Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette Blogs

Welcome back to the virtual Shark Park. Sorry for the late start; I had a little domestic crisis (if you know how to clean ballpoint pen ink off a dryer drum, feel free to post your suggestions here *sigh*) so I'm running behind getting this initial post together.

Today's doubleheader (weather permitting) will wrap up a three-game Sun Conference series after the Sand Sharks took the opener 12-11 in 10 innings yesterday. I'll start a new thread for the second game, so things don't get too unruly with the number of comments.

Billy Keyserling has been working out at the YMCA gym every morning, not only for his health but for cash.

Beaufort’s mayor is competing in a diabetes fundraiser competition and is soliciting donors to pledge money per pound he loses.

The Kiss-a-Pig campaign is an American Diabetes Association fundraising competition. Keyserling will be competing against other community leaders from Georgia counties and he’s Beaufort County’s first contestant. The campaign ends May 25.

Why you should watch Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog":

Stupid people are told they're stupid, which is always fun. The show sends dog trainer Victoria Stilwell (a frightening mix of Mary Poppins and, say, Catwoman) to help dog owners with serious pooch problems. Serious. I've seen more than one episode where the dog ate its own poo while the owners were gone. Sometimes the dogs are aggressive, sometimes they have separation anxiety. Whatever the issue, Victoria starts by telling the desperate people that it's not the dog's fault — it's their failure to train them. On extra special episodes, she tells people they shouldn't even own a dog. Amen, Vicki!

By SHANDA COOK • 843-706-8126

Last night, we learned of yet another shake-up on this season of "American Idol." The judges will have the opportunity to save one lucky contestant from going home prematurely, as was the case for former contestants such as Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson. Here's how it works: