“Utah Jazz: Kids benefit as C.J. Miles mixes business, sports - Deseret News” plus 1 more

Utah Jazz: Kids benefit as C.J. Miles mixes business, sports - Deseret News

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:33 PM PDT

Published: Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 11:38 p.m. MDT

Puerto Ricans are no strangers to basketball and the NBA, thanks in part to a couple of former Utah Jazz players, Jose Ortiz and Carlos Arroyo. Carmelo Anthony's father is also from the island, so the star visits on occasion.

"They just love basketball," Miles said. "They lit up when I got there, and I'm pretty sure a lot of them didn't even know who I was."

The Puerto Rican campers were even more impressed by how Miles treated them than by his top-level talent. The Jazz swingman made a point of signing autographs and getting his picture taken with everybody in attendance.

"That was real nice," Quiles said. "The kids were crazy. The kids went wild. They were not expecting that at all."

That wasn't the only surprise Miles had in store. He took down every kid's name and shoe size and worked through his Nike representative to buy basketball sneakers for his new friends. Miles' agent said he bought about 70 pairs of shoes for the kids.

"I think he was just touched by the kids who showed up," Quiles said.

Miles had a ball playing ball with the young boys, who gestured back and forth to communicate.

"It was an experience seeing them wanting to play basketball," Miles said.

He also felt bad that some of the kids didn't have basketball shoes and others had pretty worn footwear, so he decided to cap the trip with a charitable donation.

"It felt right to do. ... I felt like I could help them," Miles said, "(and) I had the chance to, and that's what I did."

Quiles raved about Miles' personality and generosity. Miles and Rice paid for their plane tickets, their food and lodging and didn't require an appearance fee.

"C.J. is a real good kid," Quiles said. "He surprised me a lot. He's got a real good heart and he's really grounded — totally different than other guys (athletes)."

Now Quiles is trying to make it an annual event if possible. The kids "loved it" and have asked him, "Hey, when's the guy coming back?"

Miles, who stayed for 31/2 days, hopes to return in 2011.

"It was fun," he said. "I got to relax a little bit. I never really go on vacation. I chill when the season's over for a couple of weeks and I always just get right back (to work) and never really go anywhere."

One thing's for certain: If Miles does go back, he'll have some Nike-sporting amigos who'll know who he is.

"It's not big in the news," Quiles said, "but it really means a lot to us in Puerto Rico. It's huge."

e-mail: jody@desnews.com

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent.

Two free bowling games for kids - The Business of Sports (blog)

Posted: 08 Sep 2010 07:27 AM PDT

By Doreen Christensen September 8, 2010 10:00 AM

KidsBowlFree.com offers kids two free games every day at 50 bowling centers in Florida. The program started in May and has been extended through Sept. 19. This would be a great thing to do on Thursday, Sept. 9, if you're not observing Rosh Hashana.

Participating South Floirda and Orlando centers include AMF Lanes in Davie, Pembroke Pines and Boynton Beach as well as Sawgrass Lanes in Sunrise; Orlando centers include AMF Semoran, Kissimmee and Sky as well as Colonial and Orange Lanes. Children 15 and under can participate.

Visit a KidsBowlFree.com participating bowling center near you; complete the form to register your kids. You will receive an e-mail with the passes. For more information on how the program works, click here.

You have to pay for shoe rental. Some centers also offer a $2.99 Kids Club meal. You also can sign up for a family pass for $24.95 that will allow up to four adults to bowl two games per day, too.

Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: "Like" our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook; follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539.

Categories: Deal of the Day (51), Free (86), Things to Do (15)

COMMENT BOARD GUIDELINES:

You share in the SunSentinel.com community, so we just ask that you keep things civil. Leave out the personal attacks. Do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion. If you can't be nice, we reserve the right to remove your material and ban users who violate our Terms of Service.

Kids Shoes

Saturday, September 11, 2010