Thanks for stopping by and joining me on the park bench for our Sunday afternoon chat.  I look forward to these visits, especially when we reminisce about old times.

IN TODAY'S PAPER:  "St Louis AP - Powerful racial tensions have divided the St Louis Fire Department and spilled over to city hall.  In October, the city's white mayor demoted the black fire chief and replaced him with a white man.

"Since then, the FBI has investigated two incidents---one involving a stuffed monkey hung by the neck; the other, a noose tied around a cracker box----and concluded neither was racially motivated."

Isn't that a sad commentary on the total lack of sensitivity of all involved.

"HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME."  First performed in the ‘50s by a rhythm and blues group, the Orioles, Mel Carter covered the record in 1965.  To hear Mel sing the song is enormously nostalgic for me.  To see him perform it in person is totally magical.  It really is.

MOULIN ROUGE (The Red Windmill).  While a popular Paris cabaret that's still operating and dates back to 1889, the 1952 film of the same name chronicles a vignette of the life of painter Toulouse-Lautrec.  

Toulouse-Lautrec's famous post-impressionistic paintings of scenes at the Moulin Rouge are what brought to him extraordinary artistic notice.

This past week Patty and I watched the original "Moulin Rouge" film with Jose Ferrer and Zsa-Zsa Gabor and directed by John Huston.  This is a true masterpiece in every detail.  I had forgotten what a phenomenal actor Jose Ferrer was, and the extraordinary talent of Mr. Huston. 

But I can't leave this subject without noting that Mr. Ferrer was Rosemary Clooney's husband twice and he was Debbie Boone's father-in-law once and for all time.

OLD TESTAMENT.  For whatever the reason, most Christians' knowledge of the Old Testament is seriously lacking.  I've never quite understood why Christian ministers and teachers overlook explaining to their flocks what a big deal the stories and lessons of the Old Testament are.  One of the best explanations of the testament's characters and stories is Walther Zimmerli's Old Testament Theology in Outline.  Buy a copy.  I promise it will not only enrich your life, but you are sure to find his writings totally fascinating.

DALLAS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER.  This huge facility built through the benevolence of many Dallas Jewish families, is located off Royal a block from Central Expressway.  The exercise and gym facilities, the huge indoor pool, racket ball courts and on and on are open to the public, regardless of religion.  Until the end of January, individuals and families can join with no initiation fee.  The monthly dues for Patty and me are less than fifty bucks. 

TEXAS ESCAPES MAGAZINE.  This is a monthly Internet magazine about Texas.  It's totally about Texas - from places to visit, to pictures of how it used to be, to stories and lore written by Texas authors.  I contribute a piece each month about the days gone by of Galveston.  Texas Escapes Magazine.

THE FIVE BROWNS.  You've seen these young people on TV.  Five accomplished brothers and sisters who play pianos as a quintet.  Their latest CD is called "Browns in Blue."  You simply must hear it.  At Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com or download it on line.  It's a real winner.  Several beautiful renditions of Gershwin compositions.

THE EXPRESSIONS. One of Dallas' best night club acts of the ‘60s and ‘70s was called The Expressions.  They frequently played shows at a club here called Gringo's.  The members were Bob Kelly, Bill Medley, Kirby St. Romain and Jerry Brown.  Patty and I went to college with Kirby.  It would be nice to see them in a reunion performance.

In this picture, from left to right Bob Kelly, Bill Medley, Kirby St. Romain and Jerry Brown appear as old dudes.

THE HI-FI CLUB.  This is my favorite running program of nostalgia.  My friend and Dallas radio legend, Mike Shannon joins other legends, Chad Hoker and Mike Whitworth each Sunday night from 6-9 on KMNY - AM 1360.  They talk about and recreate the Top 40 radio of the past.  Some night I swear Brokenhearted Bill is going to crash their party and show them what a real radio voice from the past sounded like.

Tonight their guest is another friend of mine, Bill Mercer.  Bill is a famous Dallas sportscaster, but he is also the television newsman who, with mike in hand, told the world on camera that Jack Ruby was the guy who seconds before had shot Lee Harvey Oswald.  Bill, who will be 82 next month, is still blowing and going.

<<==Bill Mercer

            Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting with me in the park on this cold Dallas Sunday after church.  In just a smidgen of time, the leaves will begin to fill in the trees, the birds will rejoin their park choir, and we'll be able to take off our shoes and socks and wiggle our toes in the warm earth.  I can't wait, can you?

GOD Blesses!  See you next Sunday.

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Pen and Ink Drawing of Bill in the Park by Galveston Artist Carlotta Barker