Laura_Evans's Blog

Did you see it?  Michael Phelps just took his 7th gold medal at the Olympics in Beijing.  He battled it out in the 100 meter butterfly, tying Mark Spitz's record of 7 gold medals at a single Olympics.  It's an historic night.   But take a close look at the slow motion replay and one has to wonder if he really did it.  The touch pad technology says Phelps beat Serbia's Cavic by .01-- it doesn't get much closer than that.

Not to take away the glory, because believe me, all of us in this newsroom, and I'm sure most of you, (if you're following these Olympic Games) are rooting for the 23 year old from Baltimore.   But many of us are also a little skeptical of that touch pad technology.

Apparently so is Cavic's coach who filed a petition questioning the times.   That protest was rejected.

No matter how you slice it, Michael Phelps is the world's best swimmer...  arguably the best swimmer in history... smashing world records right and left.  His presence makes the Games even that much more exciting (even though it's airing on our competitor's channel).  

Phelps isn't done yet.  Next rush for the gold?--Sunday in the 400 medley relay.  Phelps, once again, will be swimming the butterfly leg of that race.   His time is heavily favored to win what would be his 8th gold.

If you like to watch or play basketball... how about taking part in a fun and exciting outdoor community sports festival and charity basketball tournament on June 14th?   You will join some of DC's biggest leaders and celebrities, including Redskins players along with NBA and WNBA players.

And as you play in (or watch) the basketball tournament, you will also be supporting some of DC's deserving inner city high school students in their efforts to pursue college! 

The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) started in 1996. Susie Kay, who taught American Government at H.D. Woodson High School in Washington, DC for more than a decade launched  the organization through a one-day event--  a 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament staged to raise money for academic college scholarships for Kay's students. 

Since then.. the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) has awarded over 1,000 scholarships (new and renewed) and helped over 800 local students fulfill their college dreams.   HDSF also provides a college prep mentoring program, internship program and SAT prep partnership program with the Princeton Review.

SO!........ join me Saturday, June 14th for the Hoop Dreams 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. It starts at 9am on Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd - 6th street, right in front of the US Capitol.

For more information go to www.hoopdreams.org

See you there!