2 SEP 05: TOP-LEVEL ATTENTION

How about something uplifting, for a change of pace! A nationally-broadcast radio program is coming to Columbus this fall. Republicans will be disappointed to learn it's not any of the talk show hosts on WDAK....

The program that's coming to Columbus is "From the Top," a public radio show which features youngsters skilled in playing classical music. So far, they've resisted the urge to call this show "I Want to be GPB's Idol."

(Before some of you call this program elitist, remember one thing - the Columbus Civic Center had its own "back-to-school talent show" a couple of weeks ago. Ask Foxie-105 FM why it hasn't been broadcast yet.)

From the Top will record a program with young musicians at the RiverCenter October 24 - and it's taking applications from candidates right now on its web site. I assume they'll do something to screen out the guys who want to do the rock version of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

(From the Top will be in Birmingham two days before the stop in Columbus. For once, the cities will have something in common - besides traffic headaches on U.S. 280.)

Perhaps you're wondering where From the Top gained its name. That's a musical phrase for starting from the beginning of a piece. At least, I'm assuming that's where the name came from - because it would be silly doing this show on the RiverCenter's roof.

I've heard From the Top on public radio a few times, and the quality of the young classical musicians is impressive. And even more amazingly, there's no gruff British conductor counting all the wrong notes they play.

Meanwhile, other organizations also are searching for new musical talent. I've been contacted by Christian Music Presenters, which is holding auditions in Atlanta next weekend. I had to specify if I'm a "performer" or a "presenter." I guess a performer fakes some of his hallelujahs.

This organization asked me to fill out an "artist profile." But it was incredibly detailed, and I surrendered when it asked for "every song in my current repertoire." You want me to list EVERY song in a hymnal - and also track down the writer and publisher? How about what key it's in, too?

But the main reason I'm not going to Atlanta for this audition is the $75 fee I'd have to pay. I've paid for tryouts like this before and -- well, let's put it this way. I'm still waiting for Hollywood producers to contact me about my screen test from about 25 years ago.

E-MAIL UPDATE: First the good news: we have NO messages today about my virginity. They all focus on more urgent things - such as Hurricane Katrina:

Richie-boy,

First, it's Mekka Gates. Not Misha. [1 Sep] She's American, not Russian. Secondly, please inform your readers that Germany has pledged to help the US. And the reason we don't get more aid is because we don't ask for it. Frankly, we don't need any body's help. We can handle this disaster ourselves. Help is appreciated, but it's not necessary. Thank God America still has the might to stand on it's own. If you ask me, no matter what bad news we hear about our country politically, economically, socially,...this just goes to show the naysayers out there that America still is the greatest country, the most powerful country, and with the absence of a plea for help, either the most the humble or stubborn country in the world. And let's face it, sometimes stubbornness is a good thing.

AR

Thanks for the correction, AR - although I can hear some skeptics now, asking if "Mekka" really is a city of worship in Saudi Arabia.

I'll let your statement about Germany helping the U.S. stand as information enough. In fact, NBC News reported Thursday afternoon that Israel also has offered whatever expertise it can. Some soldiers with Uzis could help in downtown New Orleans....

But parts of AR's message are surprising, considering other comments he's sent here. "We don't need anybody's help" - isn't that what Democrats claim went wrong with the invasion of Iraq?

And I suppose there are times when stubbornness can be a good thing. Unless, perhaps, you decided not to leave your Gulf Coast home last Sunday.

All sorts of people are offering to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina. South Girard School students in Phenix City plan a fund-raising drive next week. An EMS unit from our area is heading to the coast. And don't be surprised if Habitat for Humanity winds up rebuilding half the homes in New Orleans.

But Mitzi Oxford with the Columbus Red Cross office noted Thursday some of the people who were evacuated from the Gulf Coast might wind up staying in our area for good. These newcomers may be in for a culture shock - such as when they find the biggest Mardi Gras party takes place inside a downtown church.

Next up: a reply from one of the sources we cited regarding Wednesday's gas panic....

The wholesale rationing (or allocations) is a fact. Primarily from the major chains to the independents who usually buy on the spot market. And some stations were trying to ratchet down demand by raising prices (along with raising profits, no doubt). For a lot of convenience stores, out of gas means they may as well shut the doors till they get more since gas drives the other sale items.So they would rather sell less gas but remain open to sell $1.20 cokes and stuff.

A rumor fueled (heh) run on the gas stations caused some stations to run out? Or low supplies at the independents caused some independents to run out while chains had adequate supply? Or a combination caused independent stations to run out "faster" than "expected"? The store that told [writer's father] that they were unsure of their supply and was trying to stretch out the gas was the day before the run. I didn't post till late afternoon the next day when the run was well underway and what I posted was true.

By the way the Governor of Georgians statement on WTVM's website probably didn't help with the rumor mill either. And was posted well before I did. "Today Governor Perdue reassured citizens that the fuel shortage facing Georgians is a short-term problem. He announced that Colonial Pipeline, the largest pipeline distributing fuel into Georgia, expects to be operational again by Labor Day weekend."

regards

chuck over at redneckin

Chuck's asking some serious economics questions here - and economics was my most troublesome subject in college. If only I'd settled for the "home" version....

It turns out selected stations ran out of gasoline across the Southeast, from North Carolina to Alabama. In Opelika, it was SO BAD that the Cowboys station on Pepperell Parkway could only serve real cowboys on horseback.

I waited until after the panic passed, and filled my gas tank Thursday. It feels good to say I only needed one fill-up in August - as long as my ego ignores the fact that a Monday fill-up would have saved me 55 cents a gallon.

I found a couple of Columbus locations still selling gas for $2.99 9/10 a gallon. That's the price I paid at the Dolly Madison bakery store on Victory Drive - where the pumps are so old, I'm not sure they can be set any higher. Being old-fashioned can be a good thing....

(The other Columbus station at $2.99 a gallon is the Citgo at 5^th and Veterans Parkway. Timing is everything here - because the Booker T. Washington apartments are across the street, and residents could cross the road at any time for handouts.)

Less than an hour after I filled up there (cash or check only, please), President Bush told the country on television to avoid getting gas unless they absolutely must. Based on the lines I saw in Columbus Wednesday afternoon, most of the city will be fine until next weekend....

In fact, Georgia Governor Perdue is urging people NOT to take Labor Day weekend trips, but stay at home with their families. You can tell this Governor is Republican, when he talks down a holiday promoted by labor unions.

Did you see what happened at the B.P. station at Manchester Expressway and Veterans Parkway? It started the day Thursday selling gas for $2.80 - but an hour later jumped to $3.09 because "everyone else" was at that price. That old "everybody's doing it" line doesn't work for teenagers....

And did you see the woman tell off a B.P. station employee on Buena Vista Road Thursday, for selling her gasoline for five dollars a gallon? Little Robinson admitted she's not sure why she stopped there Wednesday, but apparently was afraid the station would close. Charge that much for everything, and eventually it will.

Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff expressed outrage Thursday at reports of gasoline price gouging. He promised to go after price-spikers with all the powers of his office -- which I think means stations will get on Fort Benning's "banned" list.

Our last e-mail from Thursday comes from a Columbus radio personality:

Hey Richard it's Mike over at the Q. I was at the BP Station on the corner of Whitesville and Double Churches this morning (formerly known as the "SING STORE") and the cashier was telling me that they did over $29,000 in gas sales ALONE yesterday. Just thought I'd share. Happy blogging...

-Mike

Happy blogging, indeed! Be thankful computers aren't gas-powered....

Maybe that station should reclaim the name "Sing Store" - because enough drivers are singing the blues at the moment.

That $29,000 figure sounds astounding at first - but stop and do some math. Stations could make that much right now from only 300 SUV drivers filling their tanks....

What's the deal with all these Columbus B.P. stations, getting so much attention? Is someone from Spectrum tipping off local media, so that company can gobble up another couple of dozen stations?

LAUGHLINE FLASHBACK: President Bush's decision to tap into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this week reminded us of five years ago, when he opposed such a move during a Presidential campaign. Did the draw-down help then? Here's how we reported on it in LaughLine, during the fall of 2000:

22 Sep 00: Albert Gore started the [gas price] debate, by calling for the release of some oil from the "Strategic Petroleum Reserve." We suspect this is a political stare-down - and Mr. Gore blinked. He was first to ask for a price cut, because his campaign budget is tight.

We learned watching "Nightline" Thursday night that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve contains 571 million barrels of oil. The Democrat wants to release five million barrels at a time -- which we computed as about 40 million gallons of gasoline.... Mr. Gore is SUCH an environmentalist. He'll only provide enough gas to fill our tank half-full.

George W. Bush was unimpressed by his opponent's petroleum proposal. He said the Strategic Petroleum Reserve was set up to guard against "sudden disruptions" of the oil supply. Hey, Mr. Bush! When gas prices jumped last spring, that WAS a sudden disruption - of our budget.

The Republican said only last winter, Albert Gore was AGAINST tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve -- and now he's suddenly FOR it. Mr. Bush smells a political ploy. Of course, the voters will decide which candidate is guilty of inhaling too many gasoline fumes.

25 Sep 00: Many U.S. residents were sobered to learn over the weekend that they face a national oil emergency. President Clinton made the announcement in Washington - then promptly flew to California, for a series of hopscotch stops. How nice of our President to set an example, by reducing consumption.

Beginning today (Monday), President Clinton is releasing one million barrels of oil a day for 30 days from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We're told the U.S. uses 20 million barrels every day - so we figure we're getting about three-tenths of a gallon per person per day. Please don't use that extra ten miles or so on one trip.

Republicans say the release of extra oil is merely a political ploy to buy your vote. Of course, an end to estate taxes and the "marriage penalty" would NOT be vote-buying, would it?!?!

(Besides, if the amount of available oil goes up five percent, and the price at the pump goes down five percent - is our vote worth about a dollar a fill-up? How cheap can these Democrats be?)

Albert Gore got what he wanted when the President tapped into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. So why hasn't he converted his campaign vehicles to solar power?

26 Sep 00: The oil began flowing from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Monday - as OPEC leaders met for a summit in Venezuela. Saudi Arabian officials called the release of oil an election-year stunt to help Al Gore. Uh oh - how can we vote for George W. Bush now? The Saudis are on his side!

True tales of our town: gas prices in our town dropped a couple of cents Monday, as the tapping of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve began. Too bad this is only for 30 days - if it lasts until December, we might get gas for FREE.

9 Oct 00: OIL EMERGENCY UPDATE: It turns out U.S. companies can send some of the released oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve OVERSEAS! There's no law against it! [True/ABC News] If we see video of oil barrels being unloaded in Saudi Arabia, we'll finally know there's a conspiracy.

The speculation is that oil companies may ship U.S. reserves to Europe, where gas prices are much higher. Perhaps in return, the Europeans can help US - with the high price of Jaguars and Porsches.

10 Oct 00: OIL EMERGENCY UPDATE: Bids were submitted for oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Now we learn two of the top bidders are ONE-man companies! Well, we suppose you COULD save money with a "make-your-own" gas station....

24 Oct 00: OIL EMERGENCY UPDATE: Today (Tuesday) is the final scheduled day of oil releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We thank the President for doing this - because the Northeast has been mild enough that the heating oil probably was never needed.

After 30 days of petroleum reserve releases, our gas price has dropped about three cents a gallon. If the Democrats were trying to buy our votes, they paid us about two dollars. Next time, guys, maybe you should release some of the national beer reserve instead.

Even with the extra oil in the system, the Lundberg Survey shows gas prices have gone UP three cents a gallon in the last two weeks! Why? The tension in the Middle East has oil traders afraid there MIGHT be a cutback! Why didn't the President think of this - and ration everyone a gas can, too?

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