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Small Talk: Out of Genoa


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Marty Balin, a co-founder of Jefferson Airplane and a member of its later incarnation Jefferson Starship, whose high and soulful voice defined many of both groups’ songs, died Thursday, his rep confirmed. He was 76; the cause of death was not announced. His wife, Susan Joy Balin, was “by his side."

Although Balin had his greatest impact as one of the architects of the musical counterculture during his 1965-71 tenure in Jefferson Airplane, he had his greatest commercial success when he rejoined the remnants of that group a few years later in Jefferson Starship, as the sole lead singer on both of that band’s singles to reach the top 10, “Miracles” in 1975 and “Count on Me” in 1978.

He was a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, having been inducted with other members of the Airplane in 1996. It was 20 years later that the band received the Recording Academy’s lifetime achievement award, with Patti Smith writing in the Grammy Awards’ program book about her appreciation for “the soaring combination of Grace Slick’s acerbic wit and fearless charisma and the romantic purity of Marty Balin.”

Born Martyn Jerel Buchwald, Balin was a young folksinger in San Francisco when he formed a band with fellow folkie Paul Kantner, who specialized in 12-string guitar. The pair teamed up with guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady, drummer Skip Spence and singer Signe Anderson as the Jefferson Airplane and released their debut album, “Jefferson Airplane Takes Off,” in 1966. Anderson and Spence soon left the band and were replaced by Grace Slick and Spencer Dryden, respectively, and the group’s 1967 album “Surrealistic Pillow” — featuring the Slick-sung hits “White Rabbit” and “Somebody to Love,” along with several songs co-written by Balin — vaulted the group into superstardom. The harmonies between Slick, Balin and Kantner became a signature of the group’s sound.

Balin was the galvanizing member of both the band and the San Francisco scene, and in 1965 helped launch a club in the city called the Matrix that hosted many groups of the era, ranging from the Airplane, the Doors and Janis Joplin to the Velvet Underground. He sold his interest in the club after the Airplane’s star began to rise. Jefferson Airplane issued several more albums into the early 1970s and played at both Woodstock and Altamont (where he was famously knocked out by a Hell’s Angel after trying to intervene amid the violence).

The group splintered in the early 1970s but several members, including Slick and Kantner, reunited as Jefferson Starship in the mid-‘70s, and Balin was persuaded to reunite with his former partners during the recording of their debut album. His high tenor voice became a centerpiece of the group’s sound via hits like “Miracles” and “With Your Love.” That group splintered as well before reuniting without Balin several years later as a pure pop outfit under the abbreviated name Starship.

Balin went solo and enjoyed a top 10 hit of his own in 1981 with the song “Hearts.” In 1989, he joined up with a short-lived Airplane reunion tour and returned four years later to Jefferson Starship, finally leaving for good in 2008. His final solo album, “The Greatest Love,” was released in early 2016.

He underwent open-heart surgery in 2016 and later sued New York’s Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital for medical malpractice, claiming multiple injuries from the operations. Balin’s illness rendered him unable to attend the Grammys when the Airplane was awarded lifetime achievement honors, but he released a statement at the time, saying, “”I am grateful for the beautiful musical journey my life continues to take. To all my fellow Jefferson Airplane Band members, through its various metamorphoses, I thank you for a dream come true.”

In a statement, Susan and Balin’s family issued a statement that noted how Balin “also enjoyed painting all his life. He painted vibrant, large-scale portraits of many of the most influential musicians and good friends Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jerry Garcia, to name a few.”

“Marty was the one who started the San Francisco scene,” says Bill Thompson, Balin’s roommate back in the mid-’60s and former manager of both Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.

“Back in those days Marty was quite the businessman,” said Paul Kantner, who passed away in 2016. “He was the leader of the band on that level. He was the one who pushed us to do all the business stuff, orchestrating, thinking ahead, looking for managers and club opportunities. He was very good at it.”

Balin is survived by wife Susan Joy Balin, daughters Jennifer Edwards and Delaney Balin, and stepdaughters Rebekah Geier and Moriah Geier.

“Marty and I shared the deepest of love — he often called it Nirvana — and it was,” Susan Balin said in a statement. “But really, we were all touched by his love. His presence will be within my entire being forever.”

 

100 best photographs ever taken without photoshop

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21 hours ago, ByTor said:

I love horror movies, but lately it's all torture porn & "let's see how gross our effects can be."  I'll take American Werewolf in London (my all-time fave) over any of the Saws any day.

What happens when your dog is so mad at you for getting her groomed that she makes a point of showing you that she won't look at you...

image.png.7273aad54a911d4a676e3e8484abcbed.png

I loved American Werewolf in London!  There were a few good "wolfie" movies all from around the same time. One was called Wolfen, with Albert Finney, and another was The Howling, with Dee Wallace Stone.

What a cute puppy!  She'll forgive you as soon as it's snack time!

Edited by Snaporaz
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Quote

The Howling, with Dee Wallace Stone.

Speaking of puppies, isn't that what Wallace Stone basically turned into at the end? Also, I remember at the time reading that they rushed to get The Howling into theaters because they had stolen the technology for the werewolves from AAWIL.

Edited by peacheslatour
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On 9/17/2018 at 4:26 PM, OhioSongbird said:

Happy baking kiddies!

1 stick butter at room temp

1 c sugar (I throw a little brown in the cup and fill the rest of it with white)

2 eggs

1 1/2 c unbleached flour (or part white and part whole wheat if you prefer)

1 t baking soda

1 t salt (kosher is good)

1 c mashed ripe bananas

1 t vanilla

1/2 c sour cream

1/2 c nuts (walnuts, pecans, whatever) 

1 bowl:

cream butter & sugar (I use my whisk 'cause I hate to drag out the hand mixer)

add eggs one at a time

mix well

2nd bowl:

mix flour, soda, salt....add to butter mixture and mix well

add bananas, sour cream and vanilla...mix...then add nuts if desired

Bake in loaf pan for 1hr appx at 350-375...check with skewer

Enjoy!

 

side note...peaches I had some of your toasted pecans left over one time, chopped them up and used them.  Delish!

 I've used blueberries before, too (boy child doesn't like nuts in anything)...also tasty.

Thank You! Can't wait

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Speaking of puppies and all furry friends, I'd like to send a big THANK YOU to all of you Left Coasters, who always are at the forefront of positive changes.  California has enacted the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act into law.  Beginning in January 2020, no cosmetics that have been tested on animals, or cosmetics that contain ingredients that have been tested on animals, will be allowed to be sold in California.  Good on ya, Golden State!

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15 hours ago, Snaporaz said:

Speaking of puppies and all furry friends, I'd like to send a big THANK YOU to all of you Left Coasters, who always are at the forefront of positive changes.  California has enacted the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act into law.  Beginning in January 2020, no cosmetics that have been tested on animals, or cosmetics that contain ingredients that have been tested on animals, will be allowed to be sold in California.  Good on ya, Golden State!

Fer shur.

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On ‎9‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 6:32 PM, Snaporaz said:

Speaking of puppies and all furry friends, I'd like to send a big THANK YOU to all of you Left Coasters, who always are at the forefront of positive changes.  California has enacted the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act into law.  Beginning in January 2020, no cosmetics that have been tested on animals, or cosmetics that contain ingredients that have been tested on animals, will be allowed to be sold in California.  Good on ya, Golden State!

90% of independent cosmetic companies based in Cal are cruelty-free as it's the right thing to do, and a marketing win for consumers. The independent makeup companys did the heavy lifting for passage of the law. 

As goes the Left Coast, so goes the rest of the nation, kickin' and screamin'.

 

Truth speaks to Power, and a gate is unlocked. -- U.S. Supreme Court declines to take Martins Beach case — a win for California's landmark coastal access law

 

It's supposed to rain this week (Blessed rain!). All in all, a pretty decent day in California.

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1 hour ago, Cupid Stunt said:

It's supposed to rain this week (Blessed rain!). All in all, a pretty decent day in California.

I was sitting outside on the patio late last night, around 11, reading as is my habit before going to bed and I heard this strange, unfamiliar sound, like a rustling, a constant soft patter.  I immediately thought there was something in the yard, maybe a raccoon or possum going for the water in the bird bath.  I got up and moved out from under the umbrella to see if I could find out what was making the noise and it was raining.  It had been so long since we'd had any I didn't even recognize the sound.  It didn't rain for long, just enough to fill the air with the scent, so lovely.  

I'm hoping we get more tonight!

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9 hours ago, boes said:

I was sitting outside on the patio late last night, around 11, reading as is my habit before going to bed and I heard this strange, unfamiliar sound, like a rustling, a constant soft patter.  I immediately thought there was something in the yard, maybe a raccoon or possum going for the water in the bird bath.  I got up and moved out from under the umbrella to see if I could find out what was making the noise and it was raining.  It had been so long since we'd had any I didn't even recognize the sound.  It didn't rain for long, just enough to fill the air with the scent, so lovely.  

I'm hoping we get more tonight!

It rained periodically while we were on vacation, and we Left Coasters would swim, walk, sit on the open porch to soak in the moisture we were so starved for rain.

When CalFire is measuring overnight dew reports and the Santa Ana's are winding up, you know SoCal is desperate. We're supposed to be on the northern edge of Tropical Depression Rosa, and catch some much needed precipitation..

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I wonder if this post will disappear as well...I posted this about an hour ago in the Canadian forum and took a screenshot of it, and now it’s gone. It’s 11.06 EDT.

 

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Edited by Capricasix
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Sister Bea went with me to my physical with the endocrinologist. Three hours, radiation and several vials of blood later the initial prognosis is that I'm benign mass free, the scar tissue is barely discernable, and my blood tests indicate the early stages of premenopause. Yippee!

I have a new appointment with a gynecologist that specializes in menopause. 

 

Today is National Taco Day. *Urp* Get out there and partake before it's over!

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36 minutes ago, Cupid Stunt said:

Sister Bea went with me to my physical with the endocrinologist. Three hours, radiation and several vials of blood later the initial prognosis is that I'm benign mass free, the scar tissue is barely discernable, and my blood tests indicate the early stages of premenopause. Yippee!

I have a new appointment with a gynecologist that specializes in menopause. 

 

Today is National Taco Day. *Urp* Get out there and partake before it's over!

That's just absolutely terrific news, Cupid Stunt!!  The best!

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4 hours ago, boes said:

That's just absolutely terrific news, Cupid Stunt!!  The best!

3 hours ago, jewel21 said:

Blah. 

Cupid - Congrats! Although perhaps not on the prememopause. 

 

Thanks, boes and jewel. It is very good news.

My past operation memories pop up in odd moments, for no particular reason -- Did it grow back? -- Cold fear, then it's gone as quickly as I was reminded of it. <shudder>

I've been concerned about drifting mentally, losing my focus recently. The endocrinologist suggested that stress and lower hormone levels can have an effect on mental clarity in women, but there are a lot of options. New mission; hang on to my brain and hormones.

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congrats cupid stunt....

i found the "night sweats" the worst..........but then i got the fan out, pointed it in my direction (dh complains in the winter) and now it's not so bad...

LOL  seems like i have been going thru the change since i had my hysterectomy in 1987.

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3 hours ago, valleycliffe said:

congrats cupid stunt....

i found the "night sweats" the worst..........but then i got the fan out, pointed it in my direction (dh complains in the winter) and now it's not so bad...

LOL  seems like i have been going thru the change since i had my hysterectomy in 1987.

Thanks, Valley.

No sweats yet, but if my parents are any indication of the future Mr.Stunt will be huddled under a pile of polar fleece blankets and down quilt, while I'll have a corner of sheet blotting my underboobs.  

Going through "The Change" since 1987? Oh, honey … That ain't good.

 

The endocrinologist gave me a list of all the usual suspects to dump or begin in your life:

Smoking -- I don't smoke

Exercise -- I run 4 miles/6 days a week. 

Reduce stress -- <heavy sigh> drop a running day and go to yoga/barr/meditation, cancel all newspapers and watch Lisa Frank/My Little Pony TV until I sneeze glitter rainbows

Take up a hobby -- Reading, scratching at my doctorate, needlepoint and conspiring against my Chinese masters isn't enough?

Quit drinking -- No more Tour of Franzia?

tumblr_lh9626iGeP1qfogy2o1_500.jpg&key=f

 

No tippling from my Vodka teapot?

il_570xN.805011347_1o0e.jpg&key=c4efc42f<weeps piteously> 

Consider medicinal marijuana use -- Well, it's legal in California, making shopping easier and that's half the battle in Los Angeles. 

Edited by Cupid Stunt
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1 hour ago, valleycliffe said:

cooked my turkey yesterday so tonite it will be leftovers...and tomorrow night....and the night after...

me too and I already had some leftovers at lunch today!  Now making soup.  

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3 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

So, you guys have turkey on Thanksgiving too. I did not know that.

yep, and all the trimmings...plus pumpkin pie....instead of baking the pie this year, i just bought it from save on..

not sure about have turkey again at christmas but most likely will....new years is baked ham and scalloped potatoes.

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Just now, valleycliffe said:

yep, and all the trimmings...plus pumpkin pie....instead of baking the pie this year, i just bought it from save on..

not sure about have turkey again at christmas but most likely will....new years is baked ham and scalloped potatoes.

We have ham on New Years too. And baked beans, potatoes au gratin and of course onion dip for my old man.  My husband will be making a dozen pumpkin pies for Christmas and I will be roasting a turkey breast and a couple of legs since it's just the three of us. 

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1 hour ago, FrankOFoley said:

Just wanted to let you all know that Michael Graziadei was on Magnum PI last night as the bad guy. Did a good job and happy to see him.

I wish he'd do more stuff. Last time I saw him he was the bad guy on Criminal Minds.

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I can't tell you how much I l?ve that flying Sopwith Camel!  Snoopy and I go way back.

This will probably horrifying you hardcore bakers, but I couldn't resist buying a pumpkin pie from Costco the other day.  It was $5.99 and the size of a Mini Cooper.  And it was actually pretty good!  Nothing beats homemade pie crust, but I had an early craving for pumpkin pie and it did the job nicely nicely.

Edited by Snaporaz
Video didn't want to be quoted
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33 minutes ago, Snaporaz said:

I can't tell you how much I l?ve that flying Sopwith Camel!  Snoopy and I go way back.

This will probably horrifying you hardcore bakers, but I couldn't resist buying a pumpkin pie from Costco the other day.  It was $5.99 and the size of a Mini Cooper.  And it was actually pretty good!  Nothing beats homemade pie crust, but I had an early craving for pumpkin pie and it did the job nicely nicely.

I don't bake, at all, although I am a good cook.  So I buy all of my desserts, and Costco pies are not too bad, and especially for the price.  And then when I want to go just for the quality, I buy dessert at the Italian market.

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29 minutes ago, Snaporaz said:

I can't tell you how much I l?ve that flying Sopwith Camel!  Snoopy and I go way back.

This will probably horrifying you hardcore bakers, but I couldn't resist buying a pumpkin pie from Costco the other day.  It was $5.99 and the size of a Mini Cooper.  And it was actually pretty good!  Nothing beats homemade pie crust, but I had an early craving for pumpkin pie and it did the job nicely nicely.

I love that video! It brings back so many fond memories reading Peanuts in the daily paper.

Costco pumpkin pies are delicious! Mr.Stunt gives turkeys and Costco pumpkin pies to his employees the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, with three paid days off. 

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On ‎10‎/‎8‎/‎2018 at 5:13 PM, peacheslatour said:

So, you guys have turkey on Thanksgiving too. I did not know that.

I did not know that either.

10 hours ago, Snaporaz said:

Nothing beats homemade pie crust

You've never had mine. Pillsbury does a much better job.

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2 hours ago, OhioSongbird said:

I suck at  pie crust.  My Mom made the best and tried to teach me but nuh-uh.  Pillsbury and I are best buds, too.

Now I'm craving a turkey sandwich.  Whole wheat toast, mayo, Swiss cheese and lettuce......

Perhaps you could drop by my place... I don't want to look at turkey after a second meal of it. And, although PearliteLite makes a great pumpkin pie, it's not a favourite of mine--I eat it out of politeness really.

I like sausage stuffing, onion porridge [a unique trash family treasure], gravy, and my own cranberry sauce. But I'm good til Christmas now.

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I am making turkey leftovers again today.  This is a concoction my mom made.  Chopped turkey with spinach, sour cream and spices, sautéed. Roll the filling in thin crepes.  Bread the rolled (they should be sort of flat) crepes with egg and bread crumbs and fry.  It's amazingly delicious.

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