Our Daily Dead

Martin Nodell has died at age 91. Mr. Nodell was the illustrator created the superhero Green Lantern and the Pillsbury Doughboy. The LA Times reports by way of Newsday that the idea for the Green Lantern came to Mr. Nodell during a subway ride in Manhattan. Mr. Nodell apparently noticed a train man waving a lantern in the dark and coupled this image with the idea of a magic ring and ‘Ta Da’ the Green Lantern was born. Word has it that people from Jerry Sienfield to Donovan to DJ Green Lantern to Francis Ford Coppola all have a special place for the hero. And if that wasn’t enough, Mr. Nodell eventually went on to work for the Leo Burnett advertising agency as art director. WAY back in 1965 his team developed the poke-able (and still going strong) Pillsbury Doughboy.

Teacher, Teacher I Declare
To help you with your outfit for UCLA’s Undie Run may we suggest Funny Undies, Hip Undies, Uptown Undies or Web Undies. Happily also, although we did bite on this, eBay tells us that they have “Undies For Less” and we are certain to find what we are looking for. Does eBay have braces of undies or just the usual one-sie and two-sies do you think? Hopefully after all this you aren’t too undie the weather to participate…

Technorati Tags: Martin Nodell, Green Lantern, Pillsbury Doughboy, Jerry Sienfield, Donovan, DJ Green Lantern, Francis Ford Coppola, UCLA’s Undie Run, Funny Undies, Hip Undies, Uptown Undies, Web Undies, undie

From the NY Times: Ralph Gomberg, 85, Oboist With the Boston Symphony, Dies. Mr. Gomberg came from quite the talented family - Mr. Gomberg and his brother Harold were principal chair oboists at the same time: Ralph for the Boston Symphony and Harold for the NY Philharmonic And apparently there was so much talent in the family that practice areas in the family home where in short supply. Mr. Gomberg, being the youngest, was given the bathroom.

Jay McShann, jazz pianist, bandleader and vocalist has died at age 90. Jay McShann was a key component of the hot Kansas City jazz scene during the 1930s and 1940s and is credited with giving the incomparable Charlie Parker his first big break.

“I’ve always had the desire to play the cello naked,” said Ms. Jesse Hale. Ms. Hale is a music major over at Austin Peay State and a member of the CJ Boyd Sexxxtet of nude cellists. Explaining further we understand now the reasons - cellists “make full body contact with (their) instrument” and the cellist’s legs even “wrap” around said instrument so that the whole thing “just feels natural”. Sign yourself (or a friend) up over at NakedCellist.org.

~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com

Technorati tags: Boston Symphony, NY Philharmonic, Jay McShann, jazz, Charlie Parker, cello, naked, Jesse Hale, Austin Peay, sex, CJ Boyd Sexxxtet, nude, NakedCellist.org

Pinochet is dead at 91. And if you want a topical double-feature try Z and of course Missing.

Norman Livermore Jr. has died at age 95. The happy people at the LA Times who wrote the article labeled Mr. Livermore “…Gov. Ronald Reagan’s environmental conscience”. Not a bad epitaph really. Mr. Livermore was quite the contrast. He was a Pacific Lumber Company executive turned California secretary of state for resources in Governor Regan’s Cabinet from 1967 to 1975. But in his Big Brother role he helped create California’s Redwood National Park and stop the Northern California ‘what have you been smoking?’ project titled the Dos Rios Dam. (You may read about the Dos Rios fight in the book The River Stops Here.)

If you’ve never been to the Redwood National Park, put it on your agenda. Awesome. Words fail to describe the size and magnificence of the Sequoia Sempervirens - you must see them yourself. Go get as close as possible and bring about 15 of your friends. Linked hand to hand you might just be able to form a complete circle around one of these trees. While your in the area jaunt down to Fern Canyon, or head over to Stone Lagoon, or into Orick, or stop by Patrick’s Point. And if your son or daughter are nearing that age toss in a visit to Humboldt State University and a stop at the Humboldt Brewery (which back in the day was a bowling alley, a Mexican restaurant and tried to be a music (we do so miss the band Desperate Men) venue for awhile). Well at least stopping in WAS a good idea. Last we heard the place was shuttered. Alas.

And if the Sempervirons doesn’t fill you up, head southeast to see the Sequoia Gigantea, then tromp the woods in John Muir’s shadow through the Range of Light. And try this: lay down on your back under one of these giants and take in the view.

Policy Maker News
Paranoia strikes deep Into your life it will creep It starts when you’re always afraid…The City Council of Greenleaf, Idaho passed an ordinance in November to require nearly all residents to keep a gun at home in case the town becomes overrun by people relocating after Gulf Coast storms.

Some Questions Answered Department
Get yourself over to Dan’s place at Infospigot: The Chronicles and read through his writeup/summary about James Kim and family.

Technorati Tags: Z, Missing, Ronald Reagan, Pacific Lumber Company, California, Big Brother, Redwood National Park, Dos Rios Dam, River Stops Here, Sequoia Sempervirens, Fern Canyon, Stone Lagoon, Orick, Patrick’s Point, Humboldt State University, Desperate Men, John Muir, Range of Light, James Kim