Arrrgh! The Pirates Dinner Show in Orlando

Hello there, land lubbers! If you’ve got treasure buried somewhere, it’s best to tell us now, because if we have to go digging for it, you’ll be walking the plank! It’s the Pirates Dinner Show in Orlando and it’s an exciting night of fun, fantasy and pirate adventures. Full of audience participation, you’ll love the delicious plentiful food, the amazing sets and the incredible performers as they take you into the world of pirates during this awesome show. Once you enter, you’re invited to start off your evening with a bountiful appetizer buffet as Princess Anita’s special dinner guests. Savor the King's assorted tasty snacks, salads, and special sauces. The faire alone is more than worth the price of admission! The festival buffet is prepared to whet the appetite of absolutely everyone – young and old, pirate, princess or prince. And that’s just the beginning of the evening’s festivities. There’s a feast for the senses coming your way that will surely satiate even the hungriest of pirates at the Pirates Dinner Show in Orlando. It’s an incredible adventure, transporting you to a dreamland like you’ve never seen before, with danger, gold, wenches, and a whole chest of surprises! Discount tickets are available for this wonderful night of fun and frivolity. It’s one evening you and your family will treasure for a lifetime. The Pirates Dinner Show in Orlando. Do not miss it!

Alyssa Milano: She's All Blue!

Alyssa Milano is every guy’s dream girl. She’s super smart, incredibly beautiful, a savvy business woman AND (maybe best of all) she’s an LA Dodger fan. She has a great baseball web site called “Touch ‘em All (Alyssa.mlblogs.com) where she has some very well-written, highly insightful postings about the LA Bums. Milano also has a new clothing company called “Touch,” featuring a lot of baseball apparel.
There’s just something so sexy about a woman who knows her baseball. I always enjoy talking to women who know their stuff. Alyssa has obviously been a baseball fan for a long time, and it shows.
And to top it off, she’s just signed to do a new film. This press release appeared on her web site (Alyssa.com.):
Milo Ventimiglia, one of the stars of NBC's "Heroes," has signed on to Topline Lakeshore Entertainment's horror thriller "Pathology." Alyssa Milano, Lauren Lee Smith and Johnny Whitworth also have been cast in the movie, which is being directed by Marc Schoelermann.
"Crank" filmmakers Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are producing with Lakeshore's Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi.
Written by Neveldine and Taylor, the story centers on a young intern (Ventimiglia) who is studying pathology at Philadelphia's University Hospital and encounters an attractive but murderous group of colleagues who have devised a deadly game to see who among them can commit the perfect murder, while the others compete to determine the cause of death.
Milano will play Ventimiglia's fiancée, while Smith ("Trick 'r Treat") and Whitworth ("3:10 to Yuma") are the med students.
The film is being released by MGM in the U.S., and Lakeshore will be introducing the film to international buyers at the Festival de Cannes market in May. Production is scheduled to begin in May.
Ventimiglia, who plays the power-absorbing Peter Petrelli on "Heroes," was most recently seen on the big screen in "Rocky Balboa." He is repped by CAA.
Milano, who starred in the long-running television series "Charmed," recently completed production on the indie feature "The Blue Hour." She is repped by CAA and attorney Bill Skrzyniarz.

Roman Greenberg's Boxing Shorts on the Block

BackgammonMasters.com, the leader in online backgammon, recently announced that it had purchased the boxing shorts of heavyweight hopeful Roman Greenberg for a considerable sum, in an attempt to assist the up-and-coming fighter in his pursuit of the world heavyweight title. The online backgammon company is essentially sponsoring Greenberg, so that he can afford to train and hone his already considerable boxing skills.

BackgammonMasters.com will then auction off Greenberg’s boxing shorts for $100,000 after an upcoming (yet still unscheduled as of this date) Greenberg fight against one of the WBO’s top 5 boxers this year. The proceeds raised from the auction will go to a charity designed to benefit Arab and Jewish youth in distress.

Greenberg, who is 25-0 with 17 knockouts, is a 24-year-old who Angelo Dundee says has “the fastest hands for a heavyweight since Muhammad Ali.” Born in Russia and Jewish, Greenberg is 6’3” and weighs 234 lbs. and features an orthodox style.

His latest victory was an impressive decision against American boxer Michael Simms on March 23rd at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Greenberg won in ten rounds on points, using his superior speed to batter Simms throughout the contest. Prior to defeating Simms, Greenberg beat Kendrick Releford, Julius Francis and Steve Pannell.

Greenberg is the current IBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion. His manager is Jim Evans, who also handles Light Welterweight Gareth “The Gladiator” Couch (9-0-0). Greenberg lives and trains in the UK.

Greenberg is not only a great fighter, but he’s smart, well-spoken and comes from a very talented family. He speaks four languages – Hebrew, Russian, German and English. His brother was the Junior Chess Champion of Israel in 2004.

Greenberg is proud to be Jewish and wears the Star of David on his trunks.
“Through the Star of David, I represent Israel and myself,” Greenberg said. “All through history, Jews have always had to fight for their freedom and for their lives. When I come out wearing the Star of David, it shows the whole world that the Jews are still here and that they are successful.”

As of March 27, 2007, Greenberg was ranked 41st in the International Boxing Organization’s heavyweight computerized rankings. Of those ranked ahead of him, only #34 Alexander Dimitrenko is younger.

Experts have said these things about Greenberg:
“He’s at his best when he’s moving his legs, creating angles and confusing opponents.”
“He’s cerebral with lightning reflexes, incredibly quick hands and a solid jab.”
“He has plenty of flashy moves and can escape from a corner and counter as well as anyone in the division.”

BackgammonMasters.com has been in the news a lot lately, as the only game company to ever create an online version of Perudo, the internationally famous and extremely popular Spanish dice game. They’ve also added Poker to their game lobby to their 3D avatar online backgammon game software, making it the first 3-in-1 game software in the history of games worldwide.

The Red Sox and Fenway Park: It's A Monstrous Baseball Experience!!

If you have ever seen the Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park, you know that it’s one of the greatest experiences in the world. Whether you’re a serious fan or just a casual one, the whole experience is amazing – the crowds, the Green Monster, the electricity in the air – it’s all about tradition and history and the only way I can describe it is “pure baseball.” One of the tough things about it is actually being able to obtain red sox tickets. They are among some of the most coveted tickets in the entire world. But, believe me, whatever you have to spend, it’s worth it. Going to Fenway for a game is something you’ll NEVER forget!

Vivande in SF: Now, That's Italian!

Vivande in San Francisco is a renowned Italian restaurant that has the whole package. When it comes to the “big four” -- atmosphere, quality, price and service – this place excels at every level. From the homemade pasta to the killer desserts, there’s something for everyone at Vivande.

The word, “vivande” had not been used extensively in the Italian language since the 14th century until Carlo Middione chose it for his business in 1980. From the Latin “viva”, or life, the word basically means prepared food.

Carlo Middione is the Chef/Owner of Vivande Porta Via – the first eatery to introduce the European concept of prepared take-out food to San Francisco in 1981 in a bustling Italian-style gastronomia also housing a popular Cafe. Well regarded as a restaurateur, Middione is considered an authority on authentic Italian cooking. His book, The Food of Southern Italy published by William Morrow & Co. in 1987, was the first American cookbook to focus upon the regions south of Rome. It won the coveted Tastemaker Award in the category of International cooking in the same year (this award is now known as the James Beard Award), and it has remained a classic. Another book titled La Vera Cucina featuring exceptional, lesser known dishes from all over Italy was published in June of 1996 by Simon & Schuster.

Middione's popularity as a television personality won him a 40-week half hour solo-host series, Carlo Cooks Italian, first aired on The Learning Channel in 1994. It came to the San Francisco Bay Area on BAY-TV, Cable Channel 35, in 1996 and was shown consistently for more than two years. It can still be seen on satellite TV. He has appeared as a guest of Jeff Smith on the Frugal Gourmet, of Lorenza de'Medici in the Tuscan Table Series on PBS; The Microwave Master; and soloed in 1993 on an hour long pilot special which led to the series Carlo Cooks Italian.
In the late 1970's Middione appeared as a "regular" on the Channel 7 A. M. San Francisco morning show with Jack Hansen and Nancy Fleming for 3 years. Carlo was featured regularly as stand-in for Narsai David, host, on the popular KCBS radio show about food news and call-in discussions about food and cooking.

Known best for its unique artisan cooking, superior quality ingredients and products, Vivande has been able to build an enviable reputation as a destination eating place, a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, and a tourist attraction located in the residential heart of San Francisco.
Vivande is a restaurant and a deli in one. You can sit down and eat or order prepared foods to go. Within six months of opening its doors, Diner's Club magazine ranked Vivande in San Francisco "among the ultimate deli's of the world", along with Peck's in Milan, Fauchon in Paris, and Dallmayr in Munich; bringing acclaim to San Francisco and establishing Vivande early on as a tourist destination.

Vivande was the first San Francisco restaurant to use only Italian extra virgin olive oil in its kitchen since 1981. They also make their own fresh pasta daily from durum, semolina flours, and egg. They grind, season, and stuff our own fresh pork fennel sausage as well – without any preservatives. Vivande makes all of their own fresh pastries and traditional Italian cookies and baked savories in-house as well. They even candy their own orange and lemon peel, and squeeze fresh lemons by hand for their salad dressings and desserts so as not to include the bitter taste of the white pith under the zest.

In June of 1998 Vivande received the prestigious L’Insegna del Ristorante Italiano from the Italian government as a true Italian restaurant abroad using authentic Italian foods, products and recipes to present a classic Italian style of eating. Vivande was one of only 18 restaurants in the U.S. to receive the award that year, and the only one in San Francisco. In 2004 Vivande was included in a special Zagat survey of America’s top 1800 Italian restaurants.
Vivande is located at 2125 Fillmore Street in San Francisco. Their phone number is: 415 346-4430.Their Web site is: info@vivande.com

John Daly's Beer Commercial Pulled by CBS

Golfer John Daly has taped a commercial for Maxfli golf balls in which he sings in a bar while people are drinking beer and later grabs a beer while he's driving a golf cart. But, CBS won’t ever broadcast the commercial, stating that it violates network policy by showing irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

I have never understood the phrase “Drink Responsibly.” What exactly does that mean? When you put drinking into the proper perspective, isn’t it basically an irresponsible act from the get-go? I know they say wine can be good for you, but hard booze and beer are full of things that can in no way be considered responsible. That’s like saying “Play Russian Roulette Responsibly” or “Eat Lard Responsibly.”

CBS implied that the commercial was offensive because the people featured in it were just having too good a time. "It did not meet the standards of the CBS network," spokeswoman LeslieAnn Wade said Tuesday. “Any implied or direct reference to excessive consumption of alcohol would not meet network guidelines."
The commercial has aired on the Golf Channel, but it has been criticized for showing Daly reaching for a beer while driving a golf cart, which some consider dangerous. Some have also questioned why Maxfli is juxtaposing Daly (who has a checkered history) with alcohol. The marketing director for Maxfli golf balls said, "We looked at John Daly as someone who lights up a room, not someone with a troubled past."

John Daly has always been the Babe Ruth; the Dennis Rodman; the Hollywood Henderson and the Mike Tyson of golf. Unpredictable, unrestrained and unrepentant, the greatest thing about Daly (other than his monstrous drives) is his attitude about life. When the man dies (and don’t expect him to live to be 100) his headstone will probably say something like, “He drank. He smoked. He partied. He stroked. And he never gave a damn about what people thought of him.”
I personally admire the guy for all his wives, his gambling losses, his triumphant wins and disappointing losses. Critics are always saying that if he didn’t party so much he’d be a top echelon superstar golfer. My reply to that is, “So what?” Why is it so important for people to live up to their potential? Why can’t folks just be free to enjoy their lives? If they want to underachieve than that’s their own business, as far as I’m concerned. Some people don’t crave money, success and fame.

In two thousand years, when historians look back on our society, the only names they’ll be talking about will be Jesus Christ, Albert Einstein, maybe Gandhi and/or Martin Luther King. Oh, and Scott Baio. (How could I have left out Charles in Charge?)
So, who gives a s--- if John Daly has a few beers, a couple wives, smokes Camels like a chimney and isn’t a legendary golfer? Not me. And certainly not Daly himself. So, have another beer John. And tell the uptight suits at CBS to plant a big smooch right on that large derriere of yours!

San Mateo Sheriff Massages the Truth

San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks got caught in the police raid of an illegal bordello in Las Vegas over the weekend. He admits he was there, but says it was only for a back rub. He also claims he thought the place was operating legally. Munks and San Mateo Under Sheriff Carlos Bolanos were detained and questioned Saturday night by Las Vegas police in Operation Dollhouse, a raid on more than a handful of sex houses located about two miles west of the Las Vegas strip, according to Las Vegas Police Department Officer Bill Cassell. The two men were not arrested or charged in the raid, Cassell said. In fact, not one of the brothel’s alleged customers was detained or charged. The target of the raid was hookers and johns, and they caught a total of 31 of them. The FBI, who directed the operation, also announced the seizure of $35,000 in cash and approximately 3,500 Ecstasy tablets. Munks, who was sworn in as San Mateo’s sheriff last January after an uncontested election in November and was widely supported by local politicians, makes $188,500 a year. After the incident, Munks said that he and Bolanos did not break any laws and cooperated with Las Vegas police. Munks was in town participating in a law enforcement relay run from Baker to Las Vegas over the weekend and was looking for a massage because he was sore from running, Bolanos told a CBS reporter in Las Vegas after the bust. The raid took place at eight houses and apartments, Cassell said. None of the places advertised massages, he said. Munks is married and has four children. Just like Ricky Ricardo told his wife Lucy in the show, “I Love Lucy,” it looks like Munks “has some ‘splaining to do.” I can hear him now: “But, honey it was just a back rub!” Yeah, right. If this man was, for instance, an insurance salesman or a plumber in from out of town, I might be able to somehow believe that he didn’t know he was entering an illegal house of prostitution, and was actually under the impression that he was going there for a legitimate massage. But a sheriff? Come on! Even Barney Fife would have known that he was entering a whore house. These officers were letting loose, hitting a little strange while out on the town, letting go while the wifey and kids were back home and would never found out. To say he thought he was just looking for a back rub is so preposterous it’s laughable. Munks got caught with all whole lot more than his hand in the cookie jar and now he’s trying to slither his way out of what must be a very embarrassing situation. Having a wild time with the boys is not a sin and back in my single days I have to admit that I did things a whole lot worse. I’m not proud of it, but it happened. But please, Sheriff Munks -- don’t try to con us, sir, because it makes you look sillier than Quick Draw McGraw!

Oden Goes for the Pros

Greg Oden is through with school. He’s fleeing Ohio State University for greener pastures at the professional level. The 7-foot freshman said yesterday he will leave Ohio State after leading the Buckeyes to the national championship game and enter the NBA draft, where he figures to be one of the top two picks along with Texas freshman forward Kevin Durant.
And how can you blame him? The kind of money Oden will be making next season in the NBA will be unprecedented for a rookie. He played like a man among boys this season and looks like a seasoned NBA all-star already. For him to stay in college would have been a waste of talent, quite honestly.
Some of the people associated with Ohio State’s basketball program have made disparaging remarks about Oden leaving the school. I think that’s ridiculous. I can’t believe that anyone else in the world with half a brain would pass up the treasures and rewards that await Oden on the pro level.
Ohio State was a good training ground for Oden. The Buckeyes have a first-class program, with the best accommodations, facilities and hoochies (see photo) in the NCAA. But, the NBA is like heaven compared to college. Oden can now look forward to first-class flights and hotels, awesome food and drink, huge arenas every other night and best of all, better-looking, not to mention freakier, groupies!
Freshman teammates Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook also said they will make themselves available for the draft. Unlike Oden, they have opted not to hire an agent for now--meaning they will retain the option of returning to school in the fall.
"This is a very tough decision for me," Oden said in a statement released by Ohio State. "I love OSU and love being a Buckeye, but I also have a great opportunity to take my game to the next level and compete with the best players in the world. I've discussed this with family, friends and coach [Thad] Matta, and I feel the time is right."
None of the players was available for comment. Conley is expected to be an honorary head coach for today's Scarlet vs. Gray spring football game. Oden is out of town to attend his aunt's wedding.
At a news conference yesterday afternoon, Matta said the departure of the three players, though expected, would leave a hole in the program. Matta said he was proud of their accomplishments and hoped that the success of players such as Oden, coupled with the team's trip to the national championship game, will lure talented recruits.
"Honestly, it's been kind of a goal of mine to have a player selected as high as Greg is going to be," Matta said. "This is a situation where we've got to handle it and continue to build."
All three players were key figures this past season for the Buckeyes, who went 35-4 to set a mark for victories and won the Big Ten's regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to their first national championship game since 1962, where they lost to two-time champion Florida 84-75 this month.
After getting a late start at Ohio State because of a wrist injury, Oden, 19, lived up to his billing as a two-time national high school player of the year, leading the Buckeyes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.6) per game and topping the Big Ten in shooting percentage (.616).
His best game may have been his last one, when he scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds while dominating the inside against Al Horford and Joakim Noah of Florida.
Oden had surgery on his right (shooting) wrist to reattach ligaments last June 16. He worked out with the team while wearing a cast that eventually became an elastic brace. After missing the first seven games, he came in and--despite shooting free throws and most of his other shots left-handed--had an immediate impact.

Bay Area Sports is Sick Right Now!

There’s a sickness in the Bay Area right now and it’s called playoff fever. The only remedy for it is elimination, something that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen any time soon. Both the San Jose Sharks and the Golden State Warriors are in the postseason and are looking good.

The Sharks start a second round series against the Detroit Red Wings, a team they’ve won three of four games from this year. The Warriors are in the playoffs for the first time in well over a decade, and are probably the hottest team in the entire NBA right now.

The Sharks are skating well, playing like a complete squad and focused on getting to the Stanley Cup Finals. With a great mix of veterans, rookies and role players, the Teal Team looks poised and ready to roll.

Team leader Joe Thornton had six assists in the first-round series against the Nashville Predators, and the team has benefited greatly by adding players like Bill Guerin and Craig Rivet late in the season. Team Captain Patrick Marleau is a scoring machine and a clutch playoff performer.

When the big fish start their series against the Red Wings tomorrow night, they’ll have to be very conscious of the fact that Detroit finished only six points ahead of them during the regular season. In the past, the Sharks might have had a reason to be intimidated by a perennial powerhouse like the Red Wings. Not this time. San Jose can beat this team and they know it.

Thirty miles to the North, the Golden State Warriors have made an amazing turnaround and are the talk of both the Bay and the NBA. Sage Coach Don Nelson, the cagey old codger with more basketball experience than the late Red Auerbach, is leading this team to the promised playoff land playing super smart “small ball.”

Tonight’s Game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks should be a real test for both teams, because the Mavs now realize that they’re entering a knockdown drag out series that should go the distance.

Point Guard Baron Davis is leading this team and if the Warriors hope to get to the next round, other players will have to contribute, especially if Dallas MVP front-runner Dirk Nowitzki starts playing at his usually high level. Jason Richardson, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington and Mickael Pietrus all have the ability to step it up. If they do, Dallas is in big trouble. This could be one of the greatest Cinderella stories in the history of sports. It could also be a short, sad story. We’ll know a lot more after tonight.

With both teams in it to win it, the playoffs are the talk of the sports scene here in the Bay Area. It’s the very best professional hockey and basketball has to offer. If both the Sharks and Warriors get further into the postseason, you can be certain that the electricity in this area will be sizzling. On top of it all, the SF Giants are on a winning streak and the Oakland A’s are in first place. Maybe there’s even hope for the 49ers and/or Raiders to get considerably better by adding some young talent to their rosters during this weekend’s NFL Draft. There are a lot of positive things going on around here and if you’re into Bay Area sports at all – it’s a damn good time to be a fan.

Bulldogs are Beautiful Too!

You blew it, Jazzy: Jasmine had hoped her chic Doggles would carry her to victory in the Most Beautiful Bulldog Contest at the 28th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. But if there's something the judges can't abide, it's drool bubbles.