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| APRIL SNOW |
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| SOUTHWEST VA. SNOW |
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| 5-INCHES AND COUNTING |
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| THIS WAS AN APRIL SURPRISE |
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| April "SNOW" Showers |
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| APRIL SURPRISE |
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| SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW |
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| SNOW IS FOR THE BIRDS |
Thursday, April 4, 2013
NEVER TRUST A GROUND HOG
I do care if your name is Punxsutawney Phil, Brooklyn Betty or Hagerstown Howard, when it comes to weather you can't trust a Ground Hog. Since ole Phil predicted an "early spring" we have had two significant snows here in Southwest Virginia, got 9-inches of snow while on Vacation in Kansas City and now today, and today got about 5-inches on the ground in Christiansburg and it is still snowing. I guess Ground Hogs are a lot like some people I know, They tell you what you want to hear at the time.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
ED T. RUSH - A CANCER ON THE PAC 12
On Monday CBS Sports reported that PAC-12 Supervisor of Officials had met with the referees who would be working the 2013 PAC-12 Tournament and offered any official $5,000 or a trip to Cancun if they "Ring up" or "Run" Arizona coach Shawn Miller. Later during the UCLA-Arizona Game Miller received his only Technical of the season when he complained about a suspicious double dribble that has been called on his guard. I watch the game highlights and saw Miller complain, however unless her got into the officials family tree, or cursed then I did not think his actions warranted a technical. After all I have seen an heard a lot worse from coaches in the ACC. I have even heard Coach K and retired Coach Jim Calhoun drop a few F-Bombs on officials and not even get a hard look.
The fact of the matter is that joking or not, Ed T. Rush has lost all credibility with the fans and if Commissioner Larry Scott continues to stick with him then Mr. Scott's Credibility is in serious jeopardy. Scott and Rush both have said that the comments were inappropriate but that Rush was only joking and should not have been taken seriously. Well, evidently at least one referee, Michael Irving, took Rush serious, as he is the referee that called the questionable technical during the UCLA-Arizona Game. When that technical was called, Rush's comment we no longer a joke, those comments became a reality. We will never know if Irving receives his $5,000, but I do doubt that we will see pictures of him vacationing in Cancun.
When Rush was hired by the PAC 12, he brought baggage from the NBA. He was not well liked by Team administrators, owner, coaches and fellow officials. Dallas Mavericks owner Mike Cuban was very critical of Rush, saying he wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen. Other have said that Rush doesn't have the best interest of the league or the game at heart, It's all about Ed Rush. He was abrasive, self-centered and not well like in the NBA and he has not been well regarded in the PAC-12. Recently PAC-12 official Dick Cartmell submitted his resignation citing "personal differences with the direction of the officiating program." Dick Cartmell, is not a rookie official, he is a veteran referee who has worked 5-Final Fours.
When you have a Veteran referee say he would rather resign than be apart of the "new direction" this should raise some red flags in the PAC 12 Offices. Then you have the Supervisor of Officials makes highly inappropriate remarks (joking or not) it's time to say enough is enough.
The continued employment of Ed T. Rush by the PAC-12 will tarnish not only the credibility of the Commissioner but the entire conference. The University Presidents and Conference Athletic Directors should demand the Rush be fired and the sooner the better. Ed Rush is a cancer and need to be removed.
The fact of the matter is that joking or not, Ed T. Rush has lost all credibility with the fans and if Commissioner Larry Scott continues to stick with him then Mr. Scott's Credibility is in serious jeopardy. Scott and Rush both have said that the comments were inappropriate but that Rush was only joking and should not have been taken seriously. Well, evidently at least one referee, Michael Irving, took Rush serious, as he is the referee that called the questionable technical during the UCLA-Arizona Game. When that technical was called, Rush's comment we no longer a joke, those comments became a reality. We will never know if Irving receives his $5,000, but I do doubt that we will see pictures of him vacationing in Cancun.
When Rush was hired by the PAC 12, he brought baggage from the NBA. He was not well liked by Team administrators, owner, coaches and fellow officials. Dallas Mavericks owner Mike Cuban was very critical of Rush, saying he wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen. Other have said that Rush doesn't have the best interest of the league or the game at heart, It's all about Ed Rush. He was abrasive, self-centered and not well like in the NBA and he has not been well regarded in the PAC-12. Recently PAC-12 official Dick Cartmell submitted his resignation citing "personal differences with the direction of the officiating program." Dick Cartmell, is not a rookie official, he is a veteran referee who has worked 5-Final Fours.
When you have a Veteran referee say he would rather resign than be apart of the "new direction" this should raise some red flags in the PAC 12 Offices. Then you have the Supervisor of Officials makes highly inappropriate remarks (joking or not) it's time to say enough is enough.
The continued employment of Ed T. Rush by the PAC-12 will tarnish not only the credibility of the Commissioner but the entire conference. The University Presidents and Conference Athletic Directors should demand the Rush be fired and the sooner the better. Ed Rush is a cancer and need to be removed.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A PRESIDENT & ANTIQUES
My next to the last day on the road starts in Iowa City, the home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. The Carver-Hawkeye Arena is just down the street from my motel and I make the short trip down for some quick photos before heading west to West Branch.
Just 10-miles east of Iowa City is the small town of West Branch, Iowa. It was here that our 31st President, Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874. Upon arriving I discovered that the Museum was in the process of changing out the temporary exhibits and the only gallery that was open was the Hoover Gallery. This gallery details the life of President Hoover from the time that he was born here, through the his aide and relief work in Europe and Belgium during World War I and his tenure as Secretary of Commerce. Hoover was President during the great stock market crash of 1929 which lead to his defeat during his re-election bid in 1932. Following his re-election defeat in President Hoover retired to a suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York where he lived for the rest of his life.
President Hoover died in his Waldorf-Astoria Suite on October 20, 1964, some 31-years, 7-months and 16-days after leaving office. Hoover was honored with a state funeral, the last of three such funerals in a span of 12-months. The death of President Hoover came less than a year after the death of President Kennedy and General Douglas MacArthur. All three state funeral were orchestrated by Major General Philip Wehle and the riderless horse was Black Jack who also served in that role during the state funeral of President Lyndon Johnson.
Following the state funeral in Washington, the body of President Hoover was returned to the tiny community of West Branch where he was buried next to his wife Lou Henry Hoover who had died in 1944.
After spending about 2-hours in West Branch it was time to head east toward the Mississippi River. But before crossing the River I wanted to make one final stop in the Mississippi River Town of Le Claire, Iowa.
Le Claire is the home to Antique Archeology the setting for the American Picker's TV show that features Mike Wolfe, and Frank Fritz. The two rusty gold pickers are assisted by Danielle Colby-Cushman. So being a fan of the show I decided to stop by the Antique Archeology shop on the outside chance that any of the stars of the show were on site.
Looking around the cluttered shop I recognized a number of item that I saw them pick on the shows including the Laurel and Hardy heads and the Eastside Cycle Club sign that was actually picked in Virginia.
My gamble didn't pay off as neither Mike, Frank or Danielle was there. The people working in the shop told me and a couple of other visitors that the three wouldn't be back in the shop until after the first of April and that shooting new shows would begin some time this spring.
After snapping a few photos, It was time to hit the road and get some miles behind me. My nights lodging was in Indianapolis and I was still more than four and a half hours away.
There a was not much to see in central Illinois as I made my way east on I-74. I will say that Illinois must be leading the nation in wind energy. As I traveled along I-74 I past no less than four large wind farms. The tall giant wind turbines off on both sides of the interstate, spinning in the wind, and generating electric power.
As I crossed from Illinois into Indiana I also moved from the Central Time Zone back to the Eastern Time Zone. About an hour and a half later I arrived back at the Comfort Inn - Pyramids north of Downtown Indianapolis. This is my second visit to this Comfort Inn as I stayed here for two night last week on the way to Kansas City.
Tonight will be my last night on the road, as tomorrow I will make the final 480 mile push home. When all is said and done I will have put more than 2,600 miles on my little Honda, but more importantly had a great vacation.
Just 10-miles east of Iowa City is the small town of West Branch, Iowa. It was here that our 31st President, Herbert Clark Hoover was born on August 10, 1874. Upon arriving I discovered that the Museum was in the process of changing out the temporary exhibits and the only gallery that was open was the Hoover Gallery. This gallery details the life of President Hoover from the time that he was born here, through the his aide and relief work in Europe and Belgium during World War I and his tenure as Secretary of Commerce. Hoover was President during the great stock market crash of 1929 which lead to his defeat during his re-election bid in 1932. Following his re-election defeat in President Hoover retired to a suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York where he lived for the rest of his life.President Hoover died in his Waldorf-Astoria Suite on October 20, 1964, some 31-years, 7-months and 16-days after leaving office. Hoover was honored with a state funeral, the last of three such funerals in a span of 12-months. The death of President Hoover came less than a year after the death of President Kennedy and General Douglas MacArthur. All three state funeral were orchestrated by Major General Philip Wehle and the riderless horse was Black Jack who also served in that role during the state funeral of President Lyndon Johnson.Following the state funeral in Washington, the body of President Hoover was returned to the tiny community of West Branch where he was buried next to his wife Lou Henry Hoover who had died in 1944.
After spending about 2-hours in West Branch it was time to head east toward the Mississippi River. But before crossing the River I wanted to make one final stop in the Mississippi River Town of Le Claire, Iowa.
Le Claire is the home to Antique Archeology the setting for the American Picker's TV show that features Mike Wolfe, and Frank Fritz. The two rusty gold pickers are assisted by Danielle Colby-Cushman. So being a fan of the show I decided to stop by the Antique Archeology shop on the outside chance that any of the stars of the show were on site. Looking around the cluttered shop I recognized a number of item that I saw them pick on the shows including the Laurel and Hardy heads and the Eastside Cycle Club sign that was actually picked in Virginia.
My gamble didn't pay off as neither Mike, Frank or Danielle was there. The people working in the shop told me and a couple of other visitors that the three wouldn't be back in the shop until after the first of April and that shooting new shows would begin some time this spring. After snapping a few photos, It was time to hit the road and get some miles behind me. My nights lodging was in Indianapolis and I was still more than four and a half hours away.
There a was not much to see in central Illinois as I made my way east on I-74. I will say that Illinois must be leading the nation in wind energy. As I traveled along I-74 I past no less than four large wind farms. The tall giant wind turbines off on both sides of the interstate, spinning in the wind, and generating electric power.
As I crossed from Illinois into Indiana I also moved from the Central Time Zone back to the Eastern Time Zone. About an hour and a half later I arrived back at the Comfort Inn - Pyramids north of Downtown Indianapolis. This is my second visit to this Comfort Inn as I stayed here for two night last week on the way to Kansas City.
Tonight will be my last night on the road, as tomorrow I will make the final 480 mile push home. When all is said and done I will have put more than 2,600 miles on my little Honda, but more importantly had a great vacation.
THE DUKE & RAPID ROBERT
Well as strange as it may sound, I decided to head North out of Kansas City because the weather to the South and East was horrible. Snow to the East around St. Louis was piled up worse than it was here in Kansas City. To the south toward Little Rock and Memphis its severe storms and tornados. So I resorted back to my original plan and head North toward Iowa.
I must say that the road crews out here seem to do a much better job of clearing the roads than they do back east. As I head north on I-35 and cross the Missouri River I find that the road is for the most part clear and dry. There's not much to see north of Kansas City and I make good time crossing into Iowa a couple of hours later.
The only stop I had planned to make was in Des Moines, but a few miles south of Interstate 80 I see a sign for the town of Winterset. There are two things about Winterset that peaked my interest. First it is known for the movie "The Bridge of Madison County," and second it is the birthplace of John Wayne.
So I said to heck with a schedule and turned off of the Interstate and headed out St. Charles Road for the 14-mile trip to Winterset. On the way out I see a couple of signs directing me to the covered bridges, but these little secondary roads have not been plowed yet and with 4 or 5 inches of snow on them I decided not to chance it in my little Honda.
So I continued on to Winterset and had no problem finding the birthplace of Winterset's most noted citizen.
In a small house on 2nd Street, Marion Robert Morrison was born on May 26, 1907. When he was 4-years old he and his family moved to Los Angeles, California. Working around the movie industry Morrison changed his name to John Wayne and landed his first leading role in a 1930 film called "The Big Trail." His big break came when John Ford cast him in "Stagecoach" in 1939. John Wayne would go on to stare in more than 140 motion pictures, most of them westerns.
Among his best know westerns are "The Undefeated" "Rio Brovo", "Big Jake" and "True Grit" for which he won an Academy Award for his role as Marshall Rooster Cogburn.
Just down the block from the birthplace stands a larger than life statue of "The Duke." The inscription on the base of the statues simply says - "John Wayne - American." Enough Said.
After leaving Winterset it was just a shot 10-miles drive back to Interstate 80. Just a short distance out I-80 is the small town of Van Meter, Iowa which was the birthplace of Baseball Hall of Famer, Bob Feller.
Bob Feller was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Known for his blazing fast ball, he gained the Nickname of "Rapid Robert." Back in the early 1980's I had the opportunity of Umpiring the Old Timers Game for the Salem Redbirds. The special guest for the game was Bob Feller. Just being on the field with a Hall of Famer was a thrill, but to be able to visit with him after the game was an even greater thrill. What a gentleman he was, taking the time to sign every autograph and to make everyone feel like they were special. Player of today could learn a lot from the greats of yesteryear.
The Bob Feller Museum was closed on Monday's, how I would have like to have been able to tour it but I have a reason to return. If I do return it won't be on a Monday.
From Van Meter it was on to Iowa's Capital City, Des Moines. The Parking Gods that had been so good to me this entire trip were nowhere to be found in Downtown Des Moines. So I had to double park a couple of times just to get a few pictures of the Iowa Statehouse.
From Downtown Des Moines it was back to Interstate 80 for the 100-mile trek east to Iowa City where I am spending the Night. Tomorrow it will be stop at the Herbert Hoover Library and then I will get a bunch of miles and hopefully spend my last night on the road in Indianapolis.
I must say that the road crews out here seem to do a much better job of clearing the roads than they do back east. As I head north on I-35 and cross the Missouri River I find that the road is for the most part clear and dry. There's not much to see north of Kansas City and I make good time crossing into Iowa a couple of hours later.
The only stop I had planned to make was in Des Moines, but a few miles south of Interstate 80 I see a sign for the town of Winterset. There are two things about Winterset that peaked my interest. First it is known for the movie "The Bridge of Madison County," and second it is the birthplace of John Wayne.
So I said to heck with a schedule and turned off of the Interstate and headed out St. Charles Road for the 14-mile trip to Winterset. On the way out I see a couple of signs directing me to the covered bridges, but these little secondary roads have not been plowed yet and with 4 or 5 inches of snow on them I decided not to chance it in my little Honda. So I continued on to Winterset and had no problem finding the birthplace of Winterset's most noted citizen.
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| John Wayne -American |
Among his best know westerns are "The Undefeated" "Rio Brovo", "Big Jake" and "True Grit" for which he won an Academy Award for his role as Marshall Rooster Cogburn.
Just down the block from the birthplace stands a larger than life statue of "The Duke." The inscription on the base of the statues simply says - "John Wayne - American." Enough Said.
After leaving Winterset it was just a shot 10-miles drive back to Interstate 80. Just a short distance out I-80 is the small town of Van Meter, Iowa which was the birthplace of Baseball Hall of Famer, Bob Feller.
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| Bob Feller Museum |
Bob Feller was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Known for his blazing fast ball, he gained the Nickname of "Rapid Robert." Back in the early 1980's I had the opportunity of Umpiring the Old Timers Game for the Salem Redbirds. The special guest for the game was Bob Feller. Just being on the field with a Hall of Famer was a thrill, but to be able to visit with him after the game was an even greater thrill. What a gentleman he was, taking the time to sign every autograph and to make everyone feel like they were special. Player of today could learn a lot from the greats of yesteryear.
The Bob Feller Museum was closed on Monday's, how I would have like to have been able to tour it but I have a reason to return. If I do return it won't be on a Monday.
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| Iowa Statehouse |
From Downtown Des Moines it was back to Interstate 80 for the 100-mile trek east to Iowa City where I am spending the Night. Tomorrow it will be stop at the Herbert Hoover Library and then I will get a bunch of miles and hopefully spend my last night on the road in Indianapolis.
Monday, March 25, 2013
SPRINT CENTER BASKETBALL - A FEW OBSERVATIONS
With the conclusion of basketball at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, my basketball season also comes to an end. Here is a few observations about my visit and the games.
First, this was the first time in all of the years that I have been attending the Tournament that I didn't have a blowout. All 6-games were relatively close and went down to the wire. I enjoyed seeing LaSalle win two games and advance to the Sweet 16.
As expected the Carolina - Kansas Game was sold out and the pro Kansas Crowd made the Sprint Center one of the loudest venues that I have ever been to. While the first half of the game was some of the worst basketball that I had seen all season, the atmosphere created by these two blue blood programs was great.
As hard as I tried, I could not bring myself to pull for either Carolina, or Kansas. Both of their fan bases are annoying and tend to whine and cry when thing are not going their way. Neither team played well during the first half, but the fans wanted to blame the sloppy play on the referee's.
I got to meet Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy and was impressed with him. He was friendly and very kind in talking to me about Wake Forest. But as much as I wanted to pull for him and the Ole Miss Rebels, I couldn't pull against the underdog LaSalle. Plus Ole Miss has Marshall Henderson, who may have some talent, his antics on the court are despicable. After LaSalle defeated the Rebels on Sunday Henderson sent the water bottles flying down the tunnel and a couple of them came close to going into the crowd. That couple with the double finger he gave to the fans show that this young man it totally classless. Even Coach Kennedy said earlier in the Week that "Marshall is a train wreck waiting to happen." Basically Marshall Henderson is the picture of "White Trash."
Finally, a few words about the Sprint Center. While I enjoy the games, the venue has some glaring problems. First I have been to 15-different NCAA Venues and the Sprint Center has the worst security operation of any Venue. It was ill equipped to handle the short turn around between the afternoon and evening sessions.
Once the doors opened for the evening session it took me almost 50-minutes to make it into the arena. Standing in the cold for close to an hour and almost missing the opening tip of the first game of the evening session made for some pissed off fans, me included.
Also the Sprint Center has a policy of no camera's with detachable lenses. I understand the policy and respect it. However if they are going to have this policy it needs to be enforce completely. During Fridays games I counted no less than 6 camera's with detachable lenses in and adjacent to my section. When I attempted to bring my camera in on Sunday, I was stopped and made to return it to the car. Once again I saw at lease 4 detachable lens cameras in or near my section. Once again if they are going to have a policy then they need to enforce it across the board.
Once inside the arena I enjoy the games and the event staff. The ushers and concession workers were friendly and polite and made for an enjoyable experience. But because of the security delays, and the haphazard enforcement of the Camera Policy I probably won't return to events at the Sprint Center.
Well it's time to head home, the snow storm that passed through Kansas City is now bring snow to the folks back in Virginia. So I will let it clear out before ending this edition of my Basketball Vacation.
First, this was the first time in all of the years that I have been attending the Tournament that I didn't have a blowout. All 6-games were relatively close and went down to the wire. I enjoyed seeing LaSalle win two games and advance to the Sweet 16.
As expected the Carolina - Kansas Game was sold out and the pro Kansas Crowd made the Sprint Center one of the loudest venues that I have ever been to. While the first half of the game was some of the worst basketball that I had seen all season, the atmosphere created by these two blue blood programs was great.
As hard as I tried, I could not bring myself to pull for either Carolina, or Kansas. Both of their fan bases are annoying and tend to whine and cry when thing are not going their way. Neither team played well during the first half, but the fans wanted to blame the sloppy play on the referee's.
I got to meet Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy and was impressed with him. He was friendly and very kind in talking to me about Wake Forest. But as much as I wanted to pull for him and the Ole Miss Rebels, I couldn't pull against the underdog LaSalle. Plus Ole Miss has Marshall Henderson, who may have some talent, his antics on the court are despicable. After LaSalle defeated the Rebels on Sunday Henderson sent the water bottles flying down the tunnel and a couple of them came close to going into the crowd. That couple with the double finger he gave to the fans show that this young man it totally classless. Even Coach Kennedy said earlier in the Week that "Marshall is a train wreck waiting to happen." Basically Marshall Henderson is the picture of "White Trash."
Finally, a few words about the Sprint Center. While I enjoy the games, the venue has some glaring problems. First I have been to 15-different NCAA Venues and the Sprint Center has the worst security operation of any Venue. It was ill equipped to handle the short turn around between the afternoon and evening sessions.
Once the doors opened for the evening session it took me almost 50-minutes to make it into the arena. Standing in the cold for close to an hour and almost missing the opening tip of the first game of the evening session made for some pissed off fans, me included.
Also the Sprint Center has a policy of no camera's with detachable lenses. I understand the policy and respect it. However if they are going to have this policy it needs to be enforce completely. During Fridays games I counted no less than 6 camera's with detachable lenses in and adjacent to my section. When I attempted to bring my camera in on Sunday, I was stopped and made to return it to the car. Once again I saw at lease 4 detachable lens cameras in or near my section. Once again if they are going to have a policy then they need to enforce it across the board.
Once inside the arena I enjoy the games and the event staff. The ushers and concession workers were friendly and polite and made for an enjoyable experience. But because of the security delays, and the haphazard enforcement of the Camera Policy I probably won't return to events at the Sprint Center.
Well it's time to head home, the snow storm that passed through Kansas City is now bring snow to the folks back in Virginia. So I will let it clear out before ending this edition of my Basketball Vacation.
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