What I Heard This Week 06-16-2022
In 2016, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum bought the historic Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday Mr. President dress for $4.8 million. After taxes and fees, value was over $5 million. Ripley’s says that the piece is the “world’s most expensive dress” ever sold at an auction. The dazzling gown currently valued at over $10 million. Kim Kardashian lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks so she would fit into the dress, but it still would not zip over her famous derriere, so they draped the white fur shawl over her rear end while she was on the red carpet. Then the story is, that she changed into a replica gown immediately. Even though great care was taken to protect the gown, the end result were missing crystals and other crystals left hanging by threads. I’m not sure what to think about a celebrity wearing a 60-year-old garment but I am sure that the return for Ripley’s was an unbelievable amount of publicity from the event. Some things money just can’t buy 😊. Kardashian did look good in it.
A Belgian shepherd dog that was abandoned by Russian special forces has switched sides and is now working with Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines. Max, 3, found by Ukrainian forces wearing a Russian collar, starving, and close to death when they brought him to safety. He has been nursed back to health, is learning Ukrainian commands, is very clever learning to sniff out mines, identify and find people, and explosives. Let us not forget Ukraine. It could be us one day. Thanks for taking the time to read us.
Legend states that when you are overwhelmed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown, a small child will appear to tell you that you cut their sandwich wrong.
Last month as I was leaving Waco, after a flower-planting visit for Mother’s Day to see my mom, I stopped at Zoës Kitchen (fresh-made Mediterranean food) to pick up something that I could eat in the car on the way home. They were having a staffing problem, so I asked for something easy that was already made up and didn’t have to be cooked. The girl suggested the Hummus & Salad. Oh, my, it was delicious. Greek salad with fresh hummus and Tzatziki sauce (Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil) along with hot pita bread and Pita chips. It was very good. My water came in a refillable aluminum bottle that said: More Ocean. Less Plastic. There are locations in Houston, so I hope to visit one and try the falafel soon… as soon as I save up enough gas money to go to Houston.
Well, I just finished the HBO Max drama series of The Staircase, the story of novelist Michael Peterson, who was found guilty of murdering his wife. A sensational real-life mystery. Bit by bit, the story uncovers, well, an extremely interesting end to the story. Colin Firth captures the personality of Michael Peterson, perfectly. Toni Collette plays Kathleen Peterson, who was discovered at the bottom of a staircase in their NC home December 9, 2001.There was also a Netflix docuseries by the same name that is excellent. Michael Peterson has written a book detailing his time in prison, and his life since release. Yes, he was released, so you need to watch it, so you understand the crazy ending.
Who is the world’s highest-paid athletes? Well, 34-year-old soccer player Lionel Messi is the highest-paid athlete with $130 million according to Forbes’ 2022 list. The NBA’s LeBron James came in at $121.2 million and soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo at $115 million. Soccer player Neymar sits at $95 million, NBA Stephen Curry at $92.8 million, NBA Kevin Durant at $92.1 million, Tennis Roger Federer at $90.7 million, boxing Canelo Alvarez at $90 million, Tom Brady at $83.9 million and NBA Giannis Antetokounmpo at $80.9 million. Yikes. But not all of that money is strictly the sports, these guys have business empires and endorsements. Note: LeBron James is having a very good June. According to Forbes, the Lakers star now has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, making him the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.
RECENT BIRTHDAYS: Musician Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is 79. Musician Paul McCartney is 80. Singer Carly Simon is 76. Singer Lionel Richie is 72. Music GREATS! Enough said. Country singer-guitarist Junior Brown is 70. Actor Malcolm McDowell is 79. A Clockwork Orange. Actor Richard Thomas is 71. John-Boy Walton. Comedian Tim Allen is 69. Actor Ally Sheedy is 60. TV anchor Hannah Storm is 60. Actor Marla Gibbs is 91. The Jeffersons. Singer Janet Lennon of The Lennon Sisters is 76. Guitarist Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish is 75. Singer Boy George of Culture Club is 61. Singer Steve Walsh of Kansas is 71. Actor Jim Belushi is 68. Actor Helen Hunt is 59. Actor Courteney Cox of Friends is 58.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris of Doogie Howser, M.D. is 49. Actor Joan Van Ark is 79. Singer Gino Vannelli is 70. Actor Laurie Metcalf of Roseanne is 67. Actor Peter Lupus of Mission: Impossible is 90. Singer Barry Manilow is 79. Comedian Joe Piscopo is 71. Actor Isabella Rossellini is 70. Singer Anne Murray is 76. Home repair show host Bob Vila is 75. Actor John Goodman is 69. Actor Nicole Kidman is 54. Actor Bernie Kopell of The Love Boat is 88. Musician Ray Davies of The Kinks is 77. Actor Meredith Baxter of Family Ties is 74. Actor Michael Gross (Baxter’s co-star on Family Ties) is 74. Actor Tracy Pollan of Family Ties is 61. Guitarist Joey Molland of Badfinger is 74. Drummer Joey Kramer of Aerosmith is 71.
Nathaniel “Nat” Hickey, Jr., died on Memorial Day at age 99. He was a well-loved and cherished local historian, an expert in the history of Surfside, Freeport, Velasco, and Brazoria County. I remember going on a tour of Freeport with him as our tour guide about ten or so years ago, wondering who was going to tell the stories when he was gone. He will be missed.
In 1928, Dorothy Hope Smith sketched a picture of her 5-month-old neighbor, Anne Turner Cook, and entered that image in a national contest for a baby food brand. Ninety years ago, it became the official Gerber Logo and trademark, gracing the label of every Gerber Product from infant formula to bottled juice. The baby’s identity and sex remained a secret for 40 years, but rumors continued that the big round eyes belonged to Humphrey Bogart, Shirley Temple, Brooke Shields, Bob Dole, Richard Nixon or Elizabeth Taylor. In the 1940s, one family sued the company, claiming that its child was the baby on the label. Testifying in court, Smith disclosed her model’s identity, and the suit was decided in Gerber’s favor. Ms. Cook received no royalties for the use of her image, profiting only with a $5,000 sum she accepted from Gerber in 1951, which let her make the down payment on her first home. Mrs. Cook died this month at 95. When interviewed in 1976, she said, “It’s not anything I did myself. I’m prouder of having earned my master’s degree after 13 years as a housewife, of having worked my way up to chairman of the English department of a large high school, and of my 29-year marriage,” sharing that she fed all four of her children Gerber food when they were babies.
In 2010, Gerber launched a Photo Search contest, inspired by the “countless photos sent by parents who see their little ones in” Gerber’s logo, the company said. Each year a panel of judges picks a winner. In May, Gerber named Isa Slish of Edmond, Oklahoma as the winner of this year’s competition. The bright-eyed baby girl will serve as 2022 Gerber Spokesbaby and take on the adorable and vital role of Chief Growing Officer (CGO) on Gerber’s Executive Committee. “We knew Isa was special, she has shown us that every day since she came into our lives,” Isa’s mother, Meredith Slish explained in a press release. “We found out when I was 18 weeks pregnant that Isa would be born without a femur or a fibula in her right leg.” “We hope Isa’s story can bring more awareness for limb differences and create greater inclusion for children like her. Because, just like Isa, they too can be or do anything they want!” she said. Gerber will match Isa’s cash prize with a $25,000 donation to the March of Dimes‘ health programs.
Brad Johnson, who started as a rodeo cowboy in 1984, then portrayed the Marlboro Man in cigarette spots, then film and TV roles including Steven Spielberg’s Always and Melrose Place, has died of complications from COVID. He was 62.
The iPod that we all know and loved, is officially dead. Apple announced that it is quietly discontinuing the $199 iPod Touch, the latest version of its iconic MP3 player. C’est la vie. I bet you’ll miss your itty-bitty iPod Shuffle.
To make money in stocks you must have the vision to see them, the courage to buy them and the patience to hold them. – Thomas Phelps
Britney Spears danced in a diamond thong at her wedding. Hmmm. That sounds very grown-up and, W-H-O-A, extremely uncomfortable. Even my cotton Jockey’s get in the way sometimes. The 14-year-old teen who fell to his death from the FreeFall ride at Florida’s Icon amusement park ride died from blunt force trauma and exceeded the ride weight limit by 100 pounds. More than 90 of the Larry Nassar accusers, including Simone Biles, are suing the FBI for failing to pursue tips about his sex abuse. Princess Eugenie, the 32-year-old younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, has a new small circular tattoo behind her left ear, supposedly, “in honor of the Queen and her platinum jubilee.” Yep. A circle behind her ear. I bet the Queen saw it and is truly flattered. ☹ When I was younger and did something that helped me fall from grace, so to speak, I always told my mom that I did it for her. Cushions your fall. Last fall, Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He has spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. He says, “So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
The 13-million-member, Southern Baptist Convention, ordered and released a nearly 300-page bombshell report that showed leaders covered up or ignored sexual abuse allegations and treated victims with hostility for decades. The investigation found survivors and other Southern Baptists reported child molesters and abusers who were in the pulpit or church employees to SBC leadership “only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility.” “In service of this goal, survivors and others who reported abuse were ignored, disbelieved, or met with the constant refrain that the SBC could take no action due to its policy regarding church autonomy – even if it meant that convicted molesters continued in ministry with no notice or warning to their current church or congregation,” the report said. Hmmm. There was even a database of offenders. Hmmm.
This Netflix show, Hustle, sounds really good. Adam Sandler stars as a down-on-his-luck basketball scout who discovers a person of phenomenal basketball ability (played by real-life pro baller Juancho Hernangomez) with a rocky past in Spain. With each other’s help, the two try to prove they both have what it takes to make it in the NBA. Sandler currently has a $350 million deal with Netflix and is receiving some of the best reviews of his career to date. This one is 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and is a fan-favorite by audience at 94%. (Note: Since I had a sick cat to care for this weekend, I had a chance to actually watch Hustle. If you like basketball, don’t mind a few genuine gut laughs and a couple of tears in your eyes, then you need to watch this movie. I recommend it. I have seen Adam Sandler in several movies that I liked, but he is a much more humbled man in this show.)
This Friday is the 50th anniversary of my aunt and uncle who married in Waco, Texas when I was 16. I was a junior bridesmaid wearing a big white floppy hat and too much make-up. Deb was so kind to include me, especially since she was marrying the man of my dreams. Just like me, all of my sisters hoped we could find a man just like him. We adored him. Our whole family lucked out because he married the woman, but we got a wonderful aunt and new member of our family in the process. Fifty years. Some of us only dream of having a relationship like this. Happy Anniversary to two of the best! Love, LISA
Send comments to Lisa Baker at lisa@thesourceweekly.com
