Santa militarized? Let's lighten up ..

Reading about some “children’s advocates” claiming that Santa is being “militarized” because he’s escorted by Canadian and U.S. fighter jets while flying to deliver his toys to good girls and boys triggered a few emotions.

On Christmas Eve, before the advent of radar on television, we used to listen to radio reports of Santa flying in from the North Pole.

There was a radio on the counter in our kitchen and we would sit at the table, sipping hot chocolate and eating fresh-baked cookies that would be left for Santa.

If we were lucky, though, and it had snowed, we would enjoy homemade snow cream that Mom had made.

An announcer for the radio station – WDEL out of Wilmington, Del. – would break in to the programming (usually Christmas music, her favorites were Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock”) with updates. We lived across the Delaware River from Wilmington so when he said NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) radar showed Santa was approaching, we knew it was time to go to bed.

We didn’t think anything about the fighter escort except it was like an honor guard for Santa.

And, by the way, regarding these so-called “advocates,” what children are they advocates for and who appointed them?

My kids have done quite well, thank you, and I believe so have millions of us over the years – before we realized we didn’t have “advocates.”

Granted, there are situations where similar groups and associations are needed. Such as Child Advocacy Centers to care for child victims and church-based groups and nonprofit organizations for needy children.

But, come on. Lighten up a little.

Or I’ll have to get my G.I. Joes and show you what militarized is really about.

(Reprinted from The Athens News Courier)

'Three Days at Foster' an eye-opening film

“It’s for real, there is one here.”

That was an eye-opening line in the documentary “Three Days at Foster.”

The “one” refers to Wendell Hudson, the first black basketball player at the University of Alabama, when he was eating in the dining hall.

The film tells the story of integration in the Tide’s athletic program, referencing Foster Auditorium, where former Gov. George Wallace made his famed stand in the “schoolhouse door.”

Foster was also where the basketball team played and students registered for classes.

The writer/director/producer of the film is Athens native Keith Dunnavant. He brought his “little film back to Athens” last week with a showing in Athens State’s Standidge Center Ballroom.

“Foster is a monument to the power of change,” he said.

The “first day” is Wallace’s choreographed stand; the “second day” is the story of Danny Treadwell, the first black player at a predominantly white school – Huntsville’s Butler High in the early 1960s – during the state basketball championship at Foster; and the “third day” is when former Tide running back Wilbur Jackson brings his daughter to the reunion of the 1973 team. Jackson was the first black player to sign a football scholarship with Alabama.

Dunnavant isn’t a stranger to compelling stories. He is a veteran journalist – that’s hard for me to say since he was a stringer for me in 1979 when I was the sports editor at the old Huntsville News and he was barely in high school. Along with his newspaper background, he’s written and edited magazines and books.

His credits include biographies of football icons Paul “Bear” Bryant (“Coach”) and Bart Starr (“America’s Quarterback”) and two other classics about the sport, “The Missing Ring” and “The Fifty-Year Seduction.”

“Three Days” is his first foray into film and it was an 18-month-long project.

It premiered this year, was an official selection of Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival and garnered second place in the documentary category at the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival.

Key players in the film are the five black players who walked on at Alabama in 1967 when nearly every other team in the SEC was segregated. The group included Dock Rone, the first black player to suit up for the Tide.

“The walk-ons had never been on camera,” Dunnavant said. “This was compelling.”

And, truth be told, so is the film.

(Reprinted from The Athens News Courier)

Springsteen & I: 'Even the noses ...'

In honor of today's re-release of the documentary "Springsteen & I," this is the final installment of a two-part blog recounting the day I met the Boss.

The day had arrived. It was May 11, 1976.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was to play that night at Auburn's Memorial Coliseum. 

With the previous week's impersonation still in mind, I got ready for the show: Floppy hat, denim shirt, blue jeans, earring, boots, reflective sunglasses and a leather motorcycle jacket borrowed from my fraternity brother Don Kaufman. The jacket, which I didn't wear during the campus walk the week before, was added for the "Born to Run" album cover effect.

My date, Cindy Burland, and I headed to the Coliseum a couple hours before showtime. I was hoping to meet up with Skip Bishop, the student entertainment committee director, and see if he could arrange a meeting after the show with Springsteen. Cindy and I went to the main doors of the building and asked someone there if they knew anyone who could hook us up with Skip.

No luck.

So, we headed back to the concourse in front of the building and waited. A couple minutes later, a student came up and asked "Are you going to play 'New York City Serenade'?"

Wow. He was a real fan. The song was from Springsteen's third album "The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle." 

Well, here was my chance to come clean. To tell him, I'm just an Auburn student from Jersey who is a big Springsteen fan.

"Uh, we just might," I answered. "Thank you for asking. Hope you enjoy the show." 

We shook hands; he walked away and Cindy, who was a TKE little sister, gave me such a look. 

A few minutes later, I suggested we walk around to the back of the Coliseum and see if we could find Skip. As we walked there, I noticed a group of guys throwing around a baseball. We got to the back of the building and we noticed they stopped playing and started walking toward us. 

Then, I heard words I will never forget.

"Hey Bruce! Bruce. Look at this."

Gulp.

From the group walked a guy about my size and build, with a beard and long, dark wavy hair. He was wearing a yellow "Bad News Bears" T-shirt, Army fatigue pants and sneakers.

It was Springsteen.

We walked toward each other, he was grinning and I think I was too. We shook hands, looked eye to eye (we were the same height) and, in his gravelly voice, he said, "How ya doin'?"

I answered, "Fine. Thanks."

Then, more words I will never forget. "Look. Even the noses!"

At that, we both turned and looked at a grinning Steven Van Zandt. 

We chatted a little and I asked him if he had heard about the impersonation.

"Yeah," he said. "It's cool. It's cool."

Then, he said he and the band had to get ready for the show but asked if we would like to come backstage afterward.

"Uh, yeah. Sure."

"Cool. See you then. Enjoy the show."

We sat just behind the sound crew, center of the seats with almost every one of my fraternity brothers and their dates. I was hoping Springsteen would live up to their expectations. My expectations? Hell, I just met him. I was set for life.

During the show, he wore a black three-piece suit - minus the tie - which surprised me. But he didn't hold back in his performance. Though there were only about 1,500 to 2,000 people there and the arena was sectioned off to seat about 4,000, he gave the crowd their money's worth - and more.

At one point, during "Spirit in the Night," he left the stage and climbed into the stands. I thought that was part of his performance. And one of the sound crew waved to him, which I thought was interesting. But, after the show, he said he was coming up to try and find me. And that explained the sound guy's wave - he was signalling I was there or, most likely, Springsteen needed to get back on stage. 

Here are links to some songs from the show, filmed in 8mm.

Spirit in the Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TwswT3VKgI

She's the One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A4GtK9z2uM

10th Avenue Freeze Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YreeqdgfHm8

Compilation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H9x9RENRCs

After the show, Cindy and I went backstage and caught up with Clarence Clemons, who was truly a big man and seemed quite taken with my date. Also Steve van Zandt and keyboardist Danny Federici stopped by. A few minutes later, Bruce, who had changed out of the three-piece, sweat-soaked suit came out and we talked. "Enjoy the show?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah," I answered.

Danny and Steve left after a couple of minutes but Clarence stayed. I had the Time and Newsweek magazines with Springsteen on the cover and he and Bruce signed them. Unfortunately, the magazines have since been lost. 

In the meantime, as our conversation wound down, Springsteen made a surprise request.

He asked if I wanted to join them on the bus to New Orleans, where they were to play two days later. I was stunned. I paused, still in shock, then answered.

"Um, no thanks, I have classes."

To this day, I can't believe I said that. I was not exactly a top student at the time and this was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. But I turned it down, nonetheless. 

"That's cool," Springsteen answered. "We have to get ready to go. Nice meeting you, Bud. And you, Cindy."

With that, he and Clarence returned to the dressing room and Cindy and I left, walking back to the TKE house, a couple of spirits in a memorable night.

Springsteen & I: "Fake singer fools students"

Tomorrow, July 30, the documentary "Springsteen & I" will be shown at the Hollywood 18 theaters in Huntsville. It was shown July 22 but is being re-released.
In honor of that occasion, I am putting in writing - for the first time - my own "Springsteen & I" experience.

Years ago, I was told I bore a resemblance to The Boss. You can judge for yourself, that's me in 1976 at the TKE house, front row, third from the left. Next to me is Cindy Burland, who was my date at the Springsteen concert.
So, when it was announced that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band would be playing at Auburn in May, a couple of my TKE fraternity brothers and I came up with the idea of Springsteen visiting the campus before the show.
We figured the perfect place to make the "announcement" was an upcoming "battle of the bands." It also helped that one of my fraternity brothers, Greg Dowdy, was in a band playing that night. Between songs, he told the crowd there was a rumor Springsteen was going to be on campus a couple days before his show to check out the venue.
Now, there was not much of a reaction because his popularity was nowhere near what it is now, particularly in 1976 Auburn, Ala., but there was a little murmur in the crowd.
Next, it was time to plan the visit.
Dexter "Doc" Dunnavant and Don Conner were going to act as my - er, uh, Springsteen's - escorts on campus for the visit on a Friday. Since not a whole lot of Auburn students had heard of Springsteen, let alone know what he looked like, several Tekes and little sisters would be on the Haley Center concourse announce the arrival ("There he is!" "Is it really Springsteen?" "Wow! I can't believe he's here!).

Springsteen on "Born to Run"

Doc, Don and I parked at Toomer's Corner and walked across campus to Haley Center. They were wearing shirts, ties and a vest while I was in jeans, denim shirt and floppy cap. To add to the ensemble, I was wearing an earring borrowed from Jody Hart, a Teke little sister.
As we reached the concourse, the brothers and little sisters went into high gear; a couple of them even brought cameras. Their "excitement" spread among the other Auburn students. Surprisingly, there were actually Springsteen fans and, fortunately, didn't recognize the "fake singer."
Autographs were signed; hands were shook; pictures were taken. I was even invited to a "High-centennial Party" (it was the Bicentennial, remember) by a group of girls. I didn't take them up because I figured the hoax would be exposed by then and didn't want to face a group of angry students.

Not Bruce Springsteen at the beach

The original plan was to walk along the concourse, do the autograph/picture thing and get out of there. But the plan nearly backfired when a student/fan tagged along with us. The four of us ended up walking to the Coliseum, looking it over and then we three planned to head back to the car. Well, by coincidence, the fan was parked by the Coliseum and offered to give us a ride back to Toomer's.
We obligingly accepted and, after the ride and many thanks, we got out of his car, got into ours and headed back to the TKE house.
After a couple of hours, the adrenalin rush subsided and we went about our business - it was, after all, Friday and the weekend was beckoning. We celebrated the successful mission which turned out to be truly memorable and couldn't have been accomplished without everyone's help.
However, little did I know, the best was yet to come.

Tomorrow: Springsteen & I: "Even the noses ..."

Facing frustration

The following blog is in a different tone than previous blogs. The author is a tad frustrated with his job search.

Well, I went and done it. I admitted frustration. And that's because, well, I am frustrated.

You see, it's been nearly 10 months since I was let go by my employer of some 27 years because I didn't have the "skill set" necessary for the new age of media.

Well, that's kind of amazing because here I am blogging, which I do believe is the new age of media. And, the thing is, I - as well as my co-workers who were also tossed to the roadside for the same alleged reason - have been posting online for a few years, as well as the old-fashioned newspaper-style reporting.

But that's another post for another day. 

So, back to the frustration.

I never thought it would take longer than this to find a job. I know I have something to offer and I don't understand why I'm still searching. I touched on this in a May blog about the over-50, underemployed crowd. I did believe that is part of the problem but in subsequent interviews, I was told that age isn't necessarily a factor. In fact, a few companies cherished their veterans.

I'm told, "well, you'd have to take an entry-level position and we really can't do that because you have a lot of experience."

So, let's find the middle ground. Or, hell, I'll take the entry-level job. After all, it is a job. Right now, I'm working for Sports Authority ... in the warehouse ... unloading trucks and moving the products to the sales floor. 

I'm not making anywhere near what I made at The Times, but I'm working. I'm also helping first-time sports families find the right equipment, uniforms, etc., for their young athletes. That's fulfilling in itself. With three boys having played sports, I can provide some advice.

But, I'm a writer. 

I've done free-lance work which is proving difficult to find on a regular basis. There are a lot of free-lance writers out there and a limited amount of work and money.

Meanwhile, the frustration and worry continue to build. There have been tears. Some nights, sleep is impossible.

Will I ever find another writing job? 

Friends try to pick up my spirits, give me hope. "You'll find something." "There's something out there with your name on it." "The right job just hasn't opened yet."

I appreciate their concerns and good wishes. I really do. In fact, I have a lot of people to thank for saying or writing the right thing at the time I needed to hear or read it.

I try to keep positive but still the worry builds and self-doubt creeps in. How long will it be before I do find "the right job"? Will I ever "find something"? Where is that job with my "name on it"?

Frustrating ...

Acts of God

A woman carries her child through a field near the collapsed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

"... acts of God."
That phrase always left a bad taste in my mouth when it referred to natural disasters.
And particularly after the storms Monday that devastated Oklahoma.
I'm not a biblical scholar by any extent, but I refuse to believe that a loving God would bring such death and destruction upon his children - especially the younger children.
This wasn't an act of God. It was a result of weather systems - nature, thus "natural" disasters.
And now is the time for the rest of God's children to come to the aid of the survivors. There are several ways to help out:

1). The American Red Cross. Cash donations go to provide food and beverages for victims and emergency workers.I can personally vouch for the Red Cross. When my family lost our home in the 1989 tornado that struck Huntsville, the Red Cross provided us with vouchers to buy groceries, clothing and other items. They also offered temporary housing but we fortunately were taken in by my in-laws. To help, you can text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation to its disaster relief program, donate at www.redcross.org/donation or phone 1-800-REDCROSS.
2.) The Salvation Army. Like the Red Cross, the Salvation Army helps provide meals for victims and emergency workers. You can text STORM to 80888 for a $10 contribution, call 1800-SAL-ARMY, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org/tornado or mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157 and put Oklahoma Tornado Relief on the check.
3). Toomer's for Tuscaloosa. This nonprofit was created in the aftermath of the April 2011 tornadoes that ripped through Alabama when a group of Auburn faithful wanted to help the residents of Tuscaloosa, home of their cross-state rival the University of Alabama. According to the organization's Facebook page, "Our mission has always been to provide material support and relief to the residents of the South and Mid-South affected by the April and May storms of 2011. Any funds collected will be used for the sole purpose of meeting that mission unless otherwise specified in a specific fundraising drive for other locations across the country that have been affected by disaster." The website is www.toomersfortuscaloosa.com. Toomer's for Tuscaloosa will hold a "Stuff the Truck" event Friday at the Old Time Pottery parking lot on Madison Boulevard in Madison. A 14-foot U-Haul truck will be there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to take items to Oklahoma. For information, contact Connie Campbell at 256-656-5072.

These are just three ways to help out and I encourage everyone to give what they can. Pray, show compassion and care.
Those are true acts of God.

Huntsville's 'Best Places to Work' recognized

Company executives with their "Best Places to Work" awards.

Today is a celebration of business in Huntsville. A day that honors the city's "Best places to Work."
The annual Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County ceremony also recognized "Most Valuable Employees." In all, 12 company and 12 individual winners of the Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Best Places to Work were announced to a sold out crowd today.
First Commercial Bank was the presenting sponsor of the sixth annual event at the Von Braun Center and the North Alabama Society for Human Resource Management was the host.

For Susie Vaughn of People Tec and Modern Technology Solutions this was getting to be a habit. Vaughn was named "MVE" for the fourth straight year while Modern Technology Solutions is a five-time winner, but MTSI competed for the first time in the "Large Company" category, moving up from "Medium."

Winners of the "Most Valuable Employees" award.

“Despite facing numerous challenges locally while dealing with a still-recovering economy, our business community still continued to be recognized as one of the nation’s leading places to launch, sustain and grow a business,” said Kim Lewis, the Chamber’s vice chair of Small Business and Events.

According to a press release from the Chamber, Quantum Workplace measured and selected companies based on the following criteria: Team effectiveness, retention probability, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, feeling valued and work engagement.

Once nominated, Quantum - a company that specializes in measuring workplace satisfaction around the country - administered a survey to employees and tabulated the results. Winners were based exclusively on the outcome of the employee surveys.

The Company winners (in no particular order) were:

Micro: (10-20 employees) - Five Stones Research Corp.; TriVector Services and Adams Homes.

Small: (21-35 employees) - Nesin Therapy Services; QTEC and Troy 7.

Medium: (36-149 employees) - Embassy Suites Hotel & Spa; PeopleTec and Willbrook Solutions.

Large: (150 and more employees) - Modern Technology Solutions Inc.; Intuitive Research Technology Corp. and URS.

The Most Valuable Employee winners (in no particular order) were:

MVE Micro: (10-20 employees) - Jo Ann Eddy Davis, Strategic Innovations; Eliza Kitchens, ADS Security; and Chasitie White, LEAN Frog Business Solutions.

MVE Small: (21-35 employees) - Mike Arthur, Iron Mountain Solutions; Serena Forbes, Trideum Corp.; and Terrie Pung, GATR Technologies.

MVE Medium: (36-149 employees) - Jennifer Broom, QuantiTech; Susie Vaughn, PeopleTec; and Mark Pepper, Canvas.

MVE Large: (150 and more employees) - Kathy Cagle, Modern Technology Solutions; Sandra Manning, ERC; and Jennifer Veal, Intuitive Research.

A special remembrance for Mother's Day

It's true, you don't realize what you've got until it's gone.
This is the second Mother's Day since my mom died but this one seems to be a little tougher than last year.

Maybe it's because of some major changes in my life over the last several months - positive and negative.
Usually, I would call her for updates on what's happening in Pennsville or - as was most of the time - she would call me to find out what's going on in Huntsville and let me know what's going on in Pennsville. Usually, she said, it was just " the same ol' same ol'."
Well, there won't be any phone calls tomorrow and that is a sad reality.
I can't tell her about Lance, Stephanie and Natalie, who is growing up so fast; or that Shane and Amber are expecting a baby in August and that Shane made the Dean's List at West Alabama and Amber received her nurse's pin. Or that Bo is about to finish his junior year at Madison Academy and is making college plans.
However, I have a feeling that she knows what's going on - which she always did anyway. You couldn't put anything past her.
There's supposed to be a special bond between a mother and daughter. Well, I believe there's a special one between mother and son.
She was the first girlfriend.
She was the woman who loved him unconditionally and, in many cases, the only woman who loved him no matter what. Granted, it was a mother's love, but he knew there was always someone who loved him.
She was a confidant on girl-related issues - which came in handy during the turbulent teen years. After all, a guy couldn't talk to his dad about why girls said this and did that. Mom could offer tips.

That's what I think I miss the most: The chats we had about different things in both of our lives.
I still occasionally find myself going through phone messages that I saved on my cell, hoping that somehow I had saved one from her with the chance to hear her voice one more time.
Just one more chance to hear "Well, hi Buddy. How are you?"
I'm OK, Mom. I miss you but I'm OK.

Over 50 and unemployed

There's a generation of unemployed people out here, ready and willing to work. To do whatever it takes to bring home a paycheck and support their families.
I'm a member of that generation. We're over 50 and unemployed.
In fact, sadly, we have been labeled "the unemployable."
Why?
We worked in high school; worked our way through college; and most of us worked at the same job for years.
So, why are we scorned and our resumes overlooked when applying for jobs? Why are we denied "entry-level" positions?
We want to work. "Entry-level" is just fine. A lot of us still have children at home so we're not ready for retirement - early or otherwise.
We are dedicated, as shown by how long we stay at our jobs. Today, especially in this town, younger people stay with one company for maybe five years before moving on to another company.
We don't. We are loyal to a company. We will give you everything you want ... and more.
I've been out of work for seven months, as have several of my former newspaper colleagues. We're educated; skilled; experienced; and willing to do what it takes to work. Heck, we're not asking for a big salaries. After all, we worked for newspapers and didn't go into journalism for the money.
Fortunately, some of us have found jobs, but a lot of us are still searching. And a government report doesn't give us much hope.
According to the Labor Department, unemployed people ages 55 to 64 are out of work an average of 11 months. Meanwhile, for those in the 25-36 age range, the average time is eight months.
Again, why?
Bring us in for interviews. Give us a chance. That's all we ask.
You may be pleasantly surprised.

Get it right or when first is worst

The journalism industry may need to replace its long-held mantra "get it right" with a new saying, thanks to the "get it first" phenomenon that has overtaken the news media industry in the last several years.
"No one will remember if you got it first by a few minutes (or seconds), but they will remember if you got it wrong."
And that's what CNN has ahead of it. The "most trusted" network has become a running gag ("According to CNN, Col. Mustard was found holding the candlestick in the parlor") thanks to reporting this afternoon that there was an arrest made in the Boston Marathon bombing.
In its exuberance to be first, CNN failed to second- and third-check the information. It went with a "reliable source" who turned out to be not so reliable.
There is a journalism saying that applies in this case: "If your mother tells you she loves you, check it out."
To top it off, AP quickly followed suit, adhering to the new aggregating/collective style of journalism. The news cooperative also apparently just took CNN's reporting as the gospel. To AP's defense, CNN is mostly reliable but the AP reporter still shouldn't have assumed the report was credible. But AP may have simply been aggregating, the new journalism word for "posting what everyone else is reporting" on your website. AP did pull the story from its feed. However, just as you can't pull a bullet back after you pull the trigger, you can't bring a story back once you push "send."
And this leads to where one news source reports something which leads others to play "Little Sir Echo," with  some crediting the original source and others not, misleading their readers/viewers into thinking they had come up with the report.
The CNN report no doubt drew a lot of "clicks" and "visits" to cnn.com, which is good news for the digital advertising model: Every click is revenue.
Which could lead to a frightening trend in journalism: Forget the real stories, the stories that have real meaning and importance to society. Go for the story that will get the biggest bang or, rather, the most hits.
I dread that day because that's when journalism - and society - will take the biggest hit, and it won't be in a good way.

Swallow your pride ...

Bill Withers' classic "Lean on Me" has more meaning now to a lot of us than it did when it was released nearly 40 years ago.
We shouldn't be afraid to borrow our friends' shoulder when we have problems. Talk to someone if you're down or upset.
I've learned - and am learning - who my friends are. And this is in a good way.
Friends are there for you in times of trouble as well as times of joy. If someone came to you with a problem, you wouldn't deny them. You'd give them your shoulder to cry on or "lean on."
"Lean on me, when you're not strong
"And I'll be your friend,
"I'll help you carry on.
"For it won't be long
"'Til I'm gonna need
"Somebody to lean on."
So, don't deny yourself the same thing when a friend offers counsel, consoling or even their shoulder.
"Swallow your pride," as Withers wrote.
Friends are doing this for you because they want, as much as you would like a friend to lean on you.
After all,
"Sometimes in our lives
"We all have pain
"We all have sorrow.
"But if we are wise
"We know that there's always tomorrow."