Pan-Mass Challenge Underway This Weekend

The 29th annual Pan-Mass Challenge begins this Saturday, August 2nd. The 190-mile trek involving 5,500 riders from 36 states and eight countries hopes to raise $34 million this year. Every penny raised by the cyclists goes to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.



World's Oldest Living Olympic Diver to Attend Beijing Games

Dr. Sammy Lee, the first Asian-American to win an Olympic medal for the United States, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of that feat by attending the Beijing Olympics. The trip coincides with Dr. Lee's 88th birthday on August 1st. Dr. Lee, 'Sammy' to his many friends and admirers, and his wife, Roz, will take in the Olympic diving finals and the games Closing Ceremony.

Dr. Lee stunned the world by taking Gold in the Olympic Men's platform and a bronze medal in the 3-meter springboard events in the 1948 London Games. He repeated as Gold medal winner in the platform four years later in Helsinki.



20th Annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Set for September 21st

Help in the fight against cancer by taking part in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund walk this September 21st. Participants can walk one of five routes between Hopkinton and Boston.  All walkers starting in the Hopkinton (26.2 miles or 13.1 miles), Wellesley (13.1 miles) and Boston College (5 miles) must raise a minimum of $250 in contributions; for the 3-mile Boston Walk, the requirement is $250 for walkers age 13 and older and $100 for walkers 12 and younger. To register or get more information call (866) JF-1-WALK or visit www.jimmyfundwalk.org.



Fall River to Offer Free Sports Clinics

Fall River officials are set to offer annual free sports clinics in an effort to keep area youths active, energetic and off city streets. Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter says the free clinics will be for tennis, basketball and baseball. For more information on dates and locations contact Volunteer Coordinator Brian Rose at 508-997-0711, ext 422.


Newton Teen Wins National Epee Title

Felicia w. Sun of Newton has won the national championship of the Division II Women's Epee at the 2008 Summer National Fencing Championships, held in San Jose, CA. The 16-year old Boston University Academy student becomes the first New Englander to ever cop a title in the Women's Epee event at the Summer Nationals.

Felicia is also the reigning Bay State champion in women's Epee.



Revolution Forward Adam Cristman Voted Player of the Week

New England Revolution forward Adam Cristman is this week's MLS Player of the Week for his two goal performance against the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 4th. Cristman's two-goal performance was his first multiple-goal game and his six goals tie him with captain Steve Ralston for the team lead. Cristman becomes the second Revs player to have a multiple-goal game.


Bruins Development Camp Begins

The Boston Bruins have announced that forward Patrice Bergeron and goaltender Manny Fernandez will be attending the team's development camp in Wilmington. Bergeron and Fernandez will be the only players skating on Tuesday, July 8, as the rest of the Development Camp attendees will be undergoing medical and fitness testing.  Bergeron and Fernandez are scheduled to skate with the Development Camp attendees the rest of the week.



Revs Ralston Named MLS Player of the Week

New England Revolution midfielder Steve Ralston has been voted the MLS Player of the Week by a panel of media members from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association. Ralston scored both goals in New England's 2-1 win over Toronto FC in Foxboro on June 28. The Revs captain now has five career multi-goal games in posting the first by a Revs player this season.



Boston Blazers Select Dan Dawson in NLL Dispersal Draft

The Boston Blazers (www.blazerslacrosse.com) have selected Dan Dawson in the National Lacrosse League's dispersal draft. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward is a 7-year NLL veteran and two-time First Team All-Pro. Dawson collected 38 goals and 43 assists in 2008 with Portland and a team record 47 goals and 60 assists for Arizona in 2007. Although the Oakville, Ontario native played for Portland in 2008, his NLL rights were held by the Arizona Sting whose players were made available in the dispersal draft.

The Blazers' season runs from January through April with their home games at the T.D. Banknorth Garden.



Cannons Mikey Powell Named MLL Offensive Player of the Week

Major League Lacrosse announced its weekly award winners for the week ending June 29, 2008 and Boston Cannons attackman Mikey Powell is the recipient of the Offensive Player of the Week award. Powell scored three goals and added five assists in the Cannon's 21-14 win over the Dragons in San Francisco, the  team's third straight victory.

Long Island Lizards midfielder Peter Vlahakis earned his third Defensive Player of the Week award this season and Philadelphia Barrage goaltender Brian Dougherty copped Goalkeeper of the Week honors. Los Angeles Riptide attackman Kevin Huntley was named Rookie of the Week.



Myachi Masters Headed for Suffolk Downs

From Christian Teja at Suffolk Downs (www.suffolkdowns.com):

"The Myachi Masters will make their first of three appearances at Suffolk Downs this summer on Friday, July 4, from 12-4 p.m.  Myachi Man and Myachi Kid will demonstrate their skills and interact with children of all ages.

Myachi (www.myachi.com) is an exciting activity inspired by martial arts technique that is quickly growing in popularity.  Myachi, the Original Hand Sack, was created by Steve Ochs, the original Myachi Master, in 1998.  The Myachi is a simple 3.5 x 1 inch flat beanbag made to be tossed around using any part of the body other than the palm of the hand."