July 20th blog

First off - thanks to everyone for a great time on Saturday with the Pepsi Float. We had over 1,000 floaters enjoying the sunshine and hot temps. Thanks to Pepsi, Sherms Thunderbird and Umpqua Dairy for making this happen. Thanks also to Marv and the rest of the guys in Slowpoke - they played non stop for over 3 hours - good stuff.

You have been hearing about the Idaho soldier captured by the Taliban in Afganistan. Here is a link to a Facebook site set up by friends in Idaho:

Bring Bowe Bergdahl Home Lets post some good thoughts and prayers as we hope for the best in this trying situation.

Finally on a personal note - I rode 35 miles on my bike Sunday and also made it up the big 3 mile Lookingglass Hill... Yahoo.

Blog 43

I am writing this two hours after the incredible Shemekia Copeland show at Riverbend Live. Huge crowd for the venue and people so affected that they were in tears. Shemekia's blues were incredible, the band was awesome and the audience responded. If you didn't go, ask anyone who did - people will be talking about this one for a long time. Backstage they were laid back personable fun people - no one looking for "rock star treatment", just wanting to do a good show. The highlight was clearly Shemekia walking through the crowd, without a microphone, belting out a 50 year old blues song written by her late father. She hugged people, smiled, even accepted offers of fresh fruit, a cold beer, and a flower from a child. ...all while the song continued with the band still playing on stage. In all my years of emceeing, I have never seen anything quite like it.

She stayed late chatting with people and signing CDs. She seemed to like the local folks who turned out. Being back stage, I knew the band had to drive back to Portland, sleep for 2-3 hours, get to the airport, catch an early flight, fly to New Mexico, and drive over 2 hours before their next show Saturday night. Yet no one was in a hurry to leave. Incredible.

A side note for me: I got to help be a roadie and move the hammond B-3 organ the band used for the evening. These instruments are very heavy, worth alot, and almost like a museum piece.....a work of art unduplicated with modern instruments. To be trusted to help move it was an honor honestly.

Okay I will stop now. Except to add that my youngest girl drew a picture for Shemekia during the show. Shemekia looked at it, read everything on both sides of the paper, and smiled, getting a bit choked up in the process. Wow - honest human emotion. What a night to remember.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and all those who sponsor Riverbend Live. Its a great privlege to help make the shows happen on Friday nights.

Blog 42

Thanks for everyone for coming to the 4 week run of Movies in the Park with the City and U.S. Cellular. Our biggest crowd came out last Friday night for "Grease". Thanks to car club for bringing some fun cars over for us to look at. While I did not emcee in a poodleskirt (a dare by Half Shell's Bob Cotterell) the evening was still alot of fun. Games for kids, some dancers, free Pepsi and Popcorn and the movie made for a great event. It sounds likely this will become an annual tradition in Roseburg.

Half Shell, Riverbend Live, the fair, Myrtle Creek's music in the park, wineries, Wildlife Safari....who said there is nothing to do around here!

Blog 41

Wow another weekend is over. Why do I feel more tired after the weekend than I do during the week? Well partly because summer is a busy time for helping with events and I worked on a couple this past weekend. It was great to see Movies In The Park with over 1,000 people in only its second week ever. So many in the community are helping this series be a great success. Now we switch to Friday with the showing of "Charlotte's Web" this Friday.

Blog 40

Wow what a fun day - a short workday for us overall - the ceremony at the VA Cemetary - a bbq, no make that two bbqs and a 26 mile bike ride!  Finished off with a crisp glass of White Zinfandel!

Oh and throw in  a Nugget win in the NBA playoffs - an awesome win.

Tuesday we announce the Riverbend Live Lineup for this summer.  Listen to the radio and watch the website for more information.  As many of you know, I am on the Riverbend Live board and committee and serve as the Emcee on Friday nights in July.  Really a looking foward to this summer's lineup.   

Also - btw I am helping at the Movies in the Park with the City of Roseburg and US Cellular starting soon.  Even more summer time fun in the Burg.

Yahoo - summer is almost here!  

   

Blog 39

Okay its been awhile since I have posted on here. The last few weeks have been pedal to the metal for me - between work, kids and more its an especially busy time of the year.

We are on the edge of summer - I can't believe Memorial Day is less than a week away. Half Shell, Riverbend Live, and now Movies In The Park too - plus lots more. Yard work seems more important (thanks Mike Winters!), and I have been doing better at knocking out some miles on the bicycle (10 miles in the heat yesterday).

Well back to work - news is calling.

Blog 38

Its Monday! An all too short weekend is over and here we go again. Besides watching soccer games, working, and a few other things, the hours slipped by all too quickly. This week promises to be a busy one. From soldiers getting ready to leave, to the Costco hearing and more there will be lots of news to cover.....oh and don't forget the swine flu too. Well its time for the news so this blog will be short. TGIM (??!)