Well done the Express and Star! Here is an amusing little tale about wife beating. Man knocks woman senseless because he can't find his cans of ale. What a hoot!

Madeleine Peyroux's Careless Love is one of my favourite albums of the year. Imagine Billie Holliday singing Bob Dylan's "You're going to make me lonesome when you go" and you've got it. Perfect. Also, anyone who refuses to kow-tow to that toerag Parkinson, is OK with me.

Lots about tornados around the world from John Hemming in the last week, but very little about the growing band of people unhappy with his Tory/Lib Dem coalition's response to their plight. It seems they were less than impressed with the performance of John's Leader, Mike Whitby, on local television (very well described by UK Political Hack on Tuesday).

Another benefit gig for local blues and jazz musician Steve Ajao last night. Nearly £1,000 raised... and a surprise appearance from the man himself, in a wheelchair. That didn't stop him jamming with a 10 piece band in a tremendous finale. Welcome back Steve.