It’s a bit cooler this evening. Out sitting on the tailgate of the Sierra listening to lots of trains running thru the city.  It’s a Big Train Night for sure.  Good sign for the economy.  Of course, the traffic isn’t like sitting at Casey’s on Dundee in Toronto.  Not a lot of cars on South 8th. It did remind me, that I did ride the Rocket last Monday Night. No, not the RockyBrook Rocket, but the street cars in Toronto.  Yep, they are know as the Red Rocket.  I also learned some of the shortcomings of street cars.  On the way to dinner, and the car stopped and we were told the car was doing a “Short Turn”, so it’s off the 504 and to another one just ahead.  I’ve not mastered the streetcars yet, but will.

Lot’s going on this week, and just two weeks to Labor Day Weekend. Is summer really over? Dang it!

Glad Kenny is back in Auburn.  Maybe he can teach me how to do some of the cool videos he does. (Source: kennysmith.org)

Key Addition to Radio BroadView Team Accelerates Market Growth! Longtime radio veteran Jerry Katz has joined BroadView Software as Radio Sales Director after over ten year’s service in senior positions at Wicks & Marketron Broadcast Solutions.

Katz is well known throughout the radio industry for his wide-ranging expertise in radio management that combines extensive station-side experience, hands-on traffic know-how, and a comprehensive understanding of the latest technological advances opening opportunities in today’s marketplace. His arrival follows the continuing growth of Radio BroadView and coincides with the launch of BroadView’s Traffic Bureau service, an alternate to traditional in-house systems.

“Jerry Katz’ reputation speaks for itself,” said Michael Atkin, BroadView Founding Partner and President. “His coming aboard further establishes our commitment to radio and marks an important next phase in expanding our place in a marketplace where our technology provides a decisive advantage.” Katz says that his decision to join BroadView comes as crucial changeover in traffic technology gains momentum.  

“It’s no secret that a fundamental shakeout of the radio traffic business is now underway,” said Katz. “I’ve always prided myself on being on the forefront, and so deciding to be part of the growth and acceptance of Radio BroadView as the new industry standard was easy.”

Katz noted that, together, Radio BroadView and Traffic Bureau offer a full-range of options for radio managers providing no-compromise sophistication with simplicity and value. Traffic Bureau can free station operations from the day-to-day traffic tasks where refocusing on core business practices is needed.  Radio BroadView’s technology, combined with the company’s “trifecta” implementation approach, delivers bottom-line results.

“BroadView’s ‘trifecta’ packages highly configurable software, excellent training plus full conversion of the clients’ historical data. It’s a winning combination for implementing a traffic system that delivers real value day-to-day, quarter-to-quarter,” Katz said.

About BroadView Software: BroadView Software Inc. is a leading North American software developer  specializing in broadcast information-management solutions. With more than two decades experience, BroadView has a well-established reputation in the broadcast industry for delivering a comprehensive toolset for programming, traffic and sales that combines sophisticated functionality with ease of use. BroadView’s winning trifecta for clients provides highly configurable software, excellent training plus full conversion of historical data. With BroadView, stations can maximize revenues with increased profitability and operational savings. For more information, visit www.BroadViewSoftware.com.

From time to time, I let personal feelings drive a post here. Today is one of those times. After years of being a fan of Delta, if not air travel, I hope that I’ve taken my last trip on the airline.  After a snafu during the ticket purchase recently and some additional late charges I didn’t see coming, I received a canned response from Delta (right from some Knowledge Base no doubt). I just hate it when a company forgets about the little guy!   Since I choose who I fly with, my choice will be with someone else.  Without sharing their entire responce I especially liked the following line.

While we would like to offer special consideration in cases such as yours, we are unable to honor the many similar requests that we receive from others in equally deserving situations. We follow a consistent policy to ensure that we are fair to everyone who travels with us.  Accordingly, we must respectfully decline your request.  Andrew – On Line Support Desk (Delta)

Maybe the words should be “consistent policy to ensure that we are unfair to everyone who travels”.  Sorry Audra, you might have been right about Delta all along.

When the salt water pool feels more like a warm bath, then, yes, it’s a hot one.  A friend reminded me, we’re in Alabama in July, so I should just stop the complaining about how hot it is.  He’s right, so when I say, It’s Sure July, you’ll know what I mean.  Heat Index was 105!

The folks at Catawampus did an Artist Crawl over the weekend.  I grabbed the picture (watercolor) from Iain’s Facebook to show.  If you stand to the right of the Catawampus (Old Shoe Shine Shop) and look toward the courthouse, this is the view.  Iain continues to capture the best of Opelika, from the most unlikely places.  I’m sure other great art came from the event.

Seems there are lots of things going on this week, so I’ll try and catch up with a post later.  I’m traveling again, with the new job (and where is that new job? Details next week) for a quick trip, uh… Up the Road!

And from a friend traveling this weekend to Niagra Falls, these photos of the falls from above.

So, here I am looking out the windows at Casey’s at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tornoto’s town Centre and I notice the lack of Pick Up Trucks.  I actually did a time stamp and discovered only two Pick Up Trucks past the intersection at the hotel in about 30 minutes.  So, what would that number be back in Opelika.  A bit bigger I’d suspect!   What’s with that?

Located by Rogers Center (the domed home of the Toronto Blue Jays) you’ll find an old railroad roundhouse.  The more amazing thing about it is that it’s moving parts actually turn train cars and they move on and off the giant spinning platform.  In part of the old roundhouse is Steam Whistle Brewery.  It’s the home of the only beer produced by the company,  a pilsner.   I took the tour along with several new Toronto friends to discover many things I didn’t know (I know, can you believe that) about the brewing process.   Here’s what they have to say about themselves on their website. “ Our focus is on making one beer – a Premium Pilsner that Canadians can be proud of. We believe that world-class results require focus and dedication, so we developed a distinctive recipe for our single brand based on Europe’s renowned brewing standards. We use traditional brewing techniques and only four natural ingredients including spring water, malted barley, hops and yeast – all GMO-free. There is a fifth ingredient in every refreshing bottle, and that is the passion of our dedicated Brewmaster and staff.”  It is certainly worth the time on your next tour to Toronto.  One other note, they will be glad to sell you a beer or two while waiting for the tour.  Very refreshing on a Hot Summer day!

Learn more about the brewery at their pretty cool website! Click Here!

Okay, I know it’s going be hard for you to belive this with the Blue Jay’s game last night, maybe a Jays~Red Sox game this weekend, a five winery tour set for Monday and off to see some Canadian football on Wednesday.  Honest folks, I am really here for work.  I’ve posted a few pictures in the flickr photostream from the game night.  This weekend, I’ll be taking pictures around town, checking out the Hockey Hall of Fame and a visit to a local brewery for a sample or two.  Pictured, a stop at a sport bar on the way to the game, give me a chance to introduce you to Holly.  Oh well, back to work!

Okay, I’m grabbing the camera tomorrow to start to share some of the trip and local favorites of what Toronto has to offer.  By the way, the weather is hot and humid up here this week.  I could be in Alabama for all I know, with exception of the “eh’s”.

Tuesday (July 6th) – It’s Muse – 20th  year on the Summer Swing Bandstand! Easy listening, vocal oriented acoustic soft rock played as only Muse can.  Don’t forget the eats start just after six and the music starts at 7PM