Well it happened again; an individual who meant a lot to a lot of people suddenly was taken by death. I know there several people of notoriety and fame who passed away near the same time, but Michael Jackson’s exit was the show stopper. Well it happened again; an individual who meant a lot to a lot of people suddenly was taken by death. I know there several people of notoriety and fame who passed away near the same time, but Michael Jackson’s exit was the show stopper.

I’m old enough to have experienced the death of Elvis, JFK, John Lennon, and others and have written about most of them. It’s something that reporters and writers do even if they sometimes think that the media coverage borders on “too much info”. There are a couple of reasons for that with news being the key word in most cases.

Another reason is the nature of reporters to look at situations and try to put into perspective just what an event like Jackson’s death means to us all. Sure there are some who could care less about it, and have no interest in it at all, but in this case I think that his popularity was much, much more than just that of a regular pop star. Michael Jackson was a mega star, an icon to millions. I’m old enough to have experienced the death of Elvis, JFK, John Lennon, and others and have written about most of them. It’s something that reporters and writers do even if they sometimes think that the media coverage borders on “too much info”. There are a couple of reasons for that with news being the key word in most cases. Another reason is the nature of reporters to look at situations and try to put into perspective just what an event like Jackson’s death means to us all.

Sure there are some who could care less about it, and have no interest in it at all, but in this case I think that his popularity was much, much more than just that of a regular pop star. Michael Jackson was a mega star, an icon to millions.

In true Michael Jackson style his death was as questionable as his choice of lifestyles and fashion, but it was undeniably crowd catching. On the eve of a tour rumored to be somewhat of a savior of his racked financial status, this entertainer was going to show the world that he was truly “The King of Pop”. According to insiders the tour preparation was going very well and all the shows in London were sold out. Now that’s nothing to sneeze at. Despite all the wacky stuff which continually surrounded Jackson he could still sell tickets.

I remember writing about Elvis the day he died and wondered then how his legacy would be remembered. Well, Elvis today still sells records and is very much alive in the hearts of countless admirers. Michael will surpass all of that. As of today he had reached nearly 3 million downloads of his hits and the record industry will show a definite spike in sales for some time. But beyond the music there is the Michael Jackson who was the catalyst of bringing different generations and ethnicities together as fans and his pioneering of the music video scene thanks to “Thriller” is unprecedented. To say he was different is an understatement, but beyond the facade of pop fame was a man who had a multitude of talents and a very sharp mind and eye for production and presentation of what people wanted. I remember writing about Elvis the day he died and wondered then how his legacy would be remembered. Well, Elvis today still sells records and is very much alive in the hearts of countless admirers. Michael will surpass all of that. As of today he had reached nearly 3 million downloads of his hits and the record industry will show a definite spike in sales for some time. But beyond the music there is the Michael Jackson who was the catalyst of bringing different generations and ethnicities together as fans and his pioneering of the music video scene thanks to “Thriller” is unprecedented. To say he was different is an understatement, but beyond the facade of pop fame was a man who had a multitude of talents and a very sharp mind and eye for production and presentation of what people wanted.

From a little kid to a man Jackson was a student of people and knew just what buttons to push to get their attention. Granted some of his actions were questionable and there is a segment of the world who would second that thought, but overall the name Michael Jackson was synonymous with entertainment, music, and the frailty of a superstar caught in the heavy vise of the media on a daily basis. Can we imagine that the Michael Jackson of the Jackson Five ever envisioned what his life would become? Do you think he was a victim of “be careful of what you wish for’? Or can you, like me, wonder what happened and feel a loss in the sense that there will never be another Michael Jackson.From a little kid to a man Jackson was a student of people and knew just what buttons to push to get their attention. Granted some of his actions were questionable and there is a segment of the world who would second that thought, but overall the name Michael Jackson was synonymous with entertainment, music, and the frailty of a superstar caught in the heavy vise of the media on a daily basis.

Can we imagine that the Michael Jackson of the Jackson Five ever envisioned what his life would become? Do you think he was a victim of “be careful of what you wish for’? Or can you, like me, wonder what happened and feel a loss in the sense that there will never be another Michael Jackson.

To reach Rick Schultze email:yarick@pioneer.net.

Tears Of Joy

So, isn't it amazing that the things we love the most always make us cry? Everything, from old movies and lovers, to onions; and, I'll bet you didn"t know that the city Chicago means onion. The Great Lake Indians originally called onions She-Khe-Ony, so, I guess Chicago is the "Big Onion".

I love onion everything; onion rings, French onion soup, baked onions; they're fabulous cooked, boiled, grilled or raw.

In myth it is said that the Allium family which is garlic and onions sprouted from the devils footsteps as he fled the Garden of Eden (garlic from his left footprint, onions from his left). The onion was likened by some to a pearl; gold on the outside and white on the inside the ancients believed it symbolized oneness and unity.

Furthermore, the onion was spherical in shape, consisting of a series of orbs, one inside the other. To the ancient Egyptians and the Druids this structure suggested that the onion represented the universe. Because of this the bulbs were considered to be sacred. They swore oaths with their right hand on the onion, which to them symbolized eternity; a never ending succession of worlds upon worlds.

Plutarch wrote that Egyptian priests avoided onions because they believed that the onion plant budded as the moon waned and withered as the moon waxed. Therefore they associated the onion with evil. In myth the moon waned as the evil god Seth devoured the eye of Horus. Seth, the embodiment of chaos, threatened to destroy the forces of goodness and light and annihilate the world. People of other lands connected the onion with death gods and demons that lured people into states of un-consciousness or death.

Other ancient people believed quite the opposite; these believed onions and garlic protected them from evil. They rubbed garlic and onion juice in their eyes and ears or inserted garlic into their nasal passages. They also wore onions and garlic around there necks as protection from evil. It was also believed that the onion could revive the dead. In legend, onions stimulated strength, bravery and passion.

The fact is onions to protect us from many evil diseases.

They contain carotenoids, all B complex vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium. They improve kidney function, lower elevated blood sugar and are antibacterial. Half a cup of raw onions per day will prevent blood from clotting protecting us from hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure. Onions are great for breaking up mucus in the throat, lungs, and nasal passages.

They stimulate the adrenal gland and their concentrated sulphur and germanium compounds can be useful in treating cancer patients. Germanium acts as an oxygen transporter which also helps lung disease. Research has proven that onions, raw or cooked lowers cholesterol and acts as a natural antibiotic.

I could not cook without them; they are a base in most everything I cook. Today"s recipe is easy and so good. I made French bread from scratch for this and then the soup.

French Onion Soup

Thickly slice 4 large onions, break up with hands into rings.

Sprinkle onions with ½ tsp. salt and ½ tsp raw sugar.

Cover and set aside for 10 minutes.

Melt ¼ cup olive oil and ¼ stick butter on medium high heat

Add onions and a pinch of thyme and 1 bay leaf

Stir well coating onions in oil, lower heat to medium, stir often for about 35 minutes until golden brown.

Add 1 tablespoon Sherry to deglaze the pan. Add 4 cups of water, 2 beef bouillon cubes and 2 chicken bouillon cubes. Simmer 10 minutes.

Toast one slice of French bread per bowl place on bowl of soup, top bread with one slice of Swiss cheese, broil until melted remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

Crystal Hayes can be reached at CrystalHayes@peak.org