Reunion Arena

Reunion Arena has outlived its usefulness. The place is a concrete dump. People still want to book it? Maybe so, but the city's attitude towards events is less than accommodating. Actually, the staff seemed pretty intent on making things difficult on guests (this from personal experience). This is not a hard decision. Either demolish and find another use for the property, or sell the land.

The City of Dallas continues to make incredibly stupid decisions

Reunion Arena's death warrant appeared signed in red ink last summer when the Dallas City Council directed top staff to close the cash-bleeding facility June 30 and prepare for its demolition.

But several council members say they're no longer certain Reunion Arena will be closed after all.

In its heyday, Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas played host to top sporting events and concerts.

"We still have people wanting to book it. There certainly could be some reconsideration," said Ron Natinsky, chairman of the economic development committee, noting that the arena still helps draw tens of thousands of people to downtown Dallas each year.

The staff has not, however, lifted a council-directed moratorium on event bookings at Reunion Arena

Since the city's 2003 fiscal year, Reunion Arena has lost more than $6 million, according to arena data. In the 2007 fiscal year, the arena ran an $869,175 deficit, and city staffers see no end to the trend.

And while the arena remains serviceable, it will probably need significant capital improvements – roof work and equipment replacement – to remain so. Such investments could run into the millions of dollars.


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Jedi Josh lives one day at a time

There is no better hitter in the American League, perhaps all of baseball, than Hamilton, with his .328 average and league-leading 15 home runs and 63 RBIs.

Besides, America loves a story of redemption.

Hamilton's deliverance came Oct. 5, 2005, the day he chose sobriety over death.

It's the day Katie's prayers were answered. That January, they became a family again.

"Seeing how she took care of two kids and carried herself and the way she handled the situation, that's what helped strengthen me," Hamilton said. "It was obviously time for me to end the using."

Baseball is no longer the most important aspect in Hamilton's life. His relationship with God, his sobriety and family come first.

Then comes baseball

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Kurt Cobain's ashes stolen

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Another reason to hate the Red Wings




Barry Melrose returning to the bench?
The Toronto Star reports that ESPN hockey analyst and former Los Angeles Kings head coach Barry Melrose is set to return behind the bench for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Melrose, who coached the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, would replace John Tortorella, who still holds the post.

According to the Star, incoming team owner Oren Koules has pushed for the hiring of Melrose in an effort to further sell the team and the sport in Florida. His group is awaiting approval from the NHL's Board Of Governors to take over the team, with the vote set to take place on June 18.

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21 year old Luc Bourdon memorial
SHIPPAGAN, N.B.–Thousands of friends, family and fans walked through the doors of a small-town New Brunswick arena yesterday to pay their respects to Luc Bourdon, a 21-year-old rising National Hockey League star and hometown hero.

Bourdon, a rookie defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks, died Thursday near his family's home in Shippagan, when the motorcycle he was driving slammed into an oncoming tractor-trailer.