Frank F. Weber's Blog, page 21

Mental Illness and Corrections

Branden Deal, with Nicolette and Kaycee after the pinning ceremony. Branden is now a CPO, or Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. His specific title is AEC (AW) Branden Deal, which stands for Chief Aviation Electrician (Air Warfare). Kaycee giving Branden his chief pin. In every county in the US that has both a county jail and a county psychiatric facility, the jail has more seriously mentally ill individuals. There are “more than three times more seriously mentally ill persons in jails and prisons than in hospitals.” The nation’s jails and prisons have replaced hospitals as the primary facility for mentally ill individuals. There are more seriously mentally ill individuals in the Los Angeles County Jail, Chicago’s Cook County Jail, or New York’s Riker’s Island Jail than in any psychiatric hospital in the United States. Torrey EF, Kennard AD, Eslinger D et al. More Mentally Ill Persons
 
This is an outline of Frank Weber’s presentation for Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties on 9/21/2107
 
Serious mental illness is defined as Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder and Major Depressive disorder.  Serious mental illness costs $193 billion in lost earnings per year.
                  
Impact on Corrections
Mentally ill individuals remain incarcerated for longer than those without mental illness charged for the same offenses.  25% of mentally ill offenders have 3 or more prior sentences.  Mentally ill offenders cause considerable management and financial problems for corrections.
 
Study of jail inmates in New York and Maryland concluded 15% of men and 31% of women had a serious mental illness diagnosed in the last month.  Mental illness is associated with substance use, homelessness, poverty and mental instability.  The Minnesota Sherriff’s organization estimates 30% of our jail population is struggling with mental illness. 
 
The average stay for mentally ill inmates in jail is longer than for non–mentally ill inmates. In Florida’s Orange County Jail, the average stay for all inmates is 26 days; for mentally ill inmates, it is 51 days. In New York’s Riker’s Island Jail, the average stay for all inmates is 42 days; for mentally ill inmates, it is 215 days. The main reason mentally ill inmates stay longer is that many find it difficult to understand and follow jail and prison rules. In one study, jail inmates were twice as likely (19 percent versus 9 percent) to be charged with facility rule violations. In another study in the Washington State prisons, mentally ill inmates accounted for 41 percent of infractions even though they constituted only 19 percent of the prison population. (http://consensusproject.org/infocente..., last accessed April 3, 2006. Turner C, Ethical issues in criminal justice administration, American Jails, January/February 2007. Butterfield F. Study finds hundreds of thousands of inmates mentally ill, New York Times, October 22, 2003. )
 
Mentally ill inmates cost more. Mentally ill inmates cost more than non–mentally ill inmates for a variety of reasons, including increased staffing needs. In Broward County, Florida, it costs $80 a day to house a regular inmate but $130 a day for an inmate with mental illness. In Texas prisons “the average prisoner costs the state about $22,000 a year,” but “prisoners with mental illness range from $30,000 to $50,000 a year.” Psychiatric medications are a significant part of the increased costs; in July of 2002 at Ohio’s Clark County Jail, prescription drugs costs for inmates exceeded the costs of feeding inmates. Finally, there is the cost of an increasing number of lawsuits, such as the suit brought in New Jersey in 2006 by the family of a “65-year-old mentally ill stockbroker who was stomped to death in Camden county jail”, not accounted for in these statistics. Miller CM, Fantz A. Special “psych” jails planned, Miami Herald, November 15, 2007. Bender E. Community treatment more humane, reduces criminal-justice costs, Psychiatric News 2003;38:28. Gottschlich AJ, Cetnar G. Drug bills at jail top food costs, Springfield [OH] News Sun, August 20, 2002. Guenther A. Family sues Camco over prisoner’s death, [NJ] Courier Post, June 14, 2006.
 
Mentally ill inmates are major management problems. Because of their impaired thinking, inmates with serious mental illness present major management problems. For example, in 2005 in Mississippi’s Hinds County Jail, one inmate was described as having “tore up a damn padded cell that’s indestructible, and he ate the cover of the damn padded cell. We took his clothes and gave him a paper suit to wear, and he ate that. When they fed him food in a styrofoam container, he ate that. We had his stomach pumped six times, and he’s been operated on twice.” In Wisconsin a 2010 audit of three state prisons reported that “between 55 percent and 76 percent of inmates in segregation [isolation] are mentally ill.” (Mitchell J. Treatment, not jail, urged for mentally ill in Miss., Jackson [MS] Clarion Ledger, January 25, 2009. Ridgeway J, Casella J. Locking down the mentally ill, The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog, February 24, 2010,http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/arc...
_th.html, last accessed April 28, 2011.)
 
Mentally ill inmates are more likely to commit suicide. Half of all inmate suicides are committed by inmates who are seriously mentally ill. A 2002 study in Washington State reported that “the prevalence of mental illness among inmates who attempted suicide was 77 percent, compared with 15 percent [among inmates] in the general jail population.” In California in 2002, the Los Angeles Times headlined: “Jail Suicides Reach Record Pace in State,” and added: “Some experts blame the recent surge, on forcing more of the mentally ill behind bars.” (Goss JR, Peterson K, Smith LW et al. Characteristics of suicide attempts in a large urban jail system with an established suicide prevention program, Psychiatric Services 2002;53:574– 579. Johnson J. Jail suicide)
 
The correctional population tripled between 1982 and 2007. One in six of people in jail have serious mental illness, and within that group, over seven in ten have co-occurring substance use disorder.  According to Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota, in Changes in the Mental Health System:  “The increasing numbers of people with serious mental illnesses in our criminal justice system has seriously strained the resources and staff. Police and sheriffs often cite their frustrations with having to respond to people with mental illnesses, often for public nuisance crimes but other times for a psychiatric crisis. Judges are overwhelmed with the volume of cases, often repeat offenders whose untreated mental illness results in numerous appearances before the court.   Jail staff feel particularly lacking in the training and education needed to keep these individuals safe, including those who may be at risk for suicide. Local budgets are strained by the costs of providing medication. Prisons are also not well equipped to address the needs of these inmates.”  From an article by Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of NAMI Minnesota. “Changes in the Mental Health System.” Published on the Council on Crime and Justice website at: http://www.crimeandjustice.org/councilinfo.cfm?pID=55
 
45% of mental illness goes untreated
40% of schizophrenia is untreated   (When treated 25% show good recovery and 75% show improvement)  Every new psychotic episode takes twice as long to recover from, and takes more medication to recover from.  More medication means more side effects.
 
51% of severe bipolar disorder is untreated (The success rate for treating bipolar disorder is 80%.) 
 
Depression (When treated 30% recover in 3 months, 50% recover in 6 months and 80% recover in one year.)  2/3rd of suicides are attributed to untreated depression.  The vast majority of people who attend counseling and take medication for 9 months for depression will never need medication and counseling again.    Untreated depression leads to increased cortisol levels, which can slow the slow the production of new neurons and cause the hippocampus to shrink.  This can lead to memory problems. 
 
Mental Illness in Jails in Minnesota
The vast majority of Minnesota’s county jails offer psychiatric medications, as is required by law, but often that is the extent of their mental health treatment services. A report completed by the Department of Human Services in Minnesota in 2015 noted, “Not a single jail in Minnesota coordinates care with community providers on a consistent and widespread basis.” Since 2006, jails perform a health screen upon entry, but there is a strong likelihood for mental health deterioration after time in jail, particularly since it is common for inmates to not have their medications at the time of arrest. Currently there are no routine follow-up mental health screens in jail. Minnesota Department of Human Services January 2015 43 Report: Offenders with Mental Illness
 
In addition, rarely do law enforcement, judges and others have access to an individual’s mental health information. They may not know the appropriate questions to ask or the signs to look for to help them determine if the causal factor for the individual’s involvement with the criminal justice system is due to their mental health.
 
Solutions:  Increase resources for probation to ensure reasonable caseloads, training, and access to services. Many jails have difficulty in coordinating discharge services within the time frame of a typical jail stay. There is not enough time and a lack of community resources to direct inmates to, following discharge. There needs to be a coordinated hand off from discharge directly to community resources. For example, jails have had difficulty finding out whether a person booked into jail already has a caseworker. This can lead to delays in service. Currently people are being discharged from jail but often have nowhere to go, drastically increasing the chances that a person will end up returning to jail.
 
According to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health:  There is no over-arching entity that directs how services should be delivered or that is evaluating outcomes in the criminal justice system.  We know that least 20 percent of youth involved in the juvenile justice system have serious mental illnesses. Once a youth becomes involved in the juvenile justice system and is detained or incarcerated, access to effective and successful mental health treatment is less likely to occur. This corresponds with an increased likelihood of further and deeper involvement in the justice system into adulthood. 24 See: http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2... 25 State Advisory Council on Mental Health. (2014). 2014 Report to the Governor and Legis
 
Mental Illness in Minnesota Courts
What happens to people ruled incompetent to stand trial?    More than half the time, nothing—no consequences and no services.  In 2014, 119 people were found incompetent to face their criminal charges in Hennepin County. Of those:
 
·         46 were civilly committed;
·         4 had cases that went unresolved;
·         7 had a 'stay of commitment';
·         62 were released without further treatment
·          
Uncommittable offenders fall through the cracks of Minnesota’s criminal justice system.   Jack Harvey McClellan was mentally ill, but not mentally ill enough.  The 62-year-old veteran came to Hennepin County court’s mental health channels the usual way: He was arrested. Over a six-month period last year, McClellan was charged with eight offenses. Most were minor: trespassing at a grocery store and a veteran affairs building, a couple of small thefts. When McClellan came to court in November for the indecent exposure case, Judge Kerry Meyer flagged him as possibly mentally ill, and a psychologist deemed him incompetent to face the charges. The ruling kicked the case over to civil commitment court, where a new judge would decide if McClellan needed mental health treatment from the state. In doing so, Meyer dismissed the seven misdemeanors. The prosecutor didn’t file the paperwork in the allotted 30 days on the indecent exposure charge (urinating in public) — the only gross misdemeanor — so that disappeared, too.  On the civil side, Judge Jamie Anderson didn’t believe McClellan posed enough danger to himself or others to qualify for civil commitment, despite her concerns for his safety. Jack had recently been evicted from his apartment, she noted, and with winter already arriving, “housing of some sort is essential.” Still, Anderson cut him loose, hoping he would seek treatment and find a shelter on his own.  McClellan wouldn’t be away for long. By February, he had already been charged four more times for trespassing and theft, which brought him full circle: back in Meyer’s courtroom, where he’d stood not three months before.  When he came before Meyer this time, he wore medical boots on both feet. He'd suffered severe frostbite from living on the streets.  McClellan is what those in the criminal justice system call a “gap patient.”  He doesn’t meet the court’s competency standard to face criminal charges, but he also doesn’t meet the standard for civil commitment: court-ordered, involuntary mental health treatment administered by the state. So he falls through the gap. The Uncommittables: How offenders with mental illnesses fall through the cracks of Minnesota's criminal justice system  by Andy Mannix  07/20/15  
 
There has been in increase in civil commitment petitions in Minnesota-- In 2005, there were 244 petitions — called Rule 20s — according to Hennepin County court data. By 2015, the number of petitions hit 567 — a 132 % increase in 10 years.  The spike has likely been created by so many people losing their jobs and health insurance since the recession of 2008, while at the same time budget cuts reduced or eliminated community resources. 
 
It's not just a big city problem. According to the Beltrami County Sheriff's Department as many as 70% of the people in that jail are struggling with mental illness.  "The country jails have turned into a holding pen for people with mental illness," said Sheriff Phil Hodapp. His jail population has grown 600 % since the '80s.  Every incoming inmate is now screened to see if they have mental health issues.  Many are so-called "frequent flyers" who come through all the time.  Those who fall into rule 20 gap can spend four months or more in the jail, before being released without treatment.  Under a state law passed two years ago, those who quality for civil commitment must be transferred to a psychiatric facility within 48 hours. Hodapp says most get stuck on a waiting list as the facilities don’t have openings.  Inmates with Mental Illness Not Being Treated, by Tom Lyden .  POSTED: NOV 11 2015 08:27PM CST VIDEO POSTED: NOV 11 2015 10:18PM CST UPDATED: NOV 12 2015 03:39PM CST
 
Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek testified in 2016 at a legislative hearing:  “As a State we have hit crisis levels for untreated mental illness… We are telling you today, and our Office of the Legislative Auditor is telling you too, that Minnesota’s County Jails have become de facto warehouses for the mentally ill, because there simply are not enough beds, community placement options, stabilization facilities, or arrest alternatives.”  Stanek, who is president of the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association, stressed three points in his testimony:
 Those with mental illness stay jailed far longer than inmates who do not suffer from mental illness.Those with mental illness often stay longer than the sentence for their underlying crime.Inmates with mental illness do not get better while they stay in a County Jail, often they get worse. Damming report released on Minnesota’s jail mental health services. By  TAD VEZNER  | tvezner@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press.  PUBLISHED: March 3, 2016 at 12:36 pm | UPDATED: March 3, 2016 at 5:36 pm
 
A publicly funded diversion program was implemented for 384 mentally ill offenders in Bexar County (San Antonio, Texas—7th largest city in U.S.), which connected offenders with therapists and doctors to prescribe medication.  Reduced sentences were offered with involvement in the services.  Over the 2 years the program was implemented taxpayers saved $2819 per person with a total cost savings of $1.3 million.    The impact on taxpayer costs of a jail diversion program for people with serious mental illness by A. Cowell, J Hinde, N. Broner and A. Aldridge.  www.elsevier.com/locate/evalprogplan
 
What works?Corrections working with mental health providers in the community.  Support group or individual treatment (when most effective) for the offender.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  which teaches offenders to self-monitor their recovery.  Substance Use treatment  Supported employment, in which people with mental illnesses are employed in competitive, integrated work settings with follow-along support.Medication to treat mental illnesses.Family therapy and psychoeducation, in which people with mental illnesses and their families learn about mental illnesses, symptom management techniques, and stress reduction. Improving Outcomes for People with Mental Illnesses under Community Corrections Supervision: A GUIDE TO RESEARCH-INFORMED POLICY AND PRACTICE Seth Jacob Prins Laura Draper for the Council of State Governments Justice Center, New York 10005 © 2009 by the Council of State Governments Justice Center Small caseloads (Specialty Probation)  Those who were supervised on specialty probation were nearly three times less likely to return to jail within two years after their release than those on regular probation, researchers reported in JAMA Psychiatry.  Positive support appears to be key, with specialty probation officers acting as part counselor and part cop, said lead author Jennifer Skeem, professor of social welfare and public policy at the University of California at Berkeley.   “It’s about good, caring relationships with a professional. They seem to have that with specialty officers,” she said in a phone interview.  Special probation for prisoners with mental illness cuts recidivism.  Wednesday, August 16, 2017 1:37 p.m. CDT  By Ronnie Cohen   
Are we headed that direction?  No.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield announced this week that they’re cutting back on their coverage of mental health services, and I haven’t heard of corrections agencies offering smaller caseloads.  We need to convince people that in the long run our solutions will save money, victims, and incarceration.
 
At CORE, 97% of the sex offenders who graduate from our program are not convicted of a sexual offense again.  Our best success rates (99%), and our shortest treatment length (13 months on average), occur in our Sartell office where (as a result of our close relationship with SCSU’s graduate counseling program) offenders can get as much individual help as they desire.  Our treatment length almost doubles elsewhere, where opportunities for individual sessions are limited.  Mentally ill offenders need more individual sessions.  If treatment takes too much longer than 1 year, you can build up a waiting list, or have too large of groups.  This means you have more untreated offenders  (who are the highest risk to reoffend) and the result is more victims, more incarceration and more expensive to tax payers.  
 
Conclusion of Study of 3769 offenders with serious mental illness in Pinellas county Florida  (Tampa area) for 4 years.: Public policies designed to increase access to mental health treatment in the community for individuals with serious mental illness in the criminal justice system will reduce future criminal justice expenditures.   Untreated were most likely to commit additional felonies.  Individuals accessing mental health services were least likely to be rearrested.  The use of psychotropic medications were associated with a reduction of violent crimes.  The inconsistent use of medications was associated with an increase in misdemeanor crimes and nuisance violations.  Factors related to criminal justice expenditure trajectories for adults with serious mental illness by J Robst, R. Constatine, R. Andel, T.Boaz and A. Howe from Criminal Behavior and Mental Health. 21:350-362(2011)
 
Remember all problems are 1st addressed by being recognized.  This is the phase we are in.
Travis Hirshi asked, “Why isn’t everyone deviant?”  And found 4 Reasons
1. Attachment = a healthy friend or a healthy partner.
2. Commitment = If you plan for your future, you have more to lose by being deviant.
3.  Involvement = work, school and school activities
4.  Belief = morals, beliefs, spirituality, religion
 
Actual quotes from assessments:
 
“The investigator played that spin the bottle mind game on me.”  (I never thought spin the bottle was much of a mind game.)
 
“As a juvenile I was in the state hospital because I attempted suicide.  While I was there, a woman flashed her breasts to me.  I never attempted suicide again.  I realized there’s a lot I still need to see.”
 
“It’s really hard to find someone who will get under a cow these days.”
 
“We have a perfect relationship.  She has a license but doesn’t drink, I drink a lot, but don’t have a license.”
 
 
 
Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Janet Brixius and her mother, Mae Gross in 1966 Mae Gross with granddaughters Pam Sitzman and Brenda Weber in 1966 Marie Steele and her sister Mae (Amelia) Gross at Candy & Rueben's wedding in 1969 Rod Brixius 1970 Nicolette on swing in 1988 Halloween 1990 Niolette Deal and Shane Weber Nicole Meehl-Bueckers, Angie (Seppelt) Athman, Nicolette (Weber) Deal and Kayla (Boser) Gall Mae and Roman Gross with Nicolette (Weber) Deal at her 1st Communion in 1993 Mae was always wonderfully kind to everyone. Roman was a good man, but opinionated and drove so slow that you could read the tires on his truck when he drove by. Nicolette, and Shane holding Preston in 1993 Nicolette and Shane in 1996 Alex Banick and Pam Sitzman in 1998 The remaining pictures are from Germany in 2006 Nicolette and Brenda dancing at the Halfbrau House in Munich Shane Preston Preston Brenda Brenda

Postpartum Depression, Therapy, Attachment and Lots of Pictures

Frank was a guest speaker at Sisters in Crime on September 5, 2017 I had the opportunity to answer questions from a book club in Fridley Monday night from people who all read Murder Book.   There are a variety of events in the book which had to be presented a specific way to contribute to the mystery, and there are a variety of clues along the way to the killer, even though most people don’t solve it until the end.  I greatly enjoy questions about it! 
 
Neonaticide (murder of an infant):  Why study this?  So you can prevent it from happening in the future.  A study was completed on 17 mothers who killed their infants.  All of the mothers lacked emotional expression and were disconnected from any close relationships.  The mothers often denied their pregnancy even when it was obvious to others.  53% had a history of sexual victimization (which is a significantly larger % than even sex offenders).  The mothers typically come from isolated, suspicious and rigid families.  The common theme is unemotional young women with unresolved past trauma and familial rejection.
 
Postpartum depression:  Most new mothers experience depression after giving birth, but for most it’s a matter of days.  The production of some hormones escalate 100X  during pregnancy and that ceases immediately upon birth of the child.  HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) levels double every 2 days during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.  (This is what pregnancy tests are measuring.)  When hospitalizations occur for postpartum depression, they typically occur 4 weeks after the birth of a child.  The best predictor of postpartum depression is a history of depression before pregnancy.
 
Attachment:  When mother picks up infant, or has skin to skin contact, oxytocin increases in the mother and helps modulate cortisol in mother (oxytocin increases attachment).   Therapy has proven to be very effective with addressing this.  A Soviet Psychologist name Lev Vygotsky introduced the concept that children learn best through guided participation (having someone work through a task with us).  I think we all do.  I like the idea of considering the relationship between teacher and student.  If a student is struggling with learning a concept, I consider that not only is the student struggling, I as a teacher am also struggling.  So I try to find a more effective way to present it.
 
The mode (number of sessions that occurs most often) for therapy is actually -1.  Most people schedule a session, but don’t attend, which is too bad since most people benefit from the feedback of an outside confidential observer of their life.  If therapy was stock, I’d invest in individual therapy for anxiety disorders, as there is a great deal of success.  Therapy helps people stop and think before responding, which ultimately improves their life.
 
Here's an exercise:
                Say "Roast."  Okay, so what do you put in a toaster? (bread)
                Say "shop."  What do you do at a green light? (go)
 
When you stop and think, you can change your life.  It can help reduce the moments where you walk away thinking, "I should have said…"
 
Congratulations to Ian and Mercede “Sadie” Engen on their marriage!  This was the basketball team of 2012, minus Preston Weber, Caleb Janson and Tyler Kieffer.  They were a great group of young men who won many tournaments as a result of unselfish teamwork.  The parents were great and it was the most fun I’ve ever had coaching.  Back row:  Andy Marshik (coach), Kyle Fuhrman, Dylan Smieja, Ian Engen, Michael Marshik, Cole Reardon and Frank Weber (coach)
Front row:  Robbie Kowalzek, Logan Meyer, Jed Hayes, Devaunte Stumpf, and Greg Novak

Quotes:
 
Britney Spears told an interviewer if she weren't famous, she would be a teacher.  So thank God she's famous.  Jay Leno
 
An older black man commented to a young white man that simply out of respect for others, he should get rid of the confederate flag in his truck. 
The young man responded, “What hood are you from?” 
He replied, “Adulthood.” 
 
Those two pilots that sped 150 miles past their Minneapolis destination have been suspended. They got suspended because they were looking at their laptops instead of flying the plane. Think about this -- everybody else on the plane has to turn off their laptops except for the people flying the plane.  Jay Leno

Jay Leno was once told by a teacher that someday he could be successful, if he wasn’t always trying to be a comedian.
 

​
Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Emma Otremba, Ben Herold and Grace Gottwalt Pierz fans Jordyn Jansen makes plays that lead to Pierz points Kelsi Stuckmayer Kelsi Stuckmayer Jordyn Jansen Kelsi Stuckmayer Hannah Krych spikes Pierz fans Pierz fans Jade Porter 11, Malea Boser 5 and Taylor Kimman 9 Kylie Porter Kylie Porter Kylie Porter spikes, Malea Boser 5 Jade Porter Taylor Kimman 9, and Kelsi Stuckmayer 3, successfuly block shot Ashlyn Libby 10 and Chelsea Kurtz 6 Life is good! Luke Girtz with lots of help from teammates. Luke Girtz Preston Rocheleau 16, Alec Lochner 50, and Zachary Traut 55 Preston Rocheleau 16, Alex Funk 44 Ben Herold 26, alex Gross 1, and Jalen Jansen 20 bury Holdingford's Adam Ripplinger 81 Luke Girtz breaks free Pierz band wind section relaxes between songs What is the yellow plastic thing being played by that young man in the middle? Pierz vs. Holdingford was the state rivalry game of the week with Pierz first taking the lead on the last play of the half, and never relenting. Pierz vs. Holdingford PIerz defense ready for another big stop. Cohlton Boser 42, and Alex Barclay 36 Luke Girtz 35 breaks free with help of Brandon Dickman 51 Pierz fans Pierz band Pierz band Dan Saehr gets an award for sports performance and coaching from the military September 7 was the last Thursday night of Rock 'n Roll Stroll in Pierz. Small town night of 50's music, classic cars lining the street, grilled Thielen's hot dogs and brats and ice cream.
I apologize for the limited variety of pictures.  I’m having some difficulties with my camera, which was supposed to be fixed, but I’m sending it back as 95% of my pictures aren’t turning out at this point.

Friends in Low Places, Houston, Optimism, and Pantown

What do the songs:  “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Friends in Low Places" have in common?  They both came from a group called the Blackwells, consisting of siblings Dewayne Blackwell, Ron Blackwell and Glenda Blackwell.  Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee gathered with some songwriting friends for lunch one day at Tavern on the Row, a popular Nashville eatery. When the check came, Lee realized he had forgotten his money.  When asked how he was going to pay for the meal, he replied, “Don’t worry. I have friends in low places. I know the cook.”  Lee and his songwriting partner, Dewayne Blackwell, immediately recognized that the line “friends in low places” had potential.  They wrote the song on paper napkins in the restaurant.  Guitarist Jim Garver added the name of the bar in the song, “The Oasis,” after an establishment in his hometown of Concordia, Kansas.  Ron Blackwell wrote the song “Little Red Riding Hood (You Sure Are Looking Good)", but died in a car accident in 1966 before it became a hit by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs (a 1960’s rock band that wore turbans).  Their other hit was Woolly Bully.  The Blackwells were a creative trio.  Dewayne wrote the song “Mr. Blue” for the Platters.  This was another one of his songs Garth Brooks redid with Dewayne’s permission.  Other songs written by Dewayne Blackwell you might know are: "I’m Going to Hire a Wino” and “Honkytonk Man.”  Dewayne Blackwell is now a millionaire who lives in Mexico.
 
Remember Creed from the office?  He was born William Schneider, but goes by Creed Bratton.  He was also a guitar player for the Grass Roots (Midnight Confessions, Temptation Eyes) on their first 4 albums. My son Shane and his wife Rachael own a home in a suburb of Houston.  They got 49 inches of rain, but fortunately their home was in a more elevated neighborhood and their house did not flood.  Shane and Rachael did take in a friend (and his cats) who had to be rescued from his home by boat, and helped him begin to repair his home.  Rachael also volunteered with their church cleaning up homes in the community.  Tragedies sometimes give us an opportunity to see how kind so many people can be.  This photo was taken out of a window in Shane and Rachael's home of kayakers on the flooded road in their neighborhood. Food for thought:  1 out of every 5 people on earth today live in China.  17% live in India.  Despite the fact that they account for 37% of the world’s population and have the biggest over-population problems in the world, they are the 2 most optimistic countries.  60% of the world’s population lives in Asia (4.3 billion of the 7.4 billion people on earth).  According to a survey completed by Ipsos Public Affairs on 18,000 adults in 26 countries, China is the most optimistic country, with almost nine-in-ten Chinese believing their country is on the right path.  China was one of seven nations surveyed in which more than half of the population had a positive view of their country's current track.  China was followed by India (74%), Saudi Arabia (71%), South Korea (66%), Canada (58%), Russia (57%) and Serbia (51%).  The United States is 10th, with 43% believing we are on the right track.  At the bottom of the list was Mexico, where only 8 % believe their country is on the right track.
 
Pantown
There’s an area of St. Cloud people often refer to as “Germain,” that’s known by the oldtimers in St. Cloud as “Pantown.”  Samuel Pandolfo was an American businessman who founded the Pan Town Motor Company (1917-1919) in St. Cloud.  His demise may be an example of how difficult it is to take on big business.  He created a car with high clearance (so it could drive on back roads), fold down seats that could be made into a bed for the tired traveler, and an ice chest to carry to carry food and other refreshments.  The plant turned out 740 cars.  It's believed only 4 continue to exist (2 are in museums are in St. Cloud).  Pandolfo’s goal was to empower the everyday worker by providing them stock opportunites, which was a threat to organizations that were trying to beat down unions.  Pandolfo threw a barbecue party in St. Cloud for the community that served over 15,000 pounds of beef.  In the Pantown area of St. Cloud (northeast), 58 first class homes were built for the labor force.  His troubles started when the Associated Advertising Clubs of Minneapolis (a forerunner to the Better Business Bureau) complained that he was spending more on advertising than its Minnesota charter permitted.  These charges were dismissed, but then in 1919 he was taken to court for mail fraud.   The criticism ultimately was the pamphlet offered a plane’s eye view which wasn’t actually drawn from a plane.  The criticism in court was that the company was a sham, a shell company used to sell stock.  Pandolfo asked to show a video of the cars being produced, but Judge Kenesaw Landis wouldn’t allow the video, stating it was too easy to manipulate people with film.  So, the jury never knew that the company was actually in full production.  Samuel Pandolfo served two and a half years of a three year sentence in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary and the company was lost.  When Pandolfo was released he was greeted in St. Cloud by hundreds and a band playing.  Samuel Pandolfo stated, “You don’t meet a crook with a brass band.”
 
Quotes:
 
Actually, the reason I look like this is because my father was from Sweden and my mother was Elton John.  Jim Gaffigan
 
I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.  Henny Youngman
 
I went into a bar with a duck under my arm. Bartender says, "Where'd you get the pig?" I said, "This is a duck." Bartender says, "I was talking to the duck."  Rodney Dangerfield

Thanks for listening,

Frank

Trudee Preimesberger helped Brenda and I get tickets for Janie Fricke and TG Shepard. Janie is amazing. She had 14 #1 country songs. Great concert at Rollie's Rednecks & Longnecks. Janie came to the Pierz Octoberfest with Trudee. Janie Fricke made a hit out of a Glen Campbell song called "Try a Little Kindness" back in 1977. Janelle Kendall, Stearns County Prosecutor, singing Sweet Child of Mine at Summertime by George with her band Walter's Wheelhouse.  Janelle and the band were great!  The concerts at Lake George have been sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Cloud for 7 years.  It's truly an amazing event! This is a shot of the Lake George crowd Pierz football started the season with a 69-0 win over Milaca.  My camera lens is in for repair so I had to borrow another.  It was quite frustrating as I was in great position for a number of pictures but the the vast majority of pictures didn't turn out.  I should have my lens back in 2 weeks.  Here are a few of the best pictures. Luke Girtz breaks free for touchdown! Jalen Jansen powers in a touchdown! Reese Kapsner scores a touchdown! Quarterback Preston Rocheleau with Alex Funk lined up in the backfield. Dan Saehr is named Central Minnesota Conference Coach of the Year Harold Meyer receives Distinguished Service Award for 40 years on the chain gang (running the chains for football games). In honor of Glen Campbell’s passing, I’m providing a link ​to
​Glen Campbell’s Try a Little Kindness performed by Brad Paisley

Boston Protests, the Civil War and Fun with Flags

Frank took this picture of the Boston police from the sidewalk in Boston on 8/19/2017 Boston
We were in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday, August 20, 2017, during what was supposed to be the biggest white supremacy rally following Heather Heyer being run down by a car in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Nicolette, Kaycee, Brenda and I walked through the park early in the day as the city prepared for a pending tragedy.  There were many interracial couples walking about and lots of “Peace” signs.  Boston brought in 500 police officers to help out.  By the time the white supremacist group arrived there were 40,000 people rallying for peace in the park.  The white supremacist group was so outnumbered they left the park making no speeches.  Following their departure, former Pierz resident, Carli Wulff (parents are Leeann and Mark Gray), married Jeff Maher in the very same park, which was the event that brought us to Boston.  Carli and Jeff are impressive.  Carli works for the Department of Human Services in Washington DC, and Jeff works for the Environmental Protection Agency.  Both are committed to making the world better.  Kaycee at the Boston Commons Park before the protest Protesters starting to assemble in Boston Commons Nicolette at Boston Commons an hour after the protest, just before Carli and Jeff's wedding Carli Wulff and Jeff Maher's wedding in Boston Commons while protesters walk by in background At the end of the day, the Boston police couldn’t have handled it better.  Even so, there was still a group of a couple dozen people arguing and throwing items at police officers simply because the fascists left and they didn’t have anybody to fight, confirming my assertion that 5% of every population is nuts, even on the side of proposed peace.  But consider you’re talking about 2 dozen people, out of a population of 40,000 that were obnoxious.  Part of the problem was that 6 news stations stayed at the site, cameras rolling on the most boisterous citizens waiting for them to do something stupid.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Nicolette and I drove from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean this spring, and we spoke to people of all races in various cities and everyone was polite.  That’s the America I’m proud of!
I stepped into the Granary Burial Ground where colonists who came to America on the Mayflower (1620) are buried.  (Half of the 102 that arrived on the Mayflower died during the first winter.)  Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere are also buried at Granary.  Paul Revere is a good example of an ordinary man who risked everything for his beliefs in freedom.  Paul Revere was born in Boston in 1734 of French ancestry.  Revere, a silversmith, had previously done an engraving of the Boston Massacre and was one of the leaders in the Boston Tea Party.  On April 18, 1775 (on a windy 47 degree night), Paul Revere left shortly after 10:00 pm and arrived after midnight in Lexington to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the arrival of the British.  William Dawes, a cobbler, and Dr. Samuel Prescott rode with him, although they all split up after Lexington so they could ultimately get the message all the way to Concord.  They were all captured, but Dr. Samuel Prescott escaped and ultimately made it to Concord.  Revere may have given the greatest attention as he made a similar ride 2 days earlier also to warn colonists that the British were on their way.  Paul Revere’s ride was not commonly known during Revere’s lifetime.  It wasn’t until Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem about it, 95 years later, that Revere was credited for his bravery.  Paul Revere was the first person to make paper money for the new U.S. government.

​I stopped and had a mug of Samuel Adams Lager on tap at the Cheers Bar (formerly known as the Bull and Finch Pub).  I also went to Luke’s Lobster, a small café which has a reputation for great fresh seafood, and had a lobster roll.  Imagine a fresh boiled lobster tail wrapped in homemade buttered bread.  Nice and simple, as many of the best tastes are, but wonderful! Frank at Cheers Nicolette at Cheers Frank at the Cheers Bar At the airport in Boston, Brenda was showing our 3-year-old granddaughter, Kaycee, that our airplane still hadn’t arrived at our terminal.  Kaycee approached a woman also sitting in the area, turned her palms up and very seriously told her, “We’ve got a big problem.  The thing that you walk down is there, but we don’t have an airplane.”
 
Maryland (St. Mary’s Land)
Back in 1634, 140 adventurers came to America and started the 4th European settlement they called “Terra Maria,” which was later named St. Mary’s.  We now call this area Maryland.
 
Branden Deal, Nicolette’s husband, has been promoted to Chief, so he was in the midst of 6 weeks of extensive training while we were in Maryland.  Branden is an impressive young man who works hard and knows how to get things working.  Great guy!  Branden and Kaycee Flag trivia from Branden and Nicolette Deal:  There are 6 American flags on the moon.  Apollo 11 through 17 (with the exception of 13) put flags on the moon.  5 are still standing.  The one that’s down, from Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin saw knocked over by the rocket blast when they left the moon.  Apollo 13’s lunar landing was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded 2 days into the trip, creating massive internal damage.  They barely got the crew back (great movie about it).  Apollo 13 has the record for the longest humans have traveled in space since they had to circle the backside of the moon to pick up the momentum to make it back.  Along with the United States, Russia, China and ESA (the European Space Agency) have flags on the moon.  You can sort of count India also, as they had an unmanned (unpersoned) craft crash on the moon that had the Indian flag on the side.  Ironically, or perhaps heavenly, all of the flags are now white, as a result of the sun’s radiation.
 
“One nation under God.”  The only time a flag can be flown above the American flag is on a naval ship at sea when the Navy Chaplain is conducting a service at sea.  During that time a pennant representing the religion can fly above the American flag.  
 
Is Texas is the only state allowed to fly the flag at the same height of the American flag?  No.  That’s an urban legend that was falsely stated as fact on PBS.  All states can, as long as the American flag is in a position of prominence.  The American flag is in a position of prominence, even in Austin, at the Texas capital.  There are also no penalties for violating the flag guidelines.  (Enough flag stuff—starting to sound like Sheldon from Big Bang Theory.)
 
Dead reckoning is a naval term for estimating the direction and distance traveled rather than using landmarks, astronomical observations or electronic navigation.  Dead reckoning could involve heading in a straight line toward a site. 
 
We visited Point Lookout, Maryland.  In July of 1863, after the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union army captured thousands of confederate soldiers and established a prisoner of war camp at Point Lookout that housed more than 50,000 confederate prisoners.  (46,286 people died at Gettysburg.  Robert Lee at one point ordered an advance that resulted in more than 7,000 confederate soldiers shot dead or wounded in less than an hour.)  There were no buildings for prisoners at Point Lookout, instead they were housed in tents (16 to a tent) during the sweltering summers and cold winters.  If the rain flooded your tent you stood all night.  4,000 prisoners died, although the death rate was slightly lower than that of soldiers during the civil war who weren’t imprisoned.  Most of the Union guards at Point Lookout were African American, who were now in charge of, in many cases, their former masters.  As one African American guard stated to a confederate prisoner, “The bottom rail is now on top.”  The prison closed after Robert Lee surrendered his 28,000 remaining troops at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 to Ulysses S. Grant.  A white marble obelisk stands in the middle of the mass confederate cemetery at Point Lookout with the names of the known 3,382 confederate soldiers buried there.  Robert Lee’s army was surrounded by Union forces at Appomattox, Virginia, on April 8, with no hope of escape.  Phillip Sheridan’s Union cavalry had outrun the confederate forces eliminating their possibility of retreat.  Ulysses Grant allowed the following concessions to the confederate soldiers in exchange for ending the war: 
 All confederate soldiers were pardoned and allowed to take their horses and side arms.  This allowed the soldiers to return home for planting. Robert Lee’s starving soldiers were given Union rations before departing.​ Point Lookout where prisoners were assigned 16 to a tent (this size) Nicolette at Point Lookout Ulysses Grant silenced the music being played in celebration at the time of the surrender and declared “the Rebels are our countryman again.”  People today rioting over statues need to appreciate the efforts by these men to accept the results of the Civil War and move forward.  After the war, Robert Lee was never imprisoned and accepted a job as President of Washington College, implementing a gentleman’s code for students.  After the war, Robert Lee repeatedly expelled white students for attacks on blacks.  However, I don’t idolize Robert Lee.  During the war, Lee allowed confederate soldiers he supervised to raid northern villages and take free African Americans as slaves.  620,000 people died in the Civil War.  A number that exceeds lives lost in any other American war. 
 
Quotes for the Week:

In Boston I read a number of sarcastic comments from Massachusetts colleges criticizing each other so I thought I’d share some:

Q: What do Harvard grads use for Birth Control?
A: Their personalities. 

Q:  What does the average Boston College applicant get on their ACT?
A:  Drool

Q:  If a Bunker Hill College wide receiver, running back and quarterback are all sitting in the back seat of a car, who’s driving?
A:  A police officer

Q:  What separates good teams from great teams?
A:   The Massachusetts border from the rest of the country
 
Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Frank waiting for the train in Boston Kaycee and Brenda waiting for the train in Boston Nicolette, Brenda and Kaycee "KJ" Kwamaine Jr., Kwamaine and Emily were a pleasant surprise in their visit to Charlie and Renee Kaycee, my 3 year old grandaughter, showing her ability to jump Nicolette, Brenda and Kaycee Frank at the Barracuda Tavern having a Yuengling Lager. What’s the difference between a Lager and an Ale? They are brewed with different types of yeast. Ale yeast ferments at the top of the vat and is quicker resulting in more fruit like flavors. Lager yeast takes longer to ferment and brings out a more crisp flavor. This results in a more complex flavors and a longer shelf life for lagers. Brenda and Kaycee at Carrie Nation in Boston, where Carli and Jeff’s wedding was celebrated Brenda, Kaycee and Nicolette at Patuxent River, Maryland Frank and Kaycee at PAX River Naval Base A wonderful seafood restaurant we found on Chesapeake Bay with great food. but wasn't much to look at. Kaycee and Nicolette Nicolette and Kaycee at Anna Marie's sculpture garden in Dowell, Maryland Frank by Chesapeake Bay Bridge. When this bridge was opened in 1952, it was the world's largest continuous steel structure at over 4.3 miles. It's 186 feet above the water, but it seemed a lot higher when we drove over it. Branden, Kaycee and Nicolette Deal The Maryland Dove, a 17th century English Trading ship, which was one of the first 2 ships that made the trip from England to Maryland in St. Mary's, Maryland. St. Mary's is advertised as the original home of religious freedom and started as a village Catholics could come to avoid religious persecution The Yoacomaca Tribe in Maryland sold their huts to the settlers when they arrived in 1643 in St. Mary's and they moved out of the area. It was great for the settlers, who immediately had a place to live until they built homes. An instrumental by Rod Stewart before he went pop.

Books, the Macabre, Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll and Yogi Berra

Frank speaking on forensic work and Murder Book to the Granite City Rotary Club. 

Frank will be at the 22nd Annual Northwoods Arts & Book Festival in Hackensack
​from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 12. I have done some reading about thefts of expensive books and maps from research libraries.  Maps are easier for thieves than books, since they involve one page.  For example:  One page of an original William Shakespeare novel is not particularly valuable, but a one page map with the old drawings around the edges can be worth a fortune.  The old maps had detailed drawings of characters representing the wind and other forces of nature.  While the elite research libraries will search the patrons for books before they leave, a page can be hidden in a sleeve or a pant leg.  Instead of using knives or scissors, thieves are more likely to use a razor blade, or if there is a metal detector, dental floss.  The floss is kept in their mouth to keep it wet and then inserted into the book where the wet line makes the old page easy to remove
Expensive Books:
Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci sold for $30.8 million to Bill Gates.  72 pages long
Birds of America by John James Audubon sold for $11.5 million
First Folio by William Shakespeare sold for $6 million.  228 exist.  Purchased by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. 
The Gutenberg Bible sold for $4.9 million.  Only 48 exist.  The first book printed with movable type.
Geographia Cosmographia by Claudius Ptolemy sold for $4 million.  Written in 1477.  It was the first atlas.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling sold for $3.98 million.  There were only 7 printed and it was the basis for Harry Potter
The First Book of Urizen by William Blake printed in 1794.  Only 8 copies exist.  One sold for $2.5 million in 1999.  It is considered the most important of Blake’s prophetic works. Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci Inexpensive book:
Murder Book sells for $15 at this very site!  You can have it personally addressed by the author. Anthropodermic bibliopegy involves making books out of human skin.  This practice came into being in the 1800’s in England and Europe.   In 1821 John Horwood, age 18, was hung after he beat a girl to death with a rock. After his death, his body was publicly dissected in Bristol Gaol, England, by Dr. Richard Smith who then used Horwood’s skin to bind together a collection of documents from the murder case.  The book is on display in a British museum.  A second example is William Burke.  Over a period of 10 months in 1828 in Edinburgh, Scotland, William Burke and William Hare murdered 16 people and sold their bodies to Dr. Robert Knox for use in medical lectures.  William Burke was hanged and dissected.  His skin was used to bind a book about him.  His skeleton remains on display at the Edinburgh Medical School.   Somehow, binding books with the skin of criminals became “trendy” in the 1800’s in England and Europe.  While over 30 books claim anthropodermic bibliopegy, 17 books have actually been confirmed to have been bound with human skin. 

Alice in Wonderland has never been out of print since it was first published in 1865.  Carroll had befriended his boss' family, the Liddells.  Their daughter, Alice, asked him to tell her a story while he was on a boating trip with the Liddell family, and he came up with the Alice in Wonderland story.  Mock turtle soup is real.  During Victorian times, various parts of a cow (brains, head and hoof) were used to create a soup that was supposed to taste like turtle soup.  (Basically—poor man’s turtle soup.)

Lewis Carroll (who was born Charles Lutwidge Johnson) had a questionable attraction to Alice Pleassance Liddell, who later became Alice Hargraves.  Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland about her.  Alice had an older sister Lorina and a younger sister Edith.  Lorina was 13, Alice was 10 and Edith was 8 when Alice in Wonderland was written.  Recently, there was a documentary featured on BBC questioning if Lewis Carroll was a pedophile.  I would dismiss this as irrelevant internet gossip if I wouldn’t have researched it myself.  I will present what I discovered and decide what you wish.  The photos Carroll took of Alice are questionable, as a number of them feature her clothing draped with only strap over her shoulder so her dress is hanging low down her chest.  In 1863, the Liddells ended their relationship with Carroll, but there is no documentation exactly why it occurred.  It is speculated that Alice’s mother was uncomfortable with a 31-year-old man befriending her daughter, who would have been 11 in 1863. There has also been speculation that Lorina, Alice’s older sister, may have become infatuated with Carroll and that led to the break.  While Wikipedia argues there is no evidence that Carroll was a pedophile, it is difficult to explain why a full frontal naked picture of Lorina, age 13 at the time, was found with Lewis Carroll’s photographs.  The picture is now displayed in a museum in France, listing Lewis Carroll as the photographer.  There is no conclusive evidence that Carroll took the picture, other than it found was with his other pictures.  There is also no evidence suggesting anyone other than Carroll took the picture.  His attraction to Alice and Lorina (if accurate), would categorize Carroll as a hebophile.  Pedophiles are attracted to prepubescent children.  Hebophiles are attracted to pubescent children (ages 10-14).  I read through some documents written by the ancestors of Alice, and they suggest the Liddells ended their friendship with Lewis Carroll after Alice’s mother found the letters Carroll had been sending to her daughter.  Alice’s mother destroyed all of the letters.  There is additional evidence found in letters from Lewis Carroll’s family.  Lewis Carroll wrote extensive diaries (13 volumes).  However, before Carroll’s family made them public, they destroyed the 4 years of diaries in which Lewis Carroll had contact with Alice and the Liddell family.  It is believed in Lewis Carroll’s family that Carroll’s nephew, Stuart Collingwood, deliberately destroyed part of the diary while it was in his possession to protect the family reputation.  Collingwood had possession of the diaries for 18 months and when he released them, those specific volumes were gone.  Stuart Collingwood didn’t deny it, and wrote regarding Lewis Carroll’s diary:  “One could not read this volume without feeling the shadow of some disappointment lay over Lewis Carroll’s life.  Such I believe to have been the case…  But those who loved him would not wish to lift the veil from those dead sanctities, nor would any purpose be served in doing so.”  I think it’s possible that Stuart Collingwood was not just protecting his family’s reputation, he may have been acting in the best interest of the Liddell girls. Photo of Alice Liddell taken by Lewis Carroll, 1858 A recent study by The Guardian (a British newspaper) indicated that not only are religious people less trusting of atheists, atheists are less trusting of other atheists (than they are religious people).  I am often asked, “Of all the assessments you do, which religious denomination commits the most violent crimes?”  The answer is, “None.”  The vast majority of individuals who commit violent crimes (that I’ve assessed) have no religious involvement.  This is important to remember when people assume the problem is other religions.  Further, the newest studies indicate that religion is an important resiliency factor in recovering from tragedy, trauma and medical procedures.  Fareed Zakaria has done an excellent documentary on ISIS where he points out that even many ISIS members do not have strong religious beliefs.  Instead many are just angry young men who have been given an opportunity for status through violent behavior (basically like gangs).

This blog was way too dark.  Let’s talk a little baseball and end with some Yogi Berra quotes.  Congratulations to Pierz baseball legion team for not only taking first in state, but for also taking first in the national regional tournament with victories over cities like Las Vegas and Kansas City.  I’m not exactly sure how Pierz and Las Vegas end up in the same national region.  It’s probably like how politicians draw out voting districts.  This is as far as Pierz can go, as the legion tourney ends with regional champions.  Matt Tautges was the regional MVP.  It was amazing to pull off a championship after losing a hot bat like Lane Girtz (#3 hitter in the line-up) to shoulder surgery the weekend before.  Congratulations!

For those too young to remember, Yogi Berra was catcher for the Yankees who had his own odd way of interpreting the world, often saying things that would make people’s head hurt.

Quotes:

~My favorite occurred after Yogi was burning some leaves in his yard and the fire got a little too big.  He called the fire department and told them he’d need them to come. 
The fireman asked, “How do we get to your place?” 
Yogi responded, “Don’t you guys still have those big red trucks?”

~  It’s like déjà vu all over again.

~ When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

~ You can observe a lot by just watching.

~ You better cut the pizza in 6 pieces because I’m not hungry enough to eat 8.

~ Pair up in threes.

~ The towels at the hotel were so thick I could hardly close my suitcase.


Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Preston conducting the Crosstown Band at the Uptown Arts Fair in Minneapolis Our Thanksgiving game (2010) was played in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, where Rachael and Shane lived that year. It is on the mainline from Philadelphia. Guess this school year (answer at the end) Frank and Brenda Preston, Brenda, Shane, and Rachael in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Preston Weber, Brandon Meyer, Austin Marschel, Alex Bujalski, Andy Kretschmar, Zach Kummet (now a teacher in Pierz), and Logan Meyer Andy Kretschmar and Frank during retro night in Pierz Frank Nicolette Brenda Branden and Nicolette Nicolette Frank Brenda, Preston and Frank on another retro night. Frank was coaching at the time with Kurt Stumpf and Danny Saehr. When Frank suggested to Danny Saehr we make some adjustments Danny commented, “You have to take either that hat or those sunglasses off. It’s hard to take you seriously.” Preston Preston on the trampoline. (It is significant to note that the basket he is slamming the ball into is 10 feet high. We built our own trampoline with a net twice as high as any normal trampoline due to boys doing this. Shane and Rachael in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nicolette Answer: 2009 - 2010

Texas Freedom, the Alamo, Puffy Tacos, Cold Beer, the Enchanted Rock and St. Mary

Olivia and Rachael in Luckenbach, Texas This past week I made the trip from San Antonio to Houston Texas, which is the exact trip made by early Texans in 1836, chased by the Mexican army before a military force, led by Sam Houston, defeated them and won Texas’ independence.

The Battle of Gonzales was the first fight by the Republic of Texas for independence.  In 1831 the Mexican government demanded a return of a canon they had given to Texans to fight off Natives.  Texans now wanted their own republic (and were concerned they’d need it to fight the Mexican army) so they sent the message back, “Come and Take It.”  So the first flag of Texas, featured the cannon and the saying.  (The flag which read “Come and Take It” was, perhaps ironically, made out of Naomi DeWitt Matthews’ wedding dress.)  You still see the phrase “Come and Take It” on shirts and hats all over Texas. ​The Alamo is an important stop in San Antonio.  It’s estimated that about 200 men, 188 identified, died on March 5th and 6th, 1836, trying to defend the mission against Mexican leader Santa Anna and the Mexican army’s onslaught.  An additional 600 Mexican soldiers died in the battle.  All adult American men were killed, including Davey Crockett, James Bowie, William Travis and John Bonham.  Crockett had entertained the troops days earlier by playing fiddle.  To his credit, Davey Crockett had left Tennessee after he lost re-election for opposing Andrew Jackson’s push to remove Indians from the colonies.  Texans at the Alamo died for their belief in freedom.  The loss of the Alamo was followed 3 weeks later by the massacre of 500 Texans held prisoner at Goliad.  The executions were ordered by Santa Anna, and reluctantly carried out by Mexican soldiers.  The losses left citizens frightened and they fled east.  The Mexican army pursued the citizens and a Texan military (led by Sam Houston).    Keep in mind this is a 200 mile chase in hot weather made completely on foot and wagons.  Sam Houston halted the army by the banks of the San Jacinto River near the city we now call “Houston,” and waited for Santa Anna’s army.  When they arrived, the Texans attacked with the shout of “Remember the Alamo,” and “Remember Goliad.”  It is said that the 1000 member army defeated a Mexican army of 1400 in a war that lasted 18 minutes on April 21, 1836.  Santa Anna was captured, and the republic of Texas was born.  This was the event that made, and kept, Texas free, even though the paperwork wouldn’t be completed for 2 more years. We stopped in Shiner, Texas, a town of 2000 people, and ate fried chicken, fried gizzards and fried okra with hot sauce, and then ventured over to Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, which is the oldest independently owned brewery in the U.S.  Good old Kosmos Spoetzl started it back in 1909.  The Shiner Cream Ale was particularly good.  Thank you Kosmos!  There just aren’t kids named Kosmos anymore.
805, my favorite California beer, is now available in Texas, so I was able to enjoy an 805 during our visit with Shane and Rachael in Houston and San Antonio.  “805” is named after an area code in California that encompasses a diverse population around Ventura county, where low riding cars are popular.  A common phrase is “Let’s go to 805 and party.”  805 beer was initially only sold in the brewery tap room, until they discovered large amounts were being sold—much larger than people could be drinking in the tap room.  People were coming in and filling growlers and selling the beer in northern and southern California.  So the brewer, Firestone Walker, in Paso Robles, California, decided to take control and sell it in bottles and cans themselves.  You can’t legally buy it in Minnesota, not even through a distributor.  It’s not essential, as there are plenty of fine tap rooms locally.  “805” is the dream of the small brewery-- to come up with a beer that competes with the major players in a state. 
​
We climbed to the top of Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg.  Enchanted Rock is the largest Granite rock in the U.S.  The peak is 425 feet above the surrounding ground, and 1825 feet above sea level.  It was an interesting climb.  There was no dirt and no trees-- Just one solid crazy huge granite rock. There was a banner across main street in Fredericksburg when we pulled into town which read, “Welcome NRA.”  One of the stores was selling a doormat which read, “Hippies, Get Out,” and a t-shirt which read, “USA—Running the world since 1776.”  While we were in Texas, two Wing Stop employees ran down an attempted robber (of the fast food chicken wing restaurant) and shot him leaving him wounded for police to pick up.  Let’s just say the perspective is a little different. 

We stopped at Pedernales Brewing Company tasting room and tasted Lobo Negro, Robert Earle Keen Honey Pilsner, and Crispy Creek Ale.  Nice little brewery in the Texas country with free fresh popped white cheddar popcorn.

We then passed through Luckenbach, Texas, on the way back to San Antonio.  “And there ain’t nobody feelin no pain” back in Luckenbach. 
​
We ended the evening at San Fernando Cathedral, A Catholic church, where they run an amazing laser show against the building at night. We went 150 feet below the earth into Natural Bridge Caverns in Comal County, Texas.  It was 105 degrees outside, but it’s always 72 degrees in the caverns.  The tunnels actually go 280 feet below the surface.  There are natural tunnels about the twice the width of a body, that people have crawled 100’s of feet into, with the only way out backwards.  If that isn’t creepy enough, water is running through parts of this.  We then crawled up on an 80 foot high platform and zip lined across the park.  Before I was pushed off on the zip line I mentioned to the worker (a college student), “I see most of this zip line runs over the sidewalk that goes through the park.  I suppose that makes it easier to clean up when someone falls.”  He smiled and said, “Yeah, that’s it.” In San Antonio, we went to the Pearl Brewery district, which is famous for its food and culinary school.  We stopped at a restaurant called Cured, which specializes in 30 to 120 day cured meats.  We had the 9 selection platter, and went with 9 meats, only realizing later most people include some cheeses in the 9 option platter.  It was great!  I like to find great ice cream places on vacation, so we visited Lick where we tasted a variety of odd flavors, like lavender lemon, but ultimately I went with the chocolate-chocolate.  We drove to Brenham, Texas, where we toured the Blue Bell ice cream plant and did a tasting.  Preston, Frank, and Shane at Cured Blue Bell Creamery San Antonio is the home of “puffy tacos” so we went to Ray’s Drive In, even though it’s in a sketchy area of town, because they were reported to have the best.  The tortillas are deep fried, creating a light puffy shell.  The tacos were great!  Even though it was a predominantly Hispanic place, they did sell Abraham Lincoln and Liberace dolls.  (I’m not sure what the connection between these two guys are.)

We went to Sunday mass at St. Mary’s Catholic church in San Antonio. There is so much beauty in churches.  The alter, the background behind the alter all the way up to the ceiling, and all of the statues, except for one, were marble white.  The statue of Mary was white with a light blue cloak around her.  This subtle introduction of color among all of the white made Mary radiate warmth.   On the flip side, besides seeing a number of Teslas, we visited an area near Houston called Tiki island, where the average income is over $69,000 a year.  All of the houses are very nice, and every house borders the gulf.  It’s interesting to look at Tiki Island from the Google Earth app.

Of all the meals we ate on our various excursions, the best were the grilled steak dinner and shrimp and sausage boil we had at Shane and Rachael’s.  They remain such a loving and heart-warming couple.  No matter where I travel, I always find friendly people and beautiful country.  Perhaps the miracle we all hope to see is right here…

Texas translations:

                Y’all = You,  The plural = All Y’all
                “Oh hell no” = It’s already too late.
 
Texas quotes:
               
“If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40.  If it moves and it shouldn’t, use duct tape.”

“Don’t ask him where he’s from.  If he’s from Texas, he’ll tell you.  If he’s not, why embarrass him?”

“My alarm tells me when an intruder is in my home.  My gun tells me, ‘not for long.’”

“Prayer is the best way to meet the Lord.  Trespassing is the fastest.”


Thanks for listening,
 
Frank  Shane checking on a home brew Preston at Saloon Door Brewing Preston and Olivia in Galveston, Texas Frank in Galveston, Texas Brenda and Frank on the Riverwalk in San Antonio Hanging out on the Riverwalk Brenda Shane and Rachael On the Riverwalk in San Antonio Wine tasting in Fredericksburg Preston and Olivia at San Fernando Cathedral Rachael and Shane at San Fernando Cathedral Carriage seen in San Antonio Preston and Olivia Preston and Olivia

Freedom Fest, Organized Crime and Restaurants, and Random Trivia

Aimee Bissonette (Author of Children’s book North Woods Girl—a story of a girl and her grandmother) and Frank signing books at Wolf and Beagle Bookstore in Park Rapids I had the opportunity to sign Murder Book as it sold at Wolf and Beagle Bookstore in Park Rapids.  It is a gem of a store and I talked to people from a variety of states who stopped in as they passed through.  Aimee Bissonette, author of the children’s book North Woods Girl, was also signing books.  North Woods Girl is a book about a grandmother enjoying rural Minnesota with her granddaughter.  I stopped at 3rd Street Market next door and had an amazing white bean and vegetable soup and a pastrami sandwich with horseradish—all under $7.
 
Freedom Fest in Pierz was another success.  I particularly enjoyed Brothers Tone and the Big Groove and the Fabulous Armadillos (see pictures below).  I’ve heard upwards of 5000 people attended again.  I love celebrations of music!
 
What era was the origin of bootlegging?  The obvious guess was prohibition, but the practice started much earlier.  The Civil War.  Confederate soldiers were not allowed to bring moonshine into the camps, so many snuck booze into the camps in their boots and pants legs.
 
Restaurant sign language?  Oddly enough, there are hand signs that the owners of elite East coast restaurants give to their staff to clue them in on when they are sitting with a group of people.  If the owner loosens his tie, it means “The meal is on the house.”  If the owner points the tip of his finger to his nose it means, “These people aren’t very important.”  If the owner points to the floor it means, “This would be a good time to ask these people if they would like another round of drinks.”  In LA the signs are less discreet.  Two fingers in a sideways “V” means “VIP” or very important person.  Holding the hand palm up means, “bring them some more bread.”  Pointing to the belly button means “they are celebrating a birthday.”  A hand over the lapel means “help” is needed at this table.
 
Organized crime and Restaurants:  Organized crime has been involved in the restaurant business in New York City since the late 1800’s when Jewish, Irish and Italian gangs competed for power.  A gang known as Murder Inc. was composed of Italian and Jewish members.  The Italian American mafia rose to power during prohibition in the 1920’s.  (One ritual involved holding a burning picture of a saint, while taking an oath of loyalty.)  In 1970, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (better known as the RICO laws) which allowed prosecutors to go after the sources of revenue for the mafia.  During the 1980’s and 1990’s, numerous high level mobsters were prosecuted, which significantly weakened the mob.  The mafia is still active in gambling and loan sharking, and still hasn’t left the restaurant industry.  The hold in the restaurant industry in New York is through linens (every restaurant needs to get their linens cleaned) and garbage pick-up.  It works like this.  If you open a new business in New York City you get a visit from a private garbage company that tells you, “Even though we’re more expensive than the public garbage collectors you will work with us.  If you don’t, you might find yourself struggling with fires and health code violations.  If you do, everything will be easier.”  In summary—it’s not as bad as it used to be, but it’s still there.      
 
Why was the spitball banned?  In 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop died 12 hours after being a hit by a pitch thrown by Yankees pitcher Carl Mays.   Chapman’s death led to banning the spitball later that year.  Raymond Chapman is the only professional baseball player who was killed by an injury sustained in a major league game.  It would be another 30 years before batters started wearing helmets.  By the way, I strongly suggest enjoying an amateur baseball game.  In the past couple weeks I’ve enjoyed some great baseball involving the Pierz Brewers, Pierz Bulldogs, Lastrup Lakers and Buckman with Billy Goats.  Today Buckman beat Lastrup on hit with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th that bounced off a diving shortstops glove.  Noah Boser hit a homerun to tie the game in the bottom of the 8th. 
 
It’s probably not Donald Duck’s fault:  Fewer children were named “Donald” last year than previous years.
 
Jacquelyn Kennedy became involved with billionaire Aristotle Onassis after both John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy were murdered.  When Jackie was told Aristotle didn’t seem to be the right person for her to develop a relationship with, she responded, “Aristotle has a staff of 70 guards to protect my children.  He seems like exactly the right person.”
 
Quotes from this past week’s interviews:
 
What year did you graduate?
                Answer:  After the 12th year.
 
Are you in a relationship?
                Answer: I don’t know, she won’t return my calls.
 
Did your parents have any other children?
                Answer:  I don’t know.  I wasn’t really paying attention.
 
You said you were close by, in your car, when the crime was committed.  Which direction was the car facing?
                Answer:  Straight ahead.
 
 
Sometimes reality is the funniest. 
 
 
Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Brenda, Olivia and Preston at Café Ena on Grand Avenue in Minneapolis Brenda outside Café Ena (The restaurant is named after the owner’s daughter) Preston conducting the Crosstown Community Band at an outdoor concert in Minneapolis Preston Preston and Olivia The Crosstown band becomes smaller as members enjoy summer vacations The Fabulous Armadillos at Freedom Fest in Pierz with Pam O’Neil singing lead Paul “Stretch” Diethelm of The Fabulous Armadillos plays one of many astonishing solos Brother’s Tone and the Big Groove at Pierz Freedom Fest: John Tetrault (bass guitar), Mark Norgren (electric guitar), Dave Girtz (behind on drums), Jim Norwood (acoustic guitar), Karla Jensen (Vocalist), Camilla Larson (Vocalist), Kaitlyn Jensen (Vocalist), Joe McGown (keyboard), Dwight Nelson (Trumpet), Craig Mesenbring (Trumpet), Zach Miller (alto saxophone), Preston Weber (tenor saxophone), Dave Larson (Trombone). Andy Spofford (lead singer and guitar) had to miss this event. Preston blasts out a sax solo Kaitlyn Jensen harmonizes with her mom, Karla Jensen. Camille Larson in between Mark Norgren, Dave Girtz and Jim Norwood Jim Norwood, Karla Jensen, Camilla Larson, Kaitlyn Jensen and Joe McGowen Camilla Larson, Kaitlyn Jensen, Joe McGowen on keyboard and Dwight Nelson Dwight Nelson (Trumpet), Craig Mesenbring (Trumpet), Zach Miller (alto saxophone), Preston Weber (tenor saxophone), and Dave Larson (Trombone) Karla Jensen, Camilla Larson and Kaitlyn Jensen John Tetrault and Mark Norgren Zach Miller, Preston Weber and Dave Larson The moon on the night of Pierz Freedom Fest

Evelyn Matthies, Independence Day, Trivia, Buckman Hillbillies and Grandma Weber

Evelyn Matthies displayed some of her art and Frank Weber signed Murder Book at the Crossing Arts Alliance last weekend. After, they had the opportunity to share some forensic stories. Evelyn taught art at Central Lakes College for 32 years, was a pilot, and with her husband, Bill Matthies, started the MN Diving School. I’m familiar with people who have received training from Bill in retrieving bodies from lakes and rivers. Even though divers are often given an outline of where the body should be, based on the amount of time it’s been in the water, and the current, the bodies are typically still discovered close to where they entered the water.   Read more about Evelyn. I want to thank everyone who has participated in the military for the unselfish help they’ve offered so many people.  Most people aren’t aware of the many humanitarian missions we provide.  I know from having counseled numerous immigrants who survived horrible situations only because the U.S. intervened.  As my son in law Branden Deal says when a jet flies over, “That’s the sound of freedom.” 

We celebrated Matthew Greene’s graduation last weekend.  Matthew is Dorothy and Al Greene’s youngest.  Matthew was the starting wide out for Robbinsdale Armstrong’s football team, and went to state in the 4 X 200 both years he went out of for track.  Matthew is an excellent guitar player and an Eagle scout.  His brother, Albert Leo, had a performance with his rap group, Click Bait, in Minneapolis the night before the party.  All of my 9 siblings attended.  We started playing music at 3:00 pm, and put away the instruments 12 hours later.  The song we played, “Aint Even Done with the Night” by John Mellencamp, could be our theme song.  Thank God we have understanding neighbors.  I would like to have a day playing music inviting friends before the summer’s over.  We played “Silver Haired Daddy of Mine,” as it was Leo Weber’s favorite song to sing and “Green Green Grass of Home” which was Bernie Weber’s favorite song to sing with us.

I am looking for an area East of Buckman, toward Hillman, where there are some abandoned homes to use in the sequel to Murder Book.  I’ve enjoyed stories I’ve heard of the Gwiadowski brothers who lived in the area and I will mention them in the book.  Apparently two of the brothers had train box cars moved into the woods they lived in, while two others built a house together which had a ceiling one inch higher than the tallest brother (so no material was wasted).  One did some time in Leavenworth for making moonshine, and they got into trouble for soaking the wool they sheared from their sheep in crank case oil so they could get more money when it was sold by weight.  I’ve been told they had the biggest, meanest dog ever, and they kept their money hid under the dog house.  I’ve also heard a couple more stories I’ve been asked not to repeat and am respecting this.  I am interested in additional information…  I have been paging through Horst Hanneken’s Buckman: It’s Pioneer History & Cultural Legacy and it is entertaining.  I particularly like the 1985 newspaper headline which read, Buckman Skyline Altered with Dismantling of Wooden Water Tower.  I think putting up an antenna alters the skyline of the town I grew up in.   I included a copy below of the 1932 Pierz Journal headline which featured both a fire at my Grandpa John Weber’s tire and battery station and the Lindbergh kidnapping.  Of course our tire and battery shop had top billing.

History Trivia: 
In 1905, Harlem had the third highest Jewish population, of all cities in the world, behind two cities in Poland, Warsaw and Krakow.  After World War I poor whites and African Americans moved in as industry began to grow in the area and Jewish Americans moved to Flatbush, Boro Park and Grand Concourse.  By the 1950’s, 90% of Harlem was African American.

From 1720 to 1930, the majority of South Carolina’s population was African American, with most being slaves until slavery ended.  Today, 30% of South Carolina is black, 67% is white and 1% is Asian.  (Not exactly a hotbed for Hispanic Americans.)  In 1820, Charleston, South Carolina had the largest Jewish population in the United States.  The congregation of Kahal Kadash Beth Elohim would not accept any children of mixed race.  This racial apartheid is still part of the culture of Charleston today, as only 1.5% of the population identifies as being of more than 1 race.

Forensic and music trivia: 
Who sold the first million sales record in the U.S.?  Italian opera star, Enrico Caruso, performing “Vesti la Glubba” from Pagliacci on a 78 rpm record.  Enrico Caruso was charged in 1906 for “mashing” in Central Park, or in other words, intentionally rubbing his body against a non-consenting woman.  (Today this is called frotteurism.)  It was close to animals, and Caruso argued in court that it was actually a monkey that grabbed the woman’s buttocks.  A police officer had followed Caruso and had observed him making intentional contact with a number of non-consenting women.  The officer was criticized for not arresting him the first time Caruso did this.  Caruso was found guilty and fined $10.

​Random story:  (written and was retold to me)
One of the best stories of tough love comes from my Grandma Elizabeth Weber.  She raised her kids to be tough enough to survive a depression.  Grandma Elizabeth was sitting with the children at the kitchen table eating supper.  Grandpa John was working late in the garage (now Red’s Auto).  When she asked her oldest son, John Francis, about school he reluctantly admitted having been bullied by two boys.  John Francis shared that turning the other cheek hadn’t got them to back off.  Elizabeth told her son that sometimes if people keep attacking you, you have to fight.  She had John Frances stand facing her, while all the younger kids ate and watched.  Grandma Elizabeth told him to try hitting her.  He responded by telling her, “I’m not going to hit you.  You’re my mom.”  She jabbed at him, taunting “I’m directing you to hit me.  Look for an opening and land a punch.”  He protested, “I can’t hit you.”  She reminded him how the bible tells you to listen to your parents.  Then Grandpa John comes walking into the house.  As Grandma Elizabeth turns to greet him, John Francis lands a hard punch, knocking her to the floor.  Shocked, Grandpa John asks, “What is going on in here?”   Grandma Elizabeth immediately comes to John Francis defense, stating, “You can’t punish him.  That’s exactly what he should have done.”  (There is a picture of John Francis included below.)

Smooth transition from Grandma to grammar humor:
Sometimes people accuse me of being the grammar Nazi.  I’ve thought about dividing the world into people who understand grammar and those who don’t.  Those who don’t would be carrying signs that say, “We’re people to.”  If I was a doctor I could be helping a woman who’s screaming “Don’t, Can’t and Won’t.”  I would come out and tell her husband, “Don’t worry, she’s just having contractions.”  Andrew Boussard

Time to eat Grandpa.  Time to eat, Grandpa.  Commas save lives.

A quote from legendary football coach Bear Bryant:  When asked if he would donate $20 to help pay for the burial of a sportswriter, Bear responded, “Here’s $20, bury 2 of them.”

A comedian was talking about the purpose of NFL cheerleaders.  Is there ever a point where the coach calls players over and says, “I don’t know if you’ve been listening to those ladies, but they’re thinking we should play some defense.”  He added, “I’m particularly glad the cheerleaders spell out AGGRESSIVE.  When I played, I was being gregarious, until they spelled out aggressive, and then I realized I had it wrong.” 


Thanks for listening,
 
Frank Leo Weber with younger sister, Theresa Zenner Bernie Weber with very large jack rabbit John Francis Weber, Leo Weber and Mary Konen. John Francis’ mother (Margaret Colter) died in child birth, and then Grandpa John married my Grandmother, Elizabeth Dietz who raised John Francis as her own. Mary Konen, Deloria Bartel, Ted Weber and Leo Weber Siblings Leo Weber, Bernie Weber, Mary Konen, Ted Weber John Francis Weber, Theresa Zenner, and Roger Weber (in tire) Theresa Zenner, Roger Weber, Bernie Weber, Ted Weber, Leo Weber and Mary Konen Matthew Greene Al, Matthew and Dorothy Greene with Rosetta Weber Matthew Greene, Frank Weber, and Charlie Weber Preston Weber John, Preston, Frank and Charlie Weber Rosetta Weber George Weber, Matthew Greene and John Weber Charlie and Sue Johnson, former music teachers in the Pillager and Brainerd schools system buying Murder Book. Charlie and Sue are strong advocates of music and art in Minnesota and have been involved in developing the Arts Crawl event in Brainerd. Frank signing books at the Crossing Arts Alliance last weekend Preston conducting the Crosstown Community Band at the Arboretum in Chaska Andy Spofford, Josh Boudreaux, Kaitlyn Jensen, Camilla Larson, Karla Jensen and Jim Norwood Mark Norgren and Preston Weber Preston’s band, Brothers Tone and the Big Groove, performing at Rock the Park in Little Falls. Brothers Tone and the Big Groove will be performing at Freedom Fest Saturday in Pierz on July 15.

Pierz State Championship Baseball Pictures. Congratulations on a GREAT year!

Matt Kummet Brett Kapsner Preston Rocheleau Brandon Dickman Alex Funk Thomas Funk Brandon Dickman Dan Saehr Lane Girtz drives a double into the gap at Target field Luke Girtz and Coach Rick Sczueblewski Matt Kummet Preston Rocheleau Preston Rocheleau Jack Suska Matt Tautges Matt Kummet Eric Stuckmeyer Reese Kapsner Brandon Dickman Alex Funk Jack Suska Matt Kummet Preston Rocheleau Brett Kapsner Luke Girtz Matt Tautges Lane Girtz

Fashion, Chris Rock, and Baseball

Frank signing books at Cherry Street Books in Alexandria. If you’ve read Murder Book, you know I can be obsessive.  I was reading about a murder that occurred in the garment district in New York City, so I researched a variety of information related to the fashion industry.
 
The Garment District in New York City is a neighborhood less than 1 square mile, that lies between Fifth Avenue and Ninth Avenue, from 34th to 42nd Streets.  It is also known as the Fashion District and is in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.  There are $9 billion in annual sales out of this district.  The majority of the city’s major fashion labels operate showrooms and execute the fashion process from design and production to wholesaling.  No other city has a comparable concentration of fashion businesses and talent in a single district.  There are shops that just make zippers or just do lace work.  A remarkable quality is that any of the major designers can have a garment assembled in one day.   Major fashion labels such as Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Liz Claiborne, Nicole Miller, and Andrew Marc have showrooms, production facilities, and support offices in the Garment District.  The garment district had its start making uniforms for slaves in the early 1800’s.  The civil war brought an additional need for uniforms.  It is best known today for making high end clothing and for its ridiculous fashion shows.  I’ve listed the major players below:
 
Carolina Herrara was born María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño in Venezuela.  Oscar de la Renta was born Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo in the Dominican Republic.   Anne Klein was born Hannah Glofski.  Ralph Lauren was born Ralph Lifshitz.  Both of their families were of Jewish Russian decent.  Both Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren were born in Brooklyn, New York.  Calvin Klein was born in Bronx, New York.  Donna Karan was born Donna Ivy Faske in Queens, New York City.  Liz Claiborne was born Anne Elisabeth Jane Claiborne to New Orleans parents while they were staying in Belgium.  (Part of Liz’s motivation was the failure of male owned fashion companies to create appropriate clothing for working women.  She was the first woman to make the Fortune 500.)  Nicole Miller was born in Texas and raised in Massachusetts.  Her father was an engineer who met her mother in Paris during WW II.  Nicole attributes her couture insights to her engineer father.   Andrew Marc is not a real person, but simply the name of a subsidiary of G III Apparel group.  Morris Goldfarb is the big name on the G III board.  Morris’ dad, Aron Goldfarb, was a holocaust survivor who started the company.  Morris is paid $11 million a year to run the company and earns additional profits from sales.
 
The entire fashion industry is a lot of smoke and mirrors.  Clothing becomes fashionable, because someone in the fashion industry says it is, or someone who is both famous and attractive wears it at a public event.  It is then soon declared out of date, to encourage sales of new products.  Breast reduction is actually more common with the high end runway models, than breast implants, as the “ideal model” according to the brunt of the industry giants identified above, is a thin, tall, woman whose face is attractive but who has androgynous features.  Breast implants are more likely to be pursued by Victoria’s Secret models.
 
Perhaps the greatest hypocrisy in the garment industry is that half of the high end purchases made in the garment industry today, including high end lingerie purchases, are made by Muslim Arab women who wear the traditional Hijab in most public encounters.  Isn’t it ironic that so many of the radical Muslim attacks target Christians, when the greatest hypocrites are within their own religion? Maybe it’s just easier for closed minded people to hate people who are not like them.
 
Chris Rock recently divorced from his wife of 16 years and in his comedy tour, “Total Blackout,” he cited porn as a big reason why.  Chris spoke of being “addicted to porn,” cheating on his wife several times while he was on tour, being 15 minutes late to everything because of his porn addiction, being unable to look people in the eye, and failing to notice normal social cues.  With counseling, he was able to overcome his addiction, but it came at a serious price—the end of a marriage that had lasted nearly two decades.  I have to give him credit for ultimately facing this issue and seriously addressing it.  It is unfortunate he had to lose a long-term marriage and the opportunity to live with his two children first.  Chris once stated, “There are no strippers in college.  It’s a myth that men like to tell themselves.  You don’t meet smart women at strip bars.” From the assessments I’ve done, he’s right.  Chris also once stated, “I don’t get high, but sometimes I wish I would.  Then I’d have an excuse.”  There is a good online resource which describes the negative impacts of pornography called “Fight the New Drug.”
 
Quotes:
 
Chris Rock is damn funny.  There is a vulnerability about him which makes people feel a genuine connection.  Here are some Chris Rock quotes:
 
A decade ago Chris stated, “You know the world is messed up when the tallest player in the NBA is Chinese (Yao Ming), the best golfer in the world is black (Tiger Woods), and the most popular rapper is white (Eminem).”
 
I used to make minimum wage at McDonalds.  When you’re getting minimum wage your boss is saying, “I’d pay you less if I could, but it’s against the law.”
 
We don’t need gun control, we need bullet control.  If a bullet cost $5000, you’d have threats like, “I’m going to save my money and buy a bullet, and someday…” There would be no more innocent bystanders killed, because people wouldn’t waste bullets.
 
In the past couple months, I’ve had the opportunity to travel from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic ocean (and stand in both) as I helped Brandon, Nicolette and Kaycee Deal move from California to Maryland.  The United States of America is beautiful today.  I’d encourage anyone to see what they can of it.  I found myself humming, “This land is your land...”
 
Congratulations to Pierz Baseball who will be playing in the state championship at Target field on Monday at 1:00!  I’ve included some shots of the semi-final game.
 
 
Thanks for listening,
  
Frank Weber Frank being interviewed by Steve McEllistrem on Write On! Radio Frank speaking at the state Social Work convention at the Earle Brown Center in Brooklyn Park Kaycee enjoying her brief stay in Pierz before moving to Maryland Branden and Kaycee Branden, Nicolette and Frank stopping in Madison for the night as we transported their vehicles from Pierz to Maryland.  A nightcap and a great sandwich at the Copper Tavern. Nicolette Frank and Nicolette at Chesapeake Bay, the opening to the Atlantic, in Maryland Branden and Nicolette Contemplating the sequel to Murder Book Pierz Baseball Lane Girtz drives a hit Jason Suska Brandon Dickman swinging a hot bat at the state tournament Preston Rocheleau Brett Kapsner Matt Tautges Luke Girtz on 2nd base once again Alex Funk Thomas Funk Brett Kapsner Matt Kummet Lane Girtz making the play at 2nd Matt Tautges