Podcast appearances and mentions of george block

We begin this episode with a lengthy recitation of achievements by this noted coach and educator, but here are some highlights, courtesy of ASCA: Coaching Since: 1977Northside Aquatics Developed 52 Texas high school State (UIL) gold medalists. Coached over 285 high school All-Americans. USA Olympic Trials qualifiers in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000. Produced 6 Olympians in three different sports (swimming, triathlon and pentathlon). Olympic swimmers from 3 different countries (USA, Nicaragua and Algeria)   Coach George Block retired from the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas at the end of June 2009, where he served as the Director of Aquatics since 1977 and Assistant Director of Athletics since 1993. In that time, he developed the Northside Aquatic Center into an internationally recognized center for athlete development. Email us at: swimtalk.a2b@gmail.com Timeline for this episode: 00:01 – Disclaimer 00:21 – George Block bio 02:10 – San Antonio drownings 05:28 – Benefits of the sport 07:07 – Cell phone vs. swim lessons 08:03 – Introducing George Block 08:33 – Long course water 10:20 – AAAA 14:40 – The “D” word 15:15 – Northside Swim Center 16:11 – Acronym overload 20:13 – Limited Texas options 24:38 – WSCA & anti-doping 30:32 – New testing technology 33:44 – Long-term consequences 34:55 – Pan Zhanle 35:35 – Team USA issues 39:22 – Mike Unger 44:48 – Training the world 47:55 – What hasn't changed? 50:13 – Flunking retirement 54:59 – Wrapping it up

After eight weeks at the High Court in Auckland, on the first day of the ninth week, the jury has found Philip Polkinghorne not guilty of the murder of his wife, Pauline Hanna.  For more on how the last day of the trial, NZ Herald crime reporter Craig Kapitan details the decision.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional production support by Helen King. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philip Polkinghorne's defence team says the Crown's accusations against him have been an insult. The Auckland eye surgeon is accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, in 2021. In his closing remarks Ron Mansfield KC says a lack of injuries on Hanna's body must mean she took her own life. Herald reporter George Block says Mansfield also gave an explanation for Polkinghorne deleting his messages with sex worker Madison Ashton. "Mansfield says that was just because he didn't want that to become public - if it was going to be this big investigation, he didn't want his extramarital liaisons to become public fodder." Ron Mansfield will continue his remarks in the morning before the judge sums up the case, then the jury's expected to start deliberating tomorrow afternoon. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Crown has painted Philip Polkinghorne as a tinderbox ready to catch fire at any point - in its closing remarks.  The Auckland eye surgeon's accused of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna, but his defence says she committed suicide.  The prosecution says Polkinghorne's meth use, infidelity and rising anger created a perfect storm.  Herald Court reporter George Block told Heather du Plessis-Allan the prosecution emphasised an earlier alleged strangulation attack on his wife.  He says prosecutor Alysha McClintock said it was the most important piece of evidence. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After seven weeks and over 80 witnesses, we have finished hearing evidence in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne.   The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021.  He maintains she took her own life.  In the final days of testimony, the debate over activity on Hanna's phone continued, before the last two witnesses to take the stand offered their views on the state of her mental health, and the risk factors that could have pushed her towards suicide.   You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional production support by Helen King. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Originally due to run for six weeks, the trial of Philip Polkinghorne is now in its seventh week.   The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021.  He maintains she took her own life.  More witnesses from the defence took the stand to discuss their thoughts on how Hanna died, and the risk factors that could have pushed her to take her own life. New emails from Hanna were read to the court, and the question on if she used her phone the night before she died saw one Crown witness returned to the stand.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Dan Goodwin. Additional production support by Helen King. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Week six of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne continued with the defence's case.   The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021.  He maintains she took her own life.  Witnesses for the defence revealed a different side of Polkinghorne then what we've previously heard, with former colleagues and neighbours describing him as funny, generous and caring.   While the case took another dive into the couple's accounts, electricity usage the morning Hanna died, and the reappearance of a red mark on the stairs – and the defence pathologist weighed in as well.   You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Dan Goodwin. Additional production support by Helen King. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After nearly five weeks of witnesses, The Crown has closed its case in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne.  The former Auckland eye surgeon is accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead on 5 April, 2021.  He maintains she took her own life.  The Crown closed its case with more on Polkinghorne's arrest, Police searches, and a last minute witness on cell phones.  The rest of the trial is now in the hands of the Defence – and for their first witness, they called up Pauline Hanna's own sister.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional production support by Helen King. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Week five in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne has kicked off with more on what was found on the couple's tech, a hint that Pauline Hanna found a P pipe months before her death, and what exactly is a ‘girlfriend experience'? And two messages, drafted, on the morning of Pauline Hanna's death, have also been revealed by the defence.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of the shortened fourth week in the trial of Philip Polkinghorne traverses a range of topics He's accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hanna, in April 2021 – but maintains, she took her own life.   More on the couple's finances, the dark sides of meth use, a sex tape, Google searches about infidelity, and a series of intimate letters between a husband and a wife were all revealed and discussed by witnesses.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions around a certain dinner at a Havelock North restaurant, more on what prescription drugs Pauline Hanna was taking – and unravelling the issues at Auckland Eye.  Friends and colleagues have weighed in at the end of the third week of Philip Polkinghorne's trial.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: This episode contains disturbing material and some explicit language.  How did Pauline Hanna die? That's the question for the jury, who, for weeks will consider evidence and ultimately decide – was it murder, or suicide?   It's also a question put to two different pathologists, tasked with exploring how the 63-year-old died in her Remuera home in April 2021.   Philip Polkinghorne is accused of murdering his wife – but maintains she took her own life.   We also hear from a long-time friend of Pauline and about an incident that worried her and her husband, and we get the first glimpse into Philip's work life – what were the issues at Auckland Eye we've heard so much about?   You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day 10 saw the jury visit to the home of Pauline Hanna and Phllip Polkinghorne to see where Pauline had died. That was before a parade of ex-colleagues took to the stand to shed light on their relationship with Pauline, and what she told them about her concern for her marriage and her finances. Plus, an explanation as to why Pauline Hanna's niece recorded a family conversation.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pauline Hanna's voice echoed throughout the courtroom on Day 9 of the trial of her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, who is accused of murdering her.   It came in the form of a covert recording of a family dinner – providing Hanna a chance to explain their relationship in her own words to the jury, who'll decide whether she died of foul play, or, whether she took her own life.   That was before a bombshell was dropped by the defence, as they revealed new information about the state of her mental health in the decades before her death.  You can listen to episodes of Accused: The Polkinghorne Trial through The Front Page podcast feed, or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.This series is presented and produced by, Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sills and sound engineer Paddy Fox. Additional reporting by Craig Kapitan and George Block. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, 34-year-old Xavier Valent was sentenced to life in prison for importing drugs into New Zealand.   It is only the third time someone has received a life sentence in this country for meth-related charges – but Valent was not your ordinary drug dealer.  His six-week-long trial revealed details of the major global drug syndicate he sat at the head of, with dozens of ‘minions' working for him as he travelled the world living a life of luxury. NZ Herald crime reporter George Block was the only media present in court for the whole trial and sat through all the sordid details of Valent's offending. He joins Damien to discuss the crimes committed by a man described as a modern-day Mr Asia.  Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Damien VenutoProducer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A gravely ill baby at the centre of a high-profile legal battle will receive the blood transfusion doctors called for. A High Court judge has ruled in favour of Health New Zealand, which asked the court to take guardianship of the six-month-old. The boy's parents refused to let doctors use blood from Covid-vaccinated donors during a heart surgery he desperately needs. Herald reporter George Block says two doctors at Starship Hospital will assume responsibility of the child. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A High Court judge has reserved his decision on temporarily removing custody of a baby, whose parents don't want blood from Covid-vaccinated donors used in his life saving surgery. The parents say they won't permit the operation unless it uses blood from unvaccinated donors. Herald reporter George Block says Paul White, Te Whatu Ora's lawyer told the court this is a matter of life and death. "He said the survival of the baby who has suppression is dependent on the application for the guardianship transferred to the High Court being granted. And as expected, he said the safety of the vaccine has been established by the Court and shouldn't be re-litigated." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cameras hidden around Auckland by a government agency have recorded the better part of 1000 drivers per day unlawfully using their phones behind the wheel, the Herald can reveal. The cameras were installed at three secret spots by Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) as part of a six-month safety trial. Police are not involved in the trial and the findings will not lead to enforcement action or warning letters, the agency said. The findings for the first weeks of the trial, obtained by the Herald under the Official Information Act, revealed the shocking extent of illegal phone use - including texting - while driving in the Super City. Last year, the total number of infringement notices issued by police for illegal use of mobile phones while driving was 40,976 nationally. But the Waka Kotahi trial data shows there were 44,358 mobile phone use offences detected from May 24 to July 16 this year in Auckland alone, from a total of 3,662,024 vehicles travelling past the camera sites. That works out as an average of 836 per day or 1.2 per cent of all cars. A subsequent statement from Waka Kotahi following the Official Information release said a total of 50,333 "potential mobile phone use offences" were detected in the first two months, representing 1.14 per cent of the 4.4 million vehicles that travelled past the cameras. On July 23, a function of the cameras allowing them to detect people not wearing seat belts was switched on. Initial seat belt data will be available next month, the statement said. Waka Kotahi land transport director Kane Patena said the purpose of the trial was both to test the camera technology to ensure it was capable and to understand the scale of illegal phone use and seatbelt violations. "We know that driver distraction is a contributing factor in nearly 8 per cent of all crashes where someone is killed, and approximately 90 people a year are killed on our roads because they didn't wear a seatbelt," he said. "However, the scale of actual distracted driving and seatbelt non-compliance, in general, is mostly anecdotal." Patena said officials would undertake a full analysis at the end of the six-month trial. "We are only two months into the trial, and no detailed analysis has been completed on the raw data. Decisions on the future use of this technology will be made following the completion of the trial and a detailed analysis of the results." The statement from Waka Kotahi said that to protect people's privacy, drivers' and passengers' faces are not included in any stored image and number plates are automatically blurred. Images, where no phone or seat belt offence is captured, are deleted "within minutes", the statement said. Pictures showing an office are deleted within two days, Waka Kotahi said. AA motoring affairs policy director Martin Glynn said the rate of texting drivers caught by the cameras still seemed low given the number of cars that passed the sites. Glynn said the AA supported bigger fines for texting drivers as a way to improve safety on the roads. In New Zealand, the penalty for using your phone behind the wheel is $150 and 20 demerit points. "They're very, very low by international standards," Glynn said. In Queensland, drivers can be fined $1078 AUD. Statistics released last month show deaths on New Zealand's roads are set to rise again. The past two years saw lower tolls largely thought to be due to Covid-19 restrictions. The figures, which were released alongside the Road to Zero Annual Monitoring Report 2021, showed the number of people dying on our roads is currently on track to be about 350-360. According to the Ministry of Transport website, the provisional death toll as of yesterday stands at 225. The total death toll on our roads in 2019 was 352. In 2019, the Government proposed its new road safety strategy called Road to Zero, with the aim of cutting road deaths by 40 per cent during the next decade. It followed Sweden's Vision Zero strategy which seeks to eliminate road deaths. - George Block, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Episode we interview John Kennedy, George Block, Luiz Balcers about their take on being a Gym Owner. Welcome to the Gym Lords Podcast, where we talk with successful gym owners to hear what they're doing that is working RIGHT NOW, and to hear lessons and failures they've learned along the way. We would love to share your story! If you'd like to be featured on the podcast, fill out the form on the link below.  https://gymlaunchsecrets.com/podcast

This Episode we interview John Kennedy, George Block, Luiz Balcers about their take on being a Gym Owner. Welcome to the Gym Lords Podcast, where we talk with successful gym owners to hear what they're doing that is working RIGHT NOW, and to hear lessons and failures they've learned along the way. We would love to share your story! If you'd like to be featured on the podcast, fill out the form on the link below.  https://gymlaunchsecrets.com/podcast

This Episode we interview John Kennedy, George Block, Luiz Balcers about their take on being a Gym Owner. Welcome to the Gym Lords Podcast, where we talk with successful gym owners to hear what they're doing that is working RIGHT NOW, and to hear lessons and failures they've learned along the way. We would love to share your story! If you'd like to be featured on the podcast, fill out the form on the link below. https://gymlaunchsecrets.com/podcast

This Episode we interview John Kennedy, George Block, Luiz Balcers about their take on being a Gym Owner. Welcome to the Gym Lords Podcast, where we talk with successful gym owners to hear what they're doing that is working RIGHT NOW, and to hear lessons and failures they've learned along the way. We would love to share your story! If you'd like to be featured on the podcast, fill out the form on the link below. https://gymlaunchsecrets.com/podcast

Today’s TXWaterpolo Pod Special features the entirety of Joe’s conversation with George Block, the ‘godfather’ of San Antonio aquatics. The Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame inductee is renowned throughout the state for his successes in swimming. But for water polo fans, he was the driving force behind the huge success of the sport in that area beginning in the early 80s. He and Joe talk about the rise and fall of water polo, and expectations for its revival as it becomes a UIL sport. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-txwaterpolo-podcast/donations

On the heels of several requests for information about where in Texas those thinking about a relocation to Texas should consider, Joe and James share some different perspectives, one as a relative newcomer to the state, the other a lifer. That and a discussion of humidity. Then, following Joe's conversation with George Block, we're sharing a plea with our followers to nominate Texas water polo figures to the Texas Swimming Hall of Fame. Send them to us if you want at pod@txwaterpolo.com or you can submit via their website ( http://www.tsdhof.org/ ). And the final word from San Antonio's George Block - the second half of his conversation with Joe. Oh, and some new music. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-txwaterpolo-podcast/donations

Setting aside our banter about Joe's move to San Antonio, we start with a brief discussion about efforts to expand diversity in water polo in our state after an historic week in the US and elsewhere. Then we revisit our Best of Texas tournament where results changed little since we covered preliminary results last week. And finally, Joe spoke at length to the legendary George Block, the "godfather" of aquatics in San Antonio, and one of Joe's former coaches. Today we share the first half of that conversation, which we will release in full in the coming days. And if you're looking to buy a house in Grapevine, TX give this one a look ( https://www.remax.com/tx/grapevine/home-details/2932-chris-ln-grapevine-tx-76051/18345371178685556425 ). Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-txwaterpolo-podcast/donations

Lockdown was, by the government's own account, “the most significant and widespread interference with human rights in New Zealand in living memory”. Even so we mostly went along with it because the public health argument was compelling. But what of the legal argument? Stuff political reporter Thomas Coughlan joins the show to explain why the law behind lockdown is being debated. George Block reveals the curious case of a positive test with a difference. And Eugene seizes another excuse to sing, “Thank you Baked Potato”. Links: Click here for every episode of Coronavirus NZ. Full Stuff coronavirus coverage Eugene on Twitter; Adam on Twitter Support Stuff Plague Playlist: Matt Lucas as Boris Johnson That Finnish study about music Our email: viruspod@stuff.co.nz

Lockdown was, by the government’s own account, “the most significant and widespread interference with human rights in New Zealand in living memory”. Even so we mostly went along with it because the public health argument was compelling. But what of the legal argument? Stuff political reporter Thomas Coughlan joins the show to explain why the law behind lockdown is being debated. George Block reveals the curious case of a positive test with a difference. And Eugene seizes another excuse to sing, “Thank you Baked Potato”.Links: Click here for every episode of Coronavirus NZ. Full Stuff coronavirus coverageEugene on Twitter; Adam on TwitterSupport StuffPlague Playlist: Matt Lucas as Boris JohnsonThat Finnish study about musicOur email: viruspod@stuff.co.nz

What do you do when the cinemas and music venues and bars are all shut? Stuff's entertainment director Nicky Park phones in from a toddler's teepee, and surveys the options still available to NZ's culture vultures. Stuff reporter George Block finds out what lockdown looks like if you're homeless. And Eugene makes a brave foray to the supermarket. Links: Full Stuff coronavirus coverage Eugene on Twitter Adam on Twitter Our new email: viruspod@stuff.co.nz.

What do you do when the cinemas and music venues and bars are all shut? Stuff’s entertainment director Nicky Park phones in from a toddler’s teepee, and surveys the options still available to NZ’s culture vultures. Stuff reporter George Block finds out what lockdown looks like if you’re homeless. And Eugene makes a brave foray to the supermarket.Links: Full Stuff coronavirus coverageEugene on TwitterAdam on TwitterOur new email: viruspod@stuff.co.nz.

Nearly two million people appear in a New Zealand police intelligence system with an alert against their name, inquiries by the Otago Daily Times have revealed. Those in the database are generally flagged without their knowledge, and a leading security analyst says the broad sweep of the system raises privacy concerns. George Block reports.Has your driver's licence ever been cancelled? Vetted by police recently? Do you have a firearms licence?Then chances are you appear in the police National Intelligence Application (NIA) with at least one alert against your name.Police can apply 126 different "person alerts", including flags for firearms licence holders, people known by police to be HIV (AIDS) positive, and alerts for paedophiles and convicted murderers.This all adds up: 1,988,963 people in New Zealand have at least one alert against their name - just over 40 per cent of the population at an average of 1.7 alerts per person, according to figures obtained under the Official Information Act by the Otago Daily Times.In Otago and Southland, 112,459 (34 per cent) of people have an alert against their name.The most common alert is "Vetting Monitor", at 740,000 alerts on 570,000 people nationally.Police general manager professionalism and assurance Mike Webb said this alert was placed on people to indicate they had been checked out by the police vetting service.Alerts for "Family Violence Involvement" were the next most commonly applied, at 640,000 active alerts on 295,000 people.Webb said people were automatically flagged when linked to a family harm incident, whether as a suspected offender, victim or a witness.The third most frequently applied alert was a flag for people whose photo driver licence card was cancelled (430,000).Some alerts expire quickly, but others linger for life.Police assurance group national crime registrar Mike Rawsthorn said the "Missing Person" alert expired when the person was found.Flags for family violence involvement expire two years after police attend the incident, he said.But alerts for suicidal tendency and using/carrying firearms are indefinite, and only expire if they were errors.Locations and vehicles can also be flagged, for example gang pads or stolen vehicles - one of the more colourful flags in the extensive list is the location alert for "booby traps".Firearms licence flags are generated and applied automatically, only expiring with the licence, and non-citizens can be flagged.The upshot of that is there is every chance the Christchurch terror accused had an alert against his name.Generally people were not notified when an alert was placed against their name in the NIA system, but each case was judged on its merits.However, at-risk family violence victims might be informed an alert was placed on them, their home, vehicle and telephone number to advise staff of the risk and assist police response, Rawsthorn said.The NIA alert system plays an important part in the duties of frontline police.When deployed to an unfolding incident, a call will come over the radio to advise officers of the flags of the person or location involved so they can respond accordingly.For example, if a person has flags for assaulting police, they may call for backup on a routine traffic stop.The system is also accessible from police mobile phones.The intelligence application, which replaced NZ Police's Whanganui Computer, is far more than just a database of flags and includes information on criminal histories, offences, incidents and case management files.Since it became operational in 2001, there have been several instances of police misusing the system.In August 2009, figures showed 33 staff had been caught making unauthorised checks of the NIA since August 2007, The NZ Herald reported.Nine later resigned.Two years later, a police internal investigation found Senior Constable Terry Beatson leaked information from the system to win a custody battle with his wife's ex-husband, opening...

The French Government is looking at introducing a “lifetime” index label on electronic goods and home appliances to alert customers of their durability, as a way of cracking down on planned obsolescence. Chris Lynch spoke to George Block from Consumer NZ about whether we should be looking at introducing something similar here.

The French Government is looking at introducing a “lifetime” index label on electronic goods and home appliances to alert customers of their durability, as a way of cracking down on planned obsolescence. Chris Lynch spoke to George Block from Consumer NZ about whether we should be looking at introducing something similar here.

James Block talked about his father's and grandfather's lives and how it was effected by war and the Navy. Block discusses and even reads out load his favorite letters that his father wrote to his grandmother during the war. His favorite letters include descriptions of George Block's feelings about war right after Pearl Harbor and the story about his Naval ship almost colliding with a Battleship. James Block also explains the Naval Slang that was used in his house.