Chicago Pictures Part II...

Below you will find more pictures from my recent time in Chicago, Il.

Navy Pier at Night

Statue of Bob Newhart near Navy Pier Entrance

Out on the town at "Howl At The Moon"

Michigan Ave Bridge at Night

Clock outside Macy's

Christmas Decorations inside Macy's

Horses and Buggy outside Macy's

Marshall Field Sign outside what is now Macy's

Another Horse and Buggy outside Macy's

Michigan Ave

Santa on Ice

Zamboni prepping Outdoor Ice Rink

During the summer months these are waterfalls in

a park next to the Chicago Institute of Art. They have pictures on

them year round. I found them to be very interesting looking

and would love to go back and see them during the summer with

water falling down them.

Chicago Institute of Art

Chicago Pictures....

Here are some pictures taken outside the Chicago Hilton on Michigan Avenue when I was at the Midwest Clinic last week.

Midwest Banner hanging outside the Hilton

Doormen for the Hilton

(love the coats and hats)

Across Michigan Avenue from the Hilton

Trolley on Michigan

The Merle Reskin Theatre (DePaul University)

Close up of Blackstone Theatre above the Merle Reskin Sign

Side view of DePaul Blackstone Theatre

Stairs on side of theater

Harold's Chicken Shack #62

If you are ever near the Hilton and looking for

a quick place to eat I recommend stopping in Harold's.

Next Door to Harold's

Chicago Train

Hey NOLA, we didn't forget you!

Last week I was in Chicago for the 61st Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic.


The Midwest Clinic exists for educational purposes exclusively; to raise the standards of music education; to develop new teaching techniques; to disseminate to school music teachers, directors and supervisors and others interested in music education, information to assist in their professional work; to examine, analyze and appraise literature dealing with music; to hold clinics, lectures and demonstrations for the betterment of music education; and in general to assist teachers and others interested in music education in better pursuing their profession.


By The Numbers:

Annual attendance is 13,000

350 Exhibitors

560 Booths

40 Concerts

100 Clinics

All 50 states represented with more than 30 other countries represented


One of the most impressive bands performing in concert last week was the New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Guitar Ensemble from Winnetka, Illinois. The Midwest web site has several video highlights of their concert online at http://www.midwestclinic.org/videos/band_archive.asp

I would like to point out a special project that the band is currently conducting. Please check out the links to the bands web site to see how you can help.

About The Project:

The New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble program is committed to helping the students and professional musicians of New Orleans in a year-long project called "Hey NOLA, we didn't forget you!" The ensemble will be collecting playable used instruments for Tipitina's Foundation (http://tipitinasfoundation.org/) hand-delivering all donations to New Orleans during New Trier's Spring Break. While in the Crescent City, the jazz ensemble will perform a free concert at a local high school as well as concerts for local residents and volunteer workers from around the world. Finally, the ensemble will build a new home in or near Habitat for Humanity's "Musicians' Village," a housing project for professional musicians, so that those who lost their homes and were displaced by Hurricane Katrina can return to NOLA to continue to make music.

The students hope to raise $75,000 for the project, which is the entire cost of a house. Contributions are being accepted online at http://www.ntjazz.com/NOLA/default.htm. If you enjoy good jazz check out the bands web site above and consider purchasing their CD "25 Years and counting: Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of The Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival at New Trier High School" a double CD featuring world famous guest artists performing with the Jazz Ensemble 1 for $20 with profits going to Habitat for Humanity's "Musician Village."

Oscar Peterson...

Oscar Peterson

1925 - 2007

Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson has died at the age of 82.

Peterson began playing the piano and trumpet as a young boy under the stern tutelage of his father, Daniel Peterson, a West Indian immigrant who worked as a railway porter. He continued with his piano studies under the watch of his older sister Daisy after tuberculosis damaged his lungs at age six. At 14, Peterson earned his first break, winning the CBC's national amateur contest.

For more information on Oscar Peterson check out his offical web site at http://oscarpeterson.com/news/

What Happens When Teachers Die...

What happens when teachers die?

A teacher dies and goes to Heaven. When she gets there, she meets Peter at the pearly white gates.

Peter says to her, "Welcome to Heaven. Let me give you an orientation first." So, Peter takes her to some beautiful mansions.

The teacher asks, "Who lives here in these beautiful houses?"

"These are for doctors. They did a lot of good on Earth so they get a nice mansion," replied Peter.

Peter takes the teacher to some more mansions. These were more magnificent than the first. "Wow, who lives here?"

"These mansions are for social workers. They did a lot of good on Earth but didn't make a lot of money so they get a better house.

"Peter took the teacher to some more mansions. These were the most gorgeous homes she had ever seen. They had huge columns,well-manicured lawns, beautiful stained glass windows; the works!

"These are the most beautiful homes I have ever seen,"exclaimed the teacher, "who lives here?!"

"Teachers live here." said Peter, "They did much good on Earth and received very little money so they get the best houses in all of Heaven."

"But where are all of the teachers?" inquired the teacher.

Peter answered, "Oh, they'll be back soon. They're all in Hell at an in-service."

B.L.A.Z.E.R.S GO BLAZERS GO....

VSU BLAZERS NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPS!!!

Division I football once again this year will not have an undisputed National Champion in football again this year. But in Division II where they have a play off system in place once again the Valdosta State University Blazers, National Champion team, won it on the field. In a nail bitter close game against NW Missouri St the VSU Blazers pulled out a 25 -20 Victory.

Going into the play offs Valdosta was ranked #8 and NW Missouri State was ranked #5. But in the end Valdosta won the title on the field. One can only hope that one day Division I football will have a play off system so there can be an undisputed National Championship team.

Tim "Superman" Tebow...

Heisman just the beginning of Tebow's bright future


In October of 2005, Meyer was in his first season as the Gators head coach when he sent a text message to a highly coveted high school quarterback. That player, Tim Tebow, was then a senior at Ponte Vedra Beach (Fla.) Nease High School. One Monday, as Tebow was waiting to be introduced as the featured speaker at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, his cell phone beeped. A text message reportedly appeared on the screen:



TT: If we were scoring 50 points a game, we wouldn't need you. Obviously we need an athlete that's the right fit. National championship, Heisman, it's all waiting for you. Urban Meyer.



Tim Tebow became the 73rd winner of the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. No player has ever needed fewer semesters in school to do it. No sophomore had ever won the Heisman.



To read the full article by John WaltersNBCSports.com click HERE






I am one HAPPY GATOR fan to see Tim get the recognition he deserves.

Tagged...

Visalia Christmas Parade - Tag

Last Monday we went to Visalia for the "Candycane Lane Parade" with the middle school band.

While the band was marching down Main Street and the bus drivers were out watching the parade our bus was tagged by some local gang member. Fortunately they used a black marker (maybe a sharpie) to tag the bus and the bus garage was able to remove the tagged material the next day.

It is events like this that start to make one think how safe our the streets for our kids? Do I want to keep living and teaching here or is it time to look into moving some place else?

Has the gang problem really gotten out of control? - At times it sure feels that way.

Are all gang kids trouble makers and worthless? - To this I can definitely say NO - Just last night we had our local Christmas parade and after wards I ran into a former student that is a member of one of the local gangs. We talked for a few minutes during which I reminded him that he is a bright young man and needs to make good choices in life because he has great potential. Before he walked off he stopped and gave me a hug and said Thanks.

I don't completely understand the gang culture. It just breaks my heart that some really great, smart students end up throwing away their lives because of gang involvement. I wish had a way to help get more of these students out of this destructive pattern. Some of these kids could be such an asset to society, they are not all just worthless thugs.

51 Touchdowns this season for Tim "Superman" Tebow

Sophomore Tim Tebow was responsible for five touchdowns, three passing and two rushing, as the Gator football team celebrated with a 45-12 victory over Florida State Saturday. In yet another record-breaking performance, Tebow eclipsed the school record for total offense in a season with 3,970 yards, previously held by Rex Grossman (3,904 yards in 2001). Tebow was 19-of-28 for 262 yards passing and rushed for 89 yards with two scores. He has now passed and rushed for at least one TD in 13-straight games.

Tebow, who could become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, finished 19-of-28 for 262 yards. The sophomore also carried 13 times for 89 yards. Tebow went down the field and down in history. His second rushing touchdown gave him 22 for the season, tying the major college record for a quarterback. Chance Harridge of Air Force also had 22 in 2002. Tebow has accounted for 51 touchdowns this season.

Tebow passed for three touchdowns in Saturdays game

and rushed for two more

There are folks that say he will not win the Heisman this year because he is just a Sophomore. But I agree with the Florida cheerleaders that struck the Heisman pose and the fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium chanting "Tebow, Heisman" with 5:37 to play.

Who knows what the Heisman Trophy voters will do. But in my book the trophy should go to Tim "Superman" Tebow.

Thanksgiving Fun...

Give thanks with a grateful heart

This has been a year of personal challenges but at this time I am so Thankful for my friends and family. The support they have shown me in some very trying times has helped carry me through the fire.

Yesterday I made the annual Thanksgiving trek to the mountains with some good friends. Lots of great fellowship and food. It is one of my favorite days of the year.

Peacock enjoying the sunshine

No the place is not for sale - the Peacock above was
behind the fence where this sign has been stuck.

I did not get a picture of us riding the ATVs around
we did go over 35 on them a couple of times

It's not a Thanksgiving fellowship without
fireside chats and fellowship

This year we built a small fire
in a wheel barrel

I'm not a fan of guns. However I do enjoy
having a chance to fire handguns and riffles
at targets on the hill

Beer and Coke cans are used
for targets and placed on the hill

The small rifle

Getting a lesson on how to fire the big rifle

This one was very loud so wearing protection
for the ears was a must

Stargate/Battlestar Galactica Con Burbank

On the road again... in the fog

Tahmoh Penikett - Battlestar Galactica's Helo

Even the Asgard came ready to spend money at the con.

Loki pulled out his Visa to purchase an SGA cast picture.

Information from this past weekends con:

*Joe F. has signed for S5

*Michael has been asked if he would be interested in guest staring for an episode or two of SGA in S5

*BSG S4 not starting until April in US

*BSG shut down production after filming just 13 of the 20 planned episodes due to WGA strike - they may or may not film any more when the strike is over

*WGA strike may last until June

*Joe F has a new favorite con shirt (the blue one has been retired and he is know wearing plaid)

*Ark of Truth airing in Jan on SciFi

*Joe F has a recurring role on Women's Murder Club - did not get to finish filming all contracted episodes due to strike