jump to navigation

New header June 15, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Personal.
add a comment

After 2 1/2 years, I have finally changed the website header.  Here it is:

MC-BlogHeader61514

The Jeff Lorber Fusion at Blue Note June 14, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel, Weather.
add a comment

Monday evening marked my first trip to the famous Blue Note Jazz Club in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan.

MC60914003a

Blue Note is not far from Zinc Bar, which I was at in June 2011 for Lisa Hilton.

The band I saw at Blue Note on Monday was the Jeff Lorber Fusion, who were originally scheduled to appear on April 7.  It’s a good thing the show was moved because I would have had to deal with moderate to heavy rain on the original night.  The sky was equally overcast on this rescheduled night, but it didn’t rain, at least not while I was outside.

My girlfriend and I arrived nearly two hours before showtime, 15 minutes after doors opened.  Our early arrival paid off as we were seated at a table right next to center stage!  It was great.

The Jeff Lorber Fusion was made up of Jeff on keyboard:

…and piano (seen here playing both):
MC60914028a

Eric Marienthal on soprano sax:

…and alto sax:

Jimmy Haslip on bass:
MC60914039a

…and Lionel Cordew on drums:
MC60914008a

There were two shows that night: 8PM and 10:30 PM.  Kelly and I chose the early show.  The set list was as follows:

8PM SET LIST
1. Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Originally heard on: “The Jeff Lorber Fusion,” 1977; “Now is the Time,” 2010

2. Hacienda
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013

3. He Had a Hat
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007

4. Singaraja
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012

5. Montserrat
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012

6. Horace
Originally heard on: “Galaxy,” 2012

7. Rain Dance
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979; “Now is the Time,” 2010

8. King Kong (Frank Zappa cover)
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013

9. Surreptitious
Originally heard on: “He Had a Hat,” 2007

NOTE: Eric Marienthal played soprano sax on #1, 4, and 7, but alto otherwise.

With flash photography disallowed, and fearing that my camera’s AF-Assist light would be mistaken for a flash, I didn’t take that many pictures.  But it was an exhilarating show with wild solos by each member of the band.  This was my first Jeff Lorber concert, and I doubt it will be my last.  Thank you to Jeff, Eric, Jimmy, and Lionel.

I’ll leave you with pictures from two solos.

First, Lionel Cordew’s “Chinese Medicinal Herbs” solo:
MC60914012a

MC60914014a

MC60914017a

MC60914018a

MC60914023a

And Jimmy Haslip’s “Hacienda” solo:
MC60914032a

MC60914040a

MC60914044a

I suggest a Triple Crown retool June 8, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Horse Racing, Media, Music, Personal, Sports, Thoroughbred, TV.
add a comment

After what transpired at yesterday’s Belmont Stakes, next year will mark 37 years since the last Triple Crown winner – Affirmed.  Since then, thoroughbred racing has had close call after close call after close call, as three-year-old horses will win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but fall short at Belmont.  It doesn’t happen every year, but it’s still heartbreaking and frustrating.  I suggest the Triple Crown format be retooled.  Before I explain how, there is a backstory.

I first became aware of the Triple Crown races in 1997.  That year, Silver Charm was the unlucky horse to lose at Belmont Park in Elmont.  Then there was Real Quiet a year later.  He barely lost to Victory Gallop.  The year after that, Charismatic fell short.  Three years later, there was another three-year stretch of horses to win the first two legs and fall short: War Emblem, Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones.  In 2008, there was Big Brown.  He came up far short at Belmont.  In 2012, I’ll Have Another was scratched the day before the race!

That brings us to this year and California Chrome.  I was at a second birthday party and watched the Kentucky Derby on TV, like I always do.  His win gave me an opportunity to allude to the Mamas and the Papas hit, “California Dreamin’.”  The announcers on TV did the same.  Two weeks later, I was in an Italian restaurant as the Preakness Stakes was run.  The sound was off on the TV ahead of my booth, but the closed-captioning was on.  When California Chrome won that, I knew we were in for another three weeks of hype that would only be followed by heartbreak.  When you see the same thing play out over many years, you know what to expect.

On Facebook, I floated a ridiculous idea:

If California Chrome wins the Belmont Stakes, thereby winning the Triple Crown, NBC should send a check for $36 to each Nielsen household tuned to them during the race. That would be one dollar for each year since the last Triple Crown winner: Affirmed in 1978.

In the comment thread, I amended that to $3.60, but perhaps 36 cents would have made even more sense.

I floated that idea because I knew California Chrome would lose.  I would have loved for him to win, which turned into thinking he actually would win.  So, as I watched the Belmont Stakes on my iPhone yesterday at another restaurant, I closed the NBC Sports Live Extra app in frustration after Larry Collmus said in the home stretch that there wouldn’t be a Triple Crown winner this year.  I don’t even know who won and don’t care.

Now for my suggestion: Horses that win the Kentucky Derby should not be allowed to run the Preakness Stakes.  That will avoid future heartbreaking Belmont Stakes.  If they can’t run in the Preakness, they can’t possibly win it to set up Triple Crown talk.

It’s another ridiculous suggestion, I’m sure, and one that is born out of sour grapes, but I would love to see it happen.  The days of Triple Crown winners ended in 1978.  I don’t see it ever happening again.

6/9 UPDATE: A rebuttal by Jeff Kroll:

These ideas for change are generally coming from the generation that has not seen a “Triple Crown” win.  Those of us who were around in the ’70s and saw 3 of them know it’s special, and that it can happen.  It will take a very special horse and a lot of luck.  The winning time yesterday on a fast track was still 4 1/2 seconds slower than Secratariat’s world-record 2.24 Flat in 1973.  This group of horses is just not that “special.”

They’re certainly special enough to win two legs, but unfortunately not all three.  I wish I was alive to see Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed win.  Archived video is all I’ve had to go on, particularly of Secretariat’s dominant Belmont win that Jeff mentioned.

6/6/15 UPDATE: This year was finally the year! American Pharoah won the Triple Crown!

Ten years since commencement May 13, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Education, Health, Personal, Radio.
add a comment

Last Friday marked ten years since the LIU Post (then C.W. Post) Class of 2004 commencement ceremony.

I was honored to be part of that ceremony:

It was a whirlwind morning and early afternoon.  My sleep pattern (and eating pattern) was screwed up at the time and I was unable to sleep the night before the ceremony.  But it was still a thrill.  I was excited to hear my name called, but a bit too excited.  That’s why I didn’t share the other pics that my father took of me at that moment.

After late lunch at Domenico’s in Levittown, my parents, sister, and I headed home where I promptly went to bed.

I haven’t strayed too far from the LIU Post campus since the ceremony, returning often to visit faculty and attend WCWP events.  I also had a couple of regular on-air stints at WCWP in addition to my time at the station as an undergrad.

One year with Nike Running iPhone app May 13, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Health, Personal, Phone, Technology.
add a comment

Today marks one year since I first used the Nike Running app on my iPhone 5.  My first run was 2.91 miles outdoors.  Since then, I’ve run as far as 5.74 miles indoors, and that was just last week.  So far this month, I’ve run more miles than I did in the rest of May last year.

By a month and a half after I started using the app, I had lost five pounds.  Unfortunately, I gained it back in the two months that followed, due in part to junk food indulgence and less running (due to high heat and humidity).  Since then, I’ve run farther and more often each month, and I’ve had more days of healthy eating.  As a result, I’ve lost 20 pounds.

SJFS 2014 Night 2 recap April 24, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.
3 comments

2014 night 1

Jay Rowe‘s twelfth annual Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert resumed on Saturday night with a packed house.  They were in for a wild night.

Kevin McCabe welcomed the house, or audience, at approximately 8PM:

The first song of the night was by select members of the West Shore Middle School Band.  Twelve hours earlier on Facebook, the band’s teacher, Bob Nunno, let me know that some of his students would be opening the show.  I told him that was great and I looked forward to seeing them.  Pictures from their song can be found in the set list below.

The band for the rest of the night consisted of Jay Rowe on keyboards:

Dave Anderson on bass:

Trever Somerville on drums:
MC41914018a

…and Steve Scales on percussion:

SET LIST
1.
Clocks (Coldplay cover)
Musicians: Select members of the West Shore Middle School Band, under the direction of Mr. Bob Nunno (who also played keyboard)

MC41914004a

MC41914007a

Applause:
MC41914010a

Like the previous night, Kevin returned to the stage to introduce Jay and his band.  Jay welcomed the audience…:

…then played the first song of the main show, the second song overall:

2. Pleasure Island (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Laugh Out Loud,” 2001
Featured musician: Jay Rowe (keyboards)

3. George Can’t Dance (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Catwalk,” 1994 (Special EFX album)
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar), Nelson Rangell (alto sax)

4. Till the End of Time (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013 (Chieli Minucci & Special EFX album)
Featured musicians: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar), Nelson Rangell (alto sax)

5. Point of Departure (Nelson Rangell)
Originally heard on: “Red” and “Blue” (upcoming albums) (1/30/15 UPDATE: “Red” and “Blue” are available for download this Sunday, February 1.)
Featured musician: Nelson Rangell (alto sax)

6. Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)*/Slammin’ (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: “Influences,” 2014
Featured musician: Nick Colionne (electric guitar)
*-Jay’s intro tune for Nick

7. Melting Into You (Nick Colionne)
Originally heard on: “No Limits,” 2008
Featured musicians: Nick Colionne (vocals/electric guitar), Marion Meadows (soprano sax) (walked on mid-song)

8. The Lift (Marion Meadows)
Originally heard on: “Body Rhythm,” 1995
Featured musician: Marion Meadows (soprano sax)
Marion and Jay co-wrote this song, the last track on “Body Rhythm,” which featured both them and Dave Anderson.

9. My Cherie Amour (Marion Meadows; Stevie Wonder cover)
Originally heard on: “Body Rhythm,” 1995
Featured musicians: Timmy Maia (vocals), Marion Meadows (soprano sax), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)

10. Blue Lagoon (Chieli Minucci)
Originally heard on: “Genesis,” 2013 (Chieli Minucci & Special EFX album)
Featured musician: Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)

11. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (The Allman Brothers Band cover)
Featured musicians: Caitlin Kalafus (drums), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar)

12. Children’s Games (Nelson Rangell; Antonio Carlos Jobim cover)
Originally heard on: “Red” and “Blue” (upcoming albums) (1/30/15 UPDATE: “Red” and “Blue” are available for download this Sunday, February 1.)
Featured musicians: Nelson Rangell (whistling/piccolo/vocals/claps), Musician (acoustic guitar)
When I spoke to Jay in February, I wondered what Nelson’s whistle song would be this year.  This was a pleasant surprise, and the second year in a row where Nelson covered a Jobim tune.

13. Rainbow Seeker (Nelson Rangell; Joe Sample cover)
Originally heard on: “Far Away Day,” 2000
Featured musician: Nelson Rangell (flute)

14 (Finale). James Brown Tribute
Featured musicians: Everyone, led by Nick Colionne (vocals)

Now for various pictures of each musician, beginning with Jay Rowe:

MC41914041a

MC41914259a

Dave Anderson:
MC41914028a

Trever Somerville:
MC41914056a

MC41914057a

MC41914145a

MC41914146a

MC41914149a

MC41914150a

Steve Scales:
MC41914013a

MC41914014a

MC41914077a

MC41914101a

MC41914103a

MC41914115a

Chieli Minucci:
Electric guitar:

Acoustic guitar on “Children’s Games”:

Nelson Rangell:
Alto sax:

Flute:

Piccolo:

Percussion via Steve’s chimes:
MC41914-NelsonChimes-sharpened

Vocals and claps:

Whistling:

MC41914217a

MC41914235a

“Nelson Rangell, ladies and gentlemen!”:
MC41914241a

Nick Colionne:
Guitar:

Vocals:

Marion Meadows:

Timmy Maia:

MC41914157a

Caitlin Kalafus:
MC41914180a

This was Caitlin’s first appearance at SJFS in six years.

MC41914182a

MC41914183a

MC41914184a

MC41914201a

MC41914202a

MC41914203a

MC41914205a

MC41914206a

To be blunt, she rocked!

MC41914207a

The audience agreed.

MC41914208a

MC41914209a

MC41914210a

On to wide shots.  First up, “George Can’t Dance”:
MC41914050a

“Till the End of Time”:
MC41914073a

During “Melting Into You”…:
MC41914106a

…and after:
MC41914108a

MC41914109a

“The Lift”:

During “My Cherie Amour”…:
MC41914158a

MC41914160a

…and after:
MC41914166a

MC41914167a

“In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”:
MC41914179a

“Children’s Games”:
MC41914219a

MC41914220a

MC41914230a

Steve and Trever’s “Rainbow Seeker” duet:
MC41914269a

MC41914270a

MC41914271a

MC41914272a

MC41914273a

MC41914274a

MC41914277a

MC41914278a

MC41914279a

MC41914282a

MC41914283a

MC41914285a

MC41914286a

MC41914287a

MC41914290a

The wild finale (isn’t it always?): Nick’s tribute to James Brown:

MC41914294a

“Yeah!”:
MC41914295a

“Ha-haaaa!”:
MC41914297a

Nick: “Here we go!  Can I count it off?!”  Nelson: “Count it off!”
MC41914298a

“1, 2, 3, ‘ey!”

MC41914302a

MC41914304a

MC41914305a

Time to go into the audience:
MC41914309a

MC41914311a

(singing): “What about you?!”: (4/27 UPDATE: Or as it’s spelled on “Influences,” “Whatta ‘Bout You?”)
MC41914312a

MC41914314a

What about Jay’s mother-in-law?:

MC41914318a

MC41914322a

Meanwhile, back on stage:
MC41914323a

Caitlin briefly returned to drums…:
MC41914324a

…and Timmy took over percussion:
MC41914325a

No tribute to James Brown would be complete without the cape routine:

MC41914333a

Jay wrapped it up:
MC41914334a

MC41914336a

MC41914339a

MC41914341a

“See you all next year!”

MC41914342a

MC41914344a

Bob Nunno was sitting near where I set up.  So, we spoke for a few minutes after the show.  Then, I had my girlfriend take our picture:
MC41914348a

Putting together these recaps is a labor of love.  From capturing to editing to uploading to writing, it’s a long and trying process.  When I left the Parsons Complex on Saturday night, I contemplated not going again.  But that would be crazy.  I love Smooth Jazz for Scholars.  For two days out of the year, Milford is my home.  I am grateful to Jay and everyone involved each year for putting on what I consider the Super Bowl of contemporary jazz.

I’ll be back, and I hope you, the reader (if you’re into this genre), make plans to come, too.  Thank you for reading, and to quote Jay, see you all next year!

SJFS 2014 Night 1 recap April 23, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Internet, Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.
add a comment

For eight years, I’ve traveled to Milford, Connecticut, for Jay Rowe‘s Smooth Jazz for Scholars benefit concert.  This is the first year that has taken place on Easter weekend.  My original plan was to only come to this first night – Friday, April 18.  But when I spoke to Jay between sets at Jeff Kashiwa’s Houndstooth Pub show in February, he convinced me to come to both nights.  I’m glad I did.  I’ll recap the second night in a separate post, but let’s focus on the first night.

The night began just after 8PM with an introduction from Kevin McCabe:

The first song of the night was by select members of the Foran High School Jazz Ensemble.  Pictures from that song can be found in the set list below.

As for the main band, you had SJFS founder Jay Rowe on keyboards:

Dave Anderson on bass:

Trever Somerville on drums:
MC41814073a

Steve Scales on percussion:
MC41814090a

…and for nine songs, Rohn Lawrence on guitar:

SET LIST
1.
Pick Up the Pieces (Average White Band cover)
Featured musicians: Foran “Average High School Ensemble,” as they called themselves
MC41814003a

MC41814006a

Applause:
MC41814011a

MC41814013a

MC41814014a

After the ensemble performed, Kevin McCabe returned to the stage to resume his introduction, then he tossed to Jay Rowe:

2. Rosemary’s Tune (Jay Rowe)
Originally heard on: “Live at Daniel Street,” 2011
Featured musicians: Jay Rowe (keyboards), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

3. Just a Natural Thang (Steve Cole)
Originally heard on: “True,” 2006
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

4. Going in Circles (Steve Cole; The Friends of Distinction cover)
Originally heard on: “Pulse,” 2013
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

5. The Music Inside (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “The Music Inside,” 1996
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar)

6. Hacienda (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Hacienda,” 2013 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber (keyboard), Steve Cole (tenor sax), Chuck Loeb (guitar)

7. Tune 88 (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Jeff Lorber (keyboard), Chuck Loeb (guitar), Rohn Lawrence (guitar), Kim Waters (alto sax)

8. Waterfall (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “Someone to Love You,” 2002
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

9. In the House (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “From the Heart,” 2001
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Chuck Loeb (guitar), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

10. With You All the Way/All ‘n All (Steve Cole)
Originally heard on: “Pulse,” 2013
Featured musicians: Steve Cole (tenor sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

11. Silver Lining (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “Silhouette,” 2013
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar), Jeff Lorber (keyboard)

12. Silhouette (Chuck Loeb)
Originally heard on: “Silhouette,” 2013
Featured musicians: Chuck Loeb (guitar), Jeff Lorber (keyboard)

13. Red Wine and You (Kim Waters)
Originally heard on: “My Loves,” 2013
Featured musicians: Kim Waters (alto sax), Rohn Lawrence (guitar)

14. Confirmation (Charlie Parker cover)
Keyboard duet: Jay Rowe, Jeff Lorber

15 (Finale). Toad’s Place (Jeff Lorber)
Originally heard on: “Water Sign,” 1979 (Jeff Lorber Fusion album)
Featured musicians: Everyone

Let’s move on to various pictures of each musician.

We start with Jay Rowe:

MC41814037a

A call and response with Chuck Loeb on “The Music Inside”:
MC41814081a

MC41814082a

MC41814086a

Dave Anderson:

MC41814173a

Trever Somerville:

MC41814162a

MC41814224a

MC41814225a

MC41814226a

MC41814227a

MC41814228a

MC41814229a

MC41814233a

MC41814234a

MC41814235a

Steve Scales:

MC41814051a

MC41814054a

Prompting the audience to clap during “Waterfall”:

MC41814124a

MC41814171a

MC41814221a

MC41814222a

Rohn Lawrence:

I love when he creeps up the fingerboard.

MC41814119a

I love this, too:
MC41814240a

Steve Cole:

MC41814062a

MC41814158a

Chuck Loeb:

Chuck worked scat into his “In the House” solo:
MC41814145a

MC41814166a

MC41814170a

Kim Waters:
MC41814112a

MC41814113a

MC41814127a

MC41814128a

MC41814130a

Kim briefly switched to keyboard – Jeff Lorber’s keyboard – during his “In the House” solo:
MC41814152a

MC41814192a

MC41814196a

MC41814197a

Jeff Lorber:
MC41814092a

MC41814097a

MC41814100a

MC41814109a

MC41814180a

MC41814181a

MC41814183a

MC41814208a

MC41814209a

On to wide shots, beginning with “Rosemary’s Tune”:
MC41814020

“Going in Circles”:
MC41814056a

“Hacienda”:
MC41814087a

“Tune 88”:
MC41814098a

MC41814110a

MC41814111a

MC41814121a

“In the House”:
MC41814137a

MC41814150a

“Confirmation,” a duet by Jay and Jeff:
MC41814199a

MC41814201a

MC41814211a

The finale – “Toad’s Place”:
MC41814212a

MC41814213a

MC41814215a

MC41814220a

MC41814223a

MC41814231a

MC41814236a

MC41814247a

MC41814248a

The first night of Smooth Jazz for Scholars was in the books.  Jay gave it up one more time for all performers.

MC41814249a

MC41814251a

MC41814253a

Afterward, I had brief conversations with Steve Cole, Chuck Loeb, Kim Waters, and Jeff Lorber.  I also got pictures with three of them, starting with Jeff:
MC41814254-1a

Then Kim:

And Chuck:
MC41814256-1a

There were more musical thrills on the second night.  Click here to see.

2014 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony April 12, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in DVD, Interviews, Media, Music, News, Personal, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, TV, Video.
add a comment

Other Hall of Fame ceremony recaps: 2012, 20132015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-21, 2022, 2023

Last Saturday, the WCWP Hall of Fame welcomed four new inductees in a ceremony in the Goldsmith Atrium at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s inductees were Rita Sands, Frank D’Elia, Ted David, and the late Bill Epperhart.

You can see videos of the ceremony at the end, but first, the pictures:

MC40514005a

MC40514008a

MC40514010a

MC40514014a

MC40514011a

MC40514013a

Pete Bellotti welcomed the audience shortly after 1PM:

Images from the intro video, voiced by Jim Cutler:
MC40514018a

MC40514019a

MC40514020a

The ceremony was hosted by Jeff Kroll:

Bill Mozer assumed the co-host position:
MC40514023a

MC40514024a

Rita Sands could not make it to the ceremony, and instead pre-recorded an interview with Bernie Bernard:
MC40514026

Bernie:

Bernie and Jeff posed with Rita’s plaque:

The second inductee of the day was Frank D’Elia:

The view from my camcorder:
MC40514034a

MC40514036a

MC40514038a

Frank receives his plaque:
MC40514043a

Like Rita, Ted David was unable to attend the ceremony. But he did record an acceptance speech:
MC40514-TedDavidVideo-Vidcap

MC40514046a

Dan Cox, WCWP station manager, spoke next:
MC40514048a

MC40514047a

Dan brought up ceremony audio engineer Zach Parker to share the news of a generous donation to WCWP by Zach’s father:
MC40514055a

Then, reflections of Bill Epperhart began. Dan shared his memories first, then Frank, Bill Mozer, and Jeff joined in.

MC40514060a

MC40514062a

MC40514064a

Dan Epperhart, Bill’s son, accepted his father’s plaque:
MC40514065a

And gave an eloquent, emotional speech:
MC40514068a

Then, Jeff Kroll and Bill Mozer tossed to other alumni in the audience to share their memories:
MC40514073a

Phil Lebowitz was first:

Then, Mike Phillips:

MC40514077a

Neil Marks:
MC40514079a

Bruce Leonard:

MC40514085a

MC40514086a

Roberta Epperhart O’Neil, widow of Bill’s brother Mike:

Pete Vogel, Bill’s cousin:

The last stroll down memory was provided by Jay Elzweig:

MC40514092

Jeff wrapped it up:

MC40514-JeffWrapsItUp

The only thing left to do was pose for pictures:
MC40514097a

MC40514099a

MC40514101a

7/9/23 UPDATE: I originally split the ceremony video into two parts, but posted a complete version today.

6/7/24 UPDATE: I don’t know how to embed the video in WordPress classic mode. So, click on the link below to watch.

2014 WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony (2023 repost in full)

As you can see, this year’s WCWP Hall of Fame Ceremony ended up running for a little over two hours.  Memories were shared and praise was heaped. It was a day I won’t soon forget. Congratulations to Rita Sands, Frank D’Elia, Ted David, and Bill Epperhart.

One year with iPhone April 11, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Audio, Health, Internet, Media, News, Personal, Phone, Photography, Radio, Sports, Technology, Travel, TV.
add a comment

A year ago yesterday, I boarded the iPhone bandwagon by switching from an LG enV3, which I had for 3 1/2 years, to an iPhone 5.  When I’m not texting or making a phone call, it’s a great alternative for internet access.  My workouts with the Nike Running app have gone further than I was going in my first iPhone post last July.  I’ve gone as far as 5.35 miles in one workout and broke 100 miles for the month of March.

When I need to comparison shop, I use shopping apps.  When I want to listen to the radio, I have the TuneIn app.  I’ve downloaded apps for several networks, network affiliates, and cable channels.

But I still wish the internal hard drive was bigger; maybe with the next iPhone.

Winter 2013-2014 recap March 28, 2014

Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Media, Music, Personal, Photography, Technology, Weather.
add a comment

3/31 UPDATE: Pictures of this morning’s wet snow added at the end of this post.

4/16 UPDATE: Post revised to reflect earlier snow than I previously remembered and a coating early this morning.

The winter of 2013-14 didn’t begin and end at the official times.  Winter weather bled into mid-fall and early spring.  The first snow came over a month before winter and the last came a month after winter.  The first storm to produce an inch or more of snow came two weeks before winter and the last storm to do that came a week and a half after winter.

This post serves as a photo recap of most of the snow to affect my neck of the woods – Western Long Island.

Unlike the previous two winters, there were a handful of storms that left six or more inches of snow.  Luckily, February 13 was the last storm of that kind.  The rest of the season featured minor storms with little to no accumulation.

November 12:
MC111213001-1-2a

December 8:
MC120813002-1a

MC120813003a

December 10:
MC121013002a

MC121013003a

MC121013004a

MC121013005a

MC121013008a

MC121013009a

MC121013011a

MC121013012a

December 14:
MC121413003a

MC121413012a

MC121413016a

As I went outside to shovel, the snow switched to rain and the air temperature approached 50 degrees, about 25 degrees warmer than when snow began.

MC121413017a

January 2-3: See separate post

January 21-22: See separate post

January’s snow was powdery and lightweight because temperatures were well below freezing.  As you’ll see below, most of February’s snow was wet and heavyweight as temperatures were near or above freezing when it fell.

February 3:
MC20314001a

MC20314002a

MC20314003a

MC20314004a

MC20314007a

MC20314009a

MC20314014a

MC20314015a

MC20314016a

February 5:
MC20514002a

A couple of inches fell on February 9, but were powdery and light.  It was nonetheless hard to shovel because of the frozen slush in the driveway from the previous two storms.

February 13:
MC21314004a

MC21314005a

MC21314007a

MC21314011a

February 14:
MC21414001a

As I noted at the top, this was the last big snowstorm of the season.  A smaller storm dropped a couple of inches on February 15, which didn’t stop me from going to Manhattan to see saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa perform.

February 18:
MC21814003a

MC21814006a

After this quick coating of snow, we were treated to six days of above normal temperatures; perfect melting weather.

Snow showers came through on the afternoon of February 26, also leaving a coating, which quickly melted in the sun, despite temperatures in the 20s.

March 3:
MC30314001a

March was a month of near misses and close calls.  It began with this storm.  Nearly a foot of snow was initially forecast, but in the 48 hours leading up to the storm, computer models kept suppressing it further and further south.  Thus, the snowfall forecast dropped all the way down to an inch at most.  We ended up with less than that, but I still shoveled it.

MC30314003a

The next near miss came on March 17.  Once again, a lot of snow was expected initially, but that threat went away quicker.  Again, up to an inch was the final forecast and we didn’t get a thing.  I woke up on St. Patrick’s Day to a dry driveway.

The ultimate near miss came on March 26, a week into spring.  This would be a blizzard, like the one on January 2, but with wet snow, like the three storms in February.  Up to nine inches was expected for a while, but the storm was suppressed to the south and east, making it a bigger threat for eastern New England and Atlantic Canada.  For them, it was a monster with tropical storm-force gusts on land and hurricane-force gusts at sea.  For us, only a coating fell, which quickly melted.  And wind gusts behind the storm were no higher than 50 miles per hour.

As pretty as snow is when it falls, it is a pain to shovel.  So, as of now, I won’t miss winter completely.  Luckily, as we move deeper into spring, milder temperatures are ahead.

Before long, the three Hs – hazy, hot, and humid – will return, and the pesky Bermuda High will keep humidity-breaking cold fronts from coming through.  By then, cold air and snow will be a refreshing thought.

3/31 UPDATE: Earlier this morning, around sunrise, rain began to mix with sleet and wet snow, and then it changed to all wet snow.  About an inch fell over two hours and is already melting, as of 11AM.  Here is how it looked:
MC33114002-1a

MC33114005a

MC33114003a

MC33114004a

MC33114006a

MC33114007a

MC33114008a

This should be the last snow of the season.  If I don’t post anymore updates, you’ll know it was.

4/16 UPDATE: It wasn’t.  A shot of unseasonably cold air behind a cold front turned any precipitation to sleet or wet snow overnight.  Temperatures were near freezing at the time.  It dropped a quick coating, which I found on my sister’s car and the backyard deck when I woke up after sunrise:
MC41614001a

MC41614002a

MC41614003a

MC41614004a

MC41614005a

MC41614006a

MC41614007a

The coating will melt fast in the warm April sun, even though it’s only 35 degrees as I type at 9:30 AM.  Since it’s spring, a freeze warning was issued for this morning.  Temperatures will return to normal by the weekend.