The other day I had the opportunity to remind myself why I believe parents are ruining youth sports. How a parent can become so wrapped up in the idea that his/her child's success (or a lack thereof) on a competietive athletic field is a direct reflection of his/her own life is beyond what I can comprehend.
Many years spent officiating, coaching and being a parent of a youth athlete has darkened my view of youth sports. I've been chased to my car, threatened by a parent with a gun for allegedly missing a clip on his son during a football game, watched in horror as more than one parent has cursed at their six-year old child for missing a grounder, and have been forced to throw many a coach out of a game for misbehavior. And many of these "coaches" were supposed to be pillars of their respective communities. Woulnd't it be great if just once there was a youth sports event and only the youth showed up?
And don't think for a minute that by "youth sports" I mean those sports for kids 10 years old and younger. I've watched as high-school parents force their child to use growth stimulants and physically intimiate their children after a game when the child doesn't perform to their expectations. These, as well as many other, heinous actions are done in the name of "toughening up" their children so they're ready for the real world. Or maybe to gain the edge over another child so some college will take notice. By-the-way, any college will do. Even those with the most dubious reputation. I've literally had one parent remark to me; "I've told my kids, if you don't play high school sports you're getting a job. They're not going to sit around and do nothing." I wonder if the term "doing nothing" includes, oh I don't know........STUDYING??? Just once I'd love to hear a parent say: "If you don't figure out how to factor that polynomial, we aren't stopping at the DQ."
See, here's what parents fail to realize/remember. Even those parents who have gone on to college and received diplomas. The real competition isn't on that athletic field. It's in that little thing we call "adulthood". Real competition exists for scholarships, jobs, etc. Parents aren't equipping their children for this. Maybe that's the curse of the community so centered around blue-collar, industrial employment. There seems to be no level of expectation past high school or the high school athletic field. Maybe that's why there IS so much importance placed on the field of youth sports. Both here in Fort Smith and beyond.
Urban legend speaks of a makeshift sign at the Harvard Business School which reads: "Beat us on the court and field and we won't make a fuss. 'Cause we all know that someday, you will work for us."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Restaurant Review: Talianos
For 25 years I have been going to where I believe the finest Italian food in Fort Smith can be found: Talianos. However two recent visits have left me wondering whether it's time to move on to a new purveyor of food from "the boot".
Since my first visit to Talianos I have always stayed with the pasta classics: Spaghetti, Ravioli, and Canneloni. And I was never disappointed. Freshly-made pasta, succulent meat fillings, and a sublime, perfectly-balanced red sauce. Throw in the best homemade blue cheese dressing to be found anywhere and those visits to Talianos were always eagerly anticipated and fondly remembered. But back to the present............
Twice now, and just a few weeks ago most-recently, both a Ravioli and Canneloni dish came to the table with hardly any evidence of the nectar-like red sauce. We were left wondering if the red sauce were on ration or perhaps the chef had deftly plated the dish with a teaspoon. During the first visit we attributed the lack of "sauce" to the fast-paced environment. Or perhaps the table of fifteen adolescents who had all ordered spaghetti and meat sauce before scurrying off to prom with the remants of the red gold still clinging to cumberbuns and lapels. But as the saying goes; "Once is an aberration, twice a trend".
As I mentioned earlier, I usually stick to the classic pastas. However during the last visit I ventured to the left-side of the menu and ordered the Chicken Marsala. The menu describes the dish as "Breast of chicken floured, sauteed in butter, and simmered in a marsala wine sauce with fresh mushrooms and spices". Apparently the term "floured" was lost in translation. Usually in Chicken Marsala the flour is used to create a roux or base to a sauce to which marsala wine, mushrooms, chicken stock, etc. is added. This sauce is then typically reduced or thickened before the chicken is added. However what arrived to the table was a waifer-like fillet of poultry literally swimming in a nearly clear, watery substance that had at some time in its early life held high hopes for becoming a marsala sauce.
Disappointed? Yes. Will we return? Absolutely. Talianos has provided too many good memories to allow one of two less-than-memorable visits keep me away. Besides, any place in Fort Smith which understands Pinot enough to serve the Rodney Strong Russian River variety will always get my business. That and the Tiramisu is among the best to be found.
Bon appetite!!
OFC.
Since my first visit to Talianos I have always stayed with the pasta classics: Spaghetti, Ravioli, and Canneloni. And I was never disappointed. Freshly-made pasta, succulent meat fillings, and a sublime, perfectly-balanced red sauce. Throw in the best homemade blue cheese dressing to be found anywhere and those visits to Talianos were always eagerly anticipated and fondly remembered. But back to the present............
Twice now, and just a few weeks ago most-recently, both a Ravioli and Canneloni dish came to the table with hardly any evidence of the nectar-like red sauce. We were left wondering if the red sauce were on ration or perhaps the chef had deftly plated the dish with a teaspoon. During the first visit we attributed the lack of "sauce" to the fast-paced environment. Or perhaps the table of fifteen adolescents who had all ordered spaghetti and meat sauce before scurrying off to prom with the remants of the red gold still clinging to cumberbuns and lapels. But as the saying goes; "Once is an aberration, twice a trend".
As I mentioned earlier, I usually stick to the classic pastas. However during the last visit I ventured to the left-side of the menu and ordered the Chicken Marsala. The menu describes the dish as "Breast of chicken floured, sauteed in butter, and simmered in a marsala wine sauce with fresh mushrooms and spices". Apparently the term "floured" was lost in translation. Usually in Chicken Marsala the flour is used to create a roux or base to a sauce to which marsala wine, mushrooms, chicken stock, etc. is added. This sauce is then typically reduced or thickened before the chicken is added. However what arrived to the table was a waifer-like fillet of poultry literally swimming in a nearly clear, watery substance that had at some time in its early life held high hopes for becoming a marsala sauce.
Disappointed? Yes. Will we return? Absolutely. Talianos has provided too many good memories to allow one of two less-than-memorable visits keep me away. Besides, any place in Fort Smith which understands Pinot enough to serve the Rodney Strong Russian River variety will always get my business. That and the Tiramisu is among the best to be found.
Bon appetite!!
OFC.
Views on the TV news
Gotta love watching your Home Town Channel broadcasting the news. For the life of me I can't understand how someone living in, say, Greenwood considers news from Pea Ridge relevant to their "Home Town". Among my many wishes in life is how I would love, just once, someone from either Channel 40/29 or Channel 5 to simply tell the truth and say; "We know Fort Smith brought us to the dance, but there's a much-prettier girl wanting us to take her home." At least the local NBC affliliate had the courage to say: "NWA: Up, Fort Smith: Down". You have to admire the honesty in that. Of course the local ABC and CBS stations do occasionally venture back down the hill to cover stories like meth lab explosions, Mayberry-esque political wranglings, and the occasional shotgun-wedding or tractor pull.
But I have to at least give Channel 5 props for actually reporting news. This "Big Story" concept which Channel 40/29 leads with every night is an example of bombastic claptrap at its finest. It's never news. And the "Big Story" seems to always be centered in NWA. Want proof? "Top Story" on 40/29s website today: "Catfish Costs Skyrocket". Are you kidding me? Hey 40/29, save the expose. Okay?
I take back my first wish. That'll never happen. Instead, tonight, I would love for both KFSM and KHBS to give the weather for Fort Smith............first.
OFC.
But I have to at least give Channel 5 props for actually reporting news. This "Big Story" concept which Channel 40/29 leads with every night is an example of bombastic claptrap at its finest. It's never news. And the "Big Story" seems to always be centered in NWA. Want proof? "Top Story" on 40/29s website today: "Catfish Costs Skyrocket". Are you kidding me? Hey 40/29, save the expose. Okay?
I take back my first wish. That'll never happen. Instead, tonight, I would love for both KFSM and KHBS to give the weather for Fort Smith............first.
OFC.
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