A Graduation Party, a Wedding and EuroBall Updates

NEWS-FLASH

This just in from TripAdvisor:

This internet travel site has just released its Top Ten list of Beachfront Hotels. Coming in at #6 was the Mazzaro Sea Palace in Taormina, Sicily. I loved that they said Sicily not Italy.

Taormina is an awesome destination on Sicily's Ionian Sea Coast that everyone looking to relax for a few days after a week or two of sightseeing should seriously consider.

Part of the Taormina, SICILY Beach Scene

Great memories from some of the best days of our lives.

P.S.: TripAdvisor selected the Longboat Key Club and Resort in Longboat Key, Florida as their #1 Beachfront Hotel in the known universe.

The Ventura County Star also kept my Sicilian nostalgia raging as they published a piece by Giovanna Dell'orto in their Escapes travel section titled "Aeolian Islands: Simple Beauty - Clear water, tranquility off coast of Sicily." This article concentrated on the island of Salina and just as with Taormina's beaches, if you ever get the chance to spend a few days relaxing on any of the Aeolian Islands, you will be much the better for it!

Meanwhile, back in Ventura County, California. . .

Party at Mike and Vanessa's!

Saturday afternoon we continued to celebrate Vanessa's earning of her Master's Degree with a very nice get together with the usual suspects at Mike and Vanessa's apartment.

Walt Disney's Favorite Fan

It is Cap and Gown Season in America

Lots of Family and Friends

Lots of Fun

My sisters Marilyn and Linda with

our mother Chuny

They seemed to enjoy their first visit to Mike and Vanessa's new digs.

Graduation Gifts

What red-blooded American girl doesn't like to open presents?

Disney Princess Wrapping Paper

Who would have ever thought it possible?

Brighton Charms

Vanessa owns a Brighton charm bracelet and many of the people in attendance gave her more charms to add to it on this happy occasion.

It was great until, at the end of opening up all of the presents, Vanessa realized that one of the charms, a lucky horse shoe, was missing. A thorough scouring of the scene including going through the trash can resulted in nothing.

What to do?

Call in Sherlock Contreras of course!

Michael examined all of the clues in an attempt to deduce the missing horse shoe's whereabouts, making everyone happy again.

At about this time, Laurie and I had to leave this party to drive over to Ventura's Wedgewood Banquet and Wedding Center located on the grounds of the Buenaventura Golf Course.

The reason for this was the impending union of Kristin Kemsley and Tory Henderson. Kristin had asked me to accept the honor of presiding over their ceremony which I humbly accepted.

As usual, the Flower Girls

tried to steal the show

No dice.

Minister George Contreras

Universal Life Church

PLEASE don't tell Pope Benedict the XVI about this!!!

Kristin and Tory exchanging their vows

With Mr. and Mrs. Henderson

The Wedgewood

A great setting for a reception

I loved their modernistic cake topper

This was the fifth wedding that I have performed over the last few years and I never cease to be overwhelmed that a couple would trust me on this oh so special day in their lives.

Thanks for the honor Kristin and Tory!

EuroBall Updates

2011 Division I Södra Standings

The top two teams at the end of the regular season will play in the 2011 SAFF Division I Playoffs with the top two teams from each of the other three Division I Conferences.

Ystad Rockets (4-0)

Kristianstad Predators (3-0)

Limhamm Griffins (2-1)

Lugi Vikings (0-2)

Ekeby Greys (0-3)

Hässleholm Hurricanes (0-3)

Week 4 Results

Ystad 44 - Hässleholm 0

Kristianstad 26 - Lugi 2

Limhamn 49 - Ekeby 0

Week 5 Games

Saturday, May 21st

Ystad (4-0) at Kristianstad (3-0)

Ekeby (0-3) at Lugi (0-2)

BYES: Hässleholm (0-3) and Limhamn (2-1)

SAAF Division I Södra Notes: There appears to be an obvious split between the haves and the have nots after the first four weeks of Division I Södra play. The biggest problem for the three winless teams (Ekeby, Hässleholm and Lugi) is their shared inability to generate any offense. These three clubs have only been able to score a combined 22 points in their eight games to date. This lack of offensive firepower puts tremendous stress on their defenses who must be on the field for an inordinate amount of time each week and have given up a total of 338 points in the same eight games.

Our Hurricanes continue to struggle on both sides of the ball. Again, the hope is that serious improvement occurs during the BYE week as they prepare to play at Lugi on May 28th.

Big game next weekend as Division I Södra's two undefeated teams, the 3-0 Kristianstad Predators and the 4-0 Ystad Rockets, meet for the first time this season in Kristianstad. It promises to be a great game.

Ystad continues their pursuit of excellence on the heels of last year's outstanding 10-2-1 season that saw them win their Division I playoff pool before losing the Superseries relegation game to Djurgården IF.

Of course, the young, fast, hard charging Predators are coached by Ryan Bolland, the "Pride of Buena H.S." His defense has only given up one touchdown in three games while his offense tops the Division with 132 points scored, a gaudy average of 44.0 points per game. I know Ryan was not pleased with the Predator's performance this week and will work them hard as they prepare for their big game on Saturday.

2011 Italian Football League Standings

The top four teams at the end of the regular season will play in the 2011 IFL Playoffs.

Bologna Warriors 6-0

Ancona Dolphins 4-2

Catania Elephants 4-2

Parma Panthers 4-2

Bolzano Giants 3-3

Milan Rhinos 3-3

Milan Seamen 3-3

Reggio Emilia Hogs 2-4

Lazio Marines 1-5

Bologna Doves 0-6

Week 8 Results

Milan Rhinos 40 - Catania 26

Bolzano 49 - Ancona 48

Lazio 40 - Milan Seamen 28

Bologna Warriors 55 - Bologna Doves 0

Parma 50 - Reggio Emilia 22

Week 9 Games

Saturday, May 21st

Catania (4-2) at Bologna Warriors (6-0)

Bolzano (3-3) at Milan Rhinos (3-3)

Bologna Doves (0-6) at Reggio Emilia (2-4)

Sunday, May 22nd

Ancona (4-2) at Milan Seamen (3-3)

Lazio (1-5) at Parma (4-2)

IFL Notes: There are now only three weeks left in the IFL's regular season. Just like this past weekend, all ten IFL teams will be in action in each of the next three weekends. This lack of BYES is very unusual and refreshing on the part of the league's schedule makers.

The 6-0 Bologna Warriors appear to be separating themselves from the rest of the pack and I would say have to be a lock for at least one of the four playoff spots. After that, things get heated up and quite interesting as the three 4-2 teams (Ancona, Catania and Parma) plus the three 3-3 teams (Bolzano, Milan Rhinos and Milan Seamen) are all in the mix for the other three playoff spots.

As for our favorite team, the Catania Elephants, a seriously challenging schedule awaits them down the stretch after losing to the Rhinos yesterday. After next Saturday's game at Bologna against the undefeated Warriors, the Elephants finish with two home games against the 3-3 Milan Seamen on May 28th and the 3-3 Bolzano Giants on June 5th. Should Ancona, Catania and Parma finish with identical 7-2 records then it will come down to some, I'm sure, weird IFL tiebreaker since all three teams beat each other (Catania beat Parma, Parma beat Ancona and Ancona beat Catania) leaving no clear cut pecking order between these three squads if they all win out.

It should be a very competitive and interesting regular season finish leading up to the start of the IFL playoffs on June 25th.

Vanessa Earns a Masters Degree

On Friday afternoon, California Lutheran University held their 48th Annual Commencement for Graduate Students at historic Mount Clef Stadium. I attended the event with my sister Linda in order to watch as young Vanessa Contreras received her Master of Science in Education Degree with an emphasis in Counseling and Guidance.

A Picture Perfect Afternoon

We arrived at about 4:50 p.m. for the scheduled 6:00 p.m. Commencement Ceremony.

As fate would have it, we parked near the back of the stadium. We approached the rear gate and were greeted by officials who welcomed us, gave us our programs and let us on the field which, to our surprise, was empty. When I walked across the field to get some water I realized that the Main Entrance to the stadium was still closed and that a HUGE line of humanity was anxiously waiting to get claim their non-reserved seats.

Linda and I quickly assesed the situation and decided to strike quickly to secure eight primo seats for ourselves and Vanessa's family and friends in the. . .

FRONT ROW!!!

My sister Linda, Vanessa's sister Elizabeth, BFF Angie and Michael enjoying their unobstructed view of the proceedings. The flood gates were opened about two minutes after we secured these highly sought after chairs.

March of the Graduate Students

Here they came, the flags that entered first represented the many students about to receive their Doctoral or Masters Degrees who are citizens of other nations.

Sweden! Norway!

Yes, somewhere in this group were students from two of our favorite countries in the world, Sweden a lot more than Norway of course. CLU has always had strong bonds with Scandanavia.

Vanessa waving to us as she marches

Vanessa hamming it up some more

Vanessa and Mike's nephew Nicholas

Disregarding the law as he "Stands at the Fence."

Good Times Indeed!!!

It's Official!

We are all so proud of Vanessa who now officially is in possesion of her Master's Degree.

Michael, ever the proud husband

What a fine evening, what a great accomplishment. . .

WAY TO GO VANESSA!!!

Hueneme's Last Frosh Baseball Game of the 2011 Season

On Thursday, our son Michael's Hueneme Frosh baseball team boarded the bus for their last game of the 2011 season. The short ride would take them to Oxnard H.S., home of a solid Yellowjacket squad that entered the contest with a 12-7 record.

If you follow this now occasional blog, you know that Mike's Vikings only have ten players on their roster of which five had never played baseball before this season. Predictably, this would be a season of learning while winning would be elusive indeed.

The Vikings came out swinging!

Drawing First Blood

The Vikings started things off right scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The Yellowjackets responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. By the end of the fifth inning, Oxnard had extended their lead to 9-2.

Time for the Vikings to roll over and give up.

NOT!!!

The BEST offensive inning of the year!!!

BY FAR!!!

It was so gratifying to watch these kids rally in this magical inning that included a three-run homer followed by a triple.

One of about six pick off throws

None were successful and this Viking eventually stole second base.

On Deck

This warm-up swing eventually led to a triple and another run.

PLAY AT THE PLATE!!!

By the end of the Vikings' turn at bat in the top of the sixth inning, Hueneme had scored SEVEN RUNS to tie the score at 9-9.

YAHOO!!!

Bringing the Heat

Great pitching and defense in the bottom of the sixth inning, the score was still 9-9 going into the final frame.

Getting a Good Rip at the Plate

In the top of the seventh inning, the Vikings scored again to take a 10-9 lead! Hueneme was only three outs away from a win.

It was not meant to be.

The Yellowjackets pushed across two one out runs to win the game 11-10.

Mike huddles with his team one last time

For the season, the Vikings only won one game. By today's win-at-all-costs standards, this is not good but I beg to differ.

I saw a group of inexperienced kids continue to battle, week after week, game after game, inning after inning. They had a ton of opportunities to give up and just stop trying but they didn't.

They battled, they hustled, they learned about team work and playing the game correctly. Seeing this improvement is what coaching and high school sports should be all about.

Finally, I was so proud of the job Michael did coaching his kids. He was patient to a fault, something he definitely did not learn from me. He used every negative situation, believe me there were many, as a postive teaching tool for his players.

GREAT JOB VIKINGS!!!

Santa Maria Clinic, Mother's Day, Hueneme Baseball and USC Football

Not sure what happened but I checked this post this afternoon and half of it was missing. I do know that blogspot was doing some general repairs the last two nights and I'm guessing that might be the cause of the missing text.

I'll try it again.

Laetitia Vineyard and Winery

On Friday, Laurie and I drove up to San Luis Obispo about 2 1/2 hours North of Camarillo. We stopped at this winery, just north of Santa Maria, to buy two bottles of Laurie's favorite Double Garlic Oil. . . DELICIOUS!!!

The colorful wildflowers in full Spring bloom were a plus.

Historic Downtown San Luis Obispo

We had a delicious BBQ pulled pork sanwich across the street from this building at Mo's BBQ, a Gold Coast favorite of ours.

Santa Maria H.S.

After lunch we drove back South 30 minutes to Santa Maria. The reason was that on Saturday I was scheduled to speak for four hours at the Santa Maria H.S. Football Clinic.

Templeton at Santa Maria

I had to catch an inning of this game for my much needed baeball fix. Santa Maria is having a tough season.

Ring Toss for Big Boys?

Santa Maria IS Farm Country

Wine Tasting

Mike Regan, Santa Maria's Head Football Coach, put on a wine tasting party in Costa de Oro's facility which is in the heart of the Central Coast's growing wine country.

Great time, especially for Laurie's tastes.

Laurie, Ted and Rosario Lawrence and Denean Regan

Great people equal great times, tonight was no exception.

Paul Gomes

Paul played for us at Thousand Oaks H.S. in the mid-1970s. He is now the Defensive Coordinator at Santa Margarita H.S. in Orange County and would also be speaking at the clinic. It was great talking football with him.

Bob Richards, the Offensive Line Coach at Oaks Christian School was speaking at the clinic as well. Bob and I coached the J.V. team at Thousand Oaks H.S. in 1970. It was good to see him.

The clinic was on Saturday which was also my bride's LXIIIrd birthday, she is still going strong!

Mother's Day

That's my sister Linda setting the table and my Mom to the right.

Strawberry Pie

My sister Marilyn brought this awesome Graham cracker crust dessert. . .YUM!!!

Hueneme at Rio Mesa

Michael's game on Tuesday was another close one but a loss none the less. The boys continue to play hard and show improvement.

On Wednesday, I got a call from Mark Johnson saying he was flying down from Seattle for an afternoon business meeting. He wanted to know if we could meet at Phillippe's near Olvera Street and Union station for a Double Dipped Pork Sandwich with Bleu Cheese.

Of course.

It was perfect because I was scheduled to go to the. . .

University of Southern California

This is Heritage Hall and my purpose today was to meet with a graduating Trojan who is interested in playing in Europe.

Omari Crittenden

U.S.C. Defensive Back

I had a great 90 minute meeting with Omari, a great young man who I believe would be a good fit for any team in Europe.

For more on Omari, go to this link: http://wearesc.com/news/story.php?article=1299

EuroBall Updates

2011 Division I Södra Standings

The top two teams at the end of the regular season will play in the 2011 SAFF Division I Playoffs with the top two teams from each of the other three Division I Conferences.

Ystad Rockets (3-0)

Kristianstad Predators (2-0)

Limhamm Griffins (1-1)

Lugi Vikings (0-1)

Ekeby Greys (0-2)

Hässleholm Hurricanes (0-2)

Week 3 Results

Limhamn 50 -

Hässleholm 12

Ystad 43 - Ekeby 0

BYES: Kristianstad and Lugi

Week 4 Games

Saturday, May 14th

Kristianstad (2-0) at Lugi (0-1)

Sunday, May 15th

Ekeby (0-2) at Limhamn (1-1)

Hässleholm (0-2) at Ystad (3-0)

SAAF Division I Södra Notes: Our Hurricanes had another tough outing against the Limhamn Griffins and look to be in harm's way again as they play the 3-0 Ystad Rockets this week. Hopefully they can continue to improve and keep fighting the good fight!

Italian Football League Standings

The top four teams at the end of the regular season will play in the 2011 IFL Playoffs.

Bologna Warriors 5-0

Ancona Dolphins 4-1

Catania Elephants 4-1

Milan Seamen 3-2

Parma Panthers 3-2

Bolzano Giants 2-3

Milan Rhinos 2-3

Reggio Emilia Hogs 2-3

Bologna Doves 0-5

Lazio Marines 0-5

Week 7 Result

Catania Elephants 48 -

Lazio Marines 34

BYES: Ancona Dolphins, Bologna Doves, Bologna Warriors, Bolzano Giants, Milan Rhinos, Milan Seamen, Parma Panthers and Reggio Emilia Hogs

Week 8 Games

Saturday, May 14th

Catania (4-1) at Milan Rhinos (2-3)

Ancona (4-1) at Bolzano (2-3)

Milan Seamen (3-2) at Lazio (0-5)

Bologna Doves (0-5) at Bologna Warriors (5-0)

Parma (3-2) at Reggio Emilia (2-3)

IFL Notes: Everyone has now played five of their nine regular season games and the Elephants are still in the thick of the hunt for both the regular season championship and a spot in the playoffs. . . YAHOO!!!

Let's take a look this week at the IFL's incredible offensive machines and the points they produce.

1. Ancona (4-1), 270 points = 54.0 average

2. Bologna Warriors (5-0), 229 points = 45.8 average

3T. Catania (4-1), 226 points = 45.2 average

3T. Parma(3-2), 226 points = 45.2 average

5. Milan Rhinos (2-3), 190 points = 38.0 average

6. Lazio (0-5), 178 points = 35.6 average

7. Bolzano (2-3), 172 points = 34.4 average

8. Milan Seamen (3-2), 167 points = 33.4 average

9. Reggio Emilia (2-3), 163 points = 32.6 average

10. Bologna Doves (0-5), 64 points = 12.8 average

This week's Bologna Derby between the 5-0 Warriors and the 0-5 Doves could be interesting.