| Pedro Martinez willing to talk - or not talk - about a new contract
Told he would be facing the Cardinals in his spring debut as a Met, Martinez playfully shouted to Santana about St. Louis' batting order: "Albert Pujols, No. 1. Albert Pujols, No. 2. Albert Pujols, No. 3." Then, as Martinez readied for his session, Santana countered: "Get ready! Fasten your seatbelt!" Unlike Santana, Martinez will wait a full turn through the rotation, until next Thursday, before he pitches in a spring game. Martinez said nothing health-wise should be inferred from that deferral. He noted he's always had a later spring start date, even earlier in his career with Montreal. He suggested his April stats - 10-2 with a 2.90 ERA as a Met - speak for themselves. "I was never a fan of rushing. I never did it in Boston, either," Martinez said.
'My Favorite Dog': Dueling Rhymers
Use tape records and take copious notes in closed sessions; then, divulge the contents to the public (feel free to engage in political spin).
3. Make individual Repulicans defend themselves in front of a platoon of television cameras and microphones -- something no politician relishes. All of which are great ideas from Marty. Now, we'll see if Idaho D's have the cajones to pull something like this off, and mebbe win a few more votes. .
Oregon beachside villagers clash over strip club
One young mother from Tillamook gathers her five children and drives 2 scenic miles to go beachcombing at a quaint hideaway off Highway 101. Another Tillamook mother slips into a black gown and drives to the same town to dance at the only exotic club on the northern Oregon coast - the Anchor Inn and Grill. They, along with strip-club patrons, visiting families, longtime residents and retirees, mix it up in this quiet community. Dependent on vacation rentals and tourists, pint-size Oceanside - population 326 - sustains one cafe, one coffee shop, one nude adult entertainment venue and lots of feuding citizens. For the past three years, a dispute over growth and development has divided the community. Angry neighbors boycotted the Anchor because it expanded.
Allegiant sees profits at Mesa airport
The parent company of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport's largest commercial airlines posted a fourth-quarter profit despite rising fuel prices plaguing the industry. The news comes as further evidence of the demand for discount service that the niche market carrier provides to cities not served by majors, said Martin Whalen, a Mesa aviation lawyer and bank executive. Though Allegiant Travel Company didn't post earnings and losses for Allegiant Air's operations at the Mesa-based airport, company spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said Allegiant "is obviously happy with selecting Phoenix-Mesa as a destination base and looks forward to growing it." .
9-day road trip Down Under, $1,675
The Real Deal: Nine nights' accommodations, six-day car rental, and a wine-tasting tour for $1,675 per person — including taxes. When: April 1-Sept. 30, 2008. The fine print: Included are a midsize automatic rental car for six days with unlimited mileage, private airport transfer on departure, five breakfasts, a wine-tasting class and a tour of Hunter Resort Wine School, hotel taxes, and rental-car taxes. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $1,560. To enter Australia, U.S. passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority, equivalent to a visa (just without the stamp), which is valid for up to three months. It can be purchased here for Aus$20 (about US$17). Refer to this code when booking: SWSP5245. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal. .
Barnet students to use DNA fingerprinting to solve murder
Students from schools in Barnet and Potters Bar will use DNA fingerprinting to solve a murder on Thursday. A group of GCSE and A-level students from four schools will visit the National Institute for Medical Research to learn the science behind DNA fingerprinting. As part of National Science and Engineering Week, between March 7 and 16, scientists from the institute, in The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, will help the pupils to solve a murder mystery, and will be hosting discussions on the implications of such analysis. .
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