Congratulations to Gold Medal Winner Henry Cejudo

Writer Montini called it, "The feel good story of the Beijing Olympics." Henry Cejudo won the gold medal for the 55-kilogram (121-pound) division in wrestling. Cejudo, a Mexican-American is a citizen but his mother is not. After taking the gold, the former Maryvale High School athlete told the Republic's Norm Frauenheim, "This is cool, coming out of a Mexican-American background. It just feels so good. Not many Americans get to do something like this. I feel like I'm living the American dream."

What will happen to his mother? Who knows? Thanks to the media, Cejudo's mother is outed for having entered the country illegal before Henry was born. His father, who wasn't much in the picture during much of Henry's life died some time back in Mexico.

The Arizona Republic reports, "'Cejudo said he would have never won Olympic gold without some tough love from his brother, Angel, a four-time state champion at Maryvale. When I was growing up, I got a couple of knuckle sandwiches from him,' Cejudo said."

For all Americans, I can say that he represented us well. To see him run around the ring with the American flag with a jubilant smile on his face shows that he is a real American.

Why not allow his mother become a citizen?

Other Articles: Cejudo's medal golden for Maryvale; Maryvale basks in Cejudo's golden glow; AZ notes: Gold win nets Cejudo $65K; A Valley wrestler, an American dream, a Beijing gold.

My Tribute to Mommaw

Mommaw, her sister, Ruby, and their husbands together with several other Saints of God founded Gospel Mission, which later became Life Tabernacle. Rev. Joe K. Ballard was the pastor until my dad, Charles F. Plake, became pastor in the late 1950s.

On April 1, 1959, Mommaw became my step mother. My dad "eloped" with Elmeta Plake to be married in Prescott, Arizona. It is my understanding that the two of them asked Loleen, my sister, and Linda, Mommaw's daughter who that day became my step-sister, as witnesses so that people didn't think that it was an April fool's joke.

Mommaw had the memory of an elephant and would argue with anyone who challenged her memory. My Dad always said that Mommaw would argue with a sign post. I brought this to her attention on a couple of occasions. She agreed with a smile confirming my comments.

She was an easy person to get along with. Mommaw, Bob Jones and I traveled on Amtrak to San Antonio to attend Becky Courade-DeFossett's wedding and a CFPlakeFamily Reunion. It was Mommaw's first and last train trip. We arrived in San Antonio five hours late--not bad for Amtrak. But the return trip took 48 hours, which I believe is an Amtrak record.

We did not complete the trip by train. Amtrak flew us from El Paso to Tucson to retrieve our car. You would think that an 86 year old lady would be uncomfortable. If she was, we didn't know it. Mommaw did not complain the whole trip. In fact, she comforted Bob and me. She kept quoting her favorite verse, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Mommaw had a long life, but she wanted to outlive her sister Ruby, who lived almost 99 years. Mommaw lived for ninety wonderful years.



Much kudos to Rachel for organizing a party that celebrated her life on her 90th birthday, September 23. And thanks to the members of Life Tabernacle who attended the celebration. Mommaw appreciated it too. She talked about it each time that I visited her afterwards. At the gathering, I proposed a toast to Mommaw's long life and concluded by saying, "And may she live another ninety years."

Mommaw responded by saying, "That's a long time."







Below is one of Mommaw's favorite songs that my Dad sang, entitled, Time Has Made a Change in Me by Harkins Freye.

1. Time has made a change since my childhood days;
Many of my friends have gone away,
Some I never more in this life will see
Time has made a change in me.

Chorus:
Time has made a change in the old home place;
Time has made a change in each smiling face,
And I know my friends can plainly see
Time has made a change in me.

2. In my childhood days, I was well and strong
I could climb the hillside all day long,
I am not today what I used to be
Time has made a change in me.

3. When I reach my home in that land somewhere,
With my friends who wait to meet me over there,
Free from pain and care I'll forever be,
Time has made a change in me.

Mommaw, I love you and will always have an album of your memories impressed in my mind.

A tour of ASU Sports Facilities

Recently, Jim invited me along with his employee, Gabe, to the Tempe Diplomats’ tour of the Sun Devil Sports Facilities.

The tour started in the Wells Fargo Arena Wells, the home for Sun Devil men's and women's basketball as well as volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling, is one of the nation's finest collegiate arenas. Constructed in the spring of 1974 at the cost of $8 million, the 14,198-seat facility also plays host to graduation ceremonies and a variety of concerts and shows.

We were then led to the Ed and Nadine Carson Student Athletic Center. On the first floor is the Hall of Fame and trophy cases of all the trophies won by the Sun Devil sports teams. On another floor is the center is the state-of-the-art 16,000-sq. foot weight room at the Lawrence Strength and Conditioning Center.

In the football locker room is a view of Sparky, the symbol of Sun Devil athletics.

The tour ended with a buffet at Karsten Golf Course Club House. The Karsten Golf Course is home to the ASU Golf Program, which turns out winning teams year after year. Many touring professionals have honed their skills on the fairways and greens of this classic Pete Dye, Scottish links course.

Mommaw's 2007 Christmas

Bob Jones, Rachel and I enjoyed Christmas Eve Dinner at Mimi's in Mesa with the intention of visiting Mommaw at Springdale West in Mesa. Bob Jones developed a nose-bleed and had to return home.

Rachel and I carpooled from the restaurant to the nursing home. When we arrived in Mommaw's room, she was asleep. She looked very peaceful. Rachel tried to wake her on a couple of occasions but had to shake her before she finally woke up. She told us that she wished that she knew we were coming. I don't know why, there is nothing more that she could do. Teddy (a present Santa had given her) was sleeping next to her on her bed.

Mommaw tends to slip in and out of the present time. She told us that she spent the night with Quincy the other night but that they get up too early. Quincy went to see the Lord several years ago. She introduced me and Rachel as her grandson and granddaughter. On one occason, I left her room to sit across the hall as one of the aides was dressing her roommate to sit in her wheelchair. Mommaw saw me and told Rachel, "There's Charlie Plake across the hall."

After the roommate exited the room, I returned to Mommaw's room. She saw another patient rolling through the hall. She said "There goes Charlie Plake." Then spoke loud enough for the man to hear, "Charlie, I want you to meet my grandson and granddaughter."

It is sad to see Mommaw like this. I remember when she had the memory of an elephant. My dad said that she would argue about what she remembered and usually won. I believe the incident she told us about Quincy actully happened but that it took place several years ago and her brain makes her think that it just happened.

Rachel and I took Mommaw into the conference room to open her presents. We enjoyed our time with her. Often she talked about several of the people that were attended her 90th Birthday Party. I tried to tell her who was in attendance, but my 71-year-old brain had a few problems of its own.

Poor Rachel. She had a hard time keeping Mommaw and me straight.

What is a Best Friend?

My son asked me the other day, “Why is Jim your best friend?”

I fumbled and stumbled and came up with a couple of whimsy answers, “Because I do everything he says and because we have a lot in common.” The first answer, meant to be a joke, is far from the truth. The second answer is not really true either.

Although we enjoy several things in common, there are many things that we don’t have in common. We both like the Sweet Adelines, we both prepare taxes (He is more experienced than I.), and we were Delta Sigma Pi fraternity brothers. I like sports; he doesn’t. I like to eat; he is very careful what he eats. I weigh almost twice his weight. And the beat goes on.

The question started me thinking. I asked Jim, “Why are we best friends?” His answer, “I can tell you things and you won’t repeat them.” In other words, he can trust me. And I feel the same way about him. I trust him like I would trust a brother.

I looked up “What makes a best friend?” on the Internet. Wikipedia states, “Best Friend, someone with whom one shares the strongest friendship.” WordNet defines best friend as the one friend who is closest to you.

Other quotes found in Blogs:
• "A true friend is that rare soul who sees right through you but will see you through."
• “Someone you can count on... someone who won’t judge and someone who gives without wanting in return.”

I found all of these quotes true with our relationship. I am still thinking "What is a Best Friend?" although it doesn’t make a difference if I know or don’t know. I will always love my best friend like a brother.

My Quality Time with Ken

Today, I spent the day with my son, Ken, who will be 50 next year. Slow down, son, you are making me older. ‘Twas a nice thought to spend the day with his Dad.

Ken came to the Valley to attend a Boeing planning seminar at the Sheraton in Mesa. On Sunday, we met at my house in Tempe, had lunch at Monti’s La Casa Vieja in Tempe, checked into the Sheraton in Mesa, watched the Cardinals beat the Cleveland Browns and the BCS Bowl Selections in his room and chowed down at dinner in the hotel restaurant. Ken telephoned Kim several times earlier in the day to get a play-by-play description of the San Diego Chargers football game, his favorite football team.

On Monday and Tuesday, Ken had meetings. Today, he drove me to the V.A. Hospital in Phoenix for my doctor’s appointment. While I was visiting with my doctor, he studied for a course pursuing his master’s degree at Biola University, a private Christian University in Southern California.

After leaving the hospital, Ken and I lunched at Durant’s, a legendary steakhouse in the heart of Phoenix. Not knowing what to do, we watched Sea Monsters, a 3-D movie at the IMAX Theater in Arizona Mills Mall.

What a day! It was a joy to be with my son. I can see that he inherited several of my traits. He likes school, enjoys researching, cheers for his favorite sports teams, is quiet and unassuming and is a great overall human being. :-) I love him very much.

APS Fantasy of Lights

Bob and I tried to attend the Tempe APS Fantasy of Lights two nights in a row. On Friday night, we walked Mill Avenue to view the parade. We asked several Mill Avenue businesses employees but no one could tell us anything. The bartender at Rula Bula's searched the New Times and discovered the parade was Saturday night.

The Arizona Republic's Friday edition had printed that the parade would take place "today". Doesn't anyone proofread papers anymore?

The New Times announced that we could have free parking if parade-goers would donate a can of food for needy families. We took four cans, but no one was at any of the parking lots to collect the food. Doesn't anyone proofread papers anymore?

Both papers reported, "Parade begins at 6:00 p.m. on Mill Avenue, south from 3rd St. to 7th St., west on 7th St. to Maple, north on Maple to 5th St., west on 5th to Ash in Tempe."

But the APS Website said, "6:30 p.m." Doesn't anyone proofread papers anymore?

We missed most of the event except for the parade because of the false reporting. We had fun though. I guess that's all that counts. We waited 1 1/2 hours for the parade to begin, but it only lasted thirty minutes. Santa was on time as he graced Mill Avenue at 7:00 p.m.

The wait made us tired. So we went home to rest and watch TV. A good night for two old retirees.

USC Too Powerful

The Arizona State Sun Devil football team played like they had eaten too much turkey this Thanksgiving day. The tryptophan from the turkey took its toll on the team causing them to play sloppy almost the whole game.

In past games, the Sun Devils were noted for their lackluster play in the first half but outscored their opponents by a huge margin in the second half. Tonight was a different matter. USC was sharp throughout the whole game, but ASU played sloppy the whole game. Final score was 44-24 in favor of USC.

The atmosphere was fun though. Shelly and Craig Foster, Jim and Margie Beaton’s daughter and son-in-law, were seated next to me cheering for their Sun Devils; Little Richard together with backup from the Sun Devil Band provided half-time entertainment, screaming out, “Good Golly Miss Mollie” and a couple of his other hits; and Charles Barkley stood on the sideline in support of what he called, “my Sun Devils.”

Signs in the student section read: “O.J. Stole My Other Sign” and “We Beat Stanford.” O.J. was a star for USC. Stanford beat USC but lost to ASU 41-3.

ASU has a very slim chance of going to the Rose Bowl. For ASU to stand a chance of spending New Year’s Day in Pasadena, USC must lose to UCLA; Oregon must lose to Oregon State; and ASU must beat Arizona. That’s a tall order.

Do you feel a recession coming on?

Yes, I feel a recession coming. I am trying to sell my house. The last time I tried to sell a house started the 1990 recession.

I Like Molasses

Today, I was looking up a no-sugar-recipe for pumpkin pie and ran across one that used Splenda and molasses. Molasses reminded me of a song my Dad sang to Loleen and me that included these words: "'Cause I like molasses, good ol' country sorghum. I eat 'em in the summer and the fall."

I looked the words up on the Internet and sure enough I found words as remembered by Big Jim from Jackson. They go as follows:

Everybody has some food that they like best,
Somethin' that they're fond of, more than all the rest.
Mine is black molasses. They really are the stuff.
I eat 'em morning, noon, and night. I never get enough,
'Cause I like molasses, good ol' country sorghum.
I eat 'em in the summer and the fall.
Get 'em hot and get 'em spread On a big hunk of short'nin' bread,
That's the way I like 'em best of all!

I went to see my sweetie just the other day.
She had supper ready; wanted me to stay.
She didn't have no 'taters; didn't have no meat.
Just a big black jug of molasses was all she had to eat.
'Cause she likes molasses, good ol' country sorghum.
She eats 'em in the summer and the fall.
When they trickle down my chin, I let her lick 'em off again;
That's the way I like 'em best of all!

Grandpa's teeth are missin', ever' single one.
When he eats his molasses, he smacks 'em with his gums.
And Grandpa's eyes are failin'. He can't hardly see
Just what's in his molasses, but never a care gives he.
'Cause he likes molasses, good ol' country sorghum.
He eats 'em in the summer and the fall.
When they get so thick with flies They resemble raisin pies,
That's the way he likes 'em best of all!

What is my fondest memory of Thanksgiving?

It is difficult to think of one Thanksgiving that is my fondest memory since I have lived through 70 of them. Each Thanksgiving has fond memories and the ones remembered the most are those that produced a lot of pictures. The fondest memory I have of each Thanksgiving is gathering together with family and sharing with each other what we are most thankful for. Since we have God in our lives, each of us start with, “I thank God for…” Family, spouses and children receive the most accolades in our moments of sharing Thanksgiving. I thank God for family.

Forgiveness

When I was a small boy in the early 1940s, my father, a church pastor in East Texas, taught my three sisters and me not only when we should apologize, but he also taught us that we should forgive if someone apologized to us. If my sisters and I argued with each other or angered one another during one of our sibling scuffles, my father would make us apologize but he also demanded we forgive each other. The lesson was easy to learn with my sisters, but it was difficult to learn if I was unduly harassed by a bully.

One Sunday after church, two teenage brothers picked on me by chasing me, wrestling me to the ground and grabbing my arms and swinging me around like a runaway flying scooter ride at the state fair. The roughness of the boys brought me to tears. Fortunately, our fathers caught us in the ruckus. The boys said they were just playing, but their father made them apologize, and my dad suggested I forgive them.

Oh boy that was hard. I could understand the boys having to apologize but why should I forgive someone when I didn’t start anything. I was a stubborn little boy but being fearful of a spanking (common in those days), I finally gave in and said, “I forgive you.”

My dad later explains to me that we need to forgive when others apologize. He asked me, “Do you ever ask God to forgive you when you pray?"

I said, “Yes, every time I pray I ask for forgiveness of my sins.”

He gives a little sermon about how God always forgives us when we repent of our sins, and he tells me the story of the Prodigal Son and how the father forgave him for going astray. He says, “Apologizing is asking for forgiveness. We should forgive others when they ask for it. Forgiving one another causes less resentment and hostility, and it makes life easier to live.”

I thank God for my father. He taught me forgiveness, which has brought happiness to my life. Forgiving another person relieves stress and helps me to build on friendships and relationships.

Phoenix Union-North was No. 1 Valley rivalry

Reading today's article entitled, "Phoenix Union-North was No. 1 Valley rivalry," reminds me of my high school days at North High. I attended North High from 1950 to 1954. The school's mascot was a Mustang and Phoenix Union's were coyotes.

Every year, the football game between the two schools was the game of the year. With 20,000 fans cheering at the games, the rivalry was Phoenix's #1 sports event. The Phoenix Union favorite song was, "The Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Use To Be." And on the other side of the field, North High would cheer:

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
If the skunks had a school,
They'd name it P.U.

After enlisting in the Air Force and graduating from ASU, I noticed the rivalry begin to fade. But it was still fun to tease my step-sister, Linda, who attended Phoenix Union in the late 50s.

Take a look at the article...

8 – 0

The Arizona State Sun Devils won their eight consecutive games by beating the number 18 California Bears 31–10. ASU is in sole possession of first place in the Pac-10. The team is 4th in the BCS Poll and on its way to the national-championship hunt.

Next week, the Sun Devils play at No. 5 Oregon (7-1, 4-1). This will be their most important game since the 1997 Rose Bowl.

Again the Sun Devils put a scare in front a full stadium by getting behind 13-0, 20-7 and at halftime 20-14. But Coach Erickson has the team believing that they can overcome their opponents, which they did by outscoring the Bears 17–0 in the second half.

Tailbacks Keegan erring and Dimitri Nance combine for 181 yards rushing. The defense shut out Cal n the second half and kept the deficit manageable by forcing some field goals early.

GO DEVILS!

THANKS MARGIE AND JIM…

After big win, craziness ensues

ASU versus OSU

It looked like the Sun Devils had played lower division teams in the first three games when Oregon State started the game with nineteen points in the first quarter. That’s right, 19-0 right off the bat. Whew! It was scary. How could they ever oercome a nineteen point deficit? But that they did.

Over the next three quarters, the Sun Devils outscored the Beavers 44 points to 13 to end up with a final score of 44-32. Like the Colorado game, the Devils came out flat in the first quarter. In both games Rudy Carpenter threw an interception to set up a touchdown. However, ASU intercepted the Beavers a few times too...five as a matter of fact.

The fans are louder with fewer boos this year than last year. It is easy to get invoved in the game with this exciting team.

Jake Plummer attended the game as he was inducted into ASU’s Hall of Fame at halftime.

Thanks again to Jim and Margie for allowing me to go in their place.

Commuter rail a hot topic at Arizona Rail Symposium

Tempe, Ariz.— With a projected growth rate of 109 percent, Arizona is expected to add 5.5 million new residents by 2030—mainly in Maricopa and Pima counties. How Arizonans get around in, and between, its two biggest metropolitan areas is the topic of the second annual Arizona Rail Symposium.

Elected officials and transit professionals from around the state will discuss the growing demand for transportation options, and whether the future of Arizona commuters includes commuter rail. Experts from commuter rail systems in Salt Lake City and the Sacramento, California, area will be among the speakers.

The highlight of the conference is expected to be a commuter rail panel discussion that will include state Sen.Thayer Verschoor, Rep. Steve Farley, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman, Pinal County Supervisor Sandie Smith, and ADOT Public Transportation Director Jim Dickey.

Commuter rail is rail service that typically uses existing freight railroad tracks and equipment. Stations are generally five to 10 miles apart and operations focus on peak-commute hours with less frequent service during off-peak hours. Commuter rail generally travels greater distances than light rail, at higher speeds.

The Second Annual AzTA Rail Symposium will be held 7:30 a.m.– 3 p.m., Sept. 28, at the Tempe Mission Palms hotel. The cost to attend the conference is $150 for AzTA members, $175 for non-members. Registration forms area available online at www.AzTA.org.

The Arizona Transit Association is a nonprofit, statewide organization dedicated to improving public transportation in all of Arizona’s communities. Membership includes local, regional and state governments; chambers of commerce, major employers, transit program operators; and contractor and suppliers.

See power point presentation at September 8 meeting.

Congratulations to Champions Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury captured their first WNBA crown on Sunday to become Arizona’s third professional champion behind The Arizona Rattlers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mercury handily beat Detroit by a score of 108-92.

Coach Paul Westhead in his second year as head coach was the brains behind the winners. Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor and Cappie Pondexter carried the team in the championship series. Cappie was the most valuable player.

Diana Taurasi writes in her WNBA.com Blog, “People doubted the running game, they doubted Small Ball, they doubted the Rover defense and we say YES to all the naysayers, doubters and haters. We are Phoenix. We run-and-gun, we shoot the three and we win championships.”

ASU Wins Third Consecutive Game

For the third time in the last four years, the Arizona State University wins its third consecutive game. Thanks to San Diego State University Aztecs.

In the first half, it looked as though the Aztecs would make a game of it. For the first time this season, a team scored points against ASU in the second quarter making the score 14-10. But ASU rallied for ten straight points to lead by a score of 24-10 at halftime.

The Sun Devils scored ten more points in the second half versus three for San Diego State making the final score 34-13. I left the game after the third quarter with the score at 31-13 only missing ASU adding another field goal.

Keegan Herring, replacing Ryan Torain, rushed for 161 yards, the second most in his career with the Sun Devils. He also scored two touchdowns.

It is too early to tell how good the team really is. The combined record of the teams is 1-7. The game this coming Saturday will help reveal the strength of the Sun Devils. ASU will be playing a Pac-10 school, Oregon State (2-1).

I want to thank Jim and Margie for giving me the ticket. I wished they could have made the game, but Jim and his son-in-law disassembled and moved two huge, oak desks from his Chandler home to his newly purchased home in Trilogy.

2nd effort for ASU

Arizona Toughens DUI laws

If you drink and drive, be prepared for heavy penalties. Arizona law has become tougher. In the past, only extreme and repeat offenders had to equip their cars with ignition-interlocks to drive a car. Now first-time offenders are required to have the devices. In addition to fines, penalties and lawyer fees, a convicted drunken driver will bear the cost of about $100 to install the device and an additional $60 to $80 per month.

A taxi is much cheaper.

Tough DUI law to begin

A Tour of the Tempe Center for the Arts

On Sunday, Bob and I attended the Grand Opening Family Day at the Tempe Center for the Arts. It was a hot and humid day. Thank God, the hosts had plenty of ice-cold water and food too for the multitude of people that toured the center. The free performances were classy too.

The main theater is designed so that none of the seats is more than 55 feet away from the stage. But the parking lot was not designed to handle as many cars as showed up on Sunday. We had to walk a good quarter of a mile to get to the Center. Maybe people came for the hamburgers and hot dogs.

Some facts mentioned in the Arizona Republic about the Center:

• The Tempe Center for the Arts is 88,000 square feet.
• It will primarily serve about a dozen community music, theater, dance and visual arts groups.
• The main theater is modeled after an Italian opera house. None of the 600 seats is more than 55 feet from the stage.
• The main theater has four levels of seating.
• The dome above the main theater is made of 280 tons of concrete. It was cast in place during a single pour that took nearly eight hours.
• The arts center is 100 feet tall, with a main roof of five layers.
• The 55,000-gallon negative-edge reflecting pool creates a 300-foot long waterfall into Tempe Town Lake.
• Building the arts center took 1,400 tons of steel.
• There is 40,000 square feet of wood paneling inside the arts center, including African mahogany and oak.
• About 760 wine glasses can fit on the lobby’s glass drink rails.
• There are 300 doors. The soundproof doors to the theater weigh more than 300 pounds.
• There are 347 parking spaces for vehicles and 130 for bicycles. (Not enough for Sunday’s event.)

It was a fun day. I can’t wait to attend some of the performances.

Friends of Tempe center for the Arts