Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 3/20/2010

3/20/1992:
Iran Barkley wins the WBA light-heavyweight title by a razor-thin split decision over Thomas Hearns at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Barkley stays in close to Hearns, not allowing the Motor City Hit Man to unlimber his potent long-range jabs. Producing the bout's only knockdown in the fourth round and bottling up Hearns against the ropes for much of the fight. Barkley barely earns the verdict on two scorecards, 115-113 and 114-113; the third judge scores it for Hearns, 114-113.

Birthdays:
John Barnhill b. 1938
Pat Riley b. 1945
Bobby Orr b. 1948
Chris Hoiles b. 1965
Mookie Blaylock b. 1967

Packers Fact:
Kicker Ryan Longwell is the only player to score 1,000 points in a Packers' uniform. He had 1,054 points from 1997 to 2005.


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Gender Genie
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PAST IS PRESENT

Can this novel live up to its long, incantatory, ambitious title (which is a quote from Julian of Norwich)? You be the judge, but we think this is a heartbreaker of a wonderful story: Burt, a dedicated period reenactor and grieving widower, goes to Germany for a birthday bash in honor of Hildegard von Bingen, then on to Prague to make amends with his musician son and, ultimately, his daughter. When forced to confront life in the present, Burt rises, somewhat unwillingly but not without charm, to the challenge.

ALL SHALL BE WELL; AND ALL SHALL BE WELL; AND ALL MANNER OF THINGS SHALL BE WELL, by Tod Wodicka (Pantheon, 2008)

ORLANDO BLONDE ALE

Orlando Brewing Co., Orlando, Florida

Pop. Pfssst. A pressure-reduced fog subsides within the bottle. Pour. Swirl. A moment to rest. Head subsides, leaving behind a light lace on the glass. A blonde’s blonde brew. Pleasant organic aroma. Subtle malt. No hops. Medium body. Pleasantly refreshing taste, evolving after the fact—here come the hops. Quite nice. A hot weather brew with enough hop and malt character to quench and create interest for another. Go ahead.