I want to say thanks to all the nice folks at McRoskey mattress in Palo Alto.  We came out on Saturday afternoon and met quite a few KOIT listeners who won some great concert tickets to the Mt. Winery.  “Hi! to Dee, Jan, Linda and Charlie, Mark and Lisa and everyone who made their way out to Palo Alto!

Independence Day is fast approaching…hmmm, what to do…

Today’s trivia on the KOIT More Music Morning Show:

Q:  Before she became famous, she held jobs as a pharmacy clerk, waitress, telemarketer, and a vacuum cleaner salesperson. Who is she?

A: Kelly Clarkson  

She also worked at Subway, Papa John’s, and Starbucks. Somewhere in there she found time to write some songs, and audition for and win the first season of American Idol.

Idol auditions for season eight begin right here in the Bay Area on Thursday July 17^th.

Wristbands will be handed out from 7a on Tuesday July 15^th until 8a on the 17^th but

you won’t be able to camp out. So once you get your wristband, you’ll have to head

back to the Cow Palace and audition on the 17^th.

Just in case you could possibly care about this, yesterday was the anniversary of the first

ever barcode scan in a grocery store. It was in 1974, and a pack of gum got the scan.

Wrigley’s Spearmint, if you want to know. The scanner read it as hamburger meat.

Kidding.

With all the smoke and dry brush around here, people are understandably nervous about

the fire danger, especially when it comes to 4^th of July fireworks. Pleasanton and

Livermore will have zero tolerance for people violating the ban on fireworks….500

dollar fine and/or 30 days in the tank. But across the freeway you can buy all the

fireworks you want in Dublin. Go figure.

Chrysler just announced that some of their 2009 models will have Internet connectivity.

And just the other day we were sayin’ how there aren’t enough distractions while we

drive these days. As if cell phones aren’t enough. On that topic California’s new

hands-free-while-driving law goes into effect this Tuesday. For some hands-free

solutions, scroll down to my June 11^th blog entry, and have a fine weekend.

Sherry, Lisa and I were amazed at the stunning sunrise this morning and Robin Neal from Fremont sent in this photo to share…the view is near the base of Mission Hills in Fremont…

Well, Monday and Tuesday I’m filling in for Jack…he’s doing a “Staycation” of his own from what I understand…

   Remember when going to the DMV was considered a real drag??    Not any more; at least not at the Corte Madera DMV.
          I had to go to the DMV to take a driving test.  It’s something we all have to do once or twice in our lifetime.  And yes, I was a little nervous.
 And then a couple days before the driving test, I couldn”t find my registration.   So where do you go to get another registration?   Righjt.   THE DMV.
         I arrived at the Corte Madera location expecting to see a long line.   That wasn’t the case.   Upon entering, I was given a number and within five minutes I was told to go to a window where Stephanie took my information and entered  it into a computer.  A few minutes and 17 dollars later, I was out the door.  Total time:   Less than 15 minutes.

          I  was slated for a 9:30am driving test.  I arrived at nine.   “Jason”   checked my  papers, and I was told I was “good to go.”  Just pull my car around to the side, and the inspector would be there at 9:30.

DMV’s Gertie Reyes

At exactly 9:30 the inspector arrived.  Her badge said “Gertie Reyes.”  She smiled and told me the first thing we had to do was to make sure my car was “safe to drive.”   So I had to blow the horn:  No problem.    Turn on the left blinkers:  No problem.  Turn on the right blinkers.  OOOOOPS.    The right front blinker was NOT working.    
          Gertie was apologetic.   She said she was sorry, but we couldn’t  do my driving test, as long as my blinker was, well…..”on the blink.”
  She said she was aware I had taken the day off work.  If I could get the turn signal fixed, she could squeeze me in at 3 o’clock.
        Wow, was that nice, or what?
                                                                     

             Where could I go to get the turn signal fixed without an appointment?
 VN auto repair is what we would refer to as a “Mom and Pop” establishment.  It is owned by two great mechanics..  Chau and Nien are two of the most capable and honest mechanics I have ever known.   And they are good guys. 
                                   I drove over at 10am.  Chau was on vacation in Vietnam, but Nien said he’d have a look.   Five minutes later, he said: “No problem, it’s just a burned out bulb.”  He replaced  it.  Total time….10 minutes.   He was as efficient as the DMV.:)
     “How much?” I asked.  “No charge,” he said, and started to walk away.  I had to chase after him and stuff a 20 dollar bill in his pocket.  “At least let me buy you lunch.”
                                                                         

           I arrived back at the DMN at 2:45.   I checked in, and once again, I was face to face with a smiling Gertie.   We  once again checked out the car.   YES’………………..EVERYTHING WORKED.          For the next 20 minutes or so, we traveled the roads of Central Marin.  Gertie kept writing things on her paper.  Hmmmmm   I was definitely nervous.           Finally, it was over.
               “So how did I do?”   Gertie smiled and said I passed.  “You only made 7 errors.  SEVEN?  That seemed like a lot.  Gertie told me the maximum number of errors allowed is 20.   (I can give you a couple tips.  Be prepared to give hand signals, and be sure to look over your shoulder when  backing up and  when entering the freeway. 
                                     My experience at the DMV was great.   They were efficient, and operated like a well oiled machine.  And kudos for Gertie Reyes.   She went above and beyond the call of duty..   My last bit of advice:   DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DMV….AT LEAST NOT IN CORTE MADERA.
           

Today’s Trivia:

Q: What percentage of cotton candy is air?

A:  About 80 percent

This morning’s trivia winner, Jane Martin of Morgan Hill, was a cotton candy maker for several summers at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Jane said that she’d go home at the end of the day covered with the other 20 percent….sugar.

How mad are people getting over the price of gas? Pretty mad, and there’s a name for it. It’s gas rage, and it’s getting so bad that some gas station workers actually fear for their lives. It’s especially bad in Southern California where gas station workers take a “buddy” when they go out to change the price on the signs…which can happen more than once a day.  Fact is the profit margin for gas station owners is extremely narrow, so the rage is being misdirected.

From our “What on Earth are they thinking?” Dept.  The cost of gas is getting more and more people on bicycles. It’s a great idea, but we’re starting to see more and more bikes on the road.  Now, Bay Area bike riders are required by law to obey the same rules obeyed by drivers. That would mean stopping at stop signs and lights, among other things. With more bikes out there, you’d think that following the rules would be a good idea, right?  Well the Metropolitan Transportation Commission doesn’t seem to think so. In fact tomorrow night, the MTC will kick around the notion of allowing bike riders to roll through stop signs, and travel through red lights after halting.  C’mon, what could possibly go wrong?

OK, one more gasoline story, then that’s it. Atlanta area cops are adding a gasoline surcharge to the fines issued to moving violators. Now that makes sense.

Today’s Trivia:

Q: What do Tiger Woods, Robin Williams, and Ted Koppel all have in common?

A: Each is an only child.

Did you happen to see what Tiger Woods did over the weekend to pull up next to Rocco Mediate in the US Open?  He sank an amazing birdie putt – the path of which looked like a fish hook – to tie. Now, the last time I played golf was for 1/3 Phys-Ed credit in college – no, I won’t tell you how long ago that was. But I don’t think one needs to be a golf nut to appreciate what Mr. Woods did this time out, and throughout his career really, to win the Open. And on a bum knee, no less.

Oh, good. Another “Is coffee bad for you?” study was just released. It’s a 20 year Harvard project, and for java drinkers, it’s pretty good news.  It concludes that coffee, even up to six cups a day, can actually be good for you.  But the American Dietetic Association cautions that “coffee in a healthful eating plan is OK, but not a magic food.”. So basically coffee won’t hurt you, but there’s no need to start guzzling it if you weren’t drinking it before. When it comes to the Harvard study, I think there’s one thing for certain. There’ll be plenty more studies.

The Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club in Hunters Point just opened. It’ll serve more than 200 children a day with a teen center, game room, multimedia technology center, art studio, community room and gym. Kids will be able to take advantage of homework assistance, reading and math help, fine arts instruction, leadership programs and job training. Willie Mays was there himself to make the dedication.

After work each day, I enjoy the walk to the Ferry Terminal.  It’s a 25 minute leisurely stroll,  and I usually arrive about  ten minutes before  the ferry to Larkspur leaves.    It’s an especially nice walk on a beautiful day.
             And Friday was one of those beautiful, warm bucolic days.
    I passed the Museum of Modern Art, and the tourists were enjoying a  snack at the outdoor tables.   I saw a familiar figure as I walked past.  He was a homeless man selling the “Street Sheet.”   He smiled when he saw me.  He knows I’m always good for a buck.   He thanked me profusely.     We high-fived and I continued the walk, and turned right on Mission.  There was another guy selling “Street Sheets.”  I checked my pocket.  I still had a couple bucks, and gave him one, and told him to keep the paper.   Once again, a nice “thank you.”
          I crossed to the other side of Mission, and was passing Walgreens on First Street.  There was a another homeless guy with  a very sad face and a cardboard sign that read “Anything will Help.”   I notice a few small coins in his cup.   If this was his days’ take, it had been a very bad day.
         I reached in my pocket and gave him my last dollar.   He seemed surprised:  “Thank You Brother,” he whispered through chapped lips.
                                                                    THREE LADIES FROM COLUMBIA
  
                         I arrived at the Ferry Terminal, and spent a few minutes browsing at the book store.   I saw the ferry to Larkspur approaching, and so I headed to the boarding area.      
                             I saw three  distressed looking women.   I could hear them speaking in Spanish.   It became obvious.   They didn’t have enough money for the crossing to Larkspur.    One of the three spoke passable English:    I asked if I could help.  They said they were from Columbia, and were staying at an American friends’ house in Sonoma.  They did not have enough money  for the passage to Larkspur.
         “No problema,” I cooed in my best high school Spanish.
   “Why no problema,” asked the youngest of the three.   I judged her to be in her twenties.  The other two ladies were senior citizens.
         I took out my wallet, and handed each of the ladies a ticket.   I told them to follow me.   We dropped the tickets in the box,  and got in line.        They were all very effusive in their thank yous, both in Spanish and English.   They wanted to know if their was a bano on board.  “Yes there is a bathroom.”
               They expressed a desire to sit out on the deck.   We all joined hands, and I led them to the small outside deck on the “Del Norte.”   I pointed to the area of the ladies room.  They were now relaxed and smiling.  The youngest lady said they wanted to extend an invitation for me to visit them in Coluimbia.   One of the seniors said they would cook me the best meal I have ever eaten.
                        I believed her.   I gave them my KOIT business card,  and again pointed them in the direction of the ladies room. 
             It was then that I received three wonderful hugs, from three very sweet ladies.
      I said “adios” to the women.  They scampered to the ladies room, and I went below deck to take a nap.
          I felt all “warm and fuzzy.”         It was a very nice walk to the Ferry Terminal.     
         
                     

It should be a beautiful weekend here in the Bay Area…I’ll be out and about…I hope you can come out …
I’ll be at the 54th Annual Precious Cheese North Beach Festival this Saturday, June 14th
from noon until 2pm…
Stop by and say hi!  For more information on the festival which runs both days
this weekend…check out their website:

…and if you’re a Dad, Happy Fathers Day!  Enjoy this day off…one of the few without the “Honey-do’s!”

well, sort of…what I mean is – “Good Morning, Baltimore!”  Going to see “Hairspray” at the Orpheum Theatre tonite, I’ll let you know how this production is…
I have a funny feeling my daughter and I will be singing and dancing in our seats!