sports

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

I was sent a disturbing story from an ESPN Vendor Inspection Report:

“Nationals Park
Washington Nationals
Vendors with critical violations: 25%

Inspection report excerpt: One location received a critical violation for not having a D.C.-certified food manager’s card.

Verizon Center
Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals
Vendors with critical violations: 100%

Inspection report excerpt: Mice droppings, a critical violation in Washington, were found at at least 10 vendors.”

Photo from Houston courtesy of MAKE A SPLASH

Cullen Jones is an Olympic gold medalist and the current American record-holder in the 50 freestyle. Super cool. Turkey Thicket Recreation Center is located at 1100 N. Michigan Ave., NE.

From an email:

“Gold Medalist Cullen Jones will be in Washington, DC., as part USA Swimming’s “Make A Splash” initiative.

Cullen has been working hard to prevent drowning deaths this summer, and Washington is one of six U.S. cities where he will address this issue and help teach kids to swim.

In addition, Cullen and USA Swimming have been lobbying Congress to raise federal funding to provide free and low costs swim classes for families.

On Tuesday, he’ll be in Washington as part of the “Make A Splash” national water safety campaign. He will be speaking to community leaders at a breakfast to raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim as well as in an effort to raise funds for local learn to swim programs.

He will also be visiting the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center to speak to children about water safety and give several kids a swim lesson.

Cullen almost drowned at age 5, but now he’s an Olympic Gold Medalist, preparing to qualify for the World Championship and for the 2012 Olympics.”

Photo by flickr user love40mp

I know we’re still in the middle of World Cup fever but for any tennis fans out there, the 2010 Legg Mason Tennis Classic has attracted a phenomenal field of players. The notables include – Andy Roddick, John Isner (the guy who just had the 11 hour match in Wimbledon), Lleyton Hewitt, and Robin Soderling. The tournament takes place July 31 – August 8, 2010 and is a tune-up for the US Open. You can get tickets here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user theraspberryexpress

From an email:

“We’d like to invite you and your readers to join us for the “CrossFit Meat-Up BBQ” at Balance Gym this Saturday!

1111 14th St. NW
Near Thomas Circle

Come try out one of our FREE introductory classes at our Open House and join us afterward for a BBQ.

Free classes at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Followed by a noon Coaches workout where you can see what seasoned CrossFit members can really do. After that we’ll barbecue, have fun and answer any of your questions!

Current CrossFit Balance members welcome! And if you bring a friend, we’ll award you with one free one-on-one personal training sessions with a CrossFit Coach!”

Andruw Jones of the Chicago White Sox signs some autographs outside the Mayflower Hotel Friday afternoon. Very cool of him.

Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

Just for the record, I’m talking about “Baseball Phenom’s Debut” not the potential traffic… Good luck Stephen Strasburg the whole baseball world is watching!

Sellout Crowd Expected for Nationals’ Game

(Washington, D.C.) Tuesday night could be an out of the ordinary experience for Nationals fans and rush hour commuters alike. A sellout crowd is expected to make their way to Nationals Park on June 8 for the highly anticipated debut of pitcher Stephen Strasburg, just as many District workers are making their way home. As a result, heavy traffic and delays are expected around the ballpark and on busy routes in the city such as I-295, I-395, and the SE/SW Freeway.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises travelers to use transit and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Metrorail will be running rush hour service before the game, which is scheduled to start at 7:05 pm, and will also run longer trains on the Green line after the final out to help fans get home. Visit www.metroopensdoors.com for more detailed information.

The DC Circulator will run service on the Union Station – Navy Yard route until midnight Tuesday. Visit www.dccirulator.com to see a map of the route and stops.

Fans can also ride their bikes to the game. There are more than 250 bike racks around the stadium and Nationals Park also offers a FREE bike valet service in Red Garage C at the corner of N & 1st Street, SE. Access to the valet is on N Street just left of the entrance.