Post by Frank Beacham

Nov. 30: Musician Josh White Jr. is 80 years old today; Terrence Malick, the film director, is 77 years ago today; David Mamet, playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director, is 73 years old today; American photographer Gordon Parks was born 108 years ago today; Piedmont bluesman Brownie McGhee was born 105 years ago today; American Bandstand’s Dick Clark was born 91 years ago today; Abbie Hoffman, political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies"), was born 84 years ago today; Allan Sherman, comedy writer and television producer, was born 96 years ago today; and Samuel Clemens, later known as Mark Twain, was born in Missouri, on this day in 1835 — 185 years ago. www.beachamjournal.com