffrey Sweet and James Sherman, Chicago Reader editor Tony Adler, and Scott Vehill, artistic director of The Prop Theatre.)
Scott Vehill & Sheldon Patinkin at The Chicago Theatre Symposium (Photo by Anita Evans)
Victoria ribbed me as "the Herodotus of The Practical Theatre" for preparing an 18-page script for our presentation – but clearly, a more informal talk was in order. Luckily. I know my PTC history fairly well (having lived it) and Victoria chimed in with well-timed details, statistics, and comic asides – often at my expense. (Lovingly, of course.) Sheldon added his own color commentary – which was personally satisfying, as Sheldon's impact on those of us who were privileged to work with him at the PTC was (and is) immeasurable. For Vic and I to be making this presentation at Sheldon's college, and to have him there while me made it, cemented the fact that we were in the right place at the right time.
Afterward, we made sure to plug The Vic & Paul Show – which will be playing from June 9-12 at the Prop Theatre in Chicago. And I'll plug the show here, as well.
For tickets go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/169351
Following our symposium appearance, Vic and I had an appointment to meet The Reader's Tony Adler at the nearby 11 City Diner. His plan was to interview us for an article to appear in The Reader on Thursday, June 9th – the day The Vic & Paul Show opens in Chicago. The 11 City Diner is trendy, quite busy and pretty loud. Tony joined us and we got seated at a booth, our waitress arrived, and we ordered drinks. But we didn't order food. Don't worry, we told our waitress, we'd take care of her.
Tony turned on his tape recorder – and he'd barely begun his interview when a restaurant manager sauntered up to our table, reminded us how busy the diner was at lunchtime, and suggested we might "be more comfortable" upstairs (where it was even louder.) We protested mildly that we intended to take care of our waitress, but the manager was not to be deterred. With the smooth yet forceful false friendliness of a veteran Division Street bouncer, he had another suggestion: we might be even "more comfortable" in the quieter confines of the Columbia College student union just a few doors down the block!
In fact, he escorted us the few hundred feet down Wabash and practically opened the door to the student union for us. The whole episode was beyond odd, and Tony, Vic and I recognized that we were living a comedy sketch. But, like any good comedy sketch – there was another twist.
The "quiet" student union the manager promised was not so quiet.
It looked like a band was setting up to rehearse – and as soon we sat down and Tony turned his tape recorder back on — a percussionist began banging away on various exotic gourds and wood blocks.
Tony & Vic
By the end of our interview the band was in full swing – with a horn section blaring away – and the three of us were huddled close around Tony's tape recorder, trying to have a conversation about the return of the PTC to Chicago, parenthood, the glory of living in Evanston (Tony's an Evanstonian) and of course, The Vic & Paul Show.
We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Tony Adler – and we appreciated that the band rehearsal was one of life's unexpected punch lines. Someday soon we'd love to continue our conversation with Tony. There's not a nicer, more informed and erudite guy to talk to — or get thrown out of a restaurant with.
Later that evening, we enjoyed dinner with the Rashids and Emilia (and some of her college friends) at Union – a classy Evanston gourmet pizzeria that's connected to SPACE. (SPACE is the best place for live music on the North Shore – and the site of Riffmaster & The Rockme Foundation's triumphant reunion concert last year: our first gig in the Chicago area in more than two decades.)
There was also a Rockme connection to the next item on our Saturday evening agenda. Our Rockme band mate, Maurice "Mr. Mo" Cleary was playing a few Bob Dylan songs on his ukulele as part of a 70th Birthday celebration for Dylan at Evanston's Café Mozart at 600 Davis Street – just a short walk from Union.
Café Mozart was packed when we arrived, and Vic and Bea had to drink their coffee sitting under the bar, as we listened to a series of acoustic performances of classic Dylan tunes by local musicians. Then, Mr. Mo stepped up to the stage with his uke. And it sounded like this…
Next, Steve and I joined Mr. Mo for an abridged, semi-Byrds-like version of "Mr. Tambourine Man". We hadn't planned to do this in advance – and how Steve managed to suddenly pull a harmonica out of thin air I still don't know…
After the show at Café Mozart, we said goodnight to Emilia, then went home to Steve and Bea's house and played Mahjong for the first time. It's hard enough to learn Mahjong – but when you start off with hardly any sleep, a long, busy day, and two glasses of Chardonnay – it doesn't get any easier. At the end of the game, all four of us were just one tile short of victory. And we were also out of gas.
Rick Kogan
The next day, Vic, Steve and I rehearsed the songs for The Vic & Paul Show – including our just-written musical tribute to Chicago's brand new Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.
We also prepared some audio clips for our appearance on Rick Kogan's WGN Radio show, The Sunday Papers, at 8:00 am CST on Sunday, May 29th. (You Midwestern early-birds may want to check it out. The rest of you can hear it online.)
We spent lunchtime with our good friends and former NU classmates, Nili Yelin and Bill Wronski. Vic and I both performed in improv comedy groups with Bill back in the day — and Nili was one of my close theatre department classmates. Nili now helps to run the landmark Wilmette Theatre. After lunch, she showed us around this cultural treasure, built in 1913. If you live anywhere near the North Shore, you've got to check out what they're doing at The Wilmette Theatre.
Time was running out on our dream weekend, and our flight back home was just hours away, so we threw our bags in the trunk, jumped into our rental car, and made one last stop to meet our daughter Emilia at Kafein, a groovy local coffee shop. (One of the dozens that now exist in Evanston. The number of groovy coffee shops back in our day? Zero.) Rain was starting to fall as we said goodbye to our darling Emilia and headed out to O'Hare for our 7:50 pm direct flight back to Los Angeles.
It didn't work out that way.
As I said at the beginning — our perfect weekend of business, pleasure, family and friendship would end on a less than perfect note.
Due to the tornadoes in Missouri and other threatening weather in the area, our 7:50 flight to L.A. was cancelled (after several dispiriting) delays) at about 9:00 pm. To make matters worse, Spirit had only one more flight going west that night: to Las Vegas, leaving at 10:00 pm and arriving at 2:00 am. But the Spirit personnel at the gate could not arrange to put anyone on that flight. We would have to go to the ticket counters downstairs.
By the time we got to the ticket counters, there were about a hundred disgruntled, increasingly agitated people already in line – so Vic started working the phone. She directed me to get in line.
While in line, I heard a ticket agent in the very empty First Class line call out, "Anyone going to Vegas?" I raced over to take my spot, just third from the start of the line. When the ticket agent tried to clarify that she was only referring to travelers going to Vegas – and not those intending to go on to Los Angeles – those of us in line made it clear that we were not going anywhere. She relented. A victory.
Soon, Vic walked up to say she'd booked us on the 10:00 pm flight to Vegas — and within minutes we'd checked our bags, gone back through security, and took our places at the gate, waiting until about 10:30, when the flight finally took off, just ahead of the approaching storm.
We got to the Vegas airport at 2:00 am, picked up our bags at baggage claim, and for the next four hours, we tried to find comfortable spots in McCarran Airport to plug in our failing cell phone and catch a few winks before the ticket counters opened at 6:00 am – at which time we could check our bags for our 8:00 am flight to Los Angeles.
By 10:00 am, we were back at LAX and by 11:00, we were home. By Noon, Vic was at school and I was at work. Tired, to be sure — but happy to have spent a wonderful weekend in the treasured city that will always be home in our hearts.
Filed under Art, History
Tagged as Alvina Krause, Bob Dylan, Cafe Mozart, Chicago, Chicago Reader, Chicago THeatre Symposium, Del Close. Jeffrey Sweet, Evanston, Frank Galati, James Sherman, Practical Theatre, Robert Breen, Sheldon Patinkin, SPACE, Spirit Airlines, The Prop Theatre, The Sunday Papers, The Vic & Paul Show, Tony Adler, Wallace Bacon, WGN
"Rock Me!" @ Northwestern…
For years my three daughters listened to the songs that Brad Hall and I wrote and recorded for our rock & roll musical "Rock Me!" in 1988.
"Rock Me" was originally written for the Columbia College New Musicals Project under the direction of Sheldon Patinkin and it was performed for one night at Chicago's Apollo Theatre in August of '88.
Emilia, Eva and Maura pestered me relentlessly to get together with Brad to finish it. A couple years ago, Brad and I wrote a few new tunes for the show and made notes for a re-write of the book. But Emilia finally got the "Rock Me!" completion project underway last fall by submitting the show to a student production group at Northwestern.
NU's student-run Sit & Spin productions chose to produce a concert reading of "Rock Me!" this year – and that was the catalyst for us to finish our work on the book and score. (Musical wizard Steve Rashid pitched in by charting the score and sorting out the voluminous harmonies.)
Now, I'm pleased to say that "Rock Me!" will be performed in a concert reading at Northwestern University's Fisk Hall on Monday and Tuesday, March 7 and 8, 2011.
Performance times will most likely be at 8:00 pm on both Monday and Tuesday and there might also be an 11:00 pm show on one or both of those nights. (I'll update the info as I get it.)
Ticket prices will be $5 dollars and cannot be purchased in advance. If you're planning to see "Rock Me!" — let me know and I'll make sure you're on the list. (Just reply to this post.)
It's going to be a gas seeing enthusiastic college folk having fun with these songs.
Big thanks to my rocking daughter Emilia for her tenacious advocacy on behalf of "Rock Me!"
You rock, E!
Filed under Art, Music
Tagged as Brad Hall, comedy, Emilia Barrosse, Evanston, Northwestern University, Paul Barrosse, Practical Theatre, Rock and roll, Rock Me, Sheldon Patinkin, Sit & Spin, Steve Rashid
Practical Theatre: The Last Laugh
I've finally wrapped up my four-part personal history of The Practical Theatre Co. To read the final chapter of the Practical Theatre story click here — or click on the graphic above. You can also find a link to all four chapters under "Landmarks" on the right hand side of the home page.
It only took me two decades to finish this project — so please enjoy!
Tagged as "Art, Bernie Sahlins, Bob Odenkirk, Briar Street Theatre, Chicago Reader, Clubland, Comediants, comedy, Econo-Art Theatre, Evanston, improvisation, improvisational comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kyle Hefner, Megan Mullally, Northwestern, Paul Barrosse, Practical Theatre, Prop Thtr, Richard Christiansen, Rick Kogan, Rockme, Ron Crawford, Ruth & Trudy", Saturday Night Live, Second City, Sheldon Patinkin, Steve Rashid, Stormfield Theatre, Vic Theatre, Victoria Zielinski
More Thrills & Glory…
THRILLS & GLORY: THE BRIEF, BLESSED HISTORY OF THE PRACTICAL THEATRE CO.
Part Three: A Tale of Two Spaces
To read the latest chapter in my personal history of The Practical Theatre Company, click here.
After you've read our ancient history, you can check out video clips of far more recent PTC-style comedy if you click here.
Tagged as Arthur Cantor, Brad Hall, Bury St. Edmund, cabaret, Cabaret Metro, Chicago Reader, comedy, Del Close, Evanston, Frank Rich, Gary Kroeger, Goodman Theatre, Greg Mosher, improvisational comedy, Isabella Hoffman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, music, Northwestern, Off-Broadway, Paul Barrosse, Politics, Practical Theatre, Richard Christiansen, Richard Kind, Riffmaster & The Rockme Foundation, rock & roll, Rockme, Rod McLachlan, Ron Crawford, Ronny Crawford, Saturday Night Live, Second City, Sheldon Patinkin, Steve Rashid, Steven Rumbelow, Sydney Crawford, The Chicago Tribune, The Daves, Tom Virtue, Victoria Zielinski


text:
Q: In Javascript (jquery), is there a way to detect when the page anchor changes? Basically, I want to have links throughout the page that change the anchor -- the part of the URL after a # symbol. When that part of the URL changes, the JavaScript should respond.
I could add an onclick method to every link, but is there a better way?

A: That's not an anchor, it's the hash?
$(window).on('hashchange', function() {
    alert('My fracking hash changed to : '+document.location.hash);
});

A: $(window).bind('hashchange', function() {
  // code here
});

think that should do it

A: In jQuery you don't need to add onclick events to all links individual. With a selector like $('a') you could add an event to all of your links at once.
$('a').click(function(){
    // code here
});

Inside this event you can use the $(this) object to get the href.
But I suggest that the other answers show you a more elegant way for solving this problem.

A: First of all you have to pick the element.
For example var links = $("a");
Then you add the jquery function .click()

A: you can add a delegate to a,
$(elements).on(events, selector, data, handler);
the difference is it won't add "onClick" to every a element, but it will catch the "onClick" event of a

A: Try this

*

*Store window.location.hash on a global variable, say, currentHash

*Create a function to check window.location.hash !== currentHash

*If the check fails set currentHash = window.location.hash

*Execute this function using setInterval on DOMReady

A: Sammy.js is your friend here. I've used it on a SPA I'm working on and I love it!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


the post-office's parking lot, or even it's front door in our town.
In cities people pass each other as they hurry about, and it's not the same.
Our town has a certain pride.
It's a friendly community to reside.
future, would be at a loss here, and not a gain.
But as for me, our Town is where, I'll remain.
Yet, money isn't everything, and it's so often the cause, of unhappiness and strife.
They keep our Town alive.
5/9..The 500 Card club met at the lovely home of Linda van Gieson's on West Hill. Linda had everyone come and she prepared a luncheon for everyone. During our time of eating we all have a time to chit-chat and lots of laughter. The game starts at 1 p.m. and Linda had high score for the afternoon (3540), Rita St.Onge had second high (3500), low score was Jo Cota (1140), most horses went to Helen Parent (6). Subs for the afternoon were Rita, in the absence of Connie McFarland, Roberta Morin played for Sue Cherrier..who was enjoying some time in Florida, Helen Parent was playing for Lorraine Gillis. Sue Peters will host the June meeting at her home. We all had a wonderful afternoon and we all loved seeing the big goose swimming around on their pond.
Sincere Sympathy to the Family and Friends of Romeo Lamore, Romeo passed away this week on 5/11. Our Love and friendship to his family, hoping it will be a comfort to all of you. God Bless!!
Looking ahead..the first "Farmer's Market" will be held on May 27th at the lawn of the Historical Society here in town. Watch the ads for more info.
Montgomery Memorial Day Commemorative will be held May 29, starting at 10 a.m. at the upper/newer section of the Center Cemetery. It will include Roll Call, a wreath laying and Military Honors by Enosburg American Legion Post 42. Light refreshments follow the service.
Sponsored by the M. Historical Society.
Happy birthday to: Keishya Brooks-Fiore 5/22; Billy Baker Jr., Alexis Lefebrve 5/23; Frank Elkins, Kelly Elkins-Maxfield 5/24, Jeannette Sylvester, Ashley Cota, Flynn Paradee 5/25; Paul Chauvin 5/26, Gunnar Hess 5/27.
Anniversary Wishes to…Jon & Joan Ramey, and Tony and Sue Peters 5/27.
Today all Mother's were sent nice thoughts of Love and remembered in some special way, 5/14.
**New Meanings…Beauty Parlor; a place where women curl up and dye.** Dust: Mud with the juice squeezed out.** This is all for now..have a nice week.. M.L.T.A.


text:
Seattle Mariners blog
Report: Mariners, Nelson Cruz agree to $57 million deal
By Stephen Cohen on December 1, 2014 at 8:18 AM
The Mariners reportedly reached an agreement with outfielder Nelson Cruz that will bring the slugger to Seattle. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Seattle Mariners may have found the right-handed bat they were sorely lacking last season by reportedly agreeing to terms with free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz.
Dominican newspaper El Caribe first reported the news on Monday, citing sources close to negotiations who placed the deal at four years and about $57 million, with a possible fifth-year option. Multiple sources have since confirmed the agreement, which would be finalized following a physical exam.
In Seattle, Cruz would likely slide in between second baseman Robinson Cano — who lobbied hard for Cruz to join the M's last offseason — and rising-star third baseman Kyle Seager in a Mariners lineup dominated by left-handed hitters.
Cruz, 34, reportedly came close to striking a deal with Seattle last winter before ownership got cold feet and backed out. The three-time All-Star subsequently signed with the Baltimore Orioles, where he led the MLB with 40 home runs.
Cruz broke into the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2005, but established himself as an All-Star caliber player in eight seasons with Texas Rangers. From 2009 to 2013, Cruz hit .272 while averaging 27 home runs and 81 RBIs per season and playing above-average defense in right field.
He was named ALCS MVP in 2011 after hitting six home runs and driving home 13 RBIs — both postseason series records — in a six-game triumph over the Detroit Tigers. But in January 2013 he was linked to Miami performance-enhancing drug clinic Biogenesis, earning a 50-game suspension at the end of the 2013 season for his involvement.
The move to acquire Cruz comes a week after the M's reportedly locked up one of their most important position players to a long-term extension, agreeing to terms with Seager on a seven-year, $100 million contract deal. Neither the club nor Cruz's representatives have yet confirmed the deal.
window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' });
window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' });
Photo: Alex Brandon / Associated Press
Image 1of/42

Nelson Cruz — Mariners

After a PED suspension wiped out the last two months of his 2013 campaign and possibly derailed a potential deal with Seattle before the 2014 season, Cruz led the majors with 40 home runs with the Baltimore Orioles. His reported four-year, $57 million agreement with the Mariners gives them a big right-handed presence in the middle of the lineup and reunites him with countryman Robinson Cano.
 less

Nelson Cruz — Mariners

After a PED suspension wiped out the last two months of his 2013 campaign and possibly derailed a potential deal with Seattle before the 2014 season, Cruz ... more

Lenny Wilkens — SuperSonics

In 1968, the Sonics traded for point guard Lenny Wilkens (pictured at left in 1979). Little did fans know, he would become one of the biggest names in Seattle sports. In his second season with the Sonics, he also became head coach (back in the day of player-coaches) and was a three-time All-Star for Seattle before he was traded away in a highly unpopular move in 1972. Wilkens returned to the Sonics as head coach during the 1977-78 season, and ended up leading the Sonics to the NBA championship in 1979.
 less

Lenny Wilkens — SuperSonics

In 1968, the Sonics traded for point guard Lenny Wilkens (pictured at left in 1979). Little did fans know, he would become one of the biggest names in ... more
Photo: Seattle P-I archives

Spencer Haywood — SuperSonics

In 1970, the year after their inception, the SuperSonics signed college star Spencer Haywood after his sophomore year despite his ineligibility under NBA rules that players had to be four years out of high school. Not only did his signing bring great success to Seattle's former basketball team, it had far-reaching implications for the business world of sports. Haywood sued the NBA under antitrust allegations, and a California federal court ruled in his and Seattle's favor. An appeals court upheld the decision, and now basketball players can go pro before completing four years of college.
 less

Spencer Haywood — SuperSonics

In 1970, the year after their inception, the SuperSonics signed college star Spencer Haywood after his sophomore year despite his ineligibility ... more

Bill Russell — SuperSonics
An established star in the 1960s, Bill Russell continued his basketball career by coaching in the NBA starting with the Sonics in 1973. By the 1974-75 season, he had Seattle in its first playoff appearance since the team's inception in 1967, and repeated the feat the next season. Though he left the Sonics in 1977, the team continued winning and brought home Seattle's first modern national championship in 1979.
 less

Bill Russell — SuperSonics
An established star in the 1960s, Bill Russell continued his basketball career by coaching in the NBA starting with the Sonics in 1973. By the 1974-75 ... more
Photo: P-I FILES / Seattle P-I archives

Don James — Washington Huskies

Don James had big shoes to fill when he replaced Jim Owens as the University of Washington's head football coach in December 1974. It wasn't a high-profile signing at the time, but boy did he leave a legacy on Montlake. Now known as the "Dawgfather," James helmed the Huskies for 18 years and brought the UW into the national spotlight. He led the Dawgs to four Rose Bowls, an Orange Bowl and a share of the national championship in 1991. James died at age 80 on Oct. 20, 2013, in Kirkland.
 less

Don James — Washington Huskies

Don James had big shoes to fill when he replaced Jim Owens as the University of Washington's head football coach in December 1974. It wasn't a ... more
Photo: Robert Sorbo / Associated Press

Jack Sikma — SuperSonics
The Sonics' first-round draft pick in 1977, center Jack Sikma quickly became a star in the NBA and is now remembered as an all-time great. The Sonics gave him a contract extension in 1981 and another in 1984, keeping him in Seattle for a total of nine seasons. Sikma finished his playing career elsewhere, but after his retirement in 1991 the Sonics brought him back as an assistant coach from 2003 to 2007.
 less

Jack Sikma — SuperSonics
The Sonics' first-round draft pick in 1977, center Jack Sikma quickly became a star in the NBA and is now remembered as an all-time great. The Sonics gave ... more

Chuck Knox — Seahawks

By the time the Seahawks hired Chuck Knox as head coach in 1983, he had already won NFC Coach of the Year honors with the Los Angeles Rams and won five-straight NFC West titles. In 1978, he went to Buffalo and led the Bills to two-straight playoff appearances. So his arrival in Seattle was a huge deal not just to Seahawks fans but to NFL followers nationwide. Having already earned the nickname "Ground Chuck" for his teams' focus on running the ball, Knox led the Seahawks for nine years and took them to four postseason appearances, including the AFC Championship game in 1984.
 less

Chuck Knox — Seahawks

By the time the Seahawks hired Chuck Knox as head coach in 1983, he had already won NFC Coach of the Year honors with the Los Angeles Rams and won ... more

Brian Bosworth — Seahawks

When the Seahawks took Brian Bosworth in the 1987 supplemental draft, it was big news across the country. ''The Boz,'' as he was known, was a captivating figure with his edgy attitude and cool-guy persona. Bosworth kept his famous stunts going when he showed up to his first Seahawks practice in a helicopter -- but he didn't end up being the lights-out linebacker many expected, and he played just three years in the NFL.
 less

Brian Bosworth — Seahawks

When the Seahawks took Brian Bosworth in the 1987 supplemental draft, it was big news across the country. ''The Boz,'' as he was known, was a ... more
Photo: Bernstein Associates / Getty Images

Edgar Martinez — Mariners

Considering Edgar Martinez's long and celebrated career with the Mariners, you could argue that his initial minor-league contract, in 1982 as a 19-year-old, was one of Seattle's biggest signings. But it was in 1993 that Martinez got a raise that took him up to more than $3 million a year, and it was his contributions to the magical mid-'90s Mariners that were his biggest. Seattle continued to re-up his contract and Martinez spent his entire MLB career with the Mariners, retiring at the end of the 2004 season.
 less

Edgar Martinez — Mariners

Considering Edgar Martinez's long and celebrated career with the Mariners, you could argue that his initial minor-league contract, in 1982 as a ... more
Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

Lou Piniella — Mariners

The Seattle Mariners didn't even have a winning season until 1991, so it was a surprise when they hired Lou Piniella as manager in 1993. Piniella had just won the World Series in 1990 as manager of the Cincinnati Reds and was one of the most sought-after coaches in the MLB. As we all know, his managing turned the Mariners around and they went on their playoff run in 1995, staying strong through the late '90s into the 2001 season. Piniella continues to be beloved in Seattle even though he departed for Tampa Bay after the 2002 season.
 less

Lou Piniella — Mariners

The Seattle Mariners didn't even have a winning season until 1991, so it was a surprise when they hired Lou Piniella as manager in 1993. Piniella had just ... more
Photo: Matthew Stockman / Allsport / Getty Images

Shawn Kemp — SuperSonics
After four years with the Sonics, having been selected in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft, star Shawn Kemp got a new contract in 1993 and a raise in 1995 to play for $3 million a year. That solidified his place as Seattle's ''Reign Man,'' and in 1996 he helped lead the Sonics to their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1979. Of course, a contract dispute eventually ended his career in Seattle, but we'll get to that.
 less

Shawn Kemp — SuperSonics
After four years with the Sonics, having been selected in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft, star Shawn Kemp got a new contract in 1993 and a raise in ... more
Photo: Brian Bahr / AFP / Getty Images

Gary Payton — SuperSonics

Seattle's first-round draft pick in 1990, Gary Payton got paid around $2 million annually for six years with the Sonics. In 1996, his presence at KeyArena was solidified when he got a new contract that paid him more than $10 million a year, eventually nearing $13 million. Payton played in Seattle until he was traded to Milwaukee in 2002-03.
 less

Gary Payton — SuperSonics

Seattle's first-round draft pick in 1990, Gary Payton got paid around $2 million annually for six years with the Sonics. In 1996, his presence at ... more

Jim McIlvaine — SuperSonics
In July 1996, the Sonics gambled on center Jim McIlvaine and gave him a seven-year, $35 million contract. Why was his signing one of the biggest in Seattle sports history? Because it pissed off Sonics star Shawn Kemp, who had asked for a raise but was brushed off by team management. Kemp's anger over McIlvaine's contract eventually led to Kemp's departure from Seattle, when he was traded in September 1997 to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
 less

Jim McIlvaine — SuperSonics
In July 1996, the Sonics gambled on center Jim McIlvaine and gave him a seven-year, $35 million contract. Why was his signing one of the biggest in ... more

Alex Rodriguez — Mariners
Alex Rodriguez was Seattle's first-overall pick in the 1993 draft and the shortstop played in the MLB for the league minimum -- barely more than $440,000 -- through 1996. The Mariners gave him a raise in 1997 and he turned into one of the best players in baseball history. When his contract expired after the 2000 season, the Mariners made Rodriguez a big offer but he took what was then the richest sports contract in history with the Texas Rangers. Now 38 years old and facing a season-long suspension from baseball, Rodriguez is all but hated in Seattle -- and around the rest of the country.
 less

Alex Rodriguez — Mariners
Alex Rodriguez was Seattle's first-overall pick in the 1993 draft and the shortstop played in the MLB for the league minimum -- barely more than $440,000 -- ... more
Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images

Ricky Watters — Seahawks

In March 1998, the Seahawks signed veteran Pro Bowl running back Ricky Watters to a four-year, $13 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus. For Seattle fans, his arrival signaled a potential turnaround for the Seahawks, who hadn't seen a winning season since 1990. In 1999, Watters helped lead the Hawks to their first playoff appearance since 1988 and he continued to be Seattle's star running back until Shaun Alexander arrived in 2001.
 less

Ricky Watters — Seahawks

In March 1998, the Seahawks signed veteran Pro Bowl running back Ricky Watters to a four-year, $13 million deal with a $5 million signing bonus. For ... more

Mike Holmgren — Seahawks

When the Seahawks hired Mike Holmgren as their head coach in January 1999, it was a huge deal for the 12th Man. In seven years as the coach in Green Bay, Holmgren had led the Packers to two Super Bowl appearances including a victory in 1997 over the New England Patriots. Holmgren's Seahawks became divisional powerhouses, best remembered by Seattle's appearance in Super Bowl XL.
 less

Mike Holmgren — Seahawks

When the Seahawks hired Mike Holmgren as their head coach in January 1999, it was a huge deal for the 12th Man. In seven years as the coach in Green Bay, ... more
Photo: Barry Sweet / Associated Press

Ichiro Suzuki — Mariners

When the Mariners signed Ichiro Suzuki in 2000, it was a huge deal. He was as big as Michael Jordan in Japan and, already 27 years old by the start of Seattle's 116-win 2001 season, was perhaps the most anticipated rookie the MLB had ever seen. The Mariners gave him a big contract extension in 2005, pushing his annual salary up to $12.5 million, and he got another raise by 2008. Though he's now with the Yankees, having been traded during 2012, Ichiro will always be a fan favorite in Seattle.
 less

Ichiro Suzuki — Mariners

When the Mariners signed Ichiro Suzuki in 2000, it was a huge deal. He was as big as Michael Jordan in Japan and, already 27 years old by the start of ... more
Photo: Stevan Morgain / Associated Press

Matt Hasselbeck — Seahawks

After the Seahawks traded for Matt Hasselbeck before the 2001 season, it didn't take long for the team to sign the former Green Back backup quarterback to a contract extension worth up to $24 million. Hasselbeck remained the Seahawks' starting quarterback through most of the 2000s, leading Seattle to its first Super Bowl appearance in 2005, and signed several extensions along the way. The Hawks let Hasselbeck walk after 2010 and he is now Andrew Luck's backup in Indianapolis.
 less

Matt Hasselbeck — Seahawks

After the Seahawks traded for Matt Hasselbeck before the 2001 season, it didn't take long for the team to sign the former Green Back backup quarterback to a ... more
Photo: Dan DeLong / Seattle P-I archives

Lauren Jackson — Storm

After she was drafted in 2011, 6-foot-5 center became an immediate star with the Storm. Along with Sue Bird, she helped lead Seattle's WNBA team to two national championships (in 2004 and 2010) -- the city's only titles between the Sonics' 1979 trophy and the Seahawks' 2013 Super Bowl victory. The Storm signed her to numerous contract extensions throughout her long career, and despite missing 2013 with a hamstring injury, fans hope for her triumphant to the court this season.
 less

Lauren Jackson — Storm

After she was drafted in 2011, 6-foot-5 center became an immediate star with the Storm. Along with Sue Bird, she helped lead Seattle's WNBA team to two national ... more
Photo: Paul Ktagaki Jr / Seattle P-I archives

Sue Bird — Storm

Many sports stars arrived to Seattle in the early 2000s. Among them was Sue Bird, whom the Storm drafted in 2002. Like teammate Lauren Jackson, she immediately became a star in Seattle and helped lead the Storm to two WNBA championships (in 2004 and 2010). However, like Jackson, after numerous contract extensions Bird missed 2013 with an injury -- yet, like Jackson, is also expected to make a celebrated return to the court this season.
 less

Sue Bird — Storm

Many sports stars arrived to Seattle in the early 2000s. Among them was Sue Bird, whom the Storm drafted in 2002. Like teammate Lauren Jackson, she immediately became a ... more
Photo: Elaine Thompson / Associated Press

Shaun Alexander — Seahawks

The star Seahawks running back was home-grown, selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. But his stellar season in 2005, when he helped lead the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL, was his last on contract. Before he hit free agency, the Hawks signed him in March 2006 to an eight-year deal worth $62 million -- the largest ever at the time for a running back. Alexander, however, was getting old for an RB (he was 28) and played only two more years in Seattle.
 less

Shaun Alexander — Seahawks

The star Seahawks running back was home-grown, selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. But his stellar season in 2005, when he ... more
Photo: Scott Eklund / Seattle P-I archives

Ken Griffey Jr. — Mariners

Did you think we'd really leave Junior off this list? Widely considered the biggest sports star in Seattle history, Ken Griffey Jr. was a hero across the nation in the 1990s. He is credited with saving baseball in Seattle thanks to his and the Mariners' magical 1995 postseason, and Safeco Field is often referred to as the "house that Griffey built." After a stint with the White Sox and Reds in the 2000s, Griffey triumphantly returned to Seattle in 2009 when he signed as a free agent, wanting to retire with his original team. Though his departure in 2011 was less than ideal, he was immortalized in the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2013.
 less

Ken Griffey Jr. — Mariners

Did you think we'd really leave Junior off this list? Widely considered the biggest sports star in Seattle history, Ken Griffey Jr. was a hero across the nation ... more
Photo: Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com

Pete Carroll — Seahawks

After head coach Mike Holmgren retired in 2008, the Seahawks hired Jim Mora as a stopgap for 2009 but fans wanted someone different. With sanctions coming soon for USC, Trojans head coach Pete Carroll was introduced as the new Seahawks honcho in January 2010. He took two years to instill a new culture in the Hawks locker room and build up the roster, and his work has finally paid off. Just look at the Seahawks now.
 less

Pete Carroll — Seahawks

After head coach Mike Holmgren retired in 2008, the Seahawks hired Jim Mora as a stopgap for 2009 but fans wanted someone different. With sanctions coming ... more

Marshawn Lynch — Seahawks

Seattle acquired "Beast Mode" in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in 2010 and the 12th Man quickly fell in love with him. After securing his place in Seattle sports lore with his "Beast Quake" run in the 2011 playoffs, Lynch signed a contract extension in 2012 reportedly worth up to $31 million over four years. The perennial Pro Bowler with a penchant for Skittles remains the heart and soul of the Seahawks, helping them bring home Seattle's first Vince Lombardi Trophy in a wild 2013 season.
 less

Marshawn Lynch — Seahawks

Seattle acquired "Beast Mode" in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in 2010 and the 12th Man quickly fell in love with him. After securing his place in Seattle ... more
Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

Felix Hernandez — Mariners

The re-signing of Mariners ace Felix Hernandez on Feb. 13, 2013, was one of the biggest ever in the world of Seattle sports -- certainly by dollar value, at least. Signed a few months after his August 2012 perfect game, Hernandez's seven-year, $175 million contract extension will keep him in Seattle until he is 34 years old, and he keeps saying he wants to be a Mariner for life.
 less

Felix Hernandez — Mariners

The re-signing ... more

Percy Harvin — Seahawks

The Seahawks traded away their first-round NFL Draft pick in 2013 (and a few other selections) to get star wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Vikings in March 2013, immediately signing him to a six-year contract extension worth a reported $67 million. It was a big showing of commitment after a blockbuster trade that shot the Seahawks to the top of the headlines. Harvin played in just three games in his first year in Seattle (including the postseason). One of those games, however, was Super Bowl XLVIII, where he made huge contributions as Seattle won its first Vince Lombardi Trophy. But five games into the 2014 season, the Seahawks shocked the NFL world by trading him to the New York Jets for a conditional draft pick after rumors of discord between he and teammates.
 less

Percy Harvin — Seahawks

The Seahawks traded away their first-round NFL Draft pick in 2013 (and a few other selections) to <a ... more

Clint Dempsey — Sounders

Seattle soccer fans went all but insane in August as rumors brewed about the possible acquisition of Clint Dempsey, the captain of the U.S. men's national team. Then, two days later, fans really went insane when the Dempsey transfer became official and the Sounders introduced him as their newest designated player. Though his signing was surely the biggest in club history, his addition to the locker room reportedly caused drama as players each vied to be the star. He didn't perform well at the end of Seattle's 2013 season, but Sounders fans hope he will be a huge force on the pitch in 2014.
 less

Clint Dempsey — Sounders

Seattle soccer fans <a ... more
Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

Chris Petersen — Washington Huskies

When Steve Sarkisian left the UW for his dream job at USC, the Huskies had in mind the perfect replacement. For five years, big-time college football programs had been courting Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, but he rebuffed every offer -- that is, until Washington came knocking. On Dec. 6, 2013, the Dawgs announced their blockbuster signing and introduced Petersen as the new head coach a few days later. His 92-12 record at Boise State speaks for itself; we'll see what he can do on Montlake.
 less

Chris Petersen — Washington Huskies

When Steve Sarkisian left the UW for his dream job at USC, the Huskies had in mind the perfect replacement. For five years, big-time college ... more
Photo: Jordan Stead / seattlepi.com

Robinson Cano — Mariners

The same day the UW announced hiring Chris Petersen, reports ran wild that Robinson Cano, the most sought-after free agent of the 2013 MLB offseason, had reached a deal with the Seattle Mariners, of all teams. His reported contract of $240 million over 10 years is the third-largest in baseball history, trumping the seven-year, $175 million deal Seattle gave to pitcher Felix Hermandez. We'll see how quickly he might be able to inject new energy into the floundering Mariners organization.
 less

Robinson Cano — Mariners

The same day the UW announced hiring Chris Petersen, reports ran wild that Robinson Cano, the most sought-after free agent of the 2013 MLB offseason, had ... more

Michael Bennett — Seahawks

After signing a one-year deal with the Seahawks for 2013, defensive end Michael Bennett had a spectacular year as an integral piece of Seattle's suffocating and Super Bowl-winning defense. Along with 8.5 sacks, his knack for disrupting quarterbacks made him, by some accounts, the most sought-after free agent of the 2014 offseason. But the Seahawks pulled out their wallets and signed Bennett, 28, to a four-year deal reportedly worth $28.5 million.
 less

Michael Bennett — Seahawks

After signing a one-year deal with the Seahawks for 2013, defensive end Michael Bennett had a spectacular year as an integral piece of Seattle's suffocating and ... more
Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press

Earl Thomas — Seahawks

After putting together back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections and helping the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title, safety Earl Thomas was rewarded with a monster extension worth nearly $45 million over five seasons. Blessed with tremendous instincts and incredible closing speed, Thomas was integral to helping Seattle become the No. 1 defense in football. He signed his contract just days before his defensive backfield mate got his turn.
 less

Earl Thomas — Seahawks

After putting together back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections and helping the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title, safety Earl Thomas was rewarded ... more

Richard Sherman — Seahawks

Richard Sherman doesn't like to be second in anything, but we think he was OK with getting his deal done after Thomas. The always outspoken Sherman signed a week later for five years and nearly $59 million, cementing his place as the highest-paid cornerback in football history -- at least for a few days before Cleveland's Joe Haden signed his own megadeal. The extensions for both he and Thomas assured that the Legion of Boom would stick together for at least a few more runs at the Lombardi Trophy.
 less

Richard Sherman — Seahawks

Richard Sherman doesn't like to be second in anything, but we think he was OK with getting his deal done after Thomas. The always outspoken Sherman ... more

Kyle Seager — Mariners

The Mariners don't often develop homegrown bats like Seager, who quickly progressed from a third-round draft pick out of North Carolina in 2009 to an American League All-Star selection in 2014. Seager led the team in home runs and RBIs last season, and locking him up with a seven-year extension worth a reported $100 million ensured that he would be part of the team's plans for the long term.
 less

Kyle Seager — Mariners

The Mariners don't often develop homegrown bats like Seager, who quickly progressed from a third-round draft pick out of North Carolina in 2009 to an ... more
Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Mariners news. Contact sports reporter Stephen Cohen at stephencohen@seattlepi.com or @scohenPI.
Seattle Mariners blog Search
Buy Mariners Tickets
Click to buy Mariners tickets

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
Guest Writer: Allison Deep, Archaeology Collections Assistant, Burke Museum
After a four year absence from public view, Seattle's only Egyptian mummy, nicknamed Nellie, will make her way to the Burke Room for Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. As the archaeology collections assistant, I have been working behind the scenes to prepare the mummy, Egyptian coffin, canopic jar, shabtis, bird mummies and other interesting ancient Egyptian artifacts that will make a rare appearance this weekend. During this preparation time, I have learned a lot about Nellie and her 106-year history at the Burke.
Did you know that the mummy has an extra pair of feet? Or that the coffin does not belong to her? The mummy's actual feet were removed some time after 1902 and were replaced with one real mummified foot from a male, and a cast of a foot. The coffin originally belonged to a male individual who lived 1,000 years before Nellie. The mummy and coffin are mismatched because the UW regent who bought them for the Burke in 1902 chose the best coffin and the best mummy from the National Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. To me, the most interesting things about the coffin are the 3,000-year-old fingerprints in the varnish, and the discovery of an eyelash stuck in the paint.
The coffin and mummy will be displayed in their custom-made storage and display case made of stainless steel and UV-filtered laminated glass with fiber optic lighting. The UV-filtered glass and fiber optic lighting in the upper compartment protect the coffin from fading and deterioration. This compartment is also fitted with a passive air filtration system that regulates the relative humidity and air quality to prevent deterioration. The mummy's lower compartment has separate environmental controls to help preserve its fragile linen wrappings and painted cartonnage, or mask.
To learn more about the Burke's archaeology collections beyond Egypt, visit our page at http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/archaeology/index.php.
Photos: (Left) This is a shabti, or funerary figurine, made of faience, a type of ceramic made from crushed minerals.
(Right) This is the custom-made case with the coffin (upper) and mummy (lower). (from Reverent Remembrance exhibit, 2004)
Subject: Archaeology, mummy, Museum Events