Cheap Seats
No U turn
Valerie Bell, a nurse anesthetist from Key Largo, Fla., set out this weekend on a 10-month, 30,000-mile journey to make sailing history.
Bell, one of the amateur crew members taking part in the BT Global Challenge, hopes to become the first American woman to sail the “wrong way” around the world.
By sailing the wrong way, Bell, 33, is one of five Americans attempting to circumnavigate the globe against prevailing winds and currents.
What are the chances of any of these yachtsmen pulling over and asking for directions?
Mickey Mouse journalism
Even after the Lions’ 35-16 win over Chicago last Sunday, Detroit coach Wayne Fontes wasn’t in a mood to celebrate.
Fontes, who rarely complains, used his postgame news conference to lash out at the Detroit Free Press for what he considered a cheap shot.
The newspaper on Saturday ran a picture of a smiling Fontes wearing a Mickey Mouse hat, with the famous ears.
The picture was boxed with copy that read: “This guy is: A. Dreaming, ‘Coach Fontes, you’ve just won the Super Bowl…”; B. President of the Mouse Davis Fan Club; C. Wearing his thinking cap; D. Practicing singing ‘And now it’s time to say good-bye’; E. Goofy; F. Wayne Fontes, who donned the Mickey Mouse ears as part of a charity promotion for Walt Disney World’s 25th anniversary.”
When Fontes entered the postgame news conference, he was holding the hat.
“It’s not even funny,” Fontes said, visibly shaking. “I did this (where Mickey Mouse ears) for charity. I did this for kids, and I’ll keep doing things for charity and for kids.
“What you do to me stinks, it really does. How can you guys even sleep at night?”
Let see, first, we turn off the lights, then we get into bed and close our eyes.
Tough on crime
Gov. Christie Whitman’s nomination of former NBA star Bernard King to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is expected to get a careful review by state senators.
King overcame drug and alcohol problems in the early 1980s, and pleaded guilty to a sexual abuse charge in 1980.
Whitman officials said they believe King’s sexual abuse charge, stemming from a 1980 incident in Utah, has been expunged from his record.
Looks like King is well on his way to a successful life in politics.
A handicap for your handicap
Golfers at Emerald Dunes Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Fla., are turning to outer space for advice.
Satellites orbiting 11,000 miles above earth send signals to receivers in the clubhouse and golf carts to give golfers the latest information on how to play the course. The golf carts and clubhouse have receivers that pick up satellite signals.
A 7.5-inch color computer screen mounted to the roof of the golf cart displays the latest course data. The screen shows the hole layout and distance - within 2 yards - from the golf cart to the hole’s flagstick.
The last word …
“I’d like to put this year on my bubble gum card as, ‘Did Not Play.”’ - Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lee Smith
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo