Some of the Things I Think

Hey 98.6 good to have you back again

2012-03-07T00:06:00.001-05:00

555. one of the really good guys in coaching - Miami of Ohio head coach Charlie Coles has decided to retire

556. here is one of my favorite press conference clips of all time from Charlie Coles when Kentucky came from 18 down to beat Miami 72-70 in 2009 on a John Wall jumper

557. went to watch and scout as Fort Recovery beat Delphos St. Johns and St. Henry beat Convoy Crestview in overtime at the Elida Fieldhouse last night.
558. check out Baylor's new uniforms for the NCAA tournament

559. check this unbelievable own soccer goal assisted by the wind

560. a cool picture of the dancing fountains at the Bellagio

Wreck of the Old 97

2012-03-06T00:04:00.033-05:00

553. a friendly reminder for today

554. 553. How about them Dayton Lady Flyers - goin' dancing! - Justine Raterman named Atlantic 10 tournament MVP!!!!
555. VCU is back in the dance - I hope Shaka Smart and the Rams go to the final four again this year.

556. here is some more information about the Wreck of the Old 97 - Old 97 was a Southern Railway train officially known as the Fast Mail. It ran from Washington DC to Atlanta, Georgia. On September 27, 1903 while en route from Monroe, Virginia to Spencer, North Carolina the train derailed at Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia The wreck inspired a famous railroad ballad which was the focus of a convoluted copyright lawsuit but became seminal in the genre of country music

557. a little Bonnie Tyler for your Tuesday listening pleasure - It's a Heartache

558. here is a good looking crew from the Class of 2009 Senior Class Play

96

2012-03-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

545. Big congratulations to Mark Ferris and Kenleigh Ludlow who got engaged yesterday in front of Cinderella's castle at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando - Kenleigh was in Florida for Cedarville softball and Mark surprised her by showing up and then surprised her some more by "popping the question"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

546. Very graphic video of some of the damage from Friday's very deadly tornadoes

Click for Massive band of storms hits Indiana

547. Happy 86th birthday yesterday to Norrie Monnier
548. B1G Ten conference tournament bracket click to view
549. Atlantic 10 conference tournament bracket click to view
550. full court shot hits rim 4 times and bankboard once

551. a sure sign that spring is right around the corner - this picture was taken from the Reds and Indians spring training complex just outside of Phoenix, Arizona

552. This was the 32nd year that Piqua has hosted the Division IV boys basketball sectional tournament - lets see if we can name all 64 teams that have advanced - I will fill in what I believe that I know and hope that you can help fill in the remainder - please e-mail me at hood3939@gmail.com if you are certain of any of the open spaces - thanks!!!!

2012 - Russia, Jackson Center

2011 - Houston, Lehman

2010 - Fort Loramie, Lehman

2009 - Fort Loramie, Lehman

2008 - Russia, Houston

2007 - Houston, Lehman

2006 - Russia, Houston

2005 - Russia, Lehman

2004 - Russia, Fairlawn

2003 - Russia, Fort Loramie

2002 - Russia, Covington

2001 - Botkins, Covington

2000 - Fort Loramie, Mechanicsburg

1999 - Houston,

1998 - Jackson Center,

1997 - Jackson Center,

1996 - Fort Loramie,

1995 - Russia, Fort Loramie

1994 - Fort Loramie, Botkins

1993 - Fort Loramie,

1992 - Botkins, Fairlawn

1991 - Fort Loramie,

1990 - Fort Loramie,

1989 - Fort Loramie,

1988 - Fort Loramie,

1987 - Fort Loramie, Jackson Center

1986 - Russia, Anna

1985 - Fort Loramie, Jackson Center

1984 - Jackson Center,

1983 - Anna, Covington

1982 -

1981 - Jackson Center

95

2012-03-04T08:02:00.001-05:00

541. Good luck to the Russia cheerleaders performing at 1:55 today at the state competition at St. Johns Arena in Columbus!!!!!

542. The Russia cheerleaders went to church in Columbus last night and Hannah Bornhorst sat right next to this guy:

543. Boys Sectional Final scores from Saturday:

Springboro def. Centerville, 50-41                                           Middletown def. Winton Woods, 72-49
Taft def. Clermont Northeastern, 96-34                                    Tri-Village def. Catholic Central, 53-38
Beavercreek def. Miamisburg, 67-63                                        Fairfield def. LaSalle, 35-30
Jackson Center def. Fairlawn, 51-40                                        Aiken def. Indian Hill, 79-60
Roger Bacon def. North College Hill, 50-49                              Troy def. Lebanon, 58-54
Summit Country Day def. Finneytown, 63-39                           Badin def. Madeira, 59-51
Lockland def. Miami Valley, 90-59                            Fayetteville Perry def. Cincinnati Country Day, 64-57

544. Girls district title scores from Saturday:

Anna def. Fayetteville, 56-38                                                    Madison def. Summit Country Day, 58-27
Kettering Fairmont def. Colerain, 66-49                                    Tri-Village def. Miami Valley, 56-42
Mason def. Springboro, 40-35                                                   Miami East def. Georgetown, 67-39
Princeton def. Ursuline, 50-42                                                   Russia def. Covington, 32-23
Sycamore def. Fairborn, 52-37                                                  New Knoxville def. Upper Scioto Valley
Ft. Loramie def. Southeastern, 65-38                                        Badin def. Madeira, 52-47, OT

94

2012-03-03T00:18:00.001-05:00

539. not a whole lot for today

540. Friday night boys basketball sectional finals:
Russia def. Houston, 53-37                                     Trotwood Madison def. Urbana, 57-41
Graham def. Bellefontaine, 45-37                          Miami East def. Greeneview, 46-42
Versailles def. Dixie, 63-36                                    Jefferson def. Troy Christian, 39-30
Bishop Fenwick def. Waynesville, 65-51               St. Henry def. New Bremen 61-38
Fort Recovery def. Minster 54-35

Z93 --------- Is it 7:00 pm yet???

2012-03-02T00:03:00.075-05:00

Awesome Article in today's Sidney Daily News!!!!!

Gariety recognized at Edison

Brooke Gariety (l-r) is shown with mother Connie and Edison athletic director Chip Hare as Connie is recognized at the Feb. 22 women’s basketball game.

By Terry Pellman

RUSSIA - Brooke Gariety of Russia had an additional reason to be on the court during the recent Edison Community College women's basketball game against Owens Community College. Before the start of the Feb. 22 event, Brooke's mother Connie was recognized for her fight with cancer.
Athletic Director Chip Hare explains the college has an annual "Pink Game" to benefit the Shoot for a Cure effort to promote education, research and awareness of cancer through basketball. Whenever possible, someone who is a part of the women's athletic program is the center of attention for the evening. The same event benefits the college's support of the Relay for Life. Proceeds from the evening will also benefit the cancer unit at the Upper Valley Medical Center.

With family and friends on hand, Connie was presented with a basketball autographed by the Edison women's team members. Connie has undergone both chemotherapy and radiation treatment for colon cancer after being diagnosed in March of 2010. She has the highest praise for the doctors, nurses and staff at the cancer unit at the Upper Valley facility. Some of those special individuals were present for the Edison event.
Connie states that she was honored for Edison College to select her for recognition. She says of Edison, "They've just been amazing." She holds the school and Chip Hare in very high regard.

532. You can call me Jamie Simpson if you would like, but my WEATHER ALERT FOR TODAY IS Keep an eye on the weather today - I found this on accuweather.com - Tornadoes are forecast to swarm Friday through a very large and populated area of the nation, stretching from Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and other states.

After a brief reprieve from severe weather, a storm system emerging from the Rockies will act as the trigger for another round of dangerous storms in portions of recently hard-hit states and others beginning early Friday.

533. 5 years ago today, March 2, 2007 - the tragic Bluffton College bus accident occurred in Atlanta early in the morning - keep everyone involved in your thoughts today

534. 75 years ago today - a 4.9 Earthquake shakes Anna on March 2, 1937!!!!!!

535. Here is a schedule of some boys basketball sectional finals scheduled for tonight:

Division II          6:30 p.m. Urbana (#1) vs. Trotwood Madison (#2) At Springfield H.S.
                            9:00 p.m. Graham (#3) vs. Bellefontaine (#5) At Springfield H.S.
Division III         6:00 p.m. Summit (#1) vs. Finneytown (#7) At Cintas Center
Division III         7:30 p.m. Madeira (#5) vs. Badin (#6) At Cintas Center
Division III         9:00 p.m. Roger Bacon (#3) vs. N College Hill (#4) At Cintas Center
Division III       6:00 p.m. Waynesville (#3) vs. Fenwick (#7) At UD Arena
Division III        7:30 p.m. Versailles (#1) vs. Dixie (#10) At UD Arena
Division IV         6:30 p.m. Lockland (#1) vs. Miami Valley (#5) At Oak Hills H.S.
                8:00 p.m. Cincinnati Country Day (#4) vs. Fayetteville Perry(#8) At Oak Hills H.S.
Division IV         7:00 p.m. Houston (#4) vs. Russia (#2) At Piqua H.S.
Division IV         7:00 p.m. Troy Christian (#4) vs. Jefferson (#1) At Troy H.S.

Division IV 6:15 p.m. Minster vs. Fort Recovery at Coldwater

Division IV 8:00 pm St. Henry vs. New Bremen at Coldwater

536. when we went to Alcatraz in 2007 - we found a cute little 10 year old girl in one of the jail cells and we decided to bring her home - here are a couple of pictures from the trip

537. Trivia question for the thirteenth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer -in what year did Sir Roger Bannister run the first sub four minute mile????- send your answers to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

538. check out the sweet uniforms the Yankees are going to wear to help the Red Sox celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park - it is a throwback Yankees jersey from 1912

92.9 FM

2012-03-01T00:07:00.015-05:00

526. Two huge fires in one night Monday night - one in New Bremen and one in Daytona Beach!!!

527. This should have been on yesterday, but here is a great explanation of why we need to have a leap year

528. Somebody mentioned this guy the other day and I realized that I forgot about this guy when I was thinking about the most famous # 72 that I could think of:

529.here is another good pic of William "The Refrigerator" Perry

530. he scored more touchdowns (1) in the Bears 46-10 Super Bowl win over the Patriots in 1986 than Walter Payton did (0)!!!!!

531. boys high school basketball tournament scores of interest from last night:

St. Henry def Waynefield Goshen 67-31                              Tri-Village def. Yellow Springs, 60-40
Del. St. John def Ottoville 51-41                                          Catholic Central def. Southeastern, 56-50
Spencerville def Parkway 79-48                                          Archbishop Moeller def. Amelia, 72-44
Coldwater def. Allen East 61-42                                           Turpin def. Lakota West, 58-55
Van Wert def. Celina 65-51                                      Lebanon def. Edgewood, 62-51
New Bremen def. Marion Local 56-54 (2OT)                        Troy def. Fairborn, 68-63
Fayetteville Perry def. Middletown Christian, 65-53             Miami East def. Stivers, 60-47
Greeneview def. Bethel, 48-42                                             Fairfield def. Colerain, 51-43
Dunbar def. Eaton, 77-38                                                      Bellefontaine def. Shawnee, 53-36
Cincinnati Country Day def. Cincinnati Christian, 52-38       Jackson Center def. Bradford, 63-27
Fairlawn def. Riverside, 67-48                                              Alter def. Carroll, 60-54
Graham def. Tippecanoe, 43-36                                     Clermont Northeastern def. New Richmond, 42-38
LaSalle def. Glen Este, 65-33

91 - none other than Dennis Rodman on LEAP DAY

2012-02-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

522. he was/is a weirdo - but he sure could rebound

523. Happy Leap Day Birthdays to Cody Meyer and James Vondenhuevel!!!!

524. Boys high school basketball scores from last night:

Franklin def. Chaminade-Julienne, 78-75                       Urbana def. Greenville, 69-22
Mason def. Mt. Healthy, 79-43                                         Indian Hill def. McNicholas, 63-52
Winton Woods def. Ross, 59-58                                       Springboro def. Belmont. 99-46
Madeira def. Deer Park, 60-49                                        Badin def. Clark Montessori, 43-36
Thurgood Marshall def. Bellbrook 68-51                         Beavercreek def. Stebbins, 81-49
Roger Bacon def. Shroder, 60-54                                    Trotwood def. Indian Lake, 88-45
Summit def. CHCA, 49-26                                                Aiken def. Wilmington, 69-49
Finneytown def. Reading, 56-42                                     Waynesville def. Dayton Christian, 67-56
Fenwick def. Anna, 58-46                                                Middletown def. St. Xavier, 61-37
Russia def. Botkins, 55-41                                                Houston def. Lehman, 54-49
Troy Christian def. Arcanum, 62-51                                 Jefferson def. Xenia Christian, 68-32
Versailles def. Northridge, 74-52                                     Dixie def. Carlisle, 55-48
Withrow def. Milford, 69-64                                             North College Hill def. Ripley Union-Lewis, 92-55
Miami Valley def. Hillcrest, 74-68                                    Lockland def. Riverview East, 71-48
Miamisburg def. Xenia, 65-43
Centerville def. West Carrollton, 48-41
Walnut Hills def. Western Hills, 54-42
Princeton def. Sycamore, 62-53

my dad will be 90 on August 29th!!!

2012-02-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

519. today would have been my Mom and Dad's 66th wedding anniversary - here they are on their wedding day - thanks Mom and Dad!!!!

Thomas Virgil and Corrine Rose (Puthoff) Francis, married February 28, 1946

if you know of anyone who has a LEAP DAY birthday, please send it to me, we will try to honor them as they only get to celebrate once every 1461 days instead of every 365 days like most of us!!!!!!

AT9

2012-02-27T00:04:00.031-05:00

if you know of anyone who has a LEAP DAY birthday, please send it to me, we will try to honor them as they only get to celebrate once every 1461 days instead of every 365 days like most of us!!!!!!
519. I heard this last night on the Oscar Awards and thought to myself, how could I not put this on my blog tomorrow - Louis Armstrong - "What a Wonderful World"

520. gonna have to wait until today to find out who wins the biggest race of the year in NASCAR - the Daytona 500 was rained out for the first time ever yesterday!!!

521. stat of the day - Wisconsin beat Ohio State yesterday - it is their first road win over a Big 10 top ten team in 32 years - since January 1980 - when Clark Kellogg played for the Bucks!

522. a few pictures from a trip Missy took to New York City with some friends in 2008

THE NAKED COWBOY

KELLY RIPA LIVE!!

A VIEW FROM ATOP THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Kathy, Julie, and Stacey outside Rockefeller Center - ???

NOT REAL CLEAR, BUT HERE IS REGIS ARRIVING AT WORK!

523. today's birthdays include:

Josh Groban - 30

Chelsea Clinton - 31

Elizabeth Taylor - 79

John Steinbeck - 109

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - 204

The first night game at Wrigley Field 8-8-88

2012-02-26T00:06:00.002-05:00

515. here is a picture from the first night game ever at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 8-8-88. I am not sure why I remember this date, but I did. I also remember that the game was called because of rain before it became an official game. Therefore, it was actually not the first night game in Wrigley Field history. Cubs fans said that this was God's way of telling us that there should not be lights at Wrigley Field.

516. there is a town in Kentucky named Eighty Eight, Kentucky. If I remember correctly, there were a lot of couples were married there on August 8, 1988.
517. here is a picture of Dale Jarrett's famous UPS car - don't forget about the big race today - Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!!!!!

and here is a picture of the ride for Dale Jr. today - pretty sweet looking ride!!!

518. here are some boys basketball scores of interest from the southwest region from yesterday:

Catholic Central def. Newton, 65-54                               Lebanon def. Northmont, 81-77
Troy def. Butler, 49-48                                                    Centerville def. Sidney, 57-28
Eaton def. Oakwood, 60-34                                             Finneytown def. Purcell Marian, 66-48
Tri-Village def. Emmanuel Christian Academy, 83-48    Southeastern def. Franklin Monroe, 46-43
Colerain def. Kings, 54-46                                               Lakota West def. Loveland, 77-33
Turpin def. Harrison, 74-49                                             Archbishop Moeller def. Hamilton, 61-37
Bellefontaine def. Greenon, 54-35                                  Shawnee def. Kenton Ridge, 48-37
Cincinnati Christian def. Felicity Franklin, 78-63             Fayetteville Perry def. Seven Hills, 53-49
CHCA def. Georgetown, 59-38                                         Versailles def. National Trail, 61-34
Carlisle def. Twin Valley South, 50-45                             Reading def. Blanchester, 67-38
Greeneview def. Madison, 69-45                                      Fairborn def. Tecumseh, 61-54
Dunbar def. Monroe, 90-28                                            Middletown Christian def. St. Bernard, 56-42
Jackson Center dev. Mississinawa Valley, 57-47              Fairlawn def. Mechanicsburg, 66-54
Dixie def. Northeastern, 70-62                                          Dayton Christian def. Preble Shawnee, 70-37
Anna def. West Liberty-Salem, 49-35                               Fenwick def. Triad, 68-30
Taft def. Wyoming, 93-41                                                 Fairfield def. Woodward, 68-52
Chaminade-Julienne def. Meadowdale, 85-47                 Carroll def. Valley View, 68-58
Tippecanoe def. Benjamin Logan, 62-54                          Batavia def. Taylor, 48-37
Miami Valley def. Oyler, 84-74                                         LaSalle def. Little Miami, 64-29
Lockland def. New Miami, 91-40                                      New Richmond def. Norwood, 48-42
Wilmington def. Goshen, 56-38

# 87 for the Pittsburgh Penguins - Sid the kid Crosby

2012-02-25T00:08:00.030-05:00

507. the answer to yesterday's trivia question - Richard Petty had 7 Daytona 500 victories, Cale Yarborough 4, Bobby Allison 3, Dale Jarrett 3, and Jeff Gordon 3. The winner, none other than Phil "the future" Pleiman who is refusing his Cruizer's gift card because the question was too easy!!!!!!!!!!!

508. high school boys basketball tournament scores of note from last night:

Miamisburg def. Wayne, 57-54                           Mt. Healthy def. Anderson, 60-55
Withrow def. Elder, 55-34                                   Milford def. Western Brown, 68-45
Jefferson def. Tri-County North, 89-36                Troy Christian def. Cedarville, 64-29
Roger Bacon def. Williamsburg, 89-54               Ripley def. Mariemont, 73-66
Western Hills def. Lakota East, 51-50                 Sycamore def. Northwest, 69-65
Bellbrook def. Clinton Massie, 61-51                  Thurgood Marshall def. Ponitz, 81-36
West Carrollton def. Springfield, 65-56              McNicholas def. Hughes, 52-49
Aiken def. Bethel-Tate, 84-36                             Middletown def. Talawanda, 68-39
Trotwood def. Northwestern, 77-63                    Badin def. School of the Creative Performing Arts, 74-30
Miami East def. Brookville, 59-35                       Bethel def. Covington, 50-36
Lehman def. Ansonia, 70-27                              Botkins def. Ft. Loramie, 50-49
Springboro def. Piqua, 69-45                             Ross def. Oak Hills, 58-46
Urbana def. Milton-Union, 55-46                         Deer Park def. East Clinton, 55-40
509. I may have already had this on, too lazy to check all other 86 blogs, but here is my favorite one-hit wonder of all time - Dexy's Midnight Runners with a classic - Come on Eileen

510. here is a picture of one of the best current NHL hockey players - # 87 - Sidney Crosby of the Pittsh

511. send me your pick to win the Daytona 500 for tomorrow - whoever places highest wins a $ 10 gift certificate to Cruizer's (donated by Phil Pleiman) - send to hood3939@gmail.com

The Class of '86

2012-02-24T00:04:00.046-05:00

498. Here is the Russia High School Class of 1986 when they were third graders - check out how cute the chick is bottom row, fourth from the right!!!!

499. Boogity, Boogity, Boogity - NASCAR got under way yesterday with Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth winning the twin 150s - my pick to win on Sunday at Daytona - Carl Edwards

500. Best NASCAR pre-race prayer - from last year at Nashville

501. The Daytona 500 was originally named "First Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes"

502. Fireball Roberts won the 1962 Daytona 500 - he has to have my second favorite name in auto racing history - right behind, who else, but ---------------- Dick Trickle
503. 2 things memorable about the year 1986, other than the greatest graduating class in Russia High School history - it was the year when the last time that Haley's Comet appeared, and also, the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up on January 28, 1986
504. here is a picture of the pacecar from the 1986 Indianapolis 500 - a 1986 Corvette

505. here is a picture of a glacier "calving" from our trip to Alaska in 2008 - one of the coolest things I have ever witnessed!!!

506. Trivia question for the thirteenth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer -there are five men who have won 3 or more Daytona 500 races - whoever names the most wins (you get only 5 guesses)!!!! - send your answers to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

Ocho Cinco

2012-02-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

490. was there ever any doubt as to what the title of today's post was going to be?????

491. even David Letterman has caught Jeremy Lin-tastic fever click to watch
492. if I ever get to New Brunswick, New Jersey, I might eat here link to Steakhouse 85

493. You can own this LearJet 85 for a cool 4 million or so!!!!

494. I was not aware of this - not a huge fan of Taco Bell (except on Thursday night's in college after dollar Long Islands at Alexanders), but I know a lot of the young crowd is - I might have to try one of these sometime -

Taco Bell Has an 85 Million Taco Shell Reserve Prepared for Doritos Onslaught

Look, you can argue this fact all you want, but a fact it remains: Taco Bell's soon selling tacos made out of giant Doritos, and you're going to eat one. Millions of orange shells await.

495. Big Congratulations to Botkins senior Logan Bauer who won a state title in Division II diving yesterday!!!

496. Jay Bruce reported to training camp 16 pounds lighter than last season - look for him to have a breakout season.

497. here is a video of Michael Jackson's facial progression from age 5 to death

84 Lumber

2012-02-22T00:06:00.038-05:00

485. for anyone who did not see the comment left from yesterday's blog about the wiffle ball tournament - here it is, "from Earl Scheib - Seniors won much to your dismay!" - even though Earl Scheib says the seniors won, I still believe that they lost - Earl Scheib will sell you any car for $ 79.95, however

486. For $8,000, Natalie Gulbis will let you carry her bag click to read

487. some good blindfolded men's boxing click to watch

488. I love the new Pepperdine Waves baseball uniforms - old school Astros!!!

489. a one-hit wonder from the '70s - Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride

RHS Class of '83 - Mob Rules Nothing

2012-02-21T00:58:00.000-05:00

479. Derek and University of Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins from Saturday night

480. the most famous # 83 that I can think of - how many linebackers do you know that wore # 83 - here is Ted "The Stork" Hendricks from the Oakland Raiders

481. one of the greatest inventions ever - the TI-83 graphing calculator!!!

482. one of my best memories from my freshmen year in high school was the wiffle ball tournament finals when the seniors were playing the juniors and the seniors all had MOB RULES t-shirts on and they were chanting "Mob Rules" and everyone else was chanting "Mob Rules Nothing" - not sure why I remember this so clearly, but I do, I think the seniors lost also - at least I hope that they did - they were annoying

483. click to view a pretty awesome video someone sent me of a picture

from all 50 states http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/mybeautifulamerica.htm

484. another one-hit wonder for your Tuesday listening pleasure - this one from Devo

82 - Ozzie Newsome

2012-02-20T00:08:00.030-05:00

473. President's Day 2012

474. we are getting rid of our home phone this week - if you try to call 937-526-3939 after Wednesday, you will not reach the Francis family any longer

475. spent the weekend in South Bend, Indiana for Junior Parents Weekend at Notre Dame - had a great time - the University had a lot of events planned for parents and did a fantastic job with the organization - I will share some pictures later this week.

476. I missed my first Russia varsity boys basketball game in over 13 years this weekend, I had not missed one since January 22, 1999 - the day that I had surgery to repair my achilles tendon

477. I am not a Browns fan at all, but I thought that I would throw their fans a bone with this famous # 82 - none other than the Wizard of Oz - Ozzie Newsome

478. one hit wonder - Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky

81 - David Verser

2012-02-19T00:06:00.012-05:00

Finally an update on the 43 stocks that make up the Hood Ornaments 43 index. Before the beginning of trading on the first trading day of the year, 8 readers and myself picked 5 stocks each to follow for the entire year (there were 2 stocks that were picked twice). These 43 stocks have went up an average of 12.34 % through the close of trading on Thursday, February 16th. This compares to the Dow Jones Industrial average which has went up 5.62%, the NASDAQ which has went up 13.62%, and the S&P 500 which has went up 7.99%.

The leader through last Thursday is Ken Francis whose stocks have climbed an average of 22.42%. Craig Fiessinger is in second place with an average rise of 20.40%. Third place belongs to Derek Francis at 15.46%. I am 4th at 14.89%, Bob Schulze is 5th at 12.56%, Jeremy Monnin is 6th at 11.33%, Doug Borchers is 7th at 8.15%, Steve Springer is 8th at 5.20%, and Cayle McEldowney is trudging along in last place with a whopping increase of 0.53% over the first 32 trading days of the year. Following is a list of all of our picks and how they have fared thus far in 2012. I will update this list more often as the year goes along.

Hood Ornaments 43 Stock Index
Name	Jan. 3	Feb. 16	%	Average
	price	price	change	%
				change

Ken Francis

TZOO	24.58	25.35	3.13%
MAKO	25.21	36.72	45.66%
WLL	46.69	54.88	17.54%
AAPL	405	502.21	24.00%
BIDU	116.47	141.83	21.77%	22.42%

Craig Fiessinger

AMRN	7.49	9.35	24.83%
DEPO	5.18	6.8	31.27%
NBIX	8.5	8.88	4.47%
HGSI	7.39	9.5	28.55%
VRTX	33.21	37.49	12.89%	20.40%

Derek Francis

JPM	33.25	38	14.29%
BK	19.91	21.98	10.40%
C	26.31	32.71	24.33%
TGT	51.22	51.93	1.39%
GS	90.43	114.74	26.88%	15.46%

Brad Francis

PPP	3.22	2.86	-11.18%
M	32.18	35.3	9.70%
MT	18.19	21.22	16.66%
EBAY	30.33	34.51	13.78%
BAC	5.56	8.09	45.50%	14.89%

Bob Schulze

HAL	34.51	35.64	3.27%
CCJ	18.05	23.5	30.19%
IAG	15.85	16.28	2.71%
SLW	28.96	36.2	25.00%
ATVI	12.32	12.52	1.62%	12.56%

Jeremy Monnin

CVX	106.4	106.52	0.11%
ACN	53.23	58.45	9.81%
TDC	48.51	62.49	28.82%
AAPL	405	502.21	24.00%
GOOG	645.9	606.52	-6.10%	11.33%

Doug Borchers

ABX	45.25	48.17	6.45%
CVX	106.4	106.52	0.11%
CPO	52.59	57.09	8.56%
KELYA	13.68	15.72	14.91%
ROK	73.37	81.25	10.74%	8.15%

Steve Springer

EKDKQ	0.63	0.4	-36.51%
DELL	14.63	18.32	25.22%
GT	6.61	6.87	3.93%
IPG	9.73	10.93	12.33%
VCLK	16.29	19.71	20.99%	5.20%

Cayle McEldowney

EA	20.6	17.77	-13.74%
NKE	96.37	106.16	10.16%
DPZ	33.95	33.07	-2.59%
ITW	46.71	56.42	20.79%
NTRI	12.93	11.38	-11.99%	0.53%	12.34%

The US boycotted the Olympics in '80

2012-02-18T00:09:00.021-05:00

467.the second most famous # 80 that I can think of - Cris Collinsworth

468. right behind this guy - the GOAT - Greatest of All Time

469. The number 80 is considered to be extrovert and is the highest feminine number. Its’ attributes are those of 'giving and receiving' and 80 is the number of 'Karma'. The related planet is Saturn and it is also related to the star sign Scorpio.
470. Tom Brandewie scored 1834 varsity boys in his career at Fort Loramie and is the all time leading scorer in SCL history - the winner of the $ 10 gift certificate is '79 Fort Loramie grad Deb Westerheide -sorry to tell her age, but it tied in with the 79th blog.

471. some Doors for your Saturday listening pleasure

The Great Flood of '79 - June 29th if I remember correctly

2012-02-17T00:05:00.023-05:00

460. Can anyone verify that this is the correct date of the flood in Russia???

461. That was Ken Francis who turned 46 yesterday - he knows that he is always the same age as the Super Bowl!

462. the five bowlers were (I believe) (left to right) Harold "Shep" Simon, John Monnin, Paul Voisard, Joe Groff, and Jerry Voisard

463. Rest in Peace - Gary Carter aka "The Kid", who passed away yesterday at the age of 57 - one of my favorite non-Cincinnati Reds of all time

464. Barney Francis, Doug Simon, and Steve Heuing all are proud graduates in the year '79

465. here is a Topps 1982 football card of the most famous # 79 that I could think of - Ross Browner

466. here is a picture of a '79 Trans Am

467. Trivia question for the twelvth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet (or Bob Wise's book) for your answer -how many points did Tom Brandewie score in his varsity basketball career at Fort Loramie?? - closest to the correct answer wins - send your answers to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

78 rpm records

2012-02-16T00:03:00.054-05:00

Happy Birthday Wishes

455. Happy 46th Birthday to the guy on the left in the top picture who is also the guy on the right in the bottom picture!!!! (that is Sheri Stevens and my Dad with us in the top picture and Potroast in the bottom picture)

456. Linsanity has hit my blog - all he does in win, lin, lin

Jeremy Lin of the New York Knickerbockers

457. any time you want any pictures or birthday wishes on here, just send them to me, I will be glad to oblige

458. here is an EBAY link to some 78 rpm records click to view

459. can you identify the five bowlers in this picture????

FORTRAN 77

2012-02-15T00:02:00.033-05:00

445. went to Marion's Piazza in Troy last night (yesterday was Grand Opening Day) for supper, about a 20 minute wait to order, and then a 50 minute wait to get your food - we went across the street to Cassano's instead - we will have to try Marion's some other time I guess.

446. Happy 90th Birthday to Marion Grillot of Russia - he has 75 grandchildren plus 2 step-grandchildren for a total of "77"
447. not sure why, but thin crust pizzas are by far my favorite over medium or thick

448. Spring Training is right around the corner for major league baseball teams - Major League Baseball is my favorite pro sport by far!!!

449. saw in the Dayton Daily news yesterday that a girl from Urbana has made 107 three point field goals this season - that is over 5 per game! - she was also 20 for 20 from the foul line Monday night!

450. I use a lot of exclamation points in my blog - sorry - I will try to cut back

451. Kate Upton is this year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover choice - is she still dating Mark Sanchez??

452. I missed McCartney, Springsteen, and the Beach Boys at the Grammy's on Sunday night - how were they??

453. in case you missed my new favorite country music song - here is Taylor Swift and her song "Mean" from Sunday evening's Grammy's

454. a picture of FORTRAN 77 code on a punch card - you have to be at least 40 years old to remember when computers worked this way. What else was there - BASIC???

Philadelphia 76ers, 76 Trombones

2012-02-14T00:08:00.063-05:00

435. Happy St. Valentine's Day 2012!!!
here is a picture of a heart formed by a handle of a coffee mug

436. here is the Simon and Garfunkel I promised from yesterday - here's to you, Mrs. Robinson - a classic!

437. Whitney's rendition of the National Anthem in 1991, just 10 days after we went to war in the Persian Gulf ranks right up there as one of the best ever - click on arrow to watch below

438. I watched most of the Grammy's on Sunday night - I especially liked Adele the best, then Glen Campbell, and surprisingly Taylor Swift!!!
439. how about this picture of 76

440. here is a picture of 7 foot 6 inch Shawn Bradley who used to wear # 76 when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers - he is guarding Avery Johnson, I believe

442. Seventy-six Trombones is the signature song from the musical play The Music Man (1957), which was written by Meredith Willson

443. July 4, 1776 was a very important date in this country's history!
444. here is a picture of Derek Busse and Corrina from wacky hair day at school in about 3rd grade

I-75

2012-02-13T00:20:00.063-05:00

429. I had a little Simon and Garfunkel ready for your Monday listening pleasure, but after the passing of Whitney Houston on Saturday, here is my favorite of hers - RIP Whitney

430. Say goodbye to Chad Ochocinco ... the Patriots star is telling friends, he plans to change his last name BACK to Johnson in time for his wedding this summer -- because he doesn't want his wife to have a made-up last name. Ocho's wedding to his "Basketball Wives" fiancee Evelyn Lozada is set for July in Florida -- and sources tell TMZ, the wide receiver plans to legally change his last name back to the one he was born with before he ties the knot.

431.

**Length of Interstate 75 in each state**
Florida	470.88	miles
Georgia	355.11	miles
Tennessee	161.86	miles
Kentucky	191.78	miles
Ohio	211.30	miles
Michigan	395.54	miles
Total	1786.47	miles

432. a picture of Interstate 75 - the Mackinac bridge in Michigan

433. 75 awesome "Looking into the Past" pictures click to view more

Here is my favorite:

434. here is a link to the Piqua Division IV boys basketball sectional tournament click to view

ALice Cooper - Teenage Lament '74

2012-02-12T00:10:00.044-05:00

422. I have never heard of this Alice Cooper song before today - Teenage Lament '74

423. sweet pic

424.another nice pic:

425. another:

426. probably not the way Mercedez Benz intended their hood ornaments to look like:

427. Bridal Vail Falls at Yosemite National Park from our vacation in 2007

428. Corrina and Treg atop Sentinel Dome in Yosemite National Park after we hiked up it in 2007

73 Impala - our ride from Dayton to Daytona in May 1987

2012-02-11T02:38:00.000-05:00

416. here is a picture of a '73 Chevy Impala - it looks a lot like the one we took from Dayton to Daytona in May 1987 - Ken had bought it from his Grandma - it was awesome!!!!!

417. this is a picture of the back seat of a '73 Impala - big enough for Mike Hoying to lay down and not bend his knees

418. Dusty Baker's regular season record 4 years with Cubs 322-326 (.497) 4 years with Reds 322-326 (.497)
419. 10 years ago yesterday - Ken Griffey Jr. becomes a Cincinnati Red

420. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Anna 73 Botkins 61; Houston 57 Fairlawn 43; Fort Loramie 62, Russia 57; Jackson Center 76 Lehman 57

421. Will Ferrell introduces lineups on 80s night

421. Trivia answers from yesterday: Electric Light Orchestra and Missy's favorite of all time - Celine Dion

72 years together: The couple who died holding hands

2012-02-10T00:02:00.000-05:00

Read more about this amazing couple right above the trivia question in today's blog

410. The seafront is frozen in the Adriatic coastal town of Senj, Croatia, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Europeans across the continent have been battling more than a week of extreme weather, with thousands still trapped by snow in remote, mountain villages in the Balkans; hundreds - most of them homeless - dead after temperatures hit as low as minus 33 Fahrenheit

411. another Eric Grohe mural - this one can be found in Bucyrus, Ohio

412. A purple squirrel was found in Jersey Shore, Pa., on Sunday, by Percy and Connie Emert.

"We have bird feeders out in our yard, and the squirrels are constantly into them," said Jersey Shore resident Connie Emert. "My husband traps them and then sets them free elsewhere so they don't get into your bird feeders."

413. 72 pencils 72 Pencils is a geometric construction of 72 pencils, assembled into a work of art. Restricted to a signed limited edition of twenty-five

414. 72 years together: The couple who died holding hands click to read more

415. Trivia questions for the eleventh Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer -

1. What music group holds the record of having the most Top 40 hits in the US chart history without ever having a number one single???

2. Who is the only female singer to sell more than 1 million copies of two of her singles in the UK?

YOU MAY ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS, but you only need to get one correct to be eligible for the gift certificates!!!!

send your answers to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

'71 Class A State Baseball Champions - Russia Raiders

2012-02-09T00:08:00.044-05:00

431. Tyler Zeller's closeout on Austin Rivers at the end of the Duke-North Carolina game last night was one of the worst closeouts by a college basketball player that I have ever witnessed - what did he think Rivers was going to do with the ball 22 feet from the hoop with 1.2 seconds remaining???

432. Lindsay Grogean Mayer was able to hear Aron Rolston speak and had the chance to take her picture with him at a conference last year - she said it was amazing - notice his missing right hand

433. many thanks to my friend Barney who gave me a GRAPE CRUSH last night - only the second that I have had in about the last 20 years. I see ORANGE CRUSH all the time, but I never see GRAPE CRUSH - if you ever see any, feel free to pick me up a six pack - I will pay you back for sure - GRAPE CRUSH ROCKS!!!

434. one of my only memories about the 1971 Class A state baseball championship was Art May of May's Quick print had bumper stickers for everyone to put on their car on the ride home -

435. my brother Dave tells me that during that weekend, was the first time that he ever ate at a McDonalds!!!!!

436. he also tells me that he lost 17 pounds from the time they left Russia until the time they got back home
437. Doritos baby sling commercial from the Super Bowl on Sunday!

438. Yappi - SW Ohio boys basketball power rankings click to view
439. I have not displayed a good looking Hood Ornament in a while - here you go

440. a neat wedding proposal - From some dude named Joe in Cincinnati:
Last weekend I proposed to my girlfriend. She works for the Reds and so I thought it would be awesome to do it there. A couple weeks in advance, I spoke with one of her managers about an idea I had and she informed me that it could happen. So, the day it happened I got off work early and headed to the stadium. When I arrived I was escorted to the Reds dugout. Before I got there, I placed a note on one of the seats and then I hid in the dugout with two dozen roses. One of her managers told her that she needed to count some seats in the diamond club. When she got down to the seats she saw the note and before she could even realize what it said our song started playing over the loud speakers and the picture of the two of us showed up on the scoreboard. I walked out and met her by the seats and asked her to marry me. A few seconds later we heard all of this screaming and yelling from the club section. Everyone she works with was up there watching the whole thing. It was awesome and definitely a day that we will never forget. I later contacted everyone at the Reds and told them how much I appreciated everything and that I am an even bigger Reds fan!!!!

That 70's Show

2012-02-08T00:04:00.014-05:00

424. one of our loyal readers was able to meet Aron Rolston (from yesterday's blog) at a conference last year - check back tomorrow for pictures!!!
425. I never watched this show until about 2 years ago - it is a pretty good show - Fez is my favorite

The cast from That 70's show

426. not quite as good as this show, however

The cast from Family Ties

427. Rick Schulze told me the other day that I was his first ever customer at Schulze's Market when it opened in 1979
428. the tallest high school basketball player on earth

429. Worst Injury in Super Bowl history - Tim Krumrie - don't watch if you have a weak stomach

430. according to my loyal readers, the second best Bryan Adams song:Cuts Like a Knife

Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

2012-02-07T00:21:00.048-05:00

417. got my first real six string, bought it at the Five and Dime, played it til my fingers bled, was the Summer of '69

418. ESPN showing four of my favorite Lady Flyers fans at Cintas Center on Sunday in the big win over Xavier - that must not be Andrea as she looks pretty calm for her to be at a basketball game!! Congratulations to Joe, Andrea, Reed, and Reagan on their new celebrity status!!!

419. went to Fort Recovery last night for a freshmen girls basketball game - my first ever visit to the Fort Site Fieldhouse - looks like a fun place to watch a high school basketball game - and for Russia alum Eric Rosenbeck to notch a huge MAC victory last Friday night!!!

420. the most famous # 69 that I can think of - Tim Krumrie - one of my favorite Bengals of all time

421. I watched part of the documentary 127 hours on HBO Sunday night - it is a great documentary about Aron Ralston, who became trapped alone in a Utah canyon for days after slipping on a loose rock, and resorted to extraordinary measures in order to make it out of his dire predicament alive. Try to catch it if you get a chance.

422. taking votes until midnight tonight for Bryan Adams second best song - send me your nominations at hood3939@gmail.com
423. Following is a list of all Reds draft picks to win 20 or more games while in a Reds uniform:
123   Tom Browning
110   Gary Nolan
91   Don Gullett
45   Frank Pastore
37 Scott Sullivan
36   Joe Price
35 Ron Robinson
32   Mike LaCoss
29   Brett Tomko
28   Scott Williamson
28 Paul Moskau
26   Wayne Simpson
25   Jack Armstrong
24   Tim Pugh
24   Homer Bailey
20 Mike Leake

'68 - the year of my birth

2012-02-06T00:05:00.000-05:00

Pretty cool picture from Indianapolis this weekend.

406. if Gronkowski anticipates that tip on the final Hail Mary a little better, the Patriots win

407. if the Giants really didn't want to score with a minute to go, they should have taken a knee and not handed it off to the running back.

408. the second half commercials were pretty bad, except for the dog named "We Go"

409. Queen Elizabeth became queen 60 years ago today!!!

410. here is a picture of the bus from Speed from Friday's trivia question

411. congratulations to the Russia and Fort Loramie cheerleaders for qualifying for the state competition down at Springboro High School yesterday - they now compete at state on March 4th
412. I went to Springboro High School yesterday - they have a very nice football stadium - it is called "Care Flight Field"
413. here is a picture of my favorite cartoon character - Foghorn Leghorn

414. favorite saying "boy, I say, boy, you come back here boy"
415. this might be the reason Bill Parcells did not get into the football Hall of Fame

416. full court shot at an Illinois high school game

417. a little Ann Wilson and Heart for your Monday listening pleasure - Barra, Barra, Barracuda

LXVII

2012-02-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

400. SCL boys hoops scores from last night - Jackson Center 62, Minster 54; Marion Local 44, Fort Loramie 32; Houston 49, Ansonia 35; New Bremen 67, Botkins 48; Anna 54, West Liberty Salem 41; no report on Fairlawn at Waynesfield Goshen

401. next time you fill out an application - make sure you use your correct "Street Name" - not the name of your street, but the name that they call you on the streets like Lil Tee did on the application below!!!

402. My prediction for tonight New England 27, NY Giants 20

Route 66

2012-02-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

394. SCL boys hoops scores from last night - Anna 61, Russia 48; Houston 46, Fort Loramie 26; and the Jackson Center Tigers capture their first title in 14 years with a 72-44 victory over the Botkins Trojans
395. Matt Light Doesn't Get too serious - New England Patriots Left Tackle from Greenville is the blind side protector of Tom Brady - but he makes his teammates laugh often click to read more

396. Don't tease the frog - 27 seconds - watch until the end

397. here are some uniform numbers for new Reds players:
Pitchers:
Andrew Brackman: No. 50
Josh Judy: No. 56
Mat Latos: No. 55
Ryan Madson: No. 46
Sean Marshall: No. 51
Position players:
Ryan Ludwick: No. 48
Denis Phipps: No. 23

398. here is a picture of Mike Leake's new baseball card

399. no winners from yesterday's trivia contest - the correct answer is bus number 2525!!!!!

'65 Love Affair by Paul Davis

2012-02-03T00:02:00.043-05:00

390. Paul Davis - '65 Love Affair for your Friday morning listening pleasure

391. From Forrest Gump - Jackson Browne - Running on Empty - has the lyrics "In '65, I was seventeen"

392. From loyal reader and one of the most avid Great Darke County Fair fans on the face of this earth - Andrea R. - the following major announcement came yesterday from the Great Darke County Fair

The Darke County Fair Board announced today via their Facebook page that Foreigner will be the headlining act at this year's Great Darke County Fair.

Foreigner

Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, racking up scores of smash hits, multi-platinum albums, and sold out concert tours. From Cold As Ice to Hot Blooded, Urgent to Jukebox Hero, Waiting For A Girl Like You to the chart topper I Want To Know What Love is, Foreigner's thrilling mix of blustery blues and impeccably crafted pop continues to captivate generation after generation of music fans.

"Just one more reason that the Darke County Fair Rocks - I am pumped! “Girl I’m hot blooded…check it and see…got a fever of 103! Saaaaaaaaaaaa-weet!", says Andrea

393. Trivia question for the tenth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer - In the movie "Speed" - what was the number of the bus that was armed with a bomb and driven by Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) after Sam (Hawthorn James) the bus driver was shot??? - send your answer to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

Nintendo 64

2012-02-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

385. Happy Groundhog's Day!!!!

Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. It was written by Ramis and Danny Rubin, based on a story by Rubin.

Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, finds himself repeating the same day over and over again. After indulging in hedonism and numerous suicide attempts, he begins to re-examine his life and priorities.

In 2006, the film was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

386. not sure which of these two I like best for my Super Bowl creation for Sunday

387. this is Skip Schumaker's baseball card for this year

388. a little Cheap Trick - one of my all time favorites!!!

63 yard field goal by kicker Tom Dempsey (NFL Record)

2012-02-01T00:02:00.045-05:00

379. no, our son Derek did not get married, this Pfeffenberger dude just looks a lot like him, or Derek looks a lot like this Pfeffenberger dude!!!!!!

Congrats Derek and Amy, I mean ............. John and Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!

380. here is video of LeBron's dunk from Sunday

381.Not to be out done, the Blake show had one of the best dunks of all time on Monday!!!!

382. All 3 road teams won in SCL boys basketball last night - here are the scores from last night - Jackson Center 63, Russia 53; Anna 53, Houston 47; Fort Loramie 58, Fairlawn 49 - congratulations to the Jackson Center Tigers who clinch a share of their first league title since 1998!!!

383. a classic for your Wednesday listening pleasure from Blues Image - Ride Captain Ride - compliments of loyal reader, Kenny

384. here is video of Tom Dempsey's record 63 yard field goal - it has since been tied by Jason Elam and Sebastian Janikowski

7-4-11 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: Joey Chestnut Wins With 62 Hot Dogs

2012-01-31T00:07:00.038-05:00

373. a link to watch Joey eat 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes click to watch

374. not a big tennis fan, but the Nadal vs. Djokovic Australian Open match from Sunday was a classic - over 6 hours of splendid tennis

375. here is a great picture of LeBron's amazing dunk on Sunday over John Lucas

376. SW Ohio boys basketball power rankings from Yappi click to view

377. the undefeated and # 3 ranked JC Tigers invade Clair C Naveau tonight - should be a good one!!!

378. I wonder how many birds fly into this 3-D mural

379. a little Dexy's Midnight Runners for your Tuesday listening pleasure

61* - Roger Maris hits 61 home runs in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's record

2012-01-30T00:21:00.009-05:00

364. went past Dave Arbogast last night and the flag was not up - first time that I have ever witnessed that. If anyone has any information on this, please shoot me an e-mail.
365. the most famous # 61 that I can think of - none other than, Bronson Arroyo

366. a little Bad Company to get your week started off right - Don't You Know that you are a Shooting Star

367. have to say that I am glad that I missed the Flyers losing to 3-18 Rhode Island Saturday night
368. on this date - 1933 - Adolph Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany; 1948 - Mohandas Gandhi was assasinated

369. top 10 television shows of 1991:

1. 60 Minutes 2. Roseanne 3. Murphy Brown 4. Cheers 5. Home Improvement

6. Designing Women 7. Full House 8. Murder, She Wrote 9. Major Dad 10. Coach
370. Clark Kellogg was going to announce the Michigan at Ohio State game yesterday with these two future hall of fame broadcasters if Bill Rafferty did not show up

Carter Francis, Clark Kellogg, and Nolan Francis - the CBS announcing crew

371. In 1979, Clark Kellogg scored 51 points in a 79-65 loss to Columbus East in the State Championship game!!!

372. a cool 3-D picture

BEFORE

AFTER!!!!

60 Minutes

2012-01-29T00:56:00.002-05:00

One of the best regular season high school basketball games that you will ever see took place in Clair C. Naveau Gymnasium last night. The team that I was rooting for, and that our son plays for, did not come out on the winning end. Everyone in attendance, however, including myself, will most probably admit that it ranks as one of the best high school basketball games which they have ever witnessed!!!!

I copied this article from Press Pros Magazine at www.pressprosmagazine.com

Guarantee For A Season…

To The Final Second...A shot at the final horn by Russia's Treg Francis caromed off the iron, saving a 77-74 Versailles win and the memory of an unforgettable game for all that saw it. (Press Pros Photos by Sonny Fulks)

77-74 in front of a packed house doesn’t begin to tell the story of Saturday’s rivalry game between Versailles and Russia. And unfortunately, words fail to do it justice, as well.
Russia - Fact: There are no guarantees in life. Except this.
That Saturday night’s renewal of the Versailles-Russia rivalry in boys basketball could likely end up as the best game of the year in west-central Ohio…has to be one of the five best in the entire state!
And a regurgitation of the play-by-play, blow-by-blow, would be little more than an abominable way of describing it.
That’s how good it was. Versailles won the game, 77-74, and you can forget about hearing the sermon come Sunday morning. They’ll be talking about how they won it in Versailles…how they lost it in Russia.
The Tigers led at the end of the first period, 22-19.
Russia came back with a run to tie it at the half, 41-41, and scored the first five points of the third quarter to take their biggest lead of the night 46-41.
But Versailles countered with a run of their own, and led 62-52 at the end of three.
Russia came back again, cutting the lead at one point to 73-71, but never closer. Versailles scored on a pair of transition buckets in the last sixty seconds to lead by three.

Defense Won It...Offense aside, Damian Richards (above) and the Tigers defense was just enough to stave of a fourth-quarter Russia comeback.

At 77-74 Russia had one last opportunity with 7 seconds remaining. Needing to travel the length of the court and hit a three to tie, Russia’s Treg Francis had the shot lined up from 22 feet with 2 seconds on the clock. Hurried, he couldn’t get himself squared with the rim, and his shot caromed harmlessly off the side of the iron.
Normally, the breath would have been sucked out of the building by such a miss. But this wasn’t normal. The competitive instincts of two good basketball teams had long since taken hold of the crowd, as one. Partisanship aside, everyone simply enjoyed the show. A boisterous roar went up as the clock expired. Both sides cheered as one. For that one conclusive moment, us versus them was set aside.
For sure, Versailles won it, and did so in impressive, athletic fashion.
They shot 45% from the floor (29 of 64)…hit 7 of 20 three-point attempts, all seven coming in the first half.
They defended, blocking five Russia shots. They had 11 steals and created matchup issues for 32 minutes that Paul Bremigan’s Raiders struggled to contain.
“They’re so athletic. They were a defensive nightmare all night. We’re trying to match up and trying to keep Brandon (Wilson) in the game. They can move so many 6’4” guys around to so many places it was hard for him to find someone to guard. And after Brandon we don’t have a whole lot of size. We’re small and they’re playing like they’re 6’7” because they can all run and jump.”
And no one more than 6’4” junior Chad Winner. He scored 34 points to lead all scorers, connecting on 14 of 18 from the field, 4 of 4 from the line, and had 4 of the Tigers 7 three-pointers on the night.

'Nuff Said...Referee Mike Cates closes the argument with Versailles coach Scott McEldowney.

His performance earned him Press Pros’ Dave Arbogast Buick-GMC Star Of The Game recognition, but even in winning he still obsessed on the fact that Russia could have at least tied the game with the last-second shot by Francis.
“I saw it go up and I thought…on my God, I think we’re in trouble,” said Winner.
For his 34 points and career performance, he was quick to share credit with the efforts of his entire team.
“This was a great team win,” he added. “Losing to Delphos last night was a disappointment, but we came in to the shoot-around this morning and we were able to put that behind us. All we talked about was playing Russia.”
It was a game that defined the indomitable competitive spirit of high school sports.
It captivated the attention of the 1,200 people from both communities that crammed the tiny Russia gym. Another hundred watched on a closed circuit broadcast of the game in the cafeteria.
It was the kind of the game reminiscent of an old Randy Travis lyric…old men talking about the last great play…the last official’s call. Old women talking about the old men’s consumption with the game.
Young kids wrestled in the hallway. Junior varsity players from both teams crammed the doorways for the best view possible. There was no room on the team benches, or in the stands.
Even the officials became caught up in the atmosphere. “This is what you live for…to work a game with this kind of environment,” said referee Kevin Forror.

Faces In The Crowd...The environment was spectacular, thanks to the respective student cheering sections from Versailles (above) and Russia.

It was loud…it was proud. It was a credit to the respective communities.
“You’d have to have seen a few of these games to really appreciate it,” said winning coach Scott McEldowney. “It’s a great backyard rivalry, and I’ve got family in both communities, so I know what it means.
“We expended a lot of energy, and we got into some foul trouble. Our subs off the bench were great because they bought us some minutes. We got a nice run in the second half, and give Russia credit…they made a run of their own and had a shot at the end to tie.
For the fact of Chad Winner’s shooting, of teammate Mitchell Campbell’s 20 points in support, it might well have been the Versailles defensive that delivered the win.
“I thought we did a better job in the second half of keeping them in front of us, and we wanted to keep the tempo up and pressure on them. But they kept breaking us down and getting open 3’s.”
How ’bout to the tune of shooting 24 of 55 from the floor (44%)? And the Raiders clearly shot themselves back into the game from behind the arc, hitting 10 of 23 attempts (43%). More, they made the most of their 18 free throw attempts, connecting on 16.
Bryce Rittenhouse led the Raiders with 19 points, one of four to hit double figures…Treg Francis (16), Brandon Wilson (13), and Trevor Sherman (12).
“Best passing I’ve ever seen in a high school basketball game,” said a man sitting on the front row of the bleachers. He’d seen enough to know. Versailles finished with 11 assists on the night…Russia with 17!
As sure as Versailles won it, Russia coach Paul Bremigan was gracious in reconciling the loss.
“It’s painful, and it’s disappointing to lose a game like this,” he said. “We have some pretty tired boys tonight.
“But hey, maybe we carry something away from this game and this experience. I told the boys in the locker room…you earn the right to play in a game like this, in an environment like this one. We have some more big games coming up…Jackson Center on Tuesday, Anna and Ft. Loramie. Maybe tonight will help us down the road.”
Scott McEldowney, for his part, could only nod in agreement.
And Chad Winner, as he left the gym in his stocking feet for the locker room to dress and the bus ride home took one last look at the rim where Treg Francis’ shot came so close as the game ended. Just to make sure.
The game of the year…the game of his life…the game he’ll forever remember. Guaranteed!

59 - Orel Hershiser consecutive scoreless innings in 1988

2012-01-28T08:39:00.003-05:00

359. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Jackson Center 54, Houston 45;   Russia 60, Botkins 59;   Anna 62, Fairlawn 37
Current Standings as of January 28, 2012
                          League                    Overall
W L    W L

Jackson Center      9      0                       14     0
Russia                7      1                       12     2
Anna                        5 3                       10     5
Botkins                  4      5                        7      7
Houston                   3      6                       5     9
Fort Loramie          1      7                       2 11
Fairlawn                  1      8                       4 11

360. Russia vs. Versailles basketball tonight - Always a very fun game!!!!
361. a song by the group America for my good friend, Steve S. click to listen
362. Trivia answers from yesterday - Mike "Chaz" Naveau and Ryan Nichols - thanks to all of the people who answered - the winners of the 2 $ 10 gift cards are Mason Dapore and Coach Paul Bremigan
363. Orel Hershiser had 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988, but this guy went 23-8 for the Reds and had a great season as well - one of my favorite Cincinnati Reds ever

58 Chevrolet - picture below

2012-01-27T00:04:00.037-05:00

355. a tattoo of Tattoo - a highly suggested look for those huge Fantasy Island fans -
submitted by loyal reader Jay B.

356. The Evolution of dance video - a must see - this guy is great

357. Trivia question for the ninth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet (or Bob Wise's book) for your answer - Name the only two players who have scored at least one point in Russia High School varsity boys basketball history whose last name starts with the letter "N" ??? - send your answer to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

358.

Heinz 57

2012-01-26T00:04:00.024-05:00

352. world's coolest flight attendant

353. cool pic

354. The UD Arena was a see of red and was really rocking last Saturday afternoon when the Flyers beat Xavier 87-72 - here is a picture from right before tip-off

56 - Joe Dimaggio's consecutive games hitting streak!!!

2012-01-25T00:04:00.044-05:00

347. our family's three high school homecoming attendees :

348.SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Lehman 49 Fort Loramie 43 Botkins 65 Fairlawn 36
349. Dan Pastorini wearing a ski mask when the Houston Oilers played at Cleveland in 1977

350. the most famous # 56 that I can think of - gotta go with this guy - LT - possibly the greatest linebacker of all time!!!

351. cool pic

I can't drive 55 by Sammy Hagar

2012-01-24T00:52:00.010-05:00

A little Sammy Hagar for your Tuesday listening pleasure

346. I found this to be a very interesting read

A Japanese Soldier Who Continued Fighting WWII 29 Years After the Japanese Surrendered, Because He Didn’t Know

Daven February 9, 2010

A Japanese soldier who continued fighting World War II a full 29 years after the Japanese surrendered, because he didn’t know the war was over.
Hiroo Onoda is a Japanese citizen that originally worked at a Chinese trading company. When he was 20 years old, he was called to join the Japanese army. He promptly quit his job and headed off to training in Japan. At a certain point in his training, he was chosen to be trained at Nakano School as an Imperial Army Intelligence Officer. In this specialized military intelligence training, he was specifically taught methods of gathering intelligence and how to conduct guerrilla warfare. He was being groomed to go in behind enemy lines and be left with small pockets of soldiers to make life miserable for Japan’s enemies and gather intelligence in the process.
On December 26th, 1944, Onoda was sent to Lubang Island in the Philippines. His orders from his commanding officers, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, were simple:

You are absolutely forbidden to die by your own hand. It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we’ll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him. You may have to live on coconuts. If that’s the case, live on coconuts! Under no circumstances are you [to] give up your life voluntarily.

Onoda then linked up with Japanese soldiers already on the island and shortly thereafter the island was overrun by enemy troops when other officers that were already on the island refused to help fulfill part of the orders that Onoda was given to destroy the harbor and airfield among other things. This in turn made it easier for the Allied forces to conquer the island, landing on February 28th, 1945. Shortly after the island was conquered the remaining Japanese soldiers split up into small groups of 3 or 4 and headed into the jungle.
Most of these small groups were quickly killed off. Onoda’s group though consisting of himself, Yuichi Akatsu, Siochi Shimada, and Kinshichi Kozuka, were not. They continued to use guerrilla warfare tactics to harry the enemy troops as best they could while strictly rationing supplies including food, ammo, etc. Supplementing their small rice rations with bananas, coconuts, and other food from the jungle as well as doing raids on local farms when they could manage it.
In October 1945, after another cell had killed a cow from a local farm for food, they came across a leaflet from the local islanders to them saying “The war ended August 15th. Come down from the mountains!” The few remaining cells discussed this leaflet extensively, but eventually decided that it was Allied propaganda trying to get them to give themselves up. They felt that there was no way that Japan could have lost so quickly since the time when they were deployed. Indeed, this would seem strange to anyone who had no knowledge of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Also, another one of the cells had been fired upon just a few days before; they felt that this wouldn’t have happened if the war was over.
Eventually, near the end of the same year local islanders, fed up with being shot at and raided, got a Boeing B-17 to drop leaflets all over the jungle. These leaflets had the order to surrender printed on them from General Yamashita. The few remaining cells once again scrutinized these leaflets to try to determine their authenticity. In the end, the wording on the leaflet pertaining to the method with which they would be sent back to Japan seemed fishy to them; largely because the wording made it seem as if Japan had lost, something they couldn’t fathom and which was a big problem in their willingness to accept the war had ended. If Japan had won, they would come and get them. Japan couldn’t lose, so the war must still be going. So they once again believed it was the Allies becoming more tired of their successful guerrilla tactics and trying to get them to surrender.
When this didn’t work, more leaflets were dropped with newspapers from Japan; photographs and letters from the soldiers families; delegates were sent from Japan and went through the jungle speaking over loudspeakers begging the soldiers to give themselves up. In every case the cells encountered, there was always something suspicious in their minds about the way it was done to cause them to believe it was an elaborate hoax by the Allied troops.
Years passed in the jungle with these four soldiers continuing to perform their sworn duty of harrying the enemy at every opportunity and gather intelligence as best they could. At a certain point, when most everybody they saw was dressed in civilian clothing, they began thinking that this too was a ruse from the Allied forces to lull the Japanese guerrilla soldiers into a false sense of confidence. They considered the fact that every time they fired on these “civilians” shortly thereafter search parties would arrive hunting them. Over time they had gradually let their solitude twist their minds into thinking everyone was an enemy, even their own fellow Japanese who would occasionally come and try to find them and get them to come home. These of course in their minds were Japanese prisoners forced to come lure them away from the safety of the jungle.
Eventually, after about 5 years in the jungle, Akatsu decided he would surrender, but didn’t tell the other three soldiers. So, in 1949 he slipped away from the others and after 6 months alone in the jungle was able to successfully surrender to what he thought were Allied troops. Because of this event, Onoda’s cell became even more cautious and went into deeper hiding and took fewer risks as they viewed Akatsu leaving as a security threat. “What if he was captured”, they thought.
About 5 years later, another of the small group, Shimada was killed in a skirmish on the beach at Gontin. Now there were only two, Onoda and Kozuka.
For about 17 more years the two lived in the jungle, gathering intelligence as best they could and attacking the “enemy troops” when they could risk it. They were still convinced that eventually Japan would dispatch more troops and they would then train these troops in guerrilla warfare and use the intelligence they had gathered to re-take the island. After all, their orders were to stay put and do as they had done until their commanding officer came and got them and their commanding officers had promised to do so no matter what.
Now in October 1972, after 27 years of hiding Kozuka was killed during a fight with a Filipino patrol. The Japanese had long thought he had already died, they didn’t think he could have survived so long in the jungle. But now when they had his body, they began thinking perhaps Onoda was also still alive, even though he had also long since been declared dead.
The Japanese then sent a search party to try to find Onoda in the jungle. Unfortunately, he was too good at hiding with 27 years of practice. They could not find him. Onoda continued his mission.
Finally in 1974 a college student, Nario Suzuki, decided to travel the world. Among his list of things to do on his journey was to find “Onoda, a panda, and the Abominable Snowman”. He traveled to the island and trekked through the jungle searching for signs of Onoda. Shockingly, where literally thousands of others through the last 29 years had failed, Suzuki succeeded. He found Onoda’s dwelling place and Onoda himself.
He then proceeded to try to convince Onoda to come home with him. Onoda refused. His commanding officers had said they would return for him no matter what. He would not surrender nor believe the war was over until they returned and ordered him to do so. At this point, he would not have been allowed to simply go home; he would be required to surrender and throw himself on the mercy of the enemy. Over the years he had been too successful at using the guerrilla tactics he had mastered. Killing 30 Filipinos and injuring over 100 others as well as destroying various crops and the like for almost 30 years.
Suzuki then traveled back to Japan with the news he’d found Onoda; Major Taniguchi, now retired and working at a book store, was then brought back to the island and to Onoda to tell him that Japan had lost the war and he was to give up his weapons and surrender to the Filipinos.
As you might expect, after living in the jungle doing what he thought was his duty helping Japan, now only turning out to be wasting 29 years of his life, and worse killing and injuring innocent civilians, this came as a crushing blow to Onoda.

We really lost the war! How could they have been so sloppy?

Suddenly everything went black. A storm raged inside me. I felt like a fool for having been so tense and cautious on the way here. Worse than that, what had I been doing for all these years?

Gradually the storm subsided, and for the first time I really understood: my thirty years as a guerrilla fighter for the Japanese army were abruptly finished. This was the end.

I pulled back the bolt on my rifle and unloaded the bullets. . . .

I eased off the pack that I always carried with me and laid the gun on top of it. Would I really have no more use for this rifle that I had polished and cared for like a baby all these years? Or Kozuka’s rifle, which I had hidden in a crevice in the rocks? Had the war really ended thirty years ago? If it had, what had Shimada and Kozuka died for? If what was happening was true, wouldn’t it have been better if I had died with them?

On March 10th, 1975 at the age of 52, Onoda in full uniform that was somehow still immaculately kept, marched out of the jungle and surrendered his samurai sword to the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos, very unpopularly in the Philippines, but immensely popular in Japan, pardoned Onoda for his crimes, given that Onoda had thought he was still at war the entire time.
Now in the end, we might look at Onoda as a fool and worse, a murder of innocent people. In the end, he was both of those things, there is no denying it. But at the same time, not everyone who lives by strict convictions and puts their all into achieving what they believe to be the right thing, ends up having what they strive towards turn out well or end up being a good thing. This is one of those cases where someone did something remarkable, showing extreme dedication to his country and his duty, as well as fortitude unmatched by many in history.
Had circumstances been different and the war really had waged on so long; soldiers and people from both sides of the fight would have respected him for his courage and dedication. In that respect he was more of a hero. However, the world wasn’t the way he thought and in the end, in retrospect, he was more a fool than anything else. But at the same time, we can’t ignore that this was a man who did something great with respect to doing something that few others could have done; had circumstances been as he thought, what he did was something to be admired. He faced (what he thought) was death around every corner and lived in an extreme situation for 30 years, fighting for his country. That should be respected. It’s a rare person who could do something like that and never quite or surrender; never take the easy way out as most of us do all the time when faced with adversity that is orders of magnitude less than what Onoda faced for almost 30 years in the jungle.
Bonus Onoda Factoids:

When Onoda returned to Japan, he was seen as a hero. He was also given his pay for the last 30 years. Life was much different in Japan now than he remembered, and not at all to his liking. Many of the traditional Japanese virtues he cherished such as patriotism were nearly non-existent in the culture; indeed in his view Japan now cow-towed to the rest of the world and had lost its pride and sense of itself. So he moved to Brazil and used his pay to buy himself a ranch there and eventually married.
Onoda released an autobiography: No Surrender, My Thirty-Year War in which he details his life as a guerrilla fighter.
After reading about a Japanese teenager who had murdered his own parents in 1980, Onoda became even more distressed at the state of his country and young people in Japan. He then returned to Japan in 1984, establishing a nature school for young people where he could teach them various survival techniques and teach them to be more independent and better Japanese citizens.
In May 1996, he returned to the Philippines to the island he had lived for 30 years donating $10,000 to local schools; as you might imagine, he is not too popular with the locals there, despite the donation.

Bonus Onoda Quotes:

Men should never give up. I never do. I would hate to lose.
Men should never compete with women. If they do, the guys will always lose. That is because women have a lot more endurance. My mother said that, and she was so right.
One must always be civic-minded. Every minute of every day, for 30 years, I served my country. I have never even wondered if that was good or bad for me as an individual.
Parents should raise more independent children. When I was living in Brazil in the 1980s, I read that a 19-year-old Japanese man killed his parents after failing the university entrance exam. I was stunned. Why had he killed his parents instead of moving out? I guess he didn’t have enough confidence. I thought this was a sign that Japanese were getting too weak. I decided to move back to Japan to establish a nature school to give children more power.
Parents should remember that they are supposed to die before their children. Nobody will help them later on, so the greatest gift parents can give their children is independence.
Never complain. When I did, my mother said that if I didn’t like my life, I could just give up and die. She reminded me that when I was inside her, I told her that I wanted to be born, so she delivered me, breastfed me and changed my diapers. She said that I had to be brave.

Studio 54

2012-01-23T00:03:00.023-05:00

341. rest in peace - Fred Prenger, 69 - a great man who will be dearly missed by many
342. rest in peace - Jo Paterno, 85

343. for all you soccer moms out there - purses made out of soccer balls?????

344. more info about Studio 54 - Studio 54 was a highly popular discotheque from 1977 until 1991, located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan, New York, USA. It was originally the Gallo Opera House, opening in 1927, after which it changed names several times, eventually becoming a CBS radio and television studio. In 1977 it became the legendary nightclub, Studio 54.

345. I personally liked Stephen Tyler's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner yesterday click to watch

53 - Darryl Dawkins, aka Chocolate Thunder

2012-01-22T09:21:00.002-05:00

335. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: JC 64, New Bremen 55; Russia 92, Bradford 29; Covington 46, Houston 39; Anna 64, Minster 52
336. special note about the Bradford at Russia game last night - Russia senior Bryce Rittenhouse made 6 3-point field goals in the first quarter (6 for 6) on his way to a 30 point first half and a 35 point game with a total of 8 made 3-pointers for the game!!!! A very impressive display by Bryce to say the least.
337. my predictions for today: New England 31, Baltimore 14 and San Francisco 24, New York Giants 20
338. the most famous # 53 that I can think of - Darryl Dawkins - aka Chocolate Thunder

339. cool pic below

340. a little Manfred Mann for your Sunday listening pleasure

B-52 Bomber, 52 weeks in a year, and 52 cards in a full deck

2012-01-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

GO FLYERS - BEAT X!!!

327. Tu Holloway is a gangster not a thug - he wears # 52 - this is my 52nd blog post - that is not a good sign for the Flyers!!!!

Gangster / thug

328. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built byBoeing, who have continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s. The bomber carries up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons.

329. here is an excellent picture of a B-52 bomber

330. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Anna 48, Fort Loramie 31; Jackson Center 64, Fairlawn 39 Houston 51 Botkins 40

331. I was just joking about my favorite rappers from Thursday - I strongly do not like rap music. I did watch a very good movie about The Notorious B.I.G., however.

332. this is a picture of a very cool train track

333. Trivia winners from Friday are Susan Hogenkamp and Phil Pleiman - the three hyenas from Lion King are Shenzi, Banzai, and my favorite, Ed!!!!!!!!!!
334. the prettiest card in a deck of cards is below

Area 51

2012-01-20T00:02:00.048-05:00

321. Area 51 is a military base, and a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. It is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles (133 km) north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. click to read more about area 51

322. this # 51 is one of the greatest hitters to ever walk this earth

323. exactly one year from today, January 20, 2013,we will either be inaugurating our 45th President, or Obama will be beginning his second term as the 44th President of the United States of America

324. This # 51 hit bird while throwing a pitch - click arrow on video to watch

325. this # 51 has one of the greatest football names ever - Dick Butkus

326. this good looking # 51 was an all-star for the Reds in 1979 - Mike LaCoss

327. Trivia question for the eighth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer - What are the names of the three spotted hyenas who are loyal followers of scar in The Lion King movie??? - send your answer to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

50 cent - my 5th favorite rapper of all time

2012-01-19T00:01:00.104-05:00

316. here is a picture of Treg almost dunking against Botkins in 7th grade -

also notice Wayne Shoffner running with his signature "thumbs up" in great position to make a call

Treg - almost slamming a dunk in 7th grade - more hops than the old man ever had!!!!!!!!

317. Lombard Street in San Francisco is pretty cool:

(I think the 4th car from the top coming down the hill is our BAV)

318. current updated playoff prediction standings

Spencer Cordonnier - 8 total points - had Patriots, Ravens, 49ers, Packers...then Packers over Patriots

Brad Francis - 8 total points - had Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Giants.... then Saints over Ravens

Scott Armstrong - 7 total points - had Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers.....then Packers over Patriots

Ken Francis - 6 total points - had Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers.... then Packers over Patriots

Jeremy Unverferth - 6 total points - had Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers....then Packers over Patriots

Carter Francis - 4 total points - had Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Packers.... then Saints over Steelers

Jay Borchers - 4 total points Bengals, Ravens, Saints, Packers....then Bengals over Saints
Basically - the results are: if Patriots win = Spencer wins, if Ravens win = I win

319. I bet you didn't know - I am a huge fan of rap - I have quite an extensive collection......................my favorite rap song of all time - I'm Going back to Cali - by LL Cool J

320. as stated in today's title - 50 cent - my 5th favorite rapper of all time - # 4 = Nelly; # 3 = Eminem; # 2 = LL Cool J .................................................who is # 1??????

IT HAS TO BE THIS MAN - THE LATE, GREAT

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997), best known as
The Notorious B.I.G.

San Francisco 49ers - broke my heart - not once, but twice

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

308. Super Bowl XVI - 49ers 26, Bengals 20

309. Super Bowl XXIII - 49ers 20, Bengals 16

310. SCL boys basketball from last night - Anna 57, Botkins 39; Triad 63, Fairlawn 50

311. current updated SCL boys basketball standings click to view standings

312. the most famous # 49 of all time - gotta go with Rob Dibble over Ron Guidry

Rob Dibble at his finest - after the 1990 World Series clincher in Oakland!!!

Rob Dibble not at his finest

313. Southwest Ohio Boys Basketball Power Rankings from dude at Yappi click to view
314. CollegeRPI.com
1 Syracuse
5 UConn
7 Ohio State
10 Kentucky
14 West Virginia
18 Indiana
29 Dayton
42 Xavier
47 Louisville
51 Purdue
81 Ohio
104 Cincinnati
107 Butler
183 Wright State

315. I could not walk on this suspension walk bridge - I would be frightened!!!!!!!

316. this guy turned 70 yesterday - the greatest of all time!!!!!!!!!!!

48 Hours (was not as good as Beverly Hills Cop)

2012-01-17T00:22:00.016-05:00

302. Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte star in

303. a link to Urban Meyer and the OSU coaching staff being introduced Sunday click to view
304. interesting to see that Gene Smith was "booed"

305. here is a cool picture of two of my great nephews - Nolan Miller, son of Ryan and Lauren Shenk Miller and Julius Monnin, son of Craig and Cameo Francis Monnin, playing the piano at my dad's house yesterday - they were entertaining us with their best rendition of "How much is that Doggie in the Window?" - the fact that it was playing on a player piano roll had nothing to do with it - they were hitting every note!!!!!

306. the most famous # 48 - gotta go with 5 time NASCAR champion - Jimmy Johnson
307. here is a pretty cool curve cut out of a mountain for this road

AK 47

2012-01-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

295. Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2012

296. his "I Have a Dream" specch delivered August 28, 1963 click to view entire speech transcript
297. We watched Moneyball last night - first time that I have ever watched it - good movie!!!

298. one of my top ten songs of all time - by The Guess Who

299. boys SCL hoops from Saturday night - Jackson Center 51, New Knoxville 32; Fort Loramie 38, Minster 35; Ottawa-Glandorf 47, Houston 42; Botkins 49, Parkway 27

300. Here is Sylvester Stallone as Rambo with an AK-47

301. check out the last 30 seconds of a junior high basketball game in South Carolina!!!

Super Bowl 46 - February 5, 2012

2012-01-15T09:17:00.000-05:00

293. here is the logo for the Super Bowl to be played 3 weeks from today

294. here is where the game will be played - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN

295. here is one person who will NOT be playing in that game - not a real close defeat last night!!!

296. have a great Sunday

The Houston Colt .45s

2012-01-14T01:14:00.000-05:00

290. SCL Boys hoops scores from Friday night - Jackson Center 55, Fort Loramie 32; Russia 49, Houston 37; Botkins vs Fairlawn postponed; Anna 73 Lehman 52

291. a vintage Houston Colt .45's t-shirt

292. John Kitna is retiring - here are his career statistics:

141 games 29,745 yards 169 TD 165 INT

Kitna retires with 29,745 career passing yards, more than:
Terry Bradshaw (27,989)
Ken Stabler (27,938)
Joe Namath (27,663)
George Blanda (26,920)
Jim Plunkett (25,882)
Joe Theismann (25,206)
Bob Griese (25,092)
Bart Starr (24,718)
Roger Staubach (22,700)
Kitna retires with 169 career TD passes, more than
Troy Aikan (165)
Jim Plunkett (164)
Joe Theismann (160)
Roger Staubach (153)
Bart Starr (152)
Jeff George (154)

292. Will Ferrell for Old Milwaukee - vintage Will - he is kind of a big deal!!!

44 Magnum - Eric Davis and Hammerin' Hank Aaron

2012-01-13T00:04:00.077-05:00

285. Trivia question for the seventh Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer - In what season did the NCAA adopt the two point conversion in football??? - send your answer to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is 6 pm Friday!!!

I was going to have this be my trivia question, but I could not find the answer -------
What would they do if a siamese twin committed murder????
286. Saturday Night Live skit where Charles Barkley impersonates Shaq - good stuff

287 a little Crosby, Still, and Nash for your Friday listening pleasure click to listen to this classic
288. check out the difference between the Alabama helmets on ESPN - pre-game and post game

Pre-game

Post game

Hint - they have now won 14 National titles (they had won 13 before the game started)

289. game winning shot in NW Ohio - this is a planned play - you can tell

290.this is how I best remember Eric Davis - he was fun to watch!

291. I would have loved to be one of these two dudes that ran around the bases with Hank on # 715!!!

43 - Richard Petty, The King

2012-01-12T00:16:00.042-05:00

281. back when it was real racing - the old STP 43 car and the King

282. check out these two dudes who sat on the Mavericks bench during a game the other night

283. in case you missed the Fish Report yesterday, here is a picture from 1981 for your viewing pleasure - I have no plans to break out those jeans shorts anytime in the near future - although I did have several requests to do so from several female readers!!!!

284. video of Bobby Hebert calling out Les Miles after LSU only got 5 first downs

285. Barry Larkin is not going into the fashion Hall of Fame!!!

286. updated SW Ohio boys basketball power rankings - from some dude at Yappi click to view

42 - Jackie Robinson and Mariano Rivera

2012-01-11T00:14:00.018-05:00

278. awesome video above - the egg, the lemon, and the orange - it is a must see!!!!
279. look who is ESPN's NCAA men's basketball Team of the Week is click to find out

279. SCL boys hoops from last night - Houston 53, Fairlawn 50
280. check out this hood ornament:

41 - The Old Lefthander - Joe Nuxhall and Tom "Terrific" Seaver

2012-01-10T00:13:00.107-05:00

271. 130 years ago today - my Grandma Anna Voisard Francis was born - January 10, 1882

272. 30 years ago today - Grandma Anna turned 100 and most of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren spent the afternoon at Shelby County Fair Haven nursing home for her birthday - I remember watching the AFC championship game between the Chargers and Bengals which was played in Cincinnati with wind chill temperatures of 59 degrees BELOW ZERO

273. 29 years ago today, Grandma Anna passed away on her 101st birthday with 7 of her 9 children near her side

274. here is a picture from the Freezer Bowl game on January 10, 1982

275. click for more information about that Freezer Bowl AFC Championship game in 1982

276. Joe Nuxhall embraces his longtime partner and friend Marty Brennaman during Joe Nuxhall Tribute Night on Sept. 18, 2004 at Great American Ball Park. The pregame ceremony featured more than 20 Reds greats, including Johnny Bench, Mario Soto and Sparky Anderson.

277. June 15, 1977 - the Cincinnati Reds trade 5 players for one of the greatest pitchers of all time - this guy - # 41, Tom "Terrific" Seaver

278. Derek and I tied for the Bowl Pick'em contest, but he wins on a tiebreaker for total points in the championship game - he picked 30, I picked 37 - congratulations to Derek for being the first name on the travelling trophy!!!

279. Roll Tide - National Champions!!!!

280. College basketball RPI
Jerry Palm, CollegeRPI.com, as of 8:09am - Monday, January 9, 2012

1 Syracuse
6 Indiana
8 Kentucky
11 Ohio State
18 Dayton
19 Murray St
29 Louisville
36 Purdue
48 Xavier
66 Ohio
100 Butler
133 Cincinnati
159 Wright St

40 - The Steelers get Tebowed right out of the Playoffs!!!

2012-01-09T00:05:00.021-05:00

265. WOW!!! - What an ending!!! - we get to hear about Timmy T. for at least another week!!!

check out Big Ben's fedora in the press conference after the loss to the Broncos

266. this young fellow from 22 years ago is not as good looking as Tim Tebow, but he is close

267. the most famous # 40 that I can think of is Gale Sayers -

I missed # 38 from Saturday - gotta go with Curt Schilling

268. a little STYX to get your week started off right click to listen
269. I still say "and also with you" when a priest says "The Lord be with you" - it is a very difficult habit to break after 43 1/2 years

270. Hood Ornament 2012 NFL Playoff Prediction Standings:

Scott Armstrong - 3 correct - next week = Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers.....then Packers over Patriots

Brad Francis - 2 correct - next week = Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Giants.... then Saints over Ravens

Carter Francis - 2 correct - next week = Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Packers.... then Saints over Steelers

Spencer Cordonnier - 2 correct - next week = Patriots, Ravens, 49ers, Packers...then Packers over Patriots

Ken Francis - 2 correct - next week = Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers.... then Packers over Patriots

Jeremy Unverferth - 2 correct - next week = Patriots, Ravens, Saints, Packers....then Packers over Patriots

Jay Borchers - 2 correct - next week = Bengals, Ravens, Saints, Packers....then Bengals over Saints

39 - Dave Parker, the Cobra

2012-01-08T00:37:00.000-05:00

262. the origin of 3939

263. SCL boys hoops action from last night: Lehman 58, Houston 48; New Knoxville 63, Botkins 49; Versailles 56, Fort Loramie 41; Russia 61, New Bremen 46; Anna 55 Marion Local 41; Riverside vs. Fairlawn ??? Waynefield Goshen vs. Jackson Center ???
264. Bengals game = OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

38 - hopefully a day that I have been waiting for for 21 long seasons!!!!

2012-01-07T00:17:00.001-05:00

256. WHO DEY - not the Texans!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beat those Texans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

257. NFL Playoff Prediction contest - e-mail me your predictions for the entire playoffs and I will keep track of the points (1 point for wild-card winners, 2 for divisional round, 4 for championship games, and 8 for correctly picking the Super Bowl Winner - also send me total points in Super Bowl as the tiebreaker). Winner gets $ 25.00 Cruizers gift certificate and their name on the traveling trophy!!!!! e-mail me at hood3939@gmail.com
258. SCL boys hoops action from last evening: Russia 70, Fairlawn 39; Jackson Center 39, Anna 35; Botkins 58, Fort Loramie 51 click here for updated standings
259. awesome video of lucky / good people and animals

260. only one trivia winner from Friday - Jeremy Unverferth was the only one who knew that the NCAA adopted the three point line for the 1986-1987 season!!!!!!!!!!
261. great video - the Houston Oilers (not Texans) team song - dedicated to longtime Oiler and Tennessee Titan fan - John Guillozet or Gee-o-zee (as the Dayton Daily News would state)

37 - Richard Millhouse Nixon, our 37th President

2012-01-06T00:05:00.002-05:00

249. NFL Playoff Prediction contest - e-mail me your predictions for the entire playoffs and I will keep track of the points (1 point for wild-card winners, 2 for divisional round, 4 for championship games, and 8 for correctly picking the Super Bowl Winner - also send me total points in Super Bowl as the tiebreaker). Winner gets $ 25.00 Cruizers gift certificate and their name on the traveling trophy!!!!! e-mail me at hood3939@gmail.com

250. Will Ferrell's rendition of the Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why" click to watch
251. I asked, "What is heck is a Billiken?" - Jeremy responded click to learn more

252. the 37th of a bunch of things someone has a web page devoted to this!!!!
253. the most famous # 37 that I can think of wore a whole lot of stickum while being one of the NFL's greatest shut-down cornerbacks for the Oakland Raiders while I was growing up - none other than this guy -

check out all of that "stickum"

254. Remember when this Bengals fan stole the ball from Brett Favre - that was awesome!!!!!

255. Trivia question for the sixth Friday of the blog - all correct answers are eligible to win one of two $ 10 gift certificates to Cruizers - No help from the internet for your answer - In what season did the NCAA adopt the three point line for men's basketball??? - send your answer to hood3939@gmail.com - deadline is midnight Friday night!!!

36 - Mario Soto - one of my favorite Reds players ever

2012-01-05T06:42:00.000-05:00

242. I hope the FedEx guy did not do this to your computer monitor at Christmas time

243. how many ways to leave your lover? click here for Paul Simon to tell you
244. if the entire Washington Huskies defensive staff was fired for giving up 67 to Baylor and RG III, what should Clemson do after West Virginia hung a 70 spot on the Tigers last night???
245. went to see my Flyers pull out an overtime win over Rick Majerus and the St. Louis Billikens last night - what the heck is a Billiken anyway.
246. we found a couple of fans - New York Giants = Jaime Francis and Arizona Cardinals = none other than the famous Jason Barlage - I did not know that about Jason or Jaime
247. former CNN anchor, Jim Huber, passed away recently at age 67 - he always did a great job!!

35 - The Big Hurt

2012-01-04T00:05:00.001-05:00

235. the latest stock index to hit wall street is now official - THE HOOD ORNAMENT 44 - an index of 44 stocks picked exclusively by Hood Ornament readers is now an official index - we will be tracking this index against many other major market indices over the course of the next 12 months. The index got off to a great start yesterday by rising 2.74 %. We will say that our index began the day at 100.00 - therefore, it closed at 102.74. (I only used everyone's yearly picks and Jeremy and Ken both picked Apple - thus only 44 stocks in our index.)

Here are everyone's picks:

Derek Francis - JPM, BK, C, TGT, GS (up 4.23 %)

Brad Francis - PPP, M, MT, EBAY, BAC (up 4.82 %)

Doug Borchers - ABX, CVX, CPO, KELYA, ROK (up 2.66 %)

Cayle McEldowney - EA, NKE, DPZ, ITW, NTRI (up 2.29 %)

Craig Fiessinger - AMRN, DEPO, NBIX, HGSI, VRTX (down 1.23 %)

Jeremy Monnin - CVX, ACN, TDC, AAPL, GOOG (up 1.60 %)

Bob Schulze - HAL, CCJ, IAG, SLW, ATVI (up 2.36 %

Steve Springer - EK, DELL, GT, IPG, VCLK (up 1.77 %)

Ken Francis - TZOO, MAKO, WLL, AAPL, BIDU (up 6.01 %)

236. the most famous # 35 that I can think of is not Frank Pastore, but the BIG HURT - Frank Thomas
237. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Jackson Center 40 Fort Loramie 36; Botkins 67 Houston 44 click for up-to-date standings

238. stat of the day - the last time Ohio State lost 7 or more games in a season was 114 years ago - 1897 - ouch!!!!!

239. Joe Turner is the first repeat winner of the Friday trivia questions - he was the only person who knew the four state capitols named after Presidents - they are Jackson, Mississippi Jefferson City, Missouri Madison Wisconsin and Lincoln, Nebraska - check back Friday for more trivia

240. current Hood Ornament Bowl Pick'em standings with 5 Bowl games left to go:

1. Derek Francis, myself - tied with 22 correct

3. Austin Gariety and Carter Francis - 21 correct

5. Doug Borchers - 19

6. Jay Borchers, Andy Wendeln, and Frank no last name - pulling up the rear with 17

241. Danica McKellar aka Winnie Cooper from Wonder Years turned 37 yesterday - I had a crush on her when I was younger

34 - the round mound of rebound, Charles Barkley

2012-01-03T08:05:00.001-05:00

230. August 1, 2002 - outside the Dayton Marriott:

231. I went 3-3 on my fearless predictions yesterday, but I was pretty close on a couple scores!! - tonight's prediction - Virginia Tech 40, Michigan 31
232. here is a fan of the Wyoming Cowboys:

This is a good look!!!!

233. The stock picking page will be posted by tomorrow morning - thanks to everyone who submitted picks, if you have not submitted yet, you have until 9:30 am EST to submit - my 5 picks are M, PPP, BAC, EBAY, and MT

234. Taken from Mo Egger's blog yesterday - I thought that this was very well done about the Bengals:

I'll take it.

I'll take it because griping about what the Bengals didn't do yesterday is decidedly less fun than celebrating what they did all season. Sizing up their chances in the playoffs beats trying to figure out the mental capacity of the clowns officiating yesterday's game.

I'll take it because backing into the playoffs beats finishing a losing season with a pointless and unsatisfying win.

I'll take it because if you would've presented this scenario to me in August - The Bengals go into the final few weeks needed a series of things to happen to get the postseason, and they actually do happen - I would've given you money if you could've somehow guaranteed it.

I'll take it because I usually spend the week leading up to the playoffs picking a team to adopt for a month, and jealously watching from afar as the privileged 12 start the second season with clean slates. I have a pretty good idea of who I'll be rooting for this year.

I'll take it because I've put up with the 3-13's, the 4-12's, and the 7-9's. I'll take it because I've sat through games in November and December that meant nothing, I've endured teams that never really got started, and seasons that finished with me wondering why I ever decided to root for this team in the first place.

I'll take it because no one will really remember that the Bengals went 9-7 and not 10-6. No one will remember Ray Rice outrunning Bengals defenders, or Jermain Gresham being stripped of the football, or Nugent's miss, or really anything about yesterday's game. We won't remember the final score in the final game, we will remember the final result of the final week.

I'll take it because since I started rooting for the Bengals on some fall day in 1985, they've played in exactly seven postseason games. The Ravens have played in seven since 2008. The Steelers have played in 17 since 2002. When the Bengals approach numbers like that, I'll react to postseason berths with indifference, not now.

I'll take it because the Bengals are in and the much-hyped Jets are out and the predictably disappointing Cowboys are home. The Bengals are in and the embarrassing Colts aren't. Andy Dalton plays football next week while Carson Palmer plays golf. The Eagles might be the best team not in the playoffs and the Bengals may be the worst team in them, but I'll take what I'm enjoying in Cincinnati as opposed to the carnage their sorting through in Philly.

I'll take it because the postseason appearance helps affirm what this season has been, one of massive improvements and refreshing changes for an entertaining team that deserves to be rewarded with chances to play on. And I'll take it because I have this season in its proper perspective. The Bengals are far from a great team, not quite yet ready to play with the big boys, and the playoffs are just a step on the long journey to where I want them to be.

I'll take it because right now the Bengals are as many wins from Indy as the defending AFC champs, the Denver Tebows, the celebrated Saints, the feared Falcons, and the out-of-their mind Lions.

I'll take it because the Bengals third playoff game since 1990 has a chance to be their first postseason win since then. The Texans are tough, but hardly dominant, and the Bengals did outplay them for 45 minutes less than a month ago.

The way they did it might be been anticlimactic and slightly deflating, and we might not like everything about the way they're playing. But given how Bengals seasons usually end, and how completely deflating the final week of the season often is, I'll take it.

33 - Playoffs?, I was just hoping that they would win a game

2012-01-02T04:48:00.001-05:00

221. seriously, I was just hoping the Bengals would win a game.

222. Bengals went 0-7 against playoff teams and 9-0 against non-playoff teams!!!!!!

223. Carson Palmer had the "deer in headlights" look after he threw another interception yesterday

224. fearless predictions for the 6 bowl games today:

Houston 31, Penn State 17 Ohio State 31, Florida 20

Georgia 27, Michigan State 24 South Carolina 23, Nebraska 17

Wisconsin 40, Oregon 37 Oklahoma State 45, Stanford 35

225. Southwest Ohio boys basketball power ratings as of 1-1-2012 click to view rankings
226. we recently went through all 32 NFL teams and tried to name at least one person that we know who was a fan of each team, we could name all except the following - do you know anyone who is a fan of these teams??? - if so, shoot me an e-mail: Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, NY Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals
227. why not a little Lynard Skynard on this second day of the year??? click to listen and enjoy!!!
228. the most famous # 32 and # 33 that I can think of - none other than these guys:

229. one of the most recognizable hood ornaments of all time:

Blog post number 32 - #1 in 2012, however

2012-01-01T00:01:00.021-05:00

219. Don't Forget - I will be running a stock picking contest (actually 2). Submit five stock picks for the month of January and five for 2012 (one or more can be the same). I will keep track of all picks both individually and collectively. I will update the standings frequently and announce prizes for monthly, quarterly, and yearly winners!! We will have an index of all of our picks similar the the S&P 500 or Russell 2000. We will call it the Hood Ornament 100 or however many stocks we have in our "portfolio".

Your picks are due to me no later than 9:30 am Tuesday, January 3rd - send to hood3939@gmail.com

220. here is a look at Oregon's Rose Bowl helmet for tomorrow

Baskin Robbins - 31 flavors

2011-12-31T02:08:00.002-05:00

215. is there still a Baskin Robbins in the old Piqua East Mall??? click for store finder website
216. SCL boys hoops scores from last night: Russia 65, Piqua 50; Jackson Center 53 Indian Lake 45; New Bremen 58, Fort Loramie 39; Minster 56, Botkins 50; Anna 60, Brookville 38; River Valley 52 Fairlawn 37
217. Don't Forget - I will be running a stock picking contest (actually 2). Submit five stock picks for the month of January and five for 2012 (one or more can be the same). I will keep track of all picks both individually and collectively. I will update the standings frequently and announce prizes for monthly, quarterly, and yearly winners!! We will have an index of all of our picks similar the the S&P 500 or Russell 2000. We will call it the Hood Ornament 100 or however many stocks we have in our "portfolio".

Your picks are due to me no later than 9:30 am Tuesday, January 3rd - send to hood3939@gmail.com

218. as we close out 2011, I take a look back at some of the memories of the past 12 months - in no particular order -
a. when the news broke that Osama Bin Laden had been killed
b. the earthquake and tsunami in Japan
c. how in the world did the St. Louis Cardinals just win the World Series
d. occupy Wall Street protesters
e. the Minster Wildcats win state in Division IV boys baseball
f. the Houston Wildcats are regional champions in Division IV boys basketball and advance to state for the first time ever
g. rest in peace - Ed Bruns, Fr. Leo Hoying, Kenny Luthman, Lyn Belcher, Shep Simon, Seve Ballesteros, Harmon Killebrew, Bob Forsch, Dave Gavitt, Walt Hazzard, Al Davis, Lorenzo Charles, Dan Wheldon, Chuck Tanner, Robert "Tractor" Traylor, Hideki Irabu, and last, but certainly not least - my great friend, and father-in-law James L. Raterman - you are missed so much every day

Christmas 2010 - Jim's last with all of his grandchildren!!!

The Thirty Years War 1618-1648

2011-12-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

206. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. read more

207. SCL Boys hoops from last evening: Covington 47, Russia 44; Parkway 51, Fairlawn 47; Miami East 60 , Anna 48
208. check out the Yankees hat being worn by this young boy at yesterday’s funeral of Kim Jong-il in North Korea - that is amazing!!!!

209. a little Harry Chapin for your listening pleasure listen to "Cats in the Cradle"

210. other nominations for the worst stretch of road from readers include: State Route 41 between Covington and Troy between 5 and 6 pm, US Route 127 between Van Wert and Celina, and any roads between Russia and Oxford, Ohio
211. The most famous # 30 that I can think of is Terrell Davis. # 29 gotta go with Eric Dickerson
212. Don't Forget - I will be running a stock picking contest (actually 2). Submit five stock picks for the month of January and five for 2012 (one or more can be the same). I will keep track of all picks both individually and collectively. I will update the standings frequently and announce prizes for monthly, quarterly, and yearly winners!! We will have an index of all of our picks similar the the S&P 500 or Russell 2000. We will call it the Hood Ornament 100 or however many stocks we have in our "portfolio".

Your picks are due to me no later than 9:30 am next Monday, January 2nd - send to hood3939@gmail.com

213. fifth Friday of the blog TRIVIA - name the 4 states with Capitols named after a President - send answers to hood3939@gmail.com
214. another sweet hood ornament

There is a town in California named 29 Palms

2011-12-29T00:08:00.000-05:00

203. New Announcement - I will be running a stock picking contest (actually 2). Submit five stock picks for the month of January and five for 2012 (one or more can be the same). I will keep track of all picks both individually and collectively. I will update the standings frequently and announce prizes for monthly, quarterly, and yearly winners!! We will have an index of all of our picks similar the the S&P 500 or Russell 2000. We will call it the Hood Ornament 100 or however many stocks we have in our "portfolio".

Your picks are due to me no later than 9:30 am next Monday, January 2nd - send to hood3939@gmail.com
204. here is a link to the village of 29 Palms, California website click to view
205. a death of an 80 year old in Hollywood click to learn more
206. I have 2 UD tickets and a parking pass available for this Friday night - if interested, shoot me an e-mail
207. nice to see that the Bengals sold out for their huge game this Sunday against the Ratbirds
208. 1988-1989 UD Flyers television introduction - awesome - NOT

XXVIII

2011-12-28T00:20:00.006-05:00

196. above is an excellent, excellent video about Hillary Monnin and the Wittenberg volleyball team which won the Division III National Championship this fall
197. I drove by Rich-Mart Guns and Ammo yesterday for about the 35,000th time in my life. One of these times, I am going to stop there and see what that place is all about. The suspense really peaks my curiosity.
198. if you have not seen Jerome Simpson's sick flip from this past Saturday, you HAVE TO WATCH IT!!!!!
199. no accumulating snow in December 2011 - what's up with that????
200. a little Joan Jett and the Blackhearts for your listening pleasure click to listen
201. the most famous # 28 - gotta go with none other than Marshall Faulk
202. huge announcement coming tomorrow about a stock picking contest which I will be running in 2012!!!!

27 = 3 cubed

2011-12-27T13:20:00.001-05:00

190. Congratulations to Bob Steinke, my brother-in-law Sam Gilardi, and my son Derek, all three won their respective Fantasy Football League Championships last night. If you or anyone you know won their league, drop me a line and I will be glad to give them a shout out for their accomplishments!!! (Derek and Sam were both defending their championships from last year.)
191. I do not know what stretch is my least favorite stretch of road, 47 between Sidney and Bellefontaine or 36 between Urbana and Piqua. Are there any other nominations out there??? Drop me an e-mail with your least favorite and I will include it.
192. Congratulations to my three nieces who had three babies in 55 hours last week - Matt and Krista Nichols Hein are the proud parent of Jude Thomas, Ryan and Lauren Shenk Miller are the proud parents of Eli Loren, and Casey and Kelsey Francis Cramer are the proud parents of Caleb Alan
193. If you did not see the Fish Report today, you gotta take a look at some old footage from the 1989 Russia International Baseball League draft. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Ken Francis was sporting a mullet!!!!
194. The 7th annual Russia Junior High Boys Holiday Tournament is taking place today and tomorrow. That was my brain child about 8 years ago and is a very fun event for area junior high hoopsters. Consolation games tomorrow at 4:00 and 5:20 with championship games at 6:40 and 8:00
195. I have missed some of the most famous the last few days, so here it goes: 25 - gotta go with Jim Thome, 26 - gotta go with Wily Mo Pena, and 27 - gotta go with 1990 World Series MVP - none other than Jose Rijo. Also a correction on number 24 - I am changing it from Tony Perez to Willie Mays due to overwhelming reader submissions!!!!

26 Letters in the Alphabet

2011-12-26T09:24:00.000-05:00

187. lots of family and friends and good food over the past two days

188. this guy ranks all high school teams in Southwest Ohio plus all MAC schools using a computer-generated formula - here are his up-to-date rankings click to view rankings

189. Russia lost a good man yesterday - Rest in Peace to Harold "Shep" Simon - you will be missed

25

2011-12-25T12:42:00.002-05:00

186. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack Bauer "24"

2011-12-24T08:25:00.000-05:00

181. the most famous # 24 that I can think of besides Drew Barhorst is Tony Perez

182. Trivia answer from yesterday was Phil Simms - he attended Morehead State University - only 2 correct answers - they came from Joe Turner and Ken Francis - both are winners of a $ 10 Cruizers gift certificate!!!

183. 39 years ago yesterday - The Immaculate Reception click to watch video
184. SCL boys hoops scores from last night - Jackson Center 57, Botkins 43, Houston 50, Fort Loramie 36; Russia 64, Anna 55
185. very Merry Christmas wishes from our family to you and your families!!!!!

Some of the Things I Think

Hey 98.6 good to have you back again

Wreck of the Old 97

96

95

94

Z93 --------- Is it 7:00 pm yet???

92.9 FM

91 - none other than Dennis Rodman on LEAP DAY

my dad will be 90 on August 29th!!!

AT9

The first night game at Wrigley Field 8-8-88

# 87 for the Pittsburgh Penguins - Sid the kid Crosby

The Class of '86

Ocho Cinco

Taco Bell Has an 85 Million Taco Shell Reserve Prepared for Doritos Onslaught

84 Lumber

RHS Class of '83 - Mob Rules Nothing

82 - Ozzie Newsome

81 - David Verser

The US boycotted the Olympics in '80

The Great Flood of '79 - June 29th if I remember correctly

78 rpm records

FORTRAN 77

Philadelphia 76ers, 76 Trombones

I-75

ALice Cooper - Teenage Lament '74

73 Impala - our ride from Dayton to Daytona in May 1987

72 years together: The couple who died holding hands

'71 Class A State Baseball Champions - Russia Raiders

That 70's Show

Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams

'68 - the year of my birth

LXVII

Route 66

'65 Love Affair by Paul Davis

Nintendo 64

63 yard field goal by kicker Tom Dempsey (NFL Record)

7-4-11 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: Joey Chestnut Wins With 62 Hot Dogs

61* - Roger Maris hits 61 home runs in 1961 to break Babe Ruth's record

60 Minutes

Read more about it below in an excellent article written by Sonny Fulks at Press Pros Magazine

I copied this article from Press Pros Magazine at www.pressprosmagazine.com

Guarantee For A Season…

59 - Orel Hershiser consecutive scoreless innings in 1988

58 Chevrolet - picture below

Heinz 57

56 - Joe Dimaggio's consecutive games hitting streak!!!

I can't drive 55 by Sammy Hagar

A little Sammy Hagar for your Tuesday listening pleasure

346. I found this to be a very interesting read

A Japanese Soldier Who Continued Fighting WWII 29 Years After the Japanese Surrendered, Because He Didn’t Know

Studio 54

53 - Darryl Dawkins, aka Chocolate Thunder

B-52 Bomber, 52 weeks in a year, and 52 cards in a full deck

Area 51

50 cent - my 5th favorite rapper of all time

San Francisco 49ers - broke my heart - not once, but twice

48 Hours (was not as good as Beverly Hills Cop)

AK 47

Super Bowl 46 - February 5, 2012

The Houston Colt .45s

44 Magnum - Eric Davis and Hammerin' Hank Aaron

43 - Richard Petty, The King

42 - Jackie Robinson and Mariano Rivera

41 - The Old Lefthander - Joe Nuxhall and Tom "Terrific" Seaver

40 - The Steelers get Tebowed right out of the Playoffs!!!

39 - Dave Parker, the Cobra

38 - hopefully a day that I have been waiting for for 21 long seasons!!!!

37 - Richard Millhouse Nixon, our 37th President

36 - Mario Soto - one of my favorite Reds players ever

35 - The Big Hurt

34 - the round mound of rebound, Charles Barkley

33 - Playoffs?, I was just hoping that they would win a game

Blog post number 32 - #1 in 2012, however

Baskin Robbins - 31 flavors

The Thirty Years War 1618-1648

There is a town in California named 29 Palms

XXVIII

27 = 3 cubed