Musings From My Mind

Did you know that Tuesday, May 17 is primary day? Normally, primaries are a yawner and voter turnout is light.

But did you know that at least 10 candidates are running for four open Lehigh County Commissioner seats? I'll gather you didn't.

If you want to be heard on hot button issues including the county budget, tax hikes and other things that touch our community and our daily lives, I'd suggest you become educated about this race. Patch will be covering this race as it unfolds and we -- and I -- urge you to become informed.

While I'm on the subject of elections, I believe there should be a hard and fast rule -- if you don't vote in the primary, you don't get to vote in the general election. Just a thought.

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High school basketball season is winding to a close and yours truly spent a good portion of this week covering girls and boys District 11 playoff games.

Late last year, in this space, I penned a column about My plea apparently fell on deaf ears. The level of shouting from the stands and outright wailing from coaches rose dramatically as the stakes became higher throughout the Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 tournaments.

One coach went absolutely ballistic when a critical call went against the team. This coach, red in the face, berated the official halfway down the court.

Back in my officiating days, this coach have been ejected from a D-11 playoff game. No question about it. That's sort of taboo, but I wouldn't have put up with that.

Ejection didn't cross this official's mind. He just smiled at the coach while listening to the tirade and play resumed. My hat's off to him.

As far as the fans, well, if they think they can do a better job -- take (and pass) the examination and grab a whistle.

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I'm not a sushi man. Never touch the stuff. I'll take a good steak (not at a chain restaurant) or the Italian specialties at Patsy's in New York City instead.

However, the piece of roasted turkey sushi created by Jaindl Elementary School prinicipal Diana Schantz and teacher Damian Goodman just might make me a sushi fan after all.

The at KOME restaurant last week and Jaindl Elementary was awarded 15 percent of the night's receipts and a possible spot in April's final round.

The money won last week will be put to good use at the Weilers Road school. Patch congratulates Jaindl and wishes them good luck going forward.

And, I'll have to get a piece of that turkey sushi somehow.

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Rant of the week: I'm tired of hearing about and looking at Charlie Sheen.

I could care less about every move he makes, which has been documented on television, radio and almost every other media outlet in the world.

Bottom line: He's rich. I'm not. I still have to work every day to make enough money to pay for $3.40 per gallon gas, rising grocery prices, the mortgage and income taxes.

He doesn't. He's set for life. So why the worship and attention for his ilk and similar "celebrities" including Lindsay Lohan and Christina Aguilera?

Are Americans so vapid that they believe this is news. Or are their lives so boring that this is a form of entertainment?

Please. Spare me. There are so many more productive things people can do with their time and energy.