College Football

You know college football is just around the corner when the Mountain West Conference has its annual Football Preview. The MWC released its Football Media Poll. BYU was picked to win its third conference title in a row, getting 29 first place votes. Utah received five first place votes. The 2008 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team names were also released. BYU had the most with 7 players named.

Offense
• Max Hall at Quarter Back
• Harvey Unga at Running Back
• Dennis Pitta at Tight End
• Austin Collie at Wide Receiver
• Ray Feinga at Offensive Line
• Dallas Reynolds at Offensive Line

Defense

• Jan Jorgensen at Defensive Line

Utah had the second most players with five named including Louie Sakoda, who was named twice.

Offense
• Robert Conley at Offensive Line

Defense

• Paul Kruger at Defensive Line
• Brice McCain at Defensive Back
• Robert Johnson at Defensive Back

Specialists

• Louie Sakoda as Punter
• Louie Sakoda as Place Kicker

Salt Lake Bees

The Bees are still leading the PCL North with a record of 60 wins and 42 losses. There has been a lot of excitement with two Bees named to the 2008 Olympic Team roster.

Upcoming Home series:

• July 22-25 vs Oklahoma
• July 26-29 vs New Orleans
• August 8-11 vs Fresno
• August 16-19 vs Colorado
• August 20-24 vs Tucson

Real Salt Lake

For the first time in their history, Real has gained sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. With 18 matches in the books so far, Real has a record of six wins, six ties, and six losses and a decent record at home of five wins, zero losses, and five ties. Reals' next match will be against a international friendly, Deportivo Saprissa.

Real is hoping to get into their new stadium by October 9th, for the match vs New York. It isn't Real Madrid like the owner Dave Checketts had hoped for, but they did land Major League Soccer's 2009 All-Star game next summer.

Real also has had two players picked to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. GK Chis Seitz and D/M Nathan Sturgis with FW Robbie Findley named as an alternate.

The Days of '47 Youth Festival and Parade begins July 19th at 10 a.m. at 600 East and 500 South and marches to 200 East and 500 South to end at Washington Square around the Salt Lake City and County building.

Most events and activities are free. After the parade there will be face painting, rides, inflatable slides and bounces along with food vendors, informational booths and other hands-on learning activities.

Over 5,000 kids are expected to attend and the Days of '47 Youth Parade is billed as the nation's largest youth parade.

For more information about the parade and participants, go to www.daysof47.com.

• Days of '47 Events
• July Events in Salt Lake City

The Old Spaghetti Factory is a popular Salt Lake City stand-by. Large groups and festive gatherings are welcomed at this eatery that serves up a standard, limited menu of pastas and sauces.

This is a kid-friendly spot, which makes the place a little loud. Kids have a choice of salad or applesauce and the pasta comes in kid sizes.

Since Trolley Square is undergoing rennovation, parking can be hard to come by and the old mall doesn't have the same flavor it used to have.

Tips for a good visit:

• Call an hour ahead for seating. You won't want to wait in the cramped waiting area.
• Ask for a table without a bench. The pew-style benches can be hard and force you to sit very straight.
• Ask for water with your drink. Service is slow sometimes and you don't want to be thirsty.

More great restaurants:

• Tres Hombres Mexican Grill and Cantina
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill
• The Other Place Restaurant

Olympus High School graduate, David Zabriske recovered from an injured back sustained during the Tour of Italy earlier this year, to be accepted on Team USA. Zabriskie will head to Beijing for his first Olympics as part of the U.S. Olympics Team.

Zabriskie has suffered an number of injuries since first becoming a pro cyclist. After crashing in Millcreek Canyon due to a driver turning in front of him, Zabriskie began the non-profit organization, Yield to Life to raise awareness of cyclists on the road.

Zabriskie became one of only three Americans to win all stages of a grand tour, beating Lance Armstrong by only two seconds in the Tour de France. In 2005, Mayor Peter Corroon named a "David Zabriskie Day" in his honor.

Good luck Zabriskie! Salt Lake will be cheering for you.