Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Dodgers Name New Manager


Kaido Lenhardt was announced as the new manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers today, replacing former skipper Grady Little, who resigned yesterday.

The first dog ever to be hired as a major league manager, Kaido has literally no experience managing a baseball team and the signing has many fans, sportswriters and others within the world of baseball scratching their heads.

Why was this beautiful 28-year-old flat coat retriever chosen to lead the Dodgers in 2008?

“He’s a very well-behaved mutt and he knows baseball,” Dodgers spokesperson Tommy LaSagna said. “When we threw him a baseball, he caught it in mid-air with his mouth. Joe Torre can't do that. He also showed us his signals, which were very impressive. One bark means bunt. A bark and a growl is the hit-and-run. We haven’t figured out what it means when he lifts his leg, however. We think it might be an indication that he’s unhappy with the umpire.”

Kaido’s contract is for one human year, which is seven years in dog time. It has been reported that he will be paid in kibble, doggy toys and a brand new, tri-level doghouse complete with a wading pool and hot tub.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting has really come a long way, with the new technology, innovative designs and incredible engineering. In the old days, anything with a light bulb that could shed light was considered workable. Now, with track lighting and lighting banks, recessed lighting and much more, you really can never go wrong. There’s something for every style and budget. The world of outdoor lighting is exciting, man – become a part of it and put some new lighting in the domicile in which you reside – you’ll be darn happy that you did!

D's Keepsake Jewelry

Whenever I find a good web site, I like to tell my readers about it. There’s a site out there called D’s Keepsakes, and it’s a great source for wholesale fashion jewelry. They have a wide selection of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants, watches, pins, key chains, badge holders and crystals. They have themed jewelry, for holidays, religious jewelry, kids’ jewelry, and all kinds of jewelry for different occasions.

Cliffside Malibu

So many people in this country today are addicted to some type of drug. It's become a huge problem. I am astounded whenever I hear of close friends who are hooked on prescription pain killers and things like that. That’s why drug rehabilitation centers are more popular now than ever. I just wrote an article recently for a wonderful drug rehab center in Malibu called Cliffside. These people are truly professional and really understand addiction and how to help people beat it. It’s a different approach for each individual and they succeed! If you know anyone who is addicted to something and it’s reached the serious stage – check them out. Drug rehabs have been getting a bad rap a lot lately, but this place is really special!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Bye Bye Bobblehead!

Barry Bonds is whining again. This time he’s complaining about the fact that the San Francisco Giants let him go. He said that the Giants would have already won a World Series championship if he was the team owner. He also said that San Francisco fans are his “family,” yet I have seen the man snub fans on several occasions with my own two eyes. If they’re his family, it’s a dysfunctional one.
The fact is that releasing Barry Bonds when they did was a very astute move by the Giants. With his bloated salary, huge head and enormous ego, Bonds had become a major liability in the City by the Bay.
Many of my friends who used to be big Barry supporters will now admit that it was time for him to hit the road. He will be more valuable to an American League team anyway – somewhere he can play Designated Hitter. Bonds needs a fresh start in a new city where the fans aren’t accustomed to his antics yet.
This appeared today on www.cbssportsline.com
The 43-year-old home run king heard a long list of his accomplishments read during a special speaking forum Wednesday night hosted by the Commonwealth Club, then was asked by KGO Radio host Ray Taliaferro if he had really reached all those feats.
Fourteen All-Star game selections. A record seven NL MVPs. Eight Gold Glove awards.
"I did, and then I got fired," Bonds told a group of about 450 people in the audience. "Shame on me, huh?"
Bonds, who broke Hank Aaron's home run record with No. 756 on Aug. 7, was told last month by Giants owner Peter Magowan he would not be brought back for a 16th season in San Francisco.
Bonds, dressed in a dark suit jacket and tie, entered to a roaring standing ovation and repeatedly drew loud applause from an adoring crowd through the nearly 90-minute forum. They chanted, "Barry! Barry!" One person hollered, "We love you." Others took pictures on cell phone cameras or sported shirts with Bonds' No. 25.
Yes, this was a glorified pep rally in a swanky downtown San Francisco hotel featuring five ovations and two of those standing -- for a star baseball player who didn't even stick around when his team paid tribute to him with a video presentation during the final home game of the season. Outside the ballroom where he spoke, Game 1 of the World Series between the Red Sox and Rockies at Fenway Park showed on a TV.
"I don't have fans in San Francisco -- this is my family," said Bonds, who used to bounce around the clubhouse at Candlestick Park as a boy while hanging out with his late father, Bobby, and Hall of Fame godfather Willie Mays.
When Taliaferro asked about Bonds' many splash-hit home runs, the slugger replied, "They call it McCovey Cove, but I've rewritten it a little bit."
That part of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field arcade of the Giants' waterfront ballpark is named for Hall of Famer Willie McCovey.
Bonds, who just completed his 22nd major league season, has 762 career home runs. Taliaferro read select questions from members of an audience that included actor Danny Glover, one asking Bonds whether he would play for $5 million and bat fifth for San Francisco if that were an option for 2008.
"I told Peter Magowan, 'If I'm a part-time player, I'm still better than your full-time player, and it's a wise idea to keep me,' " Bonds said.” We still have time. Things might change."
Bonds also said that if he were running the franchise, the Giants would have won a World Series by now. They fell five outs short in 2002, and one thing the slugger is still missing on his remarkable resume is a championship ring.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Meat the Biggest Burger in the World

A Pennsylvania restaurant put a 15-pound burger on its menu, claiming that it is the largest burger available anywhere.

Dennis Liegey, the owner of Denny's Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield, 120 northeast of Pittsburgh, said the "Beer Barrel Belly Buster" weighs in with 10 pounds of meat molded into a 20-inch patty on a specially baked, 17-inch bun.

The balance of the weight comes from 25 slices of cheese, one small barbell, a head of lettuce, three tomatoes, an anvil, two onions, plus copious quantities of mayo, ketchup, relish, mustard, and peppers. For fifty cents extra, you can also get an after dinner mint.

Any two people who can eat it within a three-hour sitting get it for free. For everyone else, it costs $30. Ambulance fees and stomach pumping procedures are available at a small additional charge.

"We've been running a burger challenge since 1991," said Liegey. "It started out with two- and three-pound patties, and went to a six-pounder in 1998 with five pounds of toppings."
When eating the burger, most people look like a full-sized anaconda consuming a small deer.

“The best way to battle this burger is to swallow it whole and let it break down in your digestive tract,” eating consultant Munchy Belcher said.
“I haven’t taken on this burger yet, but you can be sure I will. As soon as I have a decent bowel movement, I’ll be ready for this beast” Belcher explained. “I just finished a Cornish game hen-eating contest this weekend, so I’m a little overstuffed right now. Does anyone have a Rolaids?”
Over the years Liegey said he has sold more than 10,500 of the two- and three-pounders, and 853 of the six-pounders. That’s over 26,000 lbs. of hamburgers, or almost 80 Rosie O’Donnells.
Liegey has kept careful count of how many diners have finished each offering: 256 ate the whole two-pounder and 39 finished three-pounders. And last February, one person, a 100-pound female college student, Kate Stelnick, from Princeton, New Jersey, ate the entire six-pounder. (The burger with toppings represented 11 percent of her body weight.) She hasn’t eaten anything since.

The 15-pound burger can feed a family of 10, according to Liegey. He has sold two so far to teams of two people, and neither team did much more than put a dent in it.
(Thanks for CNN.com and AOL.com for portions of this article. Some of the material here has been fictionalized for your amusement.)

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Who Wants to Go Camping?

If you're looking for camping gear, there's a great web site that sells everything you'll ever need to hit the Great Outdoors in style and luxury. www.shop4campinggear.com has it all -- from camping furniture, chef stoves, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, hydration packs, sport trailers, cookware, first aid emergency kits -- they have a huge selection! And everything they carry is offered at great prices. When it's time to go camping, give them a call. And then hit the hiking trails and campsites and have a wild time!

Take a cut at Hydroxycut

Hydroxycut is an effective weight loss supplement that can help you achieve great results when combined with your diet and exercise weight loss program. I know some people who have really had some significant success losing weight with hydroxycut. As with everything you put in yout body, always check something out thoroughly before putting it into your body. But, this sounds like it might be a winner.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Real Estate in No. California is Out of Control. Maybe It's Time to Consider ARIZONA!!

Everyone in Northern California is talking about Arizona real estate. And there is a very good reason why. It’s affordable! Homes in the Bay Area have skyrocketed to the point where no one can afford to buy a house here. And to top it off – they just announced recently that rentals are going up, especially in places like SF and Silicon Valley. It’s just crazy. So, a lot of folks are making the move to Arizona – where it’s less crowded, the air is cleaner and it hardly ever rains. Whether you’re talking about Phoenix, or Tempe, or Tucson, or even Scottsdale – maybe now is the time for you to start considering Arizona real estate!

Friday, October 19, 2007

DeGeneres Caught in Canine Adoption Caper

Why do people get so weird and militant when it comes to their pets? This is a ridiculous situation that has escalated into a really volatile one, polarizing dog owners and pitting a celebrity against the entire pet adoption industry.

In case you haven't heard, comedienne/talk show host Ellen DeGeneres adopted a dog from an adpotion agency. When the mutt didn't work out for her, she gave it to a friend. When the adoption agency found out about it, they were uspset, claiming that Ellen had no right to give away the pooch and had violated their rules. So, they went to the new dog owner's house and retrieved the dog.

I can see this issue from both sides. On one hand, I think the adoption agency is being way too heavy-handed. Ellen is obviously a dog lover and I don’t believe that she would give this mutt to anyone who couldn’t provide a good home for the dog. To send the police into someone’s home to retrieve a dog is just crazy.

On the other hand, rules are rules. Adoption agencies have to be careful where adopted dogs go. Part of their job is to make sure these animals are given to responsible people who will provide a safe environment for them.

Most adoption organizations are run by volunteers, so these people are obviously passionate about what they do. But, like anyone else, they can get carried away when it involves pets.

I have experienced this first-hand. When I tried to adopt a dog from the Humane Society, they questioned me for close to an hour. And I was working there as a volunteer at the time. I got so fed up at one point, during the interrogation that I said to them – “What do you care what I do with the dog? You’re just going to kill it?”

One of the things these adoption groups have to be wary of is what’s called “Batchers.” I call them bastards.

“Batchers” are unscrupulous idiots who adopt dogs and then sell them to testing laboratories. They usually target individuals who advertise that they want to give their dog away, and then go to their house and con them into thinking that they’ll provide a good home for the dog. Then, they sell it for a tidy profit so that labs can do these cruel tests on them and eventually destroy them. Some of these “Batchers” have been known to bring children with them, so that they can pose as a family in need of a pet.

That’s why you should always give your dog to a rescue or adoption agency is you have to give the animal away. They will spend the time to make sure that it goes to a good home.

Associated Press published this online yesterday:
Ellen DeGeneres' doggie dilemma took a nasty turn, with the operator of the animal rescue organization that took the pooch away saying she has been deluged with threatening e-mails and phone calls.

The calls got so bad that Marina Batkis said she had to close her business and stay home Wednesday, a day after DeGeneres broadcast a tearful, televised plea for the dog to be returned to her hairdresser and the woman's daughters.

"My life is being threatened. This is horrible," a tearful Batkis said outside her home.
B
atkis and Vanessa Chekroun co-own Mutts and Moms, the nonprofit dog-rescue organization that gave the dog to DeGeneres and her partner, actress Portia de Rossi.

"They have gotten thousands of e-mails," attorney Keith Fink told the television program "Inside Edition." "Most of them are hate e-mails threatening them with lynchings, bombings of their home."

One recording "Inside Edition" played had a male voice saying, "You Nazi, scum-sucking pigs. You're gonna pay dearly for stealing this dog from those little girls."

The twisted dog tale began last month when DeGeneres and de Rossi adopted a cute, black Brussels Griffon mix terrier named Iggy. When Iggy was not able to get along with DeGeneres' cats, the couple gave the dog to DeGeneres' hairdresser.

That, Batkis pointed out, violated a written agreement de Rossi signed in which she agreed to return the dog to Mutts and Moms if the adoption did not work out.

DeGeneres acknowledged she erred but said her hairdresser and her family should not be punished.

"This is so insane," a calmer DeGeneres said on her talk show Wednesday. "It's just the dog needs to go to the family."

Batkis has refused to back down.

"If Ellen wants to place dogs and decide what's a good home, then she should start her own rescue group," she told "Inside Edition." "But I'm the one doing this and I know what I'm doing."

Meanwhile, the dispute has become a hot topic on news and talk shows.

"There's got to be some sort of rational compromise," ABC's Diane Sawyer said on "Good Morning America."

Thursday, October 18, 2007

My Interview with Ed Mayer, the Other "Mr. Cub"



Ed Mayer played for the Chicago Cubs for two years, in 1957 and 1958. A San Francisco native and a Lowell High School graduate, he won the MVP award in a high-school all-star game played at Seals Stadium and received the trophy from none other than Babe Ruth himself. Mayer made his pitching debut against the New York Giants and gave up two home runs – one to Willie Mays and the other to Hank Sauer. They were the only dingers he would ever surrender. After playing for the University of California, Mayer played in the minors with the Cardinals, Red Sox and Cubs, with stops in C, B, A, AA, AAA, Mexico and Cuba before making it to the major leagues. After his baseball career came to and end, Mayer worked for 25 years as a teacher. He currently lives in San Anselmo, California and enjoys playing the piano, traveling throughout the world and designing crossword puzzles. (This interview took place on July 24, 2007)

A UFO sighting in the minor leagues: “This is a great incident, and don’t think I’m crazy, because I am not crazy, believe me, and it’s been verified by so many people. We were in Class B ball, or C ball, in Georgia in either ’54 or ’55, I forget which. And it’s a night game, and I’m in the third base dugout. And we’re just watching a guy on the other team warming up. And, all of a sudden, this round disc comes over the stadium – silent, about 200 feet up maybe, spinning slowly, red, white and blue lights. And I said to the guy next to me – do you see what I see? He said, “Yeah! Holy cow! What is it?” We were just enthralled looking at it, and it stayed there silently for about 10 or 15 seconds, looking down, obviously – because they were right above the pitcher’s mound. And then all of a sudden, it went out of sight in about 3 seconds. With no sound, just pfffft…just like that! And right now today, we don’t have the capability of doing what that thing did. That was a UFO. It was absolutely unbelievable. In fact, after it happened, I even went over to the left field corner and asked somebody, “Did you see that?” and they said “Yeah.” Then, I went over to the right field corner and asked somebody else, and they said, “Yeah.” It was for sure. So, I am a believer now. That made me a believer.”

A HR to Willie Mays: “I gave up just two home runs in my career – to Willie Mays and Hank Sauer, both in my very first game against the Giants. And when they hit them, I said to myself – that’s it; nobody else is going to hit a home run off me. And nobody did. I remember the Mays home run like it was yesterday. It was the first inning and I got the first two guys out and Mays stepped up to the plate. I said to myself, I know who Willie Mays is, I’ve heard of him, but so what? So, I threw the ball, and he hit a line drive which I thought would either be caught by the center fielder or hit the wall, but it went straight up into the stands – a rope. The guy’s a great hitter. The best hitter I ever played against, that’s for sure. Frank Robinson, Stan Musial – they were good. But, Mays is the best I ever saw.”

Racism in the minor leagues: “We were going through Georgia on a bus, and we pulled over to get some gas. I was in the low minors – “A” ball. So the whole team gets out of the bus, and we walk up to a Coke machine. We line up, and everyone was getting sodas, and Earl Wilson, one of our black players, was in line right in front of me, just waiting his turn. He went to put his nickel in – it was a nickel back then – and the gas station attendant came out and pointed a gun at Wilson, and said, “No n—r is going to buy a Coke out of my machine.” And Wilson wasn’t used to this kind of treatment, because he was from San Diego. And I sure wasn’t used to it being from San Francisco. I mean, we had black players in high school and we never thought about it. It was never a big deal. And so I grabbed Wilson by the shoulders, and I turned him around and pushed him back on that bus. I told him that I would buy him the Coke. And I bought two Cokes and gave him one. The sad thing is that that guy with the rifle probably could have gotten away with shooting him and then said that he had done something to him, because that’s what was going on down in the South back then. I saw racism a lot in baseball, even against me, because I’m Jewish. When I was at spring training with the Cubs, I was told that I couldn’t go into a place called the Olympic Club in Phoenix, because I was Jewish. They told me I couldn’t go in there. In AAA, when I was with Omaha in 1956, a fan yelled a bunch of racist stuff at me while I was pitching, calling me “Jew Boy” and things like that.”

When the game was pure: “I played in an era when nobody was taking anything. I never saw one pill or anything. Never saw anyone ever taking any pills. The players looked normal back then. You look at Ernie Banks. You look at Stan Musial – any of the old guys – they looked normal. Their arms and their bodies looked normal. Not all beefed up like they are today, like Sammy Sosa. There’s no doubt these guys are doing something. It’s bad for baseball, because it’s illegal, it’s no good, it’s not fair and I believe that when Bonds breaks the record it will be tainted. It’s a shame. No one was cheating when I played. I never looked at anyone back then and thought, ‘Wow, he looks different.’”

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Return Phone Call: When Did It Die?

Why don’t people call each other back anymore? What is the psychology behind not returning phone calls? Do you have a group of friends in your life who will NEVER call you back no matter what? The sad fact is that most of us do.

Not returning phone calls has become an integral part of our society – a trademark of our times. And with all of the new technologies out there -- like VOIP, e-mail and text messaging -- people have more ways than ever to not get back to you. And I believe that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

In an attempt to analyze this phenomenon, I have talked to a wide range of people about the subject. I have discussed it with those individuals who make a point of returning phone calls religiously, and I have talked at length (not on the phone, of course) to folks who have made the activity of not returning calls into an art form.

This is what I have learned. Most people tell me that the anonymous nature of a phone call or phone message makes it very easy to disregard. Their attitude is, “If the caller wants to speak to me that badly, they’ll call back.”

Many other individuals think that they are on the phone too much as it is and will only return those calls that they believe are absolutely necessary to reply to.

“I spend an inordinate amount of time on the telephone and I just don’t have time to call everyone back,” one person explained.

“A lot of people call me for no reason,” another person stated. “They’re bored and like to blab on the phone. I hate it when people say that they’re calling just to see how I’m doing. I’m doing fine, thank you. When I die, someone will contact you. That’s why they have obituaries in the newspaper.”

Other people say that they fall into a mode of not calling certain people back, while at the same time looking forward to responding quickly to others people’s calls.

“Some of my friends are easy to talk to on the phone, while others are boring and waste my time,” one source said. “If you can’t keep the conversation interesting and upbeat, don’t call me.”

I have a group of friends who call me all the time to complain about every little thing,” one source exclaimed. “They want to talk about how their wife or husband or kids or boss is making their lives miserable. Hey, I have my own problems, okay? If I want to be depressed, I’ll watch soap operas. Spare me!”

With these individuals, it has to do with the quality and substance of the conversation. So, if you give “bad phone”, so to speak, you can be sure that these people will not be calling you back anytime soon.

When it comes to business, people have an entirely different theory about returning phone calls. If a salesman calls them, for instance, they will almost never call them back.

“It’s their job to get a hold of me,” one source said. “If they’re selling something, they had better adapt to my schedule.”

Other people disagree with that theory. One very successful business owner told me that he returns every single phone call he receives, as a rule. It’s very unprofessional to do otherwise, he said.
“I have made some awesome contacts and profited greatly by returning every phone call I get. If someone takes the time to call me, no matter who it is, I feel getting back to them is the right thing to do. So many people in the business world do not return calls that you can stand out by returning them. The caller will appreciate it and try to reciprocate any way they can. If nothing else, you have made a friend in the business world. And we can all use more friends.”

After looking at this topic from several different angles, I have come to the conclusion that you should not take it personally if someone does not return your phone calls. It does not mean they don’t want to talk to you, at least not in all cases. And if you work on your phone skills and become more pleasurable to talk to, you’ll find that more of your friends will call you back.

I wish I could have done a more thorough study of this subject, but most of the people I called to interview never got back to me.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Cufflinks Are Back in a BIG WAY!!

There’s a great web site called http://www.cuff-daddy.com/. They have more cufflinks than you could ever imagine. Cufflinks are very cool and are making a big comeback. They make a great groomsmen gift. http://www.cuff-daddy.com/ has more than just cufflinks too – they sell key chains, fancy pens, money clips, wallets, cufflink boxes, ties – they even have cufflinks for women. Their site is really cool. They have a lot of great gift ideas and even have an article that explains how to wear cufflinks.

World Series Time: I Love It!

It’s almost World Series time! This is the most exciting time of the entire baseball season. After 162 games, the playoffs and the championship series, the moment every baseball fan is anticipating is almost upon us. Whenever I think about the World Series, I think about 1988, when Kirk Gibson hit a HR against the Oakland A’s with two outs in the ninth inning. What an incredible thrill that was!! We already know that the exciting young upstart Colorado Rockies will be playing in the World Series. They’ll be going up against the yet-to-be-determined AL Champs, either the Boston Red Sox or the Cleveland Indians. Have you thought about where you might be buying your world series tickets? The Fall Classic is almost here.

Spare Us the Britney Breakdown

Is there anybody out there (other than that strange kid crying on Youtube.com) who gives a damn about Britney Spears anymore? Watching her self-destruct was interesting for a short while – kind of like seeing a spider eating a fly – but now it’s getting old.

Britney is yesterday’s news – just another sad example of what is happening to young people throughout this country. Spears has alienated her friends, her parents and most of her fans – and should be grateful that the paparazzi even care about her anymore. She is a tragic character and we love personal tragedies in this country. It makes us feel better about our lives, which must seem problem-free when compared to Britney’s daily drama.

Spears is arrogant and thinks that she can do whatever she wants. She obviously feels that people should just adapt to her boorish and out-of-control behavior. The only problem is that judges, publicists, drug counselors and record companies refuse to go with her program.

Britney is a major accident waiting to happen and if she does not wake up, she’ll end up just like Janis Joplin did. The only difference is that Joplin was talented.

This appeared this morning on TMZ:

TMZ has confirmed Britney Spears booked herself with the LAPD Monday night on misdemeanor charges of hit and run.Wearing a black mini dress, black leather jacket and sporting silver chains around her neck, she walked into the Van Nuys jail last night and did the deed.LAPD told us "at approximately 9:25 PM Miss Britney Spears checked into the Van Nuys County Jail for a court ordered booking. She was put through standard booking procedures which included booking photographs, fingerprinting and collection of information. Britney was at all time cooperative in the process. She was there approximately 45 minutes."

We're also told she was never put in a holding cell, and she was polite and courteous to the officers. We're also told cops offered her the back entrance -- but she declined, opting to go in the front door. FOX 11 Los Angeles caught Brit on her way in and out of the jail. The L.A. City Attorney charged Spears in September with one count of hit and run causing property damage and one count of driving without a valid California license.

Both charges are misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum of 6 months in jail. The charges stem from an August 6 incident in L.A. where Spears was in a private parking lot in the San Fernando Valley and rammed into a parked car.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Colorado Rocks Baseball World

The Colorado Rockies are the big story of baseball’s postseason. If you would have told me a month ago that this team would win 20 of 21 games and be one win away from playing in the World Series at this point, I would have checked to see what you were smoking.
I cannot remember the last time a team has done what the Rockies have accomplished. They’re a shoo-in for the World Series at this point. I just cannot see them losing four straight to an embattled and obviously very tired Arizona Diamondback’s team.
Colorado has a perfect mix of seasoned vets and young, hungry players. They’re not hitting the cover off the baseball, but they are doing just enough to win ballgames. They are not great, but they’re good enough – and that’s all that matters.
One thing they do have is team chemistry – something the Yankees, Mets and Cubs lacked. The Rockies enjoy just being around each other and play like a team. You won’t find any selfish, self-centered, big-headed guys on this team.
And now that it appears as though the American League Championship Series could go 6 or 7 games, the Rockies look even stronger. If they can sweep the D-Backs or win it in 5 games, they’ll be able to rest all their starting pitchers and won’t have to change their rotation one iota.
It will be tough to beat either Boston or Cleveland – but, if any team can do it, my money is on the red-hot Colorado Rockies.
(This appeared on http://www.cbssportsline.com/ last night:)
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies were one strike away from not even making the playoffs. Now, they're one win away from their first World Series. With a cold rain falling, Josh Fogg shut down Arizona's bats in his first postseason start and Yorvit Torrealba hit a tiebreaking three-run homer to fuel the Rockies' 4-1 victory Sunday night in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series.
MVP hopeful Matt Holliday also homered as the wild-card Rockies took a 3-0 lead with their 20th win in 21 games, a streak that has taken Colorado from afterthoughts to the buzz of baseball.
"Tomorrow we're going to come here just like we have been doing," Torrealba said. "We're going to relax, watch TV, and when it's time to play, we're going to try to get one more win."
And not think about their first World Series until then. "No, no, no, no, I'm not thinking about that," insisted the face of the franchise, Todd Helton, whose decade of disappointment has disappeared in one of the most incredible winning streaks in baseball history.
"We're still focused on the task at hand." About two weeks ago, the Rockies had no control over whether they'd even make the playoffs.
The San Diego Padres could've eliminated Colorado on the final Saturday of the regular season. But Milwaukee's Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a tying, two-out, two-strike triple off San Diego's Trevor Hoffman that gave the Rockies a chance.
The next day, Colorado caught the Padres. The night after that, the Rockies beat San Diego in a 13-inning, NL wild-card tiebreaker.
Since then, the Rockies have been unbeatable.
Arizona, which has scored just four runs in the series so far, must win four consecutive times against a Rockies team that is the first since the 1935 Chicago Cubs to win at least 20 of 21 games after Sept. 1, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
They haven't looked back, sweeping past Philadelphia and taking the first three against Arizona.
They will try to sweep the Diamondbacks on Monday night when Franklin Morales faces Arizona's Micah Owings in a matchup of rookies who have never faced each other's teams.
The Rockies, who this season set a major league record for fielding percentage, turned three double plays in the first three innings.
"When you can take the sting out of them early ... I think it helped our confidence," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
The 2004 Boston Red Sox are the only team to overcome a 3-0 hole to win a best-of-7 postseason series. Boston did it in the ALCS against the Yankees.
"Until they win four and we can't win four at once. We've just got to get one on the board first," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "That's what we've been trying to do all year."
Torrealba connected in the sixth inning, three pitches after watching one of Livan Hernandez's trademark "eephus" offerings poke across the plate for a strike -- so slow it didn't register on the stadium scoreboard radar.
Hernandez said he knew better than to throw an inside fastball to his buddy that he played with in San Francisco, but he had used all the pitches in his bag of tricks.
"It's the last pitch I want to throw," Hernandez said. "Yorvit is one of my best friends in baseball and I know he can handle the fastball inside very good. It's just the situation. I'd thrown everything: foul, foul. I know he can hit the fastball inside. Trust me, and he hit it out."
After a 60 mph bender that he fought off for a foul, Torrealba hit a fastball 402 feet into the left-field seats, then raced around the bases pumping his fists and hooting and hollering.
"He worked me really well all season long. He tried to throw me a fastball inside, and it stayed over the plate and I hit it really good," Torrealba said.
Torrealba, who is 8-for-21 in the playoffs with seven RBI, nearly had a home run in the third when he doubled off the center-field wall. The stadium's pyrotechnics operator thought it was gone and set off some fireworks as Torrealba pulled into second base.
The real fireworks came three innings later from Torrealba, who had just eight home runs in the regular season.
"One pitch, one bad pitch all night," lamented D-Backs catcher Miguel Montero.
"That's kind of been the theme of this series so far. They've gotten that one big hit where we haven't," Melvin said.
Holliday's homer in the first inning was the first by either team in this series. Hernandez fell to 7-3 lifetime in the playoffs, allowing four earned runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Fogg, who won Game 2 of the division series over Philadelphia in relief of Morales, scattered seven hits, including rookie Mark Reynolds' solo home run in the fourth, in six stellar innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
With the game time temperature hovering at 43 degrees -- and quickly dipping into the 30s -- and a light drizzle falling, the crowd showed up wearing fleece jackets, gloves, wool caps and scarves, looking like they were headed for the ski slopes west of Denver, where it was indeed snowing.
Even Montero wore a ski cap beneath his catcher's helmet. It was only fitting that the Rockies sent a pitcher named Fogg to the mound to deal with the elements in the first NLCS game in Denver in franchise history. The Rockies have not lost since Sept. 16, and this win at Coors Field was their ninth consecutive victory overall.
A cool drizzle fell all day and continued into the evening. The grounds crew didn't even remove the tarp until an hour before the game. In between innings, they brought out bags of dry dirt to keep the infield from getting too slick. In the fifth, the crews poured a wheelbarrow full of "diamond dust" around home plate.
The TV broadcast mentioned how the grounds crew ran out of the quick-dry dirt and started calling around. They said they found some in a warehouse and showed a truck rolling up to the stadium with extra bags.
Holliday, with only two other hits in this series, neither of which left the infield, put Colorado ahead 1-0 in the first inning with a high drive. Left fielder Eric Byrnes crashed into the wall chasing the ball, much to the delight of the crowd that razzed him every chance they got.
Forty-eight hours earlier, Byrnes suggested the Rockies were a lucky bunch who had actually been outplayed by the Diamondbacks in this series.
Although that drew the ire of the fans, Rockies rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said there was some truth to Byrnes' comments "and they can outplay us all four games.
If we end up winning the series, I'll be fine with that." Reynolds hit a 422-foot solo shot in the fourth to tie it at 1-all, sending a first-pitch breaking ball from Fogg halfway up into the left-field seats to quiet the sellout crowd of 50,137.
Jeremy Affeldt threw the seventh, Brian Fuentes the eighth and Manny Corpas the ninth for his fourth save of the playoffs. In Game 2 at Arizona, Corpas blew a save chance in the ninth inning.
The Rockies are trying for their first NL pennant in the franchise's 15-year history, and history appears solidly on their side.
"Nothing has gone our way so far," Byrnes said. "For whatever reason, that's the way it's been."

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Stereo Cabinets

If you have a high-end stereo system or TV, you want the very best cabinet or mounting system you can possibly get. Why spend the big-time dinero on your electronics and then buy a cheap, little K-Mart cabinet or mounting system. I found a great place where you can get a top-notch stereo cabinet or TV stand at a great place. They have Premier Mounts, Peerless, Tech Craft, LOVAN, VTI, Vogels, and Walker Edison. And the best thing, is they will give you FREE SHIPPING on everything!

Friday, October 12, 2007

The Crazy Weather of The City by the Bay




Today the weather was absolutely miserable...very wet and cold. It's hard to believe that last weekend it was warm and beautiful (see photos). It's like they say...if you don't like the weather in San Francisco, just wait an hour and it will change!

Society's #1 Illness: Drug Addiction

Illegal drugs are going to be a problem within our society forever, it seems. Back in the ‘60s it was pot and LSD, in the ‘70s and ‘80s it was heroine and coke, in the ‘90s it was crank and crack. Now it’s meth and oxycontin. As long as there are human beings on this planet, drug use and abuse will be issues. That’s why drug rehabilitation is more important than ever. If we are going to succeed as a society, we need to get our people, especially our youth, off drugs!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Another Smoke Screen for California

You cannot smoke in a car. You cannot smoke in a bar. You cannot smoke on a plane. You cannot smoke on a train. You cannot smoke with a kid around. You cannot smoke anywhere in town. The only place that you can smoke is sitting in a garbage pail. And even then you can’t exhale!

Why don’t they just make smoking cigarettes illegal? I just recently quit (for the 100th time), so I would actually welcome it at this point. California has passed so many laws that limit where people can smoke, that it just seems like they’re dodging the inevitable. If smoking is so bad for us and the state keeps limiting where we can smoke – then why is it still legal?

First, they said no smoking in bars or restaurants. That one I agree with…partially. Anyone who would smoke in a restaurant is rude and an inconsiderate idiot any way, in my opinion. Bars I have a little different feeling about. I think bar owners should be able to designate a certain area within their establishment for smoking if they want to. California already screws with bar and nightclub owners enough as it is – a smoking ban is just another way to exert further control over them in an already over-regulated business environment.

Now California is passing a law that prohibits people from smoking in a vehicle where kids are present. I have mixed feelings about that one as well. A courteous smoker can roll down the window and blow the smoke out into the already smoggy atmosphere and easily spare his or her child the second hand smoke. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t think children should EVER be exposed to cigarette smoke. But, it just seems like the government is taking away our rights one by one.


Where does it end? Besides, on some days in places like LA and NY (and even here in SF) the air we breathe is just about as harmful as second hand cigarette smoke.
Some cities in California have even outlawed smoking outside. In Burbank, for instance, it is illegal to smoke within the city limits. Now, how invasive is that? You can’t even smoke outside?
The entire situation has reached comical proportions. Cigarette companies pay millions of dollars per year to warn people about the dangers of smoking. They are essentially paying for most of the anti-smoking campaigns in this country. How ridiculous! That would be like the beef producers doing ads that say “Don’t Eat Red Meat” or condom manufacturers promoting celibacy.

Either let people smoke wherever they want or outlaw it altogether. That’s my opinion. If we live in a free country, let’s act like it and stop trying to play Big Brother in every aspect of people’s lives.

This appeared on http://www.aol.com/ today:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California motorists will risk fines of up to $100 next year if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. But the traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking.
The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground.

A Harvard School of Public Health report issued last year said secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home.
"Protecting the health of our children is among government's highest responsibilities," said the bill's author, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, a Democrat. "It is clear that increasing public awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke is the right thing to do."

At least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Is it End-of-Story for Joe Torre?

Will George Steinbrenner fire Joe Torre after losing in the AL Division Series to the Cleveland Indians? Georgie Porgie said that Torre was gone if the Yankees didn’t come back and win the series, which they lost in four games, but was it an idle threat or just a lame attempt to rally the troops?

George and Joe are very different people, in my opinion. The fact that they’ve been working together for so long is amazing, I believe.

The two men possess very disparate qualities -- Torre is a class act and a wonderful human being. Steinbrenner is a slime ball.

Torre has established throughout the years that he is a compassionate, respectful and thoughtful human being. Steinbrenner has a reputation for being a conniving, loudmouthed bully who uses his money and power to get whatever he wants.

Joe should just walk away from the Yankees. He’s won world championships and will probably end up in the Hall of Fame for what he’s achieved as a manager. What more does he have to prove?

This appeared in the New York Times earlier this week:

In his news conference late Monday night, Joe Torre tried to dissect another Yankees playoff loss and explain what it meant for his future. Watching on a television in the manager’s office as Torre choked up, the coaches struggled with what they were seeing.
“Joe treats everybody with respect, whether you’re a batboy, a coach or a trainer,” said Larry Bowa, the third-base coach. “He does everything the right way. What he has to go through, after all that he’s done, it doesn’t seem right. But we’ve all been in baseball for a long time. That’s the process.”
The painful process of parting with a manager was enough to make Bowa and the others teary on Monday. A day later, as the coaches and some players packed up their lockers at Yankee Stadium, Torre was a no-show and George Steinbrenner, the principal owner, was silent.
His only statement came through his publicist, Howard Rubenstein, who said Steinbrenner was flying home to Tampa, Fla., and had nothing to say for now. Steinbrenner will seek opinions on whether to offer Torre a new contract, but his public decree before Game 3 of the division series — that Torre would lose his job if the Yankees lost the series to Cleveland — resonates.
If Steinbrenner lets Torre go, as expected, most people around the team believe the front-runner to succeed him is the bench coach, Don Mattingly. Others believe Joe Girardi has a chance, and Tony La Russa — like Lou Piniella last year — is the biggest name on the managerial free-agent market.
Mattingly yesterday would not directly address whether he would want Torre’s job, but he said he had always made it clear that he would like a chance to manage. Yet he knows that replacing Torre, his close friend who won four World Series, would be an extraordinary challenge.
“I would think it’s like following John Wooden or somebody,” Mattingly said yesterday. “The guy’s won championship after championship, and he’s in the playoffs every year. It’s pretty much a no-win situation for someone to come in here and be able to experience what he’s done. It’s not going to happen. So as far as coming in here and taking on that job, it’s not necessarily a great situation.”
Girardi was Torre’s bench coach in 2005 before taking over the Florida Marlins and winning the National League Manager of the Year award. He clashed with management and was fired, but he is still widely respected, especially by General Manager Brian Cashman.
When Steinbrenner wanted to fire Torre last fall, Cashman interceded and saved Torre’s job. Torre had a year remaining on his contract then, but the deal is up now, and Cashman would not say if he would still recommend Torre.
“I’m not going to comment, in fairness to the process, until I have a chance to sit down with ownership,” Cashman said yesterday, adding later of Steinbrenner: “He’s always picked the manager here. Obviously, I had a great deal of input in last year’s process, so we’ll see. You can’t get ahead of the process.”
The Yankees are planning their annual organizational meetings, and before he left for Tampa, Steinbrenner’s son Hank, a senior vice president, told The Associated Press that no decisions had been made.
“I really do like Joe a lot,” he said. “I have a lot of admiration for him.”
Torre stayed at his home in Westchester County yesterday, speaking by phone with Cashman, Mattingly and others. Torre contacted the Yankees’ media relations director, Jason Zillo, because photographers were camped on his lawn, even though he had pleaded for privacy in his news conference.
The idea of La Russa replacing Torre would seem to appeal more to the vintage Steinbrenner, who craved the biggest name, than the Steinbrenner of today. La Russa’s contract with the St. Louis Cardinals is also expiring, and the Cardinals are without a general manager.
“You know how rumors are; anyone can start one,” said outfielder Shelley Duncan, whose father, Dave, is La Russa’s pitching coach. “Even my dad would tell you there is nothing substantial until action starts to take place. None of that has happened. Joe is our manager.”
Steinbrenner, 77, has a warm spot for ex-Yankees and has always held Mattingly, a former Yankees captain, in high regard. Four years ago, he called Mattingly at his farm in Evansville, Ind., making a personal appeal for him to coach the Yankees’ hitters after eight years of retirement.
When Mattingly was given the bench coach job last October, after Lee Mazzilli was dismissed, he was seen as the clear heir to Torre. Players believe Mattingly would have a similar style.
“He’s got a great baseball mind,” first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said. “He and Joe were both great players. Sometimes you lose how hard this game really is, but Joe and Donnie didn’t lose that. Usually, the longer it is since you played, the better player you were and the easier the game was to you. But with those guys, they never make you feel like they’re talking down to you.”
Mientkiewicz and the other players who showed up yesterday expressed support for Torre, praising him for steering the Yankees to the postseason after a 21-29 start. Mientkiewicz revealed that Torre “let us have it” during a team meeting in Toronto in May, just before the turnaround began, and another first baseman, Andy Phillips, said he could not contemplate the Yankees without Torre.
“I refuse to think that way right now,” Phillips said. “I won’t let that thought enter into my mind.”
Most important, of course, is how seriously that thought is bouncing around the brain of Steinbrenner, who must decide — officially — whether to part with the most popular and successful manager he has had.
“His reign so far here has been terrific,” Cashman said of Torre. “You’d sign up for it right now, if you could find that. It’s been magical and it’s been incredible through ’07. What goes on going forward, in ’08 and beyond, is the discussion topic on the tabl

Monday, October 08, 2007

Cerebral Palsy

What exactly is cerebral palsy? Cerebral Palsy is a broad term used to describe a group of chronic movement or posture disorders. “Cerebral” refers to the brain, while “Palsy” refers to a physical disorder, such as a lack of muscle control. Cerebral Palsy is not caused by problems with the muscles or nerves, but rather with the brain’s ability to adequately control the body. Cerebral Palsy can be caused by injury during birth, although sometimes it is the result of later damage to the brain. Symptoms usually appear in the first few years of life and once they appear, they generally do not worsen over time. Disorders are classified into four categories

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Marion Jones Stops Running From the Truth

Marion Jones has finally come clean, but it’s too little too late, in my opinion. After years of angry denials, Marion Jones is ready to admit she doped.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in White Plains, N.Y., on Friday to plead guilty to charges in connection with steroid use, a federal law enforcement source told The Associated Press.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, and would not provide specific details about the plea.
Jones also sent family and close friends a letter in which she said she used steroids before the Sydney Games, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The Post was the first to report that Jones would come clean on doping.
Jones has at long last admitted steroid use, because she knew she was caught. If the evidence wasn’t there, she would have never made the admission, I believe. Jones would still be denying, denying, and denying some more, each denial more vehement that the last one, if she wasn’t about to be nailed.
The fact that Jones confessed at this late date is weak, as far as I’m concerned. She’s not being honest because she feels guilty. She’s doing it because the truth would eventually have come out in court. Her lawyers told her that the only way to save face now is to act contrite and step up.
But, after lying for so long, it just makes her look even worse. It’s like when Pete Rose FINALLY admitted betting on baseball after years and years of swearing he didn’t. It’s pathetic and contrived – and I don’t believe the public will buy into it for a minute. Jones would have been better off if she had just stuck to her original story. Now there’s no doubt that she’s not just a liar, but a cheater as well.
"I want to apologize for all of this," the Post reported Jones saying in her letter, quoting a person who received a copy and read it to the paper. "I am sorry for disappointing you all in so many ways."
Jones said in her letter that she faced up to six months in jail and would be sentenced in three months, according to the newspaper.
The admission also could cost Jones the five medals she won in Sydney, where she was the most celebrated female athlete of the games. She didn't win the five golds she wanted, but she came away with three and two bronzes, and her bright smile and charming personality made her a star.
In December 2004, the International Olympic Committee opened an investigation into doping allegations against Jones.
"Progress to date has been slow due the difficulty of gathering findings," IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said. "The information that Marion Jones might provide later on today may prove to be key in moving this case forward."
Under statute of limitations rules, the IOC and other sports bodies can go back eight years to strip medals and nullify results. In Jones' case, that would include the 2000 Olympics, where she won gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 1,600-meter relay and bronze in the long jump and 400-meter relay.
In addition to any jail term, Jones could face a long competition ban from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
The International Association of Athletics Federations said it was waiting for official notification from USADA setting out the details of Jones' reported admission.
If she admits to having been on drugs during a specific period, the IAAF could strip Jones of all her medals and results from the world championships and other events from that time. She won three gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the 1999 and 2001 worlds.
"Our rules are clear if she confesses," IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said.
No one answered the door at Jones' home in Austin, Texas, Thursday evening, and a message left by the AP for a phone number registered to her husband, Obadele Thompson, was not immediately returned.
The triple gold medalist in Sydney said she took "the clear" for two years, beginning in 1999, and that she got it from former coach Trevor Graham, who told her it was flaxseed oil, the newspaper reported.
"The clear" is a performance-enhancing drug linked to BALCO, the lab at the center of the steroids scandal in professional sports. Home run king Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi and Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield all have been linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative and were among more than two dozen athletes who testified before a federal grand jury in 2003.
Bonds denied ever knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs, saying he believed a clear substance and a cream, given to him by his trainer, were flaxseed oil and an arthritis balm.
Until now, Jones had denied doping, even suing BALCO founder Victor Conte in 2004 for $25 million. Conte repeatedly accused Jones of using performance-enhancing drugs and said he watched her inject herself.
"It cost me a lot of money to defend myself," Conte said Thursday. "But I told the truth then, and I'm telling it now."
In her letter, Jones said she didn't realize she'd used performance-enhancing drugs until she stopped training with Graham at the end of 2002. She said she lied when federal agents questioned her in 2003, panicking when they presented her with a sample of "the clear," which she recognized as the substance Graham had given her.
"It's funky, because you wanted to believe she was clean," said Jon Drummond, a gold medalist in the 400 relay in Sydney. "It's like that old saying, 'Cheaters never win.' So no matter how glorious or glamorous things look, you'll get caught and pay a price for it.
"It caught me by total surprise," he added. "It's a shock. I thought it was a closed case. It doesn't help track and field at all, except maybe by letting the world know, people always get to the bottom of things. We shouldn't be afraid of the truth, but it's sad it came to this."
Jones' career has been tarnished the last several years by doping allegations against her. In August 2006, a urine sample tested positive for EPO, but Jones was cleared when a backup sample tested negative.
She also was among the athletes who testified before a BALCO grand jury in 2003. Her former boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, also testified, and was given a two-year ban for doping in late 2005. Michelle Collins and Justin Gatlin, who also trained with Graham, were banned for doping violations, too.
Graham has a Nov. 26 trial date after being indicted in the BALCO case last November on three counts of lying to federal agents. Graham, who has pleaded not guilty, helped launch the government's steroid probe in 2003 when he mailed a vial of "the clear" — previously undetectable — to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
A woman who answered the phone at Graham's home in Raleigh, N.C., declined to identify herself, but said Graham was not home before refusing to answer any other questions. There was no answer at the door of Graham's north Raleigh home.
USA Track & Field was not aware of Jones' letter nor any pending legal action, CEO Craig Masback said.
"Anything that exposes the truth about drug use in sport is good for ensuring the integrity of sport," Masback said. "Any use of performance-enhancing substances is a tragedy for the athlete, their teammates, friends, family and the sport."
Darryl Seibel, spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, declined comment on whether Jones would lose her medals until legal proceedings are completed.
"If these reports are true," Seibel said, "it is an admission of responsibility from an athlete who owed her sport and the Olympic movement much better."
Seibel added that "our position on doping is unequivocal. Doping is cheating, and under no circumstance will it be tolerated. If an athlete cheats, they deserve to pay the price for their action."
The Washington Post also reported that, in her letter, Jones said she lied about a $25,000 check given to her by Montgomery, who pleaded guilty in New York in April as part of a criminal scheme to cash millions of dollars worth of stolen or forged checks. He has yet to be sentenced.
Wells, Jones' longtime agent, and Olympian Steve Riddick, another of Jones' former coaches, also were convicted in the scam.
Bank records indicated Jones had received a $25,000 check from one of the alleged conspirators — Nathaniel Alexander who shared office space with Riddick and also was convicted. The check never cleared, according to records, and Jones was never charged.
"Once again, I panicked," the Post reported, quoting Jones' letter. "I did not want my name associated with this mess. I wanted to stay as far away as possible."

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Cartier Watches Just Say "Class!"

I love Cartier watches. Lots of people think Rolex is IT, but for me nothing even comes close to Cartier! Cartier is the name synonymous with tradition, prestige, innovation and unparalleled quality. Cartier wristwatches and timepieces are both storied and historic in their quality and technical accomplishment. Creator of one of the world's first men's wristwatch on a leather strap, Cartier continues to lead the field in design, execution and meticulous attention to detail. Cartier, a leading figure in the world of luxury, continues to perpetuate and enhance its reputation with an unstinting commitment to excellence.

Chiaroscuro & Rex Cafe

We recently tried a couple of SF restaurants that I reviewed for http://www.chowbaby.com/.
Last night, we visited a hot new Italian restaurant in the financial district in SF called Chiaroscuro. The Executive Chef there is Allessandro Campitelli, and he has created a menu that is innovative and features some wonderful regional dishes. This guy really knows what he's doing, and everything he does is made with care and attention to detail. The meat, the poultry, the pasta dishes -- the focus is traditional Roman cuisine based on his family recipes. I heartily recommend the Triloga, which is a tasting of three of the restaurant's signature pastas -- magnifico!
Chiaroscuro is located at 550 Washington Street in San Francisco. Check out their web site at: http://www.chiarosurosf.com/.

At Polk and Green, there's a place called Rex Cafe (pictured above) that we just adore! It used to be called Casablanca, but it's been called the Rex Cafe for about 12 years now. They have awesome Bloody Mary's, four different types of Eggs Benedict, and a wide array of great specials that change periodically. Executive Chef John Pauley creates fun dishes that are always fresh, contemporary and loaded with interesting flavors. The selections are categorized from heavier entrees, al the way to lighter, fresher things. They also have smaller plates, like a beet carpaccio and an Asian-inspired tuna tartare, and really unusual stuff like a catfish corndog and a Southern-fried poussin with waffles. They have a great outdoor area where you can dine outside when the weather permits. Rex Cafe is a prefect place to enjoy good food, relax and people watch.
Rex Cafe is ay 2323 Polk Street (at Green) in San Francisco.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

The Osbournes Don't Want Love in Their Lives

As reported by AOL, two of music's most outspoken women just keep on throwing punches at each other. Courtney Love vehemently denies Sharon Osbourne's claims that she introduced Osbourne's son, Jack, to OxyContin. "I never did that. I would never give drugs to a teenager. F--- you, Sharon -- as if I would ever give drugs to a teenager," Love said last week in London.

Today, Osbourne fired back, telling the New York Daily News, "I'm glad she doesn't like me. I only pity her. She's a virus. I don't want her anywhere near people I love. The cold, hard fact is she's a has-been."

I agree with Sharon. I don't want Courtney near anyone I love, either. I wouldn't want her around anybody I don't even like, for that matter.

Love, in my opinion, is a talentless hack who latched on to Kurt Cobain and rode his coat tails for way too long. I never liked her band Hole and she’s a terrible actress as well. The only movie that she was even halfway decent in was the one about Larry Flynt – in which she played a drugg addicted, falling down drunk. In other words, she played herself.

Every time I see Love on TV or in a photo, she looks like she’s been up for weeks partying. All the plastic surgery in the world can’t hide her haggard look and vacant stare.

I would not be at all surprised if Love gave Jack Osbourne OxyContin. Why would Sharon make up something like that? And what is Jack’s motivation for lying? When The Osbournes' reality show was the hottest thing on TV, one of the things I couldn’t believe was how the Osbourne kids could get into LA clubs and drink without IDs. It just proves that if you’re a celebrity, you can do pretty much whatever you want to, especially in Los Angeles.

Thank God Jack has cleaned up his act and embraced sobriety. The kid was well on his way to being another drug casualty, but he got a clue and turned his life around – no thanks to Love, no doubt.

In September, Osbourne told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "I will never have time for Courtney Love. She was the first person to give my son Jack the prescription drug OxyContin. There's not a shadow of doubt in my mind about that."

"My dislike towards her is very personal," Osbourne continued. "I'm not saying Jack wouldn't have taken it if she hadn't given it to him, but I'm appalled that an adult mother would give that to a 15-year-old boy. How could she do that to someone else's child?"


Love asserts she had never heard of OxyContin until she met Jack. She added, "It was the first time I was ever introduced to the pills." Jack's use of the painkillers landed him in rehab in 2003. He's been clean since, and he recently wrote an autobiography called '21 Years Gone.'

Monday, October 01, 2007

San Francisco Comedy Day, Part Two






Top: Jake Johannsen
Photo #2: Women Who Kick Comedy Butt
Photo #3: Paula Poundstone
Photo: #4: Johnny Steele
Photo #5: Michael Pritchard

San Francisco Comedy Day






Top: The Meehan Brothers were funny as usual.
Photo #2: Rick and Ruby, SF comedy legends
Photo #3: Political humorist and incredibly funny satndup Will Durst
Photo #4: Left: Frank Kidderm who founded the SF Comedy Competition & Comic/SF Politician Tom Ammiano
Photo: Blind comic Mike Lee rocked Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park