Missouri Ticket Resale Law Changed

You could sell concert tickets above face value in Missouri, but you were breaking the law if you tried to make a few extra bucks with a ticket to a ballgame.

In one of those accidentally good decisions, Gov. Blunt signed an economic development bill that also included a repeal of Missouri's silly restriction on ticket resale.

Ticket scalping is now legal in Missouri (or at least it is once the law takes effect). I prefer to avoid use of "scalping", though. It's a legitimate business venture based on assessment of risk and probable event demand. Anyway...

Now, if you have good Chiefs tickets for a big game, you can sell them at a profit within the confines of the Show-Me state. Obviously, the biggest impact this will have is on folks who have an interest in Chiefs tickets and Royals tickets for big games like opening day and the Yankees, but it could have a trickle down effect on Brigade tickets, too.

However, no one's going to notice that effect if fan support for the team doesn't skyrocket. I mean, really, last year there were empty seats at the Kemper for a freaking playoff game!

Maybe the new Sprint Center and a blossoming team with a playoff season behind it will spur ticket sales and increase interest in the AFL. If that's the case, and the Sprint Center is filled with people desperately wanting tickets to watch the Brigade, I want be angry at a season ticket holder for grabbing a little extra moolah.

Let the market rule! Way to go Missouri!

Horrible Video Game Disappoints

So, here we are stuck in the off-season and I'm scrambling like Fran Tarkenton on No-Doz, trying to find something interesting for Brigade fans. I decide to sniff around the team's official site in hopes of finding some previously undiscovered gem of information or entertainments.

Was I successful? No. Not even close.

You see, I found the "Brigade Arcade" which consists of one little online game you can play. They call it Brigade Ultimate Football, but it is far from football and certainly isn't ultimate.

You control (I use the term loosely) Raymond Philyaw and hurl passes to your barely covered wideouts by tapping the space bar on your keyboard. The graphics are bad and the "game" is completely uninspired.

Sure, it's just a little freebie. But it sucks. Why even bother putting it up there when you have to know that it will merely annoy people, right?

Get your football fix on YouTube...

Did you know that someone has gone through the time and effort to put up AFL football game footage on YouTube. They have. I just found this ten-minute segment from a Dallas/Kansas City match-up, for instance.



I don't know how many total clips are up on the site at this point, and I can't tell you how long they'll stay there. It seems like that kind of thing would probably run afoul of that "this broadcast is the property of the AFL. Any unauthorized use, distribution or rebroadcast" thing they always read. Anyway, for the moment, there is AFL football available on your computer.

Free Fitness Site Offers Strong Tools

It seems like there are millions of diet and fitness websites out there and most of them really aren't that helpful or valuable. That's why it's nice to find a great site like MyFitnessPal.com.

This is a completely free site (they'll never force you buy anything and don't even want your credit card number) that provides some great information and assistance for those interested in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also houses some great tools.

MyFitnessPal has a handy free bmi calculator. It also serves up a great calorie counter that's easy to use and packed with nutritional information about the foods on your menu. If you need a bmr calculator, it's there.

Looking for a cool, easy-to-navigate and free fitness/diet/lifestyle site? Check out MyFitnessPal.

Brigade Girl Nadia--Etta James, Spiders and Sushi

Those who check in with the Kansas City Brigade Extra regularly know that I am a big fan of the Brigade girls. Now that we're stuck in the middle of the off-season when news and notes are few and far between, I thought it would be worth taking a moment to direct your attention to one of the standout members of the Brigade Girl team.

Nadia (she's the jaw-dropper on the right) is a talented dancer from Virginia. According to her official team profile, she enjoys sushi, listens to Etta James and has a pet tarantula. She's also a heart-stopping beauty, don't you think?

Sounds like a wonderful combination to me... An adventurous eater with great taste in jazz and enough moxie not to be scared into a corner by a big hairy arachnid.

Take some time to learn more about "Na-dizzle" here! Oh, and for more photographic evidence of just how gorgeous this spider-handler is, you can find more pics like the one posted here at a Flickr page from the Kenny and Ozone show!

Retired Number

QUESTION: What is the only uniform number the Brigade has retired and who wore it?

ANSWER: #90 and Nobody!

The only retired number for the Brigade is 90 and no Brigade player has ever worn it in the first place.

That's an odd situation, but it makes sense in light of the guy who wore the number elsewhere. On most teams you need to string together several good seasons to have your number retired. This guy got it done without ever taking the field for the honoring team!

Neil Smith, former KC Chief and Denver Bronco defensive stalwart wore #90 in the NFL. He's also part of the Kansas Brigade ownership group and is the "face of the franchise".

Smith was instrumental in bringing the team to KC and continues to actively promote the AFL and the Brigade as a team owner. Smith was honored during the team's first season by having his old NFL number ceremonially retired on a Brigade jersey.

Brigade Fans Recognize Raymond Philyaw

The Brigade went from cellar-dwellers to playoff participants last season and a key ingredient in their recipe for success was the guy taking the snaps, quarterback Raymond Philyaw. Philyaw, who is currently unsigned and well undoubtedly be a hotly pursued free agent over the off-season is a deal can't be made with the Brigade, was both a great performer and leader on the field.

So, it comes as no surprise that the five thousand Brigade fans who voted on the topic named QB Ray the Kansas City Brigade Player of the Year.

Kansas City infoZine News reports:

"Most Valuable Player went to Raymond Philyaw by a wide margin. The team's quarterback passed for 4338 yards with 85 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. He was the arena league's fifth highest rated quarterback."

Congratulations to RP! Now, let's get a new contract put together for this guy!

Online Buying Assistance

Shopping online can be a bit overwhelming at times. Sure, you can find great bargains. In order to snag them, though, you have to wade through a seemingly endless array of competing products. It can get downright frustrating. How are you supposed to know which option is really the best for you?

TrustSource.com is there to help. Their innovative yet simple approach makes shopping for products online easier and improves your odds of getting what you really want.

Here's an example... Let's say you've noticed your hairline is creeping backwards a little bit and you're considering the purchase of a product to stop the hair loss. Should you buy Rogaine? Are you thinking about provillus? Are any of those shampoos and ointments right for you? TrustSource gives you a breakdown of all the competing products. It provides product reviews, descriptions and other critical information to point you in the right direction. Next thing you know, you might just be growing hair thanks to finding the right product.

TrustSource isn't just about baldness cures, though. If you're a woman experiencing hot flashes, they'll march you through all of those competing products in order to help you make the right call. If, after watching the Brigade Girls strut their stuff on those amazing legs, you decide you could use some cellulite cream for yourself... Well, TrustSource will wade through all of those different options, giving you the scoop on what might work best for you.

Online shopping is a great opportunity for finding the right stuff at good prices. It's just a little easier when you're getting great help in the process!

Chicago Fan hates on KC

This isn't breaking news, but I just found it and thought it might be worth mentioning. Not everyone has a strong affinity for the Brigade. Some people don't particularly care for KC, either. How do they handle these preferences? By writing hackneyed insults about Kansas City and our Arena team on discussion boards.

Case in point:

"Apparently, someone thought it was a good idea to give Kansas City an Arena Football team. They're called the Kansas City Brigade and their logo is a stealth bomber. Yes, the team name and the logo have nothing to do with each other. Such is the mindset of Kansas City. This is a team that runs around on the field looking like the Village People, dressed up in baby blue pajamas."

Oh, it turns out that the kid who wrote this hates KC because he had a bad bus trip here once upon a time. And hey, slick, the Village People never wore baby blue. Oh, and the Brigade/Stealth Bomber thing... Yeah, that makes sense. To those who know a darn thing about either of them.

Anyway, just a reminder that the net is not yet dummy-free.

Former Brigade WR with Washington

Jerel Myers, the former KC Brigade player is in Washington. No, he didn't receive some sneaky August recess appointment to a key position in the executive branch. He hooked up with the Washington Redskins, instead. I don't have word on whether he made the final cut, but he was in camp with the 'Skins. Hogs Haven confirms.

This isn't Myers first time to hang out in NFL camp. He did his time on the Buffalo practice squad for at least parts of two seasons.

We'd hate to see Jerel go, but if he's gotta go we hope it's to the NFL. It would be nice to see some of the top Brigade performers make the jump from AFL to NFL ball and Myers is as good a choice as anyone to make it happen.

We'll keep you posted on his whereabouts...

Likens to Give Little Apple Speech

Steve Likens, the co-owner of the Kansas City Brigade (the guy who didn't play DE for the Chiefs and Broncos) is slated to give a presentation in Manhattan, KS, this September.

According to the Manhattan Mercury, Likens will be on the campus of Manhattan Christian College. Based on the brief calendar entry, the September 20 address will have a religious message of some sort.

It appears as if anyone is welcome, but you will need to follow and RSVP if you're interested in attending.

Here's the entry, as it appeared here in the Mercury:

"20 5th Annual Leadership Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. Community leaders come together on the Manhattan Christian College campus for breakfast and a faith challenging presentation. The featured speaker will be Steve Likens, co-owner of the Kansas City Brigade Arena Football Team. There is no charge, but an RSVP September 17 would be appreciated. RSVP by to [redacted--visit original source for contact email] or call (785)539-3571."

For our adult readers ONLY

This is first and foremost, a blog about the Arena Football League's KC Brigade. However, I do like to share other interesting information and sites with readers. Today's offering is of an adult nature. Consider yourself warned (and appropriately admonished if you happen to be a younger person).

CelebKings has been working for years to locate, secure and offer the best in nude celebrity videos and pictures. There are hundreds of copycat sites out there, but CelebKings looks like the real deal to me. They have "the goods" on everyone from Jessica Alba to Katya Wyeth--and then some.

If you've ever wanted to sneak a peek at one of your favorite celebrities in the buff, this site will give you every opportunity to do exactly that. I was amazed at the sheer magnitude of their archives and offerings and would point anyone with an interest in seeing top stars sans clothing to this site.

(This is a sponsored review)

Brigade Girls...

Sometimes I feel compelled to remind people of the obvious. It's easy to overlook some basic stuff if we don't get reminded about it occasionally, right.

Take, for instance, the Brigade Girls. Lost in the post-season disappointment and free agent QB situation are the beautiful cheer squad and just how damn cute those girls are!

So, a friendly reminder... Visit the Brigade Girls site and re-acquaint yourself with these magna-hot, talented women. You'll be glad you did!

I am (obviously) biased, but I happen to think that we have the best-looking and (more importantly, I must reluctantly admit) most talented dance crew out there. They deserve our support!

Internships available with Brigade...

Just saw this and thought some of the Brigade fans around here might be interested.

The Brigade are looking for a few good, young men (and women) to fill internships with the ball club. If you dig the AFL, have an interest in a sports-related career, and are available you might just want to investigate the possibilities. No word on the money or details about the work expected.

Read more here.

Here's an excerpt:

"The Kansas City Brigade, Arena Football Team, is looking for hard-working and motivated individuals for an intership starting in the fall of 2007. Through hands-on experience with a professional sports team in a major market, you will gain valuable skills, contacts and experience vital to beginning a career in the exciting field of pro sports. The following internships are available for the fall 2007:

Ticket Sales Internship

Community Relations Internship

Game Operations Internship

Media Relations Internship

Sales Internship"

Valuable through time...

What's hot today may not be hot tomorrow. Today's great investment can be tomorrow's horrible regret. That's a fact of life. Fortunately, it isn't a universal law. There are exceptions.

Think gold and silver. The ancient Greeks were enamored by precious metals. So were the Egyptians. People have been clamoring for gold and silver bullion since the beginning and it is still immensely valuable today. Nothing holds value through change and stays so solid during periods of instability.

That's why the finance and investment gurus of the world strongly advocate the inclusion of precious metals in a properly diversified investment portfolio. It's also why a company like the Monex Deposit Company (MDC) is in high demand. MDC has been helping individuals make precious metals part of their financial planning and investment strategy for decades. Well known for their strong reputation and customer service, MDC can help anyone interested in precious metal holdings.

If gold and/or silver aren't part of your current strategy, it might be time to rethink your approach and to investigate these value-holding commodities. I'm not a financial expert. I'm not an investment adviser. I do, however, think everyone should do some serious research about gold and silver. It seems to make sense to me.

Is this what they meant by "Anchor Tenant"

When the powers behind the scenes rallied private and public support for the construction of Kansas City's new Sprint Center, the biggest dangled carrot was the presence of a professional sports team as an anchor tenant.

So far, the only professional franchise to call the Sprint Center home is the AFL's Kansas City Brigade.

Sure, they've booked Elton John, Hannah Montana, Disney on Ice, some pro volleyball thing and even a wrestling event. The Big XII hoops tourney is also on the horizon. However, there are no NHL or NBA teams running "pick the logo" or "name the team" contests in Kansas City.

I wouldn't mind it all that much if the Sprint Center ended up being the "house the Brigade built", but I don't think AFL football was what the KC donkeys were thinking as they eyed that AEG carrot.

In any case, it will be great to see the AFL come to a non-rotting KC facility. It would be nice, though, if a guy could catch some NBA action when the Brigade isn't on the field, don't you think?

Philyaw Remains Unsigned

Big Wednesday passed and the Brigade resigned a number of last year's players. They did not, however, resign their quarterback.

Number 1 didn't ink a new deal, meaning that he'll be a free agent. We'd guess there will be high demand for Ray Philyaw when negotiations start, too. Hopefully he's back with the Brigade, christening the new Sprint Center with touchdown passes next season.

Kansas City Infozine reports: "Noticeably absent from the re-signings were Raymond Philyaw and B J Cohen. Philyaw, last season's starting quarterback, has indicated a desire to remain with the Brigade, and team officials are anxious to renew negotiations with his agent sometime in September when the league grants permission for teams to talk with free agents. Philyaw passed for 4338 yards with 85 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions last season. Officials are also anxious to resume negotiations with B J Cohen who had 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Brigade last season."

You can read their whole write-up here.

Finding Land and Managing It

You might be a land-buyer if...

Just a riff on the Jeff Foxworthy "you might be a redneck if..." shtick.

Foxworthy, a popular "blue collar"/redneck comedian who's experiencing some extra success as a game show host, is also the lead player in "The Bucks of Tecomate". This program, which shows up repeatedly on cable TV, is an outreach tool for Tecomate--a growing player in the rural recreational property and wildlife consultation field.

Foxworthy and the Tecomate crew have recently undertaken a partnership with LandsOfAmerica.com, a leading online rural real estate marketing firm.

Tecomate co-founder David Morris says his company has been "developing land into wildlife havens" for years and the partnership with LandsOfAmerica should help anyone looking for Land for sale to find it.

So, whether you're looking for land or a way to improve it (and its wildlife), you might just need a redneck to get you the best information.

KC Ad Firm Boasts of Brigade Affiliation

LE Concepts, a marketing and advertising firm, recently announced its plans to enter the lead generation field. In a recent press release, the folks at LE Concepts did the expected tooting of their own horn by mentioning some of their premiere clients.

The Brigade made the list of happy LE Concepts customers, along with the Royals and "numerous" not-mentioned-by name hotels and restaurants.

Hey, the press release itself is your standard bloviation, but it is cool that the LE crew gave a nod to its AFL client. The big question is what LE is planning to actually do for the Brigade as it enters its first season in the new Sprint Center. I love the Brigade (obviously), but have felt like their marketing approach has been a little too minor-league-y. Maybe LE and the other firms involved with AFL promotion in Kansas City will improve their efforts a bit next season.

Maybe LE should pitch Neil Smith on its ability to generate potential season ticket buyer leads?

Anyway, the press release is a bit of off-season Brigade news.

Former Brigade Star Staying in Utah

Aaron Boone, who once made the AFL all-rookie team as a member of the KC Brigade has just signed a two-year deal with the Utah Blaze.

Boone is a well-traveled football pro, having put in time as an NFL Europe player after playing high school and college ball in the states. Actually, he's a Utah native and a Snow College grad.

Injuries kept AB off the field for a significant portion of last season, but he showed enough during his healthier moments to impress the Utah higher-ups and snagged a multi-year deal in the process. That will allow the gifted athlete a chance to keep plugging away in pro bowl while staying close to home.

Good luck to Aaron, as long as he's not suiting up against the Brigade!

Here's where I found the tip about Boone and his new deal.

Scrubs. Not the sit-com.

Could Medical Uniforms be fashion statements? I'm kidding, right? Not necessarily.

Today, the ol' generic green hospital scrub has given way to some surprisingly good looking apparel. You don't have to look like Hawkeye Pierce when wearing medical uniforms these days.

Even if you don't want to wear uniforms as recreational wear, those in the medical industry are enjoying the improvements. Top design companies, including hip makers like Baby Phat, are churning out great stuff.

Doctors and nurses are looking good these days, thanks to the great scrubs and uniforms available through places like ScrubsGallery.com. Online medical uniform shopping is giving everyone a chance to find some great-looking duds.

So, before you toss on your Brigade jersey, give some thought to donning a pair of high-fashion scrubs, instead.

By the way, the kid isn't wearing an example of the aforementioned good stuff. I just thought it was a great shot.

Elway and Bon Jovi. It doesn't get worse.

Okay, I'm sure some people will disagree with me on this one, but the top aggravation I have about Arena Football is the league's tendency to promote the game in terms of its high-profile, celebrity owners.

I'm not just saying that because Harvey Keitel and that hot girl from The Craft (Fairuza something?) don't have teams, either. Admittedly, I'm never going to join a Bon Jovi fan club or put a John Elway poster over my bed. I don't like either fella in terms as celebs (although they may be fine guys otherwise).

My problem isn't just with horseface and his pseudo-rocking buddy. It's the idea of peddling the league based on their has-been careers.

Anyway, if you dig Arena ball it should be for the players and the competition. If you're a fan on the basis of enjoying a good rendition of "Living on a Prayer" you need help.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Porter Gets Nod for Top Coach Honors

The Brigade may have missed an opportunity to win its first home playoff game at the soon-to-be-vacant Kemper Arena, but head honcho Kevin Porter still ended the season as a winner.

Porter received Coach of the Year honors from the artificial turf gurus at Sportexe.

Congratulations to Coach Porter on a well-deserved win. Hey, the season ended on a down note, but the Brigade accomplished a lot under his leadership.

As the folks at KC InfoZine news relayed:

"Porter led Kansas City's second-year Arena Football franchise to a 10-6 regular season record after a 3-13 inaugural year, becoming one of only four teams in the 21-year history of the AFL to make a seven-game turnaround."

Now, let's get to work on getting a championship win, too...

Krillion is not a sci-fi thing. It's an APPLIANCE thing!

The Krillion Localization Engine. It sounds like science fiction. In reality, though, it's appliance fact. You don't use it to teleport. You use it to find the best deals on things like General Electric refrigerators.

The folks at Krillion noticed something. Everyone was doing appliance research online, but most folks were still making their final purchase at a local appliance store. The gap between all of that high-tech homework and the real-world buying experience was too big for their tastes and they decided to do something about it. That something? The aforementioned Krillion Localization Engine.

Here's how it works. You visit the Krillion site and it will help you perfect your appliance-buying research by serving up local information. Now, you can find the right place to buy the right refrigerator at the right price!

Not planning on buying a fridge any time soon? Don't be surprised if you end up changing your tune. Summer temperatures are here and that means our refrigerators are under some pretty intense strain. Summer time spells ruin for many refrigerators and yours could be next! If you do end up in the appliance market, spend some time at Krillion. It's not sci-fi, it's just a very smart way to improve your big-ticket appliance shopping experience!

Brigade Tickets... Wide price range!

Did you know that first row seats on the field at Brigade games have a face value of $110. That's more than the face value for the MOST EXPENSIVE seats at Arrowhead.

Think about that for a second. I'm an AFL fan and everything, but there's something a little weird about Arena tickets being more expensive than Chiefs tickets.

Admittedly, the only people who can get first row, side of the field, Chiefs tickets have been ponying up for season tickets since Municipal stadium, but still... $110 ($120 on the playoff game, by the way) is a wee bit on the high side, don't you think?

On the other hand, the cheapest ticket for a Brigade game is cost-comparable to the cheapest ticket at Kauffman Stadium for a Royals game. So, you can get in VERY cheap...

From under $10 to over $100... That's a wide range!

By the way, I won't be sitting in Row A for the playoff game with Colorado this weekend. This blogger is on a budget!

Another Chance to Punish Elway

Ol' Horseface himself is coming back to KC for some football. This time, though, he won't be wearing the ugly orange of the Broncos while walking along side Rat Shanahan. This time, he's coming as an owner. The Colorado Crush will be playing the Brigade in the first KC AFL playoff game.

Saturday.
2:00 p.m.

A chance for Kansas City to start its march to the Arena Bowl.
A chance to score a new t-shirt.
The last chance to see any pro football in KC until the Dolphins/Chiefs preseason game.
A chance to see John Elway LOSE in Kansas City just one more time...

Lots of reasons to be there, folks! See you on the east side of the hangar!

Go Brigade!!!!

A Great Orlando Vacation Tip

Orlando is known as the Disney city, but there's much more to this family-friendly vacation destination than Mickey and Minnie. This Florida city is home to scores of top-ranked golf courses. It features a world-class convention center. And when it comes to fun for the whole family, Disney is just the tip of a constantly growing iceberg! There's a reason why so many people are flocking to Orlando for their family getaways.

Not only is Orlando an attractive destination, it's also a welcoming one. This is a city that understands travelers and tourists. It bends over backwards to provide guests with a top-notch experience. Orlando vacation villa rentals are a perfect example.

In other cities, you might be limited to seeking accomodations at the usual hotel chains. In Orlando, you can rent a fully-functional and beautiful vacation home to serve as headquarters for your family journey. To make matters even better, these vacation villas are often competitive with generic hotels in terms of price!

When you make your next trip to Orlando, look into the vacation home rentals that are available. You can get more space, more flexibility and more opportunity to enjoy your vacation in one of these outstanding homes.

Coach Kevin Porter's NFL Days...

Before he was at the helm of the Arena Football League's Kansas City Brigade, Kevin Porter was playing football in the NFL.

He was a fixture in the KC Chiefs secondary for six seasons, playing both at cornerback and safety during his years with Big Red.

Porter only managed one interception during his NFL career and shared in only one and a half sacks, but he was talented enough to play in the majority of the team's games in most of the years he was part of the Chiefs roster.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia for you. As a rookie, Coach Porter returned one kickoff. It was the only time in his career he claimed the mantle of return man. He gained sixteen yards on the return.

Porter's NFL career could undoubtedly be characterized as successful, but it's very possible that his greatest football success still awaits him as the Brigade prepares for AFL post-season action. He could add a championship to his resume this season!

I found Porter's numbers here.

Kemper's East Side

I was just checking the Kansas City Brigade's web site and saw an interesting tidbit that I thought was worth relaying. Apparently, the east side of Kemper is "tailgaiting central" before every Brigade game.

I can imagine that grills are churning out some great Kansas City barbecue and that a few adult beverages are being consumed by smiling fans, but what made the situation even more interesting is that this Kemper party has some sponsors, too.

Toyota, Bikers for Babies and Coors Light are all in on the action. The US Army is also involved. They're apparently doing a laser show--which should be a nice warmup to any Brigade game.

Hey, KC, we have a playoff game coming to Kemper. Before the action starts on the field, it might be a good idea to enjoy some pre-game festivities on the east side of Kemper! Think about it.

Go Brigade!

Online Adult Education

Adult education is changing. Going back to school used to mean physically going back to school. Today, fully-accredited universities operate online. Capella University, which has over 17,000 students from all around the world, actually functions completely online!

Some may wonder whether a virtual campus would suit their needs. They may have questions about whether the faculty on the other side of the computer monitor is up to task. Based on recent happenings at Capella, those concerns seem unfounded.

Professor Sara Orem is a professional consultant who owns and operates her own coaching firm. She combines real-world experience with academic experience as an adjunct faculty member at Capella. Orem recently had a new book published on the interesting topic of "appreciative coaching". The text outlines an approach that involves a four-step process for achieving maximum inspiration and achievement (discovery, dream, design and destiny).

With faculty like Orem working with its students, Capella is proving that there is a new way to handle going back to school. You don't necessarily need to stand in enrollment lines or labor over a difficult schedule that doesn't fit your lifestyle. Adult education is getting more accessible without compromising quality!

Brigade Win Helps LA

The Los Angeles Avengers should be penning Thank You cards to the guys who occupy the Hangar.

Last nights 3-point win over the Nashville Kats clinched a home playoff game for the victorious KC Brigade. It also shoved LA into the post-season mix.

OurSportsCentral explains:

"By virtue of the Kansas City Brigade's 6-63 victory over the Nashville Kats on Saturday night, the Los Angeles Avengers have qualified for the 2007 Arena Football League Playoffs, which will begin in two weeks.

The loss by Nashville (6-9) eliminates the Kats from postseason contention and means that Los Angeles (8-6) can finish no lower than sixth in the American Conference standings. Twelve of the AFL's 9 teams advance to the playoffs, six from each conference."

So, I hope Coach Ross, Ray Philyaw and the rest of the Brigade get a present of some sort from the Avengers!

You can read OSC coverage of the Avenger situation here.

Playoffs for Brigade

The win over the Nashville Kats (why the "K", people? That is so silly) propelled the Brigade right into the playoffs and, more specifically, insured them a home game at Kemper Arena.

Isn't it amazing? The refugee team that had to flee flooded New Orleans for the Great Plains and who turned in an absolutely abysmal performance in its first season is now not only in the playoffs, but HOSTING a playoff game!

SPECTACULAR!

KC Infozine reports:

"The Brigade (10-5) will play the franchise's first playoff game at the Hangar, where it was 6-2 this regular season. Additionally, Saturday's win makes the stakes higher for next week's season finale at Chicago . The game will be for the Central Division crown as Kansas City owns the tiebreaker over the Rush with its season-opening victory."

You can check out their Brigade coverage here.

Investing in Gold

Gold investment is an obvious choice for smart investors. It's impossible to name any other investment that has the track record or history of gold. Since ancient times, gold has been a prized and valued commodity and that tradition continues today. Investors love gold. It's a great means of preserving purchasing power during uncertain times. It's a superb means of investment portfolio diversification, too. It's no wonder that many of the largest and most successful investors claim gold among their holdings.

What may not be as obvious is how to secure investment grade gold. You can't run to the local department store to secure gold ignots, after all. Instead, one needs to partner with expert services in the precious metal investment industry. One noted name in that field is The Monex Deposit Company (MDC).

MDC has been serving gold investors for over thirty years. Its large professional staff provides the expertise necessary to help you secure gold for investment. MDC will deliver quality gold to you or will even go the extra mile, arranging for secure storage of your investment in an independent bank or other secure facility.

If you plan to join the countless savvy investors who hold a stake in history's most popular precious metal, contact MDC. The gold experts at The Monex Deposit Company can help you to improve your portfolio right away.

Brigade Swats Cats!

How about the Brigade?!?!?!? Another home game, another win.

This time, we edged the Nashville Cats by 3 points, 66-63.

Two heroes from last night's game? Ray Philyaw and Charles Frederick. Philyay tossed for 242 yards, 98 of which involved connections with Frederick. Charles also scored two running TD's.

Looks to me like the Brigade is peaking at the right time to make a serious post-season run. With Nashville dispatched, I'm looking forward to booking a flight to New Orleans for the AFL championship. Yeah, I might be getting a little ahead of myself, but these guys look good lately!

Way to go, Brigade. The best cheerleaders in the AFL, a new stadium on tap for next year, and a complete reversal of fortunes (from last place to the playoffs). Now that's something!

And the home of the.... Brigade...

Hey, I like Kemper as much as the next guy. That means, of course, that I don't like it all that much.

So, I was just as excited as the rest of the Brigade fan base to discover that the boys will be playing AFL football in new digs next year. Goodbye Kemper Arena, hello Sprint Center.

The new facility will add another layer of class and comfort to the Arena Football experience. The seats and the site lines at shoddy old Kemper were acceptable, but let's face it... The place is a dump and the concourses were narrower than the hallways at home.

The Brigade are playoff bound, and it looks like we'll be able to enjoy post-season play at Kemper, but I am definitely looking forward to next year's festivities in the new joint!

I'm EXCITED about the Sprint Center. Looks like Kansas City is doing something right this time!