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Surf in Verse

SURF IN VERSE: Our annual feature marking summer's arrival. This month we spotlight, exclusively, the poetry of BRYAN KNOWLES, who has posted a wealth of his original poetry at the website Surf Poetry.com. Also: some choice SUR...
by David McGee
 

 
 
fisk jubilee singers spotlight

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Working On a Building

In 1871 the JUBILEE SINGERS of Nashville toured the northern states in hopes of raising funds to build a college. Bucking daunting odds against them, they succeeded and made Fisk University possible.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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A Visit with Author/Illustrator Kristi Valiant

JULES chats with author/illustrator KRISTI VALIANT, whose new book PENGUIN CHA-CHA is picking up rave reviews everywhere.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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This Very Tree, The Survivor Tree & A Hundred Thousand Welcomes

On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, our acclaimed kids' lit blogger, JULES, finds fresh perspectives for young readers in three new books, two specifically addressing the World Trade Center attacks, another ...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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After 30 ‘Bizarro’ Years, Dan Piraro Is Going…Somewhere Else…Maybe…Who Knows?

After 30 years, DAN PIRARO is retiring his popular syndicated comic 'Bizarro,' which has often reflected his interest in animal rights. DUNCAN STRAUSS gets the lowdown on what's next--and when.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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GMO Labeling: Just Give Us Some Truth

ON Nov. 6 California voters rejected Prop 37, an initiative that would have required food manufacturers to label most foods containing GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), but that has not deterred the pro-Prop 37 movement. A...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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THE TURNING POINT (1952)

WILLIAM DIETERLE directs this fine early '50s film noir starring WILLIAM HOLDEN, EDMOND O'BRIEN, ED BEGLEY and ALEXIS SMITH and L.A.'s Bunker Hill section. SHORT SUBJECT: DISNEY's 'TRICK OR TREAT.'
by David McGee
 

 
 
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‘A Life Is But a Day and Expresses But a Single Note’

In December 1882 the distinguished psychologist WILLIAM JAMES learned that his father was dying, and immediately penned a beautiful farewell letter to him.
by David McGee
 

 

 
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‘It’s No Surprise that Mother Earth is What’s Bringing Us Together’

The Cowboy Indian Alliance and Native American tribes (and Neil Young) unite to save sacred lands from the ravages of the Keystone XL pipeline
by David McGee
 

 
 
john fahey new possibility

No Words Necessary

If you were to select only all-instrumental albums of holiday music, you could hardly do better than to latch onto disparate Yuletide forays by LEROY ANDERSON and JOHN FAHEY
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Sublime & Swingin’

A tribute to the late, great VINCE GUARALDI, and his masterpiece within a masterpiece, the score for the holiday classic TV show, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
by David McGee
 

 
 
Wonderland Yulesville

Strictly Coolsville

A trio of brilliant holiday albums bearing title variations of WONDERLAND rank with the essential anthologies of seasonal fare. Released in 2003, the recordings range from rare to familiar, the artists from obscure to beloved. ...
by David McGee