Info on Pee Wee Reese

Some blog readers have expressed an interest in knowing more about the famous Brooklyn Dodger shortstop, Pee Wee Reese. Click on the Wikipedia link below, to learn about the life of Pee Wee Reese -


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee_Wee_Reese

Back In The Day

If you read a few paragraphs from the below story, you will see that it mentions a native Louisvillian - Vinnie Atria. Vinnie graduated from Shawnee High School the same year as me (class of 63), and as I discovered from the article, he later became a very accomplished bowler. I remember bowling a few frames with Vinnie, back in the day, at the West End bowling alley. Even then, it was obvious that Vinnie would progress to the caliber needed to become a pro bowler. Vinnie was always a very good athlete. As I recall, he ran track for Shawnee and did quite well. Perhaps it was in the genes - his uncle was the great Brooklyn Dodger shortstop, Pee Wee Reese.

It was interesting reading about Vinnie. It's probably been forty five years since I first read the news, in the Courier Journal, about his prowess as a bowler. Good to fine out that he succeeded in a very difficult sport to master.

You can learn more about Vinnie Atria's career, on the second link.



http://www.gobowlingshow.com/default2.asp?active_page_id=85


http://www.minieliminator.com/Atria%20story.pdf

Interesting Auto Site

The link below will take you to a business site that has created a very interesting approach to selling cars. The owners have incorporated web technology informatively and the result for the consumer is a very entertaining and exceptionally detailed experience when shopping for a Chicago Cars Direct used vehicle.

By using You Tube videos to provide a ten minute overview (including the road test) of a vehicle from their relatively small inventory, the potential buyer comes away with a far better knowledge of the product than what is typically gained when visiting a used car lot. The presenter (salesman) is affable and portrays the vehicle in a manner that conveys a true love of automobiles. You watch the video feeling that a great amount of care went into selecting that particular car for their inventory.

I found the site to be quite intriguing; however, I can't attest to the efficacy of this business since I don't know anyone who has purchased a vehicle from Chicago Cars Direct. Check it out and see what you think.

http://www.chicagocarsdirect.com/web/inventory?sold=0

Sports Illustrated Tablet Available in 2010

Can't wait to enjoy sports news in this format - take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntyXvLnxyXk

Scion at SEMA

Check out these creative Scion specialty vehicles:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIuD0cplRFA

Sacramento's Annual International Auto Show

As is my habit at this time each year, I attended our city's display of new vehicles, spending roughly six hours time taking in the nuances of all things mobile - from Segway Human Transporters to sophisticated gasoline/electric hybrids that are postured to radically change the whole mix of what will be offered to consumers over the coming years. To say the least, it was one of the more interesting shows that I have attended.

You will see from my show pictures that there was not only the new 2010 models on display, but some rather interesting older cars as well. I found myself checking out several cars from a half century ago and comparing them to today's vastly different autos. I've got to say that the simplicity of a '57' T-Bird with an AM radio and roll up windows is quite a contrast when compared to today's all electric 'Volt", but they both have their own appeal to the many people who still love cars and appreciate their impact on our culture and our economy.

My first auto show was in 1957, the year Ford introduced the Edsel. I was only twelve years old, but I was hooked on cars after attending that show and my interest has grown over the years. I probably spend as much time checking out a Versa as I do a Rolls, even though a couple hundred grand or more separates them in price. I just get a kick out of learning what I can about cars.

As to my favorites this year, below is my top five (in no particular order):

Acura TL - love it or hate it exterior, very high tech interior

Mazda 3 - high tech vehicle with a low tech price, grill that resembles a blow fish (it grows on you)

Honda Accord Crosstour - if you like hatchbacks, this one has great lines and doesn't resemble every other car on the road

Honda Element (Dog Friendly Model) - the badging alone makes it worth the additional money over a standard version

Hyundai Genesis - give Hyundai a little more time and they really will build a Lexus for half the price

There are others that I could easily add to the list, such as the Taurus SHO which I got to test drive while attending the auto show, but the one thing that you discover when you look at so may vehicles in one sitting is that there are some cars that appear as better values than others, when it comes down to the bottom line, but there probably isn't a terribly bad car in the entire show. It basically boils down to one's preference and whatever stirs the consumer's emotional buttons. I'd like to have a really big garage full of them myself (not likely). Enjoy the pics.

Happy Halloween

Halloween "09" was a lot of fun. Nancy bagged candy and did the indoor decorations, while Dave and I decorated the exterior of the house. The weather was great and because Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, we had a record number of trick or treaters - three hundred and eleven to be exact. How do we know, you might ask? Well, we count the bags that we give to the kids. Of course, there may have been a couple of kids who came back twice, but I'm sure that the total number is still over three hundred. That's a lot of trick or treaters! It kept the three of us going for about three and a half hours.

Dave and I managed to watch a little of the USC vs Oregon game while all of this was going on. The Mighty Ducks prevailed. Go Quackers!!!

Oh! - and I have to mention that Nancy prepared a delicious meat loaf for our dinner meal tonight. Superb meat loaf - the best around. Just ask Dave, he ate half of it! Afterwards, we had coconut cream pie for dessert. Yep, a good time was had by all. Check out the pictures to the right and at the bottom of the blog page.