At my house today it was 82 and humid. It is hot, but there's a breeze, and shade from the trees. The air is heavy and moist, but rich and green and earthy as well, and my house stays cool downstairs. In New York City today, the temperature was above 90, and I can still smell, from my childhood in other cities, that shimmering hot urban mix of garbage, asphalt and pollution. Don't get me wrong - I love cities. But hot town, summer in the city is not always when urban life's virtues shine.

Of all the numerous head-spinning Big Ten expansion scenarios that have been bandied about in the past six months, the most damaging to college basketball would be if the conference plucks Maryland from the ACC.

Last year's "America's Polo Cup" is still under investigation in Virginia, the Indian embassy has unceremoniously ended its association with this year's event but Tareq and Michaele Salahi insist the polo match is legitimate.

Typecasting the Heisman favorites.

Washington quarterback Jake Locker is doing the East Coast media blitz today and Tuesday, where he'll make his case for recognition as the Huskies' first serious Heisman candidate in well over a decade.

Bruce Walston, is facing an animal cruelty charge for allegedly killing his girlfriend's black kitten by throwing it against a wall in their apartment, according to the Staunton Police Department report.