2008: Year in Review

2008, The Year in Review...from Jib Jab. Happy New Year, and good riddance to 2008!

Click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmEP93NVTaw

90,000 riders help launch Metro light rail

Phoenix Business Journal - Sunday, December 28, 2008:

Ninety thousand people showed up on opening day Saturday as Metro light rail made its debut through Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe.
Curious crowds were out Sunday as well, helping push toward Metro’s prediction of nearly 200,000 riders on the rail line’s first weekend, said Hillary Foose, Metro’s public information officer, who was in the middle of the fray both days.
Security efforts were visible with bomb-sniffing dogs taking a tour of facilities before trains arrived as well as armed Transportation Security Administration officials helping local police make sure Metro light rail’s first day was a safe one.
Saturday’s activities included 12 parties along the line, including a major celebration in downtown Phoenix, she said. Riders waited several hours in line at some stations. "It was a community event, people from across the Valley joined in," she said.Regular service will begin Monday at 4 a.m. and run through midnight, however, regular fees will not take effect until Jan. 1. For more: www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail.

We were a part of the historic grand opening on Saturday, standing in line and traveling the light rail with standing room only crowds, enjoying a wonderful winter day in sunny Phoenix.

Christmas Day 2008

From our house in Phoenix, Arizona to you; Heidi & I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas 2008 !!!

Merry Christmas from Arizona

This is cactus Christmas decorations...yes, that is right it is Santa hats on a spinney cactus. What better way to say, "Merry Christmas from Arizona" than this?

Best Wishes for 2009, Also

Cowboy Christmas

A real cowboy Christmas is one you don't want to miss when you live in the southwest part of the country. And the Rock'n R Ranch, a working fourth generation family cattle ranch, is the place to go! You will witness a western town shootout, Doctor Pessco's Wild West Elixir skit, have a cold beer in the old saloon and get a genuine cowboy dinner show including beef, beans, apple sauce, muffins and very hot "cowboy coffee" served on genuine tin plates and cups from the chuck wagon. It is about half way through the dinner show that you realize everyone serving you to this point is on stage, singing and or playing a musical instrument, and is a member of this very talented musical family who owns and operates the Rock'n R Ranch, right down to 23 year old Chelsea belting out "Rock'n Round the Christmas Tree". (She will open for Travis Tritt when he is in Phoenix in February). The talent seems absolutely endless. For 25 bucks a person you get a pretty tasty meal and nearly an hour and 1/2 dinner show. What a blast! Heidi's folks (Jack & Vivian) really hit a home run on this one and it is good clean family entertainment. Sometimes it is good to just let your hair down and try something new. Our Rock'n R Ranch experience is a Christmas occasion we will not soon forget!

By the way, you will notice that we have winter jackets on. This is because it was cold outside...Yes, I said it was cold in Arizona. I have found that when the sun goes down in the desert, it gets very cold, very quick...so it was about 38 degrees by the time the show started. But before you laugh at me too much (for all my friends back in Michigan) the daytime highs here are running in the 60's and sunny. I have yet to have to shovel any sunshine here!

New Family Member

Meet Alex, the newest member of the Dvorak Family. He is Rob & Erin Dvorak's new dog. They live at Ft. Greely, Alaska. Alex is a Christmas present for Rob. Isn't he cute?? (I mean the dog!)

He is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever!!! 2 1/2 months old with blue eyes.

Christmas Wishes

We send you best wishes for Christmas this year,
Our message is sent from a place not near.
Go west, they said, to the land of the sun,
We now live where people vacation ‘n have fun!

Michigan is doomy, gloomy and bland.
Arizona has many opportunities at hand.
Downsize, we did, from a house to apartment,
So some of our things are still in a compartment.

The boys, J and Rob, are both where it’s cold
Alaska and the Army is where they can be bold.
A new daughter-in-law, Erin, we have found,
that Robert is her solid ground.
It’s not easy being a bride in the cold Alaska surround.

Our dog Abby likes the winter so far
She can run and play and even chase the car.
It’s a dog’s life for her, and what can we say?
With no snow and cold, there is more time to play!

To our friends who we miss,
and to Samantha a candy kiss,
“Merry Christmas to all”, she insists.
(Not being with our granddaughter is our only remiss).

So Phone calls, E-mails and even post cards,
Please send us all of your regards.
To keep us in touch for all to see
That your love and friendship gives us great glee!

So Christmas, this year is just not the same,
But it’s just as sweet as we lay claim,
To the one who’s life he gave for our shame
That Christ, we live to acclaim.
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”; as we exclaim!

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas & All the best in 2009!

Mike & Heidi

Scottsdale Christmas

We have had a very nice Thanksgiving, with a nice dinner at Heidi's folks with her sister Wendy (along with a couple of new friends). The weather took a turn for the worse over the Thanksgiving Holiday...it became mostly cloudy, rainy and cold with temps in the upper 60's. (I know, it sounds like I'm bitch'n to all our friends in the Mid-West who are dealing with below freezing and snow! But, in the 40 days that I have been in Arizona, it has only rained 3 days, and one of those days was for only 12 minutes, then the sun came out and was warm!) But really it is welcomed relief for Arizona, were for the first time in nearly 90 days they have had measurable rain at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. So when it gets cloudy and rain it feels really COLD!

...Any way, today was back to blue sky and 70's, so we went to Scottsdale. We sat outside at two places and had a drink and some great conversation, just enjoying ourselves. Then it was to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall for some shopping. Didn't buy much, but it was a great time to people watch and relax. Here is a picture of a Christmas lighted palm tree...a lot of these out here this time of the year.

I've been listening to Holiday music on a 24/7 FM radio station to try to get into the mood of Christmas. It is hard to do that without snow and with temperatures like summer back in Michigan. But, I'm cooping! I still hate shoveling snow and haven't had to do that here! I'm considering that a Christmas present in itself! LOL

Below is an example of a typical Arizona day: ...and the weatherman's 10 day forecast is for much of the same, "Sunny and 70!" I'll do a couple of days of cold and rain for a minimum of 10 days like this, anytime.
Michigan weather today? Snow :(




(picture courtesy of Doug Edwards)

Michigan Deer Hunting

In honor of the traditional 1st day of Firearms Deer Hunting Season in Michigan, I wore the T-shirt from last year's deer camp on the black river in Onaway, Michigan. My son Robert, Doug Edwards along with his son Brian hunted last year, harvesting 2 deer. This year one 4 point buck was taken by Brian. Here, also is a shot from camp last year. These are fond memories of camp and the great times we had together. We hope it will not be our last!

Arrival to the Land of Sun

Following a 3 day road trip with Abby (my yellow Lab) and good friend Bob Hoschner we have arrived to the Phoenix, Arizona area and my new digs in the dog friendly apartment complex.

Bob and I solved all the world's problems on the road trip, so no need to worry about the future! Bob is returning back to Michigan in the morning.

Just think, I won't have to shove snow again! Life is grand.

Lifetime Best Friends

This is the time of year that Michigan shows all of its splender. The sky is very blue and Mother Nature is wearing her best colors. ...and I'm with my best friends Doug Edwards (left) and Fred Stanuszek (right). We are standing on a dock at the harbor at Oscoda, Michigan. We spent a nice evening over a good grilled New York strip steak dinner, then out on the lake for some salmon fishing. Only one hit on a line and not a single fish boated, but it is all about the fellowship and the time together.

This is the last time for quite awhile that I will have a chance to spend with these guys. Heading to AZ, for good, soon.

Home on the Range

A day on the shooting range with law enforcement students...my son Robert and his friend "Gunney", both Criminal Justice Majors at Ferris State University. Today's lesson: How to stop a Terrorist. Here is our results. Please keep in mind this is only a classroom situation and we all understand that highly specialized training is required to be sure no innocent people would be endangered if this were to be a real situation. Now that I covered that disclaimer thing (for all you anti-gun lobbyists), just enjoy our video of our day on the shooting range and having some fun. Remember this is only a test and not intended to resemble any situation, person or thing...dead or alive!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

...buy me some peanuts and Crackerjacks. Well, you all know how the rest of the song goes. It was our agency night out to the Lansing Lugnuts for a truly nice evening of food, fun and drink. You could not ask for better Michigan weather. It is always nice to get with the other agents in our group and kick back and relax. The Lugnuts lost, unfortunately 5 to 3, to the Dayton Dragons. But, the final few innings saw some pretty exciting play...bases loaded and some well hit balls. (Well, they would have been well hit, if they had been straight and not foul!) The Michigan Farm Bureau Suite is a great place to see baseball at the Lugnuts!!!

This is why they are called GRAND CHILDREN!

Samantha Slam ah' Jam ah' Superstar! Oh the energy of youth!!! LOL :)

Fun at the Flower Shop in Downtown Phoenix

Went out last night with some very nice people who work with Heidi at the Hilton Suites. We enjoyed some nice wine and a light dinner at the Flower Shop, a quaint little piano & martini bar, just a few blocks from Central Phoenix. (as a side note, the piano player only takes one day a week off...unfortunately that day was Tuesday!) But we made the best of it and had a lot of fun anyway.

By the way, the picture came off my cellphone, so I apologize for the poor quality.

Wisdom from an Old Friend

I had a wonderful morning spending it with my old friend Mike Doyle. He now lives in the Phoenix Area and is retired from his motivational consulting firm, working with Fortune 500 Companies to better handle marketing, material control, inventory and purchasing. He is the co-author of a best selling business book called The American Keiretsu: A Strategic Weapon for Global Competitiveness, still available at Barns & Nobles ...

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-American-Keiretsu/David-N-Burt/e/9781556238529/?itm=7

Mike is one of the most fascinating and down to earth people you will ever meet. He possesses a wealth of good common sense and decency, mixed with the ability to turn complex things into understandable meaning, and often times with a touch of humor that will keep you wanting him to tell you more.

He is a true friend, and I look forward to spending more time with He and his wife Linda when we get re-located here in the Southwest.

Sunny Arizona

Heidi and I arrived in sunny Arizona on Sunday morning for 10 days of R&R. Well, R&R for me, as Heidi is back to work this week at Hilton Suites in Downtown Phoenix. I have many things to get caught up on. Getting a "lay of the land" and finding out where everything is! ... and, just taking it all in like this beautiful scene of a cactus tree at sunset.

Biking on the TSBY Rail Trail

Today, on our last day before going to Arizona, Heidi & I rode our bikes 20 miles round trip on the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Rail Trail. We were with our friends the Honorable Magistrate J. Kevin McKay and his wife Julie. We enjoyed a nice lunch at the turn and experienced a delightful time. The rain even held off until we were putting the bikes back on the rack of the van to come home. Learn more about the trail by logging in at this website:

http://www.co.midland.mi.us/departments/extra.php?id=21&pid=291

Here is a picture of the four of us at a break:

Workplace Hazzard!

Time for Some Campaignin'

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Rob & Erin's Wedding Day

It's July 12th, the long awaited day for Rob Dvorak and Erin Tobey to be married. We are gaining a great daughter-in-law and proud to have her as part of our family.

Dvorak for President "08

Well, it is now official. Click on the link below and see the breaking news from the mainstream media!

http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=922dBk4sT966MM362ktM

...by the way, this is just a spoof, but funny just the same. :)

Gerry Alcorn is running for Shiawassee County Commissioner in District 2. This district encompasses approximately half of the City of Owosso East of M-52. As a former Mayor of Owosso, I know first hand that Owosso and Shiawassee County desperately needs an elected commissioner who is dedicated and committed to making our community a better place to live, work and raise a family. That person is Gerry Alcorn.

I have had the pleasure to know Gerry as a friend, business client and community leader. There is nothing Gerry Alcorn does that is less than full speed and for the betterment of organization he is serving. He has worked on the local, state and national level serving our military veterans. Organizing the Toys for Tots program here in Shiawassee County for disadvantaged children. Commandant for the State of Michigan Marine Corps League. Member of the Shiawassee-Owosso Kiwanis and helping to raise money for our local United Way and Red Cross. All this as Gerry Alcorn owns and operates the Owosso UPS Store on East Main.

Dedicated to doing what is right; committed to getting the task done. That is Gerry Alcorn and for that reason I encourage voters in Shiawassee Commissioner District 2 to vote for Gerry Alcorn

Dixon, Ill

Today I'm in Dixon, Illinois, the boyhood home of President Ronald Wilson Reagan. Drove here this morning with my son Robert, sister Nancy & brother-in-law Jim Brake. We are visiting my brother Tom Dvorak and his family. My nephew Tom graduated earlier this month from Dixon High School and today is his open house. While here, we took a few moments to go over to Reagan's boyhood home. it is a rather modest dwelling, but the bronze statue is impressive.

This fall Tom will attend Sauk Valley Community College, otherwise known as "Harvard on the Highway." He is not sure what his course of study will be at this time. His current interests are girls and fast cars. (or is that fast girls and cars?) What ever he pursues academically; I sure he will put all his focus into it ...we will keep you posted.

Capt. James T. Kirk for President...or better yet Denny Crane!

Hey, this caught my eye today, and being rather astute at politics I wanted to share it. Now this is a guy you could vote for President, even though he is a lawyer! Has an interesting answer for every issue. You watch and decide...

Michigan grown, I've been here all my life. I've raised two great men who now serve our country well in the US Army. One just back from Iraq and the other stationed in Alaska with the US Missile Defense system. These are the type of men you would want to come and save you if a bunch of thieves, thugs or rapist were terrorizing your neighborhood. I'm very proud of both my boys.

Michigan's economy isn't very good, and we live in the pit of it all. My wife, Heidi, completed her college degree in Marketing last year and was actively looking for a job in Michigan. After some 80 resumes and no real luck at finding a job she decided to go out to Arizona and spend a couple of weeks visiting her parents in Sun City. While there, she looked into a couple of interesting jobs. Well, the next thing you know, she is in the interview loop...and a job offer developed! Working as an Individual Business Territorial Sales Manager. WOW!, her dream position. Needless to say, I am back here in Michigan multi-tasking my job, the house and my life! I'm painting the house in order to get it sold (in a very sluggish housing market), selling or getting rid of stuff we don't want to move across the country, and I'm preparing for my youngest son's wedding in early July with a housefull of friends, family and Heidi too. We've planned a vacation after the wedding to Phoenix with Heidi for 10 days to get a "lay of the land" out there and to get my bearings straight.

This is a new adventure for me and I look forward to getting out there and spending a little bit of time getting to know the area and make some business contacts. But, I have never lived in a town where I do not know everyone, or everyone knows me!

I've been active in our community; as a business person, politically and a civic volunteer. I still hold the record as the youngest Mayor of our town! I've worked in broadcasting, transportation, manufacturing and have owned my own business. But the thing I like best is working with people's insurance needs. Being their best friend on their worst day! I wished I had become an insurance agent 25 years ago!