Category: News

Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers Dies At Age 74


Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers Dies At Age 74 « K-EARTH 101.

Phil Everly, one half of the Everly Brothers duo that provided part of the musical backdrop to my youth.  Who can forget hits such as “Cathy’s Clown,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “When Will I Be Loved” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream.”

The Everlys are cited, by many, as having been an influence on their musical careers and Phil Everly, with brother Don, has left behind a fabulous legacy for generations to come.
My thoughts go to his friends and family.

Michael Schumacher


44 year old Michael Schumacher, multiple Formula 1 World Champion, is in a critical condition after suffering a severe head injury in a fall while skiing at a French resort yesterday.

I am hoping for a positive outcome and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

http://news.sky.com/story/1188296/schumacher-fighting-for-his-life-say-doctors

If You Have The Bottle ……


I have just received this story by email. I don’t know if it is true but I do like the story, it has the requisite chortle factor …..
BristolZoo

UPDATE: I just did a bit of digging on the interweb and discovered that this is a bit of an urban myth which has been around since about 2009.

Animals !!!


Thats the only word that can describe these teenagers and what they did to 50 year old Andrew Toseland.

I’d say that Brandon Fisher got off lightly with a sentence of only 27 months after an attack that left  Andrew Toseland requiring 24-hour care for the rest of his life.

And there’s the nub. What kind of life will that be. He cannot walk. He can barely talk. In my mind these animals have left Andrew Toseland in a living hell.

Fisher got off lightly due to his reduce role in this vicious attack.

I trust that the judges come down hard on the leaders of the attack.

The News has published an article entitled “He’s very sorry” Referring to Fishers remorse over his role in the assault. Sorry is an over used word that has been significantly devalued. It is too easy to say sorry. It is harder and takes a stronger person to prevent the actions that make its use necessary.

‘He’s very sorry’ – family speaks out after attack – Local – Portsmouth News.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/teenager-jailed-for-assault-that-left-victim-in-coma-1-5450425

Hello, Good Evening and Welcome


Those famous words, the trademark of David Frost, were a part of the lives of English television viewers for over thirty years.

Sadly David Frost has passed away.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family. The world has lost a great journalist an TV presenter.

Restaurant closure – What a surprise, NOT !!!


Fast food giant McDonald’s has closed its Waterlooville Branch

McDonald’s said it was down to ‘changing trading patterns.’

Far be it for me to point out the obvious but this closure was guaranteed to happen, from the moment that the planners gave their blessing to McDonald’s new Larchwood Road development.

McDonald’s managed to railroad our local councilors into letting them build a new restaurant alongside ASDA at Larchwood Road, Bedhampton. Despite there being objections from the Highways Agency about the extra burden on an already overloaded road system.

From McDonald’s perspective it is obvious what the advantages are for them. They have a new facility with drive thru and adjacent parking, which Waterlooville does not. Being right next to ASDA means a much higher rate of passing trade. Certainly much higher than they could ever hope for from the diminishing numbers of shoppers in Waterlooville. And then there is the drive-thru facility which the Waterlooville branch did not have. All those ASDA shoppers who, being pestered by their kids, will drop in pick up a quick burger tea on their way home.

One has to wonder just how many outlets McDonald’s need in this area. A quick check of their website shows that they have 7 within 7 miles of Waterlooville.

I feel that our councillors have let us down, once again. They are responsible for controlling developments in this area. And yet they failed to see what  the obvious effects would be, of allowing McDonald’s to proceed with the development. They should have dug their heels in and said no.

This closure is just part of the ongoing pressure being applied to turn Waterlooville town centre into a residential area while shoppers are pushed out. Squeezing the heart out of this community.

Once again the council planners have failed this community.

Restaurant closure – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

RIP John Weldon Cale – JJ Cale


I was very much saddened to hear of the death of JJ Cale. He was 74 and died of a heart attack.

JJ Cale helped found the “Tulsa Sound”,  a fusion of blues, rockabilly, and country. Whilst mainly known for his guitar playing, JJ Cale also played  piano, keyboards, bass, drums.

He was a prolific singer / song writer and many of his songs were covered by other artists. These included covers by musicians such as “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton, “Clyde” by Waylon Jennings and “Call Me the Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Johnny Cash. Other artists that have recorded Cale’s work include Carlos Santana, Tom Petty and Randy Crawford. JJ Cales  songs could be best described as laid back, mellow, yet with a driving groove and over the years he has collaborated with many artists. Many more, including Neil Young, Bryan Ferry and Mark Knopfler, cite him as one of the influences of their own music.

Once again the world has lost a major talent. But, thanks to his magic, the world is a richer place and his influences on other current musicians ensures that his legacy is carried forward.

And folks, if you don’t know the works of JJ Cale, there are over twenty albums out there for you to dip into.

So It’s A Boy – Now Please Shut Up


First of all let me say ….

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the birth of their son.

I am really pleased for you.

But will the media please shut up.

The airwaves have been dominated with the build up to this moment. Trying to guess its name, weight, booty size etc. etc. Each and every night the evening news has made a story out of telling us that there is no news on the birth. They have even made news stories out of telling us about the media coverage and how long some of the news crews have been waiting.

This is boring. This isn’t news. Not everyone is that interested but still you, the media, ram it down our throats every chance you get. Now the great day has arrived.

But you’re not done yet. Now you broadcast your “birth-day” specials, disrupt the airwaves telling us that the baby has been born, mum is doing fine, what the family must be feeling blah blah blah ….!!

How long does that take ? Two, maybe three minutes.

Nope, this momentous event requires the running of special shows, the disruption of long-planned programs. Every news program is dominated by guessing when we will get our first viewing of the newborn. Guessing what the names the child will be saddled with. Breakfast TV programs are even, so I am told, running book on the chosen names.

Please, will you just shut up and leave the happy couple and their family in peace.

More to the point leave us, the public, in peace. You have already spent more time theorising about this poor child than you have informing us about the really important issues that are blighting this world of ours.

WE ARE SUFFERING MEDIA OVER-KILL

We Have Lost A Very Funny Man – RIP Mel Smith


Mel SmithSad to say I have only just discovered that Mel Smith has passed away. He died of a heart attack on Friday 19th July.

Although probably best known for his partnering with Griff Rhys Jones, in “Alas Smith And Jones”, he was so much more than just part of a double act.
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones
Smith was a founder member of “Not The Nine O’Clock News” along with Griff Rhys Jones, Rowan Atkinson and Pamela Stephenson. Smith and friends became a staple of British television. The humour in the TV shows, a product of the Thatcher era, became unmissable viewing. Comparisons have been made, likening the Smith and Jones partnership to that of a modern-day Abbott and Costello.

Smith, a successful actor appearing on both TV and the big screen, also directed films such as “Bean”, “The Tall Guy”, Radioland Murders and “High Heels and Low Lifes”. He also contributed his writing skills to many TV and live shows.

I have fond memories of those TV shows, especially “Alas Smith & Jones” of which they made 10 series.

Mel, you left us a wonderful legacy and you will be sorely missed.

Heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.

About Time


They say crime doesn’t pay. Well here is one individual who is finding that out, first hand. I’m not sure that the full sentence will ever be fulfilled but it is good to see that the authorities can and will try to make sure that criminals don’t benefit.ProceedsOfCrime