By Calum MacKenzie

Children throughout Tampa wake up each Monday through Friday and head out to school, lunch and books in hand. While they may bemoan another day filled with reading, writing and arithmetic, they are receiving their education from one of the highest ranked school districts in the state.

Hillsborough County School District has a policy of offering a dynamic cross-section of schooling options because they understand that a "one size fits all" education doesn't coalesce with their community. These include Walton Academy of the Performing Arts and two teen parent schools. Among the public schooling options are magnet and charter schools.

Magnet Schools

Magnet schools offer students a more exploratory education. Students must show a strong interest in the field of study of their chosen magnet school in order to be considered for enrollment. Even though magnet schools educate studies concentrated in a specific field, they are funded by the state and school district and must adhere to the performance standards just like traditional public schools. Most students of magnet schools go on to complete post-secondary education in their field of study. Magnet schools, listed with their field of study, in the New Tampa area include:

Cahoon Elementary, Animal Science

Dunbar Elementary, Math/Science/Technology

Lee Elementary, World Studies

Lincoln Elementary, International Studies/International Baccalaureate

Lockhart Elementary, Foreign Language & Global Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Lomax Elementary, Math/Science/Technology

MacFarlane International Studies/International Baccalaureate

Muller Elementary, Environmental Studies; Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Philip Shore Elementary, Visual/Performing/Communication Arts

Rampello Kindergarten through 8, Cultural Arts & Humanities

Charter Schools

While magnet schools offer highly concentrated curriculums, charter schools offer highly specialized teaching styles. Charter schools are owned and operated privately with subsidization through Hillsborough County School District and the State of Florida. They are just as accountable as traditional and magnet public schools through FCAT testing (more on this under "Standards", below.) Charter schools often require parents to commit to a number of hours of volunteer work throughout the school year. They also require that parents understand their particular charter, or contract. Examples of charter school options include those that teach in Montessori style, Core Curriculum or Independent Study (distance learning.)

Any student that qualifies for public education in Hillsborough County may apply to attend a charter school, regardless of how far or close the student lives from the school.

Standards

The Sunshine State Standards, or SSS, are the uniform educational criteria for each grade level from Kindergarten through graduation. All public and most private schools in Florida have adopted these standards and teach material so that students will meet or exceed them. In 1998, the State of Florida began testing students based on the criteria to gauge the effectiveness of the SSS. A consortium of educators and instructional professionals from around the United States came up with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT.

Students are tested annually from third grade through eleventh. Reading and math tests are given each year. Writing is assessed in all grades except fifth and eleventh grades. Science knowledge is tested in fifth, eighth and tenth.

Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, students are required to successfully pass the tenth grade test to qualify for a regular high school diploma upon graduation. Students scoring less than a passing grade on any of the subjects tested are offered subsequent testing opportunities during their eleventh and twelfth grade years.

According to 2005 testing scores, Florida students scored at or above the national average in fourth grade reading, fourth and eighth grade writing, fourth grade science and fourth grade mathematics. All other grade levels and areas of study that were compared showed Floridian students were close to national averages and gaining ground.

Gorrie Elementary, located just a mile from the University of Tampa in West Tampa, scored highest of all elementary schools in fourth grade reading and mathematics among all Hillsborough schools tested in 2006. Roosevelt Elementary, located in the Palma Ceia area, scored highest for fourth grade writing skills of all Hillsborough County schools during 2006.

Terrace Community Middle School, a charter school located just south of New Tampa, scored highest among all eight graders tested in 2006 in Hillsborough County middle schools for math and science. Wilson Middle, located in the Davis Island community, scored highest among eighth graders in reading and writing.

Palma Ceia area's Plant High School scored highest among all Hillsborough County tenth graders for math, reading and writing in 2006.

New Tampa schools showed remarkable staying power and above average scores for each of their six elementary, two middle and two high schools. Each school scored 300 or more in all subjects tested in 2006, for grades four, eight and ten.

Private Schools in Tampa

Some families in the New Tampa area prefer a religious or college preparatory private school for their children to receive their education. While the list of private education options is copious, below is a list of a few of the most prominent private schools in the area, as well as their particular specialty. Berkeley Preparatory School operates to create well-rounded, college bound students. They provide education from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The teachers and staff strive to educate students beyond reading, writing and arithmetic; they offer competitive sports and arts as well as numerous clubs and community service projects.

The Academy of Holy Names is one of the oldest private schools in the Tampa area, having been founded in 1881. Their pre-kindergarten through eighth grade offers excellence in education to both boys and girls. Ninth through twelfth grade classes are restricted to an all-female student body. The school's teaching are based on the Catholic faith. Students are not required to be of the Catholic faith to attend, though nearly three-quarters are.

The Jesuit School is an all-boy school with a reputation for turning out high-achieving graduates. This school was founded 18 years after the Academy of Holy Names. Jesuit School education includes numerous missionary and community service opportunities for its students. Students are not required to be members of the Jesuit Church.

In 2002, a three-decade old school began unpacking boxes in their new, state of the art facility across from Tampa its former home at the University of Tampa. Tampa Preparatory School serves students and their family from sixth grade through twelfth. Tampa Prep doesn't offer remedial classes, their program was designed to offer challenging coursework in core subjects as well as a wide diversity of other subjects - fine art, computer technology, music, dance, theater, golf, track, swimming, volleyball, soccer, baseball, basketball and wrestling.

Co-ed students at Tampa Catholic High School receive their education in the three R's as well as the three purposes set forth by the Catholic faith - teaching the Message of God as revealed in Christ and through His Church; building Community through fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit; and providing opportunities for Service to the community. After school, students continue their education by taking part in some of the nearly two dozen clubs and extra-curricular activities. Tampa Catholic's philosophy is to educate the entire student- mind, body, and spirit.

By Don Kanare

There are literally dozens of things you can do to prepare your home for sale that will make it look sharp and enticing to prospective buyers. This is by no means a complete list of everything that a seller should or can do to make their property stand out from the competition. These suggestions will help you get moving in the right direction so that when your home or condo is for sale you will get a better response from prospective buyers.

Exterior and Areas Surrounding the Property -

1. Eliminate all signs of deterioration such as an old mailbox or broken fence posts and replace as needed. If the exterior paint looks bad, you'll either need to paint the place or offer buyers a credit for painting.

2. Make sure the yard, flower beds, and plants all look appealing. This is a good time to have a landscaper visit your property and remove dead plants, trim trees and shrubs, mow the lawn, remove debris, clean fountains and bird baths, etc. If you have pets, pick up after them every day and fill in any holes where they have been digging!

3. Get rid of any clutter in your yard. Not everyone loves those lawn decorations, even if your best friend made that metal sculpture you adore. What you love, others may find offensive and they may not even get in the front door if they don't like the look of the yard and exterior of the property.

4. Repair, paint and dress up and kids toys, swing sets, dog houses, or other structures that will remain in the yard. Deferred maintenance of these items makes buyers wonder whether the inside has really been well maintained or just recently refreshed.

5. Check all outside lights and replace / repair any fixtures as needed. Make sure all light bulbs are working and that you have the right type of bulbs and sufficient lighting for your driveway and garage areas.

6. Clean that patio and barbecue grill so they look spotless. Do the same with lawn and deck furniture, or put those items in a storage area is they look dated or worn.

7. Patch, repair and seal the driveway and sidewalks, if needed. If you have any outdoors sporting equipment like a basketball hoop, volleyball net, etc., make sure it's in top notch condition. If it looks ancient and beat up, better to remove it temporarily or replace.

8. Look at the house numbers and replace if they are not readable from the street or they have deteriorated. Polish up the front door knocker, clean the glass, and spruce up the front entrance to make a good first impression.

9. Check all windows and screens for holes or damage. Repair or replace as necessary to maintain a high quality look. Wash all the windows one day before your property is on the local MLS tour.

10. Make 6 sets of keys for your real estate agent and test them all. If the lock is even a tiny bit sticky it makes a bad impression on buyers. Spray some lubricant (e.g. WD40) and if that is not good enough, then call a locksmith and have the lock repaired or replaced.

Interior Repairs and Improvements - Everything You Do Must Be Non-Offensive (i.e. Neutral)

1. Clean the entire home or condo from top to bottom. I recommend that you hire a professional cleaning service to assist you, or if you are an absentee owner, let them do the work. This includes cleaning the carpets, moving furniture and cleaning under and around all furnishings and decorations.

2. Remove clutter. You may love all 14 pictures of the grandkids lined up on the mantle, to a buyer it looks overwhelming and detracts from the "open feel" they are seeking. As gut wrenching as it is, this is a case where less is more. Leave enough pictures on the walls so the place doesn't look bare and an occasional knick-knack on the coffee table or mantle is ok. Pack away the dried flower arrangements, sports trophies and everything else of a personal nature so as not to distract buyers from "seeing" your property. Take a good look at all the furniture in your place and remove anything that is non-essential to make your place appear larger.

3. Paint is a cheap and relatively easy way to brighten up any property. Use neutral colors that are easy on the eyes and hire a professional unless you have done quality interior painting in the past and have confidence you can do a stellar job.

4. Replace all light bulbs that are out or missing. Replace dated light fixtures if within your budget.

5. All closets and storage areas need to be organized and cleaned. Put loose items in boxes so the place looks neater. Buying uniform size boxes from the local box company in bundles of 25 will save money and help to create a cleaner look than just grabbing boxes from the local liquor store.

6. Do you have pets? It is critical that your house not smell like animals, no matter how much you love Fido or Fluffy. Areas where pets reside must be kept meticulously clean. If you have to, burn some incense, put potpourri in strategic places and remove and replace and carpet that has been soiled. It is extremely difficult to sell any property that has pet odors or residue.

7. Put a chair or bench near the front door if people need to remove their shoes before touring your property. The lack of a place to sit is a real turn-off, especially in resort markets with aging populations.

8. Do minor repairs. Many sellers overlook the need to do touch up repairs such as caulking the tub, fixing a leaky faucet, driving loose nails into deck boards, etc. Taking care of these little details eliminates the biggest objection that buyers have when they see something amiss; "What else is wrong with the place?" Remove doubt in the minds of buyer prospects by attending to these minor repairs or hire a handyman.

All of this may seem like a daunting task, but millions of sellers do these things every year to prepare their homes for sale. Whether you hire help or do it yourself is your own personal decision. Remember, the properties that sell fastest and for the highest price are quality properties that are in good condition.

In a resort market such as Incline Village NV at Lake Tahoe or Vail, CO where buyers are looking at real estate and writing offers during a very short sales season, all of this preparation is even more essential. The old adage, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is never more true than when it comes to a buyer walking into your place for the first time. Most buyers in a high end market such as Incline Village do not want to do anything more than paint or carpet. So, do yourself a favor and make your property appeal to the greatest number of prospective buyers.

By Chris Ryerson

Deciding to go on a beach vacation is a no brainer for most people. What can be better then a wonderful relaxing beach vacation to let the cares and stresses of the world just float away. So taking the beach vacation or not is clearly not the problem however, deciding on a vacation spot and the perfect beach can be difficult. However this guide will help highlight some of the most famous spots and also give you some ways to narrow your own choices.

What type of beach vacation are you? Are you the avid extreme sports junkie who wants to surf, hang glide and mountain bike on your vacation? Or possibly you are an avid golfer or what about shopping is that more your speed. Choosing the perfect beach location for your getaway really depends on what you like to do while on vacation. So try and choose your spot based on your likes.

Surfing, Golfing and Active Lifestyle

Why not try Huntington Beach California known as Surf City California. There are plenty of great opportunities for great surfing right in town. There are also many other sports that you can have a blast doing near by. For example have you tried or thought about trying kite surfing? This is a great hybrid of flying kites and surfing. There are lots of opportunities to do try this new sport.

Golfing Beach Vacation in Georgia

Thinking about more of a golfing vacation then Georgia might be the ticket for you. The Cloister at Sea Island in Georgia offer beautiful 54 holes of golf and wonderful sandy beaches. No matter what you mood golfing or relaxing you will find it here.

Seclusion with Half Moon Bay California

Are you looking for more seclusion and less sports? Then you might want to try half Moon Bay in California. Just 30 minutes drive from San Francisco yet worlds apart. This little town and beach resort can give you a much need relaxation break away from the cares of city life. The Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay is a wonderful hotel to be pampered at!

Family Fun Vacation Kona Village Resort Hawaii

Are you thinking about a beach getaway but want to bring the kids along with you? There are tons of great activities at Kona Village resort like scuba diving, glass bottom boats, fishing, tennis, Volleyball and more. There is enough to keep even the most adventurous kids entertained for hours while you get a break!

So no matter your reason for taking a beach vacation there is a beach that will fit your style. Go ahead and make a plan and decide what you want to do on your beach vacation and then start making reservations. Why wait when there are so many great opportunities and new experiences to have. The most important thing is to really think about what you want to do on your vacation and then find the perfect beach spot accordingly. Get started to day and set the date for you r next vacation otherwise it will never happen.

By Kyle Oxenham

Interested in how to increase your vertical jump, well you have come to the right place. I am a vertical jump training coach with a ton of knowledge and personal experience with increasing the vertical jump. Jump training can be a really exciting way to increase athletic power, and will help take your sport to the next level. Here I will share with you the basics to achieving an eye popping vertical jump.

First you have to understand jumping is caused by the central nervous system not the muscle system. Secondly learn the 5 stages of power development for athletes: Starting Acceleration, Progressive Acceleration, Power Out-Put, Stabilization, and Re-Coordination.

Also do not overtrain, you should feel energized and powerful at the end of your workout. Forget the "go to failure rule", instead for example when doing repetitive jump squats, stop when you feel like you are not jumping as quick or high as your first jump. You may be able to jump 5 times or 15, it depends on many variables; so you have to really focus when you are training so you do not go past this point. If you do go past this point you will not be training for power anymore and your body will start to use less power, you don't want this if your goal is to jump higher.

Exercises you want to do at the gym are power and strength movements like plyometrics, repetitive jumping, and depth jumps, attitude jumps, skipping rope, flying pull ups and jumping push ups. Also make sure you follow the 5 stages of power in your workouts.

Here is major piece of advice for jumping higher. The more power and energy you can absorb the higher your potential jump can be, meaning if you can land off a 36 inch box safely, quietly and repetitively you will have the potential to jump 36 inches. Warning do not drop off of anything that is more than a few inches above your current standing vertical, and only do attitude jumps once a week at the most.

Next you have to understand jumping technique and how it can help you to jump to your full potential at your current strength and power levels. You must use your whole body to jump not just your legs, swing your arms forcefully up and stretched over your head as you explode upward with your lower body. Using your arms will help you jump at least a few inches higher.

You now have some great information to get you started on building your vertical jump; there is no limit to how high you can jump, when you do the math. So aim for a 40 inches, or 50 inches, and even a 60 inch standing vertical jump. Go for it!

By Brett Boese

The Tommies recently moved to the top of the polls at D3hoops.com for the first time in school history. They also become the highest ranked team in league history, bumping out my Gustavus teams who finished second in the final poll in 2002-03 and began the 2003-04 season in the same spot.

With Wednesday's game against second place Augsburg looming, I wanted to know more about what has made this season special. Having only seen them play once this year, I tracked down long-time St. Thomas sports information director Gene McGivern in search of some feedback.

Brett Boese: You're in the middle of your 15th year serving as the primary media contact for the athletic department at the University of St. Thomas, but you only recently joined the blogging world. Do you find yourself missing the simpler times or have you come to embrace the Age of the Internet?

Gene McGivern: I moved to Minnesota after eight years in the daily newspaper world in Nebraska and Iowa. I started as Augsburg's SID in November 1988 with a half-time job for a salary of $10,000. I worked a day job as a proofreader in downtown Minneapolis, then worked nights and weekends for the Auggies. (After about two years I joined Augsburg full-time and actually coached track and cross country there for several seasons).

My first office was an interior closet with an electric typewriter (no computer). There was no copier - we typed up football and basketball stats using carbons and duplicated them on an ink rolloff machine. We worked home football and basketball games, keeping stats by hand, then typed the final totals onto the carbons. We "dicatated" that is we read the basketball stats to part-time workers at the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press. All other sports for game days we just phoned a score into the newspapers.

During the 8-to-5 day, we helped compile season stats and mailed weekly reports to the NCAA and conference statistics coordinators. We also mailed out a weekly 2-4 page summary of scores and brief highlights. The SID world has changed so dramatically in those 20 years with the arrival of computers, desktop publishing, voice messaging, statistics programs, faxes, the internet, digital photography and video. All these tools have made it easier to promote your teams, yet at the same time, made our jobs so much more demanding. Now we staff all home soccer, hockey, volleyball, softball and baseball games as well as we always did in football and basketball.

The only thing I think that's been lost in those two decades is that today we probably rely too much on technology. I used to pick up the phone and make story pitches, or I would occasionally go to lunch with a Star Tribune or Pioneer Press beat writer. It was more personal. Those beat writers are long gone. Today you also have to make en effort to escape all the demands at your computer and regularly visit with your coaches and student-athletes. You need to get to know them as people, not as bios or as athletes. That's an on-going challenge.

As for blogging, last August I started a blog (it's really a features/opinion column). Ten years after the internet was introduced, I think colleges at all levels are just now figuring out how to best use their websites to tell their athletic department's story. In a metropolitan area like the Twin Cities, where there's no St. Cloud Times or Fargo Forum that comes calling, the days of simply sending out story ideas are over. If the story is good enough, write it yourself.

BB: D3hoops.com has helped raise the profile of small college athletics since it was created in 1995. It elevated the Tommie men's basketball team to No. 1 in the polls this week, marking the first time an MIAC school has reached that lofty status on its site. I'm sure UST coach Steve Fritz would downplay the significance of that achievement, but what's the pulse of the players? Is that something they're excited about?

GM: I think one thing that makes the 2008-09 Tommie squad unique is that it doesn't have a superstar but is led by four seniors who hate losing, are unselfish, and have had to work hard to get where they are. Last year's team, with its many impressive wins, didn't have that senior leadership on the court.

Even Lonnie Robinson, who made All-America in baseball as a senior, has had to constantly work hard in both basketball and baseball to get where he is now. Al McCoy and B.J. Viau played a year of JV and sat one year on the pine while waiting their shot. Brett Tuma has played the last three years with confidence and always seems to spark the team. It's a cliché but a big part of why this team is 17-0 is that they do focus on one game at a time with the first goal to outwork the other team.

As for a No. 1 ranking, I suspect it's something they will look back on with pride and appreciate more a few years down the road, but won't spend too much time this week talking about it or reveling in it. With the MIAC schedule so condensed, they won't have time to celebrate with an improved Augsburg team up Wednesday on the road. As for now, I think their two main goals are to win the fourth consecutive conference title, and to play their best basketball in the postseason, wherever that takes them.

BB: Perhaps more importantly, are you a reader of Posting Up? Do you have a favorite poster? I hear that Willy Wonka character is pretty cool.

GM: I read d3hoops' basketball chat room a fair amount but have never posted. The site seems a little more civil than when they first started a few years ago. Chat rooms and blogs, with all their warts, are here to stay, so people just need to accept them as an outlet for fans. I dislike posters using anonymous names, especially if they don't do their homework or just rip players and coaches for the joy of it. On the plus side, the posters tend to be some of the MIAC's most ardent fans and we need all the spectators and advocates we can get.

I seem to recall that the Wonka guy is quite knowledgeable, but is he the same guy who sometimes obsesses on players' individual stats in the box score? Like dogging a recent Tommie 3-point shooter who played 20 feet from the basket for not getting enough rebounds? Or riding a current Tommie guard who doesn't get a lot of assists (even though in this offense, that's not his primary role)? Oh, well, we all have our opinions.

BB: The Tommies are currently 17-0 overall - the last undefeated Division III team in the nation - and 12-0 in conference play. They own a 3.5 game lead over a surprising Augsburg team and their average margin of victory is nearly 20 in a typically rugged league. How surprised are you by their dominance? Has any one player in particular raised his level of play this season?

GM: Among the surprises, at least to those who don't watch practice every day, is the consistent play of Al McCoy at center. I think the bench is even more productive this season with Tuma, newcomer Brady Ervin and lately with centers Josh Peltier and Sam Eicher stepping up. Lonnie Robinson has been a beast and has shown no signs of senioritis. Tyler Nicolai continues to improve and has hit some big shots.

As far as the MIAC race, I'm sort of a "Law of Averages" guy, so I expected that this would be a tricky season for St. Thomas coming in as such a huge target, trying to win a fourth MIAC title in a row. I expected January to be tough with the four-game stretch at Bethel, home Carleton, at SJU and home Gustavus, then five in a row on the road. I think St. Thomas and Augsburg have been the conference teams who have played most consistently and closest to their ability. Jeremy Sutherland's injury has probably cost Carleton in a couple of close defeats. Bethel has some talented seniors and still is capable of making a February push. If UST keeps focusing on its next game and working hard in practice, it has a chance at a good postseason.

BB: A recent four-game stretch against the other title hopefuls - Gustavus, Bethel, Carleton and St. John's - saw UST win all four by double digits. With eight games left in the regular season, how confident are you that the Tommies will run the table? Has that ever happened before? Which remaining games make you most nervous?

GM: A few teams went 16-0 or 18-0 in the 1960s and 1970s, but only one men's team has gone 20-0 since the league expanded to 11 teams in the 1980s. St. Thomas went 20-0 in 1994-95 with a team that played just seven guys. This season's UST team has fresh legs, depth and balance, so, sure, eight more wins could happen. But the odds are stacked against it, and I'll be surprised if the Tommies go 20-0.

Augsburg will be a good test Wednesday since the Auggies, coming off a bye, have often played UST close in recent seasons. UST easily won the first meeting with Augsburg at home, but Nate Alm was in early foul trouble and sat most of that game, and he's been huge lately. Bethel has lost 10 in a row to UST, so it may be due. And there are road games at Carleton and Gustavus. When you play a team a second or third time, they look at the film and sometimes change strategy, too.

BB: When I played against the Tommies earlier this decade, coach Fritz seemed to ride his starters into the ground. For example, the 2001-02 season saw four starters play at least 35 minutes a game. He seems to have gone to the other extreme this year, with 10 players averaging between 10 and 28 minutes. Is that a product of the numerous blowouts, a change in coaching philosophy or do the Tommies simply possess a more reliable bench this year? I will say that they didn't seem to lose much when the starters sat down against Gustavus - but I'd appreciate if you could avoid breaking down that particular game in any great detail.

GM: Some recent Gustavus teams had very deep benches, and a couple of Johnnie teams in the last dozen years also brought some good players off the pine, but this Tommie team might have as good of an overall bench the MIAC has seen in the last 25 years - not just in scoring but in guys who can play defense, apply a full-court press, rebound, and shoot from outside.

Last year's UST bench was pretty good, and you add in Brady Ervin and have some sophomores playing with more confidence. I would say it's more of a case of Coach Fritz having better athletes on his last two teams, and the fact that if you want to press and run, you need to use more guys and keep players fresh.

BB: The Tommies have won at least 19 games seven times in the last nine years, won the MIAC title the last three years and consistently reached the NCAA Tournament. However, they haven't won two straight games in the national tournament in a decade. That includes two disappointing losses at home in the last two years. What factors have played a role in the lack of postseason success?

GM: In the last decade, few men's or women's teams from the MIAC have gone far in the NCAA playoffs. Is some of that due to the 20-game (22 for women) conference schedule, that limits opportunities to play more good region and outside teams? I don't think it helps. You have to be good and catch some breaks to make a deep postseason run.

First of all, the West region is one of the better ones, so you don't get any easy games. Since the 1993-94 Toms reached the Final Four, St. Thomas had six more NCAA playoff berths in the next 15 seasons. None of those NCAA exits could be considered chokes, and only one was a double-digit loss.

In 1995, a 27-0 Tommie team which went just seven deep probably ran out of gas when it lost 94-74 in the second round at home to a very good Nebraska Wesleyan team. In 2000, playing without MIAC career 3-point leader Kip Sparby, UST lost in round two at Buena Vista, 69-66. In 2002, in Mark Buri's final game, they lost at home in overtime in the second round to UW-Oshkosh, 88-85, on a night where Oshkosh I think made 22-of-23 free throws. In 2006 UST lost in the second round on the road to No. 1-ranked Lawrence (Wis.), 63-59 after cutting a 15-point deficit to one point in the final 30 seconds. In 2007 they lost in the second round at home 86-80 to a very athletic Carroll (Wis.) team; and in 2008 they lost in the first round at home 72-70 to a deep and athletic Buena Vista (Iowa) team that later lost in overtime to eventual NCAA champion Wash. U.

I think the Nebraska Wesleyan, Carroll and 2008 Buena Vista losses weren't ideal matchups. But the best teams overcome all obstacles, and UST's postseason record since 2002 is what it is - 10-3 MIAC playoffs, 1-4 NCAA.

BB: Every significant contributor returns from a year ago for UST and the results have been impressive. It certainly looks like the Tommies could reach Salem without ever visiting a place like the Road Star Inn in Stevens Point (Thanks for splurging, Myles Brand). While expectations have certainly been raised for those diehard UST students, what concerns might you have as the end of another season looms? Do you see any small issues that could become big problems down the road?

GM: I don't think anyone associated with the UST team is even aware that Salem is where the Final Four is played. Since none of the current players have ever reached the Sweet 16, they aren't looking very far (if at all) into the postseason.

As far as UST students with J-term ending next week, many students who were on study abroad or home working will return. I would expect good crowds for St. Mary's, Bethel, St. John's and Hamline games in February.

One thing that concerns me is potential foul trouble, even with UST's depth. In the Tommies' last two defeats, last season at Concordia-Moorhead and at home to Buena Vista, they were badly outscored at the foul line.

By John C Arkin

Chicago is a port and transportation center located at the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. The city is blessed with skyscrapers and other sceneries. Renowned for the world's tallest buildings, it is certainly a good place to hang out. By just traveling around, you may get involved in some sports activities of your choice.

1. North Avenue Beach. If you think this beach was made to give you your swimming pleasures, this place is more than that. It has an outdoor gym where you could stretch and keep those muscles fit. Biking and in-line skates are also allowed in the area. Volleyball may also be played. With this variety of options, you could find a health activity you will dwell on.

2. Bike Chicago. This bike rental stall has several locations found in Chicago. If you want to tour the place, they have the so-called touring bikes. If you want to climb uphill and you think walking would be too tiresome, mountain bikes are offered as well. They also have various gears that will make your ride around town comfortable and easy.

3. The Green at Grant Park. By the name itself, you could conclude that this is a golf club. Yes, The Green at Grant Park is a typical 18-hole golf course which could help you enhance your putting capabilities. This may not sound ideal for competitions but it is far better than miniature golf.

4. McCormick-Tribune Ice Rink. Conveniently located at the Millennium Park, this rink will give you a different kind of skating experience. The view of the lake as well as the grandest skyscrapers in the city will make your playing time a more ideal one. It is just like hitting two birds with a stone by being healthy as well as enjoying the sceneries.

5. Lincoln Park to Oak Street Beach. This is considered as the best route to take for in-line skating. You may also take your bikes along with you and join a group of avid bikers. Be extra careful though especially that there are tendencies that skaters and cyclists may clash.

6. Belmont Harbor. This is known to be an ideal place for sailing the city of Chicago. The view is definitely enticing while the sport will help you enhance your skills. It may sound better if you know how to sail your own boat but if you want to feel relaxed, you may ask someone to do it for you.

7. Ohio Street Beach. Though there are 30 indoor pools found along the Chicago Park District, a better alternative for swimming could be found from the stretch on Ohio Street Beach going northwest to the Navy Pier.

8. Windward Sports. Windsurfing in Chicago is also a pleasant health option. While enjoying the breeze, you could surf with the waves of the famous Lake Michigan.

9. Chicago River Canoe and Kayak. Kayaking in Chicago is always a good alternative to start a healthy living. You may have a team with you and you will certainly enjoy several forms of kayaking from cardio kayak to paddling under the moon.

10. Adler Planetarium. This is an educational location which could help you exercise your mind and your eyes as well. Exploring scientific inventions could be a healthy option for everyone. Walking is a good form of exercise as well.

By John C Arkin

New York is the largest city in the United States. It lies at the mouth of the Hudson River occupying the southernmost extension of the New York State. It is a complex assortment of islands. With these facts, you will definitely get a panoramic view of the entire city. Other than this, you may also get to places where healthy living is offered.

1. Chelsea Piers. This 30-acre sports and entertainment complex embraces multifunctional facilities for recreation. This is an ultimate place for any sport enthusiast. It has football fields, a boxing ring, an indoor race track and basketball and volleyball courts. This is better called as a one-stop health and fitness club.

2. Hudson River South. After enjoying the wonders of Chelsea Piers, you may run on a five-mile stretch back and forth Battery Park City. This spot is also ideal for kayakers, skaters and cyclists as well.

3. Loeb Boathouse. March to November is convenient months for gondola rides along the rivers of New York. You could bring your family and friends along with you as you explore the waters while doing your own boating activity.

4. Wollman Rink. Located at Central park, this is regarded as New York best outdoor spot for skaters. Rates vary depending on the age of people who want to play but the idea of fun will surely be coupled by a few sweats dropping from the body.

5. Lasker Pool. Central Park must have given out the best in every healthy adventure. With the Lasker Pool in the place, you are about to enjoy swimming. Stretch those hands and start moving your feet as you swim to and from the ends of the pool.

6. Central Park Drive. This is a 6-mile run and walkway for people who want to achieve a healthy lifestyle in New York. Walking and running is always known to be healthy for the heart. Circling around the park through this drive will bring out the marathoner spirit in every individual.

7. Golf Club. The hitting stalls found in the Golf Club are set on four levels of fairways. Hitting a few golf balls will surely energize you as well as freshen up your entire body. This is a good place for amateurs to practice the craft.

8. The Sky Rink. This rink gives a view of the Hudson River. Initially made for skating, the place is also conducive for hockey games. It is a good place to start organizing skating activities for your officemates. Try this out for one day and you will surely get back.

9. Field House. Wall climbing is an activity which has been out for years now. Rock climbers or a team may enjoy the 30-foot indoor provision for said active game. Finding your way to the top is never the same with the tactics you need to learn before you actually reach it.

10. Toga Bike Shop. Biking is not allowed at Central Park but there are a lot of other places where you could do cycling. Just rent a bike from the Toga Bike Shop and the pleasure is all yours for $30 a day. With this very reasonable rate, you could track downtown at your own pace.

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

Like Mullah Mohammed Omar (Taliban terrorist), Pol Pot (maoist dictator) and Fidel Castro Ruz (communist dictator), Uday Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti was notorious for torturing sportsmen. During the 1998 Arab Games, Uday , Saddam Hussein´s son, threatened to make the Iraqi national soccer team pay the costs of the trip if they did not achieve good results. Who was Uday? He was president of the Iraqi Olympic Committe. Don Yaeger wrote in an article published in Sports Illustrated in March 2003, "Uday's penchant for violence has long been an open secret among international athletic officials. Amnesty International reported in 2001 that Uday had ordered the hand of a security officer at his Olympic headquarters to be chopped off five years earlier, after the man was accused of stealing sports equipment that was missing (but later turned up). In 1997 FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, sent two investigators to Baghdad to question members of the Iraqi national team who'd allegedly had their feet caned by Uday's henchmen after losing a World Cup qualifying match to Kazakhstan. The investigators spoke only to people whom Uday had selected. The result: a report exonerating Uday ".

Abdul Wahid Aziz is a weightlifter from Iraq who won a bronze medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy.

The Iraqi delegation participated in the 2006 Summer Asian Games held in Doha,Qatar, and won 2 silver and 1 bronze medals, placing the Iraqi team in 29th place out 45 countries and territories. For the first time since 1986, athletes from Iraq took part in an Asian Games. It was represented by eighty-six sports people in Doha. The national football team qualified for the Asian Games and the team surprised everyone when it reached the finals only to lose to the hosts by 1-0. The silver medallists were Mohammed Ali Karim, Younis Mahmoud, Usama Ali, Salam Shakir, Jassim Muhammad Haji, Karrar Jassim, Haidar Aboodi, Haidar Kaw, Ali Rehema, Ahmad Abd Ali, Muayad Khalid, Mostafa Karim, Alaa Abdul-Zahra, Ali Mansour Alwan, Samer Saeed, Haidar Sabah, Ali Khudhair, Mohammed Kassid and Mohammed Raheem.

The 1976 Summer Olympics was boycotted by Iraq. However, an athlete had already competed before the boycott was officially announced. The Iraqi government objected to New Zealand´s participation on the grounds that their rugby team had toured apartheid South Africa.

Iraq did not go to the Asian Games in 1990. Not surprisingly, the Asian Games took place without athletes from Iraq. This country was considered the aggressor of Gulf Persian war and as a result was excluded from participating.

From 1979 to 2000, the Iraqi government made little contribution to the development of sport. Certainly, Haiti has more Olympic medals than Iraq-was one of the richest nations in the Third World in the 20th century.

The Iraqi football team is sometimes called the "Brazil of Asia". Why? This team is one of the Asia's most successful. It won fourth place during the XXVIII Summer Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece, in 2004. Iraq was the only Asian country in the finals. However, Iraq made history on July 29, 2007, when its team won the Asian Nations Cup. Using a nucleos of players from Athens´s 2004, they beat the three-times Asian champions (1984, 1988 and 1996) Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In Jakarta, throughout the match, a sympathetic crowd of more than 60,000, which included thousands of Iraqi fans, chanted "Iraq ! Iraq! Iraqi flags hug from high in the stands and one large sign read, "Peace for Iraq". It was one of the few unifying moments in the recent history of Iraq. The victory marked the first time in the tournament´s 51-year history that Iraq has won the Cup. General David H. Petraeus,congratulated the team members and called them "an example for all of Iraq: a team of Sunni, Shia and Kurd who overcame lots of adversity to achieve a common goal, and they did it by teamwork. On that day we were all Iraqi, too".

Iraq -it is about 3 times the size of Alabama- made its debut at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, Great Britain. This country won its first Olympic medal at the 1960 Games- a bronze in weightlifting.

The Iraqi Olympic team went to Spain to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics Games. Nine athletes competed in 3 sports at the 1992 Games.

The Arab country withdrew from the 1956 Olympics. The boycott was a protest against the Israeli invasion of the Suez Canal.

Iraq qualified for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico City. It had to wait 56 years to finally play in a FIFA World Cup.

The Iraqi government gives outstanding athletes special medals and monetary awards for excelling in sports. On returning home, each member of the triumphant football team -Asian champions- was rewarded with special prizes: $10,000 and a diplomatic passport.

The Asian country sent 45 athletes to the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow,USSR (currently Russia). Like Benin, Lybia, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Guyana, Iraq returned to the Summer Games after participating in the African-led boycott of the 1976 Olympic Games in Canada.

Football is the most popular sport in Iraq. Football games draw huge crowds to stadiums in Baghdad (Iraq´s capital), Arbil, Mosul and other cities. Other popular sports in Iraq include wrestling, volleyball, taekwondo, athletics and basketball.

Ahmed Raed defected from Iraq during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was an Olympic weightlifter. Ahmed was given the honour of carrying his country´s flag in the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

The Arab country did not compete in the Summer Olympic 15 times ( Athens-1896, Paris-1900, St.Louis-1904, London-1908, Stockholm-1912, Antwerp-1920, Paris-1924, Amsterdam-1928, Los Angeles-1932, Berlin-1936, London-1948, Helsinki-1952, Melbourne-1956, Munich-1972 and Montreal-1976).

One of the most famous sportsmen in Iraqi history is Taffar Al Saffar. He won the gold medal in the 400-metre hurdles at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, Iran. The gold medal for Iraq was the first ever won by that country in Asian competition.

The Iraqi team finished 20th at the FIVB Volleyball Men´s World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina`s capital.

Younis Mahmoud is an Iraqi football icon. He is best known as the athlete who scored the winning goal for Iraq in the Asian Cup in 2007.

The Asian country qualified for the FIFA World Youth Cup finals for the first time in 1977. The Iraqi players were each awarded a Soviet-made Lada by president Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr.

By Brian Kearns

If you live in Ottawa, Ontario, or have visited Ottawa in the past, you must attend or participate in the HOPE (Helping other people everywhere) tournament or Summerfest tournament which was inspired by the Terry Fox run in 1981. The tournament is the largest of it's kind in the world because it has the most people or teams playing volleyball at once anywhere. The tournament is located at mooney's bay beach in Ottawa, Ontario and has hundreds of teams participating throughout the days event which takes place on a Saturday in July of each year. The average crowd attending is about 20 thousand people playing volleyball and participating in the event and 10 thousand spectators or about 30 thousand people in total along with hundreds of local people donating their time. It's a great fun day as the weather is usually hot and sunny at that time of the year.

There are teams from all over the country who attend the event as they raise money for good charitable causes. The event starts about 9:00 am for registration as the crowd quickly picks up. In the last number of years, the tournament has added a live amphitheater entertainment venue with local popular bands entertaining in an outdoor venue with a beer garden and plenty of food venues. Local Ottawa radio stations blast music throughout the day throughout the grounds and local big name bands like 54-40, Toronto's Thornley and Loudlove perform on the main stage. If you like to have fun and are single in the city, it is a great place to meet people at this event.

The event is only a one day event or festival, but it is a memorable experience if you have never attended. I know for sure, I will be back next year, as my friends and I had a great time participating in the tournament while helping all the local charities and after as well at the beer garden while watching some of Ottawa's great rock bands performing live and meeting friends I haven't seen in years. A good time was had by all of us during our favorite summer event!

By Dennis Jackson

The second referee, also known as the R2, has many officiating responsibilities. Learning and mastering these basic volleyball rules and techniques will help your volleyball matches move along better.

Prematch duties

The second referee is in charge of the game ball. The second referee ensures the game ball is ready before the start of the match. A ball pressure gauge should be used to check the game ball pressure.

Attend the captains meeting.

The second referee should attend the captains meeting. The second referee should inform the scorekeeper of the result of the captains meeting coin toss.

Time the pre-match warm up.

The second referee should have a watch or stop watch to time the pre-match warm up. The second referee should manage the court by directing the teams on and off the court at the correct time intervals.

Collect team line ups.

The second referee should collect the teams line up sheets from the coaches before the match.

Check each team line up.

The second referee should check each team lining up on the court before the start of each game.

Identify team captains.

The second referee identifies the team captains and signals to the first referee.

Mechanics

The second referee should be watching the receiving team before the serve for out of rotation violations. It's the second referees responsibility to call overlaps on the receiving team.

Except for the service beckon, whenever the first referee whistles, the second referee should mimic the first referees hand signals.

Hand signals should be sharp and clear. When signaling, the second referee should step out away from the pole so the first referee can clearly see the signals.

It is the second referees responsibility to whistle timeouts and substitutions.

For timeouts, the second referee whistles, makes the timeout signal, then signals to the first referee how many timeouts each team has taken. For substitutions, the second referee whistles, makes the substitution signal, then communicates to the scorekeeper the substitutes. Once the scorekeeper is ready, the second referee signals to the first referee to begin play.

The second referee is also responsible for signaling the end of the time period between games.

Along with timeouts and substitutions, the second referee needs to blow the whistle for net violations, centerline violations, the ball hitting the antenna, the ball hitting any object outside the antenna, and the ball crossing the net outside the antenna.

The second referee should also blow the whistle and stop play if a player runs into a nonplayable adjacent court, a player steps into a nonplayable area and plays a ball while not being in contact with the playing surface, or an object such as a ball from another court interferes with play.

The second referee should communicate effectively with the scorekeeper. The second referee should be assertive while at the same time approachable.

The second referee should transition from one side of the court to the other side when the ball is in play. The second referee should try to stay on the defensive teams side of the court watching both sides of the court with emphasis on watching the play at the net for net violations and centerline violations.

Teamwork

The second referee should have good eye contact with the first referee helping them out the best they can. Before the start of the match, the first and second referee should have a discussion on exactly how they are going to help out one another. It is the first referees responsibility to whistle a ball handling violation such as prolonged contact or double contacts, the ball hitting the court, 4 team contacts, illegal back row attacks, and illegal back row blocks.

Judgement

If the first referee desires, it's the second referees responsibility to discreetly signal (not whistle) ball handling or illegal contacts. Discreetly signaling the first referee can be important when the first referee is screened out of the play. For example, the first referee could miss a ball clearly contacting the floor if a player is between the ball and the first referee. In this situation, the second referee can discreetly signal to the first referee the ball hitting the floor. The first referee may even desire for the second referee to whistle. Discussing referee mechanics and what to do in these situations before the start of the match will likely help things run more smoothly.

Court Management

The second referee should anticipate, recognize, and administer substitutions.

It's the second referees responsibility to communicate with the team bench during play. For example, if the coach is requesting a timeout or substitution, it's the second referee's responsibility to take control.

The second referee should also be scanning the court and team bench area during play and in between plays. For example, if a ball rolls onto the court interfering with play, the second referee should be ready to blow the whistle and stop play.