Phoenix Mayor and Diamond Back Fan engaged in a friendly wager with Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper over the outcome of the Diamond back’s home opener against the Colorado Rockies. Hickenlooper must have been on a Rocky Mountain High after his team roughed up Randy Johnson and cruised to victory. No word on whether or not our honor used one of his “give away benches” to rest his bruised pride. The bet? The losing team’s Mayor had to pay for a classroom of school children to attend a baseball game in the winning team’s ballpark.

Speaking of the Mayor, his first State of the city address has been pushed forward to May 18th instead of April 29th as originally planned. The change of date came because the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce failed to send out the invitations on time. Unless the Chamber fails to secure the room, the affair is to be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency.

Thus far, Mr. Gordon has pushed all the right buttons; the same can’t be said for our locally based professional baseball team. Unfortunately the struggle is no surprise to anyone who took a hard look at the roster before the season started. What’s lacking is team speed, outfielders that can catch and throw, and dependable pitching. It isn’t easy to knock a good group of guys but a quick read of the daily box score confirms the need to yell help. Recently I went over to the Camelback Toyota dealership, on Camelback Road, to cop an autograph from last year’s stud reliever, Jose Valverde. Everyone paid a $5.00 fee, which was donated to Pappas School; a facility that helps educate homeless children. Jose doesn’t speak enough English to order a glass of water so I didn’t talk to him about the team’s slow start. The Dominican born right-handed hurler smiled throughout my attempt to speak baseball gibberish with him. I wanted to tell him that I was on my way to donate the ball to the Filipino American Arizona Association; but I decided to save my breath. There was an interpreter with him and although she said little; she did snap our picture together. After picking up the developed pictures, I realized why her official title wasn’t Interpreter/Photographer.

The FAAA raffled the ball off during their recently concluded picnic. The organization does a lot of valuable charity work. For those unfortunate souls who have never attended a Filipino sponsored function, the food is abundant and delicious. Bob Ayala, Democratic Party candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff, can vouch for my thumbs up assessment of their cuisine. Bob was there to gather signatures on his campaign petition and hobnob with some new acquaintances. Between snacks, we discussed the status of his battle to dethrone the incumbent and he was upbeat about his progress. Money is what he needs to launch an effective offensive. He told me that he has sent several letters to prominent Democrats including former President Bill Clinton. It is his hopes that some of recipients will respond and agree to host a series of fundraisers for him. His innovative idea may pay off. Time will tell.

Nominate Someone?

The Valle del Sol organization is accepting nominations for its 14th annual Profiles of Success Hispanic Leadership Awards, to be awarded in September. The deadline to submit is May 7th. For further details, call (602) 248-8101-ext 121.Don’t procrastinate , make that call.

Is it poetry?

Some area schools are incorporating the style of rap as a means of relating to modern day students. As a former teacher I wonder aloud whether or not the injection of rap will be a positive one. No offense but rap lacks a visible structure and being popular doesn’t make the idea a sound one. I wouldn’t have any qualms with the inclusion of rap as an accepted form of poetry but to give it more than a footnote’s notice would be wrong. I can appreciate the ability to rhyme but diversity breeds more than contempt. I can hear some readers daring me to whip out an example of rap. Whipping out a sixpence of rap takes about a dimes worth of time. Read my lines.
“There was a girl
Who I took for a whirl
Up popped the rabbit
And I was out of town
By sundown of the
Sabbath?”

How about those apples, boys and girls? When I was teaching in the projects, students on a daily basis would tell me that they couldn’t relate to their classroom lessons. I would preach the concept of being diverse but few were able to embrace the thought. It would be tragic if our educators succumbed to the virtual reality of student demands. There is room for discussion about change but the exclusion of past lessons learned would be a mistake. I’m reminded of Condoleezza Rice’s reference to historical value when she recently addressed the 9/11 committee. Few of our kids possess a sense of history and its impact on present and future endeavors. Their lives are so immediate that the beat of their steps stops them seeing clearly. We need a dialogue with them. We owe it to them. Smile, I have decided to step off my soapbox and move on. Thank you!

Triple Title Thriller

Top Level Entertainment & Events L.L.C. has added some talent and intrigue to their May 8th show at the Dodge Theatre. The 5 De Mayo Special will include three-title tests and ticket sales are brisk beyond belief. Adding undefeated Lightweight sensation Michael Lozada has created a buzz around the ticket window. Slugger/boxer Lozada has whipped his last ten in knockout fashion. In boxing, the knockout is equivalent to baseball’s homerun as just as exciting. Boxing fans appreciate grace and mobility in the ring but they spend their hard earned dollars in anticipation of the knockout. Mr. Lozada brings that kind of power. Joe Diaz hasn’t scared up an opponent for him yet; but T.B.A. will have his hands full. Michael will be a prohibitive favorite to win the World Athletic Association’s vacant title but one punch can turn the expected into the unexpected.
The main event will feature Luis “Yory Boy” Campas and Selby Pudwill in a battle for
the vacated International Boxing Middle-weight title. It used to be worn by Oscar De La Hoya but he moved on to other titles; now he has none. Thanks to the generosity of Oscar, Luis and Selby have a chance to bring extra bacon home to their families.

The third title bout pits Robert Enrique against Martin Bermubez in a tussle for the Arizona State welterweight title. Five other bouts fill the card. The most notable under card match feature a confident Fernando Jimenez versus a talented Miguel Rocha. Fernando told me to arrive early. We know what that means. Doors open at 6pm and anyone ogling the Budweiser “King of Beers” ladies will definitely remember the view. As part of the Cinco de Mayo celebration, prepare for a musical serenade between fights. To ensure your ringside view, dial 602-245-1774. See you there.

In other fight news, Nate “the Weasel” Martin will be on the May14th fight card at the Dodge Theatre. In a rematch requested by fans and participants, the former tough man contestant will try to best-undefeated Junior middleweight Jesus Gonzales. Their previous battle was a head-knocking affair, won by Gonzales with a 4th round TKO. Martin, a self proclaimed “born again Christian”, used strong language in protesting the stoppage of the contest. Lucky for him, Michael Powell of the FCC wasn’t ringside. His choice of words might have shocked the sensibilities of famed shock jock Howard Stern had he chose to attend the affair. The rematch of Nate and Jesus should prove to be worth the price of admission. Julio Cesar Chavez’s namesake is also fighting, so the Dodge Theatre is the place to be on the 14th. Tickets are available at the box-office and through Ticket Master.