South Bend, Indiana; April 3, 2008

Uncle Ron’s Ramblings

High or Low Road: I am in a quandary what to do for next week’s Center Idol 2008. Should I do something uplifting like “The Impossible Dream”, “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”, or “You’ll Never Walk Alone”; or a tribute to the great, recently departed Frankie Laine with the themes to “Rawhide”, “Blazing Saddles” or his Campbell’s soup commercial (“How do you handle a hungry man—the manhandlers”); or should I do a medley of TV theme songs.

The problem with that last one is I’m not sure about the lyrics to the “Perry Mason” theme song. I think it’s:

Perry Mason, Perry Mason

He’s the guy to call on if it’s jail you’re

facin’

(Musical interlude)

Perry Mason, Perry Mason

If you’re in the slammer then you’d better

hasten

And call Perry Mason, Perry Mason

Da Da Da Da.

If anybody knows the correct lyrics, please enlighten me; and if you don’t want to hear me actually sing them, sign up for Center Idol. Sign-up sheets are in the main lobby.

Announcements

Get Your Act Together: Center Idol 2008 will take place April 7 at the Monday night meeting in the community room.

Sign-up sheets are in the main lobby. As in past Center Idols, “Simon”, “Paula”, and “Randy” will be there to judge and critique the acts.

Fun and Games: Students from Bethel College will be in the CFH dining room Saturday, April 5, 1-3:30 p.m. for cookie decorating and board games.

Regis to Host Dance Marathon: The 24-hour “Dance for the Homeless” dance marathon will be April 19-20 at the IUSB Student Activities Center.

There will be live remotes by local radio stations; music by Vyagra Falls, Stillshot, New Collossus, Cornell Bass, Blammo, and Livewire; and a special appearance by Regis Philbin.

Think You’ve Got What it Takes to Be a Star: Drumming and dancing classes are coming to CFH and you’re invited to participate.

Professional drummers and dancers are coming to offer fun, music, and expertise on the following days: Thursday, March 13, 7:30-9 p.m.; Thursday, March 20, 7:30-9 p.m.; Thursday, March 27, 7:30-9 p.m.; Sunday, March 30, 2-4 p.m.; Thursday, April 10, 7:30-9 p.m.; Sunday, April 20, 2-4 p.m.; Thursday, May 1, 7:30-9 p.m.

Classes will be held in the third floor Community Room. See Juanetta for more details.

“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 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

ABE

▪Beginning Computer Class: Starts 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 4. Sign up in ABE.

▪The WhyVOTE Campaign: Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m. in the ABE room.

Register to vote. Volunteers will be in the ABE room to assist with voter registration. Bring a photo ID. Snacks will be provided.

▪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.

▪EMPower Method: A new way of doing math; Wednesday, March 19, 1:30-3 p.m. in the SOSH room.

Herald Sports

WNIT Semifinals: Michigan St. 58, North Carolina St. 5; Marquette 86, Colorado 72.

Wednesday NBA Scores: Celtics 92, Pacers 77; Cavaliers 118, Bobcats 114; Hawks 127, Raptors 120 (OT); Bucks 110, Wizards 109; Hornets 106, Heat 77; Grizzlies 130, Knicks 114; Jazz 117, Timberwolves 100; Mavericks 111, Warriors 86; Clippers 102, Sonics 84; Lakers 104, Trailblazers 91.

Wednesday NHL Scores: Black Hawks 6, Red Wings 2; Devils 3, Bruins 2 (SO); Hurricanes 6, Lightning 2; Penguins 4, Flyers.

Wednesday MLB National League: Brewers 8, Cubs 2; Nationals 1, Phillies 0; Braves 10, Pirates 2; Reds 6, Diamondbacks 5; Mets 13, Marlins 0; Cardinals 8, Rockies 3; Astros 9, Padres 6; Giants 2, Dodgers 1.

Wednesday MLB American League: Indians 7, White Sox 2; Red Sox 5, A’s 0; Royals 4, Tigers 0; Blue Jays 5, Yankees 2; Orioles 9, Devil Rays 6; Angels 1, Twins 0; Mariners 4, Rangers 1.

Silver Hawks 5, ND 3: The real winner in the “Battle of the Bend” was the battle against cancer and Niemann-Pick Type C Disease as 2,337 fans showed up at the “Cove” Wednesday night

For ND, 33 players saw action including nine pitchers. .

For the Silver Hawks, team President Joe Kernan, a former Irish player, suited up and struck out in one at-bat.

The Silver Hawks host the West Michigan Whitecaps today at 6:30 p.m. to begin their Midwest League season..

Nation/World

Zimbabwe Elections (VOA): President Robert Mugabe’s party, ZANU-PF, has apparently lost control of the lower house of the Zimbabwean parliament.

Final tallies show the opposition MDC with 109 seats to 97 for ZANU-PF.

MDC claims that its presidential candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, has 50.35 of the vote to 43.8 for Mugabe and 7% for Simba Makoni. MDC would not explain why its tally added up to more than 100%.

If it is determined that Tsvangirai has less than 50%, he and Mugabe will meet in a run-off election.

Mugabe has ruled the country since it won its independence from Britain and changed its name from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.

Irish Prime Minister Resigns: Bertie Ahern, the second-longest serving prime minister of the Irish Republic, has resigned after 11 years in office.

Ahern, who is being investigated for alleged financial improprieties, has denied wrongdoing but said the investigation is distracting him from the job of governing.

Weather

Today High 54 Low 38 Chance Showers

Fri High 49 Low 31 Chance Rain

Sat High 61 Low 36 Mostly Sunny

Sun High 61 Low 41 Mostly Sunny