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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Apr 18 2009, 11:45 AM
By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Apr 6 2009, 07:26 PM
It happens tomorrow (Tuesday).
Why orange? Here's why.
Graceland joins other famous buildings to help ASPCA celebrate.
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By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, Apr 5 2009, 10:22 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Feb 2 2009, 07:39 AM
By Kevin Fischer
Tuesday, Jan 20 2009, 09:53 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, Jan 18 2009, 07:00 PM
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MOMS AND DADS, BOYS AND GIRLS, I MUST INFORM YOU THIS EDITION OF THE MEGA-POPULAR CULINARY NO-NO CONTAINS X-RATED MATERIAL THAT I MUST CONFESS SOME READERS MIGHT FIND OFFENSIVE. IF, AFTER THIS WARNING, YOU CONTINUE TO READ ON AND FIND THE CONTENT APPALLING, PLEASE CONTACT MARK MALEY TO COMPLAIN:
NOW Online Editor Mark Maley | mmaley@cninow.com | (262) 446-6630
I have never been to, nor do I have any strong desire to visit the town of Vassalboro, Maine, located near Augusta. Its official web site describes the locale of 4,335 as a quaint slice of Americana:
“Vassalboro is a community nestled between the banks of the Kennebec River and the West Basin of China Lake. Fertile farmland, small villages, and gentle rolling hills give our town a unique character. Settled in 1760 and incorporated in 1771, Vassalboro has developed into a community committed to quality of life, economic opportunity, and a sound education system.”
In the 2008 election, the town voted 1,291 for Barack Obama, and 1,059 for John McCain.
Like most small towns in the good ol’ U.S. of A., I’m sure Vassalboro is hurting for business and, let’s face it, excitement. What could little Vassalboro possibly do to help resolve both problems in one swift move? What would increase business, possibly tourism and create jobs and give the Vassalboro townsfolk something to buzz about?
Give up?
Try a topless coffee shop.
On January 6, 2008, after a three-hour meeting, the Vassalboro town planning board unanimously approved a proposal by local businessman Donald Crabtree to open a coffee shop featuring topless waitresses. The new venture, set to open as soon as next month, would be at the former Mac Daddy's Pub at the Fat Cat Grille (naturally) that has been vacant for over three years.
According to a published report, there would be “Topless service between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 25 tables arranged on a checkerboard floor behind blacked-out windows and a cordon of security.”
6 a.m.? Talk about your eye opener!
Small town politics can be more fascinating than Peyton Place in the 1960’s. I love this, again from a published report:
"My husband doesn't drink coffee," said Erlile Pelletier, as she worked the cash register at Ferris Variety. "But I told him if he became a coffee drinker, we were getting a divorce."
That must have been some meeting on January 6 when the planning board threw up their hands and proclaimed their hands were tied. Their weak defense was that they had no choice because there was no local ordinance prohibiting a topless coffee shop.
Well then, create one!
Again, from a published report:
"We have limited authority," Planning Board Chairwoman Virginia Brackett said. "You can yell at us all you want, but it doesn't change what we can do."
Uhh, excuse me. You did have a choice, especially considering that a crowd of up to 60 showed up at the meeting to oppose topless coffee. You could have, in the best interests of the town and in deference to the large crowd that attended your meeting voted………….
NO!
I am not a prude, but I’m not a pig. A topless coffee shop? This isn’t Vegas or LA. It’s Vassalboro, Maine. I would bet that at least one person reading this blog spent two weeks there one night.
And I will write what I’m sure many men and some women readers are thinking. Just what in the hell would a topless waitress from Vassalboro look like in the first place? Might be enough to curdle your half and half.
Townspeople in Vassalboro, as much as it might sting, you lost to a bunch of cowardly morons. A cup of coffee just isn’t worth it. Boycott the damn place, put it out of business, and then vote the el stupido’s out of office.
Now, because I don’t believe I’ve provided you “full” coverage of this story, here’s more:
The Kennebec Morning Sentinel
The Boston Globe
Local TV report
CULINARY NO-NO BONUS
While caught in the frenzy of Obama-mania, some (lefties?) thought the Great One and Mrs. Great One would barrel into the White House and fire that no good W's chef. After all, Presdient Bush ate (Horror of horrors) hamburgers and hot dogs and pork rinds.
Guess again.
And theres' more, yes, there's more.
Here's a leftover from ELVIS Birthday weekend. If you've stayed this long, and given your imperial taste for patronizing this blog I'm confident you have, you are in for yet another bonus treat, a first for This Just In...
Oh, this is almost far too good to just unleash on you without some previous warning.
But I have faith that you're a hearty bunch and can more than handle this special surprise just sprung on you....
Are you ready?
Take a deep breath.
Uhh one.
Uhh two.
It's time for.....
ELVIS CULINARY NO-NO FINAL JEOPARDY!!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, yes it's that time.....time once again for another This Just In edition of:
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Only this time, it's ELVIS CULINARY NO-NO FINAL JEOPARDY!
Are you ready?
Well then, let’s play!
Today’s Final Jeopardy category is:
ELVIS CULINARY NO-NO
Now, you know how this works.
In a moment, I’ll give you the Final Jeopardy clue.
You will have 30 seconds (if you play fair, that will be when the music runs out) to come up with an answer and remember, players……… your answer must be in the form of a question.
Ready.
Here’s your clue.
The one food Elvis would not allow inside or to be cooked at Graceland.
Good luck! (please click)
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OK, time’s up. Today’s Final Jeopardy category is ELVIS CULINARY NO-NO.
The Final Jeopardy clue was, The one food Elvis would not allow inside or to be cooked at Graceland.
The correct Final Jeopardy answer is:
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What is seafood? (Elvis couldn't stand the smell. Source: Sirius Satellite Radio).
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 10 2009, 07:47 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, yes it's that time.....time once again for another This Just In edition of:
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Are you ready?
Well then, let’s play!
Today’s Final Jeopardy category is:
ELVIS
Now, you know how this works.
In a moment, I’ll give you the Final Jeopardy clue.
You will have 30 seconds (if you play fair, that will be when the music runs out) to come up with an answer and remember, players……… your answer must be in the form of a question.
Ready.
Here’s your clue.
It's the percentage of Americans today that has seen an Elvis Presley movie.
Good luck! (please click)
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OK, time’s up. Today’s Final Jeopardy category is ELVIS.
The Final Jeopardy clue was, The percentage of Americans today that has seen an Elvis Presley movie.
The correct Final Jeopardy answer is:
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What is 70%? (Source: Sirius Satellite Radio).
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jan 10 2009, 08:02 AM
You'd love to be ELVIS, not even for one day, but for just under 3 minutes...
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By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Jan 7 2009, 11:00 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Dec 22 2008, 06:50 PM
During his lifetime, Elvis rarely did a duet withone else.
He did sing with Frank Sinatra on his TV show after he got out of the Army. And he also sang with Ann- Margret in "Viva Las Vegas." (Now you could go ahead and scroll past the embedded video but if you do, you'd miss out on the King singing a cute number with an even cuter Ann-Margret in one of his most popular movies. I'd click on the video).
You don't have to look or sound like Ann-Margret to sing with the King. A special website has been set up that lets you sing right with Elvis and send the finished product as a gift e-card. And it's free. Here are all the cool details.
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Nov 20 2008, 08:12 PM
Friday night at 6:00 Elvis time (That's Memphis or Central Time), Graceland lights it up for the holidays. It's the official Graceland Holiday Lights Ceremony.
If you'd like to see it, watch here.
Christmas at Graceland. How cool is that?
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Nov 17 2008, 06:30 PM
*NOTE TO NEW READERS: I AM AN ELVIS FAN. THEREFORE, I OFTEN BLOG ABOUT THE KING, RELATING NEWS THAT I HOPE FANS AND NON-FANS ALIKE CAN ENJOY.
Elvis has a new Christmas CD out called, “Christmas Duets,” that features Elvis and some of today’s stars through the magic of technology singing together.
One of the tracks has country star Martina McBride collaborating on Elvis’ holiday classic, “Blue Christmas.”
USA TODAY shows us the corresponding video of Elvis in the round on the set of his ’68 Comeback Special, joined by the lovely McBride.
Enjoy!
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By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Oct 27 2008, 07:58 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Monday, Oct 13 2008, 09:56 PM
Not when snow is falling….
Sam Shangeaux uses a broom to remove snow from her car in Billings, Montana Sunday. A major storm left much of Montana white from the season’s first heavy snowfall. (Photo: Billings Gazette, AP)
And not when ornaments were in the Hallmark stores in July.
Look for this to be a huge seller.
Watch how the project came together.
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By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, Sep 28 2008, 08:17 AM
Now isn't this better than socks and underwear?
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 23 2008, 12:17 PM
By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Aug 21 2008, 07:26 PM
Now think about that for a moment.
It wouldn’t take me very long to answer, that’s for sure.
If you had the final say on whom you would re-name the Memphis International Airport after, who would get your vote?
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I believe there is but one answer: Elvis, naturally.
One could make an argument for B.B. King, whose name is legendary on Beale Street.
How about Isaac Hayes?
The soul singer who recently passed away should have his name permanently associated with the Memphis airport according to a local Congressman.
I had the good fortune of meeting Isaac Hayes and seeing him in concert, and he was an outstanding talent. The Congressman, no doubt, means well. But his idea might turn out to be divisive.
He needs to simply forget it.
Here’s the story.
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By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 16 2008, 06:00 AM
Thirty-one years ago today, Elvis Presley died at Graceland. The following is a special edition of my regular feature, Week-ends commemorating this anniversary.
HEROES OF THE WEEK
In last year's special edition of Week-ends, I mentioned the legion of fans that make the annual trek to Graceland for ELVIS Week, and the rest of the year, they help keep the memories alive. This year, one of the many examples of how Elivs was a true hero.
This is the most touching story I could relate about Elvis, so heartwarming that it inspires and impresses non-Elvis fans, too.
The following is a true story that I hope you will take the time to fully read. There is a book and movie about this wonderful story about Elvis and a remarkable young girl that, unfortunately, are very hard to find.
Please read about the Elvis we rarely hear about:
"The movie, Touched By Love, was based on the book To Elvis, With Love. Lena Canada's now very rare memoir tells the powerful, true story of Lena's friendship and love for Karen, the young girl crippled and dying from the effects of cerebral palsy. It is also the story of the power that Elvis holds for many people. In Karen's case the exchange of letters and gifts between Elvis and her bring incredible joy and happiness to the remainder of her greatly shortened life."
Read the entire article.
In the movie, Karen is played incredibly by a very young Diane Lane. She is unresponsive until she hears and sees Elvis. Her nurse encourages Karen to write to Elvis, but Elvis doesn't write back. Undaunted, little Karen keeps writing and writing, even though her daily trips to the mailbox in her wheelchair yield nothing. This goes on for quite some time, until finally.......
That's where we pick up the movie in this lengthy, but very touching clip (11:00 minutes).
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
Those who needlessly and cruelly feel the desire to constantly make heartless jokes about this great performer. And the idiots who insist that Elvis is still alive.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“ I don’t sound like nobody.”
Elvis, to Sun records secretary Marion Keisker when she asked him who he sounded like.
Elvis was told to return to being a truck driver.
Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny after Elvis performed in 1954 for the first and only time at the Opry. Elvis swore he’d never go back. Years later, Garth Brooks commented in a television interview that one of the greatest thrills of playing the Opry was that he got to play on the same stage Elvis had.
“Rockin’ on music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t stand still. I’ve tried it and I just can’t do it.”
Elvis, on Elvis.
”His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.”
Frank Sinatra, in Elvis’ early days. The two would later become good friends.
”I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy."
Ed Sullivan to Elvis during one of Elvis’ appearances on Sullivan’s popular Sunday night variety show.
”Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps."
Rod Stewart.
”A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.”
Producer Hal Wallis.
”A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.”
Jackie Wilson
”There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.”
Bruce Springsteen
”When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
Bob Dylan
”Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century. He introduced the beat to everything, music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution… the 60's comes from it.”
Leonard Bernstein
”There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.”
Frank Sinatra
”Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.”
President Jimmy Carter after Elvis’ death
”Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
John Lennon
”If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead."
Johnny Carson
”Elvis taught white America to get down.”
James Brown
”We’ll never know what an old Elvis Presley would have been like. He’ll just always be the King.”
Pat Boone
”When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie .So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. These gentlemen over there, these are the type who care, are dedicated. You realize if it´s not possible that they might be building the kingdom, it´s not far-fetched from reality. I´d like to say that I learned very early in life that:
'Without a song the day would never end
Without a song a man ain´t got a friend
Without a song the road would never bend
Without a song...'
So I keep singing a song.Good night. Thank you.”
Elvis in his acceptance speech in 1971 for being one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the national Junior Chambers of Commerce (the Jaycees).
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
R.I.P. Elvis? Some just won't let that happen, as the debate over his death continues.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Last year, I wrote about Elvis' tremendous philanthropy and generosity. One of his great acts that many are unaware of was a benefit concert for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
For the seond year in a row, Elvis Week featured an American-Idol-like, "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" contest. I can do without it. I can count on less than one hand the Elvis impersonators I have liked. The rest of them do more harm than good to the Elvis legacy, some intentionally.
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Maybe not strange, but amazing.
Have any guess as to what the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia is? His gold lame suit? A guitar or piano? Some jewelry? A cape? One of his cars?
Try this.
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By Kevin Fischer
Thursday, Aug 14 2008, 10:22 PM
Elvis had been dead for 25 years when one of his obscure recordings was re-mixed in 2002. It quickly soared to the top of the charts in 20 countries and was added to the CD, “Elvis’ 30 #1 hits, becoming #1 hit, #31.
In 1968, Elvis sang “A Little Less Conversation” in the forgettable movie, “Live a Little, Love a Little.” The King sang the song to Celeste Yarnall, a typical Hollywood blonde beauty.
Yarnall is in Memphis this week to help commemorate ELVIS WEEK. From gomemphis.com:
"Who knows what would have been if we hadn't both been married...," mused Yarnall, remembering the two weeks she spent on the set with Elvis.
Set among the swinging beaches and bachelor pads of Southern California, "Live a Little, Love a Little" casts Elvis as dune buggy-driving Greg Nolan, a photographer for Classic Cat girlie magazine. A relatively risque attempt to elevate the Elvis musical to a more mature level, the movie was based on the novel "Kiss My Firm But Pliant Lips" by Daniel Greenburg. Yarnall said the book's title came to mind during the many retakes of her kissing scene with the King. "I was never quite sure how many times Elvis flubbed his lines just to keep the scene going."
Yarnall recalls Elvis’ reaction at the time to a tragic moment in American history.
"Live a Little, Love a Little" was shot in the early spring of 1968. "At this time, Martin Luther King's funeral was being televised, and Elvis was very broken up," Yarnall said. "We watched the funeral in his dressing room and he sang 'Amazing Grace,' a capella, and he was crying and I was comforting him.
Read the entire article...
And then watch the original version from 1968 with Celeste Yarnall...
And Elvis' 31st #1 hit, 25 years after his death....
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By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Aug 13 2008, 09:15 PM
Think this won't sell some copies. Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) has announced the first-ever Elvis Duets album, and it's a Christmas compilation. The CD will be out this October. Here are details from CNN and the press release from EPE.
And the ubiquitous Elvis makes more history, this time with his ex-wife, Priscilla. But the weddiing bells ring again as both are now the newest editions to the Barbie collector series.
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