January 2009 Archives

Billy Ray Cyrus. From autoclubspeedway.com:

From http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gdpc9SvIVeVEyey9zvASS0ypeglAD96140T86:

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Helio Gracie, one of the main creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that gained worldwide popularity, has died. He was 95.

From Laura Johnson in wintry Wrightwood:

Winter conditions returned to Mountain High overnight as temperatures dipped into the teens and two inches of natural snowfall complimented heavy snowmaking on the mountain. Weather forecasts are calling for continued snowmaking temperatures in the evenings throughout the week, which will allow Mountain High to add to the 12-24 inch base of fresh packed powder. Up to eight chairlifts are currently in operation accessing 19 trails and the mountain plans to have 100% of trails open at the West Resort by this weekend. In less than two weeks Mountain High will hold its biggest event of the season, bringing a triple shot of big air flavor to Wrightwood with the 11th Annual Cholula Triple Air Show. The big air contest boasts a hot $25,000 cash purse and is the richest "one day triple air contest" in the nation, complete with live DJ and vendor village for the public. For more information on the $25,000 Cholula Triple Air Show or the most updated lift and snow report please visit mthigh.com.

Your Ducks highlights: A Scott Niedermayer secondary assist and J-S Giguere not getting pulled from his start early despite allowing 4 goals on 11 shots in the first period. Ryan Getzlaf was held scoreless. Yeah, not the best representation you could have asked for.

A full box score is here
Highlights will soon be up here: http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp

Aside from a possible Hall of Fame induction, you will probably never hear about Jeff Kent again.

The Associated Press reported last hour that the Dodgers second baseman plans to announce his retirement from baseball Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

Perhaps after reading today's piece in the Sun, Gillett Evernham Motorsports decided to rename itself Richard Petty Motorsports, thus giving NASCAR's greatest driver ever a prominent position in its title (if not its front office).

As an aside, am I the only one who sees Richard Petty and thinks George Harrison?

Former Chino Hills and Riverside resident David Gilliland appears to be temporarily out of work in Sprint Cup.

From SceneDaily.com:

From http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/01/14/angels.anaheim.ap/index.html:

ANAHEIM (AP) -- The city of Anaheim is dropping its legal challenges to the name of the Angels. Mayor Curt Pringle says the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to give up its battle to restore the team's name to the Anaheim Angels. The city had argued that team owner Arte Moreno violated the city-owned stadium lease agreement when he changed the name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005. A California appeals court ruled against the city last month, and an Orange County Superior court jury sided with the team in 2006. Pringle says city leaders believe the wrong court decision was made twice, but says "it's in everybody's best interest to take no further action."

Auto Club Speedway announced Tuesday a discount on some tickets for the Auto Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Feb. 22.

Seats in the Pepsi Rock n' Rows - the first five rows of the main grandstands - that are usually priced at $55 are now $35 each.

"With the economy as it is, we continue to work diligently with our partners to find ways to provide our fans with affordable opportunities to enjoy Auto Club Speedway," said track President Gillian Zucker. "In addition to this partnership, as well as free parking, allowing fans to bring in their own food and other cost-savings opportunities, we are offering race fans a full day of entertainment and fun at a fantastic family value."

Tickets are available by calling 800-944-RACE (7223) or on the Web at www.autoclubspeedway.com.

Gomez, who played briefly for the Washington Senators, managed the Padres, and later was a special assistant to the Angels' GM, died today. Apparently he never recovered from injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in March of last year.

A few observations from my morning boarding up at Mountain High.

The ECHL Elmira Jackals have signed enforcer Robin Big Snake. Here is a video of Robin Big Snake getting into a fight two seasons ago. According to Wikipedia, this is his real name and he belongs to the Siksika Nation tribe in northern Alberta.