Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/8/2010

1/8/1966:
Arnold Palmer rips off seven birdies in a row on the way to tying his career-best outing with a 62 in the third round of the Los Angeles Open at Rancho Park. He records birdies on the 8th through the 14th holes, falling one short of Bob Goalby's PGA record of eight straight birdies set in 1961. Thrilling his legion of followers (Arnie's Army), he'll claim victory tomorrow with an 11-under-par 273 for the tourney.

Birthdays:
Walker Cooper b. 1915
Bruce Sutter b. 1953
Dwight Clark b. 1957
Jason Giambi b. 1971
Mike Cameron b. 1973

Packers Fact:
The Packers' high-powered offense topped 30 points in a game nine times during the regular season in 2007. They scored a season-best 38 points against the Oakland Raiders. Green Bay won 38-7 in Week 14.

REDISCOVERED CLASSIC

The Unpossessed stands up masterfully under the test of time. Author Tess Slesinger (1905–1945) gives a marvelous send-up of the free love movement—imagine a madcap Edith Wharton or a female Evelyn Waugh. The story follows a cast of delightful artsy, lefty types trying to start a pompous, artsy, lefty magazine while also living their messy, backstabbing, self-serving lives and love affairs. Slesinger brilliantly draws a certain (rather large) segment of New York life in the 1930s. An introduction by Elizabeth Hardwick helps flesh out the colorful scene.

THE UNPOSSESSED: A NOVEL OF THE THIRTIES, by Tess Slesinger (1934; New York Review Books Classics, 2002)

ALHAMBRA ESPECIAL PREMIUM LAGER

Grupo Cervezas Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Definitely a warm-weather quencher. Unlike many light lagers from the same part of the world, this one comes protected by brown glass, and the beer benefits from the extra care. Crafted in the premium lager style that’s captured worldwide popularity, Alhambra displays a sturdy light malt and cereal grain base, distant but present hop bitterness, and a light gold color. A welcome accompaniment to spicy Iberian cuisine in sunny Mediterranean climates.

BEER FACT

The name Alhambra comes from the Arabic al-hamra, “the red house”—it was once the palace of the Moorish kings in Granada, Spain.