…and they’re off!

It looks like we’re now officially a member of the blogosphere. No matter what happens, I guarantee it will be more enjoyable than the new baja fish taco at Long John Silver’s.

Plus, this blog offers one guarantee: this is a Brett Favre-free zone.

-If you’re looking for more local sports stories, this is your time of the year. The Messenger sports department is preparing for another edition of our award-winning special section, which this year will be known as Everyday People, along with a football preview book — a new addition this season. Not only that, but both the prep and collegiate fall seasons are gearing up for kickoff, meaning plenty of looks into the upcoming campaigns for a number of local teams, along with the ever-popular college notebook (a brainchild of my colleague, Nicholas T. Brockatino).

-The aforementioned projects mean, of course, plenty of work for yours truly, but you’ve got to look at these things in a positive light. Lots of work makes the time fly by. Before you know it, all the sports will be in full swing, and most importantly, the NFL will be back on the tube on Sunday afternoon. Combined with the lovely weather, it is undoubtedly the best time of the year.

-As we’ve previously reported, University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari will bring his basketball camp to Madisonville-North Hopkins High School on August 17. It will be interesting to see Calipari’s rapport with the media in person. Billy Gillispie came to North last summer for a camp, as well, and was fairly comfortable in front of three TV cameras and two print reporters, but still fidgeted and hemmed and hawed at times. Calipari gives the impression of someone who’s the ultimate smooth-talker.

-No word on how many, if any, players will be working Calipari’s camp. Last summer’s edition saw Perry Stevenson, Michael Porter and Mark Krebs accompany Gillispie and his staff to Madisonville. One player that won’t be working is 2009 North grad Jon Hood as he continues to prepare for his first year in Lexington.