Main Streets

[Zippy, October 14, 2018.]

In the final panel of today’s Zippy, Griffy proclaims Main Streets “th’ antidote to strip mall America.” I love it. As Elaine will attest, I still fantasize about coming across a thriving downtown in some long-lost midwestern city. The closest we’ve ever come to it was in Jackson, Ohio, though that wasn’t close enough for me. Not downtown-y enough. Not Twilight Zone-y enough.

There’s a clue to location in today’s strip: the yellow sign reads “Waureg . . . otel.” That’s the Wauregan Hotel in Norwich, Connecticut. Here’s a view of Broadway from Griffy and Zippy’s perspective. Sigh.

Related reading
All OCA Zippy posts (Pinboard)
Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey

Old barber, old joke

“I eat thin spaghetti, so I don’t get fat”: Anthony Mancinelli, 107, is the world’s oldest barber.

Another headline

From the New York Daily News: “Cultured klepto who swiped painting worth over $1,000 in the Bronx wanted.”

A painting worth over $1,000 in the Bronx? And in the other boroughs?

A possible revision: “Wanted: cultured klepto who swiped $1,000 painting in the Bronx.” I think it’s safe to omit “worth over.”

This post marks the first and (I hope) last time I’ll have reason to type the phrase “cultured klepto.”

A related post
A garden-path Daily News headline

Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday Saturday Stumper, by Frank Longo, was tough. I stared and stared, and now and then a word suggested itself as right. I finished in forty-seven minutes — after practically going to sleep with quandariness, as Frank O’Hara might have, if he had tried this puzzle.

Three clues that I especially liked: 8-Across, six letters, “Racket clubs.” 22-Down, six letters, “Scorch with pans.” 47-Down, five letters, “David : Milhous :: Delano :     .” That last clue is not especially tricky, but it’s quietly disorienting. And it woke me up.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.

[“After practically going to sleep with quandariness”: from the Frank O’Hara poem “The Day Lady Died.”]

Sardines in the comics

Today, in Rhymes with Orange.

“Like winter”

[Nancy, October 3, 1953.]

At least kinda like winter: 36° this morning. Elaine and I will reenact this scene when we go for a walk in the near near future.

Related reading
All OCA Nancy posts (Pinboard)

One!

Our granddaughter Talia turns one year old today. So big! She is talking the talk (da, ma, &c.) and walking the walk (sixteen steps in the direction of a blasé kitty). Talia is also teething the teeth. She is a lover of books, a sharer of toys, an investigator of everything, and an aspiring comedian. E.g.: when someone is feeding you, grasp spoon in mouth. Do not let go.

Big hugs to the birthday girl and her mom and dad.

A meeting of the minds

Another step toward what I call the reality-TV-ification of everything: today’s Donald Trump–Kanye West meeting. Here’s a transcript of some of what West said.

How glorious to have two proud non-readers of books in the Oval Office at the same time.

[Yes, Kanye West is on record as “a proud non-reader of books.” Donald Trump says that he reads “passages,” “areas,” “chapters.” Not books.]

The art of the deal

I noticed this Wall Street Journal story by chance: “Walmart Cuts Online Video Deals in Bid to Become Entertainment Hub.” And in the summary that follows: “First up is a remake of Mr. Mom.”

Our culture is in good hands.

Mystery actor

[Whoever he is, he’s making his screen debut.]

That’s Zohra Lampert in the background. She stars in this Orange Crate Art post. But who’s the guy? Leave your best guess in a comment. I’ll drop a hint if needed.

*

8:30 a.m.: No hint needed. This actor’s identity may be found in the comments.

More mystery actors (Collect the entire set!)
? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ? : ?