In researching a lynching in Santa Rosa Press Democrat of 11 December 1920, this bit of California history was mentioned: ONE WOMAN LYNCHED What is reputed to be the only known lynching of a woman in the history of California, occurred in Downieville in 1851. As described by Charles L. Felton, an eye-witness, she was a … [Read more…]
Comment on the genre of “climate fiction,” which now, in late 2023 is pretty well defined, this entry suggests it has been around for centuries but gained momentum around 2010. Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction) The Wikipedia entry for Climate Fiction contains this: “Technologies such as climate engineering or climate adaptation practices often feature prominently in works … [Read more…]
Eulogy for Rose (Editor’s Note: Ina Draper DeFoe, Columbia poetess, wrote this tribute to the late Rose Gaffney of Bodega Bay, a unique citizen of the Redwood Empire. It is edited for today’s Medley.) Our family knew Rose Gaffney back before there was anything to threaten her ownership of Bodega Head. One weekend my youngest … [Read more…]
Isabel Crook, 107, Dies; Her Life in China Spanned a Century of Change A noted educator and anthropologist, she spent almost her entire life in China, where she was a committed friend of the Communist government. NY Times 08/24/23 Isabel Crook, a China-born daughter of Canadian missionaries who became one of her adopted country’s most … [Read more…]
Behind All the Talk, This Is What Big Oil Is Actually Doing Aug. 7, 2023 New York Times In reading a few arguments about the pace of the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, some are saying that “we can’t afford this” and, as in the article above, people won’t buy it. I’m getting … [Read more…]
SunRay Kelley, Master Builder of the Counterculture, Dies at 71 The go-to guru for those seeking their dream yurt, spiritual retreat or treehouse, he brought forth his handmade structures like a wizard with a chain saw. By Penelope Green Published July 30, 2023 Updated July 31, 2023, 7:00 a.m. ET SunRay Kelley, the barefoot maverick … [Read more…]
World’s oldest national newspaper prints final edition after 320 years – Austria’s Wiener Zeitung to publish online only after recent law change makes it unprofitable as print product The newspaper, which is owned by the Austrian government but is editorially independent, began publishing in August 1703 and has seen out 12 presidents, 10 kaisers … [Read more…]
In The Guardian is an obituary of artist Hamad Butt and a review of his work. Fascinating and dangerous, Butt was one of the Young Brits who, having died in 1994 of AIDS, didn’t receive as much exposure as his peers. So why haven’t we heard of Butt before? His lack of visibility is … [Read more…]
Ryuichi Sakamoto, Oscar-Winning Japanese Composer, Dies at 71 in the New York Times. The Guardian carries a tribute here.
Keith Reid, Who Brought Poetry to Procol Harum, Dies at 76 He did not perform with the group, but his impressionistic words made it one of the leading acts of the progressive-rock era.