Old Yuppies Make Grateful Dead Auction Expensive

During their heyday, the Grateful Dead promised in their folksy lyrics to "steal your face right off your head."

Dedicated Deadheads probably lost their shirts and a lot more earlier this week in San Francisco when big bidders brought in more than $1.1 million during an auction of memorabilia collected by the group's longtime road manager, Lawrence “Ram Rod” Shurtliff.
Everything from guitars to ticket stubs kept by Lawrence "Ram Rod" Shurtliff during his decades-long stint coordinating the rock band's legendary touring operation were on the auction block.

Other items included drug syringes, groupie’s bras and panties, used patchouli oil, trampled concert blankets, hair clipped from Jerry Garcia’s beard, Bob Weir’s stool samples, Pigpen’s dandruff, Mickey Hart’s toenail clippings and Bill Kreutzmann’s very first toupee.

"He just really loved the band and he didn't want to see any of their equipment or stuff thrown away," said Margaret Barrett, director of entertainment memorabilia for Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers, which was staging the sale in San Francisco. "He didn't want their legacy to go away."

“People who want to bid on these items better bring money. Some Deadheads have said that they want to trade beads, used roaches and happy thoughts for items. Don’t even try that crap.”
Auctioneers predicted that doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs - many of whom wore flowers in their hair to the Dead's early shows - would gladly pay a premium for ordinary items touched by band members, including Jerry Garcia, a founding member who served as lead guitarist and vocalist. Now that these people have sold out to the man, they want to re-capture their pasts.
The auction house expected a 1975 cream-colored electric guitar played by Garcia during some of the Dead's most famous shows to bring between $250,000 and $300,000.

Deadheads bidding by phone and in the crowded auction room bid up prices for band photos, original album artwork, guitars and other musical gear collected by Shurtcliff over decades.

A leather guitar strap worn by Garcia on stage around 1973 sold for $20,400 – four times the estimated selling price. A flight case containing Garcia’s picks, unopened guitar strings and other accessories sold for $16,800.

Entertainment's Capitol is New York, New York!

If you’re headed to New York City this summer (and it seems like half the U.S. population is) you should hire a new york ticket broker to help you get good prices on tickets. There is so much going on in NYC all the time when it comes to concerts, sports and live performances. Las Vegas is small-time compared to all of the amazing things that are happening every single day in the Big Apple. It really is the entertainment capitol of the world. Check out some of these upcoming events. Concerts: Joss Stone, Nelly Furtado, Joey Ramone’s Birthday Party Bash, Linkin Park, Arctic Monkeys, Elvis Costello, Steely Dan, Godsmack and Velvet Revolver. Sports: The Yankees, Mets, boxing, soccer, wrestling, U.S. Open tennis and Monster Trucks. Shows: Jersey Boys, Phantom of the Opera, The Color Purple, Wicked, Turandot, A Chorus line, Inherit the Wind, Hairspray, Les Miserables, The Lion King, Legally Blonde, Rent, Beauty and the Beast, Stomp and the Blue Man Group.

What's Your Wellsphere?

There’s a new SF-based Web site called Wellsphere and it sounds like a really exciting idea. Basically, it’s a site where people can go and share ideas, advice and experiences about healthy living.

First, you sign up and join the Wellsphere community, and then you can explore other members’ wellspheres, finding people with similar interests and goals.

Personally, I fell instantly in love with this site, because over the past eight months, I have seen the importance of living a healthy life. For almost 30 years, I smoked tobacco, drank copious amounts of alcohol, ate fast food and sat in front of the TV every night and all weekend. As a result, I now have a whole slew of physical ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholestrol. Not to mention the aches and pains I experience every day with a bad knee and shoulder.

But, I'm happy to say that I am on my way back. I weigh less now than I have in 15 years and I'm eating the right things (No more Big Macs) and I'm working out with a personal trainer. I feel so much better and my life has improved dramatically. I'm kicking myself for not starting sooner, but you can't re-capture time or change the past, so what the hell?

That's why I am so happy I found Wellsphere. I am new to the concept but I think I get the general idea. It's a networking/educational site on how to get healthy and maintain good health.

Maybe you’re into hiking and you’re looking for better trails or groups to hike with. You can find them on Wellsphere. Maybe you’ve been thinking about trying yoga or pilates and you want to find the best places to do them. Wellsphere is the perfect place to meet people who are into yoga and pilates and who have been doing them for a long time.

Anything that has to do with healthy living – from biking, kickboxing, dance, meditation, tennis, diet, surfing, stretching, or just plain moving – Wellsphere puts you in contact with experts, hobbyists and enthusiasts and allows you to tap into their expertise and knowledge. The Wellsphere people really care about your wellness and want people to live healthier lives – to eat better and exercise more.

What’s your definition of wellness? Whatever is it, you’ll find limitless ways to get there on www.wellsphere.com!

Cafe Gratitude: Joining The Grateful Fed

With two cafes in San Francisco, one in Berkeley, and with their newest location in San Rafael, Café Gratitude has gained a much-deserved reputation in the alternative culinary community for its inspiring environment and distinctive, flavorful organic foods.
To find out what Café Gratitude is all about, all you need to do is check out their mission statement:
“Cafe Gratitude is our expression of a World of Plenty. Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness. We select the finest organic ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone who chooses; loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful everyday, and experiencing being provided for. Have fun and enjoy nourishing yourself.”
This amazing place is not just about putting food and drink into your stomach and then paying the bill. It’s about the entire experience – nourishing the heart, mind and soul. They want you to leave there feeling better about every aspect of your life.
I must admit that I was skeptical when I went to Café Gratitude. I am a steak and chops kind of guy. But, I was really surprised when I found myself really liking it.
When you walk through the door, this sign greets you:
Welcome to Cafe Gratitude serving all organic, vegan and mostly live foods! Come play the Abounding River Game and experience an unfamiliar view of BEING ABUNDANCE!
Café Gratitude does not serve anything with a face, or anything that comes from something with a face. This includes eggs, honey, milk or cheese. It also serves live food, which means nothing is nuked or charred there. Most of the food is cold, room temperature or slightly undercooked to keep the cells within the food alive.
When I went to the Haight-Ashbury location yesterday for lunch, I was expecting a bunch of hippies chanting mantras and smelling of patchouli oil. Not even close. Café Gratitude is a great place, with wonderful food, a relaxed, totally laid back attitude and people who will make you feel at home almost immediately. We were only there for about two hours, but when we left, you would have thought we’d known each other all our lives. If felt the same pangs of guilt I feel when I leave a rocking party early. I really didn’t want to go!
One of the coolest things about the place is the way you order your food. Every item on the menu is an affirmation. For instance, the almond milk is called “I am Youthful.” When you order it by name, the wait staff replies, “You are Youthful.” At first, it seemed kind of strange, but after awhile I got into it. When the food came promptly, I was happy, because “I was Hungry.”
The menu at Café Gratitude is extensive, featuring a wide range of over 100 items, including soups, salads, appetizers, smoothies, teas, fresh juices, elixirs, shakes, organic sparkling and white wines, beer, sake and cider, organic coffee, organic ice cream, live pizzas and assorted desserts.
Some of the things we tried at Café Gratitude were:
The “I am Warm” Soup: A Faux Pho miso soup. This is a warm miso with spiralized vegetable noodles, shiitake mushrooms, scallions and sprouts in a big bowl ($9.00).
The “I am Thankful” Soup: This is Thai coconut curry soup with avocado, tomato, cucumbers and shiitake mushrooms ($7.00).
The “I am Fabulous” Live Pizza: A living, breathing pizza with lasagna-zucchini noodles layered with cashew ricotta cheese, fresh tomatoes, basil, pesto and marinara sauce ($12).
The “I am Festive” Taco Salad. A flavorful salad with shredded romaine lettuce tossed in a creamy dressing topped with crumbled walnut-seed taco filling, guacamole, salsa, nacho cheese and green sprouts topped with flax seeds ($12.00).
To complete the experience, we had the “I am Praising” dessert – a dish of Café Gratitude’s vanilla soft serve ice cream. It was less heavy than your standard ice cream, because, of course, it contained no dairy.
On the way out we picked up a copy of I Am Grateful, a book written by Café Gratitude’s co-founders Terces and Matthew Engelhart. It presents their view of life and their business philosophy. In the book, Terces also relates her own story of personal healing, sharing highlights of her recovery from food addiction while explaining the benefits of an organic lifestyle. The book’s incredible full-color photographs accompany easy-to-follow recipes for the café’s most popular items, making it easy for readers to prepare live foods at home.
Recipes include café favorites for satisfying smoothies such as the "I am Luscious" raw chocolate variety, as well as juices, soups, and appetizers. There's also entrancing entrees like the "I am Elated" spicy rolled enchiladas and delicious desserts including the "I am Amazing" lemon meringue pie with macadamia nut crust.
Café Gratitude has four locations. To find the one nearest you, visit their Web site at: http://www.cafegratitude.com/. It’s an experience that will leave you feeling healthy, happy and qualify you as a member of the Grateful Fed.

Message to Michael Vick: Dog Fighting is Dog----!

Does anyone want to buy an authentic Michael Vick Atlanta Flacons NFL jersey? I paid about $200 for it, but you can have it cheap. Please respond soon because if I can’t sell it quickly, I’ll burn it. When I found out the other day that Vick is very likely involved in the so-called “sport” of dog fighting, I suddenly lost all interest in the man and his spotty football career.
Already a problem child, Michael Vick, it appears, is a member of a sick segment of our society that thinks it’s cool to watch innocent, helpless animals attempt to kill each other. I have never seen the attraction to something like this and I never will. Dog fighting is a demented, uncaring and inhumane form of entertainment for sick, twisted people who, if there is any justice in this world, should be put to sleep themselves. Or at the very least – fixed.
This appeared on http://www.cbssportsline.com/ the other day. I am so happy that the NFL is taking action:
“A prominent animal-rights group called on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to ban players who are involved in dog fighting, saying it was especially troubled that evidence of the deadly activity was allegedly found at a home owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
The Humane Society of the United States sent a letter to Goodell on May 3, calling on the NFL to "collaborate with us in an organized effort to eradicate animal cruelty and illegal animal fighting activity from the ranks of the NFL."
"We believe that the current situation involving Michael Vick is indicative of a larger subculture within the NFL of dog fighting and other forms of violence against animals," wrote Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer of the Humane Society.
While conducting a drug investigation last week, Virginia authorities raided a home owned by Vick, though he wasn't the one being targeted. The investigators reported finding dozens of dogs, some injured and malnourished, and evidence of dog fighting.
The Humane Society has alleged that veterinary supplies, blood-soaked carpeting, treadmills used for training, scales for weighing the animals and tools used to pry apart a dog's jaws were confiscated from the property.
Pacelle said his group "tracks 10 underground dog fighting magazines and a laundry list of Web sites, and we can assure you that this is a major underground criminal industry." He also repeated the group's claims that it suspected Vick was involved in dog fighting long before last week's raid.
The NFL has said it is investigating the case, and Goodell summoned Vick to a private meeting while the quarterback was in New York last weekend for the NFL draft. An after-hours message left on the cell phone of league spokesman Greg Aiello was not immediately returned.
Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said the team had no comment on the Humane Society's letter. Vick has maintained that he never visited the home, even though he owned it and allowed a cousin to live there. He blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity and said he felt like a victim too.
The Humane Society is skeptical of Vick's explanation.
"The problem of illegal animal fighting and other forms of animal cruelty is widespread, but they have a particular significance where high-profile sports personalities are concerned because of the influence the behavior and habits of these athletes have over fans," Pacelle wrote.
Vick isn't the only player facing the wrath of animal-rights advocates. Defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux is facing felony charges in the death of his girlfriend's dog. The player has denied responsibility.
"We hope you will collaborate with The HSUS to combat animal cruelty and animal fighting in order to send a clear message to the public that the NFL does indeed intend to hold its players to the highest standards," Pacelle said in his letter to Goodell.
"By setting an example of compassion for the public, the NFL has the chance to tackle the problem of animal cruelty and animal fighting from the top down and to truly make a difference for our communities."
While Vick has denied involved in dog fighting, he does have an apparent interest in breeding animals such as pit bulls and Rottweilers. A Web site for "Mike Vick K-9 Kennels" includes a disclaimer that any of its dogs are used for fighting, which is banned nationwide and is a felony in 48 states including Virginia and Georgia.
Another Web site for an Atlanta-area breeder, Sanders Kennels, shows a picture of Vick holding a Presa Canario puppy, an animal that it says is "bred for loyalty, protection, guarding, and peace of mind. They can and will protect."

Is It Time to Give Your PC a Computer Memory Upgrade?

If you work on your PC every day, putting it through the paces and really testing its limits, you may be in line for a computer memory upgrade. It’s something you should consider. As you start putting big documents, high-resolution photos, music, games and other large downloads onto your computer, memory becomes so much more important to the operating efficiency and overall capacity. Without getting into a bunch of technical jargon which most people won’t understand (including me) what I want to communicate here is this – think about a computer memory upgrade. And then don’t forget it!

Katie Holmes: Devising an Exit Strategy?

“They’re everywhere. Someone please help me.”
A gardener found this message scrawled in the dirt in the backyard of the mansion where Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise currently live.
I know I’m risking a rattlesnake in my mailbox by saying this, but Katie Holmes is reaching out. She didn’t realize that when she married Tom Cruise, she was marrying the late L. Ron Hubbard as well.
Katie has held on long enough and hasn’t left Tom Cruise's side since they began dating in April 2005. She’s supported him through thick and thin and even sat through Mission Impossible III. Lately it’s been reported that Holmes has been openly flirting with Adam Rothenberg, her co-star in the upcoming film, Mad Money.
However, that support has caused her grief. According to one Hollywood insider, the actress, who gave birth to daughter Suri last year, has been told by her husband to attend "mommy classes" taught by Scientologists.
("There are parenting classes," a Scientology source confirms.)
"Katie was quite offended by that," the source said. "Can you imagine when you're 28 and have your first child to be told you need to go to this church to become a better mom?"
“Most of the moves Katie has made in her life have been smart ones,” the source continued. “But, she told me the other day that she now regrets three decisions – marrying Tom, starring in First Daughter and in Pieces of April.”
Holmes now finds herself surrounded by fellow Scientologists (an exception is Victoria Beckham, who one Hollywood insider describes as "a link to the outside world").
From the time Holmes and Cruise began dating, the actress - who, pre-Cruise, did interviews without a publicist - has been assigned a Scientology "minder," whose job, according to a Scientology expert, is "to make sure that nothing is said or done that would be critical of the church."
In fact, virtually everyone on the couple's staff is a Scientologist. Says the source, "Everyone who works with Tom is technically minding Katie."
So why does Katie stay? What will Suri's life be like growing up as a Scientologist? What did Tom's ex, Nicole Kidman, think about Scientology?
(Please Note: This article is more than 50% fiction with the remainder being pure conjecture. In no way should any of this be taken seriously.)

Punking Postings on Craigslist

I love to punk people on Craigslist. I never do it in a mean way, but every once in a while I feel a need to do it. I saw this posting yesterday and couldn’t resist:

“(((___WANTED: ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMEN FOR SIGNED MUSIC GROUP__)))

We are Looking for two girls who are bright and motivated to work hard in the music entertainment Biz. We have a Signed Music Group that is searching for Girls with talent in dancing, and Singing! Ages of 18 to 25! Auditions would be held in Hollywood. There will be Travel, and we need Unsigned TALENT!!! SEND PIX, CONTACT PHONE NUMBER AND A COPY OF YOUR MUSIC TO: ummusicent@gmail.com -or- 1617 N. El Centro suite 24 Hollywood, Ca. 90028 schedule an appointment! No Calls or Drop offs ( e-mail for appointment w/pix and cover letter)”

Here’s how I responded:

I am very interested in your posting. I am a hot 20-something who has done a ton of modeling, recording, acting and dancing. I would have made it onto American Idol, but Simon was a d--k and hated me. Paula and Randy thought I rocked! When I heard that you guys were signed, I immediately became intrigued. People are always trying to con babes who look like me. They offer bogus jobs and then try to turn us out. I’ve seen it way too many times, believe me! When you see my latest headshot (which I’ve attached) I think you’ll know what I mean. The last band I did work with said they were signed and made all these promises, but in the end they were just trying to get a date with me. Please send me some more information so that I can be 100% certain that you’re legitimate. I live in SF but I’ll be down in LA in two weeks to shoot a Red Hot Chili Peppers video and to shoot an episode of Entourage. Maybe we could meet then.

Medieval Times Dinner Show

The Medieval Times Dinner Show in Kissimmee Florida is an event you will enjoy from beginning to end. It’s an adventure that provides top-notch entertainment for both young and old. You’ll enter a castle from the days of King Arthur’s Court to begin the evening. This building is as authentic and realistic as they come – with all of the trappings of castles from the period. One of the highlights of the Medieval Times Dinner Show is the food. It’s a feast like you’ve never experience before – everything’s freshly made and expertly prepared. Once the show starts, you’ll be mesmerized by the action in directly in front of you. The performers are so close it feels like you can reach out and touch them. You’ll meet King Alphonso the Magnificent, who has invited six of his most noble knights for the chance to compete in a tournament of jousting, medieval games and hand-to-hand combat. When it’s all over, only one of these noble knights, the best of the best, will be the victor. The reward is that the knight will become the personal champion of the King. This is the ultimate honor and comes with a lot of perks! One of the first things the winning knight gets to do is select his Queen of Love and Beauty from among the castle’s finest babes. You’ll see fierce fights using authentic medieval weapons, the costumes are incredible and it’s there’s a lot of fun audience participation. Discount tickets are available for the Medieval Times Dinner Show, which makes it even more of a must-see! Order your tickets now for your summer vacation!

Barkley Bashes the Bay Area

TNT broadcaster and NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley dissed the Bay Area recently, saying that he would rather live on Alcatraz than reside in either Oakland or San Francisco. He went on to say that he likes Sacramento more. Locals are fuming and want The Round Mound of Rebound’s large head on a platter.

“I love it when they give me a hard time,” Barkley said. “I know that I’m getting a lot of love there now.”

Bay Area radio and TV stations have received numerous complaints about Barkley’s remarks. People have created amusing photo shopped pictures of Barkley in a rowboat on his way to Alcatraz, in a jail cell or hanging out hugging guys in the Castro. The Cities by the Bay are mad, but what they don’t realize is that they’re playing directly into Barkley’s plans with their reactions.

Barkley makes his money saying outrageous things. By shooting from the hip and going against the grain, he has established a reputation for being irreverent and controversial. That’s how he gets his name in the press. TNT loves it, because Barkley takes the heat and they get the ratings.

Let’s face it -- the NBA playoffs this year aren’t as exciting as they’ve been in the past. Without the Golden State Warriors, it’s a fairly ho-hum lineup of games. Sure, King James is fun to watch, and the Chicago Bulls are an exciting team young with a promising future, but other than that, it’s a bunch of the same teams we see in the postseason year after year.

So, Barkley decided to spice things up a bit. By insulting the Bay Area, he’s put himself right in the spotlight, which is where he’s comfortable. Now fans all over the country are going to be rooting for the Warriors. He’s made them America’s Underdog with his comments.

Good job, Charles. You could teach our President a few things about spinning the media to your advantage. You’re in the NBA Hall of Fame for getting points on the court and rebounding well. And now you’re doing the same thing from the broadcaster’s booth.