by orionontv | Oct 8, 2024 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Anthony McDowell to the 7th Circuit Court in Genesee County.
“I am proud to appoint Anthony to the bench in Genesee,” said Governor Whitmer. “He brings years of diverse experience to the position, and I know he will serve the people well and uphold the rule of law. As a fellow Spartan, I wish him the best of luck. Go Green!”
7th Circuit Court– Genesee County
Anthony McDowell, of Fenton, currently serves as the Friend of the Court director for the Genesee County Circuit Court. He previously served as both Deputy Friend of the Court and a staff attorney since starting with the Friend of the Court in 2014. Prior to his work at the Friend of the Court, McDowell worked as a judicial advisory assistant at the Genesee County Circuit Court under the Honorable Duncan M. Beagle.
McDowell is also involved in a number of Professional Associations, including the Friend of the Court Association, Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the Genesee County Bar Association, the Michigan Child Support Formula Committee, Michigan Model Family Court Plan Committee, and the Michigan IV-D Program Leadership Group.
Anthony McDowell received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law.
“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for this appointment and her confidence in my ability to take on this great responsibility. I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to continue to serve the families of my community in this new role.”
This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge John A. Gadola. Judge McDowell’s term will commence on October 14, 2024, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
by orionontv | Oct 7, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Sunday October 6th at 11:25 PM
The rankings were set by History Now host Anthony Taormina
Here they are.
- Troy- Winning the OAA Red carries a lot of weight going into districts.
- Adams- Second place in the OAA Red but not finishing well going into districts. Could be a concern.
- Oxford- Lost only one game and didn’t win the OAA Red. Should be the favorite going into their districts.
- Troy Athens- Big win over Catholic Central prepares them well for districts.
- Berkley- Smallest school in the OAA Red still proving they can compete in the division. Should be well tested going into districts.
- Seaholm- Playing Royal Oak back to back including in districts. Not easy.
- Lake Orion- Played Adams tough. Should prepare them for an eventual matchup with Grand Blanc in the semifinals.
- Clarkston- Needs to be more consistent going into districts. Surprised they are playing Lapeer on a Friday (usually a football night).
- Royal Oak- Playing Seaholm back to back including in districts. Not easy.
- Rochester- Continuing to do well in Non-League play despite losses to league teams and Lake Orion.
- Groves- Falcons playing well going into districts. Winning four and tying one.
- West Bloomfield- Lakers should be the favorite going into their district.
- Stoney Creek- Cougars preparing for districts.
- Bloomfield Hills- A trip out to Traverse City. The game was rough but the travel was nice.
- Farmington- Despite the very tough district. Winning a league title (OAA Blue) helps.
- North Farmington- The tough loss to Farmington decided the division.
- Avondale- Playing schools their size will help the Yellow Jackets. Really struggled playing against schools double or triple their school size.
- Ferndale- Very tough matchup with Troy Athens looms in districts. The Eagles staying in the top tier of the OAA Blue along with the Farmingtons gives them great confidence going into the future.
- Pontiac- Very tough matchup with Brother Rice looming in districts. A team who already beat them 8-0 earlier in the season.
- Southfield A&T- Middle of the pack in the OAA Blue. Not a bad showing for the Warriors. Tough matchup with Troy looms.
- Oak Park- Knights continuing to compete. Got a big league win in a very competitive makeup game over Harper Woods. Could be a future rivalry in store between the Knights and Pioneers.
- Harper Woods- Welcome back Pioneers. Finishing the league schedule will help long term going into the future.
by orionontv | Oct 7, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday October 5th at 2:40 PM
Well we’re getting close to the end of the season and here are the thoughts and ranking explanations
The Red is a mess but I feel pretty confident that all five teams in this division will be postseason teams. If West Bloomfield beats Oxford and Lake Orion beats Clarkston this week then it would mean that every team would be 2-2 and would have won their home games, that has never been done in league history. You have to look at non league wins which is really important at the moment. Lake Orion has 58 points because Northville, Stoney Creek, and Troy have 3-3 records. Clarkston has 57 points with Southfield Arts and Tech at 0-6 and Troy Athens at 1-5. Oxford has 57 with Harper Woods at 3-3. Adams is at 57 with Romeo and Rochester both at 2-4. West Bloomfield is at 48 with Chippewa Valley at 2-4 and Southfield Arts and Tech at 0-6. The non league week eight and week nine are very critical to see where each is at right now despite beating each other up.
Groves has won the White and has a favorable schedule throughout. Harper Woods looks safe in Division Four. Stoney Creek is one of those last teams in right now with the Cougars having a big game with Adams for postseason dreams. Rochester is on the outside looking in but they still have a path. Southfield Arts and Tech has really struggled this season.
Seaholm has clinched a share of the Blue to where they can win it out right if they beat North Farmington. The Raiders are hot right now. Farmington is right there along with Troy despite critical losses. Both teams play each other this week which should be very interesting. Oak Park needs to win out to be in the postseason discussion, beating Lapeer would help big time. Bloomfield Hills and Troy Athens have both struggled but could play spoiler.
Avondale has clinched the Gold after their win against Royal Oak. Ferndale won over Pontiac which has helped them. Berkley has really struggled despite winning two games. Pontiac and Royal Oak have both struggled but for different reasons. It will be interesting to see how this goes.
Overall there are 14 teams presently in the postseason for right now. This could all change going forward.
Rankings Explanation
The rankings are as followed.
Groves is the top team in the poll, undefeated record and quality of work proves that. Seaholm is also unbeaten but is at five in the poll. The Maples have a tough schedule, lets see if they can prove it in the next three weeks. The Red is a mess, Clarkston has the two spot despite not playing the strongest non league schedule -Belleville. The Wolves have won two straight games. Oxford is at three after winning over Adams. Lake Orion despite having less postseason points than the Birmingham schools is at six. West Bloomfield jumps up three spots to four after their shootout win over Lake Orion basically saving their postseason dreams. North Farmington stays at eight after a tough 19-18 win over Oak Park. Avondale moves up to nine after an impressive win over Royal Oak.
The ten spot was tight, Harper Woods or Stoney Creek. I went with the Pioneers because of playoff points and the head to head matchup. Harper Woods won 28-21 in that game even though the Cougars are starting to get hot but they have a really difficult matchup with Adams in the horizon while Harper Woods heads to Rochester to play the Falcons. Other than that not a ton of changes to mention for the week.
by orionontv | Oct 1, 2024 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Sends Tributes to 12 Michigan Schools Honored for National Blue Ribbon Recognition
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent tributes to 12 Michigan schools for being named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. This prestigious recognition is awarded annually to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
“I’m proud of our work to build a strong public education system that gives every Michigan student a real opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Whitmer. “These twelve schools represent the best of what’s possible when we invest in our kids, teachers, and communities. Their achievements show that every child can thrive academically and have a bright future with the right support. We will continue working together to ensure all of our schools have the resources they need to empower our students, close achievement gaps, and help families continue to make it here in Michigan.”
“Education is the key to unlocking the full potential of every Michigan student,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “These National Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate what happens when we prioritize student success and close achievements gaps across our state. By investing in our schools and ensuring that every child has access to the best educational opportunities, we’re empowering future leaders and innovators. We are grateful to the educators, students, and communities that made this achievement possible. Together, we will continue building a Michigan where every child can thrive, and every family can stand tall.”
12 Michigan Schools Honored for National Blue Ribbon Recognition:
- Chandler Woods Charter Academy (high performing), located in Belmont.
- Hill Elementary School (high performing), Davison Community Schools.
- Dearborn STEM Middle School (high performing), Dearborn Public Schools.
- Pembroke Academy (achievement gap closing), located in Detroit.
- Lake Hills Elementary School (high performing), Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
- Rosy Mound Elementary School (high performing), Grand Haven Area Public Schools.
- Hughes Elementary School (achievement gap closing), Marshall Public Schools.
- Moraine Elementary School (high performing), Northville Public Schools.
- Pellston Elementary School (achievement gap closing), Pellston Public Schools.
- Meadow Ridge Elementary (high performing) School, Rockford Public Schools.
- Handley Elementary School (high performing), Saginaw Public Schools.
- Hamilton Elementary School (high performing), Troy School District.
Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.
“I am immensely proud of the students, teachers, and staff of Moraine Elementary for being recognized as one of the top performing schools in the state,” said Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield). “This is a significant accomplishment and testament to the hard work and dedication they show in the classroom every day. I want to offer my sincere congratulations — it is truly an honor to serve you and all of our District 13 schools at the Capitol, where I am working alongside colleagues to ensure our future leaders are set up for success. Keep up the good work.”
“Handley Elementary School is always leading the way for best education practices and raising the bar for student growth and success. This recognition as a National Blue-Ribbon School Program is a point of pride for our entire community,” said Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City). “I am proud to extend my congratulations and to join them in celebrating this achievement.”
“Winning this award is a remarkable achievement for the staff, administration, and students of Pembroke Academy, and it reflects the school’s dedication to academic excellence,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). “Congratulations to everyone involved — from parents to teachers, it truly takes a community effort.”
“Congratulations to the students and teachers of Dearborn STEM Academy. Your dedication to both learning and teaching has led to this well-deserved award,” said state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). “This achievement reflects your daily efforts, and it’s exciting to see your hard work be honored on a national scale.”
“This is an exciting day for Dearborn STEM Middle School,” said state Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn). “Our middle school and its students are being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for being a high-performing school. I would like to congratulate all the students, teachers and staff who have worked so hard to get this recognition. I am very proud of you all.”
“I would like to congratulate Hamilton Elementary School for being recognized as a high-performing school by the U.S. Department of Education,” said state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy). “This is an incredible achievement that the students, teachers, staff, and families all deserve. They all worked so hard to achieve this recognition, and I am very proud of them. Congratulations, Hamilton Elementary school — you’ve earned it!”
“I’m proud of my community, our people and our successes,” said state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). “I congratulate Handley Elementary School on this wonderful achievement, as a high-performing school, right here in Saginaw. What an accomplishment to be celebrated — shout out to Principal Julie Miller for all the hard work and to the teachers and staff who have dedicated their time and knowledge to our kids.”
“This recognition is a testament to the teachers, staff and parents at Moraine Elementary and their bright-minded students,” said state Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). “Their hard work and care for every child’s education journey is evident in their students’ achievement and love for learning. Congratulations to Moraine Elementary for this well-deserved recognition as a high-performing school!”
“Congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students at Pembroke Academy for receiving this title from the U.S. Department of Education for their incredible work to close the achievement gap for their students,” said state Rep. Natalie Price (D-Berkley). “This is proof that our kids thrive when teachers and parents work together to help students develop the critical skills they need to grow into future leaders of our communities. I want to thank the dedicated staff at Pembroke Academy for putting their students first.”
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by orionontv | Sep 30, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday September 28th at 2:00 PM
West Bloomfield: The Lakers had a tough 35-20 loss to Clarkston on Friday night. West Bloomfield defense had a ton of trouble with the Bowman twins and Brady Beck. Kam Flowers and Elijah Durham had touchdowns for West Bloomfield. They have Lake Orion looming next week.
Lake Orion: The Dragons earned a monster 28-25 win over Adams on Friday night. TR Hill returned from a shoulder injury and was really effective. Jayden Borrero, Jamari Cooper, and Jackson Vasquez had touchdowns for Lake Orion. Fumbles is an issue for Coach Chris Bell’s team. The defense did just enough to secure the win against a really good Adams team. They head to the Swamp next week.
Clarkston: The Wolves had an impressive homecoming with a 35-20 win over West Bloomfield on Friday night. The Bowman twins along with Brady Beck had a big night for Clarkston. It’s a big win for Coach Justin Pintar’s team after falling 28-10 to Adams last week. They have Troy Athens looming next week.
Adams: The Highlanders lost their quarterback in Rylan Watters to a foot injury in a 28-25 loss to Lake Orion on Friday night. Matteo Humbert was solid for Adams. The Highlanders have a quarterback in Nolan Farris who played really well for Adams taking over for the injured Watters. It will be very interesting to see how the Highlanders respond after losing Watters which could be for an extended amount of time. They have Oxford looming next week.
Oxford: The Wildcats had a strong game winning 28-10 over Rochester on Friday night. Oxford has been gaining a ton of confidence since their 21-18 win over Lake Orion last week. Luke Johnson, Jake Champagne, and Jack Hendrix has played really well for the Wildcats. Hendrix threw for two touchdowns both to Champagne while Johnson added two rushing touchdowns. Oxford has Adams looming next week.
Harper Woods: The Pioneers have been struggling going 1-3 in their last four games which included a 28-12 loss to Groves on Friday night. Harper Woods has been struggling on both sides of the football which is rough and they have not been the same team without quarterback Nate Rocheleau who got hurt against Novi Detroit Catholic Central a few weeks ago. Dakota Guerrant had both touchdowns in the game. They have Southfield Arts and Tech looming next week.
Groves: The Falcons earned a hard fought 28-12 win over Harper Woods on Friday night likely giving them the White crown. Groves was really in control the whole contest. Mario Lovasco had two touchdowns while Ryan Counts has been solid for the Falcons. They have South Lyon looming next week.
Stoney Creek: The Cougars got their second win of the season on Friday night winning 17-0 over Southfield Arts and Tech. Sam Fogler had a big night and the Stoney Creek defense shut down the Warriors offense. The Cougars are trending in the right direction under Coach Rick Powell. They have Rochester looming next week.
Rochester: The Falcons had a tough 28-10 loss to Oxford on Friday night. Rochester has been outscored 66-17 in the last two weeks which is rough but their postseason dreams are still in play. They have Stoney Creek looming next week.
Southfield Arts and Tech: The Warriors had another rough night falling 17-0 to Stoney Creek on Friday night. Southfield Arts and Tech has scored only 14 points in league play which is a big problem. They have Harper Woods looming next week.
Farmington: The Falcons had a tough 14-6 loss to Seaholm on Friday night likely costing them the Blue crown with two losses in league. The defense recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the first quarter and that was it for the Farmington offense. The defense was solid for the Falcons but the offense hasn’t been the same since Julian Johnson got hurt against Oak Park. Johnson is out for the season according to Farmington TV-10. They have Bloomfield Hills looming next week.
North Farmington: The Raiders had to survive Troy Athens on Friday night winning 14-7 on the Red Hawks homecoming. North Farmington is red hot right now especially defensively and they kept their Blue title hopes alive with this win. They have Oak Park looming next week.
Oak Park: The Knights had a stunning 31-6 loss to Troy on Friday night. Oak Park dealt with a tough Troy defense and the Colts just shut the Knights down. They have North Farmington looming next week.
Troy: The Colts were really impressive in a stunning 31-6 blowout of Oak Park on their homecoming. Troy has been battle tested in the last two weeks which helped and they have kept their Blue title hopes alive as well. The Colts have Seaholm looming next week.
Troy Athens: The Red Hawks had a tough 14-7 loss to North Farmington on Friday night in their homecoming. The defense played better but they have a really tall task awaiting them as Clarkston comes in next week.
Seaholm: The Maples had a goal line stand and big plays alike in a stunning 14-6 win over Farmington on Friday night. Penn Roberts and Nathan Walsh had touchdowns for Seaholm. It’s a big win for Coach Jim DeWald which puts them in the hunt for the Blue title yet.
Bloomfield Hills: The Blackhawks earned their first win of the season winning 19-6 over Pontiac on Friday night. Bloomfield Hills has started to put up some points which is a good sign for Coach Dan Loria’s team. The Blackhawks have Farmington looming next week.
Avondale: The Yellow Jackets defense really showed in their 21-7 win over Ferndale with the game being finished on Saturday afternoon in Auburn Hills after safety concerns. Avondale has really changed since their 0-2 start winning three straight and controls their destiny in the Gold. They have Royal Oak looming next week.
Ferndale: The Eagles had something off the field that hindered them for the second straight year. First it was against Oak Park that cost them a trip to the postseason and this season with the game having to be moved to Auburn Hills because of safety concerns. Ferndale seen their Gold title dreams take a hit after falling 21-7 to Avondale. The Eagles had no answers for the Yellow Jackets defense. They have Pontiac looming next week.
Berkley: The Bears had a battle with arch rival Royal Oak on Friday night at Hurley Field taking back the Battle of Woodward trophy winning 14-7. Berkley has turned things around which is very promising heading in the final month of the season. The Bears have Jackson Northwest looming next week.
Royal Oak: The Ravens had a battle with arch rival Berkley on Friday night at Hurley Field falling 14-7 in a hard fought game. Royal Oak has really been impressive defensively. They will be fine but they have Avondale looming next week.
Pontiac: The Phoenix had a tough 19-6 loss to Bloomfield Hills on Friday night. Pontiac has scored 12 points in the last four weeks which is not good and 136 allowed in the last four weeks as well. They have Ferndale looming next week.
Standings After Week Five
Red
- Adams2-1, 4-1
- Clarkston 2-1,3-2
- Lake Orion 1-1, 4-1
- Oxford 1-1, 3-2
- West Bloomfield 0-2, 2-3
White
- Groves 3-0, 5-0
Harper Woods 1-1, 2-3
Rochester 1-1,2-3
Stoney Creek 1-2, 2-3
Southfield Arts and Tech 0-2, 1-4
Blue
- Seaholm 4-0, 5-0
- North Farmington 3-0, 3-2
- Troy 2-0, 3-2
Farmington 2-2, 3-2
Oak Park 1-3, 2-3
Bloomfield Hills 0-3, 1-4
Troy Athens 0-4, 1-4
Gold
- Avondale 2-0, 3-2
Ferndale 2-1, 3-2
Berkley 2-1, 2-3
Royal Oak 0-2, 1-4
Pontiac 0-2, 1-4
by orionontv | Sep 30, 2024 | Feature Writers, High School Sports
Written Saturday September 28th at 3:00 PM
It has been a crazy week around the OAA this week. Here are some thoughts from a league perspective.
The Gold is basically locked up with Avondale winning 21-7 over Ferndale on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets have a stout defense but the offense has really picked things up which is a great sign for Coach Bob Meyer. Ferndale has a tough schedule with games against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Utica Ford II. Playoffs will be something to watch for Coach Eric Royal’s team. Berkley has to play Avondale in week seven but that game is in Auburn Hills. It will be very interesting to see how the Bears respond after winning back the Battle of Woodward trophy with a 14-7 win over Royal Oak. Berkley is a much different team since week one when they lost 7-0 to Walled Lake Central and 20-0 to Troy Athens especially offensively. The Ravens are much improved defensively which is a good sign for Coach Colin Campbell’s team. Royal Oak will be fine going forward. Pontiac is really struggling falling 19-6 to Bloomfield Hills. The Phoenix have been outscored 136-12 in the last four weeks, that’s really rough for Coach Wendell Jefferson and Pontiac. It will be really interesting to see what happens with the Phoenix going forward.
The White is basically locked up with Groves winning 28-12 over Harper Woods on Friday night. The win locks up the crown for the Falcons. The Pioneers might have to worry about the postseason if they can’t get their act together and soon. Harper Woods is without Nate Rocheleau which is a big reason why the offense has really struggled and the defense has not been the same since the Oxford game. The Pioneers need to get a ton of things addressed and soon or a trip to the postseason could be in jeopardy. Rochester has had a tough two weeks getting outscored 63-17 in the last two weeks. Stoney Creek earned a 17-0 win over Southfield Arts and Tech and has seemed to be turning the corner. The Warriors are really struggling right now getting outscored 142-14 in the last four weeks, that’s not good at all.
The Blue is down to three teams at the moment. Seaholm had a hard fought 14-6 win over Farmington behind their stout defense and veer offense. The Maples have not lost a beat since but they have a tough stretch when they head to the Swamp in week eight and to Beverly Hills in week nine. North Farmington has bounced back from an 0-2 start with a hard fought 14-7 win over Troy Athens. The Raiders are finding ways to win games. Troy has had a rough two weeks but made a statement winning 31-6 over Oak Park. Troy plays Seaholm this week and North Farmington has Oak Park. This would tell a lot when it comes to the league race. Bloomfield Hills picked up their first win of the year winning 19-6 over Pontiac. Troy Athens is really struggling and it won’t get any better when Clarkston visits next week. Oak Park hasn’t been the same team since the 28-18 loss to Seaholm two weeks ago. Farmington needs to get their quarterback Julian Johnson back and soon which could help them big time.
The Red is a complete mess. Every team still has a shot at winning the division. Adams lost quarterback Ryland Watters to a foot injury and was on crutches in their 28-25 loss to Lake Orion. It is unknown if Watters will be back and what would the Highlanders look like without Watters. The Dragons got their quarterback TR Hill back along with Will Hoffman on the defensive side of the football. Lake Orion looks to be back on schedule heading into a big showdown in the Swamp. West Bloomfield is in must win mode after losing 35-20 to Clarkston. The Lakers are sitting at 2-3 which was unthinkable to start the season. West Bloomfield needs to get a win somewhere or the postseason could be in jeopardy. Oxford has won two straight with an impressive 28-10 win over Rochester. Luke Johnson and Jack Hendrix have been good as advertised for the Wildcats and have continued to get better every week. Like I said, I still believe all five teams in this division will be postseason teams.
Rankings Explanation.
This weeks rankings, I looked at each teams postseason points which is a reason where each team is right now and based it off playoff points. Groves is the top team with their record but the rest of the schedule concerns me. South Lyon is up and down while Royal Oak is struggling and Seaholm has been really good but they have West Bloomfield before that game in week eight. The Falcons have earned the top spot in the poll but the schedule lightens up which could be a big concern.
The Red is a complete mess as mentioned. Lake Orion got quarterback TR Hill back and got a big win over Adams. The Dragons have the two spot despite the loss to Oxford because of playoff points. Adams drops to three from the top spot despite major concerns about quarterback Ryland Watters. It will be very interesting to see how the Highlanders respond without Watters for the foreseeable future. Clarkston goes to four after the big win over West Bloomfield but playing Bloomfield Hills and Troy Athens in a span of three weeks with their combined record of 2-8 is very concerning but it’s not the Wolves fault. The Utica Eisenhower and Lake Orion games weeks seven and nine will be really interesting games. Oxford stays at five because of the playoff points despite winning over Lake Orion. West Bloomfield is at seven despite the loss to Clarkston. Playoff points look really concerning for the Lakers right now. I went with the playoff points when looking at the Red teams because of the parity of the division.
Seaholm is at six despite winning 14-6 over Farmington and staying unbeaten while controlling the Blue at the moment. The Maples have Troy this week, West Bloomfield in week eight, and Groves in week nine with the two games at the end of the season on the road.
North Farmington is at eight after their 0-2 start. The Raiders have been really improving and they have Adams in week eight, they have Seaholm in week seven, and Troy in week nine. The schedule gets tough but it’s favorable from an playoff points perspective for Coach Jon Herstein and his team.
Troy is in the rankings at nine after a statement win over Oak Park. Playing Lake Orion and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep helps the Colts with their records. They have Seaholm which would be big for Coach Chris Frasier’s team if they can get that win this week. Troy has to play North Farmington in week nine which is very interesting. Overall the Colts are in a great spot for the postseason.
Avondale comes in at ten after a huge win over Ferndale likely getting the Gold crown. The Yellow Jackets started 0-2 but have turned things around. The toughest game for Avondale is Stoney Creek which is really interesting. Coach Bob Meyer has this team clicking on all cylinders right now.
