Thursday, July 20, 2000
Jumping Classic exec will have to skip it
Well this isn't fair. Here's Mr. Roy Kuhnell, president of the $75,000 Carl H. Lindner Family American Jumping Classic for 15 years and a staffer for 18 of its 19 years, and he can't go.
Too bad, 'cause it's considered one of the best by spectators and participants: “The test of how it's regarded is the field,” Kuhnell says. “Five of 12 riders on the U.S. Olympic team, will be here. Part of the reason is the purse, but another part, I think, is the way they're treated.”
As in parties, lots of them and waaaay lavish. The 10-day event kicks off today with a cocktail party — strolling violin, exotic munchies, starched servers — where participants mingle with the A list. Same thing next Thursday and again July 29 — always one of the year's best, with its string quartet and high-end food.
“They like the pampering,” Kuhnell understates. “Mrs. (Edyth) Lindner (co-chair) makes sure they're treated like the world-class athletes they are.”
So why isn't he there? “I go to as much as I can, but it's not much. There are so many details to handle. We have more than 400 volunteers, but things come up.”
Like a job. Kuhnell runs Dempsy & Siders Insurance for the Lindner family and sits on the Shriners board, one of the beneficiaries of the event, which so far has raised more than $3 million.
“It gets hectic, but I love the cause and I love the way it showcases the city. It's worth it.”
Even if he can't go.
Big Red news: Merciful heavens, look who the Baseball Hall of Fame called to spread the word about the Big Red Machine. It's Cincinnati baseball historian Greg Rhodes and Enquirer sports writer John Erardi, authors of Big Red Dynasty (Road West Publishing, $19.95).
They'll do a presentation in Cooperstown Saturday, before Sunday's ceremonies. Topic? Inductees Sparky Anderson, Tony Perez, Marty Brennaman and the 1970-78 Reds. (Bid McPhee is also being inducted, but he played in the 1800s.)
“We're excited that they called us, but the really exciting thing is seeing four Reds inducted at once. I don't think four guys from one team (at once) has ever happened. If it did, it would have to be the Dodgers or Yankees. It says something about that team.”
Cyber note: Not that anyone's trying to plan your Saturday night, but 7 p.m. would be a good time to tune the laptop to www.nextbigstar.com. That would be the cyberspace Star Search Ed McMahon has been running since April.
You'll want to cheer on a local.
Saturday, see, is the finals at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., broadcast live on the site. Comic Josh Sneed, emcee at Go Bananas, goes against Texan Saidas M. Ranade for the national title and a tasty $10,000.
“This is hard for me to believe, but I guess it's true because they fly me down at the end of the week for the show. Voting is during the show and winners named at the end.”
Besides two comics, the hour also has two female pop groups, two kids from the vocalist category, and two musical groups.
Knip's Eye View appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Have an item to report? Call Jim Knippenberg at 768-8513; fax: 768-8330.
Psst! appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Have an item to report? Call Jim Knippenberg at 768-8513; fax: 768-8330.
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