Movies are a holiday tradition for many families, and one that"s making its debut on the big screen this holiday season is "Concussion."
With an A-list actor, and the most popular sports league in the country, "Concussion" is once again shaking up the controversial topic of head trauma and football.
"People are standing up and taking notice that concussions matter," Brad Donaldson, Associate Director of Operations with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, said.
Donaldson says members of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance already screened the film.
"A very powerful movie," Donaldson said.
In the flick, we"re introduced to Dr. Omalu, played by actor Will Smith, as the first to identify CTE, as a major contributor to the death of many professional athletes.
But concussions and sports in general are something Donaldson has been addressing for years. In fact, the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance estimates 50,000 sports-related concussions occur in Minnesota annually.
"Concussions have been a concussion for ages. We"re just now doing better at being aware of what a concussion may mean," Donaldson said.
One of the biggest questions parents face today is do you let your child play sports where concussions are prevalent?
"I"m not sure how it"ll change," Donaldson said when asked if the movie will affect the views of parents. "I"m hoping it creates an informed choice."
Whether it takes a bag of popcorn and Hollywood to have an impact on concussion protocol is to be determined, but Donaldson says one thing"s for sure, our country is taking more steps now to fix the problem.
"Hollywood set up and said there"s a point here, there"s something that matters, let"s tell it," Donaldson said.
Dr. Omalu will be in the Twin Cities at the beginning of next year. He"ll share his story on becoming one of the most talked about doctors with sports and medicine.
For more information on February"s event at the Beth El Synagogue here.
So heres a Christmas story, one in which a young sailor suffers a great disappointment, but after getting a Major Award is encouraged to embark on a new life, one that gives him a way to live Christmas pretty much every day of the year, with the added benefit of having a very good reason to occasionally put on a life-sized pink bunny suit and carry a giant leg lamp the deluxe model with him.
You see, Brian Jones, who now lives in Jacksonville, owns the house in Cleveland where they filmed A Christmas Story, the charmingly ramshackle, nostalgic 1983 movie thats become a Christmas classic . He bought the place on Ebay, for $150,000. Sight unseen.
When he emailed his wife, Beverly, to tell her what hed done, her reply once she figured out he was serious was just one line long.
I dont know whether to laugh or cry.
That was 11 years ago.
The ending to this Christmas story is still being written, all this time later. But signs point to it being a happy one. So go ahead: Laugh away.
YOULL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT
Wayne Jones was a Navy pilot, and thats all his son Brian ever wanted to be as well. So he worked to valedictorian of his high school in Southern California, went to the Naval Academy, majored in aerospace engineering, went to flight school in Pensacola. Where he flunked the eye exam.
He would not fly.
He was crushed, but had little time to feel sorry for himself. He was off to Naval Intelligence school in Virginia.
Back in California, his parents came up with a plan to make him feel better. A plan so crazy it just might work.
They built a leg lamp, using a female mannequin leg, a high heel shoe and a lamp shade they found. They put it in a wooden box, marked it FRAGILE, and sent it to their son. Odd, perhaps, unless you knew how much the Jones family liked A Christmas Story, in which the movies Old Man (Darren McGavin) receives a leg lamp in a box just like that, which he talks himself into believing is a Major Award thats to be highly prized.
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The Jones family had longed loved A Christmas Story, which followed young Ralphie Parker as he dreamed of getting a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, despite the adults telling him, Youll shoot your eye out. It suited their sense of humor (irreverent) and was much quoted and much watched.
So upon receiving his homemade leg lamp, Jones did indeed feel better. And he realized something else: People kept telling him how much they liked the leg lamp, being fans of the movie themselves, and how they would actually like to have a leg lamp too.
Hmm, thought Jones. So as his six years in the Navy came to an end, he announced he was going to make leg lamps.
Everybody thought I was a lunatic. What, youre leaving a good-paying job in the Navy to go sell leg lamps?
The first year, he made 500 by himself, out his out of his condo in San Diego. He sold them all. The next year he had 1800 made in China and sold them all too.
He still loved the movie. So in December 2004, he bought the old house where A Christmas Storys exterior shots were filmed (most interior house scenes took place on a soundstage in Toronto). Two days after Christmas in 2004, he flew to Cleveland and saw it for the first time in person.
I thought it was an important piece of Americana, he said. I just wanted to see it saved and preserved. If I could make some sort of business connection out of it, well, lets do it.
After all, if leg lamps were this popular, why not the house too?
A PINK NIGHTMARE
Jones wasnt sure what plans he had for the old place, but he knew his first steps getting rid of the vinyl siding that covered the house, painting it yellow and green as it was in the movie, changing the windows back to the old style.
He studied the movie, frame by frame, and gradually the interior came to look just like the film. The furniture, wallpaper and knick-knacks. The kitchen sink under which the little brother in A Christmas Story went to hide. A bar of Life Buoy soap just like the one Ralphie had to put in his mouth after being caught saying the queen-mother of dirty words.
It turns out that many grown-up fans of the movie like to hide under the sink too. Theyll even put soap in their mouths, leaving bite marks behind.
Jones found that out after he opened the house up to tours, which hed guessed was the best business plan.
The first day of business, he knew he had something special when he saw a blocks-long line out front, with people waiting hours to get in.
A Christmas Story House now draws 60,000 people a year, he said, half of that from Thanksgiving to New Years. The next busiest time is July and August. He has 25 full-time employees, more during the holidays, and still sells leg lamps as well as bunny suits, BB guns and figurines from the movie at his website, achristmasstoryhouse.com.
Jones, 39, spends a lot of time in Cleveland, but he has lived in Jacksonville for more than two years with his wife and their two children, aged 9 and 7. He moved after California raised its income-tax rate, deciding that Jacksonville was the right size and speed for him.
Up in Cleveland, he bought another house across the street for A Christmas Story museum costumes, photos and props, including the latest addition, a Red Ryder BB gun built specially for the film (its left-handed, to accommodate actor Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie). He also bought a house next to the museum to use as a gift shop.
In all, he figures he has $1.5 million in the project, some of that funded by home equity loans and credit cards.
Its clear the movie, and the house where it was filmed, hit some nostalgic, near-universal nerve.
People thank Jones, all the time, for restoring the house. Fans come back every year. Fans drive many hours to see it. Foreign tourists make detours to get there. One fan told him he watches the movie every night before going to sleep every single night of the year.
Jones figures thats because the story is about growing up. About imperfect, loving families. About looking back on it all, decades later.
Jones, soft-spoken and self-deprecating, relishes his role in all this. It all kind of flows for me. I have a degree in aerospace engineering, did Intelligence in the Navy. Yeah, Ill sell leg lamps.
He has a bit of a showman in him. There are even photos of him up in Ohio, throwing out the first pitch at a baseball game while clad head-to-toe in a pink bunny suit, just like the one poor Ralphie got from his Aunt Clara at Christmas.
Jones can imitate Ralphies dad: He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny. He looks like a pink nightmare!
And when Jones showed up for an interview in Jacksonville, he was happy to bring along his own personal leg lamp, as asked. But unbidden, just in case it was needed, he also brought his giant bunny outfit, and was happy to put it on just to get in the holiday spirit.
After all, as A Christmas Story demonstrates, nothing says Christmas like a leg lamp and a pink bunny suit.
Consumers Energy Rep refuses to show badge- part 2
MUSKEGON, MI Muskegon Community College"s downtown applied technology center has received a $25,000 boost from the Consumers Energy Foundation.
In return, the college is naming the main entrance off of Clay Avenue the "Consumers Energy Atrium."
The college plans to use the gift from the Consumers Energy Foundation to pay for equipment and furnishings for the new center, which will be located in the Muskegon Chronicle"s former building at the corner of Clay and Third Street.
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy. It has provided more than $1 million to Muskegon County organizations in the last decade, said David Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation.
"We have been part of Muskegon for more than a century and look forward to many more years of continued involvement and investment," he said.
The downtown applied technology centerwill house numerous labs and classrooms, including basic machining, digital fabrication, welding, CNC simulation, automation, foundry, materials testing and electricity labs. There also will be a metrology area, machining area, pattern shop, finishing room and tool crib along with offices and classrooms.
"By providing its financial support, the Consumers Energy Foundation is participating in the economic resurgence of downtown Muskegon, assisting with the development of local talent to fill the pipeline of skilled workers, and bringing awareness to careers in manufacturing and entrepreneurial studies," said MCC President Dale Nesbary.
The college is offering numerous naming opportunities for the downtown center, from the security office to the various labs to elevator lobbies, and there already are the Alcoa Foundation Automation Lab and Canteen Vending Student Lounge, according to MCC"s brochure on naming opportunities.
The name for the downtown center itself can be had for $1.5 million, according to the naming brochure.
The entrepreneurial center, which will be adjacent to the technology center in the former Masonic Temple building, has already been named the Rooks/Sarnicola Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. Jon Rooks donated the building to the college while Nick and Ashley Sarnicola pledged $200,000 for annual grants to institute graduates.
Among the entrepreneurial center"s features will be a makerspace, digital fabrication lab and youth entrepreneurial space.
The $14.8 million downtown center is expected to open in the late summer/fall of 2017.
Lynn Moore covers education for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at lmoore8@mlive.comand follow her onTwitterandFacebook.
2015 MAC Football Championship: Bowling Green Press Conference
Mobile usually seems to receive high praise for its hospitality from participants in the annual GoDaddy Bowl. To keep that record of congeniality intact, someone please have the sweet tea ready when Alex Huettel arrives with the Bowling Green football team.
The Falcons are scheduled to land in Mobile on Saturday afternoon in advance of their bowl showdown with Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. CST Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Huettel already has paid a brief visit to the Port City last week for an introductory press conference. It was there that Bowling Green"s right guard confided what he was looking forward to during his bowl trip -- besides the game, of course and it was what might be expected from a 6-foot-4, 301-pound man from Pickerington, Ohio, making his first trip to the Gulf Coast.
"I"m very excited about the food," Huettel said. "I"m hoping to try some sweet tea."
Huettel got a taste of Coastal Alabama cuisine during his visit last week, taking a meal at Wintzell"s Oyster House in downtown Mobile.
"It was phenomenal," Huettel said. "We had some oysters, some jambalaya. I got the pasta with shrimp."
The GoDaddy Bowl will be the final game of Huettel"s collegiate career. He"s started all 54 of the games that preceded Wednesday"s.
"It"s a blessing," Huettel said. "You have to (play when you"re hurt). It"s part of being an offensive lineman."
Huettel"s streak includes a bowl at the end of each season the Military Bowl in 2012, the Little Caesars Bowl in 2013, the Camellia Bowl last year in Montgomery and now the GoDaddy Bowl.
"It"s great recognition for the school," Huettel said of the bowl appearances. "There could be somebody at home debating whether to come here or to another school, and you see us on TV. It could change your outlook on our school.
"For our team, it"s a big thing because it"s another opportunity to win, and it"s one more week we"re together as a family before us seniors have to head out of here."
The Falcons have compiled a 36-18 record during Huettel"s career. Huettel redshirted in 2011. In the four seasons before he arrived on campus, Bowling Green compiled a 23-27 record.
The Falcons" recent success has resulted in coaching turnover. Dave Clawson left Bowling Green for Wake Forest after the 2013 campaign. Dino Babers coached the Falcons the past two seasons, but he"s left to take charge at Syracuse.
Defensive coordinator Brian Ward will be leading Bowling Green for the GoDaddy Bowl.
"There"s a lot of guys on this team, I"d say the majority of the roster, we"ve already gone through a coaching change before," Huettel said. "So we know how to handle it. We have great leadership on this team, so I don"t think we"ll miss a beat. And the coaches, they"re fired up for this game, too."
Georgia Southern has an 8-4 record. One of its losses was a 23-17 overtime setback against Georgia on Nov. 21, a game sandwiched between a 45-10 victory over Troy and a 55-17 victory over South Alabama.
Bowling Green has a 10-3 record. The losses include a season-opening 59-30 setback against Tennessee. The Falcons are coming off a 34-14 victory over Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game.
"I think it"s the preparation we"ve had week in and week out," Huettel said of the key to Bowling Green"s season. "With the long college season, you can lose sight of the long-distance goal. We"ve done a great job as player and coaches of staying focused on the goal at hand, and we"ve got to continue that preparation through next week."
Tickets for the GoDaddy Bowl can be purchased onlineor by calling 251-635-0011.
Vic, my grievance: Larry McCarrens left pinky finger. Its a distraction. Can we get him to tape that puppy to his ring finger for Packers Today?
No way! Larry was blessed with a gift. Its perfect for drinking tea with old women, and you can signal for a left turn while youre waving goodbye.
Thomas from Park Falls, WI
Vic, I know you have to tow the company line, but we as fans are not stupid. Ten wins, OK, the team has accomplished that, but its the way they have done that all year that makes fans worry this team wont be able to rise up and make a playoff run. The offense was so boring and predictable against Oakland it was almost embarrassing to barely scratch 200 yards passing. Is it as simple as our tight ends and wide receivers just arent very good, or is Rodgers not having a great year seeing the field and throwing the ball?
I dont know what the answer is. Maybe youve just been conditioned to have unrealistic expectations, because thats what Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack have created in recent years. Rodgers stats are closer to realistic this season, and they are largely the equal of other quarterbacks who are being hailed for having career years. If getting all negative is your way of having fun, then go for it, but Ill tell you what really bothers me: Its that tow the company line stuff. I dont appreciate having my integrity and professionalism questioned. Its an insult I have to accept as a result of my position, but this is Festivus and were airing grievances, and thats my No. 1 grievance. I hope you find a way to enjoy what remains of the season.
Jim from Saginaw, MI
This whole bat thing with Carolina is ridiculous, dont you think? My sons played for a successful high school program and when the playoffs rolled around, one of the captains ran out holding up a maul. The players all gathered around at midfield and the captain buried the maul in the ground. It was used to fire up the team and it worked. No one went out on the field and played dirty.
I dont think the bat thing is worth a whole lot of thought or discussion, but I dont like symbols of violence being used to represent a teams mentality for playing a game. I dont like bats or mauls or spears being tossed into the ground. Its hokey and insulting, and it makes a connection between violence and football that threatens the success of the movement to change the culture of the sport. For the culture to be changed, we must regard football as we do baseball, basketball and other sports, which is to say as a game. Football is not war; it has never been war. Yes, its a physical game, and I dont want that to change, but the line that separates physical activity from violence must be distinct. Bats, mauls, spears and other such props blur that line.
Brian from Green Bay, WI
Vic, here is my specific grievance I wish to air: The season has only a few weeks left in it. The ride is nearly over and I dislike that.
This is the goal. This is the destination. This is why we lifted all those weights, to get to here. This is where the memories are. Enjoy them.
Steve from Bullhead City, AZ
Vic, the team scores 30 points and people are not happy. What do you expect to see from the Arizona defense against the Packers?
Speed and aggressiveness. Watching the Cardinals defense against the Eagles, I was reminded of the Seahawks defense. The Cardinals play NFC West defense. They fly to the ball and they arrive with stunning force. The Cardinals are the best team Ive seen this year.
Adam from Madison, WI
My grievance? Fans thinking they know more about football than the men who have devoted their entire lives to being students of the game instead of critics of it.
My grievance: Fans that demand winning but also demand signing players whose performances are in decline, for no other reason than the fans recognize the name.
Steven from Milwaukee, WI
What is the ratio of fans writing in that seem to appreciate your style and treatment of football to those that cant stand you and wish to actually talk football, Xs and Os, and not stories from your life? Despite the fact the former is heavily represented in the questions you answer, I suspect the actual breakdown skews heavily towards the latter.
I dont have that list in front of me, Steven, but my numbers are really, really good. Which kind of fan are you? Happy Festivus, everyone!
American Football Championship Highlights - Houston 24, Temple 13
PHILADELPHIA Time Magazine recently ranked the teams in the College Football Playoff Top 25 by their academic achievement. Of the 25 teams, Temple ranked seventh overall.
Though the work of players, coaches, and the staff of the Nancy & Donald Resnick Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, Temple football achieved a record grade-point average in spring of 2015. The current Temple football roster also includes 26 college graduates,second most among all 2015 bowl teams.
Time used rankings compiled by New America, beginning with each school"s football graduation success rate (GSR). The GSR is an NCAA mandated number that schools granting aid to student-athletes are required to report.The GSR, unlike the federal graduation rate, doesn"t penalize schools for having players who transfer or leave for the prosas long as those players depart in good academic standing.Schools drop in the rankings if they graduate football players at different rates than their overall male student body.
#24 Temple will play Toledo in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.
The Cardinals aren"t the only ones who blasted the Eagles this week.
On Friday, Mayor-elect Jim Kenney criticized the team for having a "very solid and stubborn attitude" in regards to its relationship with Temple University, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported.
Temple paid $1 million in rent to the Eagles this season to play in Lincoln Financial Field, plus a fee for stadium operations. With Temple"s lease ending in 2017, the Eagles said that they want to increase that rent to $2 million plus $12 million up front for the new 30-year lease, Philly.com reported.
That"s one of the reasons that Temple is considering building a new, $100 million stadium on campus. Kenney opposes the plan because it could disrupt "the continuing peace and harmony of the community."
Kenney said in public remarks that he believes the Eagles should give Temple a better deal. He has said before that the Steelers don"t charge rent when the University of Pittsburgh plays. A Pitt official told Philly.com that the university does actually pay rent, but it also receives some revenue from concession sales.
Related story: Kenney criticizes Temple plans for new football stadium
"The Eagles have a point of view and I dont agree with their point of view. Its all about dollars and cents, and I dont know if were going to resolve that or not," said Kenney.
An Eagles spokesperson described Kenney"s remarks as "very discouraging and upsetting."
The mayor-elect met with Temple"s president and board chairman on Thursday to discuss the issue in a meeting that the school described as "cordial."
