Just Love that Casey

Dogs are members of the family too.  They are also a lot of fun.  Above is Casey sitting with his Dad, my brother-in-law Keith. 

Oldie of the Day - I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday by Fats' Domino

You won't hear this one on WCBS-FM any more.

Jeopardy Season Ends with a Ray Charles Category

I have won enjoyment since the show first aired in 1964 with Art Fleming as the host and Don Pardo as the announcer.  In recent years the season ends on the last Friday of July with reruns of tournaments aired for 6 weeks.  In 2009 and 2010 the last show of the season featured a Bob Dylan category.  It didn't happen this year, but there was a category devoted to Ray Charles.  One of the questions was What is Hit the Road Jack?  That happened on July 12, 2007 on 101.1 FM.  Now the Dean of Oldies Listeners may phone me after 7:00 PM.  I hope he won't interrupt my dinner.

Reading about Robert and Fannie Lipsyte

It is often very difficult to remember all of the details of what we read. In the course of time I have likely read hundreds of books, newspaper and magazine articles. I usually make it my business to at least look at the author’s name, but it is quite likely that I will forget it shortly after reading the piece. For many years I have read the New York Times on Sunday. In the 1990s I vaguely remember reading columns in the New York Times by Robert Lipsyte where he spoke about the long illness of his mother. Since Lipsyte is not a common surname I readily determined that his mother was Fanny Lipsyte who taught 6^th grade at PS 139. I have reported on my PS 139 days in this journal.

Back then students were grouped by their reading levels. Mrs. Lipsyte’s class was the highest level, while I was in Mrs. Berger’s class whose scores were somewhat lower. The two classrooms were next to each other. Mrs. Berger told Mrs. Lipsyte that I lived near the Rego Park Post office. I lived close enough to the school to go home for lunch. On several occasions I went to the post office for Mrs. Lipstye. I distinctively remember her giving me a big hug after I ran errands for her.

Recently I heard about Robert’s memoir:

Lipsyte, Robert. An Accidental Sportswriter: A Memoir. New York, NY: Ecco, 2011

I had to satisfy my curiosity and bought the book. I actually purchased the electronic version and downloaded it to my Kindle. This way I didn’t have to run from one bookstore to another looking for it. For this reason Borders is going out of business.

I am not writing a critical book review for my journal. My readers may want to read this review in Sports Illustrated.

I enjoyed the book and especially admired the author’s honesty and objectivity. Many autobiographies are very slanted, but Mr. Lipstye admitted his failures. Besides being a sportswriter, he wrote novels and was the host of a public affairs show called The Eleventh Hour.

As I read the book I looked out for passages about his growing up in Rego Park. He did talk about Halsey Jr. High School (I went to rival Russell Sage JHS) and Forest Hills High School where he graduated about 10 years before I did. He did write about his parents. I highly recommend this book.

My readers should also check out his web site at
http://robertlipsyte.com

Not in the Mood for Writing Tonight

Maybe I'll make this entry I series of "Tweet sized" thoughts.

Another 3 day weekend coming up.  It's almost August already.

Going to visit Casey on Sunday.  A few other family members as well.

I'll have a longer entry tomorrow.

Yankees 10 Mariners 3

When you buy tickets in advance for an outdoor event, you never know what the weather will be that day.  At about 3 PM it started to rain lightly, but steadily.  When I left work it still rained as I took the trains up to Yankee Stadium.  As I arrived at 6:15 to meet Karen and Lee it rained lightly as the tarp was on the infield.  At 8:10 it was announced that the game would start about 9:00.

The Yankees took charged as they defeated the Mariners 10 to 3 giving Seattle it's 16th straight loss.  The game featured home runs by Mark Texeira and Derek Jeter.  We left after 6 innings with the Yankees having a commanding 9-1 lead.  I don't like leaving games early, but the trains and buses run much less often late at night.

Game Recap

Random Thoughts on a Summer Weekend

I signed up with Google+ .  As of now I don't see the advantage over Facebook.  To paraphase Paul Simon, I'll repeat myself at the risk of being crude "There are more important things in this world than Facebook."

We saw the last Harry Potter movie yesterday at the local multiplex.  We save $4.50 by seeing it in 2D.  As I have discussed in this journal before, I don't see the big advantage of 3D.

Today we went to Flushing Town Hall to hear the traditional music of Colombia.

I return to work tomorrow after a week of staycation.  Readers of Bruce's Journal do not have my work phone number.  I will likely delete about 300 e-mails before 11 AM

Radio Station T-Shirts

If I had one t-shirt for every radio station that I listen to, I wouldn't have room for any clothes.  Above is a photo of yours truly wearing a Pop Gold Radio t-shirt that I bought to help out Don Tandler and Tom Lawler.  Let me recall some other t-shirts in my collection:

• WFUV - it is my pleasure to give a yearly donation to support them
• WBGO - Likewise, this shirt is specifically for Felix Hernandez's Rhythm Revue
• WCBS-FM - Back in 2007 when the station returned I sent them a suggestion to have news at :30 during Dan Taylor's morning show.  Karen actually heard Dan read my suggestion while I was listening to WFUV.  The didn't take my suggestion, but sent me the shirt
• WMCA - this is a replica of the original WMCA Good Guy Sweatshirt

Whitney Museum Today

I did a search on Bruce's Journal and saw that we had been to the Whitney Museum in June 2007 and August 2010.  One advntage of getting older is that I can begin to take advantage of senior citizen discounts.  Since I am now 62, I was able to save $6 on admission to the museum.  We saw a handful of exhibitions:

• Cory Arcangel: Pro Tools -explores the forms of expression enabled by high tech products
• Lyonel Feininger: At the Edge of the World - the works of this artist who lived from 1871-1956 were featured.
• More than That - Films by Kevin Jerome Everson - these films portrayed the working class African Americans
• Breaking Ground: The Whitney's Founding Collection - the works here were purchased at the time of the museum's founding in 1931
• Xavier Cha:Body Drama - the gallery is a stage where an actor/actress performs while wearing a body mounted camera.  In between performances  the footage of the performance is projected on the wall.

While the Getty Museum that we visited in LA a few weeks ago featured European Art older than 100 years, the Whitney features more contemporary American art.

We found out that there is a new building for the Whitney now under construction in the Meet Packing section of Manhattan.  It is scheduled to open in 2015.

Mets 4 Cardinals 2

Last night's game just may be the highlight of my staycation as some clutch hitting for the Mets backed up a good pitching performance by Dillon Gee and beat the Cardinals 4-2.  Jose Reyes making his return from the disabled list was 2 for 5.  Doubles by Angel Pagan and Daniel Murphy drove in the 4 runs for the Mets.  Jason Isringhausen picked up his first save of the season.

Box Score

Gary Carter is doing Well

First, I would like to thank Alan Berman for bringing this to my attention.  According to this post in USA Today , GAry is doing well after completing a round of radiation therapy for cancer.  He is scheduled for an MRI on August 1.  I assume he is not "out of the woods yet" with his treatment, but it seems that so far so good.  Best wishes to Gary for a speedy and complete recovery.

This will be my last post on the WRXP Format Change

Using Google Analytics I discovered that many people have found my postings about the format change on WRXP.  I consider myself a radio enthusiast, but not a geek.  In all my years of following radio, this has to be the strangest format change.  Why don't they just do it already instead of confusing their listeners.  This post by Jerry Barmash, a reliable source, gives a clue that 101.9 FM in NYC will be like New Jersey 101.5 and be news talk during the week and music on weekends.  For further information on this format change I would like to refer people who have hot my journal to the following message boards:

• New York Radio Message Board
• New York Radio-Info Board
• Radioinsight

Latest on the WRXP Format Change

I will refer my readers to Radioinsight authored by Lance Venta.  He seems to be a reliable source and would not spread false rumors.  It seems that the LMA is in effect but the new format is not ready to go on the air.  One of the rumors is that it would be all news during morning drive and then news/talk during the rest of the day.  We will just have to take this one day at a time.

Wanted Man by Johnny Cash

To use a phrase coined by Pat St. John, I will call this a collectable cut. When Johnny Cash sings a Bob Dylan song, the Slutsky family is very happy.

Format change at WRXP 101.9 FM - Facts vs Speculation

I never listened to WRXP since it came to 101.9 FM in February 2008.  At that point I did listen to smooth jazz CD101.9 (WQCD) and was disappointed with the format change.  As I mentioned a few posts ago there has been much written on this format change on various radio message boards.  I would like to state what I believe is fact and what is speculation.  If I am incorrect, please comment.

FACTS

• 101.9 will be sold from Emmis Communications to Merlin Communications.  In the meantime there is a local marketing agreement that took effect yesterday that now permits Merlin to operate the station.
• As of today 101.9 is playing an adult contemporary format branding itself New York 101.9 New.  There are sometimes comments by women on lifestyle issues.  This is only heard over the air in NYC
• The web stream is playing the old format
• I have not heard an official ID by the RDS stream still says WRXP
• Smooth Jazz is heard on 101.9 - HD2
• Several staffers from WINS have left to join the new radio station

SPECULATION

•  The station will be all news
• The station will be news/talk aimed at women
• The station will play music on weekends possibly country music
• The station will take the calls WYNY
• The station will take the calls WEMP
• The new format will start Monday July 18th at 6 AM
• The new format will start Monday August 1

Any radio geeks reading this are welcome to make comments.  A format change in a major radio market does generate interest, but it often difficult to separate facts from speculation.  We will have to listen and hear what happens.

 

Radio Message Boards - Informational or Just Gossip

I will make my comments general and not point fingers at anyone.  I started reading radio message boards back in the early 1990s when I first got on the internet. Some people are hobbyists like myself while others are professionals in the business.  Some of the boards are:

• Radio Usenet Group - now defunct
• New York Radio Message Board
• WCBS-FM AOL Board - Now defunct
• Radio-Info Board
• Radioinsight board
• New York Radio Sound Board on Facebook

Back in the earlier days I posted more frequently on the boards, but I have cut down dramatically.  I now look at them for informational purposes.  It is quite useful when new developments are posted.  But unfortunately many of the posters can be obnoxious or just plain silly.  This is a very busy time on the message boards with the impending format change on WRXP.  Some of the posters are hobbyists who just have a fantasy about being in the radio business who make very silly speculative posts.  I do not like people who are obnoxious and just hide behind a handle.  Even when a poster uses just a first name, he is still anonymous.

Once the format change is actually made, all the amateurs will make criticisms and predictions.  I guess that is the way it will always be.

To Reconnect or Not

Over the years I have reconnected with people that I knew back in different eras of my life.  Sometimes I have spoken with them over the phone and even met them in person.  From time to time I think of people and either "google them" or look them up on Facebook.  It is relatively to find people with unique names such as mine.  When I do find someone, I must make a decision whether or not to reconnect. 

I think back to how the relationship ended.  Very often friends graduate from the same school and move on and lose touch.  In those cases I am usually amenable to reconnecting at least electronically.  Most of these reconnections are brief.  I have found a few women whom I dated over 35 years ago.  I have chosen not to contact them.

Occasionally an interpersonal relationship ends on a very bitter note.  I am specifically thinking of JB whom I knew when I lived in central New Jersey in the mid 1970s.  We had an argument and he sent a "Dear John Letter" when I was really down in the dumps and needed all the encourgement that I could get.  I saw his profile on Facebook with a photo of him sitting next to a young couple with a baby.  I must assume that he became a grandfather.  I will not try to reconnect with him under any circumstances.

Spotlight on Leon Russell

I first became familiar when he appeared at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971.  He played with George Harrison, Bob Dylan and others at that famous concert.  He also played with Dylan on Watching the River Flow.  My curiosity about Leon was piqued when I found out that he was opening for Dylan on this current summer tour.  Thus, I bought the CD, the Best of Leon Russell on Capitol.  It includes a cover of A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall as seen above.

Let me see if I can remember what other acts I have seen with Dylan:

• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
• Ani DiFranco
• The Raconteurs
• Merle Haggard
• Amos Lee
• Joni Mitchell
• Paul Simon

Afternoon at Flushing Town Hall

It's nice to have an entertainment venue in the neighborhood.  This afternoon we walked over to Flushing Town Hall to see a group called Soul Providerz  who covered R&B hits of  Earth, Wind & Fire; Aretha Franklin; P-Funk; Mariah Carey; Alicia Keys, Barry White; Lionel Ritchie; and others.  It was an enjoyable afternoon.  I thank the Astoria Bank, New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs for supporting this event.

Derek Jeter - The Man of the Hour

All baseball fans must admire Derek Jeter's performance today.  He got his 3000th hit which was a home run.  He went 5 for 5 and almost hit for the cycle.  To put icing on the cake, his 8th inning single drove in the 5th run for the Yankees  which gave the Yankees the lead with Mariano Rivera getting the save.

The second hero of the day has to be Christian Lopez who caught the historic ball.  He could have auctioned off the ball, but chose to give it to Jeter.  The Yankee management rewarded him with four seats in a Yankee Stadium suite for the rest of the season - including the playoffs and World Series.  This young man became an instant celebrity.



Mets play it safe by Placing Jose Reyes on the Disabled List

In 2009  Jose Reyes suffered an injury and returned to action too early.  As a result he aggravated the injury and missed most of the season.  I am glad that the Mets are playing it safe this time by placing him on the disabled list after he sprained his hamstring.  I am sure he will be re-evaluated very carefully after the 15 days are up.

I really hope that the Mets sign Reyes after this season.  Losing him would be almost as bad as losing Tom Seaver in 1977

The Media is Again Creating the News

I have absolutely no comment on the Casey Anthony case since I did not follow it at all. It is very sad indeed when any child dies at such a young age. There are likely many such murders every year. Why did this case get so much national attention? The media had a field day with it. When will the media reopen the Jon Benet Ramsey case?

Dan Ingram's 50th Anniversary in New York Radio

I took the photo above at the WABC Rewound Cruise in June 2008.  Airchecks of Dan Ingram from WABC and WCBS-FM have been featured on Rewound Radio this entire weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first appearance on WABC on July 3, 1961.  Dan's last appeared regularly on WCBS-FM in June 2003.  Since that time he did a special on Q-104.3 and was interviewed a number of times on WABC.  He is now retired  and living in Florida.  Proud to be amongst you Dan.

New York Mets News of the Day

I wasn't at today's game but saw most of it on TV.  It would have been a shame for the Mets to have been swept by the Bronx Bombers at Citifield, but the lucky breaks went for the Amazins.  It is very rare for Mariano Rivera to blow a save, but Ronny Paulino hit a game tying single in the 9th inning.  The Mets loaded the bases in the 9th inning on an error by backup shortstop Ramiro Pena (his second in two innings).  Jason Bay then hit a single to win the game for the Mets.

Game recap

Jose Reyes was diagnosed with a grade 1 strain of his hamstring and could return as early as Tuesday.  General Manager Sandy Alderson said that it would be a day to day decision as to when Reyes would return to the lineup.

Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran made the National League All-Star team.

Yankees 5 Mets 2 at Citifield

Since we bought a 6-pack of tickets this season we are entitled to on Subway Series game.  Today the Yankees dominated by beating the slumping Mets 5-2.  The Mets were really hot by scoring 52 runs in 4 games, but have cooled off by losing 3 in a row.  One advantage of watching a game on TV is knowing what happens when a player comes out of a game.  Jose Reyes left the game after 2 innings and was replaced by Ruben Tejada.  No announcement was made on the scoreboard or public address system.  Since I had my iPhone I was able to check Twitter to see that Reye's hamstring and tightened as was taken out of the game as a precaution.  Edwin Nunez with two doubles and a home run was the hitting star for the Yankees.  It will be dificult to take him out of the lineup when Derek Jeter is ready to return.

Recap

Good Luck to Big Tom Lawler and Don Tandler with Pop Gold Radio

The two photos above were taken at the Long Island Radio and TV Day in April 2010 with yours truly and Don Tandler (top) and Big Tom Lawler.  I must admire both of them for their enthusiasm for oldies radio.  They started a new internet radio station today called Pop Gold Radio .  On their first day they are counting down the WABC Top 1000 Hits Of The 60s.  Don, along with Mike Riccio, Tom Natoli, Rich Appel, and Bob Radil among others are known as the chart guys, so I expect many countdown shows on this station.

Don is currently heard on weekends on New Jersey 101.5 from Trenton.  His long career in radio includes time at many radio stations.

You may read Tom Lawler's blog at http://bigtomlawler.com/ .  His bio may be found at http://bigtomlawler.com/?page_id=11

Tom is actually only 23 years old, the same as my son Lee.  Tom is to oldies radio as Lee is to Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and the Wheel of Fortune.

I certainly will add Pop Gold Radio to the long list of my favorite internet radio stations.  I hope that the Dean of Oldies Listeners, Alan Berman will do the same.

There are so many things that I'd like to do tonight:

1. Watch the Subway Series and see the Mets kill the Yankees.  Don is a big Met fan, but for some reason Tom roots for the Red Sox.  I won't hold that against him.
2. Listen to Bob Radil 60s 70s show.
3. Listen to Alan Seltzer's 35th Anniversary show on WCWP
4. Listen to Pop Gold Radio

Since I am home today, I can watch Jeopardy on Channel 55 at 5 PM.

Good Luck to Tom and Don.