Bullish on Regional Rail

In this lean, mean economy, it’s hard to tell which way the political winds are blowing.

You may be surprised to learn that Durham voters approved a sales tax last week. Some of the proceeds are designated for mass transit. And the transit tax was championed by the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, an unlikely proponent of taxation.

It turns out the Chamber was in sync with the voters - looking ahead to better times with a vision for improved bus service and the possibility of commuter rail. Congratz to Durham voters, our political leaders and the Chamber. They’re setting the pace for RDU.

Durham and neighboring Wake County share the same roads - lots of sharing on Interstate 40 - but we don’t share a vision for regional transpo at present. There is a worthwhile story in the News & Observer today about this challenge; CLICK HERE.

I suppose that I’m part of the Triangle’s traffic problem. I log over 25,000 automobile miles per year between the Durham ballpark and our three Raleigh locations. There must be a better way!?!

The DBAP is on the proposed rail line. All aboard!

Fill 'er up...at 22,000'

I've been saving these October photos for the Veterans Day holiday.

If you are active duty military or a vet, please know...

We deeply appreciate your commitment to our country and your service.

The Armed Forces are a major presence in our region, and the Bulls support our military personnel each summer with several promotions and events.

The favor was repaid last month.

Our staff was invited aboard a KC-135R Stratotanker based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. The Bulls front office went airborne with the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

Business Class for the staff.

Bulls' Assistant GM Jon Bishop in First Class.

They cruised up to Kentucky for a midair refueling mission at 22,000 feet. Very cool.

Read more about the 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB.

Rockettes Rock Durham

I got a triple shot of holiday cheer Thursday night as the Radio City Christmas Spectacular opened at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

This is another coup for the DPAC as Radio City comes to the Bull City through November 27th. Click here for the DPAC website and ticket info. (The Rockettes are appearing in Boston and Nashville, too.)

I know it's cliche, but this show is a feast for the eyes and ears. It's a big, rich production. Prior to Halloween twenty-two tractor trailers rolled into town with the sets and costumes.

Eighteen Rockettes kick and tap their way to the North Pole. It's exuberant, precise and impressive. A Herald-Sun story provides background on the dancing and WRAL TV5 has video:

In addition to the Rockettes I counted two camels, four sheep and a donkey - live critters!

...and I'm convinced the Radio City Christmas Spectacular features the REAL Santa Claus. Get your tickets, and I'm sure you'll agree.

Haircut and a Shave

Across the street from our very traditional ballpark you will find a very traditional barber shop.

The American Tobacco Barber Shop in the Crowe building lobby is a time machine - except for the two HDTV monitors permanently tuned to ESPN. It's a popular stop for players from visiting teams during the season.

The Herald-Sun recently discovered the shop. Read about our friends, Joyce and Scott Roberts, and their straight razor wielding sidekick, Tony Braswell.

Hangin' with Aaron Rodgers

I was pulling for Phillip Rivers and the Chargers Sunday, but Green Bay prevailed 45-38. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers seem unstoppable. At 8-0 they are the only undefeated team in the NFL.

I’m sure you’ve seen the QB’s State Farm commercial. The backstory on that ad has a Triangle connection. Raleigh State Farm agent Mike Sollie appears in the spot with Aaron Rodgers.

Cheeseheads worship Rodgers, but I’m a fan of Mike Sollie! He’s a loyal advertiser on 99.9 The Fan/620 The Buzz, and he played baseball at NC State.

So, how did Mike end up on national television?

Twenty-five high performers were nominated to audition for the commercial from State Farm’s mid-Atlantic zone. The try-outs were done via a video conference. Mike got a call-back and ultimately landed the role.

He went to Green Bay in September for the shoot. It was on a Saturday - all day - seven hours and 150 takes. Mike says Rodgers was “unbelievable...a fantastic, funny guy.”

On the set, Rodgers had a trailer befitting his superstar status. Mike got a lawn chair...and his thirty seconds of fame!

Brain Game

Today's NC State-UNC football game is not necessarily the zenith (or nadir?) of the week's competition.

Thursday evening we gathered 'round the TV for WRAL's Brain Game Celebrity Edition. It was an inter-company beat down between teams from the TV5 newsroom, MIX 101.5 and 99.9 The Fan/620 The Buzz.

My sports radio peeps claimed second place. I was relieved...and ultimately impressed. Remarkably, they cleaned up well and looked just fine in hi def.

Faces made for radio!

Left to right: Mark Thomas, Mike Maniscalco, Adam Gold, Joe Ovies

and Brain Game host Mark Roberts.

Caniacs @ Capitol

An announcement from the Canes today is getting some attention…

Ten investors have bought into the Carolina Hurricanes, and that includes Capitol Broadcasting Co. Nine of the ten are local individuals/firms. That speaks to the intent: Canes owner, Pete Karmanos (who is based in Detroit) has long wanted some Triangle-based partners. That's our motivation - another way to support the market's only major league sports franchise, especially in the business community.

The local owners have a small percentage of the hockey club. The management of the team is unaffected by this announcement.

Capitol has been a big supporter of the Canes since their inaugural season in ’98 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Back then, we helped with their television package and broadcast their very first game on TV5. Today, 99.9 The Fan is the Canes’ flagship radio station.

In an interview on The Fan this afternoon, Capitol CEO Jim Goodmon reminisced about his first meeting with Pete Karmanos. The team owner got an aerial tour of the Triangle in TV5's chopper, but Jim wouldn't let them land until Karmanos committed to locate his hockey team here.

Jim was asked about the major benefit of investing in the team. His favorite perquisite: a 50% discount at the team store!

Click here for the full story, Jim's radio interview and comments from Mr. Karmanos.

Let's Go Canes!