Lee Went to the Queens Public Library and Took Out Met Tickets

Lee is standing by a car he wishes

his father would buy

About a week ago Lee went to the Mitchell-Linden branch of the Queens library to take out books and DVDs.  The librarian noted he was wearing a Mets jacket and offered him tickets to today's game. It wasn't in our 10 game package, so how could he say no.  In my entire career as a librarian I never gave anyone tickets.

Bartolo Colon was the star of the game as he pitched 7 good innings and hit a run scoring double.  Anyone else would of had a triple, but Bartolo obviously doesn't run well.  Ruben Tejada drove in the go ahead run in the 7th inning while Jeurys Familia got out the last 5 outs for his 15th save.

Game Recap

There were a few coincidences associated with today's game thanks to Facebook.  Two of my Facebook friends, Amy Kearns and Joanna Ente, were also at the game.  I have never met either of them face to face.  Amy is a librarian in New Jersey while Joanna is the husband of the late Bernie Ente whom I knew in  Forest Hills High School.

Craig Colson, a Facebook friend of Lee and his classmate in Francis Lewis High School, saw Lee's photo and said hello to him.  It turns out that Craig took a picture with the same car at Citifield.

Craig Colson at Citifield

Detroit Tribute To Casey Kasem

This 35 minute was filmed by Art Vuolo who is indeed Radio's Best Friend.  I enjoyed every minute.

Remembering Bette Carl and Other Radio Enthuiasts Who Have Passed Away

Photo of Bette Carl from her Linkedin Account

Very often we make friends on Facebook with people who share a common interest. Usually we have never met them in person, but we know them as if we did.  Over the years I have friended many radio enthusiasts whom I have never met.  Sadly a few of them have passed away.  Today I found out about the passing of Bette Carl.  I didn't know her well as I only had a few exchanges with her through email.  She wanted to come to the Oldies Meet and Greet last November, but was in the hospital at the time.  She was a big supporter of the military as she was the owner of Yellow Ribbon Radio for our troops, veterans, and their families.  I send my condolences to her family and friends.

Some other radio enthusiasts whom I never met who have passed on were:

• Glenn Sauter
• Mike Piazza (not the baseball player)
• Bob O'Brien
• Vic Monachelli (I met him once)
• Frank Cavaliere
• Alan Berman (good friend from 2006-13)

Accident Yesterday at the Local Pathmark

Tuesday at about 6 PM an SUV crashed into the local Pathmark,  Karen does most of our grocery shopping there on Sunday mornings.  Thankfully we were not near there on Tuesday night as 5 people were injured.  Below is the report from PIX-11 news:

Mets 6 Phillies 3 Duda! Cuddyer! Flores! Colon!

I got my wish as the hitting for the Mets came alive as the Terrific 3 were watching from section 516.  There were solo home runs from Lucas Duda, Michael Cuddyer, and a 3 run blast from Wilmer Flores to win the game.  Even starting pitcher Bartolo Colon got into the act as he hit a single and tagged up from second to third.  He didn't score, but seeing him run the bases is a "thrill".  Who thought Colon would be tied for the major league leader in victories with 7 at this point of the season.

Game recap

Mazel Tov to Justin and Rachel Shapiro

Ethan Parker Shapiro - born today

Today my nephew Justin Shapiro announced the birth of his son Ethan Parker in Baton Rouge, Lousiana,  It is nice to get some good family news.  It seems like it was just yesterday that Karen called me to say that Justin and his twin brother Scott were born.  I will do my best to make Ethan a New York Mets fan,

What Do Bob Dylan and Rich Appel Have in Common?

Readers of Bruce's Journal obviously know Bob Dylan, but may not know of Rich Appel.  The latter is oldies trivia enthusiast extraordinaire. He knows everything and anything about recording artists and songs of that era.  Below is a photo of Rich.

Both of them have worked in radio as Dylan recorded 101 shows of Theme Time Radio Hour while Rich has a show called That Thing with Rich Appel which is usually heard Sundays from 6 PM until 9 PM on Rewound Radio.  They both share May 24th as a birthday.  I usually post a Bob Dylan song on May 24.  This year I have selected Not Dark Yet.

Random Thoughts on Memorial Day Weekend

It's always nice to do something a little different on a holiday weekend so we had breakfast at Uncle Bill's Diner.  I just love his pancakes with sausages.

Every year WABC Rewound is heard on Rewound Radio on Memorial Day weekend.  This show features airchecks from Musicradio WABC which was the premier top 40 station in the 60s and 70s.  Thanks to Allan Sniffen for keeping this tradition alive.

We went over to the College Point Multiplex in the early afternoon to see Mad Max: Fury Road.  There were good special effects, but the film is for the younger crowd.

I was not a good day for New York baseball teams as the Yankees lost to Texas 15-4 and the Mets to Pittsburgh 8-2.  C. C. Sabathia and Matt Harvey did not have good outings.

Don McGee on his Mixed Bag show on WFUV featured some Bob Dylan songs in advance of his birthday tomorrow.  He asked if there was a college course on Dylan.  I found out there was one given at Boston University.  More on Dylan's birthday tomorrow.

Mets 5 Cardinals 0 Duda! Duda! deGrom!

The original Mr. Met c1963 in the

Mets Museum at Citifield

It was a solo trip to Citifield today as Karen and Lee were working while I am on vacation.  I got a ticket in section 515 right behind home plate and happened to run into fellow oldies radio enthusiast Ken Dulberg during the game.

Jacob deGrom was superb as he struck out 11 and retired his last 23 batters.  Lucas Duda provided the offense as he hit two home runs.  I wish all my games to Citifield were like this.

Game Summary

Viewing Random TV Shows at the Paley Center

Since I am still off from work I decided to take the subway to the Paley Center at 5th Avenue and 52nd Street.  I have a family membership so it doesn't cost me anything to come into view TV shows.  Today I viewed:

• An interview in early 1963 with John F. Kennedy as he discussed his first two years in office
• Walter Cronkite's last appearance on the CBS Evening News in March 1981
• The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in November 1972
• Katie Couric's last appearance on the Today Show in 2006

Bob Dylan Sings The Night We Called in a Day on the David Letterman Show

I set my DVR to record the David Letterman show last night, but since I am off from work I decided to stay up to watch it.  Bob didn't appear on the show until the last segment which started about 12:30 AM.  I was disappointed as he only sang one song which was from his latest adult standards album, Shadows in the Night.  Of course within a few hours of the show, someone posted in on Youtube.

Movie Day on Staycation

I may as well live this week as a gentleman of leisure so after I did some reading in the morning I decided to take in a flick.  I looked at the listings for the College Point Multiplex and even looked at some trailers and decided that the movies over there were just not for me.  It is always tempting to think that since it right in the neighborhood I may as well just walk over there.  Too many times I walked out of that complex feeling that I wasted my money seeing a movie aimed at much younger people.

I decided to drive over to the Kew Gardens Cinema as I usually do a few times a year.  I had a little problem finding parking, but didn;t mind having to walk several blocks to the theater.  I saw the film 5 Flights Up starring Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman.  It was about a long-time married couple living in Brooklyn who feel it is time to move out and try to sell their apartment.

When I go to the Kew Gardens Cinema I am often one of the youngest people in the audience while in College Point I am usually one of the oldest.

Staycation Day #1

For many years I have never been able to sleep late in the mornings on days when I don't go to work.  I am alway awake before 6 AM and am out of bed shortly after.  I decided to catch up on some reading after my morning ritual on the internet.  I read the magazine section of the New York Times for about 1 1/2 hours.  Then I read about 3 issues of the Chemical & Engineering News to catch up on the events of the chemical enterprise.  I still value my education background in chemistry.  I decided to drive over to Great Neck and walk around.  I stopped by the Kensington Deli and had a pastrami sandwich.  I have eaten at many delis in my life but this one sets the record for fast service.  Great Neck still has a sizable Jewish population as I passed by several synagogues on my walk around town.

Thoughts as I Begin My Annual May Staycation

I get 4 weeks a year of vacation plus 3 personal days, but we are not allowed to accumulate too much vacation time or else it would be lost.  So every May after classes end I take a week of vacation and stay at home.  I am not sure of what I will be doing.  I should go through much of my junk in the apartment and see what I can throw out.  I should do some reading, but I should find something to read that is not related to baseball or oldies music.  I have read enough biographies of baseball players and rock stars of the 60s.  Maybe I'll take in a movie or two and get some exercise.  I will not read my work e-mail.

Bob Dylan to Appear on David Letterman Show Tuesday May 19

It is very rare when Bob Dylan makes a TV appearance.  But as David Letterman ends his show Bob will be his honored guest on his penultmate show.  He appeared on the show on:

• March 22, 1984
• January 18, 1992
• November 18, 1993

Now the speculation is what songs will Dylan play?

I am sure that Lee is rooting for Tangled Up in Blue.  I don't think he'll play Neighborhood Bully.

Stay tuned.

Medicated Goo by Traffic Classic Rock Hit of the Day

I don't have anything to report today, so I thought I would just post a classic rock favorite of mine.

Noah Syndergaard Makes His Debut for the Mets Tonight

Tonight Noah Syndergaard will make his first appearance for the Mets.  A couple of years ago he and Travis d'Arnaud were acquired by the Mets from the Toronto Blue Jays for knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey.  They traded an established veteran who was popular with the fans for two rookies with great potential.  I think it is for the better that he makes his debut when the Mets are on road.

Syndergaards minor league statistics

Morning brief from ESPN

First Mothers Day Without Mom

Mom's 90th Birthday in August 2009 with my sister Joyce Feuer

Time marches on as it is now 3 months since Mom passed away at age 95.  We had many Mothers Days together over the years, but nothing in this world stays the same.  I am thinking about the gatherings we had at Joyce's house in recent years.  I remember back when we lived in Rego Park we would take out food from Ben's Best Deli on Queens Boulevard on Mothers Day.  Those were the days.

Orioles 6 Yankees 2

Selfie of Yours Truly at Yankee Stadium

The only time I root against the Yankees is when they play the Mets.  We like to visit the Stadium about twice a season.  I found out today that Yankee fans emulate Chicago Cub fans as they throw home run balls by visiting players back on the field.  Chris Davis, Jimmy Paredes, and Alejandro De Aza hit dingers into the right field stands to lead the Orioles to a 6-2 win.  The Yankee bats were just not there today.

Game Recap

Funky Nassau and Fraternity Brother Harvey Nassau

On tonights 60s 70s show Bob Radil played Funky Nassau by one hit wonder Beginning of the End which charted at 94 in May 1971.  It eventually peaked at #15 on the Billboard chart.  Anyway the song always reminded me of Harvey Nassau who was my Sigma Beta Phi fraternity brother at CCNY.

I remember Harvey lived in Rockaway, was heavy set, and had a girlfriend name Enid whom he eventually married.  He went to medical school in Philadelphia and became a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.  I hadn't seen or heard anything about Harvey in over 40 years.

After I heard the song I Googled Harvey Nassau and found out that he passed away in 2006 at the age of 57.  

This is very similar to my story about Valerie and the Ronnie Dyson hit,

Strange things happen in this world.

Johnny Donovan of WABC Announces His Retirement

Johnny Donovan on the WABC Rewound Cruise

in June 2007

Allan Sniffen announced on the New York Radio Message Board that Johnny Donovan will be retiring after 43 years on WABC.  He worked at the station when it was a music station and later as a talk radio station.  I took the photo above at the WABC Rewound Cruise.  Peter Kanze can be seen in the extreme right of the photo.

Wikipedia biography of Johnny Donovan.

No Buses, Trains or Aggravation Today!

If you are familiar with my commuting blog you have read about my complaining about commuting delays on public transportation.  Today I had the unique experience of driving to work.  I presented a paper to the librarians at Stony Brook University in eastern Long Island.  I must say that it was a very beautiful campus.

I drove to Merrick in Nassau County where I met Selenay Aytac, my research collaborator.  From there we drove in her car the rest of the way.  There were a few places with heavy traffic, but no major tieups.

Driving to work does have its problems as often traffic is a problem.  I would have to pay a fortune in tolls if I drove to NJIT in Newark.  Parking is usually a problem as well since spots are limited.  Most universities charge employees to park.

You just can't win.

Random Comments of the Day

I signed up to take the online test for Sports Jeopardy.  I am not as good as I used to be with sports trivia, but I have nothing to lose by taking the test.  Since only 3 people a week are chosen as contestants, it is high unlikely I will be selected,

Politics in New York and New Jersey are becoming ugly again.  A few months ago Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was indicted on fraud and extortion charges.  Yesterday State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos was arrested on corruption charges.  So both Democrats and Republicans are crooks. It is a shame that we elect people to office and then they abuse their office. Two former aides to NJ Governor Chris Christie, Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, pleaded not guilty in a 9 count indictment in the Bridgegate scandal.  I hope they are found guilty and face  to jail time.  Traffic is bad enough in this region and these people had to be spiteful and cause massive jams which inconvenienced thousands of people and threatened public safety.

Meanwhile Governor Christie's approval rating is down to 35%.  Even if he was not involved in this scandal, he is responsible for the actions of his subordinates.  To quote the late Richard Nixon "In any organization the man on the top must bear the responsibility..."  Heaven forbid  Chris Christie becomes President of the United States.  He should drop his unannounced campaign for the Republican nomination and concentrate on governing.

Mets Shut Out 1-0 for the Second Day In a Row by the Washington Nationals NAtiona

I am trying to be optimistic as radio personality Don Tandler said the last time the Mets lost two games in a row by 1-0 scores was in 1973 when they won the National League pennant.  Last night I saw the game on TV, but today I was at Citfield to see the lack of hitting.  The only run was driven in by a bloop single by Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning.  The Mets are now 16-10 as they lost 3 out of 4 to the Nationals.

Game Recap

Ben E. King Passes away at 76

We got the bad news today that Ben E. King passed away at age 76. He is best known for Stand By Me which was a big hit when it was first released in 1961.  In 1986 it was re-released as it was the title song of a movie by the same name.  One of his lesser known hits that I enjoyed is Supernatural Thing.