I’ve said this before. There are a very few people as socially influentially as Walt Disney, Hugh Hefner and Steve Jobs … very few. I’ve drawn the Jobs/Hefner comparison before. A good example is the black turtleneck and jeans vs. the pipe, pajama pants and smoking jacket. Here I’ve decided to show an early Hefner – before the smoking jacket … but he still has the pipe. Hey, don’t those things kill you after 84 years? Hmmm… perhaps Hef has found that relieving stress actually extends your life. That and staying active. And he still is unbelievably active; pick up his twitter feed and you’ll see that’s true.

But what’s going on at PB these days is in a word sad:

From The Morning Media Newsfeed today: “Penthouse Owner Offers $210 Million For Playboy (Folio:)As promised, Penthouse magazine publisher FriendFinder Networks has announced that it has made a proposal to acquire Playboy parent Playboy Enterprises for $210 million. The proposal was sent to PEI’s board of directors Thursday. Playboy released its own statement confirming that it had recieved FriendFinder’s offer and that it will “give it appropriate consideration.” TheWrap: The proposal: “We would propose an arrangement where we would partner with Mr. Hefner in our efforts to drive shareholder value. We envision that following the completion of the proposed transaction, Mr. Hefner would retain editorial control of Playboy magazine and would be entitled to reside in the Playboy Mansion. We believe our proposal is in the best interests of Playboy Enterprises and its minority stockholders.” BW: When Hefner made public an offer to pay $123 million for the shares of ailing Playboy Enterprises that he does not already own, a more than 30 percent premium, he and his private equity backers at Rizvi Traverse Management likely thought they would receive a hero’s welcome. Hardly. Hefner and Playboy management have been hit with a shareholder suit claiming that any sale to the founder — just as new management is trying to revive Playboy’s fortunes — wouldn’t maximize shareholder value.” Really? Why not. He’s the guy that built it. Do shareholders really think that the brand is NOT linked to the vision of its aging founder? One day this will happen to Martha Stewart and we’ll be sad about that too “remember when they sent her to prison?” They’ll let her live in her lifestyle home … and maybe she’ll just fade away…

Being a social icon for have a century isn’t easy. It’s difficult to be relevant for so long. But as I started to look for images that would somehow represent Playboy magazine’s influence it became more and more clear that it would be an impossible task. Not only because there were thousands, but because it’s very distracting! However three images come to mind aren’t in fact what you’d expect. Here they are:

and of course …

A while back I enjoyed lunch John Mizroch – who at the time  was the Deputy Undersecretary of the DOE; we split the check. It was an interesting conversation. One of the things he told me was that the cost to produce energy at Hoover Dam was .004 per KiloWatt/Hour – cheaper than any other source of energy on the planet – AND it’s renewable. I doubt we could get something like this built again. We just don’t have the national unity. It’s sad. The great initiatives of our nation are past us. We are pretty darn good at getting together and doing things that are DESTRUCTIVE but we should re-learn the art of being CONSTRUCTIVE.

On this day in 1930, construction of the Hoover Dam begins. Over the next five years, a total of 21,000 men would work ceaselessly to produce what would be the largest dam of its time, as well as one of the largest manmade structures in the world.

Formed as the first shots of the punk revolution were being fired, The Clash storm onto the UK scene with their debut performance on the Fourth of July, 1976, at The Black Swan in Sheffield, England, as the opening act for The Sex Pistols (The History Channel)

Guitarist Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones drowned July 3, 1969; Jim Morrison of The Doors died of heart failure exactly 2 years later in 1971. July 3 REALLY is the day the music died – at least for these two tragic rockers.

Aviator Amelia Earhart
On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart and navigator Frederick Noonan flying abourd Catalyst 2,  a customized Lockheed “Electra” Model 10e aircraft are reported missing near Howland Island in the Pacific. Attempting to fly around the world the duo lost their way navigating from Lae, New Guinea, to Howland Island, a tiny island 2,227 nautical miles away, in the center of the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Coast Guard cutter Itasca received messages that Amelia was lost and running low on fuel as she headed into Howland Island. It was presumed that she probably tried to ditch the Lockheed in the ocean but no trace of Earhart or Noonan was ever found. Recent evidence suggests that the pair may have actually crash landed on a tiny island.

Born in 1897 in Atchison, Kansas Ms. Earhart starting flying at age 24. She achieved notoriety as one of the first female aviators. Publisher George P. Putnam invited her to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean but not as a pilot. Charles A. Lindbergh, the previous year, had flown solo nonstop across the Atlantic and Putnam had cashed in by writing “We” a book about Lindbergh. So in June of 1928, Earhart and two men tackled the Atlantic flying from Newfoundland Canada, to Wales, Great Britain. Earhart’s only job during the mission was keeping flight log. Nonetheless the flight made her famous, and Americans fell in love with Amelia. A ticker-tape parade in New York was given in their honor and Amelia was invited to the White House to meet meet then President Calvin Coolidge.

Putnum published Amelia’s book about the flight for Putnam and later the two married, but Amelia kept her maiden name for professional reasons – very progressive. She soloed across the Atlantic on May 20, 1932. Interestingly, Earhart’s destination on that trip was Paris, France, but she veered from the course and landed instead in Ireland on May 21 – making the historic 2,000 mile flight in just 15 hours. Nobody since Lindbergh had attempted the solo trans-Atlantic crossing. She was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Congress for the accomplishment. In August that year Earhart became flew solo nonstop across the continental United States.

In 1935, the aviatrix flew solo between Wheeler Field in Honolulu and Oakland, California, bagging a $10,000 prize posted by Hawaiian commercial interests. Purdue University, later that year, appointed her as a “careers for women” consultant buying her a new Lockheed Electra which was to be her”flying laboratory.”

Departing on March 17, 1937, she flew west from Oakland her first around-the-world bid. It was to be the longest flight in history–29,000 miles around the equator. Her crew were Frederick Noonan, navigator formerly a Pan American pilot, and co-pilot Harry Manning. It was not to be. A mishap on take-off from Honolulu to Howland Island seriously damaged her plane and they had to quit the attempt.

The newly rebuilt plane was flown to Miami which was to be the target of the next round the world attempt; in reverse this time east-west. The crew departed Miami June 1, stopped in South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, before arriving in Lae, New Guinea, June 29, 1937. Wtih 22,000 miles of the journey behind them the next 7,000 would be flown over the vast Pacific Ocean. Howland Island, a tiny U.S.-owned island that was just a few miles long was the next stop. There was a U.S. weather observation station and landing strip on the island, and the island’s staff was prepared with fuel and supplies. Not wanting for help several U.S. ships, including the Coast Guard cutter Itasca, were standing by to help in this- the most demanding leg of their flight.

As the she closed on Howland Island, Earhart radioed the Itasca indicating that fuel levels were low. Two-way communication was only briefly established despite hours of attempts, and Itasca was unable to triangulate Earhart’s position or provide navigational aid. Earhart circled Itasca’s position but was unable to make visual contact with her, despite the crew sending up black smoke. Amelia radioed declaring “one-half hour fuel and no landfall” later tried in vain to give information on her plane’s position. Contact was lost, and it was presumed that Earhart attempted a water landing.

Had Amelia nailed the water landing without a hitch – a la the plane on the Hudson River – Earhart and Noonan might have been able to escape the craft in life rafts before it sank. But despite an exhaustive search by both the Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy no physical evidence of any kind was ever discovered. Several recent discoveries suggest that the pair may have survived but the prevailing wisdom is that Amelia Erheart and Frederick Noonan were lost at sea.

Sony Walkman shipped on July 1, 1979 and the world was never the same. Said Sony’s chairman, Masaru Ibuka, “we will create a headphone culture.”And so he did.

Ibuka was way ahead of his time. A road warrior who loved music he lugged old fashioned stereo tape recorders on international flights. Sony’s “portable recorder” the TC-D5m was bulky – not portable as we see it, so Ibuka asked  Norio Ohga, his second in command, to cobble up something smaller. Using the Sony Pressman – a portable monaural tape recorder used primarily by journalists for interviews – as a bas,  Ohga jury-rigged a stereo output in time for Ibuka’s next big flight.

Ibuka was hooked. Sony struggled internally with conceptual challenges such as: “Would anyone actually buy a cassette device that was not for recording but only for playback? Ibuka’s now legendary response: “Don’t you think a stereo cassette player that you can listen to while walking around is a good idea?” Answer from Steve Jobs: “Yes, Ibuka-Sama, I do.”

It took a whopping 300,000 Yen ~ US$15,000 in 1979 dollars – to get the product out in time for Japan’s summer school break. Sony built 30,000 which seemed at the time too aggressive after sales of only 3,000 units in July 1979. (note: iPhone 1.7MM in it’s first 2 weeks). But ultimately the product took selling out inventory by August and heralding in the greatest success story in Sony’s corporate history. Let us all take a moment now and bow in respect and memory to honor Ibuka-sama’s great vision and legacy for he created not just a portable music player – he re-invented the entire notion of mobile electronics.

For me summertime is all about smoothies. They’re quick, delicious, refreshing and can either supplement or REPLACE a meal. Here’s how I make mine:

Have your blender ready! Any one will do; here’s the classic blender!

Put some ice in blender. The amount of ice you want to use will vary based on how ‘frosty vs. smooth’ you want your smoothy. More ice=more frosty; less ice more smooth.

Plain yogurt. Also – any yogurt with or without flavor or fruit will work.

Fruit Stock. ANY fruit works.

I generally add 1-2 bananas – (remember ripe=sweeter!)

Strawberries – 2-5 (you can substitute preserves – like Smuckers all natural strawberry!)

Protein – I use Whey protein Vanilla IN ALL OF MY SMOOTHIES (yes all) you can get this at any GNC store; it helps give your smoothy boddy; it helps give your body good stuff. This is the key to having your smoothy give you energy. This is a HIGH calorie, high protein drink. If you don’t have protein – throw in a raw egg – make sure that the egg has been pasturized to avoid bacteria.

Blend to your favorite consistency.

If you want it to be more sweet – throw in a wee bit of honey -a little honey goes a LONG way so do NOT add too much. You can always add more but you can’t take it out so go slow on this -and dip a finger and taste!

By the way. Some people call them “smoothies” some call them “smoothy’s” I did extensive research on this and apparently both are correct!

Enjoy!

On June 30, 1962, Sandy Koufax retired 13 batters and walked 5 in the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-0 win over the New York Mets. Koufax threw 3 more no-hitters; one of them was a perfect game on December 9, 1965.

Flint Michigan: the first production Corvette rolls off the line.

Corvette had the first all-fiberglass body and become a runaway hit with American consumers. 1953 Corvettes were all white convertables (like the original iPod!); they sported cherry-red interiors and had black canvas tops. Corvette was equippedjust like any other GM car, sporting a six-cylinder engine (The “Blue-Flame”), Powerglide 2 speed automatic transmission and the the same drum brakes as Chevrolet’s other autos.

Compared to it’s European counterparts the Corvette’s performance was unimpressive. However GM continually improved its design adding a larger V-8 engine in 1955 that gave the Corvette some balls. By the 1960s the Corvette had earned its reputation as America’s most beloved sports car and that tradition continues to today as its performance makes it a prize amongst the general public and sports car enthusiasts and collectors. Go Vette!

I miss Kate Hepburn. She hooked me on old movies with her performance in  The African Queen co-starring the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart.

Katharine Hepburn won 4 Best Actress Oscars and to me she exemplified the glamour of the golden age of Hollywood. Perhaps that’s because she was bred to much higher aspirations.

Born to a wealthy New England family, Hepburn was the daughter of a prominent surgeon, Dr. Thomas Norval Hepburn. Kate’s mother Katharine Houghton, was a progressive by any standards being both a suffragist and staunch supporter of birth control.

Upon graduating from Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College  in 1928 she hit the stage with her 1932 Broadway appearance in the production The Warrior’s Husband leading to a screen test and deal with Hollywood’s RKO studios.

Hepburn’s debut film, A Bill of Divorcement (1932), placed her opposite John Barrymore. The film’s director George Cukor became a life-long friend and they subsequently worked together on films like  Little Women (1933), Sylvia Scarlett (1935), Holiday (1938) and Adam’s Rib (1949).

Hepburn first Oscar came early for her performance in Morning Glory (1933) which was just her third film. Sadly, her films met with mixed approval and Hepburn earned a reputation for being eccentric and even arrogant – despite her consummate professionalism.  Avoiding the press, showing up in public in slacks and no make-up  didn’t help her reputation. When Stage Door (1937) and Bringing Up Baby (1938) met with some success Kate bought out her RKO contract gaining remarkable control over her own career given the studio system  of that time. Later staring with Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart in the 1940 hit film: The Philadelphia Story, adapted from a Broadway play –  Kate’s career took off.

Hepburn’s enduring love affair with actor Spencer Tracy lasted three decades. And the duo appeared on film in 9 films: Adam’s Rib (1949), Pat and Mike (1952) and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) for which she won her second Oscar; sadly Tracy died just shortly after that film was completed.

Continuing to perform late in her career Hepburn earned a third Oscar for her work in A Lion in Winter (1968). She scored an Emmy in for TV work in Love Among the Ruins (1976) and collected another Oscar for  On Golden Pond (1981) co-starting with Henry Fonda in that film.

Despite a long standing record of 12 Academy awards (only surpassed by Streep’s 13th nomination in 2003), Hepburn never attended the Oscars ceremonies to collect her statues.

The lights on Broadway were dimmed for an hour to upon her death out of respect. Today, we remember her and smile.