The odds of my being nominated for an Academy Award this year are pretty slim. The odds, however, that someone from my hometown will be nominated are pretty dandy. A story in today’s Flint Journal says that three people from the Flint area are strong contenders for Oscar nominations. That’s pretty freakin’ cool if you ask me. And these aren’t awards for Best Craft Services Pie or Best Exploding Internal Organ Effect. These are major.

David Magee grew up in Flint Township and has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for his adapted script for Finding Neverland and is expected to be nominated in the same Oscar category.

Kerry Konran grew up in Burton, on the outskirts of Flint’s city limits, and was the creative visionary behind the gorgeous Sky Captain and the World of Tommorow. He is expected to be nominated in one of the visual effects categories or for art direction.

And I believe you all know Michael Moore. He won’t be eligible for Best Documentary because he put F/911 on tv in November leading up to the election, but he’s been campaigning to get the pic recognized in the Best Picture category.

I’ve never been particularly ashamed of where I grew up, even though it’s been voted the worst place to live in the country several times, but at times like this I’m actually proud to claim it as home. And maintain the flicker of hope that one day I’ll be one of the contendas…