Sunday, October 17, 2010
Life In The 20th & 21st Centuries
How wonderful to be alive in this fantastic era! I have witnessed the advent of rock & roll, the transistor radio and early television. I saw Frankie Lymon, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the Ronettes, the Shangri-la's, the Kinks, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, James Brown, Badfinger, Led Zeppelin and the Ramones performing live. I was at Woodstock, the Fillmore's east & west, Winterland, and Pepperland. I saw all of Peter Sellers' and Woody Allen's movies when they were first run. I lived in New York City, pop. 8,000,000 and Horton, Oregon, pop. 150. I married three beautiful women (not all at once), raised a family, and even bought a house. I worked in a movie theater, a hobby store, a radio station and in record stores. I sang doo-wop, soul music and rock & roll. I've traveled to and through dozens of US states and cities. I've owned an assortment of cars and trucks. I've been a Jew, an atheist, and a Christian; I've voted for Democrats and Republicans; I've voted for Dick Gregory, Timothy Leary and Mickey Mouse for president, as write-ins. I've flown in planes and rode on BART the day it opened. I witnessed the births of my son and daughter at home. Of course there were many bad or unhappy things in my life, too, but I can't imagine how awful it would have been to have lived in any other era. In other times I'd have been burned alive or stoned to death. Even only a few decades earlier I'd have had a leg amputated and died much earlier from cancer. Can you imagine me as a soldier or a farmer? Or a caveman? If I lived any other time I might never have come to faith in Jesus. By His blood sacrifice my sins have been forgiven and I get to live with Him in paradise. Yes, I've had a great life so far, and the future looks bright.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Can't believe I waited so long to try this cool place!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Alpha Male Swan protecting home from the dangerous DianaFriday, October 08, 2010
Spent the evening at Allyson's (great food & vino), Starbucks (don't worry I didn't spend any money there), and then watched a completely crappy movie at the local foreign film week.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September Fest, or possibly Septober?
Ach Du Lieber!Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Vee-Jay Records, one of the greatest labels ever.
My new T-shirt from England. I also bought a Stax one. Why is this underlined?? But not the word "underlined"? What's your favorite Vee-Jay 45? Here are five of mine:
Spring - Bowlegs & Pauline
Stormy Weather - Spaniels
Man's Temptation - Gene Chandler
You'll Never Walk Alone - 5 Blind Boys of Alabama
Don't Leave Me - Magnificents
Of course, the most famous Vee-Jay album is "Introducing the Beatles".
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Jewish History of Jacksonville, Oregon
One of my garage sale finds this weekend was a study of minorities in the early history of Jackson County, OR, specifically Chinese, African-American and Jewish. The study was not bound but rather in a folder with photographs on one side and text in the other. While all three sections are fascinating, I decided to pursue the history of my landsmen with a visit to the old gold mining town of Jacksonville, about a 20 minute drive from home. Pictured above is the Fisher Brothers store built in 1856 on the site of J'villes first trading tent. After the Jews left town it became a saloon, and is a toy store today
It was the discovery of gold that brought all sorts of folks to Jacksonville, including the Chinese to work the mines, and the Jews to bring necessary goods to sell to the miners. This is the J.A. Brunner and Brother building, the oldest surviving brick structure in town, built in 1855. It is known for its sturdiness during an Indian uprising when the building was used as a refuge for women and children.
Brunner Building
The 1852 census records 7 Jews in Jackson County, including John, age 31, and Herman Brunner, 20.
The Sachs Brothers Store
A long way from Fifth Avenue, the Sachs store opened in 1861 bringing its finery for ladies to Jacksonville.
Jewish Presence in Modern Jacksonville
MacLevin's Deli is run by an Irish/Jewish couple. Diana poses briefly in the 100 degrees sun.
Karewski House 1856
While most of the Jews left the area for greener pastures with the coming of the railroad, Gustav Karewski (I assume this is pronounced Karevski), lived in Jacksonville until his death in 1890. His house is an art center today.
Max Mueller House 1888
While the locals did everything possible to chase the Chinese and Blacks out of town, the Jews actually assimilated into the Christian community. Max Mueller, for example, belonged to three fraternal lodges, and served as City and County Treasurer, County Clerk, and Postmaster for 18 years. Lipman Sachs was an election clerk for 10 years. Mueller and the Fisher brothers contributed the nails when a new fence was needed for the Methodist Church. There is no evidence suggesting prejudice towards Jacksonville's Jews.
Jacksonville Cemetery
The first burial here was in 1859. The cemetery, then as now, is divided into sections: Catholic, Mason, Redman (German), Jewish etc.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Pam & Maija Flashback
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Elements
Spent a couple of hours back at our fave bar in Medford, Elements. Wonderful small dishes, great drinks. But best of all, it was just myself and two lovely women. I could barely read the menu at all; must remember to bring my dollar store spectacles next time.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
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