Monday, May 30, 2011
Twelve days to remember
My May 26 column about my hospital stay at Redmond Regional. I like this one. From the Summerville News.
Paddling the Chattooga
By JIMMY ESPY
The Summerville News
The Chattooga River is a vital resource for servicing Chattooga County water needs, but it remains untapped as a recreational resource, according to Joe Cook, executive director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative.
The CRBI is a non-profit group based in Rome which monitors the area water sources and advocates policies the group believes will benefit the region.
The CRBI has a little fun as well.
The group is sponsoring a six-mile paddle trip on the Chattooga, putting in canoes and kayaks near Mount Vernon Mills in Trion and floating south to private property near Summerville where the boaters will be able to exit the river and take advantage of a shuttle service back to their vehicles.
The expedition is planned for Saturday, June 4. CRBI members pay nothing to go on the group trip. The cost to non-members is a membership in the CRBI, $35 for families and $15 for seniors and students. Once someone becomes a member they can join in other trips in the region at no cost.
To register for the June 4 trip or for more information, contact Alan Crawford at 706-237-7268 or e-mail at ibwheelin2@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also call the office of the CRBI at 706-232-2724.
The CRBI can provide kayaks and canoes for the June 4 excursion. Canoes capable of holding two adults and a child are available for $35; kayaks which hold one person are $30. To reserve one of these rentals it’s important to register with Crawford.
Crawford, who works as a volunteer for the CRBI, has been kayaking for approximately five years and has been on the Chattooga before.
“It’s a beautiful river and I would recommend it to any family getting started,” Crawford said. Safety is stressed on the trips.
Cook believes the Chattooga’s reputation as a dirty, polluted river has hurt its development as a recreational resource.
“That may have how it was at one time but over the years a lot of progress has been made in cleaning up the river,” Cook said. “Now the Chattooga is quite a beautiful river with a lot of critters living in or near it.”
Cook paddled a section of the river recently and talked about the abundance of small animals that might be seen from the water.
He listed beaver, muskrats, squirrels, blue heron, turtles, a variety of fish and possible even otter.
“We saw a deer swimming across the river when we were up there,” he added.
“The Chattooga is a very small, intimate river,” he said. “It has slow moving water, no rapids and you’re never far from the banks.”
Cook said the stretch of river the group will paddle is relatively clear of debris, despite recent storms.
“There was one place that had some trees in the water but some of our volunteers from up there were going to try and work on that to make it easier for the group to get around.”
The Summerville News
The Chattooga River is a vital resource for servicing Chattooga County water needs, but it remains untapped as a recreational resource, according to Joe Cook, executive director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative.
The CRBI is a non-profit group based in Rome which monitors the area water sources and advocates policies the group believes will benefit the region.
The CRBI has a little fun as well.
The group is sponsoring a six-mile paddle trip on the Chattooga, putting in canoes and kayaks near Mount Vernon Mills in Trion and floating south to private property near Summerville where the boaters will be able to exit the river and take advantage of a shuttle service back to their vehicles.
The expedition is planned for Saturday, June 4. CRBI members pay nothing to go on the group trip. The cost to non-members is a membership in the CRBI, $35 for families and $15 for seniors and students. Once someone becomes a member they can join in other trips in the region at no cost.
To register for the June 4 trip or for more information, contact Alan Crawford at 706-237-7268 or e-mail at ibwheelin2@yahoo.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also call the office of the CRBI at 706-232-2724.
The CRBI can provide kayaks and canoes for the June 4 excursion. Canoes capable of holding two adults and a child are available for $35; kayaks which hold one person are $30. To reserve one of these rentals it’s important to register with Crawford.
Crawford, who works as a volunteer for the CRBI, has been kayaking for approximately five years and has been on the Chattooga before.
“It’s a beautiful river and I would recommend it to any family getting started,” Crawford said. Safety is stressed on the trips.
Cook believes the Chattooga’s reputation as a dirty, polluted river has hurt its development as a recreational resource.
“That may have how it was at one time but over the years a lot of progress has been made in cleaning up the river,” Cook said. “Now the Chattooga is quite a beautiful river with a lot of critters living in or near it.”
Cook paddled a section of the river recently and talked about the abundance of small animals that might be seen from the water.
He listed beaver, muskrats, squirrels, blue heron, turtles, a variety of fish and possible even otter.
“We saw a deer swimming across the river when we were up there,” he added.
“The Chattooga is a very small, intimate river,” he said. “It has slow moving water, no rapids and you’re never far from the banks.”
Cook said the stretch of river the group will paddle is relatively clear of debris, despite recent storms.
“There was one place that had some trees in the water but some of our volunteers from up there were going to try and work on that to make it easier for the group to get around.”
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tunes
New records from Stevie Nicks and Steve Earle should be out now. Two very different artists but I have loved them both for years.
From the Why a Remake file?
Sam Peckinpah's "Straw Dogs" and "Total Recall."
Can't see them topping Peckinpah in any meaningful way but maybe "Total Recall" will be less Schwarzenegger and more Philip K. Dick, the author of the story it is based on.
Can't see them topping Peckinpah in any meaningful way but maybe "Total Recall" will be less Schwarzenegger and more Philip K. Dick, the author of the story it is based on.
Tube time
Ridley and Tony Scott's version of Gettysburg will be shown tonight. They promise a realistic look at the battle that many think turned the tide for good in the Civil War. Should be worth watching. Here's something about it from History Net.
Also, loving all the war pix on TMC this weekend. Saw things I have never seen. "Battleground" is on today and that is top notch.
Also, loving all the war pix on TMC this weekend. Saw things I have never seen. "Battleground" is on today and that is top notch.
A plug for Bonefish Grill.
Ate there in Chattanooga last night and the chef(s) cooperated beautifully with my low-sodium needs and served us a terrific meal. The scallops and shrimp were exceptional. Try it out.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Baseball
Baseball America's top 200 prospects for the 2011 amateur draft. Several Georgia high school and college players are in there and also several from my old southwest Florida stomping grounds.
Small newspapers cover big stories
My May 5 column. This one was about the killer storms which struck Northwest Georgia and Alabama.
The billion dollar lie.
Obama's and the medias's faulty claims about GM. Why its bogus. From Reason Online.
NBA Draft
UGA's Trey Thompkins tumbling according to Mark Bradley of the AJC. I say draft the kid and get his arse in shape. He can flat out play on the inside.
Macho Man a revolutionary figure
Bill Simmons writes of his love for the late Randy Savage. I wasn't really a Savage fan though the Simmons piece does bring back some good memories of his clashes with Hogan and Steamboat. The story is from ESPN.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Office
Who will replace Michael? He didn't apply but Stanley would be a very good choice. Experienced, mature, and with character tics that would work well in the role. He could let the other characters play off of him beautifully.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Rams needs in free agency
Top threats
Despite an OK draft (at best) draft, the Rams need some major hits in free agency if they are to continue getting better.
1. DT - They ignored this huge hole on draft day despite the presence of some promising DTs. Spagnolo, who loves his old Giants will probably go after Barry Cofield, but signing him won't be easy. He wants to stay in NY, plus a dearth of free agent DTs will push up bidding. The Rams will have to sign someone.
2. S - Letting Atogwe go was a mistake. The Rams now need two safeties. Craig Dahl is a third safety at best. There are some solid pros who should be available. Donte Whitner is worth a look and Deion Grant would be a good one year signing.
3. OLB - Pickings will be slim here too but there players who can help. Quincy Black is a good possibility, though he is coming off an injury. James Anderson had a nice year in 2010. Thomas Davis is a talent but too injury prone.
4. OG - This is the weakest link in the OL. Neither Goldberg or Bell has been productive enough. You won't find a star in this FA group but there are players who will upgrade the interior line.
5. The team still does not have a No. 1 wide receiver. They should look at a decent FA crop and find a deep ball threat. Most of the top guys are flawed in some way, but they Rams are hungry for a deep threat. I like Lance Moore in this crowd. He's not a burner but can find the end zone.
Other spots:
A backup RB is needed. Michael Bush is a load but may be looking to start.
A backup QB is needed. Look for a veteran who can play the short passing game.
While the Rams seem fairly happy with their CBs, they don't have a standout. Asogmugha would be great but too costly. Richard Marshall would work.
Despite an OK draft (at best) draft, the Rams need some major hits in free agency if they are to continue getting better.
1. DT - They ignored this huge hole on draft day despite the presence of some promising DTs. Spagnolo, who loves his old Giants will probably go after Barry Cofield, but signing him won't be easy. He wants to stay in NY, plus a dearth of free agent DTs will push up bidding. The Rams will have to sign someone.
2. S - Letting Atogwe go was a mistake. The Rams now need two safeties. Craig Dahl is a third safety at best. There are some solid pros who should be available. Donte Whitner is worth a look and Deion Grant would be a good one year signing.
3. OLB - Pickings will be slim here too but there players who can help. Quincy Black is a good possibility, though he is coming off an injury. James Anderson had a nice year in 2010. Thomas Davis is a talent but too injury prone.
4. OG - This is the weakest link in the OL. Neither Goldberg or Bell has been productive enough. You won't find a star in this FA group but there are players who will upgrade the interior line.
5. The team still does not have a No. 1 wide receiver. They should look at a decent FA crop and find a deep ball threat. Most of the top guys are flawed in some way, but they Rams are hungry for a deep threat. I like Lance Moore in this crowd. He's not a burner but can find the end zone.
Other spots:
A backup RB is needed. Michael Bush is a load but may be looking to start.
A backup QB is needed. Look for a veteran who can play the short passing game.
While the Rams seem fairly happy with their CBs, they don't have a standout. Asogmugha would be great but too costly. Richard Marshall would work.
Batman sighting
They seem to have to 1960s Batman show on the Disney Hub channel. I think it runs Mon.-Thurs. at 11:30 p.m. I saw two pretty good episodes last week.
Movie Alert!!!
"Kanal," one of the best war films I have seen is showing on TCM at 2 am Monday morning. It's a Polish filmed based on the tragic Warsaw Uprising. It's very, very good.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Rams draft 2011
I was disappointed. They got some decent players but at every pick they missed the opportunity to address more of a need area. A lot of this may be the fact that the new OC, Josh McDaniel, is going to shove that New England offense down our throats ... though we don't have the deep threat (Moss) to make it work.
Here are the Rams picks, some comments and the name of players available at that point who could have been taken.
1. Robert Quinn-DE. Looked great as a junior but didn't play last year because of "off the field issues." Never a good sign. Chris Long really isn't much of a pass rusher and James Hall is aging, so I'll give them a passing grade on Quinn, though I would have preferred Adrian Clayborn or Cameron Jordan ... players who actually suited up last season.
2. Lance Kendrick-TE. They have about eight TEs and Kendrick should be the best of the crowd. But we have bigger needs, much bigger. The Rams should have went for a DT. Paea and Marvin Austin were there for the taking. They could also have had Randall Cobb or Tory Smith to give them a deep route receiver. Instead we get another dink and dunk man. I'd have gone for Cobb, who can run and is a fine returner, which we need.
3. Austin Pettis-WR went one pick before Leonard Hankerson. I would have taken Hankerson (if I went DT in Round 2) or Drake Nevis out of LSU. Make it Nevis.
4. Greg Salas-WR. I'm intrigued with Salas. They needed an OLB here, but the pickings are very slim. A backup runner might have fit better to. I'll go with Salas.
5. Jermale Hines-S. The position is a huge hole in the lineup but a fifth rounder isn't going to fill it. OLBs Chris Carter or Lawrence Wilson were there as was Jackson Todman the RB and Quin Sturdivant an ILB who might make it on the strong side. I like Todman the best.
6. No pick.
7. Mikhail Baker-DB, Jabara Williams-OLB and Jonathan Nelson-CB. None of them could make a good team. The Rams will probably keep at least two on the roster (Williams and Baker.) They COULD have had Lawrence Guy-DT, Anthony Allen-RB, Stanley Havili-RB, Shaun Chapas-FB or Greg Romeus-DE.
My Draft would have gone more like this.
1. Cameron Jordan-DE
2. Randall Cobb-WR
3. Drake Nevis-DT.
4. Greg Salas-WR.
5. Jackson Todman-RB.
7. Lawrence Guy-DT.
7. Anthony Allen-RB
7. Greg Romeus-DE.
Here are the Rams picks, some comments and the name of players available at that point who could have been taken.
1. Robert Quinn-DE. Looked great as a junior but didn't play last year because of "off the field issues." Never a good sign. Chris Long really isn't much of a pass rusher and James Hall is aging, so I'll give them a passing grade on Quinn, though I would have preferred Adrian Clayborn or Cameron Jordan ... players who actually suited up last season.
2. Lance Kendrick-TE. They have about eight TEs and Kendrick should be the best of the crowd. But we have bigger needs, much bigger. The Rams should have went for a DT. Paea and Marvin Austin were there for the taking. They could also have had Randall Cobb or Tory Smith to give them a deep route receiver. Instead we get another dink and dunk man. I'd have gone for Cobb, who can run and is a fine returner, which we need.
3. Austin Pettis-WR went one pick before Leonard Hankerson. I would have taken Hankerson (if I went DT in Round 2) or Drake Nevis out of LSU. Make it Nevis.
4. Greg Salas-WR. I'm intrigued with Salas. They needed an OLB here, but the pickings are very slim. A backup runner might have fit better to. I'll go with Salas.
5. Jermale Hines-S. The position is a huge hole in the lineup but a fifth rounder isn't going to fill it. OLBs Chris Carter or Lawrence Wilson were there as was Jackson Todman the RB and Quin Sturdivant an ILB who might make it on the strong side. I like Todman the best.
6. No pick.
7. Mikhail Baker-DB, Jabara Williams-OLB and Jonathan Nelson-CB. None of them could make a good team. The Rams will probably keep at least two on the roster (Williams and Baker.) They COULD have had Lawrence Guy-DT, Anthony Allen-RB, Stanley Havili-RB, Shaun Chapas-FB or Greg Romeus-DE.
My Draft would have gone more like this.
1. Cameron Jordan-DE
2. Randall Cobb-WR
3. Drake Nevis-DT.
4. Greg Salas-WR.
5. Jackson Todman-RB.
7. Lawrence Guy-DT.
7. Anthony Allen-RB
7. Greg Romeus-DE.
Poker
Poker players form league. I've got $10 says Helmuth is the first player banned ala Pete Rose.
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