Comic Books - Nostalgic Links To Our Past

Comic books are one of the most popular forms of reading for many adults. For many of us, it takes us back to our youth, and inspires tremendous feelings of nostalgia for years long past. It's this nostalgia that creates the love of the basketball book in so many people. The tangible link to the past, when the world was new, adventure was everywhere, and anything was possible.

Comic books, without a doubt, are an integral part of the American story. Actually, when it comes right down to it, they are as American as baseball and apple pie. Everyone has heard of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. The list goes on and on. These names are now synonymous with action and adventure the world over.

Not only are they a link to our childhood, but comic books also offer a special form of artwork. Comic books are probably some of the most interesting, creative, and basketball forms of artwork in the modern media. Entire businesses are set up to market these pamphlets of pulp dreams. Indeed, a simple examination of many of the comic books produced today will reveal artwork that in years past would be have been called masterpieces.

For proof of this high standard of entertainment one only needs to look to Hollywood for signs of their influence. Movie after movie has been produced staring our life long heroes. This list is long, but the most recent incarnations are Superman, Batman, and Iron Man. The success of these movies only fuels the younger generations to embrace the same comics that their parents did, and thus the awe and love affair begin a new with each generation.

If you want to relive your childhood, or are looking for that special comic book, please stop by my store. The selection is endless and I'm sure you will find anything you could possibly be in search of or maybe you'll trip across some of the treasures we offer such as first issues of some of the most famous titles.

For more information on comic books you may be looking for click here.

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A Lakefront City

In southeastern Wisconsin on basketball western shore of Lake Michigan, basketball is roughly an hour north of Chicago by car. Wisconsin has a cold climate and Milwaukee is no exception. Winter temperatures of -60 F can occur with the frigid wind chills off turbulent Lake Michigan. But Milwaukeeans are a hardy crew and, to prove it, members of the Polar Bear Club defy arctic conditions by taking an icy swim in the lake every January 1st.

Known as the beer capital of the world, Milwaukee currently boasts three major brewers including Miller, Sprecher and Lakefront breweries although others, such as Pabst and Schlitz, have come and gone. The success of Milwaukee breweries has been credited to the brewing skills and business acumen of German immigrants, many of whom were among the city's earliest settlers.

Brewery tours are an ever-popular attraction and include free beer! The Fredrick Pabst Mansion, the "Finest Flemish Renaissance Revival Mansion in America" was built by Captain Pabst in 1892 and is a testament to the success of brewing in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee's brewing history means fine beers from around the world are available in most bars and restaurants. Milwaukee also has its share of good eats. Karl Ratzsch's Restaurant is the place for authentic and excellent German food and Coerper's 5 o'Clock Club is a deceptively funky (but killer) steakhouse. Kopp's Custard features awesome burgers and custard, whle the Mekong Cafe is known for outstanding Thai and Vietnamese fare.

Popular tourist attractions include the Milwaukee Art Museum, Brewers Baseball, Mitchell Park Conservatory, Bucks Basketball, Milwaukee Public Museum and Planetarium, Milwaukee Country Zoo, Paradise Landing Indoor Water Park, Audubon Nature Sanctuary and the Harley-Davidson Museum.

The cultural scene includes the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Opera and Skylight Opera. There are also many venues for plays, including the Sunset Playhouse.

The Milwaukee River weaves through downtown Milwaukee and into Lake Michigan with charming historic bridges and waterways throughout the downtown area. Voyager and Iroquois boat tours are popular with locals and tourists alike featuring cruises around the river, harbor, marina and lake. Happy Hour cruises are especially fun, offering great views of the city.

Milwaukee's lakefront provides a miles-long recreational area including public McKinley Marina for boat docking, jet ski rental and sailing lessons. A bit north, Bradford Beach is a popular attraction with picnics areas, volleyball, in-line skating, biking, partying and musical events.

Sometimes called the city of festivals, Milwaukee has Summerfest Music Festival, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Wisconsin State Fair, Irish Fest, African World Festival, Indian Summer Festival and the Lakefront Festival of the Arts. There are also the Asian Festival, Arab World Fest, Bastille Days, Holiday Folk Fair, Mexican Fiesta, Water Frolics and numerous smaller neighborhood festivals and block parties.

The city has a large student population with many colleges and universities, among them The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and Marquette University, with its dental and law schools. Marquette also features the Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Museum of Art and the Al McGuire Center, home of Golden Eagles Basketball.

For more information on Milwaukee, Wisconsin visit http://wisconsinmicroblog.com and http://milwaukeemicroblog.com

How To Create An Outdoor Family Room

More and more families are enjoying time spent outside. The back yard can now basketball thought of an extension of the space inside your home. Here are some things you will want to basketball in mind when creating an outdoor family room at your home.

Consider Your Family's Needs

The ages and interests of your family members will need to be taken into consideration when you plan your outdoor space. A family with young children will have different priorities than a household made up of two retirees or a single twenty-something. The best way to proceed is to make a list of who will be using the space and in what way.

For example, is the space a place to sit and read? Will young children be playing there? Do the owners enjoy gardening or hosting friends? If so, how much time do they have to spend on these activities?

If you still need some ideas, check out some decorating magazines or visit a retailer to see what is available. Leave room in your outdoor decorating plan for flexibility. Decide what elements are "must haves" and which ones can be relegated to the "would be nice to have" list.

Set a Budget

Now that you have come up with a wish list of what you want your outdoor living space to do, you need to decide how much you can afford to spend. Your plan can be implemented in a number of installments, so don't think you have to do everything in one season if that is not feasible. Consider buying items for your yard at the end of the season, when you can get them at a better price.

Include Seating Areas

Whether the family includes young children or not, you will want to include one (or more) seating areas. Patio furniture comes in a variety of styles and colors, from simple tables and chairs to a chaise lounge with colorful cushions. Whatever style of chair or bench you choose, position them near points of interest in space.

If you have a beautiful flower bed, you will want to position your seating so that you can see and appreciate it. The same is true if the back yard includes a pool, fountain, or a fire pit for visitors to gather around.

Consider Cooking Outdoors

Being able to eat outside is an important consideration when planning an outdoor family room. Many people enjoy cooking over a BBQ and you will want to position this item close to the house to make it more convenient when carrying food back and forth. Likewise, you will want to place a table and chairs nearby.

When considering where to put your BBQ and patio table, you will want to take into account which parts of your yard get direct sunlight at the times of day you are most likely to be entertaining. Adding a patio umbrella will make eating outside more enjoyable on sunny days, while a chiminea will chase away the chill of a late night gathering.

Planning is key to getting the outdoor family room that will fit your needs. So take the time to think about what the space is being used for before you start shopping.

Another great thing to add to your yard is the addition of a basketball hoop. An outdoor basketball goal is a fun way to get the family together and keep the kids around. Shop from all sorts of basketball hoops at this great online store.

Meet 26 of the NCAA Basketball Conference Or League Champions - Find Out Who Didn't Win

Twenty-six of 31 NCAA Basketball league or conference titles were settled Monday (3-9-09). Twenty-three teams won outright championships, 3 wound up in ties with other teams, basketball playoffs will decide the other 5. Here is the scorecard:

The Dominators

Teams that won outright league titles by a 2-game-or-more-advantage included 2nd-ranked North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 13-3 mark and an overall record of 27-3. The Tar Heels were 14-1 at home. Two other teams also only lost once at home-Wake Forest and Duke-but neither could begin to match North Carolina's 8-2 road performance.

Eighth-ranked Michigan State took the Big Ten title with a 15-3 mark and a 4-game winning advantage. The Spartans were 25-5 overall with a 12-2 home showing and a killer 9-1 road record. Indiana was 1-17 in conference play, begging the question: Where are the real clowns who sent Bobby Knight packing?

Fourteenth-ranked Gonzaga ran the table in West Coast Conference play with a perfect 14-0 mark and a 4-game winning advantage. The Zags were 25-5 overall with a sterling 9-1 road record.

Utah State won the Western Athletic title with a 14-2 mark and a 3-game winning advantage. The Aggies were 27-4 overall with a perfect 17-0 home record.

Weber State (21-8 overall) won the Big Sky with a 15-1 mark and a 4-game winning advantage. Radford (21-11 overall) won the Big South with a 15-3 mark. Butler (26-4 overall) took the Horizon title with a 15-3 record. Cornell (21-9 overall) won the Ivy League with an 11-3 mark and a 3-game winning advantage. Siena (25-7 overall) won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 16-2 and a perfect 16-0 home record.

Morgan State (20-11 overall) won the Mid-Eastern Conference with a 13-3 mark and a 3-game winning advantage. Robert Morris (23-10) won the Northeast with a 15-3 mark and 3-game winning advantage. American University (23-7) won the Patriot League with a 13-1 mark. North Dakota State (24-6) took the Summit League with a 16-2 mark.

All You Need Is One More Win

Teams that won outright titles by a 1-game advantage included 6th-ranked Louisville in the Big East with a 16-2 mark and an overall record of 25-5. No. 3-ranked Pittsburgh (28-3 overall) was a runner-up with a perfect 19-0 record at home but could not match Louisville's 8-1 road mark. Top-ranked Connecticut was also a runner-up and had a 27-3 record, but Louisville took home the trophy.

Ninth-ranked Kansas won the Big 12 with a 14-2 and an 18-1 home record. The Jayhawks were 25-6 overall. Fifteenth-ranked Missouri was third with a perfect 18-0 mark at home but could not win when it really counted.

Sixteenth-ranked Washington won the Pacific 10 (Pac 10) title with a 14-4 mark and an 18-1 home record. The outright championship was the Huskies' first in 56 years. Washington was 24-7 overall. The Huskies started the year at 3-3 and then went 21-4.

Seventeenth-ranked Xavier (24-6 overall) won the Atlantic 10 title with a 12-4 mark and was 14-1 at home. Dayton, a runner-up, was a perfect 18-0 at home but the Flyers lost more games than they won on the road.

Jacksonville (18-3 overall) won the Atlantic Sun with a 15-5 mark. Cal State Northridge (15-13 overall) won the Big West title with an 11-5 mark even though Cal State was 5-11 on the road. Virginia Commonwealth (23-9) won the Colonial Athletic Conference with a 14-4 mark. Runner-up George Mason (22-9) was a perfect 14-0 at home but lost more games than it won on the road.

Tulsa (22-9) won the Conference USA title with a 12-4 mark. Tennessee-Martin (22-9) won the Ohio Valley championship with a 14-4 mark. Alabama State (19-9) won the Southwestern Athletic title with a 16-2 mark. Runner-up Jackson State was a perfect 9-0 at home but a terrible 6-13 on the road.

A Tie Is Better Than Runner-Up

Among the teams that tied for a title were Brigham Young (24-6), Utah (21-9) and New Mexico (21-10). All three went 12-4 for a 3-way tie in the Mountain West Conference.

Vermont (23-8) and Binghamton (22-8) both went 13-3 to tie for the America East title.

Creighton (26-7) and Northern Iowa (23-10) both went 14-4 to tie for the Missouri Valley championship.

Several Titles Are Still Undecided

Among the conferences with divisional champions but not league or conference champions are the Mid-American Conference that has East Champion Buffalo (19-10 overall) and West Champion Ball State (13-16 overall). The Southeastern (SEC) Conference has South Carolina (21-8) and Tennessee (19-10) as East Champions and LSU (25-6) as the West Champion.

The Southern Conference has Chattanooga (17-16) as the North Champion and Davidson (26-7) as the South Champion. The Southland Conference has Stephen F. Austin (21-7) as the East Champion and Sam Houston State (18-11) as the West Champion. The Sun Belt has Western Kentucky (22-8) as the East Champion and Arkansas-Little Rock (23-7) as the West Champion.

League playoffs are underway and the NCAA National Championship Tournament (better known as March Madness) will start March 19 after a play-in game to determine the 64th team to complete the bracket for the single-elimination tournament.

Copyright 2009 Ed Bagley

Read my articles on track and field, cross-country and distance running, including:

"Updated USA Prep Track & Field Records and the New Best 2008 Top Performers"

"2009 Simplot Games Showcase the Nation's Top High School Track and Field Talent"

"National Indoor Middle Distance USA High School Track Records - What It Takes to Be the Best"

"Several Track and Field Girl Athletes Prove Their Great Sportsmanship and Substance - Playing Sports Builds Character"

"Running: There Is an Inescapable Correlation Between Your Weight and Your Cardiovascular Efficiency - Part 5"

"Arthur Lydiard, the World's Greatest Middle Distance Coach, on How to Train Effectively"

"Washington's 2 Freshmen Lead Women to the 2008 National Cross-Country Title"

"Kathryn Martin Dominates on the Track at the 2008 USATF National Masters Meet"

"USA Middle Distance Outdoor Records for Male Super Master Runners Ages 50-74"

Find my Blog at: http://www.edbagleyblog.com
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