Highlights of the Brew Crew....About a month ago, I attended a presentation hosted by Infragard of which I am a member. The speakers that night were two FBI Special Agents from the local Kansas City office. The promotion flyer that went to members described the evening as such, "Have you ever watched 'Criminal Minds' and wondered, 'Just how do they do the things they do?' Special Agent Dirk Tarpley, a Criminal Investigative Analyst will provide information on how the process of 'profiling' offenders was initiated and how it has evolved over the years. Did you see the movie “The Informant” starring Matt Damon? If so, you know this movie was based on a true story about the Archer Daniels Midland Company, the largest antitrust case ever conducted by the FBI. Hear the inside story from Special Agent Robert Herndon of how this case was worked from a small two-man FBI office and why this investigation was made into this movie." The evening was very entertaining and informative although Special Agent Tarpley's presentation, which focused on child abductions, left me with the overwhelming feeling and desire to never let my children out of the house again. I had not seen the movie, 'The Informant', prior to this evening but I did recall when it came out in the theaters. It was quite hilarious to see actual undercover footage compared with how it was portrayed in the movie. Overall, it was a good evening and it was nice to run into a couple of old coworkers there as well. 
With the spring season fully upon us it brings on kid sports. My oldest daughter is wrapping up her spring volleyball season and her team has a firm hold on first place and had a 15-0 set record going into last weekend but ended up losing a few sets and their first match. They have one more regular season match before the end-of-season tournament. Last year they made it to the championship match but ended up losing. Time to return and bring home the GOLD! Along with volleyball, we also have softball. My oldest and my middle daughter are both playing this year and on separate teams which makes it an adventure to get everyone to their practices and soon to their games. It's amazing at the way kids sports equipment has changed over the years since I played little league. Back then, you had to be awful special to have a baseball bag whereas nowadays walking into the ballpark is like being at an airport with kids rolling their ball bags down the sidewalk and all over. We stocked up on new bats, gloves, helmets, and bags this year after making them use the same stuff for the first few years. I hate to invest a whole bunch of money into gear and have them end up hating the sport but since they have stuck with it and enjoy it, they have earned it. If you want to find us on a June evening check the ball fields in Belton, Harrisonville, or Pleasant Hill. 
The kids were not the only ones playing sports this spring. I had a cousin talk me out of retirement last fall and into playing adult men's slow-pitch softball. My body took a bit to break the rust off but I ended up having fun and we ended up winning the league during the end-of-season tourney in a bottom of the 7th walk-a-thon by the opposing pitcher who blew up at one point and stormed off the field while throwing his glove at their dugout. Jump forward to this spring and he talked me out of retirement again to play in a 4 team league. The season started off on a night where it was windy, cold, and rainy. We won the first game of a doubleheader and then the opposing team forfeited the 2nd game. We went on to take a firm grasp of 4th place in the league and going into the end-of-season tourney. We started the tourney by winning a back and forth game with the 2nd place team. That win put us in the championship game. Our team gave up 14 runs in the top of the first inning and had us shaking our heads at the hope of coming back to win the game. But chip away we did, inning after inning until the bottom of the 7th when we tied the game but couldn't get the winning run across. Extra innings we went! The top of the 8th saw the bad guys go ahead with 1 run but we were not finished. In the bottom of the 8th, we were able to get two across the plate and win the game. All in all, after they scored 14 in the 1st inning, we held them to only 4 runs the rest of the game while we scored 19. One helluva a nail-biter and ...Screwballs WIN!2nd Inning.
Per Guns&Ammo, "...more than 10 million of these pump guns have rolled off the assembly line in North Haven, Conn., and Eagle Pass, Texas. For the last 30 years, the 590 has been the shotgun of choice for the U.S. military, and more than 100,000 units have been supplied to the armed forces. The 500 and 590 lines also have the distinction of being the only shotguns ever to pass the rigorous Mil-Spec 3443 torture test, proving what generations of shooters already knew: Mossberg guns are tough."
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The Model 500 can be found in 12GA, 20GA, or .410GA and can be found in multiple configurations and finishes. This shotgun can be found in just about every pawn shop, gun shop, online, and every sporting goods store that sells firearms, including Wal-Mart. Another great selling point is the price. Per Michael J. Simpson with About.com, "A brand new Mossberg 500 can range in price from about $400 for a basic model with few bells and whistles on up to more than $800 for a nine shot, special purpose, tactical model. Used Mossberg 500s can be found for as low as $150 depending upon the age, condition, and features. Vintage models in excellent condition generally cost somewhat more."Last year I purchased my first Mossberg 500 for turkey season and I can tell you from personal experience that the shotgun is solid. I like the tang safety on top of the receiver and the fit and finish are perfect for the purpose of the shotgun. Next time you are out and about looking for a new shotgun check out the Mossbergs! A great video explaining the Mossberg 500 series is below. Enjoy!
3rd Inning.
Articles of the week...
- Aim Small, Miss Small..."Regardless of what the media says, kids who are taught gun safety are generally less likely to commit crimes with guns. But when to teach your child to shoot is a question best answered by you. If you weren’t raised with guns, however, you may need the following advice." As a parent of 3 children I know how important it is to instill gun safety in their young minds and I believe you can do it while having fun during target practice or hunting.
- You Gotta Fight For Your Right..."Northern states carried out arguably the most successful non-compliance campaign defying a federal act in history with their opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Today, a Missouri bill takes a page from that playbook to stop state cooperation with federal enforcement of unconstitutional gun laws." There is a struggle emerging once again that pits States vs. the Feds. It is part of our unique system of government that is suppose to be a balance of power as outlined in the Constitution but has unfortunately been tipped too far to the Federal side.
- Miracle on the Diamond..."Only once in five Olympic baseball tournaments did the U.S. win a gold medal in its national pastime. That team, in Sydney in 2000, put together such a remarkable run to gold that it inspired ideas for a film,as well as a book titled 'Miracle on Grass.'" If you are not familiar with this story then take a moment to read it!
- I, Robot..."US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel got a first-hand look at a life-size robot that resembles Hollywood's "Terminator," the latest experiment by the Pentagon's hi-tech researchers." The Skynet Funding Bill is passed. The system goes on-line August 4th. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug...
- Justice Scalia..."'A freedom-destroying cocktail.' That’s how Justice Antonin Scalia characterized Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling that law enforcement officers may pull over and search drivers based solely on an anonymous tip." Scalia has to be my favorite Supreme Court Justice. He keeps it entertaining!
- Our Nation's Future?..."His name is Mark A. Smith II, and he is the political director of the Morehouse College Republicans." If the Republican Party can shine the spotlight on folks like this young man then things will be fine.
- Sheriff David Clarke, Jr..."Sheriff David Clarke Jr. may not be a household name…yet. But he’s well on his way after his rousing speech at the 2014 NRA convention. Consider the standing ovation he received after revealing the seven words he would add to the Second Amendment: 'Keep your hands off our guns, dammit.'" The kind of sheriff we all need!
- Our Nation's Future, pt2?..."I've found more tolerance, acceptance and inclusion from social conservative groups who have to reconcile that I'm a Republican who happens to be gay...versus the intolerance the LGBT leaders see me as a gay man who happens to be a Republican," DeMaio said." A great example of a fiscal conservative that breaks the stereotype of the Republican party cast upon it by the Left.
- Phone Home..."A decades-old urban legend was put to rest Saturday when workers for a documentary film production company recovered "E.T." Atari game cartridges from a heap of garbage buried deep in the New Mexico desert." The Atari game system was my first and I vaguely remember the E.T. game drama but it sure sounds like it will make an interesting documentary.
4th Inning.
"On May 9th in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation that officially establishes the first national Mother's Day holiday to celebrate America's mothers."
"The idea for a 'Mother's Day' is credited by some to Julia Ward Howe (1872) and by others to Anna Jarvis (1907), who both suggested a holiday dedicated to a day of peace. Many individual states celebrated Mother's Day by 1911, but it was not until Wilson lobbied Congress in 1914 that Mother's Day was officially set on the second Sunday of every May. In his first Mother's Day proclamation, Wilson stated that the holiday offered a chance to '[publicly express] our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.'"
"In 2002, President George W. Bush echoed Wilson's sentiments by acknowledging mothers in his official statement on Mother's Day in 2002. He commended foster mothers as well as his own 'fabulous mother' for their 'love and sacrifice.' He also mentioned past presidents' expressions of appreciation for their mothers. He quoted John Quincy Adams as having said 'all that I am my mother made me' and Abraham Lincoln's sentiment that 'all that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother ?[my mother's prayers] have clung to me all my life.' Bush's own mother, Barbara, was a popular first lady when the elder Bush served as president from 1989 to 1992."
So take a moment on Sunday to call or visit your mom and let her know how much she means to you. For those of you that are married with children, make sure you spend the day doing something your wife enjoys doing...it is her day!
5th Inning.
Their second album, 'Notorious' (released in 1994), found hits with 'Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind' and 'Elvis and Andy'. In 1995, the band released their third album, 'When and Where' which was not as successful as their previous two albums. The only single to break the Top 40 was the title track, 'When and Where'. They released a Greatest Hits album in 1996 and a fourth album, 'Keep on Rockin'' in 1998. The success of their first and second albums would not be seen again, even after signing with a new studio and releasing a fifth and sixth album. I would categorize their music as 'fun country' which can be heard with numerous artists nowadays including Toby Keith and Brad Paisley and are always great sing-a-long songs. My favorite song that they released is 'Queen of Memphis'. Video is below. Enjoy!
6th Inning.
Uncle Jeremy...This week let's take a break from saving the nation and look at proper or not proper Mother's Day gifts for your wife (if you have kids) to save you from sleeping on the sofa. Do not show up after turkey hunting all weekend with a bag of soil, tomato seed packets, and a topsy turvy planter...A 100-round box of .38 special ammo is perfect for the mom who has her CCW...A visit to the local petting zoo with your wife and kids should always be considered...Depending on her sense of humor, a pair of t-shirts with the words "With Stupid ->" & "Stupid" could be called for...I hear Arthur Court grape serveware/tableware is always a WIN...If you forget to buy a card prior to Mother's Day--use cash to buy it (she will be checking the bank account online and see the transaction date and you will be busted)...Breakfast in bed is always a plus (just make sure it's not some pop tarts with a Coke)...Make her lunch or dinner and don't go out because EVERYONE will be going out to eat and you will be waiting & waiting & waiting for a table...Depending on the recent behavior of your children, a large bottle of wine or a 12-pack of beer might be a wise choice...
7th Inning.
Cool Videos...
I've been a YouTube subscriber for this guy's channel for a while and he always seems to have something cool to show. This video is for all those chicken wing-eaters like myself!
There is this kid on YouTube that makes fan trailers. Here is one involving the Marvel Universe. Pretty cool stuff!
8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...Top 8 Questions Asked by FFLs on the ATF website. #5: How do I renew my Federal firearms license?
- Under § 478.45, Renewal of License, if a licensee intends to continue the business or activity described on a license issued under this part during any portion of the ensuing year, the licensee shall, unless otherwise notified in writing by the Chief, FFLC, execute and file with ATF prior to the expiration of the license an application for a license renewal, ATF Form 8 Part II, in accordance with the instructions on the form, and the required fee. In the event the licensee does not timely file an ATF Form 8 Part II, the licensee must file an ATF Form 7 as required by § 478.44, and obtain the required license before continuing business. A renewal application will automatically be mailed by ATF to the “mailing address” on the license approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of the license. If the application is not received 30 days prior to the expiration date, the licensee should contact the FFLC.
- When you have sent your Federal Firearms License (FFL) Renewal Application, ATF Form 8 Part II, to ATF prior to the expiration of your federal firearms license and the application form has been postmarked before the expiration date, you may request a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC) to facilitate and carry on your business operations while your renewal application is in a pending status. The LOA provides evidence to your distributors that you may continue your business operations under your current license until ATF has completed the processing of your renewal application, even if the time needed by ATF to process the application extends beyond the expiration date of the current license. The LOA will state that operations may continue under the existing license for a period of up to six months. If the FFLC does not complete processing of the application within the six month period specified in the LOA, you may request the FFLC to extend the LOA. You may also provide copies of the LOA to your suppliers.
(For more information go to: http://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-industry/firearms-how-renew-FFL)
9th Inning.
Baseball Video...Saberhagen No-Hitter. My favorite pitcher of all time for the Royals. I firmly believe the team is cursed for trading him to the Mets for a couple of has been's and never-will-be's...
