Sports


Dr. Deer's Corner: Find a hunting lease

Barring a very nice friend or family member, you probably will have to pay to hunt. That usually involves a lease of some type. There are two basic types of leases.

First, you can find some person or other entity and lease property for a set amount of time at a per acre or per gun rate. Second, you can join an existing hunting lease for an annual membership fee or buy-in. For most people, the best opportunity lies with putting together a club of individuals and finding someone to lease the hunting rights to you.

Dr. Deer's Corner: Endearing Blacks to the game

I am excited to begin this monthly outdoor column for African-American News and Issues. First of all, it is an honor to be asked by Roy Douglas Malonson to provide this column. Second, for some time, I have felt the African-American hunter and fisherman has been neglected totally by the outdoor press!

There is growing concern for the future of our sport, as demographic studies show we are an aging population of White males. Virtually every non-governmental conservation organization has initiated programs to recruit new hunters, primarily among the nation’s youth.

Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers claim 2010 Championship

PRAIRIE VIEW - The Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers used an 11-2 spurt in the final seven minutes of the contest to outlast a feisty University of Louisiana Monroe squad en route to a 49-44 win in the championship game of the Gene Hackerman Invitational, hosted by Rice University on Dec. 4 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Prairie View (4-3) came out cold from the tip as ULM (5-4) center Larrie Williams accounted for two uncontested layups pushing the margin to 6-0 within the first two minutes of the ball game.

Hoop Dreams

marcus-sloan-3.jpg

Houston native Marcus Sloan, a professional international basketball player, says youngsters should make the sport work for them, especially when it comes to education. 

     Is there a lesson to be learned by the recent NBA saga surrounding former Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James? “King James,” who wore number 23 for the Cavaliers for seven seasons (although his jerseys are now being banned and burned) turned out to be cavalier indeed, at least according to the team’s owner. Dan Gilbert alternately used the first two descriptions found at merriam-websteronline.com to describe the player as: 1 having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude <a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinate> — see arrogant 2 having or showing a lack of concern or seriousness <a cavalier approach to work got her fired from her first summer job> — see carefree.

     While the ensuing debate has reached the international stage when Rev. Jesse Jackson blasted Gilbert on  Fox Sports Radio by comparing him to an angry slave owner after his verbal attack on James.


 

 

 Houston native Marcus Sloan, a professional international basketball player, says youngsters should make the sport work for them, especially when it comes to education. 

Something to shoot for ...

HOUSTON-As Robert LeDay drove though the north side of Houston each day, he says he noticed young men standing around without anything constructive to do. It was something he had seen for years, but for some reason, this really began to bother him. LeDay understood that boys who aren’t busy can easily get into trouble.
Unlike many, who see a situation and begin to complain about it, LeDay decided to become part of the solution.
Boy with ball.jpg

L&S Youth Sports gives promising young
people like Kareem Innis a future and
them out of trouble.

Bringing Baseball Back

Baseball, at one time, was considered America’s favorite pass time. The love of this sport spanned racial divides. But that passion was not enough to bring the races together and from 1891 to 1947, African-Americans were banned from playing baseball in the major leagues or minor leagues.

Thus, driven by their love for the game, Blacks started their own league, known as the Negro National League. As with the major league, it was not without its share of stars. Most people know about Jackie Robinson, the first to cross the color barrier when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

M.O. Campbell Center hosts John Lucas Holiday Explosion

HOUSTON- Aldine ISD’s M.O. Campbell Educational Center will host the John Lucas Holiday Explosion and Athletic Conference, Dec. 28-29. The two-day event will feature a middle school and high school basketball tournament, and an athletic conference.
Tickets are $15 per day, which also provides attendees access to the athletic conference. The middle school field will consist of Plummer Middle School, Teague Middle School, HCYA, Westbury Christian, Pershing Middle School, Pin Oak Middle School, and West Briar Middle School.
The high school field will consist of Christian Life, Mt. Zion High School (North Carolina), Atascocita High School, Norcross High School (Georgia), Houston Strake Jesuit, and White Station High School (Tennessee). The athletic conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 28 and will kickoff with an opening address from John Lucas, the former Houston Rockets star point guard. For more information, contact (713)319-5708.

Prairie View A&M Panthers Roll Into SWAC History Book

PRAIRIE VIEW-  The year before his death in 1964, soul sensation Sam Cooke was moved to write the hit song, “A Change Is Gonna Come.”  In times past, the lyrics championed the civil rights movement and most recently was a staple in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Prairie View A&M Panther Coach Henry Frazier III echoed a variation of that song when he stated “It’s been a long time coming.”  Frazier was speaking about the 30-24 victory over Alabama A&M which gave the Historically Black University,  the 2009 SWAC (The Southwestern Athletic Conference) Championship crown on Dec. 12.
Ironically, the year that Cooke’s song was released by the RCA Victor label, was the last time the Panthers  won the championship—a fact not lost on the history-making coach. “Nobody on this staff, nobody on this team was born in 1964. This is a special time.”

2009 Toy Drive and Charity Event

On Tuesday Dec. 22, 2009, Shoot 2 Score Hoops will host its 2009 Christmas Toy Drive and Charity Event at “Manor on Washington.” The event is sponsored by The NAPLE, “Houston Media Source” 71 Proof. Scheduled from 8-10 p.m., it will be hosted by KRBE 104.1’s Ayana Mack and DJ Tony Styles.Christmas-themed signature cocktails, hors d’ouevres and gourmet desserts will be served.
Admission is $20, and guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit disadvantaged children throughout Houston. For more information visit shoot2scorehoops.com.

Athlete of The Week

NaDosha Strickland
#3 NaDosha Strickland

Position:G
Texas Southern University
Year: JR
Height:5-9
Hometown:
Bay Spring, MS
Previous School:
Meridian Community College

Bobcat Basketball Team Falls

Tony Bishop
Tony Bishop scores a career-best 16 points to lead the Bobcats

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Despite a career-best 16 points and six rebounds by junior forward Tony Bishop, the Texas State men’s basketball team could not overcome an ice-cold shooting touch as the Bobcats suffered a 67-55 loss at New Orleans recently. New Orleans jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead when Charles Carmouche hit a lay-up and Billy Humphrey made a pair of free throws after being fouled by  John Rybak. But, Bishop, a junior college transfer from Richland College, scored Texas State’s first seven points on a pair of jumpers and a lay-up.

University of Texas’ Women Hall of Fame Inducts Edwina Brown

AUSTIN– Edwina Brown, college basketball’s National Player of the Year in 1999-2000, was inducted into the UT Women’s Athletics Hall of Honor recently at the Frank Erwin Center along with four other former University of Texas women student-athlete standouts. Enshrinement ceremonies for the 10th Longhorn Women’s Hall of Honor class and the 2009 Men’s Hall of Honor class was held during the Texas-Kansas football game.
Brown, a two-time All-American and first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, played for The University of Texas from 1996-2000 and still holds a number of records including: 1705 career points, 517 career assists and 257 career steals. She is the only individual in school history to lead the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in the same year, an accomplishment she achieved in both her junior and senior years.
Following her senior year, Brown earned one of The University of Texas Friar Society Awards, given annually to three or fewer undergraduate students for distinguished contributions to The University. As the third overall pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft, Brown spent five years with the WNBA before heading overseas to play on international teams includuing the Israeli Basketball League for ASA Jerusalem.
Brown will serve as the regional director for the South Texas Regional Lady Prodigy Camp taking place April 10-11, 2010 at Southwestern University in Georgetown, and later as the director for the National Lady Prodigy Camp taking place July 29-August 2, 2010 at The University of Texas at Arlington. 

Former C.H.S. Standout Host Basketball Tournament

CROCKETT- Not too long ago the Melvis Wooten All-American basketball Tournament was held in Crockett, Texas. Members of the Dead End Barbershop Team were: Dre Murray, Brandon “Boo” Johnson, Untwaun Johnson and Graylon Crawford Jr.
Other members included: George Perry, Jeremy Carey, Brent Stephens and Anjuwan Smith, Darrell “Mookie” Smith, Terris Nicols and Elbert Wayne Johnson. Murray of Huntsville, said the tournament was nice and he came to “play a little basketball" after scoring 42 points in the Championship game.

Texas State Upsets 11th-ranked Stephen F. Austin

SAN MARCOS- Homecoming at Texas State University (TSU) which offers nearly 200 undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, is one of the university’s longest-running annual traditions. The university usually plans a week’s worth of events culminating at Bobcat Stadium when the football team hosts another Southland Conference team.
This year, Quarterback Bradley George threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas State University to a 28-7 victory over No. 11 Stephen F. Austin University in its homecoming game at Bobcat Stadium. In addition, SFA’s defense held the nation’s top scoring offense to a season-low seven points.

Leah Payne steps into starting role...

Leah Payne
AUSTIN- University of Texas sophomore Leah Payne doesn’t let much get to her. Even battling through the coldest soccer match of the year, Payne produced a powerful performance in the Horns’ in a recent 2-1 victory over the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers. Payne claimed her position as a team leader, playing tough defense, skillfully taking the team’s set pieces, and scoring her second goal for the season.

The defender has morphed into one of the team’s more versatile and reliable players as she is one of four Longhorns to start in all 13 of UT’s matches this season. Payne, who only played in 16 games during her freshman campaign, had to step into a starting role immediately this season and help junior co-captain Erica Campanelli organize a completely new backline. Along with her responsibilities on Texas’ side of the field, Payne has also been given the task of taking the Longhorns set pieces along with coming up the field to fill the box when Texas has a corner kick. It was on one of these corner kicks that Payne netted the second goal and game winner of her career Friday night. Payne and the Longhorns are fifth in the league.

Sports ... Number one Rusher on University of Houston’s Team

Bryce Beall
HOUSTON- After leading the Cougars to one of the program’s biggest wins on Saturday, University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum was named the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Against the #5 team in the nation, as well as playing in front of a hostile crowd in Stillwater, Okla., Keenum led the Cougars’ to one the program’s biggest upsets, guiding Houston to a 45-35 win over Oklahoma State. It was the first win over a Top 5 program since 1984 and snapped an 11-game losing streak to Top 5 teams. Keenum threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns, but none more important than the fourth-down scoring strike to Bryce Beall from six yards out to reclaim the lead from the Cowboys with just 6:42. The fourth-down pass caromed off an OSU defender and Beall snagged it out of the air. Beall, one of the top returning rushers not only in Conference USA but also at the national level... heads into the fall as the No. 1 rusher on the UH depth chart... also a very good receiver out of the backfield.

African American Living Legend: George Foreman - Two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champ and Entrepreneur

HOUSTON- George Edward Foreman was born one of seven children to JD and Nancy Foreman on January 10, 1949, in the town of Marshall, Texas. A mugger and brawler, growing up on the hard streets of Houston’s 5th ward by age 15, he was saved by Lyndon Johnson’s Job Corps program, which helped troubled kids. Boxing coach Doc Broaddus, encouraged him to become a fighter.

Live & Let Live: Michael Vick, Too!

Michael Vick’s reinstatement to the NFL and recent signing by the Philadelphia Eagles is a bit of victory for those who tire of seeing American mainstream society make Black American athletes “public enemy number one” when they screw up.  If you are in synch with values and a mindset that accepts as fact: Allen Iverson is “edgy”, Michael Irvin is some kind of criminal and Terrell Owens is a malcontent, you are a part of an American tradition of vilifying Black athletes. 

Houston-area Athletic Trainer and Wife Recognized for Efforts Advocating Ethnically-Diverse Students

A year following the establishment of a $50,000 scholarship endowment in his name, John Mayes, MS, ATC, LAT, has been commended by Texas State Rep. Sylvester Turner, Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee and Houston Mayor Bill White. National Athletic Trainers’ Association Foundation President Mark Hoffman, PhD, ATC (left), and Executive Director John Oliver, CAE, CFRE (right), honors John Mayes, MS, ATC, LAT, and his wife Sherl for establishing the largest endowment contribution from an individual in the Foundation’s history. For more information regarding the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) visit www.nata.org.

Sophia Young Shoots 24 in Third WNBA All-Star Game

SAN ANTONIO– San Antonio Silver Stars forward Sophia Young made her third WNBA All-Star weekend after earning a spot on the Western Conference squad. Eastern and Western Conference head coaches selected the players from their respective conferences to round out the rosters. The All-Star Game, the ninth in league history, was held on July 25 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and was televised nationally on ABC. A fourth-year player out of Baylor, Young earned a spot on the Western Conference All-Star squad as a rookie in 2006 and again in 2007. There were no all-star teams named in 2008 because of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This season, Young is averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She ranks seventh in the WNBA in points per game and fourth in rebounds per game.

San Antonio Head Coach Dan Hughes coached the West by virtue of winning the 2008 Western Conference title. The East was led by Indiana Head Coach Lin Dunn, who was named the coach after the Fever clinched the best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference for games through July 15. The West defeated the East 130-118 in a record-breaking WNBA All Star Game. Young scored 24 points.

Jimoh Makes Team USA

Former Rice All-American track and field athlete Funmi Jimoh will represent Team USA once again, after placing third at the USA National Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the women’s long jump. Jimoh will now compete at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, August 15-23, 2009. She previously competed for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics last summer.
“She really competed tough having a some adversity with an injury occuring on her jumps,” said her coach  Jim Bevan. “Funmi (Jimoh) is an amazing competitor who turned in a tough performance this afternoon.” Jimoh, a Rice 2007 graduate, posted a best mark of 6.77m/22-2.50, which was also tied by Grace Upshaw, but Jimoh had a better second-highest mark of 6.72m which she needed on her last attempt. Upshaw’s second-highest mark was 6.70m. Jimoh came into the competition as one of the favorites. The IAAF World Championships take place in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, which will host its first major international track and field event since the 1936 Olympic Games.

Center-fielder’s big-league skills

ARLINGTON- UT-Arlington’s storied baseball program has produced six Major League players and a trio of big league managers and coaches. But in just two seasons as a Maverick, 19-year-old center fielder Michael Choice has rendered the school’s record book obsolete. In 56 games this spring, he batted .413 with 52 runs batted in and a team-best 11 home runs.
 He reached base in almost half his plate appearances and scored 64 runs-by far the most on the team. In center field, he made only one error and threw out five base runners. This came on the heels of a freshman season that saw him named the Southland Conference’s Freshman of the Year and the second Maverick ever to make a freshman all-America team. For the record, he made five of them. Choice is No. 1 on the school’s all-time list in career batting (.396), and, after just two seasons, is 10th in home runs (18) and just outside the Top 10 in RBIs (103).
He puts his skills on display next week as the first UT Arlington player ever invited to the USA Baseball National Team Trials, which continue through June 24 in North Carolina. The trials feature 36 of the top collegiate, non-draft eligible players in the country competing for a spot on the 22-man USA Baseball National Team. He may be UT Arlington’s star player, but he’s happy just to be playing. He came to UT Arlington simply hoping to compete for an outfield spot. He won one in part because of his size (6-0, 210 pounds), arm strength (his throws from center field to home plate have been clocked at 92 mph) and sprinter’s speed (6.6 seconds in the 60-yard dash).

2009 All-American ... Cassie Anderson

der Cassie Anderson (Splendora/Splendora HS) was named 2009 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Second Team All-American on Thursday.  A total of 46 student-athletes from 30 schools have been honored as part of the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-America teams.
Anderson becomes only the second Javelina to earn NFCA All-American honors joining Kassie Rezza who earned first team honors in 2006.  Anderson set school records in batting average (.437) and on-base percentage (.485) this year.  Despite batting leadoff for much of the season, she led the team with 29 RBI’s, 20 extra-base hits, five triples and four homers.  She also led the team in stolen bases for the third straight season with 28 swipes giving her 80 in her three-year career.  She had 22 multi-hit games during the season and most impressively had a school and Lone Star Conference record 26-game hitting streak.
Anderson has led the Javelinas to three straight LSC Playoff appearances.  She has been named to a number of postseason teams this year including; first team all-Lone Star Conference South Division, first team NFCA South Central Region and first team Daktronics South Central Region.

Positive Outlook Abound For 2009 Mustang Football Season

 DALLAS- With the start of the 2009 season a little over two months away, the SMU football team is gaining the attention of several news outlets. As the 2009 preseason magazines and Web site previews begin to surface, SMU is being mentioned prominently.
The Sporting News’ Matt Hayes names the Mustangs as his No. 2 team that he believes will show the most improvement in the win column from 2008 to 2009. “Those who stuck it out ... will be rewarded this fall,” writes Hayes. “(June) Jones has a better feel for his players and Conference USA, and his two recruiting classes are beginning to shape the roster. Half of the Mustangs’ eight league losses last year were by seven points or fewer, and QB Bo Levi Mitchell will be more comfortable in the run-and-shoot offense.”
Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, which will hit newsstands June 9th, will honor seven Mustangs as members of its four 2009 preseason All-Conference USA teams.
Leading the way is Emmanuel Sanders, who was chosen as a first-team wide receiver. Fellow wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, linebacker Pete Fleps and corner Bryan McCann were second-team picks, while center Mitch Enright and linebacker Youri Yenga were third-teamers. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell also made the list, rating the fourth-team quarterback.

Run Baby Girl Run!

Young girls in the Alief area under serviced, as a result the community suffers. This organization seeks to change that. Join the cause.

University of Texas acknowledges Amanda Van Dyke & Jordyn Brown

AUSTIN- A 2008 Olympian, NCAA Indoor National Champion, seven All-America honors, and five Big 12 titles. Those are just some of the shot put accomplishments that Texas Ex Michelle Carter and current All-American junior Jordyn Brown have achieved at Texas. It’s a mighty order to stand up to, but freshman Amanda Van Dyke appears to be on the right track. The newcomer out of Pflugerville, Texas already has an All-Big 12 honor to her name after placing seventh at the league’s indoor championships meet in March. In College Station, Van Dyke recorded a personal-best throw of 49-3 (15.01m), almost four feet farther than her previous personal best. Following in Brown’s footsteps, Van Dyke has posted NCAA regional qualifying marks in every event but one this outdoor season and is heading into this week’s 2009 Big 12 Outdoor Championships  looking to add another All-Big 12 accolade to her resume.
On her goals heading into the Big 12 Outdoor Championships: She mentions her “No. 1 goal is to score. I want to make All-Big 12 again because it would be a really big accomplishment. It was a really big accomplishment at indoor because I wasn’t expected to score then. So I want to go in with that same goal this weekend. This meet, I really want to PR, get 50 feet and that would lead me into regionals and hopefully get me to nationals.” On training with junior All-American Jordyn Brown: Jordyn really inspires me to go out there and do well. She makes practice and training much more fun and really uplifts the atmosphere at practice.       (Photo credits: UT Web site)

Jordyn Brown


Amanda Van Dyke

The University of St. Thomas’ Track Team eyes top-5 finish at Nationals

James Ewer
HOUSTON- Coach Steve Mathre’s team has a strong chance at a top-five team finish as it has the best times in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays and have top-six seeds in six individual races.
Based on the seedings in each event, McMurry (Tex.), St. Thomas, UW-LaCrosse, UW-Oshkosh and Mississippi College appear to have the best scoring potential.
Besides the 4x100 and 4x400, UST will look for points from James Ewer in the long jump and 100; Andrew Brueggen in the hammer; Pat Jager in the 400; Brian Sames and Mike Hutton in the 800; Kyle Brandon in the 1,500; and Matt Griswold in the 400 hurdles.
St. Thomas placed fifth at nationals last season with three top-three individual finishes. The Tommies’ best NCAA outdoor team finish was third, recorded in 1984, 1985, 1992 and 1993. UST also placed fourth in 1986 and 1991.
  (Photo credits: St. Thomas Web site)

Baylor’s Jason Smith ... No. 2 Overall Pick

WACO- It is indeed awesome for Baylor to be tied for the conference lead with five Big 12 titles this season (and second in the league in conference championships over the past six years). Not only does Baylor produces great athletes, but smart athletes that excel in the classroom, as well. According to Baylor’s statistics, three programs including; baseball, women’s golf and soccer led the Big 12 in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the most recent report from the NCAA, and two more programs (men’s basketball and women’s tennis) finished second in the league.
Baylor had seven players from the Big 12 Conference that were drafted in the first round of this  NFL Draft recently, but none went higher than Jason Smith, who was made  the No. 2 overall pick in the draft by the St. Louis Rams. Smith, a talented young man has developed other names for himself off the field as well. His head coach at Baylor speaks very highly of him and especially of his all-American honors and how he matches the highest drafted Bears in the school’s history.
 Several articles state that Smith  demonstrates his loyalty to his friends and mentors as he brought to the draft head coach Art Briles, strength coach Kaz Kazadi and offensive line coach Randy Clements from Baylor, plus friend and former teammate Montez Murphy and his high school defensive line coach, Billy Thompson. He even found time to speak with kids at an NFL event urging them to listen to their parents, stay in school, and always do the right thing.                              (Photo credit: Baylor Web site)

Lady Panthers bring Home The Hardware

PRAIRIE VIEW - A 24-4 second half run broke open a tight contest as the Prairie View A&M University Lady Panther basketball team captured their second-ever NCAA Tournament bid and SWAC Tournament Championship in three seasons after a 74-49 victory over Southern University on Saturday afternoon at Fair Park Arena in Birmingham, Ala. With the game in PV’s favor as the first half ticked down, Southern refused to go away and answered the Lady Panthers with a furious 25-5 surge to knot the contest at 33-all at the 1:14 mark after a jumper by Tenesha Brown. Both teams went cold for nearly three minutes in the second half until a layup by Gatti Werema gave PV a 39-34 lead. Southern drew to within one at 39-38 after a Deidra Jackson trey but Candice Thomas and Dominique Smith answered with back-to-back baskets to up Prairie View’s lead back to five (43-38) with 16:32 left.

8th Annual South Central Little League Opening Day And Health, Jobs and Education Fair 

HOUSTON - The South Central Little League will hold its 8th Spring Season Opening Day ceremonies in conjunction with a Health, Jobs and Education Fair on Saturday, March 28, 2009. State Representative Sylvester Turner will be the featured speaker and one of several VIP’s to throw out the first ball for the Little League at 10 a.m. at Sunnyside Park, 3502 Bellfort.  Baseball and softball games will be played throughout the day until 7 p.m. At the same time, the Health, Jobs and Education Fair organized by the Port City Links service organization will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the park.  Booths at the event will feature employers who will accept resumes; educational institutions that offer pre-K to college, tutoring and summer camps; and health-related organizations offering CHIP enrollment, blood pressure screening, an Alzheimer’s workshop and more. Both the games and the fair are free and open to the public.  Booths are still available for additional employers and organizations that would like to reach out to the community.  Brochures and other signature giveaways will be accepted for the Fair and put into gift bags for participants.  For more information, please contact Donna Blackshear-Reynolds at (713)304-3336. Now in its eighth season, the South Central Little League consists of 150 players, ages four to twelve.  The teams honor the Negro League by taking the names of that League’s teams.  Games will be played at Sunnyside and Yellowstone Parks.


Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl For Kids’ Sake Event

SAN ANTONIO- Want to bowl and make a difference in San Antonio’s future? Then join the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas Bowl For Kids’ Sake Event, taking place Friday, March 20, 2009 through Sunday, March 22, 2009 at Bandera Bowl and Funplex, 6700 Huebner Rd. You’ll enjoy two hours of free bowling, pizza, and many chances to win great prizes. Plus, you’ll have a blast while doing something for area children in need of a Big Brother or Big Sister. For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at (210)225-6322 or visit www.bigmentor.org.