5 FEB 09: Jarvis Goes to Hollywood
Wednesday was the biggest day of the off-season for college football fans. It was "National Signing Day." Someday I'll figure out why this event isn't sponsored by a billboard company.
It was a day of drama at Carver High School, because all-star linebacker Jarvis Jones had NOT disclosed his college choice. His decision was so enormous that the Ledger-Enquirer promised to show it live on the web. But all I ever saw was a test pattern - as if Jones had hired an agent, and was negotiating for the best deal.
I'm told the Ledger-Enquirer's live streaming plans went awry because the photographer forgot to take one critical cord with him to Carver High School. At least no one in that neighborhood stole it, then offered to sell it back for 50 dollars.
Five ballcaps from different colleges were placed on a table in front of Jarvis Jones. After touching a couple, he picked up and put on the U.S.C. hat - and for perhaps the first time in Columbus history, those initials did NOT refer to South Carolina.
Jarvis Jones decided to play college football at Southern California. Jones told reporters he made the decision Monday night. Hmmmm - did a cold rainy day in the South make him long for California sunshine?
Jarvis Jones added he's not concerned about the move from Columbus to Los Angeles. He explained when you go to college, you're not likely to come home much anyway. That should make Jones's parents feel comfortable - or at least plan a long summer family vacation.
Someone asked me why Jarvis Jones would choose Southern California over Florida and Georgia. For one thing, the Trojans always seem to be in national championship contention. For another thing, some Hollywood producer might give Jones a tryout for a crime show.
Why not give Jarvis Jones a screen test? After all, consider the announcement ceremony itself. Has Jones been watching old reruns of "To Tell the Truth" on the Game Show Network?
(And by the way: what happened to the other four ballcaps? Shouldn't Jarvis Jones autograph them, so another Carver High School student can make money selling them on eBay?)
Jarvis Jones was the biggest star among dozens of high school seniors who signed letters of intent for college football. Carver teammate LeRon Furr signed with Oklahoma State. But he reserves the right to follow the example of his brother, and transfer to Memphis after a couple of practices.
Some of the announcements on signing day were surprising. Spencer High School wide receiver Darren McCray will play at Georgia State, even though he admittedly stands only five-foot-seven and weighs 140 pounds. But Georgia State doesn't play its football game until 2010, so the coaches may not know what they're doing....
And did I hear it right - a Pacelli player signed with the University of Minnesota-Crookston? I never heard of that college before. And I'm not sure I'd want to be associated with a bunch of crooks.
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BLOG UPDATE: The "DTV Road Show" wraps up a two-day visit to Columbus today. Information about the switch to digital television is set up at local libraries -- a safe distance from the TV stations, which might face pickets from confused viewers.
A couple of items may have increased the digital confusion Wednesday. The U.S. House gave final Congressional approval to a delay in the "big switch," moving the deadline to end analog broadcasting to June. But WLTZ announced it will make the switch in two weeks, anyway - which you can do when your newscast is in last place in the ratings.
This means both WRBL and WLTZ plan to go all-digital on 18 February. Other stations have yet to make official announcements of their plans. But WLGA posted a statement on its web site about what stations in Omaha, Nebraska plan to do - so maybe their "big switch" involves showing the programs of different cities.
E-MAIL UPDATE: The woman who wrote us twice this week about Columbus city government is trying again, after seeing the search results we posted Tuesday....
the first doc has his name in it- i also attached it
assurance to discontinuance with melton's name
OK, Columbus Bank and Trust President Steve Melton's name IS on this document with the New York Attorney General. His signature is at the bottom of it. Does that mean Melton, as Tuesday's e-mail claimed, is "listed like a common criminal"? It's not even on a list - and there's certainly no police mug shot.
We'd also note someone else signed that document, along with Steve Helton -- then-New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. Which one still has his job, and is considered trustworthy enough to appear in TV commercials?
Now let's see what else made news Wednesday....
+ Columbus may have had its coldest day of the winter, with a high temperature of 38 degrees F. and gusty northwest winds. To borrow from an old TV phrase, it does NOT feel great when the high's only 38.
+ The Columbus USO chapter treated Fort Benning Rangers to a party, to mark the program's 68th anniversary. Yes, you saw it correctly on WLTZ - Robbie Watson is now the local USO Director. She's moved from "Talkline" to lines of soldiers.
+ The local Girl Scout council reported to WRBL it made its goal, and increased cookie sales three percent this year. I regret to report no one walks through my neighborhood selling cookies - although I've had people show up after midnight, selling steaks and beer. [True!]
+ A student at Fort Middle School won this year's Muscogee County spelling bee. One teacher noted some students tap their hands to help them spell words. Hmmmm - could some of them be exchanging Morse code messages with a friend in the audience?
+ Instant Message to the rock band Widespread Panic: What a nice surprise! I see you donated about $10,000 in musical instruments and computers to Muscogee County schools. But c'mon now - 40 xylophones?! I don't think even Cyndi Lauper used those things in her weird rock songs.
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