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Summer promises some cool events
You can enjoy concerts on the lawn in the Berkshire mountains of Massachusetts, gaze upon a mega-public art work featuring 100-foot-high waterfalls cascading in New York City's East River, treat your taste buds at the world's largest outdoor food fest, watch the world's top golfers and tennis players compete in major tournaments.
That's just a sampling of the hundreds of new or special events on tap over the nation this summer. Factor in anniversary celebrations, renovated attractions and seasonal festivals, and summer travelers will have a wide choice of activities.
In fact, those may be just the thing the economic doctor orders this summer. With talk of recession, high gasoline prices and the declining dollar, more Americans may stick close to home.
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Tackle Tampa, Super Bowl city
Super Bowl hits Tampa officially on Feb. 1 for the fourth time in history -- and this year. Festivities start days before the Big Game -- and many of the town's best bets last long after the fourth quarter ends in Raymond James Stadium. In honor of Super Bowl's 43rd year, here are 43 top options if you plan on visiting the Tampa Bay area at Super Bowl time:
1. Go to the BIG GAME . But if you don't have your tickets by now, find a good bar or comfy hotel room where you can watch.
2. Toss in some Super festivities . NFL Experience (866-TIX-4NFL, www.superbowl.com ) runs all weekend and Taste of the NFL ( www.TasteoftheNFL.com ) takes place on the Saturday before the game.
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NL Central: Cubs decide to fight it out until the end
That long-awaited hot streak that will put the Chicago Cubs right back in the thick of the National League playoff race has yet to materialize, but the embattled club still hasn't given up hope of making a third consecutive trip to the postseason.
There was plenty of discussion prior to Monday's game with the Houston Astros about the Cubs possibly working out trades for a few players claimed on revocable waivers by other teams, with starting pitcher Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman the most prominent names of the bunch. Those reports turned out to be purely speculation, however, and general manager Jim Hendry stated before the game he never had seriously considered making any such deals.
Chicago has played itself out of contention in the NL Central, where the two- time defending division champions now trail the first-place St. Louis Cardinals by 10 1/2 games, but does head into September still with a conceivable chance of winning the Wild Card. The Cubs are six games behind Colorado and San Francisco in that
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St. Louis Cardinals (80-56) at Pittsburgh Pirates (53-80), 7:05 p.m.
The top and bottom teams in the National League's Central Division continue a three-game series tonight at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, where the first-place St. Louis Cardinals will be trying to pin a ninth straight loss on the downtrodden Pirates.
St. Louis extended Pittsburgh's misery with an offensive explosion in Friday's opener of this weekend set, as the club pounded out 17 hits and belted four home runs en route to a 14-7 rout.
Ryan Ludwick led the charge by going 5-for-5 with two homers and five RBI, while Albert Pujols delivered a three-run blast and finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Matt Holliday added a solo shot to help Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright pick up his major league-leading 17th victory of the season.
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Salsa star Tito Nieves is here for the game -- and the food
Puerto Rican salsa star Tito Nieves is known for songs like the upbeat Like it Like That and classic Sonánmbulo. Marlins fans attending Saturday night's game against the New York Yankees will be treated to a 45-minute performance by the vibrant award-winning artist.
The 51-year-old singer took some time to chat with us from Orlando -- where he has lived for 10 years -- about the upcoming show and his love of Miami's delicious croquetas .
What can fans expect from your performance Saturday?
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