July 10th - Another Mac update from Claudia

Dave (Mac) had his first cardiac rehab. appointment yesterday. He had hoped they would tell him he could begin golfing with the guys this Wednesday but they want to observe him a for a week before giving the go ahead. Starting this week he will go to rehab. 3 x per week.

He learned more yesterday regarding what happened, as the final report from the heart lab. was available. His left anterior main artery was 90 % blocked and a branch off that was 70% blocked. These are the two areas where stents were placed. The heart had compensated since there was evidence of collateral circulation and in the end he suffered no irreversible damage. The right main artery is 50% blocked and was not stented because it did not meet the criteria for the procedure. This is one reason to observe him while being monitored in the Cardiac Rehab. Unit. This is also a reason for his medication and to watch diet and cholesterol. Although the blockage on the right will not go away except by further stenting, the fore mentioned measures can hopefully prevent further blockage.

A recommendation by the Cardiovascular Clinic was for Mac to begin taking 1000 mg. of fish oil (mega-3 fatty acids) on a daily basis. I am passing this on in the event you have an interest it such a supplement for it's benefits, which include:

• Reduced risk of heart attack
• Decreased level of triglycerides in the blood
• Small reduction in blood pressure

The clinic warned Mac that the supplement has a foul taste. To help alleviate the problem, they recommend freezing them and then taking them in the frozen state. To recommend that, I'm not even going to ask how they are manufactured or from what part of the fish they are made!

All in all he is doing well. I'm doing well too, with him around the house 24/7. It's a toss up over which of us wants him to be able to start golfing again.

Claudia

Mac Update

I've not gotten an update in recent days, but Steve Richardson said Mac has had a few appointments and that cardio rehab would be starting. It sound like Mac is shooting to return to the Dostal Tour towards the middle or end of July.

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I'm thankful that Mac listened to his warning signs and went to the doctor.

We've had a few medical issues in the group the past several years and we now tend to talk more about aches and pains than we do golf shots.

Keith has shed a bunch of weight and it shows. Kann says he's lost weight - but it could just be brain matter.

We've had several in our group that have had health issues. From heart and leg and foot problems to skin biopsies. Stay healthy and keep going to Mayo to get every little thing checked out. My paycheck depends on it.

Jake

Golf versus live music

Other than my family there aren't many activities that trip my trigger more than golfing and live music. You know enough about my golfing so I'm going to concentrate on live music.

Now I'm not much for smokey bars and crappy musicians - but when it comes to hearing great musicians in great venues - that really trips my trigger. There's something about being in the presence of talented musicans that enjoy their craft and enjoy sharing it with others.

What type of music you ask? It's hard to pigeion hole my musical tastes into one category. But I guess it could be described as Jam bands. Jam bands are defined as musicians that feel the music and improvise a song into tight funky solos. This normally will extend the songs from the normal 5 minute garden variety song into 10 or 12 minute jams.

The jam band crowds are generally free spirits with kind hearts and a love for soulful, funky music. A large contingent of tie-dye t-shirts and flower children type clothing. Most are extremely polite and respectful of their surroundings. Tree-hugging dirt worshippers who love Mother Earth and are looking for positive vibes and use the common ground of music to celebrate. And yes, there's plenty of dope smoking....but we don't let that bother us.

Ok, can you picture the crowd? Here's a partial list of bands I've seen perform live in the last 6 or 7 years. I've added a short description when needed.

2007 - Either seen or scheduled.

• Yonder Mountain String Band - funky bluegrass at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheatre
• Widespread Panic - Boston, MA - Pavilion July 18th
• Buddy Guy - Blues - Minnesota Zoo Amphitheatre - August 1st
• Allman Brothers Band - southern rock and blues. If you've never listened to their Live at Fillmore East CD, you're missing something.

2006 -

• Yonder Mountain String Band - October at the State Theatre in Minneapolis
• Sam Bush - Bluegrass. Minnesota Zoo - July
• Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas and Beausoleil - New Orleans jazz
• Yonder Mountain String Band - June at the MN Zoo
• The Subdudes - New Orleans style jazz/rock at the MN Zoo
• The Black Crowes in Somerset WI
• Drive By Truckers
• Robert Randolph and the Family Band
• Bob Weir and Ratdog - original member of the Grateful Dead. Playing old Dead songs and blues.
• BB King - Blues legend in Rochester

2005 -

• Widespread Panic - October at Roy Wilkens Auditorium. St Paul.
• Robert Cray Band - Great Blues guitarist
• John Hiatt - Singer/Songwriter
• Widespread Panic - May in Kansas City, MO
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band - New Orleans jazz

And others but I can't place what year they were. I keep all the ticket stubs, but that seems like a lot of work to dig through them right now.

• Eric Clapton
• Santana
• Blues Traveler (Chicago)
• AC/DC (1980, 1999, 2002)
• Bob Schneider
• Big Head Todd and the Monsters (twice)
• Vince Gill

Way back in the day in my high school years and just after I saw these bands in no particular order.

• Rush
• Black Sabbath
• Van Halen
• REO Speedwagon
• Blue Oyster Cult
• Queen
• The Cars
• The Doobie Brothers
• Manfred Manns Earth Band
• Journey
• 38 Special
• Willie Nelson
• The Eagles
• Steve Miller Band
• and yes..... KISS (I was 14 and my friends sister drove us up)

Okay, you get the idea. Nothing like getting a few beers in you and listening to live music. Step outside your daily routine and take in a live performance. Let the music flow through you. Smile at your neighbors and live a little!

Jake