Quote of the Day/Week- Peter Falk

This month and perhaps next month as well, we will quoting famous people who died in 2011. Today, we quip Peter Falk, who died at age 83 on June 23, 2011. Falk is best known for his tv detective role Columbo in the series of the same name. But, he was also known for several outstanding film roles in addition to "Columbo," which ran from 1971-78 (we're not counting the tv movies with Columbo in more recent years).

Interestingly enough, the part of Columbo was originally offered to the late crooner/actor Bing Crosby.

Falk also appeared in many films with his friend, the late actor/director John Cassavetes, including "Husbands" (1970) and "A Woman Under the Influence" (1974), both film that Cassavetes also directed.

Falk fans can see him the movie "Pressure Point" (1962) with Sidney Poitier at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 16 on TCM.

Here is Falk's quote which alludes to Cassavetes:

"I never understood a word John Cassavetes said. And, I think he did that deliberately."

SIDEBAR: The answer to our last Bonus Road Trip was C.

Leftover Files- Strasburg Va. is NOT Going to Name Town After Pitcher

In a story we've been meaning to post for several weeks, but since our focus was on The World Cup, we never 'round to it, the town of Strasburg, Va., some 85 miles south of Washington, DC, actually contemplated renaming the town Stephen Strasburg, Va., just for a day.

Stephen Strasburg plays for the Washington Nationals, and last night the rookied sensation whiffed eight San Francisco Giants pitcher leading his team to an 8-3 win.

Strasburg's mayor Timothy Taylor did tell "The Washington Post" that he wanted to have a special week in the pitcher's honor and have him come down I-66 to visit the town of antique stores and drive-in diners.

There is an amateur baseball team in nearby Front Royal, Va. The Front Royal Cardinals play in the Valley League at Bing Crosby Stadium. I went to the field to cover the Valley League All-Star Game when I was a reporter in Woodstock, Va., which is 20 miles south of Strasburg. The Cardinals head down I-81 to play in Staunton, Va., tonight---presuming there is no rain.

In other Valley League is also home to the Rockbridge Rapids of Lexington, Va., where my mom sells antiques at Duke's Antiques Mall. I was there a few weeks ago, and I noticed there was an old $2,960 Blue Sunoco gas pump for sale. I imagine it will be there for a while. Tonight, the Rapids have a home game against the team from Covington, Va.