Cauli Le Chat

Cauli Le Chat
Cauli Le Chat, MPL Feline Roving Reporter

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Free Downloadable Music From Moi

The Music Man has graciously allowed moi to offer my loyal readers a free download of the complete MP3 files for the musical selections on his latest CD, Images of Autumn (2011).

Click to Bigify
  • Checkmark the song(s) you wish to download.  Mediafire may require you to download and install a toolbar option for your web browser to download multiple files simultaneously.  This is not required if you download them separately, however.
  • On the left, click "download selected" and proceed as prompted. 
  • Repeat as necessary to download all the songs you want.
Please let us know if you like the full versions of this music by leaving comments.




Thanks for Your Loyal Readership,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Music News Beat




Waddleskiffers Invade My Library

Waddleskiffers (also called frozen flipper birds) have invaded my Library, thanks to the Decorinator.  They look pretty cute, I must say.

Daddy & Baby Waddleskiffers

Did you know that father Emperor Waddleskiffers rear their young?  Broadway Gal and Cataloger Queen (whose Russian name momentarily escapes moi) just told me.  You can learn a lot at a library.

 
Waddleskiffers (or Frozen Flipper Birds)

Santa's South Pole Elves


Decorinator, along with her interior design team, was hard at work yesterday getting the Library all spruced up for the upcoming holidays.  This is a huge job, but their dedication and creativity is enjoyed and appreciated.  Many patrons comment on the pleasant atmosphere they have established through their artistic talents.  Our young patrons especially go wild over the decorations.  Sometimes, a stuffed critter is forcibly abducted, but little legs rarely make it to the exit doors before Scowl-Face tackles them.  Sometimes, if the youngsters are in the early elementary school grades, it takes Scowlly and Queen Settler to bring them down.  Defensive tackles, they're not.  Still, they're probably better than this year's Indianapolis Colts defensive front line.

Of course, I'm just kidding about the whole tackling thing.  Our staff doesn't chase children down that way.  We use stun-guns.  (Again, just kidding!)  Actually, our young patrons are so well-behaved that there are never any problems.  It is a pleasure to serve them.

Jolly Saint Nick sits atop the Business books section of our adult nonfiction collections.

Naughty or Nice?  You're on my lists somewhere 

"Back off that camera flash!" says Santa


The faux fireplaces have also returned.  You may recall I was peeved last year about these.  But they've been around the Library much longer than I.

Faux fireplace in Giving Tree/Directors' Gallery Lounge Area
(Another blurry photo by Scowl-Face) (Eye-Roll)
Sleepy Slobberdog &"Flat" Cauli II
are "warmed" by the faux fire





Display Case Has Holiday Cheer

 Hank as Santa's Poetic Elf

Willie as Santa's Literary Elf



Library's Shining Knight is Looking Festive


I have more photos, but let's save some for another blog posting.




Happy Holidays to My Loyal Readers,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Holiday News Beat


P.S.  Bing Crosby recorded many versions of "Happy Holiday," written by Irving Berlin, including one from the soundtrack to the movie Holiday Inn (1942), in which  Bing sang with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra.  The song is sometimes known as "Happy Holidays," but the original title was singular.  The Holiday Inn hotel chain took its name from the movie.  It was actually suggested as a joke to architect Eddie Bluestein, who apparently saw the commercial possibilities.  The first Holiday Inn hotel was completed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1952.  Have you stayed there?  I did, back in the 1950s, when I was living one of my previous nine lives.


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

E-Greets to You All

Today (November 29) is electronic greetings day.  You can look it up.  Hey, my blog is a digital electronic online gizmo thingee, so that counts.  Happy e-greets to you all.

Perhaps I should embed an e-greeting card in the blog, to show I truly care and that I know how to do such things.  Minions, make it so.


Chad Vader's Generic Holiday E-Greeting Card


Pretty impressive James Earl Jones impression, Chad!  Nice costume, too.  I'm guessing you're a huge George Lucas fan.  (Go ahead, say it!  You know you want to.  "Join me, Luke; turn to the dark side of the force."  Or something approximating that.)

Say, why don't we hear from JEJ himself about playing the voice of Darth Vader.  This guy is an amazingly talented actor!  Watch any movie in which he appears, even cameos.  If I talked like a human, I'd want a voice like his.


So where can you get e-greetings?  Well, there are lots of websites available.  Hallmark Online comes immediately to mind, but there are many others:  Blue Mountain, 123 Greetings, Jacquie Lawson, and a gazillion others.  (Just Google "electronic greeting cards" and retrieve a ton of hits.)  Some cost money; others don't.  It's your call.





Happy Whatever Day You're Celebrating,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Holiday News Beat


P.S.  Back when Scowl-Face was just a young pup, and I was enjoying the French Riviera in a previous life, sending greeting cards was like sending letters or postcards--you sent them through the postal service.  This harkens (or, if you prefer, hearkens) to "Return to Sender" (1962), written by Winfield Scott and Otis Blackwell, and most famously recorded by Elvis Presley.  The refrain lyrics "no such zone" refer to postal zones, which were precursors to zip codes in the U.S. Postal Service.




Monday, November 28, 2011

Three Very Quirky Tales

E-books have democratized publishing, particularly in the vanity press arena.  It is expensive to print books.  For vanity presses, the initial investment deters many would-be novelists (or even nonfiction authors) because the price tag can be a tad steep.  With digital books, however, there is minimal cost, either for the publisher or the writer. Consequently, more people are being published than ever before.  That may not necessarily be a good thing, since some works are badly organized, insufficiently researched, and horribly written.

Fortunately, there are many occasions when an excellent writer produces an e-book masterpiece (or several, if s/he is really good, like Karen McQuestion or Sparkle the Designer Cat).  Superb authors will always find a venue for their books, whether print or electronic.  Readers will find them on bestseller lists or online sales rankings, such as those Amazon.com tracks.

When I came across 3 Very Quirky Tales, by Randy Attwood (2011), which was published by Attwood Consulting and distributed through Amazon Digital Services, I was frankly suspicious.  This sounded like typical vanity press to moi.  But you can't tell a digital book by its cover, because it doesn't actually have one--not printed on cardboard, anyway. So I borrowed an Amazon Kindle and gave the e-book (ISBN 978-0-9837763-4-5) some of my precious time.  It was well worth it.


Attwood offers three strange stories:  "Tell Us Everything," "It Was Me (I)," and "The Notebook."  They are quick reads, to be sure.  You may find yourself wishing that the tales continued longer.  But there is a satisfying story arc provided in each tale.

3 Very Quirky Tales lives up to its title.  Attwood's writing style is quite easy-going and conversational.  The stories are imaginative, unpredictable, and surprising.  The plot twists will keep you guessing, even puzzled, and there will be some totally unexpected outcomes.  You will also find humor (some dark and irreverent) embedded with the drama and the science fiction/fantasy elements.  There are mysterious aspects that filter through the characters' interactions.  Ironies abound. One cannot pigeonhole this tri-fold collection of short tales into a particular genre.  For a short work, it covers many bases.

The author has characters using profanity freely, so this book may best be appreciated by adults and older teens who are hardened to such language. There were some editing mistakes that bugged me, such as "breaks" instead of "brakes," but this sort of thing happens with self-publishing. Editors can be most helpful.  That's why I have two on my staff.

I recommend the book because it is entertaining and imaginative.  More sensitive readers may find some of the characters (as well as the humor or dialogue generally) to be rather harsh and jarring, and, if so, they may wish to check out this book through their libraries' digital collections rather than purchase a copy.  A Kindle edition was free from Amazon.com, at least earlier today, so price certainly was no barrier.  The regular price was nominal, so it might be easier and faster just to purchase a copy from Amazon.com.  It's your call.




I Need My Own Kindle, Boss Lady--Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Digital Books News Beat


P.S.  The second short story in 3 Very Quirky Tales reminded me of "I'm My Own Grandpa," a novelty song written by Dwight Latham and Moe Jaffe, and performed by Lonzo & Oscar in 1947.  Ray Stevens recorded a cover version (included on his 1987 album, Crackin' Up), for which there is this video (with helpful diagram to clarify the confusing lyrics).  As a hypothetical genealogy case, it's certainly quirky.





Sunday, November 27, 2011

Images of Autumn Grace Our Videos



The Music Man, whom we saw in a recent blog posting, has just completed another set of original instrumental musical compositions that we have enjoyed using as soundtracks to our various recent book trailers and other videos.  The CD is called Images of Autumn (2011) and we would like to reprise some of our book trailers so you may listen to excerpts of this fine music.  But first, some legal boilerplate.


Here are the track list and liner notes.  As always, click to bigify the images.



We haven't used all of these pieces as soundtracks yet to our book trailers or other videos, but we're working night and day (more or less) to find suitable subject matter.  Since the music brings our videos to life, we want to be judicious in our selection process.  That takes time, and minions, unfortunately, need sleep, food, and other creature comforts.  As for moi, I work 24-7.  Feels that way, in any event.

We've included a few book trailers showcasing various different excerpts from Images of Autumn.  We encourage you to listen through the credits until the very end of each video, as you don't want to miss any of the music.  Plus, there's a music credit that will identify the pieces used as soundtracks.



The Man in the Moon, by William Joyce
(Guardians of Childhood Series)


The Night in Lisbon, by Erich Maria Remarque


Mike Nelson's Death Rat! a Novel, by Michael J. Nelson


All My Friends Are Dead, by Avery Monsen & Jory John


Bid Time Return (i.e., Somewhere in Time), by Richard Matheson


Secrets of the Magic Ring, by Karen McQuestion


A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith


13 Little Blue Envelopes, by Maureen Johnson

The Music Man's original compositions grace well over 200 of our videos on the MPL YouTube Channel.  Prolific, in a word.  We can hardly keep up!

Keep watching our latest book trailers and other videos, as we have at least a dozen more to make using excerpts from Images of Autumn.  I'm open to suggestions for possible subject matter for the book trailers.  Just leave me your comments.  Much appreciated.





Music is a Joy,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Musical News Beat

P.S.  Visit the Music Man's Facebook Page to listen to more of his original musical works.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

New Slobberdog Restaurant Downtown

It is always great news when a new restaurant opens in downtown Mooresville, Indiana.  I make the rounds to these establishments, as they always have great food, especially what their human customers don't eat.  That leaves a veritable feast for us felines generally, and this roving reporter specifically.  "Dumpster diving" may seem unseemly to some of my readers, but for cats, it's just another day at the office.

This morning's edition of the Mooresville Decatur Times ran this story about the new cafe:


Click to Bigify


My keen feline radar focused immediately upon the business' name, Ralph & Ava's Cafe & Catering.  (I prefer ampersands.)  The moniker is not that of the human owners; rather, the name is derived from their two slobberdogs. What that means, of course, is that the slobberdogs, Ralph and Ava, are the actual proprietors of the establishment.  That's good news for us local domestic critters, I'd venture.  It's about time we had a feline or canine business operating downtown, especially one that deals in tasty meals.  I was particularly pleased to learn that tuna and chicken salad were on the menu.

I was surprised to read in the newspaper article that Sadie, one of Ralph & Ava's slobberpups, was not hired as dishwasher.  Slobberdogs are fantastic dishwashers.  Just watch two of my slobberdog pals, Hershey and Spitfire, when they're dishwashing at Kindly Couple's house (where I occasionally hang out).  Those plates have never been so clean!  I'd reconsider about Sadie, Ralph & Ava.  Good employees are hard to find.

Want to know a little history behind the building in which Ralph & Ava's is situated? That's Scowl-Face's department. If you're interested, checkout this handout.

Take a peek at Ralph & Ava's Facebook page for more details about this new eatery.  Also check out Ralph & Ava's new website.  So, will there be a special table for moi?  I prefer by the window.  Just saying.




Getting Rather Hungry Now,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Local Business News Beat


P.S.  Thinking of food reminded me of "Savoy Truffle," one of George Harrison's songs from the Beatles "White Album" (1968).

Friday, November 25, 2011

How Much Did You Spend on Moi Today?

Today is so-called Black Friday, because it is the first shopping day after Thanksgiving.  December has several important holidays, but for some folks out there, there's Christmas.  That means gifts for moi.

Boss Lady says I'm not allowed to request any gifts from our library patrons, so I can't share my list of wanname goodies (i.e., things wanted by moi).  But that doesn't stop you from voluntarily purchasing a gift for moi.  Just saying.

Actually, the best gift you could possibly give moi would be a (possibly) tax-deductible donation to my Library.  We could then purchase some new items for our collections, provide some more programs, and buy some kitty treats for our vending machines.  You may remember my experience with that.

Giving to the Library makes sense.  It helps improve literacy and provides many helpful resources for your fellow community people-types.  Your gift is received daily by every new patron who enters our Library.  It's like regifting everybody who uses our Library, both the physical premises and our online sites.  Think of it!  A regift that touches the lives of multitudes.  Well, at least four or five persons, I figure.

If you'd like to make a contribution to the Library, talk to Boss Lady, and she'll set things up.  If they fall over, you can help set them up again.  C'mon, it's fun.  Keeps us felines amused for hours.



If I'm Not Supposed to Knock Stuff Off the Shelves, Why Put Them There?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Fundraising News Beat


P.S.  If you spent some money today at all those Black Friday sales, you probably felt a little like Jimmy Buffett when he sang "Spending Money," from the CD Beach House on the Moon (1999).

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving Feast is OOLE (Out-of-Library-Experience)

Instead of preparing my Thanksgiving feast themselves, Kindly Couple took me to Brown County, Indiana State Park to have dinner at the Abe Martin Lodge.  Sadly, "Flat" Cauli III did not accompany us, as she was left sitting on the shelf on Scowl-Face's computer desk, so she had to spend Thanksgiving alone and without din-dins.  It was truly a sad moment, for which ol' Scowlly has had his pay docked severely.




When we arrived, there was a huge crowd, which I naturally assumed was there to see moi.  Most of these folks were waiting to be seated in the restaurant, but that, too, was undoubtedly to permit a glimpse of moi at my reserved table.  You can imagine my utter shock and dismay when I was told that felines were not allowed in the lodge!  What is the world coming too, I ask you?  When celebrities such as moi are turned away at the door, and riffraff like Scowl-Face are permitted ingress.  Well, I wasn't going to take this sitting quietly, I can assure you right now.  I know a few tricks about getting outstanding dinners, which the Abe Martin Lodge served to its human patrons.  My share would be forthcoming, and quickly.

Feline Dumpster-Diving Outside the Kitchen

Did you know humans leave perfectly delicious chow on their plates?  I'm talking heaping portions that we kitties are expert at extracting from disposal units such as the one pictured above.  Fabulously tasty winged dinners, both what you'd call turkey and fried chicken, along with mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, roast beef, a wide range of vegetables, and rolls enough to stack about a thousand feet straight up.  If you do that sort of thing.

It was a Thanksgiving meal of epic proportions, and I was pleased to share with several friendly felines from the neighborhood.  I'm guessing these were state employees, as they had really swell official-looking state park hats.  Wish I'd had the digital camera, but The Lady With the Red Hair was holding onto it inside the lodge.

For afters, I snuck inside the restaurant to check-out the desserts and take some photos of my minions who were having a fine time at my reserved table.  Stuffed to the gills, from the looks of it.

Drawer Dude, Buffalo Gal, and Tough J Dude

The Music Man

Stuffed and sassy, minions suggested woods-walkies to burn some calories.  We took a long trail to a cool fort.  Along the way, we discovered some neat ancient artifacts from time long past.

 Minions Blazing the Trail For Moi
(Love the Hat, Lady With the Red Hair)

 Obviously an Old Bridge Support for an Elevated Kitty Walkway

 Outdoor Feline Fireplace for Roasting
Marshmallows & Fried Tuna-on-a-Stick

After Scowl-Face dropped off along the trail side to catch his breath, we continued to the really neat fort, from which you could see for miles and miles and miles and . . .  Sounds like I'm singing a song by The Who.


The Music Man, Drawer Dude, Buffalo Gal, & Tough J Dude

After collecting Scowl-Face, who was collapsed in a heap back on the trail, we returned to Abe Martin Lodge and departed, closing what was an excellently fun day.

So, who was Abe Martin?  Thought you'd ask.  Got that answer around here somewhere.





Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Holiday News Beat



P.S.  Kin Hubbard had his cartoon creation, Abe Martin, express many homespun philosophical phrases during his quarter century newspaper run.  Here are some selections.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

My Winged Thanksgiving Dinner

Preparations are underway for my Thanksgiving din-dins.  Here is what I've requested on my personal menu.  Of course, there will be a Winged Thanksgiving (T.G.) Dinner.  You might call it a turkey.  I call it supper.

Deep-Fried Winged T.G. Dinner

Some Deep-Frying Equipment For Your Winged T.G. Dinner

Deep-frying your turkey can be dangerous, especially if you are unfamiliar with the equipment.  Please exercise all possible precautions if you choose to deep-fry your Winged T.G. Dinner.  Here are some good safety tips.


Extra-Crispy, I'd Wager


What are for "go-withs," Kindly Couple (who will be preparing this feast for moi)?

Makes My Mouth Water Just to Look

I'm pretty much all set for the big day, except for my pilgrim hat.  Wild Thang promised that I could have a pilgrim hat just like the one Sammy the Toucan wore in their early literacy blog for Thanksgiving.  But Wild Thang took the day off, so who's gonna make my hat?  Broadway Gal comes through, as always.


Not Sure About "One Size Fits All"

That should take care of all the Thanksgiving details for my feast.  Sorry, but there's only enough for moi.  Make yourselves a sandwich.  Toast the bread if it's stale.  Works for Scowl-Face.

Like all good journalists, we need to hear an opposing viewpoint.  Something about the "equal time" doctrine.  I thought that only applied to political candidates and the media.  Still, better safe than sorry.


I suppose now we'll have hoggerpiggy-lovers all up in arms (or legs).  What say you, hoggerpiggies?

Right Backatcha, Pal

Maybe I should just go vegetarian for Thanksgiving.



Save Those Leftovers For Moi -- Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Thanksgiving News Beat


P.S.  Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Thanksgiving Song" is a contemporary classic for this holiday season.  The song appeared on the album Come Darkness, Come Light:  Twelve Songs of Christmas (2008).

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

My Theme Song (Karaoke Version)

Thanks to Karaoke-version.com, I've now got a (nearly) fully functional theme song!  You may recall I blogged about this awhile ago, when I posted the lyrics to "I Pawed a Blog," which is a musical parody of "I Fought the Law," by the Bobby Fuller Four (1966).  Now that we have a Karaoke soundtrack for the song (a bargain at $1.99 per download), will a music video be far behind?  Apparently not.


Since it's Karaoke, you'll have to sing along with the music.  Don't worry about being out-of-key; it doesn't stop my "cub" reporter, Harley Quinn, or my homeland security special correspondent, Gracie ("Baby").  [You've probably read some of their special blog postings, but here (and here) are a couple of samples.  And here, too.]  These two howl something fierce, and shrill doesn't even begin to describe it.

So SING ALONG, why don't ya?  You know you want to.  Yes, you slobberdogs may join in the chorus.




When Will the Royalties Start Rolling In?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Music News Beat


P.S.  As a point of reference, here's the original song, "I Fought the Law," by the Bobby Fuller Four (1966).


P.P.S.  Did you know that the Crickets first recorded "I Fought the Law" (1959)?  Sonny Curtis of the Crickets wrote the song, which was recorded a few months after Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Hope Grows Like a Tree in Brooklyn



In the face of crushing poverty, can hope grow like a tree in Brooklyn? In her 1943 novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith embarked on a journey through poverty-stricken Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, during the first two decades of the 20th century. It is a complex tale, with extensive flashbacks to establish plot foundations and character development. The novel is vividly detailed and expressively imparts the harsh realities of New York City urban life (at least in this part of Brooklyn) during the first two decades of the 20th century.




Will a family's love and determination prevail against overwhelming odds?  I'm no spoiler.  You'll find out when you read the book.  Check it out using your Evergreen Indiana library card.  It is available through the E.I. online catalog.

Drama doesn't get any better than this novel.  If it doesn't move you to tears (some sad, some not so much), then you need to check your pulse.



Hope is a Tree in Brooklyn,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Readers' Advisory News Beat


P.S.  "Brooklyn Roads," by Neil Diamond, breathes life into the memories of growing up in Brooklyn during the 1940s and 1950s.  The song first appeared on the LP Velvet Gloves and Spit (1968).



Victorian Christmas Coming December 3

Click to Bigify


Saturday, December 3, 2011.  That's a mark-your-calendar moment if ever there were one.  Mooresville, Indiana is having its annual Victorian Christmas Celebration, and you know you want to be there, or be square.


Details are available in the handy, dandy notice (above).  You don't want to miss the fun.  We'll be participating in the festivities at the Library, so you'll be sure to drop by to see what's happening.  You already know about the North Pole Critters program.  Here's some music you'll want to hear, for sure.



Click to Bigify


It's guaranteed to be a great entertainment value for your money (ADMISSION IS FREE!), so come one, come all.  Maybe I'll be dressed as Santa riding a sleigh.  Or not.




Love Celebrations With Food; Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Local Festival News Beat



P.S.  Here are two of my Library's book trailers combining Victorian and Christmas.  Great books, if you can get them.  Thanks to Evergreen Indiana, you can!  Click here to place holds using your E.I. library card.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

The King of Ragtime

I am a huge Scott Joplin fan.  He is one of Scowl-Face's musical heroes. That may be the first time ol' Scowlly and I have shared something in common.

If you have never heard of the King of Ragtime, and if you have preschoolers or early elementary school children, then you should all read (or readaloud) Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime, by Mary Ann Hoffman (Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2010).  The book is one of the Inspiring Lives children's series.  Since we just bought a copy at the 2011 ILF Conference, it hasn't been cataloged yet, but search the Evergreen Indiana online catalog to see when it'll be available.

Click the Image to Play Our Book Trailer

My introduction to Scott Joplin was in a previous life, when I was hanging around the neighborhoods of St. Louis, Missouri, around the turn of the 20th century.  I lived much as I do now--visiting several "guest homes," panhandling free suppers from the public (right now, library patrons), and dumpster-diving--but I always had good meals at one particular house.

Scott Joplin House, St. Louis, Missouri

I used to be invited inside to listen to the latest ragtime compositions.  I even got to play the piano using the classic feline four-paw trounce technique, which, in some ways, sounded a bit like barrelhouse piano. (Usually, this display of feline musical talents was accompanied by being led to the kitchen for a saucer of milk.)  (By the way, I looked a little like the cat at the end of our book trailer in that particular previous life.) Those were exciting times, when the air was filled with innovative, invigorating syncopations.

  
Scott Joplin House, Early 1900s

Scowl-Face, who discovers interesting things decades after the fact, learned about Ragtime generally, and Scott Joplin particularly, when he heard The Entertainer (1902) played on AM radio in 1973, when the motion picture The Sting (1973) filled theaters. Joplin's music, conducted and arranged by Marvin Hamlisch, was used in the soundtrack.  Hamlisch did a fine job adapting Joplin's various compositions to fit the movie, but you should listen to Scott Joplin Piano Rags, by Joshua Rifkin on piano. Nobody plays Joplin like Rifkin.  We have one of Rifkin's Joplin music CDs in the Evergreen Indiana online catalog.

Grown-up readers and young adults interested in learning more about Scott Joplin should find this biography by Edward A. Berlin (available in the Evergreen Indiana online catalog) to be both interesting and informative, although it has been criticized as being speculative when details about Joplin's life have been historically sketchy.

For myself, I have only fond memories of the King of Ragtime.  He shared many a tin of meat and saucer of milk with moi in my former days as a St. Louis kitty-about-town over a hundred years ago.  If you had been walking along the street, you'd have heard some mighty sweet piano-playing from Scott Joplin's home.  You might even have heard my stylings on the ebony and ivory keys.




Four-Pawed Piano Playing is a Gas; Can You Dig It?

Cauli Le Chat
MPL Roving Reporter
Biographical News Beat


P.S.  For this version of the "Maple Leaf Rag" (1899), Scott Joplin played the piano to create the "master" for the piano roll from which this recording was made.  Enjoy!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Fancy Some Feline Fun This Weekend?

by Harley Quinn
MPL "Cub" Reporter











Guess what's happening at the Indiana State Fairgrounds South Pavilion this weekend?  Go ahead, give it a try!  Can you guess?  Give up?  Okay, can I tell you now?  Can I, can I, can I pleeease?

[You'd better humor her; otherwise, she'll go on like that for hours.  --Editor's Note from Cauli.]


The 2011 Cat Fanciers' Association National Cat Show, that's what! November 19-20, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., both days.  If you don't know where the state fairgrounds are, here's an address for your GPS:  1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis.  I'll even throw in a telephone number for good graciousness:  (317) 927-7622.

Admission prices are:  Adults, $6; Children (ages 4-12), $5; Seniors $5.  (I assume we're talking humans here.)  No indication of how much felines will be charged.

There is an assortment of activities planned.  It's a pretty full dinner dish, I'd say.
  • There are educational sessions, in which you may learn breed histories, feline nature (a very deep subject indeed), how to select a companion kitty (nice to know), and cat grooming techniques.
  • Thrill at feline agility as cats complete an obstacle course!
  • Visit the CFA Breed Council education booths for lots of learning moments.
  • Cat-Adopt-a-Thon, where forever homes may be found for 100 rescue cats.  This is VERY important, so make sure you get involved.
  • Discover how cats are judged at cat shows and how they operate (shows).  Well, maybe how kitties operate, too.
  • VENDOR AREA!  FREE GOODIES ALERT!  Make some new friends and discover lots of feline-friendly products and services.
What better way to spend your weekend than with us show felines?  You could rake leaves, clean the gutters, or put away the lawn furniture instead.  Now make a choice!  Easy, wasn't it?  Kitties win everytime, paws down.

CFA shows are pretty exciting, even for us regular kittens.  If you love cats, and you should, naturally, then you will have a grand time.  We felines know how to entertain and educate.



Can I Be Best of Show?  Can I?  Huh?  Pleeeease?  Can I?

Harley Quinn
MPL "Cub" Reporter
CFA News Beat



P.S.  "Three Cool Cats" (1958), by The Coasters, was the B-side to the group's hit single, "Charlie Brown."  Among several other groups, the Beatles covered the song, but the Fab Four didn't handle it nearly as well. A rare fumble by the boys from Liverpool!  Enjoy this vintage stereo recording.