International Jazz Day, 2023 -- April 30, 2023

jazzday.com

Happy International Jazz Day. Gato Barbieri - Europa (composed by Carlos Santana)

I think I first heard Gato Barbieri from Argentina on an album that I took out of the Anza Branch Library. 

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- April 30, 2023

nytimes.com

Covid-19 is still there but people don't seem to pay much attention anymore.

I returned to teaching technology and coding during the last week of April. This year I am also teaching fifth grade. I am happy the kids remembered things I taught them last year. 

I continue to wear a mask when I am out in public around other people. 

Russia is making no progress in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine may be preparing for a counter-offensive. Many people say that Putin is tottering on his throne. 

The Giants started with a bad stretch, but were nearing .500 by the end of April.

The First Lady of Song! -- April 29, 2023

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-Times, 05-April-1948

I grew up hearing Ella Fitzgerald sing on the radio and television.  When I had enough money to buy albums, I bought her American Songbooks.

We saw her in person once, at the Marin Civic Center.  I don't remember what songs she sang, but I remember her trading licks with Joe Pass.

I love her stuff with Chick Webb, who became her legal guardian.  

Ella developed her talent for scat singing while working with Dizzy Gillespie, 

I bought copies of the songbooks for my fiancee.  We had some of the songs played at our wedding reception. 

San Diego vs Seals -- Bring a Friend! -- April 28, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 13-April-1948

The San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League visited the San Francisco Seals at Seals Stadium. This was the Seals' home opener. 

San Francisco Examiner, 13-April-1948

The game was broadcast on station KYA. Jack MacDonald was the announcer and Rainer Beer was the sponsor. "Hear the Seals' First Home Game of 1948."

San Francisco Examiner, 14-April-1948

Sadly, the Padres won 3-2. 

When Better Autos are Built, Buick Will Build Them -- April 27, 2023

Atlanta Constitution, 04-April-1922

I thought postwar automobile styles looked swollen, but this Buick is nice. 

Atlanta Constitution, 04-April-1922

It had some nice features. 

I notice that this ad was placed by the Hix Green Buick Center. Where did you go if you wanted a red Buick? 

New Cat #107 -- April 26, 2023

I took the photo on 16-April-2023.

Harry Belafonte RIP -- April 25, 2023

listal.com

Harry Belafonte, actor, singer and advocate for civil rights and human rights, has died. My parents had a record album that included "The Banana Boat Song" (Day-O). That may been the first Caribbean music that I heard. He went through with dignity and an open heart.

listal.com

listal.com

Albert King 100 -- April 25, 2023

listal.com

Albert King, one of the Three Kings of blues guitarists, was probably born 100 years ago, on 25-April-1923. He was famous for his Gibson Flying V guitar. I remember that I brought home one of his albums and my mother hated it. I love "Born Under a Bad Sign."

 
Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign (Official Lyric Video)

Byte Magazine -- Floppy Disks -- April 24, 2023

I used to subscribe to Byte Magazine: The Small Systems Journal. Robert Tinney's cover for the May, 1980 issue is the coolest depiction I have ever seen of a 5 1/4" floppy disk. Or is it a ten? They really were floppy. 

Albert Bierstadt -- Entrance into Monterey -- April 23, 2023

United States House of Representatives

Albert Bierstadt painted "Expedition under Vizcaino Landing at Monterey 1601" in 187t. It shows a priest saying mass for the members of Sebastián Vizcaíno's expedition to map the shoreline of Alta California and find suitable ports. It is in the collection of the United States House of Representatives.

Earth Day 2023 -- April 22, 2023

earthday.org

I remember the first Earth Day in 1970.

John Mortimer 100 -- April 21, 2023

Biddeford Maine Journal-Tribune, 30-January-1993

John Mortimer was born 100 years ago today, on 21-April-1923. He was a writer and a barrister. I have read many of his stories about Horace Rumpole. I loved the television series Rumpole of the Bailey with Leo McKern.

listal.com

Tito Puente 100 -- April 20, 2023

listal.com

I grew up listening to Tito Puente's music. I remember people confusing him with former Giants' second baseman Tito Fuentes. 

San Francisco Examiner, 01-May-1987

Cherry-Blossom Time is KODAK Time -- April 19, 2023

Washington Times, 23-April-1923

Charles Schwarz and Son, jewelers and opticians, offered the opportunity to "Pay While You Kodak," for one dollar a week. I like the little character "Schwarz's Dollar Bill."

Fire and Earthquake Anniversary, 2023 -- April 18, 2023

San Francisco Call-Chronicle-Examiner, 19-April-1906

Today is the 117th anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.

Air Records Are Shattered by Army Aviators -- April 17, 2023

O'Neill City Nebraska Frontier, 26-April-1923

In October, 2022 we noted the 100th anniversary of United States Army Air Service Lieutenants John A Macready and Oakley G Kelly setting an endurance record, keeping their single engine Fokker T-2 monoplane in the air for 36 hours, 4 minutes, and 32 seconds. They had initially set out to fly from San Diego to New York, but turned back because of bad weather. They decided to use their load of fuel and oil to set an endurance record, by flying in great circles over San Diego. They received the Mackay Trophy in acknowledgment of their achievement:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2022/10/record-endurance-flight-35-hours.html

On 17-April-1923 Macready and Kelly set a new endurance record. Their next goal was another attempt at a non-stop flight across the US. Harold R Harris was a test pilot who established several firsts.

Omaha Bee, 18-April-1923

Air Records Are

Shattered by

Army Aviators

French Sustained Flying Time

Is Exceeded by Americans

-- Speed Marks Are

Lowered.

Dayton, O., April 17. -- A new official record for sustained flying was set by Lieuts. J. A. MacReady and Oakley Kelly in the army monoplane T-2 at 8:02 tonight. At that time, they had completed the 71st lap of the 31 1-8-mile course, and had been in the air 34 hours, 24 minutes, 54.4 seconds, eclipsing the French record of 34 hours and 19 minutes by five minutes and 54 seconds.

Lieut, Harold Harris, flying a De Haviland B-4. established a new record for 1,500 kilometers, making the distance in 8 hours and 9 minutes, or at the rate of about 114 miles an hour.

Records Are Broken.

The previous record made today by Lieutenants MacRady and Kelly was at the rate of 73 miles an hour. The French record was 62 miles an hour. Lieutenants MacReady and Kelly also established records for 2,500 kilometers of 21 hours, 37 minutes, 30 5-10 seconds, and for 3,000 kilometers of 26 hours, 1 minute. 32 2-10 seconds.

Harris maintained an average speed of 114 miles per hour throughout his flight. His time for 1,000 kilometers was 8 hours and 9 minutes, and for 2,000 kilometers was 10 hours and 53 minutes.

This flight began at 6:28 this morning and was conducted over the triangular course, over which Lieutenants MacReady and Kelly are flying to set a new endurance record.

Harris landed at 5:21 p. m. and appeared In excellent condtion. He expressed great satisfaction over his success. Harris also holds the world's speed record for 1,000-kilometer course, set here in an aerial derby March 31.

Harris flew a rebuilt De Haviland 4-B in his flight.

Prepare to Land.

First word from MacReady and Kelly was received this afternoon, when a note dropped from the monoplane T-2 was found at Wilbur Wright field. This note read:

"Wilbur Wright Field: We will probably land about 9 or 10 o'clock. Have searchlights placed to give us the longest approach and landing area so that we can land into tho wind with our left side to the lightest part. Provide some menus that will enable us to tell the direction of the wind -- smoke might do."

Immediate preparations for the landing were begun, as soon as this note was received.

Washington Evening Star, 26-April-1923

Ahmad Jamal RIP -- April 16, 2023

listal.com

Ahmad Jamal has died. I have loved his music since I first heard it. He had a great influence on Miles Davis and many others.

  Poinciana (Live At The Pershing, Chicago, 1958)

AHMAD JAMAL . Trio " Darn That Dream " . 1959

AHMAD JAMAL Trio . Ahmads Blues

Keep the Royal Icebox Full of Nugrape -- April 16, 2023

Birmingham Age-Herald, 18-April-1923

I understand that NuGrape is still being produced, but I have never had one. It is available in the Southeastern US and Washington state.

Why Hudson Owners Buy Hudsons Again and Again -- April 15, 2023

Americus Times-Recorder, 28-April-1923

The Hudson Motor Car Company started building autos in 1909. In 1954, it merged with Nash-Kelvinator as the base of American Motors.

Coca-Cola -- We Women Like the Convenience of the New 6-Box With the Handle -- April 14, 2023

Birmingham Age-Herald, 27-April-1923

I'd imagine that a wooden crate with six full bottles of Coke would be heavy for a woman or a man.

Colfax Massacre -- April 13, 2022

Chicago Tribune, 16-April-1923

150 years ago today, on 13-April-1873, 

A WAR OF RACES.

Battle Between the Blacks and

Whites in Grant Parish,

Louisiana.

About 100 Negroes Killed in a

Conflict at Colfax

Court-House.

The Africans Driven from Their Barrcades

Into the Building.

When Hard Pressed, They Hang

Out a Flag of Truce -- Their

Cruel Treachery.

The Incensed Whites Fire the Court-

House and Shoot the Escaping Inmates.

Horrid Culmination of the

Political Chaos in Louisiana.

Full History of the Trouble -- Its Origin

and Progress.

New Orleans, April 15 -- The steamboat Southwestern, which arrived at about 1:30 o’clock this evening, brings stirring and important news from Grant Parish.

The whites have retaken Colfax, and there is not a negro to be found for miles around. From passengers on the Southwestern we glean the following:

The negroes had strongly entrenched themselves in the Court-House, and built breastworks three and four feet high. There were it is said about 400 men armed and equipped thoroughly.

On Sunday, at about 12 o’clock, about 150 white men, who had gathered from the surrounding parishes, made an attack on the breastworks, and a brisk fight was kept up until somewhere near 8 o'clock. The breastworks were then stormed and captured, the negroes taking refuge in the Court-House, the doors of which were barricaded.

After some fighting the negroes threw out a flag of truce, and several detachment, of men advanced on it, when they were fired on by the besieged party, wounding several, one of whom was Capt. Hadnot, who was shot in the bowels, and it is feared, fatally wounded.

They retreated on the outside of the breastworks, and, as the only means of dislodging the negroes, the Court-House was set on fire, and they were shot as they came from the burning building. It is reported that between 80 and 100 negroes were killed, and there were none now to be found for miles around.

The Captain of the steamboat Southwestern makes the following statement:

We arrived at Colfax on Sunday evening about 8 o'clock, and found that the white people, and the Sheriff I suppose at their head, had captured the town, after having had a conflict with the negroes. It was reported to me about 100 negroes had been killed, and many others wounded. We saw from the boat about eighteen or twenty lying around on the banks, dead. One white man was reported killed, whose name I did not learn, and two very seriously wounded -- Messrs. Hadnot and Harris. Mr. Hadnot was shot through the bowels, and it is supposed he is mortally wounded. We brought Messrs. Harris and Hadnot down from Colfax to Alexandria. Three or four other white men were slightly wounded.

About 100 negroes escaped, but it was reported that the whites were still pursuing them. All of the leaders of the riot escaped, especially the white men. The negroes ambuscaded themselves in the Court-House, and the whites, finding that there was no other mode of attack left them, set fire to the building. The whites numbered in the neighborhood of 150 men. The fight lasted from about 12 m. until near 5 p. m. The whites are now in possession of Colfax, and when I left, late last Sunday night, everything was very quiet.

KLX Will Radio Home Game Plays -- April 12, 2023

Oakland Tribune, 08-April-1923

In April, Oakland Tribune radio station KLX began to broadcast Pacific Coast League scores inning by inning. This item announces that the station will broadcast play by play reports for a series between the Oakland Oaks and the San Francisco Seals. This was not a remote broadcast from the ballpark, but announcements from the KLX studio. 

The Trumpet King of Be-Bop -- April 11, 2023

California Eagle, 26-April-1923

Dizzy Gillespie, trumpeter, teacher, composer, arranger and beautiful human being 75 years ago this month in April 1948 played in a Jazz Cavalcade at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. This was the home of the Pacific Coast League California Angels. Dizzy and his friend Charlie Parker were two of the founding fathers of bebop. Dizzy influenced everyone.

California Eagle, 26-April-1923

The International Sweethearts Of Rhythm " Jump Children " !!!

I first heard the International Sweethearts of Rhythm on a compilation album that I took out of the library. I was impressed. They were the first integrated all female band in the US. Members were African-American, Asian-American, European-American, Mexican-American and Native American.

The Honeydripper Parts 1 & 2 -Joe Liggins

Pianist and composer Joe Liggins created the famous song "The Honeydripper."

03 So Long (1947)-Little Miss Cornshucks

Little Miss Cornshucks was a singer and composer. I am pretty sure I had never heard of her. 

The California Eagle was an African-American-owned newspaper.

Good Friday Accords 25 Years -- April 10, 2023

Oakland Tribune, 11-April-1923

25 years ago today, on 10-April-1998, the Good Friday Accords were signed in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This settled the Troubles, which had started 30 years before. Many political parties in Northern Ireland, including the republican Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party and other smaller parties, agreed to cease firing, disarm and form a new government. The cease fire has held so far.

Happy Easter, 2023 -- April 9, 2023

www.coverbrowser.com

Happy Easter, everyone. Here is the cover of the Easter, 1903 Ladies' Home Journal. I chose this image because we are also in the Year of the Rabbit. 

Comic Book -- Home Run -- April 8, 2023

coverbrowser.com

 Baseball season has started. I like the way games are going faster, but the clock is hard for some pitchers and batters.

Stan the Man Musial was greatest Cardinal player. I don't remember him playing, but I remember people saying what a nice guy and a wonderful hitter he was. Willie Mays said Musial was always a gentleman "who understood the race thing" and took care of him at the All Star Game. Brooklyn fans, who hated everyone, gave him his nickname, and appreciated the way he accepted Jackie Robinson and integration.

He served in the Navy at the end of World War II.

I have never read anything bad about him.

Good Friday, 2023 -- April 7, 2023

 We had a quiet day. 

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band -- April 6, 2023

100 years ago today, on 06-April-1923, Joe "King" Oliver's Creole Jazz Band made its first recordings. Louis Armstrong, who played second cornet, made his first recordings with this band. King Oliver was a New Orleans cornet player, composer and band leader. He moved to Chicago about 1918 and gradually formed his famous band.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band - Dipper Mouth Blues (1923)

Angelo J Rossi 75 Years -- April 5, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 06-April-1948

75 years ago today, on 05-April-1948, Angelo J Rossi, florist and former mayor of San Francisco, died. He was appointed mayor in 1931, when Sunny Jim Rolph resigned to serve as governor. Italian-Americans like my mother's family were proud of Rossi and Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor of New York City. Rossi lost to Roger Lapham in 1943. 

Even though he was a Republican, he supported the New Deal. 

Angelo J Rossi was born in Volcano, in the Gold Country. He came to San Francisco in 1890 and eventually built a thriving flower business. My mother remembers him always having a flower in his lapel, as we see in the image.

Trump Arrested and Arraigned -- April 4, 2023

Former president Donald Judas Trump has been arrested and was arraigned by a court in Manhattan. He is charged with 36 felonies. The judge asked him to stop threatening violence against himself, the DA and his staff and their families.

As I type this, he is spewing a delusional speech at his home in Florida. 

Updated 05-April-2023.

moveon.org

Pulp -- All America Sports Magazine -- April 4, 2024

coverbrowser.com

The season has started. The Giants opened in New York for the first time since 1956 or 1957, when they were still in New York. The Yankees won 2 out of 3.

The cover of the June 1936 All America Sports Magazine has an image that looks a lot like Joe Dimaggio.

Toonerville Trolley -- Or I Got Ipecac -- April 3, 2023

Perth Amboy Evening News, 10-April-1923

I love Fontaine Fox's The Toonerville Trolley That Meets All the Trains.

Seward Daily Gateway, 10-April-1923

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Krazy Kat -- The First Drop in the Bucket I Ever Seen -- April 2, 2023

Washington Times, 23-April-1923

I love George Herriman's Krazy Kat.

Washington Times, 30-June-1918

Tragedy Strikes Bird-Plane -- April 1, 2023

Sal si Puedes, April, 1923

Tragedy Strikes Bird-Plane

Inventor Carried Off

Aeronautical engineer Hector Gaviota poses in the cockpit of his bird-plane, moments before he started the mechanism to flap the wings. The bird-plane rolled steadily down the runway until it reached sufficient speed to take to the air. The bird-plane rose steadily at a steep angle to a height of about 20 meters. There it flew on a level path until a golden eagle of unusual size swooped from the sky and caught 
Gaviota in its talons. As the great bird flew away towards the mountains with its victim, the bird-plane continued in level flight for a few meters and then dove towards the ground. It was completely destroyed when it hit the ground. 

April, 2023 Version of the Cable Car Home Page -- April1, 2023

San Francisco Examiner, 01-March-1923

I just put the April 2023 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/

It includes some new items:
1. Picture of the Month: A detail from an ad for the Emporium, a classic San Francisco department store, marking the cable car centennial (Source: San Francisco Examiner, 1973-08-01, Page 14).
2. Rolled out the new Centennial and Sesquicentennial of the Birth of the Cable Car page. I will continue to update it for much of the year.
3. On the Kitsch page: More collectible detritus about cable cars, including: A new section with items from the Centennial of the cable car; A toy cable car commemorating the Warriors' latest NBA title; A 1973 Emporium ad for centennial collectibles;
4. On the Cable Car Businesses page: a 1971 newspaper ad for Cable Car Clothiers
5. Changed toy cable car picture on the main page to a front three-quarter view of car 504 with uncommon free-standing figures.

Ten years ago this month (April, 2013):
1. Picture of the Month: A pin which commemorates the San Francisco Giants' defeat of the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series.
2. On the Kitsch page: A Powell Street centennial commemorative coin; a 2012 World Series commemorative pin; a pin for the Giants 1987 National League West championship; a tin cable car with its original box; a 1957 cachet with a State Street Chicago cable car; a 2011 stamp from Malaysia showing the Penang Hills Funicular Railway a program from the 1967 Cable Car Classic basketball tournament; a Christmas ornament with Woodstock sitting on a cable car; a 2009 Hard Rock Cafe pin; a new section for San Francisco Giants Cable Car Items
3. Changed toy cable car picture on the main page to Number 514.
4. Added News item about water main break that affected cable service
5. Added News item about the third annual San Francisco History Expo

Twenty years ago this month (April 10, 2003):
1. Add News item about the California Street Cable Railroad 125th anniversary.

Twenty years ago this month (April, 2003):
1. Picture of the Month: Cal Cable centennial cachet
2. California Street Cable Railroad 125th anniversary. More pictures on the More Cal Cable Pictures page.
3. Add more items, especially special Muni passes and Lefton models to the Kitsch page.
4. Add excerpt from book Travels With Jottings, which describes an 1880 trip on the California Street Cable Railroad
5. Add information about new car 60 to the roster page
6. Add News items about anti-war protests
7. Change toy cable car picture on the main page to wood and metal Cal Cable 4

Coming in May, 2023: On the Cable Cars in the Pacific Northwest page: More about the Butte City Street Railroad

The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/

Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-April-2023)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-January-2020)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 30-September-2022)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (new blog)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/