Columbus, OH

Los Angeles County, CA

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

Reginald John “Rex” Whistler died in Normandy eighty years ago, on July 18, 1944, when a German mortar exploded next to him. His body, according to witnesses, was tossed into the air and he was killed instantly, without a mark on him. He was thirty-nine and had, in the decade or so before the war, made a reputation in England as one of its leading painters, illustrators, designers, and, above all, muralists. His society connections—he was on the periphery of the “Bright Young Things” who hung around with Cecil Beaton, the Paget sisters, Teresa “Baby” Jungman, Chips Channon, et hoc genus omne—brought in valuable commissions that earned him a reasonable living and allowed him to be lodged occasionally in some of Britain’s finest houses while doing his work. When the Marquess of Anglesey paid him £1,000—equivalent today to around £70,000—in 1938 for a spectacular mural on the long wall of his dining room at Plas Newydd in North Wales, Whistler self-mockingly rebuked him and said that he, in fact, owed Lord Anglesey.

Whistled away

A fascinating aspect of Samson—the lost opera from the 1730s with music by Jean Philippe Rameau and words by Voltaire that inspired the creation of a new opera at the Aix-en-Provence Festival this summer—is the forward-looking remark by Voltaire about his vision for the opera, particularly his desire that it include Italianate elements. “I want my Delilah to sing beautiful arias where French style is melted into Italian style,” i.e., arias with gorgeous melodies. The new style he envisioned would allow only one recitative per act and fewer secondary roles; Rameau would have the responsibility, as Voltaire put it, to “reconcile Italy and France.” In the middle of the eighteenth century, the question of how to reinvigorate opera became a heated subject for debate, with many advocating a reconciliatory approach similar to Voltaire’s. By the early 1760s, concrete results had emerged in the Italian sphere, including Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (1762), which initiated his famous “reform” of opera.

Two Iphigenias at Aix

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

PopCulture

Perry's latest music video has been scrutinized due to environmental concerns.

Katy Perry Placed Under Investigation

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Las Vegas, NV

The Spun

Heartbreaking details are emerging from the tragic death of a 50-year-old former Summer Olympics athlete. Over the weekend, the body of a former Summer Olympics athlete was found in a Las Vegas apartment. Daniela Larreal Chirinos, a former cyclist from Venezuela, was found dead in her Las ...

Body Of Ex-Olympic Athlete Found In Vegas Apartment

Maurizio Pollini died in March at age eighty-two, apparently of heart disease. By general consent he was one of the major concert pianists of his age, and many felt he was the greatest of a generation that includes Vladimir Ashkenazy, Martha Argerich, and Daniel Barenboim. Pollini was born in Milan...

An interview with Maurizio Pollini

When it comes to a figure of such legendary status as Frank Sinatra, there isn't much to say about him that hasn't already been said. The crooning icon of the mid-20th century music scene has an allure that precedes even his music and evokes images of 1950s and '60s American high life, suave suited gentlemen, and raucous big band tunes. But behind the somewhat mystical reputation of Sinatra is a man who is prone to his habits just like the rest of us.

Frank Sinatra's Go-To Steakhouse In Vegas Plus His Regular Orders

Hollywood Unlocked

Venezuelan cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos, who had a great career spanning five Olympic Games from 1992 to 2012, has tragically passed away. Reports indicate that Larreal was found deceased in her apartment after apparently choking on her food. At the time of her death, the retired athlete was working as a waitress at a hotel ... Read more

Olympic Cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos Reportedly Found Dead In Las Vegas Apartment ‘After Chocking On Food’

With his 80th birthday less than six months away, Rod Stewart admitted his days are definitely numbered. During a recent interview with The Sun, the rock n’ roll legend stated, “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can.”

Rod Stewart Says His ‘Days Are Numbered’ in Heartbreaking Instagram Post

Who was William Henry Grenfell (1855–1945), the first and last Baron Desborough? Famous enough in his time to be saluted on his death at the age of eighty-nine in an editorial in The Times of London, he was described as a “perfect Englishman” more than once. Acclaimed as an outstanding athlete, Desborough had an extraordinary career of public service that began in his twenties as a Liberal MP and continued into his eighties. Since his death, he has been overshadowed by his wife, Ettie (1867–1952), as charming a woman as ever lived, and their son Julian Grenfell (1886–1915), one of the most glowing of the golden boys to perish during the Great War.

A sportsman among Souls

Pop star Bebe Rexha believes she was the victim of a hate crime after being banned from boarding her Lufthansa flight, according to videos she posted in her Instagram Stories on August 17, 2024. Rexha, who mentored contestants during season 20 of “American Idol,” shared two videos of her sobbing and wiping away her running eye makeup, clearly shaken up by the incident.

‘American Idol’ Mentor Banned From Flight, Alleges ‘Hate Crime’ by Security Agent

TVShowsAce

Country music star Mickey Guyton was on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. The episode had viewers call in and ask questions of the A-list star. Mickey didn’t hold back on her thoughts when one fan asked about American Idol. She even said the reality TV show threw her away.

Country Star Blasts ‘American Idol’ For Throwing Her Away

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

South Carolina State

Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

Like most others, Michael Jordan is attempting to make the most of his summer by taking a pleasant vacation. Online footage of the NBA legend traveling to Italy with his spouse, Yvette Prieto, has just surfaced. In one video, Jordan and Prieto can be seen dancing at a table at...

VIDEO: Michael Jordan’s Wife Yvette Prieto Was Causing A Major Stir While Dancing With Her Tipsy Husband During Wild Party On Their Expensive Italian Vacation

WyoFile

The woman who shot a video of a hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday morning told WyoFile she and her family were terrified as the blast sent boiling water and rocks skyward, destroying parts of a boardwalk, its guardrail and a nearby bench.

Yellowstone hydrothermal explosion: ‘We were terrified’

It's been two decades since beloved actor Brian Kelly died of pneumonia at 73 in 2005. Best known as Porter Ricks in the classic TV family show Flipper(NBC, 1964-1967), Kelly had once suffered a paralyzing motorcycle accident that ended his acting career. However, he rechanneld his creative talent and became a producer. This is his story.

The Paralyzing Accident & Tragic Death of TV's 'Flipper' Father Brian Kelly: Two Decades Later

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

NewsBreak

The red star returns

Just when everyone at the monastery has heaved a sigh of relief that the repulsive villain of The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Pavlovich, has at last gone...

The red star returns

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