ESCHE IS LIVING HIS NHL DREAM.(Sports)(Column) - The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)

Byline: BUD POLIQUIN POST-STANDARD COLUMNIST

If this was the Northeast rather than the Southwest, if this was Central New York rather than Central Arizona, if this was Whitesboro rather than Phoenix ... well, then, this would be heaven for Robert Esche.

After all, the dollars are plentiful, the hunting is great, the guys are tough and the beer is cold. All that's otherwise missing is St. Peter at the gate, although having Wayne Gretzky as one's boss is pretty close.

'Every single day when I wake up,' Esche confessed here the other day, 'and I see that I'm still in the National Hockey League, I say to myself, 'Holy smoke. How'd this happen?''

Who knows? But it did. Robert Esche, the kid who is not yet 24 but is in his fourth NHL season, is proving once again that everybody has to come from somewhere. Elvis Presley, after all, was born in Tupelo, Miss. And Larry Bird made his way out of French Lick, Ind. And a whole bunch of other famous folks were born in little log cabins in the woods.

So, why can't the No. 2 goalie for the Phoenix Coyotes call Whitesboro, N.Y., home? Especially when he does it with such pride?

'I love Whitesboro,' Esche said. 'I love it 100 percent. It's my favorite place in the world, bar none.'

He's lived in Detroit and Houston, in the Boston area and Ottawa. He's visited Germany and Russia and Switzerland and Finland and Japan. He's traveled across the United States and Canada, and has a house, out of which he hunts every morning, at the base of an Arizona mountain. And still, Robert Esche swears by a little town just east of Syracuse where he continues to spend his summers and where this June he'll again play host, along with some of his NHL buddies, to a fund-raising golf tournament benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

'When it's all said and done, when it comes to night time, you have the exact same stuff in every city,' Esche said. 'I mean, you're going to go out to eat or go to a movie, right? Well, they have that in Whitesboro. I don't need the fancy stuff - fancy restaurants, fancy cars, fancy watches - to live. And besides, that's where my family lives. In Whitesboro. And I could never be without my family.'

Not for the entire calendar year, anyway. But Esche gets by during the fall, winter and spring fairly nicely ... and not just because his salary, according to the NHL Players Association, is $450,000, which can keep a fella such as Robert in jeans, flannel shirts, cowboy boots and Waylon Jennings CDs for a long time.

No, it's the arena he's in. Literally.

'The NHL is awesome,' said Esche, who is scheduled to get his eighth start of the season tonight in San Jose where the Coyotes will play the Sharks. 'Putting on the jersey. Feeling the guys tapping you on the legs. Then, you're out there for warmups and the music is blaring and everybody's flying around shooting pucks at you and the wind is blowing because everyone is skating 100 miles per hour. And then the game begins, and all the fans are either yelling for you or calling you an idiot.

'I'd love to take those 210 youth hockey players from Whitesboro and bring them to a game. I'd love to say to them, 'Just go out there on that ice. Go out there and feel that.' It's sick, it's so unbelievable.'

Oh, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Esche is in his glory, all right. Though he believes he could start for as many as 10 different NHL teams, Robert is content backing up the Coyotes' soon-to-be-35-year-old Sean Burke, his best friend and the man with the highest save percentage (.919) in the league over the past three seasons. And while he's not entirely pleased with his personal 2-4-0 record and .882 save percentage, the facts are he held Minnesota to a single goal in a 2-1 overtime victory a month and a half ago and last week beat the Sharks in San Jose 4-2 to give the Phoenix club - partly owned and fully run by Gretzky, himself - its first road win since Nov. 9.

As such, Esche belongs. He's talented and popular ... he's confident, yet deferential when appropriate ... he's experienced on the international level (having played on three of the seven continents), but not close to being blase. Which is another way of saying that Robert can still be wowed.

'The thing that blows me away is the toughness of these guys,' he said. 'I don't believe that people understand how tough they are. Take Danny Markov (a Coyotes defenseman from Russia). The other day, we're playing Columbus and he gets a puck right in the face. I mean, it's a shot. A laser. It hits him and explodes his nose all the way up over his eye. He's bleeding a stream of blood - it's not just drops; it's squirting out - from the far wall, across the ice and into the locker room. I mean, his eye is completely shut.

'So what does he do? He gets all stitched up. A hundred stitches. All kinds of stitches. And he has a smoke. And then he comes right back into the game. I said, 'Are you kidding me?' It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Danny Markov has the highest threshold of pain of anybody I've seen in my life. That's what I mean by tough. Everybody's tough up here. Guys get pucks in the face. Guys get rammed into boards. Guys beat each other up. Even the guys who are called wimps because they don't fight are tough. Unbelievable.'

And Robert Esche - out of Whitesboro, of all places - is right there in the mix. And proud of it.

'Central New York has the most talented hockey players I've ever seen,' he said. 'But too many of the kids in our area don't realize they can make it. They say, 'I'm from Syracuse. I'm not from Canada. I'm not good enough.' And that's crazy. I truly think that you can do anything with your life if you work hard enough. Like, I've got a guitar. If I wanted to be as good as Eric Clapton, I really believe I could be. Anybody can. It doesn't matter where you're from if you push yourself. Look at me.'

Yeah, look at Robert Esche. Look at him, from a little town just east of Syracuse, living in his thin slice of heaven. Look at him, and smile.

Bud Poliquin is a columnist for The Post-Standard. His column appears regularly on these pages.

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File photo/The Associated Press, 2001

Astros' Biggio says '07 will be his last year.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

Byline: JUAN A. LOZANO

By Juan A. Lozano

The Associated Press

HOUSTON

Craig Biggio feels he has nothing left to prove on a baseball field.

After a 20-year career in which he stayed with just one franchise, played multiple positions at an All-Star level and joined the very elite 3,000-hit club, the Houston Astros infielder said Tuesday he will retire at the end of this season.

'There are a lot of guys that have the game taken away from them by injury,' he said. 'For me to be able to walk away now, on top, on my own accord, I'm very happy with that. I'm in a good place. I think I've done everything that I was supposed to do on a baseball field. I have nothing to be disappointed about.'

During a news conference in which he reminisced about his accomplished career, Biggio said his favorite baseball memory always will be from June 28 of this year.

'The 3,000th-hit night was the best. I'll never forget that,' he said. 'I just can't believe it's over. It's gone by fast. I have no regrets. I played the game the right way.'

Biggio is batting .250 with 24 doubles, six homers and 35 RBIs this season. He has 3,016 hits, four shy of tying Rafael Palmeiro for 23rd place.

A teary-eyed Biggio, the longest-tenured player in Astros history, said he will miss putting on his uniform every day and also will miss the fans.

'I just didn't want families bringing their kids to the game and saying, 'He's just not the same guy we used to watch or the guy we really love and respect.' I didn't want that,' he said. 'I didn't want to be a player that played the game too long.'

Along with teammate and friend Jeff Bagwell, who retired before the start of this season, Biggio led the Astros to four division titles, the team's first NL pennant and trip to the World Series in 2005.

Biggio's 3,000th hit came one day shy of the 19th anniversary of his first career hit, a single off Orel Hershiser on June 29, 1988.

Biggio is the only player in major league history with 600 doubles, 250 homers, 3,000 hits and 400 steals. Biggio is a career .282 hitter. He has already been inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

A seven-time All-Star, Biggio starred at Seton Hall and was the 22nd player selected in the 1987 amateur draft. He caught his first four seasons.

He made his first All-Star Game in 1991, but the Astros moved him to second base in 1992, a position he had never played. But he made the All-Star team again, ranking among the NL's top 10 in runs, walks and stolen bases.

After the Astros acquired Jeff Kent in 2002, Biggio moved to the outfield. When Kent left in 2004, Biggio returned to second.

Biggio considered leaving Houston when he became a free agent in 1995 and had an offer from Colorado. Astros owner Drayton McLane said he called Biggio every day for three weeks to persuade him to stay.

McLane said Biggio and Bagwell were the heartbeat of the Astros franchise. He commended Biggio for his intensity, his thrill to win and his desire to reach out to the fans.

'Craig, thanks for the thousands and thousands of memories,' he said. 'We'll be a better franchise because of the years that you were here.'

Biggio, his wife, Patty, and their three children live in Houston .

Biggio said he will be a part of the Astros organization, but his first priority will be to spend time with his family and help coach his two sons.

'A final message to my fans?' he said. 'Thank you. Thank you for opening up your living rooms and letting me in your lives for 20 years, and I love you guys.'

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David J. Phillip [bar] the associated press file photo

RICE PLAYER STABBED TO DEATH.(Sports) - The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, OH)

HOUSTON -- A Rice University basketball player was stabbed to death early Thursday outside a bar in College Station, Texas.

Jonathan Bailey and his twin brother, Janson, were involved in a fight inside the bar, located about 100 miles northwest of Houston, College Station police said. Those involved in the fight were asked to leave the bar but the altercation continued outside.

Police found the Bailey brothers at about 1:45 a.m. Thursday. They had been stabbed multiple times. The brothers had turned 22 on Wednesday.

Both were taken to St. Joseph Regional Health Center in nearby Bryan. Jonathan Bailey was later pronounced dead. His brother was listed in fair condition late Thursday. Janson Bailey had attended Texas A&M in College Station, but was not enrolled at the school this semester, officials said.

A New Game For Sports Radio; Across the Dial, O.J. Speculation Sidelines Usual Jock Talk - The Washington Post

Two radio sportscasters are calmly discussing the judge'sruling to allow disputed evidence in the O.J. Simpson pretrialhearings.

'If there was evidence in my house that I did it, then Ideserve to get whatever's comin' to me, baby!' declares 'the Coach,'Rich Gilgallon, on Washington's WTEM.

Chuck Dickerson of Buffalo's WGR begs to differ with theruling. 'That was the most cowardly thing I've ever seen!' heshouts.

'It was good!' Gilgallon insists.

'The Fourth Amendment is dead!' Dickerson shoots back. 'Onedrop of blood? I want more than that before you bust my door down.'

'Whaddaya want, a gallon of blood out there?' Gilgallon says.

Hour after hour, programs normally devoted to rambunctiousdebates over World Cup soccer or NBA draft picks are exploring thefiner points of search warrants and DNA testing as the Simpson dramadominates the world of sports radio.

Sports columnists, many of whom have known the Juice for years,are also grappling with the case. Sports Illustrated ran a coverstory on the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman - andreprinted a 1973 piece on No. 32 breaking the 2,000-yard barrier.On TV, all-sports network ESPN serves up regular updates with itsown legal analysts, and ESPN-2 carried the Los Angeles hearingslive.

But it is on the radio, where everyone's an expert, that thecase really reverberates with 24-hour intensity.

'There are certain times when we probably delve into stuffwhere we don't belong,' says Mike Francesa, a popular host on NewYork's WFAN radio. 'What we have is an expertise in sports, and reallife kind of bumps into sports. I feel more comfortable with thelegal stuff than the medical stuff, where I really feel out of myelement. You're talking about words a mile and a half long.'

Says Tony Kornheiser, a Washington Post columnist who hosts amorning show on WTEM: 'Every Podunk in America has an all-sportsstation, and many of them are doing it very irresponsibly: `Is heguilty, is he innocent, let us know what you think.' We're all atthe bottom of the barrel on this one.'

This is a game that anyone can play, for the Simpson saga hasbecome a national obsession, the ultimate coffee shop debate. TheNew York Post even runs a daily 'O.J.-OMETER,' with a dial thatkeeps inching toward guilty. For sports stations, the case hasbrought an influx of listeners who wouldn't know Joe Gibbs from JoeMontana.

'Everyone is becoming either a prosecutor or a defenseattorney,' says Bennett Zier, general manager of 'the Team,' as WTEMbills itself. 'Whether you walk into Neiman Marcus or the bar atHouston's, someone's asking the question: Do you think he did it?'

In this environment, nothing is out of bounds on jock radio.The airwaves are crackling with talk of Simpson as a black man whomarried a white woman, of the groupies that hang around starathletes, of reports that Simpson used cocaine in the '70s. And muchof this talk is couched in the lingo of the medium.

'I'm not going to Monday-morning-quarterback what the policedid,' says a caller named Ronnie. 'Right now the only defense is astrong offense,' says attorney Abbe Lowell.

Sue from Rockville is on the line.

She heard on the news - she's not sure where - that anotherformer Buffalo Bills player had been mysteriously slashed in thethroat.

'They hushed it up right away,' she confides.

'They hushed it up?' says WTEM's Kevin Kiley.

'You haven't heard any more about it!' Sue responds.

She begins weaving a complicated scenario: What if it wasNicole Simpson's dog that deposited the now-famous bloody glove atthe murder scene?

Kiley plays along: 'So let me get this straight: The dog pickedup the glove, hopped in the Bronco. ... At least it's a newtheory.'

There's no shortage of speculation in radio land, where somecallers insist O.J. is covering up for a friend. 'How could oneperson kill those two people?' asks Ron. 'Assume for a minute thathe was under the influence of a drug. ...'

So why are sports stations putting this conspiratorial blatheron the air?

'People are not claiming to be experts about it,' says Zier.'Everyone's just speculating and giving their opinion. That's whattalk radio is.

'When someone calls up and tells Johnny Oates {the Oriolesmanager} who to pitch that night, how is it any different? Are theyqualified? Have they played baseball? Sadly enough, O.J.'s trialhas become a spectator sport.'

'Coach' Gilgallon, a former bartender at Chadwicks and onetimegarbage dump worker, defends his rough-edged commentary.

'I don't think you need to be a constitutional lawyer to beable to read the Fourth Amendment,' he says. 'Everyone has the rightto their opinion on this thing. We give people an opportunity to beKojak or Columbo and let them vent their spleen. We must have had 50lawyers call us this week with their two cents.'

Francesa concedes that live radio can get out of hand.'Sometimes you get a little frivolous,' he says. 'When you look atall the evidence, there's a tendency to say, `Jeez, this guy didit,' just like if you were sitting in a bar somewhere. You try toguard against it.'

Howard from Brooklyn is on the line.

'Personally, I do think his son did it,' he says.

'What have you seen in this whole thing in three weeks thatindicts his son in any way?' asks WFAN's 'Mad Dog' ChristopherRusso.

'Several people have access to his cars and his house, and hisson was one of them. ... You have a father who has been torn awayfrom his son and has married another woman. I came by the samesituation where the father has married another woman and that son isblaming the other woman.'

'Boy, that's an amateur psychiatrist,' Mad Dog says.

With growing frequency, sports journalism has had to cope withdisturbing stories - Magic Johnson and AIDS, the Monica Selesstabbing, Mike Tyson's rape conviction, the Nancy Kerrigankneecapping, Jennifer Capriati's drug arrest, the murder of aColombian soccer player - that seem to dwarf what transpires betweenthe white lines.

'I enjoy covering the games, but it's also interesting to beable to do `real news' for a change, and not just the toy departmentstuff we're always being accused of,' says Rachel Shuster, a USAToday sports columnist.

But, says Shuster, many fans 'would like us to stick to theballs and strikes and are almost offended when we decide to touch onthe broader issues. There are still people who find refuge insports.'

For some, the Simpson story is all too personal. Manysportswriters and sportscasters, from ABC's Al Michaels to Postcolumnist Michael Wilbon, have tried to reconcile the sweet guy theyknew with the man accused of stabbing two people to death.

'We know O.J. Simpson personally from having been around him invarious circumstances having to do with football,' WGR's Dickerson,a former Bills line coach, says on his program. 'O.J. Simpson theman, nobody really knew. ... What we know is the game face.'

Not everyone is chasing the journalistic pack. Since itsinitial cover story, Sports Illustrated has steered clear of theSimpson case.

'I don't think it's a story for us,' says Managing Editor MarkMulvoy. 'You don't want to make Sports Illustrated into CrimeIllustrated. I don't know that the sports-reading public is all thatinfatuated with this stuff. I wonder if it would be all over sportsradio if the hockey and basketball playoffs were still going on.'

Jack from Washington is on the line with a theory about Brian'Kato' Kaelin, the aspiring actor who was staying in Simpson's guesthouse.

'I don't know about this guy Kato,' Jack says. 'I was watching`American Journal,' and Kato and Nicole had a romantic session, asreported by Kato's ex-wife.'

'If one more person calls and says I saw it on `AmericanJournal' or `A Current Affair,' I'm hanging up on them,' snapsWFAN's Paul Nanos. 'Kato's ex-wife - now there's a reliablesource.'

Are we approaching a saturation point? Let's go to the phonesand ask Doc, a regular WTEM caller.

PACKERS KEEP TE HUMPHREY CAUGHT 11 PASSES LAST SEASON.(SPORTS) - The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)

Byline: Associated Press

Free agent tight end Tory Humphrey will stay with the Green Bay Packers.

The team said Monday it has signed Humphrey, who has spent each of his four NFL seasons with Green Bay, and released linebacker Kenny Pettway.

Humphrey played in all 16 games last season and had 11 catches for 162 yards, both career highs.

The bottom line

Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia joined the Oakland Raiders, with the 39-year-old agreeing to a one-year deal to be JaMarcus Russell's backup.

* Former Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow agreed to a six-year, $36.1 million extension with the Buccaneers that could be worth up to $42.1 million.

* Cornerback Samari Rolle re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens for an undisclosed four-year deal.

* Defensive tackle Fred Evans signed his one-year tender to return to the Minnesota Vikings.

* Linebacker Cato June agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Houston Texans after playing the last two seasons in Tampa Bay.

* The Atlanta Falcons traded receiver Laurent Robinson to the St. Louis Rams, allowing the Falcons to move up 22 spots in the fifth round and 20 spots in the sixth round of this month's NFL draft.

Burress happy; L.J. not

Despite getting into trouble, receiver Plaxico Burress can keep a $1 million signing bonus from the New York Giants, but running back Larry Johnson's salary in Kansas City isn't guaranteed, according to a ruling issued following a grievance hearing.

University of Pennsylvania Special Master Stephen Burbank agreed with the NFL Players Association that money already earned, such as a signing bonus, cannot be forfeited even if a player subsequently gets into trouble.

That means the Giants cannot recoup $1 million of a $4.5 million bonus Burress earned by signing a contract extension with the team in August, months before he shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub.

Johnson also can keep money he's earned so far, though the Chiefs - if they release Johnson - do not owe him future pay after he had two nightclub altercations last year. Burbank ruled Johnson has not yet earned $3.75 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses due him over the next two seasons.

Williams charged

Free agent receiver Reggie Williams , who played his first three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was charged with drug possession after off-duty policemen used a Taser to subdue him when he refused to leave a Houston bar. Police say jail officials later found a small bag believed to contain cocaine in Williams' back pocket.

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Associated Press archives

Jeff Garcia, who signed with the Oakland Raiders Monday, has thrown for 25,537

Houston Stock Broker Follows Unique Career Path. - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

By Greg Hassell, Houston Chronicle Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

May 22--When David Harris pulled his battered Chevy Impala into Houston, he had $600 in his pocket. In his head, he carried dreams of making it as a jazz pianist.

The Michigan native knew almost nothing about the city, other than the bare-bones basics -- it's a big place with major league sports and is a whole lot warmer than the frozen northland of his native Kalamazoo.

'I had been on tour with a band, and we passed through Houston. The people seemed very friendly, so I moved here and rented a one-room efficiency apartment,' Harris said.

Twenty years after that long drive South, Harris sat where he'd hoped to find himself in Houston -- onstage, at the piano.

He was headlining a concert at a local jazz club, performing with some of the city's best jazz musicians. Every song had been written by Harris, and every piano solo was greeted with howls of approval from the packed house.

Even the rooftop room was worthy of a dreamlike evening. Scott Gertner's Sky Bar commands an impressive view of Houston's bristling skyline. As the orange glow of sunset settled on the skyscrapers, Dave Harris and Friends plowed into a smoky slice of jazz called Going, Going, Gone.

While it's tempting to see the moment as a validation of his ambition -- even the song title conjures up images of triumph -- a funny thing happened on the way to the Sky Bar.

Harris' career took a turn that few could have envisioned. Not his friends in Kalamazoo, not his wife and not Harris himself.

Instead of becoming a professional jazz musician, Harris is a professional stockbroker. And a pretty good one at that. At age 45, he's been recognized by an investments trade journal as one of the nation's Top 10 retail brokers. He and his partner, Lewis Metzger, manage about $700 million on behalf of their clients.

Music is now a hobby, albeit one practiced at a very high level by Harris, a senior vice president of investments at Salomon Smith Barney. Most of the 150 people who crowded into the bar are his clients. They're fans of his investment acumen, and it really doesn't matter if they know their Thelonious from their Monk.

'I have an audience that is predisposed to liking what I play,' Harris confesses.

Some clients flew in from as far away as Chicago, Cincinnati and New Mexico for the occasion, a charity fund-raiser for the Anti-Defamation League.

'Chicago is loaded with brokers, but I'd rather come 1,000 miles for a broker I trust as opposed to going two blocks for someone I don't trust,' said Mike Goode, a defense lawyer who flew in for the concert. 'It's for a good cause, and David asked me. That's why I'm here.'

Harris has been his investment adviser for 12 years, during which time Goode estimates his sizable portfolio has grown 350 to 400 percent.

'After last year, my buddies were screaming and crying. One guy's portfolio was down 40 percent. My portfolio was up 56 percent last year,' the red-haired Irishman said with same kind of smile that comes easily after a good meal. 'The good thing about David is not just the stocks he recommends, but the investments he keeps me out of.'

Contributions from friends and clients like Goode raised about $90,000 for the Anti-Defamation League, which is nearly three times the amount Harris had originally hoped to raise.

'Music is one of the most uniting forces in the world. It is a language everyone understands,' Harris said. 'It brings people together, so it's a great for a Anti-Defamation League benefit.'

Music also is a uniting force in Harris' strange career trip.

After playing music through high school and college, Harris started touring with a pop group that brought him through Houston. After moving here in 1981, he found plenty of work playing in big bands and with the late saxophone great Arnett Cobb.

'Back then, all David wanted to do was music,' said Doug Meeuwsen, a professional trumpet player who has known Harris since his Kalamazoo days. 'He was real pure about it. He didn't want to make money. He wanted to be a jazz musician, and an esoteric one at that.'

Work was steady. But Harris, an intensely driven man who thinks sleep is overrated, decided to supplement his income with a day job of selling pianos. He took a job in a small store with an inauspicious location -- it had once been a liquor store and is now an adult bookstore.

Needing only a couple of months to realize he could do better, Harris tried to get on at Holcombe Lindquist, a powerhouse among local piano retailers. Harris quickly became a top salesman at the company, making more money than he did as a musician.

In fact, he earned enough to start dabbling in investments. He pored over publications like Barron's and Value Line.

'When I get interested in something, I devote hours a day to it,' Harris said.

He hired brokers, whom he simply assumed had graduate degrees in finance and economics. He was shocked when he learned that they didn't and sometimes knew less about the market than he did.

Figuring he'd provide better service than he was getting, Harris decided to become a broker. The senior partner in charge of hiring at Drexel Burnham Lambert just happened to be close friends of Harris' boss.

'Don Holcombe is to this day a great friend of mine,' said George Stark, who still works for Burnham Securities and is president of Stark Capital Management. 'I called Don and he said, `If I were you, I'd hire him, but it is breaking my heart to tell you that.' '

In an attempt to keep Harris, Holcombe Lindquist offered to open a store in Austin and make him part owner of the location.

'Luckily for me, I'd never been to Austin and didn't know how beautiful it is,' Harris said. 'If I did, I might have never left the company.'

Stark gave Harris a job at Drexel, even though Harris knew next to nothing about finance and investments. Stark was willing to take a chance on the piano player because it was obvious he had other essential skills.

'He is a great people person. He was a superior piano salesman,' Stark said. 'And he is so bright and so quick. He has a great and deep intellect. I knew he would be able to learn the financial services business.'

After getting the benefit of Drexel's extensive training and Stark's personal tutelage, Harris started making trades and building a client base.

In his first year, he earned Rookie of the Year honors at Drexel. His income was six figures, an astounding sum for a first-year broker in those days.

He enlisted many of his clients through the grueling process of making cold calls. Goode was one of those many cold calls, checked off a list of attorneys Harris was working from.

'I told him to give me three recommendations. If they worked, he could call me back,' Goode said. 'They all worked. When he called me, I said, `Give me three more.' '

An annoyed Harris coughed up three more recommendations, all of which turned out to be winners. The next time he called, Goode agreed to become a client, which he remains to this day.

'It is his niceness, as well as his competence, that keeps me coming back. Everyone I send to him loves him. I've sent him my friends, my family, everyone,' Goode said. 'David is completely trustworthy, and he takes good care of them.'

Mark Parsons is one of those second-generation clients. His father, a petroleum geologist in Midland, got one of those cold calls and became one of Harris' first customers.

'Myself and my sisters, we all have accounts with David,' said Parsons, who traveled from Santa Fe, N.M., to attend Harris' concert last week.

'One reason I was willing to come is David flew to Santa Fe for my 50th birthday,' Parsons said. 'He played the piano at my birthday party. He flies hundreds of miles to be with his clients.'

When talking to Harris' clients, the conversation quickly gets around to technology stocks. Harris hates them. He steered his clients away from most Internet-related investments, arguing that they were grossly overvalued and unreasonably risky.

Following Harris' guidance, Goode avoided most tech stocks, except for one tasty little gainer -- Sun Microsystems, which he snapped up at $4. Other clients were more determined to surf the Internet tide.

'We had a big battle on tech stocks,' Parsons said. 'I made a huge amount of money for a while. Then I gave all the gains back.'

While Parsons knew Harris well enough to know about his jazz background, most clients were not aware of his rare aptitude for both finance and fine arts.

'Clients who've known me for 15 years had no idea that I play,' Harris said. 'I maintained separate worlds, one for my work and one for music. For years I promoted my business aggressively, but I did nothing with my music.'

Now the two worlds are coming together, and it feels good. He recently produced a compact disc of recordings he made -- and promptly forgot about -- years ago.

He hands out the disc to clients and friends, giving them a better understanding of the man they thought they knew.

'It's a good record, especially considering the circumstance,' said Paul English, a local jazz musician who helped restore the damaged master tapes. 'It is very good music recorded on a limited budget.'

In addition to respecting his musical ability, English appreciates the support Harris has extended to the local jazz community. Harris poured tens of thousands into a jazz club, which ultimately failed, and helped finance some local musicians' jazz CDs.

'No one in their right mind invests money in jazz,' English said. 'It's not all about money for him. He's helped me and a lot of other musicians.'

Although investments and improvisation seem like two separate worlds, finally bringing his avocation and vocation into closer harmony has helped Harris to realize they aren't so different after all.

'My investment philosophy is to avoid crowds. It's not contrarianism, it's just about filtering out all the noise of conventional wisdom,' he said. 'That's what a good musician does. They don't follow someone else's vision.

'They create their own.'

To see more of the Houston Chronicle, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chron.com

Stricker moves closer to elusive victory, takes lead at the Barclays.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

HARRISON, N.Y. [bar] Steve Stricker has given himself plenty of chances to win this year, but none quite as good as this.

A burst of birdies at The Barclays carried Stricker to a 6-under 65 and allowed him to zoom past K.J. Choi and into the lead Saturday at Westchester Country Club, the first time he has held the 54-hole lead in nine years.

Finishing it off for his first victory since 2001 won't be easy.

Choi overcame some errant tee shots on the back nine with a birdie-birdie finish to salvage a 70, leaving him only one shot behind.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

Lorena Ochoa leads by a stroke going into the final round of the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore., after a pair of bogeys to wrap up her Saturday narrowed her lead over Sophie Gustafson.

Ray Stewart shot a 4-under 68 and will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Champions Tour's Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie, Wash.

David Carter of England remained in contention for his first PGA European Tour title, shooting a 1-over 71 on Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Ross Fisher and Steve Alker in the KLM Open in Zaandvoort, Netherlands.

Colt Knost, who won the U.S. Public Links title in June, defeated Jhonattan Vegas 4 and 3 to advance to the finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in Daly City, Calif.

basketball

U.S. defense too much for Canada

LAS VEGAS [bar] The United States turned up the defense and turned away Canada.

The Americans held the Canadians to just two field goals in a dominant second quarter, pulling away for a 113-63 victory Saturday to remain unbeaten in the FIBA Americas tournament.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, equaling the second-best U.S. total in an Olympic qualifying game, and Michael Redd added 19, including five 3-pointers.

Kobe Bryant had 15 points, Amare Stoudemire 12 and LeBron James 10 points for the Americans.

WNBA playoffs

Silver Stars roll past Monarchs

SAN ANTONIO [bar] Becky Hammon had 20 points to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to their first playoff win with a 86-61 victory Saturday over the Sacramento Monarchs.

Hammon finished 7 for 11 from the field to help the Silver Stars even the Western Conference series at 1-1.

IN OTHER WNBA NEWS

Anna DeForge scored 26 points to help the Indiana Fever defeat the Connecticut Sun 78-59 Saturday and tie their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.

college football

Arkansas player Harrison arrested

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. [bar] Arkansas defensive end Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after being arrested late Friday night in Fayetteville on a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors.

The 23-year-old senior was driving near his apartment when an officer stopped him just after 11 p.m., according to a Fayetteville police report. The officer reported a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car when Harrison rolled down his window.

The officer reported finding one partially smoked marijuana cigar under the front seat of the car and another unsmoked cigar. Both tested positive for marijuana, according to the report.

track and field

Shot-putter Hoffa wins at worlds

OSAKA, Japan [bar] Reese Hoffa is unknown no more.

He won the shot put Saturday while training partner Adam Nelson took second for a 1-2 U.S. finish on the opening night of the world track and field championships.

Hoffa, who once donned a mask at a meet and called himself 'the unknown shot-putter,' gave the United States its sixth world shot put title in the past seven championships.

high school football

Texas standout fatally shot

HOUSTON [bar] A Texas high school football standout who orally committed to play at Oklahoma next year was fatally shot with a rifle after getting into a fight at an apartment complex, authorities said.

Police arrested a 19-year-old from Louisiana and charged him with murder.

Herman Mitchell, 17, died Friday of multiple gun shot wounds, Harris County Sheriff's Lt. John Martin said.

tennis

Blake, Kuznetsova Pilot Pen champs

NEW HAVEN, Conn. [bar] James Blake beat close friend Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-4 Saturday to win an All-American final at the Pilot Pen.

Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova won the women's title when qualifier Agnes Szavay retired with a back injury while leading 6-4, 0-3.

in other news

Marcus Giles, San Diego Padres second baseman, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a left knee sprain Saturday.

Dave Concepcion had his No. 13 retired Saturday by the Cincinnati Reds, joining three Hall of Fame teammates and his Big Red Machine manager in the franchise's ultimate tribute.

Willie Eyre, Texas Rangers pitcher, will undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the 2008 season.

FOR CONQUEST, HOUSTON IS THE VOICE OF LEADERSHIP.(SPORTS) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY)

Byline: MARK SINGELAIS Staff writer

ALBANY -- That smooth bass voice has entertained an American president.

It can be heard singing hymns in church. Or it can get loud and passionate, if the Albany Conquest of arenafootball2 is struggling.

That voice belongs to Conquest lineman Alex Houston, a Colgate graduate who is tied for second in af2 with seven sacks entering tonight's game at 7:30 against the Roanoke Steam at Pepsi Arena.

``He makes the music come alive,'' said Mary Houston, his mother. ``Sometimes he even brings tears to your eyes.''

In college, Houston performed with the prestigious Colgate Thirteen, an all-male a cappella singing group that entertains audiences around the country. Once, Houston and his 12 partners did the national anthem for Bill and Hillary Clinton at an appearance in Upstate New York.

Houston got his start singing in the choir at Christian Church of Philadelphia, where his father, Gordon, is a pastor.

Alex Houston, 23, said he doesn't see any contradiction between his hard-hitting profession and his sweet-sounding recreation.

``People get the wrong idea about football players,'' he said. ``We play a tough sport. We play a physical sport and it's violent. I'm the first one to admit part of the reason I play is I like the physical nature of the game. But everyone does something else besides play ball.

``I just found (singing) to be something I like to do and I'm pretty good at it,'' he continued. ``So why not do it, as long as it doesn't interfere with me playing football?''

Houston, who plays offensive guard and defensive end, said the chances are almost nil that he'll ever sing the national anthem before a Conquest game. He's too busy psyching himself into a competitive frame of mind.

That game face, combined with uncommon agility for a big man, has Conquest coach Ron Selesky convinced that Houston can get back to the Arena Football League -- where he spent three games with the New Jersey Gladiators last year -- and maybe even get a shot in an NFL training camp.

``He's very intense and he's very committed,'' Selesky said. ``He runs as well as any big guy I think I've seen in this league in a while. He's got a first step that is comparable to a lot of guys who are lining up and playing on Sundays (in the NFL).''

Selesky added that Houston should try to add bulk to his 6-foot-4, 258-pound frame -- perhaps another dozen pounds. Houston, who has trouble keeping on weight, wolfed down a pair of cupcakes and an energy bar before Wednesday's practice.

Nor has Houston allowed himself to starve spiritually or intellectually. He holds a double major in philosophy and religion from Colgate, and considers his father's congregation to be an extension of his family.

Though he grew up in a pastor's home, Houston said his father was firm, but fair.

``My father understood that we were kids,'' he said. ``He would discipline you, but at the same time, he let you make mistakes and you learned from them. He's not a big sports guy. He's from the country (Mississippi) and he's not into sports. But he came to the games because me and my brother played. He and my mom brought us along and taught us good human values, to be good human beings.''

His leadership is among Houston's strongest qualities.

``He has that booming voice,'' Selesky said. ``And he's very enthusiastic about what he does, and that lifts guys up in a tight game.''

Houston credits his faith with allowing him to accept the bumpy path his career has taken. He was a 6-foot, 190-pound linebacker coming out of Bensalem (Pa.) High.

Going to Division I-AA Colgate, he bulked up to 250 pounds and made all-Patriot League as a defensive tackle. But he was small for an interior lineman and wasn't invited to an NFL training camp.

After spending part of last season with the Gladiators, who moved him outside to end, the AFL team had a coaching change and didn't invite Houston back to training camp. Selesky, who has great respect for Colgate players, then picked him up.

HOUSTON BUSINESSMAN SAYS BOWLEN BACKS EXPANSION TO CITY.(Sports) - Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

Byline: Sam Adams and Lynn DeBruin News Staff Writers

GREELEY -- Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen took in his first training camp session of 1999 Monday afternoon. After watching his team, Bowlen spoke about the efforts being made in Los Angeles and Houston to regain NFL franchises.

Groups vying for an expansion team in Los Angeles have a deadline of Sept. 15 to arrange a stadium financing plan. Meanwhile, businessman Robert McNair already has the pieces in place to bring a team back to Houston.

On Sunday, McNair told Houston television station KRIV that some NFL owners - including Bowlen - have given him hope that Houston beat out Los Angeles. Bowlen, McNair said, believes the financial environment isn't right for Los Angeles, and it might take several more years before it is right.

``I think that's generally what I did tell Bob McNair,'' Bowlen said. ``That was one man's opinion - not the league's opinion. Further to that, my opinion is we have to give a window of time to a group in Los Angeles to come up with a solution or proposal.

``I believe we really have to give - whether it's Eli Broad and (Michael) Ovitz combined, which has been talked about - we've got to give them a specific window of time to say either get to us with your proposal, something realistic, not necessarily all ready to go but a few months of being ready, or we're going to have to stop worrying about L.A. That's really where I'm at.''

Bowlen will join NFL owners in Chicago on Wednesday for league meetings. Any talk that doesn't favor Los Angeles is only good for McNair's bid in Houston. ``I told Bob, in one man's opinion, it appears where (Los Angeles) is at now is a long way from where they need to be,'' Bowlen said.

New deal for McCaffrey? - The Broncos have been working on redoing Ed McCaffrey's contract but coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that nothing has been finalized.

He said he couldn't comment on anything until it was signed.

General manager Neal Dahlen also said no extension has been reached.

McCaffrey's teammates and position coach, however, said the Pro Bowl receiver definitely deserves to be rewarded for his effort.

McCaffrey has yet to drop a pass in training camp, and has made several diving catches.

Receivers coach Mike Heimerdinger said McCaffrey strives to get better every day.

``He made his first mistake today and I couldn't talk to him for about 10 plays,'' Heimerdinger said. ``He missed a block. He was mad at himself. He's a perfectionist. He has a standard and works hard at that.''

Heimerdinger said of any contract discussions: ``I'm happy for him if it happens, but that won't affect him or his work habits.''

Quarterback Bubby Brister said McCaffrey is one of the best receivers in the league. ``He's proved he can get it done and deserves to be paid like a top guy,'' Brister said.

New man - Brian Griese is no track star but is convinced off-season speed drills helped with his quickness.

``It was a different kind of conditioning than I've ever done,'' said Griese, who enters the season as Denver's No. 2 quarterback behind Bubby Brister. ``It was track work. I'm not a sprinter of any kind, but I think the things we worked on should transfer to the field.''

Randy Huntington, whom the Broncos hired as a speed coach this off-season, said Griese made the biggest improvement of any player.

``I saw incredible changes in his speed, ability to move,'' Huntington said. ``He's more flexible. His strength is up. He's a different athlete today. Obviously, he was a very skilled quarterback but now he's a different athlete in general. The bar has been raised there. How that will (carry over) to quarterback remains to be seen, but I'm still impressed.''

Millennium schedule - The dates won't be set until spring, but the Broncos will play the NFC West in interconference games in 2000. Denver will face San Francisco, Atlanta, New Orleans and St. Louis, but not Carolina.

Say what? - That wasn't gibberish from Shanahan on Monday. Asked how he communicates with Jesus Angoy, a kicker from Spain, Shanahan started in with his high school Spanish.

Et cetera - Four Broncos starters missed Monday morning's practice session: tight end Shannon Sharpe (death in the family), linebacker John Mobley (hamstring), fullback Howard Griffith (ankle) and defensive end Neil Smith (ankle). A fifth starter - left tackle Tony Jones - sat out the afternoon session, not because of injury, but to give other linemen a chance to compete in drills. ``Tony's an older vet and he's got a lot of reps, so we don't feel like he needed to practice the way he's been practicing,'' Shanahan said. ``Mobley's getting a little bit better. I'm hoping (he'll practice today).'' . . . Coaches from the University of Montana have been watching practices. Another group of coaches from the Montana school are at the San Diego Chargers' training camp. The Broncos and Chargers open preseason Aug. 7 in Sydney, Australia.

CAPTION(S):

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Pick the bar of the year; Your country needs you to track down Scotland's local heroes.(Features) - Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)

FOR many, it's more homely than their own living room. Always a warm welcome, good food and drink, top music, plus the sport's always on the telly...

But is your local good enough to be crowned Scotland's Pub of the Year?

Your barmaid doesn't have to be as famous as the ones on our cover - EastEnders' Peggy, Mel and Tiffany, Coronation Street's Bet, Geena and new barmaid Shelley, or Emmerdale's Tricia - all they need to have is your vote.

The Sunday Mail has joined forces with trade mag The DRAM to find the best boozer in the land.

Our pub trawl will take in all corners of Scotland and the winner will pick up the prestigious title at a classy awards ceremony in July.

The Sunday Mail's team of pub spies will be out in force, but we need your help to draw up the definitive list of the best bars in Scotland.

Just tell us why you think your favourite pub should win. It could be because its food would rival Betty's hotpot in Coronation Street or that the bar staff pour a better pint than Bet Lynch.

Or maybe the landlord and landlady are more entertaining than Den and Angie were in EastEnders. Whatever the reason, we want to know about it.

Our staff know a thing or two about pubs, but for a true expert opinion we've drafted in Susan Young, publisher of The DRAM and author of the book, Scotland's Best Bars. Today, Susan names 40 of her favourite bars.

She has visited more than 400 pubs in her quest to find the perfect place to have a pint and has strong ideas about what she is looking for.

Her criteria for the best boozer include:

High standard of service

Great atmosphere

Friendly and efficient staff

An excellent selection of beers, spirits and wine at reasonable prices

Tasty snacks and great pub grub

Clean and tidy interiors

Susan said: 'I am delighted the Sunday Mail is backing the search for the best pub in Scotland. I have visited many and there are a great number of fabulous ones out there.

'The Sunday Mail Pub of the Year Award is the accolade every pub owner in the country wants to win and I'm delighted Sunday Mail readers are getting the chance to nominate their favourite pub. Good pubs come in all shapes and sizes and are located all over the place, but they have some common elements such as a welcoming atmosphere and good staff.

'These awards seek to reward bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants that have excelled throughout the year.

'I don't know anyone who doesn't have a favourite place they like to go... and now they have a chance to see if their favourite pub stacks up against the best in Scotland.'

The first 100 people to enter Pub of the Year will be given a free copy of Susan's book, Scotland's Best Bars.

Susan added: 'I've been writing about pubs, clubs and bars for seven years and felt we needed one detailing Scottish pubs.

'The great thing about Scotland is that pub culture is alive and kicking and I am delighted to be able to show you some of the best places to have a drink.

'My list is not a definitive guide, merely a collection of some of the best in Scotland. I look for service and atmosphere, followed by a degree of cleanliness. Some are renowned for their beer and some for atmosphere.

'But every one I've featured I've visited personally and I hope you will, too.'

We launched our Pub of the Week series last October and every bar featured so far will be entered into the Pub of the Year competition.

Our pubs of the week have been: West of the Moon, Ayr; The Mallard, Dingwall; The Old Aberlady Inn, Aberlady; Fox and Hounds, Horseshoe Bar, Houston; Oban Inn, Oban; World's End, Edinburgh; Auld Cross Keys Inn, Denholm; Deacon Brodie, Dundee; The Loft, Troon; Blackfriars, Inverness; The Champion Shell Inn, Stevenston; Drouthy Neebors, Stirling; Drovers Inn, East Linton; Gold Hotel, Crail; Old Chain Pier, Edinburgh; Wheatsheaf Inn, Symington; Allanton Inn, Allanton; Bridge House Hotel, Ardrishaig; The Burnbrae, Bearsden; Sullivan's Bar, Saltcoats; Clyde Tavern, Auchtermuchty; Athenaeum, Aberdeen; Cottier's, Glasgow; Tannahill Bar, Paisley; Kilberry Inn, Kilberry, Argyll; The Garvel Point, Greenock; The Salt Cot, Saltcoats; and Flannigan's Cafe Bar, Largs.

But even if your favourite has been mentioned, please still fill in the entry form on the right because the more we know about every pub the better.

Alongside the Pub of the Year award sponsored by the Sunday Mail, other categories in the licensed trade competition are: Bell's Community Pub of the Year, Carlsberg Award for Customer Service, Coors Light Nightclub of the Year, Cuervo Style Bar of the Year, ic scotland Hotel of the Year, The Famous Grouse Manager of the Year, The Macallan Whisky Bar of the Year, McEwan's SPA Successful Progress Award, Morgan's Spiced Gold Bar Personality and Repertoire New Restaurant of the Year.

THE GRANARY

14-16 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 632 8487

A real southside institution, where you may spot the odd celebrity.

What to look out for

The life-sized stuffed ostrich and the draught beer and lager pitcher deals on Sundays.

TORMAUKIN HOTEL

Glendevon, near Gleneagles

Tel: 01259 781295

A haven for hungry hillwalkers and locals, who flock to enjoy the excellent dining.

What to look out for

Wine and whisky tastings, jazz evenings, quiz nights, pub grub and a la carte food.

ALL BAR ONE

62-72 St Vincent Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 229 6060

Massive, glass-fronted bar, ideal for meeting a crowd and popular with office groups. What to look out for

Champagne by the glass, friendly, helpful staff, the queue on a Friday night.

THE CAIRN

Main Road, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire

Tel: 01479 841212

An excellent local, popular with skiers and tourists. Fairly jumpin' at weekends.

What to look out for

A warm welcome, The Carrbridge Music Festival and chatty bar staff.

PARAMOUNT

21 Bon Accord Street, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 590500

A talking point when it first opened, for the TVs in the loos, and still a trendy haunt.

What to look out for

Cheap drinks for the girls on Thursdays, good-value food and the pre-club buzz.

LISMORE

206 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 576 0103

Public bar is never empty, as customers relax with their pints and a newspaper.

What to look out for

The stained glass windows, the characters propping up the bar and the live music.

THE FISHERMAN'S TAVERN

10 -14 Fort Street, Broughty Ferry

Tel: 01382 775941

This pub is a real local, fitted with original ships' tables. Renowned for its beer.

What to look out for

Its range of real ale, the chatty staff, regulars with a tale or two and the food - lots of it.

RAB HA'S

80 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 572 0400

Cosy, traditional bar, with a roaring fire. Full of chat that's well worth eavesdropping on.

What to look out for

The roaring fire, leaflets about what's on in Glasgow and a wide range of customers.

SCOTIA BAR

112 Stockwell Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 552 8681

One of the city's most famous pubs, a haunt of musicians, artists and comedians.

What to look out for

Traditional Scottish entertainment, great banter and the snooker hall upstairs.

ESTAMINET

Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 622657

Housed in the former anatomy building of Aberdeen University. Bright and airy.

What to look out for

The bongo and saxophone sessions, lively DJs and the tempting snack menu.

CAFe ROYAL

17/19 West Register Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 556 1884

Two bars - the Circle Bar and the Bistro Bar next door which is a haunt of rugby types and a must during rugby internationals.

What to look out for

The striking architecture in the Circle Bar and rugby memorabilia in the Bistro.

THE BEN NEVIS

1147 Argyle Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 576 5204

A mix of modern and traditional Scottish, a city centre pub with the attributes of a local.

What to look out for

Scottish folk music, the 'stork's nest' log fire, friendly staff and lot of whiskies.

OXYGEN

2-5 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 557 9997

Light, airy and comfortable. Won the Cuervo Gold Style Bar of the Year 2000.

What to look out for

Fabulous Sunday brunch - the perfect hangover cure, I'm told.

NEO

9 Queen's Road, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 208494

Popular with mums, who pop in for morning coffee, and a trendy crowd at nights.

What to look out for

An extensive menu, outdoor dining in summer and big plasma TV screens.

THE HORSESHOE

17-21 Drury Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 229 5711

The longest continuous bar in the UK - and one of the most successful. Very traditional.

What to look out for

The karaoke, and the gold, silver and platinum discs of Travis, who rehearsed here.

FOX & HOUNDS

South Street, Houston

Tel: 01505 612448

A family-run pub which brews its own beer and hosts beer festivals in the car park.

What to look out for

Award-winning own brew St Peter's Well, renowned food and cosy atmosphere.

THE PARK BAR

1202 Argyle Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 339 1715

Busy Heilan' bar. Regulars come from as far as Lewis - every weekend - but non-teuchters are also very welcome.

What to look out for

CDs recorded live in the bar, big screen for the football and cheap, but hearty, lunches.

THE DOME

14 George Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 624 8624

Domed main bar, with a more intimate Cocktail Bar and superb beer garden.

What to look out for

The imperious glass-domed interior, a good cocktail list and posh nosh

BANNERMAN'S

212 Cowgate, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 556 3254

Student haunt that's so dark you can't help but wonder what everyone is getting up to.

What to look out for

The dripping candles, people watching, two-for-one offers and the snooker room.

THE TARTAN ARMS

Main Street, Bannockburn

Tel: 01786 812056.

Won Bell's Community Pub of the Year 2000. Boasts snooker, a disco and cabaret.

What to look out for

The warm welcome, huge entertainment area and fabulous weekend atmosphere.

GUILDFORD ARMS

1 West Register Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 556 4312

Predominantly a male domain, the sort of place where men could nurse a pint all day.

What to look out for

Its range of cask beers, a wide variety of malt whiskies and good-value lunches.

THE MISHNISH

Main Street, Tobermory, Mull

Tel: 01688 3020098

Known the world over to sailors and visitors to the island as a welcoming, friendly pub.

What to look out for

A game of pool with locals, the lively entertainment at weekends and filling pub grub.

THE CORINTHIAN

191 Ingram Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 552 1101

A restaurant, nightclub and private members' bar - and a real mix of customers.

What to look out for

Stunning architecture, people-watching, The Piano Bar - when the pianist's in.

INDIGO YARD

7 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 220 5603

Mellow surroundings, quite a haunt for the young, and not-so-young, free and single.

What to look out for

A yummy, frequently-changing menu, tasty cocktails and the beautiful bar staff.

THE OLD MILL INN

4-6 Balfron Road, Killearn

Tel: 01360 550068

A pub with a beer garden, gift shop and baby shop, too - very popular on Sundays. What to look out for

The welcoming atmosphere, regular entertainment, parties and summer barbecues.

FRANKENSTEIN'S

401-405 Union Street, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 626720

Features Frankenstein memorabilia and spooky music in the toilets. Good, fun pub.

What to look out for

Frankenstein - he drops in, literally. Good, reasonable food and the weekend parties.

IGUANA

41 Lothian Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 220 4288

Has its own magazine to tell regulars what's happening in the chilled-out tropical bar.

What to look out for

The chilled atmosphere, all-day breakfasts and an extensive list of cocktails.

CONNELLY'S BAR

23 Nicolson Street, Greenock

Tel: 01475 888972

Rustic and earthy, but the party kicks off big time at nights, with great music and DJs. What to look out for

Live music and disco most nights of the week and their legendary Steak Sandwich.

RICK'S

55a Frederick Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 622 7800

Has one of the best cocktail lists in town and the bar staff really know how to make them.

What to look out for

Raspberry Martinis, the posh menu, featuring lobster, and all the beautiful people.

MA' CAMERON'S INN

Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 644487

The oldest pub in the city. Traditional snug packed with regulars, plus a modern area.

What to look out for

The atmosphere and people saying: 'I've been to the oldest pub in Aberdeen.'

THE CLACHNAHARRY INN

17 Clachnaharry Road, Inverness

Tel: 01463 239806

People come from miles around to enjoy the ale and the view from the lounge bar.

What to look out for

Ales commended by CAMRA, a pint on the old station platform and range of whiskies.

BAR SIRIUS

Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 555 3344

Busy, revamped bar, full of lush greenery. Laidback evening atmosphere.

What to look out for

The food - very tasty - the live music and DJs and a good range of cocktails.

JINTY McGINTY'S

23-29 Ashton Lane, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 339 0747

A real Irish bar that's jumpin' most nights. Great Guinness and good craic guaranteed. Serves traditional Irish fare.

What to look out for

The chance to chat away to strangers, and outside drinking in fine weather.

THE DORIC TAVERN

15-17 Market Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 225 1084.

A long-time media haunt, with an excellent menu at around pounds 20 for three courses.

What to look out for

The bar snacks, including stovies, and the paintings on sale.

AZZURRO

The Academy, Schoolhill, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 640900

Situated on top of a shopping centre, its roof terrace is a real hit on sunny days.

What to look out for

The cheap and tasty food, DJs most weekends and the resident jazz/funk band.

SEAMUS' BAR

Sligachan Hotel, Sligachan, Skye

Tel: 01478 650204

A haven for hillwalkers, popular summer and winter, with a September beer festival.

What to look out for

The spectacular view, good cask ales, regular entertainment and 80 malts on optic.

SIMPSON'S

59 Queens Road, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 327777

All palm trees and tall columns, it's very popular with Aberdeen's style crew. The terrific restaurant is something else.

What to look out for

The sweeping staircase, the sun terrace, the colonial feel and spaciousness.

CUBA NORTe

192 Morrison Street, Edinburgh

Tel: 0131 221 1430

Learn salsa or merengue in this lively bar, or just watch others strut their stuff.

What to look out for

A healthy collection of cigars, the party atmosphere and tasty, Cuban-style food.

THE ILLICIT STILL

Nether Kirkgate, Aberdeen

Tel: 01224 623123

Traditional, but modern. If you have good arm muscles look out for the two-pint mug.

What to look out for

The literary quotes on the bar mirrors, the candle sculpture and weekend DJs.

BLACKFRIARS

Bell Street, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 552 5924

Still one of the most popular pubs in the area. Great range of real ales and whisky.

What to look out for

The comedy club downstairs, live music at the weekends and the caricatures.

HERE is your chance to vote for Scotland's best pub. Size is not an issue, but atmosphere is.

We're looking for great pubs that have:

A welcoming atmosphere

Friendly and efficient staff

Excellent selection of beers, spirits and wine at reasonable prices

Tasty snacks or great pub grub

Clean and tidy interiors

High standard of service

Lakers want to stay in control NBA: L.A. hoping not to follow same path as Houston series.(Sports) - Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)

Byline: Elliott Teaford, Staff Writer

DENVER - Carpe diem. Seize the moment. Seize the day.

Seize control of the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers vowed to do all of the above in Game 4 tonight against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. They said Sunday they learned their lesson after seizing nothing of significance the last time they played a Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead.

Two weeks ago Sunday, the Lakers strolled onto the court and got their heads handed to them by the Houston Rockets. That defeat meant the difference between a short and sweet series victory and a lengthy, drawn-out battle with the Rockets.

The Lakers needed seven games to eliminate the Rockets in their second-round series, and they're still paying the price for having to play an extra game or two. They were weary beyond words after taking a 103-97 victory from the Nuggets in Game 3.

Kobe Bryant needed intravenous fluids in order to refuel after scoring a team-leading 41 points Saturday night.

He said his wife called him after the game and said he looked terrible. He also said he went right to bed after the game and slept for 10 hours.

'Brutal,' he said. 'We've got two more series (this one and the NBA Finals). We've just got to get through it. There's two more series and we've just got to get it done, got to get it (freaking) done. We can be tired in August.

'We were in this position in the last series. We've got to come out with more focus, more energy, and really just execute a lot better on the defensive end.'

Indeed, the Lakers played it too fast and too loose after taking a 2-1 series lead against Houston with a sound victory on the Rockets' home floor. They barely played a lick of defense as the Rockets swept past for easy baskets in a 99-87 victory in Game 4.

The Lakers went on to defeat the Rockets in Game 5, but the Rockets forced the series to Game 7 with a strong showing in Game 6. The Lakers advanced by hammering the Rockets in Game 7, but everyone agreed they had to work too hard to win the series.

As in the last round, the Lakers split the first two games against the Nuggets at home and then produced a head-turning victory in Game 3. Now as then, it appeared the Lakers had taken command of the series. They must hammer the point home tonight.

'Everybody is still a little edgy,' Bryant said. 'Everybody's still a little upset. We haven't done anything. We're just ready to get after it again. ... We just want to win, we just want to win. We just want to come in here and take care of business.'

In other words, the Lakers want to do all the things tonight they didn't do in their last Game 4 on May 10 in Houston. They want to start fast, muzzle the Nuggets and their enthusiastic fans and seize a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

The Lakers don't want the series to be deadlocked at 2-all heading back to Staples Center for Game 5 Wednesday night. They made the most of their chance to take control of the series by rallying from a 79-71 deficit to start the fourth quarter of Game 3.

A loss tonight, while not devastating, would nullify their remarkable finish Saturday, when Bryant scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, when Trevor Ariza had eight points and a key steal of an inbounds pass, when Pau Gasol scored eight points.

It would mean the Nuggets essentially would get a do-over after leading scorer Carmelo Anthony got into foul trouble in the second half and only scored three of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. It also would mean they would be even again.

'We don't want to relax,' Gasol said. 'We don't want to be too confident for (tonight's) game. They're not going to lower the bar. It's going to be even tougher than it was (in Game 3 on Saturday).'

It concerned the Lakers so much that they addressed the subject immediately after the final buzzer sounded on their victory over the Nuggets in Game 3 on Saturday.

'We talked about it,' Derek Fisher said. 'We're holding ourselves accountable to not allow what happened in the last series to happen again in terms of having solid performances in one game and then not being ready to go at the start of the next one.

'We've challenged ourselves in terms of where we go in the next 36 hours. ... Don't take that sigh or that relaxed deep breath. We told ourselves (Saturday) night, immediately after the game, to start thinking about the next game.

'I think everyone will respond the right way.'

elliott.teaford@dailybreeze.com

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Golfers tee off for big money in a Hoffman Estates sports bar.(News) - Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)

Byline: Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald Correspondent

Greg Kinzler, 22, of St. Charles scoffs at the notion, but in the world of simulated golf, he just may be the next Tiger Woods.

Kinzler plays his game in bars, teeing up along the fairways of the Golden Tee video games. He took up the game only 18 months ago, but in the last year, he figures he has earned more than $12,000 in prize money.

Not bad for a hobby, he concedes.

'It's the money, and the competition,' Kinzler says. 'That's what drives me.'

On Sunday, Kinzler was one of 32 competitors to make the final cut in one of the game's biggest tournaments, the Golden Tee Fore! Chicago Challenge. It played out over the weekend at Official's Time Out Sports Bar in Hoffman Estates.

At stake was $20,000 in prize money, with $5,000 going to the first place winner, $2,500 for second place and $1,500 to the third place golfer.

Kinzler was the only local golfer to survive into the semi-final round. He wound up finishing fourth, and earning a cool $1,000 for his weekend's work. Jim Johnson of Los Angeles earned the top prize.

The tournament started Saturday with 106 players - including two women - hoping to make Sunday's cut. Only the top 32 players made the draw, based on their combined scores from three rounds of 18 hole games Saturday.

'This is a chance to play with some of the top people in the country,' said Steve Churak, 30, of Palatine.

Bar manager Kevin Fuery estimates that roughly 25 percent of the players came from the Chicago area, while the rest came from across the country, including Toronto, Houston, North Carolina and Long Beach, California.

'This is different than when you're playing at some bar, having a beer,' said Sonny Turnstall, 28, of Houston. 'This is match play, and there's a lot more pressure. It's about staying even with your opponent, and only taking chances if somebody makes a mistake.'

'You have to have smart course management,' added Kinzler.

Consequently, strategy involves everything from deciding what club to use, to deciding whether to strike the ball or hook it, and where to put the ball to leave the best putt.

The game was launched five years ago by Incredible Technologies, a company located in Rolling Meadows. Company officials now estimate the simulated video golf game is played in 70,000 bars across the country and overseas, and has made them the leading game producer in the world.

Some 200,000 players alone play in the league play, vying for ranking in the bronze, silver or gold divisions. They pay $4 a game to play, and avid players like Kinzler play up 15 hours a week.

OUTER BANKS BARS SCORE HIGH WITH AVID SPORTS FAN AMBIENCE,FOOD AND LOTS OF TVS ARE A WINNING TEAM.(CAROLINA COAST) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

Byline: MARSHA BACENKO, CORRESPONDENT

IT IS A NEVER-ENDING saga for the true sports fan: finding the perfect place to hang out on a cool Sunday afternoon.

My husband and I were looking for a spot with more than one TV, a decent bar menu and a comfortable ambience. Also, and this is a little harder to pin down, patrons who are there to watch sports. If I stand up in my seat and yell at Jets' coach Bill Parcells, this should be viewed as normal behavior.

We started at the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk. In one way this is the male sports fan's dream. Anyone who has tried to wrestle the remote from a spouse's firm grip will appreciate the wraparound lineup of 15 TVs at the bar. On one afternoon we watched two football games, a baseball playoff game and the end of a NASCAR race simultaneously. You would think this is visual overload, but it is amazingly easy to get used to.

The Pelican's menu is a little different from other bars on the beach in that it doesn't offer standbys like chicken wings or stuffed spuds. It does offer a Kitty Hawk Beach Blossom ($6.95), an enormous deep fried onion big enough to feed four people (or two exceedingly hungry ones.) The Pelican also features an array of tempting wood-fired pizzas ($8.25-$10.95) with unusual and varied toppings, from BBQ Chicken to Red Hot Tuna.

A very popular special every day is steamed oysters for $2.99 a dozen.

Another sports bar in Kitty Hawk, but one with a completely different atmosphere, is Frisco's. The dark wood bar and high-backed bar stools are comfortable, and every seat has a view of one of the four TVs, including one big screen.

Co-owner and chef Mark Dough sets up a free make-your-own nacho and chili bar every Sunday. We enjoyed a plate piled high with our own special combination, heavy on the jalapenos.

We ordered a pitcher of Bloody Marys ($7.50), and ate our fill of the special of the day, 10-cent steamed spiced shrimp. A warning: it's just about impossible to stop at half a dozen. And with the special offered from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., you can put away a lot of shrimp.

Slammin' Sammy's in Nags Head was our next destination. Slammin' Sammy's is probably the ultimate sports bar on the beach, from the sports influenced menu to the abundance of TVs. In fact, there are almost too many TVs. Pockets of fans would gather in front of TVs, each tuned to a different game, thanks to a satellite hookup. Every so often I would hear yells or groans from a distant part of the room in reaction to a play.

At first I tried to watch a little of everything. But after a few minutes of intense head swiveling, I started to feel like the lead character in ``The Exorcist'' and settled down to watch just one game.

While my husband and I argued over a Dallas pass-interference call, one of the two men at the bar in front of us stopped his conversation, leaned over and told my husband he was right. Well, shut my mouth. What do men know, anyway?

Pitying me, my husband bribed me with food. After 10 minutes of studying the very large menu, I decided on a Shrimper Boy ($6.99), a spicy sandwich made in the style of a New Orleans po' boy. The menu is heavy on finger foods; sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, poppers and the like - the better for keeping one's concentration where it belongs - on the TV.

Bottom line? Although it's nice to try different places, proximity to one's home seems to be the key that determines where people watch sports. In fact, proximity to one's couch and refrigerator oftentimes proves to be too much to resist.

But what brings people out of the comfort of their homes and into local watering holes? Frisco's co-owner Cyd Dough said it best - ``Camaraderie, a warm atmosphere and great eats!''

Outer Banks sports bars may lack the slickness of big city franchises, but they more then make up for it in a laid-back atmosphere.

Besides, how many sports bars in Houston or Detroit offer an ocean view?

Here are some other places on the beach to watch football:

Barrier Island Inn, Duck, 261-3901; four TVs, including one big screen; Monday night, free wings at half-time, QB1 sports trivia.

Fishbones, Duck, 261-6991; three TVs; Monday night, 10-cent wings

Jolly Roger, milepost 6.75, Kill Devil Hills, 441-6530; four TVs, including one big screen; Monday night, free buffet, QB1 sports trivia, $1 drafts Sunday and Monday.

Awful Arthurs, milepost 6, Kill Devil Hills, 441-5955; three TVs; Monday night drink specials and surprise treats.

Paradise Billiards, milepost 7, Kill Devil Hills, 441-9225; five TVs, including one big screen, two satellite hookups, QB1 sports trivia.

Van's, milepost 9, Kill Devil Hills, 441-5534; four TVs, including one big screen; Sunday and Monday, 10-cent hot wings

Hurricane Alley, milepost 9.5, Kill Devil Hills, 441-1533; three TVs; drink specials; Monday night, free hot dogs and chili.

Mulligan's, milepost 10.75, Nags Head, 480-2000; three TVs; drink specials; Sunday 4-7 p.m., $2.95 a dozen steamed oysters and all day long 25-cent shrimp; Monday night free hot dogs and chili.

Kelly's, milepost 10.5, Nags Head, 441-4116; six TVs; Monday night, free nacho bar.

Woody's, milepost 11, Nags Head, 441-4881; 17 TVs, including one big screen, satellite hook up; drink specials, QB1 sports trivia (closed Monday).

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Staff photo by DREW WILSON

BOWL TICKET OR NO, HOUSTON BECKONS - The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)

HOUSTON - Memo to Patriots fans: Houston has you covered.

Thousands of football-hungry fans from Boston and beyond willdescend upon the Bayou City starting late today and tomorrow forSuper Bowl XXXVIII. But only a select few possess tickets to Sunday'sbig game. How, then, to satiate the masses who will take in thePatriots-Panthers face-off from a barstool?

Fear not. New Englanders with or without the coveted tickets canfind something to do within Houston's 633 square miles, as thenation's fourth most populous city welcomes an estimated 100,000tourists. They might even find something resembling the comforts ofhome, from the traffic to the trendy shopping to the . . . well, notthe weather. (Temperatures this week are forecast to be in the 60s,with nary a snowflake in sight. Sorry.)

First things first: A bar outside downtown Houston has alreadyestablished itself as headquarters for Patriots fans, plasteringbanners and pennants outside and flying the Patriots' flag. TheTavern on Gray expects hundreds of Pats fans to belly up to its 187-foot-long bar, which owner Charlie Watkins contends is the longest inthe Lone Star State.

Watkins is a seventh-generation Texan whose forebears fought inthe Battle of San Jacinto. (That was the battle that the Texan armywon in 1836 after being crushed by Mexican forces at the Alamo.) Heis coy about his football loyalties, although he rooted for thePatriots during the playoffs. But he professes admiration for oneteam: Boston sports fans.

'The Patriots bring Boston fans down here, which is a fun, funfootball group,' said Watkins, 47. 'I feel Houston is very, veryfortunate to have Patriots fans, because they're a big, loyal fanbase coming into Houston. And that makes it much, much better tocheer the Patriots on.'

Watkins transformed his bar into a Patriots fan den afterreceiving a telephone call from Brad Darr, a Pats follower who owns abar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. During New England's SuperBowl appearance in the Big Easy two years ago, Darr remade his taverninto Patriots central, and he plans to unleash the same hoopla atWatkins's place.

Darr is not a man who fools around. He and up to 45 Patriots fansflying in from New England will pack two recreational vehicles anddrive to Houston tomorrow morning, heading straight for Watkins'sbar. On Saturday night, they plan a voodoo ceremony with anunsuspecting stuffed panther.

'We've got some pins we're going to be sticking into the pantherto get the crowd riled up,' said Darr, 35. 'After sticking some pinsin, the last thing we do is cut the head off. That's what we did witha ram the last Super Bowl.'

The Patriots, you recall, won that game against the St. Louis Rams20-17.

New England fans can also celebrate at a free downtown streetparty called The Main Event beginning tonight and lasting throughSuper Bowl Sunday. In addition, the NFL Experience at the George R.Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston will let children andadults test their throwing, blocking, kicking, and other pigskinskills.

A word to the wise: Do not expect downtown Houston to lookanything like Faneuil Hall-Quincy Market. Large swaths of thebusiness district are essentially empty canyons amid the skyscrapers,devoid of life after quitting time.

But parts of downtown have come to life. With $4 billion in publicand private money pumped into the area since 1995, new apartments,restaurants, and clubs are enlivening the streets of the financialdistrict.

Driving in Houston is all but unavoidable, and that meansnavigating Houston's freeways. Highways in Houston expand to as manyas 14 lanes, seemingly delighting motorists who weave in and out oflanes because, well, they can. Aaron Katersky, a Scituate native whotraverses the city as a reporter for Houston's leading news radiostation, KTRH-AM, sees it daily.

Falkirk turn up heat on Houston.(Sport) - Daily Mail (London)

Byline: GEORGE GRANT

JOYOUS Falkirk (left) piled the pressure on under-fire Dundee United boss Peter Houston last night after knocking his SPL side out of the Scottish Communities League Cup on penalties. Ayr United savoured another giant-killing of their own with a 1-0 victory at St Mirren which sets up a potential semi-final date with fierce rivals Kilmarnock, but the spotlight was on Tannadice where a missed spot-kick by Willo Flood TURN TO PAGE 78, COL 5 ' 2 2 DUNDEE UTD.... 0 KILMARNOCK....

KILMARNOCK F.C. ST MIRREN.......

FALKIRK ...........

EAST FIFE..........

AYR UTD........... 2 1 (aet; 1-1 after 90mins, Falkirk win 5-4 on pens) 0

From Back Page saw the top-flight outfit crash out to the side who eliminated holders Rangers in the previous round. Although Steven Pressley's young Bairns were toasting another sensational victory, the heat is now firmly on United manager Houston, whose team lie third bottom of the SPL with just two wins in their last 12 league matches.

A tense encounter had gone to extra-time after Johnny Russell's 73rd-minute goal had cancelled out Farid El Alagui's opener just three minutes earlier.

Jon Daly put United ahead in the extra period, but the game went to spot-kicks when Ally Graham equaliser in the 118th minute. Both sides traded penalties before Flood blasted over the bar. Gavin Gunning kept United in the tie by slotting home his side's next penalty, but Falkirk's Stewart Murdoch kept his cool to send the jubilant visitors through.

at 0-29, fordham wraps up worst season in ncaa women's history.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

WASHINGTON [bar] Fordham completed the worst season in NCAA women's basketball history Saturday, losing 66-27 at No. 15 George Washington to become the first team to go 0-29.

Fordham finished with one more loss than the 0-28 teams of Charleston in 1990-91 and Centenary in 1999-2000. The Rams have lost 33 straight games.

Reduced to eight players by injuries and relying on a young lineup featuring one senior and one go-to player - freshman Megan Mahoney - Fordham faced the worst possible scenario to avoid the record: on the road against a ranked team battling for first place. George Washington (24-5, 12-2 Atlantic 10) pulled away with an early 19-0 run.

IN OTHER COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS

Cornell clinched the Ivy League regular-season title and became the first team to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament with an 86-53 home victory against Harvard. It is Cornell's first title since 1987-88, the last year a team other than Penn or Princeton won the league.

John Wooden remained hospitalized in good condition, having undergone blood transfusions after the 97-year-old UCLA coaching great broke two bones when he fell at home Thursday. Wooden could be released Monday.

The Oklahoma men's basketball team set what is thought to be an NCAA record for the longest time holding an opponent scoreless since the advent of the shot clock in 1986 by blanking Texas A&M for 16 minutes and 12 seconds in a 64-37 home victory. The record entering the season was 13 minutes and 53 seconds, set by Utah State against Idaho on Feb. 15, 2006.

golf

at pga national, 3 tied for lead

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. [bar] Luke Donald shot a 4 under, Mark Calcavecchia finished at 67 and the two former Honda Classic champions wound up tied with Matt Jones atop the leaderboard at PGA National.

All three were at 6 under, one shot better than Brian Davis and Jose Coceres, who lost a four-way playoff at PGA National a year ago.

A bogey-free 64 on Thursday started Donald on his way, but a quadruple - an 8 on the 14th hole Friday - knocked him off the pace. With five birdies and no bogeys, he has been flawless since.

Calcavecchia made a bogey on the second hole Saturday when his drive nestled against a palm tree and he decided to take a lefthanded whack to advance the ball a few yards. He missed everything and eventually made bogey.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

Lorena Ochoa had five birdies for a 3-under 69 to extend her lead in the HSBC Women's Champions to eight strokes entering the final round in Singapore. Ochoa is 16 under; Paula Creamer and Annika Sorenstam are 8 under.

Taichiro Kiyota shot a 5-under 67 to take the lead after the third round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Gurgaon, India. Kiyota is 14 under, one stroke ahead of Mark Brown and Jyoti Randhawa.

tennis

davenport nets 55th career title

memphis, tenn [bar] Lindsay Davenport brushed aside Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-1, securing the Cellular South Cup in just 60 minutes to win her 55th career singles title.

The victory tied the fourth-seeded Davenport with Virginia Wade at No. 7 on the WTA Tour all-time singles titles list.

On the men's side, Robin Soderling advanced to his second consecutive ATP final, beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (2), 6-3. The eighth-seeded Swede, who upset top-seeded Andy Roddick to reach the semifinals, lost to Michael Llodra in a third-set tiebreak last week in Rotterdam.

Soderling will play Steve Darcis, who defeated Jonas Bjorkman 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

IN OTHER TENNIS NEWS

Elena Dementieva won the Dubai Championships, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

nba

yao picks surgery for foot fracture

HOUSTON [bar] Yao Ming will have surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, Houston Rockets officials said.

The surgery will be performed Monday in Houston by team doctor Tom Clanton. The team announced the All-Star center's injury Tuesday and said he would get a second opinion before deciding whether to have surgery.

Clanton said the surgery would involve placing screws across the bone to hold it together with a recovery time of about four months. The second option was to treat it with a cast and crutches.

The injury should not keep Yao from playing for China in the Olympics in Beijing.

college football

trustees approve projects at duke

DURHAM, N.C. [bar] Duke University trustees formally approved $5 million to fund several improvement projects at Wallace Wade Stadium, including new restrooms and improved concession facilities at the nearly 80-year-old facility.

The funds will also be used to plan for the eventual installation of a state-of-the-art scoreboard on the north end of the stadium, The Herald-Sun of Durham reported.

Although no definitive timetable has been set, school officials hope to have the restrooms ready for the season opener Aug. 30 against James Madison.

IN OTHER COLLEGE NEWS

Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman was treated and released from a hospital a few hours after he was taken off the field in an ambulance during a scrimmage. Coleman sustained a cervical sprain and had full mobility in his extremities, Auburn spokesman Kirk Sampson said. He is expected to make a full recovery.

in other news

David Beckham was the only one of five Los Angeles Galaxy players to convert in a shootout as the MLS team lost to host FC Seoul in an exhibition game in South Korea. The score was 1-1 heading into the shootout, which FC Seoul won 2-1.

Yutaka Niida stopped Jose Varela in the sixth round to defend his WBA minimumweight title in Tokyo.

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Seven-time All-Star Hill leaving Magic to join Suns, his agent says.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- ORLANDO, Fla. - Grant Hill is leaving the Orlando Magic to join the Phoenix Suns, his agent said Thursday.

Lon Babby said Hill agreed to a two-year deal worth about $1.8 million for the first year, with a second-year player option for about $2 million.

The seven-time All-Star averaged 15 points last season.

IN OTHER BASKETBALL NEWS

Daequan Cook, a first-round pick in last month's draft, and the Miami Heat agreed on a contract.

Nick Young, a 2007 first-round pick, and 2006 first-round pick Oleksiy Pecherov signed contracts with the Wizards.

A federal jury began deliberations in a $20 million lawsuit against Nuggets guard Allen Iverson over a 2005 nightclub fight that two patrons say was sparked by Iverson's entourage.

baseball

Oswalt replaces Smoltz on NL team

NEW YORK [bar] Houston Astros righthander Roy Oswalt will replace injured Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz on the National League All-Star roster.

Oswalt (7-5, 3.52 ERA) will be making his third All-Star appearance.

Smoltz is scheduled to meet with Braves doctors today about his right shoulder discomfort.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS

Alex Rodriguez underwent an MRI exam on his strained left hamstring. The exam came back normal and he is day-to-day.

Barry Bonds will sit out the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Hideki Okajima, a Red Sox reliever, was added to the American League All-Star roster as the winner of the 32nd man Internet vote.

Chris Young, a Padres righthander who was added to the National League All-Star roster as winner of the Internet vote, dropped the appeal of his five-game suspension for his part in a bench-clearing brawl at Chicago on June 16, and began serving the penalty Thursday.

Carlos Gomez, a Mets outfielder, will miss 6-8 weeks after breaking a bone in his left hand.

soccer

red bulls' angel tops all-star vote

NEW YORK [bar] Forward Juan Pablo Angel of the New York Red Bulls led voting for the MLS All-Star team announced Thursday.

The Major League Soccer stars will face Scottish Premier League champion Celtic FC on July 19 in Commerce City, Colo.

Seven more players will be selected for the MLS team, but through Thursday the Revolution had a league-high three players chosen - defender Michael Parkhurst, midfielder Shalrie Joseph and goalkeeper Matt Reis. Also voted in were midfielders Dwayne De Rosario and Ricardo Clark of the Houston Dynamo, Christian Gomez (D.C. United) and Juan Toja (FC Dallas); defenders Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards) and Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA); and forward Eddie Johnson (Wizards).

IN OTHER SOCCER NEWS

Jaime Castrillon scored the lone goal in the United States' 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa America in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Both teams are eliminated.

football

jones' plea deal could be revoked

Murfreesboro, Tenn. [bar] Adam 'Pacman' Jones must wait to see how felony charges filed against him in Las Vegas are handled before a Tennessee court rules on whether the suspended NFL player's plea bargain should be revoked.

A new hearing was set for Jan. 3 to revisit the case.

The charges prosecutors were trying to revive come from an incident last August at a nightclub in Murfreesboro. Police said Jones got into an argument with a woman, refused to leave the club and shouted profanities at officers.

IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS

Bryant McNeal, a defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, was arrested on charges relating to his allegedly selling a Land Rover to a pawn broker for $15,000 when he didn't own it, Clearwater, Fla., police spokesman Wayne Shelor said.

Tank Johnson, the former Chicago Bears tackle, will not face charges connected to his recent arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Noriaki Kinoshita, a native of Osaka, Japan, who played the past three years with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europa, signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Avery Atkins, who played three games for Bethune-Cookman last season before being released from his scholarship, was found dead in his car in the garage of his aunt's home in what police called a suspicious death.

cycling

all tour riders pass blood test

LONDON [bar] All 189 riders who underwent blood tests ahead of the start of the Tour de France showed negative results, the International Cycling Union said.

The UCI carried out the tests across the 21 teams early Thursday morning. Marc Vandevyvere, a UCI doctor, signed a document to say none of the tests had come back positive.

The July 7-29 race starts with a 4.9-mile prologue Saturday in London.

in other news

Jame Pollock, a defenseman, and center Kyle Wilson signed with the Washington Capitals.

Maarten Lafeber shot a 6-under-par 64 in persistent rain over a shortened course in Straffan, Ireland, to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the European Open.

CAPTION(S):

BITTER FANS BITE PROFITS MAJOR-LEAGUE STRIKES, LOSSES BY LOCAL FAVORITES, COMPETITION COMBINE TO CUT SPORTS BAR VIEWING - The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)

Owning a sports bar or tavern isn't as glamorous as TedDanson may have made it appear while portraying the character SamMalone on 'Cheers.'

Consider what life has been like this past year for Spokaneestablishments.

Sandwiched between the Seattle SuperSonics' first-roundplayoff face-plants of 1993 and 1994 were the Major LeagueBaseball and National Hockey League players' strikes.

For Steve Watkins, the owner of Fuzzy's Sports Buzz in theValley, it was not a good time.

'I'm probably the only person that opened a sports bar in themiddle of two professional strikes,' he said. 'It was a killer. Ifigured the strikes cost us about $10,000.'

Although Fuzzy's wasn't open for the Sonics' first flop, itwas for the second.

'When they got beat by the Lakers this year, the night theylost, we had 43 people in here. Two minutes after the game ended,there was nobody around,' Watkins said.

The following night, the eventual NBA champion HoustonRockets dumped Spokane native John Stockton and the Utah Jazz ontheir heads in the first round of the playoffs, as well. Watkinswondered what he had gotten into.

Disappointing performances by local favorites,work-stoppages, professional owners threatening to move franchisesand a parade of multi-million dollar prima donnas have all leftbitter tastes in the mouths of many sports fans.

Attendance and television viewership is down in baseballwhile the NHL struggles to regain the momentum it had last year inwhat was probably its most successful season.

'You're always going to get your diehards,' Brian Finnerty,co-owner of Finnerty's Red Lion Sports Bar & Barbecue said. 'Butwith everything going on in the world of pro sports, we havecertainly felt the effects. We're in a bit of a lull.'

Jack & Dan's hadn't counted on the Jazz losing in theplayoffs so early.

'This past basketball season was great for us because Johnset the NBA assist record, and it finally looked like Utah had achance at going to the finals before the Rockets got in the way,'said Jeff Condill, who co-owns the bar with Stockton's father,Jack.

The biggest basketball draws for most bars and taverns arethe NBA playoffs and the NCAA Tournament while college and profootball tend to be the most viewed sports. However, footballoccupies less than half a calendar year.

Like Fuzzy's, many establishments suffered financial lossesdue to fan displeasure. Tom Finnerty said bar business was down 25percent, making it tougher to pay the bills on the $35,000 theFinnertys have invested in satellite dishes, receivers andtelevisions.

So with the unpredictable nature of pro sports being what itis, those in the local sports bar business have been forced tomarket themselves as being more than just a place where one canwatch games.

Double Dan's sports tavern has the advantage of being locateddowntown in addition to having an extensive lunch and dinner menu.

'Our lunchtime crowds are great,' Dan Jeremiah Jr., co-ownerof Double Dan's, said. 'We can do more than be a sports tavern.'

Under Washington State law, taverns can't sell hard liquor oradmit children.

'I get a lot of teenagers who come in here with friends andorder food just to watch games,' he said. 'There's a definitedistinction between being a bar compared to being a tavern.'

Maybe the most complete non-sports sports bar in the area isThe Swinging Doors Tavern.

Bob Materne, who co-owns the tavern with his wife Barb, alsohas daughters Lisa, Yvette and Nicole assisting in the business.

And with four women involved in running The Swinging Doors,the Maternes have attempted to create an atmosphere in which womencan feel comfortable watching a sporting event.

'We don't offer the cheap thrills,' Bob said. 'We have a veryquality product. Forty-five percent of our business is generatedby the restaurant. It's not a pickup bar. We keep the place niceand clean.'

While sports bars tend to come and go, The Swinging Doorshas been in business for 12 years.

The tavern has five satellites, 12 televisions - three ofwhich are 50-inch big screens - and unlike any other sports bar intown, the Maternes have shown every NFL game played on Sunday inthe past two years.

But even while advertising themselves as sports bars, theseestablishments are trying to offer more to patrons than just sports.

The Swinging Doors is open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdaysand serves breakfast in the early morning hours.'It's nothing tocome in here at 1:30 in the morning to see 50 to 60 people in theplace having breakfast,' Materne said.

The bars and taverns in the downtown area are also hoping toattract crowds from events at the new Spokane Veterans MemorialArena.

'I think that will be a bonus for everybody,' Finnerty said.'Live music, the (Spokane) Chiefs, with the potential to bringmore preseason NBA and NHL to town - that's more for everyone totap into.'

At Fuzzy's, Watkins produces activities within theestablishment for its clientele through shuffleboard, pool and dartleagues.

'Even with baseball back, the viewing interest doesn't pickup until closer to the playoffs,' he said.

At T.W. Fisher's - A Brewpub in Coeur d'Alene, owner ThomasWayne Fisher offers golfers the chance to work on their putting.

But the big excitement in the next couple of weeks will bethe bar's 'Bung Toss Competition.'

'It's the wood plug that fits in the side of the keg,' Fishersaid. 'Contestants will line up and take turns tossing the bung ina bucket.'