McCartney.com Newsletter February 2009

Well February is a very short month, so with only 28 days in which to cram the business of 31, we have been super-busy. Thanks to all of you who remembered Ruth's birthday - not a "big one" yet and she hoping to start counting backwards from next year!

This 1973 interview gives listeners a rare glimpse into George Harrison's world and his creative vision and life after the Beatles.

The release follows in the tradition of the first 4: Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Jimmy Page. All albums are available exclusively on iTunes®.

VH1 have picked 100 hits that were considered one hit wonders. The top ten will be decided by fan votes and showcased on this TV special in March.

McCartney clients and friends included are Benny Mardones and his hit "Into the Night" as well as Animotion's "Obsession" and The Fabulous Thunderbirds ' "Tuff Enough". Our friends from across the pond are also nominated - Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" and Falco's "Amadeus". You can vote as many times as you want.

Web Site Spotlight

Neptune Aviation Charter

We recently created and launched a site for Neptune Aviation Services -

a Missoula, Montana based charter service company providing premier charter service throughout the United States and Canada. Whether it is a short flight to a Montana destination or a trip across the country, Neptune Aviation Charter will offer you unparalleled charter service 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Neptune Aviation Charter provides meticulously maintained aircraft and first class experienced flight crews---A winning combination with safety, comfort and convenience their number one concern.

In Development - Heather McCready

We are currently developing a new site, social network, database and print materials for singer / songwriter Heather McCready.

The Arlington, TX based artist draws influences from such diverse artists as Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Dan Folgelberg. You can join her VIP notification list for an invitation to the site's launch at HeatherMcCready.com

In these interesting economic times (to say the least), I came across this little gem, a physical beacon of hope. World-renowned surfer Laird Hamilton tells the story of how to stay physically, mentally and spiritually strong during these rather depressing times.

Laird Hamilton has been hailed as the world's greatest big-wave surfer. His first book, Force of Nature, allows readers a rare glimpse inside the unique philosophy that has created his circumstances, and not the other way around. After all, this is a man whose biological father abandoned him shortly after he was born; whose first job was working on a pig far; who dropped out of school in eleventh grade. And then the career decision: surfer. Though earning enough to pay the rent as any kind of surfer is next to impossible, Hamilton has ended up in the place we all desire to be: doing exactly what he loves, becoming the world's best in the process, making a great living, being surrounded by nature and family, radiating peak health and fitness, and succeeding by any definition of the word. How did he get there? And more importantly, how can the rest of us join him? Force of Nature is a detailed map to that destination, with Laird Hamilton as the reader's guide. It's not about chasing trophies or accolades or cash. It's about quality over quantity soul and being true to your physical, mental, and spiritual roots. Not only is it possible to thrive in the modern world without adopting its harmful habits, it's essential. And not only has Hamilton mastered this balance; he makes a compelling and articulate case that anyone who wants to can do the same.

Fugitive terrorist Osama bin Laden is most likely hiding out in a walled compound in a Pakistani border town, according to a satellite-aided geographic analysis
involved in the hunt for bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader released today. A research team led by geographer Thomas Gillespie of the University of California-Los Angeles used geographic analytical tools that have been successful in locating urban criminals and endangered species. Basing their conclusion on nighttime satellite images and other techniques, the scientists suggest bin Laden may well be in one of three compounds in Parachinar, a town 12 miles from the Pakistan border. The research incorporates public reports of bin Laden's habits and whereabouts since his flight from the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan in 2001.The results, reported in the MIT International Review, are being greeted with polite but skeptical interest among people behind 9/11. Bin Laden's whereabouts are considered "one of the most important political questions of our time," the study notes.
"I've never really believed the sitting-in-a-cave theory. That's the last place you would want to be bottled up," Gillespie says. The study's real value, he says, is in combining satellite records of geographic locations, patterns of nighttime electricity use and population-detection methods to produce a technique for locating fugitives.
Essentially, the study generates hiding-place location probabilities. It starts with "distance decay theory," which holds that the odds are greater that the person will be found close to where he or she was last seen. Then the researchers add the "island biographic theory, "which maintains that locales with more resources — palm trees for tropical birds and electricity for wealthy fugitives — are likelier to draw creatures of interest. "Island biographic theory suggests bin Laden would end up in the biggest and least isolated city of the region," Gillespie says, one among about 26 towns within a 20-mile distance of Tora Bora. "To really improve the model, you would need to include
intelligence data from 2001 to 2006," Gillespie says. "It has been eight years. Honestly, I think it is time to be more open."

Serial entrepreneur and Ueber Blogger Chris Andrews has launched Gutenberg.com, powered by iFanz and Wordpress. Chris is passionate about eBooks - here is the blurb from this very interesting new site:

With the Amazon Kindle breaking out, Sony’s new ebook reader coming, the iPhone having multiple ebook applications, and Google’s recent copyright settlement - something certainly has ARRIVED…its called the EBOOK!

Gutenberg.com will follow this hot trend with one goal: MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL. Right now, there are people “in the know”, in the industry, and we aim to make the whole ebook revolution accessible to everyone. So we are all in the know. As well, we will follow what is going on with books and the Internet in general, for example online bookstores and book social networks.

Chris Andrews is the executive producer of Gutenberg.com. Chris has played an important role in the introduction and acceptance of digital media into the mainstream, in particular digital books, music, and video. He is the author of the book, “The Education of a CD-ROM Publisher: An Insiders History of Electronic Publishing.” First published in 1993, then again in 1998 with simultaneous hardcover, softcover and ebook editions, the book is available from the publisher, Information Today. More about Chris Andrews can be found at ChrisAndrews.com.

We were honored to be included in the recent weekend of Israeli Dance Company stars Batsheva at the home of Harry and Orit Greenberg. The company, founded in 1964 by Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild and choreographer Martha Graham was in town for two sold our performances at Royce Hall on the UCLA Campus.

Ruth was in her element in a room with so many dance visionaries and professionals and the catering from Piknic Restaurant topped the event with a perfect note. Many thanks to all. Click the image below to see some examples of more extraordinary works from Director Ohad Naharin on YouTube.

I find semi-skimmed milk is better than full cream. Some cooks use half and half milk and water. Originally the pudding was cooked below the joint to soak up the meat juices which dripped down from the shelf above. Nowadays the puddings are often cooked in the top of the oven while the meat is resting and the puddings can be served as a first course or as an accompaniment. We've got main course and dessert recipes later.

125g / 4oz sifted plain flour
a pinch of salt
1 large / 1 medium egg
300ml / half pint semi-skimmed milk
oil or melted dripping

Using a wooden spoon, gradually beat the egg and milk into the flour and salt until you have a smooth batter. Beat well and leave to stand.
Pour a little oil or dripping into each cup of a heavy gauge bun tin (I use a cast iron American Popover Pan). Alternatively use a roasting tin for one large pudding. Place in the hot oven to preheat for 5 minutes. Beat the batter again and decant into a jug for speed. Without allowing the oil to cool, pour the batter into the hot pans, half filling the cups. Bake for 12 - 20 minutes - depending on size - until puffed and golden. Serve immediately.
Try not to open the oven door until they're done - glass doors are useful. If you have to, just open it enough to take a quick peek.

1. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

5. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

6. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

"High Time for Tea", produced by Sharon Schoenberg is slated to air this week as follows: Filmed at our magnificent offices in beautiful down town Playa del Rey.

If you live in Time Warner country, you can see it on demand thru March 23rd in the SoCal News /Los Angeles section.

It also features Ruth and international man of mystery Donny Dale who baked some of the delectable fancy foods.