I grew up in the Midwest.  I miss thunder and lightning storms most of all.  Monday's storms rocked and took me back.  But the video above...that's not a tornado.  Okay maybe "technically" it was...but let me tell you. I've been in 3 tornadoes in my life.  Would not like to do that again.  I was once in a radio studio broadcasting severe weather information (the only one in the building), when one touched down in the parking lot and broke our transmitter antenna like a pixie stick.  My son used to be scared of "tormadoes"...he just announced, now he's just scared of lightning.  I can sleep like a baby during a lightning storm.  Hope I get the chance again. :)

When it comes to the best cover tunes of all-time, the listeners of the U.K. online station Planet Rock says that distinction belongs to Jimi Hendrix and his version of Bob Dylan’s "All along the Watchtower." It was followed by:

2) Metallica - "Whiskey in the Jar" (Irish folk song made popular by Thin Lizzy)

3) Joe Cocker - "With a Little Help From My Friends" (The Beatles)

4) Guns n' Roses - "Live & Let Die" (Paul McCartney)

5) Van Halen - "You Really Got Me" (The Kinks)

6) Peter Frampton - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (The Beatles)

7) Guns n' Roses - "Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door" (Bob Dylan)

8) Johnny Cash - "Hurt" (Nine Inch Nails)

9) Metallica - "Am I Evil?" (Diamond Head)

10) Thin Lizzy - "Rosalie" (Bob Seger)

I'm proud to say...I'm a Rosedalian.  I've lived in Rosedale all but one year of my time in Bakersfield.  When I moved here...there was no Target Greatland...no Chuy's, no Red Lobster, Roadhouse, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Home Depot or Best Buy.  I've seen Rosedale explode and grow.  But did you know there was a North of the River Chamber of Commerce?  Yeah, me either!  Yesterday, I had the chance to find out more...NOR Chamber was resurrected ten years ago as the area known as Green Acres grew into more than just a few horse properties.  I played in the NOR Chamber golf outing at the Links at River Lakes.  It was a way to raise money for college scholarships for students at Liberty, Centennial, Frontier and North Highs.  I've lived in larger metropolitan areas that were made up of several "suburbs" or municipalities.  They all had their own identity, but they were in fact their own towns.  Bakersfield has neighborhoods and areas.  Rosedale, Stockdale, Oildale, the Southwest, the northeast.  I know Oildale has been working hard on economic development.  NOR seems to have been doing that as well...I just didn't know about it until yesterday!

$1.6 Million!  That brings the total in just the last 3 years to $5.78 MILLION DOLLARS in the fight against cancer!  I'm am truly blessed to be associated with such an amazing event, dedicated committee members, awesome team captains and members and all the countless volunteers.  This year's Relay For Life was probably one of the best...if not the hottest event (ouch).  But every year, seeing the sea of purple survivor shirts means the money we raise is WORKING!  My partner Brent and I had a great time on the stage all weekend.  Thanks to the awesome bands who gave their time...Red River Blues Project, Vanity Avenue, The Aviators, Truxton Mile, Thee Majestics (who let me share that stage every year...you are the best my brothers!), Vowed to One and Members Only!

Another HUGE year!

The Greatest Steering Committee on the planet!

My "break" with THEE MAJESTICS!

Mila Kunis tops FHMs Sexiest Woman in the World list.  The runner-up was Rihanna, followed by Helen Flanagan, Michelle Keegan, Kelly Brook and Kaley Cuoco.  I know who Mila, Rihanna and certainly Kaley Cuoco are.  Definitely worthy.  Never heard of Helen Flanagan, Michelle Keegan or Kelly Brook.  Thanks to Google Images...now you know.

Helen Flanagan

Michelle Keegan

Kelly Brook

...You're Welcome.

Some stadiums are just places for people to watch sports – while others could be considered to be shrines, making the event more than just a game, turning it into an unforgettable experience. Here are some stadiums, according to Uncoached.com,  every fan should visit:

• Rose Bowl
• Madison Square Garden
• Churchill Downs
• Augusta National
• Fenway Park
• Lambeau Field
• Cowboys Stadium
• Yankee Stadium

First while agree that Augusta National is a shrine, and I’d KILL to walk the fairways…its not really a stadium now is it?  How about Wrigley Field?  (of COURSE I’d add that).  I’d also say for pure enjoyment of a baseball game, you can’t beat AT&T Park (or phone company park in San Fran).

Here's an interesting dilemma:  Would you be willing to get your company's logo TATTOOED on your body to get a MASSIVE RAISE?  There's a real estate company in New York City called Rapid Realty that's offering its employees that deal.  Get our logo tattooed . . . and get a 15% RAISE.  There's no rule on how big the tattoo has to be, or where you have to put it on your body.  As long as you get one, you get the raise.

Anthony Lolli is the owner of Rapid Realty.  He says he got the idea from an employee who got the logo tattooed JUST out of loyalty.  Anthony wanted to repay his loyalty, so he thought of the raise idea.  So far, FORTY of his employees have taken the deal, and gotten Rapid Realty tattoos.  Anthony is also covering the cost of the tattoo itself.

As a radio deejay…there are certain superstitions about things you do not do…because as soon as you do it…you’ll probably get fired.  One is GETTING A TATTOO OF YOUR LOGO!  Also on the list:  Getting a vanity license plate with your call letters or show name on it, buying a house in the market, or turning down a gig in a bigger city.  By the way…only one of those has proved true for me (thanks Des Moines!)

After living in Bakersfield for over a decade, I really get tired of hearing people say "there's nothing to do here".  Are you kidding me?  This past weekend there was the Western Street Rod Nationals, the Festival of Beers, a Bud Light Comedy series event...and that's just a few.  We're heading into May...the official start of "there's TOO MUCH going on around here" month!

• May 4-5: RELAY FOR LIFE - only about 35,000 people participate in this little fundraiser.  If you're not already on a team, come out, enjoy the live music, food and bring some extra cash to donate to one of the over 350 teams raising money in the fight against cancer!
• May 9th: CSUB BBQ - Always a great time, and the official public unveiling of all new boob jobs.
• May 10-11: BAKERSFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL - probably one of the classiest events in town.  Bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, some cheese and salami...enjoy a glass of wine or three and chill.  Plus fireworks!
• May 19th: STEVE MILLER BAND - See this legendary rocker at the Majestic Fox Theater!

I didn't even mention the opening of the new Kern Raceway, Blaze games at Sam Lynn Ballpark, Mother's Day celebrations etc.  If you're sitting home on the couch during May...you're just not trying.

We've just completed our 3rd Valley Cycle Bike Night dice game for 2013.  As the jackpot grows each week by $500...each roll becomes more important than ever.  Mike and I have noticed several different styles of "rollers" and "shakers".  Which one would you be?

• THE POWER ROLLER:  Slams the dice against the back board as hard as possible.  Makes great audio.  Scares small children.
• THE POURER: Slowly pours the dice onto the board out of the cup.  Lacks confidence and probably listens to John Tesh CDs in their car.
• THE CORNER POCKET: Shoots them into the left or right corner.  We've determined more people lean to the left, but won't admit that they probably should have voted for Mitt Romney.
• THE HAND JOB:  Likes to go cupless.  Fill in your own joke here.

As for SHAKERS...

• THE RATTLER: A non-chalant Yahtzee enthusiast.  Walks away before the dice are done spinning because "I never win anything anyway".
• THE BARTENDER:  Puts a hand on top of the cup and shakes it like its an appletini and he's the bartender in "Cocktail".
• THE BLOWER:  Will ask Mike or I to blow on their dice.  Yeah.  Not for you or any man alive.
• THE ONE GOING BLIND:  This has only occured a few times at Bike Night...but the action with the cup...well, let's say the participant had obviously a LOT of practice.

Whichever style you use...come on out to Valley Cycle Bike Night and hang with us Wednesday nights!  Roll 5 letters...spelling 'WIN IT' and you'll go into our Dice Rollers Hall of Fame!