Charlotte, NC

Okay, so the Jonas Brothers are coming to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Tuesday night.
I’m also promoting a couple of UK acts, so ya might think I’m a bit jealous of these boys’ success. Actually, it’s great that they’re so popular; the music they provide is a refreshing change from the metal/rap/alternative that floods the airwaves and CDs today. Besides, they look great as well (is it my imagination, or does one of ‘em look like he could be Tom Hanks’ son??)! Yep, reckon I’m a fan, too!
But there is somethin’ that’s gotta be addressed here (other than this envelope holdin’ my water payment)! Y’see, the guys are part of the Disney conglomerate, which means they’ve got a ready-made boost. They’ve gotta prepare themselves for the inevitable day when they’re released from Mickey Manor and have to stand on their own!
They have everything it takes to maintain their momentum, but, as a promoter myself, I can’t help thinkin’ of another “brothers” act who took a lot on the chin after their big hit, MMMM-Bop. Today, Hanson still sounds great, but they’re just not getting the airplay they deserve!
They’ve not only gotta prepare for that independent “push”, but also have to realize they’ll haveta find someone new to do the books (ie, financial, management, etc.) for them. There’s a lot at stake here, and I hope they’ll be able to make the transition. But, for now, they’re superstars, sound fantastic, and are doin’ well. The concert’s bound to be a “sold-out” screamfest, and I’d recommend everyone to go … it’s gonna be fab!

Now, there’s more and more about this “pregnant man” having a “baby girl.” Honestly, I’m gettin’ a little sick of it!! Look … although “he” has no breasts and has facial hair, “he” is still a woman! To hear the tabs talk about it, it’s a miracle that this “man” had a child. Ummmm … sorry, but NO man can become pregnant. Full stop. Period. End of discussion.

ATTENTION: JIMMY PAGE FANS!

Now, here’s a rare treat for ya. Yer fave Yardbirds/Zep guitarist, performing with a skiffle band, back when he was about 14 years old! It’s got a few interviews after the song, but it’s worth the wait to hear Page at that age:

THE PROBLEM OF ACNE

Well, to most (especially teens), it is a problem. They’ll go out and buy medicine after medicine to try and fight it, but to little or no avail.
But now there’s a site where you can review the best and most effective remedies for acne! From creams to kits to soaps and more, it’ll cover the treatments that are most popular, and how effective they’ll be (they use some pretty strict criteria for that!).
You’ll also find a host of articles on the treatment of acne, and a whole lot more! And all you have to do to find the best in pimple creams and more, just click on the link you just passed.
Go there now, and get ready to clear and refresh your skin!

I dunno … is it just me, or is anybody else out there sick and tired of the abusive perps in our community gettin’ away with their crimes?

Obviously, I’m talkin’ about the Observer article, where another impulsive idiot (who thought himself the “owner” of his girlfriend) shot her and her sister. Fortunately, and as of this writing, it looks as if the two ladies will pull through.

But it brings up three questions:

• Why was this jerk released from jail in the first place? If he was in there for DV, wouldn’t it have at least made sense to have him monitored when he left?
• Why are abusers (especially male, though there are female abusers, too! Trust me … I’ve been through that …) let off with a slap on the wrist? Don’t the courts realize that abuse isn’t just a “one-time thing”? It becomes an enjoyable habit with these perps … they love the feeling of power — especially over an innocent victim. Hey … IT’S ASSAULT, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!! ASSAULT THAT CAN LEAD TO MURDER! They’ve gotta treat it as such …
• Why is it so easy for abusers to hide from police when they’ve committed the crime? These idiots are yellow-bellied COWARDS who only want to control whatever is weak. They can’t handle the strong … they can’t handle the responsibility of facing up to what they did, especially in front of anyone bigger or smarter than them!

  It’s a true shame … and it doesn’t just happen in the Queen City, either! It’s across-the-board, coast-to-coast … and, sadly, often the courts are just as responsible for the outcome as the perps themselves!

  Okay … so what are the signs of abuse? Listen …

  If YOU’RE in a questionable relationship; if YOUR partner is exhibiting any of the following signs; if HE or SHE won’t seek partners counseling with you … then you’d better think twice about stayin’ with that person!
  Study this wheel closely:
  
  If ya wanna make a copy of it, go to http://crisis-support.org/images/whatdom.gif. For more information on abuse, PLEASE go to this page, okay?? It’s a tremendous help …

  Let’s hope they catch the jerk who shot the two sisters. And, this time, maybe park him behind bars for GOOD!

Okay, why aren’t we surprised by this??
The news says that Wachovia … our Wachovia, HQed here in our town … posted an 8.5 billion buck loss and is knocking off almost 11,000 jobs!
Now, it’s not the bank that’s to blame for this; personally, I gotta believe (as 99% of us do) that this Administration is, ’cause they just had to start their little private war to throw our money into repeatedly!

I honestly like Wachovia and its employees (hear that, Nina?), and have banked there before! But I really appreciate the heck out of ‘em now, especially since CEO Bob Steel actually took responsibility for the bank’s performance. I mean, maybe it’s not the bank’s fault directly, but it’s good to know that a Chief Executive Officer will own up and say that, on their end, performance coulda been a little bit better!

Ummm … hey, Bob? Ya … do ya reckon you could get, er, another Chief Executive Officer to think … well, to be a little more like you? We’d be a lot better off, all the way ’round!

HAVIN’ A PARTY?

Well, what good is a party without invitations, right?? You want as many of your friends, family, co-workers or whoever to show up and enjoy themselves at your wing-ding!
But WAIT!! You don’t want just any invites to be sent out, especially if it’s a wedding, bar mitzvah, grand opening or baby shower! They’ve gotta have a style and look that’ll say “Hey … I’ve wanna BE there!”
And for those, you’ll wanna go to the site I’ll send ya to in a second! These folks not only have the best selection of cards available, great prices, secure checkout and speedy delivery, but I dare ya to find a happier-looking card site on the web!
No doubt about it … you’ll find the very best party invitations by clicking that link you just saw! So do it now … and enjoy your party!

No, I didn’t say Wal-Mart® is “the bomb” (hmph … old slang. ‘Sides, it ain’t!); I said “and the bomb”!

Yep … somebody’s gone and dumped what appears to be a homemade bomb at the WallyWorld up there in Boone. It happened a little before 6 AM on Sunday.

Now, maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned (I said “maybe”! Don’t hold me to that in everything, okay??), but … ummm, wouldn’t it be better (if ya don’t like WM) to, like, just … er, stop shopping there?? I mean, whatcha gonna tell your fellow inmates: That ya got PO’d at WallyWorld and decided you’re gonna stop ‘em once-and-for-all? (Geez … one down, over 3,000 to go, cowboy …)

As of this writing, no arrests have been made. Tell ya what: Just de-fuse the bomb and leave it where it is. Most likely, the guy will come back, pick it up, take it in to customer service and demand a refund, sayin’ he bought it there! Then you can get ‘im!

I mean, don’t they always do that?

MEETING THE LOAN ARRANGER

With more and more people looking for good housing these days — and in a market that’s so topsy-turvy it’s not even close to being funny — there’s a need for solid loan companies to help with home purchasing, improvements and more.
And, while there are loads of them that promise “this” or “that”, there’s a highly recommended and reputable one right at your fingertips! In just a minute, I’ll give you their link …
but, for now, just imagine all you can do with that loan … especially when it’s from a company that is not only reliable but helps you every step-of-the-way! They’ll show you how various mortgages work, help you determine how much you can afford, discuss debt consolidation, and more!
So, for a company that’s honestly got your best interests and security at heart, just go to the finest mortgage lenders in the business!
Go ahead … click there now … and start breathing easier about taking out a mortgage loan!

Well, that’s all for now. Until tomorrow, Charlotte …

Well, whoop-de-doooo!
So the New Kids On The Block (the originals, at that!) are comin’ to the Time Warner Cable Arena on October 30, huh?? Are these … are these the same NKOTB that caused young’uns (read: girls) to go nuts back in the ’90s?

That’s cool. But … but how are they on doin’ the same today? I mean, they’re a bit older, and so are their fans from back then.
Now, don’t get me wrong; the harmonies and dance steps were dynamite. And, natch, they do have some pretty decent looks among ‘em! But, with the age of The Fore, Modest Mouse, The Fratellis and OK GO! on the male side and Leona Lewis, Avril Lavigne and Carrie Underwood on the female side, are they really gonna fit in?

I’ve heard and seen rushes of them, and they are still spectacular! And they certainly have a great rapport with audiences. If ya go (and you’d better get your tickets early, ’cause this is gonna be a sell-out!), it’s gonna be a show you’ll remember for a lonnnnnng time!

It’ll be interesting, though, to see how this “boy-band” thing works here in the ‘08 — especially with the dude who groomed them for stardom gettin’ busted awhile back. If they do make it as big as back then, and stay on top, it’ll haveta be due to their teamwork … and better management!

Let’s hope they do … I kinda like these guys! They deserve to be back on the charts!

Remember … the tix go on sale at 10 AM Friday at Live Nation.com.

Alright, I’m gonna stick my neck out here and say that the flap over SC’s capitol building, the Rebel flag and the NAACP is totally crazy!

Yeah, I know it’s a “symbol of the South”, right??

WRONNNNNNNG!!!

It’s a symbol of separatism! It’s when eleven southern states became PO’d because the Feds were pushin’ high industrialization and (can you believe this??) freedom from oppression for all African-Americans!!

So what’d we do?? We got mad and made our own little nation (uh … inside another nation!). And the “stars and bars” was our “flag”.
We decided to fight and kill our own brothers, cousins, uncles, etc. rather than give up slavery (that’s one of the issues! Gotta face it!)!!

So we treat that flag with honor?? Man, it’s a total disgrace … a period in our history that we oughtta be ashamed of! And for every African-American, it’s rightly a symbol of the worst of oppression!
As long as that friggin’ thing flies anywhere, it’s going to be a reminder that we, at one time, were cruel!

Before I get off the subject, lemme leave ya with this cartoon:

INSURING FOR LESS

Look … we all need life insurance, no what financial shape we’re in. And, being a former insurance man myself, I can tell ya that, with rising costs of preparations, funerals and burials, it’s absolutely essential!
Now, of the different insurance packages available, the best and most affordable is the term life. Not only are the premiums easy on the wallet, but, more importantly, it’s pure insurance protection!
Of course, when looking for the right company, you can spend hours checking with different agencies, hearing about various plans, etc. and still end up a bit frustrated with your search.
Why not go with one that’ll actually put you first, stand behind what they offer, and prove they deserve the superior (A+) rating they’ve received? How about if I told you they won’t require a medical exam from anyone (just a few short questions)? Okay … let’s throw in premiums as low as $3.27 a month for adults?. And prompt, personal service!
Not bad for your peace-of-mind, huh?? Then all you have to do is click on this link for the best in term insurance.
Do it today, okay?

We’ve seen it happen too many times before around here:
Doors unlocked, answering machines telling callers We’re not at home right now, lights not on, hedges or shrubbery obscuring windows … then …
Our house becomes another statistic.

It’s great to hear the residents of Steele Creek are banding together to do something about the recent wave that’s hit their neighborhood. Maybe we all need to follow suit.

Now, some of you are thinking it’s just another Neighborhood Watch thing. No big deal — the thugs will find a way around it. But you’re wrong in this case, because these people are not only vigilant about keepin’ the intruders out … they actually care about their neighbors, and want to help in every way, shape or form possible.
It’s truly a community!! And we could learn from them!

A coupla hints here, though:

• When you go out anywhere, be sure your answering machine/voicemail does NOT say you’re not there!! At best, tell the listener that you’re away from the phone for a moment.” Don’t broadcast your absence!
• Always .. always leave a TV or radio on … and at a decent level. It gives the intruder the feeling that someone might just be inside!
• Be sure to have both back and front porch lights on, as well as at least one light in each room inside!
• Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out on your place. If you’re gonna be gone overnight, ask that person to pick up your mail or newspaper for you!
• Last — but most obvious — lock your doors when you leave. Right … deadbolt them!

Using these ideas, plus a neighborhood watch like Steele Creek has, and you’ll be a lot safer!

HUMIDITY GOT YOU DOWN? HERE’S RELIEF!!

One thing that really gets under the skin of a lot of folks is the humidity around here. It builds up the effect of allergens (like mold and mildew), causes you to lose energy, and is just a downright nuisance!
But now you can get the best in dehumidifiers … and at fantastic savings! When you click the link you’re about to see, you’ll not only find high-quality basement and home humidifiers, but information, comparison charts, more on dehumidifiers themselves, and more!
So, why suffer through the heat and humidity of summer?? All you need to do is click on this link to find the best — Santa Fe dehumidifiers.
Do it now … and start breathing easier tomorrow!

Okay … I’ll be the first to admit I’m an old fogey (or whatever they call us these days).
I mean, the old record-players, cassette tape-recorders and (dare I say it??) transistor radios give more of a thrill than many of these Ipods, Youtubes, Theydontworks, or whatever.

A few days ago, though, a friend offered the use of his iPod (or is it “Ipod”? Or hyphenated?) to listen to a few choice songs. Yeah! I’m finally gonna be “hip”! WOW!!

Nope. The klutz demon came outta me and I couldn’t get even one song to play! Then, to make matters a little more interesting, I found out that, no matter what you hear from the salesmen, these rascals do have a tendency to … er, break? Especially when they’re dropped from a height of about four feet on a concrete floor (it was an accident! HONEST!!).

So HE was mad, I was embarrassed, my wallet emptied … but, as a pleasant aside, he did give me the broken machine once he was reimbursed. I took it to a computer-geek friend who not only fixed it, but showed me how to use it.

Not “program” it; “use” it.

Til I can figure that out, I’m stuck with The Best Of Moms Mabley.

ACTUALLY, THEY’RE GREAT!

Ipods are actually the next logical step up in the portable-music field. These portable media players are versatile, durable and sharper-looking than any of their predecessors, and are a “must-have” for anyone who really loves music.
Those who have them love their performance as well as their snappy, modern look. In fact, the only drawback is the price that most stores charge for the latest of these players.
But now you can buy a brand new Ipod (whether it’s touch, classic or the new nano) for less than what you’d expect to pay at your local electronicsstore!
You can find these, plus accessories and more just by clicking the following link! You’ll not only have a great selection to choose from, but also everything else ya need to make your listening pleasure the best it can be! And all at wallet-friendly prices!
So just go to where you’ll find the very best in ipods, and start diggin’ the music again!

FINALLY … we’re back “on the air” (man, that’s the last time I write about a thunderstorm! Geez …)!!

Anyway … got a LOTTA catchin’ up to do, so let’s get to it, okay??

Didja read where, instead of renovatin’ Pineville Elementary (where this writer, his kids, his siblings … heck, everybody but his dog … went [when we old folks went, it was the old, three-story Farm Life school building]), they’re now talking about just building a new one?? They’re usin’ McClintock Elementary as a prototype, more or less.

Now, here’s what I don’t get: According to Mike Raible (planning director with CMS), it’d cost about $16 million to build a new school.
But to renovate? It only would take $13.3 million for Pineville School! Of course, that’s just last year’s figures. Gee, gang … what’s gone up over the past 12 months (hint: PRICES!!)

Seems to me that if they wanna save a cool $3.3 mil, just spruce up the school! It not only saves time (very precious in a child’s education), and money — but just plainly makes sense.

Of course, that’s just my opinion. What’s yours?

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Y’know, with the popularity of today’s home theaters and large TV areas, it just doesn’t seem right to just sit in a stiff, average chair to watch your favorite movie anymore!
I mean, if you’re gonna put in one of those personal entertainment meccas, you oughtta really make it comfortable … and as much like your own theater as possible!
Now, if you click on the link I’m about to give you, you’ll find that it’s affordable, and you’ll have a selection of seating and other add-ons that’ll make kickin’ back and enjoying your favorite movie or TV show more than just something to relax with … it’ll become an event!
To find out more about the best in theater seating and more, just click on that link you just passed … you’ll find just what you need there, and at the best prices anywhere!

Okay … like I said, we gotta do a load of catch-up here (hmmm … come to think of it, I like that on my hot dogs as well); but we’re also gonna include some welcome changes as well. So stay tuned …