Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/29/2010

1/29/1974:
the Pittsburgh Steelers' scouting brain trust orchestrates a remarkable sequence of picks at the NFL draft. Their top four selections are WR Lynn Swann, LB Jack Lambert, WR John Stallworth and C Mike Webster. Swann will play 9 years with the Steelers; Lambert, 11; Stallworth, 14; Webster, 15. They all become key components of a Steelers dynasty that will win four of the next six Super Bowls, and they will all eventually be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Birthdays:
Greg Louganis b. 1960
Steve Sax b. 1960
Andre Reed b. 1964
Dominik Hasek b. 1965
Sean Burke b. 1967

Packers Fact:
Reserve defensive tackle Bob Kuberski's blocked field goal led to the first touchdown in the Packers' 21-7 victory over Tampa Bay in the 1997 divisional playoffs.


http://www.fingertime.com/pigdog
Pig Dog
Help superhero Pig Dog rescue the pigs by airlifting them back to the kennel - all while avoiding hazards like falling eagle eggs, rock outcroppings, and a deadly swinging ax.

IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD (SHOT)

Put together by a comedian and a head-shot photographer, this book is a collection of strange, funny, and just plain bizarre head shots and résumés (the calling cards that actors must give to casting directors to get auditions). The actors here are real people who run the gamut from aspiring amateurs to seasoned performers—and each one is a fascinating character. The photos are hilarious and unexpected, and the résumés are equally entertaining and full of hidden gems. Anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and the offbeat people who populate its fringes will enjoy this book.

HOLY HEADSHOT! A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA’S UNDISCOVERED TALENT, by Patrick Borelli and Douglas Gorenstein (Simon & Schuster, 2008)

FAMOSA LAGER BEER

Cerveceria Centro Americana, Guatemala City, Guatemala

This extra-pale cereal lager is distinguished by more than the big chicken on its label. The well-brewed Guatemalan export speaks to the quality and care put into most central American lagers, right down to the sturdy, dark-brown bottle. Elegantly clean, if lacking in complexity, this is a great beer served iced on a sticky hot day when you are way too close to the equator for comfort. To its credit, though, it’s still perfectly drinkable even when not optimally chilled—not too many light lagers, foreign or domestic, share that distinction. If you ever find yourself in Guatemala, you’ll know what to order.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/28/2010

1/28/1968:
Finally getting a chance to play in the NHL thanks to expansion, career minor league goaltender Les Binkley kicks out 33 shots on goal to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 1-0 victory over the Bruins at Boston Garden. Waiting until 33 years of age to arrive in The Show, Binkley will play five years with the Pens andn four more in the WHA. George Konik scores the only Pittsburgh goal against Bruins netminder Gerry Cheevers and Binkley makes it stand up, fending off 15 Boston shots in the final period.

Birthdays:
Pete Runnels b. 1928
Colin Campbell b. 1953
Tony Delk b. 1974
Jermaine Dye b. 1974
Daunte Culpepper b. 1977

Packers Fact:
In his two Super Bowl MVP performances (Games I and II) Packers quarterback Bart Starr compiled a passer rating of 106.0. He completed 29 of 47 passes for 452 yards and 3 touchdowns, with just 1 interception.

http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/sadkitty

Hello Kitty, Good-bye Dignity
Unwilling to leave any commercial stone unturned, Sanrio, the merciless creator of Hello Kitty, has now produced an accessory kit that allows you to dress your real cat up as their animated cash cow, with humiliating results.

THE INHUMANITY OF IT ALL

The winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Literature, Imre Kertész, takes us deep into the sewer of political corruption and propaganda through the reminiscences of Antonio Martens, a policeman and special security agent in an unspecified Latin American country. Now in prison after the political regime that sanctioned his atrocities has fallen, Martens is devastatingly thorough in recounting his crimes and frightening philosophy.

DETECTIVE STORY, by Imre Kertész, translated from the Hungarian by Tim Wilkinson (Knopf, 2008)

INVERSION IPA

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, Oregon

Deschutes has built a reputation for quality ales. (And that’s saying something, since it comes out of Oregon, where the market is saturated with fine offerings.) What makes Inversion unique? Its hop quality and variety—no sharpness, spiciness, or bitterness to interfere with the rich complexity of its malts. Instead, refined floral and slightly grassy notes take the forefront. Inversion is an exercise in subtlety, but the lengthy dry hopping still makes for an intensely hoppy beer, both at the very beginning and very end. The big, chewy malt in the middle is icing on the cake. Invert one yourself and see.

BREWING VERNACULAR

“Dry hopping” is a practice whereby hops are soaked in fermented beer for several days, providing a hoppy bouquet. (One possible drawback: It can lead to hazy beer.)

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/27/2010

1/27/1993:
North Carolina overcomes a 21-point second-half deficit to stun Florida State, 82-77, at the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill. FSU mounts two first-half surges of 19-2 and 18-5 to assume the early margin but commits 14 turnovers in the second 20 minutes to throw it all away. Carolina hits four three-balls in six possessions to get with 10 points and then receive the benefit of a technical foul called against FSU coach Pat Kennedy to add a four-point possession to their comeback momentum. With the Tar Heel faithful rattling the Seminoles' backcourt, Carolina closes the game on a 28-4 run to score an emotional victory, all part of a national championship season.

Birthdays:

Frankie Albert b. 1920
John Lowenstein b. 1947
Billy "White Shoes" Johnson b. 1952
Cris Collinsworth b. 1959
Marat Safin b. 1960

Packers Fact:
Donald Driver caught a 90yard touchdown pass against the Giants in the 2007 NFC championship game. It was the longest play from scrimmage in Green Bay's postseason history.

http://www.shawnfeeney.com/bff.php

Hand-morphed Pals
Beginning with 128 photographs sent in by 64 sets of friends, artist Shawn Feeney is producing 64 composite drawings of each couple, which he will combine into 32 composites, and so on, until he has one drawing that is derived from all 128 photos. He posts his progress on his site, along with a chart of the project, and plans an exhibition in the real world once it's completed.

MOBY BOOK

It’s no goldfish at 480 pages, but this history of whaling in the United States was chosen as one of the best books of 2007 by the Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and The Providence Journal. It’s lively and thoroughly engrossing, and you’ll be interested in how many crucial moments in the nation’s history intersect with those of the whaling industry (Indian-colonial relations and negotiations for land, the Revolution, and the War of 1812, for starters).

LEVIATHAN: THE HISTORY OF WHALING IN AMERICA, by Eric Jay Dolin (W. W. Norton, 2007)

SWEETGRASS IPA

Grand Teton Brewing Co., Victor, Idaho

HOP THERAPY AMERICAN IPA RECIPE FOR 5 GALLONS
8½ lb. light malt extract syrup
½ lb. 40L crystal malt
½ oz. Amarillo hops, 60 minutes from end of boil
½ oz. Chinook hops, 60 minutes from end of boil
½ oz. Centennial hops, 30 minutes from end of boil
½ oz. Amarillo hops, 15 minutes from end of boil
1 oz. Chinook hops, steeped 10 minutes after boil
1 oz. Amarillo hops, dry-hopped American or California ale yeast
¾ cup corn sugar for priming

Crack or crush crystal malt. Bring 3 gallons water to 160°F. Place grains in mesh bag and steep in hot water for 30 minutes. Remove grains, add malt extract and bring to a boil. Boil 60 minutes, adding hops as directed. Add steeping hops right after boil is finished. Cool and siphon into primary fermenter with enough cold, pre-boiled water to make 5 gallons. Add yeast when beer reaches 65–70°F. Ferment one to two weeks at 65–70°F. Transfer to secondary fermenter, add dry hops, and condition one week. When finished, siphon clear beer off dry hops, dissolve ¾ cup corn sugar into beer, bottle, and age at room temperature for two weeks.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/25-26/2010

1/25/2003:
Bolting to a 10-0 start in the second half after falling behind by 20 points, top-ranked Arizona shuts down sixth-ranked Kansas and closes the game on a 67-30 run to shock the Jayhawks, 91-74. Salim Stoudamire leads the Wiildcats with 32 points, including 6-of-9 from three-point range. These two clubs will meet again in March in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament, and Kansas will exact a measure of revenge with a 78-75 victory to advance to the Final Four.

Birthdays:
Lou Groza b. 1924
Don Maynard b. 1937
Steve Prefontaine b. 1951
Mark Duper b. 1959
Chris Chelios b. 1962

Packers Fact:
The Packers played the San Francisco 49ers four consecutive years beginning in 1995. Green Bay won three of those meetings.

1/26/1992:
American Jim Courier wins the Australian Open tennis championship with a convincing four-set victory over world No. 1 Stefan Edberg of Sweden at Flinders Park in Melbourne. The win avenges a straight-set romp by Edberg over Courier at last year's U.S. Open. Courier's punishing ground strokes set a relentless tempo and Edberg can't reverse the tide with his serve-and-volley net-rushing tactics. When Edberg throws in back-to-back double faults to lose the third set, the match's outcome is no longer in doubt.

Birthdays:
Bob Uecker b. 1935
Jack Youngblood b. 1950
Brian Doyle b. 1955
Wayne Gretzky b. 1961
Vince Carter b. 1977

Packers Fact:
On January 26, 1997: The Packers ended a 29-year championship drought by beating the New England Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans.


http://mustachesofthenineteenthcentury.blogspot.com/

Olde Handlebars
You will agree with the webmaster that the 19th century was a "hotbed of facial hair experimentation" after visiting this site, where you can admire the fine mustachios of famous men like Mark Twain, General George Armstrong Custer, Edgar Allan Poe, and President Chester A. Arthur, explore whether having a mustache increased the odds of marital happiness and fertility, and analyze the most foolish kind of facial hair - the mustache-less beard. With an amusing glossary of mustache terminology.

http://biltongbell.blogspot.com/

Computer Cooker
Have that primal urge to roast raw red meat, but it's too cold outside to barbecue? No problem. Turn one of your old computer monitors into a South African-inspired, energy-efficient Biltong cooker! It will cook up delicious dried beef using only a 60-watt lightbulb. There are step-by-step instructions and recipes to guarantee your success.

ABSOLUTELY NEW YORK’S FINEST

“The day I nearly got my head blown off started like any other.” That’s how Kathy Burke grabs you by the collar at the very beginning to tell a story that includes drugs, corruption, and a tragic shooting. Burke became a cop back when only 1 percent of the NYPD were women. For 23 years she worked the most dangerous streets of New York and eventually became a detective, first grade, the highest rank. Burke and veteran journalist Neal Hirschfeld have crafted an honest and compelling story about the experiences of a truly courageous woman.

DETECTIVE: THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF THE TRAILBLAZING WOMAN COP WHO WOULDN’T QUIT, by Kathy Burke and Neal Hirschfeld (Scribner, 2008)

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

The stories in this volume include many of Murakami’s earliest, as well as five very recent ones. The world of love, loss, and longing is familiar, but they may be emotions felt at the disappearance of an elephant or because a fly from a willow tree has snuggled into a sleeping woman’s ear. Many involve animals; some are out-and-out sci-fi; all are delicate and beautiful. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman is a good introduction or a nice way to revisit.

BLIND WILLOW, SLEEPING WOMAN, by Haruki Murakami, translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel and Jay Rubin (Knopf, 2006)

OLD STOCK ALE, 2007

North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg, California

These brewers have something to “bragg” about. Old ales and stock ales are English traditions of the finest caliber. But you don’t have to know the history to appreciate this strong and smooth aged ale. With an ever-so-slight nod to American craft brewing, the delicious, celebratory libation starts and finishes with luscious malt. Medium caramel flavors vie for balance with a mellow alcohol warmth. A background of fruity English-style hops completes the essential, English Old Ale profile. No historical “stale” tartness or Brett character, and that’s not a bad thing. Try it in a snifter—it’s deserving of such treatment. And heads-up to wine drinkers: quintessential beer palate, better buzz, same alcohol level (11.7%). What are you waiting for?

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HARVEST ALE

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, California

If you can get hold of this brew, don’t hesitate. Tasteful and engaging, it makes for a thrilling discovery. Fresh picked New Zealand hops (Hallertau, Southern Cross, and Motueka) lend unzipped bursts of fruitiness and herbal earthiness. Worth seeking, but available on a very limited basis in selected markets. Look for it in May and June, right after New Zealand’s hop harvest.

BEER FACT

About 25,000 pounds of certified organic hops were exported from New Zealand in 2007, representing about 2% of the country’s total hop exports. The Nelson region’s benign climate is ideal, insulating hop vines from the insects and diseases common to North American and Europe.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/23-24/2010

1/23/2003:
Erasing a 1-5 deficit in the final set to defeat Belgium's Kim Clijsters in the Australian Open semifinals, Serena Williams keeps her dreams of a "Serena Slam" (all four Grand Slam titles but not in one calendar year) alive. Clijsters squanders two match points while serving at 5-2, gets broken again while serving at 5-4 and loses her serve at love while trying to extend the match at 5-6. Williams will complete her "Slam" in the finals by beating her sister, Venus, in three sets.

Birthdays:
Jerry Kramer b. 1936
Petr Korda b. 1968
Eric Metcalf b. 1968
Alan Embree b. 1970
Julie Foudy b. 1971

Packers Fact:
The temperature at kickoff for the Packers-Giants 2007 NFC title game was minus-1 degree (minus-23 wind chill). The only colder game at Lambeau Field was the famous Ice Bowl championship game in 1967.

1/24/1954:
Reigning U.S. amateur champion Gene Littler wins his hometown professional tournament, the San Diego Open, by four strokes over Dutch Harrison. Littler shoots an even-par 72 for the final round but really put the clamps on this event by shooting scores of 67-66-69 for the first three days, giving him a 14-under-par 274 over the Rancho Santa Fe course. Remaining an amateur while serving in the Naval Air Force, he'll soon be discharged and turn pro, armed with his clinically proficient swing that will earn him the nickname "Gene the Machine."

Birthdays:
Giorgia Chinaglia b. 1947
Atlee Hammaker b. 1958
Rob Dibble b. 1964
Mary Lou Retton b. 1968
Scott Kazmir b. 1984


http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/alpha.html

Lobe Letters
It's smart, gross, and educational all at the same time.

http://www.bugknits.com/

Tiny Knits
Here's a gallery of miniature sweaters and other bug-size knitwear covered in motifs inspired by ancient Greek amphorae, Picasso paintings, playing cards, and the Chicago skyline. And do not miss the "nano-knits," a collection of cardigans that are each smaller than a dime.

SMILE!

John Brockman, publisher of the online forum Edge, has become a connoisseur of what can seem to be an almost extinct commodity—optimism. He gathers the answers to his question “What are you optimistic about?” every year and compiles the winning essays. Here he presents 150 answers to his intriguing question from movers and shakers, inventers and writers, thinkers and prizewinners. Guaranteed to improve your mood.

WHAT ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT? TODAY’S LEADING THINKERS ON WHY THINGS ARE GOOD AND GETTING BETTER, by John Brockman (Harper Perennial, 2007)

CONSECRATION

Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, California

If you can get your hands on a bottle of the Russian River Brewing Company’s inaugural beer (2008), you’re in for a treat. Everything about this brew is sensual. Sour-fermented, aged in used oak cabernet wine barrels, dried Zante currants providing a sherrylike finish . . . Base notes derive from an extraordinary balance of beer, fruit, and wood. Fresh and lively at around 9.5%/vol. Sour, refreshing, moody, and every bit alive, this is a comprehensive, sensory engagement.

WEST COAST INDIA PALE ALE

Green Flash Brewing Co., Vista, California

Dry hops make a big statement here, so breathe deeply to experience the unique blend of Pacific Northwest varieties: Simcoe, Columbus, Centennial, and Cascade. Hops explode in the flavor as well, with grapefruit peel and pinesap astringency and a punch of bitterness that carries through to the finish and beyond. A smack in the face for those unprepared, and a gentle drubbing for those who are, West Coast IPA packs a wallop. Hop-heads rejoice.

APCKRFAN's NFL picks 2009: Week 20: Conference Championship

Sun., Jan. 24:

NY Jets @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis
Minnesota @ New Orleans - Minnesota *

I had a dream yesterday that I slept through the Vikings/Sainta game, but woke up just in time to hear the tail end of it. The result? The Vikings win because of a Saints missed field goal. We'll see if I was channeling Allison duBois come Sunday :-)

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/21-22/2010

1/21/1958:
Bob Pettit delights a hometown crowd in St. Louis with 28 points and 26 rebounds, but it's not enough to prevent the East from defeating the West, 130-118, in the NBA All-Star Game at the Arena. Pettit, the St. Louis Hawks star, must play with a cast on his left wrist after suffering a broken finger three weeks ago. He also must play center tonight instead of his usual forward position but manages to get the better of Celtics great Bill Russell, who is forced to sit out almost half the game with foul trouble. Although Bob Cousy's 20 points and 10 assists propel the East squad to the win, Pettit is an obvious choice as the game's MVP, the second of an NBA record four such awards he will garner from 1956 through 1962.

Birthdays:
Don Donoher b. 1932
Jack Nicklaus b. 1940
Hakeem Olajuwon b. 1963
Detlef Schrempf b. 1963
Rusty Greer b. 1969

Packers Fact:
The 2008 season marked the 90th in the history of the Packers, and their 88th as a member of the NFL.


1/22/1984:
The Los Angeles Raiders dominate from start to finish and capture their second Super Bowl title in four years, 38-9, over the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium. Marcus Allen rushes 20 times for 191 yards and two touchdowns including a Super Bowl record 74 yards to close the third quarter. Two "free" touchdowns by the Raiders, one on a blocked punt in the end zone by Derrick Jensen and another on a five-yard INT return by Jack Squirek, add to the Redskins' misery. The Raiders franchise also won the Super Bowl in 1981 (1980 season) when they were still located in Oakland.

Birthdays:
Elmer Lach b. 1918
Serge Savard b. 1946
George Foreman b. 1948
Mike Bossy b. 1957
Greg Oden b. 1988

Packers Fact:
Third-year player safety Atari Bigby topped the Packers with 5 interceptions in the 2007 season.


http://www.theircircularlife.it/frameset.htm

Choose from one of five different sites, including a busy railroad station plaza in Modena, Italy, the canals of Venice, and a lakeside retreat, and then drag the triangle around the circle to experience a day in the life of one of these places.

http://eclectech.co.uk/sinatrasquirrel.php

It's the epitome of wacky, but the sound track's great! Never in Sinatra's wildest dreams would he have imagined they'd bring him back like this.

WHO WAS PRINCE HARRY’S FATHER?

If celebrity and royal dish are your dish, Tina Brown has laid out a feast for you. The former Vanity Fair and New Yorker editor doesn’t just give you the lowdown—there’s inside stuff here that you haven’t seen anywhere else. Gossip doesn’t get any juicier than this.

THE DIANA CHRONICLES, by Tina Brown (Doubleday, 2008)

A WINTER’S TALE

The premise of this beautiful war novel is that the Allies have lost WWII. In a rustic Welsh farming village, all the men have disappeared. The women struggle to farm the land in their absence, not knowing that the men are in fact part of a resistance movement. When six German soldiers, headed by Albrecht Wolfram, come to the village of women, a complex series of events and emotions unfolds during a hard winter.

RESISTANCE, by Owen Sheers (Nan A. Talese, 2008)

SOUTHAMPTON INDIA PALE ALE

Southampton Publick House, Southampton, New York

The IPA style has British roots, and this American-brewed version pays homage to both the original English and its more recently popular, hop-heavy American cousin. Deep amber in color, Southampton IPA shows great clarity and a good, rich crop of foam. In the nose, malt and hops mingle evenly, with lots of dark caramel notes to counter the clean spicy and floral tones. Very Old World so far. But in the flavor, things shift abruptly to the West. Hops dominate the palate, with a dry, puckering bitterness and astringency. Malt takes a definite step back, though caramel and dark malt flavors still feature in the background. Added to the mix is a gently warming 6.1%/vol. The effect is complex but refreshing.

OUDE GEUZE BOON MARIAGE PARFAIT

Brouwerij Boon, Lembeek, Belgium

This is a legendary 8%/vol. superior blend of wild fermented Belgian lambic beers from the award-winning Brouwerij Boon NV in Lembeek. One of the best gueuze lambic beers around. Tart, crisp, refreshing. Balanced acidity doesn’t assault the palate. Blended-beer flavors endorses food accompaniment. A perfect marriage of vintage gueuze beers.

STYLE TIP

Gueuze is traditionally produced by blending one-, two-, and three-year-old lambic. The spontaneously fermented, highly carbonated sour beer is made with pale malt, unmalted wheat, and aged hops.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/20/2010

(I'd prefer not to have to look at this one all day, but oh well)

1/20/2008:
Winning their NFL record 10th straight game in one season on the road, the New York Giants outlast Green Bay, 23-20, in overtime at Lambeau Field, to win the NFC championship. Playing in frigid conditions, Giants quarterback Eli Manning perfectly executes the game plan by completing 21-of-40 passes for 254 yards on no INTs. After missing two field goal attempts late in regulation time, Lawrence Tynes nails a 47-yarder in OT to send the Giants to the Super Bowl, where they'll upset the unbeaten New England Patriots, 17-14, two weeks from today.

Birthdays:
Norm Stewart b. 1935
Carol Heiss b. 1940
John Naber b. 1956
Ron Harper b. 1964
Brian Giles b. 1971

Packers Fact:
Entering 2008, the Packers had finished in first place 21 times. They shared the NFL record in that category with the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants.

ART IN AMERICA

From the Washington Monument to Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial, from Rodin’s nudes to Mapplethorpe’s, it seems that controversial art is as American as the stars and stripes. Michael Kammen shows us the issues and the politics, explains why censorship rarely succeeds, and gives us social and cultural history that is both engaging and insightful.

VISUAL SHOCK: A HISTORY OF ART CONTROVERSIES IN AMERICAN CULTURE, by Michael Kammen (Vintage, 2007)

STORM KING IMPERIAL STOUT

Victory Brewing Co., Downington, Pennsylvania

Goodness. Tootsie Roll sweetness, licorice, alcohol, flowery hops, chocolate, and some caramel. But take a sip, and the initial candy shop impressions are proven wrong. The chocolate remains, but turns bitter as cocoa powder. Wood smoke and espresso make unexpected appearances—and this is just the beginning of the tempest. Brown lace paints the inside of your glass, and black grain bitterness with some dried fruit, a healthy dose of alcohol, and a brusque, chalky finish follow. Welcome to Storm King.

SUDS SOURCE

Located at 420 Acorn Lane in Downington, Victory Brewing Company’s recently renovated restaurant offers a full menu, including barbecue, catering, lunch, brunch, and dinner. Try the chipotle crab rolls for lunch, or the festbier marinated pork butt on French bread off the BBQ menu.

http://www.notfoolinganybody.com/
Bad Conversions
The sign now says "Gino's East," but one look at the building will tell you that this used to be a branch of Planet Hollywood. At this site you can see cheap restaurant conversions, where former Dairy Queens have been revamped into Hertz Car Rental and Taco Bell has evolved into Hungry Howie's Pizza without losing the distinctive, cheesy shape of the original trademark building.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/17-19/2010

1/17/1982:
Ivan Lendl crawls out of a two-sets-to-none hole to upend Vitas Gerulaitis and win the Grand Prix Masters year-end championship at Madison Square Garden. The nearly four-hour contest swings on match point in the third-set tie-breaker with Lendl serving at 5-6. Lendl hits a deep second serve and keeps Gerulaitis pinned to the baseline, finally ending the point with an overhead. he closes out the tiebreaker, 8-6, and it's clear sailing from there to the stoical Czech's 36th consecutive victory since losing to Gerulaitis at last year's U.S. Open.

Birthdays:
Jacques Piante b. 1929
Kip Keino b. 1940
Muhammad Ali b. 1942
Chili Davis b. 1960
Jeremy Roenick b. 1970


Underscoring the element of intimidation he brought to the court during his career, basketball Hall of Famer Willis Reed conceded: "I admire Dr. Martin Luther King, but I'm not a nonviolent person."

Birthdays:
Syl Apps b. 1915
Curt Flood b. 1938
Mark Messier b. 1961
Brady Anderson b. 1964
Mike Lieberthal b. 1972

Packers Fact:
The Packers acquired running back Ryan Grant shortly before the season opener in 2007 from the New York Giants. The cost was a sixth-round pick in 2008.


1/19/2004:
Colorado right wing Milan Hejduk scores on a penalty shot 59 seconds into overtime to give the Avalanche a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. After being tripped from behind by Tampa defenseman Brad Lukowich, Hejduk goes top shelf on lightning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to end the game. It's just the third game-winning OT penalty shot in the NHL since the league introduced regular-season overtime 20 years ago. Even more noteworthy about the goal, it's Hejduk's second successful penalty shot in only eight days; his earlier marker against Chicago came in regulation time.

Birthdays:
Bill Mlkvy b. 1931
O.J. Anderson b. 1957
Stefan Edberg b. 1966
Junior Seau b. 1969
Tyrone Wheatley b. 1972

Packers Fact:
The NFL's Super Bowl trophy first was named in honor of former Packers coach Vince Lombardi in game V to cap the 1970 season.



WHO KILLED KING?In 1999 Martin Luther King’s family brought a wrongful death suit to court. The jury took just one hour to bring back a verdict, which declared that James Earl Ray did not kill the great civil rights crusader, naming the CIA, FBI, and others as the responsible parties. Attorney William F. Pepper did exhaustive research and has laid out his case in a methodical and straightforward way. Is he another conspiracy nut? Coretta Scott King didn’t think so. An Act of State deserves serious attention.

AN ACT OF STATE: THE EXECUTION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, by William F. Pepper (Verso, 2003; updated edition, 2008)

THE TOUGH GUY AND THE SOCIALITE

Set in a playground of the rich in the Adirondacks during the 1930s, The Reserve is a big, ripping, cinematic melodrama. A sultry divorcée and a left-leaning, Hemingwayesque artist light up the big screen in the reader’s mind with a torrid saga of romance, scandal, and homicide. It seems as if Russell Banks, author of The Sweet Hereafter and Cloudsplitter, is out to have some fun. Like-minded readers will definitely want to go along for the wild ride.

THE RESERVE, by Russell Banks (Harper, 2008)

DOS EQUIS AMBER

Ceeveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, Monterrey, Mexico

Mexican lagers are highly underrated. Sure, the light ones tend to range from banal to bourgeois, but fortunately even some of the commonest varieties derive from such quality pedigree as Salzburg-born Graf Vienna. For its part, Dos Equis Amber fills a needed slot as a mass-produced lager that’s full of flavor. A tame but clean malt-and-cereal aroma introduces a vaguely caramel flavor, then onto an exceptionally smooth, balanced finish.

STELLA ARTOIS

Stella Artois Brewery, Leuven, Belgium

Sure, it has the Belgian pedigree, but does the ubiquitous light lager measure up? If you’re used to American cereal beers, you might find Stella a bit rich. There’s hop character, you can actually taste the malt, and you might even feel guilty drinking a six-pack. Belgian beer snobs familiar with Monastery-, Abbey-, Farmhouse-, Wild Yeast-, and Garage-brewed ales, all of which have nothing in common but a pioneering brilliance and originality, might consider this lager humdrum at best. Still, like Germany, Belgium is a country with a beer for every season and every occasion. Who can turn down a light, cold, well-brewed lager beer on a hot day, especially if you plan on putting in some hard manual labor (or sitting in the cattle section on a cramped Euro-saver flight)?

THUNDERHEAD OATMEAL STOUT

Mountain Sun Brewery, Boulder, Colorado

Liquid silk, smooth as a cave-aged lager. Robust, too, with a wealth of roast malt and barley. Oatmeal provides a worldly, full-bodied foundation. Caramel malts lend additional smoothness. No ale-like fruitiness. No screamin’ hops. Just pure oh-be-joyful black Thunderhead Oatmeal Stout. Nice. Really nice.

SUDS SOURCE

Located at 1700 Vine Street, the third Mountain Sun brewpub brings the relaxed atmosphere and fine pub food of the original Boulder locations to Denver. Try a blackened chicken sandwich or an S.O.B. burger with a pint or two. Happy hour is Monday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 6 and 10 to close, Sunday 4 to 6. $2.75 pints and $8.25 pitchers. Live music Sundays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., no cover.

APCKRFAN's NFL picks 2009: Week 19: Division Champion

Week 19: Division Champion

Sat., Jan. 16:
Arizona @ New Orleans - New Orlenas
Baltimore @ Indianapolis - Indianapolis

Sun., Jan. 17:
Dallas @ Minnesota - Minnesota
NY Jets @ San Diego - San Diego

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/15-16/2010

1/15/2007:
After hitting the game-winning three-point basket against Milwaukee 12 days ago, Gilbert Arenas drains a trey at the buzzer to give the Washington Wizards a 114-111 victory over the Utah Jazz at the Verizon Center. "Agent Zero" scores 12 points in the final 2:09 of today's matinee, finishing with 51 points to tie Michael Jordan's arena record. It's the third time he's gone for 50 or more this season.

Birthdays:
Bobby Grich b. 1949
Ernie DiGregorio b. 1951
Delino DeShields b. 1969
Mary Pierce b. 1975
Drew Brees b. 1979

Packers Fact:
On January 15, 1967, the Packers beat Kansas City in Super Bowl I in Los Angeles. The game's official title at the time was the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.

1/16/1994:
Joe Montana throws three second-half touchdown passes to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 28-20 AFC divisional playoff victory over the Houston Oilers at the Astrodome. In his first season with the Chiefs, Montana (22-38, 299) connects with Keith Cash from seven yards out, J.J. Birden from the eleven, and throws an 18-yard aerial to Willie Davis to erase an early 10-0 Houston lead.

Birthdays:
Dizzy Dean b. 1911
A.J. Foyt b. 1935
Jack McDowell b. 1966
Roy Jones Jr. b. 1969
Albert Pujols b. 1980

Packers Fact:
The Packers finished sixth in the NFL when they allowed only 18.2 points per game in 2007. That was a big improvement over '06, when opponents scored 22.9 points per contest.

LOVE IN NEW ENGLAND

In Here on Earth, March Murray Cooper returns to the Massachusetts town where she grew up and finds that the true love of her youth has grown into an embittered, unforgiving man. She also finds that she still loves him despite this. Alice Hoffman unpacks the complexity of feelings and old wounds, and the world that harbors them, with evocative, lyrical prose. An Oprah Book Club selection.

HERE ON EARTH, by Alice Hoffman (Chatto & Windus, 1997; Berkley, 1999)

WRONGLY ACCUSED

In Susan Choi’s second novel, inspired by the Unabomber case of some years ago, one Professor Lee is a “person of interest” suspected of a bomb explosion that harms a colleague at the university where they both teach. While the plot is intriguing and unfolds with the best of them, the fascination of this beautifully written narrative is in the incisively drawn characters and the professor’s scrutiny of his life as it all goes wrong.

A PERSON OF INTEREST, by Susan Choi (Viking, 2008)

OLD CHUB SCOTTISH-STYLE ALE

Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons, Colorado

A dark ruby, full-bodied ale Scots would love to call their own. The rich, velvety texture of toasted and smoked caramel malts is delicately balanced with hop character for superior drinkability. A hearty beer to accompany hearty appetites. Whether the weather is warm or cool, find an excuse to enjoy Old Chub.

BEER FACT

Old Chub incorporates seven different malts, including crystal, chocolate, and beechwood-smoked varieties from Bamberg, Germany. It contains 8% alcohol by volume.

QUILMES

Cerveceria Y Malteria Quilmes, Quilmes, Argentina

Touted as “Argentina’s favorite beer,” Quilmes is not terribly complex, but that’s not really the point with a cereal lager. What it does, it does very well. Ebullient carbonation accompanies a light, somewhat grainy aroma, and a brilliantly clear, very pale color. Flavors are clean and very refreshing, with little malt and almost no hops. These are difficult beers to brew well—there’s nothing to hide behind. On a hot, dry day, you couldn’t do any better.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/12-14/2010

1/12/1968:
In a rebounding scrum under the basket, All-American UCLA center Lew Alcindor suffers a scratched cornea when he's poked in the eye by Ted Henderson of the California Golden Bears at Harmon Gymnasium in Berkeley. Alcindor immediately leaves the game (a 94-64 UCLA victory) and will miss the next two Bruins contests as well, but he'll be rushed back into the lineup eight days from now against the Houston Cougars for the nationally televised "Game of the Century" at the Astrodome. Suffering from blurred vision and clearly not up to par after missing practice most of the week, he'll score only 15 points as Houston snaps UCLA's 47-game winning streak, 71-69.

Birthdays:
Mac Speedie b. 1920
Joe Frazier b .1944
Tom Dempsey b. 1947
Dominique Wilkins b. 1960
Dontrelle Willis b. 1982

Packers Fact:
Former NFL star Mark Murphy succeeded Bob Harlan as the Packers' president and CEO in 2008.

1/13/1993:
The Vanderbilt Commodores close the game on a 27-11 run at their uniquely designed Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville to rout top-ranked and previously unbeaten Kentucky, 101-86. Guard Billy McCaffrey, a transfer from Duke, leads Vandy with 22 points, 14 assists and 11-of-11 from the foul line. Scoring numerous baskets on fast breaks, Vanderbilt outshoots Kentucky from the floor 63% to 41% and holds Wildcat star Jamal Mashburn to only 14 points, well below his average.

Birthdays:
Tom Gola b. 1933
Bob Baffert b. 1953
Mark O'Meara b. 1957
Kelly Hrudey b. 1961
Kevin Mitchell b. 1962

Packers Fact:
Former NFL safety Mark Murphy (the Packers' president and CEO) starred with the Washington Redskins for eight seasons from 1977 to 1984.

1/14/2004:
Jaromir Jagr scores the equalizer from an impossible angle with one second remaining in regulation time to give the Washington Capitals a 3-3 tie with Calgary at the MCI Center. There is no scoring in the game for the first 54 minutes and then the two clubs combine for six goals in the last six minutes, including three in the final 60 seconds. Calgary outshoots the Caps, 44-25, and assumes they've got it won at 19:21 of the third period when Jarome Iginla gives them a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Flames, Jagr will throw the puck on net from the end boards and literally bank it in off the back of Calgary goaltender Jamie McLennan's pads just before the green light comes on to signify the expiration of time on the clock.

Birthdays:
Smead Jolley b. 1902
Sonny Siebert b. 1937
Fred Arbanas b. 1939
Gene Washington b. 1947
Terry Forster b. 1952

Packers Fact:
On January 14, 1968, the Packers routed the AFL's Oakland Raiders 33-14 to win Super Bowl II at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

WALKER IN THE CITIES

According to the book jacket, psychogeography is defined as “meditation on the vexed relationship between psyche and place.” Will Self practices psychogeography by discovering, on foot, the streets of São Paulo, Singapore, Los Angeles, London, and numerous other exotic and familiar cityscapes. The essays that result make for a stimulating amalgam of idea and anecdote. Edgy, kinky illustrations by Ralph Steadman make a perfect accompaniment to Self’s wry, ground-level observations.

PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY: DISENTANGLING THE MODERN CONUNDRUM OF PSYCHE AND PLACE, by Will Self; illustrations by Ralph Steadman (Bloomsbury USA, 2007)

JUST ANOTHER UNHAPPY FAMILY

John Burnham Schwartz’s well-researched novel of Japan’s imperial world is based on the true story of Michiko Shoda, a commoner who married Crown Prince Akihito in the late 1950s. Alas, they did not live happily ever after. Schwartz’s fictional account is believable in its detail, evocative in its portrayal of an exalted, hidden world, and often heartrendingly sad.

THE COMMONER, by John Burnham Schwartz (Nan A. Talese, 2008)

BLOGALICIOUS

Where did these words originate: therapised, dudely, underwearian, fugly, vomit-y, consciousness-jumped, mommyblogdaciousness, Nero-crazy, pidginized, votenfreude, angsty? In blogs, of course! And these examples are just a few reasons that New York Times writer Sarah Boxer loves really good blogs. Here she presents 27 of her all-time favorites, which include opinions from polished and published journalists as well as the inspired rants and jeremiads of the unknown.

ULTIMATE BLOGS: MASTERWORKS FROM THE WILD WEB, by Sarah Boxer (Vintage, 2008)

BOHEMIA CLASICA

FEMSA, Monterrey, Mexico

Bohemia is one of those rare, world-class beers you can actually find in the beer section of your local liquor store. The pour reveals a bright, very pale color with just a touch of white lace, but that’s where the resemblance to an everyday light lager stops. Floral, fruity malt aromas start you off, retaining a German cleanliness while managing a paradoxical complexity—those familiar with New Zealand pinot wines might find something familiar here. Chilled, it’s almost a waste of said complexities, but at its very worst, it’s still a remarkably refreshing lager. Warm it up, and you’ll be rewarded with some surprising details. They don’t call this one Clásica for nothing.

BEER FACT

FEMSA (Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.), which originated as the Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery in 1890, is the largest beverage company in Mexico.

SUNDANCE AMBER ALE

Boulder Beer Co., Boulder, Colorado

This innovative ale really gets to the heart of American craft beer. It takes the British bitter, with its caramel sweetness and hoppy finish, adds a dash of German malt smoothness and depth, then tops it all off with American-grown hops for a distinctive spicy edge. Lots going on here, but it culminates in a full-bodied but eminently drinkable amber ale. Try it with barbecue, blue-veined cheeses, or almond milk-chocolate.

STYLE TIP

Traditional British bitter is categorized into three classes by strength: Standard or Ordinary Bitter, Special or Best Bitter (sometimes called Premium Bitter) and Extra Special or Strong Bitter (sometimes called English pale ale).

ST. BERNARDUS WIT

Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV, Watou, Belgium

There’s much to love about this Belgian monastic beer. The weight of the sturdy brown bottle. The label’s smiling bald guy, chalice of pale and foamy drink in hand. And so much more. A bready maltiness, a touch of coriander, and a hint of clove accompany the Wit’s exuberant fizz. Sediment muddles the brew, but go with it—“white beers” are meant to be cloudy. It finishes with a spritzy tartness; you can almost taste a bit of lemony citrus. Complex, light, and refreshing, this is a beer for summer. Highly recommended.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/10-11/2010

1/10/1934:
Forty-one-year-old Bill Tilden (seven-time U.S. champion) welcomes 22-year-old Ellsworth Vines (two-time U.S. champion) to the pro tennis ranks with a straight-set thrashing, 8-6, 6-3, 6-2, at Madison Square Garden. Vines hits a dazzling array of crowd-pleasing winners, but his unfamiliarity with the indoor surface works to his disadvantage. As their barnstorming tour moves forward to dozens of cities across America, Vines' youth and strong serve will come to the fore and he'll dominate the overall matchup, 47-26.

Birthdays:
Frank Mahovlich b. 1938
Willie McCovey b. 1938
Bill Toomey b. 1939
Glenn Robinson b. 1973
Felix Trinidad b. 1973

1/11/2003:
The third time is the charm for Tennessee Titans placekicker Joe Nedney. He shakes off two late-game missed field goal attempts to finally convert from 26 yards out in overtime, giving his team a 34-31 AFC divisional playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Nashville. Nedney misses a 48-yard effort at the end of regulation and a 31-yard effort in OT. However, Steelers defender Dewayne Washington is called for running into Nedney on the OT misfire and, presented with another chance from five yards closer, Nedney finally seals the Tennessee victory.

Birthdays:
Schoolboy Rowe b. 1910
Ben Crenshaw b. 1952
Freddie Solomon b. 1953
Darryl Dawkins b. 1957
Tracy Caulkins b. 1963

Packers Fact:
On January 11, 1992 Mike Holmgren was named the Packers' head coach. Holmgren had been working as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

MISFITS AND GOOD COUNTRY PEOPLE

Flannery O’Connor had the rare ability to draw her characters in such sharp, lucid lines that you knew them as well as you did your own sister or your next-door neighbor. “She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick,” O’Connor writes of the child in “A Temple of the Holy Ghost”—and the girl is revealed in a flash. O’Connor’s humor is sly, but as you smile you know there’s serious business behind it. This collection put her on the map, and no wonder: The stories are captivating, strong, and unforgettable.

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND AND OTHER STORIES, by Flannery O’Connor (1955; Harcourt, 1999)

BEERLAO LAGER

Lao Brewery Co., Vientiane, Laos

If you’re ever in Laos, do yourself the favor of a visit to the Lao Brewing Company and a taste of its masterful light lager. When this beer is fresh, it’s among the best of the malt-rice Asian pilseners—crystal clear, with a moderate head, the crisp bitterness of hops, and a faint herbal touch. It’s more refreshing than sweet, unlike other Asian-brewed light lagers. And fortunately, the journey from Laos to America is relatively kind.

PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO

S.p.A Birra Peroni, Rome, Italy

Peroni is a big beer in Italy—and around the world. Its mass appeal comes from a low-hop flavor and quenching finish, but those hops are definitely present. The overall effect is a pleasantly sharp bitterness reminiscent of Bitburger. The stuff bottled for export does have a touch of sunstruck flavor due to the use of a green bottle—brewers take note!—but the resulting mercaptan dissipates after a few minutes in the glass. Color is typically pale yellow, and head retention modest. A good choice for bocce and antipasta.

BEER FACT

Mercaptan is the compound formed when ultraviolet light or sunlight interacts with certain components found in beer. Its odor is the same as that detectable in skunk urine. (Trace amounts of the stuff are intentionally added to propane and natural gas to make them easier to smell.)

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/9/2010

After being harassed by unruly fans at the Australian Open and not having any officials intercede, American tennis star Andy Roddick went off on the chair umpire: "Do you have ears connected to your head? Can't you hear them yelling? Do you want me to send you a fax or an e-mail so you'll know when I want you to do something?"

Birthdays:
Bart Starr b. 1934
Robert Newhouse b. 1950
M.L. Carr b. 1951
Muggsy Bogues b. 1965
Sergio Garcia b. 1980

Packers Fact:
After winning Super Bowl II in the 1967 season, the Packers didn't win another postseason game until drubbing the St. Louis Cardinals 41-16 in the opening round of the 1982 Super Bowl tournament.

BETTER THAN A PIE IN THE FACE

This book brings an era of American history and culture to life (though the author, himself the impresario of a successful vaudeville troupe, insists that vaudeville is not dead). With roots that reach way back to Punch and Judy and commedia dell’arte, vaudeville emerged as the dominant form of entertainment from about 1881 to 1932, and its influence reaches far beyond—even to today. There could be no better chronicler of this vibrant, colorful, and funny medium than Trav S. D. (the nom de plume of Travis Stewart).

NO APPLAUSE—JUST THROW MONEY: THE BOOK THAT MADE VAUDEVILLE FAMOUS, by Trav S. D. (Faber & Faber, 2006)

TITAN IPA

Great Divide Brewing Co., Denver, Colorado

A brilliant amber sunset in every glass, with a foam formation intriguing as a bank of clouds. Caramel malt emerges from an earthy foundation, followed by citrus, floral, honey, and grassy hop. Malt sweetness engages as hop bitterness slides easily to the back of the tongue. A happy aftertaste tempers the abrupt bitterness with soothing, silky malt goodness. And as with all classically wonderful IPAs, the thrill of the cycle beckons: Continue.

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.

APCKRFAN's NFL picks 2009: Week 18: Wild Card Weekend

Sat, Jan. 9:
NY Jets @ Cincinnati - NY Jets
Philadelphia @ Dallas - Philadelphia

Sun, Jan. 10:
Baltimore @ New England - New England
Green Bay @ Arizona - Green Bay

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/7/2010

1/7/2003:
Catcher Gary Carter and first baseman Eddie Murray are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. Carter had 324 homers and over 1,200 RBIs during his 19-year career, but more important than his statistics were his qualities of team leadership, first with Montreal and then with the New York Mets. Murray amassed 504 homers and 3,255 hits in 21 seasons, primarily with Baltimore and later with the Dodgers, Mets and Indians; in fact, he and Carter were teammates on the 1991 Dodgers. When he retired in 1997, only Hank Aaron and Willie Mays were also members of the 500 homers/3,000 hits club.

Birthdays:
Alvin Dark b. 1922
Eddie LeBaron b. 1930
Tony Conigliaro b. 1945
Eric Gagne b. 1976
Alfonso Soriano b. 1976

Packers Fact:
The Packers entered 2008 with 17 wins in their last 20 regular-season games.

THE CLOSER

This third book of the Kanner Lake series begins with real estate agent Carla Radling narrowly escaping her premature demise at the hands of a charming British hit man. The action and thrills multiply from there as other denizens of Kanner Lake are drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Crimson Eve brims with secrets, lies, thrills, and suspense that keep the pages turning.

CRIMSON EVE, by Brandilyn Collins (Zondervan, 2007)

RAISON D’ETRE

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, Delaware

You’ll to want to stick your nose in your mug a few times before sipping. What’s going on here? Figs, prunes, smoke, cinnamon, heaps of malt, a bit of buckwheat honey, underpinnings of alcohol (at 8%/vol., that’s no surprise). The sip will confirm the mixture’s complexity, also revealing a very light touch of coffee and cream and a coating finish of caramel. Amazing stuff. Brewed with green raisins and Belgian sugars, this is a meditative beer for special occasions. Anyone looking for a justification for existence should find it here.

SUDS SOURCE

Visit DFH Brewings & Eats brewpub at 320 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The menu features wood-grilled pizzas, seafood, and steaks, and some great salads as well. At the company’s pilot brewery and the state’s only legal distillery(!), there’s always something new and exciting on tap.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/6/2010

1/6/1988:
Minnesota North Stars right wing Dino Ciccarelli reacts violently after being checked by Toronto defenseman Luke Richardson at Maple Leaf Gardens. Ciccarelli swings his stick and hits Richardson in the head twice along the dasher boards and gets in a few punches as well. Fortunately, Richardson is wearing a helmet and isn't seriously injured. After the game, which ends in a 5-5 tie, the NHL will suspend Ciccarelli for 10 games and the Toronto police will arrest him for assault; he'll pay a $1,000 fine and spend a few hours in jail. Both players will carve out lengthy careers in the league: Ciccarelli, 19 years; Richardson, over 20.

Birthdays:
Early Wynn b. 1920
Lou Holtz b. 1937
Nancy Lopez b. 1957
Keenan McCardell b. 1970
Gilbert Arenas b. 1982

Packers Fact:
The Packers have won more championships than any other NFL team. Entering 2008, their mark was 12 titles.

THE DIP—NOT JUST A DANCE

Seth Godin’s marketing and business blog has spawned a number of highly successful small books (Small Is the New Big; Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers), but he’s in slightly different territory here, tapping into a psychological view of what makes for success (in relationships, business, hobbies) and turning on its head the old adage “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Quite the contrary, Godin argues. Winning means surviving the Dip—the doubts, lack of interest, rejection, the seemingly insurmountable obstacles to perfection. The key is to recognize the Dips that keep you engaged over the long haul. Everything else you should let go without a qualm or a dip.

THE DIP: A LITTLE BOOK THAT TEACHES YOU WHEN TO QUIT (AND WHEN TO STICK), by Seth Godin (Portfolio, 2007)

AMERICAN PALE ALE

Spanish Peaks Brewing Co., Denver, Colorado

Echoes of a homebrew drift through this ale from the very first sip—and that’s a compliment. It’s a lovingly crafted, intensely hopped drink, full of character. A bit of yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle reminds you that you’re consuming a living product. Resinous, aromatic hops give way to fruity tones, and an intensely bitter flavor lends a dry, piney twist to the subtle, lightly caramel-malt base. Look for the black dog on the label—this one’s well worth seeking out.

BEER FACT

Spanish Peaks Black Dog Ale was first brewed in 1991 in Bozeman, Montana, near the foot of the Spanish Peaks mountain range. Chug, the black Labrador on the label, was the founder’s dog.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/5/2010

1/5/2008:
Spain's Rafael Nadal, 21, barely outlasts his childhood mentor and compatriot, Carlos Moya, 31, in the semifinals of the Chennai Open in India. Moya wins the first set, 7-6, but Nadal saves two match points in the second-set tiebreaker and evens the match. They battle through yet another tiebreak set before Nadal closes it out. But he'll have nothing left in tomorrow's final and will be routed by Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, 6-0, 6-1.

Birthdays:
Lou Carnesecca b. 1925
Chuck Noll b. 1932
Chuck McKinley b. 1941
Alex English b. 1954
Warrick Dunn b. 1975

Packers Fact:
The Packers-Giants NFC title game in January of 2008 marked the highest-rated television show that wasn't a Super Bowl in 10 years (since the final episode of Seinfeld in 1998).

THE NEW WORLD

In Matthew Sharpe’s Jamestown, the settlers don’t come in little wooden ships. They ride in a bus down a wrecked I-95, trying to escape postapocalyptic New York. They do, however, find Indians. Powhatan leads them as of old, and Pocahontas saves the life of Jack Smith and falls in love with Johnny Rolfe. There is a great deal of other mayhem, but it is Pocahontas who really captures our attention with her extraordinary way with words—she swings from Elizabethan to MySpaceian and numerous dialects in between. “This is a tour-de-force of black humor.”—Publishers Weekly

JAMESTOWN, by Matthew Sharpe (Harvest Books, 2008)

RAHR’S WINTER WARMER

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth, Texas

With an intriguing hue, red as a holiday berry, Rahr’s Winter Warmer begins mysteriously. Vanilla and oak. A lively, indefinable fruitiness. A poignant acidity, redolent of a tradition of fruited ale and similar to that produced by complex sour fermentation. This brew is special, worthy of any holiday—it’s a privilege, not a right. Tastefully prepared, unique, with a medium body and a low hop and malt character, a beer that’s truly worthy of attention.

SUDS SOURCE

Each Saturday, Rahr opens its big bay doors to the public for tours and tastings. Over 600 people visit the brewery on Saturdays to enjoy live music, barbecue, and beer. If you’re in north Texas on a Saturday, put the Rahr tour on your must-do list!

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/4/2010

1/4/1996:
Top-ranked and unbeaten UMass holds off third-ranked Memphis, 64-61, at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. Fresh from an exhausting trip to Hawaii, where they won the Rainbow Classic, the Minutemen grab a 31-15 first-half lead before Memphis storms back to assume a 50-47 advantage. With the game slipping away, UMass center Marcus Camby (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocked shots) keys a 7-0 run to restore a working margin. Two pivotal hoops by Donta Bright, along with clutch free throws by Edgar Padilla and Camby, help to seal an impressive intersectional victory.

Birthdays:
Johnny Lujack b. 1925
Don Shula b. 1930
Floyd Patterson b. 1935
Kermit Alexander b. 1941
Garrison Hearst b. 1971

Packers Fact:
The Packers equaled a club record for victories during the regular season in 2007. They won 13 games that year (against only 3 losses).

AN ICELANDIC GEM

This reissue of a novel that first appeared in English in 1966 is a good way to introduce yourself to the starkly beautiful and bygone world of Icelandic author Halldór Laxness, winner of the 1955 Nobel Prize in Literature and better known for his magnificent novel Independent People. In The Fish Can Sing, Young Alfgrimur, after showing some talent as a singer, begins a quest to find the famous singer and national hero Gardar Hølm (now a very old man). You’ll become hooked on Laxness’s lyrical majesty and rugged characters.

THE FISH CAN SING, by Halldór Laxness, translated from the Icelandic by Magnus Magnusson (1966; Vintage, 2008)

FARSONS LACTO

Simonds Farsons Cisk PLC, Mriehel, Malta

A slight metallic twinge taints this otherwise very drinkable stout. At 3.8% alcohol by volume, it’s neither heavy-bodied nor sweet, as one would expect a lactose-dosed ale to be. (The bottle describes the brew as “Milk Stout with Caramel Color Added.”) Why the caramel coloring? Unclear, but perhaps it’s from a brewing licorice of sorts. Regardless, the result is smooth and dry without a hint of hops. Most refreshing on a hot day in Malta.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/3/2010

1/3/1989:
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen each record triple-doubles to lead the Bulls to a 126-121 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Stadium. Jordan rings up 41 points with 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Pippen adds 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. For all of Jordan's indescribable greatness, his lifetime total of 27 regular-season triple-doubles pales alongside the totals of three other NBA backcourt greats: Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138) and Jason Kidd (100 and counting).

Birthdays:
Hank Stram b. 1923
Bobby Hull b. 1939
Darren Daulton b. 1962
Jim Everett b. 1962
Cheryl Miller b. 1964
ROPEWALK AMBER ALE

BridgePort Brewing Co., Portland, Oregon

A well-brewed, polished ale with a traditional pedigree—discerning noses may detect a link to Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown. Its buttery, nutty malt aroma is the result of a compound called diacetyl, a signature of that venerable classic from Yorkshire, England. The hitch: Ropewalk is made by the BridgePort Brewing Co., in the heart of American hop territory. The brew channels a Yorkshire Northern brown ale from start to finish, even though it’s classified as an amber.

Sports Fact & Book Rec of the Day 1/2/2010

1/2/1984:
UCLA quarterback Rick Neuheisel overcomes a bout of food poisoning to throw four touchdown passes and lead the Bruins to a 45-9 rout of Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Neuheisel (22-31, 298) finds Karl Dorrell for two scores and Paul Bergmann and Mike Young for one apiece while the UCLA defense holds Illinois to zero net rushing yards. Following the 2007 season, Neuheisel will be hired as the new head coach of the Bruins, replacing Dorrell, who went 35-27 in five years at the school.

Birthdays:
Gino Marchetti b. 1927
Robbie Ftorek b. 1952
David Cone b. 1963
Edgar Martinez b. 1963
Pernell Whitaker b. 1964

Packers Fact:
Officials removed four inches of snow from the field before the Packers met the Browns for the NFL championship in Green Bay on January 2, 1966. the Packers went on to win the game 23-12.

MASTERFUL ESSAYS

Novelist Jonathan Franzen (The Corrections; The Twenty-seventh City; Strong Motion) again lends his analytical gift to the autobiographical essay, picking up where The Discomfort Zone, which covered his childhood, left off. No matter what his subject—Alzheimer’s, the post office, the modern novel—the essays all have a subtext of the private self developing within society’s noisy engine. How to Be Alone offers the pleasure of Franzen’s finely honed language, his willingness to explore both joy and grief (and the many shades between), and his ability to plant his feet firmly in reality while letting whimsy and imagination soar.

HOW TO BE ALONE, by Jonathan Franzen (Picador, 2003)

SPRINGBOARD ALE

New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colorado

Springboard adds a long list of unconventional ingredients—wormwood, goji berries, and schisandra—to the more familiar Mt. Hood hop. Give this one a chance to breathe a bit and you’ll be rewarded with a pleasant herbal aroma. There’s a hint of minty aftertaste, but no one element dominates; the malt base holds up well in this remarkably drinkable Belgian experimental ale.

APCKRFAN's NFL picks 2009: Week 17

Week 17:
Sun, Jan 3:
San Francisco @ St. Louis - San Francisco
NY Giants @ Minnesota - Minnesota
Jacksonville @ Cleveland - Cleveland
Pittsburgh @ Miami - Pittsburgh
New England @ Houston - New England
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay - Atlanta
New Orleans @ Carolina - Carolina
Cincinnati @ NY Jets - Cincinnati
Philadelphia @ Dallas - Philadelphia
Indianapolis @ Buffalo - Indianapolis
Chicago @ Detroit - Chicago
Washington @ San Diego - San Diego
Baltimore @ Oakland - Baltimore
Kansas City @ Denver - Denver
Green Bay @ Arizona - Green Bay
Tennessee @ Seattle - Tennessee

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

1/1/2008:
The National Hockey League strikes marketing gold by staging a national televised outdoor game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo between the Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins, counterprogramming the surfeit of college football games on the traditional New Year's Day sports menu. The 71,000 intrepid fans who brave wintry conditions to attend the game see the NHL's brightest young star, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, score the winning goal in a shootout to give the Pens a 2-1 victory.

Birthdays:
Hank Greenberg b. 1911
Rocky Grziano b. 122
Doak Walker b. 1927
Marlin McKeever b. 1940
Derrick Thomas b. 1967

Packers Fact:
On January 1, 1966: The visiting Packers downed the upstart Cowboys 34-27 to win the NFL title. Safety Tom Brown intercepted a pass in the end zone on the final play to seal the victory.

MOVE OVER, TIPPING POINT

Mark Penn and E. Kinney Zalesne are two movers and shakers (CEO of Burson-Marsteller and adviser to Hillary Clinton and Bill Gates, White House fellow and counsel to Janet Reno, that sort of thing) who here take a serious and deeply knowledgeable look at how to identify signs of emerging phenomena, e.g., teenage boys knitting or the Soccer Mom (a phrase coined by Penn). The authors delve into how to tell what these microtrends mean and how to harness the data and ultimately turn such knowledge to profit. A fascinating study of 70 small movements that are signs of landscape-altering earthquakes to come.

MICROTRENDS: THE SMALL FORCES BEHIND TOMORROW’S BIG CHANGES, by Mark Penn and E. Kinney Zalesne (Twelve, 2007)

SNAKE RIVER ZONKER STOUT

Snake River Brewing Co., Jackson, Wyoming

Unmercifully black, brimming with a dense brown head. Fruity ale fermentation yields to hearty roasted barley and malt. Clean and thoughtful, Zonker Stout’s medium-light, refreshing body and encyclopedic complexity are reminiscent of what Guinness used to be 25 years ago. A classic example of “foreign stout,” and the winner of a Gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup in the Foreign Style Stout category.

SUDS SOURCE

Located at 265 South Millward Street in Jackson, the Snake River BrewPub offers wood-fired pizza, pasta, and pub fare to pair with an excellent lineup of fresh brewed ales and lagers. Try the smoked chicken pappardelle with the award-winning stout, or a truffle mushroom pizza with Snake River pale ale. There’s also a kid’s menu, a list of daily specials, and plenty of gifts and brew gear at the SRB store.