Everett Public Library Podcasts

John Patric - Part 1: Trial Prologue

Part 1 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric. In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and o...

John Patric - Part 2 : Trial and Testimony

Part 2 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric. In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and o...

John Patric - Part 3: Verdict and Aftermath

Part 3 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric. In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and o...

John Patric - Part 4: Sidebar

Part 4 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric. In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and o...

John Patric - Part 5: The Ballad of John Patric (Eccentric But Justified)

Part 5 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric. In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and o...

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Presidents of the United States

"...a band of three lads dedicated to frivolity, wit and butt-shakin' boogaloo." Thumbnail image by Andrew Hitchcock

The Lone Reader reviews "The Long Ships," by Frans Bengtsson

A brilliant Norse saga, written in World War II, resurfaces.

"The Babadook", an audio review by Alan Jacobson of Everett Public Library (WA)

"The Treatment" of Jennifer Kent's 2015 new horror classic, The Babadook.

"North Korea Undercover," by John Sweeney

A tragicomic look at the most unfunny place in the world. Music: North Korean national anthem.

"Treatment" audio review of 1955's classic musical "Guys and Dolls"

Crooks, footpads and gangsters cavort and sing in 1955's "Guys and Dolls" An audio review, written by Alan Jacobson and produced by Everett Public Library, WA.

"Washington Four Two"

Mr. Neutron, Ron Averill of Everett Public Library, examines the phenomenon of The Ventures, fifty plus years and more than 200 album's worth.

"Forty Years Master," by Daniel O. Killman

Two stories here: One of a two-fisted, crack sea captain that bridged the days of sail and steam; and Two, the story of how his lost manuscript was recovered from obscurity.

"On the Town" audio review by Alan Jacobson

Alan Jacobson gives "The Treatment" to Gene Kelly's 1949 classic musical, "On the Town," with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, Jules Munshin, and Vera-Ellen.

U-Men Good! Audio music review by Mr. Neutron

Mr. Neutron opens up the U-Men, the Seattle Proto-Grunge band that bridged the gap between punk, post-punk, hardcore, and grunge.

"The Precariat", by Guy Standing

Cameron Johnson is the Lone Reader. Music: "Feeling Dark Behind the Mask," by 700P3D

"La La Land" an audio film review by Alan Jacobson

Alan Jacobson provides "The Treatment."

Clambake

Mr. Neutron takes the measure of Clambake's 2015 release "Too Dumb to Die."

America's War for the Greater Middle East, by Andrew Bacevich

Retired Colonel and military historian Andrew Bacevich chronicles American military missteps on the Middle East since 1979. Music: "Rage and Regrets", by Rude Corps.

"Treatment" review of Dr. Strangelove

Alan Jacobson gives The Treatment to Stanley Kubrick's epic black comedy of the Cold War, Dr. Strangelove

Sleater, not Sleater: Mr. Neutron spotlights "Wild and Wooly," the 2000 compilation of Northwest Rock

Lone Reader review of The Human Superorganism, by Rodney Dietert

Wherein an immunotoxicologist reframes humanity to include our microbiotic collaborators. Music: "Black Rainbow" by Pitx.

"The Treatment" review of the 2016 film "Lion"

Summer Cannibals and Other Gourmands

Everett Public Library's (WA) Mr. Neutron (Ron Averill) reviews Show Us Your Mind, by Portland's (OR) Summer Cannibals.

Audio book review of E.O. Wilson's "The Meaning of Human Existence."

Celebrated biologist E.O. Wilson ruminates upon the fragility of human existence.

Florence Foster Jenkins, an audio review by Alan Jacobson

A "Treatment" review of the 2016 film Florence Foster Jenkins.

Review of "This Is the Sonics" by Mr. Neutron

Audio review of "Island World" by Gary Okihiro

Okihiro portrays Hawaill as a mighty cultural engine affecting the mainland U.S., and possibly as a model for the future. Music: "St. Louis Blues," by Sol Hoopii's Novelty Trio, courtesy of Internet Archive.

"Tangerine" film review

Alan Jacobson of Everett Public Library's Evergreen Cinema Society reviews the indy smash "Tangerine," an unlikely romp through the back alleys of LA's sex-worker society.

"Teens of Denial," by Car Seat Headrest

Mr. Neutron is Ron Averill, Everett Public Library, Everett, WA

"Our Kids," by Robert Putnam

Cameron Johnson is the Lone Reader, of Everett Public Library in Everett, WA. Music: Klincek stojo pod oblokom, by Tomo Sombolac

An audio film review of "Captain Fantastic"

"The Treatment" audio film review of "Captain Fantastic" a 2016 comedy drama. Written and read by Alan Jacobson.

Seattle's Palindromic Gem, Tacocat!

Mr. Neutron, Ron Averill, with another gem from his record closet.

"Man O' War," by Dorothy Ours

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Music: It's the Balm!

"When life gives me lemons, I turn up the stereo" -- Mr. Neutron

Charlie Chan

Yunte Huang's biography of the real-life Charlie Chan, aka Chang Apana, , a wiry, bullwhip-wielding ex-cowboy, the scourge of criminals in Honolulu's Chinatown.

Fargo

The Coen Brothers' black comedy Fargo gets The Treatment. Alan Jacobson provides The Treatment.

Strange Musical Finds

Mr. Neutron roots through the back of his closet and lets his freak flag fly. 

Vesuvius, by Alwyn Scarth

A detailed history of the eruptions of Vesuvius.

Electric Boogaloo

The rise and fall of Yoram Globus and Menachem Golan, whose schlocky, campy films changed the face of movie making.

Punks Howl, Chains of Oppression Fall

Mr. Neutron mines punk's protest vein. Mr. Neutron is Ron Averill

"Kydd," by Julian Stockwin

Wigmaker Thomas Paine Kydd is is pressed into Nelson's navy during the Napoleanic wars and painfully (and literally) taught the ropes.

"The Devil and Miss Jones"

A cantankerous department store owner goes undercover as a shoe salesman to hunt of unionizers at his store, but gets involved in their lives instead. This classic screwball comedy stars Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, and Charles Coburn. (unrated, 1941, 92 min. Director: Sam Wood)

The Birds, The Bees, and ... The Monkees

Mr. Neutron marries past and present in his personal tribute to The Monkees upon release of their newest (and probably last) album. Mr. Neutron is Ron Averill.

"Social Insecurity," by James W. Russell

The Lone Reader talks about Social Insecurity, by James W. Russell.

"Top Spin"

This documentary follows three U.S. Olympic table-tennis hopefuls, their training, their families, and their struggles in attaining to top ranks of table tennis.

That New Old-Time Music

Mr. Neutron rounds out his series on country music by examining "artists who have dug up the roots of traditional country and bluegrass music and grafted on their own twists and turns."   Featured is the music of Old Crow Medicine Show, Abigail Washburn, and Hank Williams III (Hank3).   Ron Averill is Mr. Neutron

Against Football, by Steve Almond

Author and football fan Steve Almond questions his own homage to America's secular religion: Football.   Music: Ignition, by Collision Process

Brian Helgeland's "Legend"

Alan Jacobson treats the best film in the gangster genre since Goodfellas. "The Treatment" theme music: Factory for My Father, John Benson Quartet Music: Hesitationbt, Fendrguitplayr San Fran Interlude, Strobone In the Crowd, The Years

Change in the Air

Director Eileen Simmons talks about goings on at the library. Music: L'Histoire du Soldat, by Igor Stravinsky Courtesy of the Internet Archive