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His rapid two-year climb through the Professional Bowlers Association ranks has helped Sean Rash appreciate spending time at home in Wichita.

When Rash isn't competing in tournaments around the country, the Wichita State graduate has been traveling around the world for coaching clinics and training for his sponsor, Brunswick.

Three weeks ago Rash was in Russia for a clinic. Similar trips are planned in September to Korea and Japan.

"I've got a lot going on," Rash said. "I leave next Friday to go to Orlando. I'm taking my first vacation to the Bahamas... lots of traveling for me the next couple of weeks."

But before Rash leaves,he'll take time to compete at the sixth annual PBA Southwest Region Budweiser Wichita Open at Thunderbird Bowl this weekend.

Since Dustan Mohr had his contract purchased by the Colorado Rockies on May 27, the Wingnuts have been searching for someone to replace the void the seven-year major league veteran left in the offense.

While Wichita has made trades and signed free agents, the last two nights have proved that the best options to pick up Mohr's slack have been with the team all along.

Chris Colton came a home run short of the cycle and Heath Keel homered for the second consecutive game and scored three runs in the Wingnuts' 10-3 win over Lincoln on Wednesday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Colton and Keel have combined for five extra-base hits in the first two games of the series, both Wingnuts wins. They've showed that if they can produce offensively, Wichita's lineup can be equally dangerous.

"Every guy in our lineup can hit, 1 through 9," Keel said. "It's just a matter of getting the opportunities and carrying over a good at-bat to the next at-bat and a good game over to the next game."

The lengthy search for the Wichita Thunder's next coach is down to two dramatically different finalists.

Brent Bilodeau is a highly regarded assistant coach who spent 12 years as a player in the minor leagues. Kevin Kaminski has six years of head coaching experience and played 139 games in the National Hockey League.

The choice will be made by Joel Lomurno, promoted from senior vice president to general manager of the Central Hockey League team earlier this week. Lomurno said he realizes this is a "very important decision" for the Thunder, which is coming off the worst season in the 16-year history of the franchise.

"Finding the right coach is my top priority," said Lomurno, who has conducted interviews with both candidates.

Bilodeau has been an assistant for the successful Las Vegas Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League for the past three seasons. The Wranglers won the Brabham Cup as the league's regular season champion in 2006-07 and reached the ECHL finals during the recently completed season. A first-round NHL draft pick of the Montreal Canadians in 1991, Bilodeau, a defenseman, played in 779 minor-league games, scoring 239 points and amassing 1,338 penalty minutes.

Chris Presson has resigned as president of Wichita Pro Sports, the company that runs the Thunder hockey team and Wingnuts baseball team, two sources said Tuesday.

Presson's job, one source said, will not be filled. Instead, Thunder assistant general manager Joel Lomurno will oversee hockey operations and Wingnuts GM Josh Robertson will oversee baseball.

Presson, Lomurno and Robertson declined comment on the shift. One source, however, said Presson is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

Presson took over as GM of the Thunder in April 2005 and is generally credited with improving the professionalism, work ethic and financial fortunes of the team.

In June 2006, he was named executive of the year by the Central Hockey League, an award he also won in 1999 while with the Topeka Tarantulas. Presson assumed the title of president of Wichita Pro Sports when the Wingnuts independent baseball team was formed last fall.

Heath Keel carefully watched the at-bat before his and stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with what he felt was a sound approach.

Lincoln reliever Vince Davis had just walked pinch hitter David Gates on five pitches, giving Keel a chance to provide a game-changing hit.

"There was a base open, so I knew I was going to have to make him throw a strike or put something in the zone," Keel said. "I went up there to see the pitches and see them well and basically not swing until I got a strike."

Keel worked a full count before depositing a changeup over the left field wall for a three-run home run, the difference in the Wingnuts' 8-5 win at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Tuesday.

Keel's blast gave Wichita a 6-4 lead. The Wingnuts added two more runs in the eighth before closer Byron Embry allowed a solo homer in the ninth.

A victory and a renewed charge toward a 15th championship were within the Los Angeles Lakers' grasp. All they needed to do was make free throws, convert a few layups and take advantage of the Boston Celtics' sudden ineptitude.

All proved more difficult than appeared. The free throws kept ricocheting off the rim. The layups sometimes did not make it that far. And the Celtics, even while playing their worst game of the NBA finals, kept making plays to keep the score close, the game in reach and the Staples Center crowd on edge.

The suspense did not end until Paul Pierce's off-balance three-pointer bounced off the rim in the final seconds, and purple and gold streamers fluttered down to mark an 87-81 victory Tuesday night.

So the Lakers at last made their mark, three games into the series. Boston leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 here on Thursday. Game 5 will also be played at Staples Center.

Nothing ever looked easy for the Lakers, even as they enjoyed a 34-22 advantage in free-throw attempts. They missed 13 of them, allowing the Celtics hope all night.

When: 7 tonight

Where: Lawrence-Dumont Stadium

Records: Lincoln, 14-15; Wichita, 17-14

Starting pitchers: Lincoln, Ryan Dittfurth (3-1, 2.87 ERA); Wichita, Justin Young (2-0, 3.11)

Radio: KGSO, 1410-AM

After 18 years away from coaching basketball, Burt Helmer has been hired as Circle's boys coach.

While that may seem like a long absence, Helmer, who was Southeast's coach from 1980-90, was never very far from the profession.

Especially after his son, Mike, became an assistant boys coach at South. And even more so after Mike Helmer became the South girls basketball coach in 2005-06 and now the Butler Community College women's coach.

"I enjoyed exchanging basketball philosophies (with South's coaches) and what appeared to work and what could be tweaked," said Helmer, who was 102-103 at Southeast. "When Mike was offered on the girls side, I certainly enjoyed watching, but I was also at every practice and every game."

So when Burt Helmer began teaching math at Circle in January after several years in private business and agriculture, returning to coaching started looking better and better.

Jane Albright is following Darryl Smith again.

Albright, Wichita State's women's basketball coach for the past five seasons, was hired Wednesday at Nevada. She replaces Kim Gervasoni, who resigned in May.

Smith had spent last season as an assistant under Gervasoni. He was WSU's head coach from 1998-2003. When athletic director Jim Schaus fired him, Albright replaced him.

Albright went 48-95 at WSU. She was fired in March by Schaus during a 9-22 season.

Nevada athletic director Cary Groth saw Albright in a different light when both worked at Northern Illinois. Albright coached from 1984-94 at Northern Illinois and led the Huskies to five 20-win seasons and four NCAA Tournament berths. Groth spent 20 years at Northern Illinois, ending a 10-year tenure as athletic director in 2004.

Mica Land always knew that it was just a matter of time before things finally started to click once again.

For the past two years, the Wichita State distance runner has endured setbacks and distractions that have kept her off course. But at the start of the outdoor track season, things fell into place.

With a clear mind, Land has been able to shift her focus back to the 3000-meter steeplechase event. Land set a school record last week at the Midwest Regionals and also qualified for today's NCAA outdoor championships in Des Moines.

Other qualifiers for the Shockers are senior Kyle Becker and Brett Trudo in the javelin and junior Brooke Demo in the pole vault.

"All year I think I've been ready for the season I have been having now," said Land, an Andover native. "Just a lot of things out my control really happened."

Senior and Super Senior

At Emporia Municipal G.C.

Final results

Seniors

Championship flight--Denise Desilet, Wichita, 71-82--153; Gail Burden, Winfield, 79-85--164; Paula Routon, Wichita, 81-84--165; Barbara Taylor, Wichita, 82-85--167; Nancy Isaac, Chanute, 82-91--173; RoseMary Grant, Girard, 90-88--178; Sherrie Wynkoop, Wichita, 87-91--178; Barbara Ford-Buell, Wichita, 89-91--180; Debbie Chrstiansen, Wichita, 87-93--180; MaryLee Evans, Wichita, 89-98--197; Debbie King, Liberal, 92-98--190; Debbie Pollom, Topeka, 99-102--201.

Pairings

At Torrey Pines (South), San Diego

(A-amateur)

Today off No. 1-Friday off No. 10

9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.-- D.A. Points, Ocoee, Fla.; Patrick Sheehan, Warwick, R.I.; David Hearn, Canada

This is one U.S. Open where Phil Mickelson should feel right at home.

He grew up in San Diego and played high school matches at Torrey Pines. His photo hangs from the concourse in the San Diego airport, along with the city's other famous athletes.

This major has been anything but friendly, however.

A 34-time winner on the PGA Tour, Mickelson is 0 for 17 in the national championship, and he's tied with Sam Snead for most close calls with four runner-up finishes at the Open.

It's becoming Lefty's torment as much as the Masters was Greg Norman's bugaboo.

Kansas Soccer CoachesAll-State

Class 6A

First team--Cindy Benitez, Garden City; Mallorie Blanck, Manhattan; Whitney Berry, Goddard; Hannah Dodds, Manhattan; Whitney Drane, Washburn Rural; Christina Farid, Maize; Anna Ginder, Washburn Rural; Miranda Kirksey, Washburn Rural; Kayde Kluge, Maize; Grace Lang, Lawrence Free State; Selby Polley, Wichita Heights; ; Ali Schreiber, Derby; Kendra Schuhler, Washburn Rural; Stef Steuver, Lawrence; Tia Stovall, Maize; Leah Talley, Maize; Ashley Ukena, Topeka; Erin Widrig, Wichita Northwest.

Second team--Yvette Alvarez, Wichita Northwest; Shelby Austin, Goddard; Jackie Craft, Wichita Northwest; ; Elizabeth Fuller, Wichita East; Miranda Holmes, Maize; Hannah Kern, Maize; Alex Leach, Goddard; Lorielle Slates, Campus; Shelbie Walburn, Wichita Southeast.

Class 5-1A

The focus fell to golf's biggest stars, with fans crammed together a dozen deep in spots at Torrey Pines to see how Tiger Woods dealt with a tender knee and whether Phil Mickelson could overcome so much U.S. Open heartache in his hometown.

The lead belonged to the obscure.

Kevin Streelman and Justin Hicks, neither among the top 600 in the world ranking, each shot 3-under 68 on Thursday to borrow the spotlight and take a one-shot lead in the opening round of a U.S. Open that showed a slightly softer side.

They were among 11 players who broke par at Torrey Pines.

Woods and Mickelson were not among them.

Kansas' Nickesha Anderson had the fastest qualifying time in the women's 200-meter dash at the NCAA outdoor championships in Des Moines on Thursday. Anderson won her semifinal heat in 22.76 seconds. A pair of Texas A&M runners had the second- and third-fastest qualifying times, also running under 23 seconds. The final will be run Saturday. In the men's 110 hurdles, KU's Julius Jiles qualified for today's semifinals in 13.57 seconds, the fifth-fastest time. KU's Stephanie Horton qualified fourth in the women's shot put with a throw of 54-2 ½. The Jayhawks' Crystal Manning finished ninth in the long jump with a leap of 20-6 ½.

The meet continues today and Saturday.

• Cuba's Dayron Robles broke the world record in the 110-meter hurdles at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic. His time of 12.87 seconds was 0.01 ahead of the mark set two years ago by Liu Xiang, China's Olympic and world champion.

BASEBALL

The NCAA will keep the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., through 2035 under an unprecedented 25-year contract extension.

The "other guy" in the marquee threesome was happy with his opening round in the U.S. Open, considering he's playing with a broken bone near his right pinkie.

Australian Adam Scott, ranked No. 3 in the world, shot a 2-over 73 at Torrey Pines' South Course on Thursday. His playing partners were Tiger Woods, who shot a 72, and Phil Mickelson, who had a 71. Woods and Mickelson are ranked 1-2.

Scott's injury was the top topic after his round in front of a huge gallery at the clifftop course overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

"Well, it's broken," he said. "It's not my finger anyway; it's my hand. It doesn't really affect my golf swing, so I'm pretty lucky to be playing."

Scott, a six-time winner on the PGA Tour, said he broke the bone when a friend slammed his hand in a car door in London in mid-May.

Calendar

Space precludes us from running all listings. To see all listings, go to Kansas.com/sports and click on "Other Sports."

Baseball

• Deadline Monday: El Dorado Midseason Classic tournament June 21-22. Fee $150. Call Larry LaRue, 316-889-5016.

• Deadline Tuesday: El Dorado Midseason Classic, June 21-22. Call Larry LaRue, 316-889-5016.

George Braithwaite crouched behind the pingpong table, then uncoiled and smashed the ball at Liang Geliang, who sent back a forehand laced with heavy spin.

Game on!

Thirty-seven years after the two men participated in a week of table tennis exhibition games in China that helped open the communist country to the world, they met for a rematch Thursday at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace.

"I tried to make it as entertaining as I could for the crowd," said Braithwaite, whose skilled shots belied his age of 73. "I wasn't playing to win. The emphasis is friendship first, competition second."

Maybe so, but the players took things seriously enough to request the curtains be closed and no flash photography allowed during the matches.

NCAA Championships

At Des Moines

All race distances in meters

(q-qualifiers)

Men

The "June Gloom" so typical of summer in San Diego gave way to sunshine on the eve of the U.S. Open, filling the blue sky with fighter jets from Miramar that until Wednesday could only be heard in the fog.

But that isn't the biggest buzz at Torrey Pines.

Rarely has there been so much enthusiasm for a U.S. Open, the major that tends to border on boring, where birdies are rare, bogeys are inevitable and par has been good enough to win the last three years.

"I think you're going to see some excitement that we haven't seen in several years," Senior Open champion Brad Bryant said.

Such excitement comes in so many packages.

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon will be part of an event in Greensburg today for the groundbreaking of a home construction project.

DuPont, a Gordon sponsor, is donating products and services values at nearly $750,000 to help in the construction of eight homes. The total includes funding for two Habitat for Humanity homes.

The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at 410 S. Sycamore St.

Also attending will be Steve Hewitt, city administrator of Greensburg, Linda Stewart, executive director of Wichita Habitat for Humanity, and Thomas Schuler, vice president and general manager for DuPont Building Innovations.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Spectators at the U.S. Open had better keep their butts off Torrey Pines Golf Course: No smoking allowed.

To both the delight and indignation of the gallery, the 108th Open starting today will be golf's first smoke-free major.

"Woo-hoo!" hollered Jill Kulper, of Sacramento, attending the tournament with her husband and young children. "Now we don't have to move away from a good spot when somebody starts smoking a stogie."

Never mind that golf and cigars go together almost like cake and ice cream. Spectators caught smoking -- cigarettes or cigars -- face up to a $100 fine.

"I sympathize with them. I don't think it's fair," Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, one of the European Tour's top players and a cigar aficionado, said after puffing his way through a practice round Wednesday on the back nine of the cliff-side South Course that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

Wichita State third baseman Conor Gillaspie was named a second-team All-America selection by Rivals.com and Ping Baseball. Pitcher Anthony Capra was a third-team selection by Ping. Gillaspie, center fielder Andy Dirks and pitcher Rob Musgrave were named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region team. Capra and pitcher Anthony Shafer were named to the second team.

BASKETBALL

UCLA's Josh Shipp has withdrawn from the NBA draft and will return to the Bruins for his senior season.

The guard declared himself eligible in April on the final day underclassmen could enter the draft, but did not hire an agent, which allowed him to back out under NCAA rules.

• Lindsay Whalen made another successful return to her home state, scoring 14 points to help the visiting Connecticut Sun beat the Minnesota Lynx 75-66 Tuesday night in the WNBA.

Willowbend

Jay Smith, No. 4 (150 yds.), 9-iron. Witnesses: Mike Leahy, Mike Miller, Mo Penny.

Terradyne

Jeff Rader, No. 6 (160 yds.), 12-degree driver. Witnesses: Lloyd Stone, Charles Templer.

KWGA

Ever since receiving a massive dose of gamma radiation, scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) has had to curb his emotions lest he morph into an angry green giant.

Banner even wears a heart-rate monitor that tells him when his pulse has reached dangerous levels. He's learned to avoid situations like sex and fistfights. He spends a lot of time meditating, seeking peace and stability.

Ironically, Banner could watch the new "Incredible Hulk" with little fear of becoming overly excited.

This by-the-numbers rendition should keep the fan boys satisfied by tapping into the pivotal elements of the Hulk mythology, but the film almost never takes us by surprise. Even when Hulk is on a rampage, you can't shake the feeling that you've seen it all before.

The whole back story of how Banner came to be the Hulk is dispensed with through wordless footage playing under the opening credits.

It took four seasons, but a woman finally took the top spot on Bravo's "Top Chef."

Stephanie Izard, a 31-year-old, mild-mannered chef from Chicago, beat out 15 other contestants to win the popular reality show designed to test a cook's mettle.

Izard, a former restaurant owner with a fondness for seafood and pork, was among the last three contestants to make Wednesday's finale, along with Lisa Fernandes of New York and Richard Blais of Atlanta.

Going into the finale, Blais appeared to be the favorite, but it was Izard who impressed the judges in the end to capture the title and $100,000 that goes with it.

"I just made the best meal that night," Izard told the Associated Press. "It came down to who brought their A-game."

Four new summer drinks at Ted's Montana Grill

1. Strawberry margarita: Made with a blend of strawberry puree, sour mix, Jose Cuervo Especial tequila and Cointreu. It's $8.

2. Mountain Breeze: Made of two ounces of Finlandia grapefruit-fusion vodka mixed with freshly squeezed lime and orange juices and topped with a splash of cranberry juice for $8.

3. Firewater: Two ounces of Woodford Reserve bourbon are served neat or on the rocks with an 8-ounce bottle of Coca-Cola for $9.

4. Double espresso martini: Made with Van Gough double espresso vodka, which is chilled and shaken. It's $9.

Summer is the perfect time for a leisurely stroll through air-conditioned museums. Consider seeing these exhibits:

1) The Wichita Art Museum has several exhibits, including "Arctic Spirit: Inuit Art From the Albrecht Collection," on display through July 20. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults. It's free on Saturdays. For more information, call 316-268-4921.

2)At the Kansas African American Museum, "Wrapped in Pride: Ghanaian Kente and African American Identity" explores the history of traditional Ghanaian weaving and its impact on other cultures. It's on view through June 20. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 2-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5. For more information, call 316-262-7651.

3) The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum takes a look at the history of the electric guitar, including its strong connection to Wichita, in an exhibit titled "Campaign for Volts! --Wichita and the Electric Guitar." It's on view through October at the museum, at 204 S. Main. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $4 adults. For more information, call 316-265-9314.

You can taste lots of barbecue, tour Cowtown and help raise money for a good cause at Saturday's Wild West Day at the living history museum. Here's what you'll find:

1) A barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society will be held. Visitors will be given tasting kits to sample the fare prepared by 27 participating cooks.

2) Three bands will provide blues and jazz music throughout the day. A kids zone will include inflatables. And stagecoach rides will be offered.

3) A car show will include dozens of classic and antique vehicles. Visitors can also bid on items in a silent auction and check out a health fair inside Cowtown's Visitor's Center.

4) After a fitness trainer guides visitors through stretching moves, Cowtown guides will taken them on a stroll through the museum for a quick exercise session.

In "The Happening," Mother Nature decides that humanity is a dangerous virus -- and gets to work eliminating the threat.

The latest from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan ("Sixth Sense," "Signs") is an exercise in paranoia with ecological underpinnings. It starts out strong, but as has so often become the case with this filmmaker's idiosyncratic work, it gets lost along the way.

Basically, it's a half-hour "Twilight Zone" episode blown up to feature length.

In New York's Central Park one fine morning, walkers and joggers suddenly begin babbling and become disoriented, paralyzed and, finally, suicidal.

Shyamalan is at his best when depicting the mysterious affliction that spreads across the city, causing traffic cops to blow out their own brains and sending a shower of high-rise construction workers thudding into the pavement.

Peter Pan told Wendy she could fly if she believed she could. Ballet Wichita hopes Peter Pan will convince children they can dance if they give it a chance.

Ballet Wichita will present its dance version of "Peter Pan" in Old Town on Saturday afternoon as part of its Ballet in the Park series.

The free 30-minute performance "uses classical ballet as a means to tell a story for children," said Jill Landrith, Ballet Wichita's artistic director.

Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the Farm and Art Market Plaza for the performance, and then enjoy reduced admission to the Museum of World Treasures when the show is over.

The ballet condenses James Barrie's familiar story, using music from the musical "Peter Pan" which famously starred Mary Martin and, later, Sandy Duncan as Peter. Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and her little brothers fly to Never Never Land, rescue the lost boys and duel with the pirate Captain Hook.

If you're in the market for a bachelor, or at least a rental, tonight's your chance.

Dates with 15 eligible bachelors will be auctioned off to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation of Kansas.

The 7th annual Bid for Bachelors kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Broadview, 400 W. Douglas, with cocktails, champagne and hors d' oeurves. Live and silent auctions for jewelry, spa treatments and more are also on the bill.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. For more info about the bachelors and the event, go to wishks.org or call (316) 838-9474.

Resin up the bow

Pietro DeFazio just missed being born in Italy.

His parents emigrated to Wichita in 1956, two years before they had Pietro -- or "Pete" as he's known to his many loyal customers at DeFazio's, a popular neighborhood eatery at 2706 Amidon.

DeFazio's formative years were spent surrounded by Italian cooks, including his mother and several of his aunts, all of whom excelled in the art of lasagna-making and pasta fagiole soup-concocting.

But it was a four-month-long return to his parents' homeland -- a town near Naples, Italy -- when he was 9 years old that DeFazio said pushed him toward his future in food.

He spent that summer sampling fresh, authentic Italian specialties -- like homemade pizza topped with fresh tomatoes and plates of grilled eggplant.

The summer toy parade continues, this time with toys inspired by the movie "The Incredible Hulk," which hits theaters today.

We tested some of the toys to find out if they are worth the bucks.

Hulkey Pokey Hulk (ages 18 months and up, $29.99): If you're a serious Hulk fan and you're looking to amuse a tiny tot, you might appreciate this toy, which sings a special version of the Hokey Pokey.

Hulk Power Glow Electronic Mask (ages 4 and up, $14.99): The mask is supposed to summon the wearer's inner Hulk when the eyes light up gamma green. The 5- and 6-year-olds loved putting this on and playing with it. But the novelty wore off pretty fast.

Hulk Smash Hands (ages 3 and up, $19.99): These were lots of fun for the 9-, 6- and 5-year-old boys who gave them a whirl. You don't have to smash too hard to activate the sound effects (lots of growling and a "Hulk smash!" thrown in there). We liked these but thought they should have been sold in a set with a Hulk Power Electronic Mask, see above.

Make Dad breakfast in bed on his special weekend, then take him out on the town.

Here are 10 ideas we promise will be entertaining, educational or just plain fun.

1.No matter your age, your eyes will grow wide while viewing Exploration Place's newest exhibit, "Our Body: The Universe Within," a world-famous look at genuine human bodies and body parts.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 12. Cost is $24.95 (plus tax) for nonmembers and $19.95 (plus tax) for members, with discounts for children and seniors. Tickets are printed with timed entry to control flow. Call 316-263-3373 or go online to www.exploration.org.

2.Go over the moon for Dad by taking him to Lake Afton Public Observatory. This weekend's program will feature a look through the observatory's powerful telescope at craters on the moon named after scientists and philosophers. Saturn and its ring system will also be observed.

Whatever you think of when you think of a hip-hop show, Joshua Coulson says the one he's staging Saturday will surprise you.

For one thing, it's being held in an art gallery.

For another, the rhymes of Coulson and his fellow performers won't be celebrating "jewelry, guns and all this ridiculous stuff they've hyped up" in music videos.

"We don't glorify anything negative," said Coulson, whose stage name is "Domonoe."

"We're not out there telling kids to sell drugs. We're not telling kids to call girls the 'b' word."

Maybe the idea of a suburban mom selling pot just wasn't that subversive anymore. After all, cable TV also has suburban chemistry teachers making meth ("Breaking Bad") and suburban polygamists ("Big Love") hiding in tract homes.

Maybe, as creator Jenji Kohan explained, the writers on "Weeds" were more excited about new projects they had in the works than the one they'd been writing for three seasons.

In any case, as writers embarked on the fourth season of Showtime's hit dramedy (returning Monday), Kohan decided to change the show's premise, moving Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) out of her natural habitat to some place less stifling -- a California beach town near the Baja border.

"It's a big TV taboo to move a show," she said. "The conventional wisdom is, you've built an audience that is tuning in to see this setting. If you move it, they'll get upset."

They still might. But Kohan, who revels in tweaking convention, said the borderlands offer an abundance of new opportunities for Nancy and her often raunchy and profane entourage to toy with sexual, political, racial and religious taboos.

Demi Lovato recalls with delight "my first -- and my only! --fan mob scene."

The 15-year-old had dropped by a friend's autograph session at a Disney Studios event to say hi when suddenly a little girl shrieked her name. Within seconds, hundreds of kids clutching pens and autograph books had surrounded her.

"I was like, 'What! How do you even know me?' " says Lovato.

As the star of the latest Disney Channel original movie "Camp Rock" -- which the Mouse House hopes will be its next "High School Musical" -- it's a scene Lovato might have to get used to. Only time will tell whether the Disney Channel can capture lightning in a bottle twice in the same decade. Disney is clearly banking on it, however, rolling out buzz about the movie on the Internet for months, offering various "Camp Rock" tchotchkes and casting as co-stars the pop group the Jonas Brothers. (It airs June 20 at 7 p.m.)

In the film, Lovato plays Mitchie Torres, a musical prodigy who can't afford to attend a prestigious music camp filled with snooty rich kids until her mother gets her a break on the tuition by landing them both jobs in the kitchen.

Father's Day weekend might be the perfect opportunity for Dad to spend a little quality time with the kids. (Moms, that means you'll be mowing the lawn.) This weekend offers a chance to take in some highbrow entertainment that's also fun, engaging and perfect for kids and their grown-ups.

Here are three to consider:

• Wichita Children's Theatre will present "The Wizard of Oz" at 10 and 11:30 a.m. today and Friday at Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. The show would amuse kids 2 and up. Admission to the cookie show is $5. It's $6.50 for the lunch matinee. To make reservations, call 316-262-2282. (The show continues June 19-21.)

• Take a picnic lunch to the park and watch the Wichita Shakespeare Company present "Much Ado About Nothing." The Shakespeare-in-the-Park performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday at College Hill Park, 304 Circle Drive; 7 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Park, 10201 Hardtner; and 7 p.m. Sunday at 13th Street Sports Park, 13th and Patricia in Andover. Take lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Admission is free.

• There are two chances to see Ballet Wichita's "Peter Pan" in the great outdoors. One is at 7 p.m. today in Riggs Park, at 700 Sara Lane in Haysville. The other is at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Farm & Art Market Plaza in Old Town. Admission is free. For more information, call 316-687-5880 or go to www.balletwichita.com.

Today's birthdays: Banker/philanthropist David Rockefeller, 93... former President George H.W. Bush, 84... singer Vic Damone, 80... actor-singer Jim Nabors, 78... jazz musician Chick Corea, 67... country singer-musician Junior Brown, 56... actor Timothy Busfield, 51... actress Jenilee Harrison, 50... actress Paula Marshall, 44... actress Frances O'Connor, 41... actor Wil Horneff, 29... singer Robyn, 29.

Tycoon Donald Trump explored his roots with a visit to his late mother's house in the village of Tong on the remote Isle of Lewis in Scotland on Monday. Trump's mum, Mary Anne MacLeod, and his dad, Frederick Trump, who wed in 1936, met while she was on holiday in New York.

"I was here many, many years ago with my mother as a young child and I haven't been back since," Trump said, according to the Daily Mail of London.

The Donald, who was accompanied by his sis, Maryanne Trump Barry, 71, a federal appeals court judge, said he wants to invest in the island.

Trump made his visit en route to Aberdeen, where he is to appear before an inquiry board investigating his controversial $2 billion golf course development. So was the whole thing just a PR stunt? "Zero," Trump said. "We were flying in, and I said this was the right time to come."

A girl for Spelling

What made the cover

• "Jessica's (Simpson) humiliating betrayal" (In Touch)

Cause George is a perennial bachelor? Duh

• "It's over: Why George (Clooney) and Sarah (Larson) split" (In Touch)

Medical problem or not, get her back on track

"Grace Is Gone" is a sad movie -- as in buckets-of-tears sad. I almost drank some Gatorade after I watched it just to rehydrate. But there is beauty, too. And it's mostly in the performances of the outstanding cast.

John Cusack stars as Stanley Phillips, a working class man who tries to care for his young daughters, Heidi (the remarkable Shelan O'Keefe) and Dawn (Gracie Bednarczyk), while his wife is serving in the military in Iraq.

He feeds them. He sternly issues orders. He loves them, but doesn't know how to connect.

Then tragedy strikes. Stanley gets a knock on the door. As soon as he opens it, he knows: His wife has been killed in the line of duty.

Grief overwhelms him. And when faced with trying to tell his daughters that their mother has died, he panics and instead takes them on a road trip to an amusement park far away.