content Don Vaughan
| 4 | Fun for the Whole Family
PuBlISHER
Cindy Cowan Thiele EDITOR
Rick Hoerner Tom Yost Dorothy Nobis
As sure as the sun rises, somewhere there is a teenager complaining that there is nothing to do in the metropolis that is Farmington. And while compared to cities the size of Albuquerque or larger that might seem true, Farmington does have some activities to offer from golf to exceptional movie theaters to great walking trails.
CONTRIBuTING WRITERS
Curtis Benally Josh Bishop CONTRIBuTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Suzanne Thurman DESIGNER
Shelly Acosta Clint Alexander Aimee Velasquez
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Exercise and laughter
When Sheri Rogers, Rick Palmer and Bobby Hume started playing volleyball together 30 years ago in a city volleyball league, they each had a goal – to win. While the wins and losses in that league no longer matter, what Rogers, Palmer and Hume have “won” are friendships that have endured for more than 30 years.
SAlES STAFF For advertising information Call 505.516.1230
www.fourcornerssports.com
| 12 | Winter Prep Sports | 22 | Editorial Columnist On Feb. 2nd Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow assuring that there are six more weeks until the state basketball tournament.
by Rick Hoerner
| 24 | Speed and adrenaline
| 14 | 3-Gun Competition STORY IDEAS and PHOTOS Please send to editor@tricitytribuneusa.com
Majestic Media 100 W. Apache Street Farmington, NM 87401 505.516.1230 www.majesticmediausa.com Four Corners Sports magazine is published once a month by Majestic Media. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Four Corners Sports magazine. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication. However the publisher cannot assume responsibility for errors or ommissions. © 2015 Four Corners Sports magazine.
Shooting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to compete for prizes and trophies at the Second Annual San Juan County Sheriff’s 3-Gun Charity Challenge match.
Shaleen Brown admits she has a need – a need for speed.
| 28 | The Hidden (Valley) Opportunity
| 16 | Transcending the Winter Warrior It’s the fifth annual Winter Warrior 10K snowshoe race, founded by Steve Ilg, Wholistic Fitness coach, and hosted by the Durango Nordic Center.
| 20 | Successful Season The swimming and diving teams from Farmington High School and Piedra Vista had an extremely successful seasons culminating at the 2015 NMAA Swimming and Diving State Championships at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium in Albuquerque on Feb. 20 and 21.
Hidden Valley Golf Course has been a fixture in the Aztec community for many years.
| 30 | 10 Questions with lisa Webb
| 32 | NASCAR Nellie | 34 | The First Tee
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by Tom Yost
covercredit Shaleen Brown
Josh Bishop
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Chad Franks carries on the Bowlero Lanes family tradition Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Josh Bishop As sure as the sun rises, somewhere there is a teenager complaining that there is nothing to do in the metropolis that is Farmington. And while in comparrison to cities the size of Albuquerque or larger that might seem true, Farmington does have some activities to offer, from golf to exceptional movie theaters to great walking trails. Then, of course, there is the stalwart of all small town activities; your local bowling alley.
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Farmington is especially fortunate to have Bowlero Lanes, a state of the art bowling center that provides family entertainment. First built in 1956, Bowlero Lanes has stood the test of time. Current owner Chad Franks, who took control of the alley in 2001, is third in a family line of owners to run the operation. In 1958 Chad’s grandfather, Charlie Reese, reopened an abandoned operation left for dead six months earlier. The original
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Bowlero Lanes was located on an isolated ďŹ eld before Home Depot and Safeway built on the adjacent properties back when Dizzyland Liquors was the lone business on the same side of Main Street. Originally, Bowlero had 16 lanes, less than half the size it is today. For those who have been inside the structure, that would be ending just where the snack
Chad Franks, center back row, and Coach Kelly Evers, back row right, stands with the the state shanpionship bowling team at a practice session at Bowlero Lanes. bar is today. In the early ’70s the lanes were updated to 24 lanes just before the second generation, Rowdy Franks, took over the lanes in 1976, adding a small lounge to the building to go with the eight new lanes. Updating the technology, especially when it comes to pin setting, has been the continuing evolution of the bowling alley. As Rowdy’s son Chad took over the lanes at the turn of the century, changes
were inevitable. Since Chad Franks took over ownership the bowling alley has expanded and upgraded. Franks added 10 updated lanes that include laser light shows with neon and black lights and a digital jukebox, a full service pro shop, and a full-service Crackers Sports Bar with 100 seats and over 30 digital television screens. Franks also turned the old lounge into a poolroom to complement other activi-
ties in the building. For Franks, changes in technology is essential to the survival of the sport. For Bowlero, the bowling clientele is an everchanging evolution steadily moving from declining league bowlers to an increase in casual bowlers looking for family entertainment. Updates such as automatic scoring and gutter bumpers for young and inexperienced bowlers have made the lanes more family friendly.
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“Bumpers have been the most important technological advance,” Franks said “After all, if all you are doing is throwing the ball in the gutter every time, how likely are you to come back?” Automatic scoring also has made the game more user friendly for families – not having to worry about scoring, or the fear of knowing how to keep score, and focusing on time together. Like the rest of the world technology has been a mixed blessing for the bowling industry. While it has made bowling more accessible to the masses, it also must now compete with video games, 500 cable channels and the smart phone, making bowling one of a growing number of options for an individual’s spare time. Still, as of 2011, bowling is still a $10 billion industry and is still the number one participation sport in America with more 71 million people who list bowling as something they do for fun at least three times annually. Just as in golf, technology has changed the bowling industry. And also like golf, the ball and the equipment have replaced the requirement of skill – in varying degrees. Also like golf, the game has to evolve with a public looking more for entertainment than for competitive skill. For Bowlero that means looking at creative ways to keep the competition of bowling while catering to a new base looking for a cost-effective night out. So, Bowlero is looking at rotating leagues that would not have the commitment of 36 weeks but rotating with others for perhaps a 24-week
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schedule. They will also be looking at more compact bowling seasons to keep the regular league bowler an important part of the changing landscape. The future of Bowlero may be based on the growth of high school bowling teams and leagues. High school bowling, as an activity, is one of the fastest growing sports on high school and college campuses with over 50,000 high school and 35,000 college athletes competing annually. High school bowling was added to the New Mexico Activities Association list of sponsored activities in 2006 giving students an activity not based on size or speed as much as skill. The local high schools have been especially strong in state competition with Farmington finishing in the top for three consecutive years including a state runner-up this year. Piedra Vista won the first bowling state title in 2006 and has added three more titles including the state title this year with the assistance of the next generation of Franks leading the way. High school bowling has increased to the point where this past winter
Bowlero offered a high school league that included 50 students. The future of bowling will be adjusting to constant change. While more than 100 million people in 100 countries participate in bowling, the participants and level of participation is in constant flux. The next Franks generation is already looking toward continuing the family tradition. Trey Franks, a senior at Piedra Vista, dreamed of growing up in the bowling alley. He received work experience at a young age, and having full access to the snack bar didn’t hurt either. When asked if he could see himself taking over some day, Trey said, “Yeah, I could see myself sitting in that chair,” pointing to his father. Until then, Bowlero will look to add more to the community bowling experience, adding to birthday parties and anniversaries with church group outings and new league options. Summer league signups are coming up soon and the air conditioning will be on all summer for a family gathering.
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ExErcisE laughter and
Wednesday night Wallyball leads to years of lasting friendship Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop When Sheri Rogers, Rick Palmer and Bobby Hume started playing volleyball together 30 years ago in a city volleyball league, they each had a goal – to win. While the wins and losses in that league no longer matter, what Rogers, Palmer and Hume have “won” are friendships that have endured for more than 30 years.
tor in wallyball and players can’t use more than one wall.
The three no longer play volleyball, but wallyball – a sport similar to volleyball, but a separate sport with separate rules. The most obvious element that differs between the sports is the fact that wallyball is played in a racquetball court. The walls are a critical fac-
“This team is so much fun,” Rogers said of the “new” group. “We’ve been friends for so long and it (playing wallyball) gives us a reason to gather and have fun. We get in a little exercise and it gives us an excuse to go to grab an adult beverage afterwards.”
During the course of those 30 years, six more people have joined Rogers, Palmer and Hume, and those friendships have been strengthened and treasured by all.
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The team, which now includes Dean and Tracy Pecotte, Lisa Poulson, Mari Garcia, and Lori Proctor, play every Wednesday night at the Farmington Recreation Center. There is a lot of laughter, slapping of hands, friendly teasing and a surprising amount of competition. “We have a lot of fun together and we always have,” said Palmer. “Some things that have happened on the court have been retold for years, with good laughs every time we remember them. I really love these guys and all the ones that have participated over the years.”
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It is the friendships that all of the team members emphasize as the best part of the weekly games. “I believe the laughs, the exercise and the overall camaraderie have kept me engaged all this time,” said Mari Garcia, who has been participating since 1998. “The group of friends I’ve gained is invaluable and dear to me.” “I have had the pleasure of knowing and having these people in my life for around 25 years,” said Lisa Poulson. “I think we have become family more than friends.”
see that the competition is fierce – but friendly. When asked who is the most competitive player, there was little hesitation. Rogers, Poulson and Palmer are at the top of the list of most competitive and the worst losers. Rogers said it isn’t about the competition, however. “For myself, I'm over with playing that competitive. This is more fun with a little competition thrown in, and we mix up the teams so it's not ‘us against them.’ It's just fun.”
Palmer recently lost his father and said his wallyball teammates and friends shared his grief. “These people brought us food, sent us cards and called and texted to express sympathy and see if they could do anything for us,” he said. “I think the friendship is far more important to me than the competition or exercise.”
Palmer said he plays for “fun, but I like to win, too.” Poulson admitted most of her teammates would say she’s the most competitive. “Everyone will probably say it’s me,” she said of her competitive spirit. “My husband always tells me it’s not the Olympics. When I’m waiting to go play, my husband always tells me I have my ‘wallyball face’ on. I’ve mellowed quite a bit, though, and I always remind (everyone) it’s just a game!”
Playing for fun and exercise is a priority for all of them, but it doesn’t take a visitor long to
“It’s for fun,” agreed Tracy Pecotte, “but it’s competitive enough to keep it challenging.”
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It is Hume who is tagged as being the best player and is the official scorekeeper. “Sometimes when Bobby isn't there – he’s the only one who keeps us straight on the score -- we don’t keep score as much. It's just fun to do something clever and/or skilled to win the point,” Rogers said. Hume said he’s the unofficial scorekeeper because, “I like to do it and everyone else likes that they don’t have to.” In addition to being the scorekeeper, Hume likely has the most experience playing wallyball. “I’ve been playing about 45 years,” he said. “I started in high school and I’ve always enjoyed playing. I’m probably one of the more competitive players, but it’s not a life or death situation.” Hume said Rogers and Poulson are the most competitive. “At times, we can get really competitive,” he said with a laugh. “But we all really have lots of fun and we always have a good time.”
The team plays from 7 to 8 p.m. and most arrive a little early. The joking and teasing begins immediately and one senses that while the exercise and the competition are important to all of them, it is the friendships that are the reason they have played together for decades. “We can cuss and discuss and call each other names, like ‘nice shot,’ when referring to Rick,” said Garcia. “It’s also funny when Lisa and Lori get to giggling and snorting when Tracy does her squeal, and Rick calls Sheri names. The dirty looks and dirty plays are also entertaining, to say the least.” “For Dean and I, we keep coming back because we can laugh, have a great time and still get some exercise,” said Pecotte. “They’re a great group of people.” Hume said the friendship the team enjoys goes beyond the wallyball court. “We go to Telluride for a week and go skiing and in the summer, we’ll all go to the lake. It’s one of those situations where we all get along. It’s a good bunch of people.” “We’re an unlikely, but strangely compati-
ble group,” added Garcia. “These have been some of my dearest and closest friends over the years and wallyball was our catalyst. A love and respect that has grown from a simple invite to play a friendly game has kept us together and will continue to do so.”
The Farmington Recreation Center has three courts available for wallyball. Courts may be saved after 7 p.m. on Thursdays for games the following week. The cost for the courts is $2 per person and courts are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
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Piedra Vista Wrestling team wins 5th consecutive title.
Winter prep sports PV Wrestling wins 5th straight title; rivalries in basketball, bowling Story by Rick Hoerner | Photos by Curtis Ray Benally On Feb. 2nd Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow assuring that there are six more weeks until the state basketball tournament. In the spring, San Juan County has been nothing short of dominant, winning boys and girls track, baseball and softball, and girls tennis. In the winter, it’s been all about wrestling when it comes to state titles, Piedra Vista has been on a half decade run and Bloomfield won a title in 2014 and this season has been no different. Even with a change at the helm, the Panthers moved on to their fifth consecutive state championship. Wrestling It’s good to be Anthony Juckes. In five years Juckes has won five individual and team state
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championships. Juckes wrapped up title No. 5 with a pin at 145 pounds over Jerry Robinson of Belen helping PV overcome a day one deficit to the Eagles. Juckes won his first title as an eighth grader at 106 pounds. In 2012, Juckes moved up to 113 pounds winning his second title followed by a third title in 2013 at 132 pounds. In his junior campaign Juckes moved up to 145 pounds winning title No. 4. While only five other wrestlers have ever accomplished what Juckes did individually in his career, he does have the distinction of being the only wrestler with 5 individual and 5 team titles. Juckes had plenty of teammates with which to share the wealth for championship No. 5, perhaps the most difficult, having to come back from a first day deficit to Belen.
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Anthony Juckes, Piedra Vista High School.
Coach Michael Bejar’s squad met the challenge winning 5 individual championships including a second consecutive state championship from Philip Archuleta and Sam Sandoval. Freshman Nick Rino and Wes Rayburn rounded out the individual titles for the Panthers. Wyatt Weaver placed second with Alberto Martine and Tristan Dwinell finishing in third. PV lost the services of defending state champion Zach Ahlgrim to a mid-season injury. Aztec’s Austin Littlefield placed third for the Tigers. In Bloomfield the Bobcats finished fourth led by Gage Krielick, Avery Scott and JD Robinson finished in second with Donny Trujillo and Lorenzo LaMere finishing in 3rd. Kirtland Central’s Aidan Cockrell was the only other San Juan County individual champion at 132 pounds. Bowling On the lanes the state title came down to familiar cross-town rivals Piedra Vista and Farmington who practice together weekly at Bowlero. A state tournament preview had the title coming down to three schools, the cross-town rivals and Artesia. Farmington made its way to the championship going undefeated while Piedra Vista had to work its way back through the losers bracket after losing its match with Artesia. The Panthers went on to eliminate Española Valley and Los Lunas before winning a rematch with Artesia, leaving the Panthers with the difficult task of knocking off Farmington twice. In the championship round Kelly Evers’ Panthers worked their way to their fourth state title adding trophies to their 2007, 2009 and 2013 titles. Individually Trey Franks led the Panthers with high score and high series at the tournament as well as second high average statewide over the season. His sister Raegan, Kaitlin Joslin and Dallin James joined Franks on the All-state team. For
Trey, it’s his third team championship in his fiveyear career and the second for Raegan in three years For Farmington High, they have steadily worked their way up to the podium. After finishing 5th in 2012, the Scorpions finished in fourth in 2013 and 2014 before reaching the championship round this year. Basketball When the announcement of the district changes for the 2014-2015 prep season were announced, there was one sport that looked to have drastic change – basketball. The district traded one traditional power in Kirtland Central for another in the Gallup Bengals. While Miyamura seemed to have stepped back after a strong showing last season, the Bengals were what district opponents expected – a dominant force on the floor. Gallup finished the district season undefeated in both boys and girls. Farmington finished a solid second in both divisions losing only to Gallup. The Aztec girls finished in third along with the PV boys. The Lady Scorpions under head coach Danny Secrest continued to make giant strides this year. Farmington finished 20-7, their best season in a long time. Aztec also showed improvement, finishing ahead of what should have been a solid Piedra Vista squad. Farmington’s boys also put up another solid season under Paul Corley finishing 18-8. Piedra Vista finished third followed by Aztec. In the new District 1AAAA, as expected, Kirtland Central came in and took over the district on the boys side. Despite winning only 10 games total, the Broncos won eight of those in district play to win the boys title. Devon Manning has done a great job bringing Bloomfield back, finishing second at 7-3 followed by Shiprock at 6-4
Farmington Girls Basketball Coach Danny Secrest
in a district that may have the toughest road schedule in the state. On the girls side old rivalries were renewed as Kirtland and Shiprock reacquainted themselves as district foes. Shiprock continued its dominance of the district with the Lady Broncos right behind. Bloomfield was the shocker of the season coming in third at 15-12, their first solid winning season in a while. At Navajo Prep the Lady Eagles finished behind Tohatchi, losing two close contests to the Warriors. For the boys it’s been a difficult season finishing 5-21. Now it is time for the weather to warm up, the wind to pickup and spring sports to start up.
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Charity challenge will benefit San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Foundation Story by Dorothy Nobis | Courtesy photos Shooting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to compete for prizes and trophies at the Second Annual San Juan County Sheriff’s 3-Gun Charity Challenge match, set for May 15 through 17 at the San Juan Wildlife Federation range, 5652 U.S. Highway 64. the event begins at 7 a.m. each day.
each of the categories will receive prizes and trophies.”
Steve White, the event coordinator, said the match will include competitors from throughout the Four Corners in a shooting match that involves shooting a rifle, pistol and shotgun.
For more information contact 3-Gun Coordinator Steve White at 505.320.3048 or visit www.sjcsofoundation.com/3GUN/
Categories include law enforcement, posse (civilians), females, juniors (under 18 years of age), seniors (over 50 and less than 65 years old), Super Seniors (those over 65) and military (active duty). White said that this year the 3-Gun Organizing Committee met and decided that they will reduce the number of shooting stages to 8 or 9 based on the number of match staff available. “there will probably be seven individual stages where competitors will shoot a combination of tactical firearms (rifle, pistol and shotgun) at a variety of paper, steel and clay pigeon targets. the stages will represent situations that a law enforcement officer might encounter during a tactical situation that may demand the use of firearms. One of the individual stages will be a long range stage where the competitor will engage targets from 50 to 350 meters using primarily his rifle,” White said. the other individual stages may use one or more of the tactical firearms available to the competitor. the final stage is a team stage where a fourman team engages a variety of targets ranging from 10 to 100 meters. teams are predetermined at or before entering the match. Businesses that are interested may sponsor a team or a stage for $480 and $500 respectively, White added. “the event is limited to 100 competitors and is open to public spectators. ten stages – including scenarios engagement of various styles and types of targets, nine individual stages and one team stage, (will be offered),” White added. “the stages are scored using a combination of target hit scores, penalties and time taken. the top three teams and top five individuals in
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the match fee is $120 if participants register before May 1 and $124 after that date. the U.S. practical Shooting Association’s 3-gun rules will apply.
registration and a walkthrough of the course will begin at 7 a.m. with a mandatory safety meeting at 7:30 a.m. the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Foundation is sponsoring the event and proceeds with will benefit the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers In partnership program and the San Juan Wildlife Federation. the foundation’s president is Lisa Webb, a mortgage planner at Lisa L. Webb, Guild Mortgage Co.; tommy Bolack, owner of B Square ranch is the vice president; Cari Drake, business manager at Airstar, is the secretary; and Steve White, retired from the U.S. Army, is the treasurer and guides the foundation. Foundation directors include Alvin Klein of Bates Wells Advertising, and Kelly Eaves of Farmers Insurance.
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Transcending the Winter Warrior Insight comes from stretching your limits into a new form Story and photos by Ben Brashear It’s the fifth annual Winter Warrior 10K snowshoe race, founded by Steve Ilg, Wholistic Fitness coach, and hosted by the Durango Nordic Center. I am careening down a short 50-foot section of hard packed snow and water ice, an overturned turtle rocketing along on its polished shell. I slap
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my feet down to the ground and beg the hobnails in my running shoes to gain purchase, but it is the aspen trees that finally stop my wild flight. I quickly stand and look behind me to see if fourth place runner, Mark Thurston of Flagstaff, Ariz., has passed me. No? Not yet?
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“Hey! Nice slide,” Thurston calls out, quickly passing behind me. I shake off the rush of my tumble and do a quick system check– ankles? Check. Shoulders? Yep, all good. Hip? Bruised and a bit creaky. Perfect! Let’s get this thing going again.
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Mud, grass, ice and snow It’s a race like this that subverts all expectations tearing at the thin veil of the perfunctory like a wax strip yanked from yeti’s hairy chest. It’s painful and there’s some shame involved. The daytime high of 60-degrees nearly took down a 30-year-old record, more than 30 percent of the course was mud and grass interspersed with a creek crossing, water ice, and hard packed snow. The difficult conditions persisted despite hours of course maintenance, rock hauling and clearing trees from the course by Ilg in trying to keep the track “snowshoe” friendly. Most of the athletes arrived at the start line with snowshoes in hand only to ditch them later in favor of micro spikes. Only the most dedicated athletes and those attempting to qualify for snowshoe nationals, hosted in Eau Claire, Wis., on Feb. 27, endured the excruciating challenge of the variable conditions, risking de-lamination of the top decking of their snowshoes. Often, though, it takes something out of the ordinary, something as drastic as 60-degree temperatures in the middle of February, to wake us up from the comfort of our routine, to
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rediscover the benefit of chaos and its ability to redefine our perceptions. Chaos might be a bit extreme, but it is unexpected change that primes our mind and body to adapt and grow.
where the mind and body and environment seem to work in conjunction producing hints of revelation, of peace and understanding that border on the religious.
As of late I have been winding my way through my morning jog and ski running half asleep, and it continues on that way throughout my workday. That is until four weeks prior, when I found out that my mother had been enduring incredible abdominal pain and might have ovarian cancer. The doctors were “unsure of what” might be “benign or malignant,” and so decided that there would have to be a wholesale removal. Now that’s running face first into oblivion. How do you take that on?
Does the situation have to always be that extreme to gain insight? I do not believe so. I do believe that it simply takes pushing against the elastic wall of your current limitations and stretching them out into a new form. My opportunity to wrap my head around my mother’s medical condition came when Steve Ilg offered me the chance to run in his race. I happily accepted his challenge, as it was a chance, as Ilg would say in his coach’s voice, “to train my weakness.”
Rob Schultheis, local Telluride, Colo., author and outdoorsman, argues that catharsis, ultimate understanding, lay in what he has dubbed “bone games.” A “game” in which the modern athlete, through a challenging or even a life-threatening experience, can obtain the wisdom of a desert-wandering Moses or attain the transcendence of a meditating sadhu perched high up on the Lhotse Wall. Enduring, struggling, pushing your physical limits is to the athlete as pain is to the ritualistic shaman. In doing so you can attain a super-fluid state
Taking it all in stride I stride out the stiffness in my hip from my fall and cannot help but smile at how ridiculous it must have looked to Thurston watching the look on my face as I whipped my arms and legs back and forth when I slid into the trees. I am a few strides down the trail and I watch Thurston flash through the pine trees as current first place Drew Gunn, his salt and pepper fro, bounces over the hill with Lee Rosenthal tight on his heels in second place seeming only to taunt Gunn’s pace. I try to
match Thurston’s pace as I make my way to the final 35-degree pitch of Last Gasp Hill. The steepness of the climb slows my pace. It forces me to drive each step with my hands pressing hard into each quad. It feels as though the fascia in my hip flexors is smoldering as my lungs heave against my heart, which beats like a broken-winged bird. I keep my pace until I can taste the hint of metal on my breath. And it is here, perhaps at the mercy of my endocrine system, in which the worries and anxiety of life, of my mother and her ailment, seem to become less daunting. Their monstrosity seems manageable. My steps quicken into a sprint, hobnails grip into the groomed track and I press toward the final descent to the finish line. And though, after crossing the line, I wasn’t shaking the desert sand of Mount Sinai from my shoes or dusting off the glacial ice from the Lhotse Face, there was just enough challenge, enough pain pressing into the wall of my limitations that I swear I must have seen a burning bush out there somewhere along the course.
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SUCCESSFUL SEASON PV, FHS swimming, diving squads have bright future Story by Tom Yost The swimming and diving teams from Farmington High School and Piedra Vista wrapped up an extremely successful seasons at the 2015 NMAA Swimming and Diving State Championships at the Albuquerque Academy Natatorium in Albuquerque on Feb. 20 and 21.
said Ortiz. “There was no way I could have been prepared for this amount of time drop. It all came together. This year was a winner.” McCay was also extremely happy with her team from Piedra Vista meeting the goals she had set for the season.
With both squads being extremely young and with bright futures in the not too distant future, Coach Miguel Ortiz and Coach Karen McCay were very pleased with the results for the year. “They blew my expectations out of the water,”
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“The team met my goals for the season exactly,” said McCay. “This year, I wanted two athletes to qualify for state based on time standards. Two of my swimmers were able to do that. We also maxed out our diving entries for the boys, taking four divers to state. And
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we were also able to qualify one relay team.” To qualify for state, swimmers and divers are able to qualify during the season based on their times for the event or their scores in diving. Both also are able to qualify during the district meet the week prior to the state championships by finishing either first or second in their respective event. Overall, the Farmington High School boys finished in 15th place out of 32 teams, while the girls team finished 18th out of 23 teams competing.
Notable high finishers for Farmington High School included as follows: 100 Breaststroke Nathan Isaacson placed 7th - dropping 3.18 sec off his best time 200 Medley Relay Boys (Marshall Magnuson, Nathan Isaacson, Trenton Grossheim, Jeb Pinckley) placed 8th dropping 3.09 sec off best time Girls (Raimi Clark, Mishael Isaacson, Octavia Homka, Kayla Farnsworth) placed 14th - dropping 2.47 sec off best time 100 Butterfly Trenton Grossheim placed 11th - dropping 2.55 sec off best time On the diving side of things for Farmington High School, diving coach Ian Donald was also extremely happy with the results from the season. “The state meet was a huge success for both the FHS boys and girls teams,” said Donald. “We have been a small and tight knit team throughout the season. Being so close has helped the kids push each other to the next level. In the 1 meter diving championships Raimi Clark took 12th
place and Claire Madera took 18th place. After seeing the overall improvement from last year to this year, I know these girls will only get better and better.” For Piedra Vista, they qualified nine total athletes for the state meet including a full complement of boys divers, along with two swimmers and one relay team. Ammon Seavey for the boys diving team finished in 5th place, while Benjamin Van Otteson just barely missed qualifying for the finals. McCay will be losing Seavey to graduation this year, but is extremely excited for Bodee DeWees to carry the torch for PV Diving. “We had the only eighth grader that qualified for state in diving this year and it was one of those magic moments,” said McCay. “Ammon Seavey was also a state qualifier as an eighth grader, and acknowledged himself that Bodee actually had a harder diving list and is a more controlled diver as an eighth grader than Ammon was at the same age.” “Sophomore Shayla Moffitt also performed extremely well at State,” added McCay. “She nearly
recorded a senior zone time for USA Swimming in the breast stroke, missing by only .41 seconds.” Going forward, both teams are losing a few seniors, but both FHS and PVHS have a ton of young talent in the eighth grade and freshman years to build quality programs in the future. “We are losing leadership with Nathan Isaacson,” explained Ortiz. “But we are retaining a lot of experience at the freshmen and eighth grade levels. We also have an extremely deep girls squad and are very excited for the future.” McCay is in a similar position, losing a few seniors but reloading with a crop of young talent at the eighth and ninth grade levels. “We met our goals for this year,” said McCay. “So next year we will increase our expectations for the team to get better, and as they get older they will gain experience. We lose three veteran seniors and five other seniors that were competing at the high school level for the first time. The rest of our team consisted of sophomores, freshmen and eighth graders. We are an extremely young team and very excited for what the future holds.”
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CHEATERS These days it is that you win, not how you play the game in the news the past month has been two interesting stories on cheating. Both went past the realm of sports to the opening of news. First there was the story now known as “Deflategate,” it would be nice to find a new term for scandals which doesn’t end in gate. Then came the news that the chicago Jackie Robinson All-Stars, that represented the United States in the Little League World Series, used players that were not in their assigned district. As a society the edict of “cheaters never prosper” has been replaced with, “if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.” As a former teacher i was once shocked at the amount of cheating that went on in the schools where i taught – by the end of my career, not so much. cheating has gone mainstream. it has become situational. it is even encouraged as long as the means brings about the desired result - winning. Let’s play a game that guarantees a family fight on game night, Scruples, and decide which of these scenarios are cheating and which are not. First scenario: Runners on first and third in the bottom of the ninth inning with a tie game, one out with a ground ball toward second. The second baseman picks it up and tosses the ball toward the shortstop behind second. The shortstop, nowhere near second, makes the turn for two and the round doesn’t score; extra innings. Scenario Two: You are watching Game 5 of NBA series. One that is remarkably 2-2 with one team the predominate favorite with an NBA superstar, and the other a bunch of upstarts like the Atlanta Hawks. During a pivotal sequence a foul doesn’t get called on one end but on the other the superstar draws a foul and heads to the line. The color
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RickHOERNER Editorial columnist commentator, a former player himself, begins explaining that this is how it works. “Superstars have earned that call,” he calmly and matter-of-factly states. Scenario Three: During the summer your child’s local high school team is playing in a summer league, pick the sport. You’re relatively familiar with all the other local teams and notice that one of the teams has a new player, a “cousin” who is staying with the family during the summer. Fast forward to the season and there they are playing for the same team. The answers here are quite simple. it depends on which color uniform you’re rooting for. if your team missed the bag or didn’t get called for the penalty you’re not complaining and likely are telling the other side to stop whining. if your player didn’t get the call or suddenly the odds are stacked against you, more than likely you’re crying foul. in reality we have accepted cheating if we get to the ultimate goal – the win. We have totally accepted cheating as a fact of life. in the classroom cheating can range from the desperation of not wanting a failing grade to “it’s just not that big of deal.” The same can be said outside the classroom and on to the field. To some degree cheating has always been situational. it’s risk reward. Athletes and coaches weigh that risk. So morals, that seem so high on the list until they come to success or failure, disappear quickly. Do i cork the bat? Do i curve the hockey stick? Do i use a little stick ’em? Do i take the PED? Do i blur the boundaries? Do i alter the ball? All these questions seem to be irrelevant
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to the home team. While every other baseball city in the country detests Barry Bonds, not San Francisco. While all other fans are up in arms over the pressure of footballs, not Patriot fans. The Yankees are considering retiring Andy Pettitte’s number despite admitting steroid use. Why? He won games in the playoffs. As a sporting society we have even cherished the cheater. in 1991 baseball added Gaylord Perry to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Perry was an admitted cheater in his career using foreign substances on the ball while the Hall keeps out the baseball’s all-time hits leader. Everyone is looking for a competitive edge and it’s interesting how society draws the line from advantage to cheating. Baseball has a code about the immoral sign stealer from second base but no problem shorting the bag on a double play. While the pressure to win blurs the moral line, it still comes down to what color of uniform you cheer for. consider that chicago apologist and Pardon the interruption host Michael Wilbon defended Jackie Robinson West, stating that the children should pay for the crimes of the adults as did the mayor of chicago, Rahm Emanuel, who still plans on issuing championship rings to a team stripped of their title. What is the lesson learned? Just this past week in Tennessee two teams tried to intentionally lose a game to get a better matchup at the state tournament. Finally, one team’s administrator chastised the coach and the team went on to win by 26. But this says all you need to know about win at all cost sports. Where were the parents? Did anyone question two coaches that implied players should intentionally miss shots, hand the ball over to the other team or even attempt shots at the wrong baskets? Of course not. in the long run making a mockery of everything competitive sports is supposed
to be about on the chance of advancing one more round in the state tournament has become the norm. I was once part of a game in which my opponent was down 3 with under a minute to go and stalled out to get a home game in the district tournament by point differential. Maybe somewhere along the way we lost our innocence when we began teaching that the whole story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree and refusing to lie about it became a myth replacing legend. Maybe it has become our cynical nature to not trust the other side is an honest competitor. After all, everyone is doing it. Perhaps it is just that we’ve become a win at all cost society whether it is in love, politics or sport. Apparently it is that you win, not how you play the game.
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SCCA racing satisfies Shaleen Brown’s love of both Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop Shaleen Brown admits she has a need – a need for speed. When Brown saw members of the Rio Grande Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing against themselves and others at courses set up in the parking lot at McGee Park, she decided it was something she wanted to do. And when she watched her neighbor, Scotty Lasater, load up his car to head to those same races, that need for speed went from an “I want to do it” to an “I will do it.” Brown shared her need with her husband, Lonny, who began searching for a car for his daredevil wife. While searching on Craig’s List for something else, Lonny saw an ad for a race car. “It was a really good price,” he said. Checking with his friends who were more knowledgeable about SCCA cars than he was, Lonny discovered it was a good car and a good price – and he bought it. The 1972 Triumph Spitfire wasn’t a pretty car, however. Spraypainted an ugly brown, Shaleen wasn’t impressed with it when she saw the photograph. “But I knew my husband was really good at making things pretty,” she said with a laugh. It wasn’t just the ugly color of the car that needed work. It was just about everything. “There wasn’t any power steering and it was a poor, ugly little car,” Lonny said. “We took it all apart, did a lot of body work and painted it.” With the help of his employees (Lonny owns B&B Truck Parts), Lonny also had to replace the engine – after Shaleen blew it up on a practice round, and before her first scheduled race. Shaleen wasn’t sure she was prepared for that first race, however. “It was a two-day run at McGee Park, and I was getting ready,” she remembered. “I said ‘maybe I should just go watch (the race)’ and Lonny said no.”
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thatadrenalinerushissomethingShaleenenjoysinherownrace car.Whileshe’sbeenknowntogetlostonacourseandshe’sspunout onoccasion,herself-confidencehasincreased.“Youthinkyouknow whereyou’reat(onthecourse)andallofasudden,theconesalllook alike,”shesaid,adding,“butinthelastfewmonths,Idon’tfeellikethat anymore.” theSCCAseasonrunsfromMarchthroughNovember,withracesabout everythreeweeks.ShaleenraceslocallyandinAlbuquerque.outoftown racesareusuallyjustone-dayraces,whichisjustoneofthereasonsthe BrownslovetheSCCA.Becausetheyhaveafamilyandjobs(Shaleenisa clinicdirectoratSanJuanregionalMedicalCenter,whereshe’sbeenemployedfor25years),racingSaturdaysgivesthemtheopportunitytoenjoy thesport,whilestillhavingtimeforfamily.theapproximately30club memberswhoracewithShaleenhavebecomegoodfriendsandthe Brownsarequicktocreditclubmembersfortheirsupport. “Shehadbustedthemotorandwehadworkedonitforweeks,gettingitreadyforhertodrive,”Lonnysaidwithalaugh.“therewasno wayshewasnotgettinginthatcarandgoingoutthere.” WhileneitheroftheBrownswerefamiliarwithSCCAracing,their learningcurvewashandledaseasilyasShaleendoestheracecourses. thecoursesarechangedaftereachrace,providingadditionalchallengesforthedrivers.orangeconesdefinethecourse,whichincludes sharpturns.Ifadriverhitsacone,it’satwo-pointpenalty.Driversare allowedtowalkthecoursepriortoeachrace,butwalkingitisn’tthe sameasdrivingit.
“theclubpeoplehavebeensowelcomingandsoeagertosharetheir knowledge,”Shaleensaid.theclub’sfirstFarmingtonracethisseason isApril18-19atMcGeepark.thereisnochargetobeaspectator. Aswithanysport,thereisanemphasisonsafety,Lonnysaid.“AcertifiedSCCAtechnicalinspectorinspectseverycarforsafety.thereare workersonthecoursewithfireextinguishers,redflagsandradios.If someonegetsoffthecourseorspinsout,theythrowtheredflag(which allowsracerstoknowthere’stroubleonthetrackandtheymuststop wheretheyareonthecourse).”
* Shaleen Brown 31
“thegoalistogetthroughthecourseasquicklyandcleanlyaspossible,”Shaleensaid,addingthatotherdriverstoldhertoclosehereyes andseethecoursebeforeshegetsbehindthewheel.thedrivermust focus.“Youhavetokeeplookingaheadandlookwayahead,”shesaid.“I thinkit’smademeabetterdriverwithmyeverydaydriving,too.” Shaleenhasbeendrivingforalmostayear.LastApril,sheattended theBobBondurantDrivingSchoolinChandler,Ariz.Whiletheschool doesn’temphasizethekindofracingShaleendoes,shesaidshelearned alotaboutracecardriving. “IdroveahighspeedtrackinanewCorvette,”shesaidwithahuge smile.“Itwasfourdaysofanadrenalinerush.”
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the hidden (Valley)
opportunity
Aztec changing 18-hole facility into ‘true’ municipal golf course Story by Tom Yost
Hidden Valley Golf Course has been a fixture in the Aztec community for many years. Once a 9-hole gem owned and operated by the Armstrong Family, it was converted into an 18-hole facility at the turn of the new millennium where it was privately owned and operated by a partnership headed by David Bacon. In the fall of 2014, Hidden Valley closed its doors and went on the market for sale. The city of Aztec had not been without a golf course for the better part of 50 years, and now the future was uncertain. That is when City Manager Josh Ray stepped in. An avid golfer, himself, Ray saw the facility as an asset that was worth looking into by a municipality, set up through the city’s enterprise fund. “Hidden Valley is an awesome asset,” explained Ray. “Ever since I have been here, we have known that this is an excellent asset for our community. When you have it in your community you need to be able to capitalize on it.” The asset to which Ray refers is an already established 18-hole golf facility that seamlessly falls into the community lifestyle cherished by many in the Four Corners. “The course is already built and has been here,” added Ray. “The city of Aztec is a recreational hub for outdoor activities as part of the Four Corners and the state of New Mexico. For us, this is another recreational outreach for our community. We already have mountain biking, fishing, hiking, the Ruins, off-roading, and now the golf course. All of
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these activities get people outside and enjoying the beauty of New Mexico.” The decision was not automatic for the Aztec City Commissioners, who were extremely thorough in the analysis of the acquisition. “It was a very difficult decision for our city commissioners,” said Ray. “But we felt that this offer needed to be moved on.” Ray is confident that the plans for the facility will allow for maximum volume, attracting community members to experience and enjoy the golf course. “There is a major difference between how we will operate the golf course, as opposed to how it was operated in the past,” explained Ray. “We will operate it as a true municipal golf course out of our enterprise fund. It will have to be revenue positive for us to stay in the business.” An extremely difficult task in today’s market, with the decline of golf being well documented nationally.
“Golf may be on the decline and this is a huge risk – not a huge dollar risk, but as an investment risk. Long term we want to figure out how to market the Aztec Municipal Golf Course at Hidden Valley as a major asset to our community.” How will the city of Aztec operate the newly acquired golf course to make money instead of losing it? The short and long term plans have been laid out to operate on an extremely tight operating budget and solely to stress the playing of the game. “Our goal is to create a course with volume,” added Ray. “We want to sell memberships and have a lot of traffic. We are not in the business to teach people how to play golf; we are not looking to deter people from other avenues. We want to offer a quality golf course at a quality rate.” “We will not have a full time golf professional on staff. We will have an admin assistant to manage the day-to-day operations as well as the parks and recreations department. We will have a full time course superintendent to make sure the facility is in top quality shape for our customers.”
Ray is also excited to announce an affordable rate structure that, for many golfers in this community, is going to be hard to pass up. “We want to offer an annual golf membership for $250 to all San Juan County government employees and local school employees. We will also charge those same employees $250 for a yearly cart fee, if so desired. Our goal is membership, volume and traffic,” exclaimed Ray. Regular membership will be $500 for the year and $500 for the cart, with daily green fees at $20 and $5 for the cart. All prices will have tax added. And if the short-term goals are successful, the long-term future of the Aztec Municipal Golf Course at Hidden Valley will be in great hands, backed by a tight-knit community. “We want to market something different and unique for the community. We want the golf course to be seen as an additional asset that our citizens can truly benefit from.”
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Lisa Webb is president of the board for the san Juan sheriff’s Office Foundation and is a mortgage planner at Lisa L. Webb, Guild Mortgage Company.
1
Why was the Foundation created? The san Juan County sheriff’s Office Foundation was created to expand the outreach into the community to establish programs and secure additional funding for broader assistance for the needs of san Juan County.
2
What benefit is the Foundation to the sheriff's Office and the people who work there? The Foundation sponsors many civic events/programs like the Women against Crime Class, as well as funding programs that enable accredited volunteers to make a difference in the sheriff’s Office – from additional civilian office staff to the Reserve Program that provides the manpower necessary for emergencies.
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What is the benefit to the citizens of san Juan County? The benefit to the citizens of san Juan County is a safer community with more help on the streets, more help within the sheriff’s Office to assist with budget cuts, and a means for great programs to reach kids in need with shop With Your Cop. in addition, the program helps keep people safer with programs such as the Reserve Deputy Program, County Neighborhood Watch and Women against Crime class.
4
Who do people contact if they want to be involved? anyone interested in assisting with any sJCOsOF program can call the sOF at 505.334.6108. There is a short application to start, followed by a full background and interview with Commanders. There are many areas of need for volunteers and funding to meet anyone’s civic interest.
5
What projects has the Foundation supported thus far? The sJCsOF supports programs and events to raise funds for outreach into the community to make a positive difference. We have supported the Reserve Deputy Program, Women against Crime class (held twice a year at the sO) san Juan County Neighborhood Watch, Victim services for victims of domestic violence, Breakfast with the sheriff, Energy alliance Golf Tournament, Court Watch to review repeat offenders and their prosecution results and, of course, the 3-Gun Charity Challenge with the san Juan Wildlife Federation.
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LisaWEBB 6
are any of the members of the sheriff's Office actively involved in the Foundation?
There are many members of the san Juan County sheriff’s Office involved in the programs and events of the sOF. sheriff Ken Christesen actively encourages members of the sO to be involved in the community. Every sOF program has a commander from within the sO as well as assistance from interested deputies and civilian staff.
7
How are they involved?
The Foundation is a labor of love for many in the community and close to the heart of many in law enforcement as you see at events like shop with Your Cop, which exceeded our goal of 100 kids having a better Christmas in 2014. Each sOF Event has a corresponding Foundation board member. alvin Klein was instrumental in making sure the 2014 shop with Your Cop was a great success, and Cari Drake made the Breakfast with Your sheriff successful.
8
are there similar foundations in the area?
There are similar 501(c)(3)’s assisting some governmental entities.
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How much money has the Foundation raised?
san Juan County sheriff’s Office Foundation raised almost $45,000 to assist with programs.
10
Who may enter the 3-Gun Challenge and how much participation do you expect?
The 3-Gun Charity Challenge can be entered by anyone who fits into the two categories of civilian or law enforcement. anyone interested in entering or sponsoring can reach the event by calling sJCsOF Board Member and Event Coordinator steve White at 505.320.3048 or online at http://sjcsofoundation.com/3gun/
Shaleen Brown continued from 27 All drivers are required to wear SNELL certified helmets. Modified race cars are equipped with safety harnesses, roll bars, and kill switches for fuel on the outside of the car, which allows race workers to stop the flow of the fuel if needed. And while Shaleen drives a race prepared car, street cars are most often driven for SCCA races. More than 50 percent of the cars are every day drivers. It’s not how much you spend; it is about bettering yourself as a driver and having fun,” Lonny said. The Browns paid $5,500 for Shaleen’s car and have invested about $20,000 in the total race operation. The biggest expense is fuel – $7 a gallon – and tires – $350 per tire. They use about four sets of tires per year. “The tires come from England on a boat to California or the East Coast,” Lonny said. Shaleen has no desire – yet – to move on to another race car division. “I like the
challenge of the turns,” she said, adding her experience at the Bob Bondurant Driving School made her appreciate those who drive on round tracks. “Round track racing takes a lot of concentration,” she said, adding that if she raced on round track racing, “my brain would go ‘oh, look at that butterfly,’ because I don’t think I could concentrate for that long of a period of time.” While most professional drivers are men, Shaleen said about 30 percent of SCCA drivers are women, and encourages women – and everyone else – to attend a race. “They can ride with me,” she offered. “It’s really a lot of fun.” It is fun the Browns share. And while Lonny supports his wife’s racing and takes care of the car, there is one thing he has yet to do with her. “I haven’t ridden with her,” he admitted. “I just take care of her car.”
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Daytona 500 – the movie!
Nascar Nellie’s ready to put on her director/producer hat has done hair and makeup in a for reals beauty salon (they now call ’em beauty spas and the hair stylists – who were known as “beauticians” when NN was in the field – all look like movie stars theirownselves) and she took tap dancing lessons and helped choreograph the Big recital.
It would have been a good movie. one of those action packed, star studded movies that rakes in a gazillion dollars the weekend it opens and continues to give the mega-millionaires a billion dollars a day for the next seven days (none of which they will donate to NN’s favorite charity of which NN is the chairman of the board and the beneficiary) and until the next big movie gets underway the following week. the 2015 Daytona 500 would be a movie NASCAr Nellie would like to direct, produce, choreograph, edit, do hair and makeup and star in. NN could do all of those things. Maybe not well, but NN has, in her varied “career,” stayed at several Holiday Inns (under several different names, to confuse her “fans,” aka law enforcement personnel who remain convinced she is some kind of curse they must bear on
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accounta some of her “known associates” aren’t the kind you’d bring home to momma or your fourth grade teacher. Whatever), and
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NN’s tap dancing instructor got confused, though, and gave NN the wrong address of the Big recital, so NN didn’t get to show her choreographing skills to the huge audience NN heard the for reals Br had in the right address. NN has also edited some in her professional career. She’s had to edit doctor’s prescriptions, judge’s decisions and, occasionally, a note from the mother of a convicted misdemeanor person. NN is nothing if not able versatile. Just sayin’ . . . .
For starters, this year is Jeff Gordon’s final year. Ole Jeffey is retiring while he’s on top, or almost on top, and while he is still one of the BFFs of the sports most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who makes everyone want to be his BFF. NN didn’t useta like Jeff Gordon. When he first crashed the NASCAR party, most of the drivers were rednecked dudes who enjoyed getting under the car and mechanicking as much as they did getting behind the wheel and driving.
three, thinking no one would ever know. In retrospect, NN should have known that at some point, people would question her stories about being abducted by aliens, who mistook her for one of the seven virgins and when they found out she wasn’t what they thought she was, they tossed her out of the UFO and she landed in a volcano that was about to erupt and Navy sailors rescued her when they heard her screaming like a banshee. Whatever), NN thinks those reporters could come up with some better questions.
Jeff was a young, pretty boy, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. took great pleasure in making fun of Jeff, who sported a mustache back then, thinking it would make him look older. It didn’t really – in fact, NN is pretty sure he used eyebrow pencil or a black marker to draw that mustache on, but it was kinda cute and NN felt kinda sorry for him. After Junior, the sport’s most popular driver for the eleventeenth time in a row, left his wicked stepmother, who treated him like Cinderfella and was sooo not nice to him, and went to Hendrick and became a teammate of Gordon and Jimmie Johnson (NN still has a hard time shopping at Lowe’s on accounta she was never a JJ fan and if NN isn’t a fan of a driver, she never EVER supports the companies that sponsor those drivers. Just so’s ya know), NN felt an obligation not to hate, hate, hate and to shake, shake, shake her intense dislike for JG and JJ because it’s always all about Junior. Just sayin’. . . . Anyway, Gordon’s final season will be tough for him and the fans. NN is pretty sure Jeff’s gonna get as tired of reporters asking him what it’s like to know it’s the last time he’s gonna race ??? track and how does he feel, as the fans are. A former reporter herownself (NN was an small time anchor on a small time television station and had no staff, so she was forced to make up a coupla stories or two or
Like how’s it going to feel to be able to go to the bathroom whenever you want on race days, and will you be glad not to answer some of the really dumb questions people ask you, and how much money is in your 401(k) and can you live on it or will you have to get a part-time job like most people? So Jeff’s last Daytona 500 was s’posed to be the Big Story of the weekend. And while it was and all of the drivers signed a windshield for Jeffey, stating how much the admire him, have been fans of his since they were 3 and how much they’re gonna miss him (no one said what they prob’ly really feel – that they’re glad he’s finally leaving so they don’t have to worry about racing him to the win or for the spot or to the garage, where they can finally go to the bathroom), Danica Patrick and Denny Hamlin pretty much took over the headlines when Danica got into Denny’s face after he spun her out during practice. NN
watched the movie (she also offered to edit it, putting Junior in there somewhere, maybe referring, on account he IS the sport’s most popular driver, but that phone call/text message/email never got returned. Whatever) and was proud of Danica for calling Denny out. Denny tried to calm her down, saying it wasn’t his fault, and put his hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her – or make sure she couldn’t haul off and smack him alongside of his head, which is prob’ly what she really wanted to do. That was a big deal, and the media had a heyday with it. Then came the Nationwide Series (NN doesn’t always watch Nationwide races on accounta they’re like the minor league in baseball or the world league in football, but she does support some of the drivers there – notably her former Sweet Baboo, Eliott Sadler, who threw NN and her love and devotion under the NASCAR trailer when some pretty young thing came along – and he found out wasn’t one of the seven virgins (he had seen the news that one night when NN needed a story quick and a better “clip” for her ever expanding resumé), and that nice Kyle Larson, who is a racing buddy of my grandsons from another grandfamily, Bradley and Josh Huish). Kyle Busch, who for years was known as Boo-hoo Busch by NN on accounta he whined all the time and blamed everybody else for his bad attitude and his not-exactly-Jeff Gordon-looks, crashed during the race, slamming a not-sosafe barrier and broke his leg. That took Kyle (who married that beautiful Samantha, who evidently found something in Boo-hoo that NN and a gazillion other fans have missed over the years and who is carrying Boo-hoo’s baby, who we can all hope and
* Nascar Nellie 35
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The greaT ouTdoors
Golf has a lot to offer for all ages I always consider it cheating when winter forgets it is winter and turns back into fall. The month of February was unbelievably gorgeous as many residents in our area took advantage of the mild temperatures and sunshine to get active outdoors. With so many options at our disposal, the activities become infinite in how our community wants to spend our free time. With all of the options being chosen, the game of golf is suffering what many are calling “a decline.” The experts are saying that the game just doesn’t fit into the lifestyles of Generation X and Y (millennials) as time restraints and computer-generated entertainment are dominating their attention and expendable income. According to the “expert,” golf is antiquated, too slow and isn’t very much fun to most of those who are not playing it. With that being said, I am not naïve enough to think that the game is for everybody. Do I think the game is in trouble? Yes and No. It was in decline from the late 1990s and early 2000s when the boom of golf exploded with the interest caused by Tiger Woods. Then I look at programs like The First Tee, companies like TopGolf and ideas like Foot Golf and think that the game is going to be just fine going forward. I also believe that the mindset of consumers is being dramatically altered by the
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TomYOST The First Tee
technological advancement that has been happening for the better part of 25 years. That is not going away and neither is the “instant gratification” of apps and games that are dominating the lives of so many who are being drawn to them like the songs of the Sirens did to odysseus in Homer’s The odyssey. Too many lives are being altered in a negative way for the tipping point from the computer games to outdoor activities/real life experiences not to occur – and I think that it is coming sooner than you think. The game of golf is the furthest thing from instant gratification as there is on this earth. It is a complete 180-degree change from the reset button on a video game. The formula for the game is passion and hard work, but nothing is ever guaranteed – especially becoming a great player. Golf – if given a chance – offers so much more than is often perceived. Those who become involved in the game start describing it in terms of a romantic relationship or as a healthy addiction that keeps them coming back. I believe that while golf might not be for everybody, it is one of the few options that offers something for everyone.
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I feel that the masses are going to start gravitating back to the outdoors, with their families involved – and what better activity is there for the generational gap than the game of golf? The game spans generations where a 6-year-old can play with an 80-year-old and both can beat a 25-year-old. Golf is a social gathering where 40 minutes of the four-hour rounds are spent concentrating on the game and the other 3-plus hours are spent in the company of good friends, family or strangers who share your passion. The game offers an hour (or five) respite from the grind that is computer screens, obligations, deadlines and stress. And when all is said and done, the stresses of life and work and family are still there – but the memories of spending a memorable two hours with your daughter (son, dad, friend) playing golf will last for the rest of your (and their) life. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still – but the less time younger generations experience and enjoy what life has to offer, the more likely they are going to look back and regret their time spent. Golf is a wonderful activity to get outside, slow down and experience all of the nuances that make the game so special to so many. And with so many wonderful golfing experiences in The Four Corners, I would encourage you to give it a try – or a second chance. The game of golf isn’t dying, it is just waiting patiently for you to experience all it truly has to offer.
Nascar Nellie
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pray has his mother’s good looks) out of the M&Ms car (NN invested all of the Perfect Child’s inheritance in M&M collectibles when her Sweet Baboo drove the M&M car and, as much as NN loves M&Ms, she no longer buys them on accounta she is nothing if not loyal to her drivers, even when they toss her aside like an old oil rag – NN does still eat M&Ms, she just doesn’t buy ’em, which caused a huge layoff at the M&M factory. NN didn’t get her fuller figure from eating carrots and cauliflower, ya know) and put him in the hospital, where he watched the Daytona 500 on one of those little televisions they put in hospital rooms. But it wasn’t just Boo-hoo who missed the Big Race. His Big Bro, Kurt, also missed the big show and the first of Jeff Gordon’s last races and, NN is guessing, the signing of the windshield, on accounta Kurt is in big trouble with the law enforcement people who used to dog NN, watching her every move and her every text/email/phone calls. No one knows when/if the Busch Brothers will return to the track, but NN’s putting her three cents on Boo-hoo. Just sayin’ . . . . The Big Race and the Big Show were exciting and fun. NN loves the pre-race festivities, especially when the announcers introduce Junior, the sport’s most popular driver, and the fans go wild and you can actually feel the earth move and the angels sing, and when the jets do the big fly-over and when someone you’ve never heard of sings the National Anthem. NN always cries when she hears the National Anthem on accounta she’s proud of her country and all it stands for. NN always stands when they sing the NA, even when she’s in the ladies room taking care of business. Whatever.
and would have caught Little Joey and won if half of the field didn’t wreck in the final laps wouldn’t win on accounta NASCAR is trying to get younger viewers. NN is happy Little Joey got married during the off season and he has a cute little wife and they’ll prob’ly have cute little Joeys and Samanthas and NN loves a good love story. NN can’t remember exactly why she doesn’t like Little Joey, but it musta been something big. NN is glad the NASCAR season has returned. She loves her NASCAR faves and really, really doesn’t like her NASCAR non-faves. NN drinks Mountain Dew, has Nationwide Insurance, tried to enlist in the National Guard (they cited NN’s age and her background check as reasons – NN thinks the National Guard people are nice and lovely, but don’t have much of a sense of humor, on accounta all of those things in her background were “committed” with the good of the Nation in mind. Whatever). NN hopes Jeffey enjoys his last season, that Kyle Larson and Trevor Bayne have good years, that Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus play well together this year, that Tony Stewart (who refused to weigh in for the Big Race and, after seeing him in his driver’s suit, NN understands why) gets his groove back, loses a little weight and wins some races, and that Junior, the sports most popular driver, wins a championship and creates a celebration within Junior Nation that not only makes the Earth move, but the whole entire universe. Just sayin’ . . . .
NN loved the race. She loved it when Junior took the lead and the fans roared and the ground shook and the angels sang, and she enjoyed the several big wrecks, ’specially when no one is injured. NN loved it that some of her not-so-favorite drivers – like Braggart Brad Keselowski, who is the least most favorite driver in the sport – don’t do well. NN raises her glass of Sweet Cherry Pie wine to toast the bad luck of BBK each and every time he screws up. NN is not a fan of Joey Logano, who went on to win the race, after a “questionable” call by the NASCAR officials to end the race in a green/white/checkered flag, which, in NN’s expert opinion, was done so Junior, the sports most popular driver and who was running third
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APRIL 2015
Four Corners SPoRTS
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