The City Of Angels

The word "Icon" is over-used these days, but unfortunately it does apply to 3 people lost this week, coincidentally all in Los Angeles. Today, it truly equals its namesake status, as being the city of angels. Ed McMahon became a TV icon in the 60's, 70's and 80's by being the Every-man sidekick to Johnny Carson. That led to him becoming a famous pitch-man, since if there was ever a guy you knew you could trust, it was Ed McMahon. Farrah Fawcett's dazzling smile and the famous red swimsuit poster turned her into an instant icon, the face of American pop culture. No one ever had a harsh word for her, and though her life was filled with emotional ebbs and flows, she maintained her dignity throughout. If she was the one-time Queen of pop culture, it's undeniable that Michael Jackson was the King. Always will be. His cross-generational, cross-racial, cross-genre stylism and initial boyish good looks changed the face of music and dance World-wide, forever. Last night I happened to have the TV on when the news came flooding in about his loss, and it seemed as surreal then as it does now. For whatever problems he had in his life, I chalk much of it up to being on stage since he was old enough to walk and never having a true childhood. Michael's gift was his message of peace and love, and regardless of his judicial issues I personally think there is a seat for him in Heaven. At least I hope so, for all 3 of these good people. I'm guessing Michael is already penning a song about Heaven that's making Farrah smile that famous smile, and Ed laugh that famous laugh. Nothing but best wishes from The Cap'n.

My last post was about how Carnival's Mickey Arison is going to own Alaska soon. Today, another blow to Alaska's economy was announced, when long-time travel partner Cruise West (the small-ship Alaska cruises) announced their 2010 schedule. Stunner! The line has operated 8 ships in the Great State, including their current run in 2009, but next year they will cut to just 4 ships in Alaska. The Spirit of '98, Spirit of Glacier Bay, Spirit of Oceanus and Spirit of Alaska, all of which hold about 100 passengers each, will disappear. In a statement late Thursday, which was overshadowed by the other news mentioned above, Cruise West President and CEO Dietmar Wertanzl said “Our redeployment is in response to demand, and current market conditions.” Demand for Alaska cruises is way off, and several cruise lines have cited heavy taxation and regulation on ships as a major reason for moving out. In addition to eliminating 50% of its capacity, Cruise West is dropping its 7-night voyages between Ketchikan and Juneau. It's also changing its week-long roundtrip voyage itinerary out of Juneau to call on Sitka, Wrangell, Petersburg and Glacier Bay National Park. The 138-passenger Spirit of Yorktown and 102-person Spirit of Endeavour will operate other 7-night itineraries. The 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery, will do 4-night cruises to Glacier Bay National Park from Juneau. The 78-passenger Spirit of Columbia will sail 4-night Glaciers of Prince William Sound cruises from Whittier. They will also offer a 10-day Gold Rush Inside Passage itinerary. So what's been cut? Their most expansive and expensive options, the 12-, 13- and 24-night voyages offered in 2009 that headed as far north as the Bering Sea & Russia. Also, the hard-to-sell 3-night Glacier Bay cruises, which didn't seem to offer enough for the amount you had to spend in airfare to get there in the first place.

Oh, citizens of Alaska.....how's that $50 per cruise ship passenger "head tax" working out for you now? Your collective greed, and mismanagement by your highest elected officials, will leave a whole lot of darkness, in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Maybe you should look to bring an NFL team to Alaska, as a way to re-coup the tens-of-millions of dollars you've cost yourselves. Your motto could be a tongue-in-cheek barb aimed at Green Bay, Wisconsin:

"You think YOU'VE got frozen tundra?!"

Parents always want their kids to be more successful than themselves. Some just try harder to make it happen. A high school secretary in Huntington, PA has been criminally-charged with changing the grades in a school system computer, to improve her daughter's class standing. Caroline Maria McNeal is accused of using the passwords of 3 co-workers without their knowledge, to tamper with dozens of grades and test scores, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office. McNeal, 39, is alleged to have improved her daughter Brittany's grades and reduced those of 2 classmates, to enhance Brittany's standing in her graduating class! Reducing the classmates' grades is even more shocking, and less-forgivable than changing her daughter's grades, in the eyes of the prosecutors. Fortunately, school officials were able to correct the grades before the students graduated. Attorney General Tom Corbett said the case involves a serious violation of public trust. "Our citizens depend on people in public positions, including school employees, to protect the safety and security of these records and not use confidential information for their own benefit." McNeal was charged with 29 counts of unlawful use of a computer, and 29 counts of tampering with public records. Each count is a 3rd-degree felony punishable by a maximum of 7years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Her daughter Brittany McNeal is considered innocent, and not charged with any wrong-doing. In all, McNeal is accused of altering nearly 200 scores and grades covering 4 school years. The situation came to light when an employee of the high school guidance office discovered conflicting SAT scores for Brittany. Scores provided directly by the College Board showed a cumulative score of 1370, while the "amended" submission showed 1730 (!), according to court papers.

I guess that calls for a new Latin phrase, to be posted on a Valedictorian's diploma. You've seen "Magna" and "Summa". Now there's this graduation addendum:

MOMMA CUM LAUDE