Leather is dead

The leather ball is now a thing of the past for the NBA.

In conjunction with manufacturer Spalding, the NBA on Wednesday introduced a new official game ball that will be used for the start of the 2006-07 season.

This is the first change to the game ball since 1970 and just the second in the last 60 years.

MJ is back! (...Again)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Michael Jordan is back in the NBA, resuming his basketball career in the state where it started.

Jordan became part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday in a deal that gives him a stake in most of majority partner Robert Johnson's ventures.

Jordan's investment makes him second only to Johnson as the largest individual owner of the Bobcats.

Johnson, who spent $300 million on the expansion Bobcats in 2002, said Jordan will be the managing member of basketball operations.

Governor, Legislators Agree On Plan To Revamp Mental Health Care

Experts warn one part of the Oregon State Hospital in Salem could crumble in a moderately-sized earthquake.

Late last week, legislative leaders and Governor Ted Kulongoski agreed on a plan they say will not only replace the 123-year old facility, but revamp Oregon's entire mental health system over the next five years.

Cool company moves closer

The Oregonian reports that online DVD rental company Netflix Inc. plans to move its customer service center from near its Bay Area headquarters to Tanasbourne, according to Hillsboro city officials.

The company, which mails movies to subscribers who order online, will employ about 100 with plans to expand the number of employees in the future, said John Southgate, Hillsboro's economic development manager.

"Time and tide wait for no man..."

Marvel at the amazing temporary works of art which will be washed away with the incoming tide or join in the sand sculpting at the 42nd annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Day. It's one of the largest sandcastle contests on the west coast; featuring several age divisions, kids through masters. Sculpting begins in the morning around 9:15am, and the creations of the sand are swallowed by the waves by mid-afternoon. Artwork by Donny Masterson.

Visit cannonbeach.org

You too, can be a border patrol agent from your couch and wearing your jammies...

The governor of Texas wants to turn all the world into a virtual posse. The AP is reporting that Governor Rick Perry has announced a $5 million plan to install hundreds of night-vision cameras on private land along the Mexican border and put the live video on the Internet, so that anyone with a computer who spots illegal immigrants trying to slip across can report it on a toll-free hot line.

Glad to be here

Its been one week since I had a near fatal accident that shutdown
highway 26 in Portland. Ultimately, a one car accident with only
myself and Rachelle in the passenger seat suffered only minor
bruising, stiffness and swelling that has since subsided, and a
chipped bone in my right thumb. I've heard airbags older than five
years or so have inflicted signifgant injuries on impact to
passengers. The 11 year old airbags in our accident worked perfectly,
despite her 1995 Volkswagen Jetta being totaled after hitting a
barricade dividing east from west, ricocheting across three lanes of
traffic (avoiding the other cars) and finally coming to a stop after
hitting the opposite barricade head on.

It was Memorial Day and I was meeting my family for a picnic. I was
changing lanes from the center to the left. By the time I noticed the
car in my blind spot I was too close to him, I thought, and corrected
to the right with the intent to return to my lane and avoid hitting him.
Doing so I corrected to far and again corrected left to stay in
my lane and hit the first barricade. The whole accident took less then
three seconds I would guess. It felt like three days.

Ironically, a near fatal accident I had in Phoenix 12 years ago
involved me crashing my motorcycle at over 60 miles and hour having
these identical injuries: minor stiffness, swelling... and a chipped
bone in my right thumb.

I am so thankful to God, my family and Rachelle's, my co-workers, and
friends for their love and support.

Glad to be here.