Racin'
& Different Stuff:
By Tom Avenengo
05/16/2013
First:
I often think of
my mother – especially on Mothers Day.
She left us back on June 7, 1991.
How well I remember that day.
Right after she passed on, I called my wife to inform her, and to tell
her that now we only had her mother to worry about. Early that evening we received the call that
she, too, had passed on – yes the same day.
From a card my
wife was given this past Mothers Day, by our son, Eric:
What is a
mother?
She’s someone
who give and cares and works and worries and dreams and plans and rushes and
hurries and does the impossible all year long…
and is officially recognized on
one day a year.
She’s someone
who keeps going and giving and running around and putting out fires and caring
and helping and saving the day – even though she doesn’t get the praise she
deserves.
She’s someone
we’d never make it without – too often the last to be thanked, but always first
in our hearts.
Thank you, and
have a very happy Mothers Day!
Second:
OK, here’s the
scoop on what will be happening with me over these next few weeks:
I have a date
for the surgery on my left carotid artery – Thursday, May 23rd. I needed clearance from my personal doctor
and also from my cardiologist, on this.
No problem I figured. Wrong! My pre-Op check up would be, I thought, on
the 22nd of May. My doctor
has to see the results of the pre-Op before he can clear me. Basically, same goes for my cardiologist –
has to see results before clearance. So
now a new date for the pre-Op – which will be this Thursday – May 16th
at 1:00 PM. I’ll see my cardiologist on
the 17th at 10:45 AM, then my regular doctor on the 21st,
at 1:00 PM. As for the surgery – I have
to be at the hospital at 11:00 AM. Oh –
and I can’t have anything to eat or drink after midnight, too. The surgeon did tell me I should be out of
the hospital on Friday, the 24th.
I best be, since on Sunday it’s the Indy 500 and the World 600. Oh yes, when I saw the surgeon last week, I
made mention that I’m still paying on the first bit of surgery he did on me –
the surgery for the pacemaker/defibrillator.
For some unknown reason, that was a lot more expensive than the second
one – the two piece stent in my aorta. Go figure.
Third:
Well, didn’t “Mother Nature” kinda mess up this past weekend as far as racing went? The one track I thought would never get their
show in, did – Accord. I figured that
Fourth:
No idea as to how this gets done. 7 blocks across and 9 down
– every time, with the removal of some blocks, than putting them back in.
Moving little
squares
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=3PszMaZ5Ipk
Fifth:
So, is what
follows really true, or not?
Things That Make You Go Hmmm!
1. Back in 1961 people of color were called 'Negroes.' So how can the Obama
'birth certificate' state he is 'African-American' when the term wasn't even
used at that time?> >> >2. The birth certificate that the White
House released lists Obama's birth as August 4, 1961. It also lists Barack
Hussein Obama as his father. No big deal, right? At the time of Obama's birth,
it also shows that his father is aged 25 years old, and that Obama's father was
born in "
Sixth:
Quiz:
He is the only driver to win
the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of
Any idea? If so, email
me your answer!
Seventh:
Greatest
driver of all time?
Link: http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?175873-Greatest-driver-of-all-time
Eighth:
I found this on the Coastal
181 website. An interesting read about a
driver (Ray Miller) who decided to give midgets a try - at 71 years of age.
http://www.coastal181.com/nlm-working-April-2005/tearoffs-0.htm
Ninth:
NASCAR Penalties Directed
Toward All the Wrong People
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nascar-penalties-directed-toward-wrong-people-153500605.html
Note: I agree with what is said.
Tenth:
Are you aware of this?
http://www.northeastracingvideos.com/
Eleventh:
Something to
think about:
You have a
Social Security card. I was always told
to keep mine with me. Now, I believe
that has changed – that it should be kept at home in a safe place? You know - the “Identity theft” stuff? So, you get older, and soon you’re eligible
for Medicare. And you get a Medicare
card. In a very high percentage of the
time, your Medicare card number will be your Social Security number. Now, we’re told to make sure we always have
our Medicare card with us – you know, in case there’s an emergency? Need I say more? Think about it.
Twelfth:
Last week at
Thirteenth:
Maybe you’ve also received this email on
occasion?
This list may not only be
useful for you, but for your friends and family too.
Dunkin Donuts gives free
coffee to people over 55. If you're
paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for FREE.
YOU must ASK for your discount !
RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with
Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off
(60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount
varies by location (60+)
BostonMarket: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A:
10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for
AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or
free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's do zen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20%
off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various
discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at
participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off Sonic: 10%
off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every
Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)< /span>
Taco
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every
Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
WhiteCastle: 10% off (62+) This is for me ... if I ever see one
again.
RETAIL & APPAREL:
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first
Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores:
15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every
Wednesday (50+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by
location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a
week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)
Modell's Sporting Goods: 30%
off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays
& 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday
( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift
Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red
dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55
+)
< div>
GROCERY:
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10%
off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket:
10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every
Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's
VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu
Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every
Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week
(date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies
by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket:
5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every
Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every
Wednesday ( 55 +)
RogersMarketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's
Marketplace: 15% off (62+)
TRAVEL:
Airlines:
AlaskaAirlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various
discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no
initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select
destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for
discount)
United Airlines: various
discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental:
AlamoCar Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP
members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off;
up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz:
up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to
30% off for AARP members
Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off
depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
CambriaSuites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off
nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off
(60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off
(60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites:
40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off
(62+)
InterContinental Hotels
Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with
Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday
nights (60+)
Myrtle BeachResort:
30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off
(60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)
ACTIVITIES &
ENTERTAINMENT:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off
memberships (62+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off
(65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up
to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy
Endings"(62 +)
U.S.National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services
including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off
Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55
+)
SeaWorld,
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:
AT&T: Special Senior
Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell
phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon
Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).
MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts
(60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts
(60+)
Fourteenth:
I found this on Facebook on Tuesday evening. If you’re from the Northeast area, and have
been around for some time, then you’ll know of the name Chick Stockwell. It seems
he’s having some health issues:
Chick Stockwell
update: He is still in the hospital and is improving; The
doctors removed a tube from one of his lungs yesterday and were looking to
remove the tube from his other lung today. He is very weak and will most likely
be moved to a rehabilitation facility when the doctors think it's time for
that.
Fifteenth:
Bacon Dogs Are Here! Thanks,
Oscar Mayer
Link: http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/bacon-dogs-are-here--thanks--oscar-mayer-162544849.html
Going back in time:
On May 16th
in:
1909
Luigi Villoresi ... Born ... Driver from
1942
Max Dudley... Born ... USAC Indy car driver from the
1960's and 70's.
1948
Ralph Hepburn... Died ... A pioneer of American motorcycle racing champion
from 1914 to 1924 and a AAA and
1955
Manny Ayulo... Died ... AAA
driver from the 1940's and 50's. His efforts, along with those of friend
and teammate Jack McGrath, helped establish track roadsters as viable Indy race
cars. He ran the
1967
Stevie Reeves... Born ... USAC / NASCAR driver... 1992
and 1993 USAC NationalMidget Champion.
1971
Pancho Carter won the ARDC Midget race over Johnny
Hubbard, Dutch Schaefer, Jim Maguire and Len Duncan at the Grandview Speedway,
1975
Pancho Carter won the USAC Midget race over Billy Engelhart, George Snider, Chuck Gurney and Mark Alderson at
the Indiana State Fairgrounds,
1995
Red Amick... Died ... USAC driver
Some racin’
stuff:
Something I never knew – when
Duke Nalon had his crash and fire in the Indy 500, in
1949, on his 23rd lap - with his
“BTW, I've seen film of crews
trying to lift Duke Nalon's
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236178&page=1036
Check out post # 20718 for
photos. There’s a great shot, taken from
outside the track, of Duke coming over the wall, with a wall of flames behind
him.
And, in my
video section, below, a video of the accident.
Top 10 Most Redneck Cities
Rating Upsets NASCAR Fans
Coming up:
WoO at OCFS
At OCFS, on Outlaw night, May
19th, the pit gate will open at 3:00 pm, with spectator gates
opening an hour later at 4:00 pm. Racing
is scheduled to start at 6:00.
The top 6 rows in the half
covered are reserved and are $35.00 each.
Per the OCFS website: hot laps are around 5:15
OCFS ticket prices for the WoO show:
WoO Ticket Prices for Sunday May 19th
Posted: May 14th, 2013
$35.00 Adult Reserved Seating
$5.00 Child (6 &Under)
Reserved Seating
$32.00 General Admission
Children 6 & Under are Free
Pits:
Non-Member: $45.00
Member: $35.00
Free INDYCAR Test - Pocono
Thursday, July 4
We're opening the gates, for
FREE, to the IZOD IndyCar Series open test at Pocono
Raceway on Thursday, July 4th!
Come see breathtaking speeds
as every IndyCar Series driver entered will be
testing from approximately 10 am - 4 pm ET!
Parking information, updates
on drivers testing and more will be updated as the event draws closer!
Tickets to the July 7 Pocono
INDCYAR 400, marking the first time "The Tricky Triangle" has hosted
an open-wheel event in 24 years, start at $25. All Kid's Tickets (ages 12 and
under) across our entire Grandstand are half-off! To purchase
tickets visit www.poconoraceway.com or call the number below.
1-800-RACEWAY (722-3929)
Ticket Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm ET
Found
on Jayski’s website:
NASCAR undeterred by appeal setbacks:NASCAR president Mike
Helton insists the governing body did not have its power undermined by recent
reductions in penalties through the appeal process. "I don't feel like
this in anyway undermines what we do," Helton said Friday at Darlington
Raceway. "And in most cases the process doesn't come back with anything
that really changes our mind much [about the severity of the penalties]. We do
our job and the due process exists for others to have an opportunity for others
to listen to it and decisions are made to it." While disappointed in [the
reductions of penalties to Penske & Gibbs], Helton stands by the original
penalties and says NASCAR would respond in a similar way if faced with the same
violations. He added that the rules may be written even more specific in the
future so teams and those involved in the appeals process understand more
clearly why the penalties were given. "First of all, the integrity of the
appeal process needs to be maintained as independent of the regulating arm of
NASCAR,'' Helton said. "But we do learn from the
appeal process as to how we may be able to write or be more clear so that you
can show a third party why we reacted the way we
reacted."(ESPN)(5-11-2013)
Kurt Busch passes Indy rookie
test UPDATE: Kurt Busch wants to race an IndyCar at
UPDATE: Busch developed a
relationship with Andretti Autosport owner Andretti
through their mutual agent John Caponigro last season
when Busch interviewed with potential teams for 2013. At the time, Andretti was
entertaining a possible entry into NASCAR and a possible partnership with
Dodge. Since then, Busch signed with Furniture Row Racing to run in the Sprint
Cup Series, where he is currently 20th in the points
standings. Busch has the blessing of FRR team owner Barney Visser
to pursue this latest dream. "It's a bucket-list type item," he said.
"It's also because I have the heart and desire to do anything in
motorsports. So to wrap my arms around, moreso of
what can happen next, we've just got to let things sit on the burner here and
see where it goes." Although this year's
Elliott not officially
retired, but not looking to race: Bill Elliott hasn't officially retired but he
isn't itching to get back into a racecar these days. The 57-year-old driver,
who has 828 career Cup starts but hasn't run full time since 2003, is more
focused on the career of 17-year-old son Chase. Bill Elliott, the 1988 Cup
champion who has 44 career victories, has competed in just seven races since
the start of 2011 and 32 since the end of 2008. His last race was the Cup race
in July at Daytona, where he qualified sixth in a Turner Motorsports car but
got caught up in a crash to finish 37th. "I've thought about a lot of
stuff," Elliott said Thursday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Right
now, I'm just kind of waiting to see where things go. It's kind of a two-fold
deal. I still enjoy competing and that would be a neat deal. But unless you got
in a caliber of car like I did a year ago, I really have a hard time justifying
it after I got in such a good car. Why would I want to run and just kind of
hang out? I'm going to look at a few things and decide here pretty soon what
I'm going to do," he said.(Sporting News)
(5-11-2013)
Menard plans to stay with
Childress: #27-Paul Menard says he is "close" to re-signing with
Richard Childress Racing. Menard said he's "looking forward" to
making an announcement soon that he will remain in the #27 Menard's Chevy.
Menard, 32, is currently ninth in the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings. He's
remained in the top 10 for seven of 10 weeks this season and earned three
consecutive top-10 finishes at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway
and Auto Club Speedway earlier this year. Since Menard and crew chief Slugger Labbe joined RCR as a package deal in 2011, the driver has
experienced the best three seasons of his Cup career, a stretch that includes a
victory at the Brickyard 400. In 2012, Menard finished a career-high 16th in
the points standings with an average finish of 15.5. Labbe signed an extension two weeks ago. His contract runs
through 2016.(Fox Sports)(5-10-2013)
Sherwin-Williams becomes official sponsor of NASCAR: NASCAR and
Sherwin-Williams announced a multi-year partnership designating the nation's
largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies as the "Official
Paint of NASCAR." Sherwin-Williams, a FORTUNE 500 company, will leverage
its new designation for architectural paint and the power of NASCAR's
intellectual property to activate at its more than 3,500 stores nationwide and
ignite the passion of its customers many of whom are fiercely brand-loyal
fans of the sport
In addition to signing on as
an Official NASCAR Partner, Sherwin-Williams also becomes
a Contingency Sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Touring &
Weekly Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing. The NASCAR and GRAND-AM contingency
programs foster strong relationships between competitors and the high-quality,
performance-driven brands that are part of the program, by providing prize
money for each race and at the end of each racing season. Competitors become
eligible for the money by displaying partner decals on their race vehicles. As
part of the contingency program, Sherwin-Williams will be title sponsor of the
Fastest Lap Award in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(NASCAR)(5-13-2013)
Who's likely to make the
Chase? Want to know who's a lock to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
this year? [Here's] six names: #48-Jimmie Johnson, #99-Carl Edwards, #20-Matt Kenseth, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #15-Clint Bowyer and
#18-Kyle Busch. Typically, by the time the Cup series leaves
The six drivers listed above
are locks for two basic reasons. Number one is the point spread between Bowyer
in fifth and #5-Kasey Kahne and #2-Brad Keselowski, who are tied for sixth. Bowyer has scored 349
points through 11 races, 23 more than the two drivers immediately behind him.
Second, five of the top six drivers (the first five listed above) have shown
the sort of consistency necessary to make the Chase with relative ease. If
Busch should fall out of the top 10 in points, he'll make the Chase as a wild
card.
Beyond those six, however,
assumptions are impossible and predictions nothing short of precarious. For one
thing, five of the 12 drivers who made the Chase last year -- #24-Jeff Gordon,
#16-Greg Biffle, #56-Martin Truex
Jr., #14-Tony Stewart and #11-Denny Hamlin -- are currently outside the top 10.
Common sense tells you that most, if not all of the drivers in that elite group
will make a move in the 15 races before the Chase field is set.
To add to the intrigue, no
driver in positions 11-20 in the standings has a victory so far this year.
Should that remain the case, #27-Paul Menard and Gordon (currently 11th and
12th) would win the two Wild Card Chase spots by default.
Far more likely, however, is
the prospect of such drivers as Hamlin (currently tied for 26th) or Stewart
(21st) winning a race or two, cracking the top 20 and grabbing a wild card spot.(NASCAR Wire Service)(5-13-2013)
2013 Sprint Cup Driver
Championship Points Standings:
[after
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [2
wins], 423
2) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win],
379, -43
3) #20-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 364, -59
4) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.,
359, -64
5) #15-Clint Bowyer, 349, -74
6) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win], 326, -97
7) #2-Brad Keselowski, 326, -97
8) #18-Kyle Busch [2 wins],
325, -98
9) #43-Aric Almirola, 317, -106
10) #29-Kevin Harvick [1 win], 315, -108
11) #27-Paul Menard, 315,
-108
12) #24-Jeff Gordon, 311,
-112
2012 Chase drivers out of top
12
#16-Greg Biffle,
13th
#56-Martin Truex Jr., 14th
#14-Tony Stewart, 21st
#11-Denny Hamlin, 27th
[missed 4 races with injury]
No pit road speed for Qualifying
in All-Star race:
Speeding on pit road is now
legal -- at least in qualifying for Saturday's Sprint All-Star race. In an
attempt to spice up qualifying, pit road speeds that are strictly enforced in
races as a safety measure will be lifted for Friday night's three-lap trip
around Charlotte Motor Speedway that includes a mandatory four-time stop. Other
cars will not be on pit road during All-Star qualifying, and crew members will
not be allowed to come over the wall until the car is stopped, which is not the
case in a race.(ESPN)(5-15-2013)
NBC to pick
up TNT's NASCAR races? ESPN to cut
back?:
NASCAR has signed one
contract for 2015-2022, for the first 13 Cup races, with Fox Sports, which
includes the new Fox Sports 1 that replaces Speed in August. Fox considered it
a priority to get NASCAR as one of its anchor sports for its all-sports Fox
Sports 1 network, so it already signed a deal for 2015-2022 (at a 36% rate
increase). While the sport might have lost some of its buzz, Fox Sports
recognized the loyalty of NASCAR fans to watch its programming. It will
eventually put some Cup races on that cable network to boost its profile. The
big question now turns to who will televise the remaining 23 races of the
season. Right now, TNT has six and ESPN/ABC has 17. NBC is expected to make a
run at NASCAR. It could replace TNT for those six races but there's also
speculation it could take 12 or 13 races and ESPN/ABC gets the final 10 or 11
events. With Turner relinquishing NASCAR.com to NASCAR, it makes little sense
for it to have the six races. It's not enough time to really get in a good
flow. The TNT telecasts aren't bad at all, but it's just too short of a bridge
from Fox to ESPN for any continuity or for the announcers to get into a groove.
If NBC lands races, that would put more Cup events on network television, which
is important considering the addition of cable races to the Fox portion of the
schedule.(Sporting News)(5-15-2013)
Crew Members Suspended For
Violation Of NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy:
Jackson L. (Lee) Dodson II, a
crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Frank W. Earnhardt, a crew
member in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, have been
indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's
substance abuse policy. On May 9, Dodson was found to have violated Sections
12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19 (violation of the NASCAR
substance abuse policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book. On May 10, Earnhardt was
found to have violated Sections 12-1 and 19.(NASCAR)
AND Michael Waltrip Racing has fired crew member Lee Dodson after
Dodson was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for violating the sanctioning
body's substance-abuse policy. Now in its fifth year of random drug testing,
NASCAR suspends indefinitely anyone who fails a drug test. Before being
reinstated, those suspended must meet with a substance-abuse professional and
complete a recovery program based on the professional's recommendation. Dodson
had joined MWR this year and had been working on the car of #15-Clint Bowyer.
"Michael Waltrip Racing fully supports NASCAR's
substance abuse policies and those who complete the Road to Recovery
program," MWR said in a statement. "MWR's
zero tolerance policy has resulted in the immediate termination of the
employee."(Sporting News)(5-14-2013)
Former OVRP Dirt Oval
runners:
Not much to report on this week
thanks to “you know who”!
Davie Franek was 12th
in the Jack Gunn Memorial race at Selinsgrove.
Kyle Rohner
was 2nd at Penn Can in the 602 Sportsman feature.
Billy VanInwegen
was a DNQ for the Modified feature at Utica/Rome, wile
AJ Filbeck was 14th in the Sportsman
feature.
Danny Creeden
was 11th in the Modified feature at Accord. Anthony Perrego was
4th and Tyler Dippel 16th in
the Sportsman feature. Tyler Boniface
was 2nd, Andrew Reeves 5th and Kyle VanDuser
7th in the Spec Sportsman feature.
Jason Roe was 4th and Lex Burritt 8th
in the Lightning Sprint feature.
I believe that is it for this week, thanks to “Mother Nature”
last weekend. If I missed anyone –
sorry!
News from the AARN:
Note: Don’t forget – if you’re a subscriber to the
AARN, you can have the free digital version.
That is available on Tuesday mornings.
From their May
14th edition – picked up from the Digital Service:
Lenny Sammons:
It seems that what went on
between Big Diamond, Jake Smulley, Big D's owner, and
Keith Hoffman, regarding why Hoffman was no longer at Big D is someowhat different, per Mr. Smulley,
than what Keith had to say last week in the AARN.
Ernie Saxton:
Ernie, like most of us, was
happy to see the penalties (most of them, anyway) taken back from the Gibbs
team, by NASCAR. He makes mention that
Kyle Petty says that, yes, NASCAR did what they had to do, peer the rule book,
but those rules were written up when teams made their own engines. Tody, you have
outside manufactureres involved, and in most cases,
the teams can not do anything to the engines.
Bobby and Al Unser, Johnny Ruthereford, Jack
Hewitt, Tom Bigelow, Pancho Cartr,
Earl Baltes, A.J. Watson, and Don White will all be
in attendance on May 18th for their induction into the USAC Hall of Fame. Tony Bettenhausen,
Henry Banks and Bob Wilke, all deceased, will also be inducted.
Brett Deyo:
Brett tells us that the
engine in the David Hunt Big Block Modified that won the feature at
Randy Kane:
Randy had a little something
about OCFS regulars Tim Hindley and Rick Hill, Mike Mahaney and Meme DeSantis. Meme is in his 40th year of racing, starting
out when he was 16.
Gary London:
He has quite a bit about
Steve Williams:
I glanced over his write-up
about the Jack Gunn Memorial race that was held last week at Selinsgrove. 13 Sprint Cars finishe
d the 40 lap race - or were around at the end.
there were 12 that are listed as DNF's.
Herb Anastor:
Herb had an article about the
Ford Dual Overhead Cam V8 engine. It was
based on the 260 cubic inch V8 that powered Fords Fairlane,
Falcon and Mercury Comet.
John Snyder:
Sorry to say, but I tend to
disagree with John on track sizes. Big
tracks, like OCFS, with today's rules, do not lend themselves too good
side-by-side racing. I've seen the
leaders at OCFS - like a few years ago at an ESW 200, almost catch up to the tailenders, to lap them.
When the starter showed the move over flag, those tailenders
pulled away. I'll go along with John on
the high banks at the Valley. Heck, they
need them there what with those ling straights and tight turns.
Ken Kuhlman:
Ken had a nice article on the
late Bobby Marshman.
Bobby had his share of wins - mostly in Midgets. He was quite fast in Indy Cars, but if it wasn't
for bad luck, then he didn't have much luck at all.
In AARN
This Week:
Friesen, From The Rear,
Takes Utlca
Five Grand
Indy Vet
eammate Sitterly Stews
At
Jack Gunn Memorial
At Selinsgrove
To URC's
J.J. Grasso
Preece Red Hot
At Stafford Motor
First Career Susky 410 Sprint
In For Danny Dietrich
Saxton: NASCAR Appeals
Process
Validates System
Rick Singleton Shines
In Hesston (PA)
Opener
Pavement Master Rudolph
Wins For
First Time
On Merrittville
Dirt
Veteran Jeff Heotzler
Finds
Press releases:
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair
CONTACT
Mike Gurda
845-342-2573
FOR RELEASE BEGINNING MONDAY,
MAY13
“KATIE, BAR THE DOOR. THE OUTLAWS ARE COMING!”
First up on Saturday, May 18,
race meet sponsor Holiday Inn of Middletown presents a full program of heat and
feature races for the DIRTcar Modifieds,
the Rookie Sportsman, and Street Stocks. The Pit Gate for the Saturday program
opens at 3:30 pm, the Drive-In at 4:30 pm, and the Grandstand gates at 5:00
pm. Racing gets underway at 6:30 pm.
Then on Sunday, May 19,
current point leader,
Presented by Dana
Distributors, the night’s racing action also includes the Orange County
Sportsman division. On Sunday, the Pit Gate will open at 3:00 pm, with the
Drive In and Grandstand gates opening at 4:00 pm. Racing begins at 6:00 pm.
Fans should call the Speedway
Office, 845-342-2573, for tickets. A special WEEKEND OF SPEED grandstand ticket
package is available. But must be purchased by the end of the business day on
Friday, May17.
Information for all Orange
County Fair Speedway action is available at the speedway website,
www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from at the Speedway Office. Call
845-342-2573 during business hours.
News from the Clash at the
Can – ‘Making History, One Dollar at a Time’
Media Contact: Brett Deyo – Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/May 11,
2013
Penn Can Speedway Offers
Modified “Racer’s Dream” Payout At Tuesday, June 11 Pioneer Pole Buildings
Inc.-VP Racing Fuels 'Clash at the Can' Event; Purse And Special Awards Now Top
$30,000 For Fourth Annual Race; Manmiller Electric
Sponsors Modified Heat Races
SUSQUEHANNA, PA – Northeast
Modified racers asked for it. And they got it!
The 2013 Pioneer Pole
Buildings Inc.-VP Racing Fuels 'Clash at the Can' offers a “racer's dream” pay
structure on Tuesday, June 11 (rain date: June 12) at Penn Can Speedway. The
60-lap big-block/small-block Modified spectacular ensures overflowing pay
envelopes throughout the field with a 'non-top-heavy' purse.
The base payout for the Race
of Champions Dirt Modified Tour-sanctioned event was set at $28,000. That
record-setting total has grown as the countdown continues to the fourth running
of the 'Clash at the Can' co-promotion involving track managers Al Wilcox and
Reed Miller and Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media
LLC.
Associate sponsorship for the
event comes from Sharkey’s Fuels and Husqvarna,
joining title sponsors Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. and VP Racing Fuels in
addition to a long list of bonus and special award partners.
The tire-wear-friendly
one-third-mile Penn Can oval serves as a great equalizer between traveling
teams and weekend warriors. A Friday, Saturday or Sunday night 'working man'
racer could – and many will – leave the
The winner of the event earns
a $5,000 minimum top prize plus lap money. But there is no significant drop-off
through the field. Second place pays $4,000, with $2,500 for third, $1,800 for
fourth and $1,500 for fifth. The
remainder of the top-10 pay structure is as follows: $1,400 (sixth), $1,300
(seventh), $1,200 (eighth), $1,100 (ninth) and $1,000 (10th).
The 'Clash' pays $500 to take
the green flag! Additionally, the first
six drivers failing to make the field via the consolations will transfer into
the first Trackside Products 'Dash into the Clash' 6 1/2-lap Last Chance
Qualifier. The 'Dash into the Clash'
victor can either take $650 cash or the last starting spot in the main, paying
$500 green money. All other 'Dash into the Clash' participants earn $50.
Bonus money and special
awards have pressed the night's total take for Modifieds
to more than $30,000. Most recently, Manmiller
Electric of
A complete list of incentives
and special awards can be found on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Lap sponsorships and marketing opportunities
remain available by contacting Brett Deyo at
845.728.2781 or via e-mail: Deyo99H@aol.com.
Crate 602 Sportsman in a
25-lap event paying $1,000 to the winner join the Modifieds
in a doubleheader. The popular open-wheel division is a first-time addition to
the 'Clash' event.
On Tuesday, June 11, Penn Can
gates will open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.
Adult grandstand admission is
$22 for Adults, $20 for Seniors (ages 62 and up), $10
for Students (Ages 13-17) and Kids 12 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $30 with any track or series
license and $35 without a track or series license.
Despite the purse boost and
addition of Crate 602 Sportsman, prices did not increase from 2012!
Modified racers are reminded
there is a Race of Champions pre-entry fee of $15 in advance or $20 on race
night. Entry forms are available online at www.rocdirt.com or
www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.
Complete race information is
on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.
I
get e-mails:
"FOR
Our Country is run by such
Crooked people it can't help
itself.
I recently learned that the
one firm to sell 56 buildings that currently house U.S. Post Offices. The
government has decided that it no longer needs these buildings (many of
which are located on prime land in towns and cities across the country).
The sale of these properties
will bring in billions
of dollars and, with
that, millions of dollars in commissions for the one Company that is in
charge of handling the sale and negotiation of the new
leases.
What makes this such a matter
of concern to
me is that the Company that
the Government has contracted with to conduct the sales (and the
corresponding leases for the new locations of the displaced post offices)
is owned by
Richard Blum.
What? Didn't that name mean
anything to you?
Maybe I should re-phrase and
say that the person that owns the company that is solely in charge of this
multi -million- dollar
transaction is Richard Blum, investment banker and
husband of Senator
Dianne Feinstein .
What are you feeling after
reading this? Surprised? Mad?
Sick? Lost?
It is impossible to
intelligently argue with this short letter:
LETTER to the EDITOR--
MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
Let's look at what we have
learned from this last congressional election:
Twenty-one of 22 incumbent
senators were re-elected,
and 353 of 373 incumbent members of the House were
re-elected.
The American people have
re-elected 94 percent of the incumbents who were running for re-election to an
institution that has an approval rating of about 9 percent.
This indicates, as an
electorate, we are a nation of idiots.
We're now stuck with the
demonstrated useless, dysfunctional government that we deserve.
You just can't fix stupid....
For months now I have been
hearing horror stories about the current administration and what it's doing to
the country. I've heard all sorts of conspiracy theories about FEMA camps, youth
police forces etc. I know you've heard some of them as well, and I've even
forwarded a lot of them. I finally have proof that some of them at least is true. Jas and I go down to
You read that right. They
didn't have any available so I bought the last 5 boxes of .40 cal. ammunition
they did have and that was hollow-point which the course will allow, but it
costs more.
I called the customer service
people and was told that I should call back after the 23rd as that's when the
get their shipments in.
So, today, I went to the
cheeperthandirt.com website to check --- every one of the manufacturers listed
for .40 cal. ammunition was shown as OUT OF STOCK.
So, my friends, I guess the
rumors of the DHS buying up millions and millions of rounds of .40 cal.
ammunition are not rumors. The story is true - I know for sure. The big
question is why? What is the obama regime up to?
Whatever it is, it's no good.
Add that to their attempts to
regulate firearms, lying about
My friends,
do yourselves a favor and study Hitler's
Are you getting nervous yet?
Perhaps you should be.
Found on Facebook:
Young Tyler Dippel is continuing his raising monies for St Jude
Children’s Hospital. He had this on Facebook:
Attention to all Facebook Friends,
It is with great pride and
pleasure that I announce my new endeavor for the 2013 race season with the
"new TEO Pro Car", the Hearn Team and Glenn Sullivan, President of
KAMO Motorsports.
Many of you already know that
1/2 of my winnings are donated to the kids at the St Jude Children's Hospital.
As the 2012 race season comes to a close, I am happy to report that I am at 85%
of my $10,000 goal. Thank you to all those who gave to this
cause.
To help make a difference in
a kids life on this "special day of thanks",
I am giving away FREE racing apparel to anyone who contributes $5.00 or more to
St. Jude.
Donations can be mailed
/payable to:
Tyler Dippel
f/b/o St. Jude
**Please include your
address**
Thank you all for your
support!!!!
People who work for a living, are being overwhelmed by
people who vote for a living.
In 1955, ignorant hateful
racist democrats told Rosa Parks, that by standing up for her rights, she was
breaking the law would be arrested, should be murdered, and that she would
accomplish nothing.
In 2013, ignorant hateful
racist democrats are telling responsible gun owners that by standing up for our
rights we are breaking the law need to be arrested, should be murdered, and
that we will accomplish nothing.
Doesn’t make much sense, does
it?
Homeless go without
eating. Elderly go without needed
medicines. Mentally ill go without
treatment. Veterans go without benefits that were promised. Yet we donate billions to other countries,
and excessive immigration before helping our own first. 1% will re-post and 99% won’t. Have the guts to re-post this. I KNOW I’m in the 1%.
Orange County Fair
ARE YOU READY FOR THE WEEKEND
OF SPEED AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR
Note: Did you see the opening times for the drive
in now? It’s 4:30, for the 18th? I sure hope that will be the norm for future
Saturday night racing.
Big trouble brews for Obama,
Democrats
Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/big-trouble-brews-for-obama-democrats
In part: "Big trouble is brewing for Barack Obama
and the Democrats on numerous fronts. What is developing is the perfect
political storm, a gathering of dark clouds on every corner, and in every
direction."
"Next, U.S. Sen. Tom
Coburn, R-Okla., told reporters this week that yet
another shoe is about to drop in the Benghazi scandal -- information that will
take many people by surprise."
"Apparently the White
House has sought to get out in front of the coming bad news by summoning
members of the mainstream media to the White House for a special private
briefing on
"And yet on another
front, the Obama administration seized information devised by a private
developer who had perfected a means by which citizens can print out guns in
3-D, away from the snooping eyes of government. When the administration figured
out that citizens could potentially use the software to make their own
firearms, including those that are banned in some liberal states, the powers
that be in the federal government shut down the developer's website and claimed
full ownership of the technology, which amounts to abject theft."
Found on the
Internet:
Can you imagine if you
coupled the IRS story with the
Note: And now we can add the telephone eaves
dropping, too.
Because he has been coddled
by the media for 5 years now, Obama thinks he can get away with anything. Maybe
the press will wake up and realize they are being played for fools.
So, is what
follows true?
HISTORY LESSON
.
If there is anyone out there
who doesn't know, this is an excellent
visual.
Now don't be mad at old
people, just remember who did this...
Franklin Delano.
32nd. President, Democrat
Terms of Office March 4,
1933, to April 12, 1945
Our Social Security A Democrat, introduced the Social Security
(FICA) Program.
He Promised:
1.) That participation in the
Program would be Completely voluntary,
2.) That the participants
would only have to pay 1% of the first
$1,400 of their annual
Incomes into the Program,
3) That the money the
participants elected to put Into the Program would
be deductible from Their income for tax purposes each
year,
4.) That the money the
participants put into the Independent 'Trust
Fund' rather than into the
General operating fund, and therefore, would Only
be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program,
and no other
Government program, and
5.) That the annuity payments
to the retirees would never be taxed as
income.
Since many of us have paid
into FICA for years and are now receiving a
Social Security check every
month -- and then finding that we are getting
taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government
to 'Put Away' --
you may be interested in the following:
Dwight David Eisenhower
34th. President, Republican,
Term Of
Office: January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961
Insert by Vincent Peter
Render,
If I recall correctly, 1958
is the first year that Congress, not President
Eisenhower, voted to remove
funds from Social Security and put it into the
General
Fund for Congress to spend.
If I recall correctly, it was
a democratically controlled Congress.
From what I understand,
Congress logic at that time was that there was so
much money in Social Security Fund that it would never run
out / be used up
for the purpose it was intended / set aside for.
Lyndon Baines Johnson 36th.President,
Democrat
Term Of
Office: November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969
Question: Which Political
Party took Social Security from the Independent
'Trust Fund' and put it into
the General Fund so that Congress could spend
it?
Answer: It was Lyndon B.
Johnson
and the democratically Controlled House and
Senate.
Question: Which Political
Party eliminated the income tax Deduction for
Social Security
(FICA)
withholding?
Answer: The Democratic Party.
William Jefferson Clinton
(Bill Clinton)
42nd. President
Democrat Term of Office:
January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001
Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.
45th. Vice President
Democrat Term of Office:
January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001
Question: Which Political
Party started taxing Social Security
annuities?
Answer: The Democratic Party,
with Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. (Al Gore)
casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while
he was Vice President of the
THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE
CAMEL'S BACK!!-----------
James Earl Carter, Jr
39th President, Democrat
Term of Office: January 20,
1977 to January 20, 1981
Question: Which Political
Party decided to start giving Annuity payments
to immigrants?
ANSWER: JIMMY CARTER, AND THE
DEMOCRATIC
PARTY.
IMMIGRANTS MOVED INTO THIS COUNTRY,
AND AT AGE 65, BEGAN TO RECEIVE SOCIAL
SECURITY PAYMENTS: THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY GAVE THESE PAYMENTS TO THEM, EVEN
THOUGH THEY NEVER PAID A DIME
INTO IT!
Then, after violating the
original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn
around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your
Social Security
away!
And the worst part about it,
is uninformed citizens believe it!
If enough people read this,
maybe a seed of Awareness will be planted and maybe changes WILL evolve!
Maybe not, some Democrats are
awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try.
Actions speak louder than
bumper stickers.
Television news:
31 Of Your Favorite TV Shows
Just Got Canceled
NBC was by far the harshest,
canceling all of the below shows:
"Up All Night":
Actually a funny show, it was doomed when star Christina Applegate departed in
February. Not even remaining cast members Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett could
save the sinking ship.
"1600 Penn": Jenna Elfman, Bill Pullman and Josh Gadd
were barely given a chance. Their half-hour comedy was canceled just five
months after it premiered.
"Smash": Produced
by Steven Spielberg and starring Katharine McPhee,
"Smash" showed the drama behind the scenes on Broadway but didn't
have enough to keep the show afloat. Its most recent episode had just two
million viewers .
"Whitney": Not even
producer Chelsea Handler could save comedian "Whitney" Cummings from
herself. After premiering in 2011, 2013 will be the show's final season.
"The New Normal":
"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy apparently doesn't turn everything he
touches into gold.
"
Also canceled were new shows:
"Deception," " Animal Practice," " Do No Harm,"
and "Guys with Kids."
Not to mention, Thursday
night staple "30 Rock" just had its final season and "The
Office" is about to close its doors for good.
But, these shows are still
safe: "Parks and Recreation," "Chicago Fire," "Law
& Order: SVU," "Community," "Grimm,"
"Parenthood," "The Voice," "Celebrity Apprentice"
and "Revolution."
The fate of "
ABC renewed new favorite
"
"Happy Endings": A
tragedy! The half-hour comedy was actually a brilliant show,
just not enough people realized it. If you don't believe us, check out The
Huffington Post's "32 reasons 'Happy Endings' is ah-mah-zing."
"Don't Trust the B--- in
ABC also canceled: "666
Park Avenue," "Body of Proof," "Malibu Country,"
"Red Widow," "The Family Tools," "Zero Hour,"
"Last Resort" and "How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest
of Your Life)."
Plus, "Private
Practice" just wrapped up its final season.
But the network did renew
ratings favorites: "Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy,"
"Revenge," "Once Upon a Time," "Castle,"
"Modern Family," "Suburgatory,"
"The Middle," "The Neighbors," "Last Man
Standing" and fan favorite "Nashville."
CBS renewed more than it
canceled. Here are the goners:
"Rules of
Engagement": After seven seasons on the air, the David Spade comedy about
relationships is getting a divorce from CBS.
"CSI: NY":
"CSI: NY" is done after nine seasons of getting increasingly lower
ratings — making it one of the only flops from the super-successful franchise.
Also
canceled: "Vegas," "Golden Boy," "Made in
But all of these shows are
returning: "CSI," "NCIS," "NCIS: LA," "The
Big Bang Theory," "Two and a Half Men," "Elementary,"
"How I Met Your Mother (renewed for a final season)," "Criminal
Minds," "The Amazing Race," "Blue Bloods,"
"Hawaii Five-0," "The Good Wife," "The Mentalist,"
"Mike & Molly," "Person of Interest," "2 Broke
Girls" and "Survivor."
Fox canceled three shows, and
renewed 11:
Say sayonara to: "Ben
& Kate," "The Mob Doctor" and Kiefer Sutherland drama
"Touch," which opens the actor up for a new (limited) run of
"24" reboot.
Breathing a sigh of relief:
"Bones," "Glee (renewed for two seasons)," "The
Following," "New Girl," "The Mindy Project,"
"Raising Hope," "The X Factor," "American Idol," "Kitchen
Nightmares," "MasterChef" and
"Hotel Hell."
The CW is losing two
longstanding shows:
You're fired: "Emily
Owens, M.D.," "Cult," "Gossip Girl" (final season),
and "90210" (final season).
You're hired:
"Arrow," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Vampire
Diaries," "Supernatural," "The Carrie Diaries,"
"Nikita (a shortened final season)," "Hart of Dixie,," and "
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/columbia-seeks-change-whites-only-scholarship-141323865.html
A few of the many comments
that are with the article:
"I dont
really have a problem with this...but if "white only" is going to be
eliminated then all scholarships that have any restrictions based on
race/gender/ethnicity/origin/sexual orientation/etc/etc/etc also need to be
eliminated."
"We tolerate black only
or Indian only scholarships, why not white scholarships? Can you say
hypocrite??"
"There is no shortage of
minority only scholarshipsand no shoartage
of minority organizations that do not give financial awards to other races. The
Gates Foundation states in their letter to educators that they want minority
students. Why doesn't someone go after the Gates Foundation?"
"Get rid of the Blacks
only scholarships too. Then we can call it even."
Some
non-racing stuff:
Petraeus email objected to
Link:
http://news.yahoo.com/petraeus-email-objected-benghazi-talking-points-220924269.html
In part:
Critics have highlighted an
email by then-State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland
that expressed concern that any mention of prior warnings or the involvement of
al-Qaida would give congressional Republicans ammunition to attack the
administration in the weeks before the presidential election. Fighting terror
was one of President Barack Obama's re-election strong points.
Some comments with the
article:
"Let's follow the chain
of events, shall we? Petraeus objects to changing of
the memo. All of a sudden his extramarital affair becomes public and he resigns
in November. Coincidence? Politics
as usual. These guys have dirt on everybody! I also believe this was a
reason for Hillary's untimely departure. Has to be!"
"Obama would do whatever
he could to win this election. funny how all of the
voting scandals have disappeared from the news--like the lady in Cicncinnati who voted 6 times for Obama. Or the districts
that had ZERO votes for Romney--and what are the odds of that--why doesnt the news media go into those districts and ask if
there is anyone there who can vouch that they voted for Romeny
but their vote wssnt counted. duh...
This administration is the most corrupt administration I have seen in my
lifetime. amazing..."
"This clown got himself
elected on lies and the tyranny of corrupt Liberal partisan attacks, supported
by a further corrupt and unprofessional media, and the easily manipulated
emotionally challenged low information voters destroying this country with
their stupidity. VOTE IN 2014 and stop the leftist liberal Democrat party's
destruction of our country."
Moms Working for Walmart Cry Foul This Mother’s Day
Link: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/moms-working-for-walmart-cry-foul-this-mothers-day.html/
Contents:
Though Walmart
(NYSE:WMT) just reclaimed the title of top U.S. company on the Fortune 500
list, the company continues to get bad press from regulators, watchdog groups
and its own employees. In fact, many of its full-time working moms will spend
this Mother’s Day on duty at the retail mammoth’s many stores, receiving
unsubstantial wages and hoping their next government assistance check arrives
on time.
A Huffington Post report on
one mother’s struggles working for Walmart highlights
the chasm between its employees and the top executives at a company bringing in
$444 billion annually. The story of Charlene Fletcher, a
While Fletcher earns above
the California minimum wage of $8 per hour, her $9.40/hr lands her squarely in
the category of working poor (she earns less than $1,500 monthly after taxes).
Stacked up against CEO Michael Duke’s annual take of $35 million a year, the
moms working at Walmart this Mother’s Day have a
reason to be disgruntled. However, it’s only one example of the proliferation
of low-wage jobs in post-recession times…
Job data released over the
past month reveals college-educated workers fared much better during and after
the recession. At the same time, the middle-wage jobs (in which workers earn
$14 to $21 per hour) largely disappeared, only to be replaced post-recession by
jobs paying between $7.25 and $14 per hour. Many of the same jobs lost returned
as lower paying jobs, while others disappeared entirely. Jobs for skilled
workers have shown sluggish growth, while retail and food service jobs have
increased.
Naturally, budget stores like
Walmart and fast-food chains continued to sell during
the recession, when cash-strapped families had little choice but to buy
necessities at the lowest prices. The trend continues, as it always will for
stores offering customers the best prices on goods. It is Walmart’s
deals with suppliers and its ability to keep expenses low (by paying low wages
and offering minimal benefits) that have made the company #1 on the Fortune 500
list.
Exclusive:
IRS apologizes for targeting
conservative groups
Link: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/irs-apologizes-targeting-conservative-groups-144349480.html
Also:
THE IRS VENDETTA AGAINST
CONSERVATIVE GROUPS: THE NEW ENEMIES LIST
Link: http://www.tpnn.com/the-irs-vendetta-against-conservative-groups-the-new-enemies-list/
In part: "Think about the sheer number of
scandals we have seen in four years. Think of all the abuses of power we have
witnessed. We have seen the Attorney General dismiss charges at the sentencing
phase of Black Panther radicals who stood outside voting stations, intimidating
voters with billy clubs. We have seen guns pumped to
Mexican drug cartels while the Obama Administration blamed American gun
dealers. We have seen our government leave Americans to die in
And now, we are seeing our
government admit to the use of the IRS to target conservative political groups
and they hope to wash it away with a simple, “I’m sorry; it wasn’t political”?
IRS apologizes for targeting
tea party groups. A firing offense?
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/irs-apologizes-targeting-tea-party-groups-firing-offense-152800272.html
Just some of the comments
with the article:
"Jay Carney said the IRS
is a separate entity- Jay, the IRS is part of the Treasury which reports to the
Commander in Chief (Obama). What else do you don't know?"
"Bigger question: Who
ordered this? Do not tell me that low level workers did this on their
own....big lie! Issa has the ability to subpoena...do
it! Those participating should be charged ......all the way to the top!"
"Who is surprised? Obama
is on public record stating he would, "reward friends and punish
enemies."
"Obama hired thousands
of more IRS agents at taxpayer expense to enforce compliance with Obamacare. It is reasonable to suggest he would order a
similar initiative as a means of intimidation toward any perceived antagonist
in any regard. His history as a community organizer is replete with a modus
operandi of extortion and intimidation. In
AP Exclusive: IRS knew tea
party targeted in 2011
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-irs-knew-tea-party-targeted-2011-190852283.html
‘Very Frightening’: Prominent
Catholic Prof. Claims IRS Audited Her After Speaking
Out Against Obama and Demanded to Know Who Was Paying Her
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/very-frightening-prominent-catholic-prof-claims-irs-audited-182400466.html
HELL FREEZES OVER – MSNBC
Says
One comment under the article: "Will Hitlery
throw Obozo under the bus to save her presidential
aspirations? If she doesn't she's done, if she does he's done. Win win situation."
CBS News Enraged at Sharyl Attkisson for Challenging
Regime on
GOV'T OBTAINS WIDE AP PHONE
RECORDS IN PROBE
Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/govt-obtains-wide-ap-phone-records-probe
Rep. Steve King: Obama fails
to congratulate Tebow for being Christian, erodes
Western civilization
Link: http://www.sbnation.com/2013/5/14/4330112/steve-king-tim-tebow-jason-collins-video
Video
time – not music this week, but something that happened 33 years ago.
May 18, 1980:
I find it hard to believe
that it will be 33 years in a couple of days when
http://www.olywa.net/radu/valerie/StHelens.html
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP2dreOI8gI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSZU9BoWMtI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbgAOfv-W20
Note: Some say that it is near impossible to see
videos of the actual eruption today.
Video time – racin stuff:
The Duke Nalon Indy 500 crash from the 1949 500:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6Q50ayliU
Kyle Larson, Main Event, WoO,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LINiAAC8qm0
Note: He’s in the blue & white car that the
camera follows.
Photos:
Note: The photos are not available on Dirt Track
Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
Closing with this:
A truck driver was driving along on the
freeway and noticed a
sign that read:
front of him and
his truck gets
wedged under it. Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally a police
car comes up.
The cop gets out of his car and walks to the
truck driver,
puts his hands
on his hips and says, 'Got stuck, huh?' The
truck driver says,
'No, I was delivering this bridge and I
ran out of gas.'
Until next week,
folks!
As usual, you can reach me
at: ygordad@yahoo.com