Category Archives: Entertainment

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

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Movie Review by Glen C. Davis

ROKU – The much anticipated Weird debuted, today, on Roku TV. This is the actual true story of Weird Al Yankovic. And there are so many things that are revealed about him.

The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe simply because they did not offer me the part. Radcliffe is known for staring in the Harry Potter series of movies. Radcliffe does a tremendous job of bringing the story of Weird Al Yanovic to life.

Weird Al’s musical journey started when his dad beat up an accordion salesman collapsing his lung. In order to avoid a lawsuit his mother offered to buy the accordion. His dad objected to this stringently. I don’t want to spoil the movie for you so I won’t tell you that his dad bought an accordion which caused his ejection from the Amish community he lived in.

Weird Al Yankovic and Daniel Radcliffe.

He attempted to sell his first song, My Bologna, to a record company run by Tony Scotti who is played by an actor who is vaguely familiar, though I can’t place him. They refused the song and advised him to write more songs and play before an audience. It was his song I Love Rocky Road that catapulted him to the top.

What I found amazing was how closely our lives parallel. We both grew up listening to Dr Demento.  He was a musical genius with the accordion. I had one of those wind-up monkeys that clashed the symbols together. He was Madonna’s lover. I saw Madonna’s videos on MTV. He was invited to the birthday party of drug lord Pablo Escobar, who was his biggest fan. I read about Escobar in the newspaper and then used the newspaper as a fan.

The movie follows his true life experience right up until the time when he was assassinated at the Shrine auditorium in 1985 while accepting an award.

The movie is a drama in pure Weird Al style. If you are a Weird Al Yankovic fan, you will want to see this film. If you’re just looking for a good movie with a lot of comedy you want to see this movie.

The only problem is it leaves a burning question. Did Michael Jackson come out with “Bad” first or did he parody Weird Al’s Fat?”

Restaurant: Impossible to perk up Ranch House in Ash Fork

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ASH FORK — The Food Network show Restaurant: Impossible, hosted by Chef Robert Irvine, is coming to Ash Fork to perk up the Ranch House Cafe in Ash Fork. The challenge of the reality series is to save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two-days. And the producers are asking for assistance from the community members.

The producers of the show are inviting members of the community to dine at the restaurant for lunch prior to the re-modeling at their expense. You can also join them for dinner at the Grand Re-Opening on May 4th at your expense. They cannot, unfortunately, allow diners under the age of eight-years old.

Lunch will be on Tuesday, May 3rd at 11 A.M. The Grand Re-opening dinner will be Wednesday, May 4th at 7 P.M. If you are interested in making a reservation at RANCH HOUSE for either service, please email the Restaurant: Impossible production at: reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by APRIL 28TH at 12:00pm (PST). Please use the following in your subject line: 2014 / RANCH HOUSE RESERVATIONS.

The producers have issued a “casting call” for volunteers to help Robert Irvine with remodeling the restaurant. They are looking for people with construction skills such as painting, plumbing, cleaning, decorating, upholstering, and the like. Shift 1 will work May 3rd at 1 P.M. with shift 2 working on May 4th at 10:30.

  • You must be 18 years or older
  • Everyone must sign an appearance release on site
  • This is a paid position
  • If you are selected, you will be subject to a COVID test prior to filming
  • Masks are required on set at all times
  • Please wear sneakers or boots and work clothing with no logos.

If interested, please email the Restaurant: Impossible staff at reservationsimpossible@gmail.com by APRIL 28TH, at 12:00PM (PST) with the subject line of 2014 / RANCH HOUSE Volunteer. Please include your full name, email address, cell number and any profession (plumber or painter, etc.).

Channel 10 will carry The Grio network over-the-air.

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LOS ANGELES– Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group is proud to announce its recently-acquired MGM over-the-air broadcast television network Light TV will officially transition to TheGrio.TV television network on January 15, 2021 – the start of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. The newly-rebranded broadcast television network TheGrio.TV will feature African American-focused content reaching over 100 million U.S. households via over-the-air broadcast television stations, cable/telco/satellite platforms, and free digital streaming.

TheGrio.TV – with its new network brand slogan “Our Culture Forever” – will feature movies, sitcoms, dramas, concerts, talk shows, variety shows, game shows, news, and lifestyle content.

Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group

At one time owned by NBCUniversal, TheGrio.com was purchased by Byron Allen in 2016 when it had less than 1 million monthly active users. In Summer 2020, TheGrio.com achieved its peak of over 10.5 million monthly active users. TheGrio.com is now one of the most visited news and entertainment sites for the African-American community, and is the largest employer of African-American journalists. In the past 2 years, Allen Media Group has invested over one billion dollars in acquiring media assets, including The Weather Channel in 2018, and 16 ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX broadcast network affiliate television stations around the country. Allen Media Group plans to invest an additional $10 billion over the next two years to acquire other strategic media assets.

“The Grio – which means ‘storyteller’ in Africa – is the first platform to offer an online digital news destination, a free streaming app providing local news, weather, sports, traffic, and entertainment content geofenced to the user’s zip code, and an over-the-air broadcast television network,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “TheGrio.TV is especially important to me as it will both serve and uplift all viewers. TheGrio.TV is the first and only 100 percent African American-owned and targeted broadcast television network and free digital platform – making us truly authentic, without being filtered or controlled by others outside of the community.”

Summer ramada reservations available for County parks

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FLAGSTAFF – County Parks and Recreation will begin accepting summer ramada reservations on Feb. 21, 2017. There are 11 ramadas at four County parks available for rental.

Ramadas are used to host parties, reunions and get-togethers. They are available for rent seven days a week, for half or full days.

Customers may reserve a ramada online by going to Coconino.az.gov/Parks/Ramadas. People may also reserve them by going to the Parks and Recreation Administration office located at Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, Arizona Regular business hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Prices range from $46-$114 for ramada rentals. A staff member will follow up with a confirmation within one business day. For reservations less than 24 hours in advance or questions, please call the Administration office at (928) 679-8000.

Family Movie Night at the Calvary Chapel

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MV5BMTA0ODM5MTM5MTleQTJeQWpwZ15BbWU4MDAwNzk1NDYx._V1_UY268_CR6,0,182,268_AL_The Cavalry Chapel at 106 S 9th Street in Williams will be hosting a family movie night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 22. The adult movie will be Woodlawn. They will also show another movie for kids. There will be popcorn, snacks and awesome time of fellowship. All are invited. You can call (928) 202-1378 for more information.

Film production on Loop 303 to continue through early Saturday

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PHOENIX — Loop 303 will remain closed west of Interstate 17 through 3 a.m. Saturday as production of a motion picture continues.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is allowing Paramount Pictures additional time to film “Transformers 5: The Last Knight” between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway in the north Valley. Traffic through this area is detouring east- and westbound on State Route 74.

While Loop 303 is closed between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway:

• I-17 drivers can use westbound SR 74 to southbound Lake Pleasant Parkway to reach westbound/southbound Loop 303.
• Eastbound Loop 303 drivers can exit at Lake Pleasant Parkway and travel north to eastbound SR 74 to connect with I-17.

The production has had 300 people at locations in Arizona for nearly three weeks, boosting the economy through meals, lodging, fuel purchases and more. It has hired local companies for a variety of services, including equipment rental, transportation and construction.

ADOT regularly issues permits at no cost to film within highway right of way. The agency’s requirements for film permits safeguard taxpayer dollars and the taxpayers’ investment in state highways. This includes making sure there is no cost to the state.

Local talent produces great gospel CD

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It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. – Psalm 92:1-4

DanielAbbott-16-01-30-03WILLIAMS — I have been serenaded by karaoke nightly for some time. So when I hear a good voice in Williams, it comes as a shock to the senses. Such is the voice of Daniel Abbott. Daniel said that he comes from a musical family and he practices his art by singing at weddings and at his Church. He also donates his time to help Habitat for Humanity by singing at their annual Opry Night.

When I learned that Daniel worked at the Grand Canyon Railway, I thought he worked as one of the talented singers used to entertain during the summer. I was surprised to learn that he is the Risk Manager for Grand Canyon Railway. That in itself is not a mundane task taking on the responsibility to ensure the safety of guests and workers for the Railway.

daniel-abbot-hymnsHe took time from his work to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to produce the Hymns & Favorites Country Style CD through Daywind Recording Studios. He chose to start with a country gospel album because he likes to play music with a positive message. It is a mix of old time gospel and newer Christian gospel songs.

He had the advise of a music producer to refine his interpretation of the songs on this album. The CD contains old gospel favorites such as Just a Closer Walk with Thee, In the Sweet By and By and Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.

There are a few songs I have never heard before such as Long Black Train, a 2003 Christian song by Josh Turner. Daniel also performs If That Isn’t Love originally performed by Elvis Presley. Daniel retains the country gospel sound of these old hits. Anyone who enjoys country music should enjoy this CD.

The CD contains:

  1. Just a Closer Walk With Thee
  2. If That Isn’t Love
  3. Rise and Shine
  4. The Old Rugged Cross
  5. In the Sweet By and By
  6. Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
  7. When He Was On the Cross (I Was On His Mind)
  8. Are You Washed in the Blood/I’ll Fly Away
  9. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
  10. Long Black Train

Daniel started writing original songs about four years ago and has plans for a follow-up CD in March.

Hymns & Favorites is currently available at Buck’s Place and Williams Western Wear in the mall, Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, The Outdoor Store and Pine Country

Member of Williams Christmas Carol in the cold

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Carole15-12-17-11WILLIAMS — Last night about twenty citizens of the Williams community braved the cold to spread Christmas carols. If they had waited just one more day, it would have been a much warmer night.Carole15-12-17-09Kids and adults still seemed in good spirits as they headed off to share the joy of the season in song.Carole15-12-17-12

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Last Advent Concert next Sunday

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640-advent15-12-13-01WILLIAMS — The Advent Concert Sunday was a beautiful mix of voices from St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Occasionally it included the voices of the guests who joined in for some of the songs.

The music was directed by George Albers and included the combined voices of Father’s Marc McDonald of St. John’s and Kilian McCaffery on O Holy Night.

The music was a mix of old gospel favorites from around the world with a few contemporary songs.
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A reception was held after hosted by Sally Burcham.
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The last free Advent Concert will be Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m.

Only two more Advent concerts left for the season

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advent-concert-15-12-12-10WILLIAMS — There are only two more free Advent concerts at St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church this season. The Church is located at 202 W. Grant Street next to the Williams City Christmas Tree.

The next concert is this Sunday at 4 p.m. The choirs of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. John’s will join together in a selection of Christmas favorites. If Reverend Marc McDonald is there to sing, you won’t want to miss it.

The last concert will be Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m. It will feature guest musicians Anthony Flesch on the flute and Joel Rieck on acoustic guitar.

St. John’s hosts a reception after each concert. The concerts are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.