The Stadium Opens
Batman "Dancing?"
The Minnow sails again...


My family and I were part of the throng of thousands that were lucky enough to take a tour of the new Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. We enjoyed it. The new stadium is impressive…(I guess it better be at $750 million plus!)

It’s bigger and more expansive than the RCA Dome. My neighbor and I agreed it is like a much larger version of Conseco Fieldhouse. The place has plenty of personality and nice touches. The exposed metal structure to the various pavilions, the place (what we saw of it) is an experience.

My nine year old would have been happy to miss the whole tour to just hang out in the Chevy area. It has NASCAR decor and better, a NASCAR driving game that he would have loved to visited all day!

The seats (at least at club level) are cushioned and much improved over the dome’s cramped quarters.

My boys loved getting to feel the field and get a sense what Marvin, Dwight, Reggie, Peyton and Coach Dungy will be walking around on this season. All in all, a beautiful day and a good effort by the Stadium crew to show off the new digs. Only disappointment…they didn’t have the roof or the massive windows open (I understand they did open them on Sunday for the season ticket holders.) Hey, if you’re going to show off the place, go the whole way…it was a beautiful day! I don’t think they’ll want to be opening the windows in December.

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The New York Post says Batman may be joining Dancing with the Stars! Not Christian Bale, but the first (and goofiest Batman) Adam West. The star of TV’s “Batman” series during the ‘60s is being considered for a spot on the new season of “Dancing With the Stars.” West is 80 years old, but in outstanding shape, a source tells the paper. “Dancing” casting decisions will be announced Monday, August 25 on “Good Morning, America.”

I love the speculation…just a few weeks ago, rumors were flying that former Vice President and Hoosier Dan Quayle was being considered. (His office said he would NOT be on the show.)

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The S.S. Minnow is getting restored so it can be a part of three hour tours again. You remember the S.S. Minnow, piloted by the Skipper and Gilligan and crashed on the deserted island. The original ship is docked in Canada and is owned by Ken Schley of the Quality Foods grocery chain. Apparently he isn’t a big fan of the classic sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” but plans to use the Minnow to raise money for charity and to promote his stores.