KIDS & CLAYS!

Driving in from Houston on Weds., I spent the next 3 and one-half to 4 hours trying to pull a radio show together which was going ON AIR almost as soon as I arrived at the Hotel! It's becoming NORMAL for me to produce a broadcast from a moving vehicle...lol. Not exactly what most people imagine when they dial up their favorite TRIGGER SPORTS station, while dodging crazies around them on the highway, driving to or from their local McDonald's....oops did I say McDonald's! What a lead-in to our story! lol..But before I get to the reason I called----> I want to thank each and every one of the hundreds of you around the country who listen to the show either on their local station, or on the FREE CD I send.

REMEMBER IF YOU WANT A PHOTO, CLICK ON IT AND HIT PRINT!

     But hey, this Blog is about one of the greatest Charities I have ever had the pleasure to participate in----> the KIDS & CLAYS FOUNDATION -----> www.kidsandclays.com. is an amazing small group of hard working individuals lead by GLENN LUBEZNIK, President AND founder of the KIDS & CLAYS FOUNDATION.  You will absolutely be amazed at the depth of this organization. How many of us drive by a McDonald's every day and look at the fiberglass image of RONALD McDonald sitting on a bench with his arm extended over the shoulder of a child....but how many of us know what this means?

     I was overwhelmed with the information and description of the services RONALD McDonald offers to the children AND parents of children who need medical attention ----> everything from FREE Dental and MEDICAL work to housing while the treatments are being preformed in a local hospital. You probably have a RONALD McDonald FAMILY HOUSE in your city and town and may not know it. There are some 270 of them around the world and 240 are right here in the USA!

     When GLENN began the KIDS & CLAYS FOUNDATION, he was a Board Member of the the RONALD McDonald CHARITIES,....AND a restaurant owner. He presented the CLAY SHOOTING PROGRAM to the Board members early one afternoon. Needless to say, it was debated aggressively..shooting...kids...shooting ....kids..back and forth for hours! Would love to have been the fly on the wall that day!..lol..oops, I am sure there are NO flies at McDonald HQ... sorry about that GLENN!

     But GLENN stood firm and closed the debate by stating it simply--->"...would I suggest this Program if I thought it would do HARM or bring NEGATIVE press or even slightly affect the GROWING customer base to our restaurants?" GLENN'S statement carried the day. As with all great leaders, his strong reputation of honesty and sincerity brought the debate to an end. Today the KIDS & CLAYS FOUNDATION has raised a MILLION DOLLARS for the children who need it the most. CONGRATULATIONS TO GLENN AND THE BOARD OF THE RONALD MCDONALD CHARITIES! 

     If you did not Get a chance to shake hands with Glenn at the Event...make a point of coming to the NEXT KIDS & CLAYS Event and do so...what a guy! THANX GLENN from all of us who do little things to help you with the BIG THINGS!

WATCH FOR GLENN ON THE RADIO SHOW! -----> SOOOOO......what about the SHOOTING!

PRELIM DAY!

    

It was a stormy looking morning when I picked up # 65 Washington Redskins most famous Defensive lineman at San Antonio International --->Dave Butz! I once asked him what his "fighting weight" was when he was on the field--> 315lbs. and judging his height to be about 6'8"...whew! Don't piss this guy off, OK!    

     I asked to help with his bags and he smiled and handed me-->".. the light one". Folks he's still in pretty good shape. I looked absolutely ridiculous dragging that bag to the truck! Very funny Butz very funny! Next time I'll meet you at the HOTEL!..lol

     The next day we rolled into the NATIONAL SHOOTING COMPLEX, the pride and joy of every NSCA member. We followed the Sponsors' many  banners that lined the roadway all the way to our parking space.. which was kindly donated/reserved by Don Mosley for our promotional vehicle. But my Pal, Marty Jones, helped smooth the way with Julie.  So I want to take a minute to thank DON MOSLEY and my good friend MARTIN JONES for making us feel welcome.

     After a quick reunion with my fellow professional, LAL THRELKEL--->STUDIO 74. Hardest working photographer in our Industry. LAL is as much a part of a shooting event as any vendor. He expertly produces the one thing no one else can give you---> MEMORIES IN FULL COLOR!

     I dropped off DAVE BUTZ and started the search for registration. Seems someone more organized than me wisely decided to split the Events and registrations, making for a much smoother check-in. Sporting Clays was moved to the Club House. I found Lois Lessing doing her thing in registration. After a big hug she hit a few keys on her computer and produced the registration forms we needed. ThanX Lois!--> www.wyshotgunsports.com

     Back at the truck, DAVE BUTZ was checking his equipment, "hey radio guy...where is the shooting cart?" Humm... I forgot to ask. But as luck would have it, DANNY VILLALOBOS of the TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION was approaching on his patrol cart. I introduced DANNY to DAVE BUTZ and off we went to the cart rental area.

     Parked under a beautiful huge oak tree, we found 15-20 carts, clean and ready to go. Danny dropped us off and returned to his patrol area.

ThanX for the help DANNY!

       We jumped in the cart rushed back to the truck. We were hoping to get a few shots off on the practice field before the PRELIM. No sooner had we begun loading up our guns, when, I looked over and saw Mr. NSSA/NSCA DON SNYDER himself preparing to head out to do some competing on the SKEET field. I told DAVE we needed to grab him now or we may not get the chance again. With a mixed event as large as this one, we will be lucky to see anyone more than once. Between the Sporting Clays, Skeet, CowBoy Action and all the side games, banquets and parties...it's a non-stop smorgasbord of running to and fro trying to have as much fun as one can fit into a weekend.

     BBBUT wait! wait! Michael Hampton was just coming out of the offices of the NSCA when I caught sight of him starting to leave in his cart. What an opportunity. If these two men could spend a few minutes together discussing the future of the NSCA....AND the NRA as partners...Wow! For those of you who did not know, or did not see the NRA chiseled on the back of DAVE BUTZ' shooting vest I might as well tell you now--->DAVE BUTZ is a DIRECTOR for the NRA. It was an easy decision for the Nations best and strongest defensive back to rush to the aide of a good cause--->The NATIONAL RIFLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION. These are the guys who watch our backs as we march out into the field to shoot, hunt or any recreational sporting activity that involves guns. While WE are doing IT...it's guys like DAVE BUTZ protecting our rights!

     We had arranged for a meeting with Michael & Don to lay out ideas and plans for the upcoming year. DAVE BUTZ assured Michael that whatever the NRA can do to help...he was there to build bridges and mend fences. The 30+ minute meeting was scored as a complete success in both camps.

     No sooner had we concluded the meeting with Michael and began to plan our next move, my old friend Mike Brazzel, the Director of the NSCA/NSSA National Museum, strolled over to remind us that we needed to stop by and see the new displays. That was an absolute must. In fact, I wanted to do a whole radio show from the Museum. But wouldn't you know it when we did get back to the Museum, Mike was out shooting and JIM HARRIS took us around...don't miss seeing that on the radio folks DAVE BUTZ and JIM HARRIS did a great job of taking us from the early days of shooting at glass balls to a fine collection of guns and trophies. Ya know, that JIM HARRIS had a great voice...should have been in radio!

     Well you guessed it...by the time we finished the "meetin' and Greetin' "we were out of time for any warm up practice..."heck, let's just do this thing"....so off we went to station 7. Ya know, I have said this many times before. Sporting Clays is about the people you shoot with and DAVE BUTZ and I really enjoyed meeting and shooting with the 1st contingent of shooters from Laredo, Texas. I say 1st because in the MAIN EVENT we shot with the 2nd contingent of shooters from Laredo.....but let's do one at a time. In the photo from left to right---> ROBERT NEWTON----> DAVE BUTZ--->the brothers EDGAR & RICKY GONZALES and that RADIO GUY.

     BOY, did we have a good time in the PRELIM. PETE MASCH-----> seen here in this photo with DAVE BUTZ and "AMERICA'S MILKMAN" Mr. GARY GREENWAY. Pete contrived a great course to test and challenge our shooting talents....we all did well and Mr. GREENWAY shot right behind us keeping a watchful eye on the new "3 FOOT" rule....what rule you ask? The rule that says stay 3 feet behind the shooter when he is in the box rule...oops, how many forgot about that rule?

     Well, all I can say is I guess I shot better than I thought. Final score--->D3. I want to thank all my squad members for the help and, especially, DAVE BUTZ for his tips. Whenever I would forget the basic fundamentals of shooting, DAVE would ease up behind me and mention hitting the target was better than punching holes in the sky...ammo is expensive!

     But it was station 2 that made my day...heck my week! We all stood and watched as a pair of true targets came up, one from the left---> and the other almost in front, popping up and falling behind a tree in front of us with a short target window. As we watched, hoping to learn the best method from fellow shooters, everyone ahead shot the left target first and then rushed to hit the "tree target" second. ROBERT NEWTON whispered to me.." I wonder if shooting the tree target first is a better plan...?" As soon as he said it, I saw he was absolutely RIGHT!

     I mentioned this to a few shooters around me but they stared back with glossy looks in their eyes, as if I were nuts. Everyone shot the left target THEN  rushed to the "tree target". Some were lucky some were not...no one hit them all. But I was convinced ROBERT was right. I also knew if I blew it, I would really hear about it later....the God of Sporting Clays smiled down on the Radio Guy this day---> I aced the station by shooting it the opposite of everyone else! Thank you.. Thank you.. Sporting Clays God!....everyone on the squad cheered! My day was complete. All of us in Sporting Clays have had stations like this in the past and, no doubt, you have had more than I have had...so YOU know the feeling....lol

Don't miss the radio interview with the Laredo contingent that went on later....DAVE BUTZ bought endless beers for everyone and the party rocked on....

     DAVE BUTZ and I struggled to our feet and decided if we were going to shoot tomorrow we needed some meat! " OK radio guy...where do we find meat?" There is only one place to go when your shooting at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio and most of us know were that is, RUDY'S!....While we were there, I looked over at the next table and none other than one of the most famous SKEET shooters in the country....AND... my personal gun dealer MR. JOHN HERKOWITZ! Of course he was wearing his WORLD RING! Great guy, Great shot and very, very fair gun dealer. He's the owner of PACIFIC ARMS in California where I bought my K-80. Good to see you John, hope you did well...

OK, OK....lets get to the MAIN EVENT!

      NOW here is a threesome! Meet ENRIQUE HINOJOSA, THOMAS BARRIGA, ENRIQUE VOLKOR...our second contingent from LAREDO, TEXAS! They came together, they shoot together and they even brought their own shooting cart. They came to take home the prize and left with their heads high. 

     BUT....by the end of the day....it was the TEXAS "ROJO BANDITO" himself, TONY RIVERA, that slammed targets to take home the grand prize! Seen here to the right in his winning uniform. I had been looking for TONY ever since I heard he came to the fight...I was alerted to his location by one of the LAREDO shooters. I hurried across the field to catch him. Admittedly, not the best time to talk to a champion...but TONY is a gentleman. He greeted me warmly. It was good to see him again. I told him I needed a photo of the HOA...he laughed and responded.." It ain't over yet..."

     But you could see it in his eyes...he came for the prize and wasn't leaving without it! CONGRATS TONY! After Nationals, you needed this one ... and I am only thankful I was there to witness it.

WATCH FOR TONY'S RADIO INTERVIEW COMING SOON!

You know shooters the biggest criticism I get about this BLOG is that it might be a tad lOOOONG....so I am going to quickly insert a few photos, add some comments. Not everyone makes the FIRST cut....but eventually everyone does...

The best thing about shooting competitively is meeting new people and making new friends...how many know this 2004 WORLD CHAMPION---> Mr. MARTY FROEBEL...with a ring to prove it!

Ohh and how many of you saw this FAMILY from the famous RMTV PRODUCTIONS company? Here, rarely seen all in one place, is ANDY LIGHTBODY and KATHY MATTOON + the video crew sitting with there newest best friend! Take a minute and click on this---> www.rmtv.net they are leading members of the prestigious PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR MEDIA ASSOCIATION...and if you see them working, you can understand why they are called  "the professionals"...!

Then, there is DON & MARY BETH BLUE....I think the first time we met was last year at Elk Creek. Anyway, I see these two fun people everywhere I go. Don, X-Special Forces AND football player, recognized DAVE BUTZ quickly. They began swapping stories immediately. But Don & Mary BETH are also serious shooters and both carry a smile. Everyone on the field knows when MARY BETH shoots well..her yell can be heard over the sound of the C-5's landing nearby... Don told me that their dream was for them to shoot at a registered shoot in every state. But as fuel prices increased....they amended that to shooting a registered TARGET in every state...GOOD LUCK DON & MARY BETH!

Now its hard for a guy like DAVE BUTZ not to want to help people with their shooting or help improve their knowledge of gun ownership. He is a driven guy with a solid NRA background. So when I introduced him to three women from Dallas, who shoot together in SKEET and sometime SPORTING CLAYS, Dave felt compelled to give them a few lessons. Meet JO ELLEN COLLINS, JANE DAVIS and APRIL TERRY. See you girls in Dallas next week, for the great LEAR JET SHOOT!

But hey, let's not forget the RICH & FAMOUS....yes, in the last few hours on Sunday as we were winding up, who do I see but, THE BEN BRUNTON! Yes, none other than the publisher of CLAY SHOOTING USA! Yes, the man who made STEVE FISCHER!...oops, sorry Steve. Now at least I will find out if he really reads my BLOG as he says he does...lol..lol... Anyway, with BEN, was his advertising mtg NATHAN TOWRY. Now BEN is never going to forgive me for the photo I took of him. But even worse, I experienced an equipment failure and could not even do a radio interview! But we did agree to do the interview LIVE from the station as soon as I return to CaLEFTornia. PLUS guess what...he wanted to do an article on TRIGGER SPORTS RADIO! WOW there's a switch....nice to be appreciated BEN, thanX!

But, before we were to reach the vehicle, guess who pulls up along side the truck? MR. RIO AMMUNITION himself, PATRICK THOMAS! Beside him, a "rising star" in the SPORTING community, Mr. JIMMY JUHL! What a stroke of luck..I have been looking for Patrick for months to thank him for presenting some of the best ammunition AND best priced ammunition on the market today. We secured a room in the NSCA HQ and you will hear a great presentation from PATRICK THOMAS on the radio. Thank you for all that you do!...pssst Patrick, if you click on that photo of TONY RIVERA you will see he is shooting RIO AMMUNITION!

WE HAD TO LEAVE! I turned to DAVE BUTZ and he had only one thing to say..."where can I change out of these clothes for the airplane ride home??" I hurried him into the NSCA HQ and went right back to the same office I had interviewed PATRICK THOMAS. While I waited, I noticed that one of the unsung hero's of the NSCA...STEVE SCALES was busy in his office. What an opportunity to talk to the guy who they call MR.FINANCE DIRECTOR! We had only a few minutes but STEVE is very knowledgeable about the inner workings of the NSCA. DAVE BUTZ came out dressed for the airplane ride....we had no time left on the clock. A quick photo and off we went!

Well shooters, I hope you had a chance to meet DAVE BUTZ and I hope you will encourage him to return to the NSCA soon. What a great Representative of the NRA. We can only hope to see him again soooooon!!!

I will leave you with this final warning from GARY GREENWAY!