Dan Fogelberg

Yesterday, songwriter and musician, Dan Fogelberg died of prostate cancer at the young age of 56. He collaborated with flutist Tim Weisburg to create one of my favorite albums, Twin Sons of Different Mothers. His song, Run for the Roses, about The Kentucky Derby often brought tears to my eyes, especially as The First Saturday in May approached.

His death from prostate cancer is a reminder to all of us males, that prostrate cancer affects 1 of 6 men. One new case occurs every 2.5 minutes and a man dies from prostate cancer every 19 minutes.

The disease is preventable with annual screenings for all of us men over 50. You can read an FAQ here to learn more.

Thank you, Dan for the beautiful music.

Dan singing Leader of the Band

 

Run for the Roses

The Voice of the Mountaineers

On fall Saturday afternoons in Wellsburg, West Virginia, the WVU Mountaineers were on the radio. I could go from place to place and hear Jack Fleming, the long time “Voice of the Mountaineers.” In my father’s men’s clothing store, around the corner in Bill’s Barber Shop, on the car radio, and even up at Cipoletti’s Esso station, people were listening. I imagine it was true throughout the state, folks taking a break on a Saturday afternoon to follow the West Virginia University Mountaineers.

From 1947 through 1996, with a few gaps in between, the radio voice that represented Mountaineer sports was Jack Fleming. For almost 50 years, he described the WVU great athletes along with the mediocre. Always with enthusiasm and pride. Those of us in Steeler Country got an extra bonus of hearing him again on Sunday, broadcasting our favorite Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the weekend of the 100th Pitt game, with the Mountaineers on the brink of playing for their first National Championship, I’m reminded of Jack Fleming, The Voice of the Mountaineers.

The Old Lefthander

“This is The Old Lefthander, rounding third and heading for home.”

That’s what you heard as Joe Nuxhall finished each Cincinnati Reds post game radio broadcast. You can read it in lights on the front of Great American Ballpark. The front of the stadium just happens to parallel the third base line.

Thursday night, Joe Nuxhall died at the age of 79. A life long resident of nearby Hamilton, Ohio, Joe was a Cincinnati Red for over 60 years; first as a pitcher and later in the broadcast booth as their radio announcer. He appeared in 526 baseball games, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels in a career that spanned 22 years (1944-1966).

The Old Lefthander is the youngest person ever to ever to play the game of baseball, pitching for the Reds about a month before his 16th birthday. From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

“At 15 years, 10 months and 11 days old, he made his major league debut with the Reds on June 10, 1944 and pitched two-thirds of an inning in an 18-0 loss against the Cardinals. Signed to help fill out the Reds’ roster during World War II, he remains the youngest player ever to appear in a Major League Baseball game in modern history.”

Several years after he retired from throwing a baseball, he started behind the Reds radio microphone in 1967, where he remained for 38 years. For 31 of those seasons, he partnered with Marty Brennaman. Joe was a fixture in this town of Cincinnati, and well loved here. Although it was obvious that he favored the Reds, his broadcast style was calm and matter of fact. He spoke the facts of the game, well mostly the facts, allowing Marty, his partner, to fill in the color and excitement.

Although I used to be a passionate baseball fan, I’ve lost interest the last few years. Even then, it was comforting to turn on the car radio on a warm summer night and tune Marty and Joe on the radio.

Joe Nuxhall was a good guy. And that’s quite a tribute.

Here’s a link to a page in the Cincinnati Enquirer celebrating Joe Nuxhall’s life.

Veteran’s Day

This day, November 11, is Veteran’s Day. A day our country celebrates and acknowledges the service of our veterans to this country. Take a moment and consider how these men and women have served our country, many with their lives.

We may not agree with the wars in which they fought, we might believe that war is never the answer. For these folks, however, it may have been what they believed was the right thing. They are deserving of our thanks and gratitude.

My father, who died almost 2 years ago, was a World War II Veteran. I am proud of his service to our country and to the world community.

No New Jail Tax

The voters of Hamilton County, Ohio have once again spoken about a sales tax increase that would have funded a new jail and bought our sheriff some new toys. Speaking of the sheriff’s toys, what do we need an urban assault vehicle for anyhow?

Back on topic. The voters said “NO”. Again.

The new jail funding issue came up a few years back in a somewhat different format only to be voted down by about the same margin. Our three wise County Commissioners who gave us the stadium boondoggle a few years back, decided Hamilton County needed a jail and needed it bad. So they found a way around the voters and decided to enable the sales tax themselves.

“Not so fast!” said several diverse citizens groups who then organized a petition drive last summer for a referendum placing this issue on the ballot. And at the general election held November 6, that issue was defeated 56% to 44%.

Digression.

Hey, Paula!

Now, that was the name of a song back in the 60’s sung by none other than Paul and Paula.

But I digress again.

Paula, my excellent English teacher friend, in the paragraph above that starts out, “Not so fast!”, where, if anywhere, does the comma go? Inside or outside the quotes?

Thanks for the grammatical help.

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog.

The scare tactics about more criminals on the streets didn’t work. I imagine we’ll see a lot of hand wringing by our public officials, but hopefully action will be taken to consider the underlying issues.

But I’m dreaming…

For another opinion, of similar mind, of course, click this link to Porkopolis, a CityBeat blog.

A Loving Reminder

Take a look at this short (1:30) video. It’s a reminder to us parents about who we are…

Don’t forget, for worse as well as for better, our children do follow our example. And remember, that as we get older, yeah, we do get a lot more like our parents. And so will our children.  I’m amazed when I see that even as teens.

Being a father is by far, the hardest job I have ever done. Even as my son and daughter are growing into an amazing young man and young woman, I still play a role in their lives, as I will for years to come.  As I see them grow, I have faith that somewhere along the line I did something right.

Let’s all hang in there and do the best we can! It’s the future that we’re working for.

 

Popeye

Yesterday’s article, Onslaught, was about the overwhelming number of negative messages sent our way every day through the media.  Today’s post is about the ultimate message of self acceptance.  It comes from that famous cartoon character of my childhood, Popeye.

I am what I am.  I’m Popeye the Sailor Man.

I am what I am…

Onslaught

Consider these two short video advertisements. Take a moment to think about the story they tell of the messages the media and our culture blast each second. Consider the daily bombardment of messages telling us how much better we could be if only we would buy Brand X. Or how much more perfect we would look if only we work Brand Z.

As adults, probably the most important thing we can do is talk to our children, sending them messages about their inherent beauty and worth. Girls are particularly targeted, but boys certainly get similar messages from sports as well as the media.

We are not our jobs, the cars we drive, or the clothes we wear. We will be remembered by the deeds we do, the people we touch, and the beauty we add to this world.

I first found these on Jeff Ventura’s “techie” but eclectic blog, Graceful Flavor. Jeff also offers up a bit of research on The Campaign for Real Beauty, creators of these videos.

More video on this topic can be found at Reality on a Stick.

 

Independence Day 2004

It’s July 4, 2004 on the grounds of the State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.  President Bush is giving a speech on something or other.  In attendance are Nicole and Jeffrey Rank, registered Republicans from Corpus Christi, Texas.  Like others that day, they had obtained tickets prior to the event and were admitted to the capitol grounds without issue.

During the speech, the Ranks removed their outer shirts, revealing t-shirts sporting a red circle with a diagonal line through it.  Inside the circle was “Bush”, effectively symbolizing “No Bush”.  On the back of their shirts were the phrases “Regime Change Begins at Home” and “Love America, Hate Bush”.  According to the ACLU article,

“…the couple stood peacefully on the public grounds with the rest of the audience, two men believed to be working for the Secret Service or White House approached the Ranks and demanded that they remove or cover their t-shirts. When the couple refused, the officials instructed city police to arrest Jeff and Nicole, causing them to be removed from the Capitol grounds in handcuffs, jailed for one to two hours and charged with trespassing. Nicole Rank was also temporarily suspended from her work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “

Apparently they were escorted in handcuffs from the grounds while America The Beautiful was playing in the background.

Attorneys for the ACLU in both Charleston, WV and Pittsburgh, PA took the case and filed a lawsuit against the US Secret Service as well as against a White House department.

Fast forward to August 16, 2007.  Both parties settled the lawsuit against the US government for $80,000.  The government, of course, admitted no wrong-doing and the taxpayers got stuck with yet another bill.

Take this as a warning.  Our First Amendment rights of  free speech and assembly are gradually being eroded, often in the name of “national security.”

A Father’s Pride

Last night at the Senior Awards Night at Anderson High School, where my children attend, over 100 members of the Class of 2007 received scholarships and recognition for their academic accomplishments. As the last award of the evening, my son, Josh, received the honor of Valedictorian of the Anderson High Class of 2007. This special honor is given to the student with the highest grade point average in his class.

It is very easy to take for granted the excellent grades, when I live with a boy as intellectually gifted as my son. His accomplishment only serves to recognize the hours of study, even for someone as bright as Josh, the pages of reading, the interminable term papers, and answer after answer on all those tests and quizzes given by his teachers.

One night at dinner we were discussing the possibility of him being named Valedictorian.  His comment, age appropriate, of course:  “…and three days after graduation, who will remember who the Valedictorian was anyhow?”

He will.  His family will.  I’ll never forget.

I am proud of my son, Josh! Proud of the gifts he has been given and chosen to use so well. Proud of the kind, considerate, and gentle young man he is becoming.

Next Sunday, as Josh walks across the stage at Commencement, I’m sure there will be tears in my eyes and a smile on my face as he receives his diploma. That boy will soar!