I’ve never watched even one episode of American Idol. However, my nephew Rich passed along this four minute excerpt of an episode from the British version of the show, and it’s truly about as inspiring as anything I’ve seen recently from television. There is some speculation around the Web that the performer was a ringer, but this critic makes a good case that he is legit. Take a look. It might just make your day.
Garrison Keillor didn’t much like the way in which some “burly” security men behaved during his trip to Texas last year, but this post indicates that security matters can get a bit out of hand even in such progressive outposts as Keillor’s beloved Minneapolis. A couple of Minneapolis’ finest apparently decided to arrest, rough up and Taser a citizen who had the audacity to attempt to ride home from the local airport on his bicycle. The bicyclist ended up spending 24 hours in jail before being released on a $2,000 bond. A trial, in which the bicyclist is apparently representing himself, is scheduled for mid-July. Stay tuned.
Charles Kuffner passes along the news that J. Fred Duckett — the longtime public address announcer for Rice University sports teams, the Stros, the Oilers, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Texas Relays and many other events — is battling leukemia and in need of blood platelet donations. Kuff’s post has the information on how to arrange a donation, as does this post from the Rice forum. Please give if you can and pass along the information to anyone who has enjoyed J. Fred’s good-natured style over the years (no one who ever heard it will forget J. Fred announcing at Stros games “Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzz!”).
Update: Sad news. J. Fred died on Monday, June 25. Charles Kuffner has more.