MANHATTAN BEACH SUN July 09, 2009 Page 7 Some Events are More Food Important Than the Box

Scores!By Duane Plank Spent a recent evening watching the An- high-scoring center with a $300,000 per year, gels drop a midseason contest to the Texas multi-year contract. At the time, the most Rangers. No big deal. The Halos seem to lucrative contract in the game of pond shinny. have righted the ship, and actually overtook Dionne rewarded Cooke’s largesse with the Texans, posting a two-and-a-half game 11 high-scoring seasons, but as a team, the lead at one time. Kings could never get over the hump in the Near the end of the game, the crawl on the playoffs, engaging in some riv- bottom of the screen alerted viewers to stay eting playoff series with the , tuned for an update on the recovery of Jon but coming out on the losing end. Wilhite. You remember Jon, right? He was Dionne, who was enshrined in the Hockey the only survivor riding in the demolished Hall of Fame in 1992, was traded to the New Mitsubishi involved in the horrific accident York Rangers in 1987 after he complained to that killed Angel pitcher Nick Adenhart and management about the direction of the team. two others in early April. But it was fun while it lasted, watching Mar- Hadn’t heard much about Wilhite in the cel, and team last couple of months. Seems that most in the to form the “Triple Crown Line,” terrorizing media had moved on. Par for the course. But opponents blue liners and goaltenders. it was fantastic to see that Jon was out of the And speaking of the Rangers, they weren’t APPETIZER: BAKED POTATO SOUP Place potatoes in the oven and cook for hospital, working on his rehabilitation. Walk- afraid to spend a little cash last week, inking about 1 hour at 350 degrees. Meanwhile heat ing up the dugout steps at Anaheim Stadium the ex- forward Gaborik to Ingredients water in a large saucepan and add chopped to shake hands with and hug Manger Mike a tidy five-year, $37.5 million deal. But that 4 - 5 baking potatoes celery to the water and simmer until celery Scioscia and some of Adenhart’s teammates. signing paled to the chunk of change that 2 cups water is tender. Amazing. According to published reports, the resurgent bestowed 1 quart milk When potatoes are fully cooked, slice down Wilhite suffered what was termed an “internal upon Hossa. One half cup celery the center and scoop out pulp of each potato decapitation,” the complete severing of the The going-for-the-Cup Hawks lured Hossa One quarter cup butter and add to celery and water. Add milk, butter, skull from the spinal column. So to see him to the Windy City with a 12-year, $62.4 One half cup sour cream sour cream, bacon, green onions, 1 cup of up and about a few months after the crash… million deal. And the Kings were left in the One third cup bacon, cooked and crumbled the cheddar cheese, parsley or dill and salt well, it seemed to me to be a medical miracle. box. Again. One third cup green onion, chopped and pepper. Allow mixture to simmer over Continued success to Jon and his family as For the record, the other two forwards on 2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded low-medium heat until it thickens. Serve the recovery continues. The Wilhite family, the Kings wish list, Mike Knuble and Martin 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley or dill, chopped hot with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. case you didn’t know it, has been involved Havlat, are also off the free agent market. Salt and pepper to taste Courtesy Arcamax.com • in Manhattan Beach Little League baseball Knuble, a hard-working winger, departed for at least 40 years. I used to own Jon’s Philadelphia, signing with the Washington uncle Jerry whenever he tried to slip some of Capitals for two years, and Havlat will be the slop he threw as a young pitcher by me cashing in on his six-year, $30-million contract as we made our way up the youth baseball with the Minnesota Wild. food chain, by the way. The Kings did sign a player in the first The free agency period has kicked in for couple days a free agency. Hearts be still, both the NBA and the NHL. Most of the local King fans, but you now have ex-Penguin interest has been centered on the question of defenseman to cheer or boo what will the Lakers do? Justifiably so. The this season. And maybe for the three seasons Purple and Gold reign supreme on the old after that. fan-o-meter in our neck of the woods. And Don’t know of Scuderi, even though I while the media talkers opine about the loss follow the NHL more than the average guy, of Ariza, or the signability of Odom, and I assume. May have to check in with local Brown, how many of you out there were Pittsburgh fan LJ, who is still probably a bit overwhelmed by what the local hockey teams bleary-eyed from the Stanley Cup celebration did to strengthen their teams? that she hosted in her neck of the woods after Under New Owner and Okay, so you probably weren’t buoyed by the Pens upset the Red Wings. Newly Remodeled the same-old-same-old inactivity exhibited But doing a little research, it plays out 409 Main St. El Segundo by the L.A. Kings? July 1 kicked off the that Scuderi is a left-handed shooting blue free agent frenzy, and, per usual, the Kings liner who has shown a penchant for blocking (310) 640-2352 were standing on the sidelines, holding onto shots. And had a plus-minus of 23 last season, www.hanaharusushibar.com their wallet. GM said that which I challenge any of you out there to All Sushi 1/2 Price he was ready to make attractive offers to explain to me. I know what it means, and it Monday - Thursday 4 - 6pm and hopefully sign an impact scorer is a darn good thing. And goal-scoring winger Mon. - Thurs. 11am - 2pm & 4pm - 9pm like Marian Hossa or Marian Gaborik. Or was acquired in a from Fri. 11am - 2pm & 5pm - 9:30pm someone named Marian. Colorado, so I will give Lombardi kudos for Sat. 5pm - 9:30pm, Sun. 5pm - 9pm Anyway, who am I to say that the Kings not giving up the fight. didn’t make bona fide offers to the Marians, The didn’t do much in the SUSHI BAR or to other free agents like Mike Knuble initial stage of free agency, but they did resign BEST SUSHI - BEST PRICE and Martin Havlat? Notice that all of the veteran defenseman Scott Niedermayer to a guys just mentioned have first names start- one-year deal, which allowed the Duckies to ing with “M”? Makes an old-time King fan trade the highly-paid to the remember a time some moons ago when the for some good, young Mandy’s Family Restaurant team actually did make a big splash, signing talent and a few choice draft picks. The Best Food In El Segundo another “M” guy. As for the Lakers and their acquisition of “We now accept BREAKFAST Chevron Vouchers” 6 AM - 9 PM VOTED BEST OF THE Detroit Red Wing star was Ron Artest after deciding to not open the vault LUNCH DINNER BEST BREAKFAST AGAIN pried out of hockey town way back in 1975 for free agent role player Trevor Ariza, well OPEN 7 DAYS by then-Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke, who RJ the Golfer liked the exchange of players Breakfast Special Breakfast Special reached into his wallet and rewarded the with Houston. So there! French Toast with 3 Eggs Breakfast Burrito with and Ham Home Fries & Beans $5.99 $5.99 Lunch Special Lunch Special Tuna Melt with Gyro Sandwich Penguin from page 5 Fries and Coke with Fries and Coke $5.99 $5.99 Good for us, we all know that the mass are inconvenient. Probably because they are Dinner Special Dinner Special transit system in our neck of the woods leaves inconvenient to me. Roast Turkey with Mashed NEW Salisbury Steak a lot to be desired. Or pretty much sucks, Wanted to close with some more good Potatoes and Soup or Salad Soup or Salad and Potatoes depending on your viewpoint. I know that news on the employment front. Another I, like many South Bay residents, jump in near 500,000 jobs were lost in June, as the $6.49 $6.49 my car if I have to travel across the street. unemployment level nationally climbed near 241 Main Street • El Segundo, CA 90245 Don’t consider using the mass transit options, the 10 percent level. I just hope that we have For food to go call 310-322-7272 either because they are unknown to me or hit the bottom of this abyss.