| Grass-roots program for a blossoming sport
LOWELL -- Up until two decades ago, Peter Pinto was a hockey referee who didn't know very much about lacrosse. But that changed in a hurry once Pinto had an opportunity to officiate a few lacrosse games. "I found lacrosse through hockey," said Pinto, 52, who grew up in Somerville. "I started officiating lacrosse about 20 years ago and the sport became an instant addiction. I no longer officiate hockey. "Lacrosse is such a great game to watch. It's quick. It's a tough sport. The most impressive thing about the sport is the ball movement. Watching the way players pass the ball. To be running as fast as you can and zip the ball while on the move to a teammate like it's a laser is really something to see." Eventually, officiating lacrosse games turned into a labor love, one that Pinto wanted to share with as many young players as possible.
New Releases
Reviews written by Josh Larsen, Sun-Times News Group, unless otherwise noted. NEW RELEASES August Rush (HHH): If your heart is not two sizes too small, you will embrace this charming fairy tale about a young orphan and musical prodigy (Freddie Highmore) who can "hear" his parents in the music around him. August's belief that his parents are still out there leads him to seek them out in New York City, where young lovers Lyla (Keri Russell) and Louis (Jonathon Rhys Meyers) once shared a single night that changed their lives. Only a Grinch would scoff at this whimsical picture. Rated PG (thematic elements, language, mild violence); 100 minutes. - WENDY FOX WEBER, STNG Enchanted (HHH): Silly yet never quite satirical, Disney's mild fairy-tale spoof is like Shrek without his teeth.
Retailers gear up for big day
Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving that traditionally gives retailers a significant sales boost - should wake up consumer's wallets with plenty of holiday shopping options this weekend.Greenwood Mall will begin its shopping blitz at 6 a.m., giving away shopping bags filled with goodies for the first 500 adult patrons who show up near the carousel entrance. Bags will be filled with retail discounts and randomly placed prizes, including a Nintendo Wii, and mall gift cards ranging from $50 to $250, according to Greenwood Mall marketing manager Shelli Rose."They typically go very fast," Rose said. "People have been known to line up as early as 4 a.m."Mall shoppers can also browse the mall's seasonal in-line stores, including Pet Dreams, which provides clothing, furniture and other trendy items for pets; Kitchen Collection, which specializes in gadgets for the kitchen; Quail Hollow Candles and Gifts, and Big Country Power Sports, Rose said.At Best Buy, product process manager Kyle Gerkins will accommodate those who flood the long lines at his store early Friday morning with port-a-potties."Last year, people started lining up on Thanksgiving morning," Gerkins said.Gerkins said the store has increased its stock to handle the crowds, especially those looking to stuff stockings with flat-panel, plasma or LCD TVs, MP3 players and video game systems.Gerkins expects the Nintendo Wii to garner considerable attention again this year, since shoppers are still hungry for the console because of supply shortcomings.Digital picture frames, which flash slideshows of snapshots loaded from a memory card, are also expected to be a huge seller.Doors will open at 5 a.m.
Singer '09: Headaches the norm for NFLers
I was sitting on the couch watching football this past Turkey Day when my four-year-old cousin stumbled into the room. After tumbling onto the couch and staring at the screen for a while, she uttered the following words:
"Why do they play? They run and then" - she clapped her hands as a tackle was made on the screen - "they die."
Those are awfully philosophical thoughts coming from someone who still wears diapers, I thought. She should eat some more turkey. But instead, I decided I'd try to explain my thinking to her.
"Well, they get a lot of money to play. And some of them enjoy it," I said, looking at her to gauge her approval.
She scrunched her nose and shook her head in that spastic way little kids do. "I don't like it," she said.
Balanced schedule on NHL agenda
The NHL owners have a busy agenda as they gather this week in picturesque Pebble Beach, Calif., but they'll still find time to squeeze in a little golf. The annual two-day board of governors meeting, the most important of the year, goes tomorrow and Friday and should finally bring about a new format for the schedule. It means every team will play one another starting next season. "There's quite a large sentiment for change," said Edmonton Oilers president and CEO Patrick LaForge. Other main items on this week's agenda include: - A vote on the sale of the Predators to a local group in Nashville. - A thorough discussion of the on-ice product. Scoring is down, but what should be done? - A look at the finances, including last season's final numbers and an early season projection on this season's revenue figures.
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