Summer equals three months of fun, adventureous moments. But you’re probably wondering how can you make the best out of yours in the middle of the economy’s downswing. Well here’s how – we are challenging you to complete the following list of things to do this summer. Don’t worry, it won’t break your bank, but instead will give you lots of laughs and memories. Check them off as you complete them!

Oh yeah, don’t forget to take lots of pictures, and most of all enjoy!

20 Things You Should Do This Summer:
1. Have a picnic
2. Learn a new language
3. Attend a cookout
4. Go to the beach
5. Take a roadtrip
6. Enjoy a bike ride
7. Sip on frozen fruity margaritas
8. Lay out on a boat
9. See Mickey
10. Catch up with long distance friends
11. Have a weekend with the girls
12. Have a weekend with the guys
13. Dance in the rain
14. Catch a movie
15. Complete a puzzle
16. Blast Will Smith’s “Summer Time” in your car
17. Play Twister
18. Make a prank call
19. Read a novel
20. Host a party

Let us know your progress…

Before May 8th’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets were playing their best basketball of the year. They were a trendy pick to beat the Lakers and advance to the Western Conference Finals. However, late in the game on Friday night, Yao Ming went down with a broken left foot, ending his season… and all hope for the Rockets, right? Wrong! Last night, the Yao-less and McGrady-less Rockets beat the Lakers 99-87 to tie the series up 2-2.

The Rockets played a tough, physical game with the notion that defense can still win championships. Without Yao, the Rockets top scorer, other players had to step up. Point Guard Aaron Brooks scored a career high 34 points and Shane Battier added 23 points. “I think everyone but us got the memo that we weren’t supposed to show up today without Yao,” Battier said.

The Rockets never trailed and at one point led by as many as 29 points. “I’m not surprised,” said Battier. “It almost sounds cliche, but we’re a resilent group. We talk about bouncing back. Through adversity, through lineup changes, through trades, through injuries, we’ve never quit and we’ve never stopped believing.”

Kobe Bryant only scored 15 points and never once made it to the free throw line. Without Yao in the lineup though, Lakers Center Pau Gasol had his way in the paint, scoring 30 points. If the Rockets want to win Game 5 in Los Angeles they’ll have to figure out a way to stop Pau.

May 5th in Mexico is huge. Translated in Spanish as “Cinco de Mayo” the holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla more than a century ago. The French were highly expected to win. They possessed better equipment and additionally were undefeated for almost 50 years. What a victory it was for Mexico and the day still deserves to be honored. However with swine flu fears and paranoia, many of the fiestas and celebrations have been canceled.

But that’s nonsense!! Invite over your closest friends and family and have your own Cinco de Mayo celebration. Here are five steps to pulling it off in such short notice.

1. Stop by Taco Bell and pick up a family pack of tacos – hard and soft. Request lots of mild, medium, and hot sauce.
2. Visit your local party store for a pinata and margarita mix.
3. Ice your cerveza (beer) and tequila as soon as you get home.
4. Since you’re hosting you have to look the part. Girls – Slip on a long, breezy, colorful dress or off-the-shoulder ruffled shirt. With your hair in a bun, accessorize your look with hoop or chandlier earrings. Guys – a sombrero is perfect, but if you don’t have one around, slick your hair back. Choose a white button up, black slacks, and tie a bandana around your neck. Perfeccione!
5. Hang fun patio lanterns outside, setting the mood for your guests to know they’re coming to a muy buena fiesta!

Aclamaciones!

The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place tomorrow, May 2, 2009. The Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown and is followed by the Preakness Stakes then the Belmont Stakes. Last year’s Derby was both exciting and sad at the same time. The entire country had Big Brown fever and he definitely delivered an outstanding victory by 5 lengths, but the heart of the nation was captured when the second place finisher, Eight Belles (a filly), was euthanized right there on the track.

There’s no doubt that last year’s Derby brought a lot of attention to the sport and will likely bring in new viewers to the race this year. I Want Revenge is the current favorite at 3-1 odds.

The Field includes:
Post, Horse name, Trainer, Jockey

1 West Side Bernie, Kelly Breen, Stewart Elliott
2 Musket Man, Derek Ryan, Eibar Coa
3 Mr. Hot Stuff, Eoin Harty, John Velazquez
4 Advice, Todd Pletcher, Rene Douglas
5 Hold Me Back, Bill Mott, Kent Desormeaux
6 Friesan Fire, Larry Jones, Gabriel Saez
7 Papa Clem, Gary Stute, Rafael Bejarano
8 Mine That Bird, Bennie Woolley, Calvin Borel
9 Join in the Dance, Todd Pletcher, Chris DeCarlo
10 Regal Ransom, Saeed bin Suroor, Alan Garcia
11 Chocolate Candy, Jerry Hollendorfer, Mike Smith
12 General Quarters, Tom McCarthy, Julien Leparoux
13 I Want Revenge, Jeff Mullins, Joe Talamo
14 Atomic Rain, Kelly Breen, Joe Bravo
15 Dunkirk, Todd Pletcher, Edgar Prado
16 Pioneerof the Nile, Bob Baffert, Garrett Gomez
17 Summer Bird, Tim Ice, Chris Rosier
18 Nowhere to Hide, Nick Zito, Shaun Bridgmohan
19 Desert Party, Saeed bin Suroor, Ramon Dominguez
20 Flying Private, D. Wayne Lukas, Robby Albarado

Will you be watching the Kentucky Derby tomorrow? Who do you think will win?

April 22^nd is Earth Day!  The day founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, is now celebrated in many countries every year.  The goal to inspire awareness and appreciation for the planet’s environment was first established in 1970.  More than 30 years ago, massive coast-to-coast rallies were organized to protest against the deterioration of the environment. 

It remains the only event celebrated simultaneously around the world by people of all backgrounds, diverse faiths and religions.  Over a half of billion have been accounted for to take a stand and you can to.

Show your appreciation for Mother Earth by committing to be “green” for the remaining of the week.  Sounds easy, right?  Well here are some even easier ideas:

1. Never leave the room without switching off the lights
2. Carpool with neighboring co-workers
3. Limit toxic chemicals you’re exposed to by cutting down on the number of cleaning products you use
4. Eat in season fruits and vegetables   
5. Shop eco-friendly products and clothing made from organic fabrics for your favorite sport teams

Have any other ideas on how to celebrate the Earth’s restoration? Let us know!

The New York Yankees will officially open their new stadium later this week with their first homestand of the season against the Cleveland Indians. The new ballpark was constructed across the street, northwest of the 1923 Yankee Stadium. A lot of fans were sad to see the original “House that Ruth Built”, but I’m sure once they step foot in the new $1.5 billion stadium they will change their minds.

So what does $1.5 billion get you compared to the old Yankee Stadium?
- A cup holder in all seats in the general seating bowl.
- 2 more inches of leg room.
- More restrooms
- Five times as many elevators
- A 59′ x 101′ HighDef jumbtron
- 37 more luxury suites

Even though the Yankees haven’t opened the stadium up in the regular season, they did play a few Spring Training games there to give the fans a taste of their new home. Check out the pictures.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim rookie right-hander Nick Adenhart died early Thursday morning after a hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, Calif. Adenhart, 22, died as a result of his injuries after undergoing surgery at University of California-Irvine Medical Center. This news comes just hours after he pitched 6 shutout innings against the A’s last night.

“The Angels family has suffered a tremendous loss today,” Angels general manager Tony Reagins said in a statement issued by the club. “We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nick’s family, friends’ loved ones and fans.”

Adenhart was considered one of the top young stars on the Angels pitching staff. Though he did pitch 12 innings last year in 3 games, 2009 was considered his rookie season. MLB postponed the final game of the Angels opening series to give the players and coaches time to mourn his Adenhart’s death.