I need a little help this morning because something is missing and I’m hoping one of you might be able to help me find it. I’m looking for the month of August which according to the calendar is ending today. How can something end when it didn’t even begin…I don’t even vaguely recall August. I’m not denying its existence and truthfully I do remember a day or two but that’s about it. I have memories of July and even June but August was faster that Jose Reyes running the bases. If today is the last day of the month that means summer is all but over.
Next thing you’re going to tell me is that the college football season starts this weekend. It does, doesn’t it? Okay than Labor Day must be right around the corner…you’re kidding me….it’s Monday! Ah come on this is like a bad dream.
Maybe when I wake up it will be July 4th and we’ll have a whole summer to look forward to.
Tuesday was a sad night for many because the Lakewood BlueClaws closed out their home schedule by splitting a doubleheader against the Hickory Crawdads.
Some 9,000 people made their way into FirstEnergy Park and many were regulars who were quite sad to see the season come to an end. It’s part of their spring and summer ritual and they were spoiled the last couple of years when the BlueClaws won the South Atlantic League Championship which meant the season continued through mid-September. That won’t be the case this year so last night was a chance to say good-bye, especially to members of the BlueClaws staff who have become friends over the years. I chatted with Community Relations Director Jim DeAngelis who has been with the team since their inaugural season in 2001. He said the depression of knowing the season is over doesn’t hit yet because the team is finishing the season on the road. DeAngelis said when you realize they are not coming home…that’s when you know the season is truly over. Don’t fret Jim…it’s only about 214 days till opening day, 2012.
Congratulations to a pair of BlueClaws who earned spots on the South Atlantic League All-Star team…designated hitter Jim Murphy and pitcher Jesse Biddle.
The team has today off and then finishes the season with five games in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hurricane-Free Zone
Let’s make this segment free of any hurricane talk…not even the University of Miami:
Tonight is your very last chance to see the Lakewood BlueClaws as they close out their home schedule with a doubleheader against the Hickory Crawdads beginning at 5pm. The BlueClaws quest for a third straight South Atlantic League title will apparently come to an end after being swept by the Crawdads last night in the first of back-to-back doubleheaders at FirstEnergy Park. With those two losses Lakewood falls into 4th place and is 4 games out of first with just 7 games left to play. Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night with all kinds of giveaways and specials and a perfect night to spend at the ballpark.
Whether you like him or not you have to admit that Michael Vick’s comeback is quite remarkable and yesterday he got his big reward. The Eagles and Vick have agreed on a six-year $100 million contract that makes him the third highest-paid
Quarterback in the NFL behind only Tom Brady & Peyton Manning. It was just two years ago that Vick was looking for a team to give him a chance following his 18-month federal prison term on dogfighting charges. The Eagles and their fans are glad they were the team that offered the 31-year old an opportunity and he has clearly made the most of it.
Former Manchester Township High School and Rutgers University standout Kevin Malast was among nine players waived by the Tennessee Titans Monday. It’s the third straight year that Malast has been cut during the pre-season.
Dayton’s Dream Team Fundraiser this past Sunday at the Forked River House to benefit Autism Speaks was postponed because of the storm and it’s been re-scheduled for this Saturday from noon-4pm. The event includes a buffet lunch, live entertainment and a gift auction and tickets are $25 with all proceeds going to Autism Speaks. Again it will be this Saturday starting at noon at the Forked River House on Route 9.
Monmouth University kicks off its football season on Saturday when they host Lehigh at Kessler Field and once again all the Hawks games can be heard on WOBM AM 1160 & 1310 this fall. Next Tuesday night at 7pm the Kevin Callahan Coaches Show will debut on the station which will be co-hosted by Matt Harmon and Coach Callahan.
Tonight is your very last chance to see the Lakewood BlueClaws as they close out their home schedule with a doubleheader against the Hickory Crawdads beginning at 5pm. The BlueClaws quest for a third straight South Atlantic League title will apparently come to an end after being swept by the Crawdads last night in the first of back-to-back doubleheaders at FirstEnergy Park. With those two losses Lakewood falls into 4th place and is 4 games out of first with just 7 games left to play. Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night with all kinds of giveaways and specials and a perfect night to spend at the ballpark.
Whether you like him or not you have to admit that Michael Vick’s comeback is quite remarkable and yesterday he got his big reward. The Eagles and Vick have agreed on a six-year $100 million contract that makes him the third highest-paid
Quarterback in the NFL behind only Tom Brady & Peyton Manning. It was just two years ago that Vick was looking for a team to give him a chance following his 18-month federal prison term on dogfighting charges. The Eagles and their fans are glad they were the team that offered the 31-year old an opportunity and he has clearly made the most of it.
Former Manchester Township High School and Rutgers University standout Kevin Malast was among nine players waived by the Tennessee Titans Monday. It’s the third straight year that Malast has been cut during the pre-season.
Dayton’s Dream Team Fundraiser this past Sunday at the Forked River House to benefit Autism Speaks was postponed because of the storm and it’s been re-scheduled for this Saturday from noon-4pm. The event includes a buffet lunch, live entertainment and a gift auction and tickets are $25 with all proceeds going to Autism Speaks. Again it will be this Saturday starting at noon at the Forked River House on Route 9.
Monmouth University kicks off its football season on Saturday when they host Lehigh at Kessler Field and once again all the Hawks games can be heard on WOBM AM 1160 & 1310 this fall. Next Tuesday night at 7pm the Kevin Callahan Coaches Show will debut on the station which will be co-hosted by Matt Harmon and Coach Callahan.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Goodnight, Irene
You can call them second-guessers or Monday morning quarterbacks…I would prefer idiots, morons and I could go even stronger. My wrath is directed at those who are overly critical of the preparations and evacuations that took place before the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Yes for the most part the storm was not as powerful as many had thought and thank goodness for that. But those who are taking shots at Governor Christie as well as local officials are so far off base you really have to wonder what their agendas are.
First I would point out that predicting the weather never has and probably never will be an exact science. However based on what we knew it was quite probable that the Jersey Shore was in line for a direct hit and the responsibility of rational-thinking officials was to do all they could to protect lives and property. All you have to do is remember the pictures of those on roof tops praying to be rescued after Hurricane Katrina. Those were people who did not leave when they were told to and many died because of that.
I laugh at the old-timers who today will be going around saying “I told you so.” They will tell old war stories of all the other storms they rode out and insist this was nothing compared to them. I again say “thank goodness” and you’re lucky…if not necessarily very smart. It turns out the much of Ocean County escaped with only minor problems as the storm ended up saving its biggest punches for certain inland sections of New Jersey. However if you think this was nothing than ask those who have been flooded out with more water on the way. Then there are those still without power who are trying to figure out what to do as it may be a while before everyone is fully restored. Then there is the family of a Salem County woman who was found dead in her submerged car.
No this was not a conspiracy to drive sales of flash lights, batteries, generators, bread, milk and eggs. It was the right course of action to take based on the information that was available and if and when this happens again we should do the same thing. I applaud the efforts of all whose top priority was to protect their fellow man, especially the volunteers who left their own families to look out for others.
First I would point out that predicting the weather never has and probably never will be an exact science. However based on what we knew it was quite probable that the Jersey Shore was in line for a direct hit and the responsibility of rational-thinking officials was to do all they could to protect lives and property. All you have to do is remember the pictures of those on roof tops praying to be rescued after Hurricane Katrina. Those were people who did not leave when they were told to and many died because of that.
I laugh at the old-timers who today will be going around saying “I told you so.” They will tell old war stories of all the other storms they rode out and insist this was nothing compared to them. I again say “thank goodness” and you’re lucky…if not necessarily very smart. It turns out the much of Ocean County escaped with only minor problems as the storm ended up saving its biggest punches for certain inland sections of New Jersey. However if you think this was nothing than ask those who have been flooded out with more water on the way. Then there are those still without power who are trying to figure out what to do as it may be a while before everyone is fully restored. Then there is the family of a Salem County woman who was found dead in her submerged car.
No this was not a conspiracy to drive sales of flash lights, batteries, generators, bread, milk and eggs. It was the right course of action to take based on the information that was available and if and when this happens again we should do the same thing. I applaud the efforts of all whose top priority was to protect their fellow man, especially the volunteers who left their own families to look out for others.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Welcome Townsquare Media
For the last few days you have heard something somewhat unfamiliar on this radio station and that is our association with Townsquare Media who acquired this station and ten others in New Jersey from Millennium Radio Group late last week.
Of course developments like this tend to result in many questions being asked with the obvious being “what does that mean to the radio station?” The answer in this case is nothing and quite a bit.
To the average listener the change in ownership won’t impact what they like about WOBM as the personalities and features will remain pretty much the same. Townsquare’s interest in the Millennium properties was largely based on the things that have made us New Jersey’s premiere radio company and market leaders when it comes to news, talk, music and entertainment content. However Townsquare has proven in a short time that they have a strategic plan to make their radio stations better than ever for both listeners and advertisers, the two groups we serve on a daily basis. In less than two years this dynamic company has acquired 176 radio stations and related websites in 38 small and mid-sized markets, making it the fourth largest owner of radio stations in the country and that number is expected to top 200 in the very near future.
Townsquare’s goal is to provide content to our listeners in a variety of ways using the technology available today and in the future. Not only does that mean the best on-air products possible but enhanced web sites and other digital applications that will make put radio stations ahead of the curve in this market and around the country.
On behalf of those of us who work out of the WOBM building I welcome Zoe Burdine-Fly who will oversee our shore group of stations as well as the New Jersey operation. She comes to us from Flint, Michigan and loves the Jersey Shore and our beaches. The only negative I can find is she’s a Michigan Wolverine fan but the good news for her is they don’t play Penn State this fall which will save her some embarrassment.
Of course developments like this tend to result in many questions being asked with the obvious being “what does that mean to the radio station?” The answer in this case is nothing and quite a bit.
To the average listener the change in ownership won’t impact what they like about WOBM as the personalities and features will remain pretty much the same. Townsquare’s interest in the Millennium properties was largely based on the things that have made us New Jersey’s premiere radio company and market leaders when it comes to news, talk, music and entertainment content. However Townsquare has proven in a short time that they have a strategic plan to make their radio stations better than ever for both listeners and advertisers, the two groups we serve on a daily basis. In less than two years this dynamic company has acquired 176 radio stations and related websites in 38 small and mid-sized markets, making it the fourth largest owner of radio stations in the country and that number is expected to top 200 in the very near future.
Townsquare’s goal is to provide content to our listeners in a variety of ways using the technology available today and in the future. Not only does that mean the best on-air products possible but enhanced web sites and other digital applications that will make put radio stations ahead of the curve in this market and around the country.
On behalf of those of us who work out of the WOBM building I welcome Zoe Burdine-Fly who will oversee our shore group of stations as well as the New Jersey operation. She comes to us from Flint, Michigan and loves the Jersey Shore and our beaches. The only negative I can find is she’s a Michigan Wolverine fan but the good news for her is they don’t play Penn State this fall which will save her some embarrassment.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Shake, Rattle & Roll
I would imagine Californians think yesterday’s coverage of the East Coast earthquake was the most overblown news story of all-time. I mean they continue shaving when a 5.8 strikes. It’s like telling people in Buffalo that you got hit with a six inch snow storm…they would view that as flurries. However the truth is earthquakes are way down on our list of worries when it comes to Mother Nature so the fact our ground shook yesterday afternoon was a big deal.
I was in my office working on my computer when my chair starting vibrating…kind of felt like one of those beds you put quarters in. Anyway I got up and ran into the hallway where a co-worker screamed “did you feel that?” First thing I did was run outside and look up at our tower thinking it might have had something to do with what we felt. Of course within moments were knew it was an earthquake as the phones started ringing off the hook. My wife, who was on the beach in Seaside Park at the time, told me later that lifeguards immediately called swimmers out of the ocean and it fueled speculation that there was a shark in the water. All in all it was quite an interesting afternoon. By the way you may have noticed problems trying to use cell phones immediately after the earthquake as many reached out to loved phones to make sure they were okay and it just slammed the cell systems. However even though you might not have been able to call someone you could still text them which is a good thing to know for the future.
Now that we’ve survived the earthquake we turn our attention to Hurricane Irene with the threat increasing along the New Jersey coast based on the latest path. Sunday looks like the day we should be braced for the powerful storm.
Hopefully the weather will not be a problem for Saturday’s “Grand Slam” Summer Celebration that will be hosted by the Ocean County College Foundation in the school’s Health & Human Performance Center. The event is a major fundraiser for the foundation’s scholarship fund and will include live entertainment, a gourmet buffet, and both live and silent auctions. Being honored as Humanitarian of the Year at Saturday’s event is retired New Jersey Superior Court Judge Robert Fall.
It all gets underway at 6pm and for ticket information you can still call the OCC Foundation at (732) 255-0492.
I was in my office working on my computer when my chair starting vibrating…kind of felt like one of those beds you put quarters in. Anyway I got up and ran into the hallway where a co-worker screamed “did you feel that?” First thing I did was run outside and look up at our tower thinking it might have had something to do with what we felt. Of course within moments were knew it was an earthquake as the phones started ringing off the hook. My wife, who was on the beach in Seaside Park at the time, told me later that lifeguards immediately called swimmers out of the ocean and it fueled speculation that there was a shark in the water. All in all it was quite an interesting afternoon. By the way you may have noticed problems trying to use cell phones immediately after the earthquake as many reached out to loved phones to make sure they were okay and it just slammed the cell systems. However even though you might not have been able to call someone you could still text them which is a good thing to know for the future.
Now that we’ve survived the earthquake we turn our attention to Hurricane Irene with the threat increasing along the New Jersey coast based on the latest path. Sunday looks like the day we should be braced for the powerful storm.
Hopefully the weather will not be a problem for Saturday’s “Grand Slam” Summer Celebration that will be hosted by the Ocean County College Foundation in the school’s Health & Human Performance Center. The event is a major fundraiser for the foundation’s scholarship fund and will include live entertainment, a gourmet buffet, and both live and silent auctions. Being honored as Humanitarian of the Year at Saturday’s event is retired New Jersey Superior Court Judge Robert Fall.
It all gets underway at 6pm and for ticket information you can still call the OCC Foundation at (732) 255-0492.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Kevin Malast and Glenn Carson have a couple of things in common. They both played high school football in Ocean County and are middle linebackers bidding to make their marks on a higher level this fall. However their paths to where they are now are quite different.
While he was a three-sport standout at Manchester Township High School Malast flew under the radar a bit playing for a program that struggled for respect. His talents took him to Rutgers University where he was a two-year starter and team captain as a senior when he was one of the leading tacklers in the Big East. Malast signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in the spring of 2009 and was waived just before the season opener. The Bears later signed him to their practice squad and another free agent contract but again he was waived a week before the 2010 season was to begin. However the youngest of three football-playing brothers did not give up on his dream of playing in the NFL and this past January Malast was signed by the Tennessee Titans. He is listed as the third-string middle linebacker and has made five tackles in their first two pre-season games. While he might be a long shot to make the team the 25-year old still has time to prove that he belongs in the pros.
Carson was a celebrated athlete at Southern Regional High School where he keyed a football revival and also won a state wrestling championship. Highly recruited he eventually chose Penn State and its reputation as “Linebacker U” over Rutgers
and after some early bumps in the road the path has gotten a lot smoother. Carson saw action last season as a red-shirt freshman, mostly on special teams but this spring and summer has really raised his level of play. The ex-Ram progressed so quickly that the Nittany Lions moved starting middle linebacker Mike Mauti to the outside in order to open up the inside for Carson. As things stand now #40 will be in the starting lineup when Penn State opens its season on September 3rd against Indiana State. With three years of eligibility remaining the Manahawkin resident has a golden opportunity to add to the school’s reputation for producing linebackers and he might become the second family member to play in the NFL.
Carson’s grandfather Tom Higgins was an offensive lineman who spent three seasons with the Eagles & Chicago Cardinals in the mid 50’s.
Kevin Malast and Glenn Carson have both achieved great success on the football field and here’s hoping for both that the best still lies ahead.
While he was a three-sport standout at Manchester Township High School Malast flew under the radar a bit playing for a program that struggled for respect. His talents took him to Rutgers University where he was a two-year starter and team captain as a senior when he was one of the leading tacklers in the Big East. Malast signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in the spring of 2009 and was waived just before the season opener. The Bears later signed him to their practice squad and another free agent contract but again he was waived a week before the 2010 season was to begin. However the youngest of three football-playing brothers did not give up on his dream of playing in the NFL and this past January Malast was signed by the Tennessee Titans. He is listed as the third-string middle linebacker and has made five tackles in their first two pre-season games. While he might be a long shot to make the team the 25-year old still has time to prove that he belongs in the pros.
Carson was a celebrated athlete at Southern Regional High School where he keyed a football revival and also won a state wrestling championship. Highly recruited he eventually chose Penn State and its reputation as “Linebacker U” over Rutgers
and after some early bumps in the road the path has gotten a lot smoother. Carson saw action last season as a red-shirt freshman, mostly on special teams but this spring and summer has really raised his level of play. The ex-Ram progressed so quickly that the Nittany Lions moved starting middle linebacker Mike Mauti to the outside in order to open up the inside for Carson. As things stand now #40 will be in the starting lineup when Penn State opens its season on September 3rd against Indiana State. With three years of eligibility remaining the Manahawkin resident has a golden opportunity to add to the school’s reputation for producing linebackers and he might become the second family member to play in the NFL.
Carson’s grandfather Tom Higgins was an offensive lineman who spent three seasons with the Eagles & Chicago Cardinals in the mid 50’s.
Kevin Malast and Glenn Carson have both achieved great success on the football field and here’s hoping for both that the best still lies ahead.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Back To Happy Valley
I’m back this morning after what will have to suffice as my major vacation of the year which did include a couple of very nice beach days and most importantly the ability sleep past 3am. However the focus was getting our daughter ready for her sophomore year at Penn State which begins today. My wife and Alex did quite a bit of running around last week which was highlighted by our now traditional final night dinner at The Crabs Claw Inn where Alex worked for the third straight summer. She looked forward all week to munching on King Crab Legs which she claimed would be her last good meal until she comes home for Thanksgiving.
Anyway our fully-loaded van departed at 3am Saturday for the trip to Penn State which was a pleasure with little traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Despite two stops for gas and coffee we arrived in State College in less than 4 ½ hours. We were told move-ins could begin at 10am but on a hunch we went straight to Alex’s dorm complex and within 10 minutes had her room key and began the task of moving in bins and bins of clothes and stuff. Then came the first of several trips to Target and Wal-Mart and when we returned to the dorm it was a different story as the masses had arrived. All in all things went well as we got her room ready…I even managed to assemble a desk chair and organizer…jobs that would have taken the average person about 20 minutes while I needed more than an hour. I’m telling you the pictures in the directions just don’t match up. Her roommate Nicole arrived early in the afternoon and I was happy when her handyman father took care of assembling the futon which I would probably still be working on.
Jane and I went out to a late dinner by ourselves because Alex and her Kappa Delta sisters already had plans for their first night back on campus and those plans did not include us. We did meet for a nice breakfast Sunday and then it was off for some last-minute needs and yet another trip to Wal-Mart and some final touches on the dorm room just around the time a massive thunderstorm hit….a storm we would pretty much follow from Happy Valley all the way home. I was not very happy with the six-hours it took to get home because of rain and traffic but it’s great to know that Alex is at a school and place she loves with great friends. Here’s to a sensational sophomore year….and spot on the Dean’s List!
On an unrelated note, professional soccer player Carolyn Blank will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans tonight at Modell’s Sporting Goods in Toms River from 5-6pm. The former Toms River East and West Virginia standout is in her first season with Sky Blue FC in New Jersey after playing last year for St. Louis and Atlanta.
Anyway our fully-loaded van departed at 3am Saturday for the trip to Penn State which was a pleasure with little traffic on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Despite two stops for gas and coffee we arrived in State College in less than 4 ½ hours. We were told move-ins could begin at 10am but on a hunch we went straight to Alex’s dorm complex and within 10 minutes had her room key and began the task of moving in bins and bins of clothes and stuff. Then came the first of several trips to Target and Wal-Mart and when we returned to the dorm it was a different story as the masses had arrived. All in all things went well as we got her room ready…I even managed to assemble a desk chair and organizer…jobs that would have taken the average person about 20 minutes while I needed more than an hour. I’m telling you the pictures in the directions just don’t match up. Her roommate Nicole arrived early in the afternoon and I was happy when her handyman father took care of assembling the futon which I would probably still be working on.
Jane and I went out to a late dinner by ourselves because Alex and her Kappa Delta sisters already had plans for their first night back on campus and those plans did not include us. We did meet for a nice breakfast Sunday and then it was off for some last-minute needs and yet another trip to Wal-Mart and some final touches on the dorm room just around the time a massive thunderstorm hit….a storm we would pretty much follow from Happy Valley all the way home. I was not very happy with the six-hours it took to get home because of rain and traffic but it’s great to know that Alex is at a school and place she loves with great friends. Here’s to a sensational sophomore year….and spot on the Dean’s List!
On an unrelated note, professional soccer player Carolyn Blank will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans tonight at Modell’s Sporting Goods in Toms River from 5-6pm. The former Toms River East and West Virginia standout is in her first season with Sky Blue FC in New Jersey after playing last year for St. Louis and Atlanta.
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