NO MATTER WHAT

I loved this old cop show with Travanti, Renko, Mike Warren, Belker, even Betty and Veronica. I know, I've mixed some real names with some character names. James Sikking, too.

But my favorite was the lieutenant, who read the daily agenda and APB's. There would be an occasional inside joke, a commendation, a smart remark from one or more of the officers, a poignant story.

But before they broke for the day's activities, he would always say, "And remember: be careful out there." I always liked that.

We had a similar meeting daily in the B Building Teachers' Lounge. Lots of smoke, plenty of coffee, and lots of laughs before the day began. Most would arrive at 7:45 and leave at the 8:20 bell. Some a little sooner; some much later especially if first hour or block was a conference. The regulars were Coach Red, Sam, Charlie Williams, Hack, Will Lee, Doc Feuquay, Joe O,Vance Beene, Dave Skorch, Stubblefield once in awhile, Chuck Stallings, Morey Tolley, Ron De Forrest and me. Rarely would females enter though Lucy Baker, Betty Wechsler, and Peggy Simmons braved it quite a bit.

We lost the lounge when the administration thought union activity/anti-administrative comments, and plans for teacher strikes were originating there. How wrong they were. It was just a place to blow off steam, have some laughs, and tell the same old stories day after day, year after year. No telling how many kids' lives were made easier by that lounge, but like Renko and the Hill St. boys, we knew we, too, had to be careful out there.

BACK IN THE DAY

Hairstyles have always been a generational divider. Since Butch Wax gave way to the Beatle hairstyle, the older folks have trouble adjusting.

The only difference now is that I'm on the spectrum that disapproves. And I do. At least for this generation's bed head look.

But before I become too disgruntled about styles, I was recently reminded of Pat Boone's white bucks. White bucks were boys and young men's shoes that were popular in the late 1950's because, well because Pat Boone wore them. Pat, a good Christian man, has always been a clean cut guy. And back then, he was a role model to a generation that wasn't looking to rebel against anything conventional.

The white bucks were rather like suede or hush puppies. They would obviously get dirty. So the dapper dressers of the time carried a small resin bag with them to pat (pun) down the dirt and give them a clean look.

I was 10 or 11 when I wore mine, and I was one of maybe 20 guys in grades 4-6 at Field School (re-dubbed Dr. Andy Hall in my 6th grade year) to wear them. As I look back, it seems unbelievable that we wore them and would fool with them. If they weren't cleaned up, the wearer was looked at with disgust.

I guess it's like a lot of all hairstyles and fads. It's a hoot to look at them in old picture albums or yearbooks. While the style has thankfully gone away, I'm glad Pat Boone is still one of the good guys.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT

Many have said that "Pitchers and catchers report" are the best words of Winter. It means we have survived another Winter. Almost. It means there is hope for longer days and bluer skies. And that's probably the key: there is hope.

For Cardinal fans, there's hope for another post season run. Hopefully a longer run that losing to the wild card team in the NLCS. There's also the opening of the New Busch Stadium, which is much more like a ballpark, but I guess Busch Ballpark with all the alliteration just doesn't cut it.

The there's the pitching staff. On paper it's the best in my memory bank. Especially if dried out Sid Ponson with hair comes around, then wrap up the Central Division title now and hang a banner on the new right field wall.

Offensively, the Birds should do well. St. Louis will bring out the best in Encarnacion and maybe even some cat named Bigbie. Jim Edmonds should have a better season along with phenom Yadier. Rolen and Mr. Pujols will provide Midwest thrills. Steady Eck and Junior Spivey will gel. Only off speed stuff will keep JRod from contributing a ton. A solid bullpen led by The Wizard of Iz will allow fans to get some early shut eye when the Cardinals make their West Coast swing. And with Tony and Walt in charge, well, it doesn't get any better. For historically relevant Al "Red" Schoendiest, it will be good to see him around the park again. A final touch--Mike Shannon; the most positive announcer in the history of the sport will pump up Cardinal Nation on a daily basis.

No worries. It's all good. St. Louis Cardinal baseball-dig it!!

"YOU CAN'T BUY A GOLF GAME"

Faithful reader(s) know I've struggled mightily with my golf game recently. I just don't play as well as I once did.

The solution must be in the clubs. Because I'm the same, right?

So I have recently bought a new driver, a Taylor-Made R 5, which is supposed to make me draw the ball. I still fade it.

I broke an old 7-wood last month. Because of a good shot. You see, they have more shots from 170-190 yards out in Arizona. At least it seems that way. I'm always at that distance and I don't have a club I hit consistently from there.
I was 185 yards from the hole on a par three at Starfire. I hit my 7-wood and I hit it well. It landed about 8 yards short of the green. "I can't hit it any better," I told my playing partner and lofted the club twenty yards to the cart. It almost landed in his bag, but it crimped the shaft. I wasn't real mad. I didn't throw the club. I just decided that if I couldn't hit it any better, I didn't need it.

For Valentine's Day, my wife decided I needed new irons. Oh, boy, did I agree. I rushed out to Golfsmith to purchase some Ping G-5's that I had admired for some time. The salesman asked if I had time to hit balls. He selected two other irons for me to hit, as well. Grudgingly, I did. Of course, I didn't hit the Mizuno or Taylor-Made as well, but I also didn't pulverize the Ping either. He critiqued my swing and told me it looked good, but my clubhead speed was terrible. He suggested lessons from something called Golf Tech where they hook you up to
cathodes like a CAT scan and they can find out what's wrong.

Having seen a nearby golf pro nearly ruin Courtney's golf game her senior year in high school, I declined. That's when he laid the line on me that it wouldn't do any good to buy the Pings, because "You can't buy a golf game."

At least he didn't tell me to re-shaft the 7-wood. That really would have made me mad.

SO WHY THESE TWO?

I'm so out of it, I have no idea who these two are. They may be even one. They're called Rare Rain and Summer Phoenix. I don't even know what they do.

But it sure describes our weather. We are currently in our 120th day of no rain. Nunca. Zilch. Nary a drop. That's one-third of a year. October 19 was the last time.

Normally we get 5-6 inches per year, I believe. I remember one year we only got 4, but it was spread out so it seemed great to me. And last year we got 8-9 and Those in the Know said the drought was over.

We have plenty of water thanks to the Colorado River and Salt River Project and other sources. We use untreated water for our golf courses and I suppose our sprinkler systems. I hope so, because my grass is very green and it gets watered often. Our drinking water is a little better than Rend Lake's, although I drink mostly the bottled stuff.

That's probably more than you needed to know about the water in the Southwest. As much as I dislike dark clouds and rainy days, if you can do a little rain dance for us, it would be appreciated. Also, let me know who these two in the picture are.

JANE THE SALUKI

I haven't been around too many movie stars. Except for those in Ben Hall's movies, including Scott who played a dead guy in one. But I was very close to Hanoi Jane at an SIU Convocation back in 1969.

I was seated about three rows from her front and center. Stylish in a tan turtleneck and dark green jacket, she was very attractive. Until she opened her mouth.

Oh, she said some things I really liked, like ending the war in Viet Nam. Hey, that's what I was doing at SIU in the first place, trying to keep my feet on US soil. That may not be too politically correct these days, but I've never shied from not wanting to go to Viet Nam.

But that's about the only thing I heard her say that I agreed with. While I didn't want to go, I would have if drafted. She had more respect for those going to Canada to avoid serving. As far as the US soldiers and politicians, she referred to them as "John Wayne freaks." She disdained authority for searching her as she passed from Canada to the US and was found to have drugs. She claimed they were marked B, L, and D for supplements for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She didn't like Barberella (I guess that's another area of agreement) and basically anything establishment.

How did the Saluki crowd like her? Plenty. And the Daily Egyptian, the college newspaper, made her out to be a movie star who had her act together. It was about that time that I thought the founding fathers of Mt.Vernon made a good choice in selecting to take the Apellate Court House instead of SIU.

NEW YORK NEW YORK

With Summer just a few months away and with a huge N'or easter hitting the east coast this weekend, it's time to look at a New York vacation.

It's a must. It's a heckuva city with lots to do. I guess that's an understatement. The way we like to do is get to the city, do it up good, and get out. It's so expensive that you can't stay long.

First, enjoy a New York deli. They're everywhere and the food is tops. The deli from "When Harry Met Sally," Katz is the absolute best, but most any other will do. Try a Doctor Brown's Cream Soda--nowhere else are they that good.

A good place to stay that's close to a lot of action is the Ramada Renaissance on 47th Street, near Times Square and close enough to the theatre district to walk. It's also close to TKTS which offers reduced prices for Broadway plays. These are a must. And while you can't catch Les Mis anymore, you can still see The Lion King. Don't bother with rent or the producers. Off Broadway? Beats me. There's always been enough on Broadway that's kept us busy. The intimacy of the theatres adds to the enjoyment.

A ballgame is also a requirement. You can catch the subway to Shea Stadium, but I'd suggest a private car to Yankee Stadium. It's not in the best part of the city and it's really not that much more than a cab. Cabbies are mostly bad. If you can find an American driver snag him. It may be impossible, though, so don't waste valuable time looking.

A Grey Line Tour is always a pretty good option. Take a long one--preferably the first day so you can familiarize yourself with the Apple. A good consignoir at your hotel can take care of a lot of logistics for you.

If you've never been, it must be seen to be believed. And don't be afraid of the subways. At least not in Manhattan.

It may not be the trip of a lifetime, but it's close.