DAVON JEFFERSON SIGNS WITH HEAT...MACCABI HAIFA HEAT

For those of you wondering whatever happened to Davon Jefferson, here's your answer.

- Former Trojan forward to play professionally in Israel -

LOS ANGELES – Former USC basketball player Davon Jefferson has signed with the Maccabi Haifa Heat of the Israeli Premier League it was announced this week.

Jefferson was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team for the 2007-08 season after he had one of the fi nest freshman seasons in USC history. The forward played in 29 games and averaged 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Trojans, both second best on the team.

He cracked into USC’s all-time freshman top 10 in points (8th -351), points per game (T-8th -12.1), fi eld goal percentage (3rd - .575), free throws made (6th - 71), blocks (8th - 28) and rebounds (4th - 182).

Jefferson had his biggest collegiate game on Jan. 19, 2008 at UCLA, scoring 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead USC to a 72-63 win over the No. 4 Bruins. Jefferson scored in double fi gures 19 times and had 12 games of seven or more rebounds.

The Maccabi Haifa Heat held a two-day tryout at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on July 28-29 and Jefferson was one of 60 players to compete for a roster spot.

LA Barbecue Festival Heats Up This Weekend

There is a BBQ Festival this weekend, Sat-Sun September 13 and 14th at the Santa Monica Beach Pier. Here is the information and the related links: http://www.labbqfest.com

The top pitmasters from around the country are coming to Los Angeles for the LA BBQ Festival on the Santa Monica Beach (www.drinkeatplay.com/bbq). The two-day Los Angeles BBQ Festival will take place on the Santa Monica Beach North Parking Lot, adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier, on Sept 13th and 14th, from noon to 6pm. It’s a one-of-a-kind BBQ extravaganza showcasing the country's best BBQ, in addition to local BBQ pitmasters, beer garden, and live music. The event, which is sponsored by CozmoDeck and Bristol Farms, will bring together over 20,000 BBQ lovers from San Diego to Santa Barbara and highlight the country's top pit masters from Texas, (Salt Lick and Southside), Missouri (LC's in Kansas City), and Mississippi (Ubon's) in addition to some of the local talent.

The event will also feature a beer garden and entertainment stage will be highlighted by a Johnny Cash cover band and Ticket to Ride, a Beatles cover band, on Friday. Saturday will include Country Gone Awry (think Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Metal Shop, a tribute band covering Poison, Bon Jovi, and Guns N' Roses.

Admission is $10, and each pitmaster will sell their 'cue for $10. For those not interested in long lines, a "Fast Pass" is available for $50 and will include admission for both days, shorter lines for BBQ and drinks, and a VIP gift bag, including a Festival shirt.

And I've got a hookup for you. Enter "kentucky" in the coupon code to get $5 of general admission and $15 off VIP Fast Passes. Just go to www.drinkeatplay.com/bbq to purchase your tickets.

MERRIMAN TO HAVE SURGERY, MISS REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

I just received this news release from the Chargers. I understand and respect Shawne Merriman's desire to play through pain, but it's something else entirely to play through injury.

I just wonder, though, if the Chargers are totally pleased with Merriman's decision or if they had rather he made this decision during training camp.

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman informed the team today that he has decided to have surgery on his knee and will miss the remainder of the 2008 season.

“Shawne informed me he did not feel right (on the field) and thought it best to shut it down,” said Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith. “The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.”

The Chargers are expected to place Merriman on “Reserve-Injured” later this week.

Seven Is Not Enough: Lance Armstrong To Enter Tour de France Again

It seems as though retirement is not as fulfilling as Lance Armstrong may have thought. The 7-time winner of the Tour de France tells Vanity Fair that he is coming out of retirement to enter next year's race.

Considering where Armstrong took the race, in terms of international spotlight, and where it has since fallen after his retirement, the cycling world must be overly joyed to hear this news.

I do wonder, however, if Armstrong does indeed come back to win a ridiculous eight consecutive Tour de Frances whether it will re-ignite questions about his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs or if it might go a long way in finally putting those questions to rest.

Either way, I know I'll definitely be watching next year. Something I haven't been able to say since Armstrong retired.

Tax Plans: Obaba vs. McCain

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion about the differences in the proposed tax plans of Barack Obama of John McCain. A recent article in The Washington Post broke down the numbers according to annual salaries.

I will be honest and tell you that my tax burden will go up under Obama's plan. However, losing a few additional thousand dollars a year will not hurt me financially. I am much more concerned about the larger population of tax payers. Plus, if the economy grows under Obama has it has historically done under Democratic presidents, I will recoup that money down the road. (see earlier post)

So, check out the numbers below and decide for yourself which plan makes the most sense for not only you, but for the country.

Obama and McCain Tax Proposals
According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million.

(Courtesy: The Washington Post)

Is History Siding With Obama’s Economic Plan?

A friend sent me this New York Times article, which examined the effect Democratic and Republican presidents have had on the national economy.

The article includes some really pertinent information, especially as it relates to the upcoming election.

"Simply put, the United States economy has grown faster, on average, under Democratic presidents than under Republicans.

The stark contrast between the whiz-bang Clinton years and the dreary Bush years is familiar because it is so recent. But while it is extreme, it is not atypical. Data for the whole period from 1948 to 2007, during which Republicans occupied the White House for 34 years and Democrats for 26, show average annual growth of real gross national product of 1.64 percent per capita under Republican presidents versus 2.78 percent under Democrats.

That 1.14-point difference, if maintained for eight years, would yield 9.33 percent more income per person, which is a lot more than almost anyone can expect from a tax cut."

So regardless of your views on the upcoming presidential election or your opinions on the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain's respective economic plans, the article definitely makes for an interesting read.

Is History Siding With Obama’s Economic Plan?

Allegations Of Racist & Sexist Remarks By McCain/Palin Surface

I don't know the authenticity or credibility of these respective articles and internet sites, but someone please, please, please tell me these stories aren't true.

Unfortunately, however, my life experiences have prepared me not to be shocked in the least if any of these stories turn out to be true. I pray for the day when I will be shocked.

McCain: racist, bigot & homophobe

Alaskans Speak (In A Frightened Whisper): Palin Is “Racist, Sexist, Vindictive, And Mean”

More Of The Same: Bush = McCain

Shaq Takes On An Escalade

Just spotted this video on break.com. Check out Shaq trying to out do Kobe by jumping over an Escalade.



Shaq Jumps Over Escalade - Watch more free videos

Are You Registered To Vote?

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I would encourage everyone to forward this e-mail to their friends/co-workers. You would be amazed at how many people have never registered to vote.


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