The World Trade Center By the Numbers-- Part 2: Cost, Depth and Extra Land

TIME TO BUILD:   14 years from the formal proposal to finish

NUMBER OF ARCHITECTURAL DEIGNS:  105

COST TO BUILD:  More  than $1 billion

RENTABLE FLOOR SPACE:  About one acre per floor

DEPTH OF THE TWIN TOWERS:  70 feet

EXTRA LAND CREATED BY BUILDING THE WTC:  About 23 acres added to Lower Manhattan

TWIN TOWERS ELEVATOR SPEED:   1,600 feet per minute

WINDSPEED THE TOWERS COULD SUSTAIN:   80 m.p.h.

NUMBER OF SPRINKLERS IN THE TOWERS:   3,700

HEIGHT OF THETIGHTROPE WALK BETWEEN THE TOWERS:  1,350 feet on August 7, 1974

FORCE OF THE TREMOR WHEN THE TOWERS FELL:  Akin to 2.1 and 2.3 earthquakes

The World Trade Center By the Numbers-- Part 1: Quarter Mile Up, 45 Miles on a Clear Day

From History.com.

It was Supersized in all aspects.

It took ten years to build and came down in a minute.

When the World Trade Center's twin towers opened in 1973, it was the world's tallest buildings.

They rose a quarter mile into the sky.

They had  15 miles of elevator shafts.

Nearly 44,000 windows which took 20 days to wash.

From the South Tower observation deck,  visitors could see 45 miles on a clear day.

The Trade Center complex (there was more than just the Twin Towers) was so huge that it had its own zip code.

Good Times Last Week: Cuda's Fish Fry, 80s A to Z ibn Chicago's Drive, Legion Party and Margaritaville

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

We met Kevin, Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their beer-battered fish fry.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Since Friday afternoon I have been recording segments of the Drive's (WDRV, 97.1 FM Chicago) 80s A to Z, which they will be doing all this weekend and all of next weekend.  The 80s are one of my favorite decades for music and I was listening to a lot of it for my deejay business.

I am recording the segments on cassette tapes and will rerecord them on cassettes with the idea of listening to them when I'm out in the 1985 Firebird.  Which, by the way, still has a cassette deck.

Met Glenn and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 pm where they had one of our favorite performers, Joe Kadlec entertaining.

Where else you gonna go in the afternoon for music and beers.

Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox (300 CDs) in the basement while watching the Sox and Georgia games on TV.

--RoadDog

Good Times Last Week: No Q But Stucky's, Donovan's Reef, Perennials, Gas Gouge, Nothin' Runs Like a Deer and Best Dog Ever

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31

We were going to meet Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at BB*Q in Spring Grove, but they weren't open and we fear are closed for good.  Fall-back plan was Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and their great half-price burger and $2 domestic cans special on Tuesdays.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

FP (Front Porch) which I do every day for breakfast and coffee.  The FP chipmunk has me trained so well as his or her food requirements.  I had to help the guy from Buck Brothers push the lawn tractor across the yard and up a small hill to get it on the trailer so he could take it back to Wauconda to have them find out why it stopped running last week.  I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.

As usual, met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin for trivia and drinks.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Drove to McHenry, Illinois, where gas had jumped to $3.46 for Labor Day and Hurricane Ida.  Big Oil needs to make their profit, you know.  Sad to see that Meijer is now requiring face masks, but at least they had three bricks of cassette recording tapes.  Bought three hostas and two red perennials at Meijer as well for $4 apiece.  Then  bought five small mum plants for $1.25 each and two $4 gladidora perennials at Home Depot.

Found out the lawn tractor would cost $380 to fix and was happy to hear it as I was figuring that I'd have to replace my 27-year-old John Deere and that would be over $3,000.  So, I was happy about that.

Later went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsbirg and had probably the best hot dog ever for $2 and a dollar extra forb tater tots.

Eatin' and Drinkin' Cheap in the Neighborhood.  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of September 6, 1971:

In other words, half a century ago.  Wow, time sure does fly when you're having fun.

1.  SPANISH HARLEM--  Aretha Franklin

2.  WEDDING SONG--  Paul Stookey

3.  AIN'T NO SUNSHINE--  Bill Withers

4.  GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL--  Donny Osmond   Do you think Bob Stroud played this song on his Summer of '71 Rock and Roll Roots show on Sunday?

5.  ALL DAY MUSIC--  War

6.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Joan Baez

7.  UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul McCartney

8.  SMILING FACES SOMETIMES--  Undisputed Truth

9.  TAKE ME GIRL, I'M READY--  Jr. Walker & the All Stars

10.  SIGNS--  Five Man Electrical Band

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DEBUTS

21.  I AIN'T GOT TIME ANYMORE--  Glass Bottle

29.  CHIRPY CHIRPY CHEEP CHEEP--  Mac & Katie Kissoon

30.  SOLO--  Billie Sans

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ALL HITBOUND

SO FAR AWAY--  Carole King

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN--  Lee Michaels

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "He Is Now To Be Among You At The Calling Of Your Hearts."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Wedding Song (There Is Love)"

Last Week: A Fish Fry, Back to the Legion, Civil War, CDs, Sliders, Stucky's, Band, Another Legion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

We met Kevin and Kelly at Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, for their great fish fry and $2 drafts.  Afterwards, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the first time in many months.  We used to be there most every Friday for 50-50 and lots of fun, but certain things in their leadership happened which we did not like and we stopped going.

We used to be there a whole lot for other things, and I am hoping to start going back again.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting where we talked about and looked at Civil War-era newspapers.  Two members brought in the real newspapers from then.

Afterwards, I went to my favorite two stores these days: Half-Price Books and White Castle. Half-Price Books has, of course, used books, but also albums and CDs.  Three of my favorite things.  And, White Castle has those delicious Sliders.

Went to Stucky's at night.  Thanked Craig and his wife for the bottle if Blue Nun.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

Went to McHenry, Illinois, got the $1 bacon cheeseburger special at Burger King and ate them at the band concert in Miller Park.  Went to the McHenry American Legion for the Bloody Marys and found out that buddy Mark was in the hospital.

Satisfied My Slider Attack.  --RoadDog

Last Week: Touring Galena on Our Honeymoon 48 Years Ago and the Bottle of Blue Nun

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

48 years ago, Liz and I were in Galena, Illinois, on out honeymoon, shortened because I had to be at school on the 29th.  We went on a walk through Galena and this was before it became the tourist spot it is today.  We had dinner at the Log Cabin steakhouse, which we still go to today.

My lawn tractor congratulated us by breaking down.

We were going to go to Sunnyside, but it was too crowded, so ended up at nearby Stucky's where we enjoyed the open mic jam.  Later we went to Sunnyside.

Came home and opened the bottle of Blue Nun which Craig had given to us when he found out that you can't buy this Riesling wine anymore.  He remembered he had a bottle from 1995 in his wine stash and gave it to us.  What a guy.

This is our traditional anniversary drink/toast.  Liz's dad, Amby, gave us a small bottle as we got ready to leave the reception all those 48 years ago.

It was good.

Thanks, Craig!!  --RoadDog

Last Week: Our 48th Wedding Anniversary and Living High Off the Hog-- Part 1

TUESDAY. AUGUST 24

We were thinking  what was going on with ourselves 48 years ago.  I signed my contract to teach my first year in Round Lake, Illinois, and we had the rehearsal dinner for our wedding the next day.

We had planned to go to Galena, Illinois, this week (where we went on our honeymoon), but decided to stay home because of the return of the virus (even though we are both vaccinated).

I went to the McHenry Count Civil War Round Table Board of Directors meeting instead.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25   LIZ AND MY 48TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Forty-eight years ago, Liz and I got married at the Newman Center in DeKalb, Illinois (NIU) and had our reception at the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

No expense was spared for our anniversary breakfast with a trip to McDonald's for their breakfast sandwiches.  (Buy one get another for $1.)

Met friends at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and an anniversary toast.  Then to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.

Lots of Memories.   --RoadDog

WLS Top 10 for Week of August 30, 1971: 'Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

1.  SMILING FACES SOMETIMES--  Undisputed Truth

2.  SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band

3.  UNCLE ALBERT / ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul McCartney

4.  SPANISH HARLEM--  Aretha Franklin

5.  RESURRECTION SHUFFLE--  Ashton,  Gardner & Dyke

6.  AIN'T NO SUNSHINE--  Bill Withers

7.  WEDDING SONG--  Paul Stookey  Played this song at our wedding as well as "Sunrise, Sunset"

8.  I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE--  Rare Earth

9.  GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL--  Donny Osmond

10.  WHATCHA SEE IS WHATCHA GET--  Dramatics

**************************************

DEBUTS

26.  STAGGER LEE--  Tommy Roe

27.  MAGGIE MAE / REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart   This song always reminds me of the Sig Ep House at UGA.

28.  THE STORY IN YOUR EYES--  Moody Blues

29.  ANABELLA--  Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

30.  SWEET CITY WOMAN--  Stampeders

**************************************

ALL HIT BOUND

SOLO--  Billy Sans

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It's Not Warm When She's Away."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Ain't No Sunshine"

White Sox, Margaritaville, Ultimate Jukebox, Steak Fry, Miller Park in McHenry, Legion and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.  Watched the Sox game there and came home and saw the rest of it.  The Sox won.  Enjoyed Margaritaville (my basement bar) and the Ultimate Jukebox (my 300-disc CD player).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

Took a Firebird Cruise through Solon Mill and Spring Grove as well as Pioneer Road.  Liz and I went to the Spring Grove Firefighters steak fry at Horse Fair Park.  Great steak, baked potato and Stade corn on the cob.

We were going to go to Stucky's for their $1 draft beer special, but there must have been 300 people out in the parking lot. Johnsburg was having their annual golf cart tour de force to six bars and they were there.  So, we went to Sunnyside nd had a couple beers there, but when those golf carters started showing up at Sunnyside (last stop) we quickly adjourned back to Stucky's.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

As usual, the radio shows in the morning.  I went to Miller Park in McHenry where they had a band playing outside at the gazebo (with the Fox River in the background).  Then to the McHenry American Legion for their famed "Adequate Bloody Mary" for $2.50.  Stopped at Sunnyside on the way home.

--Good Times All Week.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANNSWERS:  Q:  I', two months pregnant right now.  When will my baby move?  A:  If you're fortunate4, right after he finishes college.

Trivia, Dog N' Suds and American Pop Standards-- Part 1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18th

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played live trivia with Professor Jeffie and enjoyed the half price drinks.  Had a half-price burger at Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH 

Because of the recent storms, I had to cut the grass for the first time in three weeks.  

Went to Dog 'N Suds on Ingleside, Illinois for their 2 for $4 Charcoburger special and washed it down with a large root beer.  There are only seven of these old eating places left in the United States and we have three of them within 25 miles of us.  The other two are in Richmond and Grayslake, Illinois.  They, of course, still have the gal come out to your car with the food and put the tray on your window.  

This is real old-school eating.

I then went to the last It's Thursday concert in Antioch, Illinois, and saw Peter Oprisko do his show of American Pop Standards by such folks as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin,  He had an eight piece Big Band backing him.

Stopped at McDonald's on the way home for a Coke Slushie.

A Real Fine Day Indeed.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (From the Dec. 15, 2016, Orange Peel:  Q.  Should I have a baby after 35?  A.  No, 35 children is enough.

WLS Top Ten for Week of August 23, 1971: 'I Just Want to Celebrate'

Fifty years  ago, these were the Top Ten songs in Chicagoland according to WLS, 890 AM.

1.  SMILING FACES SOMETIMES--  Undisputed Truth

2.  SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band

3.  UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul & Linda McCartney

4.  RIDERS ON THYE STORM--  Doors

5.  TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver

6.   REURRECTION SHUFFLE--  Ashton, Gardner & Dyke

7.   SPANISH HARLEM--  Aretha Franklin

8.  AIN'T NO SUNSHINE--  Bill Withers

9.  WEDDING SONG--  Paul Stookey

10.  I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE--  Rare Earth

*********************************

DEBUTS

28.  I WOKE UP IN LOVE THIS MORNING--  Partridge Family

29.  DEEP BLUE--  George Harrison

30.  MARIANNE--  Stephen Stills

ALL HIT BOUND

STAGGER LEE--  Tommy Roe

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All My Memories Gather 'Round Her, Miner's Lady, Stranger To Blue Water."  ANSWER BELOW.  --RoadDog

"Take Me Home Country Roads"  

Music Deaths: Chuck E. Weiss (Chuck E.'s in Love) and Jeff LaBar (Cinderella)

CHUCK E. WEISS,76

Died July 19, 2021

Songwriter / vocalist.  The subject of Rickie Lee Jones' 1979 song "Chuck E.'s in Love" which hit #4.

JEFF LaBAR,  58

Died 14 July 2021

Guitarist with glam metal band Cinderella from 1985.  They had hits with

"Nobody's Fool"  (#13-1987)

"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)"  (#12-1988)

JSS: Missing Bob Rohrman-- Recreational Marijuana-- Firefighters' Steak Fry

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  MISSING BOB ROHRMAN

Bob Rohrman died Tuesday, September 1, 2020.  And, I miss his wacky TV commercials for his family-owned auto group were standard TV fodder and who put the ROAR in ROHRman.

2,  RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA COMMERCIALS--  And, on the subject of commercials, now I hear commercials telling people to save money on their recreational marijuana by getting a doctor's excuse.  I really never thought I'd be hearing these on the radio.

Of course, we have had legal marijuana sales here in Illinois for a year now and every month they set new sales records.  And a whole lot of the cost you pay for it is taxes.  Hey, our state is broke so nice to have the revenue.  As for us, we have yet to go buy any.  Personally I have enough problems with drinking and don't need another problem.

We also have never played any of the gambling slot machines that seem to be everywhere in the state these days.  I'm waiting for them to start putting them in bathrooms.

3.  FIREFIGHTERS' STEAK FRY--  Today, the Spring Grove Firefighters are having the annual Steak Fry, so we will be going over to that.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, THE BEHIND YOU LAW:  When you finally give up looking for that item in a store and ask an employee where something is, you know very well that it will be right behind you.

About Last Week-- Part 2: Fish Fry, $1 Pints, and a Wedding Anniversary

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Me Kevin, Kelly, Barb and Glen at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for the fish fry, then went to Lake View Place on Grasslake for that inspiring view of the lake and $1 pints sitting out on the deck.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

We went to the McHenry VFW to see Aging Teen Idols with John Piet, but it was too crowded outside so sat inside for awhile before going over to Stucky's for the $1 drafts.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15

We went to Cindy and Jerry's 15th wedding anniversary at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, DOCTOR'S LAW:  If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there, you will feel better.  But, don't make an appointment, and you will stay sick.

About Last Week-- Part 1: Storms and That Field of Dreams Game

Monday and Tuesday, we finally had rain, unfortunately several times in the form of storms.  Monday there were tornado warnings in the area and then a real bad one went through Tuesday, but with no tornadoes, but a lot of tree destruction.  Kevin and Kelly were without electricity from Tuesday night to Saturday.  On Wednesday, I did a Firebird Cruise on Pioneer Road and finally had to get off it because of all of the places where work crews were removing topple trees and big tree limbs from the road.  Plus, one stretch was nothing but little twigs and branches.

But, at least we got rain which was badly needed.

TUESDAY AUGUST 10

Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11

Firebird Cruise

******************************************************

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12

Finally had to cut the grass because of all the rain.  

I had to make a choice tonight.  Whether to go see the band at Antioch, Illinois' It's Thursday as I originally planned, or go to Stucky's in Johnsburg and see Jim Sieg play music and host a jam.  But, today was also the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees playing where the "Field of Dreams" movie was shot.

Well, either way, I'd get my music, but at Stucky's I could also watch the game.  So, Stucky's it was.

And, I am sure glad I did.  Besides all the corn (and them walking out of the corn like in the movie), WOW.  What a game.  The Sox went up 1-0 in the 1st, then fell behind 1-3 in the top of the 3rd before scoring 4 runs in the bottom of that inning to go up 5-3.  They added two more in the 4th to go up 7-3.

The Yankees scored once in the 6th and things were looking good until the 9th, when the Yankees scored 4 times to take a 7-8 lead over the Sox.  I tell you, we were downfallen.

Then Tim Anderson hit that walk-off homerun and a 9-8 win!!  Eight home runs were hit in the game.

Wow!  --RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, LAW OF COMMERCIAL MARKETING STRATEGY:  As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.  Boy do I agree with this one.  I look at it this way.  If I like it, they will take it away from me.

Music Deaths: John Lawton (Uriah Heep) and Gary Corbett

JOHN LAWTON,74

Died 29 June 2021

Singer (Rock).  Lead vocalist with Uriah Heep (1976-1978).

He wasn't with the band when they had their biggest hits, but, he sang them.  Personally, if I had to pick an all-time greatest Heavy Metal Band, it would be this group.

*******************************

GARY CORBETT, 62

Died 14 July 2021

Keyboard player / session musician.  Worked with Ian Hunter, Kiss and Cinderella

WLS Top Ten for Week of August 16, 2021: 'Liar'

Fifty years ago, these were the songs on Chicago's WLS, 890 AM.  If you remember these when they came out, you might be getting a little old.

1.  RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors

2.  TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver

3.  SWEET HITCH-HIKER--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

4.  SMILING FACES SOMETIMES--  Undisputed Truth

5.  SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band

6.  HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART--  Bee Gees

7.  MAYBE TOMORROW--  Jackson 5

8.  UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY--  Paul & Linda McCartney

9.  MERCY MERCY ME--  Marvin Gaye

10.  LIAR--  Three Dog Night   (Again, this song and "Take Me Home Country Roads" were my Quantico Summer USMC Camp songs.)

***********************************

DEBITS/HITBOUND

24.  WHATCHA SEE IS WHATCHA GET--  Dramatics

25.  ALL DAY MUSIC-- War

29.  THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN--  Joan Baez

30.  STICK UP--  Honey Cone

***********************************

ALL HIT BOUND--  George Harrison

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Take Me Home Country Roads"