Our Culture: February 2009 Archives

One of this country's musical treasures passed away Tuesday.

Snooks Eaglin was a pioneering guitar player, a mainstay of the New Orleans R&B scene and a master of funk. He died on his mother's birthday after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 72.

My favorite Snooks story? Snooks was blind and one night, after a gig, the other band members were so tanked that they decided it was safest for Snooks to drive them home. He made it.

Read the New Orleans Times-Picayune obit here.

And here's the man himself:

It sounds crazy, but Philadelphia may be exploring an idea that could help York County: Charging admission to the prison.

Think about it. York County needs to raise money to expand the prison. The federal government is balking at guaranteeing the cost of the expansion by promising to continue to provide prisoners.

Charge admission.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported: "Seeking ways to raise revenue, Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla floated a proposal yesterday to charge criminals money to get in to city jails.

"That was enough to stump city Managing Director Camille Barnett.

"'Does anyone actually charge admission to get into jail?' asked Barnett, who listened to Giorla's proposal during a nearly three-hour public budget meeting focusing on spending by the Prisons, Police and Fire Departments."

The newspaper reported that Philadelphia inmates report to prison with an average of $35 in their pockets. The city figures it could raise $300,000 a year charging $35 to get into prison.

I don't know. I think they need to offer more incentive -- maybe a free bag of popcorn with admission.

Here's Del McCoury and some friends updating a tune that has some meaning these days.