2009 Birmingham Barons Could Be a Team of Destiny

The regular Southern League season is coming to a close and playoff should begin this coming Thursday night. Musings from Maytown sincerely believes that the 2009 edition of the Birmingham Barons may be a team of which history is written. In spite of numerous call-ups by the Chicago White Soc (Baron's parent club), the Barons have the best won-loss record in the entire Southern League. Consider some facts:
1) With two games to go, the Barons have won 91 games, tying the record for the most wins in a season in the modern era of the Barons (post-1964).
2) The Barons have already clinched the highest percentage of games won in the history of the Barons' organization.
3) The Barons won the first half championship of the South Division in the Southern League, thus clinching a playoff spot.
4) With two games to go, the Barons still play with the possibility of winning the second half championship.
5) The 2009 Barons have already elevated teammates to the Chicago White Sox and to the AAA Charlotte team in the International League.
6) Barons manager Evan Magallanes was named 2009 Southern League Manager of the Year and several players were named to the Southern League All-Stars.
This Thursday, September 10, the Barons host the Jacksonville Suns in the first game of the Southern League playoffs. Fans are urged to wear black, as the theme is to black out the Suns. Lord willing, Musings from Maytown will be present to cover this historic team as they trek toward a Southern League pennant for 2009.

Tide Rolls in Season Opener

The Alabama Crimson Tide made their first step toward National Championship # 13 last night with a Kickoff Classic victory over #7 ranked Virginia Tech in a 34-24 victory. Musings from Maytown makes no claim to be a premier sports commentator, nor are we the source for a recap of the game. But we do offer some observations that may shed light on the 2009 prospects for the Crimson Tide.
1) Alabama's defense is stout, with possibilities to shut down more powerful offenses. Even a strong passing and running game on part of Virginia Tech was hobbled by a quick and tough Alabama defense.
2) Ingram leads a tough stable of running backs. Alabama has abundant talent at running back, with Ingram the lead horse in the stable.
3) McElroy will be an outstanding quarterback. McElroy has a powerful arm and can run quickly in the pocket, avoiding many sacks. McElroy's first-half problems were due to a lack of protection.
4) Alabama's offensive line will have learn to work together. This one weakness became less of a weakness as the game progressed.
5) The Tide demonstrated a great attitude to come back after halftime. Coach Saban obviously used well the halftime break.
6) Coach Saban will need to temper the outbursts by certain players, some of which cost penalties.
Frankly, I see the Tide maturing through the next few games. Saban's warriors will be at peak performance by the time they fact Ole Miss at Oxford. Musings from Maytown will be surprised if the Tide is not in the SEC Championship in Atlanta in December.

The US Economy a Ticking Bomb

Every American citizen should be aware of the US Debt Clock that records the obscene national debt. Millions of dollars are added to our national debt on a daily basis. Truly, our generation is passing on a debt to following generations. Sadly, most of the spending at the Federal level is appropriated without any concern as to the Constitutional authority for these appropriations.
The Center for Fiscal Accountability and the Americans for Tax Reform have calculated that the American worker slaves an average of 224 days to fund government at all levels. Those in Sarah Palin's Alaska work for the government only 192 days (lowest in the nation) while those in Gov. Corzine's New Jersey work 249 days for the government each year. You can review this report at the Fiscal Accountability website.Of the average 224 days, 111 days are spent working to pay for federal spending, 49 days for state spending, and 65 days for regulations at all levels.
The TARP bailout plan added 18 days yearly to the calculation.
Government spending is out-of-control. Americans must rally to stop additional levels of government, such as the Obama Health Care Plan and the foolish Cap and Trade legislation. Unless we act quickly and decisively, we will soon resemble the socialist democracies of Eastern Europe.

Cherryholmes Countdown! One Week!

One week from tonight, the premier Bluegrass Group in America, Cherryholmes, will be in concert at the Maytown Baptist Fellowship Hall. Cherryholmes is a family band that was named Bluegrass Group of the Year in 2005, has received numerous Grammy nominations, and performs regularly at the Grand Ol' Opry. This concert is sponsored as a fund raiser for the Maytown Fire Department. Tickets may be obtained online at the website of the Maytown Fire Department. The video presented here is the official video of Cherryholmes' latest song Good Bye, featuring their youngest daughter Molly Kate.

Cherryholmes Coming to Maytown!

Bluegrass Music's most dynamic group Cherryholmes will be in concert Monday, August 17 at 7:30 PM at the Fellowship Hall at Maytown Baptist Church (Mapquest Location). The concert will benefit the Maytown Fire Department and tickets may be purchased online at their website.
Cherryholmes is a family group, profiled several times on Musings from Maytown. This family group was rated as Bluegrass Group of the Year in 2005 by the International Bluegrass Music Association, has received multiple Grammy nominations, and appears regularly on the Grand Ol' Opry.
Below you will hear Sumatra, which received a Grammy nomination for Country Instrumental Song of the Year.

Musings from Maytown on Birmingham Area Radio

As Editor of Musings from Maytown, this writer was interviewed today by Cheryl Ringette Ciamarra for Focus on Life Radio, a weekly broadcast each Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM on WXJC 850 AM. Ms. Ciamarra and I discussed the current Health Care Package proposed by the Obama Administration.
Readers of Musings from Maytown would do well to check out the work of Focus on Life ministries. This effort is a public policy group, focusing on pro-life activities. The interviewees of this broadcast sound like an all-star list of pro-life activists.

Farewell, Gene Amondson... See You Again!

This past week, Gene Amondson, a dear friend and regular reader of Musings from Maytown, passed into eternity. Gene Amondson was, as Reader's Digest would say, my most unforgettable character..
Gene Amondson was raised and made his life on Vashon Island near Seattle, Washington. Born into a family filled with ministers, Gene attended Warner Pacific College and then Asbury Theological Seminary in preparation for his life as a Church of God (Anderson, IN) minister.
But Gene's primary ministry was fighting alcohol. An admirer of the well-known Evangelist Billy Sunday, Gene Amondson traveled the country reenacting the famous Billy Sunday sermon on Booze. On two occasions, I arranged for Gene to tour Alabama giving the Billy Sunday sermon on Booze.
Amondson caught the attention of the Prohibition Party, the third oldest political party in America, who asked Gene to run for President on the Prohibition ticket. Not normally interested in politics, Gene used the Prohibition candidacy as a platform to fight alcohol. As a result, Gene Amondson was interviewed on network television, nationwide radio, and even international venues-- all involving his opposition to alcohol. Television interviewers would often compare Gene's appearance to that of Vice President Dick Cheney.
Gene Amondson was also known for his water-color paintings, his unique wood carvings, his children's stories, his ministry with singles groups, and his pie making. In fact, Gene Amondson authored a book of pie recipes that may be downloaded from his website.
Gene Amondson spread a lot of love around this world. Gene could disagree with you and laugh with you about the disagreement. Gene truly cared about people who had a need and would make friends whenever he could. In June, Gene had me speak to a gathering of the Prohibition Party and we had wonderful fellowship together.
This week, with his four children at his bed side, Gene Amondson bid farewell to this world of cares. His four children include an actress daughter and a movie producing son. All four are successful in their respective fields.
This Saturday afternoon, July 25, Gene's funeral was held in Vashon Island, Washington. I regret that I could not attend, but not to worry. One day, I expect to see my friend Gene Amondson in Heaven where we will enjoy good times again.
I hope you will check out the Gene Amondson website and also the Gene Amondson Videos on YouTube.