South Bend, Indiana; February 28, 2008

Uncle Ron’s Ramblings

Hail to Thee, Blythe Spirits: You don’t have to be a great poet to participate in next Monday’s (March 3) Special Poetry Jam.
Louis L’Amour was one of the most widely-read authors of prose of his day. He was also the prototype of the rugged, manly characters who were the central figures of his books and stories. One of the ways he made a living was prize-fighting.
No one was going to stop him from writing poetry, even if his verse was not as good as his prose. He enjoyed writing it.
The same for General George S. Patton, Jr. Who was going to tell him his poetry stunk.
You can read the works of Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, or Longfellow; or the two above-mentioned lesser poets; just don’t pass them off as your own.
You could also read “Casey at the Bat” again to improve the disappointing grades you got the last two times you read them for class assignments, although I don’t know who that would apply to.
Also (refer to the announcement below) no foul or suggestive language. That means nothing about little old ladies from Nantucket (unless your grandmother was from Nantucket).

Announcements

Special Poetry Jam: At March 3 Monday night meeting. Please see Tammy to OK poems. No foul or suggestive language.
Car Registration: CFH Guests: If you own a motor vehicle, you need to register it with your coach or it could be towed.
“One Step At a Time” Running Group: Three days a week (times and days TBA). Will meet at CFH. Open to Center guests and anyone else who is interested in learning to run. All runners will receive the necessary running gear (i.e. running shoes, shorts, warm-ups, shirts, hats, etc.). There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board by the basement stairway near the men’s lounge.
Artistic Newsletter: Are you an artist, poet or writer? Place submissions for the new Artistic Newsletter in Emily Pickerill’s box. Express your talents and ideas by participating. Start submitting as soon as possible.
Art Group: Interested in exercising your creative spirit? Want to see some of your original art work on display in the hallways?
Please see Meg about details for joining a new art group at CFH
VA Hospital Van: To schedule a ride to the VA Hospital in Ft. Wayne, St. Joseph County veterans can call Doug Davis (USMC, retired) at (574) 243-VETS (8387) The van service also provides connecting rides to the VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis.
Homeless Veterans: If you are disabled and cannot work full-time (or are over 65), you may be entitled to a disability pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For more information and complete eligibility requirements, call 1-800-827-1000.
You can also contact: Dianne W. Brown, Homeless Veterans Coordinator by calling 317-554-0000, extension 82589 or direct dial 317-988-2589 at Indianapolis VAMC, Room C-2065. Office Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 2-3:45 p.m.

ABE

▪Money and Power: An ABE discussion group Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m.
Anyone interested in talking about issues of working, buying, and how you relate to broader society? Sign up in ABE.
Starts February 20.
▪Dead Poets Society: Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., ABE Room. All are welcome.
We will discuss short stories and poems.
▪Poetry Jam: Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. Share your own work; read a favorite poem; or listen, relax, and enjoy.
▪Writing: Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., ABE. Improve your basic writing skills under the guidance of a trained instructor.
▪Creative Writing: Thursdays, 8-9 p.m. Develop your creative writing skills. You don’t have to sign up, just show up. Volunteers from Notre Dame will be there.
▪Fractions and Decimals Refresher Courses: Tuesdays, fractions, and Thursdays, decimals, in the second floor conference room. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact ABE.
▪Autobiography: Interested in writing a short autobiography? Come to ABE to learn about some opportunities that can help you.

Local

Two Suspects Caught by Hilton Garden Inn: St. Joseph County Police caught two men following an armed robbery at Hilton Garden Inn in front of Saint Mary’s College this morning.
After the robbery the suspects were confronted by a maintenance worker. A scuffle broke out before the men ran away. Police caught one of the men who was still fighting in front of the hotel. The other suspect was caught and began fighting with police.
Police say the hotel worker thought one of the men had a gun, but it turned out to be a cordless phone.

Nation/World

Annan, Kenyan Rivals Forge Agreement: Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan says Kenya’s political rivals have agreed to form a coalition government in an effort to end the country’s political crisis.
Speaking in Nairobi Thursday, Mr. Annan said he would give details of the agreement at an upcoming news conference.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga are expected to sign the agreement Thursday.
Mr. Annan has been leading talks to end the political crisis sparked by December’s disputed presidential election. The opposition accused President Kibaki of rigging the vote to ensure victory.
That election dispute sparked riots and ethnic clashes across Kenya that killed more than 1,000 people.
Signs of progress in the talks emerged Wednesday, when the opposition canceled plans for a nationwide rally, and President Kibaki said his government would create the posts of prime minister and two deputies under the current constitution.
Thursday’s announcement came after Mr. Annan met with Mr. Kibaki, Mr. Odinga and African Union chief Jakaya Kikwete, the president of Tanzania.
(Reprinted from Voice of America)
William F. Buckley, Jr., 82, Dies: Author and conservative commentator William F. Buckley, Jr., was found dead in his home Wednesday. He had been suffering from emphysema.
Buckley became famous for his intellectual political writings in his magazine, the National Review, and his frequent television appearances, including on his own long-running "Firing Line."
U.S. Border “Virtual Fence” Delayed: Technical problems have forced the Bush administration to retool a high-tech “virtual fence” along the U.S.- Mexico border and will delay the first phase for at least three years, the Washington Post reported today.
Department of Homeland Security officials and congressional auditors told lawmakers on Wednesday that problems found in the 28-mile pilot project built near Nogales, Arizona, by Boeing Company will require a change in plans, the Post reported.
The $20-million project of sensor towers and advanced mobile communications was supposed to be completed in mid-2007 but has been delayed by software problems.
The “virtual fence” is supposed to work in conjunction with a 700-mile actual barrier that has drawn opposition along its planned route.
Turkey Refuses to Give Timetable for Pullout: Turkish political and military leaders refused to give U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates an exact date for the withdrawal of Turkish troops fighting Kurdish separatists in Northern Iraq, with Chief of General Staff Yasar Buyukyanit merely saying that they would leave in the “shortest time possible.”
“The shortest time possible is a relative concept. For some it may be one day or for others it might mean a year,” Buyukyanit was quoted by NTV private television as saying before talks with Gates in Ankara.

Weather
High 25 Low 24
Haze
Humidity 81%
Herald Sports
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(14) ND Women 92, South Florida 49: After losing in overtime to South Florida the past two seasons, the host Lady Irish (22-6, 10-4 Big East) took all the drama out of Wednesday night’s game early.
ND used a 27-5 run in the first half to gain control and continued to pull away throughout to beat the Bulls.
Lindsay Schrader led the Irish with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Brittany had 14 points, making 4-of-5 3-pointers. Charel Allen also added 14.
South Florida (49): Porche Grant 2-4, 0-0, 0-0, 4; ChiChi Okpaleke 3-10, 0-1, 0-2, 6; Melissa Dalembert 5-13, 0-0, 0-0, 10; Shantia Grace 4-14, 2-4, 5-6, 15; Jazmine Sepulveda 2-4, 0-0, 2-4, 6; Daiane Packer 0-2, 0-2, 0-0, 0; Gianna Messina 0-0, 0-0, 0-0; Caitlyn Mitryk 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Jessica Lawson 4-10, 0-0, 0-0, 8.
ND (92): Erica Williamson 3-6, 0-0, 2-2, 8; Tulyah Gaines 3-4, 0-0, 1-1, 7; Charel Allen 7-16, 0-1, 0-0, 14; Ashley Barlow 3-6, 0-1, 2-4, 8; Lindsay Schrader 8-15, 0-0, 1-2, 17; Amanda Tsipis 1-3, 0-2, 0-0, 2; Brittany Mallory 4-7, 4-5, 2-2, 14; Melissa Lechlitner 5-13, 0-0, 2-2, 12; Melissa D’Amico 4-7, 0-0, 2-4, 10.
Tuesday—IUSB Women 74, Robert Morris 63: The host Lady Titans earned their 19th victory of the season and, more importantly, are tied for third place in the CCAC with Robert Morris.
In their last regular season home game on Senior Night, Jennifer VanderZanden, Abbey Freeman, and Niki McDonald combined for 51 points and 11 rebounds. McDonald led the way with 23 points, connecting on 7 3-pointers.
VanderZanden added 15 points and six rebounds; Freeman chipped in with 13 points and five rebounds.
The Lady Titans close out the season with a conference match at St. Xavier Saturday. Game time if 1 p.m. CST.
Bethel Men 84, St. Francis, IN. 77: The 11th-ranked Pilots (25-6) opened play in the MCC Tournament Wednesday night with a hard-fought win.
Ryne Lightfoot paced the hosts with 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists. William Walker added 20 points, six boards, and four assists while Tyler Brown contributed 18 points.
The Pilots host Taylor University Saturday afternoon in the semifinals.
St. Francis (77): Nate Bojrab 0-3, 0-2, 0-0, 0; Jason Malone 4-9, 2-6, 0-0, 10; Mike Steinau 8-17, 4-9, 2-2, 22; Matt Edmonds 4-5, 0-0, 1-2, 9; Aaron Gardner 10-15, 0-0, 1-2, 21; Matt Webb 0-0, 0-0, 0-0 0; Shane Denny 0-0, 0-0, 2-4, 2; Kreigh Hentrup 0-0, 0-0, 0-0; 0; Austin Leisure 3-5, 1-1, 1-2, 8; Eric Eaton 2-3, 1-1, 0-0, 5.
Bethel (84): Ryne Lightfoot 8-9, 5-5, 6-7, 27; Kory Lantz 0-2, 0-2, 0-0, 0; Tyler Brown 5-11, 0-0, 8-9, 18; Mark Lettinga 1-4, 0-1, 0-0, 2; William Walker 9-16, 0-0, 2-5, 20; Derek Moser 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0; Joey Welch 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Caleb Laidig 1-3, 0-1, 1-1, 3; Jon Zeser 0-2, 0-2, 0-0, 0; Wes Laidig 6-7, 0-0, 2-2, 14.
(21) St. Xavier 91, IUSB 84: Ben Werner led the visiting Titans (15-13, 2-6 CCAC) with 28 points and eight rebounds.
Qdar Owens scored 22 points and Tyler Leighton 15 for IUSB but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced effort by the hosts. Five St. Xavier players scored in double figures.
IUSB (84): Ben Werner 10-13, 0-0, 8-12, 28; Derrick DeShone 1-3, 0-2, 0-0, 2; Tyler Leighton 3-10, 2-5, 7-8, 15; Dewey Brown 3-8, 2-6, 0-0, 8; Terry Hill 4-7, 1-2, 0-0, 9; Mark Comparato 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Brian DeShone 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Dylan Morris 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0; Qdar Owens 7-13, 4-6, 4-6, 22; Eric Olsen 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Quinn Brooks 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0.
St. Xavier (91): Adam Gregoriou 11-15, 0-3, 6-7, 28; Jon Rudnick 1-5, 0-0, 0-1, 2; Alok Aiyar 2-7, 1-4, 5-6, 10; Scott Campbell 4-7, 0-1, 2-2, 10; Julian Scott 6-7, 1-1, 6-6, 19; Marco Samimy 1-1, 0-0, 0-0, 2; Jamel Morton 0-4, 0-3, 2-2, 2; DeVon Chandler 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Dan Bolger 4-10, 0-1, 0-0, 8; Paris Von Shae Davis 3-5, 1-2, 3-4, 10; Kevin Lowe 0-1, 0-0, 0-0, 0.
(16) Purdue Men 65, Minnesota 53: E’Twaun Moore scored 22 points to lead the host Boilermakers (22-6, 13-2 Big Ten) into a first place tie in the Big Ten.
Minnesota (53): Dan Coleman 4-11, 0-0, 2-2, 10; Spencer Tollackson 5-8, 0-0, 0-0, 10; Al Nolen 2-7, 1-4, 0-0, 5; Lawrence McKenzie 5-9, 2-6, 1-2, 13; Lawrence Westbrook 0-5, 0-0, 4-4, 4; Kevin Payton 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Jonathan Williams 0-0, 0-0, 0-0, 0; Blake Hoffarber 1-4, 1-3, 3-4, 6; Jamal Abu-Shamala 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0; Damian Johnson 2-8, 1-1, 0-2, 5.
Purdue (65): Namanja Calasan 1-4, 1-2, 0-0, 3; Chris Kramer 3-6, 0-1, 0-0, 6; Robbie Hummel 4-11, 1-5, 3-4, 12; Marcus Green 0-3, 0-1, 0-0, 0; E’Twuan Moore 7-14, 3-5, 5-6, 22; Keaton Grant 4-5, 3-4, 0-2, 11; Tarrance Crump 1-3, 0-0, 0-0, 2; Scott Martin 0-5, 0-1, 4-6, 4; JaJuan Johnson 2-4, 0-0, 1-2, 5.
Wednesday NBA Scores: Bulls 113, Pacers 107 (Larry Hughes 29 points, three rebounds, six assists; Travis Diener 22 points); Raptors 107, Timberwolves 85 (Al Jefferson 23 points, five rebounds, three assists; Chris Bosh 28 points, seven rebounds); 76ers 101, Magic 89 (Jedo Turkoglu 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists; Andre Miller 26 points, six rebounds, nine assists); Hawks 123, Kings 117 (Brad Miller 25 points, 13 rebounds, six assists; Andre Miller 26 points, six rebounds, nine assists); Celtics 92, Cavaliers 87 (Delonte Wests 20 points, five rebounds; Kevin Garnett 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists); Knicks 113, Bobcats 89 (Emeka Okafor 18 points, 14 rebounds; Nate Robinson 22 points, six assists); Hornets 120, Suns 113 Amare Stoudemire 32 points, 14 rebounds, four assists; Chris Paul 25 points, six rebounds, 15 assists); Jazz 103, Pistons 95 (Richard Hamilton 22 points, five rebounds; Mehmet Okur 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists); Nuggets 138, Sonics 96 (Allen Iverson 31 points, five rebounds, six assists); Trailblazers 82, Clippers 80 (Jarrett Jack 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists; Corey Maggette 32 points, six rebounds, three assists). .
Wednesday NHL Scores: Black Hawks 1, Coyotes 0; Sabres 8, Predators 4; Sharks 4, Blue Jackets 2; Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3 (SO); Wild 3, Lightning 2; Avalanche 3, Canucks 2 (SO).
Wednesday NCAA BBall Men’s Scores: (16) Purdue 65, Minnesota 53; IUPUI 89, Chicago St. 75; Northern Iowa 73, Indiana St. 58; (6) Kansas 75, Iowa St. 64; Penn St. 65, Iowa 64; Pittsburgh 73, Cincinnati 67; (2) Memphis 82, Tulsa 67; West Virginia 85, DePaul 73; (7) Duke 71, Georgia Tech 58; (11) Georgetown 64, St. John’s 52.
Wednesday NCAA BBall Women’s Scores: Ball St. 81, Central Michigan 69; (4) Rutgers 60, DePaul 46; (10) Oklahoma 65, Texas Tech 55; (8) Baylor 76, Colorado 62.
Stringer Gets 800th Win: The fourth-ranked Rutgers women gave head coach C. Vivian Stringer her 800th win Wednesday night with a 60-46 win over visiting DePaul.
While the other members of the 800-victory club, Pat Summit (Tennessee) and Jody Conradt (Texas) won their games at one school, Stringer has built successful programs at Cheyney, Iowa, and Rutgers.
Stringer is already a member of the basketball Hall of Fame.
The Scarlet Knights (23-4, 13-1 Big East) moved into a tie with Connecticut atop the conference.
LeBron Scores 10,000 Point: LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to pass the 10,000-point mark Wednesday at Boston.
LeBron came back from a first half ankle injury to score 26 points in a 92-87 loss to the Celtics.
Ottawa Senators Fire Coach: The NHL Ottawa Senators, last season’s Stanley Cup runners-up, fired first-year head coach John Paddock despite that fact that his team had one of the best records in the league.
The Senators went from a 15-2 start to a 36-22 mark, still second-best in the NHL.
Bryan Murray, who led Ottawa to last year-s Stanley Cup finals, will return from the front office to coach the team.
Two NFL Veterans Cut: NFL veterans Jevon Kearse and David Carr were cut by their respective teams Wednesday.
Former Rookie of the Year Kearse had 36 sacks in his first three seasons but had only 3 ½ last season as his playing time diminished.
Former top draft choice Carr signed a $6-million, two-year deal last season with the Carolina Panthers after a five-year stint as starting quarterback in Houston. He struggled so badly in relief of injured Jake Delhomme that he was demoted to third string.
The Panthers signed their former leading receiver, Muhsin Muhammad, a week after he was cut by the Bears.
The Colts released linebacker Rob Morris and defensive tackle Anthony McFarland.
The New York Giants were reportedly offering Super Bowl winning head coach Tom Coughlin a four-year contract extension worth $21-million a year.
AP Top 25 Men’s Basketball: 1. Tennessee, 2. Memphis, 3. North Carolina, 4. UCLA, 5. Texas, 6. Kansas, 7. Duke, 8. Stanford, 9. Xavier, 10. Wisconsin, 11. Georgetown, 12. IU, 13. Louisville, 14. Butler, 15. Connecticut, 16. Purdue, 17. ND, 18. Vanderbilt, 19. Michigan St., 20. Drake, 21. Marquette, 22. Washington St., 23. Kent St., 24. Gonzaga, 25. St. Mary’s.
AP Top 25 Women’s Basketball: 1. Connecticut, 2. North Carolina, 3. Tennessee, 4. Rutgers, 5. Maryland, 6. LSU, 7. Stanford, 8. Baylor, 9. California, 10. Oklahoma, 11. Old Dominion, 12. Duke, 13. West Virginia, 14. ND, 15. George Washington, 16. Utah, 17. Oklahoma St., 18. Ohio St., 19. UTEP, 20. Texas A&M, 21. Kansas St., 22. Georgia, 23. Vanderbilt, 24. Wyoming, 25. Marist.