MEOW
I hate being so far away from Colombia, or Miami for that matter. Camilo Villegas news spreads through Bogotá and South Beach faster than a brush fire in southern California. The Villegas flames are growing bigger as the Professional Masters Autoniza Glass tourney begins its second match and our kitty has been sending worldwide purrs among those of us with a pulse.

The first official appearance of our kitty was yesterday morning, when he gave a sporn worthy press conference. Villegas, as we know, is well organized in all aspects of his life, especially with his time. Apparently, the beast was on a tight schedule and some reporters weren’t too happy about it. Too bad, so sad. Seeing as this was Camilo’s only contact with mass media for the week, you’d think they’d be better prepared. Of course I understand the need for more Camilo, but we all gotta respect his boundaries, especially on the greens. With the Villegas estrogen brigade growing stronger, it’s important not to hassle the beast while he’s playing. No autographs or photos along the ropes…let our treasure concentrate please. I’ve also been informed that Camilo Villegas is launching his own charity called the Fundacion Escuela Circo Momo, which offers arts and education to the poor. I’ll have more info on the foundation as it breaks.

TIGER TIME

Tiger Woods has been busy promoting the Nike SasQuatch Sumo2 clubs and drivers, and the Buick Enclave. Woods participated in several mouth-watering events. First, he took part in a press conference yesterday as part of the Nike Golf Whistle Stop Tour in Los Angeles. The King O Beasts drove golf balls down the runway at the Century Aviation Airport and then helped introduce the 2008 Buick Enclave at the Los Angeles Auto Show by driving the vehicle through a video wall embossed with the Buick emblem. Woods said that he knew GM was developing a vehicle like the Enclave and “This was part of the reason I wanted to sign on to Buick.”

Our beast also appeared on ESPNews while footage was shown of Woods hitting balls down the tarmac. ESPN’s Josh Elliott asked Woods, “How’d you swing it?” Woods: “I hit it all right. You know, I was able to hit a couple drives close to 500 yards right down the runway. It was kind of cool, actually.” Elliott: “Yeah, all right, that’s not bad. I mean give or take a few hundred yards, I’d say that’s not bad.” Woods’ appearance on CNBC’s the Closing Bell wasn’t too bad either. CNBC’s Dylan Ratigan said to Woods, “Your personality as it’s portrayed on the golf course … is very intense. You’re not known for being overly jovial or smiley on the golf course … (but) in the promotional environment — whatever the commercial is — you are happier, more accessible in that context. How important is that to the definition of the Tiger brand, that lighter side of Tiger if you will?” Woods: “When I’m off the golf course, I don’t take anything seriously. I’m laughing, joking, needling; that’s my personality.” And don’t forget classy.

SHAUN WHITE SUPPORTS RED

YES! The hotties are jumping on board. Motorola has just announced that gold medal winning pro-snowboard phenomenon, Shaun White is the newest ambassador for MOTO RED. In this new role, Shaun will spread the love about Motorola teaming-up with RED and the company’s efforts to help fight AIDS in Africa. “This is an opportunity for our generation to truly make a difference and change the world,” said Shaun White. “If ten red MOTORAZR’s are sold that will pay for one year of ARV medication for one woman or child affected with AIDS. It’s awesome that buying something cool can give back so much to people in need.” Pa-leeze people, support RED. As you know, RED was created by my hero Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund. The red MOTORAZR V3m is the first in a series of Motorola products in the U.S. to raise awareness and support for the Global Fund. For each handset sold, Motorola and the carrier will collectively make a $17 contribution to the Global Fund.

A REAL MADRID HOTTIE SPREADS THE LOVE

Real Madrid soccer captain and UN goodwill ambassador Raul Gonzalez participated in a friendly soccer match with students in Dakar. Dakar is located on the western edge of Africa, and as you know, any support to impoverished children, especially in Africa, deserves our love.

BACK TO SCHOOL

I’d love to sit in on this class. In San Jose California, algebra teacher, John Hagen has finally got it right. Hagen started using the NFL fantasy league at the beginning of the year at Foothills High School to teach fractions and equations in a new way. “You don’t really look at it as math that much because you’re doing sports,” student Jessica Zamora, 17, said. (Give her an A+ please). The curriculum was designed by a former Bay Area math teacher, Dan Flockhart who said “The whole goal is for students to make connections between math at school and math in the real world.” And it’s working. Hagen’s class was filmed in October for a TV segment on fantasy football and math that is scheduled to air on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines”’ this Sunday. Additionally, the idea became Flockhart’s thesis topic at Humboldt State University, and he finished the first draft of the book in 2004. “Fantasy Football and Mathematics”’ was officially released in August 2005, and his first print run sold out in five days. He has since written books on fantasy baseball and fantasy basketball, and his publisher plans to release new editions of eight books, a teacher’s guide and a workbook for fantasy football, baseball, basketball and soccer in the spring. The full story can be read in the Mercury news.

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda
delinda@athlebrities.com