Saturday, November 30, 2013

So few folks these days know Dino. I have my old man to thank for my Dean Martin appreciation.



Hey pallies, likes his tag is Waylon Lewis, he's the " founder of elephant magazine, now elephantjournal.com" (where this here Dino-devotion originated),  "host of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis," and a " 1st generation American Buddhist 'Dharma Brat.'"  And, likes of course he is a true knower and lover of our most beloved Dino....proudly proclaimin' at the end of his Dino-prose....'bout his numero of Dino-croons..."I have 43 in my iTunes…but that’s a start."

Likes we were just just doin' a bit of google blog Dino-searchin' after the holiday and we quickly came upon this Dino-centric post by Mr. Lewis tagged  "Introducing...Dean Martin."  And what perfect Dino-timin' it was 'cause we had just posted that wonderful Dino-devotion with 23 links to youtube Dino-croons when we came 'cross Waylon's homage to our Dino that includes 12---count 'em---12 youtube vids of our great great man.....any likes only one of 'em is the same as the last post....and, likes pallies 5 of them are Dino-winter-croons....likes the perfect bridge between Givin' Dino Thanks and beginnin' our Movin' To Dino-Winter-Day devotion.

Likes, likes we feel likes indeed we musta been likes totally totally guided by our Dino so quickly to this wondrously wonderful set of Dino-vids created by truly someone who loves our great great man.  And, likes we were thrilled to read Mr. Lewis' comments...."So few folks these days know Dino. I have my old man to thank for my Dean Martin appreciation."  We are truly truly thrilled to know that Waylon got welcomed into our Dino's world by his "old man" and he is now doin' his part to bring others into the Dino-fold.

ilovedinomartin salutes Dino-hearted pallie Mr. Waylon Lewis for so so publicly sharin' his passion for our Dino with his readership and helpin' 'em to grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our King of Cool.  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message.  Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP



Introducing…Dean Martin.
Via Waylon Lewis

 

I compiled a few favorites, including a song guaranteed to help you feel cheerful in the morning, and one of the saddest warmest holiday songs ever. So few folks these days know Dino. I have my old man to thank for my Dean Martin appreciation. ~ W.

Dino:

Pretty much my favorite morning song ever. It’s impossible not to appreciate the morning with the Dean Martin song:




Okay, get ready: best version of Baby it’s Cold Outside ever, all-time Winter classic



Another Christmas Holiday classic:



Another:




The best ever, sad, or nostalgic. Lovely:


Another:



This is getting played at my future-hypothetical wedding:



One of my very favorites:



Another:





Amore, not a favorite, but a favorite:



You’ll know this from Swingers, perhaps:




There are many other favorites–I have 43 in my iTunes…but that’s a start. Find the ones you love. Did I miss one? Add the link in comments, below, and I’ll add it in!



Favorite Love Songs by Dean Martin

Hey pallies, likes hopes all youse Dino-holics drank deeply from the Dino-well on our day of Givin' Dino Thanks.  Likes we here at ilovedinomartin were thrilled yesterday on Black Friday to here our first Dino-winter-croon while shoppin' in a local shop.....likes, likes always always thrills us to hear our Dino bein' shared in public and certainly as we move close to Dino-winter-day and our reverent remembrance of the day that our Dino departed from our presence, we just know that we will be hearin' many many wondrous Dino-winter-croons in the public market place.  BTW, that first seasonal Dino-tune was "Let It Snow," and hearin' it brought the biggest of big Dino-buddah grins to our face!

Likes our very very special month of movin' toward Dino-winter-day will commence on Monday, but likes before that we simply had to share with all you diggers of our most beloved Dino the great Dino-tribute that we discovered at a pad tagged  "Favorite Love Songs."  Likes don't know that guy or gal who posted "Favorite Love Songs by Dean Martin" but it is an absolutely fab collection of  23---count 'em---23 links to youtube clips of our great great man croonin' 23 of his great great tunes.

And, each and every link has some Dino-patter 'bout each particular song.  Likes we are psyched to see so so many grand songs of our grand grand man shared in one place at one time.  This is likes certainly a totally totally appro way of endin' our week of givin' Dino-thanks 'cause which pallie among us isn't totally totally thankful to our Dino for his gift of singin' a tune likes no no one else?!?!?!?  Certainly the unknown creator of this Dino-homage musta be likes totally totally thankful to our Dino as well.

We here at ilovedinomartin salute the pallie who shared this amazin' collection of "Favorite Love Songs by Dean Martin" for the pleasure of their readership...helpin' many many to gather into the Dino-fold of pure pure Dino-devotion.  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message.  Dino-delightedly, DMP




Favorite Love Songs by Dean Martin


Here is Dean Martin singing some of my favorite love songs.
He is so much fun. This is from one of the Dean Martin shows. I have seen snatches from various shows on the TV. This was one of my favorite love songs sung by Gentleman Jim Reeves.
He is such a good entertainer. This is one of my all time favorite love songs.
This gives hope to people that are lonely.
“My whole life has changed.” Isn’t that the truth!
Did there used to be a two dollar bill in the USA?
This is the record version, which is better quality than the live recording.
7. Houston
I have been down and out many times, so I really feel with this one.
He is so entertaining, singing for Ronald Reagan.
When I used to sing this one, I felt so sad and blue, but he makes it feel exciting!
This is such a lovely song. Dean Martin puts so much feeling into this number.
If only all people felt this way, the world would be a better place.
This is a really touching lost love song, that I can relate to. The one that got away!
Such a touching tribute to a wife. I first heard this one by Marty Robbins.
Here Dean Martin looks so sad, and I know he went through a lot of sadness in his life. I hope he made it through the pearly gates. Later on, I will add on some more of my favorite love songs.
This is a good song.
I have often heard this one on the radio.
This was a hit when I was a kid.
Still one of my favourites.
“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.”
Sung so beautifully.
One of his biggest hits.
Thanks for the memories.
I heard this song from my mother.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Dino Thanksgiving

Hey pallies, likes 'nother day of givin' Dino-thanks has come our way. When we here at ilovedinomartin pondered what to share in deep deep homage of our most beloved Dino, we just knew that we couldn't sez it better then our amazin' Dino-prosin' pallie Ed who a few years 'go likes scribed the followin' Dino-thankin' Dino-trib...so here are Ed's outstandin' Dino-thoughts durin' our season of "Givin' Dino Thanks."

So pallies, likes sits back and relish each and every one of our Dino-phile Ed's heartfelt  revelatory  Dino-reflections 'cause they are ladened with the deepest of the deep, the purest of the pure, and the truest of the true Dino-truths.

It's almost  20 long years since our most beloved  Dino walked the earth, but his life and legacy continues to entrall and call all us pallies to know, love, and honor our great man more and more each and every Dino-day.

Thanks Ed for sharin' your Dino-thanks with us in such a cool Dino-way.  We trust as you now have the joy of fatherin' your own little boypallie that you are bringin' him up to loves our Dino likes you do.   We so look forward to the day when you will be able to share more of your Dino-hearted prose with all your pallies here at ilovedinomartin.

 Thanks most of all to our Dino...truly we wanna know you, love you, and honor you more each and every Dino-day! Dino-gratefully, DMP

Location? On a stage somewhere, Anytown USA.

Time? When Dino roamed and owned the earth.

Dino: “You know why they call it Plymouth Rock? Those pilgrims backed up their Plymouth into that rock. That’s why they call it Plymouth Rock.”

True Story.
It was Dino that quickly pointed out that America was discovered by a fellow Italian, Amerigo Vespucci. In turn, it was America who discovered Martin, Sinatra, Como, Martino, Bennett, Vale, Laine, Darin, Damone, and Prima. All Italian-American singers who forever changed the American music landscape. Imagine a world without Dean Martin. Elvis has no direction. Sinatra hasn’t a Yin to Yang, and good luck with reviving the Humphrey Bogart-less Holmby Hills Rat Pack. Joey Levitch is still Joey Levitch. Who’s Joey Levitch you ask? Welcome to a Dino-less world. Joey Levitch became Jerry Lewis. The word “cool” would have been forever associated with the weather. The Beatles would still be remembered as being “untouchable”.

Let’s be selfish for a bit. Without Dino, we wouldn't  have seen our fathers settling down in his favorite chair smoking his favorite pipe, spinning his favorite Dino LP. The man who makes my dad happy is the man that makes us happy. Pleasure hasn’t a salesman. Time passes and finds me sitting down in my favorite chair with my favorite beverage, listening to my favorite Dino iPod playlist. Coincidence? Think not my fellow Dino-phile. Dino transcends generations, countries, languages, races, sexes. He touches all! Cool has no color. Cool is ageless. You’re only as far from cool as the nearest Dino LP, CD, book, what have you. If you can’t find cool, pick up a Dino LP, look at it. It’s your cool compass, it always points to cool. Without it you’re never lost pally!

The things in life to be thankful for? Dino said it best..
Tender kisses, nights of bliss. Small moonbeams, sips of wine. Wedding bells, little kids, and dreams to savor. Blessings, man, wife, love and life. Memories are made of this.

Be thankful for those who brought them to you. Return the favor, help make others lives more memorable.

Happy Thanksgiving Pallies!
Ed

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

I’m Thankful For Dean Martin

Hey pallies, likes today we continue with our accent on "Giving Dino Thanks" here at ilovedinomartin. 'gain we share with youse a post that first appeared here on November 25, 2008....and often reappears here durin' our festival of "Givin' Dino-Thanks." Scribed by Mr. Ron Giesecke for his "Political Therapy" blog, this  perfectly profoundly  powerful prose tagged "I’m Thankful For Dean Martin," shares the extemely important role that our Dino played in Giesecke's last conversation with his father who was dyin' of cancer.

This hugely heartfelt Dino-testimony is a remarkably  refreshin' reminder to all us pallies 'bout the many and varied ways that our Dino has deeply touched so so many lives, and continues to do so even long after his departure from the planet.

In this week of "Givin' Dino Thanks" 2013, we continue to be ever ever thankful for our Dino and likes we are also very very thankful to Mr. Ron Giesecke for his candid retellin' of the incredible role our most beloved Dino played in sayin' goodbye to his father. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. In this season of thanksgiving, be sure to pause and give our Dino thanks for the amazin' ways he has touched the lives of all of his pallies!
In Thanksgiving To Our Dino, DMP


The Therapist Thursday, November 24, 2005

I’m Thankful For Dean Martin

Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, It will be four months to the day that I lost my father to cancer. I had a feeling last Thanksgiving, that I was looking at my dad across the holiday table for the last time.

I was right.

Due to some employment constraints on my part, as well, as some plain old logistical difficulty, we decided to have Thanksgiving dinner on Monday evening. Everything was normal overall, with the addition of an emotional assent to how much we all wished dad were here one last time. My dad was a restless soul, and my wife’s observations about his absence on one of the holiday deficits that will now be the most obvious: that wherever my dad was on Thanksgiving, he always managed to be wandering around the kitchen, chatting with whomever was cooking, and just plain getting in the way in the fashion that loveable old lugs manage to do so well.

How I would have paid millions to have my dad holding up the wheels of culinary progress, forcing my wife to jokingly threaten to run him over one last time. How I would have also paid millions, if it would have at least enshrouded the incremental knots of pain in my mother’s face, as the holiday realizations washed over the clock—all without my father—her husband. And no amount of ambient room chatter was going to change it.

I started thinking about the last two days in my father’s life. Those memories—the one’s where family members became strangers, enemies, and opaque silhouettes—The one’s that recall the fear of falling, the contortions of pain—believe it or not, still have some high points.

I arrived out at the house, and to his deathbed. The medications, along with his metabolic breakdowns had cajoled an otherwise meek man into a sometimes-belligerent stranger. I remember distinctly two conversations I had with him. The first was a bit adversarial—to start.

“Dad, I’m here.”

Dad looks over at me, gives me a once over, and says “so what?”

“Dad, you’re little granddaughters are here.”

“I don’t care,” said my dad, looking away in disgust.

Right about then, my four year old—one of two apples in my father’s eye, ran into the room with that hapless, four-year-old lack of understanding at the impending gravity. I picked her up, and held her over him, so that he was forced to see her.

“Oh yeah, Captain Belligerent? Try being mean to THIS.”

I watched dad, as the realization that Clara was there at Grandpa’s side. I watched as he forced his demeanor, focus, and grandfatherly adoration through the unwieldy veil that had hidden the rest of him from the rest of us.

“Hi Clara,” he said, through the most painful smile ever forged upon that face. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. My daughter made cancer take a back seat, if only for a moment.

As dad inched ever-closer to the precipice, his coherence, ability to communicate, and humanity started to fade. I wanted to speak with my dad one last time about his soul, so that I could again pray with, for, and about him. The in-home hospice visitors said he no longer knew where he was.

I looked straight into my father’s face. His eyes fixed on mine. I thought I saw a momentary window of clarity come across those pupils, and so I silently prayed for a sign that he knew it was me.

“Dad,” I said. “I’m here.”

Dad had this way of nodding with only his eyes, and I was certain I had just seen him do it. The room was calm, and mom had kept the room calmly brimming with familiarity—to include my father’s favorite music lightly playing in the background.

“Dad, “ I said grabbing his hand. “I’m only going to ask you to extend yourself one last time. I just need to know that you know this is Ron talking. If you know it’s me, please squeeze my hand.”

He immediately squeezed with a force that astonished me.

“Okay dad. One more thing,” I said, as he locked his eyes on mine. “I’ve got one more question. After that, I just want you to pray with me in your mind.” I nodded over to the cassette player at the foot of the bed.

“Who’s playing on that radio right now?” I asked him.

With all the accompanying pain, dad struggled to put those parched lips together. I couldn’t believe he’d actually pull it off.

“Dean Martin,” he said.

I almost passed out.

I knew then, that dad and I could talk, even if it was only me doing the talking for our last conversation. Those were his last words to me. We had already exchanged our “I love you’s” earlier. And yet nothing in that transcended the sheer force I felt when I heard the man who brought me into this world fight one last time to converse with me as he left it.

You bet I am thankful. Thankful for Dean Martin.

posted by Ron Giesecke @ 8:39 AM

Monday, November 25, 2013

Dean Martin’s wonderful gift…


scox ... the VS Guy

Hey pallies, welcome to our week of "Givin" Dino Thanks" here at our humble little Dino- home.  In this week where folks in the good o' United States of America gather with family and friends to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving, it is truly truly most appropriate that ilovedinomartin share a special series of posts that speak deeply and truly of the purest of pure passion that pallies' have for our most beloved Dino.

The series of posts that ilovedinomartin shares in these days before our Day Of Givin' Dino Thanks, have  been shared here before, but each is so so special that we simply much post each of 'em 'gain in this season of Dino-thanks!

First up is a post that ran here durin' Dino-amore-month 2012 and 'gain in our 2012 Week Of Givin' Dino Thanks.  Likes it's from the outstandin' blog, "Vocal Standards" hosted by Mr. Steve Cox. In his prose, "Dean Martin's wonderful gift,"  Mr. Cox shares a deeply moving, profoundly insightful testimony to the transformin' power of our most beloved Dino. Cox tells his heart-felt story of how our Dino's recorded music and television show dvds comforted his mother Bernice in the last couple of years of her struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

This is one of the most touchin', if not the most touchin' post that we have ever shared here at ilovedinomartin about the amazin' way that our great man had, has, and will forever have of touching his great devotees' lives....and thus totally worthy of sharin' 'gain as we celebrate our week of "Givin' Dino Thanks" here at ilovedinomartin.

We 'gain offer our deep appreciation to Mr. Steve Cox for being so touchin'ly  transparent in sharin' his deeply personal testimony of the amazing ways that Dean Martin consoled Cox's mother in her last days on this earth. To read this in it's original format, simply click on the title of this post.

Dino we do indeed shares our thanks for the amazin' ways you keep transformin' the lives of those you have welcomed into your amazin'ly wonderful world! Dino-thankfully, DMP

Dean Martin’s wonderful gift…

February 5, 2012 By scox

My mom’s birthday was yesterday…
I think she would have been 85 — she passed away in 2004. I don’t want to get all maudlin here or make this too personal, but I do want to share an anecdote about how Dean Martin helped my mother in her time of greatest need.

As I mentioned in last week’s post on Andy Williams, we religiously watched Dean Martin’s television show at our house. To my knowledge, neither of my parents ever caught a Dean Martin live performance but nevertheless they were huge fans … the distant way most people are with guys as big as Dean or Frank Sinatra.

For the most part Bernice Cox lived a great life; she was a beauty queen (Miss New Hampshire!), married a dashing fighter pilot after the war (WW II), traveled, played great golf, danced … raised two amazing and talented children .



A tough ending…

Bernie had a tough go at the end with Parkinson’s Disease. Many of the things she loved to do moved from difficult to impossible in the last few years and that’s when Dean became a big part of her life.

Man, she loved to watch football on TV … college and pro football became her passion as her mobility declined. Super bowl weekend was always greeted with mixed emotions as there would be no more football ’til the fall. We got her the Dean Martin TV show collection DVDs, hoping they would provide some off-season relief and she took to them immediately.

Dean became her companion …
For the last couple of years of Bernie’s life Dean was my mom’s best friend. Not in a weird psycho way or anything, she just loved seeing and hearing the happy-go-lucky, fun loving guy Dean was … he made her feel good, remember good times dancing and carousing in better days.

At the end…

Bernie’s body finally gave out in the summer of 2004. When it was clear she wasn’t coming home from the hospital this time, all she really wanted and responded to was Dean. My brother and I got her some comfortable headphones and we loaded up all the Dean Martin LPs in my collection on an iPod for her.

After about 24 hours, I was concerned that it was too much for her, but when I lifted the headphones off and asked if she wanted some quiet to sleep … she could hardly respond but with her eyes and the tinniest shake of the head she made it clear that she wanted Dean to hold her hand all the way out.

Greg and I stood vigil for the next two nights, keeping the music playing … making sure her favorites “Go! Go! Go! Go!”, “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’ and “Mambo Italiano” were prominently in the mix.

Dean quite literally reached down, took my mom by the hand and escorted her to a place where she can dance again … and maybe catch Dean, Frank and Sam on stage. God, let it be so.

Someday soon…
OK, I’m getting misty here and need to quit. One last thing … I plan to catch a Deana Martin show this year. When I do, I hope I have a chance to tell her how great her dad was to my mom. Bernie never met Dean and yet he helped her so much — at her time of greatest need.

Thanks for letting me drop a personal emotion bomb on you … whew, done now.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Danny G's Pre-Thanksgivin' Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Thank Heaven For Little Girls"



Hey hey pallies!! Man o man, can'ts believe Thanksgivin' is almost upon us!!! This month is SO flyin' by!!! Lucky for us pals that we gots PLENTY of Dean to last the WHOLE year through!


Now I know that we still gots a few more days 'til we're carvin' & servin' the bird, but I just wanted this week's Serenade to be FILLED with Dino-silliness & Dino-thanks for all youse pallies of mine!

I'm sure ALL my pals out there & 'round the world, have many many reasons to be thankful...so I'm not gonna remind youse to appreciate what blessin's you've been given...just to keep Dino playin' ALL year! He's SURE to bring a smile to your day & put some happiness in even the GLUMMEST heart!


"Thank Heaven For Little Girls" is AB SO LUTE LY perfecto for such a great great day & is just such a perfecto tune for our COOLEST & SILLIEST pal! Dean ALWAYS knew how to have fun & ALWAYS shared that fun with everyone & THATS why I am so so thankful for havin' Dino to brighten EVERYDAY of the my year! Happy Thanksgivin' pals! Enjoy!!!   

Thank heaven for little girls
For little girls get bigger every day!
Thank heaven for little girls
They grow up in the most delightful way!
Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
One day will flash and send you crashin' through the ceilin'
Thank heaven for little girls
Thank heaven for them all
No matter where, no matter who
For without them, what would little boys do?

Saturday, November 23, 2013

."I wanted to spotlight the Dean Martin recording because his voice is like velvet and the orchestration of the song is very pretty."



Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-devotion is likes of the most most heart-warmin' sort.  From the annals of a blog tagged "DJD-MAC & ASSOCIATES" come the Dino-focused post, "Song of the Day: Dean Martin “Dream a Little Dream of Me."  Scribed by a sweet lady who has just given birth to her second child, Miss Ange shares that she has chosen this particular tune as her new-born son's lullaby.

Now, likes pallies tons and tons of entertainers has song this 1931 song over the years, indeed Ange shares that "over 60 other versions have been recorded" includin' the post popular bein'  "from The Mamas & the Papas."   So, likes why picks our most beloved Dino's ver-si-on" for her new born boypallie Cassius?    The new mother explains...."I wanted to spotlight the Dean Martin recording because his voice is like velvet and the orchestration of the song is very pretty."

Likes,of course, we here at ilovedinomartin are in total Dino-agreement in both counts here.  Indeed, our Dino's croonin' is perfectly "velvet" and the orchestration is perfectly "pretty."  ilovedinomartin is thrilled to share this sweet sweet prose of Dino-adulation with all you pallies and are pleased as punch to know that Cassius will always always know our most beloved Dino.

ilovedinomartin salutes new mom Miss Ange and her newborn son and thanks her for sharin' this news with her readership....sure to draw many new folks into the Dino-fold.  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-hearted report.  Dino-amorin', DMP

 btw, what wondrously wonderful pixs of our Dino has Miss Ange picked to share?!??!?!  Very appro that this post came one day after the anniversary of our Dino's most beloved boypallie Dino Martin Jr.'s birth....of course the babe-in-arms in the photo below!


Song of the Day: Dean Martin “Dream a Little Dream of Me”

Posted by Ange      November 18th, 2013

Daddy-Dino-dean-martin-31424607-856-977

 Today’s Song of the Day is “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Dean Martin. I chose it because I just had my second child a few days ago and this will be his lullaby. When my daughter was born, 5 years ago, I sang “Close to You” by The Carpenters to her. I started to think about what I wanted sing to him a few months ago and landed on this classic.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” was originally recorded in 1931 and since then over 60 other versions have been recorded, with the most popular from The Mamas & the Papas. I wanted to spotlight the Dean Martin recording because his voice is like velvet and the orchestration of the song is very pretty. So, in short, I would like to dedicate this song of the day to the newest member of my family, Cassius, I hope you like your lullaby.

dino1





Friday, November 22, 2013

Long Lastin' Loyalty To Our Most Beloved Dino



Hey pallies, likes to today's Dino-epistle to all youse Dino-devotees is of the bittersweet kind.  It's about loyalty  and the lack there of.  From the pen of scriber Mr. Bob Styles, staff reporter for Pittsburgh's Trib Live comes sad sad  news of the closin' of Cook's Market, a local mom and pop eatery in  Greensburg, PA on this very Saturday, November 23.  Owned and operated for the past 27 years by Mr. Gary Baum and his family, the closure is due to the poor economy and the declinin' loyality of his customer base.

The reason that ilovedinomartin has picked up this story off the web is 'cause while Baum's customer loyalty has been fallin', his loyalty to our most beloved Dino has remained a constant over his entire 27 years as proprietor of the market.  All that Mr. Gary Baum has ever played in his business is Dino-croons. Day in and day out, Gary has paid tribute to our King of Cool for more then a quarter of a century........even keepin' one of those cool life sized Dino-cutouts in his eatery!.

ilovedinomartin salutes Mr. Gary Baum for such undyin' faithfulness to our Dino....that's the truest of true Dino-loyality.  And, likes we express our saddness at the lack of customer loyalty that is closin' his place down.  We say our thanks to Mr. Bob Styles and the pallies at Pittsburgh's Trib Live for sharin' this very very touchin' Dino-tale with the world.  To read Mr. Gary Baum's story, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram.  Dino-reportin', DMP



  

 Say farewell to Cook's Market

Sean Stipp | Tribune-Review
Gary Baum, owner of Cook’s Market in downtown Greensburg, will close up shop on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013.

 

By Bob Stiles 

Published: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Gary Baum expects to have tears in his eyes when he closes the doors at Cook's Market in Greensburg on Saturday.
“I'm sure I will,” Baum said. “It's happened to me already today.”
Baum plans to close the landmark sandwich shop of 27 years for good that day, his business the victim of changing times.
The ready-made sandwiches, soup cookies and Dean Martin music that always was playing in the shop along South Pennsylvania Avenue will all be gone.
“That's all I've played for 27 years — Dean Martin,” said Baum, who placed a life-sized cutout of the crooner in the shop. “I thought they were the most talented group of people there was — the Rat Pack. Dean Martin has always been a favorite. And it's relaxing music.”
Baum said he noticed a decline in customers over the last year or two. He said a struggling economy and changes in people's eating habits are to blame.
“I feel it was the economy, and you don't see people out on the streets at lunch,” he said. “You used to see groups of people at lunch. Now it's only two or three.
“A lot of them have laptop computers, and they don't have to be in the office all the time. They can be on the road,” Baum added.
Operational costs went up, too, he said.
Baum bought Cook's Market from Bill Cook and kept the name. Before that, a butcher shop occupied the narrow space in a row of businesses near the Westmoreland County Courthouse.
“Over the past quarter century, my family and I have continued the tradition of high-quality, personal service unique to the ‘mom and pop' stores many of us grew up with,” Baum said.
Through the years, he formed close ties with the regulars — construction workers, judges and teachers — who strolled in for some chicken noodle soup, an Italian roast beef sandwich or some gobs.
“We've developed a lot of friends and associates,” he said. “I had a guy today so choked up, he said, ‘I'm going to the church to light a candle for the business.' ”
His wife, Elizabeth, helped out. Son Gary, who often worked there, took another job about a year ago, when the future of the sandwich shop was looking bleak.
Baum thanked his loyal customers and said the decision to close was one he pondered for quite a while.
“I thought about it several months,” he said. “I just find it hard, at 61 years of age, to have to be out looking for a job.”
Bob Stiles is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-836-6622 orbstiles@tribweb.com.


 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

a 1960 heist film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Dean Martin


My Photo

Hey pallies, likes our growin' in deep, pure, and true Dino-devotion pallie Scotty over at "BlueisKewl" has been havin' an outstandin' time of promotin' our most beloved  Dino recently at his coolest of cool blog pads.   Yesterday we shared his timely post on our Dino's club, "Dino's  Lodge," and  likes today we share his prose and pix entry on THE heist flick of all heist flicks, "Ocean's 11."

Likes gotta 'fess up that we loves the pix below with an oh so provocative pose of our Dino with his ever present cigarette evokin' his enigmatic self likes to the max dudes.  Don't our Scotty always pixs himself the greatest of great Dino-poses, but then what pix ever shot of our Dino ain't the coolest?!?!?!?!

ilovedinomartin proudly salutes our increasin'ly Dino-addicted pallies Scotty for feedin' such cool cool Dino-reflections to his readership, truly truly helpin' more and more pallies into the Dino-way!  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of his here Dino-prose.   Dino-diggin', DMP





Ocean's 11 is a 1960 heist film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring five Rat Packers: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Joey Bishop.

Centered on a series of Las Vegas casino robberies, the film's other stars included Angie Dickinson, Cesar Romero, Richard Conte, Akim Tamiroff, Henry Silva, Ilka Chase, Norman Fell, Harry Wilson and Buddy Lester, as well as cameo appearances by Shirley MacLaine, Red Skelton, and George Raft.

A remake, directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García and Julia Roberts (among others) was released in 2001, followed by a pair of sequels.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Dean Martin's famous Dino's Lodge, at 8524 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles California


My Photo

Hey pallies, likes after postin' yester-Dino-day's cool cool reflection on our most beloved Dino's coolest of coolest clubbin' pad, Dino's Lodge, likes we decided to do a bit of  google Dino-searchin' puttin' Dino's Lodge in the old search engine, and we struck gold pallies......pure gold!

A number of the entries that came up we have already shared here before, but we were delightfully surprised to find our buddin' Dino-holic pallie Scotty over at his coolest of cool blogs "BlueisKewl" had likes very very recently givin' a nod to our Dino is guess what dudes?.......a pix and prose report on none other then Dino's Lodge....now how serendipitous is that o'pallies of ours?!?!?!?!?

So, likes below is a powerful pix of the outside of our Dino's Lodge featurin' that wondrously wonderful neon Dino-sign and a bit of patter from our Dino-devoted pallie Scotty's pen.  And, our Dino-diggin' pallie Scotty shares a link to some  superbly stellar reflections by Mr. Klip  Nesteroff, which  have previously been shared here at ilovedinomartin,....certainly the most in-depth report on Dino's Lodge that we  have ever found!

ilovedinomartin salutes our cool pallie Scotty at BlueisKewl for accently  the life and times of our Dino in this way.....and say thanks Scotty for more and more educatin' your readership in the ways of Dino!  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram.   Dino-delightedly, DMP



Can you imagine the stories that could come out of here. It survived until the last 1970's and the building was bulldozed in 1985 to make way for a office building.

Some interesting reading about Dino's Lodge.

http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2011/07/dining-at-dinos-lodge.html

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Dino's Lodge, located at 8524 Sunset Boulevard



Hey pallies, through the efforts of google's Dino-'lerts we recently came 'cross this fabulous bit of Dino-history at the blog pad, "Los Angeles Magazine."  Scribed by Miss Alison Martino, who is "a writer, television producer and personality, and L.A. pop culture historian,"  her prose "Vintage Los Angeles: Sunset Stripped"  briefly accents the history of the Dino-eatery "Dino's Lodge."

Miss Martino (likes how cool pallies that her last name is so so close to our Dino's!) shares some way cool Dino-details 'bout our Dino's entry into fine dining and shares the sad sad fact that, "This September, the entire block (that included Dino's Lodge) was demolished to make way for a massive development."
And, likes the greatest of great part of this Dino-essay are the five magically magnificant pixs of Dino's Lodge from Miss Martino's personal collection.

ilovedinomartin salutes Miss Alison Martino and the pallies at "Los Angeles Magazine" for sharin' neatest of neat Dino-nostaliga with the larger Dino-world.  To view this post in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report.   Dino-studyin', DMP

Vintage Los Angeles: Sunset Stripped


In the summer of 1958, Dean Martin and his business partner, Maury Samuels, opened a restaurant at 8524 Sunset Blvd. Here's what happened after that

Posted on 11/15/2013 11:00:00 AM by Alison Martino




Remember the L.A.-based private eye series 77 Sunset Strip? The 1950s series was filmed entirely on the Warner Brothers lot, but the opening 30-second sequence was filmed in front of Dino's Lodge, located at 8524 Sunset Boulevard. In the summer of 1958, Dean Martin and his business partner, Maury Samuels, bought a former restaurant called The Alpine Lodge. They hired Dean’s brother Bill to manage the place, and immediately renamed it “Dino’s Lodge.” Out front they placed an enormous neon sign featuring Dean Martin’s handsome face and it became one of Hollywood's campiest novelties. The “suit and tie” jazz joint was instantly hip, serving home-style Italian cuisine, steaks, and breakfast until 4 a.m. The interior included dark wood paneling and comfortable leather booths meant to replicate Martin’s personal den. Continuous entertainment was provided in a separate cocktail lounge that promoted female singers—perhaps ole Dino didn’t want any male competition—but by 1960, he had flown the coop for the Sands in Las Vegas and sold the restaurant to new owners who kept the name and neon sign for 27 additional years. Visitors flocked to the restaurant in hopes of getting a glimpse of Dino, but his neon face is as close as they got.

By the early ‘70s, the swanky restaurant that had once hosted parties for Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor descended into a tourist trap and was abandoned by its celebrity clientele. During the Miami Vice era, the block on which the restaurant sat suffered a devastating makeover. What was left of Dino’s Lodge, the Tiffany Theatre, North Beach Leather, and the 1960s dance club the Sea Witch were all stuccoed over, leaving them unrecognizable, then replaced with bland looking offices. A 77 SUNSET STRIP dedication was later engraved on the sidewalk in front of the original entrance to Dino’s.

This September, the entire block was demolished to make way for a massive development. I’m not sure if the plaque will survive, but the new parking attendants should carry a comb in their back pocket in honor of Ed “KOOKIE” Byrnes.

All photographs courtesy Alison Martino Collection


Patrons at Dino's Lodge

Take a look at the prices on this original Dino’s Lodge Menu. The quote at the bottom sums it all up.

I’ve have been lucky enough to track down these very rare collectibles through the years. Now all I have to do is dump some Dino’s Lodge soil into one of those ashtrays…

The razed site of Dino's Lodge

Monday, November 18, 2013

DEAN MARTIN - EIGHT CLASSIC ALBUMS



Hey pallies, likes knows youse Dino-holics are just likes us...always always eager to finds us some new Dino-treasure to treasure, and likes if it's a bargain, well pallies mores the better.  So we have some truly truly outstandin' news to share with all you Dino-diggin' dudes this hear Dino-day.

ilovedinomartin tries to stay up-to-Dino-date on Dino-releases and a pretty good site for doin' such is, of course, Amazon, 'though we tries to does our purchases locally.  Well, we gotta 'fess up that we are a bit late on this new Dino-treasure, but as they sez, better late then never.  Released on September 24th of this very Dino-year is a gem of a true true Dino-bargain!!!  From the pallies at Real Gone Jazz comes the four disc set, "Dean Martin - Eight Classic Albums."

Likes these  eight al-b-ums  include 6 releases from Capitol Records: Pretty Baby, Sleep Warm, A Winter Romance, This Time I'm Swingin', Dino Italian Love Songs, and Cha Cha de Amor; and 2 releases from Reprise: Dean Martin French Style, and Dino Latino.  For those on a tight budget, for those pretty new to the Dean-scene, and for even seasoned Dino-holics likes us, this is truly truly a wonderful Dino-find.

ilovedinomartin has checked with  our local store to gets this bargain of Dino-bargains and is gettin' it on order ASAP!  If you clicks on the link, you get the details from the pallies at Amazon.  Dino-psyched, DMP

Audio CD (September 24, 2013)
  • Number of Discs: 4
  • Format: Box set, Import
  • Label: Real Gone Jazz
UPC: 5036408151728

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "I Can't Believe That Your In Love With Me"



Welcome back pals! Man o man is it gettin' frigid 'round these parts of the world! What I could REALLY use now is a HOT & SWINGIN' Dino jam to get my cold cold blood uh' pumpin'!


Well guess what I found pallies?! That's right! Some Dino-heat!!! Hahaha!!! What better place to look for a "warm me up" tune than on Dean's 1960 al b um, "This Time I'm Swinging".

 Today's Serenade, "I Can't Believe That Your In Love With Me", is just right to warm my chilly bones & put a little pep in my step! These cold Autumn days won't slow us down pals...not with Dean streamin' through our veins!


Leaves may be fallin' outside pallies & wintery winds may be headin' our way...but as long as we keeps the Dino flowin'...WE GOT THIS! Stay warm pals.






Your eyes are blue your kisses too
I never knew what they could do
I can't believe that you're in love with me
You're telling everyone I know
I'm on your mind each place you go
They can't believe that you're in love with me

I have always placed you far above me
I just can't imagine that you love me
And after all is said and done
To think that I'm the lucky one
I can't believe that you're in love with me

I have always placed you far above me
I just can't imagine that you love me
And after all is said and done
To think that I'm the lucky one
I can't believe that you're in love
Can't believe that you're in love
Can't believe that you're in love with me

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Entertainer Dean Paul Martin “The one who got away”

Hey pallies, likes here's 'nother very very cool Dino Jr. post that we have been sittin' on for a number of months, and 'gain this seems likes a great great time, on the eve of the anniversary of Dino Jr.'s birthday, to share this truth-to-Dino Jr.-life story.  The post comes from the pad "Wiki Narrator" and was scribed by a lady who simply tags herself, "Story teller."

Likes it's a tale of a time when Dino Jr. was servin' on duty at Homestead AFB and "Story teller" was a cocktail waitress at the Officer's Club.  ilovedinomartin doesn't want to gives away the plot, so likes we ain't gonna sezs any more then simply read on all you Dino-holic Dino-philes!

ilovedinomartin salutes Miss "Story teller" for sharin' this true life Dino Jr. experience with the larger Dino-world.  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-reflection.  Dino-humbly, DMP



Back in the day when I was in my 30’s I worked at the Officers Club on Homestead AFB.  I must say being a cocktail waitress there was very interesting to say the least!  (Even met my husband of 25 years there!)  I met quite a variety of people from all walks of life.  One in particular was Dean Martin’s son, Dean Paul.  Homestead was a training facility for all branches of military.  Dean Paul was a pilot in the National Guard and was training in one of Homestead’s aircraft.  He was TDY (which for those who don’t know military jargon is Temporary Duty) for a month or so and of course where did all the pilots go after a hard day training?  To the O club of course!  Being a celebrity he was always surrounded by people.  He was a lovely person with beautiful eyes and nice smile.
Dean-Paul-Martin-Jr-November-17-1951-March-21-1987-celebrities-who-died-young-31855470-176-235
The first time I met him one of his groupies told me who he was (as if I wouldn’t know!) and ask me if I wanted an autograph.  I said sure and have it to this day.
Time passes, he goes back to California and life goes on.  But wait!!  Months later I’m working and who walks in but Dean Paul!  After much hugging and greeting (I am southern and that’s just what we do!)  He asks me to go to dinner with him.  When the shock wears off I have to turn him down.  I know you don’t believe it.  I still have a hard time believing it myself!  You see, I was dating someone at the time and couldn’t bring myself to cheat on him even if it was a once in a lifetime thing!  Those good ole southern Baptist values kicking in!!
The irony of this story is later on in my said relationship this guy cheats on me with an old flame!  Can you believe it?
Now also being that southern belle we have our vindictive side as well.  Said guy had given me a pair of his shorts to alter.   So being in a very bad mood I cut the legs into shreds folded them nicely (of course!) and laid them on his front porch.  I never saw him again.  Word was he was AFRAID to see me!!  I’ve mellowed in my older years.
And what happened to Dean Paul you ask?  That dear sweet guy was flying a training exercise and was fatally injured in a crash a couple of years after we met. R.I.P. Dean Paul.

Tribute To ❤ "Dino" DEAN PAUL MARTIN ❤


Hey pallies, likes ilovedinomartin found this fabulously fantastic vid tribute to our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie at youtube quite a few 'go, and likes we have been waitin' for an appro time to shares it with all you pallies, and likes as we fast approach the 62nd anniversary of Dino Martin Jr.'s entry into the world on November 17, 1951 likes it seems a very very good Dino-time to puts it up here at ilovedinomartin.

The vid was created by a chick tagged seltaeBGirl16 and contains Dino's swingin' trio, Dino, Desi, and Billy singin' "I'm A Fool" and "Not The Lovin' Kind" and our Dino singin' "I Will."  Likes gotta tells you dudes hearin' our Dino singin' "I Will" and thinkin' 'bout the tragic tragic death of his boypallie makes us realize even a bit more how totally totally heart-broken our Dino was on the death of his prodigy.

Likes pallies, while the vid is below, as you will discover that youse will have to clicks on the Youtube link at the bottom of the vid to view it there.  ilovedinomartin is proud to honor the birth and life of Dino Martin Jr. and thanks Miss seltaeBGirl16 for sharin' this wonderful vid trib full of tons and tons of beautiful pixs of Dino Jr., many of which ilovedinomartin has not have the pleasure of viewin' before.  Dino-honorin', DMP

Tribute To ❤ "Dino" DEAN PAUL MARTIN ❤ "I'm A Fool" ❤DINO, ❤DESI & ❤BILLY ~ "I Will" ❤ DEAN MARTIN

 





3 Songs Included Are: "I'm A Fool" & "Not The Lovin' Kind" Live On Ed Sullivan By Dino, Desi & Billy. Also "I Will" By Dean Martin & A Clip Of "Small Fry" With Dean & Dino Martin.

Tomorrow In Dino-history: November 17, 1951

  

Hey pallies, likes tomorrow is one very very special day in the life and times of our most beloved Dino, for it was on that date, November 17 in 1951 that his first born son to his second wife Jeanne entered the world. Dino tagged his beloved boypallie after himself, Dean Paul Martin Jr. and he grew up bein' known as Dino Martin Jr.

 
  

Our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie namesake truly truly loved up to the takin' of his devoted daddy-o's tag becomin a stunnin'ly successful entertainer himself as a teen bein' part of the swingin' pop trio, Dino, Desi, and Billy.  As he was multi-talented likes his famous father, Dino Jr. had a hard time decidin' where to put the accent on his amazin' life.   Dino Jr. tried his hand a professional football, became a talented player of tennis, and found fame and fortune as an actor on both the big and small screens.  And, our Dino's golden boy also went on to become a pilot of jets in the Air Force Reserve.



One thin' for sure dudes, Dino Jr. was definitely meant to be heir apparent to our King of Cool's Dino-throne. And, of course likes all of that came to a unthinkable end when Dino Jr. tragically crashed his National Guard F-4 Phantom fighter jet in California's San Bernardino Mountains during a snowstorm on March 21, 1987.  This huge tragedy broke our Dino's heart and he was never ever the same again.  Many many close to our Dino believed that upon Dino Jr.'s untimely death, our great man lost any desire to life.

So, on November 17, we pay homage to the birth of our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie Dino Martin Jr., truly truly one of the greatest days in the life of our King of Cool.   

Below we share a pix of our Dino and his boypallie Dino taken at the party celebratin' the opennin' of the hugely successful Dino-flick, "Airport."   How proud our Dino musta been to share this very special evenin' with his most beloved namesake!  




 And last, but not least, is a vid we have often shared here at ilovedinomartin of our Dino and Dino Jr. makin' music together on the Dino-show.  Again, how proud our Dino musta been bein' able to feature his very talented son with the world as they crooned a marvelous rendition of "Small Fry."  





Tomorrow we celebrate this wondrous day in our Dino's life as we remember and honor Dino Jr. on the 62 anniversary of his arrival into family Martin.  Dino-rememberin', DMP






















Friday, November 15, 2013

"I love youth. The oldest thing on my show is my scotch!”





Hey pallies, likes as we were doin' a bit of research to see what we might discover 'bout Mr. R.C. Baker, the superb scriber of yesterday's Dino-prose, "Yukking in the 70s: Dean Martin Roasted Celebrities as He Got Fried," we typed his tag and that of our Dino's into the good ol' google search engine and we were directed to a particular page of Mr. Baker's web pad (www.rcbaker.net).

What we discovered there was some art and prose from Baker's "work in progress....and Nixon's coming" which R.C. states "combines art, fiction, and design to create a multifaceted narrative that arcs from the Moscow show trials of 1937 to President Nixon’s resignation in 1974."  And, likes the coolest of the cool thin' 'bout this profoundly provocative work of coolest creativity is that in the fourth part  tagged "What? My Lai," Baker has chosen to use an exquisitely evocative quotation by our most beloved Dino to introduce this part of his narrative.

This seems perfect proof that R.C. is indeed someone who gets Martin and obviouly appreciates his life, times, and teachin's.  And, likes the quote is one that we never ever remember  hearin' before, but as usual offers wonderful wise words of worldly wisdom.  We are guessin' that these thoughts were shared by our Dino sometime durin' the runnin' of the Dino-show on network peacock.

Dino states as only our Dino can, “The Golddiggers will go far because they are talented and believe in
themselves, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have them around. I love youth. The oldest thing on my show is my scotch!”

While these Dino-thoughts were designed, we are certain, to gets a laugh, they none-the-less speak volumes 'bout our Dino's deepest devotion to youth.  As youse Dino-holics will recall, when our Dino was thinkin' 'bout establishin' the Dean Martin Country Club, he spoke boldly of his love of youth.
Our great man in an interview, expressed these great thoughts, "We're looking for young people on the go.....the accent is going to be on youth."

How cool of Mr. Baker to include this coolest of cool Dino-quotation in his artistic efforts...and we indeed salute him for it.  To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-devotion.
Dino-desirin', DMP






What? My Lai?

“The Golddiggers will go far because they are talented and believe in
themselves, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have them
around. I love youth. The oldest thing on my show is my scotch!”
—Dean Martin