Lifestyle
Reebok Kamikaze II – “Letter of Intent”
There are many kicks out there, but the Reebok Kamikaze II will always stand out from the crowd. Reebok teamed up with Shawn Kemp to create his signature sneaker. If you are old enough to remember Kemp’s playing days in the NBA you know how he took it strong to the hoop. Many opponents got “posterized” when Kemp would slam home a dish from his teammate Gary Payton.
Reebok first came out with the Kamikaze II in the mid-1990s. Since last year Reebok has bringing back these killer kicks to sneakerheads looking to pick up a pair. This coloryway pays respect to Kemp’s initial declaration of committing to the University of Kentucky. The sneaker has the Wildcat’s colors blue and white. Reebok named this edition the “Letter of Intent.”
The one time McDonald’s All-American decided to take his talents to Lexington and wanted to make a name for himself in one of the all-time best college’s for hoops. Unfortunately there were issues with his school records that redirected Kemp to Trinity Valley Community College.
Kemp felt that he was ready for the pro level just after one semester and entered his name into the NBA draft. After that we all know what happened when he got into the league. Kemp was rocking the Kamikaze II during the 1995-96 season. Some of his fans will say that was his best year ever in the NBA. He averaged a double-double that season. With all that success Shawn played in the NBA All-Star Game and along with Gary Payton led the Seattle Supersonics to their first NBA Finals appearance.
Kemp was a big fan of the Kamikaze II’s and it showed with his production on the court. His sneaker had the Hexalite cushioning that gave the sneaker a lightweight feeling to it. Plus it provided him with impact resistance to help make for a successful landing every time he came back down from playing above the rim.
Just like back in the 90’s these sneakers feature the Kamikaze zig-zag, but in the Kentucky themed colors of royal and white. Upon closer inspection of the sneaker you can see the inlaid brick pattern on the blue suede. The “Letter of Intent” Kamikaze II’s are available at Reebok.com as well as places like Finishline and Eastbay.
Sep 24th
Football Inspired Cocktails from Kilbeggan
One of the most anticipated seasons of the year is finally here – Football Season! Since the final play of the Super Bowl last February, football fans have been waiting for the boys of fall to take the field. From tailgating, to fantasy league, to that amazing play that moves the chains, there’s nothing not to love about the start of football season.
While watching the games on Saturday or Sunday here are a Kilbeggan cocktail recipes to help you enjoy it. For those of you who want to fight that Autumn chill while tailgating, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey has a cocktail fit for the gridiron: the Kilbeggan Tailgater’s Toddy. Whether you’re grilling outside the stadium or kicking your feet up at home, the Tailgater’s Toddy will warm you up on game day.
KILBEGGAN TAILGATER’S TODDY
INGREDIENTS:
2 parts Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper Buttershots
Hot water
METHOD:
Build all ingredients into a pre-heated coffee mug.
KILBEGGAN AUTUMN ELIXIR
Recipe by Anna Walsh, of the Long Island Cocktail Bar in Cork, Ireland.
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 Parts Kilbeggan Irish whiskey
1/2 Part Yellow Chartreuse
1/2 Part Lemon Juice
3/4 Part Honey Syrup (2 parts honey, 1 part water)
3 Blackberries
METHOD:
Muddle blackberries with honey syrup in a shaker base. Add the rest of the ingredients and ice, shake and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with lemon zest and blackberries.
Sep 18th
Adam Perry Lang Interview
Adam Perry Lang is a classically French-trained chef that took his talents to the world of barbecue. He was the founder of the nationally acclaimed restaurant Daisy May’s BBQ. Lang is really serious about his barbecue. In his first year on the national barbecue circuit, he won Grand Champion honors at the World Pork Expo as well as first place for his Pork Shoulder “The World Series of BBQ” in Kansas City.
Lang traveled across the country this summer to collect the coolest handmade products for the ultimate tailgate, including George Dickel Tennessee Whisky. Adam prepared his famous barbecue for a cooking segment on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
He recently released the second edition of his first, New York Times best-selling book “Serious Barbecue.” It’s considered by many to be a “barbecue bible” and is currently available in bookstores or at his website.
Adam was kind enough to take the time to chat with me about grilling, his book, and his work with George Dickel Tennessee Whisky.
Art Eddy: First off I would like to discuss the reprinting of your book “Serious Barbecue.” What inspired you to reprint the book?
Adam Perry Lang: Well it was my first book, but I had the privilege to self-publish it. I got the rights back. There was such a demand for it. It was tough to get. It was very expensive on Amazon. I decided to take control of it and bought the rights back from the original publisher.
It is a re-issue of it. It is doing great. It is exactly as the title states. It is serious barbecue. What I found out about barbecue is that very few people want to know entry level barbecue. They want bragging rights barbecue out of the gate and I teach them that.
AE: Grilling can be somewhat intimidating. What are some tips you can give to people that tend to make hockey pucks out of meat on the grill?
APL: Well that is just the thing. It might be serious, but it is no difficult to do. You have to get very serious about it. When you are dealing with fire it is a bit more unruly than just turning a knob on a stove or a range. Whether you are doing it or not you have to get serious, because you turn your back on it and the fire almost has its own personality. It knows then you are walking away. It is going to get you.
AE: What do you prefer charcoal or gas?
APL: Definitely charcoal or wood. I am a live fire guy. Although I do like gas for certain things. I love it for its convenience. I recommend it all the time. I tell people to buy the grill that you are going to cook on the most. To me it is not just about cooking. It is about getting out there with your family, hanging out with your friends, and even just being out there by yourself. It is just being outdoors and getting to experience it for yourself.
While I prefer charcoal, wood, and natural forms of cooking because I love fire, I don’t down someone who is cooking with gas or an electric.
AE: For those who might not be the best chef, what type of meal is easy to cook and is somewhat foolproof?
APL: It is not the actual dish that makes it foolproof. It is the techniques. I think one of the best techniques to have is having a safe area on the grill. I typically take a flat cast iron griddle and put it on the pan. If the flames get out of control I can take the food and put it on the flat cast iron griddle. It is still getting cooked, but it gets a break from the direct fire and the flames.
Whether you are going hot dogs, hamburgers, pork, steak it is really less about the recipe and more letting yourself cook anything with some simple little tips. Those tips is what I go over in “Serious Barbecue” and in all of my books. That is how I like to teach people.
AE: You recently had teamed up with George Dickel Tennessee Whisky to create some excellent dishes. What was that experience like?
APL: Even before I met the awesome people at George Dickel I was always a whisky guy. I am not a big wine drinker. I am a beer and whisky drinker. For me whisky is the perfect pairing for grilling and just outdoor life. It is just a sipping drink. For me it is a break in the action for a lot of grilled meats.
Look at the Japanese. Every Yakitori type bar you go to has an awesome selection of whisky. They know what they are doing. For me pairing up with them was a natural fit. I was looking for someone like me, who was really like me, to jump on board with. Their whole motto is exactly what I am about, which is “hand made the hard way.”
I am really into craft. I am into doing things with my hands. Getting into it and not buying the simple way out. Here is a whisky company that as they are making the whisky they are taking the notes down. They are doing all by hand. They are tasting it. It is not heavily automated. It is all just wicked. For me that is how I like to cook. Plus I love their whisky. So it was an easy pairing.
AE: What is your favorite meal to make?
APL: I am a steak guy. I love grilling steaks. For me that is the ultimate. I cut them thick. I cook them hot, slow. I do many different things. I am known as what they call an active griller. I like to move stuff around the grill a lot. I just love steak. Charred, beautiful, sometimes dry aged, sometimes not and just straight off the grill. That’s when my kids are all over me. They want the first bite.
Sep 17th
Galileo Puts Your iOS in Motion.
The Motrr Company has created the Galileo. It is a revolutionary, iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform with infinite spherical rotation capability. Just swipe your finger on the screen of your iPad or other iOS device and Galileo reacts, orienting your iPhone or iPod Touch accordingly. With applications in areas of photography, cinematography, social networking, and video conferencing, Galileo gives iOS devices endless possibilities of remote-controlled motion. Capable of infinite 360° pan-and-tilt at speeds up to 200° per second in any orientation, Galileo is an invaluable tool to everyone from an amateur photographer to the professional cinematographer, and vastly improves the experience of video chat for anyone needing to stay connected.
You can use Galileo to bring distant experiences closer than ever before, capture an exquisite sunset panorama, and to film silky smooth gimbal shots with unparalleled power and ease. Some instances where this device will come in handy is for video calls and conferencing so you can stay connected as you follow the action. If you are studying away from the classroom. You will be able to follow professors around the classroom.
For those who like use photography the time-lapse feature is great. You have the ability to create dynamic time-lapse videos that encompass movement along with passage of time. Just like photos, movies can be made with ease as well. Shoot interesting transition shots, panning down, panning across and up, etc. Mount the Galileo on rails and create a mini-rig for your iPhone camera!
One of the Galileo features is Infinite 360° panning and tilting rotation. You can go 200° per second pan-and-tilt speeds. You can remotely control it from your iPad, iPhone, or web browser. Swipe your finger across the screen or move your mouse to control the movement of the Galileo and your device. An ergonomic mouse can help reduce the fatigue caused by long computer sessions.
It is also outfitted with a standard tripod screw to let you mount the Galileo on any tripod. It acts as a charging station for your iPhone or iPod. It charges your device while plugged in and there is a rechargeable Lithium polymer battery that lets you use your Galileo anywhere. For more info check out Motrr’s website.
Sep 16th
Football Food Guaranteed to Score Big With Your Friends
It is BACK! Football Season! Since the final play of the Super Bowl last February, football fans have been waiting for their favorite team to take the field. From tailgating, to fantasy league, to that amazing play that moves the chains, there’s nothing not to love about the start of football season, and we have plenty of suggestions to help you enjoy it.
This season, whether on the sidelines or cheering from home, why not kick your game day ritual up a notch with Booker’s Bourbon? Booker’s is one of the only bourbons available that is bottled straight-from-the-barrel, uncut and unfiltered. This super-premium bourbon was hand crafted by Booker Noe, grandson of legendary whiskey distiller Jim Beam, and is one of the first-ever small batch bourbons. What better way to celebrate your favorite team’s victory – or mourn their heartbreaking defeat – than with a one-of-a-kind, luxury spirit that is sure to kick your party to the next level?
For those of you who want to fight that Autumn chill while tailgating, Kilbeggan® Irish Whiskey has a cocktail fit for the gridiron: the Kilbeggan® Tailgater’s Toddy. Whether you’re grilling outside the stadium or kicking your feet up at home, the Tailgater’s Toddy will warm you up on game day.
If your tailgate includes something warm on the grill, Celebrity Chef Michael Symon and Knob Creek® Bourbon have teamed up to create a special full-flavored recipe – the Bratwurst & Kielbasa in a Knob Creek Rye Jalapeno Beer Broth – that uses three longstanding tailgating treasures in one recipe: brats, bourbon and beer. Chef Symon also created the Knob Creek® Bourbon Big & Stout – a great mix of bourbon and beer that is great company for those brats!
BRATWURST & KIELBASA IN A KNOB CREEK® RYE JALAPENO BEER BROTH
RECIPE BY CELEBRITY CHEF MICHAEL SYMON
Recipe Serves 12
INGREDIENTS:
12 Bratwurst
2 Jalapenos Split
1 Red Onion Halved
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Bay Leaf
2 Tablespoons of Your Favorite White Ale
8 oz. Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
PREPARATION:
1. Bring jalapenos, red onion, garlic, bay leaves white ale and Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey to a boil in a large sauce pot
2. Remove broth from heat and add Bratwurst
3. Leave Bratwurst in liquid for from 15 minutes to one hour
4. Remove bratwurst and char on grill
KNOB CREEK® BOURBON BIG AND STOUT
RECIPE BY CELEBRITY CHEF MICHAEL SYMON
INGREDIENTS:
1 part Knob Creek Bourbon
1.5 parts Sweet Stout
.75 parts of Demerara Sugar or Simple Syrup
1 Whole Egg
PREPARATION:
Pour all ingredients into a shaker and dry shake (without ice) to emulsify proteins. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a large rocks glass.
KILBEGGAN® TAILGATER’S TODDY 
INGREDIENTS:
2 parts Kilbeggan® Irish Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper Buttershots
Hot water
PREPARATION: To Serve: Build all ingredients into a pre-heated coffee mug.
Sep 9th
2014 Toyota Corolla Review
If you can afford to buy the newest, most luxurious, most expensive car on the road, that’s great. You’ve done well for yourself. Good on you. This review is not for you.
This review is for the young professional who doesn’t want to buy a used car anymore. It’s for the driver who wants to make the leap from hand-me-down family car to “I deserve a brand new car, damnit.” The driver who wants something stylish and reliable, affordable but not cheapo.
This is the 2014 Toyota Corolla. It won’t ever be confused for a super car you’d see on Top Gear, but it’s not your mom’s old Corolla, either. And for the price you pay, it’s actually pretty sweet.
You already know what a Toyota Corolla is. At some point you’ve been in one. They’ve been making them for 47 years now. Over 40 million Corollas have been sold worldwide. Corollas are popular sellers because they’re safe, dependable cars. And you can drive these forever.
But it was time for an upgrade. The 2014 Corolla was designed for global consumption. The Euros demanded performance. Americans needed a touch of sportiness, serious roominess and ease of use. And everyone – the Asian market, Europe, the States – needed fuel economy, safety and value. The 2014 is the 11th generation and first totally new Corolla since 2008. It’s a got an athletic attitude and an overall sporty look and feel to it. It’s just a different Toyota than you’re used to.
Elevated Experience
So I got an invite to test out the new Corolla in San Diego as part of a larger “Elevated Experience” press event. It was fun trip that included craft beer sampling, a super-scenic, hour-long helicopter ride around San Diego and paragliding off a cliff onto a nude beach with a small Asian man strapped to my back.
That last bit was a particularly interesting experience. I never thought I’d see myself in some Luke Skywalker-with-Yoda-in-the-backpack situation that involved a leap of faith, a peaceful glide, a long hike back and a less-than-graceful landing that involved quite a bit of bronzed-old-man taint.
The elevated experiences aside, I was there to drive the 2014 Corolla around San Diego. And my god, San Diego truly is a beautiful city. I’m from Southern California so it’s not like some exotic foreign land, but every time I visit, I can’t help but notice just how handsome a place San Diego really is.
Teaming Up with Tam
When it came time to pair up lifestyle bloggers for the test drives, I was teamed up with my girl Tam Walker from MankindUnplugged.com. Total bonus. Good company with quality music taste secured. I knew I could bump funky disco tunes all day long. And obviously that’s what happened.
I paired my phone with all the tunes to no less than four different Corollas that day. The synching process was a bit different for each trim level, but pretty simple nonetheless. It’s crazy how quickly we’ve gone from cassette decks to cassette-to-CD Player converters to CDs to MP3s to AUX options and now just lemme push that button that makes my external device work on any system. Technology, man.
That’s one pretty cool thing about the 2014 Toyota Corolla: the tech you get for the price you pay. Smart keys and Bluetooth audio connections are standard. The Entune head units got a full overhaul. Toyota listened to customer feedback and they no longer require an additional subscription just to use the Entune multimedia features. I think that’s smart. Today’s young drivers want the technology, but they don’t want to keep paying an additional subscription fee to use what’s already in their car.
Toyota is really hitting the young, tech-savvy driver hard with the release of the 2014 Corolla. iPad users can download a standalone MY14 Corolla App where users can check out every design detail. There’s even a collaboration with Google in the works where users can build their own Corolla online. Be on the lookout for a huge social push too, as Toyota tried to reach new audiences through digital channels like Instagram, YouTube and Vine.
Grades, Price Points and Standard Features
So I was able to test out a few different 2014 models. The sporty one was definitely the best, but there are four distinct grades available: L, LE, S, and the new LE Eco grade.
The L grade is the entry level. It comes with a new 6-speed manual transmission with an MSRP of $16,800. Corolla L with 4-speed automatic comes in at $17,400. Standard features include:
- LED lowbeam headlamps with LED daytime running lights
- Standard Bluetooth connectivityota
- Driver and front passenger Whiplash-Injury-Lessening (WIL) seats
- Eight airbags, including a new drivers knee airbag and passenger seat cushion airbag
The Corolla LE starts at $18,300 and includes standard features like:
- Backup monitor
- Climate control
- Cruise control
- Keyless entry
- Entune Audio (including 6.1” touchscreen)
- Improved fuel economy afforded by the new CVTi-S transmission
My personal favorite was the sporty-themed Corolla S which starts at $19,000. It definitely drove with more umph than the others. The S comes standard with:
- An aggressive lower front grille with a piano black finish and chrome surround
- Unique suspension tuning for available 17-inch wheel package
- Available paddle shifters (with CVTi-S) to actuate sequential 7-speeds
- Sport cluster gauge with TFT meter
- Ornate piano black instrument panel
- Supportive sport seats
- Leather steering wheel cover
The LE Eco trim is all new and features enhanced fuel economy due to a 140-hp Valvematic-equipped engine, improved aerodynamics, and unique CVTi-S tuning. It starts at $18,700 and features an EPA rating of 42 mpg on the highway (which is as good as it gets for any automatic transmission car that’s not an electric, hybrid or diesel).
Plus and premium models are available for the LE, S, and LE Eco grades. You know, in case you want to get all snazzy with alloy wheels, fog lights, Softex seats, moon roofs, premium audio, touch screen navigation and so forth.
So yea. Legroom for days. Quality and reliability that’s been long established. Standard Bluetooth and upgraded tech consoles. A sporty makeover with the end-all-be-all-perk of an ultra-friendly price point. That’s the 2014 Toyota Corolla.
Sep 6th
Cocktails that Nucky would be proud to drink on “Boardwalk Empire”
This Sunday we get to hang out again with Nucky and his gang as Season 4 of “Boardwalk Empire” starts back up on HBO. It looks like Enoch needs to pick up the pieces from his run in with Gyp Rosetti.
Besides the great cast that is returning there are a few new characters looking to make a splash this season. Jeffrey Wright will play Valentin Narcisse, a booking agent who may butt heads with Nucky. Ron Livingston is cast as Roy Phillips who is a wealthy mid-Western businessman that strikes up a romantic relationship with Gillian Darmody. Plus Rosanna Arquette will be in this season too. Arquette plays Sally Wheet, a speakeasy owner in Tampa, which is the base of Nucky’s latest bootlegging operations. 
So while watching the show why not embrace the Prohibition Era with cocktails consumed by Nucky and the gang. Have the classic Crown Royal Black Manhattan or the traditional Bulleit Rye Sazerac. Mix it up with the Dickel Ginger Smash or try a modern twist on the Old Fashioned with Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum.
Whether you are throwing a premiere party with friends or watching alone on the couch, celebrate the premiere in true 1920’s style with the recipes below.
Dickel Ginger Smash
Ingredients
1.3 oz. George Dickel Rye
5 lime wedges
.75 oz. simple syrup
1.5 oz. ginger ale
2 Dashes of Angostura bitters
Directions: Combine all ingredients. Strain into a Collins glass over ice
Henry Morgan’s Old Fashioned
Ingredients
1.25 oz CAPTAIN MORGAN® BLACK SPICED RUM
3 Dashes Bitters
1 Packet Raw Sugar
1 Orange Twist
Directions: Place the orange peel, sugar and a few drops of water in a sturdy rocks glass and muddle with the back of a spoon. Stir the remaining ingredients in a cocktail glass with ice. Strain into the rocks glass over fresh ice.
Crown Royal Black Manhattan
Ingredients
1 oz. of Crown Royal® Black Blended Whisky
½ oz. Cragganmore® Distillers Edition
½ oz. sweet vermouth
1 ½ oz. simple syrup
½ dashes bitters
1 piece(s) maraschino cherry
Directions: Stir all together in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Bulleit Rye Sazerac
Ingredients
1 oz. Bulleit Rye
.25 oz. Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
1 tsp. Romana Sambuca (25 oz. per bottle)
Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters, Bulleit Rye and Romana Sambuca with ice. Cover and shake vigorously. Strain into a mixing glass.
The “Boardwalk Empire” season 4 premiere episode, “New York Sour,” airs Sunday, Sept. 8 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.
Sep 6th
Improve Your Athletic Skills with these Gadgets
Golf is a game that can mess with your mind. When you think too much about your backswing you ball goes nowhere. When you have a few cold ones you game is on point. So the why not pull a Caddyshack II and use some tech to help your gold game. A company called Zepp Labs created an app called GolfSense to improve your game.
Also for those who love to play hoops there is a cool gadget for you too. A company called Wireless Sports unveiled its Hoop Tracker, which is the world’s first basketball watch to analyze and record real-time shooting percentages. Here is a rundown of each new piece of tech to help you step up your game.
Zepp Labs, specializing in delivering sport specific products using real-time motion sensor data announces a major update to the world’s bestselling mobile swing analyzer system called GolfSense. GolfSense is a system (wearable motion sensor + free mobile app) that helps you analyze and improve your golf swing. The new GolfSense 3 application makes the entire GolfSense experience even more helpful and easier to use. Available for download now at the App Store and Google Play for free.
For the first time in golf history, now you can evaluate the quality of your swing using a single metric called the “SwingScore”. This revolutionary feature tells you how closely you’re achieving your personal swing goals. You can choose goals based on your skill level or use your own best swings or a coach’s swing as your benchmark. GolfSense also makes it easy to see what aspects of your swing you need to work with the all new color-coded dashboard.
Some of the Golfsense 3.0 features include SwingScore where you get to evaluate the quality of each swing based on your personal goals. There is a dashboard to help easily identify what you’re doing well and what you need to work on. Their “lab reports” analyze and track your trends for each hitting session. These reports can be shared via email, Facebook and Twitter.
The app has focus screens to isolate a single aspect of your swing to focus your practice. There is even a way you can check out your club head and hand speed. See estimated club head and hand speed at the point of impact to work on timing.
There is the backswing position where GolfSense provides the golfer with an exact club shaft angle measurement at the top of their backswing. The Plane Comparison feature instantly compares how closely aligned the backswing and downswing planes are. Golfers can work to achieve their ideal swing plane by finding what works best for their swing goals. Lastly there is a way to check out your wrist release speed. It is a key component of the swing is wrist release, or how fast the golfer’s hands move the club through the ball impact zone. GolfSense delivers actual speed measurements to help improve speed.
GolfSense 3 is available for download from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or from Google Play for Android mobile devices for free. The GolfSense sensor can be purchased in stores at Apple and Best Buy retail locations within the United States and at Apple retail locations in Europe. In addition, online at www.zepp.com.
Wireless Sports, an entrepreneurial tech company specializing in wearable sports technology, announces Hoop Tracker, the world’s first basketball watch to deliver in-depth analysis of your shooting percentages. Data obtained from each shooting session can be easily uploaded to Hoop Tracker’s software to analyze and improve shooting performance.
“Practice is the key to success in a sport like basketball, and since it’s impossible to have a coach on standby 24/7, having a tool like Hoop Tracker can be invaluable for tracking progress and improving overall technique,” says Wireless Sports CEO Jason Duke. “We have high hopes for Hoop Tracker and are currently pursuing strategic partners to bring it to market.”
How does it work?
The Hoop Tracker has two components that work to develop in-depth analysis of each shot: the lightweight watch is worn on your non-shooting wrist, while the shot detector is attached to the rim using the mounting pole. The watch and rim detector work simultaneously to identify the make or miss of every shot taken. Data recorded includes where the shot was taken and if the basketball hit the backboard, rim, or activates the internal lever. The only shot not automatically detected is an air ball. In this case, the player pushes the air ball button located on the side of the watch, recording the attempt as a missed shot. All statistics are later uploaded to the Hoop Tracker software for further analysis.
Hoop Tracker Software
Although instant data is displayed on the watch, these measurements are only the beginning of unparalleled insight into a player’s shooting development. Through HoopTracker.com, players can create a free account and upload watch data from each shooting session. The homepage “dashboard” will show a half court diagram displaying the player’s shooting performance, similar to viewing a professional player’s box score. With a variety of modes players can observe their strengths and areas for improvement from every major shooting area on the court.
“Basketball is the #1 team sport played in the Unites States with over 23 million participants,” Duke reports. “Despite the rapid growth of wearable technology, Hoop Tracker is the first of its kind to provide instant feedback, making training or shooting around more fun, competitive and productive.”
Dashboard Hoop Tracker data includes:
• Number of shots taken
• Overall shooting, field goal, free throw and 3 point percentages
• Short, medium and long range distance accuracy
• Left, right and center courtside accuracy
• Consecutive shots made and missed
• Points scored
• Duration of shooting session
• Calories burned
Analysis Different modes for different occasions:
• Design your own unique shooting program to track your progress over time
• Select training mode with goals for improving areas of weakness
• Coaches can customize and monitor shooting performance for up to 15 players using Coach Mode
How do you compete?
With every sport comes the competition factor. Through HoopTracker.com, players can download games and compete with friends for awards and trophies. Every milestone achieved and award given will be sharable through Facebook and Twitter. For additional information on Hoop Tracker, check out the video or visit HoopTracker.com. The Hoop Tracker will later retail for $199 and is expected to ship Q1 2014.
Sep 2nd
Get Manly with the Australian Open of Surfing in Sydney
With the US Open of Surfing in “Surf City USA,” Huntington Beach now behind us, it’s time to think about the next event where you can get your surfing fix on. One of the next major ASP Pro Events is the upcoming Australian Open of Surfing. You may have noticed that many emerging professional surfers hail from Australia, particularly from New South Wales. It’s no coincidence that New South Wales is also home of Manly Beach, where the Australian Open of surfing is being held.
Manly Beach has recently been dubbed “Surf City Australia” and has become sister cities with Huntington Beach in California. But that doesn’t mean surfing is new to Manly Beach. In fact, it was the location of the first world surfing championships in 1964 and the site of Duke Kahanamoku’s famous board surfing demonstration in 1915.
You may ask why this matters to you? Well, you need to Australia, bro, that’s why. Destination NSW has been working in conjunction with Qantas Airlines to come up with an affordable travel package to the Australian Open of Surfing in February 2014. What else you got going in Feb?
The event will run from February 8-16 and it will showcase the best in surfing, skate, music, fashion and art in one of Australia’s most iconic beaches. The inaugural event in 2012 attracted a global audience of 166,000 people. The upcoming 2014 event is expected to host over 175,000 people from all over the world.
Qantas is offering vacation packages for trips to the Australian Open of Surfing in Sydney starting at $2339. Here are some details on what you get for that price:
- Round trip flights on Qantas Airways from Los Angeles to Sydney
- 5 nights Sydney; standard hotel
- 3 day Sydney Harbour Hop On Hop Off Pass
- Return Manly ferry ticket from Circular Quay
- Entry into Taronga Zoo and other attractions
- Transfers between airport and hotel
- Airline fuel surcharges and taxes
If you want to upgrade your hotel accommodations, you have some options:
- Holiday Inn Old Sydney from $259
- The Menzies Hotel from $329
- Sydney Harbour Marriott from $569
- Shangri La Hotel from $719
For more information about things to do, places to eat, and bars to crawl while you’re in Sydney or Manly Beach, check out www.sydney.com. For more specifics on travel packages, check out www.sydney.com/ausopenofsurf.
One final note: The mayor of Manly Beach, Jean Hay, encourages you guys to “BE MANLY” because the females outnumber males out there in Manly Beach! Go for it, dude!
Aug 28th
5 Beers Essential for the Fall
So we are fast approaching that time of year where the days get darker earlier in the evening, football fans get ready to cheer on their team, and of course the fall seasonal beers come back on the shelves. So here are five beers that will make autumn much more enjoyable. Cheers!
Blue Point Oktoberfest
Blue Point Oktoberfest is another palate-pleasing seasonal brew. Originally brewed in 1810 to celebrate the betrothal of the Crown Prince of Bavaria, Blue Point continues the celebration by traditionally brewing this special malty amber lager every October. Oktoberfest lager is stored cold for 2 months to ensure its distinct smooth flavor.
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar
Rogue Ales is an American craft brewery founded in 1988 in Ashland, Oregon. The following year the company opened their second brewpub in Newport, 
Oregon where they are now headquartered. They operate brewpubs in Oregon, Washington, and California. Rogue exports throughout the US and internationally. This brown ale pairs well with pork and beef. A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish.
Great Lakes Brewing Company Oktoberfest
Great Lakes Brewing Company is a brewery and brewpub in Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first brewpub and microbrewery in Ohio. Cleveland’s celebration of Oktoberfest dates to the mid 1800’s when German immigrants gathered at outdoor beer gardens like Haltnorth’s and Kindvater’s St. Clair Gardens. Great Lakes Brewing Company’s amber lager has a rich malt flavor with noble hops that honors Cleveland’s diverse cultural heritage.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
This seasonal brew is a full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar. They brew their Punkin Ale with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices. As the season cools, this is the perfect beer to warm up with. Punkin Ale is named after the seriously off-centered southern Delaware extravaganza Punkin Chunkin. In fact, Punkin Ale made its debut as it claimed first prize in the 1994 Punkin Chunkin Recipe Contest.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
In 1810, Munich celebrated the wedding of their Crown Prince with a special beer. After 16 days the party ended, but the tradition continues. For Sam Adams, their version of the classic Oktoberfest lager blends 5 roasted malts for a rich, hearty flavor while Bavarian Noble hops add a touch of bitterness.
Aug 22nd
