Cleveland Sports Forum

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:

I was at the Cal Derby today at Golden Gate Fields. Click the pic and hear the track bugler. I couldn't get my iPhone video rolling as soon as I would have liked, but the part of his tune before the call to the post is easily recognizable. He adds his personal touch before each post call.

CALI: I'm impressed that you figured out how to do a "click the pic" with the buttons we have here. I know how to do it with HTML, but haven't tried it here.

CALI: I'm impressed that you figured out how to do a "click the pic" with the buttons we have here. I know how to do it with HTML, but haven't tried it here.

It wasn't optimum, but just a copy and paste of a Photobucket tool. I know on the old board a video share would easily be posted with the obvious "start arrow" in the middle. I haven't delved into video posting techniques in this soon to be one year old place.


My youngest daughter was at the San Francisco 49er win today, while I was at the horse race track. On my way home I was phoning her on her way home to make certain she realized she had attended a classic game.

When we had our dinner rendezvous at the house, I shared the bugle player video posted earlier. I added that she could feel free to play either or both of those songs at my funeral.

She said, "I already knew the second song was a must, but thanks for the idea on the first offering."


She's what I describe as "a well grounded fashionista," and she told me she liked my choice of cuff links for attendance today.

I told her that her Mom had to help put them on for me because my oft broken hands and other things have greatly reduced my dexterity. Though I still hit hard, and run pretty fast.

Biggest event of the day was that my wife made dinner. That's a rarity around here, as I make most. It was a special thing she wanted to do for our youngest daughter.

No problem, as I did not marry this girl for reminding me of Betty Crocker or Heloise.....

Monday night I caught most of the first hour of the tribute to Betty White for her 90th birthday.

It was television worth watching. Carol Burnett was an unscripted overwhelmed and teary eyed recipient for the spontaneous standing ovation the the stellar crowd offered in seemingly unscripted unison.


Mary Tyler Moore took the stage not too long later, and there was no spontaneous standing ovation.

Betty White stood up on her own, and then the rest of the attendees followed.


Kudos to the writers for working the Barack Obama tribute in with humor that respected the moment and wasn't tough to take by those who cannot take his political perspectives and objectives.

I just read that NBC is planning a replay of the event for this Saturday.

Apparently the Monday event broke some kind of ratings record for the slot.




(Do they still sell Geritol?......."as much iron as in a pound of calves liver" was re-aired last night)

With the early darkness and comparative California cold of winter, my wife and I catch more television than usual.

I just had "The Middle" on, the show with Cleveland's Patricia Heaton. I like the show well enough to watch...as I wait for "Modern Family."


They just aired a VW commercial that sure caught our dog's attention.

I had to assure her multiple times that it was just the TV commercial, and as she nears 15 on April 1 her hearing isn't all that great. But she sure heard THAT!

Cheap vodka tops 2011 list of most liquor sold in Ohio in record-breaking year

Liquor sales up



Posted: 01/19/2012
Last Updated: 2 hours and 57 minutes ago

By: Mike Waterhouse, newsnet5.com

CLEVELAND - Liquor sales in Ohio reached a record amount in 2011, with more than a half billion dollars sold.

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control said sales of spirituous liquor totaled $793.7 million, an increase of $40 million over 2010’s sales.

"Better inventory management and improved customer service helps us meet the needs of consumers," said David Goodman, Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, in a news release.

The state said it also saw in 2011 an increase in wholesale dollar sales, which is liquor purchased by retail permit holders like restaurants, bars and restaurants. The amount sold to these establishments decreased three of the last four years, but saw a 4.7 percent increase last year.

"Whether linked to expanded happy hour offerings or a larger selection of flavored spirits, consumers appear to be enjoying more specialty drinks and pairing their meals with more sophisticated products," said Jarrod Clabaugh, Director of Communications for the Ohio Restaurant Association.

Here is a list of the top 10 selling brands of spirituous liquor in Ohio for 2011:

1. Kamchatka Vodka - 401,148 gallons
2. Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey - 349,589 gallons
3. Bacardi Superior Light Rum - 291,559 gallons
4. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum - 284,606 gallons
5. Absolut Vodka - 274,549 gallons
6. Smirnoff Vodka - 271,679 gallons
7. Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey - 271,497 gallons
8. Jagermeister - 257,774 gallons
9. Korski Vodka - 231,916 gallons
10. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey - 192,244 gallons

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_ ... z1jxtlh7dM

I made it to The Buena Vista in San Francisco today for the first time, Uncle Dennis.

I'm not much of a coffee or foo foo drink drinker, but I do now appreciate the fuss and reputation over their Irish Coffee.

I also had "basa" fish for the first time this afternoon.

The basa fish was completely unscripted. I often try to make it to the pretty hard to find bar on the 3rd story of Alioto's to take one of the five seats and have clam chowder or something while looking at The San Francisco Bay.

Today no seats were available.

So I ventured to The Franciscan for the first time. It will have a birds eye view of The Americas Cup.

The bar was great, and the female bartender was great. I can usually pinpoint countries of origin for Asians, but for her I was waffling between Thailand and Vietnam. We bantered and I went for the basa, tomato conserva . She told me it was a fish similar to catfish, but with a very "buttery" texture and taste.

She was very right, and it was very good.

After eating, I decided to google "basa" to find the origin and learned it was primarily from the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

I shared that tidbit with her, and she offered that it was also from Thailand.

Turns out she was Thai.

At The Buena Vista I met a group of four (three ladies, one guy) from Toronto in San Francisco for the first time. Once they knew I knew some things about the area, they peppered me with questions on how and what to see. I offered many thoughts, including that the town would pick up on the weekend and bars would be packed on Sunday due to the locally held NFC Championship.

I faced blank faces.

"The winner goes to The Super Bowl.....American football....?"

They politely accepted my explanation, and agreed they would not wait until the weekend to ride a cable car, unless they planned to ride one at 3PM Pacific this Sunday.

Today was a nice way to spend a chilled and rainy day after an early morning meeting in San Francisco.

Jan 20, 2:34 PM EST

TV station covers Ohio bribery trial with puppets

By THOMAS J. SHEERAN
Associated Press


CLEVELAND (AP) -- It's "Sesame Street" meets the unseemly side of politics.

With cameras barred from a high-profile corruption trial, a television station has puppets acting out the sometimes-steamy testimony about hookers, gambling and sexually transmitted diseases. In one scene, a furry hand stuffs cash down the shirt of a puppet prostitute.

"I'm horrified," a laughing anchorwoman said after a segment shown this week on WOIO, a CBS affiliate in Cleveland, where the trial of longtime Democratic power broker Jimmy Dimora is the talk of the town.


http://www.woio.com/story/16541366/puppet-court

The station's news director brought up the idea of using the puppets to lampoon the trial and give a glimpse of what's happening in the federal courtroom. Because cameras aren't allowed, other stations have relied on artist sketches of the proceedings and videos of Dimora walking into court with his wife and defense team.

"It's a satirical look at the trial and, again, I think we have it appropriately placed at the end of the newscast," WOIO news director Dan Salamone said Thursday.

The puppets are in addition to the station's regular coverage of the trial of Dimora, a former Cuyahoga County Commissioner and county Democratic chairman who has pleaded not guilty to bribery and racketeering.

"It's not intended in any way to replace any of the serious coverage," Salamone said.

The station has enlisted a local puppet company to put on the skit. It calls the tongue-in-cheek segment "The Puppet's Court."

It began airing Tuesday at the end of the late newscasts on WOIO and its sister station, WUAB. The stations make it clear that the segments aren't to be taken seriously.

"The testimony is real. The puppets are not," says smirking anchor Danielle Serino.

A talking, buck-toothed squirrel "reporter" provides the play-by-play in an exaggerated, "you won't believe this" tone. A black-robed puppet sits at the judge's bench. And in the jury box, the puppets yawn during the trial.

In one segment, a puppet portrays a witness in the trial who said he paid for a prostitute to visit Dimora during a gambling trip to Las Vegas.

The response to the puppets has been mostly positive.

"Seeing as how both our politicians and justice system seem like clowns or puppets most of the time, this is wholly appropriate!" Mari Upthegrove, of Tavernier, Fla., wrote on the station's Facebook page after seeing one of the segments online.

A few people have criticized the station for blurring the lines between news and entertainment.

Salamone defended the segments, saying it's no different than when newscasts end with a lighter, humorous story.

Karl Idsvoog, a professor at Kent State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, wasn't impressed. "Why would anyone approve that to go on the air because it was dull and boring?" he said.

---

Online:

http://www.woio.com/story/16541366/puppet-court

If I were in Cleveland, this would be an ideal Valentine's Day. $75 a single, and $150 a couple. I don't know how things have priced out in Northeastern Ohio for VD, but $150 inclusive seems pretty competitive for a nice evening in a unique venue. A couple of years ago I thought about taking my wife to the Top of The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco and was floored to learn tickets were $700 with the requisite room.


Indians create ultimate Valentine's Day experience at Progressive Field

“Sweetheart Dinner” scheduled for February 14 in the Terrace Club. Attendees to indulge in ambiance, a four-course meal and dancing



CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians today invite all sweethearts and lovers of fabulous food to an extravagant and affordable outing this Valentine’s Day in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field. Tuesday, February 14 from 6:00PM-10:30PM will be an unforgettable evening filled with food, music and dancing at the most unique venue in Cleveland!

The Sweetheart Dinner consists of a delectable four-course meal prepared by acclaimed Progressive Field chefs. The evening begins at 6:00PM with light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and music provided by Vyne Entertainment.

There will be complimentary parking available in the Gateway East Garage for attendees.

SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE TODAY! FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT INDIANS.COM/SWEETHEART OR CALL 216.420.HITS (4487).


The below is from the menu choices. Pretty certain "pan seared Walleye" will not be available in California for Valentine's Day.....


Seduction

Beef Cake

Grilled Filet with Tempura Asparagus, Béarnaise, Sautéed Mushrooms and Potato Gratin

Cupid's Arrow

Pan Seared Walleye with Roasted Tomato Cream, Sautéed Carrots and Toasted Orzo

Peck at My Heart

Roasted Chicken Roulade with Beurre Rouge, Rosemary and Sage Sweet Potato Latke, and Brussels Sprout Leaves

castrovince Anthony Castrovince

Finally saw "Moneyball." Largely misleading. Entirely boring. Probably 30 minutes too long. Other than that, loved it.


8 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Largely misleading. Entirely boring. Probably (edit) too long. Other than that, loved it.

That's usually my thought on the Castrovince regurgitations.

I'll make it clear, Moneyball was not great or insightful, but was a decent watch if it comes around to anyone.

Thanks for bringing up memories of Buena Vista, just one of those places. And the Puppet Court is soooo cool, thanks!

I had a meeting in San Francisco today and hit a couple of my fave happy hour spots before heading home. One included a half dozen oysters on the half shell and ice for $5.

The other included my favorite Thai bartender who lamented that she was hung over this morning after the 49er's loss, and had no idea how she got home from friends in Pacifica...a good distance from The City of San Francisco. She just woke up on her couch at home, she said.

She to this point has seemed pretty naive, and has been in the US since 2007. I queried about if she had any concern that someone might have dropped something in one of her drinks.

She said, "no, I do not believe so....I was just drunk....and I was SO hungover."

"How much did you drink?," I further queried.

"Just three wines."

"You got THAT drunk on just THREE glasses of wine?"


"No", she said, Three bottles of wine."

I understood. And understood.

She shared some rice and shrimp and brown sugar item in a dried banana leaf with me. She had made it previously. I asked her if she was drunk when she prepped, and she said "no."

It was for one of the many Asian New Year's.

Today was the beginning of The Chinese New Year, but with her being Thai and all, she jumped in on the spirit.

Thai New Year is in April.

We all know that.

As God is My Witness, I will lose weight and get in better shape soon.

This pic of my wife and I was snapped by my daugther on the North Shore of Tahoe about two weeks ago.

My daughter's boyfriend clicked this pic. This is my wife and I, with my daughter smiling at her boyfriend photographer while we were tasting in Napa on her visit earlier this month.

Uncle Dennis wrote:Thanks for bringing up memories of Buena Vista, just one of those places. And the Puppet Court is soooo cool, thanks!

Their Irish Coffee is truly amazing.


I'll submit there are few cities better than San Francisco for getting by without a car.......