LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 13: Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup
Bruce Bennett via Getty ImagesWhen did athletes stop playing for a TEAM, and the love of the game, and start playing for just the money? When free agency was born.
My name is Carla, I'm a girl, and I'm huge sports fan. (Hi Carla!) In my youth I followed two teams like it was my job - The Detroit Tigers, and the Oakland Athletics.
The Detroit Tigers, because my family was from there, and I loved the team, that old English D, and the players I came to know as a kid: Al Kaline, Willie Horton. Denny McLain, Aurelio Rodriguez, Mickey Lolich. the Oakland A's, because I lived in Reno, and they were the closest team to my fair city. I felt like I knew Vida Blue, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter, Sal Bando, and Reggie Jackson, because I watched their games regularly.
The Oakland A's won three World Series in a row - 1972, 1973, and 1974 - and I though I actually had something to do with that, because I cheered those players on like I actually knew them, and I had all of their baseball cards!
I've watched and followed the Vegas Golden Knights from day one, and watched them win the Stanley Cup this year, with several of the "original misfits," like Reilly Smith. For a moment I thought, "this team will stay together as long as they can!" For a moment. Two weeks later comes the NHL draft, and I realize that it really is all about money. Not necessarily for just the player, but the team overall. And, bye-bye Reilly Smith - traded!
Some say one of the most exciting aspect of the NHL off-season is the free agency period. The wheeling and dealing, and working a team's salary cap to get this player, or that player - it's a Moneyball chess match.
Others call free agency "the ruin of sports." Very often, high paid players aren't capable of producing when they're needed to. As a lover of your team - no matter what the sport these days - you often lose players because of free agency.
And let's face it - the business of sports management is EXTREMELY lucrative. Some agents are as popular as the clients they represent, and through their very savvy deal-making abilities. And, the free agent system has helped athletes across the board because it forced teams to raise salaries for all players, and not just free agents.
For the sports lover, and lover of teams and their players - oh well. As one famous movie said - tomorrow is another day.
GO *insert team name here* GO!
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Chick-Fil-A Is Still America’s Favorite Fast Food
America's favorite - fast food.
Why are we so enamored with fast food? Probably the usual reasons: It's convenient, it's easy, and you don't have to cook. And if you have kids, it's almost guaranteed that getting fast food will put a smile on their face, and you'll be a hero - at least for a few minutes.
Congratulations Chick-fil-A - you're America's favorite fast-food spot for the ninth year in a row. But it looks like another place could overtake them soon, and one that you might not have expected - Jimmy John's finished in a very close second this year.
They just made their way to Las Vegas a few years ago, but Chick-fil-A has dominated the favorite fast food list for almost a decade.
The newest fast food contender:
The American Customer Satisfaction Index ranks the top fast-food places according to things like quality, speed, accuracy, and how polite the staff is. They've been doing it since 1994, and this year they say Chick-fil-A did it again - the top spot for the NINTH year in a row. But it's true - Jimmy John's jumped way up the list to finish second this year. Chick-fil-A's average rating was 85 out of 100, and Jimmy John's got an 84.
Out of the 23 restaurants they look at, McDonald's finished LAST again. Just above last place was Taco Bell, Sonic, Jack in the Box, and Wendy's.
Americas Top 10 Fast Food Restaurants:
Here's how your favorite fast food dining establishments finished:
1. Chick-fil-A 2. Jimmy John's 3. KFC 4. Papa Johns 5. Domino's 6. Five Guys 7. Pizza Hut 8. Starbucks 9. Arby's 10. Dunkin'.
Americas top 10 sit down restaurants:
They American Customer Satisfaction Index also ranked your favorite sit-down places. These are ranked according to things like accuracy of food order, courtesy and helpfulness of waitstaff, food quality, variety of food on menu, restaurant cleanliness, and speed in which you get your food.
Your top 10 favorites are Outback, Cracker Barrel, LongHorn Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Lobster, Cheesecake Factory.
But how about Las Vegas restaurants? I thought you'd never ask. Here are some of MY favorites, in no particular order:
Honey Salt: 1031 S Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89145
It's located in Summerlin, Honey Salt is a farm-to-table style restaurant specializing in American dishes. From upscale country breakfast to sandwiches and brunch items. Try the comforting fried chicken benedict. The décor is extremely captivating and attractive from the minute you walk into the cozy interiors. Shiny art pieces decorate the walls, and candle-lit chandeliers introduce you to an upscale yet laid-back atmosphere.
DW Bistro: 9275 W Russel Road, Las Vegas, NV 89148
DW Bistro is a popular off-the-Strip Vegas original. They've been around for a dozen years. The bright interior is very welcoming, along with a very cool patio for summer dinners and evening hangs. The atmosphere is uplifting and creates an airy, casual fine dining experience. DW Bistro offers its signature meals on its weekend brunch between 10 am and 3 pm. Try the DW jerk pork hash paired with the sumptuous DW pan-seared salmon bowl topped with seasonal veggies and beurre blanc.
The Bagel Cafe: 301 N Buffalo Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89145
Bagel Cafe is not your average mom-and-pop bagel shop - far from it! . I thinks it's Las Vegas' best Jewish deli. Pastrami Rueben's, knishes, lox, schmears and top notch matzo ball soup: You can order like a deli, or just eat in. As you might expect, they have well over 2 dozen different bagels to choose from, most $2 apiece. Sharing is definitely encouraged, because you get a lot of food for your money!
Wild Fig: 9555 Del Webb Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89134
Wild Fig is a hidden GEM! Delicious, quality food at a great price. Barbeque done right!' They have a great menu - you can also order in bulk - and choose from a
wide variety of entrees, sides, and desserts for quick and easy curb side pick-up. Their brisket, pastrami, and pork ribs literally melt-in-your-mouth! You wouldn't thing "BBQ" in Las Vegas, but Wild Fig does it right!
Lawry's the Prime Rib: 4043 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89169
Head over to Las Vegas’s Restaurant Row on the eastside for Lawry’s. The steakhouse has an old school feel, and they roll out the silver carts to cut and serve your prime rib table-side, and to your liking. Signature spinning salads, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and whipped cream horseradish complete this meal. Definitely try their fabulous, won't get it anywhere else, creamed corn!
Market Grille Cafe: 7070 N Durango Dr Las Vegas, NV 89149 and 7175 W Lake Mead Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89128
Market Grille has some of the best Greek food in Las Vegas! From the amazing lamb chops, to the skewers (filet, chicken, salmon, or just veggie), to the pomegranate chicken, to the lamb roast cabernet - I could go on and on. The food is great! the Durango location has a very Southern California vibe. The Lake Mead location is a little more casual - and the original/first location! Excellent Greek food!!
Komol Thai: 953 E Sahara Ave #10, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Komol is located in an odd area in Las Vegas. It's in Commercial Center, which was once a booming center, but a little quieter now. Their soft shell crab app is really nice, and their lemon chicken is fabulous! They have a huge menu, and many, many vegetarian and vegan options.
