Notes On a Napkin August 27

Praise the Lord for sunshine! Outdoor events are still on the forefront including trips to the beach.

My latest trek to the Long Beach Peninsula included a jaunt to Long Beach for the Jake the Alligator Man’s 75th Birthday Party. I missed the Bride of Jake contest, but arrived in time to see The Graceland Five, complete with an Elvis impersonator spoof. Songs included Warm Kentucky Rain, Viva Las Vegas, My Way and Don’t Be Cruel. Some of the ‘Brides’ were still hanging around in their mermaid’s outfits & makeup; they were quite a sight to behold. The winner posed on one of the vintage Cadillacs from the car show, not far from the outdoor stage.

One of the best outdoor events was Patrick Lamb and his band at the Gresham Plaza. His new CD It’s All Right Now is charting at No. 5 in Billboard and he played a few, such as the upbeat Walk Away, Sweet Tea and the title cut. Other notable tunes included The Closer I Get, Essence, Wild Wood, Everybody’s Talkin’ and New Love (dedicated to Patrick’s alma mater Mt Hood Community College). He commented on his musical education & how he chose MHCC over a full scholarship at Oregon State because of the superb music program there. He lamented the fact that MHCC now has no music program because of budget cuts & encouraged the crowd to support the music programs here. Patrick urged the audience to come closer & dance to tunes like Pick Up the Pieces and Bad Girls. His last song was a rousing version of Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed Delivered, a real crowd-pleaser. Watch for Patrick to be inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame this October. The sound system at the Gresham Plaza was one of the elements that make this regular concert series a success, provided by Jay Lawhon of JBL Productions. His new sound setup is top-of-the-line & can accommodate the smallest of venues to concert halls. For information, call Jay at 503-666-3388 or contact him online at JBLDJ.com.

PE&D and friend Jeff Shivers joined me for Lloyd Jones’ Wednesday night jam at Blackwell’s recently. It was a hot jam with the core group including Dover Weinberg on keys, Dave Kahl on bass and Tom Klobas on drums. Vocalist LaRhonda Steele showed up for a few tunes, as well as Peter Moss on saxophone and others. Lloyd performed many tunes from his new CD to the delight of the crowd. See article by Jeff this issue for more news.

‘Til next time, we pray for peace & prosperity……Bonnie Carter, ed.

Notes On A Napkin

Notes On a Napkin November 19

I’m inspired & blessed! My friend & PE&D writer Jeff Shivers & I just came from an awe-inspiring Tom Booth concert at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. The church was filled with parishoners & more for a benefit for our music ministry there. What awesome music we heard. Tom’s music is heard & sung worldwide in all the Catholic churches through our own Oregon Catholic Press. Songs like You Gotta Serve Somebody, Cry the Gospel (written for the Pope!), Spirit of God, Slipping, Sacred Silence & Captured truly gladdened the hearts of the audience. At one point, our choir director Kathy lent her gorgeous vocals to the spirited Here I Am Lord (sung often at Mass), with the whole congregation raising their voices in song. Tom’s band is extraordinary & a perfect backdrop for his music. Newest member of the band, splendid guitarist/vocalist Ben Walther also performed a couple of his polished originals, Let Go & Make Your Home in Me. I’m listening

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Notes On a Napkin October 22

As Halloween approaches on Oct 31, it’s a reminder that All Saints Day is Nov 1;it’s good to know that we can pray for their intercession in all our life’s trials. And, most urgently, we pray that all people of faith will vote in the election to return our country to “one nation, under God, with liberty & justice for all.”

It was another gorgeous weekend at the coast recently as Jeff, BamBam & new friend Johanna Cowan joined me this time. Johanna rode with me on Thursday; PE writer & friend Jeff Shivers & darling dog BamBam joined us Friday night. Willapa Bay oysters, smoked salmon & a tasty spinach salad were on the menu, thoroughly enjoyed by all! We had fun showing Johanna all the beautiful sites on the peninsula & of course the beach & sunsets.

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Notes On a Napkin September 26

The sunshine still prevails & it’s a good thing since I’m having a new roof installed. Thank you Lord!

My latest trip to the beach at the Long Beach Peninsula was a gorgeous weekend with sunshine the whole time. Since my back was bothering me, I couldn’t do much except lounge & read a whole book called Gladys and Elvis, a very interesting story about Elvis & his mother. I did make it down to the beach one evening for the end-of-summer bonfire in Ocean Park, complete with s-mores. The sunset was awesome, God’s autograph on the day.

I was pleased to attend the last night of operation of the Galaxy, longtime Karaoke hotspot. Owner Sammy Foong invited me and many patrons to enjoy a buffet feast fit for a king & show off his plans for the new Trio Club to open in six months (See article & photos on page 5).

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