Friday, May 30, 2014
Some wonderful things happen in the music departments at the West Des Moines public schools, and there hasn't been a presentation in recent years that didn't receive a "1" rating in my personal scorebook. Maybe because it was the most recent, maybe not, but the music [instrumental and vocal] produced by students at the Valley Southwoods Freshman High School Fine Arts Festival was perhaps the best I've seen and heard. A massive group of ninth-graders [one of whom was my youngest grandaughter, who fills the air with some excellent clarinet music, if I say so myself] put on quite a show before an overflow crowd in the Southwoods gym. My favorite number was Pie Jesu by the Valley Southwoods Orchestra & Chorus. Pie Jesu is a wonderful piece of music originally produced by the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the Southwoods students performed it masterfully. In addition, the Southwoods Orchestra performed Portrait for Two Cellos In G Minor, Allegro, Halo No. 3 Themes and Orange Jam. The Full Orchestra did Orpheus In the Underwold, the Concert Band did Led Zeppelin On Tour, the Basie Band and Singers did Duke's Place, the Southwoods Singers did Return, the Treble Clef Choir did I'm Goin' Up a Yonder, the Bass Clef Choir did The Drunken Sailor, the Combined Clef Choir did Count On Me, and the Music Department did Irving Berlin's America, Hello, Goodbye [songs of the Beatles in concert]. It was great to hear God Bless America, and it was a nice gesture to invite members of the audience on stage to perform with the students in the Beatles Medley. An adult woman seated in front of me came fully prepared for that. She brought a violin in its case into the school, then unpacked it and carried it onto the floor to help with the music. There were others who did the same thing. A number of adult singers also joined the student choirs. If I'd have known they were going to let people bring their musical instruments into the gym, I would've brought the clarinet I played for a few months when I attended fourth grade at Lincoln School in Cedar Rapids. Just kidding about that. I think my dad sold the clarinet shortly after I quit taking lessons many, many years ago.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
On Second Thought
By RON MALY
After giving the latest Manny Ramirez fiasco more thought, I've changed my mind just a bit.
I originally thought Ramirez, a baseball bum if I ever saw one, should be banned from Des Moines and the state of Iowa, if not the entire midwest.
I guess that's kind of harsh.
Now I think Ramirez should feel free to hang out at Sec Taylor Stadium, but only while being handcuffed to Mike Gartner. All he'll be permitted to do is play with Gartner's bow tie.
Just keep both of their asses [Ramirez's and Gartner's] off the field and out of the suburbs.
If the local Triple-A team lets Ramirez get anywhere near the Chicago Cubs' top prospects--if, indeed, they're still called prospects--Ramirez should be arrested and sent in a Polk County sheriff's car to Cedar Rapids so he can clean up the southeast part of town.
I still think Theo Epstein, the Chicago Cubs' president, is absolutely insane for sending him here to be a player-coach.
I wouldn't permit that clown to talk with anyone on the team, including the people who clean the restrooms in the clubhouse and the rest of the ballpark.
Ramirez apologized yesterday to the Boston Red Sox, one of his past employers, for his rotten behavior, and now he should apologize for being born.
By the way, the paper has changed its position somewhat on Ramirez, too.
When Ramirez's hiring was announced by Epstein, the paper was kind of giddy about the whole deal.
Not until the next day, after noticing that 99 percent of the people in America slammed the idea of Ramirez coming here, and that everyone else in baseball [other than those in the Chicago Cubs' front office] was laughing at the idea, did the paper say it's a risky idea.
How's that for taking a stand?
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Speaking of the paper, Reid Allen [one of the best athletic business managers Drake University ever had] tells me something funny.
A while back, I ripped the idea of Des Moines building a new $9 million football stadium for its high school football teams.
Asking Des Moines taxpayers to finance a $9 million stadium for public high school teams that would be drubbed by most of this state's 8-man teams is among the stupidest proposals I've ever heard.
The paper wrote about the stadium idea, too, and [naturally] didn't take a position on it.
"Maybe you didn't notice it," Allen told me, "but the last part of that story in the paper was on the obituary page."
That's where the whole thing belonged.
Instead of building a new football stadium for the public schools in Des Moines, the school board should consider fielding flag football teams for both boys and girls. and playing the games at Waterworks Park.
That's about as competitive as the Des Moines schools are in football.
Des Moines teams are so bad that the games they play against suburban powerhouses turn into laughers.
Teams such as Dowling, Valley, Waukee, Johnston, Southeast Polk, Ankeny Centennial, Ankeny and Urbandale can run up 60, 70 or more points against the Roosevelts, Lincolns and Hoovers of central Iowa, clear the benches, implement the "mercy" rule, then get criticized by idiots in the opinion page department at the paper for running up the score.
*
So the old Register building at 8th & Locust might be turned into apartments, offices and a restaurant, huh? How many times have we seen that movie? How the hell many more apartments does downtown Des Moines need? Who's moving there, and why? I want to stay as far away from downtown Des Moines as I can get. You never know who's going to show up down there with a can of kerosene and a match. Ask 'em over there at the burned-down old Younkers building about that.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Johnston, Valley, Dowling and Ankeny Centennial Atop Class 5A Softball Rankings
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I'm told by Iowa sports information director Steve Roe that a Celebration of Life service for former Hwkeye defensive coordinator Norm Parker will be held Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The service is open to the public from 1-3 p.m. in the south end zone of Kinnick Stadium. Attendees should enter the stadium through Gate B (southwest corner). Gate B will open at 12:30 p.m. Parking is available in all university parking lots adjacent to Kinnick Stadium. Normal daily parking rates apply in parking ramps adjacent to UI Hospitals and Clinics. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Paul W. Brechler Press Box at Kinnick Stadium. Parker died Jan.y 13, 2014. He joined the Iowa program prior to the 1999 season, serving as defensive coordinator for 13 seasons. He served in the coaching profession for 48 years. Following the 2011 season, Parker was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award in 2004 and 2005. Under Parker’s direction, Iowa ranked among the top 10 nationally in rushing defense five times. Iowa ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense three times from 2008-11. Iowa won 85 games from 2002-11, including 50 Big Ten games. The Hawkeyes earned a share of the Big Ten title in both 2002 and 2004 and tied for second in 2009. The Hawkeyes were bowl eligible 11 straight seasons (2001-11) and ranked in the final top 10 of both major polls four times with Parker directing the Iowa defense. The Hawkeyes won bowl games following the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons, defeating South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Missouri, respectively. Overall, Iowa won six of 10 bowl games from 2001-11, including four January bowl games. Parker began coaching on the collegiate level at Eastern Michigan in 1968 after beginning his coaching career in the high school ranks for three seasons. He also coached at Wake Forest, Minnesota, Illinois, East Carolina, Michigan State and Vanderbilt. Parker was a native of Hazel Park, Michigan, and earned two degrees from Eastern Michigan University. Parker is survived by his wife, Linda, son Jim (Denise) of Bloomfield, Michigan; daughter Suzy Parker of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter Michelle Hoey of Pickford, Michigan; daughter Joyce (Rob) Anderson of Drummond Island, Michigan; brother Bill Parker of Hamburg Twp., Michigan, and six grandchildren (Tyler, Alyssa, Colton, Roxie, Bridgette and Jasmine). Norm was preceded in death by his very special and dear son, Jeff Parker, his first wife, Ginger Hunter, and his brother Richard Parker.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Count Me Out Of This Circus Act
By RON MALY
The most idiotic story of the 2014 professional baseball season was generated today by Theo Epstein, president of the Chicago Cubs. Epstein showed strong signs of mental instability by saying he's sending Manny Ramirez, a baseball bum who doesn't know the meaning of the word hustle, to Des Moines' Triple-A team as a player-coach. It looks to me like Epstein, whose Chicago team is the worst in the major leagues, is trying to thoroughly embarrass the people of metropolitan Des Moines who actually spend money to watch games at Sec Taylor Stadium. I also was thinking about writing that Epstein is also trying to embarrass Mike Gartner, owner of the Des Moines team. But, actually, that's impossible. Gartner has been embarrassing himself throughout his life. He's been a fool forever. I am now of the opinion that Epstein, Ramirez and Gartner deserve each other. I know I won't be getting anywhere near Sec Taylor Stadium. I've seen plenty of circuses, and I don't need to view another one.
Friday, May 23, 2014
The Future Is In Great Hands
By RON MALY
Anyone who has kids or grandkids knows this is a huge weekend for high school graduations. And we'll be right in the middle of it. We'll be hitting the road for Shelby's gradation tonight from Concordia Academy in the Twin Cities, winding up a journey that began at Eastern Heights Lutheran, then went on to Central Lutheran and finally to Concordia Academy. A ton of memorable Grandparents' Days are included in those years. For Shelby, it'll be on to Concordia-Moorhead in the fall for more academics, more volleyball. Because of the travel plans, there are other graduations we'll be forced to miss this weekend. Like Jerod's and Justin's. I called Justin, the kid next door, yesterday and told him the situation, I watched him grow up, and in a few months he'll be headed to Iowa State, where he plans to study criminal justice. He came over for a visit yesterday afternoon, and it was a pleasure listening as he detailed his plans, then handing him his graduation card and gift. The best of luck to all of you young folks. You're the future, and you'll handle it all very well.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Maybe Bill Fitch Is the Cavs' Answer
By RON MALY
The word is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the latest NBA team to check out Fred Hoiberg's interest in coaching them. I'm assuming Hoiberg told the Cavs, who have the No. 1 pick in the
upcoming pro draft, to shove it because he's happy at Iowa State. Well, actually, knowing Fred's personality, he really wouldn't have told Cleveland to shove it, even if he felt that way. He'd have put the matter into more of a delicate state. But face it. If Hoiberg hadn't told the Cavs he wasn't interested in their job, they wouldn't have asked Florida's Billy Donovan and Michigan State's Tom Izzo if they wanted it, as ESPN.com reported. Guys like Hoiberg, Donovan and Izzo have much better jobs than those in most pro cities. NBA franchises can forget the top 15 or 20 collegiate coaches in the nation. They need to go after guys who have already been canned by other pro teams. If Cleveland really gets desperate, maybe it will see if Cedar Rapids native, and longtime neighbor of mine, Bill Fitchwants the job again. He coached the Cavaliers many years ago. Of course, Fitch is 85 or so years of age now. Which means he'd fit right in with the Cleveland franchise at this stage.
The word is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are the latest NBA team to check out Fred Hoiberg's interest in coaching them. I'm assuming Hoiberg told the Cavs, who have the No. 1 pick in the
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| Bill Fitch |
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
It was 3:45 this afternoon and things were going well. I'd had appointments with two doctors--one male doctor, one female doctor--this morning, and both said I was fit as a fiddle. Well, as fit as a fiddle a guy my age could expect to be anyway. After returning home and enjoying a pasta-with olive-oil-jalapeno lunch, I watched the first eight innings of the Cubs-Yankees game on TV, The Cubs were ahead, 2-0, so [assuming the bullpen could get three more outs], they'd sweep the two-game series from the hapless Bronx Bombers. I was scheduled to meet Mike Mahon and 96-year-old [97 in July] Paul Morrison on Free Pie Day at Village Inn. On the drive to the restaurant, I was thinking about telling Mahon and Morrison something like, "After watching last night's game [a 6-1 Cubs victory] and today's game [which I assumed the Cubs would win, 2-0)], I'm thinking this is the worst Yankee team I've ever seen." I should have known better than to be having crazy thoughts like that running through my mind. While I was still on my first cup of Dark Roast at Village Inn, Mahon was checking the sports news on his smartphone, and informed me that the Yankees had tied the game, 2-2, against the Cubs' closer. "That means the Cubs are dead," I said. "They'll never win in extra innings." I was right. The Cubs lost, 4-2, in 13 innings. So I've changed my mind. A little anyway. This season's Yankee team is still the worst I can ever recall. The worst Yankee team, I mean. But the Cubs are worse than the Yankees. Much worse. By the way, my pie selection today was triple-berry. It was a lot better than the baseball game.
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| Paul Morrison |
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Mayor Scores Again. This time Hallice Cooke, a 6-3 Guard Who Can Shoot 3-Pointers As Well As Anyone, Says He's Transferring from Oregon State To Become a Cyclone. Like Ron Maly Writes, the Rich Get Richer
By RON MALY
The rich are getting richer.
By that, I'm referring to Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State's basketball coach.
Hoiberg not only received a $600,000 pay raise recently, but also continues banking talented basketball players for his powerful Cyclones program.
The latest player who says he'll be wearing an Iowa State uniform is Hallice Cooke, a 6-3 guard who decided to become a Cyclone a few hours after Oregon State named a new coach.
How's that for giving the new guy a vote of confidence?
Cooke's decision to transfer to Iowa State came at the end of the same day that 7-1 Georgios Tsalmpoiuris, a center from Greece, said he will be a Cyclone as a freshman.
The only difference is that Tsalmpoluris will be eligible in the upcoming season, but Cooke won't be eligible until after he sits out the 2014-2015 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
Cooke made his own announcement about transferring. He posted it on Instagram.
He is the 12th transfer to become part of Hoiberg's program.
The man they call The Mayor began coaching at his alma mater in 2010.
He gets transfers from other schools just as often as rumors circulate that he's investigating an NBA job.
Indeed, Hoiberg has a great thing going. People keep spreading rumors that he's possibly going to the NBA, Iowa State consequently gives him a pay raise and he stays in Ames.
Kind of reminds me of when Forest Evashevski was Iowa's football coach in the 1950s and early-1960s.
Once it became evident that the man they called Evy was going to be a big winner at Iowa, rumors began spreading that he'd likely become the coach at his alma mater, Michigan.
Evy loved the rumors, Iowa didn't.
But he didn't leave Iowa City until after he'd quit coaching and he was pushed out as Iowa's athletic director in the Sixties.
Some Kool-Aid drinkers are thinking Iowa State will become a top-5 team nationally once Tsalmpoluris and Cooke get their feet on the ground in Ames, and team up with Hoiberg's other strong recruits.
They'll get no argument from me on that.
For all I know, Iowa State could be a top-3 program [behind possibly Kentucky, whose coach cheats, and Duke, whose coach is Coach K, who doesn't cheat but knows how to both recruit and coach].
I say that because of Hoiberg's coaching ability and the players he's attracting.
Cooke was one of the best freshmen in the Pac-12 Conference in the 2013-2014 season.
He averaged 8.2 points and shot 45.6 percent from the 3-point stripe.
That's music to the ears of Cyclone fans, who love watching the Cyclones run and drill 3-pointers.
Cooke played that well while on a team
coached by Barack Obama's brother-in-law.
Oregon State's record this past season was 16-16, then the guy was fired.
In other words, he didn't do any better than Obama is doing in his job.
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