Last week I mentioned the indoor soccer tournament that was held Saturday at Ellenville High School, which was hosted by the Ellenville Booster Club and Ellenville soccer coach Maxwell Mead. The truth of the matter is that while the Ellenville Booster Club had its name on the event, the tournament was run from beginning to end by Mead. And by all accounts, the inaugural event was a success. Mead reported that the tournament hosted 24 teams, including several from Ellenville. In the junior high school division, Mead got to see a glimpse of things to come for his varsity program as both Ellenville teams entered made it to the finals. The one-two finish was not the only good sign for Ellenville soccer, as the boys' and the girls' high school teams finished third in their respective divisions. The event was well-run, well-attended, and it appears that Ellenville soccer is on the upswing. But the most important aspect of the whole event may have been the simple fact that the tournament was held in the first place. Events such as these require prior approval from the school administration and Board of Education. In the past, that process has been, in a word, "slow," as the Board of Education tended to micro-manage the process. According to Mead, the district was extremely accommodating and once proof of insurance (courtesy of the Booster Club) and a few other details were provided, the go-ahead was given. Hopefully, the people who run 28 Maple Avenue finally realize that these types of events help build programs, get kids involved, and can be a tremendous benefit to both the school and the community. If that is the case, then congratulations are in order for the administration and Board of Education. Not only was the tournament a success in terms of soccer, but roughly 20 teams of players (and their families and friends) came to Ellenville, spent money at our stores and gas stations, and perhaps were impressed enough to come back next year and make the tournament even bigger and better. As they say in soccer, "Well done, Ellenville"………New York Giants fans are watching as the Plaxico Burress saga continues to unfold. Burress, the talented and troubled wide receiver, is looking forward to getting back to football after he attempts to settle his legal woes. You may remember that Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub last November. A large public outcry helped bring about the oft-troubled players release from the team. Giants fans were not happy when their team didn't make it to the Super Bowl and many called for the return of Burress. As sports fans, we sometimes call for honor and integrity until our team starts losing, then anything goes……….While President Obama continues his attempts to improve the economy, nothing good seems to come from our local elected officials in the way of economic development. Both the town and village governments seem to be lost in the area of "economic stimulus." Hey, if Coach Maxwell Mead can get people to come to Ellenville and spend money, maybe we should make him the mayor……….With all the problems the local economy is having, it seems the only topic that gets the ire of so many people is Walmart. I'm not sure if Walmart will be good for the local economy, but it sure beats the heck out of what we have going now.……….The Yankees and Mets both planned christening events for their new ballparks. The Mets hosted a college baseball game between St. John's and Georgetown, and will play their final two exhibition games at home against the Boston Red Sox this weekend. The Yankees will be hosting the Chicago Cubs this weekend to open their new stadium. Can't imagine that the real prices were unveiled for these two events. Typical of the modern day professional sports team is to lure the loyal fans in with pleasantries and then hit them over the head with reality. The average guy can't afford to take his wife and kids to a Yankees or Mets game. Unfortunately, the average guy doesn't get a government bailout the way that Citibank did. The new Mets stadium is named Citi Field, compliments of the roughly $400 million dollars Citibank paid for the naming rights. You would think Citibank wouldn't need a federal bailout if they had an extra $400 million to name a stadium. Of course, Yankee Stadium could never be named anything but Yankee Stadium — unless the Steinbrenner family came up with a too-ridiculous price to imagine, but the stadium was paid for in large part with public funding. The bottom line is that both teams soak their fans coming and going. Ever wonder why those guys running the "Three Card Monte" games in the city let you actually win the first couple of hands?……….Speaking of good scams, I just watched the movie White Men Can't Jump for about the millionth time. The film features Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as two hustlers who use pickup basketball games to win money. It's one of those movies you have to watch every time it comes on, like Cool Hand Luke……….Whenever Ellenville does finally make a comeback, it sure would be good to see a movie theater be a part of the economic renaissance……….By now you are either anxiously awaiting the results of the N.C.A.A. Final Four games or the bracket sheet you filled out has gone in the tank like so many others, including that of President Obama. Want proof that bi-partisan politics simply do not exist? Obama caught flack for having a beer at an N.B.A. game and then received more criticism for filling out a March Madness bracket. A lot of people believe Obama was somehow being un-Presidential in these instances but that is just nonsense……….Summer time is just around the corner. Of course, that is if spring will ever finally make an appearance. Summer is the best time of year to complete one of my favorite "daily doubles." On a sunny, summer Friday you pick up the New York Post, head to the Lighthouse Deli for a double egg, bacon, and cheese on a hard roll with a large cup of coffee and then get a Buffalo chicken sandwich and a crème soda for lunch at Wilson's Deli. Ah, summer time and the living is fine. Until next time…

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