THE FIRES

Just wanted to give ya a quick update on the fires here. As mentioned, I am not in the fire zone. The hardest hit areas are to the east and south and northeast and southeast…just about anywhere not located along the coast. All TV channels have been hijacked by local media-preempting my guilty pleasures such as Hero’s and the other show-where-a-single-guy-tries-to-find-true-love. (No, I can’t bring myself to name it but would appreciate an update?) The winds have blown ash everywhere, creating visible flurries similar to snow. Most people have remained indoors, except for a gaggle of surfers-god bless ‘em, and a few locals stocking up on stuff at the grocery store. Aside from the ghostly atmosphere and ash-covered cars, parts of San Diego appear normal despite the estimated Billion-dollar damage.

Local media is having a blast with the fact that the Firestorm of 07 has garnered national attention. If one more newscaster mentions that fact I think I may vomit. Speaking of the newscasters, I’ve found them more than entertaining. Most are working 12-hour days and report with marked excitement each time a new ‘flare-up’ happens. Some are bickering on-air, cutting each other off and making faces at each other. Priceless. Over at Qualcomm and the Del Mar Fairgrounds among others, the evacuees remain comfortable. Qualcomm stadium actually works much better as an evacuation center than it does as a football stadium, just a shame it didn’t burn and end the “we need a new stadium” debate. The abundance of donated items is touching, but I for one, am a bit embarrassed that California received the cavalry (Arnold, FEMA, National Guard, Red Cross, etc) within 12 hours while they are still people waiting for help in New Orleans.

Cancelled: The preseason game between the Lakers and Jazz scheduled for Thursday night here in San Diego has been canceled. The Lakers are donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross to aid in relief efforts. The Chargers game will be most likely be held in Texas, and I suspect next weeks Nationwide Tour at Barona Creek Golf Club is going to be cancelled as well. The BYU-San Diego State football game scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until December 1.

CHARGERS:
I felt it was important to republish the following Letter that was sent to the Editor of the San Diego Union Tribune. I personally have not been out to the stadium, but if the following accusations are true, then I agree that this is worthy of bad publicity and I look forward to seeing how the team responds. SignOnSanDiego: “I volunteered at Qualcomm stadium Monday, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the all the community support. However, I have a serious issue with the Chargers organization. I helped set up tents, but because the Chargers would not allow any use of the field, all the tents were set up in stuffy, poorly ventilated hallways. Where is the community spirit with their organization? You’d better believe that the New Orleans Saints organization was quick to pull up the field to make more room for Katrina evacuees. I would expect the Chargers to do the same. I realize it costs money to pull up and re-sod the field, but we owe it to those people who are desperate to find a comfortable place to sleep. It is our duty as fellow San Diego citizens to put some pressure on the Chargers organization to allow tents on the field. The potential for bad publicity is huge. I have a comfortable home to sleep in, but there are thousands who have possibly lost everything, and have only the community to rely on for support.” (Signonsandiego)

SIXER’S SERVE AT MCDONALDS

Ever wanted to order a double Dalembert with extra sauce? Or a six-pack of Iguodala nuggets? Now you can. On Monday, October 29, 2007, from approximately 2:30-3:30 p.m., Philadelphia 76ers hotties Andre Iguodala (above), Louis Amundson, Samuel Dalembert, Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth and Herbert Hill will go behind the counter at McDonald’s for the celebrity crew fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Order your treats at the Mickey D’s located at 1891 South State Road in Upper Darby, Pa., The event is part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ “Random Acts of Kindness Day,” aimed at giving back to the local community and feeding our need for a random act of hotness.

NASH ME

Am I the only person who thinks Steve Nash swinging a hammer is beyond sexy? The only thing he’s missing is a tool belt, but I’ll settle for his sweaty legs. One of the world’s most caring athletes took time to participate in the Habitat for Humanity build at U.S. Airways Center yesterday. Yummy.

JASON TAYLOR REPLICA
Perhaps the coolest thing ever done by the NFL-actually, it is the coolest thing ever done by the NFL. The 26-foot-tall replica of Dolphins babe Jason Taylor was unveiled London’s Trafalgar Square to promote the game. London-based SFX Company Artem created what has been called the largest human replica ever built…it has moveable feet and arms and moves at 4-5mph. One can only wonder if the 26-foot tall Taylor is anatomically correct? Watch this incredible video of the beast walking through the square…

VAMOS

Our Spanish treat, Rafael Nadal is enjoying a little time off the tennis court and taking to the greens at the Pro-AM of the Mallorca Classic 2007 at Pula Golf Club in Son Servera, Mallorca. Nadal confirmed that he will in fact, make his third appearance at the ATP Chennai event beginning December 31. “It feels great to be coming back to Chennai,” Nadal said in a statement released by the organizers. “I like the crowd and their enthusiasm and support and they always push you to give your best. I lost in the semi-finals last time and I hope to win my first Chennai Open title this time. I had some injuries this year but I am confident that I would make a good start to the New Year and improve my performance by playing in this tournament.”

BARBIE GOES COUGAR

What do Barbie’s and cougars have in common? Golf. Mattel has teamed up with Cougar Golf to market a Barbie golf equipment line to girls’ aged 4 thru cougar. The set includes a driver, iron, putter, carrying bag, USGA-approved golf balls, a visor, six wooden tees, and three ball markers. Mattel Senior Dir for Consumer Products Juan Gutierrez said, “Our objective is to get girls active and inspire them to take on new interests.” I personally think this new marketing venture by Mattel would be better served if they produced mini head-covers, tiny J Lindeberg outfits, mini Ian Poulter belt buckles and a Camilo ‘Ken’ Villegas doll.

As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.