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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Medford police may have to retire their pot-sniffing dogs Four candidates run for two Eagle Point School Board slots Man charged in ransacking of Wimer church Mayors United ACCESS campaign kicks off Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford police may have to retire their pot-sniffing dogs Man charged in ransacking of Wimer church Police: Man stole four identities, left trail of bad checks across Jackson County Emergency services Politics and Elections Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Education Four candidates run for two Eagle Point School Board slots Ashland students reach out to help pets in need Ruch students hold Dash for Diapers Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Oregon Senate kills Bates' bill requiring seatbelts for all passengers Oregon bill to ban criminal record question on job apps advances Oregon panel considers bill banning 'gay conversion therapy' $4 million in US projects aim to protect sage grouse habitat Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Jewelldean Hammons Dennis Smith William Rayburn Erwin Edward Joseph Pentkowski Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Moore, Williams lift South over Roseburg Memphis Impossible Spieth advances at Match Play Lightning capture Game 7 Horford, Teague help Hawks hold off Nets Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Pro Sports Memphis Impossible Spieth advances at Match Play Lightning capture Game 7 Horford, Teague help Hawks hold off Nets Orioles fans booted from ballgame amid unrest Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Real Estate News Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Letters to the Editor, April 30 George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Granlund cartoon: Earthquake in Nepal Editorials Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Columns George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings With a song in prisoners' hearts Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories 5 Things to Do This Weekend (May 1-3) Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Page H. Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Donna Knight: Alzheimer’s brings challenges Food Page H. Onorato: Enjoying good food just for the fun of it Page H. Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Community blog: Variations on potato patties please brunch palates Food for Thought: Grill up a storm as the weather gets warm Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Home and Garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Theater Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland Music Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more 2015 summer movie preview Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Dining Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Medford police may have to retire their pot-sniffing dogs ... Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk ... Oregon Senate kills Bates' bill requiring seatbelts for all passengers ... Medford police may have to retire their pot-sniffing dogs ... Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk ... Oregon Senate kills Bates' bill requiring seatbelts for all passengers ... Fantasy Sports: A farewell toast to 'niche' faithful By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram MailTribune.com By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 11:25 am By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 11:25 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> I have written this column for a little over nine years, a time period stretching back so far that I covered Barry Bonds in the inaugural edition, and he was still relevant. Yet here my journey comes to an end with a final installment. It has been an enjoyable journey for someone who lucked into the job and never envisioned journalism as a career choice until it actually became a possible career choice. As a goodbye, I would like to leave you with some tales gathered over those years. First, people who enjoy niche sports enjoy them greatly. The most feedback I ever received on columns came the couple of times when I wondered why competitive eating didn’t receive more play in the fantasy sports community. I still stand by this assertion, as the rules are so easy that anyone can be easily brought into the fold — even if it’s a little difficult to consider someone who eats a record 6 pounds, 9 ounces of cabbage a winner. I also like cheering for people who make me feel thin. The fact, though, that there are multiple people in the world with Google alerts set to “fantasy competitive eating,” and then are so moved as to tell me they’re happy I wrote about it still makes me giggle. It must have been a similar alert that got me my furthest-away commentary, as an Australian reader once wrote to me to bash my American ignorance about the wonders of cricket. Just know the humor was always meant to lie in my ignorance and not in bashing the sport itself; in fact, I think there is glee to be found in watching organized activities whose rules you do not understand. My niche-sport ignorance was shown in the brightest light in a letter to the editor, though, when a local bowler took umbrage with my statement that his sport featured lesser athletes. And really, when the playing area can feature ashtrays and cup holders, that says something. It also says something that my vision of bowling involves ashtrays, which shows I haven’t played much since I was a chubby middle-schooler in a tight league T-shirt passing Saturday mornings with subpar efforts at the alleys. The letter writer challenged me to a game that I wanted to accept, but unfortunately our communication broke down before that happened. If you are still out there, though, I am still not too proud to accept a good beating. These sports that I didn’t know well were always the most fun to write about, too. For if I did not occasionally go beyond my comfort zone, how else would I know that someone named Kaka plays soccer? Of those who have been offended by something I wrote, though, no one was more adamant than the reader who was upset with my slightly disparaging comments toward Bud Light. He believed that my feelings toward the beverage were not only misinformed, but also unpatriotic. And all I said was that it was an ol’ standby, never great, but would always do in a pinch. At the risk of arousing further ire, I think it is time that I let my real thoughts be known, for the brew (and I use that word loosely) is much worse than that. If you ever find yourself pinched to the point where you have to engage in a Bud Light, find a new establishment or establish new friendships; whatever is necessary to remove you from ever having to again face that situation. You see, something else has happened over the last nine years, that being a steady revolution in the beer industry and the emergence of many more craft styles. There is a new ingredient out there that makes many things much better than that of Bud Light — taste. The most uplifting part of this job always came in the preseason leading up to every baseball and football season. During those times, I would spend what felt like all-too-many weeks writing columns looking at every position and giving a list of my top players at the spots. This often feels like a hopeless and unfruitful endeavor because just how much difference will there be between the 18th and 27th tight end on such lists? Without fail, however, each of those preseasons would bring emails from readers who missed a column and asked if I could send along my rankings to them. To think that there really are people out there who listen to my words was heartening. It is humbling to hear that people find value in what I write, so for anyone who ever has, thank you. And to those who not only read, but also put credence into my fantasy advice, my apologies for the roughly 50 percent of the time it steered you wrong. For those of you who have enjoyed my voice, though, I would like to end with a little shameless self-promotion and tell you where you can still receive doses of it. I have a YouTube channel at youtube.com/mydadgames, which largely consists of my 10-year-old son and I engaging in banter while playing video games. Yes, this largely means he spends a good deal of time getting frustrated that my mid-30s fingers can’t keep up with what him. You can also keep up with my thoughts on Twitter @mydadgames or send me an email at [email protected]. And just think, if you choose to do so, you’re safe. I can no longer publicly out you in this space. By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram MailTribune.com By Josh Bousquet The Worcester Telegram Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 11:25 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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