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2004 Headlines

Sam Quoted in Newspaper

On Saturday, 16 October, we attended the Minnesota Wild's Fan Fair at Xcel Energy Center. While there, Samantha and I were interviewed by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press writer covering the event. Samantha was quoted in the article. The part with Samantha follows:

...Others were more excited.

Samantha Ackerman, 10, of Burnsville doesn't understand about lockouts and labor battles and was just glad to go into the locker room and have her photo taken next to Wild player Marian Gaborik's locker.

"What's going on?" she asked. "Are they not going to play hockey this year?"

You can read the whole article at http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/hockey/9939496.htm.

Saint Louis Rams Bash Pictures

On 26 September, I went down to Saint Louis to meet up with the Rampagers and attend the Rams game versus the New Orleans Saints. I posted as many pictures as space allowed at http://superrams.tripod.com/Bash2004.

Rampagers.com

I am currently the webmaster for Rampagers.com, a Saint Louis Rams website. If you're looking for information on the Saint Louis Rams, this website will tell you how to link into the Rampagers mailing list. We're looking to revise the site so if you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

Don's 2004 NFL Season Columns:

As the Sun Sets...

 Looking for new tunes? Hear samples of the Punisher soundtrack
Listen to new rock tunes!

Have tunes you love? Share with me.

As the sun sets on one man's American dream,
I hear silence as a nation mourns.

His caretaker weeps once at the last moment,
but collects herself with the dignity of a hero.

Strong words, small funny moments
mark his passing.
A country of tears and flags
lay in his wake.

The solitary spectacles watch in disbelief.
Her unending stare only matched by the camera.

From sea to shining sea,
the justification rang true.

Red, white, blue, and black
the temporary colors of America's rainbow.

As a great man passes
we remember landslides, freedom
and walls coming down.

We remember strength, honor,
and country
and we see it with every picture.

As the sun falls in the ocean
more than this day
fades over the mountain.

Saddened by it all, I weep.
Honored by it all, I revere.
Words fail me so I can only say,
"Thank you, Mr. President!"

Written 06/12/2004 by Don Ackerman, Jr.

 

Don's Off-Season NFL Columns:

 

Sam & Don Make Jonny Voss Timberwolves Video
(Sunday 16 May, 2004)
At Game 6, Jonny was frustrated by Anthony Peeler's actions and the technical foul called on KG. He handed the microphone to Sam and walked out of the viewing party (he returned after cooling off). In a game 7 video, they intro'ed the game with game 6 video. Sam & I made the game 7 video! Sam is very proud!
Go to http://www.nba.com/media/timberwolves/playoffs10.html or click the following images to view the video:

Jonny hands the mic to Sam - Click to view video Jonny hands the mic to Sam - Click to view video

Game 6 Viewing Party with Jonny Voss

Sunday, 16 May, 2004

Round 2 is a new place for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deep in Round 2, the Timberwolves are looking to advance and 'Wolves fans are watching. Though the Timberwolves are miles away playing in Sacramento, Jonny Voss and Timberwolves fans got together 1 block from Target Center at The Refuge to see the Timberwolves play in game 6 and hopefully see the history the watch the 'Wolves advance to Round 3. Read on....
   

And if the 'Wolves are on, Timberwolves fan Jonny Voss is watching. If you haven't seen the Timberwolves Jonny Voss' videos, go to http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/fans/jonny_voss_playoffs04.html now. I'll wait for you. When you're done viewing this fan's personal Timberwolves journal, come back.

Back to Game 6. Enough of the intro, let's go back to the The Refuge. As you enter the bar & grill, Timberwolves Howl Towels are thrown your way and you can hear the fans including Jonny who is cheering and yelling. Yes, sir, this is a Timberwolves party.

This game was ugly at times and this game was suited for a place called The Refuge. (In case you are curious a refuge is a place providing protection or shelter from danger or hardships.) For those watching the game, the only refuge was in the pain experienced by other Timberwolves fans. Jonny was besides himself. When KG and ex-Timberwolves Anothony Peeler tussled, Jonny had to step outside. He tried to report on what was happening, became furious, and handed his mic to my daughter, Samantha. Being a big Timberwolves fan, Jonny almost seemed hurt by the Timberwolves collapse in their 87 to 104 point loss.

Fans too were shocked, surprised, and wondering what happened?

And now there's one game left. Wednesday night, Jonny will again be downtown. This time he'll be 1 block from The Refuge at Target Center watching history happen. If you want to be there, go to Timberwolves.com (http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/tickets/playoff_tickets_040202.html).

Email Tip

In today's virus-frenzy world, many file types are blocked automatically to protect the mail addressee. If you're sending legitimate files, let the addressee know you are sending a file and rename the file extension to something else. In the messages to the addressee, tell them to rename the file when they save the attachment.
That should avoid the automatic virus protection.

If you receive a suspicious file, always verify the message before you open anything.

 

Article on Timberwolves.com

30 March, 2004

Last month, I was fortunate and attended a Timberwolves season ticket holder event during which Kevin McHale talked to the group. I wrote up a summary and now I'm published on Timberwolves.com! I'm very excited. Please check it out at http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/fans/sth_events.html.

Go 'Wolves!!!

Ice Palace at nightWinter Carnival and All-Star FANtasy

More updates will be coming. I worked at the NHL All-Star FANtasy and while there checked out the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in February. Saint Paul has built a spectacular ice palace to celebrate both occasions.

 

It was amazing to see live and the picture doesn't really do it justice. I'll post more pictures in the future. For now, enjoy the small picture or click the image to view an 800x600 image.

As a perk of working at FANtasy, I was given two tickets for my family. We checked out everything including giant bobbleheads which were auction off to raise money for cancer. We took the opportunity for an Ackerman family picture with the All-Star bobblehead.

Samantha's Magazine - "Classic Love"

Samantha wanted to start her own magazine and is calling it "Classic Love." The first story in the magazine is called "Sabooshka and Darrell." Read more about it on Samantha's "Classic Love" page.

Don Reports for ProFootballCentral.com

Wednesday, 7 January, 2004

On Wednesday, 7 January, 2004, I debuted on a radio show last Wednesday night. I'm the Rams reporter and I throw in my 2 cents for a show on ProFootballCentral.com. My bit was prerecorded and I want to get better as I get more comfortable recording the shows.

You can listen to the show at http://broadcastmonsters.com/Bills/profotballcentral010704.asx using media player or real player to play the audio. I start my bit at 14:25 (it's an hour show).

 

For news and updates published in 2003, check out the 2003 headlines page.

For news and updates published in 2002, check out the 2002 headlines page.


 

These pages were created by Don and Marsha  Ackerman. If you have any feedback, please email us.