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8/25/10
San Diego Beach Life
San Diego Swimmers Can't Make Chuck Norris Fly
Red Bull Flugtag Race draws eclectic competitors
By Dave Good
Posted on Tue, Aug 24th, 2010
Last updated Tue, Aug 24th, 2010
The plan was for Chuck Norris’ head to become airborne and fly off the end of the Pine Avenue Pier in downtown Long Beach before making a soft landing into Rainbow Harbor.
In order to win, the Chuck Norris head-shaped aircraft had to fly. But in the final analysis, over the weekendbefore a live audience of just over 105,000 Red Bull Flugtag fans, it did not. Instead, it got wet.
Team Roundhouse, which tried to fly Chuck,is Wade Trainer, Martin Corbett, Ken Ball, Justin Phillips and Dan Shearer. They are all Navy rescue swimmers attached to the HSM Weapons School of the Pacific on North Island. As such, they are accustomed to falling into ice cold ocean water, bearing the head of Chuck Norris or not.
“We’ve been working on it for a month,” says Phillips, who was picked to pilot the craft because he is the lightest of the group. “There’s a 450 pound weight limit.” He demonstrates during a top-secret build session in Santee prior to Flugtag how he will make Chuck’s last ride off the pier by sitting on the driver’s seat. The four members of the push crew will also end up in the bay.
Team Roundhouse, and "Chuck."
Photo by Matt Paveleka
“It’s been a challenge balancing the build with a regular job,” says Trainer. “But it’s been fun for the most part.” They estimate that they have invested close to a thousand dollars of their own money and countless hours to build the Norris-mobile.
“Right here,” says driver Justin pointing to the propeller mounted on the craft’s stern in the days before the countdown to launch , “that’s where all the magic happens.”
But in truth, all Flugtag entries by definition are human-powered.
400 entries were narrowed down to 37 contestants and two of them were from San Diego this year. They were UCSD’s Remember the Tritons, and Team Roundhouse.
“We’re going for the People’s Choice category,” Phillips says.
Foamco in San Diego donated the 3’ X 4’ X 9’ block of specialty foam which Team Roundhouse carved into the likeness of their hero. “It’s the same stuff that an ice cooler is made from, basically,” says Corbett.
Why Chuck Norris? The team just smiles. “It’s those sleeveless denim shirts he wears. Canadian tuxedos.” They laugh. “That’s what we’ll all be wearing.”
“He has the persona of a badass,” says Corbett. “If we’re gonna dominate this event, we have to take on the Chuck Norris badass thing.”
The first Red Bull Flugtag took place in Austria in 1991. Since, more than 80 Flugtags have been held around the world. The record for the farthest flight-to-date was recently broken at Red Bull Flugtag Twin Cities in July. Major Trouble and the Dirty Dixies flew an astounding 207 feet over the Mississippi River breaking a record that was held for more than a decade.
Does the TV action hero know about this monumental attempt to make his likeness airborne? Trainer says they left word with Norris’ agent, but they never heard back.
“We tried to get word to Chuck,” says Justin, “but it was no-go.”
 Dave Good About the author: Dave Good is a freelance writer, photojournalist, and restless San Diegan. He writes about pop music and culture at large for a number of publications including the San Diego Reader. His stories have appeared in San Diego Magazine, Los Angeles Journal, Goldmine, BluesWax, SignonSanDiego, NBCsandiego.com, and more.
NRA and Hollywood:
From Charlton to Chuck
FoxNews.com
NRA Convention headliners: 5/12/10
Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Chuck Norris,
Glenn Beck and Charlie Daniels
ActionFest April 15-18, 2010
Video of Chuck
Black Belt Patriotism
News Release 3/29/10
CHUCK NORRIS TO VISIT DAVENPORT, CEDAR RAPIDS, DES MOINES AND COUNCIL BLUFFS ON BEHALF OF VANDER PLAATS CAMPAIGN
DES MOINES – Internationally known actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris will appear at events in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Council Bluffs for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats during the final days of the primary election.
Vander Plaats’ campaign announced today that Norris, who writes a nationally syndicated column and is active in conservative and pro-family causes, will be in Iowa on June 4 and 5.
“Chuck and Gena Norris received a wildly enthusiastic response from Iowans when they visited the state on behalf of Mike Huckabee’s 2008 presidential campaign,” said Vander Plaats, who was Huckabee’s Iowa chair. “They had a crowd of more than 2,500 Iowans at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines on relatively short notice the night before precinct caucuses. I know they’re going to generate a great deal of excitement as this year’s primary election comes down to the wire.”
Vander Plaats said logistical details of the events will be announced at a later date but he expects to appear with Norris for a mid-day rally in Davenport on Friday, June 4, and an early evening event in Cedar Rapids. They will hold a mid-day rally in Des Moines on Saturday, June 5, and an event in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area later that same day.
Norris began his martial arts training while serving in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea. He held the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title for six consecutive years. He has appeared in a number of popular films over the past 30 years, beginning with “Enter the Dragon” with Bruce Lee in 1972. He broadened his fan base with younger audiences, too, when he starred in the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger” from 1993 to 2001.
A devout Christian and political conservative, Norris writes a column for the website WorldNetDaily and is the author of several Christian-themed books, including the new, expanded version of Black Belt Patriot just published in paperback by Fidelis Books. He also authored The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, which offers 101 facts and favorites stories of his life, which was released by Tyndale House Publishers.
It was Chuck's Birthday!!
Think about donating to KickStart
as a tribute to him.
http://www.kick-start.org/donate.html
Join the contest with the
Chuck Norris Fact group on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=2204804234
11/2/09 Chuck Norris Meets And Greets Fans In College Station
11/3/09
Chuck Norris - The Man, The Legend, And The Fans
Chuck's New Book
Limited time offer of $9.00 plus shipping
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2009
Tyndale House Publishers announces
the November release of
The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book,
a look at Chuck’s favorite Facts,
from the man himself.
[Carol Stream, Ill.]—Tyndale House Publishers announced today that it will release The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck’s Favorite Facts and Stories, written by Chuck Norris with Todd DuBord, in November. Chuck Norris Facts is a quirky, but extremely popular, Internet phenomenon that has entertained millions of fans from all over the globe. Now, for the first time ever, Chuck Norris gives fans not only his favorite Facts but also stories behind the Facts and the code by which Chuck lives his life.
“For the past three years, I’ve been asked repeatedly to select my favorite Chuck Norris Facts,” said Norris, a TV and film actor who has starred in more than 20 films and is well-known for his popular television series Walker, Texas Ranger. “For three years, people from everywhere have inquired in person and by mail about what I think about particular Chuck Norris Facts. For three years, I’ve been solicited to write this manuscript. So, finally, I’m happy to offer the world The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book, 101 of my favorite Facts, with my personal reflections on each.”
Hundreds of thousands of humorous Chuck Norris Facts have traveled around the globe via the Internet, and they have gained an international audience of millions. You’ve heard the Facts:
· Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
· Chuck Norris doesn’t need a weapon. He is one.
· When Chuck Norris does push-ups, he isn’t pushing himself up. He’s pushing the earth down.
In addition to the Facts, each entry includes an example of “Chuck’s Code,” the five core values that summarize his life’s purpose. They are represented by five Fs: Freedom, Family, Fitness, Faith, and Fight.
Promotion for The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book will include a comprehensive marketing campaign and a national media tour.
Said Jon Farrar, Tyndale Acquisitions Director, “The facts themselves will be humorous, but he will have basically a 250-word commentary on each fact. He talks about his movie career and different things that have happened to him in his life. He’ll take the humor as a jumping-off point.”
In addition to his acting career, Chuck Norris is also a martial arts icon and a best-selling author of numerous books, including Black Belt Patriotism and the autobiographical Against All Odds: My Story. Norris’s nationally syndicated column appears in Human Events, Townhall, and WorldNetDaily, among other outlets. Chuck and his wife, Gena, continue to be involved in many charitable, Christian, and civic endeavors, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has served as spokesperson for the U.S. Veterans Administration and is a Veteran Foundation’s Veteran of the Year Award recipient. In 2007, he was made an honorary member of the United States Marine Corps in recognition of his visits to troops in Iraq. Chuck and Gena Norris are also advocates for an elective Bible education course now offered in 475 public school districts in 38 states.
Arguably Chuck Norris’s greatest mission, however, is to raise the value and standards of young people through his Texas-based KICKSTART organization, founded in 1990. KICKSTART (www.kick-start.org) is a character-building, life-skills program whose fundamental purpose is to give our nation’s at-risk, middle school students the tools to strengthen their self esteem. In addition to martial arts training, KICKSTART provides young people with the core values and philosophies associated with leading a productive and healthy life. Mr. Norris hopes to expand the program nationwide. For more information on Chuck Norris and the KICKSTART program, go to http://www.chucknorris.com/html/kick.html.
Tyndale House Publishers was founded in 1962 by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor as a means of publishing The Living Bible. Tyndale is now one of the premier publishing houses in the industry. Tyndale products include numerous New York Times best sellers, including the popular Left Behind series and Quiet Strength, the memoir by former NFL head coach Tony Dungy that reached No. 1 on the Times list and has become one of the best-selling nonfiction sports-related titles in history. Tyndale also publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, and many other resources for church and family. Tyndale House Publishers is located in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
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Chuck's last book
coming out in paperback soon.
The hard copy
September 28, 2008
New York Times
Best Sellers List
Black Belt Patriotism:
How to Reawaken America
This and other books can be
autographed personally to you
or a friend with a
personal message.
The additional charge goes to KickStart.
__________________________
You may also be interested
in his other books:
and
Proceeds from the sale
of the books on this site
goes towards his
KickStart Foundation
for the children.
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9/8/08
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9/9/08
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9/26/08
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10/2/08
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Actor and martial-arts expert Chuck Norris is greeted with cheers at his speech about political involvement at Kent State. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal) |
KentNewsNet.Com
He's no joke
FACT: Chuck Norris didn't come to Kent State this weekend. Chuck Norris used gravity to bring the 'We The People Fest' to him.
Melissa Dilley
Issue date: 9/29/08
Chuck Norris fact: Chuck used to be shy, ridiculed and unhappy. The idolized celebrity revealed this little-known fact to about 500 students and community members yesterday afternoon in Cartwright Hall.
Norris spoke at the "We The People Fest," a three-day event put together by the Center for Pan-African Culture. Despite coming to Kent State to educate about the government through promoting his best-selling book "Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America," he began his speech by telling the story of his rise from timidness to the superstar he is today.
"I have overcome trials and tribulations by sheer determination," Norris said. "I found a way to make it work."
Norris said he thinks millennials, people born after the 1980s who use technology in everyday life, need to overcome obstacles and come together to improve our country.
"You're going to make a difference in this country," Norris said about college students. "We need leaders with integrity and honesty, and from what I have seen from traveling colleges with Mike Huckabee, I am impressed with your generation and its ability to be motivated by more than money."
Norris, who endorsed former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, spoke mostly about his conservative political beliefs, but the diverse audience didn't seem to mind.
Josie Steeb, senior applied communications major, said she doesn't agree with Norris' political beliefs, but still loves "Walker Texas Ranger."
"Everyone will just listen to him and laugh because of who he is," Steeb said. "I think people will enjoy seeing him even if they don't enjoy his views."
Although the speech had its controversial moments, Norris kept it light with his humor while answering questions from the audience.
The most popular questions were about the infamous Chuck Norris facts. Norris said he reads them all the time, and he thinks they are hilarious.
"My all-time favorite is that they wanted to put my face on Mount Rushmore, but the granite wasn't strong enough to hold my beard," Norris said.
Community members, students and even Barack Obama supporters stood to cheer when Norris finished and chanted his name as he left the stage.
Those who attended and bought his book went in the auditorium after the speech for autographs and photos. Most fans took advantage of the opportunity, including Eileen Hagenbaugh of Kent, who said she is a lifelong fan of Norris.
"I came to see him because I love him, but I learned a lot about him today that I didn't know," Hagenbaugh said. "He has an absolutely positive outlook, and he gave students a lot of encouragement."
Norris, who started studying government after he ended his ninth season on "Walker Texas Ranger," spoke extensively about students making a great impact on the country's future. He said he dedicated his new book to millennials because they have the power to change the world for the better.
"I think all students, including those at Kent State, should unite with other colleges to overcome our government's downfalls," Norris said. "It is going to take a lot of effort and determination to succeed and there will be a lot of bumps in the road, but you never know which bump is going to be the last so you have to keep going."
Contact on-campus entertainment reporter Melissa Dilley atlcrist1@kent.edu. |
June 9, 2008
Congress,
get off your gas, and drill!
June 11, 2008
Foxnews.com
Drill Now Video
____________________________________________
Chuck Norris Statement
April 10, 2008
When I learned yesterday (Wednesday) of the story about a high school student in New Jersey faced with expulsion from school and possible other problems after being charged with compiling a "hit list" that contained my name, my first instinct was to say nothing. Not to risk making something out to be bigger than it is.
But I realize that this is not the best course, for such behaviors are exactly the warning signs we have ignored for far too long, emanating from a growing at-risk population of young people in this country.
In today’s world, we must always be vigilant, not just in stepping up protection and emergency preparedness in schools, but in reaching out to those lost souls who feel marginalized and disenfranchised by the world around them.
It is what I have been doing for more than a decade with my “KickStart” program, which began in Houston, Texas, teaching 150 at-risk children martial arts as part of the PE curriculum. Since that time, our program, which instills discipline and respect and raises self-esteem, has grown to serve more than 6,000 youngsters year round at 37 schools in Dallas and Houston, Texas. To date, KickStart has graduated more than 50,000 students with many going on to college and becoming successful in their own right.
My hope is that, should there be substance to these charges, we will not distance ourselves from this young man, but embrace him and give him the help he needs to get on the right path.
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http://www.worldcombatleague.com/
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