Saturday, May 28, 2011
Sunday Sudoku
Complete the grid so that each row, column, and 3-by-3 framed block contains the letters P A R K B E N C H (only once) RATED DIFFICULT
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Comedy Genius of Robert Benchley, July 15-23, at The Comedy Playhouse, Tucson
See The Comedy Genius of Robert Benchley, July 15-23, 2011, at The Comedy Playhouse, Tucson, Arizona. For more information see their website www.thecomedyplayhouse.com.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
New "Benchley Quotes" iPhone App review
There's a new iPhone app in the iTunes store called "Robert Benchley Quotes," and it makes Ben Hur look like an epic. I sprang for the princely $1.99 fee, but it's just a modest sampling of the "usual suspects" quotes, displayed at random on a photograph of beach rocks. All of these quotes are available online for free.
Most of the quotes are accurate, but, incredibly, "Streets full of water, please advise" is missing the explanation that it's a telegram from Venice -- thus making it about as funny as "Snow falling heavily, please advise."
Rating: 0.94 times as bad as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
(For more information, see http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=1433129)
- Chris
Most of the quotes are accurate, but, incredibly, "Streets full of water, please advise" is missing the explanation that it's a telegram from Venice -- thus making it about as funny as "Snow falling heavily, please advise."
Rating: 0.94 times as bad as a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!
(For more information, see http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.aspx?docid=1433129)
- Chris
An Interview with W. Bruce Cameron
The paperback edition of W. Bruce Cameron's bestseller, A Dog's Purpose, is released today. The interview that I had with him is syndicated at Associated Content from Yahoo. You can read it here An Interview with W. Bruce Cameron
As you know, Bruce has been named Columnist of the Year by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC). The awards ceremony is scheduled on Friday evening, June 24, 2011, at the NSNC "Rebound in Motown" Conference in Detroit.
During the Conference, there will also be "A Moderate State of Preservation" gathering hosted by Tom Saunders.
Congratulations, Bruce!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Sunday Sudoku
Complete the grid so that each row, column, and 3-by-3 framed block contains the letters P A R K B E N C H (only once) RATED EASY
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Robert Benchley’s Influence on Pop Culture Noted in New Book
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Benchley Editor Tom Saunders Wins National Indie Excellence Award
The National Indie Excellence Book Awards Salutes the BEST of the BEST in 2011.
Independent and self-published titles roar to the forefront of excellence in numerous genres.
Beverly Hills, Calif. – In the pinnacle year of the self-published book, The National Indie Excellence Book Awards is ahead of the curve with the announcement of the 5th Annual National Indie Excellence Award Winners finalists and the recipients of the Sponsor’s Choice Prizes.
Today Ellen Reid, founder of The National Indie Excellence Book Awards, released the names of the winners and finalists in this year’s contest www.indieexcellence.com said..."Excellence is not easy to achieve and the book industry needs it more than ever...the NIEA salutes authors and publishers who make excellence a priority."
Whitmore Lake’s Glendower Media (www.glendowermedia.com) has won the top place in the Humor category with its latest release The Athletic Benchley. This book is a reissue of all the articles done for The Detroit Athletic Club News by the master of nonsense and founder of the Algonquin Round Table, Robert Benchley.
Benchley was a prolific writer not only for the DAC News, but for Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Liberty Magazine and many others. His books were best sellers and the current release only enhances Benchley’s reputation as the High Priest of Sophisticated Humor. The editor of this book is Tom Saunders, himself a winner of the Robert Benchley Award for Humor in 2005. “But I was way down the list of winners,” Saunders explained. “So rather than let me enter again they made me editor.” Glendower Media publishes short run and niche books and also publishes the Robert Benchley Journal, called “The Articles Of Confederation.” “No one was using the title so we thought…..”
Competition for the top spots is fierce, with prizes exceeding $12,000 in value and the priceless opportunity to have one-on-one coaching with inside industry experts, including top media and public relations consultants, marketing experts, and others.
Next year's 2012 Award application deadline is April 30, 2012. For information and to enter, please visit: www.indieexcellence.com.
“The judges for this competition are industry leaders that take their responsibility very seriously. We had the best pool of submissions ever and it was not easy because of the excellent books we received in every category this year. I am constantly thrilled at the outstanding work we’re seeing,” Reid said.
The Athletic Benchley is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and glendowermedia.com. The editor is available for book signings, book clubs, talks about the Algonquin Round Table and hazmat removals.
A complete list of winners and finalists for the NIEA Awards is at www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2011.htm.
Thomas Saunders
Mobile Phone: 734-604-5347
E-Mail: tsaunders_48@hotmail.com
www.glendowermedia.com
Independent and self-published titles roar to the forefront of excellence in numerous genres.
Beverly Hills, Calif. – In the pinnacle year of the self-published book, The National Indie Excellence Book Awards is ahead of the curve with the announcement of the 5th Annual National Indie Excellence Award Winners finalists and the recipients of the Sponsor’s Choice Prizes.
Today Ellen Reid, founder of The National Indie Excellence Book Awards, released the names of the winners and finalists in this year’s contest www.indieexcellence.com said..."Excellence is not easy to achieve and the book industry needs it more than ever...the NIEA salutes authors and publishers who make excellence a priority."
Whitmore Lake’s Glendower Media (www.glendowermedia.com) has won the top place in the Humor category with its latest release The Athletic Benchley. This book is a reissue of all the articles done for The Detroit Athletic Club News by the master of nonsense and founder of the Algonquin Round Table, Robert Benchley.
Benchley was a prolific writer not only for the DAC News, but for Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Liberty Magazine and many others. His books were best sellers and the current release only enhances Benchley’s reputation as the High Priest of Sophisticated Humor. The editor of this book is Tom Saunders, himself a winner of the Robert Benchley Award for Humor in 2005. “But I was way down the list of winners,” Saunders explained. “So rather than let me enter again they made me editor.” Glendower Media publishes short run and niche books and also publishes the Robert Benchley Journal, called “The Articles Of Confederation.” “No one was using the title so we thought…..”
Competition for the top spots is fierce, with prizes exceeding $12,000 in value and the priceless opportunity to have one-on-one coaching with inside industry experts, including top media and public relations consultants, marketing experts, and others.
Next year's 2012 Award application deadline is April 30, 2012. For information and to enter, please visit: www.indieexcellence.com.
“The judges for this competition are industry leaders that take their responsibility very seriously. We had the best pool of submissions ever and it was not easy because of the excellent books we received in every category this year. I am constantly thrilled at the outstanding work we’re seeing,” Reid said.
The Athletic Benchley is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and glendowermedia.com. The editor is available for book signings, book clubs, talks about the Algonquin Round Table and hazmat removals.
A complete list of winners and finalists for the NIEA Awards is at www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2011.htm.
Thomas Saunders
Mobile Phone: 734-604-5347
E-Mail: tsaunders_48@hotmail.com
www.glendowermedia.com
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sunday Sudoku
Complete the grid so that each row, column, and 3-by-3 framed block contains the letters P A R K B E N C H (only once) RATED DIFFICULT
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sunday Sudoku
Complete the grid so that each row, column, and 3-by-3 framed block contains the letters P A R K B E N C H (only once) RATED MEDIUM DIFFICULTY
Friday, May 6, 2011
Inter-Office Memo
A SPECIMEN OF RECENT CORRESPONDENCE WITH THIS OFFICE
* * *
Hello Chairman David,
Received with thanks membership to the Robert Benchley organization. However I note that although [my husband] is a member in good standing my membership states that it is for a Sue Lyon and I am not she. Should I need to present the identification I have been sent would I, Sharon Lyon, be denied entree to Robert Benchley organization events?
Warmest regards, Sharon Lyon
* * *
Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Shelly Lions,
Per regulation 26(b) of 1974 and Executive Order 42865-5 of 2002 all requests for changes to membership cards and/or certificates must be filed in triplicate with the DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Bureau of Internal/External Affairs, Office of Literary-historical persons (fictional/nonfictional), Room 314-b, Washington, D.C. 20205-6978 using form SF-105-b(1) available electronically from the OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. All request must include original card/certificate, proof of identity as required by (a) or (b) below:
(a) Primary proof of Identity
A valid U.S. passport issued no earlier than December 19, 2009 if accompanied by SF-256-b
(b) Secondary proof of Identity
A valid U.S. passport issued earlier than December 19, 2009 accompanied by long form statement of live birth, affidavit from a relative within two degrees of consanguinity who has known you your entire life, affidavit from local Chief of Police in the city/town of our primary residence stating that there are no outstanding warrants for your arrest.
Due to the high number of requests processed by this office the expected processing time is 7.5 years. Should you need the certificate/card sooner you may apply for hardship expedited service by submitting form EF-9566-a(4) accompanied by the processing fee of $125. The current waiting time for expedited hardship service is 15.2 years.
Sincerely,
David Trumbull
P.S. Or I can just have Chris Morgan print a new one.
* * *
Hello Chairman David,
Received with thanks membership to the Robert Benchley organization. However I note that although [my husband] is a member in good standing my membership states that it is for a Sue Lyon and I am not she. Should I need to present the identification I have been sent would I, Sharon Lyon, be denied entree to Robert Benchley organization events?
Warmest regards, Sharon Lyon
* * *
Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Shelly Lions,
Per regulation 26(b) of 1974 and Executive Order 42865-5 of 2002 all requests for changes to membership cards and/or certificates must be filed in triplicate with the DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Bureau of Internal/External Affairs, Office of Literary-historical persons (fictional/nonfictional), Room 314-b, Washington, D.C. 20205-6978 using form SF-105-b(1) available electronically from the OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. All request must include original card/certificate, proof of identity as required by (a) or (b) below:
(a) Primary proof of Identity
A valid U.S. passport issued no earlier than December 19, 2009 if accompanied by SF-256-b
(b) Secondary proof of Identity
A valid U.S. passport issued earlier than December 19, 2009 accompanied by long form statement of live birth, affidavit from a relative within two degrees of consanguinity who has known you your entire life, affidavit from local Chief of Police in the city/town of our primary residence stating that there are no outstanding warrants for your arrest.
Due to the high number of requests processed by this office the expected processing time is 7.5 years. Should you need the certificate/card sooner you may apply for hardship expedited service by submitting form EF-9566-a(4) accompanied by the processing fee of $125. The current waiting time for expedited hardship service is 15.2 years.
Sincerely,
David Trumbull
P.S. Or I can just have Chris Morgan print a new one.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Benchley Round-up in Lowell, Massachusetts
I have arranged for a private tour of the American Textile History Museum, including the special exhibit noted below, for Sunday, May 22nd, at 3:00 p.m. The cost will be $100 for up to ten persons ($8 per person after re reach ten). My guess is that we may attract 7 or 8 total, so that would make it around $13 or $14 per person.
Who's interested? Contact me at david@robertbenchley.org
Grace and Glamour: 1930s Fashions
In the 1930s, graceful cuts and glamorous fabrics replaced the boxy, boyish styles of the previous decade. In the face of economic hardship, people embraced the streamlined shape, elegant styles and newly invented fibers of a hopeful modernism. This exhibit shows dresses and accessories typical of this extraordinary decade.
Website: http://athm.org/exhibitions/future_exhibitions/
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
News from Thurber House
Thurber House is located near downtown Columbus, OH at 77 Jefferson Ave in the restored home of James Thurber and his family. Here, from a recent electronic newsletter from Thurber House, are an event and activity that may be of interest to Benchley fans.
Joe Blundo Teaching Master Class at Thurber House. Joe Blundo is bringing his wit and wisdom to Thurber House! The popular Columbus Dispatch columnist will be teaching a Master Class on humor and column writing on Saturday, May 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave. Class is limited to 25 students and the deadline to register is Tuesday, May 17.
Enter the 2011 Thurber Treat Contest! Do you like to fill in cartoon captions? Enjoy writing short stories? Or maybe just want to stretch the “write” part of your brain? If so, check out our 2011 Thurber Treat contest. This year they're asking contestants to pick one of three possible cartoons, create a caption for that particular cartoon and then elaborate on the caption with a fun story (limited to 1000 words). The deadline to enter is Friday, May 27. The three winning authors will be guests of Thurber House for dinner at the Wednesday, June 8 Literary Picnic, and will read their sage or silly entries.
For more information visit the Thurber House website, http://www.thurberhouse.org/
Joe Blundo Teaching Master Class at Thurber House. Joe Blundo is bringing his wit and wisdom to Thurber House! The popular Columbus Dispatch columnist will be teaching a Master Class on humor and column writing on Saturday, May 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Thurber Center, 91 Jefferson Ave. Class is limited to 25 students and the deadline to register is Tuesday, May 17.
Enter the 2011 Thurber Treat Contest! Do you like to fill in cartoon captions? Enjoy writing short stories? Or maybe just want to stretch the “write” part of your brain? If so, check out our 2011 Thurber Treat contest. This year they're asking contestants to pick one of three possible cartoons, create a caption for that particular cartoon and then elaborate on the caption with a fun story (limited to 1000 words). The deadline to enter is Friday, May 27. The three winning authors will be guests of Thurber House for dinner at the Wednesday, June 8 Literary Picnic, and will read their sage or silly entries.
For more information visit the Thurber House website, http://www.thurberhouse.org/
Monday, May 2, 2011
2011 Benchley Writing Competition Entries Ready for Reading
The essays, which have been stripped of all information identfying the authors, may be seen by clicking on the numbered links below:
| E001 E002 E003 E004 E005 E006 E007 E008 E009 E010 E011 E012 | E013 E014 E015 E016 E017 E018 E019 E020 E021 E022 E023 E024 E025 | E026 E027 E028 E029 E030 E031 E032 E033 E034 E035 E036 E037 E038 |
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