Tag Archives: People

Tina Marsh : Requiem for a Jazz Angel

Photo by Michael Fuentes.Vissi d’arte:Requiem for Tina Marsh, golden-voiced jazz angel and fearless explorer of far-flung musical frontiers Tina Marsh lived for art, and on Tuesday, June 16, she died for art in her South Austin home surrounded by family … Continue reading

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Alice Embree : Remembering Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero

Mural at the National University of El Salvador depicting the late Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, assassinated in March 24, 1980. Photo by Alice Embree / The Rag Blog.Liberation theologian and advocate for the poor, El Salvador’s Romero was assassinated 30 … Continue reading

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Poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti Turns 90

Photo of Lawrence Ferlinghetti by Deanne Fitzmaurice / SF Chronicle.Catching up with Lawrence Ferlinghetti ‘Oldies such as myself talk about the good old days with nostalgia since that was when they were young and beautiful (and full of testosterone).’ — … Continue reading

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The Passing of John Updike : Baseball, Misogynism and Literary Brilliance

Called ‘kaleidoscopically gifted’ and ‘an American Balzac,’ John Updike died Tuesday, Jan. 27, of lung cancer at the age of 76. Many have tagged him the most important literary figure of our time. By Thorne Dreyer / The Rag Blog … Continue reading

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Ruthy and the Pedal People : Taking Out the Trash

Ruthy Woodring: Garbage duty in the Massachusetts winter. Photo courtesy the Pedal People. I like Ruthy’s special combination of valuing personal independence and community interdependence. I’ve rarely met a young woman who seems as fearless and sanguine about the world, … Continue reading

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New Years Day : J. D. Salinger Turns 90

Still Paging Mr. SalingerBy Charles McGrath / December 31, 2008 On Thursday, J. D. Salinger turns 90. There probably won’t be a party, or if there is we’ll never know. For more than 50 years Mr. Salinger has lived in … Continue reading

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Harold Pinter and Eartha Kitt : Artists and Rebels

Both lived long, productive, exciting lives and went out celebrated by their peers and countless fans; none of us could reasonably ask for more than they wrung out of life. By Chris Thompson / December 26, 2008 See ‘Remembering Nobel … Continue reading

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Odetta : Bid Farewell to Another Legend

Odetta at Radio City Music Hall in New York for a “Salute to the Blues” Benefit concert in 2003Odetta, Voice of Civil Rights Era, Dies at 77. Photo by Nancy Siesel / NYT.‘Her voice plunged deep and soared high, and … Continue reading

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A Bulldog for the Underdog : Jim Mattox Laid to Rest

Yellow Dog Democrat pays respects: Photo by Tom Blackwell / The Rag Blog. This wonderful yellow dog attended the funeral of Attorney General Jim Mattox in Austin on Tuesday. Here he waits while the casket was loaded on a horse … Continue reading

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‘Mama Afrika’ : Singer Miriam Makeba Dies at 76

Miriam Makeba performed in a concert on Sunday night in southern Italy shortly before she died early Monday. Photo by Cesare Abbate / European Pressphoto Agency.Jacob Zuma: ‘Miriam Makeba used her voice, not merely to entertain, but to give a … Continue reading

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Studs Terkel : A People’s Journalist Passes

‘For Studs, listening was a craft, deeply studied and deliberately honed.’By Bruce Shapiro / November 1, 2008 When I was a student in Chicago in the late 1970s, Studs Terkel’s daily radio interview programs on WFMT were my morning seminars. … Continue reading

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Danny Young : ‘Mayor of South Austin’ Dead at 67

Danny Young, washboard player with the Cornell Hurd Band, owner of the Texicalli Grille, and Mayor of South Austin. Photo by Carlos Lowry / The Rag Blog.Washboard ace, neighborhood activist: ‘On Wednesday, a mighty whiff of the Old Austin spirit … Continue reading

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