(No Hometown View on 6/25/08)
Brian Pringle is a 14-year old Point Pleasant Beach resident who was recently diagnosed with a rare, cancerous brain tumor. An active sports lover known for a great personality and smile Brian and his family have a fight on their hands but certainly are not alone in this battle. The Friends of Brian Pringle has been formed to help assist the family financially and emotionally and tonight they will be holding a fundraiser at Jenkinson’s
North Pavilion from 6-10pm.
The evening will feature a great barbeque, open bar, raffles, door prizes
and much more. Tickets are $25 for those under 21 and $50 for adults which includes the four-open open bar. For information on not only tonight’s event but how you can make a donation to help out the family simply visit www.FriendsofBrianPringle.org
The Toms River High School South Football Parents Club is holding a Texas Hold’Em Tournament on Saturday evening, July 26th at the Toms River Elks Lodge on Washington Street. The event is limited to 250 adults over the age of 21 with a $100 donation with great prizes, including a 56” flat screen TV. Ticket locations include Monaghan’s Liquors in Toms River, Ferrari’s Pizza in Beachwood and Luigi’s Deli in South Toms River….for more information you can call Hal Finley at (732) 606-3451.
The Lakewood BlueClaws are in a stretch in which they’re playing 11 of 13 games on the road but they will be home for games Saturday and Sunday against the Delmarva Shorebirds. Sunday’s day game features an appearance by former Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, who should be in the Hall of Fame.
We’ll probably know in the next few days whether or not the recent controversy involving radio talk show host Don Imus will amount to anything serious but at the very least he put his foot in his mouth and might have a harder time lining up supporters then he did a couple of years ago.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Remembering George Carlin
Like many I was shocked at the sudden death of George Carlin, who not only was a great stand-up comic but was often very accurate in his descriptions of every day life. While many will always think of him as the guy with the 7 dirty words he was much more than that and I will miss his wit and wisdom. Here’s one about how life is not as difficult as many make it out to be as long as you have a good set of rules.
· Relax and take it easy. Don’t get caught up in hollow conceits such as “doing something with your life.”
· Whatever it is you pursue, try to do it just well enough to remain in the middle third of the field. Keep your thoughts and ideas to yourself and don’t ask questions.
· Size people up quickly and develop rigid attitudes based on your first impression. If you try to delve deeper and get to know people you are asking for trouble.
· Don’t fall for that superstitious nonsense about treating people the way you would like to be treated.
· Spends as much time as you can pleading and impressing others, even if it makes you unhappy. Pay special attention to shallow manipulators who can do you the most harm.
· Surround yourself with inferiors and losers. Not only will you look good by comparison, but they will look up to you and that will make you feel better.
· Don’t buy into the sentimental notion that everyone has shortcomings; it’s the surest way of undermining yourself. Remember, the really best people have no defects.
· Beware of intuition and gut instincts, they are completely unreliable. Instead, develop preconceived notions and don’t waver unless someone tells you to.
· Never give up on an idea simply because it is bad and doesn’t work. Cling to it even when it is hopeless. Anyone can cut and run but it takes a special person to stay with something that is stupid and harmful.
· Always remember that today doesn’t count. Trying to make something out of today only robs you of precious time that could be spent daydreaming of resting up.
· Try to dwell on the past. Think of all the mistakes you’ve made and how much better it would be if you hadn’t made them.
· If by chance you make a fresh mistake, try to repeat it a few times so you become familiar with it and can do it easily in the future.
· Finally, enjoy yourself all the time and do whatever you want. Don’t be seduced by that mindless chatter going around about “responsibility.” That’s exactly the sort of thing that can ruin your life.
· Relax and take it easy. Don’t get caught up in hollow conceits such as “doing something with your life.”
· Whatever it is you pursue, try to do it just well enough to remain in the middle third of the field. Keep your thoughts and ideas to yourself and don’t ask questions.
· Size people up quickly and develop rigid attitudes based on your first impression. If you try to delve deeper and get to know people you are asking for trouble.
· Don’t fall for that superstitious nonsense about treating people the way you would like to be treated.
· Spends as much time as you can pleading and impressing others, even if it makes you unhappy. Pay special attention to shallow manipulators who can do you the most harm.
· Surround yourself with inferiors and losers. Not only will you look good by comparison, but they will look up to you and that will make you feel better.
· Don’t buy into the sentimental notion that everyone has shortcomings; it’s the surest way of undermining yourself. Remember, the really best people have no defects.
· Beware of intuition and gut instincts, they are completely unreliable. Instead, develop preconceived notions and don’t waver unless someone tells you to.
· Never give up on an idea simply because it is bad and doesn’t work. Cling to it even when it is hopeless. Anyone can cut and run but it takes a special person to stay with something that is stupid and harmful.
· Always remember that today doesn’t count. Trying to make something out of today only robs you of precious time that could be spent daydreaming of resting up.
· Try to dwell on the past. Think of all the mistakes you’ve made and how much better it would be if you hadn’t made them.
· If by chance you make a fresh mistake, try to repeat it a few times so you become familiar with it and can do it easily in the future.
· Finally, enjoy yourself all the time and do whatever you want. Don’t be seduced by that mindless chatter going around about “responsibility.” That’s exactly the sort of thing that can ruin your life.
Monday, June 23, 2008
High Gas Prices & Summer Business
As gas prices rose dramatically during the spring there were many different opinions on what affect that would have on tourism at the Jersey Shore this summer. There were those convinced it would lead to a banner season because many would chose to stay close to home rather then drive to places more than a tank of gas away. On the other side were those who felt strongly that higher gas prices would especially hurt the middle class people who make most of the day or short trips to the shore and would be more likely to stay home.
Certainly it’s too early to tell what $4 a gallon gas has meant to tourism but the first official weekend of summer did not appear to be a busy one and it might only partly have to do with the economy. I woke up Sunday morning to weather forecasts everywhere that made the day look like a bust with heavy thunderstorms being called for most of the state. However around noon there I was looking at a fairly deserted beachfront in Seaside Park with golden sunshine and cool southerly breezes that made for a rather nice day. So where were the usually large daily crowds that would pack the beaches?
The answer might be with the cost of gas many won’t take a drive down to the shore unless they are sure it will be a nice day to spend on the beach.
Those in the tourism business have always believed the weather forecast plays a role, especially with day-trippers or those coming for a weekend.
That may be truer now than ever before so while I don’t want to put any extra pressure on Alan Kasper to get it right……Alan you better be on your “A” game this summer. Or as someone said to me….just predict sunshine every day and we won’t have any problems.
Congratulations to the happy couple as childhood sweethearts Brett Hardie and Jamie Hibbs were married this weekend and are now honeymooning in Mexico. The real congratulations go out to Jim and Susan Hibbs, who saw all three of their daughters married in the last couple of years and threw a great party for each and every one of them.
Certainly it’s too early to tell what $4 a gallon gas has meant to tourism but the first official weekend of summer did not appear to be a busy one and it might only partly have to do with the economy. I woke up Sunday morning to weather forecasts everywhere that made the day look like a bust with heavy thunderstorms being called for most of the state. However around noon there I was looking at a fairly deserted beachfront in Seaside Park with golden sunshine and cool southerly breezes that made for a rather nice day. So where were the usually large daily crowds that would pack the beaches?
The answer might be with the cost of gas many won’t take a drive down to the shore unless they are sure it will be a nice day to spend on the beach.
Those in the tourism business have always believed the weather forecast plays a role, especially with day-trippers or those coming for a weekend.
That may be truer now than ever before so while I don’t want to put any extra pressure on Alan Kasper to get it right……Alan you better be on your “A” game this summer. Or as someone said to me….just predict sunshine every day and we won’t have any problems.
Congratulations to the happy couple as childhood sweethearts Brett Hardie and Jamie Hibbs were married this weekend and are now honeymooning in Mexico. The real congratulations go out to Jim and Susan Hibbs, who saw all three of their daughters married in the last couple of years and threw a great party for each and every one of them.
Friday, June 20, 2008
School's Out For Summer!
In the words of Alice Cooper “school is out for summer” and for many that means a change in their daily routine. No longer do some parents have to wake up early to get the kids off for school and many teachers and bus drivers don’t have to worry about setting their alarm clocks for the next couple of months. As always there are quite a few whose careers in education are coming to an end as they’re headed to retirement although for many of those another career awaits.
This week has featured graduation ceremonies for most of the area high schools as students have marched to the tune of pomp and circumstance
and received their diploma which marks an end and a beginning at the same time. For some it does mean the end of school as they’ll move right into the job market or possibly the military. However most are headed to college with some going locally and living at home and others traveling 3,000 miles
where Mom can no longer do the laundry or make dinner on demand.
It is a bittersweet time for parents who talk about how they can’t wait for their children to leave and then have this empty feeling when they go, especially if it’s an only or youngest child bolting the home. As for the kids….well some are itching to get away while others are in no hurry to give up the safety and security of their present address.
Of course for now it should be time to enjoy the accomplishments of finishing high school and making the best of the upcoming summer vacation. And for those of you who will be sleeping late and missing the Hometown View….well hopefully we’ll see you in September.
This week has featured graduation ceremonies for most of the area high schools as students have marched to the tune of pomp and circumstance
and received their diploma which marks an end and a beginning at the same time. For some it does mean the end of school as they’ll move right into the job market or possibly the military. However most are headed to college with some going locally and living at home and others traveling 3,000 miles
where Mom can no longer do the laundry or make dinner on demand.
It is a bittersweet time for parents who talk about how they can’t wait for their children to leave and then have this empty feeling when they go, especially if it’s an only or youngest child bolting the home. As for the kids….well some are itching to get away while others are in no hurry to give up the safety and security of their present address.
Of course for now it should be time to enjoy the accomplishments of finishing high school and making the best of the upcoming summer vacation. And for those of you who will be sleeping late and missing the Hometown View….well hopefully we’ll see you in September.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Stranger In Town (WED, JUNE 18)
As I often I tell you in advance this is not an original but rather something I received via email and re-worked for the purpose of radio. It starts with a young boy who talks about his father meeting a stranger who was new to the small town they lived in. The father was so fascinated with the newcomer that he was invited to live with the family and he quickly accepted and was around from then on.
As the boy grew up he never questioned the stranger’s place in the family.
His Mom taught him good from evil, Dad taught him to obey but the stranger was the story teller. He would keep the children spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If the boy wanted to know anything about politics, history or science it was the stranger who always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and could even predict the future and he even took the family to their first major league baseball game.
While alcohol wasn’t permitted in the house the stranger encouraged the family to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely about sex and his comments were sometimes suggestive and generally embarrassing. He made them laugh and cry and never stopped talking but nobody seemed to mind although on occasion Mom would get up and go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.
Dad ruled the household with certain moral convictions but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity was not allowed in the home by anyone for any reason but the stranger got away with four-letter words that burned their ears, made Dad squirm and Mom blush.
More than 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with the family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.
Still, if you would walk into the parents’ den today, you would find him sitting in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name? They just call him “TV.”
As the boy grew up he never questioned the stranger’s place in the family.
His Mom taught him good from evil, Dad taught him to obey but the stranger was the story teller. He would keep the children spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If the boy wanted to know anything about politics, history or science it was the stranger who always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and could even predict the future and he even took the family to their first major league baseball game.
While alcohol wasn’t permitted in the house the stranger encouraged the family to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely about sex and his comments were sometimes suggestive and generally embarrassing. He made them laugh and cry and never stopped talking but nobody seemed to mind although on occasion Mom would get up and go to the kitchen for peace and quiet.
Dad ruled the household with certain moral convictions but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity was not allowed in the home by anyone for any reason but the stranger got away with four-letter words that burned their ears, made Dad squirm and Mom blush.
More than 50 years have passed since the stranger moved in with the family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.
Still, if you would walk into the parents’ den today, you would find him sitting in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name? They just call him “TV.”
Thursday Notes
Some random notes and thoughts:
The Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame inducted a group of eight during a dinner last night at the Crystal Point Yacht Club. The Class of 2008 included University of Louisville soccer coach Ken Lolla, former PBA bowler Charlie DelPlato, longtime New York Giants trainer John Johnson,
former Brick soccer coach Rich Finnerty and Monsignor Donovan High School football coach Dan Duddy. Also inducted posthumously were Norman Galinkin, a multi-sport athlete from Toms River who played pro baseball and longtime shore area football coach Jack Van Etten. Wrestling standout Scott Winston, who graduates from Jackson Memorial High School tonight, was honored as the High School Athlete of the Year. I was also inducted into the Hall of Fame…obviously not for my athletic career but rather for following the careers of others. Special thanks to Pete Dowd for all his work and it was fun having his son Jim of the Philadelphia Flyers sit at our table and talk hockey.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County will host their annual spring yard sale tomorrow from 9am-3pm at their offices at 85 Williams Street in Lakewood. There will be antiques, furniture, house wares, clothing, toys and much more plus a selection of floor sample wedding gowns. Others can also rent tables to sell items at the yard sale and for information and directions you can call BBBSOC at (732) 905-5349.
The Beachwood-Pine Beach Little League will celebrate their 50th Anniversary of baseball with a gala picnic this Sunday (June 22) from noon to 5pm. The day will feature carnival games, a home run derby, field games, food vendors, Buster from the Lakewood BlueClaws and much more at the little league complex. All former players and coaches are invited to attend.
The Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce still has some openings for players and tee sponsors for Monday’s 15th Annual Golf Tournament at Pine Barrens in Jackson. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a 1pm shot gun start and then a dinner afterwards. You can call the chamber office today at (732) 349-0220 for more information.
The Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame inducted a group of eight during a dinner last night at the Crystal Point Yacht Club. The Class of 2008 included University of Louisville soccer coach Ken Lolla, former PBA bowler Charlie DelPlato, longtime New York Giants trainer John Johnson,
former Brick soccer coach Rich Finnerty and Monsignor Donovan High School football coach Dan Duddy. Also inducted posthumously were Norman Galinkin, a multi-sport athlete from Toms River who played pro baseball and longtime shore area football coach Jack Van Etten. Wrestling standout Scott Winston, who graduates from Jackson Memorial High School tonight, was honored as the High School Athlete of the Year. I was also inducted into the Hall of Fame…obviously not for my athletic career but rather for following the careers of others. Special thanks to Pete Dowd for all his work and it was fun having his son Jim of the Philadelphia Flyers sit at our table and talk hockey.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County will host their annual spring yard sale tomorrow from 9am-3pm at their offices at 85 Williams Street in Lakewood. There will be antiques, furniture, house wares, clothing, toys and much more plus a selection of floor sample wedding gowns. Others can also rent tables to sell items at the yard sale and for information and directions you can call BBBSOC at (732) 905-5349.
The Beachwood-Pine Beach Little League will celebrate their 50th Anniversary of baseball with a gala picnic this Sunday (June 22) from noon to 5pm. The day will feature carnival games, a home run derby, field games, food vendors, Buster from the Lakewood BlueClaws and much more at the little league complex. All former players and coaches are invited to attend.
The Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce still has some openings for players and tee sponsors for Monday’s 15th Annual Golf Tournament at Pine Barrens in Jackson. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by a 1pm shot gun start and then a dinner afterwards. You can call the chamber office today at (732) 349-0220 for more information.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Firing Of Willie Randolph
While there is really no good way to fire someone there are right and wrong ways and you’ll find almost unanimous agreement that the Mets dismissal of manager Willie Randolph was handled poorly and showed a lack of class. Randolph was finally put out of his misery at around 3 o’clock this morning our time after the Mets had beaten the Angels in the opener of a three-game series in Anaheim. Also getting “pink slips” were pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto. Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over as interim manager for the rest of the season while Mets Triple A manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Dan Warthen along with Luis Aquayo join the coaching staff.
There is no argument that Randolph was on thin ice and his firing has been talked about for weeks with rumors really heating up over the weekend. However why would the organization make him fly cross-country after a Sunday game in New York to fire him on the left coast after a victory? The answer is pretty obvious….to avoid the media circus that would have taken place back home and to give Manuel time to get things together before the team returns to Shea Stadium next week. While one can argue the validity of that the Mets treated Randolph like a second-class citizen when he has shown nothing but dedication to the organization. He was allowed to twist in the wind with luke-warm votes of confidence from General Manager Omar Minaya with Minaya finally pulling the plug on New York’s first black baseball manager in a west coast version of a “midnight massacre.”
Whether Randolph was a good manager is not the issue because he did provide plenty of fodder for second guessers. However he has been a beloved figure in New York for the way he conducted himself as a player and coach during his Yankee career and most recently as manager of the Mets. Unfortunately the Mets did not conduct themselves very well here and the organization takes a big step backwards. They and Minaya showed a lack of class and character which of course will be completely forgotten by fans if the team starts winning because at the end of the day…I guess that’s the only thing that counts.
There is no argument that Randolph was on thin ice and his firing has been talked about for weeks with rumors really heating up over the weekend. However why would the organization make him fly cross-country after a Sunday game in New York to fire him on the left coast after a victory? The answer is pretty obvious….to avoid the media circus that would have taken place back home and to give Manuel time to get things together before the team returns to Shea Stadium next week. While one can argue the validity of that the Mets treated Randolph like a second-class citizen when he has shown nothing but dedication to the organization. He was allowed to twist in the wind with luke-warm votes of confidence from General Manager Omar Minaya with Minaya finally pulling the plug on New York’s first black baseball manager in a west coast version of a “midnight massacre.”
Whether Randolph was a good manager is not the issue because he did provide plenty of fodder for second guessers. However he has been a beloved figure in New York for the way he conducted himself as a player and coach during his Yankee career and most recently as manager of the Mets. Unfortunately the Mets did not conduct themselves very well here and the organization takes a big step backwards. They and Minaya showed a lack of class and character which of course will be completely forgotten by fans if the team starts winning because at the end of the day…I guess that’s the only thing that counts.
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