Housing Prices Holding Up in Albq

There are some places in the US where housing prices are not swooning and spiraling downward. Unlike places like Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and most elsewhere, smaller communities are holding their own as the grand price runup in the last five years was substantially less. Very few cities can make that claim, but among those that can are Albuquerque and Salt Lake City. Having been a past resident of the Duke City and usually aware of significant events there, it is not too surprising to see what has happened there. As for the reference in article that is linked below that likens Albuquerque to having a "resort town ambience", it is clearly and totally a mistake of a gross magnitude. Albuquerque is as much a resort town as Fargo is as a summer paradise in January. The quality of life in Albuquerque trails substantially to most places as crime, ethnic tensions, low wages, lack of economic diversification and sophistication, and traffic makes living there very unpleasant and the future holds no promise of improvement as New Mexico is a truly a third world country masquerading as an American state.
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http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/closetohome/2008-04-28-albuquerque_N.htm
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*****

134th Kentucky Derby Field Announced

The field for this Saturday's Kentucky Derby was announced today. 20 horses will be running in the 1 1/4 mile race. The consensus favorite, Big Brown, will start from the #20 gate, generally considered a less than advantageous position. The three year old is a 3-1 favorite despite having raced just three prior times. The only other two horses currently under 15-1 are Colonel John, running from the the the #10 post, and Pyro, at 6-1 from the #9 post.

The field, from the rail out:

Cool Coal Man (20-1), Tale of Ekati (15-1), Anak Nakal (30-1), Court Vision (20-1), Eight Belles (20-1), Z Fortune (15-1), Big Truck (50-1), Visionaire (20-1), Pyro (6-1), Colonel John (4-1), Z Humor (30-1), Smooth Air (20-1), Bob Black Jack (20-1), Monba (15-1), Adriano (30-1), Denis of Cork (20-1), Cowboy Cal (20-1), Recapturetheglory (20-1), Gayego (15-1) and Big Brown (3-1). Eight Belles is the lone filly in the field.

The Run For The Roses will be broadcast on NBC starting at 2pm MDT with posttime very shortly after 4pm MDT. Weather conditions are forecast to be dry and cool with temps in the 60s. My trifecta that I am going with is Pyro, Court Vision, and Colonel John.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingsports/ci_9109863

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http://www.kentuckyderby.com/

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http://www.horse-races.net/library/derby08-contenders.htm

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_derby

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*****

Tom Petty Returns to His Roots

I have always like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, but early on when I was younger I was not as enthusiastic. Like fine wine, the music only gets better with time. It has more than held up well over time since the band's beginnings and the start of when I had first had them in my consciousness. I was fortunate to see them at Red Rocks earlier in the decade and the show was superb and quite enjoyable. Its nice to see that the guys that were there when all began for Petty many years ago are having a chance to enjoy some success and recognition.
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http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-ca-mudcrutch27apr27,0,3569202.story?page=2
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Petty
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*****

The Ultimate Thing I Would Like to Have

One's wants and wishes change and mature over time as one ages, and I am no different. Having a fancy bathtub would be something I would have given no thought to for most of my life. But as I get older and feel pain through many parts of the body fairly regularly, a soothing massaging refreshing state of the art bathtub is now something that I would like to have someday, and the products listed in this link look like they would fill the bill perfectly.
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http://www.indulgeabath.com/walk-in-tubs.html
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*****

National Hockey League Conference Semi-Finals Outlook

We have reached the second of four rounds of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and once again there looks to be some outstanding matchups awaiting fans. The first round saw the top two seeds in both conferences advance, but only one accomplished that easily (Pittsburgh). The other three - Montreal, San Jose, and Detroit - had to work hard to advance. The lower seeds won all four matchups in the bottom of the bracket as Philadelphia, New York, Colorado and Dallas all pulled upsets over favorites Washington, New Jersey, Minnesota, and defending champion Anaheim respectively.

Here is this dedicated observing fan's outlook for this round:

EAST

#1 Montreal Canadiens v #6 Philadelphia Flyers - The Habs were sorely tested by a scrappy Boston but put the Bruins away convincingly in game seven. Their firepower, power play, and overall speed on the ice will be enough to overcome the Flyers who upset Washington in the opening round. Philadelphia does not match up as well with the Canadiens, particularly when Montreal is on offense, and the Habs have a definitive advantage in goal. Look for the .....CANADIENS 4-2

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins v #3 New York Rangers - This series promises probably the best second round matchup this postseason. Both teams are loaded with talent and can score often seemingly at will. New York has the edge in goal, but Pittsburgh probably has the better defense. Both teams won rather easily in the opening round, but this series will probably go the distance and be quite entertaining. I will take the upset......RANGERS 4-3

WEST

#1 Detroit Redwings v #6 Colorado Avalanche - The finest and most intense rivalry of the 1990s and very early this decade is renewed with largely a new cast of players on both clubs but a few older players who remember and experienced the heated series that led to five Stanley Cups in seven years between these two organizations. Detroit roared for much of the regular season, but struggled to outlast Nashville in the first round despite evident superiority in all aspects of the game over the Predators. Colorado bested Minnesota in the opening round in a tightly played low scoring physical series. Once again, Detroit seems to have the edge in virtually all the matchups between these two clubs, but the intangibles favor Colorado. The Avalanche will reach back and upend the Wings.....AVALANCHE 4-3

#2 San Jose Sharks v #5 Dallas Stars - The Sharks seriously struggled to outlast a plainly comparatively inferior Calgary Flames squad that not much was expected from, while Dallas clearly exceeded expectations and firmly outplayed the favored Anaheim Dicks in round one. The Sharks are among the most talented and deepest clubs in the league and have yet to meet their promise and potential. Dallas was struggling for the last part of the regular season but stepped it up against the Ducks. The speed and depth of the Sharks will be too much for Dallas to repeat their first round upset, and San Jose also has the edge in goal and defense, but the Sharks won't have it easy.....SHARKS 4-2

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All games but game 1 of the Montreal/Philadelphia series and game 3 of the San Jose/Dallas series will be televised, primarily on Versus with Saturday and Sunday afternoon games on NBC. Wednesday 7 May is latest this round can go to.

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http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=361532

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http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app

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*****

My Vitamins and Supplements Regimen

I have been taking regular dosages of various vitamins and supplements for most of my adult life, and I add new products on occasion when learning of them and what benefits they have to offer. Currently I am at 17 plus 1-2 baby aspirin. I take the aspirin daily and the supplements daily to every other day for the most part.

1. Bayer Baby Aspirin: 81 mg each chewable orange flavored pill; 1-2 daily; benefits for the circulatory system including the heart without the impact of other pain relievers on the digestive system.

2. Centrum Multi-vitamins and minerals: various levels of RDA for 33 substances

3. Vitamin C: 1000 mg (1667 % RDA)

4. Vitamin E: 400 IU (1333 % RDA)

5. Fish/Salmon Oil: 1000 mg; no RDA; Omega-3 for cardiovascular system

6. Chromium Picolinate: 200 mcg (167 % RDA); for metabolism and blood sugar level

7. Garlic: 375 mg; for for circulatory and cardiovascular systems; also for digestive system

8. Echinicea: 450 mg; for immune system and health resiliency

9. Grape Seed: 15 mcg of Selenium (21 % RDA); excellent anti-oxidant, anti-aging substance

10. Green Tea: 1000 mcg; another excellent anti-oxidant; also for immune system and health resiliency

11. Ginseng: Korean, Siberian, or Chinese; 100 mg; for immune system and as an anti-oxidant

12. Gingko: 460 mg; for circulatory system efficiency and maintaining brain function

13. CoQ10: 60 mg; for circulatory system efficiency and cellular energy production

14. Cinnamon: 1000 mg; for metabolism of sugars

15. Ginger: 550 mg; for digestive system, particularly keeping one's stomach soothed

16. Cranberry: 1680 mg; for digestive and excretary systems; an anti-oxidant

17: Glucosamine-Chondroitan: 900 mg; for joint strength, pain prevention, flexibility, and addressing early arthritis concerns

18: Pomegranate: 250 mg; another excellent anti-oxidant and anti-aging substance

I will probably add other substances over time: in particular, bilberry, saw palmetto, milk thistle, eyebright, and yucca. Other substances with benefits for health and life are always being identified and made available for easy use every year.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_supplement

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*****

The Perfect Solution for Troublesome Teens and Young Adults

Are you having a problem with teens and young adults creating an unpleasant environment near your home and business ? Is grafitti rampant in your area ? Vandalism ? Various property crimes ? Or are they just loitering and creating a nuisance ? This new technological marvel called the Mosquito emits a highly unpleasant high pitched noise only detectable by those in that age group who have reached audio maturity and have not suffered any hearing loss due to age or exposure to loud noise. You can look for a widescale implimentation of this technology in many places throughout the nation to effectively deal with the social, cultural, and legal problems and hardships these young individuals are creating. At last a solution to the blight of grafitti looks to be here. And young punks and hoods can be effectively managed and controlled. This device could also be quite effective in dealing with young terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/04/23/teen.be.gone.ap/index.html

http://www.kidsbegone.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mosquito

*****

Happy Birthday Wishes

Warm birthday wishes go out on Tuesday 22 April to my sister in-law DL, wife of my youngest brother HBL. Her birthday corresponds with Earth Day which is quite appropriate as she is a down to earth real individual with no falseness or airs about her. I heartily wish you the best on your special day and I am sure your hubby and two daughters will make the day memorable and fun. You will get your tasty flavored cake and get to eat it too !

*****

One Sweet Receiver

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9924691-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5

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Spring For Two Days

We had two nice spring days here on the Northern Front Range, as the temperature reached 76 degrees, the warmest its been since last 25 October, 173 days ago and only one degree off the record from back in 1898. Places in nearby western Nebraska and NE Colorado neared 90 degrees. There has been bright sunshine and light winds the last two days, and I took the opportunity to enjoy the nice day today and sat out on the deck and read. Unfortunately, it is still April so once again the winds of change are blowing a mid Spring storm as temperatures will be 35 degrees colder on Wednesday with a good chance of snow and perhaps an accumulation of an inch or so of snow. I can hear the winds blowing furiously through the vents announcing the pending change. We will be getting off easy here as the forecast for where my brother and his family lives 130 miles south is much more dynamic as upwards of a foot of snow will fall in the next 48 hours. But, being that it is April, we will all see a quick recovery as it will be back around 70 degrees by Saturday. Its nice to be out of hibernation after over five months of persistent largely cold windy weather.

*****

The Twenty Most Hated and Despised Sports Teams

Like everyone, I have teams that I am devoted to and root for no matter what. There are also a fair number of teams and clubs I am largely ambivalent about. I may root for them in certain cirucumstances, but more often I do not care how they do. Then there are the teams I absolutely abhor and detest. The overwhelming dislike of these teams often goes back to my youth and they are clubs that I have never rooted for ever except when they are playing other clubs on the list of hated teams. Anytime these teams lose or suffer a losing season makes for a positive moment in this and many other fans' lives. May multitudes of misfortunes occur to ownership, players, and fans of these clubs !

NHL

5) New Jersey Devils

4) Vancouver Canucks

3) Philadelphia Flyers

2) Montreal Canadiens

1) Detroit Red SchWings

College Football/Basketball

5) Oklahoma Spooners

4) Brigham Young (BYPew) Cougars

3) Ohio State Suckeyes

2) Notre Dame Cheating Drunken Irish

1) Texas SchLonghorns

NFL

5) Cincinnati Bengals

4) New York Giants

3) Baltimore Ravens

2) Oakland Raiders

1) Dallass Cocaineboys

MLB

5) Philadelphia Phillies

4) St Louis Cardinals

3) Chicago White Sox

2) Los Angeles Dodgers

1) New York Skankees

*****

2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Underway

The best seven to eight weeks of professional sports starts tonight with the opening games of the NHL Conference Quarterfinals of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This year figures to be full of exciting close games and good hard hitting action with lots of dazzling play. The defending Eastern Conference champion Ottawa Senators squeaked back into the playoffs despite a poor finish; and the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks overcame a mediocre start with a strong finish to return to defend their championship. Detroit is back in the playoffs for a 17th straight season and playoff stalwarts Colorado and Philadelphia return after a years absence.

Here are the picks for the opening round.

EAST

#1 Montreal v #8 Boston - The Habs swept all eight games during the regular season against the Bruins and Boston looks overmatched in virtually every aspect of the game against the Canadiens. The Bruins are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a two year absence. A sweep is possible here, but I will go with the.... CANADIENS, 4-1

#2 Pittsburgh v #7 Ottawa - The teams are in reverse positions this season in a rematch of an opening round series in 2007. Last year a superior Senators team routed the Pens in five. Look for a totally different result this year as young Pittsburgh with all its offense appears to be poised to win the East and will start toward that goal rather easily against fading and injury riddled Ottawa..... PENGUINS, 4-1

#3 Washington v #6 Philadelphia - Both clubs return to the playoffs after missing out in '07. Washington roared back from an awful start and a coaching change to win the Southeast Division on the final weekend with a powerful offense. The Flyers got off to a good start and held steady down the stretch. This will be a close tight hard hitting series and not much defense; I am going with the.....CAPITALS, 4-2

#4 New Jersey v #4 New York Rangers - This promises to be among the best of the opening series matchups. These two clubs are evenly matched across the board although the Rangers took seven of eight from the Devils during the regular season. New Jersey may seem a little better on paper, but I am going with the..... RANGERS, 4-3

WEST

#1 Detroit v #8 Nashville - The powerful Red Wings rolled to the NHL's best record this season and, if it was for not a rash of injuries in February and March, might have set a new record for points in a season. Nashville rallied from far back to make the playoffs after offseason ownership issues resulted in a weakening of the roster and the threat of a relocation was thwarted. Detroit won five of eight against the Predators, but Detroit struggles in the Stanley Cup playoffs and it says here there will be an upset....PREDATORS, 4-3

#2 San Jose v #7 Calgary - San Jose played lights out the last ten weeks of the season and is clicking on all cylinders. San Jose has the best offense in the league and a suffociating physical defense. Calgary was inconsistent all season and never got into any kind of groove. This series could be a sweep, but I will say.....SHARKS, 4-1

#3 Minnesota v #6 Colorado - This will be the best series in the opening round as these are two evenly matched clubs. The Wild has the edge in team speed, but Colorado has the edge in experience and depth and they have the amazing Joe Sakik still doing the impossible. Do not look for any routs in this one, but perhaps more than a few overtime games; and I say in a very close one.....AVALANCHE, 4-3

#4 Anaheim v #5 Dallas - These two clubs were headed in opposite directions as the season wound down. The defending champs seem to be improving and gelling while the Stars faded badly in the last six weeks and very easily could have missed the playoffs. Anaheim is the league's most talented, deepest, and most physical club which means.....DUCKS, 4-2

The conference semifinals will commence on Thursday 24 April; the conference finals on Thursday, 7 May, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday 23 May.

*****

Blogging Too Often Deadly For Some

This troubling report is somewhat surprising. Blogging should be an activity that one does for pleasure, or out of a passion for a subject or issue. One realizes that some individuals are obligated to participate in blogging as a requirement for their profession, but for the activity to harmful health effects is definitively taking it too far. Most of the individual blogs I look at regularly or occasionally do not seem to be done in an obsessive manner. With respect to my own blogs, I post when I feel like it or find something that I want to share my opinion on. There are just some days when I find nothing that I want to comment on which is just fine. And that makes it just like any hobby that I or anyone else have or participate in.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/technology/06sweat.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8824837

*****

Charlton Heston, 1924 - 2008

Charlton Heston was a great and a giant among those in the acting profession and arts. He played a number of memorable roles in over 50 years of performing. Among his most powerful and greatest roles were in the films Ben-Hur; The Greatest Show on Earth; Planet of the Apes; The Omega Man; Soylent Green; Will Penny; Midway; 55 Days at Peking; and at the top of the list: as Moses in The Ten Commandments. Heston did not hesitate to exercise his freedom of speech rights as he was a tireless supporter of the 2nd Amendment and gun rights as a spokesman for the National Rifle Association. Heston early on supported progressive causes such as civil rights, women's rights, and environmentalism, but in his later life he was an outspoken supporter of such conservative issues as anti-gay rights, affirmative action, and abortion. These stands put him in conflict with most of his peers in Hollywood and throughout popular culture. Heston was nominated and honored professionally throughout his career and won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1959 for his performance in Ben-Hur. Before starting his acting, Heston served two years in World War II in the Army Air Corps in the 11th Air Force. Heston is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lydia, and a son and adopted daughter. His loss makes today truly one of sadness.

http://www.latimes.com/la-me-heston6apr06,0,3675317.story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Heston

http://www.nndb.com/people/961/000022895/

*****

A Weekend of Baseball

With my financial circumstances very much in a squeeze, this weekend is one for hibernation and isolation staying in. Work has been very limited in the last month with most weeks ending with less than 20 hours and one week at less than 12. Hopes for more complete and fulfilling employment remain limited for a number of obvious reasons. With things so tough, I opted with little thought to stay home for these three days off. Fortunately, there was some baseball on the television to enjoy for most of the time. I caught the opening day game at Coors Field between the Rockies and Diamondbacks, and Arizona exacted some revenge for their loss to Colorado last October in the NLCS by winning going away. Saturday night's game was a virtual repeat with Arizona winning easily again. FOX commenced their weekly Saturday afternoon game of the week as San Diego dominated Los Angeles with Jake Peavy pitching lights out. Sunday brings three games: the debut of Sunday afternoon baseball on TBS with Boston at Toronto; the series finale between the Rockies and Diamondbacks; and Sunday night baseball on ESPN between the Tigers and White Sox. There is also two NHL games on Sunday: Blackhawks at Redwings on NBC and Wild at Avalanche on Altitude as the final day of the regular season concludes. I had the NCAA tourney semis tuned on my little tv but both games were routs and unworthy as expected of any close viewing. The weather looked okay but still windy like the dickens so I did not venture out even though the temperatures did reach the mid 50s. Meals were somewhat unexciting as I had oatmeal; biscuits; and chicken mushroom broccoll cheddar noodles for the three Friday meals. Saturday's three meals were: toasted frozen waffles; a can of tomato soup with crackers; and two hamburgers with a can of spinach. The phone has not rang in several days so I am truly in solitude. Thank goodness for the internet and cable tv. As Saturday evening wrapped up, I watched a climate special on the History Channel while SNL was on the little TV with Christopher Walken, one of my favorites and among the most talented actors, as the host.

*****

My Grumbling Gets Published

Earlier in March I wrote of my disappointment over the demise of my favorite radio station on the AM band which would all but end my ability to listen to KKFN The Fan after many years of regular and loyal listening. I sent an email to the Media and Journalism Critic for Westword sharing my feelings. Michael Roberts has also been a devoted AM 950 The Fan listener and is also disappointed with the move from the AM band to the FM side recently. He put my remarks into his blog on Westword earlier this week. As it turns out, Lincoln Financial (the corporate parent of KKFN) has decided at least temporarily to keep the simulcast ongoing so I am able to continue to listen over the AM band for now when I am using my headphone and transistor radios. I expect this not to continue for long as ESPN radio in Denver is likely to be moved to the 95o AM signal from its current extremely poor 1600 AM signal. In addition, the local station here in WY at 104.5 has bit the dust recently so interference with the 104.3 FM signal is less than anticipated now and I can pick up the station on the FM side as well while in my truck. Thank goodness for small wishes coming true.

http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2008/03/unintended_consequences_of_the.php

http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2008/03/will_the_fans_move_cause_a_rad.php

*****

Moises Alou is a Scumbucket

Moises Alou, veteran major league baseball outfielder of many years, unworthy scion of the Alou family baseball heritage, and self-admitted regular urinator on his own hands, has further disgraced himself with his extremely belated admission that the foul ball that he failed to catch in game six of the 2003 NLCS in the eighth inning against the eventual world champion Florida Marlins was one he never really could have caught. Since that instance, the wrath of Chicagoans and fans of the Cubs across the planet has been squarely placed on Steve Bartman, a fan in the stands who caught the foul ball and has been subjected to an unimaginable rain of terror on all levels by all those looking for a scapegoat for the failure of the Cubs to get to the World Series for a century now. Any objective observer could see the ball was uncatchable by Alou, a mediocre fielder at best. Years of blame by Alou towards Bartman is nothing short of being petty, immature, selfish, and stupid. If Bartman can find a way to sue Alou for all the damage and humiliation he and his family has suffered, I hope he is successful. Egotistical, foolish, mindless, immature, greedy professional athletes are not immune from liability for their actions and statements any more than any other individual is. Alou is an embarassment, disgusting and a player worthy of being intensively loathed for all eternity. He is the epitome of a dirtbag and a zero. Let the wrath now be on him for imperpetuity.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mariotti/872867,mariotti040208.article

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080403-steve-bartman-chicago-cubs-morrissey,1,7843597.column

*****

FYI: The Days of April

Here is a list of all the special daily commemorations that occur each day in April. Days to look forward to enjoying some special treats include 2, 14, 17, 22, 24, 25, 26, and 29 April. Some days one should make to be more fun than usual are 3, 4, 5, 9,12, 13, 20, and 27 April. Strange days would be 8, 11, 15, 16, 19, and 23 April.

April 1 is One Cent Day


April 2 is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

April 3 is Tweed Day and Don't Go To Work Unless It's Fun Day

April 4 is Tell-A-Lie Day

April 5 is Go For Broke Day

April 6 is Sorry Charlie Day

April 7 is No Housework Day

April 8 is All Is Ours Day

April 9 is Winston Churchill Day and Name Yourself Day

April 10 is Golfers Day

April 11 is Eight-Track Tape Day

April 12 is Look Up At The Sky Day

April 13 is Blame Somebody Else Day

April 14 is National Pecan Day

April 15 is Rubber Eraser Day

April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day and National Eggs Benedict Day

April 17 is National Cheeseball Day

April 18 is International Jugglers Day

April 19 is Garlic Day

April 20 is Look Alike Day

April 21 is Kindergarten Day

April 22 is National Jelly Bean Day

April 23 is Read Me Day and World Laboratory Animal Day

April 24 is National Pigs In A Blanket Day

April 25 is National Zucchini Bread Day

April 26 is Richter Scale Day and National Pretzel Day

April 27 is Tell A Story Day

April 28 is Great Poetry Reading Day and Kiss-Your-Mate Day

April 29 is National Shrimp Scampi Day

April 30 is National Honesty Day

*****

Opening Day 2008

The real first day of Spring and New Years Day arrived for yours truly and many others with good session of snow outside that dropped about an inch or so before giving to sunny skies with winds across the northern Front Range. I awoke and ventured out to get my newspapers before settling for a quiet relaxing day and night at home. It is the first day of the 2008 baseball season and weather played havoc with the schedule in many places across the East and Midwest. The Rockies' opener in St Louis was washed out after they managed to get in a couple of innings, but it was all for naught. Rain also affected games in the Bronx, Chicago, and Cincinnati. The Brewers/Cubs game was delayed for an hour but it turned out to be quite enjoyable and was won by Milwaukee in ten innings. Detroit also lost in 10 to Kansas City; and Arizona beat Cincinnati on the riverfront. Bright sunshine was the order of the day in Southern California as the Dodgers opened with an easy win over the Giants. As day turned into evening, games televised were on the slate for the Angels and Twins in Minneapolis, where a blizzard was also going on; and in San Diego between the Padres and Astros. Sunday night's game in Washington debuting the new Nationals Stadium was quite entertaining, and going back to last week in Tokyo, the two games between the Red Sox and Athletics were good contests as well. So far the season is off to a great start. America's Pastime is back with six to seven months of enjoyment ahead.

*****

Baseball Again at the LA Memorial Coliseum

The Los Angeles Dodgers returned to their original home in the Southland Saturday night, 29 March, with an exhibition game against the World Champions Boston Red Sox. The game will draw a record over 115,ooo fans and bring back a lot of memories of when the Dodgers played their first four seasons (1958-61) in the football stadium and home of two Olympics that is now 85 years old. All the proceeds from the game are going to charity, and numerous players from the past are invited in tribute as a half-century of Dodger baseball in Los Angeles is celebrated. While the Dodgers have languished and underachieved in the last 19 years for the most part, their first 31 seasons were quite successful with five worlds championships (1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, and 1988), nine National League pennants (1966, 1974, 1977, and 1978), and seven NL West crowns (74, 77, 78, 81, 83, 85, and 88). But the glory days started in LA at the Coliseum, and its great to see the organization honor its roots with an exhibition game there. The current configuration of the Coliseum means left field will be relatively tiny, only 200' from home plate; the distance from the wall to the infield skin will be less than the distance from base to base. The Red Sox ended up winning the ballgame 7-4.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-springer29mar29,0,1645343.story

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-coliseum25mar25,0,3161856.story

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=3319232

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=3319270

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Memorial_Coliseum

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280329119

*****