Ray Davies' songs have been interpreted by performers such as The Pretenders, The Jam and Van Halen, to name just a few. All in English, it should be noted. ...more

November 27, 2008

Three weeks later I have to ask myself why I still remember. It was so ordinary, so mundane, so easily overlooked. ...more

November 24, 2008

Re: Frances Earl's column, "Nov 4: Last Chance To Get It Right," in the Oct. 30 edition of Hernando Today. ...more

November 2, 2008

On Aug. 28, I sat and listened to Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States. ...more

September 25, 2008

Labor Day is traditionally celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of summer. But do you know how it got its name? ...more

August 22, 2008

A college degree is a good thing. For many people it increases their ability to find work in a field they like. Even so, it is not the answer for everyone. When the experts insist that everyone needs to go to college, what is a high schooler to do? Some come from families that can afford to send them, but so many students find themselves getting deeper and deeper in debt, in order to attain that prized college diploma. I certainly do not scoff at such an achievement, but it does not guarantee a job. ...more

May 26, 2008

Ray Davies has pined for the good old days since he was in his 20s. Now in his 60s, his age has finally caught up with his mindset, and "Working Man's Cafe" finds Davies fully settled into his role as grumpy old man. ...more

February 21, 2008

"He was really the great chronicler of his time, the champion of personal reportage. His vaunted life as a public figure may have actually impeded serious critical attention to much of his work. Presumably, it will be possible now." Author E.L. Doctorow "When you talk of Norman Mailer, right away I see van Gogh's work boots. Norman was a working man. Lord, did he work. From one end of his life to the other, he sat in solemn thought and left so much to read, so many pages with ideas that come at you like sparks spitting from a fire." Jimmy Breslin, author and Mailer's running mate in 1969 New York City mayor's race "He'd go anywhere and try anything. He was a courageous person, a great person, fully confident, with a great sense of optimism." Author Gay Talese "It is a giant of American literature who has disappeared." French President Nicolas Sarkozy ...more

November 11, 2007