Gay Rights? What Would Dr. King Do?

On the 80th anniversary celebration of his birth, how do you think the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King jr. would address gay rights. Would he have addressed it? He was of course a fighter for freedom and justice. He was also a Southern Christian minister, three variables that often close the justice door (and more often heavens door) when it comes to GLBT rights and especially marriage equality. How would MLK stand on this?
Well, I believe Dr. King would stand with me and my GLBT community to get all of our rights, including the rights of marriage. I believe this because he was a man who was not bound to a stereotypical southern bible belt attitude. I believe it because his work and words as a Christian and as a pastor indicated that he understood that Christ would not regard any people as less than. That we are all threads in the human tapestry.

Dr. King was also a civil rights leader who did not hesitate to stand up for justice no matter how unpopular the issue. So, yes I believe Dr. King would be a drum major for gay rights because, Coretta Scott King, the person who knew him best and was the most congruous with his beliefs was a strong supporter of gay rights and gay marriage.

In 1998, just a few days before the 30th anniversary of her husband's assassination, speaking before nearly 600 people at the Chicago Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Coretta Scott King called on the civil rights community to join in the struggle against homophobia and anti-gay bias.
She noted the obvious similarities:

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood."

She also noted that her husband believed that all struggles for equal rights were bound together and that it was necessary to fight against bigotry in all forms, not merely the form that affected you personally:

"We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny...I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be," she said, quoting her husband. "I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy."

And she pointed out that many gays and lesbians had fought for black civil rights, demanding that blacks return the favor:

"Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."

But perhaps her most eloquent statement on the subject came in 1994, again invoking the words of her late husband in support of equal rights for all:

"For too long, our nation has tolerated the insidious form of discrimination against this group of Americans, who have worked as hard as any other group, paid their taxes like everyone else, and yet have been denied equal protection under the law...I believe that freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. My husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." On another occasion he said, "I have worked too long and hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concern. Justice is indivisible. Like Martin, I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others."

"I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother, and sisterhood, for lesbian and gay people." -(Reuters, March 31, 1998).

Did you know that Dr. King's longtime colleague and the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, Bayard Rustin, was an openly gay man?




I agree with Mrs. King that her husband would stand with her for equal rights for GLBT people. Her oldest daughter the late Yolanda King was also a supporter and believer that her father would be too. In contrast, the youngest King daughter, Rev. Bernice King, who was five years old when her father was killed, is outspoken in opposition to gay rights and marriage. She does not feel her father would support this issue.

"I know deep down in my sanctified soul that he did not take a bullet for same-sex unions."

Yolanda King and Rev. Bernice King





So, here on the 80th anniversary of his birth, what do you think? Do you agree with Coretta King or Rev. Bernice King about where MLK would stand on GLBT rights and same-sex marriage?

Blago knows Blackness

"I'm blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived," Blagojevich said. "I saw it all growing up."

Oh, I see. Former Governor Blago knows that to be Black you got to shine shoes, grow up near Blacks and of course be poor and witness struggle. Five-room apartment? He is one of us for sure.

What a mixed up jerk this guy is. Does he think Elvis was Black too? Yes, Elvis, his hero who grew up around Blacks, was poorer than dirt and absorbed Black music.
I think Mr. Blago's feelings about the president, (yes Blago, the president) is not his Black ethnic identity but his own white priviledge jealousy.
The color here is green, children.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Can you imagine this guy at 75? My favorite Elvis performance was his 1968 Comeback show. He rocked and danced and sang and played around with the audience.

I love this song where Elvis is at his spiritual passionate best. I loved it when he was not performing, but just sitting at a piano singing gospel. If you find some of these impromptu moments on video, you can tell he loved it too.

In Memoriam 2009 (Part 1)

The loss list is sadly very long this year. And, this list may not be at all complete.

Brittany Murphy- b. 1977, was an American actress and singer. She starred in films such as Clueless, Girl, Interrupted, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls, Sin City, Happy Feet, and Riding in Cars with Boys. She also voiced Luanne Platter on the animated TV series King of the Hill.



Steve McNair- b. 1973. Was the Quarterback that led the Tennessee Titans to a superbowl championship in 2000.



Natasha Richardson- b. 1963, was a gifted English stage and screen actress. She helped raise millions of dollars for AIDS research and awareness. Natasha was married to actor Liam Neeson and was the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave. She died as a result of a skiing accident.



Farrah Fawcet- b. 1947. Actress who starred in Charlie’s Angels and commercials in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Also she appeared in Playboy in 1995, making it the top-selling issue in the 90’s along with her record sells breaking pin-up poster and popular hair style. She became a cultural icon. Despite that status, Farrah shared much of her brave last health battle with the public.
Farrah was also a fine dramatic actor.



Ed McMahon- b. 1923. TV personality and Johnny Carson’s announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show from 1962-1992. Ed never came to my door with the big Publisher's Clearing House check. sigh.



Billy Mays TV Pitchman for OxiClean and other products. His distinctive beard and loud sales pitches made him a recognized television presence. His voice was always so annoying to me and yet I for some reason miss it?



Fred Travelena- b. 1942, was an American entertainer, specializing in comedy and impersonations. In 2005 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.



David Carradine- b. 1936. Best known for his work in the 1970s television series Kung Fu and more recently in the Kill Bill films. He appeared in more than 100 feature films.




Koko Taylor born 1936 was the "Queen of the Blues." No Doubt.



Waymon Tisdale- b. 1964. Professional basketball player with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns and a smooth jazz bass guitarist.



Dom DeLuise- b. 1933 was an American actor, comedian, film director, television producer, chef, and author. Very funny guy especially in Mel Brooks comedies and with Burt Reynolds.



Bea Arthur- b. 1922. Actress, comedian and singer whose career spanned seven
decades. Arthur achieved fame on the 1970’s sitcom Maude, and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980’s sitcom The Golden Girls.



Jack Kemp- b. 1935, was an American politician and professional football player. In the 1996 election, he was Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole’s running mate for Vice President.



Marilyn Chambers- b. 1952. An American pornographic actress, exotic dancer, model, actress and vice-presidential candidate. She was best known for her 1972 hardcore film debut Behind the Green Door.



Karl Malden- b. 1912. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he featured in classic Marlon Brando films such as A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks. He guest stared in many TV dramas and co-starred with Michael Douglas on The Streets of San Francisco.



Oscar Mayer- b. 1914. Grandson of the original Oscar Mayer who founded the meat company bearing his name.



Robert McNamara- b. 1916, was an American business executive and the eighth Secretary of Defense. McNamara served as Defense Secretary for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 to 1968.




"Gidget"- b. 1994. The famous Taco Bell mascot from the commercials with his (her) famous tagline “Yo quiero taco bell” was used in a number of TV and movie spots including a commercial for Trivial Pursuit and the movie Legally Blonde 2.



Socks the official pet cat of the Clinton’s during their administration in the white house. Was often photographed in parts of the white house and lived 20 years.



John Hughes- b. 1950. An American film director, producer and writer. He scripted some of the most successful films of the 1980s and 1990s, including National Lampoon’s Vacation; Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; The Breakfast Club; Sixteen Candles; Pretty in Pink; Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Home Alone and its sequel.



Eunice Kennedy Shriver- b. 1921, JFK 's sister and founder of the Special Olympics in 1962.



Walter Cronkite- b. 1916. American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–81). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as “the most trusted man in America”.



Les Paul- b. 1915. He was an American innovator, inventor, musician and songwriter. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which “made the sound of rock and roll possible”.



Naomi Sims- b. 1948, is widely credited as being the first African American supermodel.




Alaina Reed, played Olivia on Sesame Street and Rose on sitcom 227. Alaina was 63.



Jennifer Jones, glamorous actress and Academy Award winner was 90 years old.



Sadly we must go on to Part two....

In Memoriam 2009 (Part 2)

2009 was a difficult year. Rock guitarists and rock guitarists mothers, munchkins, politicians, movie stars and more. These people are the public history that we all share. When they pass away our loss is great even if we haven't thought of them for a while or are just learning about them. They are our united memories.

Arnold Stang a character actor whose bespectacled, owlish face and nasal urban twang gave him a singular and recognizable persona, whether on radio or television, in the movies or in advertisements, or even in cartoons. He was 91.



Stang was the voice of Top Cat. The coolest cartoon cat ever.


James Gurley- b. 1939. Virtuoso guitarist with famed San Francisco area rock band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Tell Janis we miss her.



Gale Storm- b. 1922 ,was an American actress and singer, who starred in two popular television programs of the 1950s, My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show. Gale was 87.



Henry Gibson, a veteran character actor who came to fame in the late 1960s as the flower-holding poet on TV's landmark satirical comedy show Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. More recently, Gibson played a recurring role as cantankerous Judge Clark Brown on Boston Legal. He was 73. I loved his goofy poems "by Henry Gibson".



Gene Barry who portrayed debonair lawmen on television like Bat Masterson, and Burkes Law but whose career of more than 60 years ranged from song and dance on Broadway to science fiction. He was 90.



James Whitmore- b. 1921 - Leading American character actor James Whitmore specialized in giving tour de force solo performances on stage, screen, and television, notably with his Oscar-nominated solo turn as President Truman in Give 'Em Hell Harry!



Mary Travers, whose ringing, earnest vocals with the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary made songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “If I Had a Hammer” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” enduring anthems of the 1960s protest movement. She was 72.



Altovise Davis was the widow of Rat Pack singer and dancer Sammy Davis Jr. She was trained as an actor and dancer and met the legendary showman in the mid-1960s, when they were both appearing in Broadway musicals, he in the lead of Golden Boy and she in the chorus line of High Spirits.



Ricardo Montalban, the suave leading man who was one of the first Mexican-born actors to make it big in Hollywood and who was best known for his role as Mr. Roarke on TV's Fantasy Island. In the 1970s and '80s, Montalban was also familiar to TV viewers as a commercial spokesman for Chrysler. He was later widely spoofed for his silky allusion to the “soft Corinthian leather” of the Chrysler Cordoba, although no such leather existed. He was 88.



Ola Hudson
Her name and face might not be instantly recognizable to many, but she was a popular costume designer who clothed John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Diana Ross, and David Bowie. Ola had two sons — Saul and Albion Hudson. Albion’s nickname is Ash, and Saul is Slash the rock guitarist.
Ola is the subject of this stunning 1970 print ad for Dewar's White Label. She was 62



Pat Hingle, you gotta know this guy's face. The veteran actor with more than half a century of impressive work in theater, film and television who was perhaps best known to a generation of movie fans as Commissioner James Gordon in the first four Batman films. He was 84.



Soupy Sales- b. 1926, was a comedian, actor, radio-TV personality and host, and jazz aficionado. He was best known for his local and network children's television show, Lunch with Soupy Sales; a series of comedy sketches frequently ending with Sales receiving a pie in the face, which became his trademark.



Al Martino the singer whose music career spanned 50 years and produced hits like "Volare" and Spanish Eyes" and played Johnny Fontane in The Godfather.



Connie Hines best known for playing Wilbur Post's wife Carol on Mr. Ed. She was 79.



Brenda Joyce 92, played Tarzan's Jane with both Johnny Weismuller and Lex Barker.



Frank Aletter, is a familiar face to anyone who watched the tube in the 1960s and 1970s -- he starred in several situation comedies and made stops on Kojak, MASH, All in the Family, among others. He was 83.



Mickey Carroll 89, and Clarence Swensen 91, two of the last remaining munchkins from The Wizard of Oz.

Mickey Carroll


Clarence Swensen


Clint Ritchie, soap veteran, who played ranch owner Clint Buchanan for 20 years on One Life to Live. He was 70.



Jon Hager- b. 1941, of The Hager Twins made millions laugh on hit syndicated TV show Hee-Haw for nearly two decades. Jon Hager was said to have been ill and depressed since his identical twin, Jim, died May 2008.



Cheryl Holdridge, The 'Mickey Mouse Club' Mouseketeer, (seen in picture below in 1956 and again in 2001), went on to appear as Wally's girlfriend Julie Foster in Leave It to Beaver and had roles on Bewitched and The Dick Van Dyke Show. She was 64.


Cheryl as Wally's girl Julie Foster on Leave It To Beaver.


Steven Gilborn, played Ellen DeGeneres's dad on the hit sitcom, Ellen. His other TV credits are much too long to list, but include stints on The Practice, L.A. Law, ER and Wonder Years. He was 72.



Ron Silver- b. 1946, was a Tony Award winning actor, producer, director and political activist.



Ted Kennedy- b. 1932, was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. First elected in November 1962, he was elected nine times and served for 46 years in the U.S. Senate. Ted Kenndey left a lasting legacy to his family and his country. The "Lion" of the senate is surely missed especially for his negotiation skills.





Patrick Swayze- b. 1952, actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best-known for his roles as romantic leading men in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost and was named by People magazine as its “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1991. Patrick's last show The Beast was filmed right here in Chicago and he worked it for as long as he could.



Paul Newman, American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and auto racing enthusiast, and husband of Oscar winner Joanne Woodward. Paul is a great loss to the arts and to humanity.



Michael Jackson- The King of Pop died just as he was preparing for a comeback world tour. Michael was 50 years old and the father of three.

Merry and a Happy Wishes

Monica and I wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and Holiday Weekend!!!!

Alaina Reed and James Gurley R.I.P.

Two more people that I really admired have passed away this December.
Alaina Reed from Sesame Street and 227 passed away this week. Alaina played Olivia, Gordon's sister and pro photogragher who came to live on the most diverse street on TV. She also is remembered for Rose Callaway, a neighbor and buddy of Marla Gibbs at the 227 address.


I am also very saddened to hear of the loss of James Gurley. Big Brother and the Holding Company was the band Gurley, Peter Albin, Sam Andrew and Dave Getz were rocking in San Francisco back in the magical, tragical, classical rock 1960's. Janis Joplin joined the band and the rest is history but Big Brother and the sound of Gurley's bluesy/psychedelic guitar soared in a time of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and even Jimmy Hendrix. Cheap Thrills is still one of my all time favorite albums.

Big Brother and the Holding Company

James Gurley (center)



James Gurley learned guitar by listening to old blues greats like Lightnin' Hopkins.

Blues/Rock at it's very best
.

Jennifer Jones

Academy Award winner Jennifer Jones died Dec. 17 of naural causes.
Jennifer Jones received critical acclaim and won her Oscar for her portrayal of the young girl who saw a vision in the 1944 film "The Song of Bernadette."

She was a talented actress and beautiful person. I still have the lovely red velvet Christmas card she sent me many years ago. You made it to 90 years old, girl. Rest in peace Jennifer.

Prayers for Maggie Daley

Chicago's First Lady is battling another assault of cancer. A few years ago, she had a tumor removed from her breast but the cancer had unfortunately spread. It was targeted and continuingly fought successfully. Now Maggie Daley has a lesion on her lower right leg and must again undergo radiation and drug therapy.

The doctors want Mrs. Daley to take the pressure off her leg by using a wheel chair during treatment. Maggie Daley always keeps a extrememly busy schedule and this latest setback is not expected to slow her down a heck of a lot. She is particularly active in procuring afterschool projects for Chicago children.

Please join me in sending out prayers and best wishes for Maggie Daley who has always been a beautiful asset for her husband and the city of Chicago. She has one of those smiles that comes from within and lights up a room. Her doctors are optimistic and so am I. We need that beautiful smile in Chitown.
I found some great pics of Maggie over the years.



Maggie and da mayor

World AIDS Day 2009

A banner for World Aids Day 2009 to keep us aware that AIDS is not an issue of the past. AIDS has NOT been cured. AIDS is still an epidemic. People still die because they have AIDS. No one is exempt from contracting HIV/AIDS regardless of age, gender, marital status, race, religion, or economic status. The banners for this day are to remind us that we need to keep vigilant the need for research funding and assistance for keeping meds available and affordable. Also, that getting tested is important.
Today, we also remember all those who have died of AIDS.
To all my guys, I wave the World AIDS Day 2009 banner. I remember you with love. Libations!

I know that greatly due to the wonderful leadership of President Ronald Reagan during the start of the AIDS crisis, we are a decade behind in research.
Yet today, I take special time to be grateful for the advances in HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and medicine.

The quilt panel below is in remembrance of my friend Keith Barrow.
Libations Keith, we can still hear your songs.


The panel Monica and I made for our friend Lee Aldrich, will never let us forget. Libations Lee, with yo crazy talented self. We miss you.

Viking Prince?

Well, the Chicago Bears officially suck this season. It's particularly crappy to see my hometown team usually known for big defense, have none. They lost 36-10 to Bret Farve and the MN Vikings. But even creepier than the bears crappy, is Minnesota native Prince at his hometown team's football game looking like he was at a funeral. You'd never know his team was winning. Fox News showed Prince several times throughout the game and he never even seemed to have moved or smiled. It was creepy and sad. Who goes to a football game and sits in a skybox to look like that. He looked so lonely. It was said that Prince was invited by fellow musician "One in a Million You" Larry Graham. No sign of Graham or anyone else talking to or high fiving with the Purple One during the game. I don't know who looked more distressed, Bears coach Lovie Smith or Prince.

"The artist currently known as Prince is still here. And he hasn't changed his expression since we last showed him."



Hey, I even started to cheer for the Vikings by the end of that slaughter. Prince looked just weird and alone. Well, in his defense, he does need both hips replaced so maybe he couldn't jump up to celebrate a Bears fumble. Maybe he was in pain so he couldn't even work up a smile when the Bears let the Vikings walk into the end zone for another TD. Maybe all his friends pooped out and didn't show up. Maybe he hasn't got any friends. That's all the "D" I can muster up for Prince which is more than the Bears have had all year.

Happy ThanksGiving!!

“Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths. At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.”
J. Robert Moskin

International Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2009 is the 11th annual Day of Remembrance.

From the TDoR web site:
The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn't perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who've died by anti-transgender violence.

Every year I get angry that there is need for such a commemoration. Every year I am compelled to make a point of honoring this day. I'm not compelled simply because I am a member of the GLBT community or just because there are many Transgender people I like and admire and there are Transgender people that I love, but also because they all lost their lives because of hate.
Please go here to honor these people and take a moment to mourn.
You can go here to find a vigil or event near you.
For the the 11th year the TDoR is hoping to increase compassion and awareness and decrease indifference and ignorance, and to shorten that list.

40 Years on Sesame Street

On Nov. 10, 1969, Sesame Street premiered on public television, changing children's television forever.
I guess we all have fond memories of Sesame Street.

Sesame Street came along just in time for my nephew Nolen to learn "which one of these things belong together", his ABC's, and all the other life lessons taught on the most famous and colorful neighborhood in the world.
Nolen is 36 now and Sesame Street is 40. Both hard to believe. OMG!

I admit it. I along with my mom watched Sesame Street before Nolen was born. We loved the Count and Roosevelt Franklin and even the mean Oscar the Grouch.

Nolen had a terrific crush on Susan, one of the non-muppet Sesame Street residents. Marshall Field's here in Chicago, had a Sesame Street show in the downtown loop store, featuring Susan. My sister and I took 3 year old Nolen. More than 100 kids sat on the floor in front of the stage with the parents seated in the back edges of the kids circle. At one point while Susan sang Nolen stood up and began making his way to the stage. OMG! Out of more than 100 kids, why us? We waved and motioned for him to sit down but he simply waved back and continued on to the stage. My sister whispered to me "go get him", I said "no way, you go get him!" Susan waved us back and went to meet him and held his hand on stage for the rest of the song. Nolen's eyes were so sweet and big to see Susan in person and he seemed oblivious to being on stage. He got a big kiss from Susan.

Who are your favorites or your kids favorites? Maria, Mr. Hooper, Bob, Cookie Monster, Gordon, Elmo, Luis, Ernie or Bert? Personally, my favorites are the childlike know-it-all Elmo and the wannabe super-hero Grover. Shut up.




First Lady Michelle Obama teaches Sesame Street Muppets how to plant vegetables for the first episode of the show's 40th-anniversary season, which aired November 10, 2009.

Sesame Street's 40th season aims to educate children about the wonders of the
natural world and teach them about concepts such as habitats, hibernation, and migration.
Here are some other favorites.
Remember Susan's hubby Gordon (Roscoe Orman) who also played a pimp on All My Children? His sister Olivia played by Alaina Reed also portrayed Rose Halloway on 227.



Through Mr. Hooper, kids learned about Jewish traditions and customs. When actor Will Lee died, it was decided to allow the beloved Sesame Street store owner to pass away too. It was a first for TV in teaching children about death and grieving.


Kermit was the star of Sesame Street and the Muppets.




Oscar tried to exemplify the hard NYC attitude. He succeeded and then some.






Sunny day
Sweepin' the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street....

Idol This

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has released his official album cover for his first CD For Your Entertainment. What do ya think? Glam-glam-glamorous. Or too much?




I vote for Glam. Well, it's Adam, and I can't wait to hear it.

Maine-stream America

This 86 year old man testified at a Maine hearing on marriage equality. He gives his true American creditials as well as his all American family man creds. Phillip, an 86 years old veteran, widower and father of four sons is amazing. He is America. He is trying to teach Americans what America is suppose to be about.



Yes, he is a lifetime Republican. No, you don't have to be a backward thinking, name calling obstructionist to be a Republican. You can be like Phillip and be a human being with respect for other human beings. Phillip gives no hedges on his humanity. You know the, I respect all people but....

(Hat tip to Eric)

Sporting Bodies Beautiful

October 9th, ESPN the Magazine premiered something new they call The Body Issue. This is to be an annual issue that will showcase the physical attributes of athletes from all sports. ESPN says it will all be very artfully and tastefully done. Well, from what I've seen of it so far, they have some talented photographers that have achieved that goal.

There will be six covers out for this issue featuring three female and three male athletes; Serena Williams (tennis), amputee triathlete Sarah Reinertsen, Gina Carano (Mixed Martial Arts), Adrian Peterson (NFL), Dwight Howard (NBA), and NASCAR’s Carl Edwards.

In the section "Bodies We Want" top athletes either pose in the buff (with private parts strategically covered) or with minimal clothing. The section is "essentially ESPN's version of the best bodies in sports."

In another section called "Exposure," groups of athletes from the LPGA, the U.S. Women's Softball Team, the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, Major League Soccer's D.C. United and even a group of poker players pose.
Poker is a sport? Getouttahere.

Gorgeous, talented Serena Williams. Here is her mag cover.



Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones decided she would be in The Body Issue if she could take a tasteful picture that would send young girls the message they don’t have to be skinny or starve themselves. The 5 foot 9 inch Jones says she weighs 160 pounds. She knows that number surprises people, but muscle weighs more than fat, and Lolo has a lot of muscle, and next to no fat.

There’s something to be said for a naturally athletic figure untainted by bad nutritional habits. A Buck sixty that works.



Adrian Peterson of the MN Vikings. Wow! How would you like those guns coming at you?


Just beautiful.


Nascar's Carl Anderson has the six pack needed to cross that finish line. Damn.


Australian professional surfer Claire Bevilacqua


Orlando Magic star center, 6'11" 265lbs Dwight Howard does indeed look like his nickname, Superman.


Gina Carano is the biggest female mixed martial art star.


Triathlon and Amazing Race athlete Sarah Reinertsen


Sarah was the first female leg amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. How 'bout that!


Natasha Kai of the U.S. Soccer team believes in body art on her artfully athletic body.


U.S. Olympic Softball team members; Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza and Lauren Lapper.


Jessica Mendoza posed while eight months pregnant. "I try to get young girls to see themselves as beautiful and to not feel insecure about their bodies," she said. "The more we can get more realistic bodies in front of them, the better."
“I am excited about this issue because it is unique and shows the beauty of the athlete’s most powerful tool: their body. Rather than having the stereotypical bodies that we are used to seeing through the media every day, the bodies in this issue vary from super buff, to lean, to stocky … all exemplifying beauty in their own way. I was proud to be in this issue at a unique time of my life. I felt that by showing athletes in every shape and form, including those of us who have children and continue to play, ESPN the Magazine is trying to break those stereotypes. I hope those who see this issue see it as a refreshing and celebratory view of the athletic body in all its beauty and forms, influencing women and girls in a positive way to appreciate their own unique, athletic bodies.”

Healthy, strong and successful men and women. What can be more beautiful. What do you think?

Jazzy Chicagoans, Listen Up!

The 3rd Hyde Park Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009.
Over 100 musicians including jazz headliners Garaj Mahal, Ari Brown, Von Freeman, Jon Faddis, Richie Cole, Willie Pickens, Dee Alexander, Maggie Brown, and Orbert Davis will be performing along with local emerging artists for 15 hours of FREE, non-stop jazz.
Yes, I said FREE!

Venues and Schedule
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival utilizes 13 creative and unexpected, indoor and outdoor venues in Hyde Park.
The Festival begins in two places at 11:00am -The DuSable Museum with The Awakening and the James W. Wagner Stage on the Midway with the U-High Band. The Festival closes Sunday, September 28, 2009 at the International House with a Slam Jam that begins at midnight and ends at 2AM.
All venues are identified on the Jazz Festival Venue Map.

Tickets
I told yall, all performances are FREE and open to the public. Please note because some venues have a limited seating capacity, seating will be available on a first come first served basis. At the Midway Plaisance there will be seating but, you can certainly bring your lawn chairs.

Dining
Hyde park has anything you could possibly want to chow down on. From a variety of ethnic fare to great burgers and pizza to fine dining to Micky D's. So grab something to bring to the Midway or dine in style before or after a performance.

For special needs access, transportation and all info on the fest go here.

Hyde Park Jazz History
This area in Chicago had at one time been known as the home of the great Chicago jazz scene.
In 1995, James W. Wagner formed the Committee to Restore Jazz to Hyde Park with the goal of returning Hyde Park to its glory days as a mecca for jazz musicians and fans. The committee enlisted the support of the past two presidents of the University of Chicago, Hugo Sonnenschein and Don Michael Randel, which resulted in the relocation of the Checkerboard Lounge to Harper Court in Hyde Park.

The Committee to Restore Jazz to Hyde Park reconstituted itself as the Hyde Park Jazz Society in 2006 and resulted in successfully sponsoring CheckerJAZZ, a Sunday night jazz series at the "New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues and Jazz," and supporting performance by high school jazz musicians with a Sunday afternoon school series. The Sunday night jazz series is now being held at Room 43 on 43rd Street.
Sadly, we lost Jim Wagner this year. But his great smile and love for jazz will be felt all over Hyde Park on Saturday. The James W. Wagner Stage on the Midway will host the James Wagner All-Star Band and every note will celebrate his spirit and dedication to jazz. I am proud to have known Jim.

So, come on out with you jazzy selfs and celebrate the first weekend of autumn by enjoying a diverse list of artists known in Chicago and around the world as the best in traditional and progressive jazz.

Archie's Choice

Hey Boomers, remember Archie? Did you know that Archie Andrews got Married. My friend Monica Roberts the TransGriot is a true griot who never lets anything historical pass by us, reports that Archie finally popped the question and did the deed. Perhaps Beyonce's hit Single Ladies put the right pressure on him. (I'm sure guys will be ECSTATIC when that song fades down the chart.)

Since 1941, Archie comic books have been telling the adventures of teenage angst at Riverdale High. It was sort of the Saved by the Bell of it's time.
Archie is the cute, nice, freckle faced, redhaired teen caught in a love triangle that lasted 69 years. Damn!


The rivalry for Archie's affection was famously between Veronica (Ronnie)Lodge the rich, spoiled, manipulative, raven haired beauty, and Betty Cooper, the beautiful, down to earth, girl-next-door.




Which one did he finally choose?



VERONICA!


Reggie comforts Betty. The rich and devious Reggie liked Ronnie too.



So, Archie grew up and married Ronnie.

Betty was in the wedding. How 'bout that. Did he pick the right girl?

Celebrate BB King

Today is BB King's 84th birthday. The man is still touring, singing the blues and playing his Gibson guitar as only he can. Every year Monica and I look forward to going to Merriville Indiana on Easter weekend to see BB. I probably don't have to tell you he is a dynamic performer or that his melodic shimmering guitar solos with his signature vibrato and wavering pinky finger changed and influenced every blues and jazz guitarist since the 1950's. He took blues in a decidedly different direction than his contemporaries like Muddy Waters. Waters went from acoustic to electric but BB went farther by creating a style of soloing that was more melodic and took blues to a new audience. BB created his own chords and melody riffs that are unmistakably his own. His influence reached not only blues and jazz but rock. Rockers such as George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck right down to players today like Tracy chapman and John Mayer, all influenced by BB. I doubt if there are many guitarists of any genre he hasn't played or recorded with. He owns several Blues clubs and his BB King Museum in Jackson, Mississippi is said to be always packed.
If you've never seen this legend in action yet, I guarantee you'll love his show. Not only is he a great musician, he is a very funny story teller.
Happy Birthday to the King of the Blues!

BB sits for much of his concerts now but it takes nothing away from how he still puts his hands on his hips and gets saucy. I love how his fingers seem to be a performance of their own and he plays every note with his body and facial expression.



A younger BB jams on one of my favorites "Sweet Sixteen". What a story!
This is sweet, just BB and Lucille.