Paloma, meet Cuba

The last-season hurricane that caused havoc earlier in the week, Paloma, has experienced some havoc herself. She hit Cuba as a Category 3 storm, and the rough terrain and high mountains of central Cuba ripped the storm to shreds. Paloma emerged into the Atlantic as a tropical storm, still at 60mph winds based on the latest readings, but she has stalled - barely moving Northward at 2mph. Nearly all of the computer models have the storm turning back to the South, and then West if there's anything left of it after hitting Cuba a 2nd time. One thing about hurricanes, you absolutely NEVER know for sure what they're going to do. This thing could die in its tracks, or re-form over warmer water. I'll keep you posted.

In the recent doom-and-gloom days, it has been hard to find silver linings out there, but today there was some news from President-elect Obama's transition team. The head of the team says the incoming Administration is conducting an extensive review of virtually all of President Bush's executive orders. Every Agency of the federal government is under scrutiny, as the new-kids-on-the-block attempt to help NOW with a rescue, not wait until January. I salute them for taking pro-active steps. When was the last time any of us saw that from our government? John Podesta of the transition team said a President can actually do a lot without waiting for Congress, if he's of a mind to and cares enough to get personally involved. Lucky for us, Mr. Obama appears to be exactly that kind of man. Podesta said voters can expect the President-elect to try to restore "a sense that the country is working on behalf of the common good." This truly was the most important election of my lifetime, and I'm thrilled at the opening pages of the next 4 years. I'll say it now, if the last few days are reflective of what's to come in this Administration, it's gonna be 8 years, not 4. You heard it here first, Mates. By the way, if you're considering going to DC for the Inauguration on Jan. 20th, better plan on staying outside the city. Hotel rates have skyrocketed, and even at that the entire city is nearing sold-out status.

Baltimore is where Edgar Allen Poe died. With 2009 being the 200th anniversary of his birth, the city decided to spend an entire year celebrating the master of the macabre, with a little thing called "Nevermore 2009". My idea of Poe-A-Palooza was catchier, but do they ever listen to me? No! Anyway, Nevermore 2009 will be a year's worth of exhibits and programs, including a 1-man show called POE In Person. There will be a wine tasting in the catacombs beneath Westminster Hall, inspired by Poe's tale The Cask Of Amontillado. There will even be an elaborate re-enactment of his funeral in October of next year. If you want to learn more, go to http://www.nevermore2009.com/. I'm not sure how they'll keep the excitement level high for a full year, and I truly can't imagine there are enough Poe fans to keep something like this going, but what do I know? I'm a more modern-day horror guy, Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Clive Barker. If nothing else, it's an interesting concept to drive business to the city.

Last week, Roane State Community College (Tennessee) beat King College's junior varsity in basketball, 93-42. What a drubbing. 91 of Roane's points were good, but not great. Just plenty to win in a landslide. But 2 of their points were great. Some kind of half-court buzzer-beater? Somebody tipped one in with his head? Nope. It seems Roane State has a student named Ken Mink who scored two points in the game, and those were 2 great points. Mr. Mink is registered with Roane State as a full-time student, and he had to overcome some long odds to make the team, and even more importantly get on the court during a regulation game. His 2 points weren't even a sweet jumper from the top of the key, or a driving layup...no, Ken Mink got hacked. He was sent to the free throw line, where he calmly sank both shots, with the crowd erupting in applause and cheers. Sincere ones at that. Why? Ken Mink is 73 years old.