kimblr.com

Ticketmaster: Macy’s in Eastwood, Southern Park and Shenango Valley malls; and Giant Eagle stores in Austintown, Calcutta and New Castle. Call (330) 747-1212. Web address is www.Ticketmaster.com. Chevrolet Centre, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown: call (866) 443-8849 or go to www.Ticketmaster.com.
Davis & McKay, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Rosetta Stone Cafe, 110 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown (330) 480-0884.
“Ragtime,” 7:30 p.m., Weathervane Community Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron (330) 836-2626.
Fairs and Festivals
Parish Festival, St. Joseph the Provider, 633 Porter Ave., Campbell.
Parish Festival, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Norquest Boulevard, Austintown.
Link up to Golf for Adults, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mill Creek Par 3 Golf Course, Youngstown.
Cheerful Heart Music, 7 p.m., Atmosphere Cafe, 815 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles (330) 652-6929.
Eclipse, 8 p.m., McMenamy’s, 325 Youngstown-Warren Road, Niles (330) 544-1732.
CosmoSonics with Chip Dimonick & Catgut Tonic, 9 p.m., Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square, Pittsburgh (412) 481-7625.
Frankie and the Sensations, 9 p.m., Fireplace, 2075 E. Western Reserve Road, Poland (330) 757-4042.
Via Sahara with Acoustic Juggernaut, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., Salty Grog, 1203 Boardman-Poland Road, Poland (330) 726-6690.
NoXcuse, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Drunken Jack’s Saloon, 1714 Boardman-Poland Road, Poland (330) 757-1490.
House band, 10 p.m., Shakers Bar and Grille, 4520 Belmont Ave., Liberty (330) 759-0465.
DaBoondox, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Barleys, 21 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown (330) 743-6480.
Cross Bow, 10 p.m., Down the Hatch, 3101 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown (330) 799-3449.
The Limbs, Weird Paul, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., Cedars Lounge And Restaurant, 23 N. Hazel St., Youngstown (330) 746-6560.
Howard and the Point 5 Band, 7 p.m., Rosetta Stone Cafe, 110 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown (330) 480-0884.
Chuck Corby Band, 8 p.m., Kuzman’s Bar, 1025 S. State St., Girard (330) 545-8995.
Fairs and Festivals
Parish Festival, St. Joseph the Provider, 633 Porter Ave., Campbell.

vindy.com

Convocation is imminent and it is time for the graduating class of 2008 to step out of the safety of the university classroom and into reality. Our days no longer consist of lounging by the fountain between classes; the future we had planned for is upon us and the real world is calling. For my friend Sean Burr and I, the real world for the next few months will be a small town in Siberia by the name of Khanty-Mansiysk. How did a biology major and a Russian major combine their experiences to launch an international development project in Siberia? Read on for the answer.
I would consider my academic experience at UVic to be eclectic. My classes ranged from religious studies to a directed studies in clinical oncology. I had the option to choose from a diverse base of courses, and in retrospect I am glad to have done so. This exposed me to many interesting topics in the arts and sciences that inspired me to become involved in activities outside of the school walls.
In my second year I chose to volunteer with Recreation Integration Victoria (RIV), a local non-profit organization that facilitates active lifestyles for people with disabilities. My volunteer work involved engaging in recreational activities with a teen with a disability. This experience led me to apply for my first biology co-op job with RIV as an inclusion facilitator, responsible for promoting the inclusion and integration of youth with disabilities into summer camps alongside “typical” youth. I have remained with RIV ever since and I am truly grateful for the opportunity presented by the biology co-op program. My studies have also exposed me to wonderful organizations such as CanAssist, where I am currently working until my departure for Russia.
At UVic, I became good friends with Sean Burr, who is convocating this June as well, with a BA in Russian and Slavonic studies. Sean, like me, has had the privilege of a very diverse and varied education at UVic. Sean took classes from Russian and Slavonic studies professor Dr. Megan Swift, who, knowing Sean’s interest in international relations and development, recommended he apply for a grant offered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Entitled Partnerships for Tomorrow Phase II, this grant program helps in the rehabilitation process in Eastern Europe by establishing partnerships between organizations there and in Canada.

ring.uvic.ca

ONSTAGE: JERSEY BOYS Oh, what a night! Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were all the rage way back when (it was 1962, if you really must know). And they might have remained a 1960s blip on your oldies radio station if it hadn’t been for the 2006 Tony Award-winning best musical, Jersey Boys. The cynics will tell you that it’s just one more “jukebox” musical, an excuse to string together a bunch of familiar Pop tunes — especially if they’ll appeal to Baby Boomers. But Jersey Boys has something more, maybe several somethings. First, there’s the music: catchy tunes with melodies that people either remember from 40 years ago or that get stuck in the brains of younger entertainment seekers, even if the songs are new to them. Second, the story isn’t contrived (à la Mamma Mia). In fact, it’s true, recounting how Valli and his bandmates made their way in the music industry with more than two dozen hits — including No. 1 Billboard songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Rag Doll” — that eventually landed them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Third, and most important, each production of Jersey Boys, from the Tony winner on Broadway to this national tour that will be here until June 15, has assembled a winning cast that’s talented and fun to watch. Rather than stars, each Jersey Boys’ cast has become a legitimate, coherent ensemble — just like the original Four Seasons.
Through June 15 at the Aronoff Center. $20-$80. (Buy tickets, check out performance times and find nearby bars and restaurants here.) — Rick Pender
EVENTS: ZOO BABIES This is the last week to see the Cincinnati Zoo’s 22nd annual Zoo Babies display. It’s not like they’re going to kill them off after Sunday — they’ll still be in their exhibits — but there won’t be the additional free talks and musicians scattered throughout the park celebrating these little things. If you do happen to catch them this week, follow the 6-foot-tall pink and blue stork statues around the park and they’ll lead you to the baby animals. This year the zoo welcomes a baby bearcat, gorilla, Sumatran rhino, potto (pictured), takin, cheetah and more. Find a “Baby Talk” session to learn about each new baby. The talks run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day and are held in each baby’s habitat. $13 adults; $8 children; free for children under 2. (Get Zoo details and find nearby bars and restaurants here.) — Maija Zummo

citybeat.com

BOSTON — When Fenway Park, all 96 years old of it, opens its doors Tuesday afternoon, the temperature will be in the 40s and the wind will be swirling enough to make it feel even a little colder. But you can be sure that there will be a different kind of chill in the air, the type that puts goose bumps on the skin of players past and present, as well as ownership and front-office members, the coaching staff and the ravenous fans who will pack the fabled yard.
For the second time in four years, the Red Sox will be commemorating the start of a new season by celebrating the one that just went by. That’s what happens when you win the World Series.
“That’s going to be special,” said Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. “Last year was an unbelievable time. We were the best team all year and we proved it there at the end. I’m excited. I don’t know what it’s going to be like. I was talking to a couple of guys about it yesterday on the plane and they said, ‘It’s just going to be an unbelievable experience for you and not a lot of people get to go through that,’ so that’s going to be real fun for us.”
The ceremonies should kick off about an hour before the 2:05 p.m. ET first pitch against the Tigers. In other words, the Red Sox are strongly advising fans to come to the game early. Gates open at 11:35 a.m.
Some of the events have been made public, such as the fact that all the returning players from last year’s team — and also former catcher Doug Mirabelli and retired utility infielder Royce Clayton — will collect their rings as part of the poignant pregame ceremony.
But the Red Sox also have a couple of surprises up their sleeve. Who will throw out the first pitch?

mlb.mlb.com

I ask who among our current-day political leaders Martin Luther King might support; the more appropriate question is who among them would have the courage to embrace a living King as eagerly as they drape themselves in the dead one’s memory. I’m drawing a blank.
Much of the commentary on the anniversary of King’s assassination focuses upon the direction he took in the last years of his life, speaking out against the Vietnam war specifically and state-sponsored violence in general, and attempting to broaden the movement that coalesced around him to include economically oppressed people of every color, not just the racially oppressed ones for whom he advocated so powerfully. He wanted to recast the political and social values of the country to the benefit not just of the disenfranchised here, but for those abroad who suffered from our own and similar military and corporate depredations.
Among the leading presidential contenders, only John Edwards brought even a fraction of King’s outrage and conscience to bear on the economic inequalities that continue to plague and, in many ways, cripple the US. None of the candidates show any sign of feeling the grief and rage King would have felt at what we have done and continue doing to the people of Iraq: hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced, millions more robbed of fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers, many millions more robbed of their livelihood, their security and any semblance of a normal life.
Can anyone imagine Martin Luther King failing to address the debt we’ve incurred to the Iraqis? or failing to note the uses to which the hundreds of billions of US dollars and tens of thousands of US lives thrown away on the occupation could have been put? or failing to speak out in the strongest possible terms against US policies of kidnapping, torture and perpetual detention beyond the rule of law?

btcnews.com

The toss: Vaughan has won his first toss of the series and England will bowl. Only joking. They’re going to have a bat, quite obviously. Vaughan’s right eyebrow is twitching as he talks to Mark Richardson, which is always a sign he’s excited. And England are indeed unchanged.
NZ reaction: “It’s an opportunity to take wickets,” says Daniel Vettori. Can’t argue with that. David Gower, meanwhile, assures us that if neither side wins, then the series will remain tied at 1-1.
Right, I’d just like to make a point. England have the chance to shape the game here. They batted first at Wellington, but that was only because they were stuck in - and even then their top order wasted a good start by Alastair Cook and Vaughan. Now they are getting the chance to start a Test match doing what they would have wanted to do: batting first on a flat’un. I’m eerily reminded as I write that of Colombo 2003, when England won the toss for the first time in the series against Sri Lanka, began the match at 0-0 and lost by an innings and plenty. I’m almost certain they won’t lose by an innings here, but they really have to cash in now against a desperately inexperienced seam attack.
Gary Naylor Email Dept: “Evening Lawence,” says the man himself. “Given the pundits’ universal opinion of the pitch and the NZ bowling, am I getting ahead of myself in considering when Vaughan should declare? Teatime tomorrow on, ooh, 551-6 sounds about right.” Those of you less well-versed in English cricketing disasters than Gary might need reminding that this was the score at which England declared against Australia at Adelaide. A nice in-joke to get things going on what is going to be a long night: I’m on duty for all three sessions. Think of me when you call it a day/night.

sport.guardian.co.uk

DUBAI, 13 March 2008 — Gulf states, flush with proceeds from record high oil prices, are racing to build the world’s tallest tower.
The Kingdom has just joined the fray with a plan to build a one-mile tower in Jeddah, according to the London-based Middle East Economic Digest (MEED).
The project, which would overtake super-tall skyscrapers in neighboring Kuwait and Dubai, places the competition to build the world’s tallest tower firmly in the Gulf region.
Of all the other high-profile buildings under construction around the globe, such as New York’s Freedom Tower, none will exceed 700 meters in height.
Riyadh-based Kingdom Holding Company, which is controlled by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will invite bids before July for contracts to build the tower in Jeddah.
Called the Burj Al-Meel or the Mile-High Tower, it will be located on the northern side of the Obhur Creek and the Red Sea. It will be spread over an area of more than two million square meters.
MEED said that although there is still secrecy over which companies are involved with the project, it is believed that Britain’s Hyder Consulting is working in a joint venture with Arup, as engineer on the project, which is expected to cost up to $10 billion. US engineering giant Bechtel has been chosen as construction manager for the project. Saudi firm Omrania is the project architect.
Kuwait has unveiled a plan to build a 1,001-meter tower. Its height is a reference to the classic work of Arabic literature, “One Thousand and One Nights.”
Three blades that will be built near the top of the tower will carry a mosque, a church and a synagogue to signify the unity of the three monotheistic religions.
The building will be one of the highlights of the City of Silk, a $77-billion project inspired by the Silk Road which aims to revive the ancient trade route by becoming a major free-trade zone linking Central Asia with Europe.

arabnews.com