Archive for August, 2008
August 28th, 2008
It’s been a long time since I’ve been out on the town in Rockford on a Wednesday night, hanging with such diverse crowds.
Early on, I snagged shrimp and crab cakes at the Radisson Hotel at a reception for David Oliver Relin, co-author of “Three Cups of Tea,” a book about Greg Mortenson’s quest to build schools in remote Pakistan and Afghanistan villages for girls. The president of a heavy-hitting Rockford company was there, along with Chuck Prorock, who is running for Winnebago County State’s Attorney.
After writing a story about Relin’s lecture a few hours later at Rockford College before about 600 people, I grabbed a beer at Big Cities Lounge downtown. A few dozen people were there, but it was hard to tell who were audience members and who were performers. Blues/soul/rocker Hamilton Loomis and his group of Texas, who had performed earlier in the night with his group at Kegel’s party for Harley’s 105th anniversary party ride, were playing.
Then, a guy who works at Kegel’s starts playing guitar with the band, then another Rockfordian grabs his own guitar, Mark Kegel starts playing harmonica, and JF Gaziano of Rockford — who regularly performs at Big Cities on Wednesday’s I’m told — gets in on the gig. And with his gravelly voice, he sings some hard-hitting, even funny, blues.
One tune lamented that women fawn over cubist Pablo Picasso, despite his being 5-foot-3-inches tall, though the singer didn’t get that kind of respect. 
Anywho, Gaziano, a few of us were wondering if Picasso really was that short. Not. According to the Internet Movie Database. He was 5-foot-4. Just FYI.
August 27th, 2008
I’m always looking for any sign that the economy is going anywhere but down, and this is good news.
“Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods turned in a second consecutive strong monthly performance in July, a far bigger-than-expected gain led by a huge jump in demand for commercial aircraft,” so says this AP story.
So, what’s its relative importance?
High, according to the Schwab Guide to Economic Indicators.
“This report is one of several key reports monitored by the Federal Reserve in setting monetary policy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “The survey measures current industrial activity and provides an indication of future business trends. Data are used by the Executive Branch of the Government for developing economic, fiscal, and monetary policy; the Bureau of Economic Analysis as components of the gross domestic product estimates; and trade associations, corporate economists, and other members of the business community as an analytical tool for assessing the current and future economic condition of the country.”
August 26th, 2008
Can’t wait to see the next “Batman” movie.
Director Christopher Nolan reportedly wants Cher, 62, to play Catwoman as a “vamp in her twilight years.“
I remember when Cher played the Rockford MetroCentre in 2003 (Eddy Montville Register Star photo) Judging by these two photos, looks like she’s in better tree-climbing shape now than then. 
August 23rd, 2008
Comment here on what you think of the On the Waterfront festival.
Is the festival better, worse, about the same as last year?
The best/worst concert?
What’s good/bad/ugly?
If you could change something about Waterfront, what would it be?
And of course, you can comment on anything else about the festival.
August 22nd, 2008
It’s finally here. The day Obama is to announce his vice presidential running mate.
Being a journalist, I work on deadline a lot. And of course, I value being among the first to know what’s happening. So I followed suit and just a few minutes ago I signed up to have Obama text me to tell me who’ll be his running mate.
Quick, you may have just minutes to spare to be among the first to know. Text VP to 62262.
If you don’t, you may have to wait a whole minute or so before we get it online at rrstar.com.
August 21st, 2008
If so, one of our videographers wants to follow you around for awhile at the Rockford festival on Labor Day weekend. E-mail Collin Quick as soon as possible but before Aug. 27 at cquick@rrstar.com.
And while you’re here reading this, comment about the food you like best/least at On the Waterfront.
August 20th, 2008
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Aug. 19) - A Puerto Rican man has been granted his wish to remain standing — even in death. A funeral home used a special embalming treatment to keep the corpse of 24-year-old Angel Pantoja Medina standing upright for his three-day wake, according to this Associated Press story (and photo).
We’ve all been to our share of funerals. On the one hand, I think the upright position would make the memories of the deceased seem more alive. Paying last respects to a deceased person who is lying face up position in a casket is kind of awkward. On the other hand, it might seem kind of creepy.
What do you think about corpses standing at funerals?
August 20th, 2008
SCHOOL – 1957 vs. 2007
Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957
- Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2007
- School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to
jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for
traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957
- Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Scenario:
Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957
- Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy’s sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with psychologist.
Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
2007 - Pedro’s cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2007- BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny’s Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
August 19th, 2008
Can he polka by himself? Kind of. Can he line dance and salsa? Some. Can he hit the cow bell with Will Ferrell fervor to Blue Oyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”? You bet.
See this video, and vote here now and forever more as often as you like — just for the heck of it — for your favorite Dancin’ Doug in this video.
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Vote for your favorite Dancing Doug
Who is Doug? Rockford Ald. Doug Mark (R-3). Mark, whose district covers downtown Rockford, wants you to get pumped up for On the Waterfront, and he’s dancing up a storm to pique your interest. For more information, read my column here.
August 19th, 2008
Two of my favorites on Beloit College’s new, annual Mindset List for the Class of 2012:
- Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
- Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
The 60-points List provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college. It serves as a reminder of the rapidly changing frame of reference for this new generation.
Any points you’d like to add?
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