I tried my hand at Cache Creek’s recent blackjack tournament.  A lot of fun.  I figure I finished about 19th out of 254 players.    No, I didn’t win anything, but it was a good experience, and i learned a lot.  Congratulations to Cache Creek for running a really first class tourney.   And it didn’t cost the players a dime.  Compliments of the Casino.  Time to practice and get ready for the next one, which is coming soon.
          Congratulations to Christian and his fine staff at Cache Creek’s  classy  C2 Steak and Seafood House..  They were honored with inclusion to DiRona’s guide to America’s finest restaurants.  As one who has dined there, it is an honor well deserved.
                  I stopped into the River Rock Casino recently.  It was a sad looking group of dealers.  The casino made the decision to change their policy regarding dealer tips.  Up to this point, the dealers were allowed  to keep their own tokes, but according to the casino manager, it was strictly a "business decision"  to make the dealers share their tips with all the other dealers on their shift. .   As one of the disappointed dealers confided in me: "This decision will cost some of us over $20,000 dollars a year."
       A bit of good news from River Rock.  Manager Robin Waters  told me they would be using "no smoking" signs on certain tables if they are requested by players.  This is great news for both the employees and the players.  There’s nothing worse than playing a table game and having the player sitting next to you light up.
                                 I’ve been riding to work on the new Bauer luxury bus the past two weeks.  Just checkin’ it out, and yes, it is free this month.   Nice idea.  Big leather seats, TV’s, computer hookups, and service from a hostess, just like on an airplane.  So far, they’ve suffered from lack of a good "game-plan" and lack of advertising. I hope they make it.  More later.
                             I’m off to Las Vegas. " What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."  Well no everything.

First, I’m loving the new season of American Idol.  With the addition of Kara…she has brought in some fresh air to Randy’s "yo dog"
Paula’s girlie giggles and Simon’s directness.
Like everyone else, I fell for Adam Lambert from his 1st Bay Area audition…but I’m also enjoying Alexis and Matt Giraud…so far (for me)
those are my top 3 that always seem to take it to the next level…
sad to say I think that Scott MacIntyre and Michael Sarver will be gone…

What is with the brackets?  So many teams so little time…I love sports…but I can’t seem to wrap my head around all of these college teams…so I’ll go with one that I always grin at their name…Gonzaga…did I spell it right?

With the economic freefall…we all are cutting back…and usually it’s on fun things like entertainment…so a few artists realize this and have cut their concert ticket prices…
Keith Urban is selling his lowest ticket for $20 without any transaction fees.
No Doubt – hits the road May 16 in Las Vegas and is selling $10 and $25 tickets in some arenas
U2…their hug U2 360 stadium tour will offer about 10,000 seats per stop at $30. 
So don’t think you can’t afford it…check the prices before you rule out a night out.

This morning’s trivia on KOIT:

We hope they get the pies baked and delivered before dark, ‘cuz there isn’t much electricity in North Korea. Need proof? Just check out this night time satellite picture of  the two Koreas..North and South

‘Haven’t yet gotten into this season of American Idol yet. How ’bout you? I don’t know if I’m burned on it or not. It’s still hugely popular, and that fact isn’t lost on me. Apparently one of Idol’s staffers is running around telling anyone who’ll listen, that the team of producers and judges has already picked the final four, despite the fact that there are still eleven people competing. Upper Deck, the trading card company, is launching a line of American Idol trading cards. They’ll feature Idol winners, losers, and judges -138 in all.  Trade ya a Hung for an Underwood.

I’ve been feeling this since the financial free fall started last autumn…how can we still feel "giving" when you have nothing left to give?
We’re all drained in some form or fashion, weary from the headlines…gosh I can’t even get away from it in the elevator…they have monitor there telling all the bad news of the day…
Then I read something today in the Chron…that gave me hope…
an article about being able to give without it costing you money…

Check out this website…

We certainly have made up for the lack of rain here in the Bay Area over the past 2 weeks…Sno pack now nearly at 100%… and we still have a few more months to go…so hopefully we’ll stay ahead of the curve…
One thing I know for sure…I will be cutting my lawn twice next week when we have sunny skies!!

What’s on my radar?
Been looking forward to the season finale of Glen Close in "Damages"
Enjoying Steven Speilberg’s  "United States of Tara"  I think Toni Collette should get some acting accolades next year at the Emmy’s.  She’s incredible in the mulitiple roles…
and of course – American Idol – season 8…we now have the 12 finalists with the extra 8 wild card contenders..

….the judges unveiled the eight wild-card round contestants who will vie for the final three spots in the top 12 on Thursday night (March 5): Von Smith, Jasmine Murray, Ricky Braddy, Megan Joy Corkrey, Tatiana Del Toro, Matt Giraud, Jesse Langseth and Anoop Desai. . . no offense, but I hope the drama queen – Tatiana doesn’t go thru…

I can hardly believe it!  Where did the time go?

.

I’ve been here on 96.5 KOIT for the past 17 years…it seemed just like yesterday that I stepped in to the studios on Maiden Lane.
I started doing a dedication show called "Nightlight" from 7pm until midnight…playing lovesongs and dedications for all the hopeful romantics here in the Bay Area.

.

Then in 1997 the powers that be thought I would be better suited to taking you home in the afternoon…and I’ve been driving the bus for the past 12 years doing 3pm – 8pm. 

.

The reason for my longevity?  YOU…pure and simple.  You embraced me with open arms and encouraged me to share your commute home every weekday.  And for all your support and love…

I thank-you from the bottom of my heart…

.