Oct 26, 2013

Oops: The Wrong Kidney Removed at Sharp





Don't be late and don't make a mistake......navigating the rough waters at Sharp Memorial OR.  Why isn't the patient in the room?  What's the hold up?  What time will the patient be in the room?  Has Sharp learned it's lesson.........when will the place listen to the nurses or will the focus continue to remain on the very rushy happiness of these wild, crazy and angry narcissistic surgeons.  Hey, will nurses ever be able to talk or will they have to constantly regurgitate the current mantra......right, sharp is the greatest place to work in town......or whatever the latest concoction of diplomatic propaganda they have created.  Now, if you don't think it and say it.........oops, your future might be in jeopardy...........copied from the UT:...............cl


Sharp fined for botched kidney removal

Sharp Memorial Hospital.
Sharp Memorial Hospital. — K.C. Alfred

 — The state fined two local hospitals Thursday for preventable errors that led to one patient’s death and caused another to rely on dialysis for the rest of his life.
The California Department of Public Health fined Sharp Memorial Hospital $100,000 for an incident in which surgeons mistakenly removed a 53-year-old man’s healthy kidney. It also levied a $50,000 penalty against Alvarado Hospital for a case involving an elderly patient who fell out of bed, hit her head on the floor and died.
Sharp and Alvarado were among nine hospitals in the state that were fined a total of $775,000 on Thursday for errors that put patients in “immediate jeopardy” of serious injury or death.
Sharp HealthCare officials said they regret the surgical mistake. Dan Gross, the network’s executive vice president of hospital operations, said the patient received an apology quickly after the mix-up was discovered.
“More than anything, we have made a commitment to (him) to do everything in our power to have this not happen again,” Gross said.




photo
Paul Kibbett / courtesy photo

The patient, Paul Kibbett of Escondido, sued Sharp and several doctors for unspecified damages on Aug. 7, 2012, alleging medical negligence and battery.
His attorney, Virginia Nelson, said the problems started on Jan. 3, 2012, at Palomar Medical Center, where Kibbett, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had a CT scan that detected a cancerous mass in his right kidney.
There was an initial scan mix-up that identified the left kidney as needing removal, but that mistake was quickly corrected, according to the state’s report on the Kibbett incident. But by the time Kibbett underwent surgery at Sharp Memorial on Jan. 19, 2012, his medical records again listed the left kidney as requiring removal.
Though Sharp Memorial policy said physicians should have the patient’s X-rays or CT scans present in the operating room before surgery begins, the lead surgeon in this procedure, according to the state, “forgot the necessary login information needed to access the images remotely.”
That surgeon, whom Kibbett identified in his lawsuit as Dr. Evan Vapnek, decided to remove the left kidney without the radiological verification, according to the state report.
Dr. Geoffrey Stiles, Sharp Memorial’s chief medical officer, said it wasn’t possible to reattach the healthy kidney. And it was still necessary to remove the cancerous right kidney. Stiles said the patient doesn’t qualify for a transplanted kidney from a donor, meaning that he will need ongoing dialysis to survive.
Kibbett’s lawsuit names Sharp, Vapnek and doctors Thomas Jones and James Roberts as defendants. Two other parties were initially listed, but have settled or are in the process of being dismissed from the suit, Nelson said.
Nelson also said Kibbett lives with his sister and legal guardian, Karen Brousseau, who declined to discuss the case Thursday.
“He and his family will live with the awful consequences of this for the rest of his life,” Nelson said.
Vapnek said in an email that Sharp provided to U-T San Diego this week: “Helping patients heal is my life’s work, and I have never felt such personal anguish as I did when we discovered the wrong kidney had been removed. I have expressed my sincere regret to the patient and the family over this tragic incident, and Sharp has been diligently providing the additional care required. With the assistance of my colleagues and the staff at Sharp, I have rededicated my practice to make every effort possible to prevent such an error from happening again.”
Gross, the Sharp operations executive, said Vapnek’s record is otherwise unblemished, adding that he has retained his operating privileges at Sharp Memorial.
Jones and Roberts didn’t respond Thursday evening to a request for comment.
The botched surgery occurred one month after a wrong-side surgery at the same hospital nearly cost a man his only healthy testicle. In August, the state fined Sharp Memorial $75,000 after a surgeon made an incision on the right side of the patient’s groin before realizing that it was the patient’s left testicle that was scheduled for removal.
In that case, state inspectors said the surgical team involved didn’t follow the hospital’s extensive procedures for properly identifying the correct side.
Stiles, the chief medical officer at Sharp Memorial, said the two cases were similar in that they involved confusion of left and right sides but differed in the exact mechanisms that allowed them to happen.
He also said additional training occurred after the testicle case — and continues to this day. No additional wrong-side surgeries have occurred since the Kibbett kidney incident, he said.
And Stiles said Sharp has strengthened enforcement of its operating procedures in the wake of the kidney mistake, making X-rays a strict requirement for certain types of surgery where there is a potential for confusion.
In the Alvarado Hospital incident, state investigators said an elderly woman who had fallen at a local skilled-nursing facility was admitted to Alvarado in early 2012. She was being monitored when she fell from her hospital bed and suffered a head wound that caused her to die the next day, they said in their report.
The state found that a nurse turned off a special alarm designed to warn hospital personnel if a fall-prone patient was trying to get out of bed. That action was taken “because the patient wanted to sit on the edge of the bed,” an activity that would frequently set off the sensitive alarm, according to the state.
Alvarado didn’t release a statement Thursday about the incident, though its report to the state said the hospital took steps to make sure its employees followed fall-risk policies and added a portable “personal alarm” device to make falls less likely.
copied from the UT...............

Oct 25, 2013

Bill O'Reilly: Garden Variety Right Wing Nut or Insane Dangerous Narcissist

Bill O'Reilly:  Garden Variety Right-Wing Nut or Insane Dangerous Narcissist

Twice within the last two weeks Bill O'Reilly has referred to the assassination of President Kennedy in comparison to President Obama.

He often mentions Kennedy as he touts his recent book, Killing Kennedy.

He said the sentiment of the country is the same now about President Obama as it was right before Kennedy was assassinated.

A viewer wrote in to criticize and O'Reilly became even more adamant about his position and defending his statement....even making the assertion that is was important for the viewers to know this information.

Many may not agree with not only this statement, but this interpretation of the country's sentiment and the possible insinuation that goes along with this idea.

What is the actual goal of O'Reilly, this bilge busting reservoir of flatulence?

Many citizens and voters, as we saw by the last election, are glad to have President Obama in office and very glad to have health care.  Many republicans have stated they were happy to have their children remained covered to the age of 26.

Is "stirring up" the job of the right wing conspirators.....

Will Mr. O'Reilly be paid a visit by the secret service.......

As those horrible words were repeated, twice, by the seemingly insane king of Fox News fanatical facts of anti-democrat propaganda the horrible words of the old white racists came to mind form The Men Who Killed Kennedy predicting the terrible event to happen in Dallas.

What is this joker trying to stir up...........stir up......is that the job of these Fox News whack jobs?

Bill often states as he did on the morning show of CBS when asked if he will be running for office.......I am the only one looking out for the folks.

Bill, who are your folks.........the "folks" elected and re-elected President Obama.  Wouldn't President Obama actually be the one looking out for the average working guy?  The average working guy who wants health care.

No, President Obama, is not a communist or socialist, as you also tried to say this week.

Is this man extremely dangerous, or what.

Is he actually jealous of President Obama because he is cute and funny........this may be the real reason.

Bill was here in San Diego last Friday........the ticket prices?

92.00 to 147.00 for the regular seats.......and.......539.00 for a chance to meet and greet with Bill and Dennis Miller.  Just wondering if these are the average folks Bill is meeting as he tours around the country on his Bolder and Fresher gig.  Are these the average working folks he is looking out for, people who pay 539.00 to see his show.

Are the voters in the working class neighborhoods who elected our President and who are thankful for health care paying to see that show.

Is Bill's vision skewed.......will he be visited by the secret service like Ted Nuggent and what are his actual goals? He is very offensive to those other "folks" who see President Obama as someone with a wonderful vision for our country.

Warning:  Do not be dragged into to this grand narcissistic scheme--it will only be harmful in the long run.

from Newshounds...............

http://www.newshounds.us/bill_o_reilly_reads_president_obama_s_mind_and_psychoanalyzes_his_need_to_destroy_the_hard_right_10212013



This set is 18.00.....The earrings are 8mm swarovski cubes with sterling silver findings.......I put it together with a bracelet I purchased at the gem show in Tucson.......cl
tax and shipping are included in the price.

The Wrong Kidney Removed and Life in the OR at Sharp Memorial San Diego

Cut time:  rushing......why isn't the patient in the room?

Did we do the time out?  Did everyone listen?  Did the surgeon listen?

The Wrong Kidney Removed and Life in the OR at Sharp Memorial San Diego

Seriously, life at Memorial, perhaps the Sharp OR will now shift their focus to patient safety instead of rushing for the surgeon's convenience.

copied from nbcsandiego.com..............

2 San Diego Hospitals Fined by California Dept. of Public Health

One facility was fined for failing to prevent a patient's fatal fall, while the other was fined for removing the wrong kidney from a patient

By Monica Garske
|  Thursday, Oct 24, 2013  |  Updated 9:21 PM PDT
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2 San Diego Hospitals Slapped with Fines
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Two San Diego-area hospitals were fined by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Thursday after investigations found that one facility failed to prevent a patient's fatal fall, while staff at the other facility removed the wrong kidney from a patient during surgery.
According to the CDPH, penalties were issued to Alvarado Hospital Medical Center and Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego County because the facilities’ non-compliance with licensing requirements likely caused serious injury or death to patients.
According to a report filed by the CDPH, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center was given a $50,000 penalty for failure to ensure the health and safety of a patient when the hospital did not follow established policies and procedures regarding fall prevention.
The report says a registered nurse turned off a bed alarm for a high fall-risk patient and the patient fell out of her bed, hit her head and suffered a bleed into her brain tissue stemming from the fall. The patient died the next day.
An investigation into the incident was launched in February 2012. In the end, the investigation determined that failure to prevent the fall resulted in the patient’s death, according to the documents.
The CDPH said this is Alvarado Hospital Medical Center’s first administrative penalty.
Meanwhile, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, was issued $100,000 penalty because the hospital failed to ensure the health and safety of a patient when it didn’t follow surgical policies and procedures.
A report filed by the CDPH says medical staff incorrectly removed the left kidney of a patient during a surgical procedure. The 53-year-old patient had a suspected cancerous mass in his right kidney, but staffers failed to correctly identify the surgical site on the day of the operation, ultimately removing the wrong kidney.
“The failed surgical team failed to have any of the relevant images of the kidney(s) available and displayed during any part of the surgical procedure,” the report states.
The patient survived, but the hospital is still being fined for failure to prevent the deficiencies, which caused serious injury to the patient. The CDPH says this is the hospital's fourth administrative penalty.
The local hospitals are just two out of nine California medical facilities fined by the CDPH on Thursday.
Other facilities include: St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton, in Orange County; Antelope Valley Hospital in Los Angeles County; Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno County; Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno; LAC/Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, in Los Angeles County; Mercy Medical Center in Merced County; Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, Mission Viejo, in Orange County; Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, in Santa Clara County.
The CDPH says administrative penalties are issued under authority granted by Health and Safety Code section 1280.1. A penalty carries a fine of $50,000 for the first violation, $75,00 for the second and $100,00 for the third or subsequent violation.


Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/2-San-Diego-Hospitals-Fined-by-California-Dept-of-Public-Health-229202551.html#ixzz2ikTYaNSQ

Oct 21, 2013

Oct 19, 2013

Sewing Diaries with Paul Gallo: Choosing Fabrics and Trim

Vintage Pot Holder.......Part of my collection

Wemple Talks O'Reilly........

copied from the Washington Post........


Erik Wemple

Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly clobbered by Carl Bernstein in faceoff on GOP

Bill O'Reilly (Frank Micelotta/Invsion/Associated Press)
Bill O’Reilly (Frank Micelotta/Invsion/Associated Press)
A word of advice to anyone who ever gets invited onto “The O’Reilly Factor” to serve as chum for the show’s name partner. It shows Carl Bernstein, of Washington Post-Watergate fame, demonstrating precisely how to disarm the domineering Bill O’Reilly. As the segment makes clear, Bernstein’s invitation to “The Factor” stemmed from edgy comments he made on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” In hammering the GOP for its tactics on the government shutdown, Bernstein said that the party had “become a rabid organization from the top down. The leadership, it’s cancerous. We have to go back to the party — to the Democratic Party of segregation to find this kind of scorched-earth politics putting the national interests nowhere and putting ideology and ideology above all else.”
Just the sort of stuff that interests the staff of “The Factor.”
O’Reilly ran the “Morning Joe” clip and then told Bernstein he thought those remarks were “unfair.” “I think that was a little bit unfair because the Republican Party is so all over the place on this. There isn’t a consensus in it. I thought you demonized the party unfairly there,” said O’Reilly.
Then the host thus began his prosecution — and Bernstein refused to allow it to proceed. See, O’Reilly’s trick in these clashes is to insist that the debate follow his own agenda, his own touchstones. So he interrupts his opponent and makes them address issues that he stipulates, regardless of whether those issues bear on the larger points. Here’s how Bernstein beat back O’Reilly’s initial effort to steer things his way:
BERNSTEIN: Well, let’s go back to what I said about ideology, which is exactly the same thing you said at the top of the show almost word for word — about ideology becoming secondary to facts and to the national interests. I could have quoted Bill O’Reilly.
I used the example of segregation and the horrible example of the Democratic Party and the appeasement by others in the Democratic Party in the early 50s of the segregationists, the same way the leadership of the Republican Party has appeased this know-nothing fashion that has brought on this –
O’REILLY: All right. But — I think we get your point.
BERNSTEIN: Let me finish, Bill. No, no let me finish. I’m talking about the leadership, meaning Eric Cantor, Boehner who went along with this craziness for a while, McConnell who didn’t say to his party “Stop this. This is hurting the country.” That is rabid leadership. This is what McCarthyism was also about.
Bernstein wasn’t going to get bullied. Resisting O’Reilly’s first attempt to hijack the discussion is critical, because once he has a toehold — once he is pushing his points — it’s impossible to rewind the whole enterprise and recover. The host is just too insistent. Here, Bernstein continues protesting, demanding at one point, “let’s stop here.” Those ploys allow him to battle O’Reilly on somewhat equal turf. The glory of it all is that the segment is pleasant, enlightening and worthy of “The O’Reilly Factor’s” stratospheric ratings. No finger-jabbing whatsoever.
Watch the exchange here.

Oct 18, 2013

Lapis Earrings.........Sterling Silver with red crystal accents.

IMAG0761

Lapis Earrings.........Sterling Silver with red crystal accents.

tax and shipping included................14.88

Wanted to Interview O'Reilly...Right, he's coming to San Diego.........

That would be tonight at Copley Symphony Hall..........

Just want to ask him one question.......who are the folks and do they not want health care?

I e-mailed asking for 5 mins of his time.......

Checked out the prices for the show of O'Reilly and Dennis Miller.....Bolder and Fresher.

A little pricey for this blogger......92.00--147.00...

539.00 for the VIP package to go to the Meet and Greet of O'Reilly and Miller....I'll go all last names just like Bill.

Anyway, Bill is certainly a media force, agree or disagree and I would love to meet him and ask him questions--one question.

Are Bill's folks the VIPers because that is who he chats with going around the country?  Would he like to meet the folks of Nelly or Bill Ayers.  Would he like the average run-of-the-mill waitress to have health care? Do those folks actually exist?

here is a link to the website for the tickets:

http://bolderfreshertour.com/

................

Dear Bill.....I just heard you say you will be in San Diego tomorrow evening, Friday.  I have written against you many times but I do not mind saying I would love to interview you for 5 minutes as this is where I live.  My blog is the ronnie republic and I am sure if you google your name with it several posts will come up.  I know we disagree but I love to hear the opposing side....call me Karl Rove but I agree with him that it is the political conversation that moves things forward and as we both can agree we are so lucky to live in a country where we can each state our opinion.  

Heads up, not that you need it, but the question I would like to ask is this....as you have gone on against Obamacare on several occasions and you say you are looking out for the folks.....who do you think the folks are as President Obama was re-elected and do you not think the folks would like to have health care?

Bill, thank you for your time and hope to hear from you.

Chloe Louise...the ronnie repuiblic


Range of Strange Equals Good Radio: John B. Wells on Coast to Coast

Seriously, if you want really good music and an interesting radio talk show.......highly recommend John B. Wells on Coast to Coast Am.

Coast to Coast runs here in San Diego on KOGO 600 AM at 10 PM each night with a rerun immediately following at 2AM.

The refreshing thing abut this show--all of the hosts--let the guests talk.....can you believe it--on a talk show?

John B. usually takes the helm from George Noory on the weekends and fills in at various times as needed.

Wanted to talk about a particularly interesting show recently on Coast to Coast featuring former Governor Jesse Ventura.  Jesse was talking about his new book...They Killed Our President.

It was good listening because as usual Jesse raised some often overlooked points about the JFK assassination and we were lucky enough to get to hear the opinions of Jesse Ventura and John B. Wells.

Once in a great while we actually get to hear the opinion of the host, and with John B. it is always a special event.

It was fun to hear Jesse and John B. talk about their parents and their childhood and how that affected the formation of their political ideas and their take on the JFK assassination.  Like me, John B. Wells heard about it in school.  Yes, in the 6th grade the principal came in to tell the class the President had died---remembering Mr. Gritz and the look on his face it as if it was yesterday.  "People," as he always started out, hands on his hips....trying to give out the information without making it sound to dire.

Many have called in to say they really like John B. Wells and find him a little bit different to listen to because he will say if he is wrong, he will give his own idea, not to often, and he lets the guest talk even if he does not agree.  All of the hosts are polite to the callers--John has a little interaction with the caller with a little different take--it just makes for a good show--and where does he get that music?

The interaction between John B. and Jesse Ventura was particularly informative--the two of them together made for a entertaining and interesting show--agree or disagree--it was a good conversation.

Now, how to listen to Coast to Coast in your area?  There is a website and at the top there is a heading for stations.........that will show you how to find the station where you live.

I missed this really good show so I listened to it on my comp or the podcast or on my phone while I am walking my dog.....I love him to bits but he is the slowest dog in the United States--seriously, he can focus on one blade of grass for five minutes.

Enough about Roeese.......I love Coast to Coast--listen to it every night if I can and I just wanted to tell everyone about this real good show.......no I do not always agree with everything on the show.

here is a link to the book:

http://www.amazon.com/They-Killed-Our-President-Assassinate/dp/1626361398/ctoc

here is Ro-Ro at the dog beach:


this show aired on 10-5-2013
here is a link to the Coast to Coast website and this particular show:

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2013/10/05

Last 2 Sundays of the month......George Knapp......never miss these shows.....yes, right after Masterpiece.


Oct 17, 2013

Religion According To Bill O'Reilly........

Religion according to Bill O'Reilly....

Sorry, Bill, Jesus likes me, too--a liberal and pro-choice.

Bill's rules apply to everyone but him, as in his interpretation of "the facts," as well.  His book has been criticized by religious scholars for not being factual or cherry picking certain items to make his point.

This is what I would like to know.....who are "the folks" that Bill claims he is looking out for as he stated in a recent interview....."I am the only one looking out for the folks."  Does he not think the folks want health care?  And here is his biggest disconnect of all.....does he not realize "the folks" elected President Obama?

It's Bill's way or the highway.....apparently this applies to everything from religious interpretation, the voting population of the United States and Howie Kurtz.

Go Howie!............

Howie Kurtz and James Carville taking Bill O'Reilly to task are the best reason to watch Fox News and The Factor.  It's a no spin zone unless it's Bill doing the spinning himself.

from News Hounds.............

Bill O'Reilly Attacks 'Killing Jesus' Critics Who 'Despise Religion'

Pope_Bill.jpg
Bill O'Reilly once advised the folks to ignore their "enemies." But Bill's inability to follow his own advice or, dare we say, hypocrisy, was shown by last night's O'Reilly screed in which he savaged those who do not believe that the divinely inspired "Killing Jesus" is the most awesome book evah. The devoutly Catholic O'Reilly framed his discussion around how the evil, librul media and "the left" despise religion - a popular victim card played by those who claim that it's the poor who play the victim. But the discussion was really all about poor Bill as it soon morphed into O'Reilly's patented baseless attacks on those who, I guess, are Bill's "enemies" because they dare to deride his faith (of which he is such a stellar example). Howard Kurtz tried to add some reason to the discussion; but as is true in life writ large, those who are "faith based" can be quite unreasonable!
Bill opened up by stating, as O'Reilly fact, that the "media is continuing to demean religion, been happening for years." He played video in which MSNBC Luke Russert spoke to a Christian Broadcasting Network host about how religion is given snarky treatment by the media. O'Reilly presented a "perfect example" of the snark when he quoted the USA Today book critic, Bob Minzesheimer (Don't know if he's Jewish but if he is, he's probably getting anti-Semitic e-mails!), who merely pointed out the fact that after O'Reilly told 60 Minutes that he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, his book went from number two to number one. O'Reilly also read Minzesheimer's factual comment that O'Reilly "panned" his critics. (He was also critical of the book but O'Reilly didn't mention that.)
Howard Kurtz agreed with Russert that there is a "condescension," in the media towards religion; but that it's based on lack of understanding rather than malicious intent. He also cited how there is a "cultural divide" because the urban media tend to be secular. Bill wanted to know why these secular people want to "demean" those who believe. Kurtz responded that there might be a "lack of understanding."
Bill then pulled a fact straight out his ass: "The Catholic Church scandal was met with glee in much of the liberal press" who "used it as a hammer." He asserted that the "columnists went wild" and that he could provide examples of this "all day long." Rather than actually provide examples, he named former Huffington Post columnist Larry Doyle, Bill Maher who is a COMEDIAN, Joan Walsh (who challenged O'Reilly on his Tiller attacks), "a bunch of gay activists, a bunch of abortion people all day long just hammering everybody in the Catholic Church is an idiot, all the priests are perverts, you know what happened..." Kurtz defended Boston Globe reporters and cited how NBC did a popular bible series. When Kurtz mentioned the glowing publicity received by the new Pope, Bill whined that Pope Benedict didn't get the same treatment and the only reason that Pope Francis gets good treatment is because he's perceived as liberal.
Pope Bill pontificated that "the left is against religion (Hmmm, Sister Simone Campbell is a "leftist" and she's a Catholic nun!) because religion opposes things like gay marriage  and abortion, that's what it's all about." This is another O'Reilly ass fact because liberal Protestant denominations and non-Orthodox Jews support abortion and gay marriage.
Bill launched into poor me mode with another baseless and narcissistic ass fact about how "the secular national media doesn't want anybody to buy this book." (Hey, Bill, I don't think they really care about your book or who buys it) He whined that "very few have even mentioned it." (Awww)  Bill's overly inflated ego was on hand with the comment that "this is by far and away the best selling book in the world."  When Kurtz noted that O'Reilly got publicity from CBS, O'Reilly said that 60 Minutes is "reportage."
Theologian Bill bloviated that his statement about the Holy Ghost is "what every Christian believes if he or she is a Christian and that was used to attack me." Kurtz countered that the comment gave him more exposure and more book sales. Bill wanted to know why he was attacked over this "expression of what every Christian believes." When Kurtz tried to answer, Bill overtalked him: "All Christians are inspired by God to do things." He added that these evil doer are "playing to their crew" who "despise religion and any expression of it." He cited the "USA" reviewer who is playing to his "anti-religion crew." He accused the national media of being "a little pack" who "all think the same." (Kinda like Fox viewers?)
If Bill O'Reilly did a good "examination of conscience" he might realize that these "attacks" are merely reflections on how Bill's oft proclaimed Christianity is contradicted by his own not very Christian personal and baseless attacks such as this latest screed and critic "panning." Just saying....

Read more at http://www.newshounds.us/20131016_bill_o_reilly_attacks_killing_jesus_critics_who_despise_religion#LMF5vWQasb9Iy56O.99

here is the link to see the the video of Howie and Bill and other comments, too.......
http://www.newshounds.us/20131016_bill_o_reilly_attacks_killing_jesus_critics_who_despise_religion#_=_

Rolling Stones stars Ronnie Wood & Mick Taylor to team up at BluesFest

Rolling Stones stars Ronnie Wood & Mick Taylor to team up at BluesFest

Oct 16, 2013

Scientists Paul and Theresa at Dog Beach, Ocean Beach San Diego Today, Oct, 15, 2013


Worried about Algerian Sea Lavender invading the natural habitat in San Diego.......




Scientist Paul and Theresa at Dog Beach, Ocean Beach, San Diego today, October 15, 2013.

The Dog Beach area of Ocean Beach, San Diego is also a natural environment Paul and Theresa are trying to preserve.

Dog Beach is a a bird sanctuary and a natural habitat.  They are trying to figure out why Algerian Sea Lavender is growing here and they are worried it will take over the natural habitat invading the area and forcing out the natural plants that already are growing here.  They work with San Diego Parks and Recreation.
Photo
here is a link about Algerian Sea Lavender in the San Francisco Bay Area........

http://www.cal-ipc.org/symposia/archive/pdf/2011/PerlmutterPoster2011.pdf

Thank you Paul and Theresa for letting me take your picture and taking time to answer my questions about this very important issue in San Diego.
IMAG1376.jpg
Good job and thank you for your hard work.

Any comment or further information would be very appreciated as this post is from a quick few questions answered from these hard working scientists as they took time out from their busy and important work.

............

Oct 15, 2013

Who Are Bill O'Reilly's "Folks".........

Who are the "folks," Bill?

Bill keeps insisting.....I'm looking out for the folks.

But Bill, who are the folks?

Do the folks not want health care?

This is the Bill O'Reilly disconnect...........ranting on endlessly about Obamacare......but, Bill, I'm pretty sure the folks , and there are a lot of them, want health care.

Bill, please explain, what do you think?

Chloe Louise, San Diego

Alan Hanson: Elvis Biographer Talks Movies, 50's Elvis and Living in The Real World

Alan Hanson: Elvis Biographer Talks Movies, 50's Elvis and Living in The Real World

Oh, what an immense pleasure to chat with Elvis Presley biographer, Alan Hanson.  His true Elvis area of interest:  the 50’s, particularly the last tours of 1957.


This is the area Mr. Hanson found the most fascinating and least researched when he set out to write his book.


Elvis ’57:  The Final Fifties Tour





The picture on the cover says it all……..


Regal in his gold lamé suit--strength, style, popularity, art in time and most importantly, depicting the vibe and sentiment of the youth and upcoming generation of the day.


That iconic pose--remember Madonna in that pose--sends the message of unbridled power to the viewer--people--get ready because the storm is coming and it is heading your way.


Who created Elvis?  According to Alan, Elvis did have input from his original band in creating and perfecting his sound and style, but his physical style, his movements and his natural singing ability were all his own.  Right, there indeed was input from talented others, many to be noted on the the way to fame and fortune, but Elvis himself was an innately talented powerhouse that could not be stopped or started regardless of what insight others had to offer.


Alan related a little known fact from Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, the original back-up vocal group.  He took the time to research and establish a long term relationship they carried on until he recently passed away.  Brilliant, but insecure in his stage performance Elvis got so close to his backup group on stage he literally stepped on their toes occasionally while he was performing.  

According to Alan,  Elvis remained insecure and demanded extreme loyalty from those around him throughout his entire life leading to claims of secrecy and bizarre activities particularly towards the end of his life.



As for the relationship between Elvis and the Jordanaires, I would characterize it as a very close “professional” relationship. Elvis respected the ability of the quartet to arrange the proper background vocals for his recordings. Of the four men in the group, Gordon Stoker had the closest relationship with Elvis. Gordon sang duets with Elvis on several of his hit records, including “All Shook Up” and “Good Luck Charm.” I believe both Elvis and Gordon would have said they were friends, but they were not close friends. Gordon would visit Elvis at Graceland occasionally, but most of their contact was in the recording studio or on stage. The Jordanaires worked on Presley’s recording sessions throughout the fifties and sixties. In the seventies, when Elvis went back to doing live shows in Vegas and on tour, the Jordanaires declined to accompany him. They had plenty of studio work in Nashville to keep them busy and were not willing to be away from their homes and families to follow Elvis around the country. Elvis then hired the Imperials as his male quartet on stage and in the recording studio. Gordon was loyal to Elvis through the years both before and after Elvis's death. I found Gordon to always to be a staunch defender of Elvis both as an entertainer and as a kind and charitable person right up until Gordon's death a few months ago.
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“Jaggernaut” by nature I couldn’t resist asking Alan what he thought about the upcoming movie on the life of Elvis Presley.  This is reportedly a biopic by the production company of Mick Jagger.  According to Variety Mick has always been a fan of Elvis and admired him throughout his career.  Alan felt the movie is starting off on a good premise as long as it remains true to the book.  The movie will be based on the biography about Elvis, The Last Train To Memphis which details the beginning of his career.  Alan and others consider this book by Guralnick to be a true account of the early life of Elvis Presley.


Here is a little excerpt for the website of Alan Hanson which is called the Elvis History Blog--like a good book once you start reading this blog it is hard to put down.  Well-written and informative and good pictures, the time starts zooming by…..


While writing Elvis ’57:  The Final Fifties Tour, my goal was to be as accurate and as objective as possible (not easy for an Elvis fan).  There are other books such as Peter Guralnick’s two volume autobiography and Scotty Moore’s autobiography, that also strive to earn the owner’s trust through a factual and balanced look at Presley’s life and work.

here is a link to Alan's blog, Elvis History Blog:






from Variety……………………..


Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman will produce through their Jagged Films banner along with Steven Bing, who will produce through his Shangri-La shingle. John Fusco is adapting the script.

The studio along with MacDonald (pictured above) and the producers will now begin searching for the young Presley, starting with a recently-launched website Young Elvis Presley where actors can submit audition tapes singing six to eight bars of any Presley song.

Jagger has been championing musical biopics lately, clearly a natural fit for the seasoned rocker. He’s also producing the untitled James Brown biopic starring Chadwick Boseman. He’s also helping to shepherd a 1970s-set music biz drama at HBO with Terence Winter and Martin Scorsese.

here is a link to the Variety page:



Talking about the gold lamé suit-------Alan worked hard to  find this picture and use it on the cover of his book.  First, Elvis did not often wear the entire suit as the knees started to wear out fast when he made the racy move of getting on his knees and sliding across the stage during this period of his career.  Who knew gold lame would not hold up…..as  a result there were very few pictures taken of Elvis in this particular suit and difficult to find.  Note the picture of Elvis from Alan’s blog and also from Variety…….the jacket only…..Alan also said he has seen the gold lamé suit on display at Graceland.









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Just a practical note about writing from Alan Hanson:


He likes to write each day.  He starts his day with a little exercise to clear his mind and then gets into his office and writing for about 2 hours in the late morning.


As far as his latest blog post……...there will be an addition on the first and third week of each month…….and then the next month they will be a permanent fixture in the blog.
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Thank you, Alan, for taking time to chat and giving the reader and fans a chance to focus the  microscope on your very precise area of Elvis information.  How does one get to be a star--talent and drive and millions of life-shaping moments along the way.  We are so lucky to know these interesting facts.




To order Alan's book........On stage with Elvis in 1957--the complete story--here is the link: