Didactic Doctor Daddy-O

In 1947, a relatively unknown art professor from Chicago named Dr. Vernon Winslow, started a show highlighting black music in New Orleans on WJMR — a white-owned radio station. Unknown to most listeners, Dr. Winslow wrote the scripts, selected the music, and taught the white DJ, "Poppa Stoppa" how to sound black. So, Dr. Winslow, after being fired for taking to the microphone when the white DJ was a no-show, went on to WWEZ and became New Orleans' first black DJ — "Doctor Daddy-O." He was ubercool.

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However, in early days, he was forced to ride up the freight elevator to the station because of his race, Winslow was later convinced by white record producer Cosimo Matassa to broadcast from his studio. Within one year, The "Doctor Daddy O" show was the top rated radio program in New Orleans and Winslow was one of the top ten DJs in the country. His program ran until the early 80's. I fondly recall listening to his radio show during Summer Vacation stays in The City (as the locals generally refer to "N'Awlins").

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Anyway, his programs not only introduced us to the musical art forms of Blues, Zydeco and classical but more importantly, he introduced us to other art forms that were then unknown to us, like the visual art forms. These were rhetorical items he discussed in art classes he taught at Dillard University, in New Orleans, beginning in 1936. He inspired his listeners to visit museums and to check out both local artists and those in the publications of their local libraries. He was fond of saying "Don't forget, Dudes and Dudettes, people create art, art bears beauty, beauty inspires goodness, and goodness...well...it makes the world go 'round." I don't think that I'll ever forget that expression...

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So, when I recently listened to the Subdudes' highlight song, Poor Man's Paradise, on their new release Street Symphony, a flood of memories came rushing back to me about this guy, who I haven't thought about in years!! Sadly, he passed away in 1993.

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We will always remember you, Doctor Daddy-O...

Tour de Vin...Austin Style!!

Friends and acquaintances of mine know that right after college football (The SEC varietal, specifically) food and wine are my second most intense passion/interest/obsession....call it what you like. I suppose it goes back to the days of my teenage youth, working in Summers and holidays with my uncle, who was a chef at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans (which, BTW was established in 1840 and is the country's oldest family-run restaurant...that's another story onto itself).
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AnyWho, the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and Whole Foods Market partner up to host the fifth annual Tour de Vin on Thursday, October 4, from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. on the pictureque rooftop plaza of Whole Foods Market at 6th Street and Lamar. Featuring wines and cuisine from around the world, a silent auction (always lots of fun!) and live music from Patricia Vonne, this unique tasting has become a treasured event for Austin wine and food lovers, over the years. I encourage everyone to check it out...

Bizarre Columbus Courthouse Ruling

Columbus, OH (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a Franklin County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that familyunity be maintained to the highest degree possible.

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The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

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After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the University of Michigan Wolverines, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone!!

Cave Without A Name

Recently, my business travels brought me to lovely Boerne, TX, located on the Northwest side of San Antonio, just off of I-10. In the process, I ran across this really cool place. I mean, after all, its internal temperature is 66 degrees year around.

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The cave has formations of Stalactites, Stalagmites, Soda Straws, Cave Drapery, really interesting Flowstones (that look like running liquid rock) and Rimstone. It also has a series of dams, after all, it is a subterranean "Pirated Stream Passage" for the Guadalupe River. (Would that be a Texas Pirated Stream Passage, I asked? Indeed, said the tour guide lady, indeed!!)

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Check it out if you're in the area or are looking for something different to do. They even hold classical music concerts in the cave, performed by the horn or string section of the San Antonio philharmonic orchestra. See their website for details.

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I suppose we can learn and experience new things everyday.

What-The-Dickens

As bizarre as this may seem, I actually enjoy select children's books. They help my creative side to revisit ideas that we, as jaded adults, take for granted. While vacationing recently (and consequently visiting relatives) dear Uncle Scooter was requisitioned to read this "new favorite book." So, I obliged and found it to be quite interesting.

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Without giving away too much, it is a story about a newly hatched orphan creature who finds that he has an attraction to teeth, a crush on a cat named McCavity and a penchant for getting into trouble (this last part being something to which I surely could identify as a part of my youth, being the little rogue cretin that I was, according to Sister Mary Katherine and all her various and sundry nun teacher friends). Anyway, where was I before digressing...oh yeah, the orphan dude befriends Dinah, a skibbereen, and they find that the world is much stranger than they thought !! Who says that there are no such things as tooth fairies, anyway?

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Things that make you go "Hmmm..."

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What's more, I specifically recall books simply not being this cool, when I was a kid. No offense intended to Dr. Seuss fans or other, similar type authors. Anyway, I highly recommend it to both kids and used-to-be-kids alike !!

GAME DAY COUNTDOWN

There are 4 days, 21 hours, 58 minutes, and 52 seconds left until the action begins, on ESPN! More importantly, is the dearth of wager discussions by my Mississippi State acquaintances. Those guys are scared, as well they should be. The poem to the right was given to me by a friend of my nephew, who resides in Baton Rouge. This friend is a freshman this Fall and she will be attending games in the student section, for the first time. That experience is tantamount to riding a roller coaster for the first time.

For those of you who do not know this about me: "Hi, I am Scooter and I'm a College Football addict." I watch games both on TV and in person, follow recruiting and love to party in traditional bayou tailgate fashion!! Cooking at these parties is definitely my speciality, true to my heritage...along with the beverage consumption, of course.

More notably, is the experience of a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. If you haven't been there, it is very difficult to explain...95,000 screaming Cajun yahoos, the electricity and the smell of bourbon in the air is other worldly. It gives me goose bumps, just thinking about it. It provides visitors an empathetic feel for what the Christians "gladiators" experienced, being sent by Cesar to their demise in the Roman Coliseum. This is especially true when 'Bama or Those Nasty Gators from Florida roll into BR town.

These games are comparable to tribal warfare. It sounds like a great time, doesn't it? Only when your team wins. Losing coaches frequently finds "For Sale" signs hammered into their lawn on Sunday mornings, following these bigger games.

Anyway, this is the beginning of The Tigers' march to the BCS National Championship Game. I would love nothing more than to put a spanking on those USC Trojan Wussies, for their "shuck and give action," back in 2003. However, we'll just have to wait until January for that to come to fruition. We should start a second countdown clock for that game, as well.

I can hear The Drum Cadences rumbling, right now: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=177310&SPID=2544&SPSID=31765

As you may have already deduced...trash talk comes cheap relative to discussions of playing on The Old Gridiron, in The SEC.

Fun With Vino and Cheese

I always seem to lose these notes, following one of these events. So, I decided to post them so that does not continue to be an issue...

Wine Tasting Notes

"I drink it when I’m Happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I’m thirsty.” Madame Lily Bollinger, founder of Bollinger Champagnes

WINE (with CHEESE PAIRING, below)

White:

Charles Shaw, Two Buck Chuck

Just Kidding… BTW, this is a very good, everyday type of wine. For the price, there is no better Chard, Cab or Merlot (Yes, contrary to Sideways, there will always be Merlot lovers).

Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2006

Concentrated and complex, with vivid passion fruit, grapefruit and tangy peach flavors. Vibrant minerality and tangy lime juice acidity keep thumping through the finish. Wine Spectator: 92 points

Fromage: Brie, Cow, France

Incognito, Viognier, Lodi, 2005

The appearance is light straw, with a greenish tint. It has aromas of peach, cold blossoms, and noble apricot. The mouth feel is creamy, smooth, weighty, medium-bodied and tart, and the mouth filling peaches and cream flavors are joined by a big warm kick in the glass. Wine Enthusiast: 90 points

Fromage: Humboldt Fog, Goat, California

Treana, Viognier/Marsanne, Central Coast, Mer Soleil Vineyard, 2004

This wine displays the elegant varietal characteristics of Viognier and Marsanne. This alluring blend offers floral aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and jasmine followed by ripe flavors of stone fruit with rich honey overtones. High-toned citrus notes and a solid minerality lend excellent balance. The mouthfeel is lush and full with a broad mid-palate while bright acidity cleans the palate and lends ease and versatility to food-pairing. Wine Enthusiast: 94 points

Fromage: Comte, Cow, France

Red:

A to Z, Sangiovese Rose, Oregon, 2006

This beautiful pink/magenta Rose with inviting aromas are full of fresh pure strawberries, watermelon (yes…watermelon) raspberries, cherries, wildflowers, herbs de Provence and what the French call petit fruits rouge with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. This stunning wine is juicy, bright and lush at the same time, finishing clean and crisp. Great for hot Texas days.
Scooter Speak: 90 points

Fromage: Mimolette, Cow, France

Belles Soeurs, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir, 2003

Supple, silky and generous. Not a huge wine, but has enormous flavors, from raspberry to cherry to smoky spice and weaving in floral and mineral notes, persisting on the long, long finish. Tremendous refinement.
Wine Spectator Score: 93

Fromage: Gruyere, Cow, Swiss

Kilikanoon, Clare Valley, Prodigal, Grenache, 2004

On the nose, perfumed aromas of cherries, chocolate and leather, that combine well with the dusty, spicy oak flavors. A big Grenache style, with richly perfumed plum, cherry and chocolate fruit flavors. Although dry, the wine possesses a real "sweet fruit" character that is reinforced by the warm alcohol finish. Subtle oak influence and firm tannins have produced a wine that is balanced with pronounced flavour persistence. Wine Advocate Score: 92 points

Fromage: Petit Basque, Sheep, Spanish Basque Country

Altos de LUZON, 2004, Jumilla

The seriously endowed 2004 Altos de Luzon is a blend of 50% old vine Mourvedre (52 years) and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, aged 12 months in a combination of French and American oak. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of smoky licorice, black currants, cherries, and earth. Offering wonderful ripeness, an alluring texture, sweet tannin, and adequate acidity, it certainly over-delivers for its price. Drink it over the next 2-4 years.
Wine Advocate Score: 90 Pts.

Fromage: Mancheca, Sheep, Spain

Dessert/Port:

Chateau Guiraud, 1st CRU, Sauternes, 2001

Golden yellow in color. Butterscotch and vanilla, with hints of ripe apples. Full-bodied, with lots of sweetness and a spicy apricot and honey aftertaste. Excellent concentration and balance. Loads of botrytis character on the finish. Intense and hard not to drink it all because it's so luscious and rich. Wine Advocate: 94pts; Wine Spectator: 96 pts

Fromage: Verde Dolce, Gorgonzola, Cow, Italy

Royal Tokaji, Aszu 5 Puttonyos, 2000

Alluring aromas of gingersnap cookies, apricot and orange marmalade. Sweet, yet deftly balanced by lively structure. Fine lingering finish, where the harmony really shows. It’s easy to see why the Royal Hungarian Family so loved this stuff…
Wine Spectator Score: 93

Fromage: Mille Foglie, Cow, Italy


Alvear Pedro Ximenex, Solera, 1927

The impressive 1927 Pedro Ximenez Solera, from a Solera system begun nearly 80 years ago, boasts a dark amber color as well as an extraordinary nose of creme brulee, liquefied nuts, marmalade, and maple syrup. Huge and viscous, yet neither cloyingly sweet nor heavy, it is a profound effort. It is meant to be drunk alone at the end of a meal. Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 96 Points

Pairing: Skip the cheese… Chocolate Nibits & Pecan Halves

Have a Great Weekend, everyone !!