There has never been anything in sports quite like the Lebron James Sweepstakes which will end tonight with one winner and many losers.
The easy thing to say is that the entire affair has been a bunch of overblown hype typical of the times we live in and normally I would be in the group that feels that way. However this is a story deserving of all the time and attention….well at least most of it, because it will determine the future of several teams, fans and even cities.
James was drafted by Cleveland right out of high school following a season in which the Cavaliers won 17 games and lost 65 while averaging 11,500 fans per game. The very next season, James’ first in the NBA, Cleveland more than doubled its win total to 35 and increased its attendance to over 18,000 fans per game. Every year since the Cavs have been a championship contender, they sell out nearly every game with more than 20,000 fans, and
Businesses around the Quicken Loans Arena have prospered. With apologies to Drew Carey it’s Lebron James who has made Cleveland rock.
So now at age 25 and in the prime of his career James has a chance to stay in Cleveland or head to several teams who overnight would not only become championship contenders but the hottest ticket in town. Reports this morning indicate he is likely headed to Miami to join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh…the trio would make South Beach hotter than hot.
Of course fans of both the Knicks and Nets are holding their breath and hoping that James might be headed in their direction. He would instantly resurrect pro basketball at Madison Square Garden and make Knicks games the greatest show on Broadway. As for the Nets, he would give the franchise something it really hasn’t had since Dr. J and of course would get to open a new arena in Brooklyn.
Bottom line here is James is a franchise-maker and his announcement tonight will have an impact for years to come…a positive one on the team he chooses and a negative one on the cities who miss out.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Empty Beachers
I don’t know if everyone feels the same but I know that as I get older time seems to move so much faster. I don’t mean in terms of hours and days but rather years which just seem to fly by. My wife and I were sitting on the beach this past weekend by ourselves and reflecting back on past summers and wondering just where the time went. Did it not seem like just yesterday when a day at the beach included multiple trips carrying playpen, umbrella, sand and water toys and more? We thought back to the summer just before Brandon’s first birthday when my regular routine was to walk along the shore with him on my shoulder when it was nap time. He would usually fall asleep after a few minutes and we would then lay him down in the shade. We knew that first summer he was a “beach baby” and watched him grow up on the 2nd Avenue beach in Seaside Park.
Before long pails and shovels were replaced by wiffle ball bats and footballs
and then boogie boards and skim boards. In looking back we smiled when thinking about Brandon, at about age 8 carrying his boogie board bag complete with gear and preparing for a long day in the water. He and his friends could spend hours catching waves…you’d have to force them to come in for lunch. Ironically at just about the time he was pretty independent at the beach we had a baby girl who was dipping her toes in the water for the first time so that entire process started all over again.
The one thing for sure was that there we no quiet days at the beach and it was never simply just grabbing a chair, towel and book and heading out. It was always a case (at least for my wife) of preparing from diapers to lunch to toys and snacks to sunscreen and extra bathing suits.
I thought about all of that this past weekend as the two us sat quietly on the beach by ourselves. Brandon, who will be 25 next month was in Belmar with friends and 18-year old Alex was working. We used to say how much we were looking forward to being able to read a book without being disturbed but I kind of envied the Moms and Dads who were busy filling pails with water and putting sunscreen on their kids.
Time really does fly as you get older.
Before long pails and shovels were replaced by wiffle ball bats and footballs
and then boogie boards and skim boards. In looking back we smiled when thinking about Brandon, at about age 8 carrying his boogie board bag complete with gear and preparing for a long day in the water. He and his friends could spend hours catching waves…you’d have to force them to come in for lunch. Ironically at just about the time he was pretty independent at the beach we had a baby girl who was dipping her toes in the water for the first time so that entire process started all over again.
The one thing for sure was that there we no quiet days at the beach and it was never simply just grabbing a chair, towel and book and heading out. It was always a case (at least for my wife) of preparing from diapers to lunch to toys and snacks to sunscreen and extra bathing suits.
I thought about all of that this past weekend as the two us sat quietly on the beach by ourselves. Brandon, who will be 25 next month was in Belmar with friends and 18-year old Alex was working. We used to say how much we were looking forward to being able to read a book without being disturbed but I kind of envied the Moms and Dads who were busy filling pails with water and putting sunscreen on their kids.
Time really does fly as you get older.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tuesday, July 6
Usually you talk about the weather when you have nothing to talk about
but that’s not the case today. I am not going to complain about the heat
or even go into the concerns over drought-like conditions. Rather I want
to comment on one of the great stretches of beach weather we have ever seen over the 4th of July holiday. Since last Wednesday we have had nothing but sunny skies and as the temperature increased it sent more and more people to the beach. Maybe the best part is those that sought relief found it in the Atlantic Ocean as the surf conditions have been calm and the water unusually warn for early July. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen more people on
the beach and in the water then I did on Sunday when west wind conditions kept most people as close to the shoreline as possible. While the heat may not be welcome by all it’s been very good news for local towns who have raked in increased revenues in the form of beach badge sales and of course parking meters around the beaches. They should have no complaints and are way ahead of last year with the summer tourism season now in full swing.
Since I’m wearing a pink shirt today I’m going to admit to something that seriously might question my manhood to some. Yesterday I saw the third edition of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse with my wife and daughter. They did not drag me to the movie nor did I drag them…it was sort of in the middle.
I had watched the first Twilight movie on DVD a while back and actually thought it was pretty good. I had not seen the second one, “New Moon” but my wife had and she wanted to catch Eclipse this weekend. So after three straight days at the beach I decided to skip the surf and sand Monday and watched New Moon at home and then went to the Marquee Cinema in Toms River with both my girls in the afternoon. I found myself surrounded by mostly young girls but fortunately found a friend (my age) who was with his wife and daughter. We vowed not to tell anyone we saw each other and I will keep him anonymous but I’m out of the closet. I thought this was the best of the three movies with some great action scenes. As for the “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” stuff….give me a break. Jake has it all over that pale-faced vampire.
but that’s not the case today. I am not going to complain about the heat
or even go into the concerns over drought-like conditions. Rather I want
to comment on one of the great stretches of beach weather we have ever seen over the 4th of July holiday. Since last Wednesday we have had nothing but sunny skies and as the temperature increased it sent more and more people to the beach. Maybe the best part is those that sought relief found it in the Atlantic Ocean as the surf conditions have been calm and the water unusually warn for early July. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen more people on
the beach and in the water then I did on Sunday when west wind conditions kept most people as close to the shoreline as possible. While the heat may not be welcome by all it’s been very good news for local towns who have raked in increased revenues in the form of beach badge sales and of course parking meters around the beaches. They should have no complaints and are way ahead of last year with the summer tourism season now in full swing.
Since I’m wearing a pink shirt today I’m going to admit to something that seriously might question my manhood to some. Yesterday I saw the third edition of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse with my wife and daughter. They did not drag me to the movie nor did I drag them…it was sort of in the middle.
I had watched the first Twilight movie on DVD a while back and actually thought it was pretty good. I had not seen the second one, “New Moon” but my wife had and she wanted to catch Eclipse this weekend. So after three straight days at the beach I decided to skip the surf and sand Monday and watched New Moon at home and then went to the Marquee Cinema in Toms River with both my girls in the afternoon. I found myself surrounded by mostly young girls but fortunately found a friend (my age) who was with his wife and daughter. We vowed not to tell anyone we saw each other and I will keep him anonymous but I’m out of the closet. I thought this was the best of the three movies with some great action scenes. As for the “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob” stuff….give me a break. Jake has it all over that pale-faced vampire.
Friday, July 2
It’s been quite a while since Jim Kiraly has been in his own home…actually his current residence is a Care One facility in Jackson. A longshoreman by trade he has spent the last 14 months dealing with cancer and the physical setbacks that often come with fighting the disease. It all started on Good Friday in 2009 during which Jim and his family participated in the Lakewood Elks annual fish fry. He, his wife Denise and high-school aged children, Cindy and Jim Jr. were regulars when it came to cooking at Elks Lodge #1432 and often they would even by joined by Jim’s parents. The time and effort did not go unnoticed and Kiraly received the 2008-09 Elk of the Year award.
Anyway back to last year’s fish fry in which the burly motorcycle enthusiast was complaining about pain in his hip which sent him to the doctor a few days later. The diagnosis was multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Trips to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for radiation and chemo were trying on both Jim and Denise. Eventually he began losing weight and his hair and would be admitted to the hospital where he suffered a series of set-backs, including viruses and an infection. Treatments made his bones so brittle that he both broke his shoulders while simply trying to sit up.
There has been a ray of hope in the form of stem cell transplant therapy which has improved his numbers and outlook and Big Jim appears to be making progress. However just a few weeks ago a power outage near his home resulted in the water pump being damaged beyond repair. During this time the family has been getting their water from a hose connection to a neighbor’s house.
For all he has done on behalf of the Lakewood Elks they and Jim’s many friends would like to give back. A benefit will be held on Saturday, July 10th at the Bayville Elks Lodge on Route 9 beginning at 4pm. The event will feature a buffet dinner, beer, live music, giveaways and more. All proceeds will benefit the Kiraly family and advance tickets are $30. For information you can stop in or call the Lakewood Elks Lodge on Kennedy Boulevard…the number is (732) 363-9572.
Anyway back to last year’s fish fry in which the burly motorcycle enthusiast was complaining about pain in his hip which sent him to the doctor a few days later. The diagnosis was multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Trips to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for radiation and chemo were trying on both Jim and Denise. Eventually he began losing weight and his hair and would be admitted to the hospital where he suffered a series of set-backs, including viruses and an infection. Treatments made his bones so brittle that he both broke his shoulders while simply trying to sit up.
There has been a ray of hope in the form of stem cell transplant therapy which has improved his numbers and outlook and Big Jim appears to be making progress. However just a few weeks ago a power outage near his home resulted in the water pump being damaged beyond repair. During this time the family has been getting their water from a hose connection to a neighbor’s house.
For all he has done on behalf of the Lakewood Elks they and Jim’s many friends would like to give back. A benefit will be held on Saturday, July 10th at the Bayville Elks Lodge on Route 9 beginning at 4pm. The event will feature a buffet dinner, beer, live music, giveaways and more. All proceeds will benefit the Kiraly family and advance tickets are $30. For information you can stop in or call the Lakewood Elks Lodge on Kennedy Boulevard…the number is (732) 363-9572.
Thursday, July 1
A little of this and a little of that on the first day of July:
21 Plus was been around for more than thirty years but there’s a pretty good chance you’re not familiar with them. The organization was formed by a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities who were frustrated by the lack of available programs once they reached the age of 21.
Over the last three decades the organization has grown tremendously as has the need for their services and currently they provide opportunities for almost 150 adults in Ocean County. They operate several group homes and apartments, have an adult training center as well as a supported employment program and just last year added in-home and out-of-home respite services.
I tell you this because on Monday, July 19th the 21 Plus Foundation will hold their 4th annual Golf Classic at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood and I will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the awards dinner afterwards which will also include an auction. Among the items to be auctioned off are golf foursomes, Yankees tickets and tickets to an HBO premiere in New York.
For information on playing golf or just attending the dinner you can call
21 Plus at (732) 240-3118 or visit their website at www.21plus.org.
The Manchester Township High School Class of 2000 is holding their 10-year reunion on Saturday evening July 10th at the Quality Inn of Toms River.
To purchase tickets visit www.sendomatic.com/mthsreunion.
Millennium Radio’s Shore Sports Network will be the home of Monmouth University football for the next three years. We have reached agreement with the school and Nelligan Sports Marketing on the multi-year extension to broadcast the Hawks games on 1160 WOBM and Shore Sports 1310. Monmouth football was broadcast on the Shore Sports Network for the first time last fall. Matt Harmon, the play-by-play voice of our high school sports programming will once again broadcast the games with fellow Hawk alum Ed Occhipinti.
All you need to know about how far the New York Knicks have fallen is the fact they are not considered one of the front-runners to land free agent mega star Lebron James. Most experts feel the New Jersey Nets have a better chance of getting King James which is really sad…if you’re a Knicks fan.
21 Plus was been around for more than thirty years but there’s a pretty good chance you’re not familiar with them. The organization was formed by a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities who were frustrated by the lack of available programs once they reached the age of 21.
Over the last three decades the organization has grown tremendously as has the need for their services and currently they provide opportunities for almost 150 adults in Ocean County. They operate several group homes and apartments, have an adult training center as well as a supported employment program and just last year added in-home and out-of-home respite services.
I tell you this because on Monday, July 19th the 21 Plus Foundation will hold their 4th annual Golf Classic at Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Lakewood and I will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the awards dinner afterwards which will also include an auction. Among the items to be auctioned off are golf foursomes, Yankees tickets and tickets to an HBO premiere in New York.
For information on playing golf or just attending the dinner you can call
21 Plus at (732) 240-3118 or visit their website at www.21plus.org.
The Manchester Township High School Class of 2000 is holding their 10-year reunion on Saturday evening July 10th at the Quality Inn of Toms River.
To purchase tickets visit www.sendomatic.com/mthsreunion.
Millennium Radio’s Shore Sports Network will be the home of Monmouth University football for the next three years. We have reached agreement with the school and Nelligan Sports Marketing on the multi-year extension to broadcast the Hawks games on 1160 WOBM and Shore Sports 1310. Monmouth football was broadcast on the Shore Sports Network for the first time last fall. Matt Harmon, the play-by-play voice of our high school sports programming will once again broadcast the games with fellow Hawk alum Ed Occhipinti.
All you need to know about how far the New York Knicks have fallen is the fact they are not considered one of the front-runners to land free agent mega star Lebron James. Most experts feel the New Jersey Nets have a better chance of getting King James which is really sad…if you’re a Knicks fan.
Wednesday, June 30
Fireworks on the 4th of July are a tradition across this country and were a fixture in many local towns for decades. However the financial burden
has become too great for local governments and the number of holiday fireworks displays has dwindled over the years to just a handful here in Ocean County. To take nothing away from towns like Barnegat, Beach Haven, Lakehurst, Lavallette, Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights
what will take place Sunday in Beachwood truly defines America’s birthday and the spirit of volunteerism.
Times may have changed but for the 70th year young and old will gather in Beachwood and towns along the Toms River and culminate the holiday by watching fireworks. Many have planned their day around the spectacular and by dusk tens of thousands will be ready to “ooh and ah” from land and water. Most have no idea who pays for the show and just assume it will take place year after year because that’s the way it’s been. However if you don’t know this is an effort fueled by volunteers and the borough of Beachwood, which coordinates the effort through its Public Works and Police Departments.
It started in the 1930’s and for many years the fireworks were launched by members of the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company. While they are still on hand to assist Schaefer Pyrotechnics is contracted by the Fireworks Committee to handle the shoot and this takes money….quite a bit of it.
The entire effort is paid for m\by donations and among the corporate sponsors are Comcast, TD Bank and 92.7 WOBM. However just as important are the donations that come in from local residents and businesses and those from people who just enjoy the annual show and want to see it continue. The only way to guarantee that is for the public to support the fundraising necessary…even if half the people who watch the show donated one dollar that would be more than enough to continue this holiday traditionfor years to come. Donations can be made to “Fireworks on the Toms River” and be sent to Beachwood Borough Hall…for more visit wobm.com
has become too great for local governments and the number of holiday fireworks displays has dwindled over the years to just a handful here in Ocean County. To take nothing away from towns like Barnegat, Beach Haven, Lakehurst, Lavallette, Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights
what will take place Sunday in Beachwood truly defines America’s birthday and the spirit of volunteerism.
Times may have changed but for the 70th year young and old will gather in Beachwood and towns along the Toms River and culminate the holiday by watching fireworks. Many have planned their day around the spectacular and by dusk tens of thousands will be ready to “ooh and ah” from land and water. Most have no idea who pays for the show and just assume it will take place year after year because that’s the way it’s been. However if you don’t know this is an effort fueled by volunteers and the borough of Beachwood, which coordinates the effort through its Public Works and Police Departments.
It started in the 1930’s and for many years the fireworks were launched by members of the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company. While they are still on hand to assist Schaefer Pyrotechnics is contracted by the Fireworks Committee to handle the shoot and this takes money….quite a bit of it.
The entire effort is paid for m\by donations and among the corporate sponsors are Comcast, TD Bank and 92.7 WOBM. However just as important are the donations that come in from local residents and businesses and those from people who just enjoy the annual show and want to see it continue. The only way to guarantee that is for the public to support the fundraising necessary…even if half the people who watch the show donated one dollar that would be more than enough to continue this holiday traditionfor years to come. Donations can be made to “Fireworks on the Toms River” and be sent to Beachwood Borough Hall…for more visit wobm.com
Tuesday, June 29
Talk about getting your day off to a bad start. I open my office door this morning and promptly drop my 20-ounce cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee
which splatters all over everything, including my clothes. I can’t decide what was worse….having to clean up my clothes and my office or not having the coffee to drink. I mean I can smell that great aroma since it’s all over everything but I can’t taste it…it’s almost a form of torture. I also worry if this is an indication of the kind of day this is going to be. Only time will tell on that one.
Okay I will admit to being a front-runner. When the US was alive in the World Cup I was pretty interested in the soccer tournament that is held every four years. Now that we are out it just does not have the same appeal although I will glance at the TV from time to time when games are on. After watching teams like Germany and Brazil the Americans still have a long way to go to play at that level.
A bit closer to home….the Jersey Shore baseball team is just a win away from claiming the Carpenter Cup for the third time in the 25-year history of the Phillies-sponsored event. Toms River South’s Andrew McGee continued his dominant pitching to help Jersey Shore blank defending champion Burlington County 4-0 Monday at Citizens Bank Park. McGee threw 3 hitless innings and struck out 9 yesterday and for the tournament the Monmouth University-bound lefty has 17 strikeouts over 9 shutout innings. Jersey Shore will play in the championship game Wednesday afternoon at the Phillies ballpark with their opponent to be determined later today.
Meanwhile in the Carpenter Cup Softball Tournament, Jersey Shore has also advanced to the finals after beating Olympic Colonial 2-1 at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia. Jordan Weed of Toms River East pitched the final three innings to secure the victory.
which splatters all over everything, including my clothes. I can’t decide what was worse….having to clean up my clothes and my office or not having the coffee to drink. I mean I can smell that great aroma since it’s all over everything but I can’t taste it…it’s almost a form of torture. I also worry if this is an indication of the kind of day this is going to be. Only time will tell on that one.
Okay I will admit to being a front-runner. When the US was alive in the World Cup I was pretty interested in the soccer tournament that is held every four years. Now that we are out it just does not have the same appeal although I will glance at the TV from time to time when games are on. After watching teams like Germany and Brazil the Americans still have a long way to go to play at that level.
A bit closer to home….the Jersey Shore baseball team is just a win away from claiming the Carpenter Cup for the third time in the 25-year history of the Phillies-sponsored event. Toms River South’s Andrew McGee continued his dominant pitching to help Jersey Shore blank defending champion Burlington County 4-0 Monday at Citizens Bank Park. McGee threw 3 hitless innings and struck out 9 yesterday and for the tournament the Monmouth University-bound lefty has 17 strikeouts over 9 shutout innings. Jersey Shore will play in the championship game Wednesday afternoon at the Phillies ballpark with their opponent to be determined later today.
Meanwhile in the Carpenter Cup Softball Tournament, Jersey Shore has also advanced to the finals after beating Olympic Colonial 2-1 at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia. Jordan Weed of Toms River East pitched the final three innings to secure the victory.
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