Columbia Daily Tribune

Close, but Not Quite ; Tigers Drop Third Consecutive Match.

The Missouri women's tennis team has lost plenty of matches this year. Yesterday, against Texas A&M, the Tigers got beat. That may sound confusing, but Missouri (9-9, 1-5 Big 12) Coach Blake Starkey believes there is a huge difference between losing a match and getting beat like his team did yesterday, 5-2 at the Green Tennis Center.

Columbia Sweeps Rival Mckendree

After her team swept a softball doubleheader against rival McKendree yesterday, Columbia College Coach Wendy Spratt said her team controls its destiny in the American Midwest Conference. With a 2-0 victory in the first game and a 6-2 win in the second game, the Cougars improved to 5-1 in league play with eight games remaining. To secure a conference title, Columbia College (21-7) may need to win out. William Woods and Missouri Baptist are undefeated in AMC play. If Katie McMahon and Valerie T...

Royal Still Unaccustomed to Crown ; Before He Can Be `the Next Brett,' Gordon Needs to Find His Own Way.

LINCOLN, Neb. - Alex Gordon is exhausted. His right wrist throbs from 300 or so autographs, the last of which have gone sloppy with fatigue. He's had to take a restroom break for most of the last hour. The line in this sports bar just won't quit, Nebraskan after Nebraskan coming through with everything from cards to jerseys to the invitation for Gordon's wedding. One guy sneaks through the line three times to see the Kansas City Royals' next big thing.

Missouri Track Off to Fast Start at Virginia Dual

The Missouri track team began its Jefferson Cup dual meet with Virginia by competing in the hammer throw yesterday in Charlottesville, Va. The rest of the events will be held today. Missouri opened an 8-3 lead on the men's and women's sides.

As Sweet As Their Names ; Love, Rose Have Been Spectacular in Brief Careers.

SAN ANTONIO - You can see it in his bank shots, his technically in-tune 3-pointers, his put-backs, which caress the rim where others' clang. And you can hear it in his words, when Kevin Love, assessing UCLA's goals entering Final Four weekend, offers thoughts like the following:

Paris Road Crossing Is a Ditch in Bump's Clothing

Editor, the Tribune: Who is responsible for the ditch, euphemistically yclept a railroad crossing, on Highway 63 just north of Paris Road (Route B)? I know the Missouri Department of Transportation has signs that read "BUMP." Apparently, it has none that reads "DITCH AHEAD." In 14 years, I have seen exactly one train pulling one boxcar at this crossing. Fix the ditch for automobiles. Let the train have a rough crossing.

District Educators Cited for Excellence

Columbia Public Schools administrators surprised seven district educators yesterday when they showed up at their respective schools to name them this year's Columbia Fund for Academic Excellence honorees. The winners are:

Roundup

NATIONAL LEAGUE - Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 1: In Denver, Arizona right-hander Micah Owings struck out a career-best nine batters and allowed just one run and two hits over 62/3 splendid innings. Chad Qualls and Juan Cruz completed the two-hitter and Mark Reynolds homered, doubled and drove in three runs for the Diamondbacks. Owings (1-0) at one point retired 17 straight batters.

Changing School Schedule Won't Solve Day-Care Issue

Editor, the Tribune: Four 81/2-hour school days won't work. The school is a baby sitter. It supervises children while parents are at work. Without massive increases in day-care facilities and government support so that low-income families could afford to use them, such a change would put all kinds of children at home alone or on the streets. Joe Barone

Ferry to Ease Glasgow Bridge Hassle

GLASGOW - Crossing the Missouri River won't be the same later this year for residents of this small Howard County town. That's because the Missouri Department of Transportation plans a partial replacement of the almost 90-year-old bridge, demolishing it to its still-viable piers and replacing the bridge deck. The narrow two-lane truss structure linking Glasgow to Saline County was built in the 1920s and is the oldest Missouri River bridge in the state.

Take 2: An Alternative Look at the Day in Sports

The Final Four's semifinal games are tonight, and, as you've probably heard, this is the first time all four teams are No. 1 seeds. So congratulations to all you risk-averse sissies who are about to cash in on your office pools. Don't forget to report your winnings to the IRS, you cowards. Sorry for the bitterness. My bracket has some issues. I've taken out my frustrations with this difficult Final Four-themed trivia quiz. Any score above 5 is good. __

Memphis' Tigers Love to Be Hated

SAN ANTONIO - The Memphis Tigers are so good they have no business being in the Final Four. They should be in the NBA Western Conference competing with the Lakers and Spurs. And before we forget, John Calipari should be put on the short list to replace Pope Benedict.

Reason to Smile ; Stewart Dental Laboratory Uses a Computer-Assisted Design and Machining System to More Efficiently and Precisely Craft Crowns, Bridges and Implants.

Inside a nondescript building on Forum Boulevard, Jay Stewart III and his staff at Stewart Dental Laboratory use state-of-the-art computer equipment to create crowns, bridges, implants and other prosthetics for dental patients all over the country. Stewart Dental Laboratory, 2620 Forum Blvd., has managed to keep its competitive edge in the dental restoration business by adapting to the latest technological advancements, Stewart said, which is why it is the only lab in the state - and one of t...

Don't Punish the Children by Voting `No' On Tax Levy

Editor, the Tribune: The greatest assets we have in this community are our schools and the children they serve. Our role as citizens is to make sure our schools have the financial resources to remain one of the premier school districts in the state. Despite what has been written, the failure of the proposed tax increase will have a significant impact on the quality of the education provided to our children. Reduced emphasis on literacy and mathematics, larger class sizes, elimination of profe...

Gambling a Capital Question ; Jefferson City's Ban Is Subject of Election.

JEFFERSON CITY - Jefferson City residents will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a municipal ban on riverboat gambling. Passage of two propositions on a municipal ballot would allow riverboat casinos. The vote could have a sizable impact on the region: It potentially would provide residents with an alternative to gambling at the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville.

Ragtag Co-Founder Sturtz has Proven Track Record

Editor, the Tribune: I would like to encourage others in the First Ward to vote for Paul Sturtz for Columbia City Council. Paul has proved he has the ability to be a creative leader and can help bring positive changes to the First Ward. He has co-founded many positive groups and businesses in Columbia, such as the Ragtag Cinema; the True/False Film Festival and COLORS, a group supporting small local businesses that keep profits here at home; a founding member of the group that saved Stephens ...

Mojoe's Pizza Plus

- Owner: Moez Aschi - Address: 1013 E. Broadway

School Expansion Tied to Ashland Vote

Ashland-area voters will be asked Tuesday to approve a $1.7 million bond issue to complete the Southern Boone County School District's new elementary building. The district would use bond proceeds to build a fifth-grade wing at the school, which currently houses the third and fourth grades. If the issue is approved, the building would be ready for students by the second semester of next school year.

Top Drawer ; a Listing of the Honorable, Noteworthy, New and What's Ahead for Businesspeople in Columbia.

ONWARD & UPWARD Sarah Dubbert has joined Commerce Bank as vice president and manager of the treasury services division of the bank's Central Missouri region. Dubbert is responsible for business development related to Commerce's electronic banking and cash management services to business customers.

Democratic Race Tests Generation Divide

It seems that the presidential primary season has outlived its welcome, rather like winter in northern New England, where the snowdrifts have delayed our annual appointment with crocuses. But there are times when even frozen ground can be surprisingly fertile. So in the middle of the wrangling between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the heated conversation about race and gender, there is a subtler dialogue about generations.