Falcon and Dove: Oscar Predictions 2010

Hello World Family,
It's an annual event, and of course, this year is no different. It is time for our Oscar predictions: what we think will win, and what we wish would win.

We will keep it simple. This is a powerful year. We feel going to 10 films under consideration for Best Picture was a good idea, since there certainly are enough great films this year consider.

Best Picture-It is going to be a very tough category, but we feel AVATAR will win BEST PICTURE, although we think THE HURT LOCKER will give it a run for its money, and both are fine films. PRECIOUS is nominated, and were there not an AVATAR, this would be our choice for Best Picture.

Director-Kathryn Bigelow did a fantastic job, and of course, Lee Daniels was awesome. We would love to see Lee upset this category, but we are also fine with James Cameron getting his Oscar.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role should be Mo'Nique. She was devastatingly magnificent.

Best Actress-this is a very tough cetegory, and will probably be won by Sandra Bullock. Is it her best effort or role...well, no. This is a feel good category. Every single woman in this group did an extraordinary job this year.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role-probably Christophe Waltz

Best Actor-probably Jeff Bridges, but we would also like to give props to Colin Firth, whom we enjoy tremendously.

In technical categories, we would like to see awards for the following films: AVATAR, STAR TREK, HP: HBP, and The Secret of Kells.

Best Animation will probably be UP, but the best project this year was CORALINE.

Best Original Screenplay- It's a toss up: THE HURT LOCKER and THE MESSENGER

Best Adapted Screenplay-PRECIOUS should win-we will see

Best Visual Effects-AVATAR, period, seriously

Music-Randy Newman may get a win here for work in Disney's THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG

Best Documentary-FOOD, INC.

Doc Short-CHINA'S UNNATURAL DISASTER

Best Animated Short-FRENCH TOAST or WALLACE AND GROMMIT

Best Live Short-THE NEW TENANTS

It is truly a wonderful year for film. See as many of these great films as you can on screen, or on DVD.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

The Earth has been Knocked Off its Axis!!! Frank Sarris dies

Hello World Family,
The Chilean earthquake 14 miles
below the surface of the earth has knocked the planet about 3 inches off where it was before.

That has made out days shorter by 1.26 millionth of a second. You probably won't notice it, but the earth spinning faster does leave one pondering...

Speaking of knocked off our axis...

FRANK SARRIS DIES SUDDENLY

Chocolate icon of southwestern PA Frank Sarris has passed away suddenly.
Falcon and Dove are very sad to hear this news, and offer our prayers and sympathy to the Sarris Family and employees and friends.

Falcon thinks of Sarris as family-many, many school and sports fundraisers, church groups, and holiday shopping have all involved Sarris.
Frank was at work yesterday! A visit to their ice cream shop and store is an annual event for our family. I had the best chocolate ice cream cone ( the size of Rhode Island on a sugar cone, I want you to know) with chocolate jimmies ( sprinkles for you non-yinzers) of my life there during last December! Absolutely awesome!!! The dark chocolate Covered apricots are one of the things dreams are made of! And then there's the giant candy castle! Oh, and all the stuffed animals and novelties! Sarris has always been a special, family owned business in Cannonsburg.
Frank-we love you dearly and will miss you muchly.
He was 78 years young.

Peace,
Falcon and Dove

EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE-8.8 MAG-TSUNAMI WARNINGS-HI, NZ, AUS

Hello World Family,
there has been a amassive earthquake signigicanly more powerful than the Haiti quake. As of this posting, there are 78 deaths, and a state of catastrophe has been declared. There are Tsunami warnings from Chile, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. It is still dark, so it's hard to tell how extensive the damage is-wake up your friends in Hawaii-let them know about the warning.

Our prayers go out to our Brothers and Sisters in Chile. We hope for calm seas.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

THIS JUST IN: FLIR Thermal Imaging Coming to SciTech Green Tech Event!

World Family,
This has just been confirmed! According to Falcon and Dove's source within the Carnegie Science Center, FLIR-the Thermal Imaging film that does so much work with infrastructure, water, homeland security, and yes, ghost-hunting is coming to Pittsburgh with their Mobile Training Unit!!! It is a HUGE RV that can hold 10-12 people at a time, filled with all the latest FLIR toys-thermal imaging, broad spectrum cameras, the works!

Want a peek?! you can have access normally only reserved for corporations, police, fire, security firms. On Friday, March 12, if you are coming to the wonderful SciTech GreenTech Concert, you will have access to the FLIR Mobile Training Unit!

The FLIR vehicle will stay in Pittsburgh through Saturday, March 13 for the public day at the Carnegie Science Center from 10am-4pm.

What a unique opportunity to have access to some really cool gear!
Young people-looking for a career??? Come look at some of this equipment, and be inspired.

These guys are coming all the way from Charlotte, NC just to be in Pittsburgh for SciTech/GreenTech!

To Roy and all the gang at FLIR...big thanks!!!


For details on the fundraiser, please see below.





Concert and delicious light fare for a good cause

Friday, March 12
Carnegie Science Center

7 pm Reception featuring food by Sausalido (a bistro in Bloomfield) and one free drink ticket (beer, wine, and soft drinks)
8 pm Concert

After the concert, the musicians will autograph and sell their CDs.

Guitarists Ken Bonfield, Steve Davison, and Tim Farrell will perform exquisite guitar music ranging from country blues, ragtime, and folk, to traditional Celtic, jazz, classical, contemporary, and even a couple of rock covers! Acoustic guitar fans know that having these three distinguished musicians appear together is a rare event.

A Good Cause

Proceeds from this event will benefit the environmental education programs of Carnegie Science Center and the Allegheny Sierra Club’s Water Committee. These funds will support educational programming and allow students from underserved schools and neighborhoods to participate, become inspired, and learn about career opportunities for their future.

The cost is $60, and tickets are sure to go fast.
Tickets must be purchased online by 4 pm, March 12; no tickets will be sold at the door.

To purchase tickets, just follow this link:
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/newsletters/acoustic.html

Falcon has enjoyed the offerings of Sausalido and I can tell you, they completely rock! Dove and I saw these gentlemen in concert, and were blown away.

Remember, the St. Patrick's Day Parade is the next morning, so come on into Pittsburgh early Friday do the concert and the parade, come back to the Science Center with the kids, and enjoy a great weekend.

GREEN TECH DAY
Saturday, March 13
10 am to 4 pm
Carnegie Science Center

‘Tis the day for Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the wearin’ of the green. At Carnegie Science Center, visit Green Tech Day to learn about “green” technologies and careers, and why Pittsburgh is a leader in this field.

Each year, SciTech Days attract thousands of high school and middle school students. Green Tech Day extends the fun to the entire family! Now’s your chance to try first-hand the amazing technologies being developed in the region and learn some of the secrets behind the latest scientific breakthroughs.


See you there,
Falcon and Dove

PA TURNPIKE SNOW EMERGENCY-OHIO LINE TO JERSEY BORDER

Hey Family,
Heads up if you need the Pennsylvania Turnpike today. There is a speed restriction of 45 mph maximum for the length of the state.

Numerous accidents are complicating matters. High vehicles such as certain trucks and RVs are prohibited entirely.
Wow...it is Friday, right?

Have a safe weekend!
Falcon and Dove

PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED 2/26!

Hello Family,
A late announcement from the Superintendent: All Pittsburgh Public schools are closed. I hope you all got this announcement, but in case some of you parents have already left for working thinking the kids are on their way to school, no go.

There are accidents everywhere, and the PA Tunrpike is closed between Breezewood and Fulton Co. line. Major accident.

There is an accident on the Parkway East at Swissvale entrance ramp, and it is slowing things down in both directions. Parkway North and West are no better.

If you don't have to be out there, stay home.

It is predicted that there will be an additional 2-4 inches of snow in Pittsburgh proper, and 4-6 in the counties north and east, and in the Laurel Highlands and West Virginia and MD, 6-12 inches more.

Happy Friday.
Peace,
Falcon and Dove

Clapton, Daltrey Tour Starts in The Burgh Tonight! Best Rock Guitarists of all Time

Hello World Family,
The Eric Clapton/Roger Daltrey Tour begins today in Pittsburgh, PA. We are extremely happy here in Pittsburgh, since Clapton has chosen us 3 times to begin his tours. The Clapton/Beck shows last week were FANTASTIC! Falcon doesn’t expect these shows to be any different. Clapton seems to be pulling out some real treats from deep in the archives, and the shows should be spectacular. See this tour if you can!

On the subject of rock guitar gods, once again discussion has risen about the best of the best. We are talking about just the genre of rock, ‘cause we would be here for years discussing all the greats. We could go on for hours about the greats of rock alone.

Here are a dozen of Falcon’s favorites, not in any particular order…except one.

FALCON’S TOP ROCK GUITAR PLAYERS OF ALL TIME

1. Jimi Hendrix-he is number one, and there will never be his equal. This I am certain. He was innovative, self taught, creative, profound, technically masterful, soulful, beautiful…died too soon.

The rest of the list, again, not in any particular order because they are all exquisite masters:

Jimmy Page

Eric Clapton

Jeff Beck

Robert Johnson-he is on this list because I believe that the true father of the rock movement in guitar mastery is Robert Johnson.

Steve Howe

Robin Trower

Duane Allman

Stevie Ray Vaughn-played the best solo I have ever heard live in my life!

Carlos Santana

Chuck Berry

Jerry Garcia

HONORABLE MENTIONS
(this list could have had a hundred guitar players on it)

Keith Richards

Nancy Wilson (Heart)

Kirk Hammett

Eric Johnson

Randy Rhoads

Lita Ford

Trevor Rabin (for playing all the Yes stuff he had to master, playing with Manfred Mann, and all those film soundtracks-he’s just as good a pianist as a guitar player…and yes, I mean pianist, not keyboard player)

Pete Townsend

B.B.King-has played with enough rock artists to be in this category-would be in the top ten of guitarists of all time in any genre

Richie Blackmore

Dick Dale (surf guitar)

Joan Armatrading (new CD ‘This Charming Life” comes out in March 2010)

If you are unfamiliar with any of these legendary artists, check them out online and buy some music!

Peace,
Falcon