U.S. Population Grew 0.1% in 2021, Slowest Rate Since Founding of the Nation and Net International Migration at Lowest Levels in Decades
What State of Matter is Fire?
Frequency Illusion? What’s the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon?
Black mothers turning to doulas in light of the nation’s horrifying maternal death rates
Two Texas teens dressed as Klansmen tased their Black classmate
Solomon Northup’s “A Slave’s Christmas”
Wreck of last US slave ship mostly intact on the coast
NEA Guide for Racial Justice in Education
Missouri Cop Pulls Over School Bus Driver For Wearing A Mask
147 New York dams are ‘unsound’ and potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in more than 20 years
The departed
Hidden Pentagon records reveal patterns of failure in deadly airstrikes
Desmond Tutu, a cleric who campaigned against apartheid in South Africa, dies at 90. “A moral beacon in a deeply troubled land, Tutu managed to irritate the African National Congress government that took power after South Africa’s first all-race elections, as much as he had riled the apartheid regime that had previously oppressed the country’s Black majority.”
Joan Didion, Literary Titan, Dies at 87; Jon Avnet on Making ‘Up Close and Personal’ With Her
TCM Remembrance of performers past
This Year, Hollywood’s China Relationship Finally Unraveled
After his performance in The Music Man, Hugh Jackman touts Broadway understudies, standbys, and swings. The role of Marion Paroo, the female lead, was supposed to be played by Sutton Foster, who tested positive for COVID. The role was covered by a swing named Kathy Voytko, who also covered seven other smaller roles in the production.
Flying from Honolulu to Buffalo just before Christmas
I Stopped Caring About My Kids’ School Grades. You Should, Too.
“She could never love me!” Comic books and disability cliches
Chuck’s best blog moments of 2021, which includes me!
The Awakening – Albany’s first movie (1914)
See the movie short: Seasoned Greetings (1933 Vitaphone). Lita Grey Chaplin w/ 7 Yr Old Sammy Davis Jr
Now I Know: A Brick That Broke The Glass Ceiling and The Amazing Spider-Man Coincidence and When It Feels Good to Pay More
Inspiring Quotes: If you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror. – Shane Koyczan
Nominate the next Literary Legend!
Each year, the Friends and Foundation of Albany Public Library select a new outstanding person of letters to be honored as our Literary Legend. The FFAPL invites the public to nominate writers for the selection committee to consider.
Nominations must be received by January 9, 2022, for consideration by this year’s Selection Committee. The Literary Legends Selection Committee includes members of the FFAPL board, past Gala Chairpersons, and APL librarians.
Sound Treasures Enter the Public Domain
On January 1, 2022, 400,000 pre-1923 sound recordings will enter the public domain, thanks to a new U.S. law, the Music Modernization Act. To celebrate, you may attend a virtual event on January 20, “A Celebration of Sound.”
And it’s not just music! On January 1st, children’s classic Winnie the Pooh, Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, Rudolph Valentino in The Son of the Sheik, in addition to musical recordings such as Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag, and thousands more will all be free for creative reuse and sharing.
MUSIC
Am I Enough. Words: Nell Stokes. Vocals: CJay Philip, Nell’s daughter. Musical arrangement: Gail Sparlin. Piano: Larry Finke.
You Should Be Dancing – Dee Gees, who look a little like the Foo Fighters
Coverville 1382: Cover Stories for Patti Smith, Dido, and Britney Spears
New York State of Mind – NYCNext
Losing My Mind -Imelda Staunton, in a 2017 production of Follies by the National Theater
Tainted Love – Broken Peach
Songbird -MonaLisa Twins
Dream On – Ann Wilson, live
Stand By Me – Playing For Change
Mary, Mary, written by Michael Nesmith (30 Dec 1942-10 Dec 2021): Butterfield Blues Band Band, The Monkees
It’s still Christmastide
Dave Koz and Friends // The Greatest Hits of Christmas – LIVESTREAM VIRTUAL CONCERT Recorded 12/12/20. With Jonathan Butler, Peter White, Kenny Lattimore, Michael Lington, Brian Simpson, and REBECCA JADE!
Have a sultry, soulful Christmas!
River – Joni Mitchell, Her first official video
J. Eric Smith – Ten Songs You Need to Hear: Crimbo Version