We saw two Matt Cains last night, and only one of them was worth the $27 million, three-year contract the Giants recently gave him.

The first Matt Cain was not sharp, allowing five hits, two walks, and three runs during the first three innings and struggling with his control. That Matt Cain threw 25 pitches in the first inning, 14 in the second, 24 in the third, and his pitch count was 63 after three innings.

But in the fourth inning another Matt Cain took the mound. This second version had confidence and control and he easily retired the next nine batters he faced, throwing just 8 pitches in the fourth inning, 6 in the fifth, and 9 in the sixth. It looked like he wasn’t going to give up another hit.

But Cain was pulled for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth and the Giants bullpen couldn’t get the job done. Poor Giants defense, sharp Pirates defense, and a dumb base running decision sealed the Giants fate.

“I was happy with how I ended,” Cain told ESPN. “Mechanically I was trying to find some things early and getting myself into trouble. I put the guys in a hole through the first three and they did a great job of battling back.”

The second Matt Cain is the guy the Giants paid all the money to, and that Matt Cain is one of the best pitchers in the majors. And, at age 25, he should have a lot more years.

Let’s hope the second Matt Cain is the one we see during those years.

I’m thankful for a lot this Thanksgiving … after all, there’s a lot to be thankful for. And this year, I’m especially thankful for Aunt Margaret. Aunt Margaret was my mother’s sister, and she was also my Godmother. The part about being my Godmother was not a big deal to her, and she told me she had so many Godchildren she couldn’t keep track of them all. But it was important to me, and I think she knew that.

I spent time with Aunt Margaret when I was young — at family gatherings and when I got dropped off at her home when my parents were on vacation. In those days Aunt Margaret called most of the shots, and few people wanted to cross her. But I also remember Aunt Margaret’s playful side. When things got tense, she would get a twinkle in her eyes, make a joke, and things would lighten up.

I enjoyed Aunt Margaret at Mohatt cousin reunions. She would greet me in a serious manner, and then ask a question that would make me squirm. Then she would let me off the hook with a sly comment or a joke. After an encounter with Aunt Margaret I usually felt she knew more about me than I would like her to. And I loved her skits.

She would disappear into a nearby room, and then reappear in a black robe, carrying a large bound book. She would make her way to a podium, close her eyes, and bow her head. After a pause, she would begin to read in a solemn voice:
Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the clock..

Then, as if she were giving a sermon, she would explain (in detail) the meaning behind each line. Why did the mouse run up the clock? What was behind this escapade? What does it mean?
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down!
Hickory Dickory Dock.

Again, she detailed the why’s and wherefore’s behind the mouse’s actions. By the end we were in stitches, and she would finish to our laughter and applause. Then just as seriously, she would turn and walk away. I loved the way she entertained us, and the way she made us feel. And I know my life was better for her being in it.

Yesterday was a beautiful day at the phone company ballpark and Rich Auriela made what will probably be his last start as a Giant.  The fans gave him a terrific tribute, with standing ovations each time he came to bat, and again when Bochy removed him after warmups in the 9th inning.  It was an emotional day for us (as Richie fans) and for his fellow players, many of whom gave him a big hug as he ran off the field in the ninth inning. 

Rich was a key member of the Giants during the golden days of 1997-2004, when the Giants averaged 92 victories per season, won three division titles, forced a Wild Card playoff game, and won the Wild Card enroute to the World Series.  Aurilia spent 11 of his 14 seasons with the Giants, including the first seven years of that eight-year stretch. During virtually all of that span, Aurilia was San Francisco’s everyday shortstop, a fixture in the lineup with Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, and J.T. Snow.

His best year was 2001 when he batted .324, hit 37 home runs, and had 97 RBIs.  His production tailed off in 2002, but he was a key member of the Giants team that nearly won the World Series.  After yesterday’s game, broadcaster Jon Miller said Richie had 17 RBIs during the 2002 playoffs.

We have a lot of good Richie memories.  One of the best is his “walk up song” when he came to bat during his best years — the theme to The Soprano’s.Â

In the summers I used to play catch with my dad.  After work, he would grab his three-finger ball glove and we’d head out to the empty lot behind our house and toss a baseball back-and-forth.  He enjoyed the fresh air and time with his son, and I loved practicing my pitching.  We’d play until dark, or until Mom called us in to supper, then go inside, wash up, and dig in to the meal.  I was always excited by our time together, and I think it helped him unwind from the stress at work. 

 I wish I still had Dad’s ball glove.  They don’t make them like that anymore.

It was fitting. On “Vote Pablo” night at the telephone company ballpark Panda hit his first grand slam.

There were signs everywhere encouraging fans to vote for him for the final National League All Star spot. People waved placards, ushers handed out flyers, the scoreboard flashed messages — “Vote Pablo!”

Pablo started the game despite a bruised knee and did a nice job at third base behind Matt Cain, who pitched another great game. It was a tight contest, and the Giants were up 1-0 when Panda came to bat in the fifth inning. The bases were loaded.

Many of the 27,000 fans chanted “Let’s Go Pablo!” when he stepped in to bat against Sean West. Somehow, we knew something special was going to happen. Maybe he would hit a towering sacrifice fly, or a smoking line drive single that would score two. Then, on a 1-0 pitch, Panda drove the ball deep into the left-field seats for his first major league grand slam. We jumped to our feet and screamed! That’s the excitement and power that’s been missing since you-know-who left. Panda trotted around the bases and pumped his fist as he came into home plate. Then he calmly walked into the dugout; his job was done.

But the fans weren’t finished. This was a super achievement, and we stood and cheered. Bengie, the next batter, shuffled in and out of the batter’s box while the crowd went crazy. Finally, Pablo came out, tipped his cap, and disappeared back into the dugout. We stood and cheered again when he ran out to third base in the top of the sixth.

I voted for Pablo for All Star, but it doesn’t really matter whether he gets it or not. The more important thing is he’s a Giant, he’s brought passion back to the team, and we have a reason to be excited again.

Thanks, Panda!

Jerome Fehringer passed away November 22, 2008 at Miller Memorial Nursing Home in Chappell, Nebraska.  Jerry was a long-time resident of Chappell and will be remembered by many for his community involvement and as the John Deere man.

Jerome A. Fehringer was born on September 2, 1919 to John and Clara Fehringer at their farm west of Peetz, Colorado, the second child of 13. He attended school in Peetz and Sidney and graduated from Peetz High School in May, l938.   After graduation, Jerry farmed at home with his father and worked at the John Deere store in Peetz.  December 7, 1941 changed a lot of people’s lives, including Jerry’s.  On Jan. l7, l942, he was sworn in to the U.S. Marine Corps in Denver.   After training in San Diego, Chicago, and North Carolina he was sent to the Pacific front where he was squadron leader of a unit that kept airplane engines running for fleets of U.S. bombers.  During the 14 months he was overseas Jerry served in Hawaii, New Hebrides Islands, Stirling Island, Munda, and Emerus Island. 

During a military leave in March of 1945 Jerry served as best man at the wedding of his former classmate, Bill Armstrong.  At the wedding he met the bridesmaid, Kathleen (Kay) Mohatt, who would later become his wife. 

Jerry was honorably discharged from the Marines in November 1945 and came home to Peetz.  He worked for local farmers and at the International Machinery Co. in Sterling and later for the John Deere dealership in Sidney.

Jerry and Kay were married in Sidney, Nebraska on September 23, 1948.   They lived in Sioux Villa in Sidney and were in their 3-room apartment when the “Blizzard of ‘49″ hit.  It lasted 3 days and nights and the only time they left their apartment was to get coal for the stove.

In the fall of 1949, the John Deere dealership in Chappell was put up for sale and Jerry met with the owner.  That same day, Dale Fenster also made overtures to buy the business.  Jerry and Dale wound up buying it together and ran it as partners for the next 26 years.  After the Chappell John Deere dealership closed in 1975, Jerry worked as parts manager at Reed-Merrill, Inc. of Julesburg, Colorado for l3 years. 

Jerry was a long-time member of the Lion’s Club and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  He was a member of Chappell’s Elementary School Board when the building was expanded, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he was on the Church Board.

After their children had grown, Jerry and Kay enjoyed traveling and attended Marine Corp reunions, joined their siblings on cruises, took trips to Hawaii and Florida, and spent time with their children and grandchildren.  Jerry and Kay took square dance lessons in 1981, and joined the “Hicks ‘N Chicks” club from Ovid where they danced together for 21 years. 

Jerry and Kay were blessed with eight children:  Dan, Dale, Ray, Anne, Ralph, John, Joe, and Ed.  The whole family along with spouses and grandchildren often gets together for reunions, and Jerry treasured those times with his family. 

Jerry loved his family, his wife, Kay, the town he spent his adult life in, and his country.  He had many friends and his generous and gentle nature will be remembered by everyone who knew him. 

 

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dan Gibson
Director of Communications
703.739.0696
dgibson@scip.org

Dale Fehringer honored with industry award

Competitive Intelligence Society honors professional accomplishments

Alexandria, Va., May 1, 2007 –The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) is honoring individuals for their contributions to the profession and the organization.

Dale Fehringer is one of two recipients of SCIP’s Fellow Award for 2007, which recognizes members who have made outstanding contributions to the competitive intelligence (CI) profession. They join an elite group of professionals who work on behalf of the field of CI. They can be described as learned individuals who are continually in pursuit of knowledge.

Fehringer, who lives in San Francisco, started and managed a competitive intelligence program for Visa International in 1996. He retired from Visa in 2003 as vice president of market intelligence, and currently works as a freelance writer and editor. His articles on people, places, and contemporary culture have appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers, and he is a regular columnist for Competitive Intelligence Magazine.

Fehringer co-edited the first publication of the CI Foundation, Competitive Intelligence Ethics: Navigating the Gray Zone and served as primary author of the benchmark report in 2005, “State of the Art: Competitive Intelligence.” He is considered a “go-to guy” in the field of competitive intelligence, viewed by his peers as an experienced, senior CI professional, who is willing to share best practices, as evidenced by his frequent speaking engagements, published writing, and volunteer service.

“These are all great examples of the tangible, meaningful contributions Dale has made to the society and the profession,” says Alexander T. Graham, SCIP’s executive director.

“Acknowledging these top professionals is a way for our society to pay tribute to them for serving and contributing to our mission,” adds Graham. “The field as a whole is honoring their outstanding work and achievement. And by telling their stories, the society can educate others about the CI field and what it takes to be a true professional. Congratulations to Dale for this esteemed honor.”
Fehringer and other award recipients were honored during a special presentation today at SCIP’s annual conference in New York City.

About SCIP

The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) is the only global not-for-profit membership organization for everyone involved with the development and use of competitive intelligence. SCIP’s mission is to enhance the success of its members through leadership, education, advocacy and networking. www.scip.org

Restoring a hotel that has been in service for more than a century is a tricky business. That’s why San Francisco’s Hotel Majestic hired someone who knows his stuff.

Sean Francis has been in the business of managing and restoring hotels for more than 15 years, and he’s learned a lot about the process along the way. His current role as project manager of the legendary Hotel Majestic includes such diverse duties as investigating the hotel’s history, managing an extensive restoration process, and resolving leaks in the basement. It’s a demanding but rewarding job, which he loves.

Sean says it’s fun because “the owner is passionate about the property and its history. We want to make sure the hotel is preserved for future generations of San Franciscans.”

It’s a hotel worth preserving.

The original Hotel Majestic was built in 1901-1902 at the direction of Senator Milton Schmidt, a successful lawyer, railroad magnate, and California state legislator. (One of Senator Schmidt’s notable legislative accomplishments was to arrange financing for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, which celebrated San Francisco’s return from the 1906 earthquake.)

Senator Schmitt and his wife Helen lived at the corner of Sutter and Gough Streets in a sizeable home that was overshadowed by the nearby mansions on Nob Hill. But the hotel they had built on their property was conspicuous even in opulent turn-of-the-century San Francisco. The five-story Edwardian-style residential hotel had 58 bedrooms (including nine luxury suites) that were individually designed with a blend of French Empire and English furnishings, four-poster canopy beds, and softly-hued fabrics. Most rooms were equipped with coal-burning fireplaces and had romantic views of downtown San Francisco.

The Hotel Majestic billed itself as “San Francisco’s Leading Hotel,” and competed for well-heeled clientele with other up market establishments like the Palace Hotel. It had a first-class restaurant, which catered to hotel guests and the City’s elite. A typical luncheon menu in 1902 included caviar, rack of lamb for two, and strawberry short cake or baked ice cream.

Because the hotel is located two blocks west of Van Ness Avenue it escaped damage from the 1906 earthquake and fire. Following the earthquake, it was an interim home for some well-to-do refugees, including its architect, Albert Pissis (who also designed the Hibernia Bank, Emporium, and Flood buildings).

It served the City as a residential hotel through earthquake recovery and the 1915 Pan Pacific Exhibition, and then was converted into a commercial hotel in the 1920s. It continued to offer “affordable elegance” to San Francisco visitors through the Great Depression, the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939, and World War II.

Guests at the hotel included many well-known San Franciscans such as Nicholas Cage, and the actress sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine who lived there for several years.

Eventually, the hotel suffered from neglect and misguided modernization, and by the 1960s it had fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair. The exterior was “modernized” — the facades were stripped of their ornaments and the decorative detail was covered with a flat stucco surface. In the 1970s, the hotel briefly served as a gay bathhouse.

A limited partnership bought the hotel in 1984 and decided to restore it to its original condition. Exterior renovation led by architectural firm Ramon Zambrano & Associates repaired structural problems, removed the stucco, and recreated and replaced the window sashes, wood facades, and decorative ornamentation.

Noted San Francisco interior designer Candra Scott oversaw renewal of the interior, which included English and French antique pieces, Austrian Biedermeier chairs, and a 19th century mahogany bar from a Parisian bistro.

By the end of 1985, the building had been meticulously restored — an effort that earned first place for Restoration Design in Commercial Restoration’s 1986 awards competition.

Twenty years is a long time for a hotel, which experiences heavy daily wear-and-tear, and the current owner decided it needed another face-lift. This round will cost several million dollars and take nearly two years to complete. It is being conducted diligently, one floor at a time. Francis says, “Doing it right takes time and care. The owner wants the hotel returned to its original splendor.”

Outside the hotel, more than two hundred decorative rosettes have been painstakingly recreated from historic moldings and applied to the façade. An ironworking specialist is crafting new awnings over the front door and restaurant entrances to re-create the originals.

Inside the hotel, new elevators and an up-to-date telephone system have been installed and new carpets are being put in throughout. Guest rooms are being updated to achieve a careful balance of historic reference and comfort. Fireplaces that meet today’s fire codes, for example, will be surrounded by antique fixtures and furnishings. Three rooms will be upgraded for wheelchair access.
Francis and the rest of the staff are making sure the hotel meets its original intent. “It was built to be elegant,” he says, “but affordable. We want to retain the integrity of a landmark hotel that has served San Francisco for more than a century.”

Not many hotels in San Francisco have gone through this process, primarily because it’s expensive. But doing everything in a historically correct manner is vital. Francis has spent countless hours researching records of the hotel on microfiche, making sure management knows everything that has been done in the past. A consultant and lawyer have been hired to research the hotel and to help apply for historic preservation status.

“This is a beautiful hotel with a wonderful history,” Francis says, “and we want to make sure it stays that way.”

Note: Much of the restoration has been completed, and the Hotel Majestic and Café Majestic are open for business. For reservations, contact them at (415) 441-1100, or www.thehotelmajestic.com.

About the author:

Dale Fehringer is a freelance writer, editor, and documentary video producer. He lives in San Francisco where he shares office space with his wife, Patty, and cat, Molly. He can be reached at (415) 602-6116 or by email at dalefehringer@hotmail.com.

www.storyhouse.org/dalef2.html

It was great to see J. T. Snow back in a Giants uniform last night, even if it was short-lived. The #6 jersey still looked good on him, and he handled groundballs as smoothly as ever.

J.T., who signed a one-day contract with the Giants, was listed in the starting lineup and he led the Giants onto the field and warmed up with the infielders. The other infielders (Eugenio Vélez, Omar Vizquel, and Rich Aurilia) threw balls in the dirt to mess with him, but Snow caught them all. Then when Matt Cain completed his warm-up pitches, Travis Ishikawa ran onto the field to replace Snow. J.T. hugged each of the Giants infielders and Matt Cain, then walked off the field to a standing ovasion. His brief appearance allowed him to retire as a Giant.

Snow retired from baseball at the end of the 2006 season. He has been doing radio broadcasts with the San Francisco Giants the past two years, and he is also an advisor to Brian Sabean and a roving minor league instructor for the Giants.