16-year-old Hawaiian golfer turns pro, plans debut in three weeks.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

HONOLULU [bar] Another teenager from Hawaii is turning pro.

Tadd Fujikawa, the 16-year-old who became the youngest player in more than 50 years to make a cut on the PGA Tour, said Thursday he was giving up his amateur status and would make his pro debut in three weeks at the Reno-Tahoe Open.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

Phil Mickelson shot a 6-under 65 Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Scottish Open in Luss, Scotland.

Neal Lancaster shot a 7-under 64 to grab a one-shot lead over Duffy Waldorf, Paul Stankowski, Kenny Perry, Scott Gutschewski and Jason Dufner after the first round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.

Se Ri Pak shot an 8-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania, Ohio. Pak has won this tournament four times.

Andy Roberts, the 64th and lowest seed, reached the final eight in match play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, Ill.

baseball

BALCO attorney gets prison term

SAN FRANCISCO [bar] An attorney who admitted leaking the confidential grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes was sentenced Thursday to 2 years in prison, by far the harshest penalty to result from the government's steroids investigation.

Troy Ellerman, 44, pleaded guilty in February to allowing a San Francisco Chronicle reporter to view transcripts of testimony by Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and other athletes embroiled in the probe.

wells suspended for seven games

NEW YORK [bar] San Diego Padres pitcher David Wells was suspended for seven games and fined $3,000 Thursday by the commissioner's office for his animated argument with an umpire last weekend.

Wells was ejected by umpire Ed Hickox for questioning calls in the fourth inning of Saturday's 8-5 win over Atlanta after Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer.

The portly pitcher had to be restrained by San Diego manager Bud Black, two coaches and catcher Josh Bard, and Wells fired a ball at the backstop as he walked off the field.

Henderson Added As coach For Mets

NEW YORK [bar] Rickey Henderson will be the newest coach on the New York Mets staff - when he reaches New York.

Henderson was traveling Thursday as the Mets announced his hiring and the dismissal of hitting coach Rick Down.

It has not been decided whether Henderson or first-base coach Howard Johnson will replace Down.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS

Julio Franco may have finally run out of at-bats. The New York Mets cut the 48-year-old utilityman Thursday, opting to give 22-year-old outfielder Lastings Milledge, a former Norfolk Tides player, another chance in the majors.

Travis Hafner and the Cleveland Indians agreed Thursday to a $57 million, four-year contract extension through the 2012 season.

David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop, shook off a back injury and came off the disabled list Thursday.

basketball

Magic, howard sign 5-year extension

ORLANDO, Fla. [bar] Only 21 years old, Dwight Howard already says he wants to retire in Orlando.

He committed to sticking around for a while longer Thursday, as the former No. 1 overall pick signed a five-year contract extension worth approximately $80 million.

IN OTHER BASKETBALL NEWS

Ronny Thompson has told Ball State he will resign after one season as head coach of the Cardinals.

Lindsey Harding, the No.1 pick in this year's WNBA draft, will miss the rest of her rookie season with the Minnesota Lynx with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

hockey

Sutter may soon take over devils

RED DEER, Alberta [bar] Brent Sutter resigned as coach and general manager of the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels - a team he owns - on Thursday amid speculation he will soon be named coach of the New Jersey Devils.

IN OTHER HOCKEY NEWS

Sheldon Souray agreed to a five-year deal with the the Edmonton Oilers, which was looking for an impact player. Souray, an All-Star defenseman, posted career highs of 26 goals and 64 points last season with Montreal.

Mike Ribeiro and Joel Lundqvist, both centers, re-signed with the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

tennis

Williams replaced on fed cup team

STOWE, Vt. [bar] An injured Serena Williams was officially dropped from the U.S. roster Thursday, and Svetlana Kuznetsova was taken off Russia's team ahead of the Fed Cup semifinal this weekend.

Williams, who hurt her left thumb and calf at Wimbledon after being picked for the U.S. squad, was replaced by Meilen Tu.

in other news

Crystl Bustos and Kelly Kretschman hit two-run homers as the U.S. opened its title defense at the World Cup of Softball with a 9-1 win over Venezuela in Oklahoma City.

CAPTION(S):

Ex-U.Va. aide withdraws name from UCLA search, will stay at Temple.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

PHILADELPHIA [bar] Temple coach Al Golden withdrew his name from consideration for the opening at UCLA and will remain with the Owls.

Golden was defensive coordinator at Virginia prior to being named head coach at Temple in December 2005. He is 5-19 in his first two years at Temple. Golden interviewed twice for the UCLA job that opened after the Bruins fired Karl Dorrell.

In a statement from Temple on Wednesday, Golden said he was 'flattered' to have been contacted by UCLA but instead looked forward to a bright future at Temple.

Golden led the Owls to a 4-8 record this season, their highest win total in five years. Temple has not had a winning record since 1990.

IN OTHER COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

Penn State starting defensive tackle Chris Baker and backup linebacker Navorro Bowman, both charged with assault in connection with a campus fight, will miss Saturday's Alamo Bowl game against Texas A&M. Backup cornerback and special teams ace Knowledge Timmons, facing misdemeanor charges in an incident after the fight, will also miss his second consecutive game. Also not making the trip was backup cornerback Willie Harriott, who was charged with driving drunk on Nov. 11. Backup defensive tackle Tom McEowen also did not make the trip for undisclosed reasons.

hockey

Wings, Lidstrom OK extension

DETROIT [bar] Nicklas Lidstrom and the Detroit Red Wings agreed to a two-year contract extension Wednesday that runs through the 2009-10 season. The deal is worth about $15 million.

Winner of five Norris Trophies, the 37-year-old Swede is the highest-scoring defenseman in Red Wings history with 900 points in 15 seasons. He was picked by Detroit in the third round of the 1989 draft.

In 1,212 regular-season NHL games, Lidstrom has 205 goals and 695 assists. He has 39 goals and 97 assists in 192 playoff games. The eight-time NHL All-Star has three goals and 29 assists in 36 games this season. He has points in 21 of the past 28 games.

Caps drop 'interim' from coach's title

WASHINGTON [bar] Bruce Boudreau became the Washington Capitals' coach Wednesday when the team dropped the 'interim' tag from his title.

The Capitals were 7-5-3 under Boudreau entering Wednesday night's game against Tampa Bay.

He was promoted from the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears, on Thanksgiving Day, replacing the fired Glen Hanlon. At that point, the Capitals were last in the NHL with a 6-14-1 record, their worst 21-game start to a season since 1981-82.

Entering Wednesday, Washington's mark of 13-19-4 still left it last in the Eastern Conference and 29th in the league. But the Caps have been far more competitive in recent weeks under Boudreau.

IN OTHER HOCKEY NEWS

The Chicago Blackhawks put Martin Havlat on injured reserve for at least a week with a groin injury. The right wing was hurt in the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime win at Ottawa on Saturday.

Kyle Okposo, a former Minnesota Golden Gophers player set to sign with the New York Islanders, had a goal and an assist to help the United States open the World Junior Hockey Championships with a 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan on Wednesday in Liberec, Czech Republic.

basketball

Sutton to coach at San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO [bar] Eddie Sutton is coming out of retirement to replace Jessie Evans as San Francisco's basketball coach, The Associated Press has learned.

A West Coast Conference official familiar with the situation said Wednesday that Evans was stepping down and that the 71-year-old Sutton would take over the Dons on an interim basis. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sutton's return was first reported by CBSSports.com.

Sutton retired as Oklahoma State's coach after the 2005-06 season. He has 798 victories in 36 seasons as a Division I coach at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State.

IN OTHER BASKETBALL NEWS

Texas Tech coach Bob Knight was reprimanded by the Big 12 for comments he made about officiating after a loss to New Mexico Dec. 15.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Tim Thomas was listed as day-to-day after undergoing tests on his injured left knee. Thomas, hurt in Los Angeles' 99-90 loss at San Antonio on Saturday night, had an MRI on Monday and the results were negative.

baseball

Clemens' lawyers probing charges

NEW YORK [bar] Roger Clemens' lawyers are investigating accusations in the Mitchell Report that say the star pitcher used steroids and human growth hormone.

Clemens was the biggest name in this month's report by former Senate majority leader George Mitchell that detailed widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has repeatedly denied that he ever used steroids or HGH.

Clemens plans to be interviewed for an episode of CBS' '60 Minutes' that is scheduled to air on Jan. 6.

The pitcher will be available to answer questions from other reporters that day in Texas, said Joe Householder, a spokesman for Clemens' attorney, Rusty Hardin.

CAPTION(S):

Dodgers, Giants forever rivals // San Francisco fans take it much more seriously; L.A. backers laid back - Chicago Sun-Times

SAN FRANCISCO Class vs. Crass.

That's the way San Francisco Giants fans see their hostilerivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Most seasons, Giants fans are happy just to see the Dodgerslose. But this year there's actually something at stake - the NLWest championship. And that's reinvigorated one of baseball'sfiercest feuds, although just how fierce depends which side you'reon.

'The Dodgers were created by Satan,' San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist Jon Carroll wrote in Monday's editions. 'Most baseballfans know that. They are a group of evil men with evil intentions.They wear royal blue and play before fans who do not care anythingabout baseball.'

OK, maybe that attitude is a bit exaggerated. But most Giantsfans aren't shy about revealing their hatred of the National Leagueneighbors to the south.

'It's a pure sports hate,' Danny Broone said at a recent Giantsgame. 'I grew up with the concept of the rivalry. You're taughtthat if nothing else goes right during the season, at least beat theDodgers.'

Broone said he attends several Dodgers-Giants games each year,but won't take his two young sons because crowds can get a little too'vehement.'

'It's not so much that you hate those people, but they'restanding in the way of the pennant title,' said Broone's wife,Trisha, a newly converted Giants fan. Her husband said it's only amatter of time before she also despises the Dodgers.

When the Dodgers play in San Francisco, wearing Dodger blue canmean constant razzing by fans. And chants of 'Beat L.A.! BeatL.A.!' are standard - even when the two teams aren't playing eachother - when the scoreboard shows the Dodgers losing.

Bleacher brawls used to be common when the Dodgers came to town,although that subsided in recent years after beer sales were cut offafter the seventh inning.

Any love between the Giants and Dodgers may have been foreverlost the day San Francisco pitcher Juan Marichal clubbed Los Angelescatcher John Roseboroca with a bat.

Aug. 22, 1965, sometimes known as 'Bloody Sunday,' is a daystill remembered fondly by many fans of the Giants, who beat theDodgers in more ways than one. After the ensuing brawl, Willie Mayshit a 450-foot three-run homer off Sandy Koufax to give the Giants a4-3 victory.

Giants manager Dusty Baker - himself a former Dodger - keeps aglass-framed photo of the brawl on his stadium office wall.

'Roseboro deserved it. He needed an attitude adjustment,' saidDennis Denzinger, who peddles souvenirs at Giants games.

As far as Denzinger and other Northern California Giants fansare concerned, Los Angeles is a car-dependent, celebrity-obsessed,smoggy, crime-ridden mess. It's not exactly their first vacationdestination.

Many Dodger fans, on the other hand, said they have no personalgripe with the Giants or their city. The Giants are the team to beatthis year, just as the San Diego Padres stood in the way of thedivision title last year.

'I've got a lot of respect for the Giants,' Peter George said ashe watched the Dodgers on television at a sports bar in Los Angeles.'They've got a lot of good players. It's a great place, a beautifulplace.'

If there are any complaints, it's that Giants fans can be a bittoo intense.

'They've got to learn to chill,' said Tom Wade, anothersports-bar patron.

'It's a very nice city, but it'll never be another L.A. We'recool down here, we go with the flow. San Francisco is locked intotheir culture, we're not.'

Baseball historian Eric Solomon said the reason for thediffering attitudes goes back to the teams' New York roots.

The New York Giants won five World Series titles, while theBrooklyn Dodgers were perennial losers, though they did win thechampionship once, in 1955. Since they moved to California in 1958,the Dodgers have won the World Series five times, while the Giantshave lost both times they made it there.

'The Dodgers go to L.A. and they are real winners, said Solomon,a San Francisco State University professor. 'The Giants go to SanFrancisco, and while they have some great players, they are notwinners. Suddenly, the images are reversed.

'It would seem somewhat logical that there is always a sense ofinsecurity about the Giants. And there is always the sense about theDodgers that they know how to win.'

San Francisco Bay Area Bid for 2012 Olympics Makes Cut. - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

By Elliott Almond, San Jose Mercury News, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Oct. 27--The Bay Area took a major step toward winning the 2012 Summer Olympics on Friday when San Francisco -- with a proposal that includes sporting venues from Sacramento to Napa to Monterey -- became one of four finalists for the U.S. candidacy.

Houston, New York and Washington also advanced as the U.S. Olympic Committee halved the field to four. The USOC expects to name its candidate in November 2002. The International Olympic Committee plans to select the host city from a field of about 10 three years later.

Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles and Tampa, Fla., were eliminated after mounting campaigns that began as early as 1996. San Francisco seemed like a long shot because of early financial troubles but rebounded to devise a formidable bid.

The USOC executive committee took recommendations from a site evaluation task force in making the cuts Friday in Salt Lake City. Evaluators rated New York -- the sentimental favorite after the Sept. 11 attacks -- San Francisco and Washington the highest, sources said this week.

'I am absolutely convinced that what set us apart is our technology piece and our environmental piece,' said John Marks of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau at a news conference.

Technology became one of the bid's centerpieces when lead USOC evaluator Charlie Moore told the group during an August visit, 'You have raised the bar in offering the first interactive Games. You should be proud of that kind of innovation.'

Moore was referring to a proposed interactive handheld device for athletes and spectators, though no one can predict what kind of gadget will be available in 2012.

Houston is the only finalist to have met the next, and perhaps most important, requirement: government financial guarantees. The other cities have until Nov. 30 to submit a document showing their state and city governments understand that the IOC will not underwrite the Games if there is a financial loss. The cities unable to meet the deadline will be eliminated.

Robert Weikert, a San Francisco lawyer, said the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee plans to obtain a $250 million insurance package to meet the requirement.

'We are going completely the private route,' he said. 'There is no component from the public. No taxpayer liability.'

Bid committee officials said they anticipate no trouble meeting the deadline.

The Bay Area bid has seen little local opposition, but that could change, said Richard Marquez of the Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition in San Francisco. He said he doubts the committee's assertion about the use of public money. 'No way will the city get away without investing one cent,' he said Friday. 'It will come at the expense of balancing the budget on the backs of middle-class and working-income San Franciscans.'

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly said he hasn't decided if he will support the bid but said it has many unanswered questions. He is considering drafting a resolution asking the Bay Area to defer to New York because of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Before the attacks, New York faced an uphill struggle to make the cut because of political infighting between New Jersey officials and the fact that few of the New York mayoral candidates strongly supported the bid.

But shortly after Sept. 11, Rome's mayor said other bid cities should step aside to let New York use the Olympics as a vehicle to celebrate its rebirth. The Big Apple has become the sentimental favorite. Its bid received a boost this week when New York lawmakers approved a $250 million guarantee if the games lose money.

'It's a very significant step toward the city winning that designation,' Mayor Rudolph Giuliani told reporters.

Houston was a surprise finalist. 'We're the best-kept secret in the country,' bid leader Susan Bandy said. 'Not that there is a bad image, but there is not enough of an image.'

San Francisco is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. But it had to overcome serious deficiencies to advance.

'They said we have too much traffic,' said Kim Carlisle, an Olympic swimmer from 1980. 'We have too much political infighting.'

San Francisco lost out in trying to bid for the 1996 Games, which were held in Atlanta. But this time leaders were better organized.

The Bay Area organizing committee is a group of local sports, business and political leaders. It has a few major donors, including Knight Ridder, the parent company of the Mercury News and 31 other newspapers.

Officials said they need to raise $1 million in the next year to fund the campaign. They said they have raised $1.8 million so far.

Although many of the potential venues are in place, Bay Area bidders still must address the reality of building a facility to replace Stanford Stadium. The bid proposal calls for a $300 million stadium to be used for opening and closing ceremonies, and track and field competition.

Anne Cribbs, organizing committee president, said evaluators were satisfied with the stadium proposal. In the next year the committee must develop a detailed plan for the Paralympics and show the USOC how a proposed Athletes' Village at Moffett Field will benefit competitors, Cribbs said.

And although Bay Area officials say they believe having four Olympic hubs -- Berkeley-Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento -- works best, the plan might eventually be scrapped.

'Of course there is some concern that our venue plan is too spread out,' bid director Bob Stiles said.

But he defended it as the best way to alleviate traffic concerns and handle security. Even before the attacks, the committee decided it would be easier to protect against a terrorist threat by having venues throughout the region instead of clustered in a dense area, as Sydney had last year.

To see more of the San Jose Mercury News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sjmercury.com

(c) 2001, San Jose Mercury News, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

Golden State Warriors headed to San Francisco in 2017 - Oakland Tribune

The Golden State Warriors have the money, the location theyalways wanted and a high-five from the NBA. So on Tuesday, the teamhad a message for its long-suffering fans: San Francisco, here wecome.

The Bay Area's pro basketball team announced plans to spend atleast a half-billion dollars to build a new arena on the SanFrancisco waterfront, promising fans the first games will be playedon the western side of the Bay Bridge starting in 2017.

The deal, which caps six months of planning between San Franciscoleaders and team owners, calls for the Warriors to raise $75 millionto $100 million to fix decrepit Piers 30 and 32 and privatelyfinance the 17,000- to 19,000-seat arena, which will sit in theshadow of the Bay Bridge on what is now a paved parking lot betweenthe piers. In exchange, the city will lease the land to the Warriorsfor free.

Though they were known as the San Francisco Warriors beforemoving to Oakland in 1971, the team will still be called the GoldenState Warriors -- at least for now.

For the arena to become a reality, the Warriors need to sink twobig baskets. First, they need financing. Second, the team will needto clear the unwieldy planning process that will involve stateagencies and, most importantly, San Francisco's notoriously finickycity government, which drove the 49ers to Santa Clara when the teamwas searching for a place to put its new stadium.

Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who paid a record $450million to buy the team 18 months ago, insisted they 'have the moneyin the bag,' as Lacob put it Tuesday. 'The bottom line is: Thefinancing is done,' he said.

Lacob joked that it might take 50 years to pay off theconstruction loans, but he didn't mind.

NBA commissioner David Stern, who was on hand to announce themove, said money will be the easy part.

Though Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors endorse theproject in concept, they will need to finish negotiations under a'tight' timeline while still producing what Lacob called 'the mostspectacular arena in the country.'

Lacob conceded that the project was a 'massive gamble.' Parking,access for cars and public-transit service are sure to be headaches,as are the environmental challenges of building next to the water.

Knowing the troubles sports teams have had in building playingfacilities in California and particularly in the Bay Area, Guber,Lacob, Lee and others spent much of Tuesday's news conference tryingto convince the public that the deal wasn't just a dream.

'Take this as a promise we will fulfill,' Guber said. 'We're allin.'

NBA legend Jerry West, a Warriors board member, added: 'You haveto be a dreamer, and they're putting their money behind theirmouths.'

Warriors coach Mark Jackson said that, like the team on thecourt, the ownership can have 'no excuses.'

The specifics of the arena are being worked out, and the team hasyet to submit formal plans to the city for consideration.

A few piers from the proposed site on the Embarcadero is AT&TPark, which Guber and Lacob lauded as a model for a privatelyfinanced sports palace.

Though the Warriors thanked San Francisco Giants President LarryBaer for working with them on a potential site, the Warriorsultimately decided not to build the arena on a parking lot next toAT&T Park as part of a $1.6 billion Giants development.

The Warriors' owners also briefly acknowledged Oakland, wherecity leaders say they feel as if they've been 'slapped in the face.'

But Lacob noted that half the team's fans live on either side ofthe Bay Bridge, while dismissing the notion that they had planned tomove the team all along. In addition, he noted that the team willkeep its name -- unless fans vote for a new one.

Lacob said the team only briefly considered sites in San Jose anddenied a request from San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed to meet. He saidSilicon Valley could not compete with San Francisco, where more ofthe team's fans live and which provides a better entertainmentdestination. The team envisions adding restaurants and sports barsnext to the arena, as well as hosting concerts, circuses,conventions and other events during non-game days, with plans for afuture all-star weekend or possible NCAA tournament games.

Stern pointed to the Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets (which aremoving to a new arena in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and the Cleveland Cavaliersas examples of franchises that have moved locations to build arenaswhile staying in the same market.

'This is a common occurrence in all of sports,' Stern said,noting that the league left the decision of where to build up to theWarriors.

It's the latest in a growing trend of musical chairs among BayArea sports teams. In addition to the pending moves of the Warriorsand the 49ers, the A's are trying to leave Oakland for a newballpark in San Jose. And the Oakland Raiders are considering othercities in their hunt to build a new stadium.

Lacob said he thought Oakland would keep at least one of itsteams, although he wasn't sure which one.

'We're the first shoe to drop, I guess you could say,' he said.

Over the next two years, the project will be vetted bybureaucrats and politicians. But Lee expressed confidence theprocess would end with a home for the Warriors for the next half-century.

Team President and CEO Rick Welts said: 'This is the mostimportant journey in the history of the Warriors.'

In Oakland, frustrated officials said they would still try toattract concerts and other events to Oracle Arena, saying that theWarriors' departure would open up the calendar. Officials are alsocontinuing to plan for a revamped O.Co Coliseum site, which includesthe Oracle Arena, in hopes of keeping the A's and Raiders with a newstadium, hotels and restaurants.

'The one good thing is we know what the Warriors want to do,'said Nate Miley, a commissioner for the Coliseum Authority, thepublic agency that manages the complex. 'We will embrace them ifthey want to stay -- this is not a divorce. But we have to play itlike they're gone.'

San Mateo County opposes satelitte horse-racing wagering in San Francisco - Oakland Tribune

SAN MATEO -- Just as Golden Gate Fields and the state planned tointroduce satellite horse-race wagering in San Francisco, San MateoCounty attorneys sent them a message: Hold your horses.

An attorney for San Mateo's satellite wagering facility traveledto the San Diego area last week and persuaded regulators to delaystate permit applications for San Francisco's first two simulcastgambling sites.

Golden Gate Fields, a racetrack in Berkeley, proposed installing40- to 50-seat 'mini-satellite' simulcast betting parlors insidePete's Tavern, located across from AT&T Park, and Sotte Marerestaurant in North Beach. They have support from the CaliforniaHorse Racing Board, which can permit horse wagering inside 45 barsand restaurants across California, thanks to a new state law.

However, the same law prevents such gambling locations frompopping up within a 20-mile radius of another site. The two SanFrancisco locations are a hair less than 20 miles from the JockeyClub, a county-operated satellite horse-wagering facility thatopened in San Mateo three days after Bay Meadows racetrack closed inAugust. The Jockey Club is located at the county Event Center.

One-third of Jockey Club patrons, many of whom migrated from BayMeadows, travel from San Francisco, said Portor Goltz, deputy countycounsel who is representing the club and the Event Center. Losingthose customers to the proposed San Francisco wagering facilitieswould hurt the cash-strapped county as it pays off debt from the$5.1 million club, he said.

The state had not notified the county of the San Franciscoproposals, and local officials learned of them only after ChrisCarpenter, the Event Center's general manager, read the Horse RacingBoard's July 23 agenda. Goltz traveled more than 450 miles to theboard meeting in Del Mar, invoked the 20-mile radius statute and gotthe proposals tabled.

'Nobody said anything (before the meeting),' Goltz said. 'And,frankly, had I not been there and objected, they would have grantedthese (San Francisco facilities). I'm certain of that.'

Robert Hartman, general manager of Golden Gate Fields, said thecounty's objection limits the waning sport's ability to reach new,younger fans near downtown San Francisco. If the two sites were toperform well, they could lead to other locations in the city, hesaid.

Golden Gate Fields will try working with the county to receive awaiver, and he will contact state legislators to write a bill thatwould amend the 20-mile radius law, Hartman said. If those twoavenues fail, he said the company will be forced to try opening afacility on the outskirts of the Bay Area.

'These mini-satellites are really for the good of horse racing,'Hartman said. 'I think San Mateo County will be reasonable --they've seen a racetrack go out of business right in their backyardalready, so they know our sport is struggling.'

Golden Gate Fields was aware of the 20-mile restriction butsubmitted its application after state officials assured the companytheir proposed locations were far enough away from the Jockey Club,Hartman said.

State officials had simply looked up the distance to drivebetween the San Francisco locations and the Jockey Club usingGoogle's mapping service, said Mike Marten, spokesman for the HorseRacing Board.

But the driving directions are not in a straight line, and Goltzsaid the statute referred specifically to a 20-mile 'radius' fromthe Jockey Club, which covers all of San Francisco except a tinyarea under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Marten said the board learned of San Mateo County's objectionsfor the first time at the board meeting and was 'disappointed.' Hesaid the board hopes Golden Gate Fields can work out a solution withthe Jockey Club or through the state Legislature.

AOL Kicks Off 2010 City's Best Program, San Francisco Featured - Wireless News

Wireless News
10-16-2010
AOL Kicks Off 2010 City's Best Program, San Francisco Featured
Type: News

AOL Inc. has announced the launch of the 2010 City's Best program, providing a guide to the best local food, entertainment and lifestyle options in 25 major U.S. cities.

In a release, the AOL noted:
San Francisco has been selected as one of the featured cities. With a commitment to providing the highest quality and most relevant information at the local level, City's Best editors and writers in San Francisco have visited and selected the best food, entertainment and lifestyle venues, creating a high-quality local directory of listings. Now, AOL will engage San Francisco residents to vote for - - and ultimately determine -- the 'best of the best' that San Francisco has to offer.

San Francisco residents are invited to join the quest for its 'City's Best' by visiting citysbest.com or downloading City's Best applications for iPhone and Android to vote for their favorite businesses within a variety of food, entertainment and lifestyle categories. Joining San Francisco, the other markets selected for AOL's 2010 City's Best launch include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Twin Cities and Washington, DC.

Voting Period (through November 30): City's Best voting kicks- off October 13, and will run through November 30. Individuals will 'vote' for their favorite spots from a list of top businesses in specific categories. A winner will be determined for each of the categories in San Francisco and announced on December 14. Categories were selected based on local popularity and general public interest to ensure participation from the greatest number of people. Categories include:

-- Best After Work Bars

-- Best Burgers

-- Best Places to Break Up

-- Best Cocktails

-- Best Cheap Eats

-- Best Breakfast & Brunch

-- Best Day Drinking

-- Best Desserts

-- Best Chinese Restaurants

-- Best Dive Bars

-- Best Hotels

-- Best Family Friendly Restaurants

-- Best Hook Up Spots

-- Best Italian Food

-- Best Gay & Lesbian Nightlife

-- Best Kid's Clothing

-- Best Live Music

-- Best Mexican Restaurants

-- Best Pet Culture

-- Best Pizza

-- Best Movie Theaters

-- Best Salons

-- Best Seafood

-- Best Romantic Restaurants

-- Best Spas

-- Best Sports Bars

-- Best Steakhouses

-- Best Wine Bars

-- Best Thrift Shops

-- Best Sushi & Japanese Restaurants

-- Best Women's Clothing Boutiques

-- Best Tattoo & Piercing Parlors

'City's Best is a unique opportunity for San Francisco residents to engage in their community and be a part of recognizing outstanding local businesses for the exceptional services they provide,' said Heather Rudulph, AOL West Regional Editor. 'City's Best is where neighbors and experts find and share what is best in their city. And who else would be better suited to decide San Francisco's best food, entertainment and lifestyle venues than San Francisco residents and local experts who experience the quality of these businesses every day.'

'Simply put, City's Best is the easiest way to find and engage with what's best in our cities,' said Jon Brod, President of AOL Ventures, Local and Mapping. 'Launching City's Best is an important step in AOL Local's goal of providing the highest quality, most relevant and most accessible local information, from hyper-local to major-metro markets. We are tapping into professional editors and writers, in addition to community members through their participation in the voting process to find and share the best in San Francisco.'

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

Copyright 2010 Close-Up Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
n/a

francis among four greats to be elected into hockey hall of fame.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

TORONTO [bar] The Hockey Hall of Fame is set to welcome Ron Francis, who led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002, and three other NHL greats in one of its finest classes ever.

Francis, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis and Scott Stevens will go in as players this fall, while NHL executive Jim Gregory will enter as a builder.

'I'm very honored to go in with a class like this,' said Francis, who holds Carolina franchise records in goals and assists.

Messier, the NHL's second-leading career scorer, was a slam-dunk selection after a career in which he won six Stanley Cups.

All four players elected Thursday were on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

IN OTHER HOCKEY NEWS

Wayne Primeau, a center, has re-signed with the Calgary Flames for a three-year contract. The team also signed defenseman David Hale to a one-year deal.

golf

mediate shoots 64 to take buick lead

GRAND BLANC, Mich. [bar] Rocco Mediate's back is healthy and so is his game.

Mediate shot his lowest score on the PGA Tour in four years, opening the Buick Open on Thursday with an 8-under 64 for a one-stroke lead.

Brett Quigley, Woody Austin and Brian Bateman shot 65s, and Jim Furyk was among a group of four another stroke back.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

James Kamte, a South African qualifier, and Welshman Kyron Sullivan each shot 6-under-par 65s to share the opening-day lead Thursday at the French Open.

football

Most of redskins' practices closed

ASHBURN [bar] Washington Redskins fans will have only a few opportunities to see their team at training camp this year.

The team announced Thursday that players will report and camp will open July 27 at Redskins Park. But like last year, only eight sessions will be open to the public, the last on Aug 8.

vols boot walk-on after drug arrest

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. [bar] Tennessee dismissed walk-on Justin Jackson on Thursday after an arrest on a felony charge of possessing and selling crack cocaine.

Knoxville police arrested the 21-year-old Wednesday night, police spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.

An officer saw Jackson's car stopped shortly before 8:30 p.m. and was investigating a possible seat-belt violation, DeBusk said, when the officer saw what appeared to be crack in the vehicle.

IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS

Fred Evans, a Miami Dolphins defensive tackle who was arrested over the weekend for refusing to leave a taxi on South Beach and for fighting with officers, was released by the team Thursday.

A 23-year-old woman found fatally shot in a Phoenix alley has been identified as the daughter of former NFL lineman Luis Sharpe, authorities said Thursday.

Doug Flutie, a former Heisman Trophy winner, and former Miami coach Larry Coker will serve as analysts for college football games on ESPN's networks this season.

soccer

beckham to join galaxy on july 13

LOS ANGELES [bar] Mark your calendars, America.

David Beckham will be officially introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 13 at the team's stadium in Carson.

Beckham, currently vacationing after helping Real Madrid win the Spanish League title, will arrive in Los Angeles a few days before his introductory news conference and first training session with the MLS team.

IN OTHER SOCCER NEWS

Fabio Capello, Real Madrid coach, was fired on Thursday, less than two weeks after he guided the Spanish power to its first league title in four years.

baseball

200 in attendance for beck funeral

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. [bar] Former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and current manager Bruce Bochy were among the estimated 200 people who attended the funeral Thursday for former major league pitcher Rod Beck.

Heat's Riley says Shaq's criticism of former team, trainers is 'sad'.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

NEW YORK [bar] Pat Riley can't understand why Shaquille O'Neal keeps talking about the Miami Heat.

Riley responded to O'Neal's criticisms Wednesday with some of his own, saying his former center was wrong to disparage some of his old teammates and trainers in a Boston Globe story.

'It's sad that he says those things,' Riley said.

Riley dealt O'Neal to Phoenix before the trade deadline .

O'Neal made it clear how much he prefers his new teammates. 'I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys,' O'Neal told the Globe. ' I'm actually on a team again.'

Riley said O'Neal has no reason to blame anyone else for his unhappiness. 'When you're 9-40, we're all frustrated. I mean, everybody's at fault; we all were,' Riley said. 'Everybody was feeling bad and nobody wants that.'

pro football

Owners to mull ban on long hair

NEW YORK [bar] At their meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., next week, NFL owners will consider a proposal to ban players from having hair flow from their helmets below their names on the back of their jerseys.

That might affect the image of players such as Troy Polamalu , but help on the field. Two seasons ago, the Pittsburgh safety with the long ponytail had his hair grabbed by Kansas City's Larry Johnson and was thrown to the turf after an interception against the Chiefs.

The rule banning long hair on the field was proposed by Kansas City. It does not require players to get haircuts, but does 'require them to tuck it up inside their helmets,' said Atlanta president Rich McKay, chairman of the league's competition committee.

IN OTHER NFL NEWS

Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Trufant and the Seahawks have agreed to a $50.2 million, six-year contract that runs through 2013.

Long snapper Rob Davis retired from the Green Bay Packers, weeks after becoming the only player remaining from the team's last Super Bowl appearance.

cycling

Witness testifies in doping trial

SAN FRANCISCO [bar] A key witness in cyclist Tammy Thomas's doping trial testified Wednesday that an illicit steroid lab in Illinois made little money because the potent performance-enhancers could be bought and taken in such small quantities.

Kelcey Dalton helped market the substances developed and manufactured by Patrick Arnold, her then-boyfriend. Arnold, a chemist, invented some of the steroids at the heart of a drugs and sports scandal in which Thomas is the first person being tried.

During her testimony, Dalton also said she heard Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative founder Victor Conte say he had provided steroids to Marion Jones, imprisoned this month for lying to investigators about doping and her role in a check-fraud scheme, and to home run king Barry Bonds.

Prosecutors say Thomas lied to a grand jury about what performance-enhancing substances she bought from Arnold, and whether she had taken anabolic steroids.

college football

Starting Lineman leaves Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. [bar] Offensive lineman Justin Boren says he's left the Michigan football team because the program's 'family values have eroded.'

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Boren would have been 1 of 2 returning starters on the offensive line next season and the Wolverines' most experienced lineman. The junior-to-be started every game last season, either at center or left guard.

Boren told reporters after Michigan's first spring practice 10 days ago that adapting to new coach Rich Rodriguez's no-huddle spread offense was physically challenging.

According to published reports, Rodriguez said Tuesday that he would not discuss Boren's decision.

IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS

Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford will likely miss the rest of spring practice with a knee injury.

college basketball

Assistant: I will stay at Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. [bar] Kevin O'Neill said he expects to return to Lute Olson's Arizona staff and succeed the Hall of Famer when he retires.

O'Neill became interim coach Nov. 4 after Olson took a leave of absence for undisclosed personal reasons. When Olson recently announced that he would resume coaching next season, speculation arose that O'Neill might depart instead of returning to his job as an assistant. O'Neill said he plans to fulfill the commitment he made when he came to Tucson a year ago.

Olson returned to his job on Monday .

O'Neill guided Arizona to a 19-15 record and its 24th straight NCAA tournament appearance, the nation's longest active streak.

IN OTHER BASKETBALL NEWS

California fired coach Ben Braun on Wednesday following another season in which the Golden Bears missed the NCAA tournament. Braun spent 12 years at Cal.

Ben Carnevale, the longtime Navy basketball coach , has died. He was 92. He had been living in Williamsburg.

in other news

The U.S. soccer team beat Poland 3-0 in an exhibition game Wednesday night in Krakow, Poland. The margin of victory was the largest for the Americans in Europe since April 1998.

CAPTION(S):

gove and campbell share the lead at turning stone resort at 7-under.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

VERONA, N.Y. [bar] Jeff Gove and Chad Campbell each shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to tie for the first-round lead in the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Gove and Campbell, who finished one stroke off the Atunyote Golf Club course record, were one shot ahead of Steve Flesch, John Senden, Matthew Goggin and Brendon de Jonge.

Goggin and de Jonge bogeyed their final holes to drop from the lead.

IN OTHER GOLF NEWS

Martin Erlandsson of Sweden shot a 9-under 63 to take the lead after the first round of the British Masters in Sutton Coldfield, England, He leads Jarmo Sandelin and Richard Sterne by two strokes.

baseball

injury ends griffey's season

SAN FRANCISCO [bar] Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season with a strained groin.

Griffey left Wednesday night's game against the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning after injuring himself while fielding a ball in right.

Griffey hit .277 this year with 30 homers and 93 RBIs. He was an All-Star for the first time since 2004 and the 13th time overall, and he moved up to sixth on the career home run list with 593.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS

Vernon Wells will have season-ending surgery Tuesday for a cyst and torn labrum in his left shoulder. The Blue Jays centerfielder hit .245 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs this year.

Chris Duncan, an outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals, had surgery to repair a sports hernia and will miss the rest of the season. He hit .259 with 21 homers and 70 RBIs.

Ed Wade, former Philadelphia Phillies general manager, was hired as GM of the Houston Astros.

college basketball

florida a&m picks harris as coach

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. [bar] Former Florida State player Eugene Harris was hired as the men's basketball coach at Florida A&M. He succeeds Mike Gillespie, who is serving a year's probation after a no-contest plea to stalking a former girlfriend.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ohio State must pay former basketball coach Jim O'Brien more than $2.4 million for his wrongful firing in 2004, an appeals court ordered.

DeAnthony Ford, 20, convicted of killing Southern Cal basketball player Ryan Francis in May 2006, was sentenced to life in prison in Baton Rouge, La.

nba

bucks match heat offer to bell

MILWAUKEE [bar] The Milwaukee Bucks confirmed that they've matched an offer sheet Charlie Bell signed with the Miami Heat for the restricted free-agent guard, a five-year deal worth $18.5 million.

Bell averaged a career-high 13.5 points last season.

IN OTHER NBA NEWS

Sarunas Jasikevicius was waived by the Golden State Warriors, who agreed to a contract buyout with the disgruntled guard.

tennis

Roddick and blake face swedes today

GOTEBORG, Sweden [bar] Andy Roddick will face Joachim Johansson and James Blake will play Thomas Johansson as the United States takes on Sweden today in Davis Cup play.

In Saturday's doubles, Sweden's Simon Aspelin will team with veteran Jonas Bjorkman against top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan.

In Sunday's reverse singles, Thomas Johansson plays Roddick and Joachim Johansson faces Blake.

IN OTHER TENNIS NEWS

Lindsay Davenport advanced to the quarterfinals of the China Open by defeating Eleni Daniilidou 7-5 6-3 in Beijing. Davenport next will play fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva, who cruised past Tamira Paszek 6-2, 6-0.

Daniela Hantuchova, the second seed, defeated Anastasia Rodionova 6-2, 6-1 in 57 minutes to reach the quarterfinals of the Sunfeast Open in Calcutta, India.

Katarina Srebotnik routed Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2, 6-0, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Slovenia Open in Portoroz, Slovenia.

soccer

world cup field is down to eight

TIANJIN, China [bar] Norway, Australia, Brazil and China reached the Women's World Cup quarterfinals, completing the eight-team field.

Norway routed Ghana 7-2; Australia, needing only a tie to advance, rallied to draw 2-2 with Canada; China edged New Zealand 2-0, and Brazil defeated Denmark 1-0.

On Saturday, the No.1-ranked United States will face England, and defending champion Germany faces North Korea. On Sunday, Norway faces China, and Brazil plays Australia.

IN OTHER SOCCER NEWS

Steve Nicol, coach of the New England Revolution, was fined $1,000 for criticizing MLS officiating after the Revolution's 4-2 loss to D.C. United on Sept. 9.

in other news

Ellis Lankster, a corner-back, and linebacker J.T. Thomas, arrested last month for receiving stolen property, were reinstated by the West Virginia football team after they agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program.

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed a lease Thursday committing the NHL team to its yet-to-be built, $290 million arena until 2040.

CAPTION(S):

Bucks hire Skiles as coach, hoping disciplinarian approach will work.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

MILWAUKEE [bar] The Milwaukee Bucks moved quickly to find their new coach, signing Scott Skiles to a four-year deal and introducing him at a news conference Monday.

Skiles takes over for Larry Krystkowiak, who was fired last week. Krystkowiak was an assistant coach at Old Dominion during the 2001-02 season.

Skiles, 44, brings extensive NBA head coaching experience and a disciplinarian approach to Milwaukee - something the Bucks didn't necessarily get from their two previous coaches, Krystkowiak and Terry Stotts.

Skiles was fired by Chicago in December after making the playoffs in three of his first four seasons as the Bulls' coach. Skiles also coached three seasons in Phoenix. He is a close friend of Krystkowiak and spoke to him last week about the possibility of becoming his replacement.

college track and field

track coach at Arkansas retiring

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. [bar] Arkansas track and field coach John McDonnell, who has led the Razorbacks to 42 national titles and 83 conference crowns, will retire at the end of the outdoor season, the school announced.

McDonnell, 69, has won more national championships than any other collegiate coach in any sport.

His most recent national championship was in 2006 in indoor track; his team won the SEC indoor title in 2007 for his last league championship. McDonnell's 12 consecutive NCAA indoor track championships - from 1984 to 1995 - made up the longest streak of national college titles in any sport.

IN OTHER COLLEGE NEWS

Prosecutors in South Carolina say they will not prosecute two Clemson track coaches accused of depositing money collected at campus track and field events into their personal accounts because the evidence against Bob Pollock and Charles Foster could not support criminal charges.

baseball

Yankees: A-Rod has mild strain

NEW YORK [bar] Alex Rodriguez has a mild strain of his right quadriceps and will rejoin the Yankees today in Chicago.

A-Rod was injured Sunday in New York's 7-1 win at Baltimore. He returned to New York to be examined rather than accompany the team to Chicago, where the Yankees start a series against the White Sox tonight.

Rodriguez was to see a physical therapist Monday, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said. Rodriguez will be evaluated again today, according to Zillo, who was unsure whether A-Rod would be available to play in tonight's series opener.

IN OTHER BASEBALL NEWS

Ben Sheets will skip his start for the Brewers on Wednesday because of soreness in his right triceps. Sheets will be replaced in the rotation by Dave Bush.

San Francisco Giants lefthander Noah Lowry had an MRI after feeling a tingling sensation in his injured forearm. He had planned to throw off a mound Monday for the first time since surgery six weeks ago.

The Reds promoted infielder-outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. and designated infielder Juan Castro for assignment.

nfl

Document: Pacman linked to payment

LAS VEGAS [bar] Court documents allege that a 29-year-old man arrested in a Las Vegas strip club shooting extorted hush money from suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones.

Police said Arvin Kenti Edwards of Renton, Wash., used go-betweens to reach Jones, who paid $15,000 over several installments to various people after the shooting.

Three people were shot - including a man who ended up paralyzed - after a melee at the Minxx strip club during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2007.

IN OTHER NFL NEWS

Seahawks defensive lineman Rocky Bernard was arrested Monday after a woman told police he hit her at a Seattle nightclub.

Colts running back Kenton Keith was arrested after refusing to leave a nightclub parking lot in Indianapolis that was being cleared by police.

Offensive tackle Max Starks, a backup most of last season, will return to the Steelers after signing a one-year tender offer worth $6.9 million.

college basketball

Stanford aide is first to interview

SAN FRANCISCO [bar] Top Stanford assistant Doug Oliver became the first candidate to interview for the Cardinal's head coaching vacancy.

Oliver just completed his second season as the lead assistant coach at Stanford, where he also worked in the same capacity from 1986-98.

Athletic director Bob Bowlsby is looking to fill a job that opened when fourth-year coach Trent Johnson left for LSU on April 10.

IN OTHER COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS

Ohio State freshman center Kosta Koufos will declare for the NBA draft but will not immediately sign with an agent, the school said, leaving open the possibility of returning to the Buckeyes.

in other news

Sylvia Fowles and Lisa Leslie combined for 36 points and 22 rebounds for the U.S. women's basketball team in a 92-56 victory against South Korea in the Good Luck Beijing Tournament in China, helping the U.S. improve to 2-1 in the tournament.

CAPTION(S):

San Mateo County politicians blast state horse racing board over wagering facilities - Oakland Tribune

SAN MATEO -- Four local politicians denounced the state horseracing board on Thursday for backing a proposal that could hurt theJockey Club satellite wagering facility.

As reported in July, a deputy county counsel flew to the SanDiego area on a last-second mission to thwart the California HorseRacing Board's intention to install mini-satellite wageringfacilities in two San Francisco bars.

The county, which owns and operates the Event Center where theJockey Club is housed, got the proposal tabled by invoking a statelaw that prevents any wagering facility from opening within 20 milesof another.

Berkeley-based Golden Gate Fields, which would operate the twoSan Francisco facilities, said they would ask the county for awaiver or contact legislators to seek a law change.

Two weeks later, Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, hosted apress conference at the Jockey Club to announce the Event Center was'under attack.'

Hill joined county supervisors Adrienne Tissier and Carole Groom,plus San Mateo Deputy Mayor John Lee, in criticizing the board fornot notifying the county ahead of time and for trying to circumventthe 20-mile law.

Hill called it an 'under the radar, stealth plan,' and said hemay introduce legislation that would require the board to notifylocal governments when considering such wagering facilities.

'The San Mateo delegation will fight, and I mean fight,' Hillsaid.

Board officials previously had claimed they simply looked up thedistance to drive between the San Francisco locations and the JockeyClub using the Google Maps service. The directions were not in astraight line, however, and the locations appeared more than 20miles apart.

Golden Gate Fields officials had previously criticized San Mateoleaders for trying to hold back a much-needed expansion opportunityfor the struggling sport.

But local officials said the county needs to repay the debt onthe $5.1 million club and that 40 percent of its customers hail fromSan Francisco.

The city also reaps about $250,000 in revenue from the club.

'We desperately need that money,' Lee said.

Tissier called it a 'real greed play' on the horse racing board'spart.

'We're protecting an investment that we all made,' Tissier said.

49ers sign Smith, hoping ex-Bengal can fix pass rush.(Sports) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. [bar] The San Francisco 49ers signed defensive end Justin Smith on Saturday in a move they hope will bolster their pass rush.

Smith, the No. 4 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2001, had 43 sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals and was one of the top pass rushers available on the free agent market this season. His deal is reportedly for six years and is worth $45 million, including $20 million in guarantees.

The Niners were tied for 21st in the NFL last season with 31 sacks. Bryant Young, who led the team with 6 sacks, retired after the season.

BRONCOS

Pro Bowl Safety Lynch will remain in Denver

DENVER [bar] Pro Bowl safety John Lynch will remain with the Denver Broncos for a fifth season, passing on a chance to retire or test free agency.

Lynch reached a one-year deal after meeting with owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan.

Lynch, who will turn 37 next season, finished last season with 62 tackles and one sack in 13 games. He also made his ninth Pro Bowl appearance and his fourth straight while a member of the Broncos.

BROWNS

Cleveland gets DT Rogers in trade with Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. [bar] The Detroit Lions traded defensive tackle Shaun Rogers to the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick in the April draft.

The Lions announced the deal Saturday, one day after a trade fell through that would have shipped Rogers to the Cincinnati Bengals for third- and fifth-round picks.

The Browns also agreed with veteran receiver Donte' Stallworth on a seven-year contract.

VIKINGS

Receiver Berrian agrees to six-year contract

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. [bar] The Minnesota Vikings reached an agreement on a six-year contract with wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who had a career year with the Chicago Bears last season.

Berrian had a career-high 71 catches for 951 yards and five touchdowns for Chicago in his fourth season in the NFL.

Minnesota also finalized its deal with fullback Thomas Tapeh.

JETS

Pro Bowl guard Faneca agrees to 5-year deal

NEW YORK [bar] The Jets and Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca have agreed to terms on a five-year, $40 million contract, making the former Pittsburgh player the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.

Agent Rick Smith said that Faneca, 31, planned to fly to New York today, take a physical and officially sign the deal Monday. After making nearly $4.4 million in salary and bonuses last season, Faneca got a deal that Smith said includes $21 million in guarantees.

Faneca chose New York over San Francisco and St. Louis.

IN OTHER NEWS

The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive end Chris Clemons, who had eight sacks in a reserve role with Oakland last season, to a five-year contract.

The Miami Dolphins signed linebacker Reggie Torbor, linebacker Charlie Anderson, defensive tackle Randy Starks and guard Justin Smiley.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed cornerback Drayton Florence, who spent the past five seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

The New Orleans Saints re-signed wide receiver Devery Henderson and terminated linebacker Brian Simmons' contract.

The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback and kick returner Ricardo Colclough on a two-year, $4 million deal.

The St. Louis Rams signed kicker Josh Brown, who scored a career-high 127 points last season for the Seattle Seahawks, to a five-year, $14.2 million contract.

The Buffalo Bills acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville for an undisclosed number of draft picks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed tight end John Gilmore and defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson.

The Atlanta Falcons signed defensive backs Erik Coleman and Von Hutchins.

Family Violence Prevention Fund Will Break Ground on a New International Conference Center and Exhibit Hall in San Francisco's Presidio on Friday, January 8. - Health & Medicine Week

The Family Violence Prevention Fund, one of the world's most innovative and respected agencies working to stop violence against women and children, is breaking new ground today with the start of construction on an international conference center and exhibition hall (see also Family Violence Prevention Fund).

Among those joining Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) Founder and President Esta Soler for the groundbreaking ceremony at 3:00 PM will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose support has provided significant funding for the $18 million project, actress Nicole Kidman, who will appear on behalf of UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who has been an active supporter of the FVPF's highly successful national campaign, Coaching Boys Into Men. Actress Joan Chen will perform an excerpt from the documentary play, 'Seven.'

'We intend to make this unprecedented international center a place where the world's best thinkers can come together to identify and develop strategies that prevent and stop violence against women and children,' Soler said. 'We are proud to take this space at the historic Presidio - once a place of war - and turn it into a place that promotes the safety and security that individuals, families and communities deserve and need. By identifying what works in communities large and small around the globe, we will help end the stigma and defeat the shame that allows violence to continue.'

Building 100, located on the Main Post of San Francisco's historic Presidio, will be redesigned and reconstructed as a global action center to serve as a forum for international discourse, leadership training, education programs and public exhibition designed to change attitudes and practices that harm women and children who are oppressed or exploited around the world. Architectural design was provided by BAR Architects and construction is being managed by Oliver and Company.

'The San Francisco Presidio, the crown jewel of our City, will now become home to the premier international center working to end violence against women and children,' said Speaker Pelosi. 'The International Center to Prevent Violence will bring solutions, collaboration and leadership to one of the greatest moral issues of our time. Violence harms not just individuals; it tears at the fabric of entire societies. On this former military post, it is appropriate that we will work to prevent conflict, and ease the pain it causes - in homes and in nations.'

Also participating in the event will be the new United States Ambassador to Australia, Jeff Bleich, who has been actively involved in the FVPF's 'Founding Fathers' initiative - an annual effort to enlist men across America to take a public stand in support of positive solutions to end violence against women and children.

Fundraising for the new center began in 2003 when a group of 350 men in business, entertainment and sports joined together on Father's Day as new 'Founding Fathers' to commit their public and personal support to the international center. Each man pledged $1,000 and lent his name to a public declaration that was printed in the New York Times on Father's Day. This tradition continues on Father's Day each year. Following this kick-off, the campaign was given a boost by the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who secured a federal investment of $1.5 million for the center's programs. Last year, the Speaker obtained an additional federal investment of $2 million for the rehabilitation of Building 100. An outstanding national volunteer leadership committee led by Judi Kanter, the Campaign Chair and former Director of EMILY's List, has been assembled to build support for the project.

The corporate sponsors and institutions that are playing a significant role in the funding and development of the center include: The Open Square Foundation, Blue Shield of California, The David B. Gold Foundation, The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, and Macy's. Bank of America is providing the Historic Tax Credit.

Among the features of the new building will be: a global conference and education center; exhibit hall; multi-functional classrooms; and a training hub.

To access images of the future building, please visit: www.endabuse.org

Keywords: Entertainment, Government, Pediatrics, Politics, Sports, United Nations, Family Violence Prevention Fund.

BASEBALL.(Monday Sports Supplement) - The Star (South Africa)

US MAJOR LEAGUE

New York Mets 3, Washington 1; St Louis 7, Milwaukee 6; LA Angels 10, Detroit 3; Houston 3, San Diego 1; Arizona 4, Atlanta 3 (10 innings); Seattle 4, Oakland 3

SECOND TEST - DAY THREE

ENGLAND v INDIA

Nottingham, England

ENGLAND first innings 198

INDIA first innings (o/night 254/3)

D Karthik c Cook b Panesar77

W Jaffer c Prior b Tremlett62

R Dravid c Bell b Panesar37

S Tendulkar lbw b Collingwood91

S Ganguly c Prior b Anderson79

V Laxman c Prior b Tremlett54

M Dhoni c Prior b Sidebottom5

A Kumble c Prior b Tremlett30

Z Khan not out10

R Singh lbw b Panesar0

S Sreesanth lbw b Panesar2

Extras (b16, lb16, w1, nb1)34

---

Total (158.5 overs)481

Fall of wickets: 1/147, 2/149, 3/246, 4/342, 5/409, 6/414, 7/464, 8/473, 9/474, 10/481

Bowling: Sidebottom 36-11-75-1 (1w); Anderson 33-4-134-1; Tremlett 40-13-80-3 (1nb); Collingwood 16-3-59-1; Panesar 33.5-8-101-4

ENGLAND second innings

A Strauss not out21

A Cook not out17

Extras (2b, 1lb, 1w, 1nb)5

---

Total (16 overs)43

TOUR DE FRANCE

Paris, France

Final stage (146km Marcoussis - Paris): 1 Daniele Bennati (Ita/LAM) 3h51min 03sec (average: 37,914 km/h), 2 Thor Hushovd (Nor/C.A)same time, 3 Erik Zabel (Ger/MIL), 4 Robert Hunter (SA/BAR), 5 Tom Boonen (Bel/QST), 6 Sebastien Chavanel (Fra/FDJ), 7 Fabian Cancellara (Sui/CSC), 8 David Millar (Gbr/SDU), 9 Robert Forster (Ger/GRL), 10 Manuel Quinziato (Ita/LIQ), 11 Martin Elmiger (Sui/A2R), 12 Freddy Bichot (Fra/AGT), 13 Bram Tankink (Ned/QST), 14 Inaki Isasi (Esp/EUS), 15 Sven Krauss (Ger/GRL), 16 Ruben Perez (Esp/EUS), 17 Xavier Florencio (Esp/BOU), 18 Bram De Groot (Ned/RAB), 19 Carlos Barredo (Esp/QST), 20 Marcus Burghardt (Ger/MOB), 21 Gert Steegmans (Bel/QST), 22 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr/DIS), 23 Peter Wrolich (Aut/GRL), 24 Stefan Schumacher (Ger/GRL), 25 Steven De Jongh (Ned/QST), 26 Julian Dean (Nzl/C.A), 27 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra/AGT) all same time, 28 Christian Vandevelde (US/CSC) + 5 sec, 29 Bernhard Kohl (Aut/GRL) same time, 30 Aliaksandr Kuschynski (BLR/LIQ), 31 Alejandro Valverde (Esp/CEP), 32 Moises Duenas (Esp/AGT), 33 Bernhard Eisel (Aut/MOB), 34 Kim Kirchen (Lux/MOB), 35 Cadel Evans (AUS/PRE), 36 Alberto Contador (Esp/DIS), 37 Levi Leipheimer (US/DIS), 38 Nicolas Portal (Fra/CEP), 39 Sebastien Rosseler (Bel/QST), 40 Haimar Zubeldia (Esp/EUS), 41 Mikel Astarloza (Esp/EUS), 42 Pieter Weening (Ned/RAB), 43 Heinrich Haussler (Ger/GRL), 44 George Hincapie (US/DIS), 45 Vladimir Gusev (Rus/DIS), 46 Oscar Pereiro (Esp/CEP), 47 Laurent Lefevre (Fra/BOU), 48 David Canada (Esp/SDU), 49 Carlos Sastre (Esp/CSC), 50 Andriy Grivko (Ukr/MIL), 51 Enrico Poitschke (Ger/MIL), 52 Markus Fothen (Ger/GRL), 53 Lilian Jegou (Fra/FDJ), 54 Fabian Wegmann (Ger/GRL), 55 David Arroyo (Esp/CEP), 56 Mickael Delage (Fra/FDJ), 57 Patxi Vila (Esp/LAM), 58 Daniele Righi (Ita/LAM), 59 Marcel Sieberg (Ger/MIL), 60 Benjamin Noval (Esp/DIS), 61 Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra/FDJ) all same time, 62 Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Esp/CEP) + 15sec, 63 Tadej Valjavec (Slo/LAM) same time, 64 Manuel Beltran (Esp/LIQ), 65 Matteo Tosatto (Ita/QST), 66 Juan Manuel Garate (Esp/QST), 67 Kurt Asle Arvesen (Nor/CSC), 68 StA[c]phane Goubert (Fra/A2R), 69 Iban Mayo (Esp/SDU), 70 Patrice Halgand (Fra/C.A), 71Frank Schleck (Lux/CSC), 72 Thomas Lovkvist (Swe/FDJ), 73 Jose Luis Arrieta (Esp/A2R), 74 Alessandro Cortinovis (Ita/MIL), 75 Christophe Moreau (Fra/A2R), 76 Dmitriy Fofonov (Kaz/C.A), 77 Ludovic Turpin (Fra/A2R), 78 Thomas Dekker (Ned/RAB), 79 Chris Horner (US/PRE), 80 Bert Grabsch (Ger/MOB), 81 Dario Cioni (Ita/PRE), 82 Ralf Grabsch (Ger/MIL), 83 Mauricio Soler (Col/BAR), 84 Francisco Perez (Esp/CEP), 85 Anthony Geslin (Fra/BOU), 86 Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR/BAR), 87 Juan Antonio Flecha (Esp/RAB), 88 Mario Aerts (Bel/PRE), 89 Kjell Carlstrom (FIN/LIQ), 90 Leif Hoste (Bel/PRE), 91 Ronny Scholz (Ger/GRL), 92 Linus Gerdemann (Ger/MOB), 93 Johan Vansummeren (Bel/PRE), 94 Jens Voigt (Ger/CSC), 95 Vladimir Karpets (Rus/CEP), 96 Simon Gerrans (AUS/A2R), 97 Jorge Azanza (Esp/EUS), 98 Grischa Niermann (Ger/RAB), 99 Axel Merckx (Bel/MOB), 100 Gorka Verdugo (Esp/EUS), 101 Iker Camano (Esp/SDU), 102 Inigo Landaluze (Esp/EUS), 103 John Gadret (Fra/A2R), 104 Christophe Rinero (Fra/SDU), 105 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Esp/SDU), 106 FA[c]lix Cardenas (Col/BAR), 107 Sergio Paulinho (Por/DIS), 108 MichaA'l Boogerd (Ned/RAB), 109 Frederik Willems (Bel/LIQ), 110 BenoA[R]t Salmon (Fra/AGT), 111 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra/BOU), 112 Amets Txurruka (Esp/EUS), 113 Inigo Cuesta (Esp/CSC), 114 Charles Wegelius (Gbr/LIQ), 115 Alexander Botcharov (Rus/C.A), 116 Christian Knees (Ger/MIL), 117 BenoA[R]t Vaugrenard (Fra/FDJ), 118 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita/LAM), 119 Wim Vansevenant (Bel/PRE), 120 Egoi Martinez (Esp/DIS), 121 David De la Fuente (Esp/SDU), 122 Michael Albasini (Sui/LIQ), 123 JA[c]rA[acute accent]me Pineau (Fra/BOU), 124 CA[c]dric Vasseur (Fra/QST) all same time, 125 Juan Miguel Mercado (Esp/AGT) +25sec, 126 Johann Tschopp (Sui/BOU), 127 Nicolas Vogondy (Fra/AGT), 128 Vicente Garcia Acosta (Esp/CEP), 129 Paolo Longo Borghini (Ita/BAR) +29sec, 130 William Bonnet (Fra/C.A) same time, 131 Sandy Casar (Fra/FDJ) +32sec, 132 Paolo Bossoni (Ita/LAM) +42sec, 133 Geraint Thomas (Gbr/BAR) +51sec, 134 Claudio Corioni (Ita/LAM) +59sec, 135 SA[c]bastien Hinault (Fra/C.A) +1:06sec, 136 Giampaolo Cheula (Ita/BAR) +1:12sec, 137 Murilo Fischer (Bra/LIQ) +1:12sec, 138 Alessandro Ballan (Ita/LAM) +1:12sec, 139 Alexander Efimkin (Rus/BAR) +1:12sec, 140 Anthony Charteau (Fra/C.A) +1:34sec, 141 Thomas Voeckler (Fra/BOU) +4:08

Sprint standings: 1 Tom Boonen (Bel/QST) 256 pts; 2 Robert Hunter (SA/BAR) 234; 3 Erik Zabel (Ger/MIL) 232; 4 Thor Hushovd (Nor/C.A) 186; 5 Sebastien Chavanel (Fra/FDJ) 181; 6 Daniele Bennati (Ita/LAM) 160; 7 Robert Forster (Ger/GRL) 140; 8 Fabian Cancellara (Sui/CSC) 112; 9 Cadel Evans (Aus/PRE) 109; 10 Alberto Contador (Esp/DIS) 88

King of Mountains: 1 Mauricio Soler (Col/BAR) 206 pts; 2 Alberto Contador (Esp/DIS) 128; 3 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr/DIS) 105; 4 Cadel Evans (Aus/PRE) 92; 5 Laurent Lefevre (Fra/BOU) 85; 6 Juan Manuel Garate (Esp/QST) 77; 7 Carlos Sastre (Esp/CSC) 74; 8 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Esp/SDU) 68; 9 Levi Leipheimer (US/DIS) 64;

10 Haimar Zubeldia (Esp/EUS) 64

Team overall standings: 1 Discovery Channel 273h12:52; 2 Caisse d'Epargne/ BalA[c]ares at 19:36; 3 CSC 22:10; 4 Rabobank 36:24; 5 Euskaltel 46:46; 6 Saunier Duval 1h44:33; 7 Predictor 1h50:21; 8 Lampre 2h19:41; 9 Credit Agricole 2h25:44; 10 AG2R 2h26:08; 11 Liquigas 2h28:30; 12 Quick Step 2h57:15; 13 T-Mobile 3h17:26; 14 Bouygues Telecom 3h49:53; 15 Barloworld 3h59:12; 16 Gerolsteiner 4h09:28; 17 Agritubel 6h17:20; 18 Milram 6h48:28; 19 FranAs.aise des Jeux 6h48:45

Best young riders (overall): 1 Alberto Contador (Esp/DIS) 91h00:26; 2 Mauricio Soler (Col/BAR) at 16:51; 3 Amets Txurruka (Esp/EUS) 49:34; 4 Bernhard Kohl (Aut/GRL) 1h13:27; 5 Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr/BAR) 1h15:16; 6 Thomas Dekker (Ned/RAB) 1h30:34; 7 Linus Gerdemann (Ger/MOB) 1h30:47; 8 Vladimir Gusev (Rus/DIS) 1h33:50; 9 Thomas Lovkvist (Swe/FDJ) 2h22:50; 10 Andriy Grivko (Ukr/MIL) 2h41:41

Aggressivity (overall): 1 Amets Txurruka (Esp/EUS)

Overall standings: 1 Alberto Contador (Esp/DIS) 91h00min 26sec; 2 Cadel Evans (Aus/PRE) at 0:23; 3 Levi Leipheimer (US/DIS) 0:31; 4 Carlos Sastre (Esp/CSC) 7:08; 5 Haimar Zubeldia (Esp/EUS) 8:17; 6 Alejandro Valverde (Esp/CEP) 11:37; 7 Kim Kirchen (Lux/MOB) 12:18; 8 Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr/DIS) 12:25; 9 Mikel Astarloza (Esp/EUS) 14:14; 10 Oscar Pereiro (Esp/CEP) 14:25; 11 Mauricio Soler (Col/BAR) 16:51; 12 MichaA'l Boogerd (Ned/RAB) 21:15; 13 David Arroyo (Esp/CEP) 21:49; 14 Vladimir Karpets (Rus/CEP) 24:15; 15 Chris Horner (US/PRE) 25:19; 16 Iban Mayo (Esp/SDU) 27:09; 17 Frank Schleck (Lux/CSC) 31:48; 18 Manuel Beltran (Esp/LIQ) 34:14; 19 Tadej Valjavec (Slo/LAM) 37:08; 20 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Esp/SDU) 37:14; 118 Robert Hunter (SA/BAR) 3h26:12

BRIXIA TOUR

Rome, Italy

Fourth stage (184.5km, Pisogne - Darfo Boario Terme): 1 Francesco Chicci (Ita) in 4hr 24min 31min, 2 Mattia Gavazzi (Ita) same time, 3 Mirco Lorenzetto (Ita), 4 Ivan Fanelli (Ita), 5 Paride Grillo (Ita) all same time

Final standings: 1 Davide Rebellin (Ita) 16:19:19, 2 Santo Anza (Ita) at 13sec, 3 Matteo Carrara (Ita) 1.12, 4 Ruslan Pidgornyy (Ukr) at 1.17, 5 Paolo Bailetti (Ita) 1.19

PLAYERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

Alveslohe, Germany

269 - Andres Romero (Arg) 68 68 63 70

272 - Soren Hansen (Den) 72 70 66 64, Oliver Wilson (Gbr) 66 70 70 66

274 - Peter O'Malley (Aus) 69 72 68 65

275 - Peter Hanson (Swe) 69 70 68 68, Alexander Noren (Swe) 67 71 65 72

276 - Charley Hoffman (US) 68 72 67 69, Lee Slattery (Gbr) 66 69 67 74, Steve Webster (Gbr) 73 67 70 66, Brett Wetterich (US) 69 70 67 70

277 - Johan Edfors (Swe) 71 70 69 67, Ross Fisher (Gbr) 69 72 68 68, Rory Sabbatini (SA) 78 65 66 68, Zane Scotland (Gbr) 67 68 66 76

278 - Benn Barham (Gbr) 69 70 68 71, Anton Haig (SA) 69 69 72 68, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 69 68 71 70, Andrew McLardy (SA) 71 72 70 65, Miles Tunnicliff (Gbr) 73 69 66 70

279 - John Bickerton (Gbr) 68 71 68 72, Peter Gustafsson (Swe) 72 68 69 70, Robert Karlsson (Swe) 69 71 66 73, Nick O'Hern (Aus) 69 71 68 71, Charl Schwartzel (SA) 71 72 65 71, Sam Walker (Gbr) 70 73 67 69

280 - Niclas Fasth (Swe) 68 75 71 66, Ian Garbutt (Gbr) 71 69 71 69, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra) 70 72 67 71, Retief Goosen (SA) 70 73 67 70, David Lynn (Gbr) 68 73 69 70, Matthew Millar (Aus) 70 71 68 71, Wade Ormsby (Aus) 72 69 70 69, Carlos Rodiles (Spa) 67 72 71 70, Tino Schuster (Ger) 69 72 66 73, Richard Sterne (SA) 74 65 72 69, Taichi Teshima (Jpn) 67 74 70 69

281 - Shiv Kapur (Ind) 71 67 70 73, Peter Lawrie (Ire) 72 69 70 70, Paul McGinley (Ire) 72 70 69 70

282 - Emanuele Canonica (Ita) 71 70 69 72, Bradley Dredge (Gbr) 69 69 73 71, Alastair Forsyth (Gbr) 70 73 69 70, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 72 71 71 68, Jose-Filipe Lima (Por) 70 72 71 69, Christian Nilsson (Swe) 71 72 71 68, Steven O'Hara (Gbr) 69 70 70 73, Rod Pampling (Aus) 71 69 70 72, Kyron Sullivan (Gbr) 71 72 67 72, Andrew Tampion (Aus) 71 69 70 72, Anthony Wall (Gbr) 70 73 69 70

283 - Ariel Canete (Arg) 70 71 66 76, Paul Casey (Gbr) 68 70 68 77, Mark Foster (Gbr) 71 71 70 71, David Frost (SA) 68 72 69 74, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 71 72 67 73, Damien McGrane (Ire) 69 71 72 71

284 - Oliver Fisher (Gbr) 71 72 68 73, Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg) 67 76 70 71

CANADIAN OPEN

Toronto

(US unless stated)

201 - Vijay Singh (Fij) 68 65 68

202 - Steve Allan (Aus) 64 68 70, John Mallinger 66 66 70

203 - Hunter Mahan 62 74 67

204 - Jim Furyk 69 66 69, Pat Perez 68 70 66

205 - Glen Day 67 70 68, Bob Heintz 69 69 67, George McNeill 70 69 66, Ryan Palmer 67 67 71, Tom Pernice 68 68 69, Brandt Snedeker 67 68 70, Bo Van Pelt 66 70 69

206 - Paul Gow (Aus) 70 69 67, Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) 69 69 68

207 - Mathew Goggin (Aus) 68 70 69, Daisuke Maruyama (Jpn) 68 69 70, Charlie Wi (Kor) 66 71 70

208 - Stephen Ames (Can) 70 69 69, Brian Davis (Gbr) 70 70 68, Camilo Villegas (Col) 68 68 72, Mike Weir (Can) 71 70 67

209 - Stephen Leaney (Aus) 70 67 72, Michael Sim (Aus) 69 67 73

210 - Alex Cejka (Ger) 69 70 71, Steve Elkington (Aus) 72 69 69, Carlos Franco (Par) 69 69 72

211 - David Hearn (Can) 65 73 73

212 - Craig Lile (SA) 72 69 71, Jarrod Lyle (Aus) 75 65 72

EVIAN MASTERS

Evian-Les-Bains, France

284 - Natalie Gulbis (US) 72 69 73 70, Jang Jeong (Kor) 69 71 72 72 (Gulbis wins at first extra hole)

285 - Juli Inkster (US) 73 68 69 75, Shin Ji-Yai (Kor) 73 70 70 72, Lorena Ochoa (Mex) 72 70 75 68

286 - Christina Kim (US) 67 75 74 70, Annika Sorenstam (Swe) 71 69 74 72, Ahn Sun Ju (Kor) 69 73 74 70, Angela Stanford (US) 73 74 69 70, Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 74 67 74 71, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 69 72 72 73

287 - Morgan Pressel (US) 73 72 73 69, Laura Diaz (US) 71 71 74 71, Laura Davies (Gbr) 71 70 74 72, Karrie Webb (Aus) 70 72 73 72

288 - Ji Eun-Hee (Kor) 66 76 75 71, Ahn Shi-Hyun (Kor) 73 69 75 71, Maria Hjorth (Swe) 71 71 74 72

289 - Paula Creamer (US) 75 72 73 69, Nicole Castrale (US) 75 70 74 70

290 - Lee Seon Hwa (Kor) 72 74 71 73

291 - Angela Park (Bra) 70 74 75 72, Ai Miyazato (Jpn) 73 73 73 72

292 - Brittany Lang (US) 73 74 75, Lee Ji-Hee (Kor) 73 73 75 71, Virginie Lagoutte-Clement (Fra) 76 68 75 73, Ashleigh Simon (SA) 70 72 76 74, Diana D'Alessio (US) 69 68 76 79, Catriona Matthew (Gbr) 74 70 74 74

SHERENO PRINTERS 10KM

Benoni

MEN

Seniors: 1 Vusi Malobolo (Powerade) 30:25; 2 Graham Davidson (MP) 30:32; 3 Degen Asafa (ADT) 30:44

Veterans: 1 Gechun Wordofa (HAC) 31:03

Masters: 1 Willy Maisela (Boksburg) 37:32

Grand Masters: 1 Pele Ntschaveni (Yebo) 47:39

WOMEN

Seniors: 1 Catherine Nkosi (Transwerk) 35:46; 2 Irvette van Blerk (MP) 36:46; 3 Dimakatso Morobi (GS) 37:04

Veterans: 1 Shirley van der Spuy (Boksburg) 49:50

Masters: 1 Wendy Bloom (NBW) 46:21

Grand Masters: 1 Yvonne Slappendale (SPRAC) 60:23

BREAKTHRU 15KM

Midrand

MEN

Seniors: 1 Nkopane Sqhobane (GS) 47:45; 2 Raphael Segodi (Ukhozi) 49:10; 3 Jeffery Gwebu (Transwerk) 49:32; 4 Mathews Nkoana (Powerade) 50:56; 5 Ntobeko Mtintso (GS) 50:57

Juniors: 1 Ashley Jansen (HAC) 71:44

Veterans: 1 Soccer Ncube (GS) 51:43; 2 Meshack Motla (Powerade) 55:33; 3 Patrick Khoatsane (NB) 57:07

Masters: 1 Andre Jansen (HAC) 59:15

Grand Masters: 1 Andries van der Merwe (Transwerk) 1:24:23

WOMEN

Seniors: 1 Kefilwe Molefe (Diepsloot) 64:21; 2 Elizabeth Phaka (GS) 65:50; 3 Elisa Gianchino (Temp) 68:30; 4 Paula Quinsee (RH) 71:31; 5 Amanda le Roux (RAC) 72:15

Juniors: 1 Kefilwe Molefe (Diepsloot) 64:21

Veterans: 1 Amanda le Roux (RAC) 72:15; 2 Tracy Jarman (HAC) 74:02

Masters: 1 Selina Netsisaulu (RAC) 75:26

Grand Masters: 1 Mavis Stadler (Arcadia) 1:45:54

CURRIE CUP

Free State Cheetahs (co-holders) 45, Western Province 13; Griqualand West 43, Boland Cavaliers 32; Natal Sharks 29, Blue Bulls (co-holders) 10; Falcons 5, Golden Lions 62

PWDLPSPCBPT

Cheetahs550025948424

Sharks540113772521

Griquas5302162154214

Bulls5302122109113

Lions520311182210

Cavaliers5203101203210

Province51047413115

Falcons50058525211

CHALLENGE CUP

Semifinals: Wigan 24, Catalans Dragons 37; Bradford 14, St Helens 35

SUPER LEAGUE

Hull 48, Salford 26

PWDLPFPATP

St Helens21150664031530

Leeds21140753939828

Bradford21140762445626

Hull21102942242622

Wakefield211011047451221

Warrington211001154255220

Harlequins21921039946020

Huddersfield21911147641019

Wigan211101046140418

Catalans21711343354715

Hull KR21701434256714

Salford21611435966413

CASTLE CUP

Gaborone

Group C final: Botswana 0, Angola 0 (Botswana win 3-1 on penalties)

Third place playoff: Namibia 3, Lesotho 2

ASIAN CUP

Final: Iraq 1, Saudi Arabia 0

FLY EMIRATES CUP

London

Paris Saint Germain 3, Valencia 0

GERMAN LEAGUE CUP

Final: Bayern Munich 1, Schalke 0

VODACOM CHALLENGE

Loftus, Pretoria

Orlando Pirates 0, Tottenham Hotspur 3

BRAZIL

Premiership: Gremio 1, Atletico Paranaense 1; Santos 1, Nautico 2; Vasco da Gama 4, Goias 1; Atletico Mineiro 3, Fluminense 0; Botafogo 3, Juventude 1; Sao Paulo 3, Sport Recife 1

PWDLFAPts

Botafogo13841291628

Sao Paulo1474314625

Gremio15744141525

Vasco14725271923

Goias15726232123

Parana14644201622

Palmeiras14644191822

Cruzeiro14626302820

Internacional14626171820

Fluminense13553171220

Atletico14545201919

Sport Recife14536242418

Santos15537202218

Figueirense14536212418

Paranaense15465232118

Corinthians13364121515

Juventude13427162214

Nautico15348182913

Flamengo11254162011

America RN143110122710

SWITZERLAND

Premiership: FC Luzern 2, Young Boys 2; Neuchatel Xamax 1, FC Zurich 1; Basel 1, Aarau 1; Grasshoppers 0, FC Sion 1

PWDLFAPts

Basel3210517

FC Sion2200406

Young Boys3120655

FC Zurich3111534

Grasshoppers3102443

Neuchatel3030333

FC Luzern3021472

Aarau3021252

Thun1010111

St Gallen2002050

STANFORD CLASSIC

California

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Semifinals: 1-Anna Chakvetadze (Rus) bt 3-Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2; Sania Mirza (Ind) bt 8-Sybille Bammer (Aut) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3

DOUBLES

Semifinals: 3-Sania Mirza (Ind)/Shahar Peer (Isr) bt Hsieh Su-wei (Tai)/Alla Kudryavtseva (Rus) 6-3, 6-4

INDIANAPOLIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

United States

MEN'S SINGLES

Quarterfinals: 3-Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) bt Sam Querrey (US) 7-6(5), 6-2; Frank Dancevic (Can) bt 1-Andy Roddick (US) 6-4, 7-6(1); Sam Querrey (US) bt 2-James Blake (US) 7-6(6), 6-7(4), 7-6(4); 3-Dmitry Tursunov (Rus) bt Kei Nishikori (Jpn) 6-1, 6-4

GASTEIN INTERNATIONAL

Austria

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Final: Francesca Schiavone (Ita) bt Yvonne Meusburger (Aut) 6-1, 6-4

KITZBUHEL OPEN

Austria

MEN'S SINGLES

Woman's right to choose, gay equality are priorities in San Francisco. - Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service

Byline: Arnold Hamilton

SAN FRANCISCO _ Just around the corner from Castro Street's rainbow banners, bars and shops, Keith Schroeder doesn't hesitate to assess President Bush's reign.

'I think George W. Bush is a war criminal,' the 56-year-old photo shop owner said, 'and belongs on trial.'

Three blocks away, amid the towering trees and steep grass-covered hills of Mission Dolores Park, Herbert Anthony Jackson III wears only a shiny, black thong as he soaks up the brilliant noonday sun and offers his take on American politics, 2004.

'What is the (nation's) direction?' the self-styled socialist asked rhetorically, between puffs on a hand-rolled, uh, cigarette. 'There is no direction. We've forced ourselves into a never-ending guerrilla warfare.'

Radical viewpoints? Not in House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's 8th Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold that many campaign experts regard as the bluest of the 'blue' areas in America.

As a new book making the rounds here puts it: 'Conservatives are from Mars (Liberals are from San Francisco).'

'It is very difficult for San Franciscans to understand how people can look at the same set of facts and come away with hopelessly divergent views,' said former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr., a Texas native.

Here, most hold fast to several bedrock political principles that would be an anathema in Republican-dominated 'red' districts like House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's, such as a woman's right to choose and a gay or lesbian couple's right to marry.

Even everyday life is night-and-day different: Sport utility vehicles? They're scarce here, not only difficult to park in hilly, urban terrain, but also expensive in a town that often endures the nation's highest gasoline prices.

San Franciscans are among the leading purchasers of gas-efficient hybrid vehicles, reflecting deep environmentalist roots. They frequently walk or usemass transit.

There isn't a house of worship on most corners, either.

'Pelosi almost never talks about religion,' Ben Tulchin, a Democratic consultant and pollster, said of the congresswoman, who is Catholic. 'Almost no candidate in the Bay Area does.'

Yet, he said, San Francisco trails only Washington, D.C., in the number of nonprofit headquarters: 'It's a different way of expressing one's values.'

Mix one of the nation's most active gay communities, a long history of political activism, especially unionism, and the gentrifying influence of nouveaux riche dot-commers, and San Francisco yields a progressive culture that four years ago gave Democrat Al Gore three-quarters of its vote.

Here, bumper stickers rarely ridicule liberal media or tax-and-spend Democrats. Instead, the slogans include 'The Emperor Has No Brains,' 'Impeach Bush,' and 'Attack Iraq? No.'

Pelosi, who has represented the district since 1987, doesn't conceal her disdain.

'Bush is an incompetent leader,' Pelosi, 64, said recently. 'In fact, he's not a leader. He's a person who has no judgment, no experience and no knowledge of the subjects that he has to decide upon.'

Anne Marie Jordan, a native San Franciscan and registered Democrat, isn't as hard on the president, but she worries the war in Iraq is a 'quagmire' with potentially long-term negative consequences.

'Some of my friends can't wait until he gets kicked out of office,' said Jordan, 60, who lives in the picturesque Marina district near the Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge. 'They think he's stupid.'

Her husband of 34 years, John, calls himself the 'designated Republican' on the block.

While he supports Bush _ and applauds the invasion of Iraq _ he believes 'we seriously misapprehended the situation before we went in there.'

As he sees it, he's probably not the same kind of Republican that permeates DeLay's district.

'I have no problem with abortion,' said the 63-year-old retired newsman. 'I don't think there is such a thing as gay marriage. I'm opposed to the death penalty.'

Schroeder, who operates the photo shop in the predominantly gay Castro area, moved here with his partner of more than 30 years in 1974 because of the city's collective tolerance.

'This is not at all a homogenous city or neighborhood,' he said. 'You're not as apt to be a bigot when you know blacks or gays.

'It's easier to demonize what you don't know. Out here, people see a lot more of the other than what they see in the mirror.'

Anne Marie Jordan, though, said she suspects San Franciscans aren't all that different from the suburban Houston residents.

'I bet I have a lot in common with those people,' said the kitchen and bath designer and writer. 'I value the family _ my mother lives right above us. I don't believe in promiscuity, in premarital sex.'

The problem, she said, is that so many seem 'so dogmatic and rigid. That's where we begin to separate.'

'I'm willing to listen to both sides. I think we need to find harmony.'

___

Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

_____

PHOTOS (from KRT Photo Service, 202-383-6099): NATIONDIVIDED

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

Secret San Francisco: Shopping. Food. Nightlife. Four experts share their favorite finds. - Sunset

The news is out: San Francisco is having a rebirth. This isn't the same town you knew even five years ago. Ever since the famed dot-com boom and bust, a sense of creative rediscovery has taken over the scene; the crop of baby millionaires has been replaced by a talented, diverse new crew of insiders intent on reclaiming the city as their own.

The best way to get to know any city is to run with the locals. So for a firsthand look at the goings-on, we turned to four experts in fields for which San Francisco is known--people who make a point of scouting for hidden treasures and offbeat finds. There's the four-star French chef who prowls through Chinatown for culinary inspiration; the Internet CEO who's perfected the art of boutique shopping, high and low; the fitness entrepreneur who serves up killer workouts with majestic views; and the jazz headliner with his finger on the cultural pulse. From an early-morning run along the waterfront to a late-night jam session at a dive bar, we found an exhilarating mix of surprises and familiar favorites. Exploring San Francisco through their eyes makes it impossible not to give in to the spell of one of the world's most beloved cities.

The chef

Laurent Manrique first fell in love with San Francisco at the Saturday farmers' market on the Embarcadero. It was spring, and the French native--who was working at a prestigious New York restaurant--was visiting the city for the first time. 'I saw all these young parents with their kids, all the vegetables and fruits,' he recalls. 'I thought, Wow, the people in this town really love to eat.'

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As executive chef of the well-regarded Aqua in the Financial District, Manrique turns his culinary expertise to seafood, transforming a humble John Dory fillet into a work of art. It's quite a departure from his origins in Gascony, a landlocked region of foie gras and Armagnac, but Manrique enjoys confounding expectations. A devout Buddhist with an eye for the finer things in life, he sports a modest prayer string on his wrist next to pink-and-orange Pucci cufflinks; he's also at home in Chinatown's raucous, colorful food markets, from which he derives inspiration. 'Walking to work through Chinatown each morning is like instant vitality,' he says.

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Like many chefs, he takes his own meals on the fly at off-hours--dim sum at 10 a.m., or a 3 p.m. lunch at his favorite trattoria on Belden Place. And instead of heading home at the end of a busy night, Manrique (along with chef buddies Roland Passot and Gerald Hirigoyen) is often spotted after-hours at the newest nightclubs and bars. 'I need to see what's going on out there,' he says. 'You cannot be a great restaurateur in San Francisco if you aren't in touch with what people are doing.'

INFO: Aqua ($$$$; lunch Mon-Fri, dinner daily; 252 California St.; 415/956-9662)

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Laurent Manrique's picks

Cafe de la Presse. Euro visitors and locals alike start the day with a cappuccino and first-rate people-watching at the warm-toned bistro across from the Chinatown Gate. Manrique consulted on the menu, which includes the superlative eggs en meurette (poached and served on toasted country bread). $$$; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 352 Grant Ave.; 415/398-2680.

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Cafe Tiramisu. Tucked into romantic Belden Place (a pedestrian-only alley lined with outdoor tables in the Financial District), the traditional Italian restaurant is Manrique's pick for a late lunch. At peak hours, the street is swarmed; flirtatious waiters abound. $$; lunch and dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat. 28 Belden Place; 415/421-7044.

Chinatown markets. The swirl of scents and flavors along with bins of unfamiliar ingredients make Chinatown's markets one of Manrique's favorite sources of inspiration. 'They're great places for spices,' he says. Try Ho Kee Market (1251 Stockton St.; 415/837-1489); New Luen Sing Fish Market (1207 Stockton; 415/989-4336); and Sun Wah Trading Co. (1211 Stockton; 415/788-7968).

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Heart of the City Farmers' Market. The Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market on the Embarcadero is one of S.F.'s main attractions, especially on Saturday mornings. But foodies in the know get their produce at this much humbler market near the Civic Center, without the crowds and inflated prices but with the same quality. 7-5:30 Wed and 7-5 Sun. United Nations Plaza, on Market St. between Seventh St. and Eighth St.

Jardiniere. 'This was my first meal in S.F.,' Manrique remembers. Despite the opening of a second eatery (Mijita, the Ferry Building's haute taqueria) and her recent rise to Iron Chef celebrity status, owner Traci Des Jardins's laser focus hasn't wavered. The special-occasion classic has yet to disappoint. $$$$; dinner daily. 300 Grove St.; 415/861-5555.

Lychee Gardens. Packed with Chinatown market workers on their morning break. 'This was recommended to me by a Chinese busboy at my restaurant,' Manrique says, tearing with relish into a char siu bow (barbecued pork bun). 'Everyone goes to Yank Sing for dim sum, but this one's the best.' $; dim sum 9-3 Mon-Fri, 8-3 Sat-Sun; dinner 3-9:15 daily. 1416 Powell St.; 415/397-2290.

Sam's Grill and Seafood Restaurant. Clubby, old-fashioned hangout with a boys-only feel; it's Manrique's favorite place for a Manhattan, his cocktail of choice. $$$; lunch and dinner Mon-Fri. 374 Bush St.; 415/421-0594.

The shopper

Gina Pell is easily the town's most glamorous Internet executive. As CEO and founder of Splendora--an online shopping and lifestyle guide to San Francisco, New York, and L.A.--she's the ultimate resource for finding a perfect hostess gift or distinctive home accessory. With wide-ranging tastes, she's as adept at scoring inexpensive knick-knacks for a dinner party as she is at unearthing an heirloom set of Victorian sterling forks. 'I like originality, so I haunt small shops, consignment stores, and five-and-dimes,' she says.

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Currently, Pell's obsessions revolve around furnishing a nursery for her first child, due in June. Instead of hitting the usual Union Square department stores, she heads to Clement Street, a bustling multicultural strip in the Inner Richmond with some of the city's tastiest cheap eats--from Burmese tea-leaf salad to cabbage-stuffed piroshki. 'Clement Street is the real deal,' Pell says. 'It's one of the best places in town for a little adventure.' It's also a neighborhood of unexpected shopping finds, such as a family-run fabric store spilling over with bolts of luscious material.

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Afterward, Pell does a circuit of Hayes Valley--formerly a down-and-out enclave in the shadow of the Central Freeway, now a full-fledged boutique paradise. It's almost impossible to wander the main strip from Franklin Street to Laguna Street without making a purchase, and even a discriminating shopper such as Pell isn't immune. But despite all the rarefied wares on display, she's most captivated by a $22 wooden pig on wheels at the whimsical Scandinavian Details. 'Mixing high and low takes a little more creativity,' she says, 'but it's a lot more fun.'

INFO: Splendora (www.splendora.com)

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Gina Pell's picks

ON CLEMENT STREET

Fleur't. Floral studio and home-accessories boutique with a chic European sensibility (as in minimalist moss arrangements and bistro chairs). Closed Sun-Mon. 15 Clement St.; 415/751-2747.

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Green Apple Books. Still going strong after almost four decades, the cult emporium packed with new and used books can command an entire day of browsing. The vintage-cookbooks section is excellent. 506 Clement; 415/387-2272.

Kamei Household Wares. A mecca for inexpensive kitchen supplies, Asian dinnerware, and gadgets. 'This place is great to visit right before a dinner party--everything's so reasonably priced, you can really spruce up your table,' Pell says, grabbing a $3.75 jade green miniature tray for hors d'oeuvres. 547 Clement; 415/933-8508.

Period George. Crammed full of merchandise that runs the gamut from museum-quality (a 1780s potpourri jar from France) to kitsch (goofy bird vases from the 1920s and '30s). Owner Donald Gibson goes on worldwide scavenging trips. 'We take old, fussy things and put them in an edgy environment,' he says. 7 Clement; 415/752-1900.

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Satin Moon Fabrics. Run by two sisters, the store isn't cheap--but their decorator and upholstery selections are outstanding. With her nursery in mind, Pell instantly gravitates to a roll of 1940s-inspired material called Alphabet Soup. 32 Clement; 415/668-1623.

IN HAYES VALLEY

Alabaster. The exquisite store comprises four rooms and a Balinese courtyard garden. 'This feels like Paris,' Pell says, practically cooing over the vintage glassware, antique globes, and esoteric fragrances. Not for budget shoppers--a set of tortoiseshell Lucite stacking tables is $2,100--but it's catnip for refined design sensibilities. 597 Hayes St.; 415/558-0482.

Azalea Boutique & Z Beauty Lounge. The truly genius draw of this edgy men's and women's clothing boutique is the manicure and pedicure station in back--a boon for weary shoppers. 411 Hayes; 415/861-9888.

Propeller. Streamlined designer furnishings share space with irreverent objects of fun--purses made out of pull tabs from aluminum cans and the hilarious Dial O for Old School, a bulky pink telephone earpiece meant to be attached to your slimmest Motorola Razr. 555 Hayes; 415/701-7767.

Scandinavian Details. All the greatest hits--Marimekko, littala, etc.--combined with irresistibly chic and clever kiddie designs. 364 Hayes; 415/552-1100.

The fitness guru

At 5:45 on a brisk morning, before even the first streaks of light hit San Francisco Bay, Teresa Marchese leads a group of eight women in a series of heart-pounding sprints down a waterfront trail at Crissy Field. 'Come on, come on--I know you can do it!' she tells a panting newbie who falls short of her drill-sergeant pace, somehow managing to be cheerful and motivating but not the least bit obnoxious.

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Outdoor boot camps are the current fitness craze in San Francisco--no surprise in a city known for its beauty and athleticism. Marchese, who founded her Rock Solid Fitness program during law school, leads one of the best. Her female-only groups meet five mornings a week at the Marina District's Crissy Field (when they're not running Rocky-style drills up and down Pacific Heights' steep Lyon Street stairs). 'Sometimes we'll spot sea lions as we're lifting weights,' she says. For her one-on-one clients, she might bring gloves and shields for kickboxing under the cypress trees at Sutro Heights Park, or put them through a hard run in the sand at Ocean Beach--'but they don't like me too much after that.'

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Marchese seeks out the city's most scenic trails and incorporates them into her routines. On a hike with her husband, she stumbled across the labyrinth at Lands End--a surprise even to longtime S.F. residents. The natural drama of her surroundings is a motivator. 'You can work out on a cliff or run at the ocean's edge,' Marchese says. 'Even in the middle of this cosmopolitan city, you still find these places to be completely alone.'

INFO: Rock Solid Fitness ($55 per week, www.rocksolidsf.com or 415/759-1605)

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Teresa Marchese's picks

Bay to Breakers. A beloved annual tradition that melds athleticism with S.F. kookiness. The 12-kilometer footrace (held on the third Sunday in May) begins at the Embarcadero and ends at the Great Highway; serious runners take their marks along with costumed revelers pushing themed floats and illegal kegs. Marchese runs it every year with her group. May 21; $38 entry fee. www.baytobreakers.com or 415/359-2800.

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Crissy Field. Fringing the Marina District's waterfront, the 100-acre former military airfield is one of the city's premier fitness playgrounds. Marchese begins most of her early-morning boot camps here. The park is home to Sports Basement (610 Mason St.; 415/437-0100), a giant warehouse that's a good source for discounted outdoor gear and apparel. Entrance on Marina Blvd. west of Baker St.

Feel Real Organic Cafe. Good vibes resonate at this colorful vegan corner joint near Ocean Beach in the Outer Sunset. Reggae on vinyl, seashell mobiles, and leafy plants lend a lazy Caribbean air. After a workout, Marchese makes a beeline for the giant heart-shaped oatmeal cookie made with organic raisins, coconut, and sunflower seeds--a full brunch in itself. $$; breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tue--Sun. 4001 Judah St.; 415/504-7325.

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Labyrinth at Lands End. A secret to most locals, this meditative rock formation was built by artist Eduardo Aguilera on a bluff overlooking Mile Rock Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors are apt to leave flowers or small mementos; any loose stones are thoughtfully rearranged. It's a peaceful walk to the labyrinth along the Coastal Trail from the Lands End parking lot. Above Mile Rock Beach; access via Coastal Trail, beginning near Point Lobos Ave. and 48th Ave.

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Lyon Street stairs. A popular Pacific Heights meeting spot and outdoor recreation area. 'The view is gorgeous first thing in the morning,' Marchese says. She puts her clients through a grueling series of runs and squats up the 288 steps, alternating with reps of weights. Lyon St. between Broadway and Green St.

Palace of Fine Arts. The Roman rotunda dazzled at its 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition debut. It's a common spot for picnicking families and group wedding photos; before the masses descend, Marchese warms up with early-morning stretches under the ornate dome. 3301 Lyon St.

Sutro Heights Park. Windswept cypress trees give way to views all the way down Ocean Beach at this former site of millionaire Adolph Sutro's 1880s mansion. There's a track-size trail and a rock staircase leading to an elevated plateau where Marchese likes to practice martial arts. Nearby, the Sutro Bath ruins are all that remain of Sutro's extravagant public bathhouse, which featured seven swimming pools, water slides, trapeze rings, and an amphitheater; tours are led by the National Park Service (415/561-4323). Geary Blvd. at 48th Ave.

The jazz musician

Marcus Shelby knows how to stand out in a crowd. Perhaps it's the natty straw fedora he wears to catch a Sunday-night gig at a Mission District dive bar. Or the dapper silhouette he cuts in the corner booth at a swank supper club in North Beach. Whatever the occasion, he's bound to be the most stylish guy in the room.

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A bassist and composer with his own band, the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, he's performed at multiple venues and events around the city; debuted an arrangement for the Oakland Ballet's tribute to Ella Fitzgerald; founded a music label, Noir Records; and served as artist-in-residence for the acclaimed Intersection for the Arts. 'I try to hit up the various jam sessions throughout the week,' he says. 'As a bandleader, you need to see who's out there.' When Shelby is spotted in the audience during a performance, he's likely to be called to the stage for a few songs.

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While some buffs still wax nostalgic about the city's 1940s and '50s jazz heyday, 'San Francisco's current scene is pretty healthy,' Shelby says. North Beach has the history and lush ambience; the Mission has the avant-garde acts. Like any scene, this jazz world has its regulars. During a Monday-night show at the legendary Enrico's, Shelby points out the 1965 mural of frolicking bohemians. 'See that tiny woman in the middle with the spit curl? Her name is Millie, and we'll be seeing her tonight.' By the time the eccentric Millie makes an appearance, the place feels less like a room full of strangers and more like a party of friends.

INFO: Visit www.marcusshelby.com for Marcus Shelby's performance schedule. The Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra's latest CD, Port Chicago, is available on Noir Records.

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Marcus Shelby's picks

Amnesia. Hot jazz of the '40s comes alive on the first Sunday of the month at this dim, red-walled Mission District dive. A boho crowd in pinstripes and leopard coats gets down on the tiny dance floor. Gaucho, a tribute to gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, performs on Wednesdays. Cover charge varies. 853 Valencia St.; www.amnesiathebar.com or 415/970-0012.

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Cafe Royale. Located in the gentrifying stretch known as the TenderNob, this laid-back lounge hosts film screenings, open-mic poetry slams, and jazz. Shelby rehearses in the basement studio. 800 Post St.; www.caferoyale-sf.com or 415/441-4099.

Dalva. Candlelight, an excellent jukebox, and a cozy upstairs nook (open Fri-Sat nights) set this narrow little bar apart from the usual grimy Mission watering holes. 3121 16th St.; 415/252-7740.

Enrico's. Steeped in North Beach history, with a heated patio for surveying the sidewalk scene. On Monday nights, kittenish crooner Lavay Smith performs with a trio including jazz veteran Allen Smith on trumpet. $$$; lunch and dinner daily. 504 Broadway; 415/982-6223.

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Intersection for the Arts. Find theater, music, literary readings, and a gallery at this venue for alternative arts in the Mission. This month, the resident Campo Santo theater troupe debuts Haze (Thu-Sat Apr 13-29; from $9 Fri-Sat, no set fee Thu), a play featuring the work of local literary titan Dave Eggers, among others. 446 Valencia; www.theintersection.org, 415/626-2787, or 415/626-3311 (box office).

Jazz at Pearl's. Sultry diva Kim Nalley, who owns the North Beach supper club with her husband, is a throwback to a more glamorous era. Some Monday nights, she makes a guest appearance with the phenomenal Contemporary Jazz Orchestra; on occasional Tuesdays, she leads her own quintet. $; dinner daily. Two shows every night; cover charge from $10. 256 Columbus Ave.; www.jazzatpearls.com or 415/291-8255.

Red Poppy Art House. 'One of the coolest spots in town,' Shelby says of the intimate performance space, working studio, and gallery in the Mission. An artsy house-party vibe and acts from around the world make it feel like a discovery. 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Fri-Sat and by appointment. 2698 Folsom St.; www.redpoppyarthouse.org or 415/826-2402.

Tosca Cafe. Storied North Beach hangout, with the urban legends to prove it. Red vinyl booths and a checkered tile floor set the scene for after-hours celebrity shenanigans. Closed Mon. 242 Columbus; 415/986-9651.