Jump to content

wolfgang

Members
  • Posts

    653
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

Everything posted by wolfgang

  1. This could go in all sorts of political directions, but because it does affect at least the California corps, it is a relevant topic. I read an article earlier this week that mentioned as of 12/31/23, any new semi tractor sold in California must be electric. Existing inventory can be used but when replaced would need to be EV. The costs for these are much higher than for diesel trucks, with many smaller trucking firms opting to go out of business. Whether a corps owns their own semi, or leases, the costs would go much higher either way. (Side note- depending on how California corps procure drivers, if a number of California truckers sell their rigs but still have a valid CDL, there may be a larger pool of California-based truckers available to drive corps semis cross country if the price for their driving services is agreeable). This does not take into account the distance a fully charged, loaded truck could travel, nor the time involved in charging, nor availability of chargers for Semis in Ogden, UT, Allentown, PA, Hattiesburg, MS , and other places. Note- the article was about semi tractors. I do not know if California has passed any rules regarding busses. If there is a parallel law or effort in California to mandate EV busses, that would also apply.
  2. Do they get souvie sales revenue if they are a non-profit entity in a state of non-compliance with the State of CA? Just asking what they are and are not allowed to collect if they are not technically shown as compliant with all state regulations?
  3. Rob Schiller states VMAPA has 600k in savings for running services. They have been given forgiveness for their loans. Russ Gavin further affirms that VMAPA will be in compliance by the end of year. Two questions arise from the above quote: 1) Assuming this is true, why not return in 2025 when they are compliant instead of rushing back while in a state of noncompliance? 2) Which loans? From whom? Were any loans from taxpayers via COVID funds?
  4. California has a number of Open class corps. DCI has sanctioned all shows there now, but what if.... The Open Class corps joined to create a Golden State Drum Corps circuit. Perhaps shows could allow other pageantry groups opportunities to perform, including mini-corps or soundsport groups. This would be controlled by the corps, not by DCI. Has the ship sailed on this type of locally-controlled organization, or have national circumstances made it more tenable for a Region-based organization? Just thinking out loud.... EDIT- Also, much of the rest of the country is in school by the middle of August. When do most schools begin classes in California?
  5. I found the highlighted snippet from the article interesting: "California law states that only certain organizations are allowed to operate bingo games (CA Penal Code Sections 326.3 and 326.5) – most specifically ones that are considered tax-exempt under federal law. By not maintaining its charitable designation, Vanguard may be in violation. What’s more, there are strict laws governing how the funds from bingo are spent. Specifically, that money only be distributed to certain parties and that does not include bingo employees. Vanguard bingo pays its bingo staff. Lesher says that in the past, the money from membership dues and donations was used to offset the employee costs, keeping Vanguard compliant. However, without those two revenue streams, Lesher believes that Vanguard’s continued operation of bingo has placed it in violation of state law. Vanguard’s management has been in upheaval over the past few years, with several changeovers in leadership. Most recently, on Sept. 8, Russell Gavin was announced as the new CEO of Vanguard. He talked to The Weekly about Lesher’s comments. Gavin says that the State’s website is not up to date. He admits that Vanguard is not considered a charity in good standing at the moment but says “delinquent” is not an accurate depiction of the current status. Gavin says the state recognizes that the organization is taking steps to return to compliance and the organization’s status with the state is considered in process. He also says that he has been “assured” by Vanguard’s lawyers that all the bingo operations are compliant with state law." ___ A few thoughts: 1. The new CEO admits directly in the article SCV is not a "charity in good standing." 2. Taking steps to "return to compliance" is NOT the same thing as being compliant. 3. Being "assured" by lawyers is meaningless. Either they are compliant or they are not. 4. For sake of argument, let's say all the negatives said about Lesher by commenters here and on the website where the article was published are true. That is all irrelevant. Either Lesher's accusations are true, or they aren't. His motivations are irrelevant in a strict true/false sense. It IS possible to tell mostly truth but the part not told makes a huge difference. Time will tell which is the case.
  6. There are aspects of this conversation that remind me of she-who-shall-not-be-named from the RAMD days.
  7. Wild thought- have DCA Champ do an exhibition before DCI WC finals. I know there are 3 champs, use the one with highest score.
  8. Out of curiosity, I wonder what % of spectators in the stands at DCA Championships are opposed to the move to Indy and have no intention of going there next year.
  9. 2024 autition info posted (could say the same thing about Louisiana Stars but I don't want to post this on two different forums).
  10. OP here. I don't know, just copied/pasted from something on Reddit for discussion. If I were the one doing the timing, though, big fat no. No credit should be given for simultaneous moving/playing if the section actually playing is not moving.
  11. Discuss: "The Total Amount of time Each 2023 Finalist Drum Corp Marched and Played in their Show Just because I always hear people talking about marching and playing in the shows, I was curious how much time each show was actually spent marching and playing. Here is my definition of what I mean by "marching and playing" just so yall know how I got that total "Marching and Playing": Playing any form of notes on their brass wind instrument while rhythmically and in time moving to the music across the field. Doesnt matter how slow or fast the movement is AS LONG as it is in time and they are physically moving from one location to another new location. Rhythmic visuals that cause you to be stationary and/or move side to side do not count Troopers - 5:06 Carolina Crown - 4:46 The Cadets - 4:41 Bluecoats - 3:56 Blue Devils - 3:15 Boston Crusaders - 3:10 The Cavaliers - 3:09 Blue Knights - 3:03 Blue Stars - 2:50 The Colts - 2:47 Phantom Regiment - 2:31 The Mandarins - 2:20 As I did this manually in an editing software, I would give a margin of error between 1-5 seconds **Edit - Below I am adding the total length of each show and the percentage that each show includes marching and playing** [Corp Name] - [Length of Show] - [Percentage of Show playing and Marching] Blue Devils - 12:10 - 27% Bluecoats - 13:10 - 30% Carolina Crown - 12:49 - 37% Boston Crusaders - 12:31 - 25% The Cadets - 11:19 - 41% The Mandarins - 11:41 - 20% Phantom Regiment - 11:48 - 21% The Cavaliers - 10:37 - 30% The Colts - 11:15 - 25% The Troopers - 12:21 - 41% Blue Stars - 12:05 - 23% Blue Knights - 11:24 - 27%"
  12. Thank you. It will be interesting how the attendance is compared to current. My hunch is year 1 may be larger than normal crowd for first time viewers to check it out, then year 2 will be similar to current attendance (been there done that effect).
  13. 1) Will DCA be a one-shot deal on Saturday, or will there be a prelims on Friday? and 2) The part that relates to DCI: Will your Semis and/or Finals DCI ticket get you in the door for DCA, or will it be a separate ticket? Has anyone heard how this is supposed to work?
  14. Congratulations. I don't know what this suggestion would look like.... but I hope Bones has a special role in the performance beyond being in the back corner of the stadium.
  15. Name 1 international Jr. corps that would make Semi finals, let alone Finals. I grant you, without SCV, SCVC, and BDB this year, there are probably some, but not with the same age or instrumentation limits of U.S. corps.
  16. Slippery Noodle Inn just a couple blocks away has food and live blues. Trivia bit- it was part of the underground railroad during the Civil War era.
  17. Thesis: Myron Rosander's best SCV drill was the 1999 Championship year. Discuss.
  18. DCI interviewer to Mike McIntosh "Do you feel your Sanford Trophy should have an Asterisk because Paull Rennick's line wasn't here?"
  19. We talk about fuel, food, housing, salaries for staff, etc. Out of curiosity, 1) how many different types of insurance does a corps need to carry (ie- liability when on the road; insurance on equipment, accident insurance policies, health insurance for Director or other senior staff, etc), and 2), what % of a corps budget do insurance premiums comprise, if anyone knows?
  20. If anyone has ever watched Chopped on the Food Network, what you described is what the judges would say is not a cohesive dish....
  21. Whether it's Dan or whomever, during WC Quarters or Semis, please do not ask the DMs of the Open Class Champion after their performance if there should be an asterisk by their name because BDB or Vanguard Cadets are not there.
  22. One item they should do (but probably won't) is start in a Vanguard Cadets model, aka local, and not think of touring until that has been successful for a few seasons.
  23. DCI has deeper pockets than BOA. If BOA can make it work, then DCI should be able to. The BOA event had 18 bands. Understanding 18 bands on the east coast (smaller than the average WC corps) is different than 18 bands in a metro area of TX (larger than average DCI corps), but there are ways to make compromises, such as at Lucas OIl for BOA, where you unload, perform, then move your trucks/busses to another lot. Surely a campus as large as Rutgers has unused lots during a Saturday in summer where there are no classes happening that a compromise like this could work.
  24. Just a thought- BOA had a Regional at Rutgers. Why not try that stadium for DCI?
×
×
  • Create New...