Seasons Greetings (Della Robbia Wreath from The Boys Republic)
Annual Steve McQueen Festival in March
Barbara Leigh with Steve on Set of Junior Bonner
Author Marshall Terrill
Barbara McQueen
Gordon Bethune
"A Tribute to Joni Mitchell" Wendy Matthews, Katie Noonan, Rachel Gaudry. Louise Perryman, Kristin Bernardi, Tania Bowra and Virna Sanzone
Artist Connie Douglas
Author and former Beatles ManagerKen Mansfield
Brian and Janelle Jones
Brian with Natalie Rose Jones
Rich Mackney
Tom Jones
Trevor Tredaway
Inevitably, it seems only natural on the last day of 2009 to take a look back at this past year here on the BLOG Page with gratitude for so many memorable experiences. With your kind permission I'd like to share some of the highlights with you.
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Our feature "The Interview" brought forward a memorable visit with maverick airline CEO Gordon Bethune. I got a kick out of our visit in Continental Airline's downtown Houston offices at his mix of folksy examples of common sense peppered with bit of salty language. Later, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit with a beautiful lady I first saw on the Big Screen in the movie Junior Bonner, actress and model Barbara Leigh. I was a kid when my best buddy and I were smitten with her in that film, and she laughed heartily at my story of the crush we had on her that summer! Who could have imagined I would be visiting with her--such a beautiful lady with a sweet personality. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Barbara. Marshall Terrill is a great friend of mine who will forever be associated with writing what is considered the seminal biography on actor Steve McQueen, "Portrait of an American Rebel". Through Marshall, many wonderful friendships were created and it was a pleasure to interview Marshall about his new book release on Steve appearing in 2010. Jeb Rosebrook, the screenwriter of Junior Bonner shared many memories of working on the set of the film with Steve and a memorable cast including Ida Lupino and Robert Preston. In March, Steve's widow and a dear friend to all of us, the lovely Barbara McQueen brought her photo exhibition from her years with Steve featured in her book "Steve McQueen: The Last Mile" to Chandler, Arizona. At the event, Barbara and Jeb spoke to the audience and answered questions from many admirers. Our Annual Steve McQueen Film Festival attracted nearly 7,000 hits during its run and I am grateful to my Special Guests who contributed so much to the Festival experience on my Blog.
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Artist Connie Douglas shared her art and Shnnoogle book series for children on "The Interview", and former Beatles manager Ken Mansfield also visited me with his new book release, "Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road". Ken was present on the rooftop of the Apple Building in London for what became The Beatles final performance captured in the film, Let It Be. Incredible!
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September was "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" and it was a busy month. I managed to write a heartfelt tribute to the late Gunner Gillespie, who will always remain in our hearts. Fifteen months in the planning stages, I was very honored to interview Brian and Janelle Jones, parents of the late Natalie Rose Jones. Natalie and Gunner died of a cancerous brain tumor called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gloma). The Jone's touched each of us by reaching out to parents worldwide and sharing from their experience with Natalie from their hearts, while helping the rest of us to understand this disease. Today, thanks to Brian and Janelle, more people are familiar with DIPG. There are 250 children diagnosed annually worldwide.
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In October, Rich Mackney graciously accepted my invitation to appear as my Special Guest on "The Interview". One year ago, Rich was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease". A great friend, Rich's remarkable courage led him to share a message of Hope with all of us in addition to addressing current and future treatments underway to cure ALS. Stay in touch with Rich on his website listed on my Blogroll!
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Several fun features included a video performance of singer Tom Jones in Las Vegas with his arrangement of Hoobastank's hit song "The Reason", while seven talented and lovely women in Australia created and sang a Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert in Oz. We featuredtwo tongue-in-cheek blog series': "10 Blogs of April Past" and "A Reality Check".
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The year ended warmly with news of beloved Actress and Model Ali MacGraw who chaired the Christmas Season Campaign of Della Robbia Holiday Wreaths created by students at The Boy's Republic in Chino Hills, California where actor Steve McQueen spent an important period of his youth as a student. Throughout the year, we also followed the journey of 4 year-old Trevor Tredaway's battle with brain cancer. My ongoing efforts to create a fundraising concert witnessed three efforts with a team of wonderful and caring volunteers. We were all challenged by the recession. Nevertheless, Trevor's journey is one that has also brought forward amazing examples of selfless love and generosity from many strangers who are now Trevor's new friends. The New Year will be terrific!
Occasionally, a person of accomplishment becomes overlooked in the world
of commercial aviation. Earl L. Estwick, Sr., is one such individual. He was the
highest-ranking person of color at Pan American World Airways when assistant to
President Najeeb Halaby, who was at the helm of Pan Am from 1969 to 1972.
(Opening remarks of my tribute to the late Earl L. Estwick, Sr.)
February 2010 (Volume 16 No 12) (Issue No 168) On sale on US and Canada newsstands from Tuesday, January 5 (27 January in the UK).
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Over the years, I have held some interesting jobs. Among them, a financial reporter, host of a weekend music magazine, Emceeing film festivals and interviewing authors, artists, musicians and CEO's. The magical thread along each of these endeavors has been uncovering the passion beneath the stories. The late Earl L. Estwick, Sr. is a person I did not want forgotten. Although he passed away in 1993, his philanthropy in New York led his wife Ruth and son Earl L. Estwick, Jr., to establish The Earl L. Estwick, Sr. Trailblazer Memorial Fund. This non-profit organization provides scholarships to academically qualified college-bound high school seniors. I've said this often. But we hear so much bad news on radio and television today that I try and counter this whenever possible with a positive news story, and this is one of them. It will appear soon in Airways magazine.
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Information about the Earl L. Estwick, Sr. Memorial Fund may be found at: www.estwickscholarships.com.
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you who visits my full website throughout the year. I am sincerely appreciative of the generosity of your time and also of your sharing. This alone is a very special gift!
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Iam aware that my website is overdue for a couple of updates. My first one should be done by early February. Blessings, Michael
Trevor Tredaway reminds me what Christmas is all about!
As a Fireman...
...and with sister Morgan at a Texas Rangers Baseball Game! -
Over the years, what I truly love about Christmas is the lights that adorn houses and buildings. But moreover, it is the expression of excitement and anticipation on children's faces that brings to mind what Christmas is really all about for me.
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For the last couple of years, many of you have been following the journey of 4 year-old Trevor Tredaway. I know Trevor and his wonderful parents and grandparents. He is really a humorous and resilient little boy who has been dealing with brain cancer. Trevor and his Mom, Melinda frequently fly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee for Trevor to receive medical treatments. A local Chile's restaurant there has become absolutely smitten with Trevor and when he is in town, the staff of that restaurant rally to welcome Trevor with a mix of surprises and this, invariably, becomes a celebration of his fun personality. In fact, I am quite sure that when others are dining there and Trevor arrives, there is but no doubt that a special guest is in the house! I have thoroughly enjoyed featuring Trevor on my site because he is such a great kid and his personality is so positively vibrant and humorous. He really loves making friends with everybody and so, he is simply a child I want to support any way I can because the truth of the matter is Trevor makes us care! What better way to capture the spirit of the Holidays than to feature the above photos? Better yet, you can visit Trevor's blog site at:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/trevortredaway
Visiting Trevor and leaving a comment of our supportiveness to Trevor's Mom and Dad, Melinda and Todd is a wonderful way for us all to celebrate the Holiday Season with Love, Friendship and Laughter. Trevor reminds me over and over what this glorious season is really all about. It's about sharing the Love for one another!
One of the things I've learned very quickly about living in Phoenix is that the city has a high number of intersection fatalities. As a former airborne television news reporter who worked split-shifts from a helicopter in the Mid-West, I saw my share of accidents. The most vulnerable people at any hour of the day or night are motorcyclists, bicyclists and especially joggers--most of whom prefer to train on the open road. Even with safety lanes painted on the road surfaces, accidents can happen.
The Road Runners Club of America says that it has been an advocate for safety with guidelines that have been in place for many years. Still, Jean Knaack, the organization's executive director admits that "you can advocate until you're blue in the face, but it just doesn't matter if people don't use common sense". Looking back, here's what I often observed from our vantage point in the helicopter:
Upon occasion, joggers may start across an intersection crosswalk when the Amber colored traffic signal light comes on. One vehicle may be slowing to a stop closest to the curb prompting a jogger to begin entering the crosswalk. However, the jogger may not see an oncoming vehicle in the center lane driven by a driver rushing to beat the red light. The results can be deadly.
Another common scenario we would often spot is a jogger running against the traffic so as to properly view and react to any mistake a motorist may make. In this instance, many drivers would stop at a red light before turning right. They'd look to their left for oncoming cars but not to their right. Again, the approaching jogger is vulnerable to disaster.
Using rear view and side view mirrors to back out of a driveway, many drivers fail to see approaching runners. What is the answer to keep joggers safe?
Joggers must assume drivers cannot see them. They must be prepared to wait for red lights and for drivers to acknowledge them. In traffic, I have never liked the idea of running a mere three feet from moving traffic. In fact, when I ran track and cross-country in high school and jogged through college and beyond, I always used back lots, trails or sidewalks. Over time, I preferred indoor tracks.
A 2009 Harris poll found that 72 percent of Americans use their cell phones while driving. The risk is just too great. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drivers programming GPS units, dialing cell phones and texting on Black-Berries contributed to nearly 6,000 fatalities caused by distracted drivers in 2008. Joggers must be prepared to jump onto the sidewalk or the shoulder of a road to avoid being struck by an oncoming motorist. But with so many running outdoors, running with proper ID must include carrying a cell phone with emergency contacts taped to its back. Also, the key to running outdoors anytime is to be seen.
Recently, Runner's World magazine conducted a field-test study and the results were worth blogging about to save a life.
At a 1/2 mile distance, running with a headlamp or a hand held light is a smart way to allow drivers to recognize you.
At a 1/4 mile distance, running with a reflective vest (which I personally used for years) or a blinking red headlamp or an arm band light that will reflect your motion and signal a hazard to most drivers is also smart (using both is optimal).
At any distance from 30 feet to 150 yards, a bright Yellow or Orange shirt with reflective panels on the sleeves is suggested. However, total reflective shirts are best. If you are running with dark pants and shirt, you are simply inviting tragedy.
Elderly drivers, those working longer hours to make ends meet in a tough economy who are driving tired behind the wheel and yes, even annoyed drivers who dislike joggers are additional factors to consider when running to train outdoors. Each of the accidents we saw from the news helicopter were frankly senseless and each one could have been prevented. To avoid a running tragedy, go to runnersworld.com/safety. Be safe!
- This Blog Post is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Dinunzio.
Diane J. (of Diane's Place blog fame) has been a wonderful blogging friend of mine for years. She has always shown deep compassion for the children I have featured on this site since 2006, and she herself has a heart of gold. With a wink and a nod, Diane asked me in her preceding Blog post Comment yesterday what happened to one of the best-known scenes in movie history: Bo Derek running on a beach toward the camera in slow-motion in Blake Edwards' movie, "10". Of course, I had to address this. There isn't a man alive today over the age of 21 who hasn't studied this iconic movie scene in silence and let his mind, heart and soul just soar. I'm sorry ladies, but that's a fact. Anyway, these concerns coincided with a phone call from one of my best friends in Ohio last night who asked me whatever became of my Blog feature "Friday Movie Suggestion Night"? After offering an explanation, I began searching for the above captioned film clip.
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The scene in this video has been shown on my BLOG Page several times over five-years. That's because I like it so much. It's funny, it's classy and it's real. I was thinking about it over lunch yesterday and it really struck me as a significant moment in the movie. The central character of composer George Webber (Dudley Moore) was dealing with a life crisis in Mexico where he had chased newly married Jennifer Miles (Bo Derek). In the midst of a visit to an outdoor patio resort bar, (by the way, this was Brian Dennehy's break-through role in film as "Don" the bartender) Moore manages to use his jagged-edge emotions for inspiration to finish a song he and his lyricist business partner Hugh (Robert Webber) are creating for a Broadway play. It's a warm and emotional piece of music with Dudley actually at the keyboard in a scene that ends with a wink and some humor before fade-to-black. Incidentally, the song featured here, "It's Easy To Say" was nominated for two Academy Awards and was written by Henry Mancini.
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Yeah, I know. You may have seen it. But then again, someone who may be stopping by for the first time here (God forbid) hasn't seen it before. Or if they have, well, it's probably been a very long time. So, to continue with some...er-uh, continuity, I felt it was a good idea to feature it.
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I hope your weekend before Christmas is quite nice. And if it's remotely possible, do enjoy the late Dudley Moore in this clip. I was watching a documentary on Dudley the other night where he visited his old neighborhood in England. I miss this fine actor and musician, as I am sure many of you do as well. Had he lived, I think he would have been delighted to learn that his real life friend and co-star in this film, Julie Andrews, is planning to come back to the stage again in 2010. So, I submit this Blog Post with a spirit of sincere appreciation to Blake Edwards (I've been a life-long fan of Blake's incredible work from "The Pink Panther" with Peter Sellers, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey Hepburn, "Days of Wine and Roses" with Jack Lemmon, "Skin Deep" with John Ritter and many more). To each of Blake's gems I say: "Cheers!" But moreover, to one of my best friendsin Ohio: for noticing the shuttering of "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" one-year ago earlier this month, and also the anniversary of the loss of my Dad yesterday. Friends like this confirm to me that I am truly blessed! Michael
The weekend is here, and I'm truly happy when someone mentions seeing a thread in something I have written. One of the truly great things about having your own BLOG Page is being able to post whatever you want. So, I felt like posting this short video from the Blake Edwards romantic comedy, "10". Julie Andrews was brilliantly cast in the film by Blake who wrote it and directed (see this film).
Good Morning. This is typically a very busy week for most of you, so I'll keep this short. I have been unusually quiet and felt that at least a partial explanation was in order.
The approaching festive holidays are a particularly vulnerable time for many of us. Without question, we are all facing challenges on so many fronts. Life today moves at a blinding pace. We are being overwhelmed with so much negative press on a daily basis. None of this is good for anyone wishing to embrace a healthy attitude and a kind demeanor toward others. I've been trying very hard to isolate just one Positive event to Blog about that would bring each of us some Hope. A good friend of mine e-mailed me about this surprise performance that was captured on camera early on the morning of March 23, 2009 at the Antwerp Central Railway Station in Belgium.
For 14 years now, we've been missing the singing voice of actress Julie Andrews following throat surgery. Thankfully, Julie will be returning to the stage at O2 Arena in London in May, 2010. In a cleverly organized fashion, and with only two rehearsals bemused passengers are gripped with amazement as Julie's recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Do-Re-Mi" (from the 1965 musical "The Sound of Music") was played over the public address system with some sparse overdubbing and help from 200 dancers. For me, the facial expressions of the passengers alone are worth watching this video! There is Hope for a brighter tomorrow, and it's never too late! Michael
Norman Rockwell may have passed away back in 1978, but he remains a fascinating artist of the 20th Century who beautifully captured the American way of life. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the United States of America's highest civilian honor, 574 of a total 4,000 of his prolific paintings are on display in a museum near his home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
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As a young kid who attended public schools, I recall seeing Norman Rockwell's paintings because they appeared on so many children's magazine covers in my elementary school. With the approaching festive Holidays, I wanted to include a Rockwell painting that reflects the Christmas Season as I experienced it as a child. What I see in the painting I have featured above is a more innocent time where the excited anticipation of the Holiday tradition is beautifully captured with simplicity and grace. I often wonder if children today feel this same sense of excitement? What are your thoughts?
As I previously mentioned, Steve McQueen visited The Boys Republic often throughout his life. He always remembered the boys who were students there, and his visits must certainly have been a thrill for them. I have always admired this quality about Steve. He may have been low key about his visits and his philanthropy during his lifetime, but it was always sincere.
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Perhaps one of the keys for any of us wishing to feel a deeper connection to the world around us is to become involved in a cause close to our hearts. This brings to mind the saying, "Be the difference that makes a difference". Wherever these young boys Steve visited long ago are today, I feel certain that none of them will ever forget "The King of Cool" taking a day to visit, listen and offer feedback from his own experience as a student at The Boys Republic. What could be more wonderful and validating to a young person? There may not be as many examples today of such self-less giving. But there is certainly a great deal of opportunity for all of us.
Actress Ali MacGraw Stars in 2009Della Robbia Wreath Campaign
One of the charitable causes listed on my Blogroll is that of The Boys Republic. This school is located in Chino Hills, California where actor Steve McQueen spent an important part of his youth as a student. Now comes some great news.
Actress and model Ali MacGraw has agreed to serve as Honorary National Chairman of the 2009 Della Robbia wreath campaign. In this role, she will appear in literature promoting Boys Republic's sale of the holiday decorations.
Ali became familiar to millions of people like myself through her acting career that began when she was offered the leading role of Brenda Patamkin in the screen version of Philip Roth's short novel, "Goodbye Columbus". The movie was a success, opening to tremendous popular and critical acclaim.
Her next film, "Love Story," made her a star. The film earned her international fame, an Academy Award nomination, a Golden Globe Award, and many additional honors worldwide. Other film credits include "The Getaway" co-starring Steve McQueen, "Convoy" with Kris Kristofferson, and "Players" co-starring Dean Paul Martin.
Ali currently lives in New Mexico. She works on behalf of numerous social, animal and environmental causes.
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The Della Robbia wreath program was introduced originally by Boys Republic founder Margaret B. Fowler to serve as a work experience vehicle for students of the non-profit school. The wreaths were patterned after a centuries-old ceramic design created by the Della Robbia family of Florence, Italy. In 1923, the first year of the Boys Republic Della Robbia campaign, only a few dozen wreaths were produced and sold on the streets of Pasadena. Today, Boys Republic’s students produce and ship more than 50,000 wreaths, each year, to destinations throughout the United States and around the world. What makes these wreaths so special?
Della Robbia wreaths are truly "a gift within a gift". When you buy a Della Robbia from Boys Republic, or give one to a friend or associate, you also give troubled teens an opportunity to learn important work-related attitudes and habits. In fact, one motto of the school is "Nothing without labor", and these values are, indeed, refreshing in today's world.
Della Robbia wreaths are produced through a work experience program that teaches disadvantaged students the value of honest labor while stimulating new levels of responsibility and self-control. From gathering, sorting and preparing seed pods to fastening them to wreath boughs and, finally, to shipping the finished Della Robbia, students experience the stress of adult responsibility while earning part of their own way. Here is where you can order a wreath for your holiday season:
Allow me to close with two great stories about the wreaths and The Boys Republic. Throughout actor Steve McQueen's career, he returned often to visit the students at the campus of The Boys Republic, and these were not merely photo ops. Steve would spend an entire day listening, sharing and exchanging life experiences with the boys who were students, just as he was years earlier. My good friend Marshall Terrill (my Special Guest on my Blog feature "The Interview") who authored the seminal book, "Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel" (and the upcoming "Steve McQueen: A Tribute to The King of Cool") shared another story during our visit this past March that has always stuck with me. Here's an excerpt from our March 25th & 26th visit:
Marshall Terrill: "Somebody just told me a story just the other day. She was a bartender at The Old Place in Malibu (California) and it was owned by Tom Runyon, this guy who was a co-star in "The Getaway"--and it's a funky old place in Agoura Hills off of Mulholland (Drive) where you go in and the only thing you can order is steak or clams. And they only served beer and wine. It's kind of a biker-actor-local character joint. And she was the bartender there and she told me that Steve--at that period of his life when he lived in Malibu--he just wanted to be Steve; he didn't want to be Steve McQueen. And often times he would come behind the bar and serve drinks. He had the beard and the long hair, so a lot of the time people wouldn't recognize him. He was just enjoying himself! He poured patrons drinks and he could just be a normal guy. She lived almost next door to The Old Place. She said every Christmas, she'd hear a little tap on the door in the morning and one day she opened it one morning and he said, "Oh, I wasn't supposed to wake you". She said, "What are you doing?" And he said, "Oh I'm just adding a little Holiday Cheer to your life!" This Christmas wreath that he was putting on the door that he purchased was from The Boys Republic; that's how they raised their money. They made these beautiful Christmas wreaths and Steve bought hundreds of these Christmas wreaths and he would go tack them up on people's doors just to show that he loved them and cared about them. At the same time, he was financially supporting the Boys Republic".
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Note from Michael: These wreaths are very special. I am planning on purchasing one myself. As a final footnote, I know that I speak for many when I say that Ali MacGraw has always struck me as a fine actress on stage or screen, a caring philanthropist and a Classy lady. May this Blog Post inspire and warm your own Holiday Season! Michael
First Place for USA's Shauna Rohbock & Michelle Rzepka (Photo: Reuters)
USA Women's Bobsled Team in Cesana L-R: Michelle Rzepka, Elana Meyers. Erin Pac, Bree Schaaf, Emily Azevedo and Shauna Rohbock (Photo: Charlie Booker)
For those of you who may have missed it, I have exciting news to share. The United States Women's Bobsled Team claimed victory and was absolutely awesome Saturday night in Cesana, Italy. They are well on their way to qualifying three sleds in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games after Americans Shauna Rohbock and Michelle Rzepka of the USA won the women's two-man bobsled World Cup race. In a finish that inspires all of us with dreams, Rohbock ended a four-year string of runner-up finishes with her victory in the FIBT Intersport World Cup women’s bobsleigh race held on the 2006 Olympic track. Rohbock has been second in three previous races on the Cesana track , including an Olympic silver medal in the 2006 Winter Games. “It only took me four years to finally get it,” said Rohbock.“Beating the Germans by this much just doesn’t happen, so it definitely feels good.” As a footnote to this jubilant comment, the Germans are very tough competitors and our girls turned in stunning performances!
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Rohbock, using Michelle Rzepka on the brakes, posted the fastest times of 21 sleds registered n both heats: 57.96 and 58.13 for a 1:56.09 total that was .34 seconds better than Cathleen Martini and Romy Logsch of Germany. Martini, who has won the first two races of the season, had runs of 58.10 and 58.33. Sandra Kiriasis and Berit Wiacker gave Germany the bronze medal with 58.03 and 58.42 clocking for a 1:56.45. Rohbock and Rzepka gave the sled momentum at the start, pushing times of 5.22 and 5.21 seconds, respectively.
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Erin Pac and push athlete Elana Meyers finished fifth with a two-run total of 1:56.58.Pacand Meyers teamed up for a first run push time of 5.17 seconds for a run of 58.23 seconds, placing the duo in seventh. Their second start time of 5.19 seconds for a run of 58.35 seconds led them to move up two positions into fifth place.
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Bree Schaafand push athlete Emily Azevedo (see my previous Blog posts) finished with a two-run total of 1:56:70. Schaaf and Azevedo teamed up for a first run push time of 5.30 for a run of 58.27 seconds. Their second start time of 5.29 seconds for a run of 58.43 seconds led them to a two-run total of 1:56.70 placing the duo in sixth place. Interestingly, Schaaf previously competed on the Cesana track as a World Cup skeleton athlete, but drove the course in a bobsled for the first time this week. These girls worked phenomenally hard in the months preceding this event, and it really paid off!
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“I am really proud of the team,” said U.S. head coach Sepp Plozza.“Shauna’s win was great and we were hoping she could do it today.Erin and Bree continue to prove they are in the mix with the best drivers in the world, and we are in a good position going into next week.”
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AWESOME PERFORMANCE, GIRLS!
YOU INSPIRE OUR COUNTRY.
TEAM BOBSLED USA!!
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Results:
1. Shauna Rohbock and Michelle Rzepka (USA) 1:56.09 (57.96, 58.13); 2. Cathleen Martini and Romy Logsch (GER) 1:56.43 (58.10, 58.33); 3. Sandra Kiriasis and Berit Wiacker (GER) 1:56.45 (58.03, 58.42);...5. Erin Pac and Elana Meyers (USA) 1:56.58 (58.23, 58.35); 6. Bree Schaaf and Emily Azevedo (USA) 1:56.70 (58.27, 58.43).
Spend any amount of time studying the dynamics of Bobsledding and one undeniable reality emerges; this isn't a game. It is a serious sport and the competition is intense. But it is also very dangerous. To mitigate the risks, team members are immersed year-round in training to become "one" with the bobsled (we Americans call it a "sled" versus the more internationally recognized term, "sleigh"). This is true of race car driving and even flying an aircraft, where the driver or pilot develops an innate sense of the vehicle as an extension of him or herself. Having flown aircraft and driven sports cars on limited controlled courses, I can attest to this simple concept as helpful in understanding the limits of both vehicles, but also what potential is possible as well. One develops a "feel" for the situation (whether car, plane or sled). In this wonderful illustration above, the carefully planned entry into the bobsled by both the 4-man and 2-man crews require every bit of precision and coordination that the driver shoulders for the duration of the run. The Push Bars are retracted and an aerodynamic crouching posture takes immediate precedence.
We've all become familiar with "living in the moment", and that is certainly important. But for the driver of the bobsled, that maxim also involves finding and maintaining the "Perfect Line" on the track, where optimum performance is achieved. The following phenomenon is one I remember noticing as a kid watching the late television sports announcer Jim McKay (1921-2008) commenting about on ABC's "Wide World of Sports".
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A turn taken too High will deliver speed, but at the sacrifice of increasing distance (and in certain instances, losing control of the sled). I've witnessed crashes. And in less severe instances, I've seen teams on a flawless run dramatically enter a banked turn High, then lose a promising position in a race. A turn taken too Low may shorten distance, but you wind up sacrificing speed. Physics is everything and gravity after the push-off is crucial throughout severe drops, twists and turns. Once the push-off stretch is completed and the crew enters the bob to assume their position, the driver has to utilize every ounce of skill and precision to maximize speed and distance (with the aid of gravity) to achieve the fastest performance. Crew members may shift their weight in conjunction with the requirements of any given run (on Skeleton and Bobsled tracks); worldwide there are 16 of which 14 have FIBT approval. I can recall Jim McKay mentioning repeatedly the scars in the ice from previous sleds, and this brings to mind pole positions owing to the order of team runs. In short order, scarred ice can slow down subsequent sleds although friction between the narrow metal runners and the ice itself is measurable if not de-mini mus. Slower times can result. Then there is the steering issue. Personally, I like the pulley-cable system over the old school steering yokes (just a personal observation). A driver can feel the sled better and react with more precision.
Consider the level of skill and precision required of the driver at a speed of 90 miles per hour with only a 3 inch tolerance Left or Right to maintain a "Perfect Line". This is serious business. The driver's concentration and instincts must be highly coordinated. Up until this point, a bob is designed, built, tested and balanced with very strict weight requirements "Empty". In certain instances, ballast may be used by a team to add crucial weight within tolerances with the "Crew Aboard", as a heavier sled is faster, albeit, harder to push. A friend of mine who is a professional athlete proof read this Blog and stated: "Man, with all of these factors to consider, that is intense!" I would agree. Just to compete is itself a major achievement, as far as I'm concerned. I've always loved talking about this sport, even when I received weird facial expressions from my friends who have had to endure me discussing it during the middle of summer! In the end, it's great excitement. even for this passionate Layman. Enough already. Let's wish our USA team "the thrill of victory"!
Good Morning! Following up on my recent Blog Post, I felt it would be fun to profile Emily Azevedo, and her role as a Brakewoman on the USA Women's Bobsled Team.
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Since Bobsledding is very inspiring to me (including 2-man and 4-man teams) I found it interesting to note that Emily Azevedo's decision to become a bobsledder came after watching the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Historically-speaking, this is very recent when you stop and think about it. Wasting no time, Azevedo went on to make her debut during the 2006-2007 season. At the World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland with driver Erin Pac the duo finished eighth. At the World Cup in Igls, Austria they finished tenth. As I previously noted, in the 2008-09 season, Azevedo teamed with driver Bree Schaaf, winning the National Championships. At Whistler, Azevedo and Schaaf raced to a 5th place finish on the 2010 Olympic track. Azevedo finished off her season racing with Schaaf to 10th place at the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid.
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Bio
Azevedo graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2005 with a degree in Exercise Biology. While attending UC-Davis, Azevedo was an athlete on the track and field team and currently holds the school record in the 100-meter hurdles. This is amazing! If any of you have run track or cross-country (as I have) then you can understand the tremendous commitment that is required of these athletes to achieve and maintain excellent physical conditioning for bobsledding.
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Points of Interest
Televised Bobsledding events are wonderful because they take us from our living rooms to competition held all over the world so that we can see what is required of the driver and brakeman/woman as push athletes. It may surprise you that bobsleds weigh hundreds of pounds. Both the driver and brakeman/woman have to get the bob moving (or what is tantamount in drag racing called "off the line") from a complete stop in seconds. This requires the duo to run as fast as they can, then jump inside the bob before the first curve. For this reason, bobsledders train year-round in track and field events such as sprinting, jumping, pulling and lifting. Weightlifting is mandatory for brakemen/women since their primary role is to get the bob moving. Time means everything, right down to a fraction of a second. The critical push-off can make or break a team's performance; a 1/10 of a second lead can equate to 3/10 of a second by the time the bobsled crosses the Finish Line. Team members wear spiked start shoes to achieve maximum traction on the ice. The sport's requirements hold that the spikes cannot be no longer than one millimeter, no wider than four millimeters and no farther apart than three millimeters. The skintight, aerodynamic body suits you see the teams wearing are used to help reduce drag on the way down the run. During the push-off stretch, the driver jumps first into the bobsled followed by the brakeman/woman. Each team member crouches in an aerodynamic position. Another requirement involves wearing a protective helmet, usually with a full-face visor or a pair of goggles. This is a dangerous sport at speeds of 90 miles per hour. Lastly, both team mates must withstand forces of up to five times the force of gravity during the banked turns of the race.
In 2007, the debut of Mixed Teams (Men and Women) included Emily Azevedo with Eric Bernotas, Erin Pac, Noelle Pikus-Pace, Mike Kohn, and Curtis Tomasevicz. Very Cool!
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This Saturday, December 5th I hope you will enjoy watching the delayed video of each race at www.fibt.com. You can be sure that I will be accessing the video after work!
Basically, I'm a Public Relations Consultant with a background in Broadcast News. I've worked as a Reporter and Anchor with PBS, ABC, CBS & NBC affiliates and in Cable Television. I'm active in Radio & Television Commercials, Guest Speaking engagements and I enjoy writing, music and sports.
Annual Steve McQueen Festival in March
Barbara Leigh with Steve on Set of Junior Bonner
Author Marshall Terrill
Barbara McQueen
Gordon Bethune
"A Tribute to Joni Mitchell"
Artist Connie Douglas
Author and former Beatles Manager Ken Mansfield
Brian and Janelle Jones
Brian with Natalie Rose Jones
Rich Mackney
Tom Jones
Trevor Tredaway
