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What I Heard This Week 09-08-2022

What I Heard This Week September 7, 2022

If you have read this column for a while, you know that I have a weakness for Three Brothers Bakery in Houston. Especially their apple strudel. I put it in the refrigerator and eat it cold. Nothing better. With the gubernatorial election coming up, the bakery says they have found a way to “sugarcoat the polling process.” The bakery’s three locations Braeswood, Memorial, and Washington are now baking cookies with the faces of Beto O’Rourke and Greg Abbott plastered on the front of the cookies. You can place your vote for the Texas governor-to-be of your choice, by purchasing one cookie of your choice. One cookie equals one vote. Before you say pshaw, note that the bakery has predicted the last 2 presidential elections (Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020) with their cookie poll. As of today, when I wrote this, Beto is ahead by 275 cookies, to Abbott’s 106 cookies. Follow the race on their Facebook. The cookie poll will last until Election Day November 8th. They say, this election just got sweeter.


When it comes to making mistakes, we must be SMART enough to realize, SECURE enough to admit, and STRONG enough to fix. Jim Kwik


Spoiler Alert: The juicy story of Candy Montgomery that is on Hulu right now is a true story. Yikes. I just finished watching it and Jessica Biel did an excellent job, but I had no idea until it was over that it was actually true. Candy was a Wylie, Texas (outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area) housewife with what seemed like a perfect life before she hacked up her church friend (dead) with a wood-splitting ax… 41 times, cleaned herself up in the family bathroom, then left the victim’s one-year-old baby alone in the home and went about her day (btw she was also having/had an affair with the church friend’s husband).  Montgomery maintained a plea of self-defense, admitted to the crime, and was acquitted of murder charges in 1980. It gets better. After the trial, Montgomery left town and went to work as a mental health therapist, treating people with anger management, anxiety, depression, infidelity, and other issues. Oh, and Justin Timberlake (Jessica Biel’s real-life husband) starred as one of the responding officers investigating Betty Gore’s murder.


This is amazing. Want to figure out loan payments, depreciation, cash flow, time differences, square footage, or even how many cubic yards of mulch you need to cover a flower bed? CalculatorSoup.com


Vito Corleone’s ‘Godfather’ mansion was available on Airbnb. The charming 6,248 sq-ft home, built in 1930, has undergone renovations and is completely modernized, while still being recognizable from the exterior for its appearance in “The Godfather” 1972 film. It is now a family home on Staten Island, but for a brief period of time in July it was available to book for a 30-night long-term stay for August 1-31. Sounds like fun. It was $50 per night and included 5 bedrooms, 6 beds, 6 baths, saltwater pool, basement pub, game room, gym, pool cleaners (twice a week), weekly house cleaning and weekly landscape maintenance. That actually sounds too good to be true. I had to read it twice.


The officer asked the woman to step out of her car.
You’re STAGGERING!” he said.
You’re PRETTY handsome yourself,” she replied.


In some parts of Sweden, residents have spent this year letting their green lawns die off in a mass effort to conserve water. Irrigation bans led neighbors to get creative, offering a title to whoever ended up with the ugliest lawn. Whew, it is hard to look at our lush green yards right now in Brazoria County and remember what it was like a month ago, when we all were vying for the title of ugliest lawn.


Some people are such treasures you just want to bury them. Unknown


RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Actor Betty Lynn of The Andy Griffith Show is 95. Thelma Lou. Actor Elliott Gould is 83. Actor Elizabeth Ashley is 82. TV personality Lisa Ling of The View is 48. Singer Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive is 36. Drummer Jerry Allison of Buddy Holly and the Crickets is 82. Singer Van Morrison is 76. Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 76. Actor Richard Gere is 72. Drummer Gina Schock of The Go-Go’s is 64. Comedian-actor Lily Tomlin is 82. Singer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is 75. Drummer Greg Errico of Sly and the Family Stone is 73. Talk show host Dr. Phil is 71. Singer Gloria Estefan is 64. Singer Sam Gooden of The Impressions is 82. Singer Rosalind Ashford of Martha and the Vandellas is 78. Sportscaster Terry Bradshaw is 73. Actor Mark Harmon is 70. Actor Linda Purl is 66. She dates Patrick Duffy of Dallas.

Actor Michael Keaton is 71. Batman. Singer-guitarist Al Jardine of The Beach Boys is 79. Actor Valerie Perrine is 78. Superman. Drummer Donald Brewer of Grand Funk Railroad is 73. Actor Mitzi Gaynor is 90. Singer “Bubba” Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips is 79. Comedian-actor Bob Newhart is 93. Broadway actor Carol Lawrence is 90. Actor William Devane is 83. Actor George Lazenby is 83. He was the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in 1969 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Raquel Welch is 82. Singer Al Stewart is 77. Year of the Cat. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 79.

Comedian JoAnne Worley is 86. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Country singer David Allan Coe is 83. Take This Job and Shove It. Singer-bassist Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is 79. Actor Swoosie Kurtz is 78. Comedian-actor Jane Curtin is 75. News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas is 60. Country singer Mark Chesnutt is 59. Bubba Shot the Jukebox. Actor Heather Thomas of The Fall Guy is 65.


Five Easy Pieces director Bob Rafelson, who also created the TV pop group the Monkees, died at 89 of lung cancer. Earnie Shavers, one of boxing’s hardest-ever punchers, died at 78. “Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk in Africa,” Muhammad Ali said after a fight one time.


Mikhail Gorbachev was a Soviet politician and leader from 1985 to 1991, during the end of the Cold War. He formed a friendship with President of the U.S. Ronald Reagan, with reform and partnership, helped to end the Cold War. His main intent was to improve the economy of the USSR. To do this, he set in motion two major reforms: Perestroika, which was restructuring of the economy, and Glasnost which gave more freedom to the people, and allowed them to express their opinions more freely. Gorbachev died in a symbolic way when his life’s work, freedom, was effectively destroyed by Putin,” said Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.


The 110-year-old Battleship Texas is now docked in Galveston at the Gulf Copper Dry Dock & Rig Repair. Bruce Bramlett with Texas Battleship Foundation said, “This is the only U.S. ship that survived in both World War I and World War II and it’s really the first ship that the Navy ever retired as a memorial or museum and is the last of the dreadnought battleship.” In other words, the oldest battleship in the world that is still afloat and the world’s most famous veteran. Renovations expected to cost $35 million.


Sunday, September 11 is Grandparent’s Day 2022. The roots of Grandparents Day go back to 1956 and a West Virginia mother named Marian McQuade. While helping to organize a community celebration for those over 80, she became aware of the many nursing home residents who were forgotten by their families. She wanted a holiday to bring attention to these individuals and to honor all grandparents.


The George Clooney Batman nipple suit costume from 1997 is one of several props being auctioned with opening bid listed as $40,000. It is only the most ridiculed superhero costume in movie history. Jim Carrey’s Riddler walking cane from Batman Forever had an opening bid of $8,000, and Jack Nicholson’s iconic purple Joker suit from Tim Burton’s original Batman had an opening bid of $65,000. These items went to auction in July, but I still cannot find any selling prices, so there may still be time to put your name on the Batman suit. You know what they say, if it was good enough for George Clooney


Climate change is the greatest threat to our existence in our short history on this planet. Nobody’s going to buy their way out of its effects.”- Mark Ruffalo


Serena Williams said, “I think I’m going to retire after the US Open,” then days later she said, “Just kidding, maybe not.”  Then she turned around and upset Anett Kontaveit in the second round, and we all thought she was BACK. That day she was asked about her bathroom break between her second-set loss and third-set renewal that seemed to bring rejuvenation. Her comeback was, “Yeah, no, I just got lighter – use your imagination,” she added, “But it wasn’t number two.” Then she laughed. And we all laughed. Unless she changes her mind, her tennis career ended while we were all rooting for more.


Last Saturday evening 95-year-old Doc Severinsen and the San Miguel 5 performed a concert at the Universal Preservation Hall in what was billed as The Final Roundup – Doc Severinsen Last Show. Last tour, last show. That is it. Sold out. Severinsen was the band leader for Johnny Carson for 30 years and was known for his colorful outfits and great repour with Carson. Peacock streaming released Never Too Late; the Doc Severinsen Story, back in April. After Doc left Carson, he moved to Mexico for a while where he met San Miguel 5. They are worth your time to pull up on YouTube. I have one of their CDs playing right now in my office, on my trusty, incredibly old Bose CD player.


Last week I wrote about how expensive obituaries are in Waco, Texas. A friend in Bossier City Louisiana that reads this column let me know that a year ago she paid $1600 for her mother’s obituary. She and I sent several texts back and forth with ideas about what the reason might be for the additional expense. Finally, I Googled, “Why are obituaries so expensive?” Someone commented online, “…the humorist in me wants to desperately say because the publisher knows there’ll be no repeat business!” For your next obituary, call The Source Weekly. We promise to treat you right because we believe in repeat business.


A drug-sniffing dog at a Milan airport found nearly 30 pounds (11 packages that could have yielded about 27,000 individual doses) of cocaine stuffed into the leather upholstery of a motorized wheelchair, whose user immediately stood up and was arrested. The second-tallest roller coaster in the world, located in Ohio, is now permanently closed after a small metal object flew off the 420-foot tall Top Thrill Dragster coaster a year ago, and struck a woman in the head. The Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ is considered the world’s tallest coaster with a 456-foot elevation. A Brazilian man survived at sea for 11 days, and 280 miles, in a floating freezer without food or water. Hurricane Danielle is now on a slow decline, but Hurricane Earl has picked up speed and is expected to become the first major hurricane of the season. Don’t forget that Sunday September 11th is Patriot Day. The holiday remembers the American men and women who fought during the Revolutionary War but is also named the day “we will never forget,” after the terrorist attacks that caught the US and the world by surprise. Have a great weekend and as always, thank you for taking the time to read and shop The Source Weekly. We appreciate you.

LISA


Send comments to Lisa Baker at lisa@thesourceweekly.com

What I Heard This Week 03-17-2022

What I Heard This Week March 16, 2022

What is a PieCaken? Hmmm. I’m so glad you asked. It looks like something by Picasso when you cut into it… a three-layer cake with two pies inside. Researching this recipe was a time-consuming rabbit hole that was absolute fun! For Thanksgiving you can use premade pecan pie for your bottom layer, then layer cinnamon buttercream frosting, then pre-made pumpkin pie with another layer of icing, then top with round of spiced pound cake and buttercream the whole thing. They patted on an oat crumble to the sides and topped with apple pie filling, then caramel sauce. Yikes, it was beautiful. I guess you could use cherry, apple, and peach pie with white cake. The secret is cutting the pies into the same size rounds as the cake layer. Several other recipes called for whole pies to be surrounded by cake batter and cooked, then iced. Did you know that you can whip regular canned icing so it’s easier to spread? Or add some whipped cream to the canned icing for an even tastier, and easy-to-ice consistency. I did not know this. Watch some of the videos if you get a chance. It’s quite a pretty dessert and no one else is going to show up with it at your next family get-together. Don’t have time to bake?!? No problem. With help from Three Brothers Bakery, you can order the Pumpecapple Piecake that serves 40 (hah), is 11” tall and weighs 23.5 pounds. It is known as the “turducken of desserts.” There are three layers – homemade pumpkin pie baked in a pumpkin spice cake, a homemade pecan pie baked in a chocolate cake, and homemade apple pie baked in a traditional spice cake, then iced with cream cheese frosting, garnished with pecans, and drizzled with homemade caramel. This beauty sells for just $250 with store pickup in Houston. Just look at the picture. If you haven’t ever enjoyed a treat from Three Brothers Bakery, prepare yourself. Everything they sell is delicious. Breads, apple strudel, pies, cakes, cookies, and more. Right now, they have cookies iced like the Ukraine flag if you are looking for a way to support the cause.


A party without a cake is really just a meeting. – Julia Child


An Irish Bank Robber
It’s Saint Patrick’s Day
, and an armed hooded robber bursts into the Bank of Ireland and forces the tellers to load a sack full of cash. On his way out the door with the loot, one brave Irish customer grabs the hood and pulls it off revealing the robber’s face. The robber shoots the guy without hesitation! He then looks around the bank to see if anyone else has seen him. One of the tellers is looking straight at him and the robber walks over and calmly shoots him also. Everyone by now is very scared and looking down at the floor. “Did anyone else see my face?‘ screams the robber. There are a few moments of silence, then one elderly Irish gent looking down, tentatively raises his hand and says, “I think me wife may have caught a glimpse.” 😊


Basement to Attic Tour of the 1892 Bishop’s Palace in Galveston on March 19th, a guided tour that includes places not usually seen by visitors. www.galvestonhistory.org.


“Hate to say it,” he began, “but we need to increase oil and gas output immediately.” said Elon Musk, billionaire developer of the signature electric car of our age, the Tesla. “Obviously, this would negatively affect Tesla, but sustainable energy solutions simply cannot react instantaneously to make up for Russian oil & gas exports.”


Fans of sci-fi Stars War franchise can hop aboard Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World Resort for an immersive 2-night hotel adventure featuring Rey, Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. Saudi Arabia killed 81 in mass execution of people convicted of crimes of killing to belonging to militant groups. Jonah Hill will play Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia, in a Martin Scorsese directed biopic about the psychedelic rock band. Tom Brady announced (yawn) that over the past two months he realized his place is still on the field, not in the stands, and will rejoin the NFL for a 23rd season and play for Tampa Bay.


RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Musician Elton John is 75. Actor Hal Linden is 91. Country singer-guitarist Ranger Doug of Riders in the Sky is 76. Drummer Carl Palmer of Asia & Emerson, Lake and Palmer is 72. Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan of Fabulous Thunderbirds is 71. Actor Holly Hunter is 64. Model Kathy Ireland is 59. Singer-keyboardist Rose Stone of Sly and the Family Stone is 77. Actor Timothy Dalton is 76. Actor Matthew Broderick is 60. Actor-comedian Rosie O’Donnell is 60. Actor William Shatner is 91. Singer Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy is 81. Sportscaster Bob Costas is 70. Singer-guitarist George Benson is 79. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber is 74. Singer Diana Ross is 78.

Singer Chaka Khan is 69. Harmonica player Lee Oskar of War is 74. Actor Robert Carradine is 68. Actor Kelly LeBrock is 62. Film critic Gene Shalit is 96. Singer Anita Bryant is 82. Actor Paul Michael Glaser of Starsky and Hutch is 79. Actor Alan Arkin is 88. Actor James Caan is 82Singer Steven Tyler of Aerosmith is 74. Singer-actor Vicki Lawrence is 73. Actor Martin Short is 72. Talk show host Leeza Gibbons is 65. Actor Jennifer Grey is 62. Dirty Dancing. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Director Spike Lee is 65.


William Hurt died at 71. Hurt won a best actor Oscar in 1986 for his work in Kiss of the Spider Woman. He earned another nomination a year later for Children of a Lesser God and another one the following year for Broadcast News. He was also up for an Academy Award in 2006 for his supporting role in A History of Violence. Children’s author Shirley Hughes died at 94. Johnny Brown died at 84. On Good Times, he played Nathan Bookman, the building superintendent. Conrad Janis died at 94. He was best known as Mindy’s dad on Mork and Mindy. Actor Mitchell Ryan died at 88. Actor Laurel Goodwin died at 79. Star Trek. Tim Considine died at 81. He was eldest son Mike on My Three Sons.


If we’re not meant to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the fridge? 


The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook. – Julia Child


Ukraine became an independent country in 1991 after the fall of the USSR and since then, the country’s flag has been a symbol of freedom. Now, as Russia invades Ukraine, the Ukrainian flag is being flown by people around the world in support and solidarity. Grapevine Gifts is now carrying the Ukraine flag. It is a very well-made flag that would normally sell for much more than $7, but these guys dropped the price so the citizens of Brazoria County can afford to show their support during the saddest of situations happening in our world right now. Go pick up one and display it for Ukraine.


There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves. – Thomas Wolfe


Easter Basket Idea: Brach’s candy company is debuting their Late-Night Taco Truck pack, with margarita, churro, salsa, and beef taco flavors. Actually, it sounds fairly good to me. U.S. veterans and other volunteers with useful skills are boarding planes for Ukraine to join the fight. President Zelensky is creating an international legion and is asking for volunteers to help defend his nation against Russia.


Living legend Dolly Parton never fails to impress. At 76, she says she is “extremely flattered and grateful” to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but doesn’t want the votes to be split because of her nomination. So, she’s respectfully bowing out. “I do hope the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy,” she said. “This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do.” The woman never slows down. Dolly created The Dollywood Foundation in 1988 for literacy and education, and she made a $1 million contribution towards Covid-19 research. All tuition costs including fees and books, are offered for employees of Dollywood Parks & Resorts pursuing higher education. She’s had hits on country music charts since 1967 and has 3 billion worldwide streams of her music and 50 Grammy nominations. Now she is in partnership with Duncan Hines so you can make Dolly Cakes right in your own kitchen. Last week Dolly and best-selling novelist James Patterson (his sales top 425 million worldwide), released a book they wrote together, Run, Rose, Run. Several days before the book release, Dolly debuted a new album of 12 songs based on the book’s characters. Wow.


Additional Note: The other nominees for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction 2022 are Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Devo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Rage Against the Machine, Lional Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest, Dionne Warwick, (who are some of these people?) and cough, cough, Dolly Parton. Yep, she is still on the list. You can cast your ballot in the Fan Vote if you have an authorized email address, by going to vote.rockhall.com. You can vote once a day (who has time for that) and when I voted, the top five artists were Duran Duran, Eminem, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton and Eurythmics, but you can vote until April 29th. Really, is rapper Eminem considered rock & roll? Dolly, just accept it graciously and go for it. We love you…


My weaknesses have always been food & men- in that order. – Dolly Parton


There is so much science in cooking. I was trying to make room in the cabinet for new spices (some people buy new nail polish colors… I buy spices), and I came across an old bottle of cream of tartar. In the past, I have used it for making meringues and divinity, plus an occasional recipe, but I had no idea what it was made from or other uses. I was surprised. After reading about it, I realized that I am not using it to its full potential. It is an acidic byproduct of fermenting grapes into wine. The acid in cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their distinctive tangy flavor, and the chew happens because cream of tartar prevents sugar in the cookie dough from crystalizing into crunchiness. Science! If you ever run out of baking powder, substitute 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar for 1 teaspoon baking powder in a recipe. Add a pinch of cream of tartar to boiling vegetables to help them keep their bright, fresh color. A pinch of cream of tartar also helps stabilize whipped cream to prevent it from deflating. There is a ton more that I will tell you later.


March’s Full Worm Moon is March 18th. It is called full worm because of the earthworms that wriggle out of the ground as the earth begins to thaw in March. Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking authorization for a second coronavirus booster shot for people 65 and older. Elon Musk has challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to single combat, one-on-one fight, with the “stakes” being Ukraine. So far as I could find, Musk has yet to receive a response from Putin.


What I read… the odds of finding a four-leaf clover on your first try are 1 in 10,000 and the odds of a five-leaf clover are 1 in a million. I sent the newspaper picture to my daughter at college, who has always had the uncanny ability to find four-leaf and some five-leaf clovers every single time she sits down in a clover patch. She laughed because just weeks before, she had handed me a baggie full of four-leaf clovers that she was getting ready to throw away. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. Thanks for reading us this week. Please keep Ukraine in your prayers.

LISA

  • What I Heard This Week 10-26-2023

    by on October 25, 2023 - 0 Comments

    Former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, recently remarried for the fourth time, which also happened to be on the occasion of his 93rd birthday. This time it was to Dr. Anca Faur, his 63-year-old, long-time companion (who looks like she wants to be 27), has a PhD in chemical engineering, and is now the executive vice president of Aldrin’s company, Buzz Aldrin Ventures.  He was first married to Joan Ann Archer in 1954 until divorcing in 1974. The next year he married Beverly Van Zile; they divorced after three years. His third marriage was to Lois Driggs Cannon in 1988 on Valentine's Day, divorcing 23 years later. Looks like he hasn’t given up on ‘love’ quite yet. He has sued two of his children and his former business manager claiming they stole money from him and are slandering his legacy, and that they also undermined his "personal romantic relationships" by forbidding him from getting married. His children say he is also spending money at an alarming rate. Sounds like those children are out of luck. There is a new sheriff in town and her name is MRS. Aldrin. ☹ Notes: Aldrin is also a strong advocate for human exploration of Mars. In 2002, he escaped assault charges after punching a man who demanded he swear on a Bible that the Moon landing was not staged. Good for him. He also said, “Tang sucks. “

  • What I Heard This Week 11-30-2023

    by on November 29, 2023 - 0 Comments

    Former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, recently remarried for the fourth time, which also happened to be on the occasion of his 93rd birthday. This time it was to Dr. Anca Faur, his 63-year-old, long-time companion (who looks like she wants to be 27), has a PhD in chemical engineering, and is now the executive vice president of Aldrin’s company, Buzz Aldrin Ventures.  He was first married to Joan Ann Archer in 1954 until divorcing in 1974. The next year he married Beverly Van Zile; they divorced after three years. His third marriage was to Lois Driggs Cannon in 1988 on Valentine's Day, divorcing 23 years later. Looks like he hasn’t given up on ‘love’ quite yet. He has sued two of his children and his former business manager claiming they stole money from him and are slandering his legacy, and that they also undermined his "personal romantic relationships" by forbidding him from getting married. His children say he is also spending money at an alarming rate. Sounds like those children are out of luck. There is a new sheriff in town and her name is MRS. Aldrin. ☹ Notes: Aldrin is also a strong advocate for human exploration of Mars. In 2002, he escaped assault charges after punching a man who demanded he swear on a Bible that the Moon landing was not staged. Good for him. He also said, “Tang sucks. “

  • Much Ado About Nothing - Texan in Winter

    by on December 6, 2018 - 0 Comments

    The power went out at my house last night for four hours. While this may not seem like a major catastrophe as it was the middle of the night and […]

  • Much Ado About Nothing - “Human Bait”

    by on January 16, 2020 - 0 Comments

    My dad always told me to have a backup plan in case my current job doesn’t work out. I wasn’t sure what that’d be until I saw this ad: “HUMAN […]

  • What I Heard This Week! December 20, 2018

    by on December 20, 2018 - 0 Comments

    The AK-47 is a type of assault rifle originally manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1949. A 17-year-old Humble High School student accidently shot herself recently with an AK-47 that […]

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