Archive for July, 2008

Blogging the Blog -10

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

Tonight I have added a new feature: Searings on the Internet.  This category is designed to find and post publicly available news/feature articles that show up on the internet…thanks to a Google search for ‘Searings’.  I’ve been experimenting with the collection for a while, and will try to catch up with posts.  I will attempt to post enough information so readers can get the gist of the Searing mention, and search for the article themselves if they are interested in more details.  I would love to hear from the Searing subjects of the articles, and will try to find them if their emails are available.  If you know any of the persons mentioned, please have them contact me, if they wish.  I have been a little disappointed in not finding more Searing weddings, obits, and news articles.  Obviously most of the ‘finds’ are the word searing as a part of speech (see my page on that subject).  Again, the lack of stories may be because there aren’t that many of us going through important life events that are publicly reported.  As always, suggestions for stories, features, categories, etc., are welcome!

Searings in the News – July

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

From the Gainsville Sun, July 28, 2008 (sorry Brian, for the loss – Dan)

Tribby putts way to county title

Published: Monday, July 28, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, July 28, 2008 at 12:08 a.m.

The high-pressure scene on display at the Gainesville Country Club was everything a golf aficionado would expect on a Sunday afternoon final.

No, there wasn’t a green jacket on the line, or anyone donning a red polo shirt. Nevertheless, the intensity that filled the air as Matt Tribby approached the 18th hole was palpable. If he sinks the putt on the par-5, he walks away with his first Alachua County Amateur title. If he misses, then Brian Searing, whom he had dueled with all afternoon, would have a chance to send the tournament into a playoff.

With just one flick of his wrists, and a wall of onlookers rooting for him, he calmly sank the putt and earned a title.

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From the Gainsville Sun

Defending champ on top after first round

Published: Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 25, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.

It’s safe to say that Brian Searing is a front-runner. As the defending champion of the Alachua County Amateur Golf Championship, the target is squarely on his back, but apparently that’s just the way he likes it.

“This morning when I woke up I said to myself I can do this,” Searing said. “Knowing that I won this tournament before gives me a lot of confidence that I can do it again.”

Searing is attempting to become just the third three-time winner of the tournament. Ironically, the most recent, Bryan Harrell, is playing in the same group as him. The 19-year-old shot a 4-under 68 to take a one stroke lead over Matt Tribby at the Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club. The tournament continues today at the University of Florida and Sunday at the Gainesville Country Club.

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By Brandon Zimmerman
Sun sports writer

Published: Friday, July 25, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 25, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

The Alachua County Amateur Golf Championship will be different for Brian Searing this year.

The 19-year-old Santa Fe High School graduate will be the one with the target on his back for the first time.

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By Joseph Malan
For The News-Dispatch (July 22, 2008, Michigan City, IN)

LA PORTE – Unfavorable road conditions around the city of La Porte could be having an effect on how much the local consumer pays at the pump.

Some secondary and residential roads around the city are not only in need of a facelift, they could impact how much gas mileage a driver can get out of their vehicle. Even though the direct effect may be small, Jay Searing says awful roads can ultimately lead to a bad automobile.

“The problem is not so much the fuel economy, but it’s the hazard to the vehicle itself,” said Searing, manager of Stan’s Service in La Porte. “With any bad road conditions, there can be damage to struts, bearings and other important vehicle parts.”

Searing said when struts, bearings and wheel alignments become damaged, the efficiency of any automobile’s engine decreases significantly.

“Once the bearings start going bad, it takes more energy to get your vehicle to move,” he said. “If tires aren’t properly aligned, that’ll affect the mileage.”

Searing believes La Porte roads are in dreadful shape.

“I ride a motorcycle. There are very few roads you can use as thoroughfares,” Searing said. “The secondary streets are deplorable.”

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Purdy: Biking for a cause, and fries

By Mark Purdy
Mercury News Sports Columnist

 

Click photo to enlarge

 

 

Mercury News sports columnist Mark Purdy, left, and fellow riders…

It was all going so well. Too well, now that I look back on it.

We were riding along gloriously on the Tour de French Fry 2008. Early Saturday afternoon, nine intrepid cyclists shoved off from my driveway. We looked sharp. We pedaled with resolve. Our motorcycle escort had a boombox blaring the “Rocky” theme. Nothing could slow us down.

(The article goes on to explain the ‘Tour’ and how this year it was changed to raise money to buy helmets for kids who can’t afford them..in memory of a 12 yr old rider who was killed…one of the riders who donated money to participate was……Stan Searing..see below…Dan)

Stan Searing, an engineer who twice a week commutes by bike from Willow Glen to Mountain View and rides on Park Avenue past my corner, where Breanna was hit. Stan also has long hair that blows in the wind as he rides. Every Tour needs a sex symbol. Stan was ours.

Searing Plane Makers

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Old wooden planes made by a J. Searing will occasionally appear on eBay. Information has been scarce and I’ve been trying to find more material.   Recently a Searing plane sold on eBay and the buyer responded to my request for information: “I have some info from Pollak’s book, American Wooden Planes. I don’t know if this plane was made by James Searing, or his son, John D. The speculation is that they both used the same stamp. If that is the case, then this plane could have been made anytime between about 1800 and maybe 1850. James was well-enough regarded by his fellow tool makers to have been selected to represent them in Newark’s 1821 Fourth of July pageant. By 1850 John D. had abandoned planemaking and was making his living as a sash and blindmaker….” Later the buyer added: “I checked the 1789 census of Newark Township. There were no residents with the surname of Searing, so James’ family may have been the first of the Searings to reside there.” (Many thanks to Tom for providing me with this insight.) As I pick up more details I will add them here. If any reader wants to add something, please contact me. Dan

Searings Return to eBay

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Update: July 24, 2008  A new 2006 edition of a Laura Redden Searing book is up on eBay  UK for Buy It Now, $18.04 plus shipping:  Idyls of Battle and Poems of the Rebellion, by Howard Glyndon [Pseud.]   See our entry on the author for details about this interesting book.  The tintype photo of a girl mentioned in an earlier entry was up again, but withdrawn early as no longer available.  It was done at Searing Studios in Brooklyn.  I am seeking information on this business if anyone knows about it.  Another tintype by the same studio (different address) was purchased by me as a Searing artifact.

Original entry: Searing items have been a bit scarce on eBay lately, but there are some renewed appearances. First, a nice Searing plane: “A nice early wood plane by J. Searing of Newark NJ. Looks to be in good condition with minor wear, one arm wedge looks good, the other appears to be shorter but still functional. Has a nice early James – Cam iron. Takes a wide 1-3/4 inch cut leaving about a 5/16 inch tongue. Plane bed is smooth and rear tote looks good.” went for a great price – $19.50 – on June 29, after only 3 bids. Come on, Searings, where were you!! Second, in currently active items, a 1994 Dennis Searing (see below) custom made cue is up for a mere $4995.00 plus shipping (Did not sell, as of 7/13/08); a pair of Searing made shafts, up for $300.00 (did not sell); and finally, another Searing plane, currently up to $18.00 (SOLD for $51.00 7/13/08 to a Searing). I continue to watch for these items and will post them as I see them. Dan