"Flashback 2015"

By Peter Cavanaugh

"Flashback 2015" is another collection of essays and newspaper columns by Peter Cavanaugh.

"Flashback 2015 " chronologically tracks this particular collection of observations with the 2015's very last column, which should also serve as a convenient table of contents. After that, everything is chronological – letting the year unfold in time as it did.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peter Cavanaugh
• Release date: Jan 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310837647

Peter Cavanaugh

At the age of sixteen in 1957, Peter C. Cavanaugh enjoyed a fifty-eight percent total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York. Decades later, he’s written a book about his adventures ever since, promoting and producing literally hundreds of early concerts with the likes of Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss and so on, as well as running a seven station radio group which included the top-rated Rock ‘n’ Roll stations in America. Peter lives in Oakhurst, California, with his wife, Eileen.

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FOREWORD

"Everyone talks about it, but there’s nothing to be done. Being locked in time, imprisoned by existence, we all share an unavoidable consequence of our common humanity – uncertain, yet ever accelerating travel toward the unknowable."

That’s a line that came into my head out of nowhere as I wrote my next to last For Your Consideration column of 2015 for The Sierra Star, a McClatchy newspaper serving our little mountain community of Oakhurst, California.

Another year has come and gone -- quicker than all before – and here’s 2016 gaining even more speed yet -- rolling right on down the tracks like AC/DC’s Runaway Train.

I love it.

I thought I’d start this particular collection of observations with the year’s very last column, which should also serve as a convenient table of contents. After that, everything is chronological – letting the year unfold in time as it did.

With better days sought and best wishes for all,

Peter Cavanaugh

Oakhurst, California

January 1, 2016

Chapter One – Flashback 2015

Here we teeter on the brink of another year’s birth at Midnight tonight, even as I traditionally would be teetering in wild celebration as the moment arrived – maintaining precarious balance against the ever-relentless forces of mean Mister Gravity.

This was surely yet another strange year, such observation emerging as a considerable understatement as one reviews the ghosts of 2015 from For Your Consideration columns past.

In January — Delaware North vs. US questioned the surprising claim that such names as The Ahwahnee, Badger Pass and Curry Village were owned by DNC – about to be replaced in March by a subsidiary of Aramark. It’s not a friendly divorce. In September, Delaware North filed suit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims against the National Park Service over this yet unresolved issue, seeking compensation for intellectual property rights. Then "Missing Mister" congratulated Megyn Kelly on her ascension to the top at FOX News as jolting journalism reigns supreme.

February saw thumbs up to American Sniper and down to Bad Bibi — criticizing the Israeli Prime Minister’s pending appearance before Congress.

"Shamrock & Roll" in March reminisced about St. Patrick’s Days of earlier times, while McClintock’s Magical Mystery Meeting expressed chagrin over our Congressman curiously visiting Oakhurst without both yours truly and friends in the Tea Party knowing anything about it.

April’s "Goodbye Medicare" stressed that with the new House and Senate dominated by Republicans, only Barack Obama stood between Congress and the end of Medicare as we know it. Matthew 7: 1-2 thanked Harry Baker for his stunning lifetime achievements in Oakhurst. Hail Elizabeth saluted the rise of Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts on the national scene. She wasn’t alone.

We moved into May with And Then Along Comes Bernie, acknowledging the Vermont Senator’s entry into the 2016 Presidential race with the observation that he has the same chance as a long-tailed cat in a roomful of rocking chairs. Changes discussed subtle evolution in Catholic thinking under Pope Francis, while "Sleep Now in The Fire" explored paralysis between rigid political positions.

"Compression Confession" in early June tracked an unfortunate explosion of outrage over poor service at a certain local pharmacy to an unavoidable, genetically driven Irish predisposition to such behavior. The following week’s "Money Honey" bemoaned the wretched state of contemporary radio economics, even as "Solstice Sunday" celebrated the arrival of summer and Father’s Day while Matthew v. 2015 proposed that Christ’s Sermon on the Mount provides an exceptional political platform.

July’s Markers praised the Supreme Court’s favorable ruling on The Affordable Care Act. Dump Trump spoke for itself. "Girls, Girls, Girls" joyfully saluted the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on becoming World Champions. "Children of God" supported the hard reached agreement to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons. Bow Wow decried the dog days of summer.

August rolled in with Enough? recognizing strong local support for that long-tailed Bernie cat. "Rockin’ with AARP" dealt with a wonderful Radio Reunion in my hometown of Syracuse and Shame on Schumer criticized the New York Senator for his opposition to the Iranian deal.

September’s Tea Time With Tom addressed Representative McClintock’s appearance far away from the madding crowd at Yosemite Lakes Clubhouse, "Thanks, Donald" predicted the still anticipated end of Trump’s White House aspirations, No Room at The Inn reported a wall-to-wall turnout at Denny’s for Pedro Elias of Planned Parenthood and "Smokehurst" thanked Cal Fire for keeping us safe.

"Bye-Bye Boehner" on October 1st thanked the departing House Speaker for his years of service despite differences in political philosophy, "Saint Kim of Kentucky" explained an ecclesiastical accident, Ellie expressed deep sadness over the passing of Ellie Schermerhorn, a remarkable local activist and wonderful soul who would have enjoyed the following week’s "Benghazi Thursday calling upon Hillary critics to either put up or shut up." So far they have done neither.

November brought forth Community Radio – Parts One and Two –explaining the nature of Low Power FM as authorized by the FCC and calling into question the operation of KOLS-LP, clandestinely licensed to Oakhurst in late July. Big news on this is shortly forthcoming. "Bark For Bernie" on November 19th reviewed response to the word socialist being more reactionary than realistic.

December’s "Christmas Questions, Oremus, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" represented holiday offerings, even as this one closes things — over and out.

Chapter Two -- Delaware North vs. US

That’s how it’s coming down.

Delaware North vs. The People of the United States.

It’s January 8, 2015. On this date in history, the first American commercial corporation was chartered as The New York Fishing Company in 1625.

Today we see the Delaware North Companies claiming ownership of these names: The Ahwahnee Hotel, Badger Pass, Curry Village, the Wawona Hotel and Yosemite Lodge. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, such allegation arises as the National Park Service is accepting bids for a new concessionaire’s agreement at Yosemite with the submission window now closing on January 20th.

Curiously, Delaware North had yet to officially put itself in the running at the start of this New Year, although it’s had plenty of time to do so.  DNC has only held the current contract since 1993. It was supposed to expire in 2008, but was extended by mutual agreement until now.

This privately held corporation, one of the world’s largest, says it wants 51 million dollars for intellectual property rights to Yosemite names, several of which date back more than 100 years – the Wawona Hotel to 1865 and Curry Village to 1899.  Perhaps it’s going to bail and simply wants a goodbye sweetener?

 "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

Yosemite spokesperson Scott Gediman is quoted as being surprised by DNC’s position, saying, These names belong to the American people. 

I couldn’t agree more. Judging from area comments coming from all sides of the political spectrum, I’m certainly not alone.

John Pero, Oakhurst/Coarsegold Tea Party Coordinator, states,  I think Delaware North is trying what Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton are so good at. A shakedown of any business or group that doesn’t agree with them. This is nothing more than a blackmail attempt by DNC to poison the well and attempt to make it extremely difficult for any other concessionaire to win the bid at Yosemite. Get the hook and remove them, they’ve overstayed their welcome. 

Madera County District 5 Township Supervisor Tom Wheeler expressed his chagrin. "What I really don’t understand is how DNC got the trademarks without our park service knowing about it. Someone dropped the ball. Now everyone who bids faces a disadvantage. But I do think DNC does a really good job."

George Whitmore of the Sierra Club, among the first to successfully ascend El Capitan in 1958, notes that the DNC also succeeded in trademarking the name of the Park itself. He observes, Yosemite National Park is a name that DNC now claims. I guess I won’t be able to peddle my Yosemite National Park T-shirts at the Fresno County Fair next