Friday, November 10, 2017

Pat McGann

Very funny Chicago-based comedian. Had me wiping away tears from laughing so hard.


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Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corp

Today's the birthday of the United States Marine Corp. Of all the military branches, I think they have the best theme song. Today's a great day to give it a spin...



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Silver Slugger Awards



Last year the Cubs had several. This year, not a single one.

The entire list of 2017 Silver Slugger Award winners is below:




AMERICAN LEAGUE
Catcher: Gary Sanchez (Yankees)
First base: Eric Hosmer (Royals)
Second base: Jose Altuve (Astros)
Third base: Jose Ramirez (Indians)
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor (Indians)
Outfield: Aaron Judge (Yankees)
Outfield: Justin Upton (Angels)
Outfield: George Springer (Astros)
Designated hitter: Nelson Cruz (Mariners)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Catcher: Buster Posey (Giants)
First base: Paul Goldschmidt (D-backs)
Second base: Daniel Murphy (Nationals)
Third base: Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
Shortstop: Corey Seager (Dodgers)
Outfield: Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
Outfield: Marcell Ozuna (Marlins)
Outfield: Charlie Blackmon (Rockies)
Pitcher: Adam Wainwright (Cardinals)
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How Unpopular is Trump?

His approval rate in the military (that's right, the notoriously conservative military) is only 44%.

Among the officers his approval rating is only 31%. That's lower than the population at large.

These numbers are almost impossible for a Republican. The military traditionally votes Republican 3-1.
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Two More Creeps

One of these really bums me out. The other one doesn't surprise in the least. OK, I'll be honest. Neither of them surprises me in the least. I just wish it wasn't true about my favorite comedian.

Judge Roy Moore (running for Senate in Alabama) allegedly fondled a 14-year-old girl.

Louis CK has allegedly masturbated in front of numerous women (who obviously didn't ask for that)

I had no idea there were this many creeps out there.

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FCC Officially Approves Entercom/CBS Merger

From this morning's RAMP newsletter...

The Federal Communications Commission has formally approved the merger of CBS Radio and Entercom -- another giant step closer to the creation of the radio industry's second largest company, combining Entercom's 127 stations and CBS Radio's 117 stations. The approval was given near the bottom of a wordy 20-page document, which read, "We have reviewed the proposed merger, the applications for its approval, and related comments. We conclude that the applicants are fully qualified and that grant of the Merger Applications and the Trust Applications, subject to the conditions set forth herein, will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity." In response to the FCC's ruling, Entercom President & CEO David Field said, "We are energized and excited by today's announcement from the FCC. The Commission's approval marks a significant milestone on our path toward completing the transformational combination of Entercom and CBS Radio. This brings Entercom an important step closer to our goal of delivering greater value for our listeners, customers and shareholders as a leading media and entertainment company with national scale and the No. 1 creator of live, original and local audio content."
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An evening at the Red Lion with Bobby Skafish

What a fun night at the Red Lion last night. The bar has undergone a MAJOR renovation since the last time I had been there, and it's beautiful place. I had a chance to chat with the owner Colin, and he told me some great stories about the place, including the fact that it's haunted. (It's part of all the haunted house tours)

There's also a cool back story about Colin's family. His father was one of the guys that the movie "The Great Escape" was based on (he was one of the forgers). Another of the prisoners in that camp was Chicago's very own Ray Rayner. I had never heard that about Ray, so I researched it when I got home, and sure enough--it's true. Amazing.

Anyway, thanks so much to everyone who came out. Bobby will have one more signing in December. We'll get you the details as the date approaches.

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Thursday, November 09, 2017

Latest Creep Update

Time Magazine has a pretty comprehensive list of famous sexual predators who have been exposed over the last few weeks.

I've reported on most of them, but there are least a half dozen or so new ones.
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OK, gotta have one

Alert to people who still buy me Christmas presents (a very, very small group of people)


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Brandon Hyde

My wife Bridget actually has a Brandon Hyde Cubs jersey. No joke.


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Good writing

Rick Wilson is an anti-Trump GOP operative, but he also happens to be a very good writer. His latest piece about Carter Page is excellent, but I find myself most drawn to his good writing, like this paragraph...

The delta between Trump’s imagination of himself and the brand image that he desperately wants to sell is always wide; he’s the “billionaire” lout playing the Manhattan sophisticate who gorges on fast food. He’s a man with a lemur wig and a five-pound bolus of chin-wattle who think’s he’s irresistible to women. He’s the serially bankrupt master of the Art of the Deal. The TV talk show character who snuck into the Oval Office on a tide of Russian influence and now thinks he won on the merits.

Five pound bolus of chin-wattle. That's some good shit right there.
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Pirlo

One of the most dangerous players ever. An absolute assassin on free kicks. The Italian superstar calls it quits...


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The Red Lion Pub


Looking forward to tonight's Bobby Skafish book signing. It's from 7-9pm at the Red Lion Pub at 2446 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. I used to go there quite often when I lived in the neighborhood. If you come up to me tonight and tell me a German beer that has the word "Lion" (in German) in the name, I'll buy you one.* (*Offer not valid to any of my German-speaking friends)
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Chicago From Space

How cool is this?


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Letterman's Old "Friends" Pay Tribute


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Garry's Back on WGN

Well, at least for one interview. From today's Robert Feder column...

One more Veteran’s Day tie-in: Chicago radio personality and podcaster Garry Meier will talk about his late father’s service in World War II under General George Patton in an interview with David Plier on WGN AM 720. Meier will share a 1982 recording of his father, Frank Meier, recalling a 48-hour period of battle in December 1944 in Europe. Airing at 2 a.m. Saturday, the interview will mark Meier’s first appearance on WGN since he was released by the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station in November 2014. Plier’s show will be uploaded to podcast at wgnradio.com.
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Wednesday, November 08, 2017

Happy birthday Mom!


Happy birthday to my mom.

She may be 22 years older than me, but she has double or triple my energy.

No idea how she does it.
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5 Authors, 5 Events

If you'd like to pick up an autographed Eckhartz Press book to give someone for Christmas or Hanukkah this year, you've got five different opportunities during the month of November...


Thursday night (11/9) from 7-9pm we'll be at the Red Lion in Chicago with Bobby Skafish! The Red Lion is located at 2446 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. This will be your last chance to get a Bobby autograph on the north side of Chicago. We will have one more event with Skafish in December on the south side.

(We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters)



Saturday morning (11/11) we will be in Atlanta to cheer on Mark Gelinas, the keynote speaker for this year's Purple Stride--a 5K race to benefit pancreatic cancer research. Eckhartz Press has donated 25 copies of Mark's book "GelStrong" which will be available at the event. The proceeds go to the great cause.

(GelStrong)



Friday afternoon (11/17) we'll be at Galveston Steakhouse in Michigan City Indiana (10 Commerce Square) with John Records Landecker from noon to 4 pm. John and Mike Dempsey will be doing their regular radio show during the party. Galveston doesn't open until 4 pm but they will be open for us and have a bartender on duty. John's HOF book will be available there.

(Records Truly Is My Middle Name/Hall of Fame Edition)


Sunday morning (11/19) we'll be with Mitch Michaels from 8:45AM until noon at the Chicagoland Record Collectors Show in Hillside (at the Best Western Hotel, 4400 Frontage Road)

Mitch's buddy Jim Peterik (Ides of March/Survivor) will be there too.

(Doin the Cruise: Memories From a Lifetime in Rock and Roll and Radio)





Thursday night (11/30) we'll be at the Frisbie Center at 6pm in Des Plaines (52 Northwest Hwy) with Bruce Bohrer. Bruce will talk about his days as a Wrigley Field Usher.

(Best Seat in the House: Diary of a Wrigley Field Usher)




Swing by one or all of these events. Meet our authors. Meet me and Dave. Pick up a stocking stuffer or two.

See you there!
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Brent Petersen

Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen is a smart guy, and I always like reading his take on the world. His book "Truffle Hunt" wasn't just about truffles--it was about politics and history and intrigue. His blog tackles similar issues.

This week he took a look at the Mueller investigation and has an interesting take on it: "WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A MAFIA INVESTIGATION"
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So you're saying we've got a chance


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