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 One day in the not-too-distant future…
You wake up to a virtual alarm clock on your computer and check on your virtual dog. You drive to work and let your car parallel park itself, then watch the virtual flower pot grow on your desk computer. After work, you head over to a virtual gym where you hop on a mountain bike, seeing virtual outdoor terrain in front of you.
In the words of the artist Jamiroquai, “Future's made of virtual insanity.”
Virtual technology that combines exercising and gaming, aptly coined by the portmanteaus, “exergaming” or “exertainment,” is rapidly making exercise and recreation easier or at least more entertaining.
In the spirit of “exergaming,” here are the top 10 ways to stay fit with a virtual flare.
10. Nintendo’s Wii Fit facilitates exercising with a wireless balance board sensing users’ motions.
9. You’re in the Movies, by Xbox, offers cardio workouts such as running, jumping or twirling a hula hoop while virtually acting in movies seen on your screen.
8. The NeoRacer is an exercise bike that interacts with PlayStation or Xbox to count calories burned while riding.
7. Nintendo’s Wii Bowling is a perfect activity for young and old alike, commonly used to help senior citizens loosen joints.
6. Jillian Michael’s Fitness Ultimatum 2009 is a fusion of the Wii balance board and a celebrity fitness trainer to keep your virtual exercise on task.
5. Dance, Dance Revolution tests users’ rhythm and dancing ability with a foot-touch platform.
4. In a recent study, Nintendo Wii Boxing was found to typically burn 432 calories per hour; not a bad way to burn off holiday snacking.
3. Expresso Fitness is a fitness bike with an attached screen showing upcoming biking terrain.
2. The EyeToy is a digital camera wired to a Playstation 2 allowing gamers to see themselves in a game such as EyeToy: Play Sports.
1. Finally, Rock Band and Guitar Hero are virtual ways to practice singing, and guitar or drum playing all while listening to toe tapping tracks.
Event Spotlight
Bangor Downtown Countdown to 2009
Wed. December 31st at The Bangor Public Library
6:00 pm: Dance, Dance Revolution Tournament
7:30 pm: Guitar Hero Tournament
2008 Going out with a Bang-or
The Bangor Downtown Countdown to 2009 is a great way for Bangoreans and New Englanders alike to ring in the New Year. After dabbling in the virtual fun of Dance, Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, enjoy live big band music and dancing lessons in Maine’s third largest city. The Bangor Downtown Countdown to 2009 will exhibit the excitement of “exergaming” while showing there is no substitute for actually learning an instrument, experiencing the Maine outdoors, or dancing to the rhythm of real life.
The Maine Dish
Enjoy your last night in 2008 with a fine dining experience at Opus Restaurant located on 193 Broad Street. Under Chef Roger Gelis, Opus offers “New American” style cuisine on the developing waterfront area of Bangor. Opus begins the evening with a complimentary Amuse Bouche with delicacies such as carrot flan or miniature lobster club sandwiches. For main dishes try the barbequed duck with corn pancake, lime crema and avocado or New Mexico chili rubbed pork tenderloin with bourbon-Ancho glaze and purple rice.
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 Twas’ the week before Christmas, no power in your house, An ice storm and blizzard, maybe ye should have head South But alas here are Ten towns gathered with care Christmas spirit and sport are sure to live there…
The students were nestled all snug in their beds,
While nuclear physics danced in their heads
Crimsons and shoppers settled down for a nap
O Cambridge ye are the first on our map
When out in Vermont there arose such a clatter,
UVM Catamounts knew what was a matter.
Christmas upon us in less than a flash,
Burlington, ye are such a Holiday smash.
The lights shone bright on the new-fallen snow,
Giving a sparkle to the harbor below.
Pirates and High School hoops set to appear,
O Portland, how charming at this time of year.
Athletes and students with a good sense of self
Huskies you know are really top shelf
To dominance and fame the hoops have arose,
If you guessed Storrs, you’re right on the nose.
You’ll need a new racket so lively and quick,
Under the tree perhaps a gift from St. Nick.
Mansions, Cliff Walks, the Tennis Hall of Fame
Newport, Rhode Island ye know is the name.
As the snowflakes from blizzards are sure to fly,
Five Colleges rest under the Western Mass Sky.
Lord Jeffs, Pioneers, Blacksheep, Lyons flew,
In Amherst of course the Minutemen too.
All dressed in hockey padding from head to foot,
Monarchs and Hawks will make you caput.
Elm Street all lit up from the front to the back,
O Manchester ye are ahead of the pack.
Atop all the mountains the skiers are merry,
Rosy cheeks and noses red like a cherry.
Either the cross-country type or from high to low,
There’s not better place than Stowe for the snow.
Yes on the ice we will show you our teeth,
The town all adorned with a tree and a wreath.
Our hockey instills so much fear and dread,
Orono’s the place the Black Bears are fed.
To get to the top one might need a lift,
The view atop Cranmore is truly a gift.
The mountains and slopes are the best around,
What a delight to be North Conway bound.
Hope this short ode entertained ye a little,
Maybe near the finish it began to fizzle.
But New England for sure is a wondrous sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.
Event Spotlight
Monster Mash
December 26-27
Cranmore Mountain, North Conway
This weekend-long event at New Hampshire’s premier winter wonderland features snowboard and ski competitions in the Darkside Terrain Park, plus maple syrup samplings, a torchlight parade and evening fireworks. North Conway has something for everyone, even if you are not a skier. By day, enjoy snowshoe tours or shopping North Conway’s famous retail outlets, while by night, enjoy live music entertainment and famous restaurants or pubs boasting a warm atmosphere on a cold winter’s eve.
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We all know a little about the lil's of the world. To name a few, there is Lil' Frankie's Pizza, Lil' Kim, and the artist formerly know as Lil' Bow Wow (he grew up and dropped the lil’).
However, many of us are probably unaware of a lil’ group in Massachusetts making a big splash in athletic arenas. Lil' Phunk -- a junior dance team based out of Everett -- performs breakdancing, popping, locking and hip-hop routines all over New England at premier sporting events. The 35 boys and girls, who range from ages 6-13, have performed for, among others, the NBA, NWBA and Radio Disney. Lil' Phunk adds a layer of entertainment that keeps things exciting even if the game is not.
In the spirit of Lil' Phunk, here are 10 things at an athletic outing that are amusing even if the game fails to be:
1. Everyone’s priority numero uno at a sporting event is to make the Jumbotron. If this involves dancing, kissing or showing your stomach, it is worth it.
2. Mascot antics are quite thrilling. Who can forget earlier this year when Jawz the Jaguar and Eli the Eagle dropped their fake mascot gloves at half court.
3. T-shirt tosses or a new fad that is bizarrely catching on, burrito tosses, are a great way to get free stuff, and like eBay says, “It is better when you win it.”
4. Halftime musical performances are always an added treat. (I was pleasantly surprised to see Robin Thicke perform during halftime of an NFL game once. There were, however, a lot of confused football fans in regards to his high-pitched voice.)
5. Noise meters are an exciting way to get the crowd going. It is a proven fact that once the noise meter hits “Garden Level,” teams elevate their play.
6. Fan competitions can really enrapture a crowd. It is great to see a fan walk away with a car or a gift certificate by hitting a half-court shot or throwing a football through a tire.
7. Mini-games by children are fan favorites during halftimes and intermissions. Little kiddos who dribble up to their head or struggle to stand on skates can get cheers from the crowd louder than the main event.
8. Another game-time pastime is moving to a better seat. This can turn into a suspenseful game of risk more thrilling than the event.
9. School marching bands bring an authentic excitement to games, showcasing the purity and energy of college sports.
10. Finally, sing-alongs and “the wave” are a great way to feel solidarity with the crowd. There is no better feeling than when you start the wave and 30,000 people join in.
Matchup of the week
Celtics vs. Knicks
Sunday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m. ET
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Mass.
Halftime performance by Lil’ Phunk
After a heart-pumping performance by the Big Three and Lil’ Phunk, head over to DJ’s at the Garden. A relatively new addition to Friend Street and the Garden nightlife scene, DJ’s provides a subtle combination of sophistication and energy, while maintaining a casual sports bar feel.
Appetizers include beer-battered brie, firecracker shrimp and drunken mussels, while entrees range from Guinness-braised short ribs to Ensenada fish tacos.
True to its name, DJ’s showcases live music every Thursday and Friday night and a DJ on Saturday, making it a great place to get in a lil’ dancing.
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Whenever there's a chill in the air, or I forget to wear socks and a sweater on a frigid day, I find myself shivering like any other warm-blooded mammal. Sometimes, I mistakenly verbalize my discomfort with the phrase: “I am cold.” Almost always the response is: “You can’t be cold -- you're from Maine.”
For some reason, people think if you are a native of a cold area, like Maine or Siberia, you are immune to the cold. This is not the case. Mainers, Alaskans, and Minnesotans alike feel the pain when your car just won’t warm up fast enough. However, anyone from a frigid climate must learn to thrive, function and compete in outdoor athletic endeavors despite a bone-chilling climate. Many even develop a rush from challenging Mother Nature’s cold shoulder.
Here are 10 upcoming outdoor competitions or activities that will freeze spectators and athletes in their boots, literally:
1. One obvious battle against the winter elements is the annual Iditarod sled dog race. The Iditarod XXXVII on March 7 and 8 will span from Willow to Nome, covering over 1,500 miles of harsh Alaskan terrain.
2. The Detroit Red Wings will face the Chicago Blackhawks on New Year’s Day in Wrigley Field for the NHL Winter Classic. A crowd of 71,000 watched the snow-covered game last year between the Sabres and Penguins in Buffalo.
3. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the oldest in the country, meets every winter Sunday to take a dip in the frigid Atlantic waters. Like most Polar Bear Clubs, New Year’s Day will host the largest crowd of brave souls ready for a swim.
4. From Feb. 21-28, Broomfield, Colo. will host the 2010 Curling Olympic team trials. If you can’t make it to Colorado, there is always the Green Mountain Curling Club of Vermont.
5. The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships take place annually at Stratton Mountain in Vermont from March 16-22. World champions and Olympic medalists from around the country will take part in the superpipe, dual giant slalom, boarder cross and big air competitions.
6. On Jan. 24, Brainerd, Minn. will host the 19th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay. Last year’s competition saw over 10,000 anglers register 730 fish in the day-long ice fishing competition.
7. The International Bowl between Buffalo and the University of Connecticut will take place on Jan. 3 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Although the game is indoors, you better pack a battery-powered space heater if you plan to tailgate on a crisp Ontario day.
8. The Winter X Games will be held from Jan. 22-25 in Aspen, Colo. The skiing, snowboard and snowmobile competitions continue to be some of the premier winter sporting events in the world.
9. From Feb. 24 to March 22, Fairbanks, Alaska, will host the 19th Annual World Ice Art Championships. The Fairbanks event attracts over 70 teams of ice artists to compete in one of the largest ice sculpting exhibitions in the world.
10. Finally, this Saturday, Boylston Street in Boston will be the starting line for the 9th Annual Santa Speedo Run. The 1.25-mile jog that ends on Newbury Street with runners adorned in Speedos and Santa hats is an exhibition of strength and endurance under the harsh conditions of a New England winter.
Spotlight of the week
The 9th Annual Santa Speedo Run
Boylston Street, Boston
Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET
Proceeds benefit Cradles to Crayons
If you aren’t out cold after your Speedo run, throw on some clothes and head over to Pop’s Restaurant on 560 Tremont Street in the South End. Pops will put some pop back in your step with a delectable gourmet sandwich menu. Aptly titled "The Diner of the 21st Century," Pops’ lunch menu offers a mouthwatering steak panino, pressed goat cheese sandwich and lobster quesadilla with a modern atmosphere common to the trendy and booming South End area.
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The scene is a familiar one. George and Jerry are sitting in his "New York" apartment. This time Jerry is trying to help an unemployed George figure out a career path.
George: “I like sports. I could do something in sports. ... Maybe I could be like, an announcer. Like a caller man. You know how I always make those interesting comments during the game.”
Jerry: “Well, they tend to give those jobs to ex-ballplayers and people that are, you know, in broadcasting.”
This Friday and Saturday night, Jerry Seinfeld will perform as the headliner at the MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods. Although Jerry and the rest of the Seinfeld cast are a seemingly un-athletic bunch (aside from Kramer's swimming of the Hudson River), the landmark television series is sprinkled with references from the sporting world. It is clear that, like George, the creators of one of the most influential sources of comedic pop culture also "like sports."
Here are 10 memorable sporting references from the "Seinfeld" series:
1. "The Face Painter"
Elaine invites her pseudo-boyfriend David Puddy to a Devils playoff game, and Puddy shows his loyalty by painting his face.
Elaine: “Well, you can't walk around like that.”
Puddy: “Why not?”
Elaine: “Because it's insane?”
Puddy: “Hey, you gotta let them know you're out there, this is the playoffs.”
2. "The Calzone"
George Steinbrenner tries George's calzone during a meeting.
Mr. Steinbrenner: “Excellent, excellent calzone you got there Costanza. OK,a little jealous now. OK, let’s go. OK, last week ... you know that eggplant was very good. Everybody out. I got eggplant on my mind. Costanza, get me a couple of those calzones right now. Pronto. Move out. Big Stein wants an eggplant calzone.”
3. "The Boyfriend"
Jerry compares his celebrity status to that of former baseball player Keith Hernandez.
George: “You're comparing yourself to Keith Hernandez. The guy's a baseball player Jerry, baseball! What ... you are making some wisecracks in a night club ... wo, wo, wo. The guy was in Game 6! Two runs down, two outs, facing elimination.”
4. "The Visa"
Kramer goes to Florida to take part in a baseball fantasy camp.
Kramer: “A brouhaha breaks out between the guys in the camp, you know, and the old Yankee players, and as I'm trying to get Moose Skowron off of one of my teammates, you know, somebody pulls me from behind, you know, and I turned around and I popped him. I looked down, and woah man, it's Mickey. I punched his lights out.”
5. "The Hot Tub"
Elaine hosts Jean-Paul, a marathon runner who once overslept at the Olympics.
Jerry: “I mean, it's like the biggest event of your life! You'd think you'd have, like, six alarm clocks, paying off little kids in the village to come banging on your door.”
6. "Male Unbonding"
Jerry and Elaine try to get out of going to a Knicks game with Jerry’s friend Joel.
Joel: “How about next Tuesday night?”
Elaine: “Oh, no, no. Tuesday's no good because we've got choir practice. We're doing that evening of Eastern European national anthems.”
Jerry: “Right. You know, the wall being down and everything.”
7. "The Letter"
Elaine refuses to remove her Baltimore Orioles hat while sitting in the owner's box at a Yankees game.
George: “Just take the cap off.”
Elaine: “George, we are at a baseball game! This is America!”
8. "The Lip Reader"
While at the U.S. Open, a commentator spots George in the crowd and comments on him eating a sundae.
Announcer: “Holy cow, it's a scorcher. Boy, I bet you that guy can cover a lot of court. Hey buddy, they got a new invention. It's called a napkin. We'll take a station break and continue with more.”
9. "The Hot Tub"
Mr. Steinbrenner thinks George is too stressed from hosting Houston Astros representatives.
Mr. Steinbrenner: “Oh, we all get a little cuckoo sometimes, George. I used to be like you. Rating personnel till they cried, calling managers on the field during a game, threatening to move the team to New Jersey just to upset people. Then I found a way to relax. I've got two words to say to you, George: 'Hot tub. '"
10. "The Masseuse"
Elaine is dating a man named Joel Rifkin who shares the same name as a notorious serial killer. Joel gets Kramer and Elaine tickets to a Giants game.
Announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? Would Joel Rifkin report to the stadium office?”
(The crowd stops cheering, and we see a football player distracted from the game while hearing the announcer).
Elaine: (to the person in front of her) “He's not the murderer.”
Event spotlight
Dec. 5 and 6, 9 p.m. ET
MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
Mashantucket, Conn.
After filling your belly with laughter, choose from one of over 30 restaurants at Foxwoods to fill your appetite. One pricey but elegant option is the Paragon Restaurant on the 24th floor of the Grand Pequot Tower. One of only seven restaurants in Connecticut to achieve the Four Diamond Award of Excellence, The Paragon offers a comprehensive wine list and a gourmet menu filled with mussels, lobster and scallops -- enhanced by a spectacular aerial view of Connecticut's natural scenery. The Paragon's brilliant cuisine is a perfect complement to the brilliant comedic mind of Jerry Seinfeld.
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Respect is not just an Aretha Franklin song. It is something that must be earned and sometimes fought for.
On Feb. 6, 1913, Aram Pothier, the governor of Rhode Island, wrote a message to Edgar B. Hurdis, the president of the town council of North Providence. The governor instructed his deputies to end boxing exhibitions claiming that they are a "disgrace to civilization."
Despite such criticism, boxing has not only flourished in Rhode Island but also has proven to be a source of identity. From promotion of the quickly growing sport, to housing some of the biggest amateur and professional boxers in the industry, the little state of Rhode Island packs a big punch.
Here are Rhode Island's top 10 contributions to the "sweet science":
1. Son of kickboxing champion Peter Manfredo Sr., light middleweight Peter Manfredo Jr., "The Pride of Providence," put Providence and boxing on the map for his role in "The Contender," the popular boxing reality show.
2. Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES), a worldwide leader in boxing promotion, is based in North Providence.
3. In 1890, Providence was home to the historic George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey knockout of Patsy Cardiff in the 16th round.
4. After beginning his boxing career at the age of 6, light middleweight Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade, a Providence native, represented the U.S. in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
5. Cranston's Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz is the winner of five world titles at lightweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight.
6. Rhode Island is home to numerous historically significant boxing venues -- including the National A.C., Marieville Garden, Infantry Hall, Rhode Island Auditorium, Arcadia Ballroom, Prince Memorial Stadium, Strand Theater, Twin River and the Dunkin' Donuts Center (formerly the Providence Civic Center.)
7. After representing the U.S. in the 2004 Olympic Games, super heavyweight Jason "Big Six" Estrada, out of Providence, landed his first KO on Jerry Simpson in 2005 in just his second pro fight.
8. Cranston's Melissa "The Fury" Fiorentino, a featherweight, won her first four fights by knockout with her only defeat coming in the WIBA world title bout in Kyoto, Japan.
9. Providence's Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey turned professional in 2004 and is most known for his TKO of Felix Cora Jr. in 2007.
10. This weekend, Lincoln, R.I., hosts "Holiday Havoc," presented by CES Boxing at the Twin River Events Center, showcasing some of the biggest names and rising stars in the boxing world.
Event spotlight
CES Boxing Presents "Holiday Havoc"
Twin River Events Center
Lincoln, R.I.
Saturday, Nov. 29, 7:00 p.m. ET
Jason "Big Six" Estrada (14-1, 3 KOs) is the headliner in the eight-round main event against Derek "The One Man Riot" Bryant (20-4-1, 17 KOs).
After fight night in Lincoln, keep the fight alive at The Cuban Revolution in nearby Providence. One of the most talked about restaurants in Rhode Island, The Cuban Revolution honors the "revolutionary spirit of those who struggle against tyranny, oppression, corporate greed and government largesse." The cutting-edge dining establishment offers "the passion of a Latin beat" that sends you back to 1950's Cuba.
Located at 50 Aborn Street, The Cuban Revolution provides an extensive tapas menu with yucca fries, alioli and croquetas de jamon, as well as the "world's best" Cuban-pressed sandwich. If you are feeling a bit more rebellious, try a specialty dish like the JFK (steak sandwich) or the Bay of Pigs (empanada) washed down with Havana Blast (banana milkshake with shot of espresso). An evening filled with "Holiday Havoc" and The Cuban Revolution is sure to be a contentious night to remember.
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For the last two seasons, my sister and I have had Boston College men's basketball season tickets. Each game, I entered Conte Forum ready to stand behind the Eagles but, by the end of the night, found myself aggressively cheering for Mercer, Sacred Heart or any other opponent they faced. I don't know if it's my allegiance to underdogs or BC's recent string of player misconduct that makes it so difficult to wholeheartedly sing "For Boston" at these games.
Monday night, point guard Tyrese Rice returned from a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules -- adding to a long list of blemishes for the BC basketball program. Now is the moment for Rice to decide whether he wants to lead the Eagles on a tourney run in his senior year or continue to get in his own way with off-court missteps. Will he join the ranks of Boston College rule breakers or record breakers?
Here are your starting lineups for Boston College's "Bad Boys" and "Golden Boys" through the years:
Bad Boys starting five
At center, Sean Williams
Dismissed in 2007 following two team suspensions and possession of marijuana.
At guard, Ryan Sidney
Dismissed in 2003 for unspecified behavioral issues.
At forward, Akida McLain
Dismissed in 2007 following one team suspension and involvement in counterfeiting scam.
At guard, Andrew Bryant
Dismissed in 2003 for involvement in a bar brawl and violation of restraining order placed by female student.
At guard, Rick Kuhn
Sentenced to 10 years in prison for involvement in Mafia-connected point-shaving scandal in 1981.
Golden Boys starting five
At forward, Craig Smith
Currently averaging 7.4 points per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also is the second all-time leading scorer in Boston College history (2002-06).
At forward, Bill Curley
Played critical role on Elite Eight team in 1994. Currently resides in hometown of Duxbury, Mass.
At guard, Troy Bell
Earned Big East Player of the Year honors his sophomore and senior year. All-American and all-time leading scorer at Boston College (1999-03).
At guard, John Bagley
Left BC after junior year to enter 1982 NBA draft. Played 13 seasons in the NBA, including three with Celtics.
At guard, Howard Eisley
Played for seven different NBA teams. Hit a crucial three-pointer in 1998 Game 6 of NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls, but it was waved off by referees.
Event Spotlight
NIT Season Tip-Off
St.John's vs. Boston College
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET
Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Player spotlight
Tyrese Rice, Guard
A 6-foot-1 senior from Richmond, Va., Rice was All-ACC first team last season. He averaged 21.0 points per game and 5.0 assists per game. He enters this season with 1,542 career points. In a 90-57 rout against Loyola (Md.) on Nov. 17, Rice tallied 16 points and six assists. He scored 13 of his points in the second half and did not have a turnover in his season debut.
Flippin' hungry
After a heart-pounding game at the Hills, head over to Flippin' Burgers at 216 Sumner Street in Newton Centre. Flippin' Burgers offers home-cooked, fire-grilled burgers for lovers of the gourmet delicacy. Flippin' Burgers uses hand-seasoned 1/3 pound Nebraska Angus beef served the way you like it. The small but energetic restaurant offers creative artwork on the wall and a friendly staff with a side of onion rings.
After filling up on the burger delights, head over to the Cold Stone Creamery on 767 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, for an ice cream treat to put a cherry on top of your BC outing.
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Why do we love board games and trivia shows? What makes it enjoyable to sit around a small board or television, spending hours of one's life buying make-believe property or connecting four. Is it competitive fire, a never-ending quest to appear more adept than one's peers or plain boredom on a rainy day?
As pathetic as it may sound, I have a rush when I am the first to guess a word on "Wheel of Fortune," when there are only a few letters revealed or when I am able to remove the collar bone without getting buzzed in the game "Operation."
Now, there are two types of such games. There is the "Jenga" or "Twister" variety that forces you to master bizarre skills like balance, flexibility or a steady hand. And then there are the classic and historic challenges, which require strategy and expansive knowledge, pushing the mind and body to the limit.
Here are five top battles of whit and intellect with each accompanied by a small puzzler (answers below):
1. Trivial Pursuit
Who invaded Spain in the eighth century?
(Hint: Featured in the "Bubble Boy" episode of "Seinfeld")
2. "Jeopardy"
This country issued a $1 million note due to hyperinflation in 2008? (Final Jeopardy question on Nov. 6, 2008)
3. Scrabble
RYUTZAQ is a scrambled spelling of this highest-scoring English word in Scrabble.
4. Cranium
What six U.S. states have five or fewer letters?
5. Chess
What New England college is hosting a four-round Swiss system chess tournament this weekend?
Spotlight of the week
Four-round Swiss System Chess tournament
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Campus Center Auditorium
Brain food
After an action-packed day of checkmating and castling, fill up on some authentic New York-style pizza from Antonio's pizza. Located at 31 North Pleasant Street, "Tones" has been an Amherst institution since 1991, offering gourmet and classic jumbo slices. Some interesting house specialties include chicken and bleu cheese, and tomatoes with feta and avocado. Always packed with local students, Antonio's serves until 2 a.m., making it the perfect late-night college hot spot.
Answers:
1. Moors (or Moops)
2. Zimbabwe
3. Quartzy
4. Ohio, Idaho, Texas, Iowa, Maine, Utah
5. UMass Amherst
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Last weekend, 14 brave souls from the New England Sports Network (NESN) embarked on a company outing to the Maynard Paintball Club. Little did they know the emotional and physical scars that would form.
OK, this is a bit dramatic, but here are five noteworthy highlights from the event:
1. Broadcast engineer Mike Testa, a seasoned paintball aficionado, decided to take the game to the next level by purchasing a paintball grenade. It popped in his pocket during a sudden-surrender ambush.
2. Studio director Samantha Ainuddin was issued a severe warning for repeatedly cleaning her goggles due to extreme fogginess.
3. Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney, who must be commended for her bravery and courage under fire, was shot in the back by her own teammate from three feet away. After yelling "I am hit," she was promptly shot in the head by a careless and vicious opponent.
4. EVS operator Nick Halko courageously defended his team's "castle" by firing blank ammunition, much like Joshua Chamberlain leading his troops with no bullets.
5. Senior producer Stephen Katsoulis and assignment editor Heather Barraclough both brought their newborn babies to watch.
Now here are five things to know about the fastest growing extreme sport in the country:
1. Fox Sports Net aired a 13 episode docu-drama television series "Xtreme Paintball: Beyond the Paint" in 2007, making paintball an overnight phenomenon.
2. The first paintball game took place in 1981, played by, among others, a Sports Illustrated writer, a master rhino hunter, a film producer and a trauma surgeon. This sounds like a riddle.
3. Paintball has fewer estimated injuries per 1,000 participants than basketball, tennis, archery and bowling.
4. The New England Paintball League (NEPL) has been a leader in the paintball world for almost 20 years. Other notable professional leagues include the National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) and National XBAll League.
5. On November 14-16, the NPPL is holding its season finale of the nationwide 2008 Super 7 World Series of Paintball in San Diego, Calif.
Spotlight of the week
2008 Super 7 World Series of Paintball
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
Fifty high-caliber paintball teams from around the world will be competing for the NPPL Commander’s Cup at this three-day event. The seven-man teams will be competing for over $80,000 in prize money in front of an audience of 30,000 spectators.
If you can’t make it out to the West Coast for the paintball extravaganza, give the sport a try for yourself at the Maynard Paintball Club. The Club is located at 183 Powder Mill Road in Sudbury on the town line of Acton, Sudbury and Maynard. The state-of-the-art paintball facilities offer five turf tournament fields and a castle woodsball field. It is also the proud home of the NEPL and NEPL Jr.
Thai talk
After an exhausting day of sharpshooting and camouflaging, head over to Siam Village on 98 Main Street in Maynard. Siam Village offers a wide-ranging lunch and dinner menu with generous portions of pad Thai and pad see ew. Siam Village has an ample beverage selection ranging from Japanese Sapporo Beer to Thai iced tea. The authentic Thai cuisine hot spot is a staple on Main Street of this picturesque New England town.
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Who needs 60,000 fans, a student body the size of a small city, or a multimillion dollar stadium?
On Saturday, Nov. 8, Amherst College will celebrate its homecoming and host the Williams College football team for the 123rd meeting of the two teams. “The Biggest Little Game in America” is the most-played rivalry in NCAA Division III sports and the fourth-most played in college football. The historic collision in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) highlights the benefits of a convenient venue, a close-knit community and the true meaning of collegiate athletics.
If you happen to attend this or any NESCAC football event, here are 10 things you might notice:
1. Another sporting team on campus will undoubtedly be selling raffle tickets for a team trip three years away.
2. Students in the stands personally know the players on the team since they actually attend class, and 1 out of every 10 men on campus plays football.
3. Admission is free -- minus the toll of a loss of circulation, because for some reason you only wore a thin Patagonia fleece.
4. The final score will be something like 19-11 with a bizarre combination of two field goals, two safeties and a missed extra point.
5. Unlike major Division I programs that shuttle you an hour from “auxiliary lots,” parking is usually steps away.
6. The only press is often the school newspaper, unless “College GameDay” decides to cover the game (like they did in 2007).
7. Much like Division I football, there are no playoffs, so every game means something or nothing, depending on the way you look at it.
8. Cars drive right on the field behind the end zone to cook out and play music from their trunks.
9. “Mean” cheers against the opponent contain phrases like “wait-listed” and “fallback school.”
10. Like all Division III athletics, the purity of true sport is in the air. No scholarships, no endorsements … just tradition, hard work and team solidarity.
Spotlight of the week
Williams College at Amherst College
Pratt Field, Amherst, Mass.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 12 p.m. ET (NESN)
Player spotlight
Alex Vetras, Amherst quarterback
The 6-foot-1, 185 pound sophomore hails from Clyde Hill, Wash., where he attended East Side Catholic High School. In six games this season, Vetras has completed 65.3 percent of his passes, averaging 229 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns. In a 24-17 win over Tufts on Oct. 25, Vetras threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Lord Jeffs improve to 5-1.
Knowing your ABC’s
After an exciting game at Pratt Field, the third-oldest collegiate football field in the nation, head over to ABC (Amherst Brewing Company) on 24 North Pleasant Street. An Amherst tradition since 1997, ABC is a full-service brewpub with a visible 10-barrel brewery producing high-quality ales and lagers. The 100-seat lounge and 150-seat restaurant offers traditional “pub fare,” but is most known for its Louisiana style Jambalaya and English pub style bangers and mash.
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Fantasy sports have taken the nation by storm, but not the ones you might think. I have never read “Harry Potter,” and whenever I made fun of “The Lord of the Rings” movies in college, I would be hushed and eventually kicked out of the room. I was outnumbered then, and it looks like I still am. This weekend, Middlebury College is hosting the first large Intercollegiate World Cup in Quidditch history. If you have no idea what that means, read on.
Here are the only 10 things you will probably ever know about Quidditch:
1. Quidditch is a game derived at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
2. Muggle Quidditch (muggle meaning non-wizard folk) is an adapted version taking college campuses by storm.
3. Many collegiate teams play by the 40-page official handbook written by Middlebury students in 2005. Middlebury also happens to be the legendary birthplace of Frisbee, where students threw a discarded Frisbee pie tin in 1939.
4. There are currently 200 registered high school and collegiate Quidditch teams around the United States.
5. Last spring, Middlebury students in vans embarked on a Quidditch road trip stopping at Amherst, Princeton and Columbia to play scrimmages and spread the Quidditch word.
6. Some team name examples are The Battling Bogarts, The Mollywobbles, The Freshwater Plimpies, The Hungry Hungry Hippogriffs, and The Prisoners of Azkaban.
7. Each team has seven players with three chasers, two beaters, one keeper and one seeker. Players must have broomsticks between their legs to simulate flying, leaving only one hand for chasers to score points by throwing a quaffle (often a volleyball) through hoops.
8. The main object of the game is to capture the golden snitch, a flying golden ball with wings in Harry Potter. In collegiate versions, the golden snitch is often a ball in a long sock attached to a cross-country runner dressed in gold. Other more rare versions use a bouncing ball or remote controlled-helicopter as the snitch.
9. Tackling and tripping are often not allowed and cape grabbing can result in a yellow “wand” or warning from the referee
10. Finally, for an up close and personal Quidditch experience, watch 14 teams from around the country compete in the Intercollegiate World Cup this weekend.
Spotlight of the week
Quidditch Intercollegiate World Cup
Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt.
The daylong magical event will feature teams from Middlebury, Princeton, Vassar, Rochester, Louisiana State, University of Washington, McGill, Amherst, University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Chestnut Hill, Carlow, Emerson and Green Mountain College. Free and open to the public, the occasion will be a spectacle for the senses -- featuring the flying fists (student fire-juggling club), owls and other animals, Middlebury’s bands and acapella groups, chemistry professors exploding potions, food from local vendors and much more.
Ups and downs
After Quidditching an exciting day on the beautiful Middlebury campus, head over to Mister Up’s located on Bakery Lane in Middlebury. A waterfront spot for more than 30 years, Mister Up’s offers casual and hearty meals with creative names like Mister Up’s Dirty Steak, Couch potatoes and Shrimp Michelangelo. Mister Up’s also sports a diverse martini and beer selection and late-night menu perfect for a college area hotspot.
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I took advantage of the long weekend to head down to Hotlanta. While seeing the thrilling Falcons/Bears game, eating in the trendy Virginia-Highland area, and driving on the Atlanta 500 (the crazy, busy highways in Atlanta), were definite highlights, I realized more than ever that I’m a true New England girl.
Even with that said, here are 10 similarities between the Bean and ATL that are hard to overlook:
10. Both cities have reality television programs showcasing the power of relationships and love. In Boston, it is NESN's "Sox Appeal" and, south of the Mason-Dixon line, it’s "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
9. Boston has the T that goes anywhere and everywhere in the city, while Atlanta’s best train system seems to be located at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
8. Atlanta and Beantown are leaders in the television frontier. Atlanta houses TNT, TBS, The Cartoon Network, The Weather Channel, and CNN. Boston comes in a close second with NESN and the site of "Cheers."
7. Both pro baseball teams share roots in Boston. The Atlanta Braves, the oldest operating MLB team, began as the Boston Red Stockings in 1871.
6. Atlanta is home to musical phenoms Usher, among others, while Boston has NKOTB. Collaborating, they could produce a hit like, “Hang Tough, My Boo.”
5. The two cities are home to young and exciting quarterbacks. Former BC standout Matt Ryan has brought an atmosphere of winning to Atlanta while Matt Cassel has instilled one of uncertainty in New England.
4. The major urban centers are home to Georgia Tech and Boston College, two college football programs fighting for recognition and respect in the ACC.
3. The Chattahoochee and the Charles Rivers both provide an aquatic identity... one sounding a bit trashy and the other quite refined.
2. Both epicenters are linked to notorious couples with criminal records: James "Whitey" Bulger and his girlfriend in the Bean, and Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown in Atlanta.
1. The major NHL teams, Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins have both been home to Marc Savard, who looks to continue his feverish scoring pace against his former team next Saturday night.
Spotlight of the Week
Atlanta Thrashers at Boston Bruins
Saturday, October 25th at 7:00 PM
TD Banknorth Garden
Player Spotlight
Marc Savard, Center
The Bruins star center was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1977. Drafted in the 4th round in 1995 by the New York Rangers, he came to the Bruins as a free agent signing on July 1, 2006. In the 2007-08 season, Savard scored 15 goals and tallied 63 assists in 74 games. Just 3 games into this season, the center has racked up 5 goals and 1 assist and is on pace to send the Bruins back to the playoffs with a vengeance.
The Four's, Score and 7 years ago
After a lively night of B's/Thrashers action, head over to The Four's Restaurant on 166 Canal Street, just steps away from the Garden. Rated the No. 1 Sports Bar in America by Sports Illustrated, The Four's has been a Boston dining tradition since 1976. The Four's is home to an array of sports memorabilia as well as a creative menu designed for the avid Boston Sports fan. Try the Bobby Orr, a Four's House special steak sandwich, or the Yaz, a healthy yet unhealthy portion of pastrami served with swiss on a fresh roll. After filling up the belly, give a try to any of the local hotspots like The Greatest Bar or The Harp to get your toe tapping.
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Everyone knows the keys to a successful marriage are trust, love and a man's ability to carry his wife upside-down through an obstacle course. This weekend, Sunday River, Maine, hosts the ninth annual North American Wife Carrying Championship, a 278-yard trudge through the lower slopes of Sunday River Ski Resort … a true test of physical strength and marital confidence.
The seemingly archaic competition, with 19th century Finnish roots, consists of a man carrying his woman through hills, dirt roads, water obstacles and log hurdles. Carrying techniques consist of the fireman's carry, the piggy back and the complex Estonian carry. The Estonian technique, which has been used by all winners to this point, consists of a woman upside-down with her arms wrapped around the man’s waist or legs. The secure carrying technique is crucial considering a team is penalized if the wife is dropped.
The ultimate reward for the grueling and dangerous competition consists of cash and the wife’s weight in Bud Light.
Here are ten athletic couples perfect for this feat (in order of predicted finish):
10. Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor and Olympic volleyball player Misty Mae-Treanor. Matt will probably have adequate practice carrying Misty with her torn Achilles suffered on "Dancing with the Stars."
9. Chicago Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye and girlfriend, actress Sanaa Lathan, who is not an athlete but played one in the movie “Love and Basketball.”
8. Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference and Olympic snowboarder Krista Ference, representing Canada and the Black and Gold, are both in sports used to black and blues.
7. Former Diamondbacks pitcher Casey Daigle and Olympic softball pitcher Jennie Finch would be the go-to duo in a spouse-throwing contest.
 6. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselback and Elizabeth Hasselback. Not only is Liz a a former BC softball player, she has suffered through "Survivor" and the attacks of Whoopi Goldberg.
5. Dodgers shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and Olympic soccer player Mia Hamm invented the phrase, “Their kids will be beautiful and athletic.”
4. Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel and former USC national champion volleyball player Lauren Killian. Matt would probably love a competition without expectations.
3. Former tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf might be the only duo where the woman would carry the man.
2. Todd Palin and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Todd might be a bit disappointed after realizing he can't carry Sarah on a snowmobile, and Sarah might be upset when she finds winking gets you nowhere with the judges.
1. Finally the most capable duo. California governor/former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver. Maria has a delicate build but the unbreakable Kennedy spirit.
Spotlight of the week
Saturday Oct. 11
Sunday River Ski Resort
Carrying your weight
 After an exciting and bizarre wife-carrying viewing experience, head over to the Sudbury Inn located at 151 Main Street in the picturesque mountain town of Bethel. A charming country bed and breakfast since 1873, the Sudbury Inn offers two tempting and delectable dining options. The lively "Suds Pub," which offers 29 draught beers and a wide range of gourmet sandwiches, is juxtaposed against the elegant Sudbury Inn dining room for a more refined evening. The dining room offers a sophisticated menu of lobster, mussels provencal and ahi tuna.
A favorite for skiers and hikers, the Sudbury Inn also offers live blues, folk and jazz combos every weekend. The contrast between the two restaurant options at the Sudbury Inn mirrors the union between poise and energy necessary for a good wife-carrying team and a successful marriage.
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The sound of a word can often affect how one perceives its meaning. For instance, the word blog sounds to me like a combination of blah, log and blob. Instead of referring to this modern Web writing as boring, blobby and log-like, I like to call it an online piece, or internet stream of consciousness.
Let's take the word bailout as another example. If Treasury Secretary Paulson had proposed a "$700 billion aid package" or "$700 billion support plan," maybe stocks wouldn't be falling faster than you can say FDIC.
A word like rugby, on the other hand, screams strength, savagery and ruggedness. Rugby reminds me of the words tug, bug or rug burn -- things with which you do not want to mess.
 Here are the top 10 reasons that rugby football is not for the weak:
1. Tennis has terms like ace, deuce and love while rugby uses scrum, hooker, ruck and maul.
2. Rugby is named after the Rugby School in Rugby, England, where it was first developed. Thank goodness it did not originate in Stratford-upon-Avon, Northamptonshire or Waterloo.
3. When it comes to matters of blood, the NBA requires an official timeout and a fresh uniform change. Rugby matches would never finish if the same stipulations existed -- since a rugby match could easily be mistaken for a Red Cross blood drive.
4. Rugby players cannot pass the ball forward; they must kick it, pass it backward or run. Passing forward would be way too easy.
5. Rugby rules differ among two codes: rugby league and rugby union. Union code is often seen as the old-school form of the sport with traditional flankers.
6. Rain causes delays and cancellations in MLB. A rainy rugby match brings heightened excitement and an added challenge, where tackling is as hard as picking up a wet bar of soap in the shower.
7. American professional athletes celebrate by uncorking bottles of bubbly, while rugby players chug Schlitz on the sidelines.
8. The NFL has shoulder pads, helmets and face masks. Rugby players are only protected by collared shirts and hardened mud.
9. Ralph Lauren’s rugby clothing line consists of oxfords, knits and chinos inspired by "modern-day eclectic prep." I am not even sure what that means, but it seems like everything rugby is not.
10. The front page of the Newport Rugby Football Club Web site clearly states: "You must have your own health insurance to play with Newport Rugby. Newport Rugby has liability insurance." That pretty much sums it up.
Matchup of the week
Saturday, Oct. 4
1:00 p.m. at Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I. Hartford Wanderers Rugby Football Club vs. Newport Rugby Football Club
 Brawn, beer and bratwurst
After an eventful match of the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU), head over to Coddington Brewing Company, located three miles from downtown Newport. Order a healthy helping of German knockwurst and bratwurst steamed with fresh ale, accompanied by a side of sauerkraut. Wash down the traditional German meal with imported ales, lagers and beers such as Alt Bier and Czech Pilsner.
A meal at Coddington Brewing Company will prepare any lover of German culture for Newport’s 16th Annual International Oktoberfest on Columbus Day weekend. Newport’s Oktoberfest is a famous New England sample of European culture featuring Bavarian music and Biergartens. The festival has home brewing seminars, with live music, singing and dancing by the authentic German band OK Live.
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The scene is set: It's the '80s/early '90s. You go to a dimly-lit rink where you are handed clunky skates and asked to go around in a circle over and over. While trying to make it around one time without falling, one hotshot does triple figure eights or skates backward faster than you can run. You are so distracted by his or her ability to stand on one leg and do the moonwalk that you fall repeatedly, feeling sore for the next week.
What became of these skating aficionados?
The roller derby.
 Here are the top 10 things you might not know about roller derby ... and potentially the only things you will ever know:
1. The roller derby dates back as far as 1885, making it an older sporting tradition than basketball. Sorry Mr. Naismith.
2. There are more than 60 all-female leagues in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) presently competing across the United States.
3. The WFTDA's motto is "Real. Strong. Athletic. Revolutionary." That sounds a bit like a combination of branding by Nike, Wrangler Jeans and communism.
4. Modern roller derby competitors have nicknames that contain puns like Dee Stortion, Emma Getcha, Rumble Pie, Scarley Davidson and Sin Da Block.
5. Beantown has four of its own roller derby teams. They are part of the Boston Derby Dames League and include an all-star travel team, the "Boston Massacre All-Stars."
6. The Boston Derby Dames broke attendance records in February with 1,600 fans. That's more than some of the Tampa Bay Rays' home games last season.
7. Roller derby points are scored by jammers passing opponent's players. I recommend either the Track Diva or Carrera Fugitive to earn points in the rink, and in style.
8. In 1948, CBS aired a 13-week series debuting the roller derby, bringing the action on wheels to the comfort of your living room.
9. The WFTDA is in the process of creating a modern roller derby video game. It is only a matter of time before the Nintendo Wii gets a hold of this and kids begin jamming into lamps and chairs in their living rooms.
10. Finally, Saturday is the highly anticipated matchup between New Hampshire’s Skate Free or Die and Maine Roller Derby’s Calamity Janes … an opportunity to see this budding and exciting sport live in action.
Matchup of the Week
New Hampshire’s Skate Free or Die vs. Maine Roller Derby’s Calamity Janes
Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Portland Expo, Portland, Maine
Live performance provided by Miss Fairchild
Derby, dinner and dancing
After a pulsing evening at the roller derby, head over to Local 188 located on 685 Congress Street in Portland. Local 188 has a funky and eclectic atmosphere, perfect for a Saturday night out in the charming yet bumping city. The trendy décor and sophisticated menu will make you think you rolled right into New York City.
 Even with a large dining area fit to seat 85, reservations are almost always necessary on weekend nights. While you wait, enjoy the two full bars, and take in the creative wall art, high ceilings and expansive hardwood floors.
The menu is loaded with tapas options, paella and other exciting dishes such as Dora's keftedes with tzatziki, clam stew with chorizo and a festive sangria. Local 188 also continues to keep the Portland scene alive on weeknights with live jazz every Tuesday night.
After satisfying your palette at Local 188, head over to another local hot spot: The Big Easy on 55 Market Street. The Big Easy is not only the destination for live music in Portland but the site of the official roller derby afterparty.
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