Paul Linus, Author at News, Views and Reviews

May252018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

The First Academy Award Ceremony

Entertainment

Motion pictures – tainted by scandals, demands for censorship, union unrest, and in the midst of a transition to “talkies” – faced a turning point in 1927. It was during that year that producer Louis B. Mayer, director Fred Niblo, and actor Conrad Nagel suggested that an organization be formed to oversee the film industry. Responding to their idea, a group of thirty-two industry elites, including Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Mary Pickford, Harold Lloyd, Jack L. Warner, Beth Meredyth, and Cecil B. DeMille, met and formed The International Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (International soon being dropped from the title). Academy Award and Oscar History Begins As part of their mission, the newly formed Academy, with Fairbanks as its head, sought to publicize and reward the mo...

May232018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Most Popular Pop Music Groups, Singers, Hit Songs of ’80s

Music

Pop music during the 1980s reflects the ‘me first’ generation. The top 10 solo artists from the 80s garnered about 12% more most-requested songs on the top 50 charts for each year during the 1980s than scored by the top singers during the previous decade. In contrast, musical groups in the 1980s account for 20% fewer top 50 hits than during the 1970s. Even the most successful bands of the 80s were arguably driven by big name individual stars like Bono from U2 and Jon Bon Jovi. Among others, Steve Perry left Journey for a solo career as did Miami Sound Machine’s Gloria Estefan. Consolidating Pop Culture Madness data for the 50 most requested songs from 1980 to 1989, the lists below show the most requested bands and solo artists from that era. Top 10 Pop Music Groups The b...

May222018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Will Print Magazines Die Away

Business

With the death of the print version of Gourmet some feel the writing is on the wall for all magazines. After all, according to Mediabistro.com, in the United States and Canada alone, 613 folded in 2008 and the hemorrhaging did not stop there; so far many have gone although few, including Gourmet, have migrated to the Internet. Condé Nast, publisher of Gourmet magazine has closed Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and thechildren's magazine Cookie, although it's kept Wired and Vogue. The reason is the lack of advertising dollars as media buyers opt for cheaper promotional options for their clients. Rival Magazine Publishers Get Together Phil Bronstein writing in the October 25, 2009 Huffington Post believes Gourmet's demise "is a big sucking wound for all those consultants advising the p...

May212018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

How to Discipline Your Teen

Lifestyle

It's not easy being teen! But then, it's not easy being the parent of a teenager, either. Adolescence can be a challenging, stressful time for both teens and their parents. So as a Mom or Dad of a teenager, how do you walk the line between ‘not hurting their developing self esteem’ and ‘not yelling at the top of your lungs’? This is the 6 million dollar question for parents of teenagers. Whether the teen has broken curfew, talked back one too many times, or slacked off with school grades, there are a variety of reasons why parents of teens may find themselves in a position of needing to discipline their teenager. Never Too Young to Say No Hopefully as parents you have begun the job of discipline many years ago. From the time a toddler is taught NO! when approaching a hot stove...

May182018 by Paul Linus1 Comment

Celeb Flashback: Gene Tierney – Sultry Star of Stage, Film

Entertainment, Movies

Gene Tierney was raised in a world of wealth and privilege. Her dark eyes and remarkable beauty thrilled and enchanted theater-goers, but she was also a deeply troubled woman who suffered from mental illness for many years. Gene Tierney Studies Acting In 1938, Tierney attended Miss Porter’s School, a college preparatory school in Connecticut. On vacation, she visited the Warner Bros. Studios and was offered a contract, but she was only seventeen and her parent’s turned it down because of the low salary. She decided to study acting at a Greenwich Village acting studio in New York. She appeared on Broadway and received favorable reviews from Variety and The New York Times. Her father started a corporation—Belle-Tier-- solely to support her acting career. Gene Tierney is Offered ...

May172018 by Paul LinusNo Comments

Things to Do in Stanley Park, Canada

Travel

Since the 1880s, Vancouver residents and visitors have prized the 1,000 acres of Stanley Park. Wildlife, old-growth forest, and many activities make Stanley Park a favorite Vancouver day trip with travelers. Things to Do in Stanley Park – Seawall, Gardens, Hiking Stanley Park is named for Lord Stanley, who was Governor General of Canada in 1888 when the park officially opened. From circumnavigating the park on the Stanley Park seawall to hiking the forested trails, this Vancouver park is home to many activities and famous sights. Malkin Bowl: Summer home to Theatre Under the Stars as well as various concerts, the Malkin Bowl is a fantastic venue to enjoy arts and Vancouver’s lovely summer weather. Play golf: An 18-hole pitch-and-putt sits on the western shore of Lost Lagoon...