When we hear people talking about going to a concert we always hear the same things over and over again like we're going to Champaign or we're going to Peoria, to St. Louis and even Bloomington. What about Springfield? In the past the PCCC had some big names such as REO, Bob Hope and others but in recent years that has been few and far in-between until now. The second great era for the convention center is coming because the new team is committed to bringing top acts to town. Now when these acts come to town make sure you get out and support not just the performers-in-question but your convention center as well. We would be shooting ourselves in the foot when center management goes out and works their hardest to bring these acts to town and we as a community not support it. The whole purpose of the PCCC is to bring these top acts in so you won't have to drive to St. Louis, Bloomington, Champaign or Peoria to check out a concert. So when you hear tickets going on sale for a act at the center, get those tickets and don't delay. The PCCC belongs to us the taxpayer, we pay taxes to maintain this facility. And perhaps you can invite your friends and family members to Springfield for a concert. They can even stay overnight at the President Lincoln Hotel or at the Hilton Springfield. As Donnie B of Donnie B's Comedy Club always says to support your local businesses. Please folks make a point to support your Prairie Capital Convention Center.

                     RESULTS TO LAST WEEKS POLL QUESTION

                  ARE YOU TIRED OF WINTER ALREADY?

                           YES- 92.3 OR 92%

                             NO-   7.6 OR   8%.

There was a time when Valentines Day was special where you showered your someone special with gifts, a loving card, dinner and maybe even some roses. In this day and age you are not seeing that as much. Why do your ask? Many folks consider romance as old-fashioned and corny. Showing someone you love is not corny and not old-fashioned, it shows that special special someone that you love them and care about them. Every so often one needs to hear that from their significant other. During the course of the year one may not hear " I Love You" enough even though the two of you are together doing various things throught the course of the year but one needs to hear sweet things every so often and especiallly during this valentines weekend. So this weekend, treat your sweetie to the weekend of their lives.... something they will never forget.

                       RESULTS TO LAST WEEKS POLL QUESTION

             ARE YOU A BIG BELIEVER OF THE GROUNDHOG WHEN IT COMES

              TO WEATHER FORECASTING?

                                   YES- 18.1 OR 18%

                                     NO- 81.8 OR 82%

Even though the Groundhog in Pennsylvania predicted six more weeks of winter but winter is still here. Lately I have seen ladies wearing flip-flops in February. What's the deal here? I know we have had some days in the low to mid 40's but its still cold in central Illinois. Perhaps if you were living in Miami, Orlando, L.A, San Diego or Honolulu wearing them would be fine because those places are on-average warmer than than Central Illinois. Flip-flops on the ladies look good and love to see them in the spring, summer and even early fall but there's a time and season for them because one can catch cold from having one's bare feet exposed in this weather and with these snowfalls we have been getting doesn't help matters any. My only exeception would be if you have a serious sweaty foot problem, then it might be ok.... otherwise stick to boots or shoes.

                    RESULTS TO LAST WEEKS POLL QUESTION

                       WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL?

                               A. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- 23%

                               B. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- 76.9 OR 77%

In the last three installments of What a Long Life we looked back at my dad's life from his birth on September 23, 1919 to his death on December 9, 2009. In part 4 we are giving thanks to a lot of good folks. I wanna start by thanking Bondsy, Booker, Jordan and Flounder for getting me through this. As a radio family we may tease each other a lot but when serious things happen we all pull together to get each other through, love you guys dearly. Wanna give thanks to everybody at Neuhoff Media Springfield for being so supportative. A special thanks to the Vice President and General Manager of Neuhoff Media Springfield Kevin O' Dea for acknoweldging my dad's passing at our annual Christmas party. A big thanks goes out to our KISS listeners for your thoughts, prayers and kind words. The December 10th edition of The Morning Grind was the most special in my thirteen-year radio career because you as the listeners are the best. I may say it all the time and I mean it and the kindnesses from that day proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. A special thanks goes out to chatroomer and loyal listener Cobwebs for send a sympathy card, I really appreciate that very much. A special thanks to our family Physician Dr. Gary Shull and Urologist Dr. William Severino for their efforts in trying to save dad's life. And thanks to Ron and Lynnette in the admitting department at St. John's, the nurses on the 6th floor especially my dear friend Sonja and Dr. John Holland and his team of dedicated professionals for caring for dad and making him comfortable in his final days, and last but not least to Nancy who kept dad's room spotless and for being a all-around great person.

                              RESULTS OF LAST WEEKS POLL QUESTION

                     Are you sticking to your 2010 New Years Resolution

                        YES- 60%

                          NO- 20%

       DIDN'T MAKE A RESOLUTION THIS YEAR- 20%

As we were wrapping part 2, Dad was being moved from his room on the sixth floor up to hospice on the 11th floor, things were going quite well considering the circumstances because dad was eating and talking during the early hospice period but what made it more special was Thanksgiving where we had the holiday meal there. After Thanksgiving, things started to turn for the worst , Dad slowly stopped eating, slept more and was losing a lot of weight because the cancer was beginning its rapid spread. When mom and I left hospice that Wednesday afternoon, he was in a coma which I thought he would be in for awhile. Then I went to the Brickhouse as I usually do, and on the way home something told me to check cell phone messages. The first voicemail from mom was as chilling as I have ever heard in my life. In the message mom said dad has passed... her voice broke after saying those chilling words... then said please come home. Then the second message gave the time of death at 10:30 December 9, 2009( Official time of death was at 10:45 according to Sangamon County Corner Susan Boone). I now have something in common with the Temptations song " Papa Was a Rolling Stone". Lead singer Dennis Edwards daddy died on September 3rd many years back. When I hear that song, I can say that December 9th is the day my daddy died.

           RESULTS OF LAST WEEKS POLL QUESTION

                 What are your 2010 Resolutions

                 . Lose Weight- 33.3 or 33%

                 . Make more money- 66.6 or 67%

                . Other-                                      0%

In part one, we looked at dad's early years from 1919 to 1947. Dad's good fortune came in 1947 when he got a job at Allis-Chambers( later Fiat-Allis) where he worked for 34 years. During those 34 years, my brother Rick was born(1957) and yours truly(1967). Dad bought his first car in 1957, the second in 1969 and the last one, at least in the working years in 1978. Despite the error in the obituary that said that dad had retired in 1984, Dad actually retired on March 30, 1981. Dad's health issues started a little in the 80's and hospital visits came and went but in the last couple of years, the hospital visits became more routine. The last visit came in late October. It was right after we wrapped up at the 4 Seasons Family Restaurant in Chatham. I usually don't check phone messages but something told me to on this day. The message from mom was that dad was taken to the ER at St. John's. I thought it was just another routine visit and thought he would be back home as always. But a blood clot developed and blood thinners were administered but there was a reaction to the thinners and started to swell up. First it was in the hands and then spread to the lower exterimities. In one 24-hour period, we went from dad either having a short stay in a nursing home to visits by the Visiting Nurse. Then we get word that the new options were either Long-Term nursing home care or hospice. When I first heard that hospice was now one of the options- I immediately thought DEATH SENTENCE. The doc used the word " comfort" to sugar coat what was eventually gonna happen. Dad was moved for what is now the last time from room 603 to room 11H44 in Hospice. In part three, we'll look at Dad's days in hospice and how Thanksgiving was so rewarding this year.