https://musicrow.com/2024/07/song-poet-mark-germino-passes/?origin=serp_auto

https://folkways.si.edu/news-and-press/remembering-barbara-dane-1927-2024?origin=serp_auto

Sadly, Quincy Jones has passed away at the age of 91. RIP Q.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/04/entertainment/quincy-jones-obit/index.html

R.I.P. Q

RIP Quincy Jones... 😔 pic.twitter.com/m4HIbVsZcI

— Dihya (@Cecilia271212) November 4, 2024

RIP Quincy Jones
When he wasn't making groundbreaking albums with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, he scored movies. In the Heat of the Night, The Italian Job, The Getaway and this, Soul Bossa Nova from 1962 which Austin Powers inherited.
A Legend has passed. pic.twitter.com/OPStNzODIo

— The Sting (@TheStingisBack) November 4, 2024

when you lose a close friend, a piece of your heart goes with them. @QuincyDJones pic.twitter.com/VzYpcIHWaL

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) November 4, 2024

Boalt Hall alum....

He was the kind of Republican that helped make the entire nation work. He had his beliefs, but he wasn’t steeped in hyped up grievance and rage. RIP

Theodore B. Olson, Conservative Lawyer Who Took Up Liberal Causes, Dies at 84 https://t.co/OJ4YSao2e5

— David Poland (@DavidPoland) November 13, 2024

CBS' weekly Sunday Morning show runs a Sunday Passage segment.
Here are the last two.

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

bearister said:

---

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

---

Frommer gave quite a boost to the travel business, and caused a great many college students to backpack around Europe on the cheap. I did the backpack thing in the Fall of 1984, spending 3 months in Europe on less than $2K, much of the savings coming from tips in Frommer's book, 1984 edition, still advertising Europe on $10 a day.

You are also right about the fleabags. Several times I walked into a hotel, and asked for a room. I would stay a day or two, and then politely but firmly be asked to leave, because they had a reservation about to arrive. After getting booted from one charming place on the Left Bank, I had to trudge around all day in the rain, before I found another vacancy. It was in the Hotel Henry IV on the Ile de la Cite in the Seine River. It was 6 stories high with no elevator, and my room was on the top floor, for $6 a night, and I lugged my pack up the 6 flights. The bed was a few inches higher in the middle than in the sides. I started to fall asleep, and began to roll toward the edge. It didn't matter where I tried to lie down, I would start to slide or roll onto the floor. The room wasn't big enough to put the mattress on the floor, so I just lay there on the bed until the sun came up, and didn't sleep a wink. The next day, I was off looking for another of Frommer's affordable hotels. Once in a while, I'd get a night's sleep, or a good meal, and I have to thank Arthur Frommer for that, and for the money I saved while having a great and exciting trip.

SFCityBear said:

---

bearister said:

---

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

---

Frommer gave quite a boost to the travel business, and caused a great many college students to backpack around Europe on the cheap. I did the backpack thing in the Fall of 1984, spending 3 months in Europe on less than $2K, much of the savings coming from tips in Frommer's book, 1984 edition, still advertising Europe on $10 a day.

You are also right about the fleabags. Several times I walked into a hotel, and asked for a room. I would stay a day or two, and then politely but firmly be asked to leave, because they had a reservation about to arrive. After getting booted from one charming place on the Left Bank, I had to trudge around all day in the rain, before I found another vacancy. It was in the Hotel Henry IV on the Ile de la Cite in the Seine River. It was 6 stories high with no elevator, and my room was on the top floor, for $6 a night, and I lugged my pack up the 6 flights. The bed was a few inches higher in the middle than in the sides. I started to fall asleep, and began to roll toward the edge. It didn't matter where I tried to lie down, I would start to slide or roll onto the floor. The room wasn't big enough to put the mattress on the floor, so I just lay there on the bed until the sun came up, and didn't sleep a wink. The next day, I was off looking for another of Frommer's affordable hotels. Once in a while, I'd get a night's sleep, or a good meal, and I have to thank Arthur Frommer for that, and for the money I saved while having a great and exciting trip.

---

3 months in 90 and 3 more in 92.
$33/day after airfare and eurail pass.

If you went in 84, how old were you then? I mean, after all your stories of watching Wilt and other stars from the dark ages, you likely were the oldest guy out there. I thought you were rest-homing it back 10 years ago when you wrote of quitting BI because you only had limited time left, and I talked you into staying. But now look at you, going stronger than ever!

Great memories from my travels, too. We lived off "Let's Go Europe", bread, cheese, and beer.

I remember the cleaning ladies exclaiming Dutch profanities of disgust when they came into our quaint room in Amsterdam - we had peeled off so many gluey beer bottle labels and put them on the window. You know, they slide off quite easily, we discovered, when soaking in ice water. And it made great art!
Except by morning, they dried and glued on hard. We're talking razor blade job.

But to be honest, that and enter an Italian church in shorts was the worst offense I committed.

bearister said:

---

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

---

Didn't read this book but I basically did this on my cross country bike trip in 1982. I didn't stay in many pay-for places though. A few camp sites, hostels, motels to get a shower occasionally but I spent many nights in open fields, little league fields, a park in downtown Cincinnati (which turned in a whino haven after I was asleep), etc. I basically spent $10/day. Still don't know how I did that. Best thing I ever did.

82gradDLSdad said:

---

bearister said:

---

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

---

Didn't read this book but I basically did this on my cross country bike trip in 1982. I didn't stay in many pay-for places though. A few camp sites, hostels, motels to get a shower occasionally but I spent many nights in open fields, little league fields, a park in downtown Cincinnati (which turned in a whino haven after I was asleep), etc. I basically spent $10/day. Still don't know how I did that. Best thing I ever did.

---

Have you written your book for your descendants?
I discovered I have a ggggg grandfather who sailed the world since a boy to age 35. Canton, Honolulu, London… 1790's final trip was 2 years slaughtering 13000 elephant seals for their hides and barrels of oil, sold in NYC.

OMG, where's the book, grandpa?
It doesn't exist.

Have your kids interview you on tape, if nothing else.

concordtom said:

---

82gradDLSdad said:

---

bearister said:

---

Arthur Frommer, travel writer and guidebook publisher, dead at 95 | CNN


https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/travel/arthur-frommer-travel-guidebooks-dead-obituary/index.html

I think this was the version I had when I went backpacking in Europe the summer of 1976 (…and there was a heat wave):



*The book turned Europe into a giant Disneyland, except instead of seeing the same people at different rides, you would bump into the same travelers in different countries all trying to check into the same fleabag hotels and hostels.

---

Didn't read this book but I basically did this on my cross country bike trip in 1982. I didn't stay in many pay-for places though. A few camp sites, hostels, motels to get a shower occasionally but I spent many nights in open fields, little league fields, a park in downtown Cincinnati (which turned in a whino haven after I was asleep), etc. I basically spent $10/day. Still don't know how I did that. Best thing I ever did.

---

Have you written your book for your descendants?
I discovered I have a ggggg grandfather who sailed the world since a boy to age 35. Canton, Honolulu, London… 1790's final trip was 2 years slaughtering 13000 elephant seals for their hides and barrels of oil, sold in NYC.

OMG, where's the book, grandpa?
It doesn't exist.

Have your kids interview you on tape, if nothing else.

---

I will definitely give this some thought. We are not an emotional family but maybe my kids will change that. Thanks for the idea.

https://welcome.storyworth.com/

Our daughter did this for my wife and I. One question by email per week for a year about your life, your thoughts , etc. I had the time to take it seriously being retired and wrote long essays. I also downloaded photos. At the end of the year the company put it into book form. I can't recommend it enough….but if you are too busy working you probably don't have the time the project deserves, so defer.

Interesting story, as usual, SFCB. I will add just a few details to my comment.

After staying in a couple of salty places Frommer suggested, my buddy and I took to calling Arthur Frommer, Arthur Bremer (George Wallace's would be assassin).

One of the last Frommer recommended place's we stayed at was in Brussels on our way home. It was a real dump with photographs of the owner's show dogs all over the lobby, common areas and rooms. Many travelers had seen fit to write a comment on the wallpaper in our room. I succumbed to temptation and engaged in probably the only act of vandalism in my life: I scribbled, "F@uck you Arthur Frommer" on the wallpaper.

My backpacking trip lasted about 7 weeks. I think the total price (airfare, Eurail pass, lodging and booze) was $1500. Since we were drinking more than eating I think I lost about 15 pounds. There was a heatwave the summer of '76 in Europe so I was literally fried hauling my backpack over every back alley and train station in Europe. I started Hasting's a little more than a week after I returned….wholly unprepared for that adventure, mentally or physically. I was 21.

In his stable of wives was Jo Ann Pflug, who was in the movie, MASH.




*The TV series was like kissing your sister compared to the movie.

Jim Tunney was the principal of my high school (in the 60s, before my time).

RIP

Very wonderful tribute for the great Jim Tunney by @miketirico, @CollinsworthPFF, @tjmcaulay, and the @SNFonNBC crew. pic.twitter.com/Y7ZZEFYiar

—  Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) December 16, 2024

(2/2) Tunney’s controversial call on a FG in the 1965 NFL title game caused an extension of the goal posts from 10’ to 20’ & 2 refs in FG duty.

He worked games which Charlie Connerly played (born 1921) & John Carney (retired 2010).

Just a bananas career & legendary referee.

— Rocco Constantino (@OfficialMLBRFC) December 15, 2024

https://abc7news.com/post/rickey-henderson-death-oakland-athletics-dies/15684549/

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/athletics/article/rickey-henderson-dead-obituary-19994616.php

Burt, the 5.1-metre 700kg monster crocodile from the comedy adventure film, who starred alongside Paul Hogan, died in captivity in Darwin.

I was thinking of Crocodile Dundee just last night, when I was perusing maps of Scotland.

concordtom said:

---

I was thinking of Crocodile Dundee just last night, when I was perusing maps of Scotland.

---

I visited Edinburgh in 2017. It is quite impressive and worth seeing. Below is a photo I took of Victoria Street of Harry Potter fame.

Thx for sharing.
My last name ggg grandfather came from Scotland mid 1800's, but I've never been. I'd like to go.

I picked up a fact in a video last night that goes with your picture.

I asked ChatGPT to restate:

Q:
I heard something about how Edinburgh Scotland has the tallest residential buildings in Europe before some time period of hundreds of years ago. Do you know what that is about?

A:
Yes, this is an intriguing historical fact! Edinburgh, Scotland, was home to some of the tallest residential buildings in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries. The city's Old Town, particularly the Royal Mile, featured "tenements," which were multi-story stone buildings that could reach as high as 11 to 14 stories. These were considered skyscrapers of their time, unmatched in height across Europe for residential structures until the modern era.

This unusual urban design was largely due to Edinburgh's geographic constraints. The city was built on a narrow ridge with limited expansion options, so it grew vertically rather than horizontally. These tall tenements housed people from all social classes, with the wealthiest typically occupying the lower floors and the poorest living in cramped conditions at the top.

The tenements of Edinburgh's Old Town have become an iconic feature of the city's history, and some remnants, like Gladstone's Land on the Royal Mile, can still be visited today as historical landmarks.

Wow!
You just helped me connect some family history clues!!!

So, my ggg grandfather is listed in the 1850 census as a stone mason. And in the video last night it said there is lots of stone in Scotland, not much in the way of forests. So everything made of stone, not lumber construction.

But I didn't connect the dots until googling images for Royal Mile.



Zoom in on the windows on the right. See the sill stone at the bottom of each opening? It's identical to the sill in the window of the tin type photo of the house he homesteaded on Minnesota, and identical to a historical house outside Chicago I suspect he helped build with a fellow Scot stone cutter whom is mentioned in family notes passed down as a friend.

Now I know where he acquired the design skills.
Thx!!

concordtom said:

---

I was thinking of Crocodile Dundee just last night, when I was perusing maps of Scotland.

---

Best marmalades in the world, the original and local specialty.

Do not miss Edinburgh, and have a meal at the World's End Pub.

You are welcome.

Cal88 said:

---

Best marmalades in the world, the original and local specialty.

---

Not to bust, but I dare say, there are precisely zero orange trees in the whole of Scotland.
(???)(I don't get it)

But on that note… in a photo album from 1912 when my g grandfather drove from MN to SF (with his brother) with mechanical engineering degree in hand, they stopped to take a photo at the first Orange orchard they came across. It was a BIG DEAL to them!!!

sonofabear51 said:

---

Do not miss Edinburgh, and have a meal at the World's End Pub.

You are welcome.

---

Thx for the tip!

https://thirdeyetraveller.com/the-worlds-end-edinburgh-outlander-voyager/#:~:text=1.-,The%20World's%20End%20Edinburgh%20is%20steeped%20in%20history,the%20world'%20in%20the%20burgh.

concordtom said:

---

Cal88 said:

---

Best marmalades in the world, the original and local specialty.

---

Not to bust, but I dare say, there are precisely zero orange trees in the whole of Scotland.
(???)(I don't get it)

But on that note… in a photo album from 1912 when my g grandfather drove from MN to SF (with his brother) with mechanical engineering degree in hand, they stopped to take a photo at the first Orange orchard they came across. It was a BIG DEAL to them!!!

---

Orange marmalade has been closely associated with Dundee for several centuries now. Their version is the best, with great balance between bitter and sweet and a texture blending thick cut orange rinds with pectin orange jelly.

Quote:

---

History

According to a legend, in the 18th century, James Keiller on speculation bought a Spanish ship's cargo that included Seville oranges when the ship sought refuge from a raging storm. The ship had started its journey in Seville but the delay caused by the storm had made the oranges less fresh than they ought to have been. The bargain gave his mother, Janet, the opportunity to manufacture a large quantity of marmalade by boiling the bitter oranges with sugar.

The true story is that Marmalade had existed in Spain and Portugal since at least the 15th century and a Scottish recipe for orange marmalade appears in "Mrs McLintoch's Receipts (sic)" of 1736.

---

Funny anecdote about orange trees: they can't grow west of Sunset Blvd in SF because it gets too foggy, but they do great further east.

https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/38026~557/Comparison-of-the-Average-Weather-in-Edinburgh-and-San-Francisco

Typically 10 degrees colder than SF every month of year.

Oranges typically cannot grow outdoors in Scotland due to its cool and temperate climate, which is unsuitable for citrus trees. Oranges thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, with warm, frost-free winters and hot summers. Scotland's climate, even in the mildest coastal areas like Edinburgh, is categorized around USDA zone 8b, with average winter lows of 1520F (-9C to -6.7C), making it too cold for orange trees to survive outside.

### Challenges for Growing Oranges in Scotland:
1. **Temperature**: Citrus trees are sensitive to frost and need temperatures consistently above 50F (10C) for optimal growth.
2. **Sunlight**: Scotland's shorter daylight hours and lower light intensity, especially in winter, make it difficult for oranges to photosynthesize adequately.
3. **Rainfall and Humidity**: Excessive rainfall and high humidity can lead to root rot and fungal diseases in orange trees.

### Possible Solutions:
1. **Indoor or Greenhouse Cultivation**: Oranges can be grown in Scotland in greenhouses or conservatories where temperature and humidity can be controlled. Heated greenhouses allow growers to maintain the warm, sunny environment citrus trees need.
2. **Dwarf Varieties**: Compact orange varieties, such as Calamondin or dwarf navel oranges, are more suitable for container growing indoors.
3. **Citrus as Ornamentals**: Even if fruit production is limited, citrus trees can be grown as ornamental plants for their fragrant flowers and evergreen foliage.

While outdoor orange cultivation isn't viable in Scotland, innovative gardening methods like greenhouse growing can make it possible to enjoy fresh oranges in colder climates.


San Francisco is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a, with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 30F to 35F (-1C to 1.7C). Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean gives it a mild, Mediterranean climate with minimal frost risk.

Walnut Creek is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from 25F to 30F (-3.9C to -1C). It is warmer in summer and slightly cooler in winter than San Francisco, due to its inland location.

Lest anyone wonder why we are discussing this in the Obituaries thread, clearly you can see, it's Death to Oranges in Scotland.