I know that I haven't updated in a while but it has been a very busy month. Mike's play ended last Saturday, for those of you that went to see it, thanks. It was an outstanding production. On Monday night Mike, Jack and I went to the Parting glass to see the finals of the Irish Idol contest. Although Mike's friend Liz had been knocked out earlier in the competition, ( a decision that had Paul O'Donnell ranting and storming out of the Glass) we were looking forward to a night of fine music. The first woman was a very nice lady who sang the only Irish song of the night, Danny Boy, to her husband Dan. It was a good version for a party at someones home or office but I expected more. Second up, a girl that goes to school with Jack. She was OK and showed a lot of guts for getting up in front of a crowd and singing. Third woman was awful, and that's the best thing I can say. At this point we thought the night was a complete loss but then up stepped Amelia. Amelia belted out Midnight Train to Georgia so well that judge Kevin McKrell asked after if he could be a pip. The last competitor was the first guy of the night, eight year old Anthony. I just saw three weeks of Torch Song Trilogy and Anthony was the gayest thing I have seen in a while. When asked what he was going to sing, he replied Think by Aretha Franklin. This little kid is going to sing the first lady of soul? Wow, he pulled it off. Now the judges take a break and announce that Amelia and Anthony are the finalist. They flip a coin and Anthony goes first, New York, New York ( Mike noted that it was the Liza Minnelli version). Anthony messed up the verses and let the audience know it, this was Amelia's opening. She took that opening and drove a mack truck through it with her version of the Etta James classic At Last. This prompted judge Kate McKrell to say, "Who am I to judge you on singing". The audience had been given pieces of paper to vote on and the votes were collected. Now we have a problem, the audience chose Anthony ( he didn't carry the three votes from our table) and the judges picked Amelia. Amid the claims from Anthony's extended family of fix, the judges opted for one more song. This time Amelia went first and again was great doing the Janis Joplin song, Another Piece of My Heart, Anthony followed with Signed, Sealed, Delivered. As much as we liked Amelia, Anthony was very good and won. If you would like to hear Amelia, she sings with the Jonathan Newell Band, check her schedule here, http://www.jonathannewellmusic.com/ the judges for the event were members of the Hard Road Ceilidh Band, more about the band at http://kmckrell.com/home.html
Chris Bergman and I met Friday night at the Old Dublin Inn for a bite to eat a few pints and to hear Amelia sing. We kept it an early night, Chris had to work Friday night and I had to be in early Saturday morning. I got home around ten and sat down to watch TV. Of course I fell asleep before the end of the show and before you knew it I was awoken by a noise and something flying around the apartment. Yes flying. A bat had entered the apartment, how I don't know, but I was not happy. Not knowing what to do, I turned on all the lights, They don't like light? I dodged, dipped, dived, ducked, and dodged till I got to the other side of the room and opened the blinds and glass doors. My neighbor from across calls out to his roommate, "hey they got a bat in their house". I asked, but that was all the advice I got. After what seemed like an hour but was just a few minutes the bat found the open door and flew out. Now to find where it came in. According to what I have read on line the opening only needs be 1/4 inch. Good luck to me.

Upcoming events.
Social Hour will again be at the track. NYRA has scheduled a second sunset racing night at the Saratoga Race Track on Friday August 31, first post time is 2:45. We can meet by the Big Red Spring like last time, all are welcome.
Sean and Sara are making a trip to Saratoga on Labor Day weekend. Meet us at the track on Sunday September 2 and see the kids. It's also the last give a way of the season, get your free Saratoga cooler.
Monthly meeting will be September 6, I think. A e-mail may be needed.
Irish 2000 will expand to one and a half days this year. Friday September 14 and All day Saturday September 15. For all your information check out http://www.irish2000fest.com/
6th Annual Mary Leach Memorial Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday September 22, 2007. Cost is $75.00 ( $25.00 for dinner and drinks only) all proceeds will benefit the Banna Meala band in Clonmel Tipperary. for more information contact me or e-mail Tom Leach at uptipp@nycap.rr.com

Sad day for Yankee fans. Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto passes away at the ripe old age of 89. I'm not old enough to remember Scooter as a player but it was his voice that I grew up on calling Yankee games. Every Yankee fan has a favorite Scooter story and if you ever get a chance to see it, his induction speech at Cooperstown it is the greatest speech of all time. Phil will live in the hearts of Yankee fans for ever and how many other Hall of Farmer's are featured on a hit record. In the 80's when baseball cards were the big thing I met Scooter at a card show in Saratoga. Of all the players I met at these types of shows no one measured up to Phil. If you wanted a picture taken, sure come around the table. Would you inscribe that, no problem. People didn't mind waiting because it seemed that you got a personal visit with the Yankee legend. Rest in Peace Scooter, you will be missed.

Jack and I went to the track yesterday, we both walked out after the fourth race with more money then we walked in with so it was a good day.

The 6th Annual Mary Leach Memorial Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday September 22, 3007. Cost is $75.00 ( $25.00 for dinner and drinks only)
All proceeds will be donated in Mary's name to the Banna Chluain band in her home town of Clonmel, Tipperary Ireland.

Remember that the Social Hour will be held again at the Saratoga Race Track on Friday August 31. Sunset racing day, first race post time is 2:45

Busy weekend and another busy week ahead. Michael's play opened last Friday night and it is very good. Studio Arts Entertainment's production of Torch Song Trilogy can be seen this coming Wednesday night and Friday night at the Dee Sarno Theater in the Arts Center, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs. The following week the performances are Thursday August 16 and Saturday August 18, all shows are at 7:30. Reservations can be made by calling 222-5129 or by going to the website www.studioartsentertainment.com The show deals with gay lifestyles and the life of one man as he interacts with his mother, lover and adopted son. Stop in and enjoy live theater in Saratoga.
The Allman Brothers show at SPAC Sunday night got rave reviews in the paper. What I could hear from the beer garden sounded great and we made it to the rail to see and hear the encore.
The rest of my free time has been spent working, working and more working.
Some things to look forward to. August 28 is Irish Night at the Joe. Come out and watch the Tri City Valley Cats and enjoy two for one beers.
Irish 2000 is expanding to two nights. On Friday Sept. 14 the headline band is Flogging Molly.
Friday night is from 5-11pm and Saturday is all day as in the past. check the website for times and the entertainment schedule. http://www.irish2000fest.com/