Michael Manning

MCQUEEN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 5TH YEAR!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:01:00 +0000

March 21, 1967
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
(Photos: Donna Redden)

Outside Grauman's on Hollywood Boulevard
(Photo: Michael Manning)
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If you're not a journalist, I have some news for you (no pun intended). It's very difficult to write a blog right after my series on The Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Difficult, but not impossible. Here's why:

We are just a few weeks out from an event that has made it to my website each year during the week of March 24th. Believe it or not, this will mark our 5th Annual Steve McQueen Film Festival on Blog. Yeah, I know. It sounds pretty wild if you've never experienced it, and since I created it in the first place, I will admit that it is unique. The best way for me to explain it, with some brevity, is to recap last year's 'Festival'. March 24th is the birthday of my favorite actor--Steve McQueen. Each year, I try to change things up and make the 'Festival' fun for everybody who follows it.

Last year was a fascinating experience. I picked out a slate of McQueen films that were presented out of the sequence in which they were filmed. Basically, I discuss each film and include some interesting facts related to McQueen's life. I add in some "behind the scenes" stories of each film and make an attempt to explain how Steve made each role so unique. Here's where it got interesting!

Marshall Terrill--a great friend who authored "Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel"--sat down with me over breakfast at Scottsdale, Arizona's historic Valley Ho resort. Our tape recorded interview ran over two days on these pages. Another great friend--Jeb Rosebrook--Screenwriter of the 1972 McQueen film, Junior Bonner, also met me for an early morning breakfast interview to discuss Steve's favorite film (and mine) among the thirty he appeared in throughout his short life. Junior Bonner was filmed in Prescott, Arizona where Marshall and a group of our close friends toured the film locations with the amazing William Pierce. William was a member of the Arizona Film Commission in Prescott in 1972. He worked closely with Steve McQueen during the ten week-period of filming and also shared a scene with Steve at the beginning of the movie. But wait...there's more!

Steve's co-star, the beautiful Barbara Leigh also visited with me days before I sat down with Marshall and Jeb. Each of these visits over coffee and breakfast (and one dinner) made for some fascinating and memorable experiences! In April, I am looking forward to attending "Steve McQueen Days" in Slater, Missouri where Steve spent several years of his boyhood. So, there you have it!

The Film Festival is being assembled and, as usual we will have interesting guests and superb films. There will be a wonderful announcement made during the 'Festival' and as the old saying goes, "If I say anything more, it won't be a surprise". So, on that note March is officially underway. Spring is not that far off, and while you may have just finished shoveling snow off your driveway and sidewalks (depending on where you live) I can promise you a great Film Festival ahead. Details to follow.
MM

OLYMPICS CLOSING CEREMONIES & MEMORIES!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:01:00 +0000

Athletes surround the Olympic cauldron at BC Place on
February 28, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.
(Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/Team USA.org)

L-R: Elana Meyers & Erin Pac Team USA Bobsled Bronze Medalists
(Photo: Charlie Booker)

Erin Pac, Driver, Sled 2
(Photos: Charlie Booker & USBSF)

Elana Meyers, Brakeman

Shauna Rohbock, Driver, Sled 1

Michelle Rzepka, Brakeman

Bree Schaaf, Driver, Sled 3

Emily Azevedo, Brakeman

L-R: Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen & Steven Holcomb
4-Man Bobsled Gold Medalists
(Photo: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images & Team USA.org)

Steven Holcomb, Driver

Steve Mesler, Push Athlete

Justin Olsen, Push Athlete

Curt Tomasevicz, Brakeman

These men and women are awesome. They shared with us their journeys and dreams and made us care. Our hearts are glowing!

My thanks to: Dave Davies, Travis Souders and Patrick Kinmartin of The Chico Enterprise, Liza Peiffer of Team USA News, Robert Rees and Steve Foster of The Sports Piece.com., Park City's Daily Herald and Jason Franchuck, Charlie Booker and Amanda Bird of the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, Maura Lynch of The Associated Press and The U.S. Olympic Committee. Without their generosity this blog series would not have been possible.

TEAM USA MEN'S 4-MAN BOBSLED EARNS GOLD!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:35:00 +0000

L-R: Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen and driver Steve Holcomb

(Photo: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images & Team USA.org)
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It was an emotional evening where it can be said that grown men shouted and cried. I was one of them. Like millions across America, I was so proud to see the four men of Team USA jump atop the medal podium together. As our national anthem was played, each put their right hand over their heart. I said to myself, "This is actually happening. Life is good".

The 62-year drought for the USA Men's Olympic Bobsled Team gold medal is officially over. Driver Steve Holcomb and push athletes Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen and brakeman Curt Tomasevicz blazed down the Whistler Sliding Center in 51.52 seconds for a final run time of 3:24.46, 0.38 ahead of rival Germany's defending gold medalist Andre' Lange who earned the silver medal. Canada's team led by driver Lyndon Rush earned the Bronze medal. At Lake Placid, New York last February, Holcomb and his team mates broke a 50-year gold medal drought to win the 2009 World Championship.

Steven Holcomb: "It'll take a little while for it to sink in. You work so hard to get somewhere, and you finally get there, you say, 'Now what? I don't know what to do,'" Holcomb said. "But at the same time, these guys have trained so hard and worked so hard and gone through so much the last four years, so to end on a high note like this is huge. It's going to be an interesting day. It's overwhelming. It's a relief.

"I think this will put us on the map a little more. We've always been kind of a threat, but we haven't been at the top of our game," he said. "To now have a World Championship and an Olympic gold medal is huge."

Steve Mesler: "There was a moment when the four of us were standing there and everybody else had gone inside and we were the last off and it was a moment where I just stopped for half a second and took it in. Four of us, empty parking lot and going down the hill. I'll never forget that."

Justin Olsen: "If you try to take into perspective that this is the Olympics, the biggest race of your life, that’s where you mess up. If you try too hard, you’re more likely to mess up. Just take it like it’s a normal race. We’ve been here before. We were here last year when we were in Lake Placid [at the World Championships.] That was a learning experience. We came out [in Lake Placid] on the second day and we increased our lead. Today I know we didn’t lay down the runs we had yesterday with that much of a lead, but… Andre Lange (Germany) and Lyndon Rush [Canada] are competitors and they were going to do everything they could to catch up to us".

Curt Tomasevicz: "With the sport of bobsledding there’s always that chance that something could go wrong. That’s why it’s a great sport. Until we cross that finish line, nothing’s really written in stone. It was a good feeling when we finally crossed the finish line".

Congratulations, guys on winning the gold! You represented the United States well, and we are all so very proud of you! I can't imagine a better way to close out the 2010 Winter Olympics.
MM

THE NIGHT TRAIN HAS ARRIVED!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:57:00 +0000

"The Night Train"
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(Photo: Amanda Bird & USBSF)

In just a few hours from the time I am writing this message, Steve Holcomb and Team USA will "open the throttles"---so to speak---with everything they have to race for the Gold medal. Meantime, here is a late recap.

On Friday, "The Night Train" made history by capturing the lead in both heats of the Men’s Four-Man Bobsled Olympic competition at Whistler. Team USA led by driver Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah), and push athletes Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas), Steve Mesler (Buffalo, New York) and Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Nebraska) also set back-to-back speed records on the Whistler Olympic track!

The team delivered a Heat 1 start of 4.75 seconds, breaking the push record before sliding the course in just 50.89 seconds with a top speed of 95 miles per hour. In Heat 2, the team's start was even more brisk by two-hundredths of a second with the men navigating the 16-curve course in a blistering 50.86 seconds, breaking their previous track record!

Team USA slid a two-run total of 1:41.75 gaining four tenths of a second lead at the bottom of the track. The United States will be the first team to start in today's final heats at 1 p.m. The 2010 Olympic Gold will be determined by the team with the lowest combined time over four heats. Despite the elation, pilot Steve Holcomb maintained reserve yesterday.

“We have to stay focused,” said Holcomb “It’s a two-day race and we’re at half time. If we can put down two solid runs tomorrow we’ll stay in the mix.”

Canada's team led by Lyndon Rush took second place. Germany's team led by Andre Lange, 36--the most decorated pilot in bobsled history--took third place. Lange will officially retire after his Olympic performance.

It's all on the line for Team USA. The United States hasn't won a Gold medal in 62 years, since Francis Tyler steered his way down the track in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The United States made a valiant run in 2002, finishing second and third. It all comes down to tonight's performance!

CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM USA WOMEN'S BOBSLED: A FAN'S PERSPECTIVE!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:37:00 +0000

Above: Before Competition
(Photo: Amanda Bird & USBSF)

L-R: USA Driver Erin Pac & Brakewoman Elana Meyers
(Photo: AP)

Owing to my work hours, this post is appearing much later than I would have liked. But I also suspect that for many, it might also be a departure from the status quo of raw data. Having been in the news business, I can tell you that statistics alone never did much for me. Statistics never revealed the heart, passion, motivation and the emotional current simmering beneath the surface of a positive story of people with the depth of character and conviction that drove our Team USA Women's Olympic Bobsled effort. These past 48 hours have been something else! I hope that in some small way, my blog series has filled in some of those gaps and moved you with awe, because last night our girls--every one of them--was absolutely riveting! So let's get some facts and figures out of the way and then I'll digress--which is something you don't get much of a chance to do behind a microphone or in front of a camera in the news business. But this isn't the news business. This is about Bobsledding!

Unprecedented! If there was one fact in this journey that thrilled me to no end, it was that the United States of America qualified three bobsleds in the Olympic competition. Last night, driver Erin Pac with brakewoman Elana Meyers earned the Bronze medal on the world stage! They had a combined time of 3:33.40 after posting a fourth heat time of :53.78. Kailee Humphries and Heather Moyse broke the track speed record in their first three runs before earning the Gold medal. They posted a combined time of 3:32:28 with a fourth heat time of :53:23. Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown earned the Silver medal with a total combined time of 3:33:13.

Team USA's sled 3 driven by Bree Schaaf and brakewoman Emily Azevedo placed fifth with a combined time of 3:34:05, while Team USA sled 1 driven by Shauna Rohbock and Michelle Rzepka posted a fourth heat time of 3:34:06 to place sixth.

Pac and Meyers astounded me with their cool composure across Tuesday and Wednesday night in a week when pressures mounted. Eighteen bobsled crashes in both the two and four-man bobsled training and competition events combined since February 17th came to a head this past Monday morning. Two four-man bobsled teams from Latvia and Croatia crashed on the notorious Turn 13, dubbed the "50-50" by American driver Steve Holcomb in 2009 over the sheer chances of driving clean through without incident. Olympic officials moved swiftly to hold a meeting on the turn with team coaches and subsequently modified the turn and other areas of the track by shaving off at least one inch of ice. Troubling news surfaced that Pac had strained a left hamstring during a training run. Before the camera, all I was could see was Pac and Meyers with those infectious grins and faces that lit up in between runs as they discussed what they had discovered on their previous run to the bottom of the course, and what they had to "clean up" in the next run. Whatever pain or discomfort Erin Pac was experiencing, I could only imagine. Nevertheless, both women were "confident", citing their training runs in previous days. Tuesday evening, weather conditions were steadily deteriorating. As their sled was placed onto the track, Pac could be seen repeatedly clearing away fresh snow from her push bar. Here was a woman who started to drive in 2007. An incredible journey to The Olympics!

Most notable to me with Team USA sled 3 driver Bree Schaaf and Emily Azevedo were the exits from Turn 2. NBC announcers described the experience of "being dropped down four stories" with the speed of "an exploding rocket" on the Whistler track. The duo was delighted beyond belief to be living the Olympic dream, but Azevedo's push starts with Schaaf left no doubt that they were there to win. Their start times were consistent with good drive lines.

Shauna Rohbock was everything I came to expect as a bobsled fan: Fierce, intensely focused. When she checked with brakewoman Michelle Rzepka at the start and assumed the start position, I could only imagine the German team shuddering. Her load's were impressive. So too was her candor about some difficult turns: "Just been struggling with it all week," she said. "Nobody really has a clue there, and we just keep trying different lines and they're just not working out." In the fourth heat NBC announcers found her "Cleaner on (turn) 2--her cleanest yet! Great eye-hand coordination. This is one of the best bobsled athletes the U.S. has ever had". I agree.

There was a break and a brief note from the announcer about the G-forces at four-times what an astronaut experiences during a rocket launch. On my living room wall, I have a large custom built shadow box frame containing a photo of Apollo 8 Astronaut Colonel Frank Borman and myself after our 2001 magazine interview in New Mexico. There is his inscription to me signed on the outer jacket of his autobiography, "Countdown", and patches of NASA, Gemini VII and Apollo VIII. I gazed at the framing, then back at the television set. G-forces--stresses and strains to the body during rapid acceleration. As I stated earlier, I'm a fan and not an expert. No, I can't prove what the German team was feeling as they looked on during Rohbock and Rzepka's run. But in a frightening instant, we all watched with horror as Germany's sled number 2 driver Cathleen Martini crashed. Brakewoman Romy Logsch was ejected from the back of the sled and death was suddenly very real to us. I shudder to think that Logsch was ejected at what I believe was over 80 miles per hour onto the ice as Martini continued skidding upside-down in the stricken sled. They survived and reminded us all how dangerous this sport is. Metal on ice, G-forces and split-second reflexes. And at the end, there too is victory.

Erin Pac: “I’m not really sure how I feel yet. I still feel the same. It’s just going to be something hanging around my neck for the rest of my life. It’s not going to change me or Elana. We just feel a little bit happier.”

Elana Meyers: “I was just trying to stay calm and relaxed. We’ve been going at this to have fun this whole time, and that’s really what I was trying to do. I had the hugest grin on my face going down because I knew we were about to do something special.”

Shauna Rohbock: “The U.S. got a medal today and that’s what’s most important. Erin did a great job and put four runs together to be on the podium and I wasn’t able to do that, so it’s awesome that we were able to have those four sleds in the top six."

Michelle Rzepka: "My dream as a girl was to be an Olympian. You want to win and be on the podium, but I'll take this experience with me forever. The competition was intense. This is a new track, with speeds we've never seen before. All the drivers struggled. But I'm happy that North America was represented well. I'm proud of Erin and Elana."

Bree Schaaf: “It’s been a pretty emotional experience. The whole two weeks leading up to it you can just feel so much energy. Just trying to control it and harness it as much as we could today.”

Emily Azevedo: “Obviously we would have liked three in the top three, but top six isn’t too bad. I think we just gave it everything we had.”

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Wrap Up

In retrospect, I really can't tell you what led me to locate the original first post I featured of Bree Schaaf. However, I can tell you what it meant to me. It was about dreams. It was a story that made me smile and recall a book my Pastor wanted to write titled, "Supportiveness". Good, healthy, solid support from family, friends and community. Bree Schaaf lived closest to Vancouver than any of her team mates. Emily Azevedo spoke of her love for home town Chico, California and of her hopes to give back what approximately 22,800 residents gave her along with her family: Supportiveness. Dave Davies, Sports Editor of The Chico Enterprise newspaper and I spoke a few times by phone where I implored him to allow me to access the audio interview the paper did by telephone with Emily and he agreed. I remember feeling happy that I had a voice to go along with photos of a woman who clearly possessed a good sense of humor, amid the thrill of competing as one of the world's best. Michelle "Mickie" Rzepka's broad smile and her faith in driver Shauna Rohbock's experience spoke volumes about the team cohesiveness each of these woman--drivers and brakewomen alike had--and it was tight. Shauna Rohbock's video interview while the team stopped at Park City, Utah en route to Vancouver found her feeling comfortably at home and similarly gave us a closer look at the energy and focus she has. Each woman's background was fascinating. Shauna Rohbock is a former soccer stand-out. Bree Schaaf was a Skeleton athlete. Erin Pac, Michelle Rzepka and Emily Azevedo were tops in track and field, and Elana Meyers was a collegiate softball all star. But there was more to this blog series over these days.

For me there was early morning breakfast, mugs of hot coffee and lots of homework on these women before driving off to work. There were late nights-into early mornings with much of the same activity after work at home. In between, there was also a sense of attaching faces with voices thanks to audio and video. There was a lot to ponder after piecing together collegiate sports and academic pursuits. In the background, there was the wonder of six women from different states: Washington, Utah, California, Georgia, Michigan and Connecticut. There were photos of push competitions and team building camps. There were images of morning sprints on tracks and weight training in gymnasiums freshly annealed in our imaginations. This sacrifice and dedication twelve months a year for a worldwide event held only every four years easily goes beyond the so-called "ken of human imagining". But these six women came together as our Team USA Women's Bobsled--astounding when you consider that 2002 was the first outing for the Women's Team! For 2010, the competition has concluded.

I hope you feel as privileged as I do to have at having a certain sense of knowing these remarkable women better. They are now familiar to us, and they have reminded us that dreams can and do come true. They made us care. We believe in them, and even in times as difficult as these, they helped us believe more in ourselves. I hope we see them in 2014. To each woman I say:

You honored our country and made us very proud. You are The Best!
MM

WOMEN'S BOBSLED FINAL HEATS TONIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Team USA Sled 2's Erin Pac (driver) & Elana Meyers (brakewoman)
(Photo: Amanda Bird/USBSF)

Under snowfall conditions, the Women's Bobsled competition in Whistler, Canada last night was very intense. Team USA sled II's Erin Pac and push athlete Elana Meyers placed second in the first day of women’s bobsled 2010 Olympic competition after the first two of four heats. Competition will continue tonight at 5 p.m. PST, and the winner will be determined by the team with the lowest combined time over four heats.

WOMEN'S TEAM USA BOBSLED READY TO COMPETE!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:24:00 +0000

Our Women's Team USA Bobsled is Ready to Compete!

(Photos: Amanda Bird & USBSF)

L-R: Erin Pac (driver), Michelle Rzepka (brakewoman), Bree Schaaf (driver), Shauna Rohbock (driver), Emily Azevedo (brakewoman) and Elana Meyers (brakewoman).

The reason for re-introducing you to the remarkable ladies pictured above is simple. The journey they have taken to get to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver has been a phenomenal feat. This next 48 hours is their time to compete and it's going to be intense. The Whistler track is the undisputed world's fastest. It has also been controversial.

There have been 18 crashes involving bobsleds from Great Britain, Japan, Australia, Liechtenstein, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands on the super-fast Olympic track. Speeds have exceeded 90 miles per hour. When two four-man squads from Croatia and Latvia crashed yesterday morning during supplemental training (bringing the total crash count to 20), this prompted Olympic officials to assemble the team coaches near the infamous Turn #13--dubbed by Team USA's Steven Holcomb in 2009 as "the 50-50"--accentuating the inherent risks and danger in successfully driving a sled "clean" through this turn. At the conclusion of the meeting, plans were announced to shave more than an inch of ice from Turn # 13 and elsewhere to increase safety. Like many of you, I have carefully listened to the feedback from the coaches and athletes alike that made its way to print or broadcast media. The athletes are the true experts---the drivers and brakemen of both the two-man and four-man sleds in the Men's and Women's competitions, respectively. The tone I heard from this feedback in the media was mixed, ranging from outspoken alarm to reserved and cautious reflection. My hope is for safe and competitive runs for all teams. I must add that each of the women on our Team USA has allowed their humor, warmth and personality to shine through in endless media interviews in the weeks leading up to the Olympics. Many of us feel as if we know them nearly as well as neighbors in our communities. This a compliment to their authenticity.

With this in mind, I felt that it would be nice to compile their thoughts about the competition today and tomorrow. These games are fluid and dynamic and of course, anything can happen. No matter what, it's imperative that we give this incredible team our full support as they focus on giving their best for the USA!

--MM

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Women’s Bobsled Competition, Heats 1 & 2

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Women’s Bobsled Competition, Heats 3 & 4 (Medal Event)

“This track is so fast. You can’t prepare for this kind of speed because there’s nowhere else in the world like this. The track record was already broken last night, so I can’t imagine what we’re going to do on race day.
--Shauna Rohbock
(driver, Team USA Sled 1)

“Everything leading up to Opening Ceremonies and getting to Whistler was so exciting, I’ve been smiling constantly. Now I’m finally on the track doing what I love, and it’s starting to feel real. We’re getting ready for the big show, and things feel great in the back of the sled.”
---Michelle Rzepka
(brakewoman, Team USA Sled 1)

“The Olympics is about more than just your race and I think that’s what I enjoy the most about it. But when I’m at the track I’m not thinking, ‘This is my next Olympic run'. I’m just thinking about the course and figuring it out. I have some mistakes to correct and there’s still a lot to learn on this track before race day.”
--Erin Pac
(driver, Team USA Sled 2)

“The support I have from my hometown is tremendous. It’s definitely helped me stay focused knowing that people support me no matter what just for getting to this point. I didn’t come here to just slide though; we want a medal. I think we can do it, and the encouragement from home has definitely helped.”
--Elana Meyers
(brakewoman, Team USA Sled 2)

“This is going to be an exciting race. The curves are back-to-back and the course is fast, so it’ll be a fight for the medals. The support from Washington and my community has been amazing, and I definitely feel close to home here in Whistler."
--Bree Schaaf
(driver, Team USA Sled 3)

“Being here is incredible. Bree is such a positive and confident person, and she makes it a lot of fun. This track is definitely exciting, and I think Bree and I have a good chance to do well in the race."

--Emily Azevedo

(brakewoman, Team USA Sled 3)

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OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:10:00 +0000

Driver Steve Holcomb with Brakeman Curt Tomasevicz

"The Night Hawk"
(Photo: Sharon Botterill/Getty Images & Liza Peiffer, Team USA News)
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Team USA I with driver Steve Holcomb and brakeman Curt Tomasevicz had a push time of 4.84 seconds with a finish time of 51.98 seconds in the third heat, and a start time of 4.86 seconds finishing 52.03 seconds in the final heat to capture 6th place with their sled "The Night Hawk".

“Unfortunately, something didn’t work out. I drove well. We had two good pushes from Curt.", Holcomb told NBC Television after their final heat. "It’s just the Germans had something we didn’t today. I put in 100% and gave it everything I had and it didn’t work out", he said.

“Today didn’t go exactly how we wanted it to,” added Tomasevicz. “I feel like I could have gotten a little more out of the start, but it wasn’t our day I guess. It makes us even hungrier for four-man this week though.”

Team USA sled number 2 driver John Napier (Lake Placid, New York) and brakeman Steve Langton (Melrose, Massachusetts) placed tenth with a combined time finish of 3:29.40, while Team USA sled number 3 driver Mike Kohn (Fairfax, Virginia) and brakeman Nick Cunningham (Monterey, Calif.) maintained 12th place with a combined time finish of 3:29.35.

The titles may have been officially removed from two-man bobsled "The Night Hawk", and the four-man bobsled, "The Night Train". However, on February 26 and 27, Team USA has a real shot at ending a 62-year drought for the gold medal. The men drove a good race last night and they were humbled. As Curt Tomasevicz stated, however, they're also hungry. Let's give our Men's Team our total support. These are really fine young men of impeccable character who have sacrificed everything to get to the games, and they are going for the gold!

USA BOBSLED & SKELETON TRAINING & COMPETITION!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0000

Noelle Pikus-Pace
Team USA Skeleton

Katie Uhlaender
Team USA Skeleton

Eric Bernotas
Team USA Skeleton
Zach Lund
Team USA Skeleton

John Daly
Team USA Skeleton
(All Photos Courtesy: Liza Peiffer, Team USA News)
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While the focus of my Blog during the exciting Winter Olympic Games is Bobsledding (I have been a die-hard fan of Bobsledding since I was a kid) here's a brief word about Skeleton.

The final two heats for the Women’s and Men’s Skeleton competitions will take place tonight at the Whistler Sliding Center. Team USA features a strong field of World Cup and World Champions. The U.S. roster includes 2007 World Champion Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah), who will officially retire from the sport after crossing the finish line in the final competitive run, and two-time World Cup champion Katie Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colorado). The U.S entered three sleds into the men’s race, including Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pennsylvania), Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) and John Daly (Smithtown, New York).

The Men's Two-Man Bobsled training began yesterday in anticipation of the Olympic competition. Here is what the remaining training and competition schedule looks like:

Saturday, Feb. 20

Women’s Bobsled training

Men's Two-Man Bobsled competition, Heats 1 & 2

Sunday, Feb. 21

Men's Two-Man Bobsled competition, heats 3 & 4 (Medal Event)

Women’s Bobsled training continues

Monday, Feb. 22

Women’s Bobsled training concludes

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Men's Four-Man Bobsled training

Women’s Bobsled competition, Heats 1 & 2

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Men's Four-Man Bobsled training continues

Women’s Bobsled competition, Heats 3 & 4 (Medal Event)

Thursday, Feb. 25

Men's Four-Man Bobsled training concludes

Friday, Feb. 26:

Men's Four-Man Bobsled competition, Heats 1 & 2

Saturday, Feb. 27:

Men's Four-Man Bobsled competition, Heats 3 & 4 (Medal Event)

Sunday, Feb. 28:

Closing Ceremonies

Twenty sleds from 12 nations are on the Women’s Bobsled and Women’s Skeleton rosters. Men’s Skeleton competition will feature 28 athletes from 17 nations, while both Men’s Bobsled competitions will consist of 30 sleds. The Two-Man roster includes 18 nations, while the Four-Man event will include 20 nations.

JUSTIN OLSEN OF TEAM USA MEN'S BOBSLED!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:55:00 +0000

Justin Olsen
Team USA Bobsled
(Photo: Charlie Booker & USBSF)
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San Antonio, Texas brings to mind the famous River Walk tourist area. It also happens to be the home of push athlete Justin Olsen--our final profile of "The Night Train"--even if Olympic regulations require that title to be removed from the sled. Olsen's team mates are driver Steve Holcomb and fellow push athletes Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz.

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JUSTIN OLSEN

Justin Olsen's life passion was ignited after attending the United States Air Force Academy for one year. His mother heard about Team USA Bobsled tryouts during a radio broadcast in 2007. For Olsen, this became his true calling. After attending a series of bobsled camps and successfully testing for the team, Olsen met Team USA driver Steve Holcomb. But it was the first half of 2008 before Holcomb became convinced that Olsen was committed. "When he first came out, he seemed like he just wanted to do bobsled as a side thing. But over the summer of '08, he decided he wanted to be serious about it. He came out and made my team, and six months later he's a world champion. He's worked hard. He's very focused, and he does a great job at everything he puts his mind to", said Holcomb.

As a member of Holcomb's four-man squad, "The Night Train", Olson and his team mates earned one silver and two bronze medals during the first half of the 2008-09 World Cup season. During the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid, the 4-man team claimed the Gold medal.

FAST FACTS ABOUT JUSTIN

2009-2010 World Cup as push athlete for Steven Holcomb in the four-man-7th in Park City (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Cesana (Dec., 2009), GOLD in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), SILVER in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), SILVER in Konigssee (Jan., 2010), 4th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010), 8th in Igls (Jan., 2010).

2009-2010 World Cup as push athlete for Steven Holcomb & John Napier in the two-man-SILVER in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), 5th in Cesana (Dec., 2009), 19th in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 14th in St. Moritz (Dec., 2010).

2009 U.S. National Bobsled Push Champion

2009 U.S. National Champion as a push athlete for Steve Holcomb in the four-man

2008-2009 World Cup as a push athlete for Steve Holcomb in the four-man-BRONZE in Winterberg (Nov., 2008), 7th in Altenberg (Dec., 2008). SILVER in Igls (Dec., 2008)-GOLD at 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid (Feb., 2009).

2008-2009 World Cup as a brakeman for Steve Holcomb in the two-man-SILVER in Altenberg (12/08), BRONZE in Igls (12/08).

2007-2008 World Cup as push athlete for John Napier -15th in St. Mortiz (1/08), 18th in Konigssee (2/08)

"My role in bobsledding for the four-man is that I push on the left side. My job is to get the sled moving as fast as possible and to not make it slow down when I load. So, when (Steve) Holcomb loads, I have to be right there behind him--I can't just keep running on the ice. I have to get in as quickly as possible so that the other guys on the sled can continue as well. I'm the first push athlete in, but the last one to sit down. It's interesting, in that I get in and we all kind of sit down on top of each other--sort of. I can't sit down unless (Steve) Mesler sits down behind me. I take a lot of pride and that's one of the biggest reasons why I'm in the sport. And I feel like everybody has their way of giving back. So, some people join the military. Some people go into politics and they want to give back to the country in that way. Everybody gives back in their own way. Mine seemed to be back and forth. But here I am".

--Justin Olsen

STEVE MESLER OF TEAM USA MEN'S BOBSLED!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:20:00 +0000

Steve Mesler
Team USA Bobsled
(Photo: Charlie Booker & USBSF)

The Internet--of all places--is a curious place to discover a sport as daunting as bobsledding. But that is where push athlete Steve Mesler found the sport after graduating from college. Although his academic pursuits had concluded, Mesler wasn't ready to end his athletic career. In previous installments, we profiled driver Steve Holcomb (Park City, Utah) and Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Nebraska). Today we take a look at the third push athlete of the "Night Train"--the four-man Team USA number 1 bobsled.

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STEVE MESLER

In 2002, Mesler was named as an alternate for the Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It wasn't long before his talent was recognized. Mesler was honored along with Todd Hays, Bill Schuffenhauer and Pavle Jovanovic as the U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Month for November, 2004, December, 2004 and February, 2005. In the 2006 Olympic Games held in Torino, Italy he placed 7th in the 4-man bobsled with driver Todd Hays.

After the Olympic Games in Torino, Mesler was recruited to Steve Holcomb's 4-man bobsled team and finished the 2006-2007 season with impressive results: three Gold medals and two Silver medals. This achievement placed the team second in the 4-man overall World Cup standings.

During the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid, the 4-man team claimed the Gold medal. As a member of Steve Holcomb's "Night Train", Mesler occupies the third slot as push athlete.

Born in Buffalo, New York, Mesler competed for The University of Florida as a decathlete and graduated in 2000 with honors earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He resides in Calgary.

FAST FACTS ABOUT STEVE

Placed 7th at 2006 Torino Olympic Games in four-man with driver Todd Hays

2002 Olympic alternate

2009-2010 World Cup as push athlete for Steven Holcomb in the four-man-7th in Park City (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Cesana (Dec., 2009), GOLD in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), SILVER in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), SILVER in Konigssee (Jan., 2010), 4th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010), 8th in Igls (Jan., 2010).

2008-2009 World Cup as push athlete for Steven Holcomb in the four-man-BRONZE in Winterberg (Nov., 2008), 7th in Altenberg (Dec., 2008), SILVER in Igls (Dec., 2008), SILVER in Whistler (Feb., 2009), GOLD in Park City #1 (Feb., 2009), GOLD in Park City #2 (Feb., 2009)-GOLD at 2009 World Championships at Lake Placid (Feb., 2009).

2007-2008 World Cup as push athlete in the four-man-GOLD in Calgary (Nov., 2007), GOLD in Park City (Dec., 2007), SILVER in Lake Placid (Dec., 2007), 8th in Cortina (Jan., 2008), 11th in Cesana (Jan., 2008), 6th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2008), SILVER in Konigssee (Feb., 2008), 4th in Winterberg (Feb., 2008) - 6th at World Championships in Altenberg, Germany.

37th overall in 2006-2007 World Cup as driver in the two-man-22nd in Winterberg (Feb., 2007).

2006-2007 World Cup as push athlete for Steve Holcomb in the four-man-GOLD in Cortina (Jan., 2007), GOLD in Igls (Jan., 2007), GOLD in Cesana Pariol (Feb., 2007), SILVER in Winterberg (Feb., 2007), SILVER in Königssee (Feb., 2007)-4th at World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland (Feb., 2007).

4th overall in 2006-2007 America's Cup as driver in the two-man-3rd and 4th in Calgary (Nov., 2006), 4th and 3rd in Park City (Nov., 2006).

2005-2006 World Cup as push athlete for Todd Hays in the four-man-SILVER in Calgary (Nov., 2005), 4th in Igls (Dec., 2005), GOLD in Cortina (Dec., 2005), SILVER in Königssee (Jan., 2006), GOLD in St. Moritz (Jan., 2006).

2004-2005 World Cup as push athlete for Todd Hays in the two-man -11th in Winterberg (Nov., 2004), 5th in Cesana Pariol (Jan., 2005).

2004-2005 World Cup as push athlete for Todd Hays in the four-man-GOLD in Winterberg (Nov., 2004), GOLD in Altenberg (Dec., 2004), SILVER in Igls (Dec., 2004), 4th in Cortina (Dec., 2004)-5th at World Championships in Calgary, Canada (Feb., 2005).

2003-2004 World Cup as brakeman for Todd Hays in the two-man -SILVER in Calgary (Nov., 2003), BRONZE in Lake Placid (Nov., 2003), GOLD in Winterberg (Dec., 2003), 9th in Altenberg (Dec., 2003), 5th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2004).

2003-2004 World Cup as push athlete for Todd Hays in the four-man -SILVER in Lake Placid (Nov., 2003), BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2003), SILVER in St. Moritz (Jan., 2004), 6th and 3rd in Cortina (Jan., 2004 and Feb., 2004), SILVER in Igls (Feb., 2004)-3rd at World Championships in Königssee (Feb., 2004).

31st overall in 2002-2003 World Cup as driver in the two-man-27th in Cortina (Dec., 2002), 24th in LaPlagne (Dec., 2002), 25th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2003), 22nd in Calgary (Feb., 2003).

2002-03 World Cup as push athlete with Todd Hays in the four-man-4th in Igls (Dec., 2002), 6th in Cortina (Dec., 2002), SILVER in LaPlagne (Dec., 2002), 5th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2003), 8th in Winterberg (Jan., 2003).

"When the bobsled comes down to the last corner, that is the hardest pressure. It feels as if a piano is placed on your back and then bounced up and down. The first time down a hill, it was as if somebody had lit a stick of dynamite behind the sled and let it explode, and off it went. You're thinking, 'Something must be wrong--this cannot possibly be what it's supposed to be like'. There's no way the driver has control'. But by the time you get to the Olympics, you understand everything. There's no more of that out-of-control feeling. The sled goes, and all four athletes move together with the curves and with the track. Everything moves as one".
--Steve Mesler

Note: At press time, pursuant to International Olympic Committee Regulations, "The Night Train" titles adorning the world champion bobsled which drove to the first world title for the U.S. men in 50 years last March was ordered removed. However, Amanda Bird, Marketing and Communications Manager with the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation confirmed that the logo will remain on the black matted sled, which has been regularly called "intimidating" by other bobsled athletes.
####

2010 WINTER OLYMPIC VIDEO PROFILE: SHAUNA ROHBOCK

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:00:00 +0000

Just days before arriving for the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games, Team USA Bobsled number 1 sled driver Shauna Rohbock was interviewed by Daily Herald sports reporter Jason Franchuk in Park City, Utah. As a reminder, the Women's Bobsled schedule for competition is listed below.

February 23, 2010
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 1
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 2

February 24, 2010
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 3
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 4 (Medal Event)
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More still ahead, including Team USA Men's Bobsled!

FACES OF COURAGE IN VANCOUVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:55:00 +0000

L-R: Erin Pac (driver), Michelle Rzepka (brakewoman), Bree Schaaf (driver),
Shauna Rohbock (driver), Emily Azevedo (brakewoman)
and Elana Meyers (brakewoman).
(Photo: Amanda Bird, USBSF)

Good Morning. You are looking at six of the most incredible athletes on the planet. They will be representing us in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia in the Women's Bobsled competition. Each of them has a unique story to tell. But above all, they represent every good and decent thing about the United States of America. Each woman pictured here has overcome adversity. Each has dedicated themselves one-hundred percent, rising long before sunrise to stretch, warm up and run sprints. I have often pondered: How is it possible to gauge how many hours and years they have spent weightlifting in gymnasiums across America to build their endurance, while sacrificing fun and carefree lives with total dedication to representing us--you and me--at The Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver? Frankly, I don't know anyone who can readily answer this question. Through travel, competing on 16 tracks around the world with unparalleled intensity, remaining mentally refreshed, focused with an iron will and emotionally confident, their individual skills are evident to anyone who has read my previous blog posts. Even a cursory review in those posts of their academic and athletic achievements from high school and collegiate track and soccer fields reveals an unwavering commitment to excellence. They inspire us to persevere in related and even unrelated endeavors we each address daily. They make us care. They bring pride to our nation.

In what has to be the most exciting time of their lives, these are the members of Team USA Women's Bobsled in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Our spirits are with them every step of the way!

SHAUNA ROHBOCK AND MICHELLE RZEPKA-WOMEN'S USA BOBSLED!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:20:00 +0000

L-R: Shauna Rohbock with Michelle Rzepka

(Photo: Courtesy of Charlie Booker & USBSF)
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With the Opening Ceremonies of The Olympic Winter Games about to begin on February 12th, we resume here with a blog post about Team USA Woman's Bobsled number 1 driver Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah) and brakewoman Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Michigan).

SHAUNA ROHBOCK

Shauna Rohbock's career in sports began at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah as a member of both the track and soccer teams (1995-1998). She scored 95 goals in 368 shots over a 90-game career and became a two-time All American in soccer and heptathlon. Rohbock began competing in bobsled as a brakewoman in 1999 before deciding to become a driver in 2002. She played professional soccer with the San Diego Spirit of the WUSA for two seasons until the league folded.

Shauna Rohbock was named to the 2006 Olympic Team and won the Silver medal with brakewoman Valerie Fleming. She finished the 2006-2007 season with seven World Cup medals and ranked second overall in World Cup standings. During the 2007-2008 season, she earned a Sliver and two Bronze medals. In the 2008-2009 season, Rohbock won a medal of each color and claimed Gold at the World Cup race in Whistler, Canada, site of the 2010 Olympic Games. Rohbock won the Silver medal at the 2009 World Championships with brakewoman Elana Meyers and is ranked 4th overall in FIBT women's bobsled 2009/2010 rankings.

Rohbock graduated from Brigham Young University in 1999 with a degree in Recreation Management. In 2000, she joined the Utah Army National Guard and is currently a member of the National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program and holds the rank of Sergeant.

FAST FACTS ABOUT SHAUNA

2006 Olympic silver medalist with Valerie Fleming

4th overall in 2009-2010 World Cup-9th in Park City (Nov., 2009), 5th in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Cesana (Dec., 2009), 4th in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 7th in Konigssee (Jan., 2010), 5th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010), GOLD in Igls (Jan., 2010)

4th overall in 2008-2009 World Cup-7th in Winterberg (Nov., 2008), BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2008), SILVER in Igls (Dec., 2008), GOLD in Konigssee (Jan., 2009), 6th in St. Moritz #1 (Jan., 2009), 6th in St. Moritz #2 (Jan., 2009), GOLD in Whistler (Feb., 2009)-SILVER at 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid (Feb., 2009)

5th overall in 2008-2009 America's Cup-GOLD in Park City #1 (Oct., 2008), GOLD in Park City #2 (Oct., 2008)

4th overall in the 2007-2008 World Cup with brakewoman Valerie Fleming-5th in Calgary (Niv., 2007), 3rd in Park City (Dec., 2007), 5th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2007), 4th in Cortina (Jan., 2008), 2nd in Cesana (Jan., 2008), 6th in St. Mortiz (Jan., 2008), 6th in Konigssee (Feb., 2008), 3rd in Winterberg (Feb., 2008)-9th in World Championships in Altenberg, Germany (Feb., 2008)

1st overall in the 2006-2007 World Cup with Valerie Fleming-GOLD in Calgary (1Dec., 2006), GOLD in Park City (Dec., 2006), BRONZE in Lake Placid (Dec., 2006), 4th in Cortina (Jan., 2007), SILVER in Igls (Jan., 2007), SILVER in Cesana Pariol (Feb., 2007), SILVER in Winterberg (Feb., 2007), SILVER in Königssee (Feb., 2007)-3rd in World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland (Feb., 2007)

3rd overall in the 2005-2006 World Cup with Valerie Fleming-SILVER in Calgary (Nov., 2005), BRONZE in Lake Placid (Nov., 2005), BRONZE in Igls (Dec., 2005), BRONZE in Cortina (Dec., 2005), 4th in Königssee (Jan., 2006) , 12th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2006)

5th overall in the 2004-2005 World Cup with Valerie Fleming-6th in Winterberg (Nov., 2004), BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2004), BRONZE in Igls (Dec., 2004), 7th in Cortina (Dec., 2004), SILVER in Cesana Pariol (Jan., 2005), 6th in Lake Placid (Feb., 2005) -3rd at World Championships in Calgary, Canada (Feb., 2005)

Set 7 track records during the 2004-2005 season

9th overall in 2003-2004 World Cup as driver with Amanda Moreley and Erin Pac-5th in Calgary (Nov., 2003), 4th in Lillehammer (Jan., 2004), 7th in Segulda (Feb., 2004)-9th at World Championships in Königssee, Germany (Feb., 2004)

9th overall in 2002-2003 World Cup as a driver with Carol Lewis, Brianne Tenclay, Megan Kosman and Eric Pac-11th in Calgary (Nov., 2002), 7th in Park City (Nov., 2002), 7th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2002), 13th in Igls (Jan., 2003)-13th at World Championships in Winterberg, Germany (Feb., 2003)

2001-2002 World Cup as brakewoman for Jill Bakken-8th in Winterberg (Nov., 2001), 4th in Königssee (Nov., 2001), 7th in Igls (Nov., 2001)

6th place in 2000 World Championships in Winterberg, Germany (Feb., 2000) as brakewoman for Jill Bakken.

“Nobody comes in here not wanting to win a medal. It’s definitely a daydream, coming across that line, seeing that No. 1 on the clock, feeling that excitement. Everyone thinks of that.”

-Shauna Rohbock

Michelle Rzepka

In high school, three MIchelle "Mickie" Rzepka played basketball, volleyball and ran track. She set records in the 100 meter and 200 meter relays and began to ponder an Olympic career. While attending Michigan State University, Rzepka was an All-American and a Big-10 indoor and outdoor pole vault champion. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2005, and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology at McNeese State University.

Rzepka began the sport of bobsled in 2007, joining the World Cup team during her rookie year. She was a stand-out with top ten finishes in seven of eight World Cup races, earning her first World Cup Bronze medal in Whistler, Canada, site of the 2010 Olympic Games. She placed 6th with driver Erin Pac at the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid, New York.

During the 2009-2010 World Cup, Rzepka continued her impressive performances with two bronze medals in Park City, Utah and Altenberg, Germany, as well as her first World Cup gold with 2006 silver medalist Shauna Rohbock during the third race in Cesana, Italy.

FAST FACTS ABOUT MICHELLE

2009-2010 World Cup as brakewoman for Erin Pac, Shauna Rohbock & Bree Schaaf-BRONZE in Park City (Nov., 2009), 7th in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), GOLD in Cesana (Dec., 2009), 4th in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 10th in Konigssee (Jan., 2009), 5th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010), GOLD in Igls (Jan., 2010)

2nd at 2009 U.S. National Bobsled Push Championship

2008-2009 World Cup as brakewoman for Erin Pac--4th in Winterberg (Nov., 2008), 10th in Altenberg (Dec., 2008), 6th in Konigssee (Jan., 2009), 6th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2009), BRONZE in Whistler (Feb. 2009)-6th at World Championships in Lake Placid (Feb. 2009)

2007-2008 World Cup as push athlete for Erin Pac and Jamia Jackson-8th in Calgary (Nov., 2007), 8th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2008), 10th in Konigssee (Feb., 2008)-13th at World Championships in Altenberg, Germany (Feb., 2008).

"I started out racing with Erin at the beginning of the season, then started racing with Shauna. Both are very talented drivers and have a lot of potential for the Games. But I'm excited to race with Shauna -- she really loves to drive the bobsled. Her experience of driving, and she was a push athlete, also, before she started driving, so she's definitely strong at the start. She seems to know her lines, and she's been to the track multiple times. I think her experience is what gives her an edge on a lot of the drivers - especially since she won the gold at Whistler last year, and I think she'll be very confident going in, but also ready for the unexpected."
--Michelle Rzepka

ERIN PAC AND ELANA MEYERS-WOMEN'S USA BOBSLED!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:45:00 +0000

L-R: Elana Meyers with Erin Pac
(Photo: Courtesy of Charlie Booker & USBSF)

There certainly is something to be said for consistency, and in this blog series we have been focused on a very exciting drama that has been unfolding with the approaching Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our USA Women's Bobsled Team has succeeded in qualifying three sleds! This is an unprecedented achievement that history books will record. At a time when world events often seem to interrupt any semblance of Joy or Hope, our American Olympic Bobsled athletes on both the Men's and Women's Teams have astounded us with their discipline, dedication and relentless focus to become the best in the world. In effect, they serve as an inspiration to each of us to actualize our own dreams. If ever there was meaning to the term "living in the moment", these final days of training leading up to the Olympic Games must be very exciting for our Team USA Bobsled. They have traveled the globe and navigated race tracks bearing tremendous difficulty and danger with skill and confidence. In recent posts, we have taken a look at the Men's team led by driver Steven Holcomb. On the Women's Team, we have featured the USA number 3 bobsled driver Bree Schaaf and brakewoman Emily Azevedo. I felt it only appropriate to create a seamless thread in presenting today USA number 2 bobsled driver Erin Pac (Farmington, Connecticut) and brakewoman Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Georgia).

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ERIN PAC

Beginning in the summer of 2002, Pac's track coach at Springfield College, Jim Pennington, encouraged her to try out for the USA Woman's Bobsled Team. After traveling with her parents to Northeastern University in Boston, she was tested in the 30 and 60 meter sprints, shot toss, vertical jump, and 5 hops for distance. Her test results led to an invitation to Lake Placid, New York to push a bobsled on wheels and from that point forward she was selected to compete on the national team. After earning a Bachelors of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Disabilities Studies with a concentration in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College, Pac began traveling the world as a brakewoman pushing for drivers Jill Bakken, Shauna Rohbock, and Sara Sprung. By 2005, Erin Pac was recognized along with the U.S. Women's Bobsled Team as the United States Olympic Committee "Team of the Month." At the conclusion of the 2005-2006 season, Pac traveled to Igls, Austria to attend bobsled driving school and made her driving debut one year later during the 2006-2007 season. Pac finished 8th at the World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. During the 2008-2009 season, she finished with a world ranking of 7th and 2nd in the USA. At the inaugural World Cup race in Whistler, Canada Erin Pac earned the Bronze medal placing 6th at the 2009 World Cup Championships in Lake Placid. She will piloting the USA 2 bobsled in the Olympics.

FAST FACTS ABOUT ERIN:

6th overall in 2009-2010 World Cup-BRONZE in Park City (Nov., 2009), 7th in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), 5th in Cesana (Dec., 2009), BRONZE in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), 6th in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 5th in Konigssee (Jan., 2010), 13th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010, 4th in Igls (Jan., 2010)

9th overall in 2008-2009 World Cup-4th in Winterberg (Nov., 2008), 10th in Altenberg (Dec., 2008), 4th in Igls (Dec., 2008), 6th in Konigssee (Jan., 2009), 9th in St. Moritz WC #1 (Jan, 2009), 4th in St. Moritz #2 (Jan., 2009), BRONZE in Whistler (Feb., 2009)

7th overall in 2008-2009 America's Cup-SILVER in Park City #1 (Oct., 2008), SILVER in Park City #2 (Oct. 2008)

2008 Driver-Push Champion-11th overall in 2007-08 World Cup as driver-8th in Calgary (Nov., 2007), 5th in Park City (Dec., 2007), 6th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2007), 14th in Cesana (Jan., 2008), 9th in St. Mortiz (Jan., 2008), 17th in Konigssee (Feb., 2008), 7th in Winterberg (Feb., 2008)-7th at World Championships in Altenberg, Germany (Feb., 2008)

22nd overall as a driver in 2006-2007 World Cup as driver -10th at Igls -8th at World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland (Feb., 2007)

2nd overall 2006-07 America's Cup as driver-GOLD and SILVER in Calgary (Nov, 2006), SILVER in Lake Placid (Dec., 2006), BRONZE and SILVER in Park City (Dec., 2006)

2004-2005 World Cup as brakewoman for Shauna Rohbock and Jill Bakken-BRONZE and start record in Altenberg (Dec., 2004), 7th in Cortina (Dec., 2004), 8th in Cesana Pariol (Jan., 2005), 18th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2005)

2003-2004 World Cup as brakewoman for Shauna Rohbock and Sara Sprung-11th in Calgary (Nov., 2003), 9th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2003), 7th in Sigulda (Feb., 2004)

2002-2003 World Cup as brakewoman for Shauna Rohbock-7th in Park City (Nov., 2002), 7th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2002), 13th in Igls (Jan., 2003).

“Anything worth having is worth working hard for.”
--Erin Pac

ELANA MEYERS

Elana Meyers' rise in the sport of bobsled has been meteoric. In 2007, she earned a place on the national team in her rookie season. In 2008, she won her first World Cup medal (Bronze) with driver Shauna Rohbock. She followed this performance with a Gold medal at the inaugural World Cup in Whistler, Canada. At the 2009 World Championships, Meyer pushed with driver Shauna Rohbock to win the Silver medal at the World Cup Championships. A 2006 graduate of George Washington University in Washington D.C., Meyers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. Her participation in softball at George Washington began in 2002 as a freshman and first recruit. She went on to play shortstop, pitcher and third baseman positions for the Colonials softball team. Meyers was later named to the ECAC Division I Softball All-Star Team in July, 2007 for leading the Colonials to their first ever Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance with a game-winning grand slam in her final home game! It's also worth noting that Meyers was the first and only player in George Washington Softball history to record 200 base hits. In addition to bobsled, Meyers also plays for the Mid-Michigan Ice, a professional softball team based in Midland, Michigan. Her involvement in Softball began in 2002, when Meyers was a freshman and the very first recruit. Meyers is pursuing a Masters degree in Sports Management at George Washington University.

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FAST FACTS ABOUT ELANA

2009-2010 World Cup as push athlete for Shauna Rohbock & Erin Pac-5th in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), 5th in Cesana (Dec., 2009), BRONZE in Winterberg (Dec., 2009), 6th in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 13th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010), 4th in Igls (Jan., 2010)

2009 U.S. National Bobsled Push Champion-SILVER at 2009 World Championship in Lake Placid (Feb., 2009)

2008-2009 World Cup-BRONZE in Altenberg (Dec., 2008), 4th in Igls (Dec., 2008), 6th in St. Moritz #1 (Jan., 2009), 4th in St. Moritz #2 (Jan., 2009), GOLD at Whistler (Feb., 2009)

2007-2008 World Cup as push athlete for Erin Pac-5th in Park City (Dec., 2007), 14th in Cesana (Jan., 2008), 17th in Konigssee (Feb., 2008), 7th in Winterberg (Feb., 2008)-7th at World Championship in Altenberg, Germany (Feb., 2008).

"I am extremely excited and know that God has choreographed this entire season and am excited for what else He has in store for me. I am extremely proud to be representing my country on the World's biggest stage, and cannot wait to race for the USA on February 23-24, 2010".
--Elana Meyers

EMILY AZEVEDO CHICO ENTERPRISE INTERVIEW!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:43:00 +0000

Emily Azevedo
(Photo: Dave Davies, Chico Enterprise)

In the days leading up to the Winter Olympic Games, Dave Davies, Sports Editor of The Chico Enterprise Record newspaper in Chico, California was kind enough to share with me a brief interview conducted by staff sports reporters Travis Souders and Patrick Kinmartin with Team USA Bobsled push athlete, Emily Azevedo. As I'm fond of mentioning, the upcoming Olympic Winter Games will be significant because Team USA Woman's Bobsled has three sleds entered into competition! Azevedo is teamed up with driver Bree Schaaf of Bremerton, Washington for Team USA's third sled. Shauna Rohbock will drive with Michelle Rzepka, while Erin Pac will drive with Elana Meyers. This audio interview was taped on the Chico ER.com website and allows readers on my site to connect a voice with the photo and capture some of Emily's personal insights about preparations in the days leading up to the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. In a slight departure from the previous audio interview, this is a brief visit. Also, due to technical challenges you'll have to Click Here to access the January 29, 2010 audio feed. It's well worth it and I hope you enjoy it.

FAST FACTS ABOUT EMILY:

2009-2010 World Cup as brakewoman for Shauna Rohbock and Bree Schaaf
-9th in Park City (Nov., 2009), 9th in Lake Placid (Nov., 2009), 6th in Cesana (Dec., 2009), 13th in Altenberg (Dec., 2009), 7th in Konigssee (Jan., 2010), 11th in St. Moritz (Jan., 2010);

5th at 2009 U.S. National Bobsled Push Championship

2009 National Champion as brakewoman for Bree Schaaf

10th at 2009 World Championship with Bree Schaaf

2008-09 World Cup as brakewoman for Bree Schaaf -6th at Whistler (Feb., 2009), 5th at Park City (Feb., 2009)

2008-09 America's Cup as brakewoman for Erin Pac; -SILVER in Park City #2 (Oct., 2008)

2007-08 World Cup as brakewoman for Erin Pac and Jamia Jackson-6th in Lake Placid (Dec., 2007), 12th in Cesana (Jan., 2008), 9th in St. Mortiz (Jan., 2008)

2006-07 World Cup as brakewoman with for Erin Pac-10th at Igls (Jan., 2007), 8th at World Championships (Feb., 2007) in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

ACADEMICS

Graduated from the University of California-Davis in 2005 with a degree in exercise biology. While attending UC-Davis, Azevedo was a track and field athlete and and currently holds the school's number 2 record in the 100-meter hurdles. Emily's sister, Chelsea, is completing her last year at UC-Davis and also participates in track.

ALL-TIME TOP OUTDOOR PERFORMERS - WOMEN (through 2009)

100 HURDLES

1. SIRENA WILLIAMS: 13.50 (2009)

2. Emily Azevedo: 14.23 (2005)

3. Gretchen Haussler: 14.31 (2006)

4. Celise Carroll: 14.46 (1997)

T5. CHELSEA AZEVEDO: 14.50 (2006)

T5. Julita Patil: 14.50 (1994)

7. Caroline Sheldon: 14.56 (2005)

8. ANIKIA JACKSON: 14.61 (2009)

9. Michele Dwyre: 14.74 (1989)

10. Melissa Ferguson: 14.77 (cca, 2002)

ALL-TIME TOP INDOOR PERFORMERS – WOMEN (through 2009)

60 METER HURDLES

1. SIRENA WILLIAMS: 8.82 (2008)

2. Gretchen Haussler: 8.86 (mpsf 2005)

T3. Chelsea Azevedo: 8.95 (2009)

T3. Emily Azevedo: 8.95 (mpsf 2005)

5. Natalie Russell: 9.11 (2005)

CURT TOMASEVICZ INTERVIEW!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Curt Tomasevicz
Team USA Bobsled
(Photo Courtesy of The Sports Piece.com)

Curt Tomasevicz is a push athlete of the Two-Man and Four-Man Bobsled competition in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Robert Rees, Co-Host of The Sports Piece.com in Austin, Texas was kind enough to allow me to share the audio taped interview that he and Steve Foster completed just a few days ago with Curt. I thought this would be a great way to connect a voice with the face of this amazing athlete. Curt hails from Shelby, Nebraska and began the sport of bobsled in 2004. He placed sixth in the 4-man bobsled competition with driver Steve Holcomb at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. In 2007, Tomasevicz won a World Cup gold medal with Holcomb in the 2-man bobsled competition on the same Olympic track. During the 2008-2009 season, he pushed Holcomb to silver and bronze World Cup medals in the 4-man bobsled and a gold medal at the 2009 4-man National Championships. Most recently, he won a silver medal with Holcomb at the inaugural World Cup race in Whistler, Canada, site of the 2010 Olympic Games. Tomasevicz holds a Bachelor and Master's of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Astronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was named an Academic All Big XII in 2002 and played football for the Cornhuskers from 2000-2003. Click HERE for the interview. Be patient with the download and enjoy!

12 DAYS TO GO!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:05:00 +0000

A Spectator's Paradise on Blackcomb Mountain:
The Whistler Sliding Centre
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The Olympic Cauldron will be lit in Vancouver on February 12, 2010. This weekend is a good time to pencil in the Men's and Women's Bobsleigh events into your calendars for television viewing, so here they are:

February 20, 2010
Bobsleigh Two-Man Heat 1
Bobsleigh Two-Man Heat 2

February 21, 2010
Bobsleigh Two-Man Heat 3
Bobsleigh Two-Man Heat 4 (Medal Event)

February 23, 2010
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 1
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 2

February 24, 2010
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 3
Bobsleigh Women's Heat 4 (Medal Event)

February 26, 2010
Bobsleigh Four-Man Heat 1
Bobsleigh Four-Man Heat 2

February 27, 2010
Bobsleigh Four-Man Heat 3
Bobsleigh Four-Man Heat 4 (Medal Event)

In recent blog posts, I have enjoyed sharing information with you about some amazing and dedicated athletes who inspire us all. The men and women of the U.S. Olympic Bobsled (Bobsleigh) Team come from different towns and cities across the United States. Their individual journey's in reaching the Olympics is itself awe-inspiring. Whenever possible, I have made it a point to hear each athlete interviewed on audio or video tape. Their perspectives are unique and fascinating. But yesterday, I also spent several hours studying the construction and design characteristics of the The Whistler Sliding Centre on my computer. Built on the southeast flank of Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia (in Fitzsimmons Creek valley) this track is now considered the fastest in the world. It's been a genuine joy for me to learn more about the incredible Americans who will represent us at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver!

USA MEN'S FOUR-MAN BOBSLED TEAM!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:04:00 +0000

Steven Holcomb’s Four-Man Bobsled Team, 2009 USOC Team of the Year

"The Night Train”--even the name has an ethereal quality to it that a character in a Clint Eastwood movie might enjoy. This team is just as intense as any of Clint's movie roles, and similarly, they don't mess around. This four-man bobsled team is the 2009 U.S.Olympic Committee Team of the Year. One man whom you will certainly recognize in this video clip is driver Steve Holcomb (Park City, Utah). Just a few years ago, Steve almost lost his vision due to a degenerative eye disease. However, a revolutionary surgical procedure restored his sight from 20-500 to 20-20 and he is guiding our Men's Four-Man Bobsled Team towards capturing the Olympic Gold medal for the first time in 62 years! As you may know, on February 28, 2009 the team captured The FIBT World Championship in Lake Placid, New York. That victory ended a 50-year dry spell to capture the World Championship medal for the U.S. In addition, "The Night Train" placed fourth overall for the 2008-2009 World Cup season, including two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze.

Mens 4-Man Bobsled Team USA
2009 USOC Team of the Year:

Steve Holcomb (Park City, Utah)
Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas)
Steve Mesler (Buffalo, New York)
Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Nebraska)
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Holcomb: “It's quite an honor to be named Team of the Year. There are a lot of great athletes and great teams out there and to be seen as the best is a wonderful feeling. I know my team has worked really hard not only in the winter season, but during the summer and this will mean a lot to all of us. Our momentum is growing as we approach the Olympics, and this will only help build on what we have already established.”

Allow me to digress slightly (with enthusiasm, of course). The U.S. has qualified three sleds in both two and four-man bobsled events. Here are the Four-Man Bobsled Teams representing the United States:

USA I:

Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah)

Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas)

Steve Mesler (Buffalo, New York)

Curt Tomasevicz (Shelby, Nebraska)

USA II:

John Napier (Lake Placid, New York)

Chuck Berkeley (Clayton, California)

Steve Langton (Melrose, Massachusetts.)

Chris Fogt (Alpine, Utah)

USA III:

Mike Kohn (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)

Jamie Moriarty (Winnetka, Illinois)

Bill Schuffenhauer (Ogden, Utah)

Nick Cunningham (Monterey, California)

Only three nations are qualified to enter three sleds into the 2010 Olympics: Germany, Switzerland and The United States. To quote a line from a Steve McQueen film: "Time starts now".

U.S.A. WOMEN'S BOBSLED 2010 OLYMPIC TEAM

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:04:00 +0000

USA Women's Bobsled 2010 Olympic Team
L-R: Michelle Rzepka, Elana Meyers. Erin Pac,

Bree Schaaf, Emily Azevedo and Shauna Rohbock

(Photo Credit: Charlie Booker)
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My blogging has been rather limited into the New Year. But today I had to simply make time. That's because this is only the third Olympics that the U.S. Women's Bobsled Team have had a sled of any kind (they won Gold in 2002 and Silver in 2006). This year, we have three sleds entered in competition! On the heels of my previous posts of 11/30/09 ("Bree Schaaf and Bobsledding"), 12/02/09 ("Emily Azevedo & Bobsledding"), 12/04/09 ("Bobsledding Passion") and 12/06/09 ("Women's 2-Man Bobsled World Cup Results") it's a thrill for us to keep in mind who the drivers and brakemen are that will be representing our country. Each country is allowed to bring 2 bobsleds. Those that are allowed to bring a third have to have one of the top two rankings in the world of all the number 3 bobsleds after they have finished their season. USA 1 will be driven by 2006 Silver medalist Shauna Rohbock with brakeman Michelle Rzepka. USA II will be driven by Erin Pac with brakeman Elana Meyers. USA III will be driven by Bree Schaaf with brakeman Emily Azevedo.

The year 1999 was significant for me (I earned my college degree that year). But it was significant for other reasons related to sports. In October, 1999 the International Olympic Committee added Women's Bobsleigh (in the U.S. we call it Bobsled) to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Accordingly, the first-ever Women's Olympic Bobsled Competition took place in Park City, Utah at Olympic Park in February, 2002. Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers earned the Gold Medal for the United States. In 2006, Shauna Rohbock and Valerie Fleming earned the Silver Medal for the United States.

Mark your calendars for February 23rd and 24th when the Women's 2-Man Bobsled will be televised. Universal Sports will cover the races, or you can go to www.universalsports.com. Take a good look at our team in the photo above. All year-long, indeed, in the years leading up to the Olympics they have trained hard. They have heart and soul. They are ready. And we will be pulling for them one-hundred percent! Another good place to follow team race results and learn more about our drivers and push talent (particularly in the interim, is on www.fibt.com.) Delayed video of previous races is also available by engaging their On Demand Streaming.

Team USA

USA I: Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah) and Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Michigan).

USA II: Erin Pac (Farmington, Connecticut) and Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Georgia).

USA III: Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Washington) and Emily Azevedo (Chico, California).

We'll focus on the Men's Bobsled Team USA shortly!

AFTER THE SHOW...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:19:00 +0000

L-R: Eric Carmen, Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley, Rick Springfield & Jim Bonfanti
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Jim Bullotta was kind enough to send me a photo of The Raspberries with Rick Springfield after the October 21, 2005 L.A. House of Blues concert that was filmed for the 2-CD /1 DVD release "Live On Sunset Strip". Jim and Kent Hagen were Cinematographers of the show. Of course, it's great fun to see spirited photos like this one of true musical legends getting together for a visit. Thanks, Jim!
MM

A RASPBERRIES NEW YEAR?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

When I was a little kid in southwest Ohio, I loved to listen to The Raspberries. My playmates up and down the street had no idea who The Raspberries were. In fact, back then I never knew that this power-pop band got their start in Cleveland, Ohio! Today, it's not a far stretch to grasp the band's influences from the "British Invasion" of 1964: The Beatles, The Who, The Hollies and Small Faces. Over 30 years later, I'm hard-pressed to think of a better lead guitarist than Wally Bryson, or a drummer like Jim Bonfanti who inspires comparisons to the late Keith Moon of The Who. Interestingly, I found myself standing in a concert ticket line behind Raspberries bass player Dave Smalley last year. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I simply loved the crunchy guitars and the tight harmonies of this band. Perhaps unconsciously, even as a kid, I sensed that they were going in an opposite direction to audiences tastes during a time frame that many musical historians regard as a period of excess with little substance.

From 1970 to 1975 this power-pop band poured out a string of Top 10 singles, among them: "Go All The Way", "I Wanna Be With You", "Ecstacy", "Overnight Sensation" (Hit Record), "Tonight", "Let's Pretend", "Don't Want To Say Goodbye", and "Play On". When the band split up in April, 1975 singer/songwriter Eric Carmen penned the hit "All By Myself" as a solo artist. Later in 1987, Eric's songwriting and vocals on the hit song "Hungry Eyes" became such a huge part of the movie and soundtrack from "Dirty Dancing". This song appeared in the unforgettable dance rehearsal scenes with the late Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. I can't say how many people who watched that film made the connection between Eric's songwriting, his vocals and The Raspberries. But watching the closing credits, I for one smiled and remembered.

The Raspberries was also a favorite band of the late Beatle John Lennon. Other fans included: Elton John, Tom Petty, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, Motley Crue and Axl Rose of Guns n' Roses. Like Bruce Springsteen, Blondie and Fountains of Wayne, these artists cite The Raspberries as a pivotal influence.

Fate dealt an interesting hand in 2004 when The House of Blues invited The Raspberries to perform at their new nightclub in Cleveland, Ohio. The band agreed to perform one show on November 26, 2004--which sold out in four minutes! This led to a mini-tour in 2005 that began at The House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois. A Vh1 Classic episode on cable television ostensibly led to a recorded concert on XM Satellite Radio. At the band's New York shows, attendees included E. Street Band members Steve Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, Jon Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield, KISS's Paul Stanley and May Pang, John Lennon's former girlfriend. Attendees at other shows also included members of The Romantics and The Go Go's. On October 21, 2005 The Raspberries House of Blues appearance in Los Angeles, California was filmed and recorded for a 2 CD/Bonus DVD release in 2007.

At a Rick Springfield concert in Chandler, Arizona bass player Dave Smalley was standing in front of me in the ticket line. Whenever I see a famous person, I always remember what Steve McQueen once said about having your anonymity as being "the ultimate". So, I am particularly careful never to bother them. Nevertheless, I as I casually looked around, I realized no one else had apparently recognized Dave (Arizonans are also very polite, so restraint may have prevailed). He wound up sitting with his party near my table at the Casino Arizona.

With only a few album releases, The Raspberries made their mark in music history. It's nice to remember that period of time from my early childhood, and it's also a nice New Years wish to see The Raspberries reunite for a future concert tour. In closing, what I also see in their music that is missing today is a sense of fun and optimism. A Raspberry tour would be a nice addition to the New Year!
MM

“…I used to keep the 'Raspberries Greatest Hits'— the cassette — in my car. They haven't gotten the respect they deserved in my opinion. With all of the power pop music you hear out there, what about the Raspberries? The Raspberries had great stuff. And they had a great record called 'Overnight Sensation’, one of the greatest little pop operas that anybody ever did.”

- Bruce Springsteen

“Raspberries are absolutely awesome. What they did, they did brilliantly. Tremendous!”
– Paul Stanley - KISS

"I love the Raspberries. The show was really cool! Eric is one of the greatest pop screamers and is such a great writer. I've been playing Ecstasy, Play On, Tonight, I Wanna Be With You, Party's Over, Let's Pretend, Hard To Get Over A Heartbreak, I'm A Rocker and I Don't Know What I Want all weekend. Great stuff. Thanks for the great music. I forgot how much Wally sounds like Lennon too."

-Rick Springfield

"Magnificent!"
– Steven Van Zandt

“…Bruce gave me a copy of ‘Greatest Hits’ years ago, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I wouldn’t miss this show. I never got to see them perform the first time around. But I think I wore out their greatest-hits album."

– Jon Bon Jovi

“We love those guys!” – Joe Walsh - James Gang

“The Raspberries are one of the more remarkable stories in the history of American pop music, a notion they reaffirmed in a brilliant two-hour show.” – Chicago Sun-Times

“It's a stunning performance, nailing both the timeless hooks and the sexual promise that had made it a hit in the first place.” – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

“In our humble opinion, "Go All the Way" is one of the best power pop songs ever, which makes it all the more exciting that Raspberries are reuniting for their first show in 31 years.”

- Billboard

Set List from House of Blues
Los Angeles, California
Sunset Strip Performance

October 21, 2005

I Wanna Be with You
I Can't Explain [The Who]
Play On
Tonight
Should I Wait
Nobody Knows
Making It Easy
Come Around and See Me
If you Change Your Mind
It Seemed So Easy
Let’s Pretend
Last Dance
Needles And Pins [The Searchers]
I Can Remember
Party’s Over
Don’t Want To Say Goodbye
Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)
Hard to Get Over a Heartbreak
I Don’t Know What I Want
Ecstasy

ENCORE
I Saw the Light
Starting Over
I'm A Rocker
Go All the Way
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The Raspberries:
Eric Carmen
Wally Bryson
Dave Smalley
Jim Bonfanti
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With Musical Support from:
Paul Sidoti
Billy Sullivan
Jennifer Lee

2009: THE YEAR IN REVIEW!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:14:00 +0000

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 Manager Ken 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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 featured two tongue-in-cheek blog series': "10 Blogs of April Past" and "A Reality Check".

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!

Happy New Year to All of You!

NEW ARTICLE OUT SOON!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Remembering a Trailblazer: Earl L. Estwick, Sr.

by Michael Manning

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).

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.

Information about the Earl L. Estwick, Sr. Memorial Fund may be found at: www.estwickscholarships.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Manning) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:16:00 +0000

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!

I am aware that my website is overdue for a couple of updates. My first one should be done by early February.
Blessings,
Michael