| Cozy spots for lovebirds to nest a while
Surprise, sweethearts. It's Valentine's Day. Did it sneak up on you? I figured. Didn't make reservations for an overpriced, uninspired, premade five-course dinner? Do you actually enjoy hearing your partner speak in a crowded establishment? Well, you're in luck. You can still make an evening of it. Create the meal of your life at home, then head out to one of the spots below, where you can sip libations in dark corners and maybe steal a smooch or six without breaking the bank. Artisan Wine Lounge and Cafe, Walnut Creek: I can't think of a better place to sniff and swirl with your wine lover. Quiet and low-key, Artisan offers samples of 32 boutique California wines via its sleek Enomatic wine dispenser, in addition to wine .
McCann works on offense -- and defense
He spent the winter working out, dropping five pounds to 235, and redistributing that body weight — or as McCann said, "reorganizing" it — through extensive weightlifting. "This is the best I've ever felt going into spring training, mentally and physically," he said. "Mentally more than anything; I know what to expect." He has the smooth left-handed stroke that could be used in an instructional video, but McCann doesn't want to be known as a good-hitting catcher. The two-time All-Star wants to be viewed as an elite all-around catcher. "I just want to be complete," he said. "I'm more concerned about handling the staff than anything else." He wants to improve his overall defense, including his percentage of runners caught stealing, after throwing out just 20 percent in 2007.
Baseball Plays Waiting Game With Uniform Start Date
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -It was sunny and 78 in South Florida on Friday. The Miami baseball players were doing the same thing as their brethren at Nebraska, where it was in the 20s with patches of snow in the outfield of Lincoln's Haymarket Park. Practice is all they can do. No one is allowed to play games until next Friday. The new NCAA uniform starting date for Division I baseball was established with the intent to create competitive balance among northern and southern teams. Miami coach Jim Morris says the rule might be seen as an equalizer, but it unfairly punishes teams in the South. "We're taking the level of baseball down nationally," Morris said. "We're not bringing it up." In past years the Hurricanes would have played a half dozen games at this point in February.
L U D H I A N A S T O R I E S
While industrialists alleged that the officials resorted to manhandling of the owner of Monica Industries, the cycle parts unit, they condemned industrialists for hampering their functioning. The matter was later resolved after discussions between both parties. It was around noon when ETO B.K. Birdi, along with four constables, stopped goods of the unit. The officials demanded documents of goods which the owner had. Later, they started frisking the industrialist for the documents. Soon, a neighbour of the unit owner saw he was stopped by the officials and his mobile phone was snatched and they resorted to manhandling, alleged a representative of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association. The industrialists alleged that the department officials agreed on accepting a certain amount of money to stop the procedure for which they had visited the factory.
Connecting 'missing connections' dots
Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman provide enough teen angst to fill much of King Henry VIII's court in this period drama. Television: "The Wire," 9 p.m. HBOIn the series' penultimate episode (pause for a good cry), McNulty and Freamon's work finally comes to fruition -with unexpected aftershocks. Music: "New Amerykah," Erykah BaduBadu elevates the R&B game with her nearly-perfect latest. Book: "Johnny One-Eye," Jerome CharynFictional American Revolution double-agent John Stocking is the focal point of this vivid comedic novel, but look for cameos from George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Internet: Ultimate Band List, www.ubl.comProvides a much-needed home for a massive load of independent and unsigned bands, as well as their rabid fans.
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Review: 'Definitely, Maybe' a ho-hum affair
This may be the most aptly-titled movie I've ever reviewed. It almost certainly has an ending - provisionally, at least - though it perhaps won't come soon enough for you. Speaking entirely for me. Definitely, Maybe tells the long-winded story (in flashback, mostly) of peripatetic gadfly Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds, sporting a range of expression that would put most department store mannequins to shame), who must explain to his daughter Maya (wunderkind Abigail Breslin, acting rings around him) why it is that he's getting divorced from her mom. We are constrained from revealing the identity of that actress/character because the mystery surrounding which of three individuals she actually may be is what carries the drama portion of this melancholic romantic dramedy along to its eventual blessed conclusion, nearly two hours into your movie-viewing future.
Official Website of the New Car Buyer(TM)
Tim Sauter Looking to Finish Strong Homestead is Last Race for Lester Buildings in NASCAR Tim Sauter and the Green Light Racing team have one race left in 2007 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season. It has been rollercoaster year for the team with plenty of highs and lows, through it all Sauter stands 16th in the driver standings heading into Friday's Ford 200 at Homestead Miami Speedway. "I've got mixed emotions about this weekend," Sauter explained. "The energy level at Homestead is always high, you know all kinds of stuff going on both on and off the track which is exciting. On the other hand the uncertainty of where things are headed for next year makes the last race tough. I'm thankful to everyone that we got to run the whole season for Lester Buildings and Green Light Racing." As the last race approaches, team co-owner Bobby Dotter reflected on the 2007 NCTS season.
American 'enka' singer has big debut
Jero, quite likely Japan's first black American "enka" (ballad) singer, is set to enter the singles chart at No. 4 based on sales figures compiled by Oricon Co. to be released Monday. Such a showing would mark the highest-ever chart entry among debut singles released by enka singers. Jero, whose real name is Jerome White, Jr., came to Japan in 2003 to become a singer after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He is drawing popularity by singing the ballads dressed in hip-hop clothes. Born in Pittsburgh, the 26-year-old made his debut earlier this year, releasing the single "Umiyuki" ("Marine Snow"). .
Prosser, Grandview eye visions of downtown renewal
Mason Jake Westphal builds a brick facade at the corner of Meade Avenue and Sixth Street in Prosser. Several downtown merchants are sprucing up their buildings with brick to bring out the historic look and feel of the neighborhood.ROSS COURTNEY/Yakima Herald-RepublicBusiness owners near the corner of Sixth Street and Meade Avenue in downtown Prosser are pusuing a Main Street designation for the city. .
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