MONSTER JAM is Back!
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MONSTER JAM is Back!
The 10,000-pound monsters roar into Angel Stadium on Saturday, February 11 @ 7:30pm and into Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 18 @ 7:30pm. These shows sell out, so make sure you get your tickets soon. Save $5 per ticket (up to 10) with code MOMMY! Expires day prior to event 2/10 & 2/17. Valid in $32 & $22 price levels in Anaheim and $40 & $30 price levels for LA. Buy tickets at the box office, go to www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-300 to get the discount.
The neighborhood boys got an exclusive sneak preview, and the pictures are below:
Here’s a peek at last year’s event coverage as well: http://thebushreport.com/2011/01/28/monsters-invade-so-cal/ and http://thebushreport.com/2011/02/10/local-boy-makes-good-monster-truck-interview-subject/
Don’t miss it!
Dear Baseball Writers of America,
Before you capriciously award your MVP the the Brewers’ Ryan Braun, here are a few items you should consider when making that decision.
We are all well aware that the Brewers are making the playoffs this year. Which is to say, they held off a tanking Cardinals team in a division that has hapless teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. The Dodgers will end up .500 or better this year, which has to be considered an great accomplishment considering their lack of activity in free agency and the turmoil going on in the front office. And before you malign the NL West, you should know that the West will end up with three teams with winning seasons. The other two divisions will only have two.
The Dodgers have only one player with more than 20 home runs. That is Matt Kemp. In fact, Kemp has as many as the next three Dodgers. Rod Barajas (who?) has 16, and Loney and Ethier each have 11, or 38 total. I illustrate this to underscore that Kemp has put this MVP campaign together without any real protection.
Here’s some more statistical morsels to chew on:
Matt Kemp leads his team in each of the 9 significant batting categories:
- Batting Average
- Home Runs
- RBIs
- Runs Scored
- Walks
- On-Base Percentage
- Slugging Percentage
- Hits
- OPS (On-Base Percentage & Slugging Percentage)
Ryan Braun leads his team in only 4 of those categories. The Milwaukee Brewers are 6th in Baseball in slugging percentage; the Dodgers are 24th. The Brewers have 5 guys with sluggingpercentages over .450… The Dodgers only have Matt Kemp. Kemp also leads his team in Stolen Bases and Outfileld assists, and is 2nd in the National League in both of those categories.
Kemp leads the NL in two of the three triple crown categories. Ryan Braun doesn’t even lead his team in two of those three. Sure, Kemp will likely lose the Triple Crown, being just points behind Braun and Jose Reyes, but he will also likely win a Gold Glove at his position.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, if that’s true, then these two pictures should be worth 100+ first place votes. When you pull the team stats, you see Kemp leads his team in all significant categories. You see Prince Fielder’s ugly mug three times and Braun’s but twice.
If you want to look at Sabermetrics, the more “Moneyball” way to look at performance, you will notice Kemp is on top in the metric RC “Runs Created” and close to the top on every other category. The other thing you will notice is there are two Brewers that follow him. That symbiosis cannot be ignored; clearly, one would not be as good without the other. So while Braun and Fielder are an impressive duo, Matt Kemp is the more impressive singular entity, and that’s really what the MVP is all about.
The unfortunate thing for Kemp is that Clayton Kershaw is likely to win the Cy Young award. This award is also given by you silly Baseball Writers of America. Perhaps, when you enter your voting booths, you will will try justify not awarding Kemp MVP because you are going to award Cy Young to another Dodger.
Also, you egotistic wordsmiths will rationalize that the Dodgers are not going to make the playoffs. Even though MVP voting takes place before the postseason, you keyboard-jockeys have historically awarded the MVP to players on teams with post-season births. Lastly, the lot of you columnists, correspondents and — ehh hmm — journalist have proven to have political agendas as evidenced by your Hall-of-Fame inductee voting. Players like Pete Rose and, more recently, Mark Maguire and Barry Bonds, will likely never get your votes because of off-field issues. If Selig had his way, I’m sure he’d rather that you scribllers-of-truth throw as little positive attention to the Dodgers’ as possible, since he’s trying to wrestle the team from Frank McCourt.
So, if you writers want to “maintain” some journalistic integrity, you should award the National League Kenesaw Mountain Landis Memorial Baseball Award (MVP) to the player who is most valuable to his team. Clearly, Matt Kemp is that man.
Sincerely,
Disgruntled in L.A.
p.s. Shouldn’t you change the name of your organization to “Baseball Writers of North America?” After all, we have some contingencies north of the border, don’t we now hosers?
Coronodo Speed Festival 4-Pack Giveaway
You can support your soldiers and military personnel, and celebrate the need for speed at the same time. Coronado Speed Fest is the highlight of the Fleet Week San Diego, and features a full-fledge car enthusiast experience. Watch vintage cars from around the country race around a 1.7 mile track made from the runways and taxiways of the military base.
One of the big draws of Speedfest is the the opportunity for fans to walk through the garage area and watch as race cars are put through final inspections before hitting the track. You can tour the race car pits and mingle with the crews and drivers like a VIP.
There will be car shows featuring makes & models spanning the decades including categories for Shelby, Chevy, Olds, Buick, Pontiac, Corvette, Ford, T-Bird, Chrysler, Plymouth, Mustangs, Street Rod and Customs. There will be several car clubs representing their brands as well. Of course, there will be a “vendor village” so you can score the latest in technology (or novelty) for your car.
You don’t just have to be a auto voyeur… Chevrolet will have some of their hottest, newest models available for interactive test drives. The hot, new Chevy Camaro, and the sexy “topless” Camaro Convertible, and the brand-new, sub-4-second 0-60 time Corvette GS Convertible will available for the Ride & Drive event (drivers must be 21-years of age or older).
You can also preview some of the other Chevys, including the Chevy Volt, Corvette ZR1, Corvette Z06, 45th Anniversary Camaro SS and the 565 horse-power Cadillac CTS-V… That’s merely five ponies shy of the Ferrari’s flagship 458 Italia.
Tickets are $35 each, but admission is FREE for all active duty and active reserve members and their direct dependents, and for children 12 and under. It can also be free for you… just leave a comment below for your chance to win a Family Four-Pack to Coronado Speed Festival. Visit the home site for more information, or to purchase tickets: CORONADO SPEED FESTIVAL.
Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Winner will be announced on Thursday morning, 9:00 a.m. PT, so get your comments in.
Ultraluxe – You Dig it The Most
One of my favorite scenes in my favorite movie is when Vincent (Travolta’s character) tells Jules (Samuel L. Jackson’s character) about the nuances of Europe, namely “you can buy beer in a movie theatre.”
I’m here to tell you first hand that buying beer in a movie theatre is the single most significant happening to happen to film since sound. I’m not sure if I’ve told you TheBushReportians, but I led a charmed life before. I worked in a capacity with a company that had me going to movie/press screeners and premieres so often that I got bored with it. The one thing that was constant was they would serve you food and drink before the movies. Let’s just say that after a few Amstel Lights, Charlie’s Angels was one the best movies I’d seen all year. We saw Our Idiot Brother, and after a couple IPAs, I was moved to tears by Paul Rudd’s performance.
Now, here’s the rub. Ultraluxe theaters at the Gardenwalk in Anaheim… wait for it… sells beer in their theater. Not just any beer either. They had a Stone IPA, an Arrogant Bastard Ale and some other quite potent potables.
Too boot, their theatres are all digital. That’s something you’d think all theaters would be at this point, but not so much. Don’t listen to film auture posers who tell you that film is the only medium. It’s the old medium. Digital is the way to go for a consistent, crisp picture that doesn’t degrade over time.
Ultraluxe is also home to the only D-Box theatre seats in Orange county. D-Box seats are motion coded to the scene you’re watching (English please?). The seats move with your film and sound emanates from beneath you. Let’s just say if you were to see the shoot-out scene in Heat in a D-Box seat, you might need a motion sickness bag. The movements are actually pretty subtle, and you can control the intensity with settings on the armrest, but after watching a scene with it, the same movie seems rather hollow without it. It’s an $8 premium, but you get an assigned seat which, motion aside, almost makes it worth it.
So that’s my pitch for Ultralux. They have great, all digital theaters and are the Orange county exclusive theater for D-Box. Sure, all their seats are comfy, they validate parking, and the staff is nice as kittens, but the real reason to go is “you can buy beer” in thier movie theater.
You heard it here first… Now, does anybody know where I can get a Big Kahuna burger?
If you have young ones with the attention spans of gnats, the circus is the perfect show for you. We went last year, and the kids were fully engaged. You can take a family of four for less than $50, and the best part is, if they start acting up, you can just leave them there.
I’m giving away a Four Tickets to a special Media Night on Wednesday, July 27th. For your Chance to win, just leave a comment below!
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® has a special $48 Family Four Pack price to their latest show Fully Charged, where megawatts of thrills explode off the arena floor with breathtaking dare-devilry, superhuman stunts and never-before-seen performances that will energize Children Of All Ages!
Be sure to arrive early, because all ticket holders have access to the Pre-Show Power-Up Party where families can step onto the arena floor to meet the performers, try on costumes, learn circus skills through the CircusFit® program and get a chance to see a remarkable elephant paint a masterpiece, The All Access Pre-Show Power-Up Party is FREE with a purchased ticket!
WHAT: Elephants and tigers, high-wire acts, The Human Fuse, Clown Alley, and a gaggle of showcases to Fully Charge your evening!
WHEN: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 – Sunday, August 14, 2011
WHERE: Los Angeles – Staples Center: Wednesday, July 20 – Sunday, July 24
1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90015
Tickets – $12 (opening night), $15, $20, $25, $40 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity)
- Wednesday, July 20 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, July 21 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
- Friday, July 22 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 23 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, July 24 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Orange County – Honda Center: Wednesday, July 27 – Sunday, August 7
2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA 92806
Tickets – $12 (opening night), $15, $20, $25, $40 (VIP), $70 (Front Row) and $100 (Circus Celebrity)
- Wednesday, July 27 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, July 28 – 1:00pm, 7:30pm
- Friday, July 29 – 10:30am, 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 30 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, July 31 – 1:30pm, 5:30pm
- Tuesday, August 2 – 7:30pm
- Wednesday, August 3 – 1:00pm, 7:30pm
- Thursday, August 4 – 10:30am, 7:30pm
- Friday, August 5 – 1:00pm, 7:30pm
- Saturday, August 6 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, August 7 – 1:30pm, 5:30pm
Inland Empire – Citizens Business Bank Arena: Wednesday, August 10 – Sunday, August 14
4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764
Tickets – $12 (opening night), $15, $20, $25, $40 (VIP), and $70 (Front Row)
- Wednesday, August 10 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, August 11 – 7:30pm
- Friday, August 12 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
- Saturday, August 13 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, August 14 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
TICKETS: Show ticket prices range from $12 – $100
Opening Night tickets available for only $12 each (not valid for premium seating)
HOW: All seats are reserved and available at the venue Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000, or click here for the information on the Family Four Pack.
And, I was just kidding about leaving your kids. You have to take them home with you after the show.
Again, for your chance to win 4 Tickets, just leave a comment below. I’ll draw the winner by random on Monday, 7/25.
_________________________________________________________________________
Update… We have a winner. 
Comment #1 is the winner. I’ll contact you via email for instructions on how to pick up the tickets. Thanks to both of the entrants for playing!
Hockey Pucker!
I know it’s the middle of summer, but what better way to cool off than than to sit in a freezing arena and watch your little one make prat falls on ice? KHS Arena, also known as Wildcats Hockey, offers free hockey for your Duck or King-to-be. KHS Arena is in a building about a mile west of “The Pond” (Honda Center). This class is for both boys and girls from 3 years old to 8 years old with no previous experience in hockey or skating.
Why would they offer this program? Coach Wess Estes says that it’s a great way to introduce hockey to little ones without having to buy all the equipment just to find out your kid doesn’t like it. He knows that hockey is a big commitment for both player and parent, and his program eases the barriers to entry.
It’s seriously a great program, and the awesome coaching staff will have your little pucker skating within 1-2 sessions. If for no other reason, the photo opportunities alone are worth the enrollment.
The KHS Free Hockey Class includes:
- (4) One Hour Classes with experienced coaches
- (4) Public Sessions/Stick
- Time for self practice time
- All the loaner Equipment you will need including: Skates, Jersey, Helmet, Shin Guards, Hockey Pants, Elbow Pads, Shoulder Pads, Gloves and an equipment bag to hold it all.
All you need to get started is a refundable deposit (check or credit card) for the equipment, and some thick skin as a parent; your kid will fall, but they all seem to love it.
They also have a learn to skate program if any of you ladies want to saddle your broken ice princess dreams on the skates of your little girls.
Getting started is pretty easy. Just contact Cherrie Sweeney (714) 422-1236 ext. 253 or at cherrie@khsice.com to sign up, or go to www.khsice.com. Don’t be discouraged if the people answering the phone don’t have all the info. After all, it is free.
Later Skater!
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What Can “Brown” Do For You?
In what many women would consider a sign of marriage doom, I scheduled my honeymoon around the Lakers playoffs. My wife and I were married on June 9 almost 10 years ago, right in the warm, gooey center of the Lakers last 3-peat (I don’t care, I’m not paying Riley any royalties for that usage). We ended up in Aruba where I was promised the resort had “American TV;” they did. There were a few doctor’s kids there from Philly. Lakers had lost their only game of the entire playoffs to Iverson’s Sixers, so these “ne’er do poor” punks were full of bravado. That was Sunday. Their vacation and title hopes were done by Friday.
My point is, I’m a feverish Lakers fan. Not having Lakers basketball in late May, much less June, is disconcerting. The Lakers have been in the finals in seven of the last 10 years, so imagine my dismay when the team quit against what seemed to be a “soft” Mav’s team just 17 days ago. I’ve been relegated to feigning interest in “Real Housewives” episodes ’cause I can’t bear to devote three hours to the likes of Miami or Dallas (NBA Teams, not Housewives). The inevitable finals match-up of disgusting, apostate star and a reprehensible owner may be good TV, but it’s gut-wrenching to me to know that one of those two “personalities” will have a championship.
Today, Laker nation was hit with another blow. Mike Brown was announced as the new Lakers coach. Mike Brown… the name an amalgamation of two of the most nondescript names in America. He’s a veritable ”Joe Smith,” even though the Lakers already have one of those.
If you don’t follow basketball very closely, that name means nothing to you. If you do follow basketball closely, then your response to the Jim Buss hiring of Mike Brown is likely “who?” Brown is lauded for his “definitive minded” teams, but Brown is also a proven loser. He’s lost at the highest levels; his Cavaliers were swept by the Spurs in the 1997 NBA Finals. He lost his best player, Lebron James, who was ostensibly cavalier in the Cavalier’s ousting in the 2010 playoffs. That loss led to the loss of his job.
What’s the worst thing about the Brown hiring? Inevitably, it’s the terrible UPS puns, “What Can Brown Do For You?” Beyond that, it’s the elephant on the court that only a few news agencies seem to acknowledge. Kobe Bryant, by all reports, hasn’t had any input on the situation. Jerry Buss’s kid can think what he wants, but this is Kobe’s team. If Kobe doesn’t endorse the offering, then Mike Brown doesn’t stand a chance. Buss’s attempt to put his stamp on the Laker organization may backfire; his stamp may be a parcel post delivery of this team into turmoil. When Al Davis when sideways on Marcus Allen decades ago, his Raiders followed suit.
Also, L.A. is known for “Showtime” and “The Lake Show”. I don’t think 72-69 wins are going to appease a triple-digit paying Staples Center public. Brown better concentrate on offense. I don’t think he’ll have a problem in that regard. This Lakers team has veteran offensive weapons (Kobe, Pau, Lamar) and explosive youth (Andrew Bynum, Shannon Brown). Scoring should be easier than sex with a hooker.
But Brown is a “ra-ra” guy. Coming from a climate where the ex-head coach was visibly stoic in adversity, Brown’s animations may not be welcome in a Lakers huddle. Time will tell, but for my money, Brown’s first worst move was not reaching out to Kobe before he took the job. An endorsement from the team’s true leader and rightful league MVP (OK, maybe not this year) would go far to ease the anxiety of this Lakers fan.
Do what you will Mike Brown and Jim Buss. Just know that 1) This hire may be a bigger gamble than Jerry Buss driving drunk the wrong way with a 23-year-old passenger (read: escort) and 2) This Lakers fan’s fever might break if you screw it up too much… afterall, I may have some “Royals” to root for right here in Orange County, and I’m not talking about William and Kate.
