Jobs I-Touched America

Apple's Steve Jobs, one of the top entrepreneurs of the last century who has touched countless lives through his innovations, has passed away from a lengthy battle with cancer. Without question, Jobs will be greatly missed.

Through Apple (AAPL:NASDAQ), which he started with a partner in his garage, Jobs entrepreneurial spirit and brilliance showed the way in technological product innovation and development, which has brought such joy to the droves of I-users all across the globe.

For non Apple users, Jobs forced the competitors to be at the top of their game, or they would be left in the ash heap of history, which ultimately was of enormous benefit to all consumers of the technology.

Jobs is someone folks with a burning entrepreneurial spirit should learn from and emulate. Jobs story, complete with failures learned from leading to rousing success, is the American story of free market capitalism.

Upon hearing the news of his death, which we all unfortunately knew was coming, I thought of Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005. His words on this day are words that all Americans should hear, particularly during these trying times.

Please take a listen:

Godspeed and God Bless to Steve Jobs, a true pioneer and Great American!

The Old Lady

I am a huge fan of advances in technology and our way of life through American Ingenuity, but I am also nostalgic, particularly when it comes to the grand traditions of college football.

Among those traditions for me was the magical place known as The Orange Bowl. Since it was determined The Orange Bowl was not cost effective to spruce up and with The Orange Bowl Classic long since moved to Pro Player Stadium at the Dade/Broward line, it's only tenant, the Miami Hurricanes, packed up and followed the Dolphins north. With that decision, you can see from the pictures below what we are left with. A historical icon in ruins.


I have attended some 25 games down at the O-Bowl, including several national championship games. Every other year I go down with the mighty Seminoles and use the port-o-lets on the second level grabbing a cold draft or three along the way. Parties in the motor home lot having traveled up from Kendall via Orlando with my buddies Butch, Craig and Eric from The Sports Grill were to die for.

Along with Florida State, I have also followed the Big Red Machine down there and caught an OU-Miami game or two as well. The 31-30 Miami upset of The 'Huskers would likely be the most memorable game. I would also like to forget the 31-0 shellacking UM handed my 'Noles in 1988. I was left to pound beers at Little Hoolies after that one.

One of my favorite memories is captured below for your viewing pleasure as Duncan, NE native Cory Schlesinger drove a stake through Sebastian the Ibis as Nebraska captures another national title.



For teams driving into the closed end zone it was very imposing. I recall the UM stadium announcer cheerleading for The 'Canes and the circus like atmosphere on January 1, 1984. My first game at The Orange Bowl saw Nebraska destroy Alabama 38-6 to capture the 1971 National Title. My last game there was Miami coming from behind to dump Florida State 28-27 in October 2002. After 31 years of history, and with The Orange Bowl on the ground, how fitting.

Evinrude Celebrates 100th

Much of my childhood was spent in the boat water skiing and fishing, and the boat was powered by Evinrude. Evinrude, now owned by BRP but formerly by Outboard Marine Corporation (which also makes Johnson) and Mercury of Mercury Marine, a Brunswick Corporation (BC:NYSE), used to rule the day powering boats.

Yamaha then came in and developed some high level competition. Today, all three companies excel, putting forth engines with supreme power, speed and efficiency.

I would like to congratulate Evinrude on the 100th anniversary. The engines served my family very well as we tore up the slalom course on a daily basis. The engines were steadily powerful and reliable.

I know Ralph Evinrude and Francis Langford are beaming with pride!

A Great American Growth Story

As we get set to drop the green flag today at Dover Downs International Speedway, I got to thinking about the incredible growth story NASCAR is. From a collection of drivers who ran moonshine in the foothills of North Carolina and the beginning of a sanctioning body hosting a race on the beach in Daytona Beach to the top level sporting events the races are today, the story is a remarkable one.

Dover International Speedway, which opened in 1969 hosting the Mason-Dixon 300, is up for sale. NASCAR, owned by International Speedway Corporation (ISCA:NASDAQ), is hoping to keep tracks representative of it's roots, and Dover is one of those. A potential buyer for Dover Motorsports Inc.,(DVD:NYSE), owner of the track, is said to be Bruton Smith, of Speedway Motorsports(TRK:NYSE). Speedway Motorsports already owns several tracks which host events annually.

With all the companies at play listed on the stock market indices, it should drive home the point of the value involved here. Several well written books chronicle the history and emergence of NASCAR, but sometimes pictures do it best. Below, King Richard Petty arrives in Daytona in 1971 with the famed #43 in tow.

Earlier this year, the #43 hauler arrives at Las Vegas carrying a pair Dodge Chargers, a full collection of operating equipment and several sets of Goodyear (GT:NYSE) Racing Eagles for driver Bobby Labonte to pilot on raceday.
How far has NASCAR, one the greatest corporate and family growth stories in modern history, come? Thankfully, for entertainment at my house whenever they drop the green flag, quite a long way. Boogity Boogity Boogity!

I AM A SHAREHOLDER IF INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION (ISCA:NASDAQ) AND GOODYEAR (GT:NYSE)