Jack Horkheimer Passes Away at 72

A week ago today one of my life's inspirations passed away.

I looked to Jack every week for years to have an idea of what gifts, surprises and awe (real awe) inspiring sights were in store each night.

Jack was smart, funny; a card.

He taught me a lot and did it with humor and excitement. He will be missed. In fact, those at the Miami Planetarium are still trying to figure out what to do without him.

He wrote his own epitaph: " 'Keep Looking Up' was my life's admonition; I can do little else in my present position."

mi nombre Yma Sumac or Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chavarri del Castillo, a usted.

I read a few nights ago that Yma Sumac died November 1, 2008 at the age of 86.

I love her sense of drama! Her voice! Her mystery! Ah! And that nose! An utterly unique Yma Sumac.

She had a 5 octave range at the height of her career, watching her sing it was hard to figure out how the hell those sounds came out of her.

One of her most famous albums was Voice of the Xtabay (can you say: shta-bye?).
But you gotta love a gal who, in the early ’70s, after a long hiatus (and about 20 years since recording a full album) came out with an LP of “rock” with Chuck (rockabilly hall of famer) Cowan’s guitar, the bass of his brother Roger, and Skip Switzer on drums.

I read somewhere that she sounded like a cross between Big Mama Thornton (the deep growls) and Kate Bush (the high wails). But I beg to differ. She was an original. (Then again, so are Willie Mae and Kate!)

Singer Jo Stafford Dies, So Does Steve

I just found out from my friend Lee Hartsfeld’s blog that singer Jo Stafford died yesterday.

Billie Holiday said that Jo’s voice is like an instrument.

Click pic to read more about Jo. I don't feel much like writing.




I also found out today, but not from Lee, that my friend Steve died a few weeks ago. I got a small, thin, tight envelope in the mail today from my friend Sara, with a single newspaper clipping in it.

I was and am stunned.

“Stephen Frank [sic] Ells, 73, died peacefully Monday, June 30, 2008, from his illness at residence after a long devotion to his family and the environment.

Born in Boston in 1935, he grew up in Waltham on Trapelo Farm. He was a graduate of the Belmont Hill School, Harvard University and Harvard Law.

As a lieutenant commander in Naval Intelligence, he endured trying times with the East aboard the USS Midway.

During his career he was with Choate, Hall and Stuart Law Firm, the State Department of Natural Resources, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Massachusetts Area Planning Council and was Governor Frank Sargeant’s chief legal council. He then worked tirelessly to clean up Boston Harbor and the rest of the region while at the Environmental Protection Agency until retirement in 1990.

During retirement he continued his dedication to his family, land preservation and a lifelong love of birds. The furthering of his mother’s genealogical work proved invaluable. His efforts for Estabrook Woods and Thoreau country in general spoke volumes. Even the bobolinks benefited from his time here.

He is survived by his fiancée, Susan McMurray; his three sons, David, Nathaniel and Jonathan; and their mother Laura. He is also survived by his three granddaughters.

...”

I missed the memorial service. And I have missed him; he decided several years ago our friendship somehow compromised his relationship with Susan. I will never understand that or ever fully recover from the amputation.

He was my friend. Few people have made me laugh or think as much as he.




Steve Ells
March 2, 1935–June 30, 2008

Sh*t

George Carlin died yesterday. He was only 71; had a history of heart disease. It finally got him. Shit.

Shit, Piss, Fuck, Cunt, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, Tits!

If I do say so myself...

7 more words: Good bye, we will miss you George.