March Madness

Well; what else would I be blogging about this time of year? I mean; 'duh...go to school'! By the way that's become a popular phrase around our house; it does simply sum things up at times.
Sooo; how are your brackets holding up? No 'real' shockers thus far; I suppose Arizona getting to the Sweet 16 is a surprise; not the name but that they did it as a 12 seed.
The Big 12 has three still alive; pretty good. KU withstood a fun North Dakota State team and then ran away from Dayton; Aldrich and Collins are doing all they can. I did pick a Big 12 team to win the whole thing in my bracket...Oklahoma. I just have a feeling about Blake Griffin; that guy is a MAN! If they can hit any decent percentage of 3-pointers; they are really a difficult match up for anyone. I even have them knocking out the the Tar Heels (those who know me will understand that I grew up rooting for Dean Smith and the Heels).

Oh; and let's hope the Lady Cats can finally get past Vanderbilt and make their own Sweet 16 trip!

Should be a lot of fun to watch the remainder of the tournament...well of course it will.
Duh...go to school.
Rocky Downing

Still With Us

Still With Us

It’s been three years today since my Mom passed away. In moments it seems like really quite a while ago; at other times it feels like just moments ago. Every once in a while our family will have something exciting happen and for a fleeting moment I will think I should call ‘Mother’ and let her know…kind of funny isn’t it.
There are a lot of things that come to mind about my Mom. The way you could hear her laugh from anywhere. Card games…she loved to play canasta and pitch…she was even our poker partner when we were in high school and college up to all hours of the night with the boys. I think about her singing next to me in church…the way she prayed; the way she was at ‘every’ activity that I was a part of; her love of the St. Louis Cardinals. But above all else; and I’ve said it before; My Mom was one of the great ‘huggers’. What I’d give for one of those right now.
I know all of you have losses you are forced to deal with and find ways to move forward. It sure is nice to look back; embrace and celebrate those who mean so much to our lives.

Hopefully you’ll also embrace and celebrate those still with you that mean so much in your lives right now.

Someday We'll Find It...The Rainbow Connection

I said I would disclose the Elks Big Show 'after' the fact; well it's come and gone with Clay Center's version of the Muppet Show. (It's time to start the music; it's time to light the lights) Thanks to any of you who might have made it to the show this past Saturday. Those of us on the committee and those on stage hope it was a fun time.
As much fun as the show is and the people I get to work with are; it's nice to have a few more nights open; in fact Zach and I will be at Bramlage tonight to watch the Cats go for six straight wins! (Thanks Tim for the tickets).

You know what...you should go have a great day!!

Rocky Downing

BIG SHOW

It's a crazy time for a lot of people in Clay Center right now. Saturday night marks the 18th Elks Big Show. There's been a committee working toward this night since October; hopefully it will be a fun night for another sold out show. What is the Elks Big Show; well it's a chance for ametuers (some of us with very little talent) to step on stage in front of people and grab the spotlite for a while. There have been shows put on at the Clay Center Elks that have spoofed, Johnny Carson, WKRP, The Wizard of Oz, Cheers, Saturday Night Live...it's a long list of themes and characters portrayed.
There are some amazing people to work with; and somehow it comes together for that one night and people appear to enjoy the majority of it...hopefully the crowd---AND the Cast---will have some fun.
I can't share anymore than that; maybe we'll discuss what all happened in the show next week.
Have a great day,
Rocky Downing

The Vinyl Years

Last night on The Vinyl Years (if you haven't checked it out before; hope you get a chance to; it's on from 6-9 pm on KCLY; Phil Kasper and I look back at the 60's, 70's and 80's in music); anyway; we had a couple of songs during the 60's; Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" and Matha and the Vandella's "Dancing in the Streets". Both of these songs have been covered by Van Halen; most successfully; and many others. Flip and I were talking about younger audiences hearing songs today that are covers and having no idea of the original artist. Now you may not like remakes or cover versions...but consider this; more often than not the younger listeners will find out about the original and might even give it a chance; and who knows they may be turned on to a classic artist that otherwise they would have given no creedence. I thought it was interesting.

My apologies to Flip for delving into Rock n Roll away from his Vinyl Years blog (thevinylyearsrock.blogspot.com) you guys should check it out...my apologies; but I think he trusts me with the topic.
By the way if you tune to the show; starting on Monday it's gaining an hour...we'll be on through the 9 o'clock hour with tunes from the 90's.


Have an awesome day everyone.

Rocky Downing

TOURMAMENT WEEK!!

Hopefully you could gather the OUT LOUD voice in today's title; it is tournament crazy across the state of Kansas. On KCLY; it's Twin Valley League Tourney time; 10 games Saturday; 8 more Monday; two today; four on Thursday and Friday and 10 more on Saturday...now to my family let me say; "I WILL be home again...someday." Washington County is hosting this year and doing a great job; Joe Woodyard and I will know them all well by week's end. You can add to the TVL this week: the Eisenhower League tourney featuring Wakefield; the Pike Trail League Tournament has Southern Cloud and the Trojan Classic in Hillsboro puts Riley County, Republic County and Wamego in action. This is also Salina's Invitational Tournament the SIT. The Clay Center Tigers come in as a number 2 seed and currently ranked # 8 in the State with a (8-1) record. We hope it's a fun week ahead. Abilene is the #1 seed and the tourney also features Concordia. It's a busy, crazy and fun week. If you want to see the TVL schedule of games; or listen to games already played this year; visit kclyradio.com.
And Ben; yes the Hawks did it again...the Cats may want to reconsider that 18 point lead they spotted them; hopefully there are better things to come.
Gotta run; there's a tournament I need to get to.

Rocky Downing

Go Cats!!!!!!!!

OK; Jayhawk fans the deal is; it's my blog and I'll title it how I want to...and root for who I want to.
Seriously don't you think this year's game is as 'up in the air' as it's ever been? Both teams are (11-4); both have had solid outings; both have laid an egg or two...both are thinking they can win this game. Yes; even the Cats I think believe they will go into Allen Fieldhouse (where they haven't won since 2006) and win. The Hawks have to think that at home they'll keep the streak going...looks like it adds up to a pretty good match up to me.

While you may be checking out the Sunflower Showdown; yours truly will be following the Clay Center Tigers into Wamego. Two really big match ups this week...(6-1) Tigers against state ranked Wamego and then Friday it's undefeated and state ranked Abilene in the Tiger's Den. And don't forget the top ranked Clay Center Tiger wrestlers hosting both Wamego and Marysville on Thursday...great week to be a sports fan!

Have a great day.
Rocky Downing