Mario Lemieux Invades Capitals Territory

“Invade” may not be the right word here, but the Mario Lemieux Foundation is building Austin’s Playroom for the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. You’re reading that correctly. The Mario Lemieux Foundation, not the Alexander Ovechkin Foundation, Olaf Kolzig Foundation, or the Rod Langway Foundation, is funding this project, which will support the Wounded Warrior program and provide services to warriors and their families. This new 2,000 square foot playroom will accommodate children from six weeks up to 12 years of age and feature amenities such as a computer kiosk, reading bench and imaginative play area.



I love the fact that the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and someone that lives in Pittsburgh after spending his entire childhood in Canada is contributing to a great cause in the Washington DC area. I just can’t see one of the legendary Washington athletes contributing to something in Pittsburgh. Seriously, is there anything in Pittsburgh with the name Sonny Jurgensen, John Riggins, or Wes Unseld associated with it?

There’s much more about the Walter Reed project in this Post-Gazette article and about the Mario Lemieux Foundation on its website. The Mario Lemieux Foundation does some great work, so I encourage you to support them.

Vote for the Guy with a Bad Back (Randomness)

- I received an e-mail from the Washington Nationals demanding that I vote for catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez to the 2010 All-Star Team. Demand may be a little strong, however, the team pointed out that Pudge is currently third in the National League All-Star voting. The Nationals failed to mention in the e-mail that Pudge is on the disabled list with a lower back strain.

- More e-mail arrived in my Inbox courtesy of the Mario Lemieux Foundation. Among the great work that the Mario Lemieux Foundation does, they also featured this: MLF HOLDS SUCCESSFUL AUSTIN'S PLAYROOM PROJECT LUNCHEON & FUNDRAISER! Am I a terrible person for thinking that perhaps the Mario Lemieux Foundation should create a new acronym?

- Of the many memorable scenes in Sunday’s Lost finale, one stood out for me. Literally. Was I the only one who noticed the significant height difference between Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Claire (Emile de Ravin)? Is Mitchell a giant or is Claire just short?

- This may be obsolete as coach Bob Bradley plans on announcing the full World Cup roster today, but I hope that Herculez Gomez represents the U.S. in South Africa. I feel like the U.S. has a better chance of success with Hercules (or Herculez) on our side.



- I hit the golf course for the first time in approximately a year and played as expected. I’m not very good. Actually I aspire to be not very good.

- Meanwhile, I was attacked by gnats on the golf course. Despite killing a few dozen of these annoying insects, they apparently did not get the message and continued to attack. Conversely, I killed one goose and the other geese took notice and stayed away from me.

- Actually, my best shot of the day occurred when two adult geese led six or seven baby geese into a lake. I was scared of hurting the young geese and managed to hit the ball off the tee and over the water. Unfortunately, I probably should have used a different club as my shot went well over the green as well.

- Did you know that Lindsay Lohan has a younger brother? Did you know that said younger brother just graduated from Ithaca College? Lindsay was unable to attend graduation, but I would have loved to have seen her hang out at Moonshadows.