SPOX’s Daily Briefing – Bars, Casinos and Shoe Stores are Reopening

Silver Dollar Bar and Grill

Tenderloins and cold beer. What a great combination. For many years, a glass of beer at the Silver Dollar was a buck. Two years ago they changed it to a dollar and a half. For your information they didn’t change the name of the bar.

They had a pickup service during the shutdown. They had a full-service drive-up where you could get a burger and fries plus refreshments. You could even buy lottery tickets. They would bring them right to the car with a penny to scratch them with.

Casino Time

My favorite casino on the river in Laughlin, NV is reopening. You can sit there all day and drink their beer or whatever for free. That is as long as you’re playing the video poker. My biggest pay day there was the weekend I won eight tee shirts. Of course, with my luck, the logos were gone the first time I washed them. I did keep two on the side to polish my car with.

Shoe Stores

Boy, I was glad this happened when it did. About half-way through the shutdown, I blow a shoe jogging. The little nails in my right shoe popped up through the sole. Well, the malls were closed so I had to put thick paper in the bottom.

Finally, I got in a shoe store. I remember the good old days when you went in, sat on a stool and a salesclerk helped you measure your feet. They would made sure you got what you wanted, back then. As you know, it’s self-service now.

The store I went to was practicing social distancing and sanitation. Each aisle had a monitor to check what you had touched. And they had a cart to put the shoes in you had tried on.  As you left the monitor got his spray bottle and sanitized the leftover shoes and the seat you were sitting on. I have odd sized shoe, so I had filled up the cart. Job security.

Hair & Beauty Supply Stores and Beauty Parlors

They are beginning to open. My wife was going crazy. Finally, her favorite store was open for business.

They were doing a good job monitoring customers. They had a limit on the number of customers that could be in the store at one time. And all employees had gloves and masks on. Each customer was required to wear a mask while shopping. Unlike other opening stores, it looked like the customers wanted to wear masks. I think the main reason was not the flu but their identity.

Banks

The banks are starting to loosen their customer restrictions. They had been directing their customers through the drive-thru but they have dropped the limit of two people per car.

You could go inside the bank by appointment only. They required a mask and a customer account. They checked your temperature and your bank balance before letting you enter. I understand they are loosening the customer account requirement.

Our Real Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19.

A big salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

A salute to Calvin Munerlyn, 43, a father of eight and a black security guard who was murdered doing his job.

And to black federal law enforcement officer, Dave Patrick Underwood, 53, who was shot and killed while providing security at the U.S. courthouse in Oakland during a protest. He died from gunshot wounds sustained after someone fired shots from an unidentified vehicle.

SPOX’s Daily Briefing – Defunding of the Police and the New Normal

Now that the movement to defund Police Departments is underway, I thought I would do some research on the way the New Normal will look. I tried to get as many opinions from as many sources as I could.

911 Call

My study started with the dreaded 911 call. In my first attempt, I was put on hold for about a minute. Then I got a recording, “Due to the increased volume of calls, all our representatives are currently busy answering other calls. You’re estimated wait time is (pause) 12 minutes.”

Well that didn’t go well. So, I decided to wait this one out. The conversation went like this.

“How can I help?”

“I have an emergency. I think someone is trying to break into my house.”

“I am sorry to hear that. Let me look for availability in your area. Okay. I can schedule someone to come out tomorrow from noon to four. Also, you can report your event to a meter reader who is scheduled to be in the area next Monday. They have been trained to take incident reports.”

Communication Center

That wasn’t good. So, I thought I would check into the communication problem I just went through. I had a friend who knew one of the city councilmen, so I reached out to our elected official. This is how that went.

We discussed my call.

“We are working on the problem. I assure you we will be moving the communications back to the States. Because of the time delay, we are seeing the wait time is unacceptable,” he said.

“We are taking the money from the police budget and remodeling the former police station downtown. We are going to turn it into a state-of-the-art communication center. We will be hiring people from the area and creating new jobs. Also, one floor will be devoted only to personal videos from people’s cellphones that they send us.”

“As you know, there is a push to not allow any evidence except for the personal videos at trials. And because suspect’s past-records are not admissible, we have turned the evidence locker in the basement of the station into a workout center to help our new employees adjust.”

Crime is Up and Down

When I asked the councilman about the increase in crime, he responded positively.

“When we started, we didn’t know what would happen.  The murders and shootings increased almost immediately but it looks like their curve is flattening. Other crimes and assaults have increased. We are waiting for their curve to stop going up. You know we are doing all this with video from our cameras, personal videos and security sources. It will take time for everyone to adjust.” 

Annual Police Bake Sale and Auction

One thing I look forward to each year is the county fair. Well I had accepted the fact this was going to be different. Probably forever. The New Normal.

The Annual Police Bake Sale was always the big event at the fair. People looked forward to eating the cake and pastries and mingle with our first responders. The kids got to see policemen in person, turn on the siren, and flash the lights. A positive experience for them.

Well, that had changed dramatically. The food was catered in, clowns replaced the officers, and the kids had to ride a horse carousel.

One of the new things was the police equipment auction. Everything was on sale. They were selling used police cars and other equipment. Even guns from officers and the evidence locker were on display.

The police cars were a great deal, selling at a fraction of their value. The sirens, warning lights, and floodlights had been removed. The logos had been sprayed over although it was unclear if the department had done that or they had hired a tagger to do the work.

The cage wire between the front and back seats was optional.

Cop Shows

There is even a movement to ban Cop movies, TV shows and certain CARTOONS under certain conditions. I’m going to miss Harmon. I’m going to miss Snipes. I’m going to miss Dirty Harry.

BUY DIRTY HARRY TODAY while you still can.

Man on the Street

As I left the fair, a man was holding a sign that caught my eye.

The sign read, ‘Please don’t close the Police Station.’

I needed to talk to this guy. His sign was against the protester's point of view. He explained it to me.

“I usually spend the weekend in lockup. I live on the street and I get my best meals there. I know where the patrolmen hang out for donuts and I try to get in their way. The next thing I know, I’m sitting in a cell. It works every time.”

Our Real Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19.

A big salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

A salute to Calvin Munerlyn, 43, a father of eight and a black security guard who was murdered doing his job.

And to black federal law enforcement officer, Dave Patrick Underwood, 53, who was shot and killed while providing security at the U.S. courthouse in Oakland during a protest. He died from gunshot wounds sustained after someone fired shots from an unidentified vehicle.

SPOX’s Daily Briefing - Demand for TV Dinners has Soared

As we move closer to the New Normal, the demand for many things is increasing. We had to change our habits and routines. One of the winners is TV dinners and frozen food. I have to report the facts, as I see them.

Regular Demand

The normal things we need are really in constant demand like food and drink and toilet paper. With restaurants and bars closed, we have moved to eating at home. That’s why grocery stores were deemed essential. But our wives found out quickly, cooking every day got old fast.

So enter the TV dinner’s popularity. As my wife put it, “If it takes more than four and a half minutes, I’m not cooking it.”

The other thing that took a hit was personal appearance. The practice of hair coloring, toenail, and fingernail care became a home project. Let’s put it this way, there are more brunettes then I remember before the shutdown.

A Note: Look for the Spox’x Chicken Fried Steak TV dinner. Its demand has exploded. You can’t find the dinners anywhere.

Static Demand

These are things that we do frequently but are not life or death activities like eating out at restaurants. We have seen a spike in the usage of drive-thru restaurants.

On-line buying became very popular and maybe a big change to our new normal. Even the sale of cars online exploded. You just select it on the internet and they drop it off at your home. You have seven days to return the vehicle if you don’t like it. My neighbors are on their third car. Go figure.

The price of gas is down drastically. Of course, we aren’t driving anywhere anyway. I logged in forty miles last week down from a regular two hundred.

Our social distancing and wearing protective mask usage is starting to decline. One authority estimated that only about 15% of the people in the U.S. practiced preventive methods.

One thing that is changing this is the current demonstrations and riots over the death of a man in police custody.  While the social distancing is out the window, the wearing of masks has increased.

The job market is starting to improve. Many are starting to return to their day jobs. Others are starting the old job shuffle. They are changing jobs, hopefully with a bigger opportunity.

As broadcasted the other day, over 60% of the unemployed are making more money than they did when they were working. I interviewed a guy at a bar last week. “I’m not going back while I’m getting the extra money.” He finished the conversation by hoisting his mug of beer and saluting me.

               

Next, I talked with a chair salesman. I just had to spend part of my stimulus. He was forced to return to his job or lose his seniority. “I was making more on unemployment but I couldn’t go backward. Everyone is going to be looking for a job soon.”

Bars are coming back strong. At least, the new normal will still include my favorite pastime.

Our Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19. Salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

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SPOX's Daily Briefing –The Winners. The Losers. The Heroes.

The pandemic has changed our lives and created a new normal.  The economy has changed with some big winners and some people that suffered greatly. But from this, we created new opportunities for many people. As we go through Phase 1 of the recovery, we can deal with this up-side-down environment.

Essential Businesses and Activities

We declared upfront, that grocery stores, pharmacies, and hospitals are all essential and all should stay open.

But that is where things get fuzzy. The states are making their own lists of what’s essential for the people in their state. There is some sort of an agreement that hardware and home improvement stores, pet supplies (pets need pet food) and distribution centers followed by Churches and Houses of Worship are essential.

Here is a list of some questionable businesses that are open in some states. Gun shops, Marijuana Dispensaries, and Golf courses are open for business.

The Winners

Expanding Business

Many businesses expanded their operations and hired people to take care of the extra load. Some of these were for disinfect supplies, large food chains, meat producers, medical equipment including masks, video games, and on-line ordering all increased.

There were some problems with the meat packaging and a shortage of products but those are getting resolved. The only problem I had was availability of ice for my beverage at night. I solved this by buying a couple of ice trays and making my own.

Stock Market

The stock market fits into the Winner and Loser categories. On 2/12/2020 the market hit its all-time high (29,551). Then the shit hit the fan and the market crashed to the bottom (below 19,000). A month later it started its rally back.

Some people lost their life savings. Others, who had a heads up, dumped their stock before the crash. Now the big spenders are riding the waves of the market and making lots of cash. They start by buying at a low price and waiting for the regular buyers to get into the market which raises the price and then they sell, make a profit and wait for the next wave.

The Losers

Unemployment

Thank God the government stepped in and supported the people who lost their job. For many, it saved their homes, their family, and their sanity.

For others, it was a pay raise.  Some found out they got paid more for staying home and playing video games. Some workers are refusing to go back to work until the subsidy ends.

One unemployed worker said this in his defense, “I have two dogs to take care of. Why should I go back?”

The New Normal

Working at Home

This is definitely a New Normal candidate. It solves so many problems. Travel. Pollution. Social Distancing. Annoying co-workers. Availability of food and drinks.

Of course, so many jobs can’t be done this way. As previously reported, baseball is looking into umpires working from home. It could improve accuracy especially balls and strikes besides there is one less person gathered at the plate.

Personal Masks

Masks have become regular clothing for us socially concerned citizens. One whiskey company is carrying it to the next level. They are furnishing their masks with their logo printed on the front. What makes this unique is they have provided a hole in the middle of the mask to allow the customer to easily slip a straw through the mask. Enjoy.

Delivery Services

The delivery of food and other supplies to your door has become normal. My family regularly orders from our favorite restaurant. They have started a new service: Delivery by Drone.

Last week we ordered a three-course meal and sat on the porch and watched the delivery. Four drones came sweeping over the neighborhood. It looked like a Blue Angels flyover.

Restaurant and Bars

The reopening of these establishments has started with a bang. One owner said that her business did 30% more for the first two weeks than last year. The consumption of alcohol is up although the draft beer drinking curve is flat because of the shortage of CO2.

Our Heroes

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to the patients and their family members that continue to fight COVID-19. Salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders.

Conclusion

We may change jobs and buying habits but in the end, we will get back to normal. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

SPOX's Daily Briefing – Sports Changes and the New Normal

SPOX's Daily Briefing – Sports Changes and the New Normal

Through this terrible time we are finding new things to do and new ways to do them.

It gives us the opportunity to do some things differently. For example, sporting events will change, maybe forever.

To start with, No fans. If you want to watch your favorite team or player, your best bet is TV. Let’s take a look at some of the possible changes.

Baseball

Mound visits will be by cellphone only.

All pine tar and rosin must contain disinfectant.

No physical umpires. Some will be working from home. It may improve the accuracy.

Three at the plate is considered overcrowding because of social distancing.

They are still working on the dugout trash issue.

They are considering getting rid of manual scoreboards. The Cubs and Red Soxs are objecting, of course.

Football

Players must wear helmets at all times.

All Helmets must have plastic shields attached on the face bars.

No person shall be on the field or the side lines without a face mask except coaches who can remove theirs to yell at officials.

Surfing

Drones are being used to monitor surfers.

They must stay in the water and practice social distancing.

Once they are done with a wave they must leave the beach or stay in the water. No stopping to check out the chicks.

Some states are starting to spray beaches using drones to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This could help the surfers to get back to their normal routine. Now if we could get the drones to help with all the garbage left on the beach that would be great.

One female sunbather at a nude beach in Hawaii commented on the drones. “They are so cute. I didn’t know the little planes could fly so slow and that close to the ground.”

Bowling

We’ve had Wii Bowling for a while now. This is the internet game where people meet in small groups and simulate bowling using a large monitor and hand device.  The bowlers stand in front of the screen and make a motion toward the computer.

Some even have the sound of pins crashing together but I would miss the thud of my ball going into the gutter.

Golf is looking into a similar situation.

Just think no lost balls and an automated score card.

You could play on your favorite course whenever you wanted and have a beer sitting right next to you between shots.

NASCAR

Good news. Racing will begin with limited attendance. Again, social distancing will prevail. Masks must be worn along with other preventive gear during the whole event.

For those of you that are lucky enough to get a ticket, you must pass a temperature check coming into the event and exiting. I don’t know what that’s all about.

I am sure I’ll be watching this on TV. Networks realize how difficult it is to watch the streaming cars going by the camera, so they will add new features like a sound track of the race and the pit crew as well as a view of all accidents by time of race.

Tennis

One governor setup a set of rules for players as they come back to the court.

Singles only.

They must keep an empty court in between other matches.

Players must use their own ball.

I don’t know about this one. I would get tired chasing my ball to the other end of the court.

I will miss the vendors walking through the stands yelling “cold beer here, cold beer”.

SPOX's Daily Briefing – What does COVID-19, George Carlin, and Computer Modeling have in common?

Our condolences to those who have lost love ones and to their family members that continue to fight COVID-19.

My first experience with computer models was ‘Back in the Day’ as people tried to guess what the weather was going be for the next day or so. This was before satellites, so they just called people to the west of them, asked about the weather, and which way the wind was blowing.

I remember George Carlin, Hippy-Dippy Weather Man, over 50 years ago, had to admit to his audience that a lot of people were shoveling about two feet of “partly cloudy” off their driveways that morning. “Sorry about that.”

I don’t know about you but I’m getting tired of seeing the health models and graphs. These are all based on predictions and guesses.

For example, the first CDC prediction was over 147,000 deaths as health models started coming from everyone who wanted to get their name on the news. Then came the shutdown of the businesses and the economy. We stopped large groups from gathering including sporting events.

We came up with the idea of social distancing, wearing masks, and a stay-at-home order to limit the spread of the virus. This did help although many people ignored the advice.

We kicked off that order with Mardi Gras and it’s 1.4M attendance.

We follow that with the start of the blue crab season in D.C. Fish markets. Finally, someone stepped in to try to enforce the order, as hundreds crowded the markets, most without masks.

We topped that off by shutting down a funeral in Brooklyn where hundreds of mourners had gathered. One official called the gathering “absolutely unacceptable.”

Also, the police shut down a birthday party attended by nearly 60. The police also broke up a marijuana party and a demonstration in front of a state capital. The large crowd demanded ‘Free Toilet Paper for All’. One unmasked protester said, “No one can stop this movement.”

George had similar problems with his weather models.

“Now, I imagine some of you were a little surprised at the weather over the weekend. Especially if you watched my show on Friday. I’d like to personally apologize to the former residents of Rogers, Illinois. The tornado caught them cats nappin’, man!”

Phase 2 – Starting the recovery

Are we going back to a new normal or the same old stuff?

Of course, golf courses, marijuana stores, and big-box outlets were already open, all deemed essential.

As bars/restaurants opened last week in Arizona, a crowded Tempe college bar sparked concerns. Authorities said the crowded bar appeared to disregard social distancing guidelines. A source told me he did see one person eating a burger.

Testing seems to be a political football. If we had a vaccine, testing would be critical. With our current situation, a negative test means you don’t have the virus TODAY.

George’s Sure Thing prediction: "Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Turning partly light by morning."

Bottom line - here is a summary of death stats last year.

Flu related – 79,000 +

Drug related – 79,000+

Car Crashes – 39,000+

Murders – 17,000+

I’m like George, it’s going to be ‘Partly Cloudy’.

SPOX's Daily Briefing – Surfs UP in Huntington Beach

As we start to recover from the Pandemic, businesses are opening and we are getting back to our normal activities. However, Huntington Beach, my old stomping ground, is in the spotlight.

The Governor recently closed beaches in conservative Orange County after thousands of people enjoyed the beaches the weekend before but also compromised social distancing.

So we gathered at the Huntington Beach pier and protested. Some were saying the governor had singled out Orange County and overstepped his authority while allowing other beaches in California to remain open.

Meanwhile, Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, and San Diego beaches and piers remained open with time limits.

What politicians don’t understand we are a different bred. The beaches are everything to us.  

Except for the beaches being empty, everything seemed pretty normal. People were surfing, skating, walking, running, and biking all over the place. There were life guards in place watching the ocean. The garbage cans were overflowing and there was the usual amount of trash on the sand.

There was no Ladies Volleyball going on. That always draws a crowd. You know it’s more than the competition.

Also, Newport Beach was closed including my favorite place, Blackie’s by the Sea. They did keep the parking meters going. So, many people jumped in their boats and headed to the open sea to fish and party.

Us beach bums are a different lot. This is not how we roll.

Salute to our doctors and medical workers and our first responders. Join me at Blackie’s for the coldest beer in town. Let’s go catch a wave today.

 JR Spox