July 31, 2014
1 WEEK AWAY
Year 3 of The Dru Nettles Show comes your way in 1 week… on Cox 4 Television, Thursday, August 7, 6pm-7pm. For more information, see The Livingston Parish News this Sunday, 8/3 or next Thursday, 8/7. Plus, we’ll have coverage in next week’s JonFineProductions.com Newsletter.
DiMaggio-Monroe
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Edwards & Johnson
The merger of Central’s 2 weekly radio sports shows will commence next Thursday, August 7. SportsCentral, with Central HS Athletics Director/Head Football coach Sid Edwards and 9th grade coach/Varsity assistant Steve Johnson, will debut in 1 week. The program will air on WUBR—CBS Sports Radio—910AM, Thursdays 5pm—6pm-- and be broadcast live from Coach’s in Central.
On the one hand, tonight’s finale of The Central Sports & Business Report will mark the exciting transition to a collaborative effort of Central’s 2 weekly sports show hosts. Coach Sid and Coach Steve reuniting on the airwaves will certainly be in the best interests of the City of Central, Central HS, Central HS athletics, Central Football, the medium of radio, and possibly the betterment of mankind.
On the other hand, it should very much be a bittersweet occasion. Steve Johnson has done a tremendous job hosting The Central Sports & Business Report (and The Steve Johnson Show before that), selflessly working, at present, for a mere pittance and pizza… The folks at Johnny’s Pizza House have been, by far, the most professional and gracious hosts that a Central sports radio program has had since, going way back, Central Coach’s Corner aired at the late, great Ben Berry’s LaFleur’s. The new program will not air at Johnny’s. (Central, please continue to patronize this wonderful establishment. They’ve been tremendously supportive of our efforts. They are great for Central. They have wonderful food at very reasonable prices! THANK YOU JOHNNY’S PIZZA HOUSE.)
Although some of the experiences were uniquely challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity that Pastor Moore and his wife Tameka (Henry Kissinger has nothing on her!) have given us to air Central programming. Without Pastor Moore and WPFC, it can be stated without total certainty, but with great confidence, that there wouldn’t be any Central programming of any sort on the radio at present (SportsCentral nor Central HS Football broadcasts) nor over the last 4 years. THANK YOU PASTOR MOORE AND WPFC
Finally, SportsCentral will not be a Jon Fine Production. And, although I will be a marketing representative for the program (the role I play with SportsRadio-1310-KEZM-Lake Charles), will lend the support of this newsletter and do whatever I can to try to enhance SportsCentral (including offering my limited expertise in an advisory capacity), I will not be directly involved in the on-air production of the show.—The dynamics and logistics of the new business model necessitated my voluntarily removing myself from any such involvement for the betterment of the program
So, tonight’s The Central Sports & Business Report marks the end, at least at present, of Jon Fine Productions’ producing radio programming in/for the City of Central. THANK YOU TO THE GREAT PEOPLE OF CENTRAL AND ITS TERRIFIC BUSINESSES/SPONSORS FOR about 10 years of WONDERFUL SUPPORT
99.7% of. (The other.3% will be addressed in my memoirs.) I look forward to many more great experiences in my new role with a new program.
I wish Steve Johnson and Sid Edwards the very best of luck with SportsCentral. And, I urge the city of Central to support this program (especially the businesses that I try to bamboozle out of their hard earned money to sponsor SportsCentral!)
For more information on the debut of SportsCentral, please see today’s Central Speaks. Also, each week this publication will provide updated information on the program.
WELCOME BNI
Although skeptical of any group that will have me as a member, it has been a pleasure being a recent addition to Baby Boomers—BNI’s Denham Springs chapter
And, 30 strong, our organization looking for new members
Meetings are Tuesdays at Big Mike’s Bar & Grill… Many members of BNI are receiving this newsletter for the first time. Welcome! We’re somewhat aesthetically challenged, but hopefully provide some decent information that will preclude you from unsubscribing!!
THE FINALE
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Host Steve Johnson will be joined by CHS Volleyball head coach Michelle Lebouef and a number of her players.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, July 31: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, August 2: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, August 4: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
THERE ALSO IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT KEZM WILL CARRY SOUTH LAKE CHARLES LITTLE LEAGUE GAMES BEING PLAYED IN AUSTIN THIS WEEKEND
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High School
Even though the weather is on its way to boil us all, the summer is over. NFL training camps have begun, schools are starting next week across the state, and college football teams will report to campus next week.
Walking around school during orientation this week, the question everyone asks is, “How was your summer?” That is the question I want to answer this week. From the perspective of a Louisiana sports fan, “How was the summer?”
Let’s start by with LSU baseball. The Tigers lost too early in the NCAA Tournament. Beyond the tourney, college baseball is the college sport that makes the most news in the summer because of the draft process. That process could not have gone any better for Coach Mainieri.
The main draft eligible player the Tigers wanted to retain was Mark Laird, and he is returning. Amazingly, the Tigers lost only one signee and that loss was not a surprise. As a result, LSU has the #1 signing class in the country. If that wasn’t enough good news, the Tigers are having a great summer in the various summer leagues. The Cape Cod League is the most prestigious and LSU had 5 Tigers selected for the All-Star Game. In addition, Bregman is having another great summer with Team USA.
Finally, Coach Mainieri had a major change in his coaching staff. No matter your opinion of Coach Sanchez, I believe it is a healthy move for everyone involved. God bless any college coach that chooses to get away from the game to be with his family, especially when he has small children. From the LSU baseball perspective, a fresh start with a talented young coach is usually healthy for the program.
I think this has been a very good summer for LSU football as well. Outside of a few players making poor choices, the team appears focused and ready for fall camp (knock on wood). Meanwhile, the Tigers have continued to receive a large amount of positive press which is always good heading into the new year.
From a LSU football fan’s perspective, the south stadium expansion looks amazing. I had the opportunity to see it in person this weekend. Tiger Stadium looks magnificent.
The Saints had a great summer as well. The Jimmy Graham situation worked out well for all involved. Jairus Byrd has come off the PUP list faster than anyone expected. From early camp reports, many of the best case scenarios are coming true regarding the development of young players.
Even the Pelicans have had a good summer. The draft process went better than expected for a team that didn’t have a pick. I think Demps pulled “a Loomis” in getting Patrick Young and Russ Smith. Both were extremely productive college players that are mature and experienced, and should not have been available for when the Pelicans acquired them. I fully expect them to provide quality depth to the roster.
Demps also secured a true center and didn’t have to give up the farm. Anthony Davis continues to develop by all reports from team USA. Of course, everyone wishes the Pelicans could find a better player at small forward, but this isn’t Bewitched where you can get what you want by wiggling your nose. The Eric Gordon situation is still the anchor weighing the team down. Nevertheless, the Pelicans are in position to make a playoff run next year with a few breaks and better health.
Those are the reasons that if anyone asks me, I am going to tell them as a Louisiana sports fan, “It was a great summer. How was yours?”
HEY REF
I want to take a quick look at the definition of a buzz word being used at the highest levels of the NCAA. That little word is AUTONOMY. The official definition goes something like this; (1) “The condition or quality of being SELF-GOVERNING”, (2) “SELF GOVERNMENT or the right of SELF-GOVERNMENT, SELF-DETERMINATION, INDEPENDENCE” and finally (3) A SELF –GOVERNING state, community or group”.
Simply put it allows governments, groups and/or organizations the right to write its own rules. In the past it was used to de-regulate such things as the railroads and airlines in this country. And as history has shown anytime we allow groups and organizations the ability to write its own rules and regulations without any over sight by another higher power or governing board it has led to the downfall of that group.
From my personal experience I’ve seen the airlines just spiral downward as they try to do anything to outsmart its competition without any thought of those of us that use or need air travel in our lives. Our skies are overcrowded, fares are impossible to figure out and FEES are just downright obscene. If you fly a certain time of day you’ll pay 20 – 40% higher fares.
Fly on a certain weekend and again higher fares. The latest way airlines screw passengers is charging to put a suitcase on board. The reason I’m bringing all this up is if the powers that be in the ivory castle, aka NCAA Headquarters, get their way the big schools with all the money will be allowed to play under rules they feel will benefit their schools over what is now in place.
I like to keep things simple so with that said I’ll try my best to find the easiest way I can come up with to try and explain the BS being used by the so called super-schools. Listening to the people supporting the need for allowing certain super-school conferences the right to self-govern themselves reminds me of a line from the movie Josey Wales. When a certain senator tried explaining his motives in dealing with Confederate prisoners the captain of a group replied “Senator don’t p*ss on my back and tell me it’s raining”.
And to all that are having a hard time trying to understand all the rhetoric that’s as simple as it gets. Not having to answer to anyone or anything will be nothing short of all out warfare on a fan’s checkbook. It’s all about the bottom line with these sleazy lawyers trying to pass themselves off as interested individuals trying to secure the wellbeing of the athletes coming into its schools.
I’m not sure how many times I’ve been told or heard of the “rich guys getting richer and the poorer getting poorer” but that’s what will be the ultimate outcome if the super schools are successful in getting autonomy. You won’t be able to follow the money since the rules for reporting “donations” will certainly be rewritten each and every time it doesn’t fit in their world of economics.
Allowing the wolf to watch the chicken coop will look like a Girl Scout picnic compared to the dollars that’ll go missing and wind up in places that have absolutely nothing to do with EDUCATION. And shouldn’t a student’s education be top priority at each and every level of school? You can forget “what’s best for the student athlete” if autonomy is granted.
I feel it will sail through and get a rubber stamping at the end of the day. The only losers of course will be the students and those that work all year busting their collective butts to earn enough to buy tickets. I hate to use a cliché’ but the one that’s ringing in my head is “I told you so”.
Giving rich, self-absorbed, greedy individuals the right to play by the rules they write is like having Dracula as a night watchman for a blood bank. And of course it’ll be a bloodbath because when greed is your primary factor all else is thrown to the wind.
Autonomy; know it, fear it!!!!!
Till next week…
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week’s “Who am I” speaker is April Wehrs. We may all know of April’s dramatic transformation of our local Chamber of Commerce, but did you also know she is a mom, devoted wife, resident of Springfield, and knows her way around the non-profit world? Want to know even more? Better get to Rotary this Friday!
Last week’s meeting:
• Last week public service commissioner Eric Skrmetta presented to us a tale of woe, laced with fear and possible anarchy. He predicts a future battle between the north and south. This time it will not be the north who wins! He is here to ensure Louisiana remains awesome! And I think we were all glad to hear he was personally defending us and our state against regulations and restrictions that make it impossible for power plants to be built and/or remain open. Keep up the good fight and keep our energy costs low!
• Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed. We need a builder!!!
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Nothing
We better get planning!
Note from the President:
• August is Membership month. This is a great time to share the word of Rotary and help grow the club. It’s a whole month devoted to “bring your buddy to Rotary!”
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• Aug 8 – Guest Speaker, Livingston Parish Arts Council
• Aug 22 – Guest Speaker, Joy Womack. Dairy Farmers
• Sept 12 – Carl Herrick, Sandler Training (pending)
• Oct 10 – District Governor, Ms. Proctor
• Nov 14 - Patrick Baeuchamp, Farm Bureau
Brags:
• Jon Fine wants everyone to mark their calendars and set the reminders on tivo because the Drew Nettles show kicks off in 13 days! Now that was the date last Friday so some math might be involved for the actual date. Just keep a look out!
• Keith Stark is looking for someone to take his headshots! It sure is tough being a photographer these days!
• Kay Landry had a huge announcement… she is now with Covington and Associates. Great move Kay, we all know you will rock it with Covington. And congrats on the new grandbaby
•John DuPont gave a special shout out to all of our men in blue. Thank you for keeping us safe!
• Leesha Gleber reminded us once again what a wonderful club we have. Faced with a problem we found a solution within minutes and helped out our fellow Rotarians. Rock On!
• Jonathan Whitman is going on vacation. The image he described caused thoughts of banjo music to play in my head, so we will see if he returns from this vacation or if he will be lost to us forever. Only time will tell
•Special prayer request for Mr. Webster. He is feeling a little under the weather right now and we want him to return to us as soon as possible. Get well Mr. Webster!
Members:
• Your quarterly dues have been distributed. Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLISHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.