STUMPTOWNBLOGGER

JFK AMBULANCE FOR SALE

The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance that transported John F. Kennedy’s body after his assassination in Dallas will be sold next week during the famous annual car auctions in Scottsdale, Ariz.

This is the first time the vehicle will go to auction.

“It’s without a doubt one of the most significant and historical vehicles ever offered for sale,” Steve Davis, the president of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, said in notes about the car, which is being offered at no reserve. A representative for the auction house declined to speculate about how much the ambulance is worth.

Indeed, of the 69 original ambulances, only 15 were contracted for military use. This one met Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. , following President Kennedy’s death.  It transported the casket, Jackie Kennedy and Bobby Kennedy to Bethesda Naval Hospital and later to the Capitol.

 

DID GREG RASMUSSEN SELL?

The Stump reported early on the red hot rumor about Lithia Motors in the buying mode picking up Rasmussen dealerships. The powers that be are extremely q.t. on the subject and now new rumors are shaking that Lithia is talking to Kuni about aquiring the Mercedes brand. The Lithia power players have been seen on lots around town. Does this mean the deal was done and Lithia is flipping Mercedes? From what auto row says, Lithia will get BMW & MINI. Mercedes is a mystery and none of the above could be fact but Portland's car world is buzzing chatter about the sale. From the start, Rasmussen could be keeping Range Rover. The Rasmussen family built a solid franchise in Stumptown with high end rides and excellent service. On another note, the auto show attendance has doubled from last year, a very good sign for the car guys & gals in town.

 
GREG RASMUSSEN

THE ONE & ONLY DICK NOVAK

 A rare photo of Dick Novak in the KATU sound booth. Dick was a Stumptown radio superstar and holds the record for being mentioned the most times (along with Tiger Branch) in Doug Bakers column (Oregon Journal) 

Thank You Joel Miller for this photo.

WHERE DOES THE JUICE GET ALL THAT ENERGY?

 

CHARLIE CALLAS - HIS FINAL LAUGH AT AGE 83 ~ R.I.P.

 

Charlie Callas, the veteran comedian who punctuated his zany, character-oriented comedy routines with a bizarre array of facial expressions and sound effects, has died. He was 83.

Callas, a resident of Las Vegas, died Thursday evening of natural causes in a hospice, said his son Mark.

A former drummer for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and other big bands who switched to comedy in the mid-1960s, Callas once described himself as being "like a little kid running loose in the living room."

A 1982 article in The Times said Callas "will strut, stroll, fall down or drape himself over anything handy to get laughs during his routines."

"Somebody once told me, 'You look like a cartoon that somebody just drew,' " Callas recalled in a 1991 interview with New York's Newsday. "And that's what I am, a cartoon come to wreak havoc, like a wild kid. I'm silly."

Callas who was a regular on The Tonight Show was banned from appearing after pushing Johnny Carson to get a cheap laugh. 

COMCAST WANTED THE NBC PEACOCK REMOVED

NBC news anchor Brian Williams had a fit when he heard that Comcast wanted the famous peacock removed from our screens. Williams told the corporate fools that the logo was known like Coca Cola and is part of America's fabric. Now  Comcast brass are leaving it for the public to view but will be changed for all corporate use. 

FRED FLINTSTONE SMOKES WINSTON'S

 

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND ~ OUT-TAKES

 

LEWIS & CLARK EXPO IN 1905

THE FRIDAY SURPRISE

DATELINE: JAN 25, 2011

PRINEVILLE IS NO LONGER MAYBERRY

Facebook is changing the town of Prineville with a building that spans five football fields to accommodate millions of users. Now they are talking about a major expansion and offering the locals free dental care for children, uniforms for school sports teams, parties and more. Facebook has over 500 million users and before they know it, it will be a billion! Prineville, a town of roughly 10,000 people was hungry for this investment in their community after reaching a 19% unemployment rate. The big hit to the city was when Les Schwab Tires moved out and re-located to Bend, so the Facebook kids were welcomed with open arms. The web based company has already donated one million dollars to the town and is adding jobs. Why Prineville you ask? Facebook will not comment.

FRIDAY'S MELANGE

Moody Blues will be making a stop in our town June 3rd at the Keller. I hope they turn up their speakers, at their last show in Stumptown it sounded like they were playing at a retirement center....You like Arby's? Better get your fill of roast beef with their famous sauce, the company goes up on the auction block today....Hard to believe that "Packy" the elephant is 49 years old. Packy was the first elephant born in the western hemisphere....The best kept secret on Comcast Cable is channel 524 featuring the greatest westerns ever. You will get corralled fast with Cheyenne, Wagon Train, The Virginian, Have Gun will Travel, The Lawman and more. 

MOVIES- MUSIC AND STUFF

My Oscar picks:

Best Picture: King's Speech

Best Actor: Colin Firth/ King's Speech

Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale/ The Fighter 

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence/ Winter's Bone {My long shot}

Best Supporting Actress: Hailee Steinfeld/ True Grit (even though this movie was not my cup of tea and Steinfeld wore on me through the film. There is enough buzz in Hollywood about the movie and this actress. 

Director: David Fincher/ Social Network

One movie not to miss is "Casino Jack" starring Kevin Spacey playing the role of the crooked lobbyist Jack Abramoff who was loading up half of congress with cash, gifts and trips. This film will show you who really runs this country...The box set of Sinatra's TV specials and live performances is available at Music Millennium on East Burnside...NHL star Nick Licstrom is 40 years old, one of the longest lasting to still be on the ice and plays like he is in his prime...Did you know that GM sells more cars in China than in the US. Buick is their #1 seller in China.