Chuck Berry Statue

A statue dedicated to Chuck Berry is being unveiled in the Delmar Loop in St. Louis. The official dedication is set for July 29. The statue is across the street from Blueberry Hill. It is placed in a new plaza.

Berry will be performing at 9 pm on July13 in the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill. Berry performs once a month. Recently he had dizzy problems and had to be helped from the stage. Berry is 85 and still Rocking away.

John Lennon once said that if he had to give Rock and Roll another name, it would be Chuck Berry. Tickets go for $35. You can purchase tickets at 800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.

Columbo (Peter Falk) Passes

One of my all time favorite TV characters has passed away. Peter Falk played the sloppy dressed and messy TV detective Columbo. He died at the age of 83. He had been suffering from Alzheimers. He first appeared as Columbo in 1968 as part of the NBC Mystery Series. Three years later he went to a weekly series.

I also remember him from the movie "It's a Mad Mad World." He won 4 Emmys as Columbo. The TV detective Monk is also a favorite of mine. However, it was Columbo and his "Just one more thing" statement that kept me and my wife watching each week.

Many actors lined up to play the heavy on his show because it was so highly rated. He will be missed.

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all deserving dads. I like to reflect on my own Dad even though he has been gone for almost 19 years. The lessons I learned from him I still use.

I remember once I asked my Dad who was winning the Cardinal game and he said the Parrots. No I said it is the Pirates. He said no it is the parrots. (The Pirates had a picture of a parrot on their logo) . That is what he went by. I still chuckle about that from time to time.

Any way. Dads enjoy your special day.

Gas Prices Dropping

Two news stations are reporting that gas could drop to about $3.50 a gallon nationally by the Fourth of July. Notice the word "could". Why?

Well it seems that the high prices have curbed the use of gas by everyone across the nation. This is surprising because last week OPEC decided not to increase production over the Summer.

I know that I have cut back on where I drive and for how long. This is also an indication that job growth is remaining slow. Common sense tells us that transportation of goods is slow also jobs that require gas is slower. The travel industry is slow.

Hopefully, lower gas prices mean an increase in the economy.

VBS and Summer Heat

Well today marked the start of VBS at our church, Zion Lutheran. We had about 80 children. The first week in June marks the start of the VBS season. It is hard for churches not to overlap other churches. Most churches like to get it in before the hot weather arrives. However, it is pushing 97 today and will be in the 90's all week long.

The children had fun though and learned about Moses today. I don't think they recognize the heat like adults do. This is because they are having too much fun. This years theme is Big Jungle Adventure.

Yard Sales, Property Taxes & Summer Heat

Yard Sales

One mans trash is another mans treasure. The trash pickup in our town is on Thursday. As I drove around our little town, I noticed a man driving a pickup truck and salvaging trash items. The very next day the same man was selling those items at his yard sale.

Property Taxes

Usually July, august and September are when we begin to pay our yearly property taxes in our county. Most counties in Illinois are running a little behind this year. Regardless of when they are do, they put a crimp on our Summer vacations. Maybe that is why the man above was having a yard sale.

Heat

I noticed that the forecast for the next five days will be in the low to mid 90's. We went right from winter to Summer. Rev up that AC.

The Macho Man and Memorial Day

This past week Randy (Macho Man) Savage passed away. I remember watching him in the wrestling ring. He played both sides of the coin. He was a heal and a good guy. I remember him best as an entertainer. Ohhhh Yeahhhhh!

This weekend we honor other individuals as well. The many men and women from all branches of the service that gave their lives for us. AMC (the television network) along with others will be showing Hollywood movies dedicated to those that have served.

Let us remember the real meaning of Memorial Day. Take a moment and remember those that gave their lives for us. The freedom that we have was upheld, as these individuals served us and our country well.