This story broke a little too late last week to give it its just due here, but of course, we here at PCR extend our sincerest condolences to any and all who suffered injuries or loss of loved ones due to the collapse of the bridge in Minnesota.
It has been the daily headline for the past week, and justifiably so. Last Wednesday, the Interstate 35W Bridge that passes over the Mississippi River near Minneapolis suddenly collapsed, sending dozens of cars 60 feet into the water, along with tons of steel and concrete. The timing couldn't have been much worse as it was during rush hour, bumper to bumper traffic. At least 4 people were confirmed dead and 79 injured.
There was no particular reason the bridge decided to give out at that time. It is a 40-year-old structure, an arch-type design with no support piers (to more easily facilitate river traffic) subject to the flow of the Mississippi and the harsh Minnesota winters. It is not even a particularly long bridge, only several hundred feet (the river isn't that wide there). Several inspections over the years yielded warnings, such as "structural deficiencies" and the like, but no action was ever taken. The bridge was scheduled for demolition and replacement in 2020.
President Bush pledge funds to help rebuild the bridge. First Lady Laure Bush visited the site and comforted victims.
More Sad Passings
I'm finding myself writing WAAaaay too many obits lately, and just after I said I wasn't going to do that anymore on the homepage, but dammit, some of these fine folks made an impact on my life and need to be mentioned. I won't linger, though, 'cuz this can be depressing. Ingmar Bergman, 89. Mike Smith wrote a fine short bio of this influential Swedish filmmaker in last week's Rant (along with Michelangelo Antonioni's, you should read 'em both), so I won't repeat it here. Well, except to say he will be sorely missed. Lee Hazelwood, 78. Usually associated with the fringe pop culture elements of the '60s, at least in my mind, I'd gotten to be a fan of Hazelwood's hearing his and Nancy Sinatra's rendition of "Some Velvet Morning" on Coast-to-Coast AM radio's bumper music spots. He also wrote "These Boots Were made For Walkin'" for Nancy Sinatra. After living out of the public eye in Sweden, Hazelwood began releasing more records in the 1970s, including the legendary "Cowboy In Sweden." He had quite a cult following of which yours truly was a part. Kerwin Matthews, 81. Usually associated as the lead actor in Ray Harryhausen's The Three Worlds of Gulliver and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, he was always a fan favorite, and it is always how I'll remember him. He died peacefully in his sleep, apparently the same week as character actor Charles Lane (who I talked about in PCR #382), but poor coverage caused me to miss notice of Matthews' passing.
Another Year Older And Deeper in Debt
Yours truly "celebrates" another completion of our planet's revolution around the sun for the 52nd time this Monday. Birthday merriment will likely be held at our regular Hooters on Gandy this Sunday at 7:00pm for any and all who want to come (the last two years' get-togethers were at The Durango on Westshore).
Please consider making a donation to help support Crazed Fanboy! Click on the "donate" link below and give whatever you can. I sincerely thank you for any and all consideration.---Nolan
What's In A Name?
I'm finding myself writing WAAaaay too many obits lately, and just after I said I wasn't going to do that anymore on the homepage, but dammit, some of these fine folks made an impact on my life and need to be mentioned. I won't linger, though, 'cuz this can be depressing.
Becoming Jane
Operation: Woronov
Happy Birthday .... Passing On .... Is This Logical?... Barry Bonds .... Whatever Happened To--? Chapter 27: Delayed Until Next Week