In junior high school our small softcover yearbook was carefully edited by the yearbook adviser who also happened to be the typing instructor. She typed up most of the student provided blurbs which resulted in the removal of all mentions of the band Suicidal Tendencies. This was not a critique of the band, whom she had likely never heard of, but of the phrase. I didn’t hear any controversy over our high school yearbooks, but there was likely a strict editing process in place for our senior quotes. This year at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho the adviser may be wishing she had taken a closer look at the yearbook proofs. With a psychedelic-theme, allusions to drug use and sex, the book has upset many students and parents. They also aren’t happy about spelling errors, misidentified photos, and excessive photos of yearbook staff members and friends. But as the Principal put it “There’s no do-over on it.”

The PBS series “From the Top at Carnegie Hall” is the television offshoot of pianist Christopher O’Riley’s “From the Top” NPR program. Young musicians showcase their serious skills in a light-hearted format. The second season is underway and they’ve put even more emphasis on the peeks behind-the-scenes, interlacing practice sessions and scenes from homelife into the actual performances, something that may horrify straightlaced classical music aficionados. It works well for the hoped for target audience of the next generation of musicians, who are being raised on fast-cut videos and reality television. The episodes are online and the results of these hard-working kids are mesmerizing, plus they’ve certainly been selected for personality as well.

Recipe for a King-Size Eclairs from Flo Braker. SUPER sized ECLAIRS!

In perhaps the most thoroughly reported building climb ever, two men separately scaled the New York Times Building in Times Square on Thursday and no less than 15 reporters were listed as contributing to the resulting N.Y. Times article written by James Barron. Ample photos and a video are also included. Clearly this is the building to climb if you want coverage for your cause.

Aimee Mann “Freeway” Video Contest. Aimee’s trying the YouTube marketing route for her new album.

Back in February I posted an item about Super Bowl rings and how the NFL pays up to $5000 per ring, often designed by Jostens or Balfour, known for providing class rings. Well, for their third Super Bowl ring, the New York Giants went straight to the top of the jeweler hierarchy. Tiffany’s created the white gold and diamond rings for about $5500, and has valued them at $25,000. The Giants received the rings last Thursday at a ceremony in the Fifth Avenue flagship store. Tiffany’s is no stranger to the NFL as the company also makes the Super Bowl trophy, three of which are depicted on the top of the ring.

DIY not too expensive mini Star Wars toys: buy the Millenium Falcon, TIE Fighter, Y-Wing Fighter Lego “bag charms” which are now $4.99 (originally $9.99) and remove the chains. They’re glued together Lego pieces, which is actually a good thing when you are three and your mom doesn’t enjoy digging through the vacuum bag. Or you could actually use them as bag charms. Just be aware that our three-year-old managed to remove the Millenium Falcon from a backpack. We don’t know how, but we suspect his Y-Wing really needed back-up.

Alton Kelley in his own words, recounting the Summer of Love. Kelley, a graphic artist, created hundreds of classic psychedelic rock posters with Stanley Mouse. He died on Sunday.

Another brand name will be lost to future generations: Kinko’s is being dropped from the Fedex Kinko’s name in favor of FedEx Office.

The Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut built a museum next door in 2003 using money it did not have, with an eye towards an influx of visitors following a Ken Burns film. The hordes of tourists did not arrive, the loan was restructured, staff was reduced to 17 from 50, and the state had to help out with $3.5 million in bond money to pay down the remaining $11 million. And still, the museum is in debt and the cost of utilities are rising. The best path forward may be to forge an alliance with the neighboring Harriet Beecher Stowe House which has an endowment. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s grandniece, Katherine Seymour Day, was a member of the group that purchased the Mark Twain residence to save it from demolition in the 1920s.