George Green

George Green Lyricist and songwriter George Green, 59, who wrote lyrics for some of John Mellencamp's biggest hits, as well as songs for Barbra Streisand and others, died Sunday in Albuquerque of a rapid-forming lung cancer, his wife, Kathryn, told the Herald-Times of Bloomington, Ind. Green was a boyhood friend of Mellencamp growing up in Seymour, Ind., and lived in Bloomington for many years before moving to New Mexico in...

George Green Lyricist and songwriter George Green, 59, who wrote lyrics for some of John Mellencamp's biggest hits, as well as songs for Barbra Streisand and others, died Sunday in Albuquerque of a rapid-forming lung cancer, his wife, Kathryn, told the Herald-Times of Bloomington, Ind. Green was a boyhood friend of Mellencamp growing up in Seymour, Ind., and lived in Bloomington for many years before moving to New Mexico in...

KABC-AM (790) general manager George Green, on the hot seat with listeners for shaking up the station's lineup and cutting loose some familiar personalities, explained Tuesday that his goal is to eliminate network programming and focus on local issues. Green also said controversial talk-show host Superfan (Ed Bieler), who pulled in high ratings when he was on KABC in the mid '70s, might be back. Superfan could possibly take over the 7-9 p.m.

This year presented a challenge in picking the best of crime fiction, as perennial favorites and talented newcomers delivered a plethora of well-seasoned goods. But prolonged teeth-gnashing has produced the list of those I consider to be the most notable mystery and thriller reads. George Dawes Green makes a triumphant return to the genre after a 14-year absence with "Ravens" (Grand Central: 336 pp., $24.99). Terror is to be expected when desperate out-of-towners hatch a plan to bilk half the lottery winnings of a rural Georgia family, but Green, already a master of psychological twists, mixes in sly social commentary on religion and the downward economic spiral.

Longtime KABC-AM (790) host Bob Arthur, who last year announced his retirement and left the station's popular morning "Ken and Bob Company" amid much fanfare, now says that he was forced out by management because of his age and that his friend and on-air partner of 17 years, Ken Minyard, "orchestrated it." Arthur departed in September, 1990, after 23 years with KABC, and was replaced by Roger Barkley in October. The show's name was changed to the "The Ken and Barkley Company." "Retirement, hell!

This year presented a challenge in picking the best of crime fiction, as perennial favorites and talented newcomers delivered a plethora of well-seasoned goods. But prolonged teeth-gnashing has produced the list of those I consider to be the most notable mystery and thriller reads. George Dawes Green makes a triumphant return to the genre after a 14-year absence with "Ravens" (Grand Central: 336 pp., $24.99). Terror is to be expected when desperate out-of-towners hatch a plan to bilk half the lottery winnings of a rural Georgia family, but Green, already a master of psychological twists, mixes in sly social commentary on religion and the downward economic spiral.

More than three years have passed since Kasi Lemmons made her feature directing debut with "Eve's Bayou," not exactly a typical entree into the world of movie-making. With an all-black cast headlined by Samuel L. Jackson (who also co-produced) and a challenging story line infused with magical realism and hallucinatory imagery, "Eve's Bayou" was 1997's most commercially successful independent film.

George Dawes Green has made an irregular habit of analyzing how extreme circumstances affect the most ordinary of people. His deserved Edgar-winning debut, "The Caveman's Valentine" (1994), traveled down mystery fiction's trope-filled streets with a paranoid schizophrenic as tour guide.

Mental illness is tricky. I have a manic-depressive friend who, while in a manic phase, passionately dug up two rows of shrubbery outside her apartment complex. The idea was to plant a community-based vegetable garden. "People should have a deeper investment in their surroundings," she explained to the irate landlord. "We can all share real-life vegetables." The landlord, however, didn't want real-life vegetables.

On line 11 is Michelle, a 25-year-old former Catholic school girl who once aspired to be a lawyer but became a prostitute with a drinking problem after her stepfather raped her. She has trouble trusting men, she tells the late-night television talk show host. * Dr. David Viscott listens to her with the gentleness of a kindly uncle, probing her pain delicately.

George Dawes Green has made an irregular habit of analyzing how extreme circumstances affect the most ordinary of people. His deserved Edgar-winning debut, "The Caveman's Valentine" (1994), traveled down mystery fiction's trope-filled streets with a paranoid schizophrenic as tour guide.

Mental illness is tricky. I have a manic-depressive friend who, while in a manic phase, passionately dug up two rows of shrubbery outside her apartment complex. The idea was to plant a community-based vegetable garden. "People should have a deeper investment in their surroundings," she explained to the irate landlord. "We can all share real-life vegetables." The landlord, however, didn't want real-life vegetables.

Longtime KABC-AM (790) host Bob Arthur, who last year announced his retirement and left the station's popular morning "Ken and Bob Company" amid much fanfare, now says that he was forced out by management because of his age and that his friend and on-air partner of 17 years, Ken Minyard, "orchestrated it." Arthur departed in September, 1990, after 23 years with KABC, and was replaced by Roger Barkley in October. The show's name was changed to the "The Ken and Barkley Company." "Retirement, hell!

KABC-AM (790) general manager George Green, on the hot seat with listeners for shaking up the station's lineup and cutting loose some familiar personalities, explained Tuesday that his goal is to eliminate network programming and focus on local issues. Green also said controversial talk-show host Superfan (Ed Bieler), who pulled in high ratings when he was on KABC in the mid '70s, might be back. Superfan could possibly take over the 7-9 p.m.

George Green has resigned as president of Cole of California, Los Angeles, citing "differences with corporate management philosophy." Charles H. Gessner, president of Kayser-Roth Apparel, will assume the responsibilities of president of Cole until a replacement is named. Cole of California is a unit of Kayser-Roth, a subsidiary of Wickes Cos.

It was suggested that Tommy Hawkins was a nice man but a mediocre talent. I do not know KABC General Manager George Green, but he doesn't know talent when he sees it. Mr. Furillo is the one who does not have any talent. If Mr. Green wishes his show on top again, let Mr. Furillo go and get Tommy and Lisa Bowman back. JONN CHATWOOD Burbank