Obituaries
Thoughts and memories of our community members who have passed. Share your tributes in our Obituaries Group. Flag as Inappropriate
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Panglonymous May 5, 2013 at 02:51 am
"It was a throwaway statistic in an article about the heavy metal band Slayer that got Jonathan…Read More Pieslak thinking. During the Gulf war, he read, some 40% of the band's fan mail came from soldiers stationed in the Middle East."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2009/sep/28/heavy-metal-music-us-army-iraq
Heavy Metal Marine Combat Compilation [video]
http://www.military.com/video/forces/marine-corps/marines-at-their-best/661821519001/
"What's interesting about the work is not so much which bands soldiers are drawn to, but the extraordinary terms they use to describe the power the music has over them. Some talk about tracks turning them into monsters, making them inhuman so they can do inhuman acts."
Watts May 4, 2013 at 01:17 pm
For the most part, it is theatrical, images, etc. I personally known many artists that are in the…Read More metal scene and also worked with many others. Like when the whole world thought that Iron Maiden were satanists because of Number Of The Beast. I actually know one of the former drummers from Slayer. On rare occasions, it is real. I can think of a couple Swedish death metal bands that took themselves too seriously and began to believe that it was all real, but those are just the signs of a weak mind who couldn't separate the showmanship from reality. There is only one well known musician that I know who truly dances with the dark one and he is generally pretty far from metal and for the most part, his albums and performances do not reflect it.
Panglonymous May 4, 2013 at 03:46 am
Thanks, Watts. The Hammer Horror ref is interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmguXOPc9VI…Read More
There may be a tangent in that: whether one plays earnestly or theatrically with potent symbols, authentic demons may be summoned. The larger the crowd, the greater the demonic potential, it would seem.
I'm just glad the Maysles captured the Altamont event. It's a fascinating document.
Waldo's Friend February 3, 2013 at 04:41 pm
Hi beer gut , He was unforgettable . Glad you had the chance to meet him , I can see him smiling at…Read More us and like to think he is with me in spirit. Thank you for the kind words, one thing about Don was his generosity of heart , he Really loved people.
He suffered many hardships and like many artistic people, had times when life was difficult for him but he always had a kind heart and a smile and made me laugh..omg ... The stuff he did.. So many memories flooding back now..He will always be remembered as "The Amazing Waldo Autry"
beergut February 3, 2013 at 05:04 am
I was lucky enough to meet Don about six months ago setting at the park bench in front of Seal Beach…Read More Safety Center, He was so friendly and telling his story to another gentleman about his skateboarding experience. I have never met a more friendly person. Seeing him later around town and he always had a smile on his face.
shawna schoch February 1, 2013 at 05:18 pm
I am so shocked and I feel so sad. What a gorgeous, sweetheart of a guy. Never a mean word. HB will…Read More never be the same.
enea ostrich November 8, 2012 at 02:56 pm
He will be missed. He wasn't just the owner of Don the Beachcomber. I never knew anyone nicer,…Read More unless it was family at home and good friends who greet you and make you feel at home whenever you come visit. In his later years he was content with owning this wonderful place, and although the restaurant part of it was a bit pricey, the tiki bar was what made it an icon and a place to be reckoned with in the area. I truly hope the family can keep it going but if they don't, then I hope the next owner turns it into a complete tiki bar and entertainment only center. The food is good there but deserves to be simplified and let the bar be it's guide. It is a winner right there with top drinks that anyone who has been to a tiki bar can truly appreciate. The bartenders there are super awesome and they deserve for this place to keep existing, even without Art there. The place won't be the same without him, but it could be a place to honor his memory and keep alive what he truly loved before he died--an oasis away from all the chaos in life
wayne avrashow November 8, 2012 at 11:42 am
I had the honor of observing and learning from Art when I was a deputy to two other City…Read More Councilmembers and then I practiced law with him. A charming rogue who understood human nature and motives. He loved life...he was the Original. Wayne Avrashow
Way, brilliant, irrascable,
cheryl clark October 28, 2012 at 02:18 am
Thanks, John, for writing about this sad reminder of the waste of war.
Marco September 23, 2012 at 04:07 pm
My pleasure. Thank you all for your support. May God bless you all <3
Nancy Wride (Editor) September 21, 2012 at 08:25 pm
Readers, this forgiveness is extended by David Jordan's family member, and I find that quite moving.…Read More Thank you for your voice on this story, Marco.
Marco September 21, 2012 at 07:45 pm
I believe everyone makes mistakes and sometimes we make the wrong choices but everyone must be…Read More forgiven. Yes, sometimes it's very hard to forgive... but we must because all we're doing is hurting ourselves. Sorry to get all religious but it is written
John 15:12: This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you.
Matt Gaffney August 27, 2012 at 02:55 pm
I was washing dishes at the Colony Kitchen with Tommy Littman. We kept ducking into the Crest Room,…Read More that's where the TV was. I remember standing there looking down the bar & seeing Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. Margie Oehlert, Paul's Mom, was standing in front of me. A never to be forgotten experience.
Nancy Wride August 26, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Is this the Janet who used to write for the Press Telegram or in Long Beach?
Janet Whitcomb August 26, 2012 at 07:20 pm
I think everyone was on pins and needles the entire day. It was a relief to know Armstrong and…Read More Aldrin had landed. But then the second stage of anxiety began. When Armstrong left the capsule and said his famous words, the sense of relief was palpable throughout the nation . . . perhaps the world. Still, I don't believe anyone felt 100% secure until all three men were retrieved after splashdown and, once a period of quarantine was over, allowed to become (if you'll excuse my Warner Bros. cartoon jargon) earthlings again.
About a minute after Armstrong stepped out onto the moon, I went outside and stared up at it in wonderment. It was a warm night and the universe seemed especially accessible. I remember feeling only slightly jealous of those at Disneyland, who had the opportunity to watch the whole thing on a large screen set up in Tomorrowland.
Some time later I remember my mom reading a magazine and quoting the quote Charles mentions. She seemed to think it a justification for not exercising! But obviously Armstrong had to have been in tip-top shape to do all that he did.
Cheyenne Calderon August 21, 2012 at 02:36 am
Wow. I'm only 14, but when I was littler, my mom said that Dr. Widelitz saved my life & I…Read More wouldn't be here with out him. I remember everytime I went in to get a check up, he would always make me laugh even if it wasn't my best day. He was a kind, gentle, funny man. He was 23, & 21 year old sisters pediatrician too. We will miss him. He will be greatly missed by everyone that had him in his life.
Lynne Cawley August 17, 2012 at 06:20 pm
I worked for Drs. Kaplan and Widelitz in the early 90's and hold those memories dear to my heart.…Read More Dr. Widelitz was more than kind--he was funny and smart and loved kids of all ages. He will be missed by all who knew him. My condolences to his family and the staff of the office and to the community he so faithfully served.
Cynthia Stava August 14, 2012 at 07:05 pm
There wasn't a kinder and more gentle man and doctor. He was with my boys from birth until their…Read More teens. I'm so sad to hear of this wonderful man's passing...he will be missed!!
Jeffrey K Seitelman August 10, 2012 at 11:51 am
Fabulous writing, Ben. Dr. Widelitz was, along with Bob Kaplan, my son's Pediatrician. A kind,…Read More compassionate, professional, very bright and caring. He will be missed.
Maura Hudson August 10, 2012 at 09:43 am
Great job, Ben...you wrote a very nice story. Dr. Widelitz was my 7-year-old daughter's doctor, and…Read More was her first visitor in the hospital upon birth besides family. He's held our hand through some challenging times and we sure do miss him.
Nancy Wride (Editor) August 10, 2012 at 01:25 am
This piece about a special doctor is by a very special writer I know.
Jim Light July 24, 2012 at 02:40 am
As part of the shuttle launch team for Sally's first flight, it was a very exciting time. We really…Read More felt like it was history in the making. It is embarrassing to me, that our current astronauts must be launched on Russian rockets. We owe it to pioneers like Sally and to the next generation of Americans to keep the dream alive. Godspeed Sally Ride!
Nancy Wride (Editor) July 24, 2012 at 01:27 am
Linda, I love that. Driving back from the East Division commander Beckman's crime meeting I heard…Read More Sally on the radio, recalling how her Dad was a community college president who did not understand what her major, astrophysics, was. But when she became an astronaut, "I solved all of us his problems, because he knew what that was." Thanks for sharing that Linda.
Linda Merrill July 23, 2012 at 10:57 pm
I heard Sally Ride speak at a womens conference and will never forget her sense of humor. Someone…Read More asked did you get your brains from your father? Her response was... Must have my mother still had hers. RIP
R. J. Steelworth November 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm
This is why people need to vote no on 34. Keep the death penalty. Use it.
faith browning November 1, 2012 at 12:06 pm
who was her little friend that was with her when the kiddnapping happend?
Marc Schroeder July 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Hey Booboo, I don't want the Nameless one getting jealous and I don't swing that way so if you need…Read More to spice things up? Don't waste your time with me.
Mike Ruehle October 20, 2011 at 02:18 pm
LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley snubbed his fellow republican DeLong and endorsed…Read More Kuykendall for Congress.
http://www.lbreport.com/news/oct11/kuycool.htm
Mike Ruehle October 20, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Another local media is polling people by asking the question: "Who would you vote for in the…Read More upcoming 47th Congressional District?"
The results after 202 people having voted are:
13.4% - California Senator Alan Lowenthal
7.9% - Long Beach 3rd District Councilmember Gary DeLong
78.7% - Former U.S. Congressman Steven Kuykendall
http://www.longbeachcomber.com/
Nancy Wride (Editor) October 20, 2011 at 04:59 am
Hey before I turn in here, I have heard rumor that Lowenthal is not raising a lot of money because…Read More he is somehow a place holder to keep out other Democrats (this was before Joe Dunn's alleged interest, which ran unsourced). But he doesn't seem ready to leave public office yet....Thoughts?
Brian Harrison February 1, 2012 at 11:33 pm
I respect the sacrifice this gentleman made, but it is also mixed with great frustration and anger…Read More that our government is encouraging and fueling this needless waste of life. A two year old girl is now at a disadvantage in navigating this world. I wish the mother tremendous endurance and courage in raising her daughter well.
CalLadyQED December 29, 2011 at 02:25 pm
There's irony in the fact that the year I start watching "M.A.S.H." re-runs on TV is the…Read More year that Harry Morgan dies. For those who have never visited or served at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Korea, Morgan played Col. Sherman T. Potter for 8 seasons on the show.
Jean Schoonover December 28, 2011 at 02:43 am
Thank you John. And thank you for sharing about Ruby Jane. It is so hard to lose a child, I know…Read More because I lost my son 13 years ago. I hope 2012 will be a blessed year for you.
Patch Inspirational Cancer Blogger's Funeral Friday
5 Recommend Nancy Wride (Editor)