Its Sunday...I am in the office playing catch up and dealing with a few projects...
I keep noticing a few things - "back to school, football, and cooler temperatures coming" are phrases coming out of people's mouth more and more. Say it isn't so - I would like one more month of summer please. Email your public officials and lets see if we can do something in that regard!
Yesterday I dug up a several foot section of the backyard chasing down a sprinkler system problem. Now I remember why I work in an office....darned hard work!
On a brighter note: The first Music In The Vines was a great success Thursday night. Join us again this Thursday at Melrose Vineyards - great music, food and wine available. The new events center is just delightful....
Well.....enjoy the week....I think it will be a busy one....keep the radio on and we will keep telling you whats going on. Thanks for listening to News radio 1240 KQEN
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 12th
I'm sitting there, glass of Pinot Noir in hand, chatting with a new friend, when out of my side vision I see some commotion on the stage. Emcee Kelly Leonard comes to his mic, and on stage someone yells for the Emcee mic to be turned on. Then Kelly makes the announcement thats going to be etched in my brain for a long time: "....There is a bomb threat, we have to evacuate the park, please leave immediately..." From most accounts there was about 30 seconds of "deer in the headlights" as Kelly continued talking and slowly - then rapidly -as people understood and began to gather their stuff and head for the parking lot. I made a quick call to Brian Prawitz, who ironically, was just walking into the park when the situation started to unfold. As my wife and I decided how we were leaving, I picked up Randy Wesson from our sister station, Best Country 103, who was also at the show with his girlfriend. We then joined the slow procession out of the park. I tried to cross towards Harvard on the Green Bridge, which was closed for awhile, apparently due to initial security concerns. Instead we were directed through the VA and onto Garden Valley. After dropping my family off, I headed to the station where Brian joined me Live on air for a report, followed by a live report from Sgt Dunbar, who was in Stewart Park.
We felt the situation warrented doing special coverage to make sure everyone listening understood what was going on, according to the information the Police had available.
Later in the evening, it became clear how new technology affected the situation. People were posting on Facebook as they left the park, and I was told by one Half Shell Committee Member, that they had comments on the situation from outside the US within minutes. Jonatha Brooke posted on her website as well - with some great thoughts (you should read them!). People from out of town started to contact me on Facebook or via cell phone. It was as if the whole town was upset - even folks who were not at the concert.
While we wait for official word on the outcome from the Police, some thanks are in order. Thanks to the Roseburg Police and the Half Shell Committee for doing the right thing, in the right way, even though it was a punch in the stomach to have to stop the show. Thanks to the crowd for being orderly and following instructions. Thanks to the other Police agencies who came into the city to help. Thanks to the vendors, who probably lost money and had to throw out uneaten food due to the quick exit. Thanks to Jonatha Brooke, who I am told, cried as she left the stage, and headed back to her hotel.
So lets take a deep breath, regroup, and come to Music On The Halfshell again next week. Lets let the season end with another awesome show and a reunited community. Don't let the bad guys win.
We felt the situation warrented doing special coverage to make sure everyone listening understood what was going on, according to the information the Police had available.
Later in the evening, it became clear how new technology affected the situation. People were posting on Facebook as they left the park, and I was told by one Half Shell Committee Member, that they had comments on the situation from outside the US within minutes. Jonatha Brooke posted on her website as well - with some great thoughts (you should read them!). People from out of town started to contact me on Facebook or via cell phone. It was as if the whole town was upset - even folks who were not at the concert.
While we wait for official word on the outcome from the Police, some thanks are in order. Thanks to the Roseburg Police and the Half Shell Committee for doing the right thing, in the right way, even though it was a punch in the stomach to have to stop the show. Thanks to the crowd for being orderly and following instructions. Thanks to the other Police agencies who came into the city to help. Thanks to the vendors, who probably lost money and had to throw out uneaten food due to the quick exit. Thanks to Jonatha Brooke, who I am told, cried as she left the stage, and headed back to her hotel.
So lets take a deep breath, regroup, and come to Music On The Halfshell again next week. Lets let the season end with another awesome show and a reunited community. Don't let the bad guys win.
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 10th
I can't believe that its already mid-August! Where has the summer gone? Last week was a great Douglas County Fair - its always fun to get outside and meet people who listen. While I am on a diet, I did enjoy a few fair food items - which were delectable! Some great music at the fair last week too, my favorite was Huey Lewis and The News.
Summer is still here so get out enjoy it before school starts! I am hoping for lots more bike rides while the sun is out.
Summer is still here so get out enjoy it before school starts! I am hoping for lots more bike rides while the sun is out.
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