Donna Halper
@devorahleah.bsky.social
Media historian, author, professor, public speaker, former rock & roll deejay (best known for having discovered the rock band Rush, who dedicated 2 albums to me). Inducted into the Mass. Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2023.
Squirrel rebellion, you say? I had one come up on the porch one day, looking for food. He saw us eating lunch inside, and decided he'd try to come in and join us. The screen on the door stopped him, and he was not amused.
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Squirrel rebellion, you say? I had one come up on the porch one day, looking for food. He saw us eating lunch inside, and decided he'd try to come in and join us. The screen on the door stopped him, and he was not amused.
This is gig that began their rise to stardom: June 28, 1974, Allen Theater. John Rutsey was still the drummer, but Neil would soon join the band.
October 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This is gig that began their rise to stardom: June 28, 1974, Allen Theater. John Rutsey was still the drummer, but Neil would soon join the band.
If you are a Rush fan, I'm sure you'll join me in wishing the Toronto Blue Jays well. Geddy loves 'em and seldom misses a game. They're the underdogs this time around, but who knows what will happen? (I'm wearing the 1992 World Series shirt in this photo; I was speaking at a baseball conference.)
October 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If you are a Rush fan, I'm sure you'll join me in wishing the Toronto Blue Jays well. Geddy loves 'em and seldom misses a game. They're the underdogs this time around, but who knows what will happen? (I'm wearing the 1992 World Series shirt in this photo; I was speaking at a baseball conference.)
Agreed. I have been the advocate/guardian for an adult with autism for 41 years. Love him like a son. He never spoke when I first met him (back then, parents were told to institutionalize them & move on). Today, he has 350 words in his vocabulary. And he loves ice cream!
September 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Agreed. I have been the advocate/guardian for an adult with autism for 41 years. Love him like a son. He never spoke when I first met him (back then, parents were told to institutionalize them & move on). Today, he has 350 words in his vocabulary. And he loves ice cream!
It's amazing to note that I've known Alex for 51 years, and we still keep in touch. I love his sense of humor, and I love his dedication to creating excellent music. And of course, I love his loyalty to Geddy-- that kind of friendship is rare. So, happy birthday Alex and may you have many more! 💕
August 27, 2025 at 3:13 PM
It's amazing to note that I've known Alex for 51 years, and we still keep in touch. I love his sense of humor, and I love his dedication to creating excellent music. And of course, I love his loyalty to Geddy-- that kind of friendship is rare. So, happy birthday Alex and may you have many more! 💕
Today is Geddy Lee's birthday. Unlike many rock stars, success never spoiled him. He remains one of the most down-to-earth folks that I know. It has been such a joy to watch him succeed and to share some of his happy moments with him. Happy birthday Geddy, and many more!
July 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Today is Geddy Lee's birthday. Unlike many rock stars, success never spoiled him. He remains one of the most down-to-earth folks that I know. It has been such a joy to watch him succeed and to share some of his happy moments with him. Happy birthday Geddy, and many more!
And a fine person he is. I can say that from experience! So glad you got to meet him. He's definitely a mensch.
July 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
And a fine person he is. I can say that from experience! So glad you got to meet him. He's definitely a mensch.
And what they really require to keep them strong and healthy is lots of love and appreciation. And I do love and appreciate mine. 💕
July 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
And what they really require to keep them strong and healthy is lots of love and appreciation. And I do love and appreciate mine. 💕
Took my husband out for a birthday dinner. Here we are at the restaurant, where we had a very pleasant meal. (Like I said, it's so important in times like these to find some moments of joy where you can.)
July 5, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Took my husband out for a birthday dinner. Here we are at the restaurant, where we had a very pleasant meal. (Like I said, it's so important in times like these to find some moments of joy where you can.)
Since it came up in conversation, today is my husband's birthday. His name is Jon Jacobik. Sometimes I post some of his award-winning nature photos. He's one of the good guys, & I hope you'll join me in wishing him a happy birthday. (This photo was taken when he was visiting his sister in Alaska.)
July 4, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Since it came up in conversation, today is my husband's birthday. His name is Jon Jacobik. Sometimes I post some of his award-winning nature photos. He's one of the good guys, & I hope you'll join me in wishing him a happy birthday. (This photo was taken when he was visiting his sister in Alaska.)
I'll see your photo of a bee (and a lovely one it is) and I'll raise you this photo of a butterfly, courtesy of my husband (he's an award-winning nature photographer). And if you need to chat, feel free to message me. I'm here for you.
July 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I'll see your photo of a bee (and a lovely one it is) and I'll raise you this photo of a butterfly, courtesy of my husband (he's an award-winning nature photographer). And if you need to chat, feel free to message me. I'm here for you.
On June 25, 2010, in front of a cheering crowd, Rush received their much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I had led a committee of fans to make this a reality, and the band asked me to give a speech at the event. An amazing day: were you there? Photo by Neil's good friend Craig.
June 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
On June 25, 2010, in front of a cheering crowd, Rush received their much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I had led a committee of fans to make this a reality, and the band asked me to give a speech at the event. An amazing day: were you there? Photo by Neil's good friend Craig.
I often wear a snood. I have them in numerous colors, to match whatever I'm wearing.
June 21, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I often wear a snood. I have them in numerous colors, to match whatever I'm wearing.
It seems like only yesterday, but it was on this day in 2011 that I got my PhD at age 64. Some folks told me I was "too old," but I disagree. It's never too late to learn something new. Keep setting new goals, & then work to achieve them-- that's my philosophy, and at age 78, I'm still doing that.
May 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
It seems like only yesterday, but it was on this day in 2011 that I got my PhD at age 64. Some folks told me I was "too old," but I disagree. It's never too late to learn something new. Keep setting new goals, & then work to achieve them-- that's my philosophy, and at age 78, I'm still doing that.
One of the nicest people I know. We've been friends for years.
May 11, 2025 at 5:07 AM
One of the nicest people I know. We've been friends for years.
I absolutely did see them. Not to worry-- I try my best to read what people send in my direction, but I'm not always able to respond right away (sometimes, I'm supposed to be working...).
May 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I absolutely did see them. Not to worry-- I try my best to read what people send in my direction, but I'm not always able to respond right away (sometimes, I'm supposed to be working...).
Listening to the Sirius/XM 60s Satellite Survey. They're playing songs from April 1965. I played them as a college deejay, but that's all I could do. I wasn't allowed to speak. Just play the songs & the IDs because "girls don't sound good on the radio." I fought to change that & in Oct 1968, I did.
April 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Listening to the Sirius/XM 60s Satellite Survey. They're playing songs from April 1965. I played them as a college deejay, but that's all I could do. I wasn't allowed to speak. Just play the songs & the IDs because "girls don't sound good on the radio." I fought to change that & in Oct 1968, I did.
Oh that guy? He's some kind of author, and he writes about music, am I right? 🤣 Very cool that you saw him in Philly. I saw him in Brookline, a lovely city several miles from Boston.
April 17, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Oh that guy? He's some kind of author, and he writes about music, am I right? 🤣 Very cool that you saw him in Philly. I saw him in Brookline, a lovely city several miles from Boston.
Speaking of anniversaries, it was April 15, 2011, and I was in Cleveland during the Rush Time Machine tour. Sam & Scott (of Beyond the Lighted Stage fame) were recording it. I went out into the crowd to meet some fans & they showed me a lot of love. (Many thanks to Anita for sharing this photo.)
April 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Speaking of anniversaries, it was April 15, 2011, and I was in Cleveland during the Rush Time Machine tour. Sam & Scott (of Beyond the Lighted Stage fame) were recording it. I went out into the crowd to meet some fans & they showed me a lot of love. (Many thanks to Anita for sharing this photo.)
Has anyone interviewed the penguins to ask them how they feel about the new tariffs? 🤔
April 3, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Has anyone interviewed the penguins to ask them how they feel about the new tariffs? 🤔
It's Women's History Month, so let me honor one of my favorites: Belva Lockwood. One of the 1st female lawyers in the US (got her law degree at age 43), she was the 1st woman to argue cases before the Supreme Court. A suffragist, she ran for president in 1884 & persuaded 4,000 men to vote for her!
March 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It's Women's History Month, so let me honor one of my favorites: Belva Lockwood. One of the 1st female lawyers in the US (got her law degree at age 43), she was the 1st woman to argue cases before the Supreme Court. A suffragist, she ran for president in 1884 & persuaded 4,000 men to vote for her!
So, taking my own advice here & trying to find some joy. Sad about my sister getting DOGE'd, but today is my husband's & my 38th wedding anniversary. 38 years and we are still companions & best friends. That is indeed something to celebrate.
March 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
So, taking my own advice here & trying to find some joy. Sad about my sister getting DOGE'd, but today is my husband's & my 38th wedding anniversary. 38 years and we are still companions & best friends. That is indeed something to celebrate.
It's Women's History Month, & let's not erase Claudette Austin Colvin. Months before Rosa Parks, this Montgomery high school student bravely refused to give up her seat to a white person. She was arrested, but later written out of the story, called "mouthy" & a "troublemaker." She was neither.
March 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
It's Women's History Month, & let's not erase Claudette Austin Colvin. Months before Rosa Parks, this Montgomery high school student bravely refused to give up her seat to a white person. She was arrested, but later written out of the story, called "mouthy" & a "troublemaker." She was neither.
As a media historian, I can't allow Dear Leader to erase the achievements of African-Americans. So... it's Women's History Month & Bessie Coleman was the first American Black woman to get a pilot's license (1921). She gave flying lessons, was a stunt pilot, and died doing what she loved-- flying.
March 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
As a media historian, I can't allow Dear Leader to erase the achievements of African-Americans. So... it's Women's History Month & Bessie Coleman was the first American Black woman to get a pilot's license (1921). She gave flying lessons, was a stunt pilot, and died doing what she loved-- flying.