Dr. Doug Gardner, Ed.D.

Angelo Gasca, who has been coaching football at Venice High for 36 years, died last night, according to his longtime friend Steve Clarkson. He was a special education teacher and coach. He helped countless students and players find their way in life. As I write this, I'm crying.

30 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!! A basketball mom that follows me here on X just sent me this and gave me permission to post it: “My daughters travel season is underway and this is her last year. Based on what we’ve been told to expect this year and everything I’ve spent up to this point throughout her years (I have all receipt’s), I’ll be in over 30k for her travel basketball experience and she doesn’t have a single scholarship offer. We’ve been told by everyone including coaches, evaluators, and everyone in between she was lock for one. Can you help me understand how so many people could be so wrong?”

A struggling SYLVESTER STALLONE sold his dog ‘Butkus’ for $40 to a stranger in front of a 7-Eleven because at the time he was so broke he literally couldn't afford to adequately feed himself & his dog. At the time, Stallone and Butkus lived in a flophouse, and the dog was his constant companion & inspiration. After the screenplay for ROCKY (1976) - and which premiered 49yrs ago today - was sold for $1million, Stallone's first priority was getting Butkus back, so he found the new owner, who, knowing how much Stallone loved his dog charged him $15,000 to return him. Stallone later said he considered the deal "worth every penny". ‘Butkus’ featured in the first two Rocky films, immortalized alongside ‘Rocky Balboa’ as the underdog who refused to quit. Butkus passed away in 1981.